Mal Acte

        Corrupt got to shore shortly before the sun rose. The band-aid he had put on had barely still held onto his arm. He peeled it off and examined it. More blood than what he expected bled out. The cut itself was still red with blood.

        “Man, this is ridiculous.” Corrupt said as he layed on the ground, his stomach facing outward. His cut is still bleeding… Before Corrupt could get lost in thought about his previous encounter.

Ace, it isn’t safe here. We have to get moving. The voice told him.

        “I understand this.” Corrupt said, shaking off any thoughts. He rolled over and stood. His left arm was now freely bleeding. Corrupt didn’t like the looks of it and refused to allow it to stay open. “Give me one moment.” He said to the voice.

        He walked towards the water right off shore. Better than nothing. He thought putting his wound into the ocean’s water. It stung a little, but not as much as the initial blow. After a couple seconds, he removed his arm from the water.

        He examined it debating how deep the cut really was. It should be fine… He thought holding it up close to him. The blood flow seemed to slow down. He blew on it, trying to make it dry faster so he could put another band-aid on it.

        About a minute later, Corrupt applied another band-aid. Looking at it, he began thinking about the fight. I got lucky this time. I can’t afford to waste any more medical supplies. He looked towards the smoking Manehattan. Next time Divine, I’ll make sure I don’t have to worry about you again. But until then…

Ace, are you ready to move? The voice asked, getting impatient.

        “Yeah, let’s go.” He said turning away from the city. He climbed off the shore and outwards till coming to train tracks.

        “These came and went from Manehattan, didn’t they?” He smiled. “If so, we can just follow them to the next spot.”

It would seem that way. The voice commented and Corrupt nodded. He began walking down the tracks. Be very aware of your surrounds though.

“I think I’ll be able to hear a train coming.” Corrupt said.

        The voice were silent as Corrupt followed the tracks, leaving him all to his own thoughts. Every now and again he would glance at the wound Divine had given him. He was so fast. Corrupt began thinking back to the fight as well as the entire adventure so far. Divine really has been the only challenge. The city, the guards, mother and father… Nopony really showed any resistance. Divine alone, however, put me right on the spot.

None of Corrupt’s adventures have ever been like this. This was already proving to be a true test of his ten years experience. As he thought back to it, all his other adventures had been completed quickly. He knew that this time would take more than a few simple days. After Manehattan was hit, he understood the challenge more.

        His friends wanted a lot from him and he was willing to do it make them happy. He had always been that way for his friends. Corrupt thought about his old friends, but something wasn’t right.

        He could remember small things about them and what adventures they had been on, but their names were lost. Corrupt got lost in thought about this, trying hard to remember even a single name. Not one came to mind before his thought time was interrupted.

Ace, look ahead. At first, the voice surprised Corrupt and snapped him from his past into reality. He looked forward, as the voice commanded. In front of him was a cave. The entrance was just big enough for a train to go through.

“Well then, hopefully we don’t have to race a train.” Corrupt stated, hoping silently he didn’t just jinx himself.

You can’t outrun a train. I recommend finding a different path. The voice suggested.

“No, that’d take too long. Time isn’t really our friend anymore.” Corrupt said, getting ready to walk into the cave. He looked at his arm with the band-aid. You had better stay put if anything happens.

Once inside of the cave, Corrupt realized how close the walls were. If a train wanted to pass through, he was doomed. He paced himself a bit quicker and tried to remember the distance of each track.

Everything seemed to be alright until he saw a faint light in the distance. He glared at it a moment, trying to determine what it was. A train whistle blew, but not from in front of him. He turned and saw another light getting bigger and brighter as it approached.

His body jumped a moment before he turned around, running for safety. The train behind him was faster by a lot and was catching up. Corrupt still had a way to go before being actually close to the exit of the cave.

I’ve got a chance to make it… He closed his eyes, letting his mind take over in memory of the tracks. He focused on not misplacing his hooves before opening his eyes again. The light of safety was close and he could make it in time. He turned his head back and saw that the light of death was a lot closer than beforehand. He turned back and kicked it into high gear.

However, he misstepped and got his back hoof stuck. As he fell, he panicked. His mission, his adventure, his friends and his life may all be over for this one mistake. He charged a small blast and shot it at the board holding him down. Corrupt immediately sprinted for the exit. It was so close, but the train was the same distance as the exit now.

He could feel the train right behind him as he reached the end of the tunnel. Diving for the left, the train barely missed his back hooves as he went rolling to the side. He took a moment to breathe on the ground before turning around at what just about ended his life. From where he was laying, a good portion of the train had already passed him. Though heavy breaths, he made a comment about what had been said earlier. “Can’t outrun a train, huh? I think I just did.” He said, bringing a cocky smile.

You are lucky to have escaped that Ace. Had the train been any closer before you discovered its presence, you would have been hit. The voice spoke to him back. Corrupt just was glad to be alive and well. Blasting the train would’ve just ended poorly. It would have made the tunnel collapse on top of him. Running was the only thing he could have done, and he had did it. He looked at his band-aided arm.

You listened to me… He thought, seeing that the band-aid had not moved. Corrupt stood up, his hooves shaken from the train race but could still walk. After the train completely went by, he headed down the tracks again.

That was a very risky move. The voice said to him. He nodded, knowing how close to failure he was.

“But it was much quicker and now we still have a track to follow. It was close, but it was worth it since we made it out.” Corrupt said.

Indeed. The voice agreed. Corrupt walked on down the track the train had followed.

        Corrupt wandered about an hour down the tracks. It lead him into a forest. It was peaceful and quiet, surprisingly in really good shape too. However, Corrupt paid no attention to it. He was on a mission and didn’t have time to just sight see a few trees.

        “Do you think we’re getting close?” He asked, sounding a little impatient with how long he had walked.

The tracks have to lead somewhere Ace. I can’t answer where or how long it will take. The voice answered him. Corrupt sighed at the answer.

        “I only asked if you thought we were getting somewhere, not if you knew.” Corrupt commented.

I would believe we are. The voice replied to him.

        “I sure hope you’re right. I imagine it doesn’t take too much time for word to get around.” Corrupt said. “I don’t think they’d be prepared for us, but it would be best not to give them time to be, right?”

That would be prefered. However, even if we manage to catch them off guard here, I fear the rest of Equestria will be prepared. The voice paused momentarily. Corrupt knew that his friend wasn’t done, so he stayed silent. Ace, it’s too late to leave now. I hope you realize that.

        “I do. Besides, even if I wanted to, where would I leave to? The only way to go is forward, I understand that clearly.” Corrupt stated in an unusual serious manner.

I’m glad to hear that. The voice told him. The silence between the two resumed until Corrupt stopped on the tracks about fifteen minutes later. He pointed forward towards a small group of buildings.

        “Well look at that, we were close… kinda.” Corrupt said.

A small settlement in the middle of the forestry. Had we not followed the tracks, we may have not found this place. The voice told him.

        “Well, I’m glad we did then.” Corrupt continued towards the structures. “It looks like a total of about sixteen or so buildings. I don’t think they’d know about us yet.”

It seems unlikely, but you are still suspicious. Armor like this isn’t common and the only way most get here seems to be trains. Corrupt looked closer towards the village. From what he saw, there were no roads or paths that lead outside other than the train tracks.

        “I see what you mean.” He told his friend.  He was getting close now and he could tell details of a few ponies. Some looked like they were working, others just chatting. “However, that won’t be an issue whatsoever…” He smirked.