Chapter 3: Leaving the City

The Metro. The dark, danky tunnels that run under the city of Manehatten. All my life I had been told to never go down into the tunnels, no matter what.

So why in the hell of Tartarus's Pits am I walking down here?!

I let out a sigh of distress. Calm yourself Sky. You're a wanted criminal now, so you have to leave the city. I thought, as I followed Dusty. He had a gun in his mouth, and was looking back and forth throughout the tunnels. His ears flicked on occasion, picking up on any sound he heard. I looked to my left and saw Rain walking next to me, lost in thought. I remembered the brief confrontation she had with Dusty, and wondered what she was keeping from me.

Rain and I had a history. We told each other just about everything. We were like sisters, only that I looked up to her as an elder. She taught me everything I know.

And yet, she never told me about her sister, her true sister. It made me very curious. Dusty mentioned that she left them too. Who did she leave? Was she a Firefly? Is this why Rain doesn't trust them. So many questions ran through my head, it hurt. Rain and I are going to have a nice, long talk about this.

"We are just about there..." Dusty said, breaking the silence. "Just a few more steps down this hall. When we get there, I want you two to stick with me." Dusty turned his head to look at me. "Still remember what I taught you about weapons kiddo?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah, for the most part...why?" I asked.

Dusty just turned his head and continued walking. A minute later, we came up to our destination. A guard walked up to Dusty, making us stop.

"Name and Designation." The guard said in a tone less voice.

"Dusty Trails, Weapons Handler" he said back. The guard dropped his stern face and smiled.

"Dusty, I thought it was you. Glad to see you made it...and with friends?"The guard asked, looking towards me and Rain.

"Yeah, these two are close friends..." He looked back at Rain, "...Or maybe at least one of them. They need to get out of the city, wanted criminals now, basically." He said.

The guard laughed. "We're heading to 'The Nest' Dusty, I'm pretty sure Rose wouldn't like them coming with us, especially since we're meeting up with the Firefly Princess herself." He said.

Dusty nodded. "I know that. I'm going to take them to Ponyville. I got a few relatives that are living there. They can be safe" He told the guard.

The guard raised an eyebrow. "Ponyville? That's really out of the way from Seaddle. To get to Seaddle from Ponyville, you have to pass by-"

"-I know, Canterlot. I've done it before Gyro. Don't worry about me." Dusty said, cutting the guard pony, now known as Gyro, off.

Gyro stepped to the side. "Alright, but you be safe. You still owe me that Cider" he said, before nodding. "Head on in. Rose wanted to see you, by the way. Said it was urgent." He told Dusty.

Dusty nodded, and motioned us to follow him. We walked into the cubby that was made for the Fireflies. There were ponies everywhere. Each and everyone of them armed. It was as if they were all ready to attack the Guard right here and now.

But that wasn't the case. These ponies were outlawed, and were only fighting to survive. The need to find a cure was the goal for the group. They didn't want this fight...they were only defending themselves. Every pony here, although armed, looked like they were under-equipped for a fight. I began to question what I thought of the Guard and the Princesses. Because right then, I didn't see the Fireflies as the bad guys, they only wanted the best for pony kind.

As I thought of that, a group of ponies in lab coats walked by, carrying crates of lab equipment. It amazed me that all this was being done for a cure.

Not paying attention, I accidentally bumped into Dusty, who seemed to have stopped. Rain had seemed to be looking around as well, because she stopped just short of bumping into me.

"Alright, you stay here. I'm going into this room over here to see what Rose wants." He said to us, motioning to a room across the way. "Feather Dust here, is going to help you two get equipped." He told us, looking at the Pegasus next to him.

Rain spoke up. "Equipped? Equipped for what? We aren't going into a fight, are we?" She asked,

Dusty shook his head. "No,we are going outside the walls. That's much more dangerous than a firefight. I may be armed, but you two need to have some protection as well. One armed pony isn't enough for what's out there...not by a long shot." He said, nodding to Feather. "Get them taken care of, I'll be back for the finishing touches." He said, before walking off.

Feather nodded, looking at us. "I'll start with you first." She said to Rain, motioning her over. Looking to me she said, "you can go to that take over there. It has your things. Dusty says you should know what to do with them." She explained, pointing to a table on the far right. I nodded, walking over to it.

On the table was a variety of things, including a gas mask, a flashlight, what looked to be a bigger saddlebag, strangely customized to my taste, a weapons harness, and a pistol, along with 3 clips, each filled with 10 rounds. Lifting up the pistol with my magic, I pulled back the lever, checking the barrel. Snapping the lever back into place, I held the weapon in my hand.

Growing with Dusty, he had taught me a lot about weapons.Their use, their safety, and why they should be taken with respect. Dusty also made sure that I knew to only use the weapon in the most dire situations. Never harm a pony with a weapon unless it in self defense. I sighed, hoping I would never have to actually use this on another pony.

Pulling back on the slide again, I inserted a clip into the pistol, before snapping it back into place. With the gun loaded, I turned on huge safety and slid it into my holster. Grabbing the other two clips, I inserted them into a pouch used specifically for carrying extra clips.

After taking my old saddlebags off, and placing it on the table, I levitated the harness onto me, tightening it where needed. I grabbed the flashlight, and slid it into a front pocket on my harness.

After doing that, I dumped the contents out of my old bags and began putting them into my new bag. The saddle bag was a grayish-black, and had two big pouches, each with there own compartments for organizing things inside. One after another, I began putting my things into the bags. All the things I had packed in my bags was all I was taking. We never got to stop by my house, I was only told to bring my saddle bags with me when we was taken into custody. Everything I own, now lost to the next poor pony who gets assigned the house.

Sighing, I finally put in the last thing, and closed my bags. Levitating them onto my back, I grabbed the last item, my gas mask, and clipped it to the right side of my bags, near the harness.

As I was making sure I grabbed everything, I heard a sniffle behind me. Turning around, I saw Rain looking at me with tears eyes. She was all dressed up in the same fashion as me. She looked so different. She must have thought the same thing because she walked up to me and gave me a hug.

"I had hoped, that I would never see you dressed like this. I dreaded the day I would see this, because it would mean that we were leaving. And now here we are...even if it's under different circumstances. The outside is a dangerous place, and your not ready; I'm not ready." She said, hugging me tighter.

Nuzzling her neck, I responded. "I know...I'm scared too. The things I've learned from Dusty, it isn't enough to prepare me. One bite, or even the smallest scratch from an infected, and we are dead. And don't forget the lack of food, and countless other animals out there." I began. Leaning back, I looked into her eyes. "I know you might not trust Dusty or the Fireflies, but just this once...make an exception. He knows what he is doing." I told her. Rain paused, before nodding.

"Okay, I will, just for you." She said, hugging me one last time before letting go.

Not even a second later, I heard Dusty clear his throat. We both turned to him as he began to address us. "Okay...I talked with Rose. As much as she despises the idea and thinks its dumb, she agreed to let me do this. We are leaving at midnight, along with a squad of Fireflies. The squad is only a scouting group for the rest, so once we get away from the walls, they will leave us. I want you two to listen to everything I have to say. Don't do anything stupid, and don't wander off. If everything goes well, you can make it to Ponyville in three days." Dusty said.

I nodded, before I stopped. "Wait, you said 'You can make it.." I thought you were coming with us." I said. Dusty rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sorry Kiddo, I tried, but Rose wont let me go all the way. I can follow you through to Fillydelphia, and a little ways after that, but then I have to split off and join the group near Canterlot. I argued the best I could..." He said to me. "But don't worry, you have this. You and Rain make a great team, and I taught you myself. Just believe in yourself Sky." He said, putting a hoof on my shoulder. "Now, you two go get some rest, we got around four hours before its time to go." He told us, motioning to the cot room not to far from where we was. "Go on, your gonna need it." Was all he said, before his attention was turned to somepony else.

Me and Rose just shared a look of worry, before we both trotted off to the cots, not saying a word.

/****\

I laid there in my cot, watching the shadows go underneath the curtain separating the room from the hallways. I heard the slight snoring on Rain, coming from my left. I smiled, glad that she was at least getting some sleep. I, however, could not rest one bit. My mind was wandering, thinking of what would happen once we got out of the city walls. I had never been outside before, only seeing it and hearing the stories Dusty told me. He said the infected ponies were more than rampant outside, and that there were a ton of different kinds. From stalkers, to Bloaters, and even the most dangerous...Clickers.

Dusty once told me a story about a run in of Clickers he had once. He said the ponies head was non-existent, no eyes, just some mutated ears and a nasty mouth. You couldn't charge a Clicker like a normal infected pony. The only way you could take it down was by shooting it, in the head, or sneaking up behind it and shiving it before it had the time to turn and bite you. The thought of having to face that...I couldn't take it.

I was also warned of the Scavengers outside the walls as well. Some groups live in civilizations, having a safe group, such as Ponyville. Thanks to the Elements having family there, the Equestrian Guard didn't set a quarantine zone there. It was too small to keep up, and the Elements of Harmony that lived there...well they can take care of themselves. If they are still in Ponyville now, or even alive for that matter, nopony really knows.

As for scavengers outside of those kinds of Civilizations..well, you gotta be careful. Some of them are just living for themselves, but there are also groups. They rob, rape, and possibly even kill the ponies that cross into their territory. Thirty years of anarchy has changed a lot of ponies..Equestria isn't like it used to be.

And yet we were going out there, traveling a few hundred, maybe a thousand miles, across unknown territory, with limited supplies, to get to a town with ponies that I don't even know? Excuse me if I sound a little skeptical, but sometimes I wonder if I would just be better of taking my chances and staying here.

Turning and burying my head into the cots pillow, I sighed very loudly. Right now, I just wished my brain would shut off so I could sleep. Shutting my eyes, I sat there, my face in the pillow, hoping that I can just fall asleep within the time before we have to leave.

After about ten minutes of silence, I felt my body finally drift of to sleep. Sighing on the inside, I relaxed more. Finally, some shut-

Light suddenly poured into the room, as the curtain was slid open. Dusty's voiced came in after. "Alright girls, lets get going. We got a long travel ahead, hope you had some good sleep." He said, stomping his hoof on the floor. I heard Rain moving from her cot.

Dusty....you son of a bitch.

/****\

I sat at the table, my harness, sling, and saddle bags on me. Geared up and ready to go. That is, everything but my brain was ready to go. I yawned yet again, as I took a bite of my granola, which Rain had gladly gave to me. If I could take a pot of coffee as well, that would be great.

Suddenly, my prayers were answered, as a small cup with the black liquid came into my view. I looked up at the carrier, and Dusty smiled sheepishly back at me. "Here, I figured you would need this. I don't need a small tantrum with the cot pillow to tell that you didn't get any sleep." He said to me, as my violet blue aurora surrounded the cup. Bringing it to my lips, I slowly, but greedily drank the liquid. Although I hated black coffee, I didn't care as I felt the warm liquid travel through my body. Finishing the cup a minute later, I looked back to Dusty, as he shook his head. "Come on, they are waiting for us." And with that, he walked off.

I got up and followed, waving in and out of the ponies that were still up and packing. Realizing they had a more dangerous quest than we did, settled my thoughts a little. Just be glad we aren't a Firefly. We don't have a reason to be shot on sight. Well, at least outside of this city that is. I thought, as I came up behind Dusty to our traveling group.

Standing all together, was Dusty, Rain and I, and three other Firefly ponies, a Pegasus, Unicorn, and Earth Pony, respectfully. Listening to the conversation, I learned the names. The black pegasus buck, with a green mane and blue eyes, was called Thunder Burst. The lavender unicorn mare, who had a pinkish red mane and brown eyes, was named Lavender Mist. And then the brown earth pony buck, with a messy blond mane, was known as Quick Shot. Personally, I wasn't sure that was his name, but Dusty said he was the fastest earth pony in the group when it came to the trigger, so I figured I would believe him.

"Alright, listen up. Here is the plan. As soon as we step outside, we will take the alleyways all through. We will hit a sewer area soon, which is where we will go down, and then get past the wall. I was everypony to keep their weapons at bay. We don't fire a single shot while inside the city, unless ABSOLUTLEY necessary, and I mean it. We don't want the whole Guard riled up in this city, it will make it much more harder for our group to move out behind us. So, weapons ready, and stay very quiet. Single file line Ponies, don't mess this up." Dusty commanded, before turning to the door, and opening it.

Soft moonlight poured into the room, and the cool night air softly blew into the room. The flight of stairs made their way up, to what looked to be the top. Looking at the door itself, I took note that it was a Fire Escape from the Metro.

The three Firefly ponies took point, going out first with their weapons trained. Dusty went out next, motioning me and Rain to follow. Shutting the door behind us, Dusty took up the rear, as we quietly made our way to the top. The stairs felt damp, even with the air blowing through. As we reached the top, the line stopped, as the ponies up front took cover from the window.

Listening carefully, I heard the soft trot of hooves outside, and the sound of rolling wheels on the pavement. A brief light shined through the windows, as the presumed carriage passed by. Thunder, who was at the head, quickly peeked out the window, before bringing his head back. "Armed Patrol." Was all he said. After what seemed like a lifetime, we finally began to move again.

Stepping hoof outside, Thunder motioned to the alley across the street, before darting off. Once he reached the other side, he motioned to Quick Shot, who was next. The action was repeated once Quick made it past, then Lavender, then Me, then Rose, and finally, Dusty.

The alleys were not a welcoming place, as I came to find out. Even with the moonlight, everything seemed dark and dangerous. That and it didn't help that every 30 seconds the sound of hooves passing by made everypony tense with anticipation. Sneaking around armed ponies tended to make everypony's stress meter rise a little, and I learned I was no exception.

We came to another street crossing, and Dusty quietly pointed out that we were almost there. "The sewer entrance is just around that corner ahead." He whispered, before looking at Thunder. "Peek around, make sure there are no patrols." Thunder nodded, poking his head out into the street. Quickly pulling his head back in, he turned to Dusty. "Two patrols. I think we drifted too close to the checkpoint for West Side, because I saw floodlights and a fence nearby. One patrol is moving, and the other happens to be watching this street." Thunder whispered. Dusty grunted, not looking happy.

"Okay then, well we have to get by somehow...but we can't alert the guard. That would complicate everything." Dusty said, sitting in thought. There was a faint buzz and talking, before Lavender came up to Dusty. Looking closely, I just realized she had some kind of piece in her ear, and a cord that led down to some kind of arcane box. It only took me a moment to realize it was a radio of sort. "Actually, Dusty. I think we do have a plan." She said to him.

Dusty looked at her. "What do you mean?" He asked, His eyes also landed on the earpiece. "Wait, you have a radio with you?" He asked.

Lavender nodded. "Yes, Rose gave it to me. She figured it be best I have the radio, since we are technically scouting ahead for the Fireflies. But thats beside the point. Rose has a more direct way to the wall, but the Royal Guard have learned this, and have set guards all over the trail..." She paused, shuffling a hoof across the ground.

Dusty stared at her. "So what are you implying...?" He asked, his eyes widening a bit as he came to a realization.

"Well...." Lavender began, taking in a breath as everypony listened. "...Rose wants us to be a distraction." She said to Dusty. Dusty gave a long sigh, before turning and looking at her.

"A distraction? Rose wants us to be a fucking distraction? She realizes we are horribly outgunned, and if we set a distraction..it would hinder our progress of getting US out." Dusty said, stomping a hoof. He began to walk in place. "Celestia damn it Rose...." he mumbled.

Quick stepped foward, clearing his throat. "Dusty, we might be able to do this. Thunder here tells me he has the trick." He said, looking to Thunder. We all turned as well.

Thunder stepped foward, setting his bags down. Lavender opened them up, revealing some tin cans filled with sharp objects, like scissors, knives, and nails. Taking them out, she smiled. "Thunder, I am so glad you came prepared." She said, setting them down. I peeked into the bag, also noticing a small bag that was closed off with tape, but had a fuse coming out. I grabbed it, pulling it out. "Whats this?" I asked.

"A smoke bomb..." Dusty answered, looking at it. "So, you got smoke bombs and nail bombs. Thunder, I am glad you are the demoltionist on this expedition." He said, before eyeing the bag one last time. "Wait....whats that?" He asked, grabbing the bag and turning it over. A small, white brick rolled out, and Dusty dropped the bag. "Is that...?"

"A shape charge...yes." Thunder said, nodding to lavender as she carefully picked it up. "It has a detonator too. This...was a last resort incase we come across a full mob of infected. Id rather die, killing a bunch of infected than get bit." He said, nodding to the explosive. "I figured this, would be a good enough distraction, and the smoke bombs would cover our advance. I think a building exploding would be enough cause for the whole guard to come." He explained.

Dusty sighed a long sigh, sitting down. "Wow...okay. Remind me to never piss you off Thunder. But..how did you make it?" He asked. Thunder shrugged. "I had the hornhead scientists mix it up. Gave them the last of the explosives we had, told them to give me something that went boom. Its something a tad short of a Twilight Megaspell. Like the one she used in the battle with Tirek." He said.

I gasped, remember hearing that story. That was how Princess Twilight defeated Tirek, and kept him from turning Equestria into his own personal throne. Granted, the megaspell wasn't what defeated Tirek, it was the Elements, but the people who managed to witness the battle, her megaspell was very powerful, and destructive. Leveled a forest when she and Tirek collided.

Dusty gasped as well. "Wait, its that powerful?" He asked. Thunder shrugged.

"Probably not THAT destructive, I'm sure its enough to blow a big hole in a wall and cause a pretty light show. The hornheads don't know much about this explosive, since its one of a kind. They..guesstimated I guess." He said, grabbing the explosive with this hoof, and slowly placing it back in the bag.

Dusty nodded. "Alright, then its a plan. Here, lets put this inside the building here, and everyone else get ready. Thunder, when we throw the smoke in the road, as soon as we are across...blow it. That should get the Guards attention. Everypony else, once we are across the street, make a break for the sewer. The entrance is an obvious gate. If you aren't sure....just follow me." he explained. We all nodded.

Thunder opened the side door and zoomed inside, and we all got ready. Dusty handed me and Rain a smoke bomb. "I cant light these without a match, so it will be quicker for you guys. Lavender here will tell you how to light the fuse, and then you throw it. Just aim for the street, preferably the left side. As soon as you hear it puff, you run behind Lavender, and dont stop, because if you do...you will either get shot, or that bomb Thunder has might do more than he says it will, and you will get hurt. Got it?" He asked us. Rain and I nodded. Dusty patted my back, and went over to the door where thunder went in, I guess to tell him when to exactly blow it.

Lavender walked over, getting our attention. "Okay, its pretty simple. Just use your magic to create a spark at the tip of the fuse. But only the tip. Any lower, and you might risk it going off quicker, or it automatically going off on its own. Smoke bombs may not sound harmful, but if you are holding it and it goes off, it will hurt and burn." She explained. We nodded.

Dusty came back to us. "Alright, Thunder is ready when you are." He said, nodding at us. I looked at my smoke bomb, and my magic lit up around the tip of the fuse. Waiting for Lavenders signal, I chose a spot where I would throw it.

"Okay, light it...now!" Lavender said, and all of our magic sparked. a loud FSSSHHHH noise was heard, before we all chunked the smoke bombs into our chosen locations. Suddenly, they all went off, and a big cloud of smoke covered the entire street.

"Huh? Hey! Get over here, someone is smoking the street!" I heard a pony say, before the sound of rushing hooves and wheels got closer.

"Run!" Dusty yelled, as we all darted across the street. Suddenly, there were a bunch of loud clacks as about 3 automatic rifles and a mounted gun on the carriage began to fire into the smoke. I felt a bullet singe past my tail, and I yelped, running faster. We was way past the street, and I could see the sewer gate ahead. Looking back, I saw thunder fly above the street, crossing. "So...when is the signal supposed to be for blowi-"

KAK-KA-BOOOOOOM!

I squinted my eyes as I saw the building suddenly light up in a glowing cloud of smoke and flames. The windows were all blown out, and from what I could see, a whole section of the bottom wall was all but obliterated. Thunder flew down to us and kept pace.

I looked up at him. "You had that shit in your bag this entire time?!?! What if it went off?" I yelled at him.

He shrugged, looking back. "Well, it worked when it was supposed to, didn't it?! Now lets go, get in the sewer!" He said, as he rushed ahead, landing at the gate.

Dusty ran up behind, kicking it open. "Come on! Lets go." He commanded, guiding us all in.

The last thing I saw as I looked behind me was a pillar of smoke rising from the building, as a siren began to sound throughout the city, and the sound of at least a thousand hooves rushing to the building.

Author's Note

And that's that chapter! Sorry for the long delay, I was on a hiatus, because of graduating from school and doing summer stuff. I should be back into writing frequently now. This story should be making way now. Tell me what you guys think! Anything will help, and will be taken to consideration