Pain and Mistakes

pain and mistakes

 Dusk rushed over to me as I walked in the house, smiling brightly. I had no idea how she could be so happy given situation. I envy that about her.

She through her arms around me for a moment, before pulling back. “Silver, you're not going to believe this!” she said beaming.

“Whenthetrottersattackedaguardnewiwasyoursisterandgavemeaguntheniwenttofindyouandrivetfoundmefirst.” she took a breath. “weranhereandonthewayweranintozombiesandishotthemrightin

thehead!”

        “Whoa silver, slow it down. So a guard gave you a gun, Rivet found you, and you shot some zombies?” She nodded. “How did you do?”

        “Ok, I guess.”

        “More then ok, I’d say.” Rivet said from beside me. “She is definitely your sister. Eight headshots in a row ”

        “Eight??” I asked in surprise. I looked over at my little sister. “Great job Dusk, I’m really proud of you.” Somehow, her smile got even wider.

        “Come on, lets sit down.” Rivet said

All of us sat down in Rivets living room, which was identical to mine. Dusk and Violet sat down in the love seat. Rivet, Gambit, and I sat down on the couch. Fang, as big as she was, took the lazy boy.

My mind drifted back to what had happened outside. I had hesitated. worse than that: I froze. I could have cost Rivet his life. I swore to Luna that I would do better. Next time I would pull the trigger.

The sounds of battle could still be heard through the town. As badly was we all wanted to go lend them a hoof, we couldnt. We were tired, outnumbered, and nearly out of bullets. Trying to help would get us all killed.

After a few minutes of silence, we started doing inventory. Rivet had enough food for about a day. I had 8 cheap rounds for my rifle, Violet had 15 crossbow bolts left, and Rivet had 11 shotgun shells. Fang had 10 455. rounds, Gambit had 24 rounds for his pistol, and Dusk had 9 rounds for hers.

Along with food and bullets, we had a crowbar of Gambits, a mobile radio, a hoof full of knives, a hockey stick, and a cricket bat.

“You have a cricket bat?” I asked Rivet in surprise as all the supplies were gathered on the table.

“It was here when I moved in..” He shrugged. “Figured it could come in handy.”

        “And he was right.” Fang said. “With so little ammo, we’re going to have to use melee.”

        Dusk grinned. “Not us.” she said pointing at herself and Violet. Violet hadn’t moved or spoken since she sat down. I made a note to talk with her when I got the chance. “I can use magic, and she can pick her bolts back up.”

        Gambit nodded. “Good thinking.”

        Everyone jumped as something started scratching at the door. Then taping. Then slameing.

        “What kind of zombie does that?” Rose walked into the room.

        “Y-you’re alive?” I asked, a little too surprised.

        “Yes, I’m still here.” She said. “A few guards got me here when they heard it was safe.”

        I asked myself where the guards where, but I already knew the answer. Dead. I had to bite my tongue to stay quiet. If they had dies keeping her safe, because she wouldn't use a gun...I think I would have killed her.

        Everyone winced as something crashed into the front door.

        “Grr, what is with all the reapers today!” I shouted. They were supposed to be rare. I got up and pulled my knife from its sheath. “I’ll be right back.”

        I stood at the door watching the cursed one for about a minute. I was glad that Rivets heavy door had a peep hole for me to look through. Once I was sure it was consistent, I just had to wait for the right time.

        The things had brains, but not nearly enough to see this coming. As it charged the door, I suprised it. The door swung open just before the zombie rammed it. Instead of slamming its head into the heavy door, the cursed one slammed into my knife instead.

        I quickly tossed the body outside and closed the door again. I couldn't help but think that that was a little to easy. Then again, It’s always easier when you have the high ground.

        With the zombie dealt with, I returned to the living room.

        More scratching and thumps pounded against the door. None of them had the problem solving skills a reaper carried.

        “We should get some rest.” Gambit stood up. “Big day tomorrow.”

        “Whats the plan?” Dusk asked. “Are we going to retake the town?”

        “Not even Light Bright could pull that off.” Fang snicked. I glared at her.

        “So, we get what we can, and get the hell out of dodge. Good plan.” Rivet said.

        “We can’t leave!” Rose burst out, still standing in the doorway. “This is our home! I-it’s dangerous out there.”

        "I can’t believe I’m saying this." I said. "Fangs right. The walls down. Everypony is dead or scattered. This place is a death trap now.”

        Everyone nodded in agreement. Rose just glared at me.

        Rivet, Dusk, Violet, and I crashed in his room. We let the kids have the bed while Rivet and I laid on bed rolls on the floor. Fang had volunteered to take watch while Rose and gambit slept in the living room.

Even after such a long day, I couldn’t sleep. I just laid there, staring up at the ceiling. I just couldn't wrap my head around it. The holl town, dead in one night. the buildings, burnt. The wall... who even knows?

I shook my head, pushing the thoughts down. I sat up and looked over my friends. Rivet was sleeping soundly on his bedroll. Dusk was sprawled out on the bed. violet was...where was Violet?

I got up and looked the room over. she wasn't there. She wouldn't have gone outside, would she?

        I made my way downstairs, making good use of my stealth skills.. I checked the living room first. then the kitchen.

        Sure enough, she was sitting at the kitchen table. She was staring at a stuffed doll I could only assume was Daiseys. Violets cross bow was in her battle saddle, but the firing bit was no where to be seen..

        Without a word, I took the seat next the the filly. After a few minutes, I got tired of waiting for her to address me.

        “How are you doing?” I asked her.

        “How am I doing?” She asked back, still staring at the doll. Had she went to Daiseys house to get it? it wouldn’t surprise me.

“Yea. How are you doing?”

“Well, my town got destroyed. My leg is broken. I’m nearly out of both food and ammo. Oh yea, and I killed my best friend.” She looked up at me. “Do not. Ask me. how I am doing.”

allllright then. That would be a no.

“Lisson. I’m really sorry about what happened. I just….I couldn't do it. You shouldn't have had to do something like that because I couldn't do it myself.”

Violet sighed. “You know, she looked up to you. She thought that you were some kind of hero. But when she needed you most, you failed her. You couldnt give her mercy. Not even to save your friends life. No matter what you may think, what she thought, you are not a hero. You don’t have what it takes to do the right thing. All you care about is food and bullets.”

        Violet stood up from the table. “You can take the bed. I’ll grab your bed roll and sleep down here.” She  grabbed the doll in her mouth, and trotted off.

        I sat at the table for a good 15 minutes trying to make sense of what she had said. I knew I was no hero. Its true I wanted to live. But I wasn't as selfish as she made me out to be. The part about her speech that rattled me was hearing my own fears out loud. That I couldn't do it. That I didn't have what it took to survive. That I was weak.

The next day everyone was up early. My sister wasn't all that surprised when she woke up and I was sharing the bed with her. Rivet, however, had some questions. I told him I would fill him in later. The days tasks would require our full attention.

Once we distributed out all the supplies among everyones saddlebags and my vest, we got to work.

We split off into three teams. Fang, and Rose went to search the clinic for supplies. Gambit, and Violet went to look through Its Better Than Nothing. Rivet and I went around looking for guns and bullets.

BANG!

I blew the head off of a trotter that was down by that pavilon. I had seen some other guards fighting down there, so I figured it would be a good place to look.

Most of the dead had already left the town, leaving meaty bones and blood stains in their wake.

Sadley, when the towns ponies reanimated, most of them wandered off with their guns.

Rivet looked at me and sighed.

“What?” I asked. He was looking at me like I had stolen a muffin or something.

“You shouldn’t be wasting ammo,” Rivet said. “And your gun isn't what I would call, quiet.”

“What else did you expect me to do?” I asked.

“Knife, hoof, horn, take your pick.” He shrugged.

“Fine, next time I’ll do it your way.”

“Good.”

I wasn't opposed to the idea of if using my knife, but there was something about my rifle that made me feel safe. The weight, the power, the look. I knew it inside and out. It has saved me and my sister countless times, and my father before that. Sure, I had saved myself with my knife, but it was nothing next to the perfection that was the enfield. Even if the ammo was a little harder to find.

On our search, we found a pistol with half a mage in it, and an assault carbine that had only been shot once. We also found a few bolts of Violets, and some whiskey. This was kind of like loting, except you only get whatever the dead guy dropped before he got back up and wandered off.

I had no idea how the whisky had gotten there, but I wasn't complaining. I popped it open and took a swig.

“Silver-”

“I’m not drinking much.” I said, slipping the small bottle into a pocket of my vest. I smile touched my lip as the liquid brought warmth into my belly. “So, two guns, some arrows, and whiskey. I would say we did very well.” I said.

        “For one person, maybe.” He said.

        “Theres always the armory.”

        Rivet and I stood outside town hall, trying to work out a plan.

        “Ok, so we walk in, we kill everything inside, we get the guns, we leave.” I said, taking a step towards the building. Best. plan. ever.

        “Umm, how about no?” Rivet said. He grabbed onto my tail, causing me to fall on my face. He held out a hoof to help me up. I waved it off and got to my hoofs.

        “That's where most of the ponies in town ran first.” Rivet said. “There has to be at least 5 trotters in there.”

        “Thats not so hard. I can just-”

        “No. we’re doing this my way. Take your knife out, and follow me.”

        Rivet trotted towards the door. I sighed as I did what I was told. Whatever happened to me being in charge?

        Town hall reeked of blood, sweat, and gunpowder. It wouldn't have taken a genius to figure out there had been some kind of fight here.

        The main room was a kind of waiting room, not unlike the one at the clinic. Well, other than the blood stains. And the bloody machete laying on the floor. I grabbed it and slide my knife back into its sheath.

        Three doors split off from the main room, one going to the basement, one going to the mayors room, and one going to a conference room. I couldn’t make out many details in the room. My horn was the only source of light other than the crack under the front door.

        Rivet looked back at me. “I thought you had night vision.” Rivet whispered.

        “It’s not night.” I whispered back. I tried to sound condescending, but I don’t think the whisper carried the effect.

        The armory was in the basement, through the door on the left. Rivets wings twitched as he stepped over to the door, as if he was preparing to fly away from whatevers beyond it. Funny, since we were inside a building.

       He tapped on the door and listened for a response, until he was confident there were no zombies on the other side. I couldn’t help but wonder if he did this for every door on the scav team. No wonder they were gone for so long at a time.

        Once he was satisfied, he pushed the door open. The creak of the door was followed quickly by a bucket slamming into the ground in front of the door. Rivet jumped back as water splashed out across the floor. It ran down the stairs beyond.

        “Really? They tried to protect themselves with-”

WOUSH!

        We both leapt back as the puddle of water ignited. Four foot flames appeared in front of us, nearly doubling the temperature of the room.

Rivet hissed as the hair on his forelegs singed, and used his wings to force himself back. The flesh of his forelegs was bright red. The surrounding fur smoldered.

        The heat was intense. I was already finding it hard to breath. The action, however, was short lived. After a few seconds the flames died down to nothing.

        “Well…” I said trying to break the tension. “Not water.”

Rivet nodded. Some pony had filled the buck up with liquor, in hopes of touching anything that opened the door. Due to the lack of matches to light it, I figured it was done by spell.

“You think some ponies down there?” I asked Rivet.

        “Yea...Guess we had better go save them.” Not what I would have said about the pony who had torched my legs, but sure, why not?

        We found three more traps before we got to the armory. A grenade on a tripwire that Rivet disabled, a rigid shotgun that I took apart, and some kind of explosive I’d never seen. Luckily Rivet knew how to disarm the “C4.”

The door to the armory was a simple metal door at the end of a long, dark, cramped, small, stuffy, tight hallway, reinforced with metal bars and sheet metal. Not the best setup, but it did the job. Normally when a guard started a shift, they would come here to get a gun. The town was more than happy to let me use my own though.

The armory door was, as always, locked tight. I banged on the door to get the attention of whomever was inside. I hoped that they hadn't turned.

“Go away!” A voice boomed from the other side. “No pony wants you here! You can leave now!” The pony, no doubt a stallion, sounded disturbed. And very familiar.

        “We’re here to help! It’s me, Silver! From security detail!”

        “Nope nope nope! No Silver, no detail, none here! Go find it someplace else please!”

        “What?” Rivet muttered. He was thinking the same thing I was. THhs guy was bonkers. He sighed. “Is there any way you can get us in there?”

        I thought for a minute. “The doors only sealed by a few dead bolts. Can’t you just get some bobby pins and pick it?”

        “Thats not how picking locks works. And besides, it would take hours.” Then a smile crept onto his lips.

        “Ugg, Rivet, why are you smiling like that?”

        “RUN RUN RUN!” He shouted.

        “OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT!” I shouted back. I gasped for breath as we ran up the stairs, me in front.

“BOOM!”

The force of the explosions forced us off our hoofs and sent us flying across the lobby. I slammed hard into the wall at the other side. I cried out as Rivet was thrown into me. We both crashed into the floor.

        A series of thumps and moans came from beyond the two closed doors. There must have been zombies in the other rooms we hadn’t known about. Apparently they wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

        Rivet got off me, and helped me up. I was in no position to wave him off. He smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but smile back. The buck had planted an explosive on a door and nearly blew me up, and still I smiled at him. It was nuts, but still very effective.

I broke into an all out laugh. “Are your plans always so…-”

“Daring?” He asked. “Creative? Mind blowing?” oh haha. An explosions pun? really?

“More like insane. I’ve never pegged you for the crazy type.”

He shrugged. “I guess I’m different without all the town ponies around.”

“Lets go see if the doors open.” I chuckled.

I walked into the basement, Rivet close behind. The door wasn’t open as I had expected. It had blow right into the armory. The armory was actualy powered. A few flood lights pointing outward into the hall, lighting it up.

Inside the armory, standing behind a counted in the center of the armory, was a brown unicorn. The mayor. His coat was soaked in blood. On the table was what had to be the biggest gun I’d ever seen. There was nothing light about that machine gun.

“You shouldn't have done that, little Silver!” The mayor cackled, giving Rivet and I a toothy grin.

        The mayor leveled the gun at us and squeezed the trigger. Gunfire filled the hallway as the turret peppered is with rounds. The first spray missed. It still sent me back a few steps.

        The mayor cackled with glee. “Prepare to  die children!”

        “Fuck you!” Rivet spat, returning fire with his saddle mounted shotgun.

        Rivet grabbed my tail and pulled me back towards the stairs. My breath caught in my throat as I felt rounds dig into my vest. Thank celestia for kevlar.

The world slowed down as I tried to think. Rifle? No. Invisibility? No. Levitation?. No. Teleportation? No. Wait a minute...

“Rivet, grenade!” I shouted. Rivet pulled out the bomb he had disarmed minutes before, and sent it sailing down the hall. He quickly spat the pin out of his mouth. It must suck not having magic. A few more founds managed to find my vest, but I ignored the pain. So long as none went through, I was fine.

I closed my eyes as I put all my energy and concentration into my horn. It glowed a brilliant silver.

I gasped as pain shot up my leg. A round had dug into my lower left foreleg. I let myself fall to the ground as I concentrated on the spell. I had to make this work.

        I felt three more bullets hammer into my left foreleg. I felt a bone crack under the pressure. The pain was unbearable. My mind flashed to my sister, all alone in the wasteland. It was now or never.

        Then, to both the mayors and Rivets surprise, a steel door materialized in the middle of the hall. For a moment, I could hear the distinct ting of bullets hitting metal. It was cut off by the explosion of the grenade.

        If I had been in any condition to think, I would have wondered how so much could happen in five seconds. Instead, I laid on the cool concrete floor with my eyes tightly shut, gasping for breath.

        The pain was impossible to describe. I figured it was as close as I could get to the pain of having my leg cut off.

        Rivet looked from the door to me several times before the reality had sunk in. I had been shot.

        I opened my eyes to a pool of blood under me. It oozed from four spots on my foreleg. I was lucky he hadn't hit my knee cap.

        Rivet stood over me. I could see his lips moving, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. He seemed frantic. Maybe something about the basements heater? I was shivering pretty bad. It must have been cold.

        Then, I was floating. No, flying. Rivet was flying me away. How nice of him. I wonder where he was taking me? A restaurant maybe? I had told him no for  dating, but I didn't feel like arguing with him. The roof turned into the sky, then another roof.

        I wished he would wash his hoofs. They were getting really wet. I didn't have running water to wash up.

        Then I’m on a bed. Fang, Rose, and Rivet were all looking down at me. I must have been popular. I smiled at them. Or, I thought it was a smile.

Then I started breathing faster. It felt like I ran all the way there from my house. Had I? Maybe. I could have. I wasn’t to sure. I think my legs would have been more tired. Maybe that’s why they didn’t work.

Rose floated a needle full of clear liquid over and stuck it into my flank. I had expected it to hurt, but I didn’t feel a thing. She was a really good doctor. I told her so. Or, I think I did. She just frowned at me as I spoke.

        Then everything started fading away. I felt like I was falling. down. down. Into darkness. Then my friends where gone. Why had they left me? Why where the lights off? I wasn't wearing my gun. My vest wasn't on my back.

        I laughed to myself.You don’t wear a gun. Well, at least I don't. Do other ponies wear guns? None that I knew. Maybe zebras did. I didn't know any zebras.

I gasped as my eyes fluttered open. Rose was standing over me in full doctor mode. Rivet was off to the left, watching the horror.

        “She’s back. Oh thank celestia.” Rose said pulling a needle out of my- oh dear Luna it was in my heart! She put a needle in my heart!

        “Wha-wha-”I gasped. I could hardly hear myself. Taking a breath was almost more then I was capable of.

        “Silver listen to me. Your body's going into shock. One of the bullets tore open an artery in your leg. Just try not to move or talk.”

        An IV ran clear liquid into my blood. I tried to read the words on the IV bag above me, but the room started spinning. I was suffering blood loss. If I was going into shock, then my body was.

        “You know, you could have just let her heart stop. She won’t be very useful with a limp.” I heard Fang say from somewhere in the room. The way everything was spinning, it was hard to tell where her voice was coming from. It was hard to hear her over my heart. Why was it so loud?

        “I swear to Celestia Fang, I will!-”

        “Both of you stop!” Rose shouted. “Get along or get out.”

        “D-Dusk." I gasped. "where-” I managed. I couldn't have been much louder than the thumping in my chest.

        “Shh. Your sisters fine Silver. Shes with Gambit. You have to me quiet now though, ok?:

        That was all I needed to hear. She was safe. I was alive. I let my eyes close. Despite just waking, I was really tired.

        I woke up hacking my head off. I was soaked from head to toe. Rain pounded against the tar of the roof I had slept on. It was impossible to hear over the water barrage. It was hard to tell, but I figured it was around midnight. As always, the world was lit in a fine silver hue.

        I was cold, wet, lost, and miserable. But I was alive. I had the food I had taken from the apartment building, and the enfield. So long as I didn’t get hypothermia I would be fine. I prayed to Luna that my luck wasnt that bad.

        The enfield was dry enough to fire, but all my extra ammo was to waterlogged to use. I was stuck with the ammo in my gun until the mags could dry out.

        I carefully approached the side of the building I was on, and looked over the side. I was still in ponyville, somewhere. I was on top of some kind of furniture store. There was a few zombies down there, but nothing compared to the herd that had chased me into the building in the first place. They must have gotten sick of waiting and dispersed.

        Once I saw that the herd was gone, I lost my nerve and stumbled away from the edge. No, I’m not afraid of heights. No one in there right mind had a fear of hights. Falling, on the other hoof...That was terrifying.

        After a final check of my supplies, I took the roof access door back into the store. I had already cleared it out when I came in earlier. I waved through the aisles towards the exit. The zombies outside hadn't had any luck in getting through the front door.

        But that didn't mean no pony had. A gunshot went off nearby, followed by the ping of the wooden dresser beside me. I jumped as I scrambled for the enfield. I looked to where the muzzle flash had come from.

        An earth pony colt, not much younger then me, was standing a few feet away. He gasped and let the pistol fell from his mouth.

        “Don't shot!” He shouted. I raised an eyebrow. Who the hell takes a shot at some pony from a few feet away, misses, then throws down there gun? “A-I thought you were one of them.”

        “you-” Then it occurred to me. “It was the eyes, wasn't it?” I asked him. He nodded. The guy looked like he was about to piss himself. I guess that made sense. I has been taught to protect the farm since I was a foal. This guy had probably never fired a gun until recently. “Tip for the future; Reapers have red eyes, not silver. You can pick up your gun, I’m not going to hurt you.”

        He picked the pistol up of the ground and slide it into a holster on his leg. Other than that and his saddlebags, he had no other equipment. He was dirty, skinny, and jumpy as hell. Every little creak and tap in the building made him jump.

        “Do you...want something to eat?” I asked him. I had enough food to spare a can or two.

        He looked at me for a moment, before shaking his head. “I can’t take your food.”

        I sighed, levitated a can out of my saddle bag, and sat it down in front of him. “And I can’t let you starve.” Content that I had done my good deed for the day, I made my way towards the door.

        “ugh, excuse me, ugh…”

        “Silver Light.” I said, looking back.

        “Wind Rhythm.” He said. It struck me more as a pegasus name, but I couldn't think of any reason for him to lie. Maybe one of his parents was a pegasus. Maybe he changed his name. “I was wondering...where you're headed.” He said sheepishly. Was he...asking to come with me?

        “I have a farm, way out of town. I need to get back to my sister.” I said.

        “Do you maybe...need an extra hoof? Or something?” I thought about it. It was always good to have more ponies with you. The more eyes and guns, the better. Rhythm seemed ok, although he didn’t seem like he could hold his own. At the same time though, I was getting very tired of being alone.

        “Sure. Just watch where you point that thing will you? I don’t feel like getting shot in the ass.”

        Rhythm blushed slightly at the mention of my ass and nodded.

        My thoughts about Rhythm being bad in a fight was well founded. His singing was good, but all it really did was alert local corpses to our presence. He managed to put 5 rounds into ones chest before he managed to hit the head. By then, I had killed the other three. With my knife, I should add. He was an even worse shot then my sister.

On the other hoof, he new ponyville really well. Even in the Celestia damned downpour, he knew where we were going.  Once I told him where the farm was, we were on our way.

It sucked that I had to protect him, but at least I was no longer lost. After the apartment building, I had run into a pretty big herd. After running for a few dozen blocks, I was forced into the store. And apparently, fallen asleep waiting for them to leave.

He began to get nervous as we neared the edge of town, although I wasn't sure why. Then I got nervous as well. We were at the edge of the everfree forest, and my incendiary rounds were to waterlogged to fire. I hoped the sound of gunfire or the standard rounds would be enough to scare off the everfree critters.

        Then we started following the everfree out of town. If we followed it long enough, we would eventually get to my farm. Then we would be safe. Well, safer at least. We moved yard to yard, keeping to the shadows to avoid being seen. Rhythm slowed me down considerably, only able to move at a walking pace quietly. I didn’t mind.

        “So...You can’t do any magic?” He asked quietly. “What about the freaky eye thing?”

        I sighed. “My night vision innate magic, like pegasus flight. I don’t have any control over it. I can turn invisible, and use levitation.”

        “Wait, you can turn invisible!” He asked in surprise. I winced at the high volume.

        “Keep in down.” I scolded. “And yes, I can turn invisible. I’m just not all that good at it. Only for a few minutes.”

        “What’s it like?”

        “Huh?” I asked. Thats not the response I was used to. Normally it was, “Have you ever used it to spy in the boys locker room,” or, “Is that how you get all that candy you’re always eating?” I know what you're thinking. Other ponies are dicks.

        “What’s it feel like to turn invisible. To know that you're safe, even just for a few seconds?”

        “It’s….surreal. I kind of just fade into the darkness around me. It’s like being wrapped in a protective blanket of shadows. It’s not like normal magic where my horn glows either. It’s much more instinctive than that.”

        “Wow...That’s really amazing. I can’t do anything to help me survive. I can’t even shot this damn thing.” He said, nodding to the gun on his leg.

        “Don’t feel bad, anypony can learn how to shot. The only reason I’m any good is because I’ve been doing it so long. My farms right on the everfree, so I had to learn to fend of timberwolves and the like.”

        “I can’t imagine that. All I ever had to worry about before now was the odd bully. What was it-” I cut him off as I shoved him to the ground, and dove down my self. I put my hoof to his lips to silence him.

        The confusion on his face was quickly replaced by terror, as the grunts and moans of a passing herd touched his ears. He was about to grab his gun, When I shook my head.

“Too many for that.” I mouthed. He nodded.

        Once They sounded far enough away, I got back up and started forward. I looked back at him. “I think we’re-” I gasped and stumbled back as I ran into a row of bikes leaned against each other. The eight bikes crashed to the ground. The herd was getting louder.

        “Run!” I shouted. We ditched the backyard rout and dashed behind them into a massive park. The zombies followed suit. There were several runners in the herd. They couldn’t keep pace, but they were still a threat. I didn’t want to risk the sound of bullets to put them down.

“Now what!” Rhythm hufed.

Umm…..”There!” I shouted, pointing to a little cottage near the edge of the everfree. It wasn't too far away.

“That’s near-nearly a-a kilometer.” He huffed. Yea, so? Ok, apparently it was far for him. I looked back. 40 trotters. 14 runners. Nope, 12 runners, two have red eyes.

I pulled ok my rifle and took a few shots at one of the reapers. It hissed as the first round dug into it’s neck. It ducked behind one of the runners as the second and third hit it in the chest. I grunted as I tried to get a shot. There was no way I could get it while I was moving. And it new it.

“Should I-”

“Save your ammo!” I cut Rythm off. No way in hell he could hit any of them in the head.

        Rhythm was gasping for breath as we reached the front door of the cottage. It was locked. In less then a second, I had my knife and jammed it between the door and frame. I thanked Luna it wasn't a dead bolt.

        “My magic isnt strong enough to pry it open.” I said.

        Rhythm gently put his hoof in front of me, and ushered me back. A second later he had his hoof on the knife, pushing against. it. For a moment I thought my knife would snap. The door gave way to my knife and Rhythms earth pony strength.

        He ran inside, me at his heels. Once I was in, I slammed the door shut with my magic and threw my weight into it with I sigh. I rested my head on the door and smiled. “Well,” I said. “That was fun.”

        He gave me with a confused look, then shook his head. He recovered from the run much faster than I did. While I found a couch to sit down on for a minute, he searched the house for supplies. A few cans of dried apples, a bottle of water, and a bottle of whisky.

The thing was caked with dust, and unopened. I figured it had been some sort of gift that the resident excepted out of kindness. She obviously didn’t drink.

I popped it open and took a drink. The burning feeling was a little strange, but I didn’t mind it. Then I felt the warmth in my chest. I smiled at the bottle in my silver aura, then took another drink.

        “Aren't you a little young for that?” I looked over at Rhythm, who was frowning at me.

        “You can call the police if you like.” I said. He continued frowning. “Oh come on, It’s the end of the world. It's not like I’m going to make a habit of it.”

        He rolled his eyes. “Alright. I was coming to ask you if you would help me search the top floor.”

        I shrugged and stood, tossing my findings in my saddle bags. Soon I might have to start leaving supplies.

        We went upstairs, quickly going over the second floor. I didn't see any zombies, or anything of use. I had no idea if Rhythm could even see. Once we finished our search, we starting scavenging.

        Like most other places, the cottage was trashed and already picked through. I figured if they missed the cans of food they could have missed a weapon or some ammo. You could almost always find something of value hidden somewhere, if you knew where to look.

        We started going through the master bedroom, hoping to find anything of use. Rhythm trotted over to the closet and jiggled the handle. I tossed him my knife and let him pry it open. It would have been great if I knew how to pick locks. Oh well.

        “Got it!” Rhythm exclaimed as the door propped open. My smile turned to terror, as a reaper lept out of the closed, and tore into Rhythms neck. His gloats turned to blood curdling screams as blood rain out of the broken artery.

        “NO!”

        I woke with a start. The only thing more off putting then the dream was the disorientation. My vest was off, my gun wasn’t at my side, and I wasn’t in my bed. A moment of terror overtook my as I tried to collect my thoughts. My foreleg hurt. I had been shot. Then...carried? Flown? I wasn’t sure.

        “She lost a lot of blood. We had enough saline keep her blood flowing. but it wont help the low oxygen.” Rose said. It was dark in the room. The voices were coming from outside. judging by the comfort of the bed, I figured I’d been moved to Rivets room from the clinic.

        “Will she be ok Rose?” Rivet asked.

        There was a pause. “I can’t say. Theres no way to tell how the low oxegen has effected her brain function. We should know by sunrise.”

        Sunrise? The sun wasn’t down. If it was, I would be able to see.

        I felt a moment of panic. What if my night eyes were gone? A limp and the best part of my talent dead? Fang was right. I wouldn't be of much use.

        I broke into a coughing fit. My lungs burned. Considering how little I had hurt earlier, I was willing to bet whatever pain meds she had injected me with was wearing off. Shit.

The pain in my foreleg was getting worse as well. I could feel the bandages wrapped tightly around it. I tried to move it, but it was too much for me.

None of the chest shots had gone through my vest, but they had definitely left bruises. I think one of my ribs may had been broken. It hurt every time I breathed.

        The two paused as I had my coughing fit, then continued talking. “I can’t just sit out here and hope that she’ll be fine.” Rivet said.

        “Rivet, there-”

        “No! Just….give me something to do. I need to be busy.”

“Get some rest Rivet. You’ve been up for hours.”

        “I found some whiskey in Silvers vest. I’m sure she wouldn't mind if you used some as a sleep aid.”

I want whiski! ugh...

        “No!” He snapped. “I-sorry….no. I had better go check on her.” I could hear the exhaustion in his voice.

        “Alright.” I heard the clop of Roses hoofs as she walked away.

        A moment later, the door creaked open. The light hurt my eyes. Thankfully, it closed shortly after.

        I couldn't see him, but I could hear him breathing beside the bed.

        “I’m so sorry Silver.” He whispered.

        “You saved my life. I pray to Luna you’re not sorry for it.” I said back quietly.

I felt his hoof reach out and stroke my mane. I was in too much pain to care. It actually felt kind of nice. “I should have done something. I was right there. You said to throw a grenade, and then the door was there. I looked down, and...The blood. And you where….And I couldn’t...”

“You did do something. I’m alive aren't I?” I could feel him looking at me. “Has Dusk….what have you told her?”

“Shes downstairs. Shes supposed to be sleeping, but...not even Fangs sat down since she heard.”

I nodded, then remembered he couldn't see it. “Good. I don’t want her to see me like this.”

“I figured you would’nt.”

“Listen, can you send up Rose and Gambit?” I groaned as I sat up a bit. “I need to talk with them.”

“Of course.”

        “And go see how Dusk is doing for me?”

        “No problem.” I head him trot over to the door. He opened it and stepped out. Still halfway in the room he turned back to me. “That was really brave what you did back there.” With that he left.

        I sat in the darkness, wishing that my eyes would let me see through it. A few minutes without it, and I already felt exposed without Lunas blessing.

I tried to use my magic to find my gun. All I got for my efforts was a sharp pain down my horn and a few sparks.

Magic burnout. I didn’t remember ever having magic burnout. I remember being strained, but never burnt out. It sucked. Theres no other way to put it. Is this what it was like to be an earth pony? I felt bad for them.

A few minutes later some pony came through the door. As it opened I knew it was Rose. She always opened the door as slowly and quietly as she could to avoid disturbing her patients.

“Hey.” I said as she walked in.

“Hey. Everyones been worried about you. We still are worried about you.” Rose took a seat beside the bed.

“Would you mind brightening it up a bit in here?”

“Sure.” Her horn light up. I thought that the burnout might affect your night vision.”

You have no idea how happy I was to hear It wasn’t permanent. I would have jumped for joy if I could.

        “When will I be able to move?” I asked. I knew how badly everyone needed to get out of town. We’d be low on food soon. Not to mention all the memories here.

        “You should be able to walk tomorrow.” She smiled. “We found a few old healing potions in a few of the houses. Most of them lost most of their potency though. What should have taken three potions and two minutes is now 8 potions and who knows how long.”

        “Least you found some. Can’t wait to be out of this bed.. We really need to get out of this town.”

        “What!? Y-you can't leave town! You wouldn't make it 5 miles.”

        “That’s what I...We don’t have a choice Rose. The group leaves in the morning, with or without me. Get me a brace, some pain meds, and my whisky. I can handle it.”

        “But Silver-”

        “If she says she’s good, then she is.” Gambit was standing in the doorway. He walked in and stood at the end of the bed. “We should have everything ready to leave at dawn.” I nodded.

        “She won’t make it 5 miles! On that leg, she’d be lucky to-”

        “If we have to, we can find a wagon and pull her.”

My mind went back to Fang said. I would be a burden in this condition. I would slow them down. I pushed the thoughts aside. “I can handle it. If I have to, I’ll get Dusk to grow me wings.”

“She can do that?” Rose asked in astonishment.

I tried to shrug, and regretted it. Pain shot through my body. Once the pain passed I said, “Not sure. She was working on it through.”

“No. You can’t be walking around.” Rose turned to Gambit. “She can’t be walking around, it’s not healthy.”

“Neither's starving.” Gambit said. “Neither’s being bit. We leave at sun rise.You get her a brace.” Gambit looks over at me again. “I’ll pack your saddle bags. Anything you need in particular?”

“Other than my gun and vest? Food, whisky, and some pain pills would be great. Oh, and some books.” He nodded and trotted off.

Rose sighed and picked up a needle in her levitation from the nightstand. The instant it broke the skin of my flank, I felt the pain in my leg dull. I didn’t feel great, but I felt far better. I sighed with relive.

Once I had my medicine, Rose left as well, muttering, “why does no pony ever listen to their doctor.

        I sighed and layed back in my bed. My leg hurt, I scared the hell out of my friends, and probably gave myself a limp. But I was alive. Rivet was alive.

        After a few minutes, I got tired of laying in bed. I got to my hooves, being careful to keep my injured leg off the ground. It was hard walking on three legs, but I managed. Through the door. down the hall. and-

        Stairs. Great. “Just one step at a time.”

        One stair. Two stairs. Three stairs. Then I was rolling down them. At least I made it to the bottom. My horn felt like it had been put through a woodchipper. At least it kept my mind off of my leg.

        A hoof appeared in front of my face, offering to help me up. Rivet sighed as I ignored his outstretched hoof and got up on my own.

        “Even with a busted leg.” He sighed nad shook his head. “You were supposed to stay in bed.”

        I started hobbling towards the living room. He stayed beside me, ready to catch me incase I fell over. “And miss the festivities? No chance.”

        “I should have figured you got bored.”

I stopped, and looked over at him, deciding to ignore his last remark. “Listen. Thank you... for saving me. And I’m sorry I freaked everyone out.”

"It was nothing." He said. "But, your welcome."

I nodded, and continued my way towards the living room. Inside, Fang and Gambit where sitting on the couch going over the weapons from the armory. Many of the guns on the table looked damaged beyond use, some scorched, others blown to bits. I figured it was safe to assume that Rivets frag wasn’t the only explosive in the armory. Ops.

The only guns that seemed in good condition where the guns Rivet and I had found outside, and a pistol Violet now had in a foreleg holster. There was also the turret the mayor had used on us, but I didn't see much ammo for it. Her cross bow was in a battle saddle at her side. She was sitting with Dusk in the love seat.

My gun sat on the table as well. And was that a-

“Who the hell touched my gun!?” I snapped as I walked in.

        Dusk looked like she wanted to come over and hug me, but she knew better. Best to wait.

        “I put a silencer and a new scoop on it.” Gambit said. Rivets eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Gambit. “I didn’t think you would mind.”

        “I-Well….” I sighed. I wanted to be mad, but at the same time, I was in a lot pain, thankful I was still breathing, got an upgrade, and was kind of high from the pain meds. “Ok, thanks for the new stuff, but I could have done it myself.”

        “But you didn’t have to.”

        “Yea, but I could have. I never said you could touch it.”

        “Fine, next time I won’t touch your gun.”

        “Thank you.”

        Turns out, until I got my magic back, my gun was useless to me anyway. Rivet wanted to put a battle saddle together for me so I could fire it, but we didn't have the parts. I was stuck with a mouth grip pistol until my magic came back. At least it fit nicely in my vest.

        It was just a little 9mm, but It was more then enough to take out a few zombies. I could still use my new machete, but I would be stuck holding it in my mouth for a while. Rose said it could be another two days before my magic came back.

        So seeing how well I followed doctors orders, I was confined to the couch. I tore down my pistol to get a feel for it, taking nearly three times as long to take apart the little gun with my hoof and mouth as as it would my rifle by magic.

        Then, I got bored. Shocking, I know.

        It wasn't so much the boredom that bothered me. More so the fact that there was nothing I could do to help everyone get ready to head out. They had to pick up my slack while I sat on my ass. I hated it.

        Dusk came over and asked me a bunch of questions, most of which I answered in cary short sentences. Until she asked why my eyes weren't glowing silver. I told her it was probably from the magic burnout.

        Once she was sure I was fine, she trotted off to do who knows what. Rose came over and gave me another shot of pain medicine (Thank Celestia) but did little else. After a while, Rivet came over and sat with me. He had my saddle bags, along with a brace for my foreleg. He sat it down on the floor.

We didn’t say anything to each other, we just sat there in silence. After who knows how long, Rivet finally spoke up. “Alright, what's on your mind?” He asked.

I sighed. “Im tired of sitting here. I feel like I should be doing something.”

“Don’t worry about it, we got everything covered. We’ll see if we can find you some more healing potions somewhere. They looked for some better ones in the clinic but most of the bottles had been stolen or smashed.”

“I would love a potion right now.” I would also love Roses healing spell, but I had worked long enough at the clinic to know better. All it does is speed the regeneration of cells. If my body doesn't have the strength or magic to keep up with it, it could damage my other organs. Healing potions had the magic in them to do the job.

“Sorry we don’t have any good potions around."

“It’s fine, it’s not your fault. I’m more worried about my magic then my leg. I’m bad at mouth firing pistols.”

“I’m sure you're not that bad.” Rivet smiled at me. “Here, I got you this.” My confusion turned to joy as he reached into my saddle bag and pulled out a silver flask. I carefully took it in my hoofs.

I felt the warm sensation in my chest as I drank down some of the whisky within. It was good. Really good. Finally something to help calm me down.

“Wow, this is...Thank you.” I said, looking at the flask. I turned it around in my hooves. On the other side the words, “Silver  LiIght,” expertly engraved into the metal. I stared at it for a good minute trying to process it. How had he done it? Why? I couldn't make sense of it.

“Rivet I-I don’t understand.” I looked over at him. “Why?” It was one thing to find something and give it to me, but to put that much work into something? I didn't understand the point.

He smiled and got off the couch and shrugged. “You like drinking. Even if I don’t agree with it, I figured this would be better then you walking around with a mickey in your vest.” I wanted to scowl at him, but I was way too happy about my gift. “I have some stuff to do before we leave.” Then he trotted off.

I stared at the doorway he had walked out of for about a minute, before shrugging and taking another swig. It had been a long time since I had gotten something that was mine.

As I sat there, I began to feel tied again. not sleepy, just exhausted. Like I had ran a marathon or something. Did getting hurt mean every little thing tired you out? If it did, I didn't like it.

I let my eyes drift shut. After another swig from my flask. My flask. It was such a little thing, but it meant the world to me.