Day 15: Evacuation

Two firm stallions stormed before her majesties, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Twilight. The older and more senior of the two spoke first. "Your majesties," he took a bow and stood again. "We have news from Ponyville... The city has fallen to the infection. Police forces, even the military, couldn't stop it. It's too fast." He took another cautious step forward, his accomplice following suit. "Your highnesses, we sincerely believe that we must transport you to a different country, perhaps a colony of the Empire." There was a momentary pause.

"For the time being, of course," finished the other. Lifting his helm from his head, he wiped back his sweaty mane and donned it again. Princess Celestia, the oldest and wisest of the three, nodded in agreement.

"Yes," she said. "I completely agree. Let's take the chopper over the chariot this time 'round." She stood on her hooves, her fellow princesses doing the same. "I take it we're in agreement?"

Both Luna and Twilight nodded, Luna speaking first. "Yes, sister. Though I would hate to leave our people in this time of need... Three cities have fallen victim to this virus. It is not a matter of 'if' it reaches Canterlot." She glanced grimly at the four before her. "It's a matter of 'when.' It is already certain the virus will strike. After all... It only takes one drop." She gulped softly and slightly moved her head about. "We don't know for certain that any of us are immune."

"I understand completely what she means," Twilight said. "We could stay, fight, and be overrun, or we could flee and fight a different battle for these people. It seems cruel, yes, that we have to abandon them, but mark my words, sisters," she moved her eyes carefully back and forth. "We will ensure their survival." She cleared her throat and stood proudly. "I suggest we declare a national emergency, and a nation-wide evacuation, before this spreads any further. By my calculations, this plague will have ravaged the country in a month."

Celestia nodded. "Yes, an evacuation is in order. Martial law shall be declared, ensuring that as many that can be evacuated will be, and that cities where the disease is rampant shall be placed under curfews with no light, so that the military can fight the infected at that time, and during the day. However," she coughed slightly, "daylight will be chance for survivors to either escape, or to scavenge and build their defenses. The military will be in control for the most part, but we will ensure some liberty. I know this is a risk," she said, "but it's necessary."

All three agreed, and instantly the three made a national address. All citizens were to remain in their home at night, the power to be cut during those dark hours, and no sound to be made, no movement. Anyone not in a home already would be shot on sight. This would not include those breaking into homes. Military, of course, were an exception, unless they were infected.

Celestia had also installed a "Code Red." Military leaders in the affected cities would go along stages of control. Stage one was moderate control, only infected to be shot. Stage two was moderate loss of control. All living things other than military were to be shot on sight. Stage three was complete loss of control-- military forces were to pull out, and F-16s were to fly over the city and drop napalm in the streets and to destroy the city completely. Anyone trapped in the city was, unfortunately, doomed.

It was a grim broadcast indeed. But Celestia was hopeful that it would come to help. After a conference with her best military leaders, she took a moment to retreat to her quarters. She gently lay on her bed, the sheets and mattress sinking under her weight. A knock, a rap-rap-rapping came at the door. "Come in," she sighed. It was Twilight who entered. "Dear Twilight, what is it?"

Twilight gulped softly and spoke rather nervously. "My friends, Celestia... I haven't spoken to them in a week. I'm afraid they may be in grave danger."

"Relax," Celestia gently replied. She sat up on her bed, putting a hoof on Twilight's shoulder to comfort her. "I'm sure your friends will be fine. They have each other, and I have seen them fight. They will know to evacuate, and it's certain that we should see them at least in one of the refugee camps."

Twilight shook her head adamantly. "But what if they don't make it? What if we lose one, or two, or all? Then what? There will be no elements of harmony! The country will be forever defenseless, and we may never--"

"Twilight, relax!" Celestia pleaded. "You're doing your thing!"

"My thing?" Twilight tilted her head in curiosity.

"Yes, the thing! Where you start getting paranoid and everything only gets worse! I'm certain that everything will be fine." Celestia cleared her throat and spoke firmly. "Even if we do lose an element, there's something you should know: the elements will find a new pony, one just as compatible or more compatible with the said element." She thought for a moment, before listing and example. "for instance, if we lost, say, Rainbow Dash, there is easily another Pegasus that I know of who could take her place."

"Who, Princess?"

"Her brother, Storm."

"Captain Dash! Captain Dash!" A brown-coated soldier in a digital-camouflage uniform burst into an officer's tent, nearly out of breath, a pair of weathered glasses barely being held on his face.

"What is it, sergeant?" Another similarly uniformed stallion, who's coat was a greyish-blue, eyes of deep sapphire, and a mane colored like a storm cloud, tipped with rainbow locks, looked up from his portable desk, parts to a Five seveN being littered about it as he cleansed the weapon. He rubbed at his shoulder to get out a knot in his muscle, his hoof gliding over his two proudly displayed "Ranger" and "Alpha Force" patches. The officer, holding a lit cigar in between his teeth, glared slightly and cocked his eyebrow at the aforementioned sergeant.

"We have a special guest who wants to see you."

The captain chuckled. "And who might that be?"

"Princess Luna, sir."

Captain Rainbow Storm Dash immediately stood up at the mention of the princess he cared and adore so much, the cigar nearly falling from his mouth. "Take me right to her," he said. The sergeant trotted out, Dash following suit.

"Storm!" A feminine cry of relief and joy came from Dash's front and center. He looked up and beamed.

"Oh my gosh, Luna!" He quickly embraced the slightly taller alicorn, smiling warmly. "I thought I'd never see you again..."

"Things are different now, my old friend." She stepped back from the embrace, her smile still holding.

"Yeah, I know, I'm old... Not as old as you, but hey! I turned another thirty years last we met!"

Luna, shaking her head and chuckling almost in disbelief, said, "Have the years truly gone by so fast, friend?"

"Indeed they have. Say, how's my little sister doing? I haven't seen her since I got stuck in the thirteenth century, don't know if her birthdate is still the same." He looked her in the eye curiously, to which he saw her expression turn grim.

"Storm, no one has seen your sister for a week. She was one of the many in Ponyville when it fell. Whether or not she is still alive is not yet determined. But we have other matters to discuss, regarding Equestria." She turned on her hooves and began trotting away from Storm's tent.

"About what?" Storm questioned. Luna pointed to a medium-sized military-style helicopter.

"Come with me. I will explain it on the chopper. We will return to your camp later." Storm sighed and followed his friend onto the helicopter, seating himself next to her as the rotors turned and the engine grew louder.

"Where we going?" He asked.

"You will see."

"You know," Storm said, his voice growing louder of the engine as he and Luna donned their headsets. "I was technically two years old when we first met! Those times starting from exactly 1400 to 1981, I was in negative years! Imagine being negative 600 years old!"

"I don't believe I can fathom it, as all I've known is my true age. I've never travelled back in time similar to geniuses like you, but I know I living forever all too well." Her voice as well grew, something she was accustomed to.

"Well, at least you can die if someone shoots you. I'm stuck forever 27." He sighed and shook his head.

"Hah! At least you're still in your twenties, a decent age if I say so! Very lively age, much less feeling toward responsibility! I know many ponies in their mid-twenties who 'get around easily,' so the saying goes." Storm chuckled at Luna's quote.

"Yeah," he said, "that's me! Getting around, being damn reckless! Those were the days, Luna...

"Those were the days."

The chopper drowned out the rest of their sounds as it carried them over a small canyon, complete with glacier lines and a river at the bottom. Storm noted to visit this place sometime. It may prove adventurous.

Author's Note

My suggestion for when Storm appears: Start listening to Fortunate Son by Creedance Clearwater Revival. Good song, perfect moment.