Metaphorical Future

Guardian Octavia Melody, beginning log. It’s hard to believe it’s already been six weeks since Guardian Noteworthy passed away, harder still that he chose me to succeed him. I’ve tried my best but I always feel inadequate compared to him. He was always smiling, always keeping spirits high despite what has happened. He never balked at helping others, never said no if he could help it…no wonder he was so popular. I sometimes wonder if the others think of me the same way or if they feel my inadequacies as well. I know I shouldn’t worry like this, it isn’t a Guardian’s duty to worry about themselves but about those they have been sworn to protect…I just sometimes need to get it off my chest before it becomes a burden too heavy to shoulder.

Thankfully since the…incident…all those weeks ago we haven’t encountered any further problems other than a lack of food. The ground is nearly frozen solid in most places and finding edible plant matter is proving a difficult job. We have enough supplies to last a few more days but even that is spreading our resources thin. The children all look too tired and hungry, it pains me that I can only give then barely a hoof-full of oats a day. For the last two days I’ve been giving up my rations to some of the weaker foals…I know I shouldn’t! If I become too weak I will not be able to perform my duty but…those faces…they haunt me in my sleep. I have to find a supply of food during today’s patrol or…no I will find something! Even some dried pond thrushes will be enough!

Speaking of the patrol, I have two new volunteers following the recent accident with Emerald Green. I hope that they will listen when I speak, neither have been very co-operative in the past but we can only hope. It’s likely we’ll be gone for several days so I’m going to have to keep a close eye on them at all times. Our patrol will take us out past the White Tail Woods towards Las Pegasus…or rather what is left of Las Pegasus. We can’t go near the city itself though, I’ve received reports that a brood of dragons have taken up residence there and I don’t want anyone injured in a mission to search the city, that’s simply a fool’s errand.

We will be looking for edible plant matter, even rotting vegetation is fair game. Apparently Cupcake has an idea on how to dry it out and cook up a stew with it. I’m not enthralled by the idea but food is food and that means survival.

As for other matters all is well…or as well as it can be. Moral is a little low but that has been a staple for many weeks now. I will report again in one week as usual or sooner if required. May the fallen princesses forever watch over us.

There was a small static click as Octavia lowered the small recording device she was holding to the table top. For a moment she looked at it in awe, up until a few years ago recording technology had been a common household item but now it was revered. Few magically powered items had survived the Overload and those that had were now treated as artefacts of an age that would never return.

She adjusted the cloak that was fastened around her neck, taking an additional moment to double check the two sword sheaths that were fixed to her midriff under the garment. Until recently she couldn’t have imagined using a weapon but in this new world there was only one rule for survival, kill or be killed. It had caused her many sleepless nights at first but now? Now she found she could sleep but the act of killing was not one that came naturally to her; it was only the thought of protecting the ponies that depended on her that kept her going.

Turning she headed towards the far side of the room…well room was a rather luxurious word to use to describe her current abode. They had been lucky to find the cave network they were currently sheltering in, luckier still that no aggressive animals had also been making it their home. Using rope and pieces of fabric they had been able to section off parts of the cave in order to create small private sections where ponies could sleep without being disturbed. As she pulled the curtain back she found a light cerulean coloured pony sitting outside waiting for her. She looked tired, almost nodding off as she sat. Octavia knew why this was, after all Lotus was in charge of looking after the many orphaned foals that they had found.

“Lotus? Are you alright? Can I help you with something?” she asked quietly.

Lotus stirred, yawning widely before pulling herself to her feet and turning to face Octavia.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you,” she replied, her rich Germaneic accent creating a soothing melody.

“Of course not, I’m always here to help, what is it, is everything alright?”

Lotus looked down for a moment and shook her head, “I’m afraid not Miss Guardian, its little Pipsqueak. His fever is running high again and there doesn’t seem to be anything we can do about it.”

“But I thought those herbs we found last week would settle his illness!”

“So did I Miss Guardian, I’ve spent my whole life studying herbology and using it to create relaxing oils and soothing shampoos but…it seems my skills are not that good when using herb medicinally. My sister was always better at that than I was.”

Lotus looked down once more, both saddened and ashamed at her lack of ability. Octavia quickly raised a hoof and pulled her chin up to look at her.

“I won’t hear any such words being spoken from you Lotus!” she said firmly, “Since I’ve known you your skills and gentle touch have soothed, calmed and reassured more ponies than I can count! I know your sister would be proud of you if she was still with us and I know that we are all grateful for all your help over these difficult years.”

Lotus sniffed back her slowly building tears and nodded slightly, “Thank you, I just find it so hard to keep going when everything seems to be falling apart.”

“I understand that very well Lotus, don’t give in to fear and doubt and if you ever need to talk then I am always there for you.”

Lotus nodded, “I know…but I hate to place more on your shoulders than necessary. I heard you recording your log…I didn’t know you had been giving up your rations, you must be so hungry.”

As if on cue Octavia’s stomach gave an appropriate grumble. She looked away, blushing slightly as she did.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anypony,” reassured Lotus, “In truth I’ve been doing the same.”

“I guess it’s hard to ignore isn’t it.”

Lotus gave a small nod, “I-I should return to the children, if you find any herbs whilst you’re on patrol please bring as many as you can to me. I know food is short but even just a little of the right one may help Pipsqueak’s condition.”

“I will do what I can,” replied Octavia with a firm nod, “Pickings have been slim lately but I promise you will have anything we can spare.”

“Thank you.”

Lotus gave a smile and trotted away leaving Octavia to sigh deeply. Pipsqueak had been a sick child for quite some time now. He had fallen and broken his front hoof several months ago and the wound had become infected. Lotus had done her best in using natural remedies to reduce his symptoms but the infection was still present in his body. Octavia kept hoping that the next time she took out a patrol they would find something. If they could just get into Las Pegasus they might be able to find a hospital with medicine but she wasn’t going to risk the lives of many on a single child. She felt like a spike had been driven through her heart, she wished there was a way for her to save everypony.

Taking a deep breath she set off towards the mouth of the cave. The path was narrow and lit by only a sparse number of candles that they had been able to scrounge from a derelict house they looted a few weeks ago. Once they had burnt out they would be plunged into complete darkness in their home and Octavia had begun to wonder if they should move on when that happened. Would the dark encourage creatures to intrude? Would it be safe to live in the darkness?

She passed very few ponies on her way, the ones she saw bundled up in as much clothing as they could to try and keep the cold away. They nodded and smiled at her but she wondered what exactly they were feeling. Did they believe in her like they did Noteworth? No she mustn’t think like that. All that mattered was that she did her best and pushed forwards, that was all anypony could do now.

At the mouth of the cave a small group of ponies stood waiting for her. She knew them all but as she had recorded in her log earlier she wasn’t sure on several of the group’s members. Thankfully two of her usual companions were still there; Junebug and Apple Bumpkin. The other two in the group were the new volunteers; Berry Punch and Helia.

“Greetings all,” she announced as she trotted towards them, “Are we prepared?”

“All ready,” replied Junebug motioning to the saddlebags they were all wearing, “Rations, tools, maps, you name it we have it ready.”

“Excellent,” said Octavia as she turned to the new ponies in the group, “I understand you’ve volunteered to fill in for Emerald Green whilst he is recovering.”

“Yeah that’s right,” replied Berry Punch with a glance at Helia.

“Guess so,” added Helia, “What does this entail anyway?”

“Our patrols serve several purposes,” began Octavia with a small nod, “Firstly we check to ensure there are no imminent dangers in the local vicinity. Then we search for supplies, everything from plants to whatever we can find that might be useful. We are also on the lookout for any pony that may require assistance or shelter. As you know we are usually gone for several days and will be camping in the wilderness, I hope I don’t have to remind you of the potential dangers we could face. If you wish to back out now is the time.”

Both Berry Punch and Helia nodded firmly; so far things were going smoothly. Octavia checked her cloak and weapons once more before looking out of the cave mouth. The landscape was unlike anything she could have imagined before it all occurred. The sky above them was grey with rumbling storm clouds and the sun’s light barely made a showing. The ground itself was covered in a thick sheet of white snow that the wind whipped back and forth like waves on the ocean. It had been like this for the last two months and showed no sign of relenting, winter was only going to get deeper.

“Well now, if we are all prepared there isn’t much point in standing on ceremony,” announced Octavia as she turned towards the cave’s mouth and set off at a slow walk.

The other ponies nodded to themselves and set off after her, each shivering slightly as they stepped into the frozen wind. Berry Punch and Helia were less enthusiastic in their progress than the others; the two new ponies having been huddled inside the cave for much of the last few weeks. They looked around themselves mournfully; remembering back to when the land had been lush and green, when the sky were clear and the sun shone down on them. No more could they rely on the peaceful passing of the seasons; nature now ruled this world and nothing would change that.

Slowly the five ponies trekked through the swirling blizzard, Octavia stopping from time to time to scan for danger and for Junebug to check their position. Octavia knew all too well the delicate nature of their condition. The blizzard made normal navigation by sight almost impossible and they were relying almost entirely on Junebug’s directional sense. If she lost her heading they would be lost in the snow with virtually no chance of survival. It was a chilling thought, one that always lurked at the back of Octavia’s mind and poked her from time to time; namely whenever Junebug made a nervous twitch.

Presently though there was nothing to worry about, until they passed White Tail Wood the path was well known and one only had to be on the lookout for Timberwolves that had taken up residence in the once beautiful forest. Despite its decrepit appearance the woods still held a lot of memories for Octavia. Memories of quiet picnics and long evenings watching the stars. She had once gone looking for her old family holiday home but the snow had long since crushed it to nothing and covered its remains in its chill. It had been a sobering time for Octavia, a moment when she had finally let go of the past and looked towards the future. As much as it pained her she knew the memories of old would never return.

“Bit for your thoughts?” asked Junebug with a bubbly grin.

Octavia jumped at her voice and took a deep breath, “Apologies I should be watching for danger not daydreaming.”

Junebug just continued to smile, “Don’t worry, it just means you’re still one of us and not some stone sentinel.”

“Just how do you remain so cheerful all the time?”

Junebug didn’t reply and simply winked at her as she trotted ahead a little. Octavia shook her head, Junebug was always happy; whether it was genuine or just a mask she could never tell but if it was a mask there was never a crack in it. She was slightly jealous of the mare, being able to find happiness in this time was a rare thing indeed. She glanced back at her other companions, Apple Bumpkin currently being sandwiched between a rather unhappy pair of ponies. She bit her lip, if they looked this miserable already they were going to have trouble. She slowed her pace, falling back so she was walking beside them.

“How are you holding up?” she asked curiously.

“So freaking cold!” hissed Berry Punch, “What I wouldn’t give for a strong shot of cider right about now.”

“That makes five of us I’d imagine,” continued Helia as she shivered under her cloak.

“We’ll set up a camp soon and try and warm you guys up, best idea is to keep moving though if you stop in this weather you’re unlikely to get moving again,” instructed Octavia with a firm nod.

“Yeah come on you two, shake a hoof now,” added Bumpkin with the best kind of smile she could manage.

“Oh don’t start Bumpkin,” grumbled Helia with a roll of her eyes, “it’s bad enough having to deal with Junebug’s constant good mood without you joining in too.”

“Hey what’s that supposed to mean?” replied Bumpkin with a huff.

“Settle it!” snapped Octavia quickly, “I don’t want any arguing out here! Until we get back to the cave we have to rely on each other for survival and the first part of that is making sure we don’t get noticed! Or would you like to have a pack of timberwolves hunting you down?”

Helia fell silent but she didn’t look happy; Octavia sighed, had it been a mistake bringing her along? For the rest of the day they mostly travelled in silence, stopping now and then to keep track of their bearings. As luck would have it the blizzard cleared by the time they reached their camping site which pleased Octavia; it was one less problem to worry about. By the time evening began to fall though Helia was looking fit to burst. Octavia was unsure on how to proceed, she knew that talking to her wasn’t going to help but in the same breath if she didn’t say something there was only going to be trouble. That said she couldn’t spend all of her time worrying about one pony, if she didn’t keep her eyes on the world around them they would be in a lot more trouble.

“Alright everypony lets set up camp here for the night, we’ll set off at first light in the morning,” announced Octavia as she came to a stop and gave the area a quick glance over, “Junebug get the tents set up, Berry if you’d go and collect some water from that lake over there, Bumpkin, Helia if you’d collect some wood so we can start a fire. I’m going to give the area a quick check.”

Checking her swords one more time she turned away from the group and started a short patrol. They had stopped at the edge of what had once likely been a glorious forest full of colour. Now the trees were bare; scorched with cold and snow that had left little but dead husks that stood like sentinels. Octavia couldn’t help but shed a tear for what had been lost. Glancing back she watched for a moment as Junebug began to roll out the tents and the others set off on their own errands. She sighed lightly and turned away again, hopefully a good night sleep would do everypony some good.

Helia meanwhile was still fuming as she followed Bumpkin towards the edge of the forest. She was already regretting volunteering, had she not owed a favour to Emerald Green she likely wouldn’t have raised her hoof at all. She was cold, wet, tired and hungry not to mention her own insecurities were starting to raise their head. Ever since Octavia had cut her off earlier she had found herself musing on how much she now hated earth ponies. They couldn’t understand the pain she carried inside her and yet they all acted like they were better than her; or at least in her own eyes they did.

Bumpkin meanwhile didn’t appear to have any feelings about the earlier altercation. She was looking back and forth, occasionally scraping at the snowy ground with a hoof as she looked for firewood. Presently she stopped and looked at one of the trees at the edge of the forest. Her eyes seemed to brighten slightly as she rushed up to it and sniffed the long since dead trunk. A moment later she reached out and pulled a piece of the bark from the tree with her teeth. Helia watched with a cringe on her face as Bumpkin crunched up the bark and swallowed it.

“Apple tree,” informed Bumpkin as she looked towards Helia, “Long since dead but you can still taste apples in the bark, sorta anyway. Oh what I wouldn’t give for a nice apple pie…or even just an apple. Still, even if we had seeds I doubt we could get anything to grow, not with this weather anyway.”

Despite the comment being completely factual Helia felt herself twitch, had that been a dig at her?

“Excuse me?” she said after a moment, “Is that sort of comment about how we can’t control the weather anymore?”

“What? No sugar I didn’t mean that, I was just saying…”

“Oh yeah I know all about your ‘just saying’! It’s not like every comment about us that I hear from you earth ponies is about how you wish we could still control the weather! Maybe we should all stop eating so you can have all the supplies you need! Huh?!”

Bumpkin backed away slightly, raising a hoof to try and steady the irate Pegasus, “Now steady on there Helia, I didn’t say anything of the like. I was just…”

“You think I like not being able to fly anymore? You think I like having these worthless scraps of feathered skin as a constant reminder of what I’ve lost? You earth ponies are all the same! Only ever bothered about yourselves!”

“Now wait just a cotton picking minute! I didn’t say anything of the sort! What’s more we earth ponies have lost a lot too.”

“Oh yeah, big loss, you can’t feel the ground anymore!”

Helia could feel her anger boiling. Ever since the Overload there had been growing rifts between earth ponies and Pegasus. The loss of magic had hit the Pegasus the worst out of the two; the airborne cloud hoppers suddenly finding that their wings on their own would never be enough to lift them into the skies. It had been a devastating blow to them all and the constant whispers and comments dropped by the ponies around them didn’t help their mood at all and caused most of them to become incredibly volatile when pushed the wrong way; Helia was no exception.

“So what next? You going to tell me to calm down? Do it! I dare you to tell me to calm down!” cried Helia, her voice getting louder with each word she spoke.

“No I’m going to tell you to keep your voice down!” hissed Bumpkin frantically, “You don’t know what might be out…”

As if on cue there was a shrill howl that cut the air like a knife. Both ponies felt the hair on their neck stand on end and Helia fell silent instantly. Slowly they began to back away from the wood, both of their eyes locked on the growing darkness within the dead forest. A silence fell over the air that even the whistling of the wind couldn’t break. Then they saw it; a pair of glowing green eyes within the darkness. Bumpkin swallowed hard, there was only one thing that would be living out here.

“H-Helia, run! Run!” she hissed as she backed off a little more.

The Pegasus though stood frozen to the spot, her gaze locked on the glowing green eyes within the wood, “I….I….I…can’t…”

The next few moments happened quickly. With a flurry of dead splinters the large form of a timberwolf leapt from the darkness straight towards Helia. The Pegasus screamed but still found herself unable to move. Without thinking Bumpkin threw herself at the Pegasus, sending her flying to the side and out of the way of the timberwolf but leaving her right in its path. She in turn screamed herself and curled up expecting the claws of the beast to strike her at any moment.

Instead there was sharp call and a tremendous crash as Octavia’s hooves slammed down into the beasts back in mid-air. The force of the impact shattered the wolf’s spine into wooden fragments and sent the rest of it scattering all over the place. As the pieces fell down around her Bumpkin looked up slowly to find Octavia standing over her holding out a hoof.

“Quickly get up,” she snapped, her eyes glued to the forest behind them.

Bumpkin looked round to find another three sets of green eyes looking back at them. Her eyes went wide in fear and she scrambled to her feet alongside Helia. Together the three of them turned and ran back towards the camp. Behind them three more timberwolves leapt from the darkness and sprinted after them. Octavia whistled hard, a shrill warning call that caught both Junebug’s and Berry’s attention as they charged into the camp.

“Move! Everypony move! Now!” cried Octavia as she galloped towards them.

Berry looked stricken with fear much like Helia had been but Junebug quickly shook her and ushered her into a gallop alongside their fellow ponies. Without stopping Octavia ran through the middle of the camp and carried on into the growing darkness.

“Our supplies!” cried Bumpkin as they failed to stop.

“Too late, we have to run!” replied Octavia as she kept her eyes forward.

Bumpkin looked back just in time to see the pack of timberwolves stampeding over their camp, crushing the tents and scattering their saddlebags and their contents into the air. She returned her eyes forward and continued to run, all of them now following Octavia as they galloped through the snow. As fast as they were though the pack was gaining and the constant howls and growls from behind them didn’t do much to comfort them. They had to find somewhere to hide and quickly!

As they crested a rise Octavia heart skipped a beat. There, sticking out of a cliff ahead of them was a small square building. In the dying light it was almost impossible to see, had it been any darker they could very well have run right past it, but right then it was like a shining beacon of hope. She quickened her pace, straining against her own limits as she headed towards it.

“Move move move!” she screamed as she urged the others on.

They were all panting around her, pushing themselves as hard as they could as they made for the small building. As they reached it Octavia skidded to a halt and spun quickly as she brought her rear hooves up and kicked the door. It was made of metal, her hooves denting the surface slightly but otherwise proving ineffective. She tried again, kicking as hard as she could but to no avail. A moment later Bumpkin joined her, the earth pony throwing her whole body into the door as it creaked and rattled in its mountings. Octavia looked back at their pursuers; they were almost on top of them.

“Keep trying!” she said quickly as she drew a sword and charged towards the oncoming timberwolves.

Berry Punch and Helia couldn’t believe it, standing rigid on the spot as Octavia charged. Junebug and Bumpkin though continued to throw themselves at the door, the metal obstacle now shaking with every impact.

As the first wolf made a swipe at her she ducked, flattening herself to the ground as the clawed wooden foot narrowly missed her. She didn’t pause, clutching her sword in her mouth and jumping straight up. It wasn’t perfectly aimed but the strike had its effect, chopping straight through the wolf’s front leg and separating half of it from the wolf itself. It snarled and landed in a heap a short way off but Octavia knew it would be back. Timberwolves had an affinity for healing themselves even if splintered into pieces; all she had to do was keep them occupied for a short while.

As she landed she jumped to the side, a second timberwolf landing just where she had been a moment before. She took off at a run in the opposite direction to the others, the timberwolves in hot pursuit. Octavia was just glad they weren’t that clever but even so three timberwolves versus one pony was not a good situation even if one of them was injured. She skirted the edge of the cliff and picked up her pace.

“Here wolfy wolfy!” she called through the sword in her mouth as loudly as she could.

As the chase continued though she was beginning to feel fatigue setting in. She had been running for so long her earth pony stamina was being tested to its max and she knew it was only a matter of time before she collapsed. Just then one of the wolves made an unexpected leap at her, Octavia having to dive sideways at a very odd angle.

In that moment Octavia felt like her entire body had been set on fire. The searing pain shot from her front hoof all the way up her leg and into her mind as her ankle joint twisted awkwardly and almost dislocated itself. She screamed, slamming into the snowy ground; ironically the second wolf missed her due to her fall.

“Miss Guardian!” cried a voice.

Octavia looked up from the snow, Junebug stood waving at her from the now open doorway, they had done it! She heaved herself to her feet and looked behind her. The two wolves that had leapt at her were still pulling themselves out of the snow but that still left one more. She looked back ahead just in time to meet the clawed paw of the third timberwolf. With another scream she was sent spiralling through the air and into the cliff face, the impact almost knocking her unconscious. Looking up she found the injured timberwolf growling at her, half its front leg still missing.

Adrenaline was now pumping through her body, her senses numb to the pain despite the blood that was dripping from her midriff where the timberwolf had hit her. As the timberwolf jumped at her she jumped to the side sending the wooden wolf into the cliff face. Glancing to her side again she saw that the other two wolves had recovered and were staring straight at her. With fear and pain filling her mind she started to run. With every stride her ankle sent shocks of searing white pain straight through her, each one causing her to gasp in shock. The wolves were on her tail and gaining fast; the shelter was just ahead of her.

As both distances closed though she came to a realisation, she wasn’t going to make it. The wolves were closing far too quickly. As the thought struck her she felt a wave of sadness wash over her, she was going to fail…not only that but she hadn’t even named a successor. She was going to fail and there was nothing she could do about it.

With a blinding crash something shot past her and slammed straight into one of the timberwolves. The wolf floundered, its limbs going everywhere and tripping the second wolf sending them both crashing to the floor. Octavia couldn’t see what had happened but ahead of her Junebug and Helia waited in the doorway.

“Get her inside! Quickly!” called a voice from behind her as Octavia was met by the warm hooves of Junebug and Helia.

They quickly dragged Octavia into the small building as Berry Punch, screaming as she ran, charged in behind them. Apple Bumpkin was quick to move as well, slamming the door shut and sliding a large retaining bolt across it moments before the third timberwolf slammed into the wall outside. None of them said anything, each of them lost in their own fatigue as they lay still in the darkness.