The Theory of Dove And Grenade

Chapters

Interlude
Summer Day
IV
The Morn Before The Storm
11:11
Useless
Pain
Heavy Rain
Recuperation
Voices and Vices(Third Person)
The Loss(Third Person)
Red Wish
Blood On The Mind
Introduction: Rescue Me
Four White Walls

Interlude

"Oh..." My eyes opened and I was instantly blinded by the room's florescent lighting. After they adjusted, I got my barrings and quickly realized where I was. I laid in a hospital bed, tubes sticking out of me and wires attached to my fur. My right wing was lying open and wrapped in gauze. I lifted my blanket to see my torso in the same fashion. My whole body was sore, my neck felt like it was put through a taffy machine, my stomach felt full for some reason, and I couldn't even feel my wing. Like I'd use it anytime soon anyway.

The door opened, revealing a white pony and red hair and and a syringe cutie mark. "Good, you're awake."

"How long have I been out?" I asked. The nurse frowned slightly.

"For about...forty-eight hours."

My eyes opened wide. Two days?! "Two days?! But I-Ow!" I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my stomach laid me back down.

"Be careful!" The nurse said as she approached the bed. "You'll rip the stitches out. Yes, you were out for two days. Your mother came in yesterday and told me to tell you she was leaving town on a business trip." She saw me form a frown at the news and laid a hoof on mine. "There, there. Somepony else is here to see you, too."

"Really?" I asked. "Who?"

She smiled as she walked back to the door. "She didn't give me her name. She was the one who brought you in her."

My face went cold, and probably would've went pale if my fur wasn't already white. That mare. She saved me, but killed those guys! I wasn't scared. Much. This mare could be a murderer, and just waltzes in here with me on her back and stays. "W-Wait!" I called after the nurse, but it was too late. She left the room.

'Don't panic.' I plead to my self. 'Don't panic, don't panic! You freak out when you do, so don't panic!' The door opened once more. Hoping to see the nurse again, I laid still in bed, gripping the sides. The mare walked in slowly. I could see her clearly now, she had beige fur. She had a cut on her cheek, and that was it. Her yellow and black jacket was off, and I could finally see her face. She was...stunning, to say the least. Her yellow eyes looked around the room. As if I wasn't even here.

"You know the thing about hospitals..." She spoke. "...they never fail to creep you out. Whoa!" She turned to me and rushed over. "You have like a bazillion of these wires sticking out of you!"

I sat in disbelief. "Uh, hi."

She looked away from the heartbeat monitor to me. "Hi."

"...You saved me." I said.

"I did. You were pretty much bucked until I did, too." She answered quite bluntly. "You know, you shouldn't walk around neighborhoods like that by yourself. Ponies who do that might've ended up worst than you."

My expression changed from confused to annoyed. "Buck those guys. They came looking for me, I didn't just walk in and instantly get targeted."

"Why were they looking for you?" She asked, looking less blunt as I went on.

"The black one, Darkstar? Yeah, he thought I hit on his fillyfriend. I didn't. So, he took it upon himself to 'teach me a lesson.'" I said, each one of my words filled with more hate than the last.

"And you let them push you around like this?" She sounded like it wasn't obvious that I was weak.

I sank down into the hospital bed. "I'm like a twig."

The sides of her lips curved down into a frown. "Aw, don't put yourself down like that." She place a hoof on the bed. "You're not a twig. You're more of a...." She thought for a second. "A dove!"

"A what?" At least now I knew she was crazy.

"A dove, dork. You know, those things with wings that sit around the city? The ones that crap on statues?" She turned away and went over to the t.v. in the corner. She pressed a button and it turned on. "There's really no point in me doing this. Hospitals always have shit channels."

I couldn't take hearing this stranger anymore. At least, not without knowing who she is. "I'm sorry, but who are you?"

The mare turned back to me while flipping through the channels. "Me?"

"No, the t.v. Of course you!"

She smiled and walked to the other side of the bed. Then hopped on to the bed and laid next to me, her eye lids closed half way and her tone changed. "Well...who are you?"

"Uh..." I froze. My mind went fuzzy. She place a hoof on my chest and started to draw circles in my fur. "My name?"

The mare, I guess, didn't hear me. "My name is Emmy."

"Emmy?" I snapped out of her trance long enough to say that.

"Nah, it's Summer." She confessed. "Summer Night."

"Where are you from?" I asked.

Summer stopped drawing circles on my chest and turned towards the ceiling. "I don't know, really...So what's your name?"

She didn't explain her answer, which made me pause before I answered "Hail." I said. "Hail Showers."

Summer snorted. "Hail Showers? What kind of name is that?"

"What kind of name is 'Summer Night'?" I shot back.

Summer sighed. "Good point." We laid there in silence, the pony on t.v. was talking about ways to make a meal only using carrots and turnips. "I'm not calling you that."

"What?"

She turned her face to me. "I refuse to call you 'Hail Showers'. It's too...dorkish."

I huffed. "Whatever. I thank you for saving my life, but refuse to have you lay here and criticize my name. And what makes you think I'd want to be even an acquaintance with you after I leave this place?" I made another attempt to sit up, ending in the same sharp pain from before. "Ah!"

"Dude. You need to lay still." Summer said, laying me back down. "You'll rip your stitches out."

"Why do you care?" I asked.

"You're the kid who was about to be murdered by a bunch of hoodlums, and you're asking me why I saved you or if I care?" She said with a know-it-all tone.

I sighed and closed my eyes. "Doesn't matter. I could've died out there and nopony in this city would've cared."

Summer sat up and loomed over me, holding a shocked expression. "What?! How could you say that?! Everypony's life matters! From the smallest ant in the dirt, to the biggest dragon..." She said, using her hooves to show how big or small the things she was mentioning. "...all life deserves to live. Even yours, Dove."

I soaked up the lecture she gave me, taking in what she said. All up to her last sentence. "What did you call me?"

Summer smiled. "Shh, shh now, little one." She reached over and pulled the blanket up to my chin. "The nurse said you'll be well enough to leave tomorrow at noon. Until then, bed time."

"But-" I tried, but she silenced me, placing the tip of her hoof to my lips.

"All questions will be answered as we come to them." Out of the corner of my eye, I see her turning some sort of wheel. Before I knew it, she placed a mask over my muzzle.

"Wait! I don't....think....you...should..." I felt woozy, lightheaded. My eye lids grew heavy and my mind began to slow. Summer gassed me. Before I could retaliate, I lost consciousness. Not before seeing her lean down next to my ear and whisper.

"Nighty-night, Dove."

~*~~^~/~*~

I woke up again several hours later. My head felt heavy, and my abdomen stopped hurting. When the doctors came to remove the wires and tubes, I saw the nurse talking to Summer. She looked a little embarrassed. I wondered why, but didn't pay much attention as the doctor were pulling tubes out from my stomach. I still cringe when I think about it. They told me that I'll have to be in a wheel chair for a few days and not to stretch as much, so that the wound can close. I had no problem with that. The more time away from school, the better.

When the nurse wheeled me outside, she stopped me at the sidewalk. When I turned to her, she was walking back into the hospital. "Wait!" I shouted. "I don't think anypony's picking me up!" I called after her, but she was already inside. I was alone. On a sidewalk in the middle of Manehattan.

"Surprise!" A familiar voice shouted from behind me. I yelped as the wheel chair leaned backwards so that I faced the sky. The yellow hooded Summer Night entered my view of vision, her smile beaming down on me.

"Oh. Great." I said sarcastically. She leaned down and nuzzled my forehead.

"Now don't be a foal. You're not going anywhere with out somepony watching your flank. And guess what? I'm that pony." She pushed the wheel chair back vertically, almost launching me out of it.

"Oh Celestia. Fine. Can you take me home then?" I groaned. "If I'm going to be crippled, I might as well like where I am while I am." Summer scoffed.

"Okay, Dove." And off we went.

"Can you stop calling me that?" I asked. I think she either didn't hear me or ignored me, but Summer still kept pushing the wheelchair. We made to the end of the block where there was a cross walk. The light went green, and we went forward. "Can I ask you something?"

Summer leaned her chin down on the top of my head. "You just did, but Sure. Shoot."

I hesitated to ask. "Did you...when you showed up..." She stopped the wheelchair. Before I knew it, we sat outside some adults club. She sat right in front of me, removing her hood.

"You want to know if I killed them and why, don't you?" She said. All I could do was nod slowly and nervously. She sighed.

"Alright. First...yeah. I killed them."

My heart skipped a beat. I felt like crapping myself and spontaneously combusting all at the same time. She just told me that she killed four ponies, without a hint of regret or remorse. My mouth struggled to make words.

"They were attacking you, and I couldn't just sit back and watch somepony die...so I did it." Summer's expression dropped to confusion. "But you know...I don't really remember it. I saw that black one stab you and...poof!" She waved her hooves in the air. "The next thing I knew, four bodies laid beside you. I picked you up and brought you to the hospital."

"I saw you take something out of your jacket." I explained. "What was it?"

She looked down and searched in her jacket. Eventually, she pulled out a brass ring. It looked to fit over her wrist and fit perfectly. "What is it?" I asked.

"I don't know." She said. "I've always had it though..." I could see her mind was starting to trail off. I took this time to get a better look at her. Her dark pink hair dangled into her face, covering her eyes from the morning sun. I wanted to see her eyes again, I don't know why, but I did. The glow from that day still clouds half of my mind. Did it have to do with her blanking out?

"Hey, Summer?" I asked. Summer snapped out of her mind trip.

"Yeah?"

I looked away, facing the few ponies just leaving the club, their eyes tired and bloodshot, their legs wobbly. I looked back at her. "Thanks again. You know, for saving me."

She looked at me and smiled. "No prob, Dove."

I face hoofed. "Ugh. If your going to call me that..." She place a hoof on my head and ruffled my mane. "Hey!"

"Hehe, alright kid. Where do you live?" She asked, standing up and pulling me away from the wall.

"Oh, right. Just down this street." I said. Summer pushed us further down the sidewalk we were already on. I was still a bit iffy about my whole situation, my mom was out of town, my life almost ended...and now, I'm being pushed around by some murderous, goofed out mare. *Sigh* I can only hope something good will come out of this...

~*~~^~/~*~

"Sir! We've got something!"

"What is it?"

"I think we found her..."

Summer Day

At this point, I don't even think we were anywhere near my house. She wasn't listening to any of my directions, and kept telling me to relax and enjoy the fresh air. Fresh air? This city wouldn't know fresh air if it came up and slit its' throat. The only thing fresh about this town were the posters on every flat surface of random shows and clubs, stores and products, and companies. We've been going down this one street for what seems like an hour. The sun had felt like is was getting closer to Manehattan, because there was no sense of cool on these sidewalks. You could see the vapor of the heat rise from them, I honestly wouldn't be surprise if you could cook eggs here.

Summer didn't seem to mind, though. She still wore her jacket with the hood up, and that same smile she greeted me with that morning. I looked up while she stared across the street to a billboard, her eyes were bright yellow. Almost as yellow as the sun. I found myself staring longer than necessary and looked away. What was she thinking about? What was her point? Why is she putting everything out of the way to take care of me? Was it guilt? Did she really feel like she owes me her services? She doesn't, really. Summer could stay even without having to help me...where did that come from? Ugh, never mind.

As we walked across, I believe, the twelfth block, I couldn't take the silence anymore and decide to take this opportunity to ask Summer about herself. Maybe find out why she's helping me. Or more importantly, where we're going. "Hey."

She looked down at me, still pushing the wheelchair. "Yeah? Heh, you look like your getting a tan."

"Right. So, what's your story? Do you live here in Manehattan?" I asked. She thought about for a few moments before answering.

"No." She said. "I was just passing through."

I thought. "Where do you live?"

"I don't live anywhere. I travel a lot." She spoke.

Interesting... "So, you travel from town to town, city to city, no place in mind, and then what? What if you find somewhere you want to stay?" I was really interested, but still wanting to know more about what happened two days ago. But I have to take it slow.

Summer skidded the chair to a stop and leaned it back, her face was a mere inches away from mine. Ponies who were walking by gave us some strange looks. "Then...I'll stay." Her canary eyes looked right into my psyche, maybe even deeper than that. I gulped loudly. "Hehe, if only there was such a place."

Is she bucking with me? "What is it with you?" I asked. "You switch from one personality to the next. What are you, bi-polar?"

She gasped sarcastically at me. "How dare you? I thought we had something special!" She waved a hoof to her forehead in dramatic fashion. "You are so going to get it later, but now...Aha!" She looked over to the right and saw a bright blue building. "There! Come on, Dove! Get up!" Summer flipped the wheelchair back up and rushed us across the street. Carriages were skidding to a stop as we crossed.

"Ahhh!" I screamed. "Summer, look out-Oh crap!" We nearly missed a carriage that had not even bothered to slow down, let alone stop.

When we reached across the street, my heart was having a heart attack. Summer walked in front of me and patted a hoof on top of my head. "That'll do, Dove. That'll do."

I swear to Luna, I will end you. I spoke in my head. She just risked our lives for what?! I looked to the top of the building and read 'Curve's Bar'. "You pushed me half way to the center of town...for food?"

"No, dork." Summer said. "I'm thirsty."

"Whatever. Let's just hurry this up, I'm cooking out here." I said. It's probably only one in the afternoon and I'm already tired and drained. She grabbed my chair and pulled us into the dinner. As we made it through the doorway, I instantly smelled alcohol and cigarettes. My stomach churned upon the smell reaching my mind. "Ugh...This place sucks. It smells like the inside of a dragon's bowels."

Summer sighed. "You know, you can eat here." She said. "Just not, like huge stuff. Your stomach still needs to heal. Like, you see that chair? Don't eat that."

I grew angry. For some reason, my 'bullshit meter' was full and I was going to let her have it, but she poked me in the muzzle. "Ow."

"Hehe, you get mad way too easily." She pushed me over to a table and sat in a chair on the opposite side. "Hey, can I get waiter? A barmare...Or something?" She yelled towards the counter. The other ponies in the place looked at us with stares that predators give their prey. Or assassins give their targets. "Hey, It's impolite to stare."

The ponies looked away, but she kept her gaze on them.

I looked out the window. Two days. What's today, Wednesday? I began to think about school, which led to Rose Thorn, of course, and that led to Darkstar. My head went faster and faster as I thought about what could happen if I saw him again. All of his friends are dead, and Summer was the cause of it. Would he blame me? Ugh, why couldn't I have lived somewhere simple...

"What do you want?"

"Huh?" Summer mumbled as she looked up. A unicorn with green mane and yellow fur stood above us, a note pad and pen levitating beside her. "Oh! I would like a glass of light cider."

The waiter wrote down Summer's order and turned to me. "And what would you-Wait a minute." She looked closer at me. "How old are you?"

"Uh..." I said.

Summer scoffed. "He's not drinking. Get him a small cheese and lettuces sub."

"Alright. We'll try to get your orders out as fast as we can." The waiter said. She walked away from us and went into the kitchen. I turned to Summer, her eyes fixated on me.

"What?"

"Nothing." She said. "Well...it's your wings."

"My wings?"

"Yeah. I've been meaning to ask you, why didn't you just fly away from those ponies?"

That question couldn't have been more painful if it had been attached to the knife Darkstar used on me. "I can't fly."

Her expression dropped. "You. You can't fly? Why not?"

"My wings aren't really...strong. They're like paper, which is why when Darkstar threw me at that dumpster, one of them broke." I sank back in the chair. "That leaves me pretty much useless." I stared down at the table top, a sour frown upon my lips.

Summer saw my face and frowned. "Aw, Dove." She got up and walked around the table, she sat in the stool beside me and wrapped a hoof around me. "You can't keep putting yourself down like that. You are not useless. Look at me." She took my face in her hooves and pointed my gaze into her's. "Say what I say: I-"

I did as she told. "I-"

"Am-"

"Not-"

"Useless."

I paused, before saying the last word. "Useless."

She smiled. "Now. Do you feel better?" I have to admit, having somepony like her have me say something like that and tell me herself was really relieving. I felt better, but not better, better. "Come on...give us a smile!"

I couldn't help it. A grin grew on my lips.

"There you go!" Summer smiled. "You're so adorable." She leaned in and touched her forehead to mine, her eyes once again on mine. Time froze around me. I had no idea what was going to come out of this moment, but I was completely lost in those sulfur gems.

"Ahem." A voice sounded behind us. Summer sighed and turned around, a big pony with one cup of what may be cider and one plate on his back was looking down at us with an eyebrow raised.

"What? Jealous?" Summer scorned. "Don't look at us like that. You're the peeping pony here, tubs. "

With a grunt, the pony threw the plate on the table and slammed the cup down next to it. He huffed and walked away. The other ponies in the dinner, I think, were still bearing the same expression since we got there. "Well that was nice of him, huh?" She said to me with a laugh.

"What a dick." I said truthfully. Summer patted me on the head.

"Chill, kid." She told me. "Here eat your sub. After this, we should probably head home."

'Head home.' The way Summer said that caught me off guard. Home for me is the place i go to when I'm tired, hungry. It's where I live. But what is home for her? I could never live out on my own, I kind of already do, but I'm not completely alone. No matter what she says, it either goes into one pile marked 'bullshit' or the pile marked 'worrisome'. Why am I so concerned about what she says? More importantly, why am I so concerned about her?...

~*~~^~/~*~

After I ate and she drank, Summer and I made way back for my house. I looked to the skies, couldn't see the sun anymore. Or the sky. This city either has a really bad nicotine addiction or the factories in the dead sector are going to ended up filling the entire sky with it's fumes. Then again, we did spend a long time in that bar. The dead sector is a part of Manehattan that lost all control on night and burned to the ground, both metaphorically and literally. Many ponies died that day. The Mayor stationed a base over there for classified reasons. Nopony to this day knows what goes on there.

"Whoa." Summer said. I look away from the grey sky and towards a tall black building. It over shadowed the whole street, there were no windows, no signs. All it had were two armed guards out side its' only door. And two giant letters on the side of the building:P.G.

"That's the new organization that moved into the city two weeks ago." I explained. "I don't know what they're called, but I hear ponies say that they're here as back up in case another part of the city rebels."

She looked at the building, her eyes were like saucers. When I followed to what they were looking at, I too raised an eyebrow. What did P.G. mean?

"I think we should go." She whispered, and began pushing me right passed the overshadowing building.

"Wait! What happened? Did you see-"

"GET HER!!" The two guards by the door yelled and chased after us. I saw fear in Summer's eyes and knew something deeper was defiantly going on. She ran while pushing the wheel chair as fast as she could. Her breath was on the back of my neck. I felt scared. They shouted 'Get her'. What are going to do with me? With that thought now fueling the flames of my thinking, I started yelling behind me.

"GO! Go, Summer! Why are they chasing us?!" I yelled back at her. She didn't reply. When I turned around, I saw them again. Her glowing yellow eyes. Summer was looking right through me and only at what was in front of us. I didn't know what was going on, nor did I want to at that moment. All I wanted was to get the buck out of there. The guards behind us were falling behind and slowing down. Summer wasn't. She just kept running, pushing me. I felt woozy and sat back in the wheelchair. And eventually, passed out.

IV

You know that feeling you get when you stand up too quick from laying down or sitting for a long time? Well, that lacks in comparison to how I was feeling when I woke up. My hoofs were numbed and had pins and needles poking at the skin. My surroundings were dark, the smell of trash and street met my muzzle and I cringed. Where the hell am I? My vision was blurry and I couldn't find the strength to sit up in my wheelchair. The sounds of carriages passing by sounded to my right and I turned. Summer leaned against the wall I'm on and peered out of the alley.

"Ugh...hey, Summer?" I tried. "What...what happened?"

She was silent for a few seconds, then glanced back at me. Her eyes no longer were glowing, but were serious. "Those ponies. From the building, chased us." Her breathing was deep. She must've ran me all the way over here.

"Where are we?" When I asked that she turned away from the alley's entry way. She sat in front of me and tried to catch her breath.

"The alley where I found you." She whispered. "Don't you live around here?"

My heart sank when I remembered. This was the alley. I turned to a familiar dumpster in the corner, it's handle was dark and reddened. My blood, probably. I turned to the ground, four faded chalk marks laid next to the opposite wall. "Yeah, just down the street. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Just tired." Summer huffed. She got up and pulled me from the wall. "Let's go."

I chose not to ask about what really went on in her head during the chase, because whatever happened, I didn't want to cause that look to come back. When I first saw her stale expression in the alley, I felt even less safe. When we were chased, it wasn't any different. Her sulfur flame eyes were hollow pointed and fixated. You could see nothing but the sun in them. Was I worried? No. I can't tell you why, but it didn't really bring me to fear her. As far as I was concerned, Summer was still Summer...as much as I know her, at least.

The day went by relatively quickly, the sun was already out of the sky and the moon was making its' way to take the sun's place. The sky had darken, you could barely tell seeing how the sky was almost entirely covered with clouds and industrial smoke. I liked the night. In the city, walking the streets at this time, would seem like a scary activity. But in the right part of town, it was breath taking.

The neighborhood we're walking through is no different. Though a little eery when walking by yourself, it was a nice and quaint place. However, somewhere I regret living. If I didn't live here, I wouldn't be here, in this chair, my wing and abdomen covered in gauze. But, hey. Then I wouldn't have Summer here.

We pulled up past a house, it's windows were dark and the walls were dark burgundy. My house, finally. Summer took awhile before asking. "This it?"

"Yes." I answered. She wheeled me up to the door. I reached down into my-"Shit!"

"What?" She asked. My cheeks reddened as I looked up to her.

"I...don't have my key." Dammit. I must've left everything back at the hospital. Why did it take me so long to notice? "Sorry."

She smile and pulled me away. "No problem." She sat in front of the door and reached into her jacket pocket. "Just give me a sec..."

I watched her, not expecting much. She pulled something out of her jacket and stick it into the door, her hooves turned with the object and I heard the sound of a click. She sat up and faced me, letting out a triumphant "Ta-da!"

I can't say I was amazed, hearing about lock-picking from ponies at school. But actually seeing it was what made me impressed. "How did you do that?"

Summer got behind my chair and rolled me in through the door way. "Ancient equestrian secret..." Her cocky look changed to a look of surprise. "Whoa...Fancy!"

She was mostly right. My mother had earned a lot of money from her job at the local bank, so furniture and 'necessities' came easier after that. We had luxury couches and tables, fine china, expensive electronics, the works. I never really needed or wanted anything, but since we had the money, she just bought all the latest crap that came out. "More like unnecessary." I commented. I asked Summer to roll me over to my bedroom door and she pushed it open for me.

My room was relatively bland. I had a desk by the window, which was next to my bed. The closet door was open and things were lying about its' entrance. The room was pretty much a mess and hadn't been cleaned in about a week. Summer rolled me over to the bed and helped me onto it. I sighed as I fell back and felt the coolness of my pillow against the back of my head.

"Some place you got here." Summer commented. "A lavishing living room of a mansion, but a bedroom of a twelve year old."

I scoffed. "So it's not clean. Big deal, at least I have a room."

"Good point." She laughed. Summer noticed a poster that hung on the bedroom door.

"S.C.A.V.A....Where have I heard that before?" Summer asked herself.

"They're a My dad worked for them while I was growing up." I told her. "I always sort of wanted to follow in his hoof steps and join, but my mom says 'It's too dangerous! Look at what happened to your...father...'" I went quiet, saying that was kinda hard.

"So, where are your parents anyway?" Summer said, taking her seat at the end of the bed. "You mentioned your dad worked for S.C.A.V.A.?"

I sat up. "Yeah." I began to explain. "He's co-production leader in his squad."

"What are they, like secret agents?" She teased.

"No, just stuff like crowd control. He is the best in the organization..." My head dipped.

"What happened to him?" She asked, a look of concern on her face. "You act like he died or something" I gave a weary sigh.

"He stays at work. He never...he never comes home. It's been like that since I was twelve." A sharp pain passed through my chest. "I get calls from him, letters, and my mom goes to a place where she can see him...but never me." I felt a hoof on my shoulder.

"Hey, it's alright. At least you still hear from him." She leaned back and sighed. "I don't even remember my parents

"What do you remember?" I asked. "Ever since the hospital, I've been trying to figure you out. And all that I've come up with is that you drink, mess around, and forget."

She turned to me with an odd look. "And what do you do?" She scooted closer to me. "Ever since the minute you woke up, you've been a sour puss. You sulk, whine, put yourself down, drink, mess around..."

"You're saying everything I just told you, now." I reminded her. "Whatever." I laid back, placing my head on my pillow.

It grew silent in the room. After a few minutes, I felt the bed move and heard my door open. Summer probably used this time to leave. Why not? She doesn't have to stay. She's a grown mare, and probably doesn't have time to watch over some pegasus she just met. Though...It would be nice to have some sort of companion. Like a friend, or something. Be better than having to lie in my bed alone till my wounds heal, go back to school, and get attacked by Darkstar for his friends. Maybe I should call my mom and ask to move away. Or just run away. Maybe...

"Sup!" Suddenly, I flew up into the air and slammed back down on the bed as Summer hopped on. "Your mom has great taste in cider! It was like having a bar in a fridge!"

"Summer..." I asked. "Why are you still here?"

She must have found that funny, because she sat back and laughed. "Me? Leave? Are you forgetting, you're in stitches, Dove. Your stomach is being sealed shut by twenty inches of thread. And you look like the type of pony who would kill themselves off." She said, opening a bottle and taking a sip. When I tried to argue, she put a hoof on my head and smiled at me. "So, I'm sticking around. By the sound of it, you could use a friend."

"I don't need friends!" I shouted, receiving a bigger laugh from Summer.

"Yeah, right." She calmed her laughter, and looked to the small clock on my night stand. "It's getting late. You should get some rest."

"Ugh, what are you? My mom?" Why not? At least she was there when I woke up in the hospital, she even bought me food.

Summer pointed a hoof at me. "Hey, if I was, I wouldn't have let you walk home by yourself. Now." She got up and headed towards the door. "Get some sleep."

I stared at her. "Where are you going?"

She looked back and smiled. "Don't worry about me. Night, Dove." And after turning off my light, she left and closed the door behind her. I was left staring at where she once was, not knowing what could possibly happen next. Summer was right, I could use the rest. But...Whatever. I'll deal with the shit as it comes to me. Now, I think I'll take up on her offer and get some shut eye...

~*~~^~/~*~

Summer sat on the couch and stared out the living room window, her gaze falling onto the darkness of Manehattan's night. Her thoughts swayed back and forth, looking for signs of what occurred today. Usually when she lost her memory in small bits, Summer could at least remember a signal detail. But not this time. Not a single image or snip it could she see of the incident in the alley, which annoyed her to no end. Summer huffed as she fell to her back on the fancy cushions.

Why can't I remember? She thought to her self, blowing her dark pink hair out of her vision. Those ponies...what did they want? They recognized me, but I...

Summer sat up and peered over the couch, she saw the kitchen. Making her way over to the fridge, she pulled open the door and looked for anything to drink. I'm sure Dove won't mind me taking this cider. Summer grabbed a bottle and headed back over to the couch to enjoy the frosty beverage.

Why are you still here? That question bounced around her mind. The nerve! That little twerp asks me why I'm helping him! Of all the ponies... She took a sip of the cider and leaned into the couch. There's something about him, though...something familiar... Summer turned her attention to Hail's bedroom door, a small smile crept onto her face. He's a dork, a sad, no self esteemed dork. But I guess I should take care of him. At least until he's able to walk around...

~*~~^~/~*~

"...So, you tell me you both saw her?"

"Yes, sir. We have a picture right here. She was with some pegasus colt."

"You say she ran from you? Both of you?"

"Well...yes sir. You see, she was faster than anything I've ever seen. And Host was-"

"YOU BOTH ARE PATHETIC!"

"..."

"Now...you say she had a colt?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, then get him. Then, when she's out and about looking for him, obtain her. And do *NOT** fail me, Ghost."*

"Y-Yes, sir."

"And as for you, Host."

"...Y-Yes, s-"

*BANG*

*thud*

"....Send the clean up crew up here, Jewel."

"Yes sir, Commander."

"Ghost, get me the pegasus."

"Yes, sir."

"Also, see if he knows anything. If he does, terminate him."

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Now, that will be all."

The Morn Before The Storm

I woke up to the sunshine breaking through my window, my eyes hadn't adjusted to the daytime yet so I was blinded slightly. My body wasn't as sore as it was the day before, I took it as a good sign. I don't have the best memory in the morning, so most of yesterday is still a blur. As I sat up, my wound didn't sting or hurt, so I assume it's healing pretty well. My body had grown attached to my bed and wanted me to stay, but something didn't seem right. With regret, I got up and walked away from my bed. My phone sat on the desk, connected to its' charger just where I left it. I stumbled over, feeling the pops in my joints as I leaned over to check the time.

8:23 A.M. No messages.

The window faced down the street towards the city. The streets were empty and abandoned, only haunted by the morning fog. I walked from my desk to the bedroom door. Gathering all the strength I could, I pushed the door open. The view of the living room was revealed to me. Also the view of somepony laying on my couch staring at my television. I walked over to the pony and poked the back of its' head.

"AH!" She jumped and turned around with a hoof raised. Her expression softened when she saw me. "Oh! Morning, Dove."

I stared back at her with my head tilted to the side. "Wha...? Oh, Summer. What are you still doing here?"

"What are you doing scaring the hell out me after I just woke up?" Summer asked with a smirk. "Now who's in the spotlight?"

"Whatever." I mumbled and walked to the kitchen. "So, what's on?"

She turned and looked towards the screen. "Well, the news dude is talking about weather, sports, something about The Princess and her student..." She trialed off.

Not surprised by the fact that there's never anything on. I poured my self some cereal and went to the fridge for milk.

"I spent most of last night trying to remember the whole incident."

I turned to her. "And?"

"Not single fragment came to mind." She leaned her head back, looking at me from and upside down view. "How's the stitches, by the by?"

"Doing better." I said with a mouthful of OatieeO's. I walked over to the couch and sat beside her. "So other than that, what other things can you say you remember?"

She looked at me. "What do you mean?"

"Like, you mentioned last night that you can't seem to even remember your parents. Can you recall any event in your life before the past couple of days?"

Summer leaned back into the couch, falling deep in thought. "...I remember something that happened three months ago."

I placed my bowl on the ground next to the couch. "Okay. What?"

"I remember being in a transit. Yeah, the train was cold and damp. I was sitting in one of the booths and my head pounded, like I hit it or something. There was this pony sitting across from me. I can't place a face, it was covered by something." She looked my way. "I think it was a mask."

"A mask?" I asked.

Summer nodded. "Yeah. She told me that it wasn't long now, like it wasn't long before we got to where we were going. Where were we going?" She raised a hoof to her chin.

"Is there anything else?" I asked. "Like, anything you said or something?"

She shook her head. "Nope. Nothing. Wish I could." She threw her hooves in the air and stood up. "Welp, here's an idea! I'm going go get freshen up."

I stared at her as she walked over to the bathroom door. "Uh...?"

"I'll just be minute." She said. She opened the door and headed in. The door closed, leaving me alone on the couch.

Great. I thought. And then there was one... My gaze met the television screen, but drifted away. Finding something on the tube was as likely as me sprouting a horn becoming princess. T.V. never interested me anyways. All that was usually on was mostly dumb ads or sorry excuses for shows. What kind of show stars a talking dish sponge? Or a pony who's head is a holder of alien technology and guitars are considered weapons?

Much to my legs' dismay, I decided sitting here rotting in front of the old radiation box was a null idea and found my self retiring to my bedroom. There, I could at least have something to find and do. As my body hit the bed once again, the warmness of the morning returned. After a few seconds, I rose again and retrieved my phone. My first idea was to call somepony. Without thinking, I dialed my mother's number and waited for a familiar voice.

*dial tone*

"Hello?"

"H-hey, mom."

"...Oh my goddess. Hail?! Are you alright?!" My mother's voice shook as she spoke. "I'm so, so sorry I had to leave! You know my work can be demanding at times. How are you?"

How was I? I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs that I wasn't, but by sincerity was in her voice. "I'm okay now."

"The doctor called me and told me that somepony who saved you took you home."

"Yeah. Her name is Summer. She took me to this bar-dinner, and made sure that I got home alright."

"Good. You see, not everypony in this city is as bad as you say they are." Oh foalish mother... "Now I don't want to have to worry about your safety, so make sure you stay out of trouble."

"Yes, mom."

"I mean it, Hail. I know I'm not always there, but I do care a lot about you and I want to know that you'll be safe."

"Yes, I know."

"Okay...Wait. You're home alone right?"

"Yeah..." I kinda lied. "Why?"

"Because somepony from your school called me and said they saw you being pushed around downtown in a wheel chair by somepony. Some mare."

"That's Summer. And she was taking me to get food."

"All the way downtown?"

"You know where the hospital is. Anyway why is this important?"

"I just find it a little strange that some random mare takes the time out of her day to take care of you. She's a stranger, Hail. And what had I been telling you most of your foalhood?"

I felt a sense of resentment. "For the record, she's strange. You got that part nailed on the head, but she's nice, caring. She stayed in the hospital and waited for me to wake up."

"Hail?"

"I mean, who are you to say anything? You didn't even say goodbye when you left! Some doctor did it for you!"

"Hail-"

"Don't 'Hail' me!" I snapped. A bubble popped in my chest. The feeling I felt when I stood up to Darkstar came back, but not fully. "Why should I calm down? I was beaten up in an alley by a gang of brainless foals with knives and clubs! And here you are, probably a hundred miles away, telling me it's okay and to calm down!" I breathed heavily into the phone. Whatever just happened, I can tell you, me and my mother weren't expecting it.

"....It was not my fault I was sent out here on a trip. This is a big chance with the company and I can't risk this job. Not this time at least. But if that wasn't the case, I would have been the first one you saw when you woke up. I'm glad she's staying with you, you could use a friend, Hail. I worry about you and how secluded you are."

"I'm not!"

"Relax. Promise me to get some rest today, okay?"

*sigh* "Alright."

"Love you, Haily."

Goddess forbid her call me that in public. "...Love you, too. Bye."

"Bye."

*click*

*sigh*

Somehow every phone call to my mom leaves me exhausted. I don't know what is was, maybe I just hate phone calls or having to call her. Maybe it's the fact she called me 'Haily' again. I dunno. My heart was heavy, my head pounded, but I felt better. Like I got a weight lifted off my back. Maybe I should let that out more. I dunno.

Before I knew it, I was developed in a reverse hug. I felt somepony's breath against my neck and shivered. Wet fur and mane clung to my head and back. The sweet smell of raspberry shampoo filled the air.

"Haily?" Summer whispered into my ear.

"H-how much of that did you hear?" I asked, my voice for some reason shook. She forced us back and we fell upon the bed.

"Oh not much..." She smirked. "..only enough to hear you say all that nice stuff about me."

I could see it in her eyes, my cheeks faded to a dark crimson. "I-" Her hoof cut me off and she laughed.

"See? I ain't such a bad pony after all. Even your mom likes me."

"But she didn't see you in the alley." I reminded.

"Dovey, I didn't even see myself in that alley." She said back. "I can't even remember it. Hehe, you're so stingy."

My body jerked out her clutches and I rolled off the bed, my eyes staring right back at her. "I'm not. Ugh, just...go sit down somewhere." I waved my hooves in any direction. "I need to lie down and think."

She scooted over as I went face down into my pillow. I could feel her eyes scanning me. "What's eating you?"

"Nothing." My voice muffled into the pillow. She laid a hoof on my back and moved it in small circles.

"No, I'm pretty sure it's something." She said. "Tell me."

"No." I was suddenly pulled out of my pillow and was facing her. "I don't want to talk, Summer." She gave me a stare. I don't know what that look was about, but it froze me. It read something I couldn't understand, but I somehow recognized it. My mind slowed. "...alright."

"Good." She said. "Now, what the hell has you all upset?"

11:11

Beep.

The sounds of 'beeps' echoed off the steel walls. Computers lined up against them, each in use by ponies in black uniforms and wore headsets. They stared intensively at the screens, some were radar, other's had code running down them. Several were security cameras. One pony sat at the biggest screen the the room. It covered almost an entire wall. He scratched the back of his head and yawned, his purple eyes staring emptily at the screen. His long orange mane fell over his eyes, to which he occasionally blew out of the away now and again. He leaned on one elbow and slouched, his faded yellow torso bending foreword with poor posture. His expression was tiresome and hallow.

"What are they doing?" He mumbled to himself. He wiped his eyes, full of crust from the late night observation notes and bloodshot from the ongoing keeping watch of two subjects. On it, were two ponies, sitting on a bed.

A sharp pain rushed through his head. That time again... He thought, pulling a small container from the pocket of his uniform. It was a small pill bottle, inside were several white pills. He took the lid off and threw a couple of them in his mouth, swallowing the capsules. Can't afford to lose focus now...

His notes weren't particularly interesting, simply things. Subject A and B woke up, B took a shower while A talked on the phone. Since then, they had been sitting on the bed, their mouths moving occasionally. He couldn't read what they were saying, nor did he care. His eyes began to close slowly and his head dipped down.

"Slow day?" A deep voice called from behind him. He quickly shot his head back up and turned in his chair, facing the voice's source. There stood a large stallion, his fur was a cobalt blue and he had a shortly cut black mane. He wore a large black coat. His expression was blank, but wide awake. Unlike the orange pony.

The pony raised a hoof to his forehead. "Good morning, Sir." He turned back to the screen. "Yeah. The subject and the colt had barely moved all morning. I think they're just talking now."

The stallion stood behind him and stared at the large computer screen. "Even if they are just talking, keep an eye on the mare." He said, glaring. "We can't afford to lose her location again."

"Um, Sir?" The orange pony said. "When do you plan on sending in...them?"

"We need the Commander's approval of it first." The stallion looked down at him, one eyebrow raised. "You seem uneasy mentioning our retrieval unit, Flamerider. Tell me, are you afraid of them?"

"No! I mean. Well..." He stuttered. Suddenly, the large, cold, steel door opened behind them. Both ponies turned. Behind them stood a pegasus, his coat was a damp white and his mane was cut military. He wore the same black out fit as the other ponies in the room, but it had a satchel and was coated with body armor. His eyes were tired, empty, but had a serious tone and kept still. He raised a hoof to his forehead and met stares with the standing stallion, yawning while doing so. "Good morning, Gentlecolts."

The cobalt stallion nodded. "At ease. You must be the pony I sent for."

The pegasus waved a hoof behind him, showing he rather not talk about it in the room while others were near. The Commander nodded and followed him out. They walked through the door way and it shut automatically. The hallway was empty and the echos of hooves hitting steel flowed past.

The stallion sat back on his haunches and stared at the pegasus. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Commander Showers."

The pegasus smiled tiredly. "The pleasure is all mine. What was your name again?"

"Director Shard." The stallion said. "Crescent Shard. Now about why you're here, follow me." He waved his hoof, signalling Showers to follow him. They walked down the long and cold hallway, the sounds of their hooves hitting the porcelain flooring echoed. "It's about the project."

"Project Grenade?" Showers asked.

Director Shard nodded. "Yes. It seems to be that the subject that escaped has resurfaced. Now, we need a team of you best agents to capture her." He explained. When he heard Showers stop walking, he did as well. He turned back. "Commander?"

Showers was glaring at the ground, his hoof was rubbing the scar on the side of his face. "Are you sure you want her captured?"

"We need her alive. I can't have you or anypony killing her..." Shard said. "...if you could."

Showers's head shot up and he marched towards Shard. "What did you say?"

Shard grinned. "I know about the incident, Commander. How that little mare nearly wiped your whole team out and left you weeping like a foal for your life." He got right into his face.

"What?! It's my squadron you want!" Showers yelled. "I'm not going to sit back on my flank and watch you put my agents, the best in the city, in danger. Buck your mission." He turned away from the cobalt stallion and walked down the hall.

"Hmm, interesting." Shard called after him. "It's too bad the famed S.C.A.V.A. can't help us...what would your son think?"

Showers had gotten to the end of the hall before he heard that. His once stern expression nearly shattered at the mention of his son. "Wha...what-"

"I mean, from the reports I've seen and the letters I've read, you two are really close. But recently, you haven't been as close as you'd like to be." Shard pushed the pegasus's button, practically threatening the safety of his child.

Showers began walking back down the hall. "I swear on the Princesses, if you lay one hoof on him, I will-"

"Attack me, get arrested, be removed as head of your squad, stripped of your rank, and possibably lose your place in this city." Shard said. "Now that we know your options, what is your choice?"

The pegasus stood in front of the Director, his wings spread out in battle stance. He was ready to pounce him and nearly kill him for even think of putting his son in danger. His eyes were cold, the only image keeping him from putting Director Shard in the ground is the one of his little colt smiling.

He stood down, his wings folding back against his sides and gave a wiry sigh. "When do you need them?"

The Director gave a nefarious smirk. "As soon as possible. You may be dismissed, Commander."

Showers glared at the Director, his teeth bared and eyes red with hate.

"Also, don't worry about your son. I'm sure he's in good hooves." With that, he turned and walked past the disgruntled pegasus, leaving him near an emotional wreck. He walked through the large door, it shut closed behind him. Shard clear his throat and called across the room. "Flamerider! Call Dead Zone base and tell them we have permission from the Commander. We need at least five agents ready to go now!"

Flamerider, who had his head flat on the console shot up and looked back in confusion. "Sir, shouldn't we wait for her to separate from the-"

"The pegasus might know something!" The Director shouted. "Now get them on the line! You!" He pointed at a random pony in the room. "Make sure Commander Showers is off this property by the time we send them in, or you'll be cleaning the floors!"

The pony nodded and scurried out the large door. Shard turned to the rest of the room. "Today, we continue the project!" He turned back to the large screen. The two ponies were leaning against one another, one's face was buried in the other's shoulder while she laid a hoof on his head.

~*~~^~/~*~

"Good." She said. "Now, what the hell has you all upset?"

I sat there, staring at Summer, wondering why she would want to hear about my crap. I don't even want to hear about my crap, and I'm me. But if she won't drop this...

"Okay...so, I'm sick of it here." I said.

Summer sat there, patiently waiting for me to continue. "And..."

I sighed. "I hate this city. I hate everypony and everything in it. The citizens, the school, the kids, the bullies, the fillies, the teachers, the dark skies, the pollution, S.C.A.V.A., my mom's job! Everything!" I yelled. Summer reared back at my sudden out burst. "I hate being here every bucking day! Never being able to see my parents because they work so far apart and my dad stays there! My mom doesn't seem like she gives a shit about how I feel about this place! Saying that I overreact and I need to think positive..." I pointed down at my gauze covered torso. "Thinking positive won't stop that!"

Summer nodded at all I was saying. It was weird. I felt like a weight was being lifted of my shoulders the longer I went on about the constant crap I carry around, and she was listing to all of it. After awhile, and several rants, I started to feel bad. It felt like after all the scratching at the surface, I was getting to the core of my issues. Mostly, my father.

"...And he never once said that he was proud of me..." I whispered, hooves were around my self as I laid on my side. Summer sat in my desk chair in front of me, her hoof was on the side of my face. "Through out my foalhood, he would try to get me to fly...he would take me to the roof and..." My voice cracked. I hated reliving anything about my flying or lack there of. Summer was here, I had to get it out. "...I know he loves me, him and my mom both do, but...I...I don't know if I do."

Summer frowned and placed both hooves on my face. "Dove..."

"No, Summer." I argued, currently attempting to hold back the on coming tears. "I do. I hate me."

"No, Dove. You don't mean that!" She said.

I flipped over and faced the wall. "I do." I sobbed. "I hate that I can't fly. I hate that I can't make friends. I hate that I live here. I hate me. I hate everything about me."

Something must have happened to piss her off, because I was pulled away from the bed and pushed against the wall next to it. Summer was right in my face, her eyes read disappointment. "You listen and you listen good. There's nothing wrong with you."

I raised a hoof and tried to speak but she slapped it down. "Why do you always put yourself down, kid? I've known you for two days now and you are already the smartest pony I've ever talked to. You have such a negative outlook everything around you, but when you see the positive, and you're happy, I can actually see the Hail Showers that isn't such a downer on himself."

I stared at her, my look had doubt written all over it. "Alright. So maybe you were almost murdered, and sure, maybe I'm a little crazy and can't remember anything past last Sunday, but I know you well enough to see a good side." She smiled at me, I was locked into its' glow. "Now, do you feel better?"

"...I guess, yeah." I give up. I guess all that stuff I was told about venting was true. She grinned and threw me back at the bed, sitting next to me on it. "See, Dove, it isn't that bad." Summer tried to level with me. She somehow got me to 'open up' as my mom calls it. I don't know why I did, but it felt good to get some stuff out.

"Whatever." I grinned. "Thanks, I guess."

"Thanks for what?" She said.

"For getting me to talk. I mean, for you, it must have been boring to hear me complain for an hour."

"Oh, don't worry about it!" She said, putting a hoof on my head. "It's good to dump your anger out somewhere every now and then. And besides..." She maneuvered around so she laid beside me. "...you deserve it."

I watched her, her gaze was a little odd. "Okay, now you're really creeping me out with that look."

"What?" I sat up and peered over at my clock. Big red numbers read 11:11. "Make a wish."

"What?" I asked as she sat up.

"It's 11:11." She explained. "When it's 11:11, you make a wish."

I scoffed. "That's stupid."

"Whatever. Make a wish, Dove." She leaned on me. "Please?"

"Are you serious?"

She looked at me. "This is the most serious request you'll ever get from me. Do it."

"Ugh." I stared at the clock, my eyes closed and I placed my hoof on my chin. Make a wish? I wish...I wish for a new beginning. A new start. I want to live peacefully somewhere where there's now violence, no anger, no reason for me to be scared to walk down the street. I wish for Summer to remember, to get everything sorted out in her head...I kinda wish for her to-never mind.

Summer got up and looked out my window. She moved her head side to side. Then, she jumped back. "What?"

She looked at me, her eyes read fear. "Those ponies from yesterday...they're outside."

My eyes grew as I realized who she was talking about. Suddenly, there were loud bangs near the front of the house. Summer ran towards the bed and grabbed me. I tried to speak, but she placed a hoof over my mouth. We moved out of the room and towards the living room. The front door was still closed. She let go of me and ran back to my room. When I got there, she was opening my window

"Wait! What's going-"

"Dove." Her voice was serious. "Promise me you'll stop hating yourself."

I shot her a confused look. "What are you talking about?"

"Promise me if I have to leave you won't come looking for me." Her eyes were moving left and right. The bangs occurred again.

I was getting worried. "Summer?"

She got up and pulled me into a hug. "Hail, I'm sorry." She pulled away and kissed me on the top of my head. I felt her push me away and she head out the window.

One last bang sounded. The sound of wood hitting the floor echoed through out the house, and the sounds of hooves grew louder and louder.

Useless

The Dead Zone.

Closed Off From The Public.

Commander Showers had read that sign way over two-thousand, five hundred, and fifty-five times in the past seven years during his later days in S.C.A.V.A. He exhaled and walked past it, glancing over his shoulder and staring down the street leading to the heart of Manehattan. This reputation in the organization has earned him the respect of his fellow 'employees', and his position as commander of S.C.A.V.A. But after all these years of crowd control, capture, and hits, he starting to feel it. Feel the weighing of his age and his body isn't sure of how long it can hold up here, and neither does he. He's muscles strain even while doing minor work, his eyes are blurring, and his mind is nearing its' breaking point. Everyday, something was going wrong, something was weakening, somepony dies.

His legs brought him to the entry way of the large building. Blocking his way was a large gate, guarded by a single, large pony. He had coal fur and grey mane, his eyes were deep red and he wore the same body armor Showers did. The pony looked to the commander, nodding his head.

"Good morning, Commander Showers." He said, raising a hoof to his forehead. Showers greeted him the same way.

"Hmph, more like afternoon." Showers grunted. The pony stepped aside and reached down onto the small console by the gate. After a few moments, the gate began to slide open. The commander walked passed the coal stallion and headed into the base.

Concrete flooring and cold steel walls greeted him once inside. Showers took in a deep breath, breathing in the cold air. The room he walked into was filled with several ponies looking over consoles. Half of the room was being used as storage for gear, the other half was used as mission plans. On a near by wall, there was a map covered with red tacks. At the bottom of the map read 'Known Subject Locations.'

He walked past all of it to the far part of the room, to a door. His hoof extended and turned the handle, and pushed the door open. Showers entered the next room and put on a less grim look. "Good afternoon, ponies." He said.

Around the room sat four white, elder pegasuses, each wearing a black suit with red tie and a pair of reading glasses. They surrounded the only table in the center of the conference room. The eldest pegasus who sat at the head of the table waved to the Commander. He closed the door behind him and sat down across from the other pegasuses.

"What did Shard request?" The pegasus asked. Showers's lips broke into a grimace.

"A bucking smack to the jaw." He grunted.

"Showers." The pegasus said, his voice firm. The Commander sighed.

"He requested, ordered, me to send him a squad of our agents." He explained. "He wants them to go after the subject."

All of the elders leaned back and shared worried glances. The oldest spoke. "We can't risk losing anymore of our agents."

"What did you want me to say?" Showers hissed. "He threatened my family, and I'm not willing to lose my place for not 'risking' some ponies."

The eldest stood, looking down at Showers. He lowered his reading glasses and placed them on the table. "Which ones?"

Showers's ears perked. "Ones?"

"The agents. Which ones?" The elder asked. "Which ones were sent after the subject?"

"I'm...I'm not sure." Showers stood, reaching over to the door and opened it a crack. "Somepony get me the agent dispatcher!" He yelled, closing the door afterward. He turned back to the white pegasuses. "Other than that, did the mayor send anything back?"

The elders all shoke their heads. Suddenly, the door opened. A blue unicorn with purple mane and red stallion with white mane walked into the room, a headset sat on their heads. "Yes, Commander?" The unicorn asked.

Showers turned to the unicorn. "Who were the agents you sent to Shard?"

The unicorn cleared his throat and tilted his head back, thinking back to the squad. "Umm...Squad 313, Sir."

The stallion turned to him with a confused look. "313? Don't you mean 515?"

"No, 313." The unicorn said. "You said 313."

"I said 515!"

"Does it matter?" The unicorn asked. Both of them turned back to the Commander, and took several steps back. Showers was now standing, the elders had their heads in their hooves. Showers raised a hoof to the unicorn and stallion, his eyes wide and filled with anger, his hoof shook with rage. "Uh...sir-"

"313?...313." He stomped his hoof into the wall beside the two. "313?!"

The unicorn coward behind the red stallion. "Y-Yes, sir!"

"Squad 313 was put on lock down!" Showers yelled. "They are merciless. Aggressive. Murderous. They are killers!" His voice echoed throughout the small room. "They were the reason Operation Rescue Control failed! They killed half of the zone! And you sent them after the subject?!"

The eldest pegasus slammed his hoof on the conference table, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. His other hoof was tight against his chest, his head hung low. He looked up towards the Commander, and the cowering two in the corner.

"That squad is now loose in the city." He said. "...Celestia help us."

~*~~^~/~*~

"...You can't just leave like this."

"I'm sorry, but it's our best bet."

"But what about Hail?"

"He'll get use to this, trust me."

"But he's only nine. What am I suppose to tell him when he wake's up and finds his father isn't here?"

"Just...I'll tell him."

"Tell him what?"

"..."

"Glacier?"

"I don't know. I guess I'll make something up."

***

"Okay, son. Like we practiced."

"Uh, right."

"Come on, Hail! I know you can do this, just put your mind to it!"

Ugh...

"Ugh! I can't! They just won't move!"

*Sigh*

"Alright. We'll try again tomorrow."

Dad...I'm sorry....

"You are not useless. Say it with me. I-"

"I-"

"Am-"

"Not-"

"Useless."

Useless...

~*~~^~/~*~

My eyes opened to the sound of her voice, and searched where I was. But they closed when they found out they were wrong, I'm still in this dull white room. Cuffed to this chair, bruised face and my muzzle dripped and stained with blood. My body ached, I was hungry. My mouth tasted faintly of copper. My head pounded and throbbed. This feeling of being held against my will was new to me, I felt as if nopony is going to save me. Empty. Like I was going to sit in this bucking chair until I either bleed to death, get beaten to death, or I tell them where Summer went. Of course, I had a better chance of the first two.

Suddenly, the light outside the door turned on, and t slowly opened.

"Well, Mr. Showers." The Director said, walking back into the room. "I believe you know what we want, and you're going to tell me where she went."

I didn't move, my eyes were shut tight and I prayed that the reason he came back was to put an end to this misery.

"We know she was there moments before we the team arrived." He sat in front of me. "I don't want to have to continue this. You look like you need medical assistance-"

"Then, why keep me here?!!" I snapped. "For the past hour, you and your torturers have beaten me inside out for answers I don't have!! You keep me hoof cuffed to this bucking chair, for crying out loud!" My eyes were dry, empty of all moisture since I sobbed that out minutes before. "I don't know anything. Please."

He shook his head, my legs kicked out towards him. "Come on!!" I tried to pulled from the chair, only to feel the wrenching pain from the cuffs.

"It's not that I don't believe you, but you being here is mandatory. This matter is more serious than you could ever imagine." He stood and began circling me. "That mare-"

"Summer." I hissed.

"Yes, well. 'Summer' holds the key to a very special gene we created years ago, when we had her the first time."

My mind stopped. First time? "What are you talking about?"

He chuckled under his breath. "You see, a few years back, we had a small assignment:Create the perfect weapon for the war. We of Equestria have a history with battle and magic, so using the magic of today for this little project was the easy step." He sat back down in front of me. "Tell me, you are aware of the magics of combustion, yes?"

I shook my head. "Combustion is a very dangerous spell, banned from ever being used by the Princesses. Getting our hooves on the spell was a very hard thing to do, mind you. We were nearly shut down. Once we had it, we needed the right ingredients."

"You mean test subjects."

He laughed openly. Sick buck. "Well...Yes. Haha, the gene created was a mixture of the chemicals which bring us dynamite and a little something I had cooked up in Fillydelphia. The combustion spell was actually never suppose to be used, but during the event..." He cleared his throat. "The 'test subjects', as you called them, weren't forced into this little science project. No, they gladly wanted to help, well, one of them really had the say in it." He dropped his grin. "The other was...a little unresponsive. She would attack anypony who came near her, and scream when she saw me. The little child she was..."

"You took her." I gritted my teeth. "You took her, didn't you?"

He laughed. "Oh, no! She was a runaway. A criminal! This was not an innocent victim of science, this was nothing but a mistake." He craned his neck to side, cracking it. "You see, the gene was to be as planned, injected into the blood stream and straight to the brain. Its' job was to give power to the ones who didn't have it. Earth ponies would be able to join the fight for freedom. To be soldiers for the land and serve the princesses!"

My father used to always tell me the war was not as respectful they would tell us on T.V., so hearing this monster explain it this way only strengthen that point further. "Why are you telling me all this?"

The Director stood from his seated position and began walking back to the door. It opened and he turned his head. "I'm telling you this...because you are not leaving, Mr. Showers." The door shut behind him, coating me in darkness.

~*~~^~/~*~

Pain

The P.G. building towered high above the street below, its' shadow being the blanket to the misty sidewalk. It's windows were dark, almost appearing to be painted or tinted. It's surface was painted a simple grey, and blended into the background. Rain had began to fall only minutes before. It now coated the streets, carriages, windows, and the sorry ones caught in the middle of it. The smell of damp concrete filled the air. The clouds above the city were coal grey and wept the rain down. Several ponies picked up their pace as the rain grew heavier as they walked.

Each moved to the left or right, avoiding a form that stood on the opposite side of the street. The form sat on its' haunches and stared down at the sidewalk, sitting directly under the shadow of the towering grey building. Its' jacket grew heavier the longer it stood in the rain, the hood sagging down in front of its' face. Suddenly, the figure's head looked up, revealing her glowing yellow eyes. They dripped with anger and craved revenge. Her teeth were bared, grinding against each other with every second she looked upon the building.

She saw that the front door was not guarded like the day before. With movement, she moved across the street. Managing to miss each carriage that crossed her, she reached the other sidewalk and met the building. There must be a way inside with out having to be seen. She looked both ways, seeing that one side was an alley way and ran to it. The alley smelled of trash and gas, it was covered in darkness.

The mare searched the walls for another way in, and found something much better. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a green stallion wearing a black suit and wore a Bluetooth. His eyes were covered by a pair of glasses. He leaned against the wall, a cigarette rested between his lips. Smoke exited through his nostrils and he let out a heavy sigh. The figure moved close against the same wall, being careful not to be noticed. The stallion leaned forward and coughed, spitting on to the alley floor. Within seconds, the mare was only a few inches from him.

In a swift move, she moved in front of the stallion. He only had time to drop his cancer stick and let out a split second yelp as the mare punched his chest, hitting the spot over his heart with great force. The stallion's head slumped forward, his glasses dropped from his face. Blood leaked from his mouth. In seconds, he dropped to the ground. His heart had stopped the minute the mare's hoof made contact. She bent down, brushing her hoof over the stallion's eyes and closed them.

A few minutes later, the mare exited the alley. Her dark pink hair was slicked back, her glowing limestone eyes were shielded by the glasses of the stallion, and his Bluetooth in her ear. She wore his suit, it had several wet spots around the back and side, but were unnoticeable. She walked calmly to the front door and entered the building.

The pink maned mare walked into the P.G. building and entered what looked to be a waiting room. There was a large coffee table in the center, magazines covered its' surface. Chairs lined up against the two walls to her sides, the walls were a pale green. Straight ahead, was a desk. A pink unicorn sat at it and was busy typing on the computer, a steaming cup levitated up to her lips.

The mare walked up to the desk, and tapped the surface. The unicorn looked away from the screen, her face showing her annoyance. "Can I help you?"

The mare coughed into her hoof a couple of times. "I-*cough* I'm here to collect somepony." Her voice was mask behind her hoof.

The unicorn raised an eyebrow. "Collect, hmm? Who is this pony?"

"*cough* A Pegasus."

The unicorn's eyes widened. "Oh! You must have been sent by the boss!" She stood from her seat and walked around the desk. She walked over to the door and opened it. "Just down this hallway and to the left."

The mare nodded and walked past the unicorn. After making sure she heard the door click behind her, she moved into a gallop down the hall and made a sharp left. She skidded to a stop. Down to the left was a longer hallway, both sides having doors. She mentally swore to herself. One of these doors held her prize, but which one? She could try going one by one, but that's the easiest way to be caught. She could...She could break down every door and save him.

The mare took a step back, her hooves went to her temples. She took deep breaths, now was neither the time nor the place to lose it. She needed to find him and get out of here. If she's lucky, everypony is out on lunch. These rooms could just be closets, or empty regardless. But this still required stealth of some form. As soon as anypony get's whiff of her trail, she's dead. Or worse, he is.

She carefully walked down the hall, eying each door she crossed. One door looked to be a janitor's closet, so she disregarded it. Another door had a window, the lights were off inside. This repeated several times before she reached the last door. Sweat was beating down her neck and head. Her heart rate had gone up in the passing seconds of scanning the doors. Her eyes rested upon the door's surface, it had no window. No sign. No way out.

She found it.

~*~~^~/~*~

"Why are you leaving, dad?" The young grey pegasus asked, sitting on his bed as his father sat beside him. "Is it because I can't fly? I'll try harder, I promise!" It was nighttime, the city was dark and it was bedtime for young ponies and foals. On this night, one foal is being told by his father that he won't be living with him anymore. This nearly shook the foundation of his world.

The father shook his head, lifting a hoof to his son's cheek. "No, no. Of course not, Hail." He said, letting out a small sigh. "You see...my job requires me to leave the city at times. And it makes it hard for me to live here with you and your mother."

The young pegasus's lips quivered and his eyes watered. "Then quit! I don't want you to leave, dad!"

"I wish it was that easy. I really do, but..." He stopped, gathering his words together. "You know I love you son, right?"

"I love you too, dad."

"And you trust me right?" The father reached out and wrapped his hooves around his son, to which he hugged back. "I promise I'll make this better. This isn't your fault, Hail. It never was, and it never will be."

The young pegasus wept into his father's chest, pleading with him not to leave. But all was in vain. Out of the corner of his eye, the father saw the pegasus's mother standing the doorway. Her hooves were covering her mouth and tears were in her eyes.

***

Deep within the P.G. building, a lone pegasus sat half awake. His eyes were open, but his mind was as if a blank page. His wings shivered as he sat unmoving. His black mane hung low in his face. The same four white walls surrounded him, one baring a clock that ticked on and on and on. It read 3:13.

Hail's eyes twitched before opening to a squint. He saw nothing, all was darkness. He sat up and moved his neck around, cracking it and feeling the joints pop. The dream was still present in his mind, the night his father left and never came back. He couldn't, his job couldn't let him. His mind began to replay him the events of the past week, but he didn't care. Hail wanted out in anyway at this point. If he's lucky, maybe they will kill him. Maybe if he pisses that unicorn off enough, she'll end it. That way, he'll be free, they won't get their information, and Summer will be safe...

He sighed. Why did they want Summer? What did they do to her? Where is she? These and other question bounced around inside his skull and buzzed like flies. She made him promise not to follow her. How can he? As if he knew her more than anyone. As far as he was concerned, Summer Night was somepony he got in between with and several organizations. And now, he might as well of died in the alley.

He opened his eyes all the way, not seeing why. It wouldn't make a difference in this room. The chair he sat in stung his flank. Hail guessed he's been there for several hours, he couldn't see the clock. The room had no windows, no light. He wanted to scream, yell, kick. Do anything, but feared for the ponies that brought him here would come in and end it. Where are they? Why are they keeping him here...Where is here?

Suddenly, light was brought into the room. The door facing him opened, revealing a shadowy figure in the doorway. The figure walked in, hoofsteps echoed throughout the small room. The figure closed the door behind it and approached Hail. He tried scooting the chair back She lifted a hoof to his chin and tilted his head back, the coal mane falling away from his eyes. She grinned, her eyes narrowing down at the pegasus. With one move, she shoved his head to the side, almost knocking the chair over.

Hail awoke, his eyes came alive and looked from one side to the other. He gained control of them and focused them on the pony in front of him.

"Sup, kid." Her voice was rough, she grinned maliciously.

The pegasus tilted his head to the side. "Sum...Summer?"

Heavy Rain

The beaten and broken pegasus looked upon the pony who entered the room. The shadowy figure closed the wooden door behind it, followed by the sound of a click. Hail knew that sound was the door being locked. The pony turned back to him, walking slowly and its' head low.

"S-Summer?" Hail squinted at the figure that stood above him, not making its' face any clearer in the nearly pitch black room. The hoofsteps sounded in front of him. His head was tipped back. "Summer, is it really you?"

The hoof that tipped his head back moved up the side of his head and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He felt the breath of the pony on his face, a pair of lips touched the tip of his muzzle. The coldness from the hoof slide back down to his neck. Another wrapped around to his wings, he tensed at the touch. Suddenly, a grip formed around it. Hail let out a short scream of pain, before coughing the second he wind pipe was clenched. A sharp pain poked at the spot between his eyes. A glow shined in his face and the figure's face came into view

"Wrong." The unicorn hissed. Hail's pupils shrunk at the sight of the still angered unicorn. He was suddenly kicked so far back, he connected with the wall behind him. His head hit the wall and slumped forward, the sounds of hoofsteps were muffled as a numbing pain surrounded his crown. "And no, your precious Summer isn't here...yet." The unicorn stood in front of the dazed pegasus, he eyes staring daggers down on him. "Oh, but don't be too disappointed."

Hail flung his head back, using the wall to prop it up. "Are you here to ask me the same bucking question, or are you letting me go?" He asked, knowing it was probably the former, followed by a beating. Or maybe just the beating.

The unicorn stifled a laugh. "Why would I ask you where she is? I know you don't know, we all know you don't." She sat down in front of him. "We just need something to bring her out."

Hail gave her a puzzled look. "What are you talking about?"

"You." She pointed. "She's always been one to care about anypony who get's in the way of us and her. For now, that's you. So, if the boss is right and you can't lead us to her, she will come and get you herself."

Hail sat back in the chair. He imaged Summer trying to find him, but end up being surrounded by these ponies. Then, his mind shot images of the thugs from the alley. "You won't stand a chance." He hissed.

The unicorn's ear twitched at his voice. She stared at him, squinting her eyes. "What did you say?"

"I've seen her kill five stallions without even a second thought to save me." He glared. "The only strength I've seen from any of you is towards a squirt like me. The beatings you give me are nothing compared to what she'll do to you when she finds me."

The unicorn was laughing at him now. "Are-Are you saying...Are you saying that I'm weak?" She stood and forced a hoof against Hail's throat, her tone darkening and her stare hallowing. "You'll see that any hit you got from me was under the control of my boss. And guess what, you little shit...he's not in the room right now, is he?"

Hail only stared back into the angered eyes of the unicorn, matching it with his own sense of hate. "You've had every chance to kill me. If you do now, it'll only make things worse for you." His voice was hoarse and emotionless. Hail didn't care anymore, whether he lived or died at this point. He had been a personal punching bag for the past several hours, his mind had been cast and lost in the darkness he sat in. His eyes were bloodshot and his face was stained with his own blood. The gauze around his waist was dirty with dried blood.

The unicorn looked at him with scorn, but the sides of her mouth slowly curved up into a grin. "I'm gonna have fun breaking you."

Hail turned and spat off to the side. "Give it your all, bitch."

~*~~^~/~*~

"Dammit..." She said. "Dammit!"

The disguised Summer kicked the opened door, nearly knocking it off its' hinges, but only forcing against the wall. She paced around the room, breathing heavily as her eyes flared bright yellow. Her hooves stomped at the rug cover floor of the empty office. Only a folded chair and a table that leaned up against a blank wall was left in the room. The clock on the wall read 3:29.

Where is he?! She screamed in her head, throwing the Bluetooth across the room. It shattered as it made contact with the wall. She slumped against the opposite wall, her head slumped forward. Then back, making a small thud. Her dark pink mane was no longer slicked back and now covered her eyes. She punched the ground. Her hoof hit the floor once more, she wondered if anyone had heard it. More so, she wondered about if Hail was alive, or even here. They could have taken him somewhere else, making her father from her goal now then she was at his home.

Summer stood up from her seated position against the wall and made her way out of the room. She hung her head and left what was left of the Bluetooth there. She walked down the long hallway and made a left. As she looked up, Summer found her self in a large open area. It was filled with cubicles, desks, and computers. It looked as though this company ran a small accountant business as a cover up. Ponies sat at the surrounding desks as chatter echoed around. Summer stared empty and sullenly around the room a few moments before she turned for the exit.

"Hey!"

Summer froze in place. She quickly turned around, standing behind her was a dark grey stallion with blue mane. He was leaning against a cubicle. "It's me, Coal. You look like hell, Lake."

Lake? "Uh...yeah." Summer grunted.

The grey stallion waved her over. She followed him to a table with a coffee maker and several cups. "I can't even begin tell you about the shit I've been having to go through for the past few hours." Coal said, pouring the warm drink into a cup. "First that meeting, then Fog wanted to talk about our whole situation again...and you know how that goes."

"Y-Yeah." Summer said, her voice rough and deep. "Uh, she could be a real hoof full...?"

"I know!" He laughed. "Then, out of no where, I get called on an assignment. And get this, it's with that one group; Squad 313."

Summer's mind stopped. Those numbers bounced around in the back of her mind. "3...313?"

Coal turned to 'Lake'. "Yeah. You know, 313. The squad that had been terminated due to the incident in the Dead Zone." He took a sip of his coffee. "Anyway, my mission was to infiltrate this house and capture Subject 7."

"Subject 7?" Summer asked.

"Man, where's your head today?" Coal face hooved. "Anyway, we broke into the place where she was suppose to be. We searched it, and all we found was this kid." He chuckled. "This kid's got issues, Lake. A real mess. While we interrogated him, he managed to piss one of the ponies from 313, the boss, and nearly died when he was threatened." He took another sip of his drink. "Wanted to buck em' up myself."

Summer gritted her teeth, her eyes were sharp knives aiming at the stallion in front of her.The image of her hoof hitting this stallion in the face was all she saw. She didn't make a single movement, and just stood staring at Coal while he rambled. When he was about to go on about whoever 'Fog' is, there was a loud bang, followed by the sounds of panics and shouts echoing the hall on the opposite side of the room.

"COAL!" A voice yelled across the room. Around the corner, a dark red pony with black mane came trotting towards Summer and the grey stallion.

"What?" Coal replied.

The stallion panted. "It's Knives! She's in the interrogation room with the kid." He pointed across the room. "She locked the door!"

Coal dropped his half empty cup and was pushed aside as a black and pink blur sped past him. Summer ran around the corner and across the room, knocking over several ponies in the process. She turned and found her self in another hallway. She ran as fast as she could to the end and stopped, looking both ways. Her eyes fixated on the single door to her left. Gaining speed, she ran all the way down the hall and aimed for the locked door. She slowed to a near stop, raised her hoof, and threw all her weight into it.

~*~~^~/~*~

The locked door exploded and its' pieces flew about the poorly lit room. Summer looked around, finding what she been searching for. Hail was cuffed to a chair, his mouth bloodied and he looked barely alive. Holding him by his throat and where Summer's eyes targeted, was a dark pink unicorn with long black mane that fell around her face. She stared at Summer with confusion, only finding a enraged monster that stood in the broken doorway.

The unicorn known as Knives looked back and panted. "Heh...Heh...Look, kid." She said looking back at the beaten pegasus. "Your mommy's here."

Hail's eyes opened slightly, fluttering from the pain he felt all over. He looked towards the doorway, his mouth opening in awe. "Summer?"

"Put him down, Knives." Summer growled. "Unless you want to see the inside of your spleen."

"Oh! You remember me!" The unicorn said, gleefully throwing Hail to the side. "I'm so flattered! To think, after all these years..."

Summer took a step forward, pulling the suit off piece by piece. "Shut up. I'm here for the kid."

"Oh, I know." Knives smiled. "And we're here for you."

Suddenly, the room darken as the doorway was crowded with four bodies. The rest of Squad 313 entered the room, surrounding Summer. Hail looked on from the corner of the room, he fidgeted as he tried breaking away from his restraints.

"Aw, where's Nails?" Summer laughed. "I thought you two were so cute together back at the base."

Knives' horn began to glow and her murderous smile dropped. "I'm gonna rip you in two!" She jumped at Summer, her hooves splayed and her horn aiming for the mare. Summer moved aside just she past, along with moving out of the way of the regal pony from behind her. Another pony threw a hoof near her face, she moved to the left and swung one of her own. The hoof made contact with the pony's head. A crack echoed in the room and the regal stallion dropped to the floor.

The enraged Knives was throwing her hooves in Summers direction, she blocked most of them except for two shots in her side. She stumbled over by Hail. He looked up to Summer.

"Summer, what's going on?" He asked, laying sideways on the floor and still cuffed to the chair.

"Yeah, Summer! What's going on?!" Knives teased. Summer clopped both of her hooves together, a small flash of light highlighted the room. She ran towards the unicorn and her hoof made contact with her face. Knives flung back and hit the wall beside the door. She let out a small grunt and slumped down.

Summer turned around and helped Hail's chair right side up. "Look, I'll explain later. Let's get out of here first, deal?"

Hail nodded. He saw Summer move behind him, and felt a small thud. After a few more, he heard the sound of metal hitting the cold floor of the room. The restraints around his hooves dropped and he slowly stood from the chair. All the blood rushed to his head and he slumped over, but he was caught by Summer.

"Don't worry." She said. "I got you."

Hail regained his balance and walked few steps towards the unconscious Knives. "Is she...?"

Summer walked beside him. "No. Just knocked the buck out."

Hail stood for a few seconds, unmoving. Then, he stepped forward and delivered a swift kick to the side of Knives head, making her body fall over to the side. Summer stared wide eyed at the now angry pegasus.

"I've been wanting to do that for FIVE HOURS!" He yelled. Sounds of hooves grew louder in the hallway.

"We have to go, Dove." Summer said. "Now."

"Go where?" Hail asked.

"Can we worry about that when we aren't in the same building with these buckers?" She asked, grabbing him and rushing out the door. They stood in the hall, at the end were several ponies in black suits, the one leading them was a angered Coal.

"Get em'!" He pointed and yelled. Summer and Hail turned and ran down the opposite end of the hall and turned around the corner. Behind them, the sounds of the suited ponies blasted in their ears. Doors zoomed past them and the end of the hall was approaching. They both skidded to a stop. All there was in their way was a blank wall.

"Aw buck!" Hail panicked. "We're dead, we're dead, we're dead!"

Summer stood silently, rubbing her hooves together. Suddenly, she punched the wall dead center. It flashed bright yellow and then crumbled down. Hail stared mouth agape at the mare.

"Let's go!" She yelled, jumping through the hole in the wall. Hail stared for a few seconds before following her. The hole lead to an office, Summer was waiting by the door. Hail ran through, Summer took a desk and blocked the door.

"Okay. What the hell is going on?" Hail asked, this time more frustrated. Instead of getting an answer, he was grabbed and forced into a hug by Summer. He stood there for a moment, then hugged back. He felt her heart beat against his chest.

She pulled away and took a look at him. "Are you okay? Bleeding? Did she stab you or anything?" She asked him. He looked around himself.

"N-No. I'm fine...thanks." he said. Hail looked around the empty room they were in now. "Where's the way out?"

Summer walked over to a wall behind him. "This should lead to the main lobby where I came in. But after I do this, you need to stick with me. Okay?"

Hail nodded. "Then will you tell me what's going on?"

Summer rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure." She stepped away from the wall and clopped her hooves. In a split second, she hit the wall. Just like seconds before, the wall flashed, and then fell to pieces. Hail watched as Summer turned back and stood beside him. "Ready? Let's go!"

Both ponies ran through the damaged wall and entered the lobby of the building. The secretary that Summer spoke to when she came earlier screamed as they ran past her and made way for the front entrance. The double doors flew open and they were outside. Rain poured heavily from the sky. Summer turned around the corner into the side of the building. Hail waited as she disappeared for a moment. She emerged from the alley with her jacket and ran up to him.

"Where are we going?" Hail asked. "We can't go back to my house."

Summer took this time to catch her breath. "I think..." She panted. "I think there's an old building near that old part of town."

"You know mean the old school?" Hail asked. "I think I know where that is. Let's go."

Summer nodded and trotted behind him as he ran down the street. They used the ran and the darkness of the city as their camouflage from passersby. Hail kept his head straight, never looking back. He knew Summer was behind him, and he felt safe that way. He fought back all the questions racking away in his mind. What happened back there? How can Summer do all of that? What is Summer? And what did she do to want all of them to kill him just to get her? he locked them away for the time being. Right now, they had to escape this part of Manehattan. They needed to lay low, then see where to go from there.

Summer on the other hoof knew exactly what was going on. Why they were chasing her, who they are, and what they want. She knew it all, but none of that mattered at this moment, maybe even later when it will. All she's thinking about right now is the next destination, and the pegasus running in front of her. She saw his beaten and battered body move in the ran, his coat was bloodied and soaked by the storm above them. His black mane sticking to his neck, a strip of gauze flying free in the wind as he ran. She was going to fix this, help him.

That's all that matters now.

Recuperation

The rain hadn't softened since we had left the P.G. building. The pain I was in was unbearable. I had beaten nearly to a pulp, I thought my ribs were poking holes in my sides, the pain making it hard to breathe. We ran through the abandoned school yard. My breathing was fast, visible from the cold and warm. My muscles in my fore and hind legs were on fire, but I felt like if I stopped, I wouldn't get back up. Behind me, Summer was quiet . She hadn't said a single word since we ran for the abandoned school, about what happend or otherwise. At certain points, I looked back just to see if she was still there. She was, and looked back at me each time.

The elementary school of Downtown Manehattan was falling to pieces. Windows were broken or even absent, small curtains flowed in the wind from the storm above. The small brick wall that surrounded the building was worn and covered with vines and moss. I finally stopped at the entrance, taking the time to catch my breath and look at the towering elementary school. Its' worn walls were altered with taggings from passing hoodlums, something he had grown accustom to seeing.

Summer walked up beside him, staring up at the place. "Cozy."

I grunted, turning my head to the side in an attempt to crack it. "Shitty."

Summer approached the rusted door, reaching for the handle. The second it made contact, the handle along with the door fell over inside the building. She stood there in the doorway, looking around the room. "Looks to be completely deserted. I don't sense a single pony in here."

"How would you know?" I asked, my throat was on fire and my voice was scratchy. "Or is that just another one of your talents?"

Summer chuckled. "Just something I picked up while traveling." We entered the school. The air was cold and held a terrible smell. Mold and moss covered the cracked and crumbling walls. "How old do you think this place is?"

I glanced around the room, broken desks and chairs were scattered about the room. "Not too old. I read somewhere that this school closed after the attack at the Dead Zone." Out of boredom, I kicked around a piece of a desk. "The word was that a couple of ponies died in here."

"Really?" She asked, walking out of the room through an open doorway. "Looks like a bucking tornado ran through in here." I followed her out of the room, into a hallway. It was soaked with the filthy rain water seeping though the cracks in the ceiling, and the floor was coated with ruble, wall, and soggy wood. "You would think for a place that ponies died in, you'd see signs of them."

"Like what?" I wondered.

Summer shrugged. "I'm just sayin'. If bodies were just left here, it would smell like there were some."

We walked down the long hallway, passing doors leading into caved in classrooms. Near the end of the hall, there was an opened doorway. A red cross was painted on the side. The nurse's office, I assumed. As I turned the corner into the room, I froze at the horrifying display. The room was empty, all except for two beds, a cabinet, and a counter. On this counter, several dirty syringes and scalpels covered it's surface. The surrounding walls were a faded white, dirty from its' aging.

My heart beat quickened from the scene, I shrank away from the scene, backing into Summer. She stopped me and looked around at the surroundings. "Well, this is comforting." She looked down at me, a small smile on her lips. "Huh?"

Before I could say anything, Summer pulled into the room by my hoof against my will. Avoiding eye contact with the filthy tools on the counter, she helped me onto one of the beds.

"Does this place creep you out?" She asked.

Yes. "Of course not." My voice shook as the words fell from my mouth. I laid back on the old bed, its matress was cold. I felt Summer rest a hoof on my side. When I looked at her, she was giving me a concerned look.

"Are you sure you're alright?" She asked, her voice was soft now. I turned over. "You were in pretty bad shape when I showed up. I thought you would be..." She looked away, her eyes closing. I couldn't believe it, she was actually worried about me.

My hoof found it's way onto hers, gettin her attention "I'm fine."

"Really?" She asked again. "You're looking really pale..."

And the moment ended. I didn't answer and simply stared back at her, realizing The terrible, terrible joke she had just said. "Ha-ha, you're funny. Now, who were those ponies? And what was with that unicorn?"

Summer sighed. She stood up and sat next to me on the bed, leaning her head back against the wall. "Dove...I haven't really been telling you the truth."

I snorted, making her laugh. "Yeah, guess I didn't make that hard to figure out..." Her eyes closed, her hoof laid across her fore head. "They work for an organization called Project Grenade, that big building they kept you in is their hideout."

My vision began to blur, a darkness smoked over the edges of my vision. Suddenly, Summer poked me in my chest. "Ah! What?"

She sighed. "You know what? We need to get you some help."

"What? Why?" I asked.

Summer hopped off the bed. "Because you're starting to blank out on me." She said, getting off the bed. "And knowing Knives was there...Just stay here, okay?"

"To me it sounds like you're trying to avoid telling me what's going on." I protested. There was no way in hell I was gonna let her get out of explaining what was going on. I leaned back when she came close to me, nuzzling my fore head.

"I'll tell you when I get back, I promise." She smiled. As she made way for the door, I watched her. Summer looked back one last time. "Don't move~." And she turned the corner and into the hall, leaving me staring into the empty doorway.

So she leaves me in this place, great. I leaned back against the aged wall, my head hitting it with a light thud. Thoughts buzzed around in my mind, traveling from topic to topic. Thoughts like has my mom been told of my disappearance yet, if anyone had even realized it. Or if Summer is really the threat here, if she's the key to something bigger than I truly realized. Those ponies nearly killed me just to get to her, especially that unicorn. But what really bothered me, was the chilling words of the Director. ...the gene was to be used as planned, injected into the blood stream and straight to the brain. Its' job was to give a great power to the ones who didn't have it...

That gene, whatever it was, is flowing through Summer's veins. Her powers...But something had grabbed my attention. Only hours before, I saw first hoof of what she is capable of. Only, she was in full control then, she didn't come to and not know where she was. Or stay in that state.

A tired sigh escaped my lips, a chill traveled under my skin. I tried to find the brighter side of the situation, or at least a way to connect the dots. I scanned the semi-dark room, its' eeriness no longer bothering me. Not that is really did before. Outside, I could hear the sounds of the heavy rain drops hit the rooftop. Sounding of rocks, it was hailing. Funny, I couldn't help but laugh at the coincidence.

Well she isn't going to be back for awhile... I thought, feeling my eyelids grow heavy and my breathing steadying. I might as well try to sleep...

I let my head slump sideways from the wall and hit the old pillow with a light thud. All of my thinking slowed, and I soon let myself fall asleep.

~*~~^~/~*~

Tell me your fantasies,

I'll make you believe,

That I really care,

I'll look into your eyes,

And tell you all my lies,

As I take you slow...

The speakers blasted through out the Thorn residence. The windows were shaking from the bass and the rooms echoed from screeching lyrics. One room of this house was the source of the sound. Inside it, a two young mares reside. One was laid out on her maroon covered bed, her fore hooves spread out on either side. Her hind legs dangled off the edge, kicking away at nothing. The Lime eyes of the mare stared emptily at the ceiling, barely blink or moving. The other was leaning up against the wall, a cigarette resting between her lips.

"You're dating a killer." One said. "You know that, Rose?"

Rose blinked slowly, her mouth forming a grimace. "You're stupid, you know that?"

The other mare laughed. "You know, he's probably, like, not even going to get a trial." She said. "And with that kid missing, he's gonna be put away for a long, long time."

"He didn't kill anyone." Rose said, rolling over to face away from the mare.

"Didn't he say last night that he and his friends, who are DEAD, tried to gang up on that kid?"

Rose stared at the ceiling, ignoring the other mare.

"Didn't you use to be friends with him?"

This made Rose sit up. "No! Twig?"

"That's not what you called him in middle school." The mare raised an eyebrow.

"Shut up, Locus." Rose hissed, getting off the bed and walking towards the window.

Locus grinned. "Aw, I hit a nerve. Look, Darkstar isn't getting out of this." She walked over to the bed and sat down, taking a puff from her cigarette. "I wish you would just break it off now, before this all gets out of control and something bad happens."

"Please." The red maned mare said, facing out the opened window. "You just want him all to yourself, ho."

"Oh trust me, sis. I made that mistake once already." She said. "Not making it again. Come on, you know he's just gonna dump you as soon as the next piece of trash walks past him, someone who's actually willing to open her legs."

Rose turned from the window to look at her sister. "What? Just because I won't put out, he'll dump me?"

Locus laughed. "Well. duh! He's a stallion, Rosie! Not some little colt like...what's his name?"

Rose looked away.

"Come on! I know you know his name." Locus teased, standing up from the bed and walking towards the bedroom door. "Just please, for me and dad, drop Darkstar."

With that, Locus left the room, shutting the door and leaving Rose to her thoughts. She glanced out the window once again, it faced a large building. Black letters rested at the top of it, reading Manehattan Holding Facility. That is where her coltfriend, Darkstar, was being held after being arrested that morning. He is being held accountable for two accounts of theft and one for assault. But as it turns out, he was being charged with the disappearance of a student from her school and held responsible for his friends' deaths.

The police have been searching the city since early that morning after apprehending Darkstar. Rose placed a hoof against the fogged glass, longing for her coltfriend's false embrace. 'No.' She thought, taking her hoof away. 'He doesn't love me, he never shows it. Not anymore...' She slumped down to her bedroom floor, her gaze moving up to the ceiling. Was her sister right? Darkstar never truly showed the true affection she wanted. Only towards her looks did it really show, not her personality.

She got up from the floor and moved back to her bed. She laid her head onto her dark red pillow and sighed. Maybe after her she'll discuss this with her father...

~*~~^~/~*~

"Hey, sleepy head."

My eyes jerked open. I was still in the school, Summer sat across from me on one of the beds. "Oh, right." She turned around, and pulled out a backpack. "The nurse said you left it at the hospital."

I sighed, seeing my backpack brought back memories of school. "Great. Now, I can do homework." It would have passed the time.

Summer shook her head. "Glad to see you were sleeping after all that. I was worried that when I got back, you'd be either gone or lying in a fetal position in the corner."

I raised an eyebrow. Really, how pathetic did she think I was? "Well, I still think this is all crazy...maybe I'm just still in shock." I fell back, resting my head on the old pillow once again.

"Don't get too comfortable." Summer hummed, going through the other small bag she brought.

"Why?" I asked. My eyes grew in horror and my heart fell down to my stomach as Summer took out a syringe from the bag. "Oh, no! NO! You're not putting that in me!"

"Relax, you big foal!" She said, filling the syringe. "It'll only hurt for a second, I promise."

I squirmed away, pressing up against the wall behind me as much as he could. Despite me not having Trypanophobia, needles freaked me out. They were pretty much tiny knives, so thin you couldn't see their razor sharp edge. When I was young, my dad would have to cover my eyes and ask the doctor to tell me it was just a spider bite. How dumb was I? "W-What is it?"

Summer placed the syringe on one of the dirty trays in the room. "A little something I got from the hospital. It's to numb your wound. I'm gonna restitch it. And clean your other wounds." She lowered her stare. "It's this, or having to feel everything."

I looked to the bag, then to the syringe, then finally, Summer. She sat on the bed, staring back at me with her bright yellow eyes looking into mine. I found myself calming down the longer I stared. "O..okay."

Summer smiled. She reached over and grabbed my arm, bringing me closer. "Alright. First..." She reached down and began to unravel the gauze around my waist. My cheeks burned as I felt her breath move down his stomach and a bit lower. I thanked any higher power I could think of off the top of my head that I didn't get too worked up, though part of me kinda felt like she was that kind of mare. Soon afterwards, she sat back up and grabbed the syringe in her mouth. She then balanced it on her hoof. "Want something to distract you from the shot? It's going straight into the gash."

"S-sure" Hail said. "What's the distr-"

I stopped, feeling the instant pain from Summer's hoof kissing the side of my head. My ears rung, the pain was diffidently distracting. Shortly after, there was a lot of pressure hitting my abdomen, possibably from the syringe entering my gash and the medicine being injected.

"Ow..." I groaned, rubbing the sore spot on my head.

"Feel better?" Summer asked. At least I think, my head started to grow heavy and I felt myself slipping.

"...hate you..." I mumbled, slumping down beside her.

Voices and Vices(Third Person)

Fog covered the late night streets of Manehattan, and coated the skies above it. Citizens were either in their beds or offices at this hour. Stores were closed and clubs had just started off the night. Mold and mildew sifted through the air around the broken down school, the storm had only dampened its walls. The moon's light broke through the thick clouds and smog in small bits, doting the building like stars. If only the ones in the sky were visible.

One pony was still awake at this hour, however. One Hail, still sore from being patched up by Summer. His new stitches covered by the new bandages around his waist, a bandage over his muzzle, and one over a mark left behind by the unicorn known as Knives. Despite the anger given from his utter appearance as a mummy, he stared out one of the many broken windows in the school. His surroundings being one of the many torn apart classrooms. This one not far from the nurse's office, where Summer was still sleeping. He took the time to think about a lot of things, about probably never being able to go home. If those ponies could find him there once, who's to say they wouldn't do it again.

Hail thought about his school, how no one would miss him or even know that he's gone. Rose could probably care less, and the only reason Darkstar would care is because he wanted to finish him off. His mother would demand to have all of Manehattan search for him until he was found. If he was. If he ever wanted to be.

Hail's thoughts started tipping to a darker aspect. What if he never wanted to be found at all? What's worth going back to his old life for, anyway? Only to be home for a short while before being killed off by some thug on the street, or some hateful kid his age angry at the world and taking it out on him. The world he once lived in was getting smaller and darker every passing day. But since he met Summer, the darkness cleared a little, his world is slightly broken and open. Hail didn't understand the good in the situation, not that there really was any, but he felt like there was something there for him.

Then again, he would be missed by his mother. She wasn't always there, but didn't he think she wanted to be? Her job always taking her to far places, only being able to keep contact by phone. Hail could imagine her soon being able to live without him, as hurtful it may seem he understood. The longer he let the idea soak in, he felt a dark chill wash over him. A feeling of lost. He had no purpose to fill in this miserable world anyhow. Dying would only continue the cycle.

I could die right now... A voice whispered in his head. He took a step towards the window.

What would your mother do if you died?... Another voice whispered. Hail froze.

Just end it...All that comes after today will only bring you pain...

What would happen to the city and the ponies around you?....

Damn them...Give in...

Seeing tomorrow will give you the strength to continue

This is a solution to a temporary problem...

Your body is dying...starting with your mind...

Breath...

H-Help me....

Breath!...

You're weakening...It's only a matter of-

No, no, no! He clasped his hooves over his ears, shaking his head. Stop! Spot it! Get a grip, Hail!...you're staring to loose your mind...

His hooves slid down from his ears and dropped to his sides, his head leaning back and staring up at the ceiling. He got up from the floor and walked out of the classroom. The nurse's office was silent, despite the soft sounds of snoring. Hail turned the corner into the room and saw Summer, laying on her side in one of the beds. He let out a sigh, and walked over to the other cot.

It wasn't a high class bed in any sense, but it wasn't as bad as maybe sleeping on the floor. Hail turned over, facing the doorway of the nurse's office. His eye lids grew heavier and heavier, his mind slowly going numb and drawing a blank. In seconds, Hail was asleep.

~*~~^~/~*~

The interrogation room was a mess. Blood stained the cold concrete floor, ponies in black taking the broken furniture out of the room. The chair the colt was hoofcuffed to was mashed and splinters coated the floor. What a disaster this operation turned out to be. One stallion stood over one interesting find: a pair of hoofcuffs broken and bent. He grinned, the three other ponies stopping simultaneously.

"Well, well, well." The Director laughed, kicking at the hoofcuff's remains. "She came after all."

"Crazy bitch." A hoarse voice growled from the side of the room, a pony leaned against the wall with a permanent scowl on her face.

The Director sighed, looking towards her. "You'll wait until I give you permission to speak." He said, quite calmly.

"Or what?" Knives hissed, one hoof holding her head up and covering a small gash. Her left cheek was swollen and red from where the subject had attacked her. Her mind was still hazy of the event, she had only regained consciousness three hours ago.

"Watch yourself, Foal."

Knives kicked her self off the wall and stomped over to The Director. "I ain't the reason for SHIT! How about my so-called elite squad?! Where the buck-"

She was silenced by a sudden smack to her face. Knives hit the ground with a thud, the three ponies now standing over her. The Director sat down beside her, shaking his head. "I do wish you'd learn your place here, Knives." He placed a hoof on her chest. "No, I'm not blaming all of it on you. But you did get in the way and caused an altercation when there wasn't any call for it."

Knives groaned. "Get off me." She smacked his hoof away and stood up. Pushing the ponies aside, she stormed out of the room, not forgetting to kick the door off of its hinges before she left.

From where he sat, The Director could hear the bangs and scraps of the door sliding down the hall. He looked to one of the ponies in black suits. "You." He said. "Go make sure she visits the nursing station." The pony nodded and walked out of the room. The Director thought he heard the pony mumble something about a bitch.

"Director Shard."

The Director jumped slightly from the voice, but calmed when he realized who it belonged to. "Ghost." He turned to see his secondary agent. A white stallion with a short grey mane and tail, black sunglasses covered his eyes and a black satchel strapped to his back. He walked out from the corner of the room and sat beside the Director, taking a flask out of his satchel.

"I have news." He said, bringing the spout of the flask to his lips.

"What is it?" The Director sighed. "And please tell me it's good, Ghost. I haven't been having a good day."

Ghost snorted, not turning his attention away from the wall across from them. "The colt, the pegasus I am told you had in custody-"

"Had being the key word." The Director grumbled.

Ghost continued. "His mother has been contacted earlier this morning."

"Where is she?"

Ghost cleared his throat, offering the flask to the Director, who took it. "Tera Showers was on a business trip in Fillydelphia for the past three days." He said. "At exactly 12:02 this morning, a emotionally distressed bystander called the police."

The Director took a huge gulp from the flask, squinting his eyes as the alcohol reached his brain and burned his throat. "You sound bothered."

Ghost went silent.

"Well?"

"How long are we willing to continue?" Ghost asked, scratching the side of his head. "Fourteen years, we've dedicated everything to this...bucked little science project you have."

The Director chuckled.

"I'm worried." Ghost said, reluctantly.

"About what?" The Director asked, passing the flask back. "It's not like you have anything left to lose in the matter." He stood up and made his way for the door. "Make sure Mrs. Showers has no contact to this city or S.C.A.V.A. until we've retrieved both the subject and the pegasus. We can't afford a family reunion."

Ghost stood. "Family reunion, sir?"

"I'll have a separate group make sure Commander Showers doesn't hear about this little incident." The Director said, leaving the room.

Ghost placed his flask back into his satchel and walked back into the dark corner of the room. The single light flickered, and he was gone.

The Loss(Third Person)

The sunlight had came again, cracking and breaking apart the thick sheet of the smog and cloud. Manehattan awoke with the sounds of shouts and early morning chatter in homes and apartments. Ponies walked causally through the city to their designated jobs and careers for another day. Yesterday's storm had left the lowly city and moved on, leaving Manehattan soaked. In small parts, flooded.

Summer shuddered at the sudden feeling of sunshine hitting her face. Having waken up minutes before, her body was still in its own waking process. She stretched her legs, walking about the abandoned building her and Hail took shelter in.

With that thought, she walked back into the nurse's room. Summer poked her head in and saw Hail, stirring in his sleep. A smile spread across her face, she didn't know why. Hail's form suddenly turned over, his now open eyes facing her. They brought worry to Summer, bloodshot, glazed.

"Morning." She said.

Hail stared back, blinking once.

"Uh, I was thinking about something." She said, walking over to sit by his bed. "Maybe you should stay with me until your mom gets back."

Hail stayed silent as she continued. "I know it sounds crazy, but I think you'll be safer that way." She said. "I'm not gonna let you out of my sight again."

"Didn't stop you yesterday." He sat up, looking down at her. "Those ponies nearly killed me the last time you abandoned me." He grunted as he slid carefully off the bed, holding his stomach. Summer moved to help him, but he pushed her away. "Plus, I have my own way of getting out of this."

Summer crossed her hooves. "Which is...?"

"...Which is me getting a hold of my dad." He said, confidently. "He's the commander of his sector in S.C.A.V.A. If anyone can help me, it's him."

Summer stood up, grabbing her jacket and puling it on. "Okay, if you say so."

Hail grunted, the injection Summer gave him the day before had fully wore off and left his torso in numbing pain. He dropped slowly to all fours and hobbled out of the room. Summer followed close behind, being there in case Hail falls over.

"I'm kinda surprise at you, Dove." Summer said, bringing her hood over her head and smiling.

Hail looked straight ahead. "What are you talking about now?"

"You're taking over the whole situation, and even more, you've been beaten to a pulp at least twice and here you are!" She walked beside him.

"Yeah, bucking great." He said, rolling his eyes.

"It's a complement, kid." Summer said. "You really need to lighten up."

Hail let out an exasperated sigh. "You want me to lighten up?!"

"Hay, you're alive right?" She said, looking down at him as they reached the end of the hallway and neared the exit.

"I...guess." Hail said. "Barely, really."

"Then, there you go!" She said. "Besides, you got me to beat up any bad ole' bucker who comes between us." She grinned. Hail shook his head.

"I'll never understand you." He said to himself. "So, any ideas on how to get across town without getting caught in broad daylight?"

They stepped outside into the morning sun, it felt good to Hail. He breathed in the morning air and tilted his head up to the sky. The clouds and smog were being broken by the sun, making them a really bright. Summer stepped from behind him and stared down the street they came from the day before.

"Hmm..." She sat back, placing a hoof on her chin. Hail watched as she thought, he himself couldn't think of any ways to get to his home without being spotted. They had to be wanted criminals by now, their faces plastered all over the news and posters with their picture and word 'wanted' written in big red letters across it. Just like the wanted posters of bad guys from the cartoons he watched when he was a young colt.

"You know, I don't really think everypony in town would really be on the lookout." She said finally, standing up.

"What makes you say that?" Hail asked. Summer laughed, then shook her head.

"P.G. isn't the type to go to the news for help on escapees." She explained. "Counting on all the shit they've pulled, they would all be locked up or executed on the spot."

Hail furrowed his brow. "Wait, are you going to explain how you know all this?" He asked. "Or are you just gonna let things slip every now and then?"

She shrugged. "Will it keep you around?"

Hail shook his head. "If I wanted to leave, I would have by now. I'm not that easy to get rid of."

Summer smiled. "Good, neither am I. Now, c'mon." She waved a hoof and started off down the street, Hail followed.

~ * ~ \ ~ ^ ~ / ~ * ~

"C'mon, c'mon!" The anxious stallion said, slapping his hooves on the counter. He stood in the local pharmacist, getting a refill on his medication. His eyes twitched, and his teeth chattered, sweat dripped down the sides of his head and down his neck, disappearing under his black coat. His mane was frazzled from the feeling slowly taking over his body.

The pony behind the counter fumbled in a draw of different types of tubes, filled with different types of capsules. "Sir, remain calm." She said, her voice monotone and glancing up at the stallion for only a second.

Flamerider shook his head. "Oh, no. You don't understand!" He said, looking left and right. "If I don't take those pills soon-"

"Here they are." The pony said, pulling out a pill container with a plain white label. "Here you go, sir."

Flamerider did not hesitate to snatch the pills out of her hooves, tossing a couple into his mouth and swallowing. He shut his eyes, allowing the medicine to take effect. That was too close... He thought. He turned away from the counter and down the isle, different medicines lining the walls around him.

Heading out the exit, Flamerider made his way back to the P.G. building, he hummed to himself as he walked down the sidewalk. He loved this city, despite his line of work of remaining in doors and sitting in front of a hundred screens all day. He loved the sun, hating how it was barely visible. His body tingled, that meant the pills were working.

As he walked, Flamerider thought back to P.G., and its activities. He didn't completely understand what they did with the imformation he provided, nor the outcome of it all. In his own mind, Flamerider thought he was making Manehattan safer. Making it a better living environment. Then again, The Director, he...despised him. Never listening to reason when the situation called for it, never listening to his ideas. Of course, what could he do?

He was passing through an alleyway, a shortcut to the building when he saw something across the street. Something making him stop his thinking and hide. He ducked behind a nearby dumpster and leaned his head out, getting a clear view of two ponies he recognized.

"No. Bucking. Way." He whispered, pushing his mane back out of his face. "But-how did-"

The subject had her head low, avoiding eye contact with any by standers, while the other one, the pegasus, hide behind her. Flamerider had no idea what to do. Should he follow them, or head back to warn the Director?

Or did he know already?

At that moment, he found himself slipping out of the shadows of the alley, following where the two went...

~ * ~ \ ~ ^ ~ / ~ * ~

"Only a few blocks...now." Hail panted, sweat dripping down his head.

Summer looked behind her, staring at the tired pegasus. "You wanna stop and rest?" She asked.

Hail stopped, leaning up against the wooden fence. "Yeah...sure."

Summer sat down next to him, staring up at the sky. She could hear Hail's heavy breathing, plus the distant chatter of the city in the distance. "It's a shame."

Hail's ears perked up. "Wha...?"

"The sky." She said. "It's just completely cover in dark clouds. The sun is barely even showing."

"Well, Manehattan isn't the most Eco-friendly city in Equestria." Hail explained, catching his breath. "There are facilities on the far side of the city, factories. They spew out this smoke that cover only the skies above us." He tilted his head back, looking up to the sky.

"I hope this doesn't bother you," Summer started, "but have you ever though of being up there?"

Hail turned to her.

"Like, you know." waved her hoof in the air. "Fly? Do you ever wish you could just jump into the sky and fly away?"

Hail grew silent, mentally asking himself the same question. He never really did, sometimes it would come to him watching other pegasi growing up. He took a hoof and rubbed his back, flicking at one of his dead weight wings. He couldn't feel or move them, some days he would forget he even had them.

He looked away, staring down the street. "Why bother?" He said.

Summer heard the sorrow in Hail's voice and brought her hooves to her face, regretting the question. She looked up and saw Hail walking by her.

"Come on." He said, not stopping. Summer nodded and stood up, walking after the pegasus. She watched as he with a different sense of feeling. His head aimed low, his ears drawn back, his tail dragging on the dirty sidewalk. She felt something tug in her chest, causing her to flinch slightly.

***

A few moments later, they stood outside of the Showers residence. Or what was left of it. Bright yellow caution tape surrounded the area around Hail's home, its purpose being to warn others to stay away. Trash coated the yard, windows were broken, the door hung loosely off its hinges, graffiti coated the walls, and a signal light was left on.

Hail found himself speechless, staring at the hollow image of his home. He walked slowly towards the front door, Summer followed ready to defend him in case someone was still inside. The door had a chunk of it missing, which was found on the floor several feet away from the door. Hoof tracks covered the area by the door, glass from the window were seen as soon as they stepped inside. The couch had been flipped, the t.v. stolen. Everything that wasn't bolted to the ground was either torn apart or gone.

Summer moved past Hail, looking around the room for any movement. Hail stepped into the center of the living room, him and Summer being the only living part of it. He kicked at pieces of the table the t.v. sat on and walked down the hall, his room being his destination. Summer followed him, not liking the looks of the situation.

He stepped into the doorway, not surprised that the door was broken. Gone. Everything. Well, not exactly. His mattress was taken and all that was left of his bed were the bloody covers he left. His desk was thrown at the wall, it laid a heap of chipped wood. His clock wast stolen, any posters were ripped down, and it seems that the dresser was left untouched.

All of this was enough to crush Hail. He fell back and sat on the ground, his eyes shimmering and his teeth grinding against each other. He was angry, sad. He felt violated that a bunch of ponies came in and kidnapped him, leaving only the pigs of the city to clean up after the mess. Instead, they put up thin yellow plastic reading 'Do Not Cross' around his house and left it wide open. Like putting a bow on a birthday present.

Summer sat beside the fallen pegasus, wrapping an arm around him and pulling him closer. He made a weak attempt into pushing her away, but fell into her hug, the flood gates in his eyes breaking and leaving him a whimpering foal.

Summer brushed his head with her hoof, letting him empty his emotions into her chest. She didn't know what to say, so she didn't speak, only sat there and held Hail as he felt as though his world had been set ablaze in a matter of a week. They sat quietly in the center of Hail's bedroom, his silent sobs being echoed through out the hollowed out house.

Red Wish

So, that's it. My house, the one place I knew to go to, all what was left of my mind. They took it all. I stared around my room, my window's glass scattered across the floor along with the lone broken furniture. They even took the wheelchair. Posters, food, everything. I stood in the carcass that was once my home. I once felt safe here, where do I have left now?

"So that's it..." I heard my voice repeat out loud, shaking and hollow.

Summer stayed silent, standing against one of the four white walls of my abandoned bedroom. She had been quiet since I stopped crying. What was the point? Crying wasn't going to change anything. "I have nothing left for me now." I said, sitting back down in the center of the floor. For some reason, I couldn't shake the small smile creeping on to my face. I started laughing. have I gone insane? "They'll find us."

"No, they won't." Summer said, stomping her hoof. "I won't let that happen. If they do, I'll make sure they leave you alone. They want me, anyway."

I still laughed, shaking my head. I could feel the loose tears streaming down the sides of my muzzle and dripping down to the floor. "No...no..." I repeated.

I guess I had myself to blame, right? I should have just stayed home, or had kept my mouth shut so I wouldn't be attacked after school. I should have never been born and burdened my parents with a flightless pegasus son. What was my purpose in this world? What could I do, to change anything? To create something? I'm just taking up space, wasting oxygen.

The room grew quiet, neither Summer nor I spoke or moved from my once bedroom. The only sounds were the ones out side, of the wind blowing through my window or the trash being blown around the house. What will my mom think of all this? Does she even know where I am or what's happening?

Suddenly, I felt a pair of hooves wrap around my body. I looked up, Summer's eyes were the only thing visible in the darkness of my bedroom. She held on to me, tightening her grip. I didn't want this, I don't need her feeling sorry for me. She doesn't even have to stay with me, she never did! I'm dead now, inside and soon out. I pulled away, or at least tried. When I made one movement, she pulled me back. Summer was holding me tight now, her chest against mine. I could feel her heart beat, it was slow and calm, but every beat felt like something was jabbing my chest. Without much thought, my hooves found minds of their own and wrapped themselves around her waist. I buried my face into her fur, hiding away from the scene around us.

There we stood, quieter than the night itself. Soon, we sat beside each other in my empty closet. The doors were barely hanging on their hinges, but were closed anyway. It was pitch black, a small crack of light highlighting the wall of the closet and between us. I stared through the crack, imagining my room the way it was a week ago. I was laying on my bed doing homework and studying for a test, just like everypony my age would be doing at night. Yet here I sat, hiding away in my closet like a scared little kid with a strange mare who could easily break my neck or hug me.

Summer then leaned against me, her breath hot on my ear. "Dove? You awake?"

My voice was weak, my throat was sore and dust dry. "Yeah."

"Make a wish." She whispered. I turned to her, I could make out the small smile on her lips. I chuckled, leaning my head back and meeting the wall behind us with a light thud. Make a wish? What could I wish for, at this moment? What could you give a flightless pegasus who has nothing?

Regardless, I closed my eyes and made a wish.

"H-Hey!"

Me and Summer froze, slowly turning our heads towards the closet door. We saw someone walking into the room, he wore a long black jacket. When he stepped into the center of the room, he removed something out of his coat pocket. It sparked at the end, a cattle prod. Who was this guy? Was he with the organization?

"C-Come out!" He called out, holding out the prod and nervously spinning. "Uh, we have you surrounded!"

"Pssh!" Summer whispered, standing up. I grabbed her by the hoof, she looked down at me.

"Don't go out there!" I whispered. "We're bucked if you do, you heard him. We're surrounded!"

Her limestone eyes rolled. "He's bluffing."

"How do you know that?" I tried asking, but she was already moving out the closet. "Wait, Sum-"

In an instant, the closet doors burst opened. I watched as Summer, in one move, disarm the pony and knock him back against the opposite wall. I got up and stood beside her, watching the pony crumble to the ground and the cattle prod leave his hooves. She grabbed the device, held the pony up against the wall and held the prod to his neck. I had seen her like this twice before, without a weapon, I didn't think I would like to see what she can do with one.

"Summer, wait!" I shouted, but backed up and the pony struggled in her grip.

"Who are you?!" She growled, her eyes' glow reflecting off the wall and the pony's fur. "Tell us or I see what this could do to the inside of your throat!"

"P-Please!" He said, holding his hooves up. "Stop! I give up, don't hurt me!"

"Name!" Summer hissed, holding the prod closer to him.

"Flamerider!" He said. "My name is F-Flamerider!"

I walked up to Summer and placed a hoof on her shoulder. She looked back at me, her facial expression relaxing. She turned back to the pony and moved the prod away from him, letting him go as he squirmed away to the opposite wall. Slowly, I walked towards him.

"Flamerider..." I said, keeping my voice quiet and calm. "I'm not going to hurt you, but I don't know about her. So I need you to tell me a few things, okay?"

He said nothing, only shook as we stood over him. Summer stood beside me, waving the cattle prod at him.

"Talk, Rider! Or the only thing you'll be riding is this!" She hissed.

"A-Alright, alright!" He stammered, holding his hooves out towards us. "I'll talk, kid! I'll talk, just keep that chick away from me!"

I sat down in front of him, my eyes never leaving his face to memorize it. "Flamerider. You do know who we are, right?" I asked. "You work for the ponies who kidnapped me?"

He slowly shook his head.

"How long have you been watching us?"

Flamerider leaned his head back and closed his eyes, as if he was thinking. "Uh, uh-Two days! No, four! After we heard word of her in the hospital."

I continued. "Do you know who 'The Director' is?"

Behind me, I heard Summer gasp. "You met him?"

I turned to her. "He was there in the room before you got me. He kept asking about where you were and this special gene." I closed my eyes, his words returning to my thoughts.

"He's my boss." Flamerider said. "Kinda. There is another above him, but he runs the main operations. Rumors are he's just another puppet, but man I've seen him do things..." He held a hoof to his head, it was shaking rapidly. He reached into his coat pocket.

"Hey!" Summer held up the prod.

"Relax!" He shouted, pulling out a pill canister. "It's my medication."

"If you don't mind me asking, what is it for?" I asked.

"I have seizures." He told us. "I take this medication to keep myself from going into shock."

Summer lowered the cattle prod and sat beside me, Flamerider took a couple of pills and I saw his hoof slowly stop shaking. "The special gene he told you about, did he tell you what he has planned for it?"

"No." I said. "He didn't, why?"

Flamerider shook his head. "He originally had it planned for the war a long while back, this stuff was suppose to turn ponies like me into powerful ponies like the princesses. Walking gods among the mortal winning wars without needing to waste the lives of humble stallions just for them to die like pawns. But, as you probably saw, he's snapped."

Its' job was to give power to the ones who didn't have it. Earth ponies would be able to join the fight for freedom... "Now, why are you all after Summer?" I asked.

He looked at me, shaking his head. "Sorry, can't tell ya."

"Tell him!" Summer yelled.

"I can't tell either of you because I don't know!" Flamerider snapped, I jumped back from his outburst. He took a deep breath and spoke slow. "The operation as of now is to obtain Subject 7-G and that is all I know. What the Director wants with her is as big of a mystery to me as it is to you, I'm just the pony who stares at the screens and watches. I have no control over anything."

"Bullshit." Summer said, crossing her hooves. "How can we believe anything you say?"

Flamerider glared at Summer, then turned to me. His eyes were bloodshot and his face was tensed. "Because I can tell you what force you're dealing with."

I sat back down. "Tell us."

"The ones who came in and grabbed you, the ones in masks? They were S.C.A.V.A."

It was at that moment, my heart skipped a beat. "S-S.C.A.V.A.?" No...

"Yup, we got the green light from Commander Showers himself yesterday morning." He said, a look of accomplishment on his face. "You can hate his guts but you have to say this about the Director, he can pull some strings."

"S-S-Showers?!" My breathing grew heavy, my vision was blurring.

"Dove?" Summer said, placing a hoof around me. "Dove? Hey, Dove! What's wrong?"

"My...my dad? He...He gave the okay to..." My heart was racing, my jaw was locking up. I didn't know what to...I can't remember every thought that went through my mind in that moment, all of them laced with the feeling of betrayal and anger. I remember me grabbing the cattle prod and running up to Flamerider, I remember him screaming...After that, darkness...

~*~*~

"You have a visitor." The guard said to the black stallion. He was walked out of his cell and down the hall, passing all of the other ponies he's held up with in the small holding facility. He's eyes were cold, his teeth constantly barred. His head racked with the constant and rapidly repeating images of his friends being slaughtered in front of him. His hooves shook with every step he took, the chains around them clanging and dragging across the concrete floor.

Him and the guard enter in through one door, the room was brighter then the one he's been sitting in for days. He was seated down in front of a dark window, a small black phone hung off to the side. The lights in the room behind the window came on, his eyes shutting from the extreme brightness. As they got used to it, a silhouette of a familiar pony sat in front of him. When his vision cleared, he quickly grabbed the phone.

"Rose?" He asked, his voice scratchy from his lack of water.

"Darkstar..." She wept, holding her hoof up to the glass. "I've missed you."

"Rose, baby please." Darkstar begged. "You gotta get me outta here!"

Rose sighed. "I don't know how, Star. Your trial's not for another week, and they still haven't found Hail-"

"Don't you even mention that twig's name to me!" Darkstar growled into the phone. "His flank got me in here in the first place...I didn't kill him, Rose." He whispered, his hoof weakly sliding down the glass. "I didn't kill him..."

Rose leaned her head against the glass. "Then where is he, Darkstar?"

"I don't know. That crazy bitch, she had to have done it! She killed Saint, Dex, Tide-"

"Star, listen to me!" Rose said. "What do you want me to do?"

Darkstar slowly looked up to Rose, his red eyes meeting her's. "Find her. Find that bitch. Tan fur, yellow and black jacket, and yellow eyes." He said, watching as Rose mentally took his words down. "If you can't find twig, find her. And if you do find twig..."

Rose paused. "Yeah, baby?"

"If you do find twig, then don't tell me." He said, his voice cold and his teeth grinding. "Cuz I'll find him and gut him."

~*~*~

"Ugh..."

"Dove, get up!" Summer's voice echoed in my head. I opened my eyes, seeing her face. She looked worried, what just happened?

"Summer?"

"No time." She said, picking me up. "We have to get you out of here. I think somepony called the cops."

I stood up, wobbling as I tried to find my balance. "Wait, what are you-" When I tried to look around the room, Summer grabbed my face in her hooves and kept it looking at her.

"Dove." She said to me. "Don't look behind me."

I became more awake when I heard the tone in her voice. "Summer, what happened?"

"Don't look behind me, Dove!"

I tried to struggle out of her grip, she held onto me as much as she could. "Summer, let me go!" I yelled, pushing her away. "Where's Flamerider?!" I broke free and ran around her. "What happ-"

For the second time that night, my heart skipped a beat. On the floor slumped down against the wall, Flamerider's lifeless body laid. His blood pooling the space around him and painted the wall.

Blood On The Mind

He was dead. Dead.

His body sat lifelessly against the wall. His blood sprayed off to the sides of his head which hung limp his his chin to his chest. His left eye stared down emptily at the floor, his other was gone. Smashed into his head, the cattle prod sticking out where it used to be. I had left his head a crater of its former self, all out of...anger? What had come over me? At the mention of my father, something clouded my thinking. I felt betrayed. Nothing mattered, the house. Buck it. The PG? Buck them, all of them. I needed to find my father, I wanted answers.

Before I knew it we were running, Summer was pulling me out of the house. We left Flamerider's body alone, there was nothing more to be done. I couldn't think straight, my hoof was sore. I glanced down at it, the fur stained with Flamerider's drying blood. We heard sirens just down the street as we dipped into an alley down the block from my neighborhood. We stopped and watched as armored vans sped past towards the house. Summer ran ahead and I followed her.

I...I couldn't shake the image, I couldn't get his blood out of my eyes! I just brutally murdered another pony. Somepony was Dead. Dead! And I can't remember any of it...I just blinked and Summer was holding me against a wall and shaking me. She looked so frighted. My stomach was turning, my heart pounding hard in my chest. How could I... When we were far enough, we stopped behind an old dinner. We stood at a dumpster, Summer waiting for me as I came in through the alley way.

"Hail." Summer said, grabbing me. "Come on, stay with me! What the buck happened back there?"

"I don't know!" I screamed. "I just blacked out and...and..." I nearly broke into sobs as she brought a hoof to my muzzle.

"Shh, shh. Okay..." She whispered. "Are you alright?"

I calmed myself, breathing slowly. "Y-Yeah. I...I think."

She took her hoof away from my muzzle, and began to pace the alley way. "Alright."

"Summer?" I asked, getting her attention. "Did...did I-"

"Yeah. You did." She said, rubbing the back of her head. "But, uh, don't worry. He wasn't really getting us anywhere anyway. Heh." She looked away from me, staring down at her hoof. "So, what made you..."

I thought back to everything he told us. "Remember when he mentioned S.C.A.V.A.?" I asked her receiving a nod. "He mentioned a Commander Showers."

She dropped her head. "Your father."

"Yeah." I said, my jaw tightening. "We need to find him."

"Wait, what? No way." Summer said, waving a hoof in the air. "We're in the shit as it is."

"I have to know if he knew it was me." I told her.

She walked up to me, her brow furrowed. "You want us to just walk into a S.C.A.V.A. base and look around? Do you know what they'll do?!"

I stomped my hoof into the alley floor. "Buck! We'll we can't just sit around anymore! Now that this actually involves me AND my dad, I'm not gonna run away from it!"

She sat in front of my, laying her hooves on my shoulders. "Look, relax. Uh..." She looked up to the sky, her eyes closed. "It's around midnight. Do you have any sort of clue where we might be able to find him?"

"No." I told her, my brain churning for ideas. "Wait, I might know where we could look him up. There's a checkpoint near Old Alabaster Park that should have a console.". I explained. "If we can get to it, I might be able to find files with station reports."

Summer nodded as I continued. "It shouldn't heavily guarded, it wasn't the last time he brought me there. It might have gotten more protection after the riots, though."

"Wait, how do you know about all of this?" She asked.

"When I was younger, my dad would sometimes take me there with his friends." I told her. Fond memories they were, though I feared that they would soon not matter anymore.

"Right." She sighed, standing up. She walked over to the alley wall, rubbing her eyes. "...are you sure about this?"

"What?" I asked. "Now you're scared?"

That got her attention. She turned around quick and stared down at me. "What? I'm not scared! I'm worried about you becoming Swiss cheese. You look like you've been through enough hell already."

"Please, Summer." I said, walking over to her. "I need to know. Maybe he can help us."

"Or kill us." She deadpanned. "Or just me, or better! Perform tests on my blood!"

I stared. "Please?" I had nothing, this was my only lead. It wasn't even a lead, I was just looking for a new hole to hide in. I was still running, just with a purpose.

She looked down to me, letting out a sigh and resting a hoof on my head. "Alright." She turned towards the alley entry way and looked back. "Come on."

We left the alley, ducking behind the passing carriages of the night. Street lights flickering over our heads as we went.

I thought this was the right thing to do...

~*~~^~/~*~

"We have no leads..." Showers said, pacing his office with two soldiers standing beside the door. A stallion with a large black coat sat in a chair in front of the Commander's desk "There are vicious murderers, thugs, goddamn monsters under the control of Shard and we can't risk this getting out into the open." He sighed, stopping in the center of the room. "And for what? Heh...some failed science experiment I was against at the start. I knew this whole thing was a mistake."

"Commander, these little incidents happen more often than you know." The older seated stallion said, pushing his glasses up with a hoof. "In fact back in my day, when the enemy got hold of a weapon we knew could wipe us off the map if used correctly, we simply built another one. Something much more powerful, unearthly, and dangerous. So much in fact, that even The Princess ordered its destruction only after one use." He leaned forward in his chair. "Do you know what it was?"

Showers turned to the stallion. "No, what?"

The stallion grinned. "It was simply a great metal cylinder filled half way to the base with a chemical we found in magic and super charged it. The rest was filled with basic PxT explosives. Before they had a chance to attack, our bomb vaporized everything but the fillings in their teeth." He said. "In the locker rooms, we called it 'The Final Bell'."

Showers watched the stallion, then shook his head. "I don't understand. How do you expect us to find or build something to fight back PG? It's only a matter of time before Shard gets too anxious and orders a full on pony hunt for the subject."

The stallion sat back in his chair and reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a rag and wiping his forehead. "Tell me, Commander. Are you married?"

Showers stared down at the carpeted floor he stood on, his eyes closed and breathing still. "Once...years ago."

"Ah. Any children, Commander?"

"Y-Yes." Showers walked back behind his desk, sitting down in his chair and staring at the single picture frame that sat on the desk's surface. It's frame worn and glass cracked, the picture of a smiling colt faded with time. "One. A colt, a smart colt."

"Yes...Now, hypothetically, when PG do happen to release the hounds and chaos spreads throughout the city...how long before your son is caught in the cross fire?"

A loud slam echoed through the room, as Showers kicked back his chair and slammed his hooves on his desk. "You better watch your bucking words, Theory." He growled through gritted teeth. "I'd hate to have these two recruits start their service by scrubbing you out of the carpet with their tooth brushes."

Theory chortled. "Oh, ho! Well...I guess it is true what they say about your temper."

Showers glared at Theory, his hooves scraping the surface of the desk as the stallion stood up and laid his hooves on the desk. Theory leaned in and whispered. "Dismiss your guards."

Showers stared into the stallions aged eyes, darkened and yellow. His man was damn near gone, his fur paler than the papers that sat upon his desk. He thought about ordering him to leave, or having his recruits beat any and all information he had regarding PG.

"Backfire, Shrapnel." Commander Showers grunted. "Dismiss."

The soldiers nodded and exited his office, leaving him with the mad eyed stallion.

"Good, now." Theory said, pulling a file out of his coat and placing it on the desk. "Tell me...how much do you already know of Project Grenade."

~*~~^~/~*~

Summer and I walked side by side down the many empty alley ways of Manehattan towards the base, the filth and trash I saw scattered across the ground didn't surprise me. But then I thought, how could anything cause any sort of emotion out of me at this point? My muzzle burned from the stench, stung from being broken. My skin crawled, the constant feeling a bug crawling under my skin began to numb my mind.

As we made our way to an underpass, we stopped. "Are you sure this is the way?" Summer asked me.

"Of course I'm sure." I said. "I'm not walking for my health here, I feel like I'm being together like a raggedy doll."

We continued under the pass, old train carts and abandoned cars crowded around. Phone booths and dumpsters, practically a hobo's paradise. As we walked, I watched Summer. I wondered what she was thinking, about our situation, of S.C.A.V.A. About me. Nothing I could make of her made sense. Since the day we met in the hospital, I couldn't make heads or tails of this mare. Only that she was a killer; a brutal one at that, and held some sort of gene that PG wants back badly.

"You've been staring at me for an awfully long time, Dove." Summer spoke as she walked, I turned my head away just as the heat rose in my cheeks. "You know, ponies are gonna to start having less of a problem with me killing than running around with a colt."

"Hey, one; I turn eighteen in three months. Two, I was just wondering...what do you think of all this?" I asked, looking up at the mare.

Summer chuckled, shaking her head. "All of this?...The killing, the constant running, not knowing what I am. What I truly am..." She said, looking up as we found our way on the other side and out from under the overpass. "To tell you honestly, I'm scared."

I listened closely as we walked, blades of the moon highlighting us as we walked down the city streets. "I'm scared of what I am, and even more of what I could become. I'm numb to the killing, only to those who deserve it. All this bullshit about Dead Zone, S.C.A.V.A., and those crazy PG bucks...It all blurs together for me."

A silence fell upon use as we soon found our selves walking through Alabaster Park, the cold wet blades of grass refreshing my senses. The night sky appeared particularly clear, the left half of the moon light the park along with the gold of the street lights. My mind finally began to calm down. Despite all that had happened, I could breathe steadier and fall more into the calmness of the night.

"Now I get to ask you a question..." I heard her say, bringing me out of the background.

"Okay," I said, "go ahead."

She went silent, stopping in the middle of the park. We both stood still as she looked up into the night sky.

"...Are...you okay knowing you could die?"

Introduction: Rescue Me

Boom.

I wake up on the ground. "Agh!" My side! Wha...there's blood. Ugh. I stand up, reluctantly and look around at my surroundings. The building was on fire and ponies were lying about on the floor around me. That wasn't the bomb. That wasn't ours. Then it hit me.

"Summer!" I shouted. No reply. I try to regain my balance and make an attempt to walk over to a door way. "Summer, where are you?!" I called out. Where is she? I tried to push all paranoid thoughts out of my head about assuming the worst. She's not dead, she can't be. I saw a window in the distance and my way over. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

The buildings. The skyscrapers. They were all on fire and falling apart...Mom...Ugh! Not now! I gotta find Summer. I turn from the window and was suddenly thrown back towards it, breaking the glass.

"Ugh!!" The glass dug into the back of my neck and back, staining the glass with fresh blood. The pony who held to the window raised a hoof. It impacted with my cheek and I swore I saw a tooth fly out.

"You stupid motherbucker!!" He screamed at me. "You have no idea what you've caused!!"

I looked back into his eyes. They read murder, anger, and no remorse for whom they where looking at. "I didn't do anything! All this was your plan, remember?!" I spat blood as I talked. "There was no real threat! You wanted to find and kill all of them?!...." I looked back out the bloody window behind me. "Well good job, numb nuts. You annihilated a whole city."

I was not making this pony anymore happier. He scraped my body against the window as he threw me across the room, landing on a desk and breaking it in half. The pain shot through my body and I screamed out. I needed to get out of here. I'm going to die.

"I didn't want! I needed!! It was by order of the boss to eradicate all projects! All of them! Even your little bitch!" The pony screamed at me. "She was the piece we needed, but she ran!" He walked over and kicked me in the ribs. I coughed out blood as his leg made impact. "For your spineless, brainless, hide. Well guess what?!" He lifted a piece of wood from the side of the table and lifted it above my head. "WHERE IS SHE NOW?!!"

*CRASH*

*thud*

You see, the thing about living here is not its' advantages. It's its' struggles, survival. This city is basically hanging by a thread made of jelly, and can turn out to be one of the most dangerous places in Equestria. Your sanity and your protection relies on how quick you can think on your hooves when the situation calls for it. That situation could be anything, anything at all. A bank robbery, a chance to make it with that special somepony, or even the situation of near death. Learning this skill takes years of practice, or you're just born with it. Many a pony walk this concrete jungle for many different reasons. Some are here for its' beautiful looks from a distance, or its' lively night life. Others for its' spotlights so that they could become famous in the big city. Foals, if you ask me. But back to the matter at hoof.

The skill to think on your hooves, anypony can have it. I was unlucky to be born without it. My father used to tell me that all I needed was the motivation. The one thing in my life that meant the most to me, and to do what ever it takes for it. 'Because if something that brings you happiness is important enough, it's worth dying for.' He worked in an organization to take down the bad guys and save the day. With pay. But that's not at all relevant. This little tale is about how I manage to wind up on the wrong side. How I manage to risk my life and well-being for somepony I wished left me in that alley to die. To be stabbed to death and never have to deal with the abyss of shit I'm currently in. I never wanted this, but now...I'm not so sure what I want anymore.

I thought I knew exactly what I wanted, who I wanted to be, where I wanted to end up.

But why am I telling you all this right now? Let me start from the beginning...

~*~~^~/~*~

"Steam?" The substitute called out. Everypony in class wasn't even paying attention to him. Poor guy. "Is Misty here?" He asked, then wrote down something on the page he was reading from. "Hail?"

"Here." I said. My name is Hail Showers. I'm a 9th grade pegasus here at Manehattan High, and unbeknownst to me, today is the start of my terrible journey.

"Right, yes. Rose?" The substitute continued.

"Here!" A heavenly voice called from the back of the class. I turn to see no other then the most beautiful face in the room, belonging to nopony else but Rose Thorn. Her name suited her well, smell and beautiful like a rose, but stings and cuts like a thorn. Her tan coat was nothing compared to her luscious red flowing mane. Many a time I've tried to ask her out, or even talk to her. All attempts ending in utter failure. She looked at me with a gaze that could turn a cockatrice to stone, her eye lids closed half way and her lips moving to form a slight grimace.

"Boo." She said coldly. I quickly turn away, my heart ached. She was of course way above me in high school popularity, with her being in The Group and me being...well, nowhere. I don't sit at lunch with anypony, I don't talk to anypony. My place at school is as follows. One; Do work. And Two; Go home. That's about as much as I can handle from this educational prison, surrounded by ponies who either don't notice me or dislike me enough to ignore me.

"Hey, twig." A deep voice said from the side of my desk. I look to see somepony I try to avoid on a daily bases. He was a dark blue pegasus with dark gold mane. "You trying to get with Darkstar's filly?"

I looked at him with all the hatred I could conjure at that moment. "No."

"Yes, he was." Rose said. "He was hitting on me, Saint."

Let me clarify something with you. I liked this filly, have know idea why, but I did. But please also note that I would never have the guts to even say anything to her and everpony knew this. So why was I being badgered by a crony and this lying succubus?

"Tsk, tsk. I'm gonna have to tell him, twig." Saint said, shaking his head. He, his friends, and mostly everypony else at this school called me twig. Based on how short and fragile I am. I can't help how tall I'm not, but if I was, I would be tall enough to stomp Darkstar and Saint into the ground. Making them nothing but pancakes in the pavement. However, I ignored them. Nopony should be scared of these two. Or Darkstar, who isn't even here today. *Sigh*...I'm so glad the school day's almost over...

~*~~^~/~*~

"Alright, class. Good day!" The sub waved to us as we exited the class. I took my backpack and headed out the door in a hurry. Not today. I did not plan to get my flank kicked by some thugs. Speed walking past the office, I see the double door school entrance, and ran towards it. No sign of them. Yet. If I can just make it to the stop sign down the street by my house, I'll be home free.

The sidewalk was crowed by all the students trying to get out of here. Most of them on their phones or pPods'. I bobbed and weaved through the waves of ponies, using my backpack as a small battering ram of homework and books. Every now and again through the madness, the crowd would push back. But eventually I made it to the cross walk. When the coast was clear and there were no carriages, I ran across the street. I kept running after that. I wasn't afraid of these kids, but they weren't smart. Plus, they're twice my size. If they really wanted to, they could break me. As if I were the twig the called me so much!

There it was. The stop sign. I swear to the princesses that I saw it being highlighted by some mysterious light. My heart was beating at one-fifty-five beats per millisecond, my breath was short, and my legs were wobbly. 'Dammit!' I thought. 'If only my wings weren't so pathetic! I can make. I can make it! I can-'

*Thud*

My thoughts were interrupted when I was hit square in the face and tossed in an alley. It was blurry, I couldn't see anything. All I could hear was this high pitch ringing. Then, I was jerked up and forced against the alley wall. When I gained back my vision and hearing, I had the displeasure of seeing two ponies. Who also had the company of two other ponies.

"Sup, twiggy bitch." Darkstar said. His red eyes staring into my dark greys. He was a black earth pony with spiked white mane and wore a black jacket with his initials on the sleeves. He pulled a hoof back and shot it straight into my side.

"Agh!" I screamed. The hoof made impact with my abdomen and it felt like a rib snapped. He still stared at me.

"I hear you was hittin' on my Rose." He growled. "What you got to say? Before I brake my hoof off in yo flank." His grip on me grew tighter. His stupid followers took a step closer, as if to join in on the beating.

"I didn't hit on anypony, Darkstar! Ugh!" I plead before a hoof to the stomach again cut me off.

"Bullshit!" Darkstar yelled. "Saint told me all about it. I don't need little foals like you thinkin' you can try and run my shit. I think it's time you learned a lesson, right guys?" He called back to his 'friends'. I saw them all take out, what I believed to be, knives and clubs.

I don't know what came over me in that moment. Suddenly, I felt like there was nothing to lose. With some of the pain subsiding, I looked him straight in the eyes and spoke. "Buck you! I wouldn't hit on your fillyfriend with a stick that had the cure for hepatitis!" I'm dead.

His eyes widened, and then fell short as he growled. Darkstar punched me again. And again. And, again. Then, with me still in his grasp, he threw me against a dumpster. I felt one of my folded wings pop on impact. The sharp pain in my stomach grew with every minute, I coughed into my hooves. Each one making the pain worst. When I brought my hooves to my eyes, they were covered with blood.

Darkstar laughed when he looked down at me. One of his friends gave him a knife, then the next thing I know, it's in my side. He jerked the knife into me and twisted it. I screamed at the top of my lungs and swore at him. I was going to be dead in a matter of minutes...or I was.

A loud thud was heard behind Darkstar's goons. We turned to see a lone pony standing in the entry way of the alley. She wore a bright yellow and black leather jacket with a hood, her face was protected by big lashes of dark pink mane. She took couple of steps forward, pulling something out of her jacket pocket.

"Who the buck are you?" One of Darkstar's goons said. In a matter of seconds, the mysterious mare leaped at him, throwing a hoof into his face. He crashed down on the ground. And didn't get up.

The rest of Darkstar's crew ran towards her with their weapons, Darkstar himself stayed behind. I don't remember all of what happened next, but I did see bodies fly past us and hit the wall next to the dumpster. When turned to see one, he was bleeding out of his chest. It's all still fuzzy, but I do recall seeing the mare walking towards us. Darkstar let go of the knife and ran away. With him gone, she put put something back in her jacket and came to my side. The knife was still in my side, and blood flew free from around it.

"Stay with me, kid!" She said. I saw her eyes, they were a bright yellow. And I think they were glowing. The last thing remember before passing out, was her taking the knife out, wrapping something around the wound, picking me up and walking out of the alley...

Four White Walls

The bedroom door exploded and four figures charged me, throwing me against the wall. One of them covered my mouth with some sort of black tape, probably to stop me from shouting for help, and held me there. The others tore open my closet and began searching my room. Why are they here? I tried yelling, only to have my voice be silenced by a swift hoof to the stomach. Of course, the hoof went straight for the stitches. I struggled under the pony's grip, thrusting my shoulders and kicking at his legs. All of it was to no avail. When the same hoof went to the side of my face, I felt his grip let go completely and I slumped down the wall.

"Where did she go?!" He yelled. I looked up to see his face, but only to see a black metal plated mask covering his face. He wore an all black outfit, covered with body armor and satchel. The other's were the same, mask and armor. Were they...no. They can't be.

"He asked you a question!" One came over, she seemed more forceful than the stallion. She was a unicorn, her horn stuck through the mask. It began to glow and I was lifted back up against the wall. She got right in my face, her red eyes staring into mine. "Where is the mare?!"

I stared back at her, both of them. They think they could just barge into my bucking house, tear up my room and pulverize me?! The stallion took the tape and ripped it off, I screamed when the sharp pain shot through my face. "Speak."

"Who the hell are you?!" I yelled.

"We'll ask the questions here." The unicorn growled. She put her hoof to my chest. "Now, where is the mare?"

I spat in her face, my only act. She stared at me with great disdain and showed her anger by punching me. Her hoof made contact with the side of muzzle and I was forced to the floor. Blood dripped from my nostrils and stained the wooden coated flooring. Once again, I felt myself being lifted up. All of the masked ponies stood over me, talking amongst themselves.

"Brat bucking spit at me!"

"Cool it. Look let's bring him back to base. We'll get him talking there."

"I say we beat this little stain into the ground."

"I second that."

"I said we're bring him back with us. And that's final..."

The voices began to fade. I was beginning to feel lightheaded and felt myself drift away as they pulled me up and hauled me out of my room. Soon, we were out side my house. It's strange. You would think if you had neighbors, and there had been yelling and screaming, they would be outside checking out what was going on. Not now. The street was empty and he sidewalk was clear. The sky was dark grey, the sun was not visible.

They dragged me down the drive way to a point and threw me against their carriage. One opened the door, and the others got in. I was thrown into the back, where I found bliss in unconsciousness. The carriage began to move and we were driving away from my house. I remember looking out the back window, and seeing somepony in the street. I couldn't place a face but then it hit me. I saw the eyes in the distance...

~*~~^~/~*~

Tick

Tock

Tick

Tock

"Ugh..."

"Wakie-Wakie, Mr. Showers."

"Wha..." A clock in the distance woke me. "Agh!" My eyes stung when a bright light hit my face. "Where am I?!"

"Please remain calm and keep your voice down." The deep voice said. "Now listen very carefully. This can be done the easy way, or it can be done the hard way. We are going to ask you a series of questions."

I spit out the blood from my nose and stared off into any direction. "We?"

Suddenly, the room came into view. It was of four white walls, one having a small clock. I sat in a black wooden chair, with my hooves cuffed behind my back. A table sat in front of me with a lamp pointed at my face. Five ponies surrounded me, all watching me. One, a dark red stallion with black mane. Another, a regal pegasus with yellow mane. The stallion to my right was dark grey and had blue mane, a large scar went over one eye. The last one I was able to recognize, based on how angry she was, I was able to label her as the unicorn I spit at. Her eyes shot daggers in my direction. I looked straight to find the source of the voice. He was a cobalt blue stallion. His cutie mark was a silver shield with two swords crossing it.

"I am the Director. Welcome to Project Grenade Laboratories." He said. "We believe we saw you in a wheel chair being pushed around the city by some pony. She's wanted by several different organizations, and has killed several ponies of not only our staff, but innocent lives."

Innocent? "No shit."

"Oh. So you're aware of her nature?"

"I'm aware that your thugs broke into my house, tore up my property and beat the crap out of me." I mentioned.

"Oh, we haven't even started!" I heard the unicorn hissed behind me.

"You obviously do not understand the dangers you face at this moment." The 'Director' said.

Dangers? "You obviously have no idea what I've been through in the past four days. I've been beaten up and stabbed, chased, beaten up again, and kidnapped." I looked around the room. "The only danger I know of is my constant bleeding."

The Director laughed. "Smart kid. You aren't in any immediate danger, Mr. Showers. Right now, you hold the controller. You decide whether or not you are in danger."

My head lurched forward when a hoof slapped it. "So choose wisely." I easily recognized the voice of the stallion. "Now, explain the events that occurred three days ago on Ocean Avenue."

I tilted my head back. "...I was being mugged."

"And?"

"They were a bunch of ponies from my school, dicks. Their leader, bigger dick, stabbed me, as you can tell by the gauze." I nodded towards my stomach. "Oh, and thanks for the jab earlier. Helps keep the stitches in place."

The stallion looked back at the Director for a moment and turned back to me. "What happened next?"

"Somepony came and saved me..." My voice dropped to a whisper. "She killed them...killed them all except for one."

The stallion sighed. "Must have been hard to watch."

I snapped my head to him. "Don't try to sympathize with me! Look, if I knew where she was, you would know. But I don't! So what you should do, is let me go!"

The Director shook his head. "I'm afraid we can't do that."

I froze. "W-Why not?"

"We can't risk having something like this rising to the surface. What our organization does has been...frowned upon in the past. So, we keep it all below the radar." The Director explained. "If we let you go, whose to say you won't tell the authorities?"

"What he means is, quit bullshitting and tell us where the mare is." The red stallion said from his spot on the wall. I looked around the room.

"You're...you're all crazy." I was in denial. "I'm dreaming. None of this ever happened. I'm probably sleeping in class again." The looks on their faces didn't change. My feeling went from denial to fear. "What do you want from me?"

"Mr. Showers, all we want is the mare. She's not in the right state of mind." The Director explained. "If she finds out how to control whatever is that's wrong with her, it could lead to catastrophic results."

That grabbed my attention. "What's wrong with her?"

The stallion tried to gain my attention. "That's none of your concern."

"What did you do to her?" That question shook the vibe in the room. The look on the Director's face went from calm, to frustrated. He slammed his hooves on the table and spoke. "Enough! Tell me where she is!"

"Tell me what's wrong with her!" I argued.

"Mr. Showers, please co-operate. Where is the mare you were with?" The stallion asked again, while the red stallion pulled the Director away. "Did she leave before we got there? Is she still there? What?"

I can barely remember what I had for breakfast this morning because of these guys. I wasn't going to tell them my favorite color, let alone where Summer is. Even if I did know...

"Kid, you better talk." The unicorn whispered in my ear. "This little tough act you're putting on is bullshit. We know all about you."

I turned to her. "Buck. You." My face jerked back as her hoof hit me dead center on my muzzle. "Agh!"

"That's what I wanted to hear." She grinned. The Director walked over and sat in front of me shaking his head. "I don't see how this is helping you. All we're asking is where she is, and you resist. What is she offering you?"

More than anypony had ever given me. What am I talking about? "Nothing. Look if I knew...Actually, I still wouldn't tell you."

"Tsk, tsk. Why resist?" He got up and began circling me. "We tell you she is a murderer. A bad pony, is probably what they say at your school. She's wanted in five locations all over Equestria, several very good, hard working employees have lost their lives to this monster, and the lives of others are now on your shoulders." He stopped right in front of me. "Are you telling me you care about her?"

"I haven't told you anything." I said. My head started throbbing and I tilted it to the side, blood dripped from my nostrils. "Hey, can I get some water? My blood isn't quite quenching my thirst."

The unicorn flipped the table out of the way and grabbed me by my throat. She pointed her horn at my face. "I'm done! You'll tell me where that bitch is right now or there'll be a crater where your head was!!"

This is it. I looked about the room, all the faces showed no mercy. This was serious, my life is at stake. I'm about to die. My eyes began to water and my mouth let out a whimper. I'm crumbling right in front of these ponies for my life. I didn't want to die.

"Please, I don't know anything." I tried to reason with them. "She didn't tell me anything, I swear! Just..."

The Director came from behind the unicorn and laid a hoof on her shoulder. She saw his face and sighed as she let me go. "He just saved your life." She said walking past me. I slumped down in the chair and stared up at the ceiling, tears falling down the sides of my face.

"Clear the room." The Director said. "Let's leave Mr. Showers some time to gather his thoughts." They all headed for the door and exited. Then, I was alone, sitting in a room of four white walls. The light above me only intensified the brightness so much I could only stare at the floor. This is a nightmare. I could die here, I might. In this moment, of all the things I could possibably want, I wanted to see Summer again...