" Lyric -- Lanto -- run! "
" I can't! "
" You *have* to, Lyric! "
" But, you'll die here! "
" Leave us, and get to safety! "
Thick smoke hung in the clumped house; boards falling away from the main support of the room. " Get her out of here, Lanto! " Grunted a deep voice, it coming from the fathered guardian, BlazeWhirl. " Lyric! Come on, we have to go, *now*! " Lanto snapped, wrapping his hoof around hers, and forcefully hauling her towards the clamped door. " We can't just leave them! Mom! Dad! Please, let me help you! " Lyric wailed, almost choking against the gray smoke that feel like a sharp cling, against her lungs. " Lanto! " The mother snapped, tear droplets flinging onto the closing fire, that rippled over the wooden floor, and closer to her chest area. " Mom! Dad! " Lyric continued to wail, her small body finally picked up by her brother, Lanto, and pointed to the door. " We can't do anything for them, Lyric! We have to get out of here, or we'll die! " Lanto wheezed, using his larger hoof bases to try and push open the door. Lyric cried heavily, as she use her small weight to press against the base of the door; she could hear the screams of her parents, being burned alive, and the heavy pounding of her heart. The door snapped open, sending the two ashed ponies to collapse in the dust, and then quickly scuffle to their hooves, skidding over to turn and watch as the house slowly begin to fall. Lyric was coughing dryly, as ashes cling to the blue of her lush mane, turning it into a fresh gray. The tears left stains down her cheeks, splitting the gray to create a thin barrier; clear; to show her natural flush of gentle silver coating. Lanto, the lithe colt, was as alike, except his blazing yellow pelt cut through the ashes, and just match as the fire shreds slide past their lifted heads.
Flanking to their right, were laughing ponies, joyfully flinging lit bottles to the hayed roof, and sending the flames to burn brighter. Lyric, and Lanto, locked their gazes on them. Lyric, was shocked, in utter depression, and did not dare move. Lanto, on the other-hoof, angrily side stepped, and smacked a lit bottle from the hoof of the leader; the two suddenly tangling into the ground, biting, and punching with each lash of strength they had. Lyric, was just standing, her pupils thinly lined against her navy blue eyes, as she look down against the droplets of blood, managing over the dirt. Then, she glance to the other neighboring yards, some had fled to the opposite side of the road, clinging their children close, while others watched from their bayed windows, taken in awe by the scene.
' This can't be happening.. '
Lanto, and the continued stranger pony, continued to fight. The two side members, gladly standing aside, even though at the own sight of their slowly-to-be-defeated, leader.
' I was weak -- I couldn't do anything..! '
The neighboring ponies, and their children, quickly whipped into the nearest shelter possible, likely of another owner.
' WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?! '
Lanto swung his hoof up, ready to prepare a killing strike to the gashed skull of his opponent.
' WHY WON'T ANYBODY, ANSWER ME?! '
______
Lyric woke up, gasping sharply for breath, as if she'd been in the fired building, once more. But, she wasn't, she was cuddled next to her resting brother. The setting -- in the present -- it all rushed back to her -- it was an apartment, small, dirty, shattered, and she could hear the distant arguing from the rooms below. Lanto shuffled lightly, cracking open his amber eyes, as they directed to, Lyric. " Lyric.. " he huffed lowly, stretching his widened wing, to curl over his younger sibling. " Lanto -- I-I was.. " she began, but was cut off as he pressed his muzzle to the opposite side of her head. " Lyric -- it's okay -- I'm here.. " he mumbled, as she began to faintly sob into his shoulder.
" I am your shield.. " he spoke, clearly, proud to remain with his title.
Lyric sniffed, cuddling tightly to the base of his wing.
" I wish I could be a shield -- so, I could protect anybody from a darkened future! " Lyric hissed, her navish eyes narrowing to the thin blankets, looped over her front hooves.
" To be a shield, you must put all your own problems aside, even family -- if it means protecting them from, a darkened future.. " he calmly retort, not intending for a sharply cut argument.
" But --..! " Lyric blinked, her eyes widening.
" If there comes a time, where you see a dark decision being made, you must leave me behind, leave it all behind, and try to fix it.. " he replied, his tone lowering once more.
Lyric shut her eyes, sniffing.
' I have to choose between him, and a friend's life -- I don't want either to have a darkened future -- what if he dies -- what if I'm dealing with a problem, and I can't be there, for him?! '
" Promise me, Lyric. " he look down on her, while crouching against the base of the bed.
" Promise you -- what? " Lyric look after him, a concerned expression against her timid face.
" That, you'll remain strong.. " he replied.
" I --... "
" . . . "
" Promise me, Lyric.. "
" . . . "
" I -- promise.. "
_____
The two were outside, after a while of huddling within the shatters of the apartment complex.
' Home -- sweet -- hell.. '
Outside, it was utterly chaotic, ponies were scuffling around in cloaks, and vandalizing the bared walls of the once, peaceful neighborhood, ganging up against innocent ponies, without mercy, or warning. The princess's, had never done anything for their small town -- not even near any empire -- but, it'd still made a great contribute to the armies across, Equestria, so, why did they just ignore them?
' I hate it here.. '
While she and her brother quietly walk, they happened to pass a small fight along an alleyway.
" I'm of no worth! " a small filly, screeched.
" You're an alicorn! Of course, you're probably worth MUCH more! " hissed a, stallion, who was looming over her with a darkened stare.
' Alicorn?! '
" Lanto! " Lyric sharply whispered, pulling herself infront of him, to force a pause. Lanto glanced to the commotion, his sharpened ears twitching rapidly, to recall, alicorn, ringing faintly to his attention.
" If you won't come with me, I'll FORCE you! " the stallion snapped.
Lyric felt suddenly angry, a stallion of that size, threatening to turn in a filly to the guards, even if she was an alicorn, nobody should be passed around, like a toy, for money, royalty; ANYTHING! She looked up at, Lanto, who look back down on her, calmly.
' I have to be a shield.. '
She whipped away, leaving her older sibling to watch as she flung herself at the hind leg of the stallion; sending it to bend opposite direction.
' To prevent, a darkened future! '
" Ouch! " the stallion grunted, flinging his heavy hooves to pound against the dust, and whirl to face the young filly. " Dumb, kid! " he spat, raising a hoof as, Lyric, flutter her azure wings, meeting against the lithe hoof, and grabbing it, but not without the exception of being halfly pushed down. The alicorn filly, taking her chance, quickly fled to the side, disguising herself in a shadow's embrace. The stallion, deciding he had no time for this, curved his hoof over the back of her neck, flinging her to the trash bin, where loud crashes echoed, in the thickly walled alley. " U-Ugh.. " Lyric groaned, rising shakily, and slowly, to re-face the threat.
" SHE'S GONE! " the stallion roared angrily, looking around thoroughly, and not finding the plainly disguised alicorn, who was secretly cradled behind, Lyric.
" It's your fault! I could've earned bits, for weapons, to defend myself in the hell town! But, no, you small idiots always prevent safety! " he continued, sliding closer, and grabbing the base of her neck.
" Ghck! " she choked, her small bodice writhing in attempts to escape.
" That's enough. " came a deep voice, as, Lanto, approach the rim of, the filly's, hiding place.
" Who the hell, are you?! -- Wait -- it doesn't matter -- get out of here! " the stallion hissed.
Lyric quickly whirled, knowing the exact hiding place of, the filly, and the position the whole scuffle was settled in, she screeched, " Lanto! Grab the filly, and go hide! I'll catch up! "
" Got it. " Lanto replied, and dove his thick hoof inside the rubble, gripping the alicorn filly, then quickly drifting along the corner in escape.
" NO! " the stallion wailed, attempting to chase after them, of course flinging, Lyric, aside, but, she slid against the bases of her hooves, lurching back, as she smack the stallion to the side, striking against the upper half of his forelegs, to trip him into the rubble of the trash bins.
After the swift move, not even thinking, she snapped out of the scene, sprinting over the blackened ground, and dust, as she attempt to catch up to the furthering silhouettes.
' He has his hiding place, I know exactly where he's going! '
Her legs became more stretched, as her bounds lengthened, and her speed gained incredibly, though she knew where he was going, running always felt like that last bit of freedom NOBODY could claim. Kicking up ashed dust, and letting her mane whip against the line of her neck, she dove towards the opposite side of town.
Once on the opposite side of town, Lyric, had came to a skidding hault to the front of a collapsed building, at least the top, the bottom was on a safe structure, and had been abandoned, so, it was she, and, Lanto, that had taken it for their hiding place, usually somewhere to rest, if not the apartment.
" You saved me! " the filly squeak, as, Lyric, approach alongside her older sibling.
" I just did as, Lyric, told. " Lanto muffed, swishing his auburn tail across the cement floor.
" I only bought time, off the subject, what the hell do you think you're doing? Running around these streets, as an alicorn no less! " Lyric hissed, her gaze traveling around, to observe her appearance, incase of injuries.
The filly had a bladed horn, and a low purplish glow emitting in her hues. Pelt, gray, and her wings were rimmed with a starry shine, as her own, except, hers were plain sky, azure, and clouded in some strands of feather. They looked nearly bonded in opposite ways, with only the occasional details, and the fact this filly was an alicorn.
" I don't remember to well -- I was only recently appointed this age.. "
' What is that supposed to mean..? '
" I'm, Yosare, and, I thank you both -- for helping me escape.. " the filly dipped her head, the rise it, as the rim of the blade reflect the clouded sun, sending a pale glow to slip across the blade.
" Well, Yosare, I'm, LyricStride -- but, call me whatever. "
" I am, Lanto, her older brother. "
" It's nice to meet you both. "
After short greetings, Lyric eye the horn, raising a brow with inner curiosity. Yosare, took the hint of the look, and smiled. " I can't do magic with it, I haven't trained -- but -- it's good for a weapon! Though -- I haven't -- USED IT -- as a weapon.. " Yosare explained, twitching her ears around.
" It's definitely something -- new.. " Lyric commented.
" In a good way! "
" Thanks -- hey -- if you don't mind -- I could really use some help.. " Yosare's smile disappeared, and replaced with a look of worry.
' Again? '
" With what? " Lyric asks.
" I need to get to, The Scarlett Alliance.. " Yosare replied.
" The Scarlett Alliance? " - Lyric / Lanto -
Yosare exhaled, then begin to explain.
_____
' The Scarlett Alliance, is a small group in which lead across open-country, wild cities, and any terrain in search of, The Element Of War, who they believe could be the savior of all towns -- such as this -- and all civilizations known. I need to get to them, I want to join them, and I obviously can't go by myself.. '
_____
" The Element Of War? Explain -- and -- yes -- I'll help you, Lanto, are you coming as well? " Lyric counters, then asks, her brother.
" I actually think, this is something you can do on your own.. " Lanto replied.
" Really..? " Lyric blinks, as if she was given a responsibility all her own, Yosare, and she had also been given the ' shield ' title.
" You can do it, kiddo.. " Lanto ruffled her mane, then turn, and disappear within the shadows of the exit.
Lyric turn back, facing the opposite gape in the wall, where it would lead to open-country, and no civilization.
" I'll explain, on the way. " Yosare blink, then lead the way, the two stepping to open-country.
_____
' The Element Of War, is no ordinary EOH, it is powerful, and certainly follows by it's title, causing wars by a simple lash of a glare.. She's supposed to be a filly now, but, when she reaches the age of teen, all of these foretold facts -- foretold futures of destruction -- will come true. If we can find her, we can guide her to a better path, then which she is now -- The Element Of War, MUST, have a backstory.. A bad one, if it is to become something to truly threat -- and or, save, us all.. I believe I can help, since I am birthed from the stars, and given the purpose to at least try.. '
" How did you even know, about, The Scarlett Alliance, and, The Element Of War? "
' Well, I actually witnessed their work -- they're brutal -- they beat mercilessly -- like here, without warning, but, it's for a good cause.. I was told about, The Element Of War, by the moon mistress, otherwise known as, Luna. '
_____
They were walking along the empty plains, their calm gazes resting ahead to latch a good view of the rough hills.
" Luna -- The Scarlett Alliance -- The Element Of War -- all sound like they have a deeper threat, I mean, at least the two of the last, Luna, hasn't done anything.. " Lyric mumbled, the bases of her hooves crunching against the yellow grass.
" I agree.. "
" But, even though they contain a massive threat -- you're still going..? "
" I am. "
" Then.. " Lyric blink, then slip infront of, Yosare, her navish hues calmly, yet, seriously locked on her. " I want to join you on your entire quest, not just drop you off.. "
" It'll be dangerous -- you won't like what you see.. "
" If it's anything I've ever seen, it'll be *nothing*.. "
" Alright.. " Yosare allowed this, as Lyric sidestep, then the two continued on. " What about your brother, Lanto..? "
' If there comes a time, where you see a dark decision being made, you must leave me behind, leave it all behind, and try to fix it.. '
" He'll be fine, this is something I must do.. "
_____
Five hours, of utter walking, with no conversation, no looking at each other, just plain moving forward to their mission.
" Astrays! " boomed a voice, as the two fillies pause, and turn to look behind them. There, a massive stallion stood, having shredded armor, and cuts scattered around his muzzle.
' Astrays..? '
Yosare's gaze turn frighten, as she turn back, and bound away. Lyric quickly followed, her head slightly turned to look behind her, as the stallion ruggedly followed.
" Why're we running?! " Lyric shouted.
" HE'S GOING TO KILL US! " Yosare screeched.
" What?! How do you know?! " Lyric gain speed, slicing over the terrain, to match by, Yosare's, side.
" The sign, on his chest plate -- he is of The Array Guard! " Yosare pant, her hooves quivering heavily, as they slap to the plained floors.
' Array Guard?! '
~~~
The Array Guard, are an evil type of pony -- set on usually patrolling the plains -- they started a war with, Canterlot, and are now trying to make a civilization there. Unkind, evil, and just plain brutal, these guards will slay down anything they see weak, such as, colts, fillies, elderly, etc.
~~~
Lyric begin to pant, as the larger stallion gained speed. She quickly look at, Yosare, then shout, " You find somewhere to hide! "
" Lyric! You're not going to---! "
" HIDE! "
Yosare quickly whirl towards the forest, being that the only shelter, as Lyric lash backwards, skidding to a hault, and facing the approaching stallion with narrowed hues. Yosare, now hidden in the thick bushes, watch from the distance, as Lyric held her ground, while the stallion's hooves pounded closer.
' To prevent -- a darkened future.. '
The stallion slowed, only faintly, and now in a mild trot, as, Lyric, continue to hold her ground.
' I can be the shield -- I never could be, for my parents.. '
He was closer now, the color of his eyes, in clear sight, they were silver, and narrowed.
' I can do this.. '
Her wings stretch out, glowing a bright azure, and clouded white.
' I must protect, Yosare.. '
____
It wasn't long until she found herself thrown up, from the ground, and now aimlessly slicing into the air.
She quickly caught herself by flying, then she shot towards the stallion, her glowing wings slapping him in the eyelids, as her hind hooves drop into a roughly timed kick in the jaw. Since she was a filly, her attacks wouldn't be as affective, but, they still would cause bruises, as she shoot down, under his belly, then behind him; whipping a moment later, as she scaled along his back, and laced her small arms over his neck, pulling back as hard as she could. The stallion gasps, as he flings his haunches upward, in attempts to kick her off. As he continued on, her arms eventually tightened their hold along the base of his neck.
" Nice moves.. " came a voice, as a pink filly step from the shadows.
Sidetracked, Lyric lost her grip, and was flung to the ground, her small bodice shaking as she rise up, with her eyes narrowed. The stallion had gotten beside the pink filly, who had a trailing gaze, as she look apon, Lyric.
Lyric didn't trust this, so she slowly maneuvered, to bare her side, as her head lightly dipped, to a warning profile.
" I'm sorry, for the rude greetings -- we just thought, you were weak.. " the pink filly mumbled, as the stallion rub his neck.
" Who *are* you? " Lyric asks, her navish eyes giving off a harsh glow.
" My name is, Pinkamena.. "
