The Ambassador

Shortstack squeezed her eyes shut. There were a bunch of loud voices. It was making her head hurt. Suddenly something shook Shortstack.

Unable to comprehend what was happening, Shortstack balled up, quivering in fear. The frantic voices grew louder. Whatever was holding Shortstack up gave way underneath her, and she hit the ground with a thud. Shortstack whimpered, pain shooting through her body.

An unknown being was grabbing Shortstack, tugging at her. Dirt was flying, and blew into her face. What was going on? Her body was going numb, and her thoughts were beginning to... slow... down...

The last thing Shortstack heard was the shrieking of all-too familiar terror.

~~~

One hour earlier...

"Keep the fire going. It'll scare off any mutts or ferals."

Ponies and men bustled about, chattering softly to themselves. Twilight effortlessly enlarged the flames with her magic. The bonfire crackled loudly, and bright sparks took to the sky.

Not all of the men stopped to eat, however. A solid fraction of them circled the group, rifles in their hands. Doctor Whooves sat by himself, refusing to interact. Charcoal was occasionally breaking out into tears.

It wasn't easy for Twilight to watch. She stood up, walking over to the Pegasus.

"I'm so terribly sorry about your sister, Charcoal." Twilight whispered to him. "I understand that you're going through a tragic loss. Please, once you have a clear mind, tell me if there's anything I can do for you."

The Pegasus shook his head. His reddened eyes stared blankly ahead. "I'm sorry, Princess," his hoarse voice answered. "I just... I wish we never came here."

Twilight gave a soft sigh, turning back.

So do I.

~~~

"So... do you have any food?"

"Yeah. There were a couple emergency ration crates in my pod. It ain't gonna last us forever, if that's what you're wondering."

Lightning shrugged. "I have my own supply."

Andromeda cast a look back at the pony. "You wanna go back, be my guest."

"Well, how long will it take for the crazies to... ahem, go away?"

"No idea. The last ones look pretty well off. I was hoping they would just duke it out if I locked them in one area together, but they didn't go at it any more than usual."

"Okay, then. What do we do?"

Andromeda didn't answer for a moment. "There are still those pods. Maybe we could lure them into one and trap them inside it."

"The pods!" It just clicked inside Lightning. "We can fly out of here!"

"Keep your voice down!" Andromeda hissed. "What are you talking about?"

"I can fly the pods," Lightning explained excitedly. "Even better, I can fly our ship!"

Andromeda carefully processed this new information. "Alright kid. We're busting out of here."

"Sounds good. I just have to get one thing."

"What?"

Even though Lightning couldn't see her face, he knew Andromeda was frowning in confusion.

"There's a device in my office. A locator. I have to get it, so I can find Twilight and the others."

"Okay, okay." Andromeda paused to think. "Let's... go back. You jump out, grab it, get right back in, then we go straight to the landing doors."

"Got it."

~~~

Blazing frowned. The nights in Equestria were beautiful. The soft, gentle colors eased the mind, and the cool air washed away all worries and griefs. The nights here on Earth were just like the days: empty and unclean. The dryness was maddening. Not even a single star glittered across the sky. Truly, this was a forsaken world.

Blazing laid down next to the stretcher where the disabled Pegasus rested. The two boy-colts sat nearby, as well. One was actually petting her.

"What's her name, again?" One asked.

Blazing narrowed her eyes, but still answered. "Shortstack."

"Shortstack," The boy repeated. He continued to stroke the mare's disheveled brown mane. "Sorry this happened to her. I had a brother who got ate by ferals." He shrugged, as if it were a minor misfortune.

Blazing Skyward lowered her gaze back to the Pegasus. She was shivering, occasionally murmuring to herself. Blazing shook her head in pity, before stalking off again.

She was about to rejoin the small huddle of ponies she had left when a flicker of motion caught her eye. Blazing froze in her tracks. Peering out into the darkness past the edges of the group, something was moving. Blazing shifted. She couldn’t tell what was out there, but it didn't appear to draw any closer. The men standing guard kept a constant watch.

Blazing shook her head, dismissing the matter. Whatever it was, a feral or some other animal, it wouldn't come for them as long as the fire was burning. They were safe for now.

~~~

"Why did we come back, again?"

"We gotta watch them. If he finds us, he's gonna kill us. We have to be able to get away if they get any closer to the nest."

"But, what about the horse things? They're with him now, they look fine."

"I don't know! Just shut up, okay? I'm trying to spy."

"..."

"..."

"... You think Caine would protect us? If he attacked?"

"Quiet."

"I'm serious! Caine's not like all of them, he might-"

"Shut up! I see something."

"What?"

"... Not good."

"What is it?"

"We gotta... we gotta run. Run, now!"

"Wait, what happened to spying on them? What's going on?"

"There's nothing we can do anymore. They're all gonna die."

~~~

"I think I see something out there."

Twilight lifted her head. Blazing Skyward was visibly disturbed. Her eyes were constantly darting back into the darkness in anticipation.

"Don't get all uppity."

Twilight folded her ears back as she heard Plumber walking towards them.

"Whatever it is, mutts, foresters, ferals, they're all just stupid animals. We got fire. They won't come near." He looked somehow proud of this fact, as if he were a primitive that had saved his tribe by discovering fire.

"Yes, well, we appreciate your," Twilight cleared her throat. "Affirmation."

~~~

Kyle frowned to himself. His legs were beginning to hurt. When would that fatass Derek take over for him? Kyle sighed, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. This was going to be a long night.

A shuffling sound came out from the blackness. Kyle froze. That sounded a little close. Annoyed with himself, Kyle unsung his weapon again. He peered down the scope out into the night. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

"K, what are you doing?"

"Just looking," Kyle yelled. He swept the rifle over the area.

Must have been my imagination.

Shrugging, Kyle resumed his walk. As soon as he turned around, he heard a pitter-patter grow louder behind him.

"Oh, for fuck's-" Kyle yelped before he could finish. Something snatched his ankle, and was dragging him away. Kyle fumbled for the safety on his rifle.

"Guns out! Guns out!" Kyle screamed, catching dirt in his mouth. The campfire was growing steadily farther away. With a grunt, Kyle fired forward, hoping to hit his captor. A mouth clamped onto Kyle's leg. Then one on his right arm.

"No! No! Fuck!" Kyle lashed out as teeth tore into his skin. Dirt kicked up all around him, and Kyle felt bodies pressing close, wrestling over him. Kyle continued to scream as his body was slowly torn apart.

~~~

"Stay close to the fire, stay close to the fire!"

Screams of panic filled the air, and several shots went off. One man was tackled to the ground, then pulled into the darkness.

"Everypony, to me!" Twilight raised her shield spell. The ponies quickly herded close under the shield. "Everypony stay here!" Twilight barked, planting the bubble shield into the ground. With that, she leapt out, joining the circle of humans. They fired at any object that dared to get close.

"Everyone, stay close!" Roman ordered. "Don't break formation!"

One by one, ferals came sprinting from the dark night. They dove, trying to latch onto any unfortunate soul. Twilight felt a pang in her chest when she saw several bright orange beams of light cutting through the heartless emptiness. They had gotten somepony.

The light was abruptly cut off with a gurgling scream.

"Everyone get back!" Twilight shouted to be heard over the voices and gunfire. "I'm going to raise another shield!"

~~~

"You heard her, we got to move her back!"

Kurt motioned for Russell to help him. Casting one last look over his shoulder, Russell holstered his pistol, grabbing one end of the stretcher. Shortstack groaned as she was lifted up. The boys shuffled backwards, closing in on the rest of the group.

Suddenly, Kurt was yanked back. Russell grunted as he fell to the dirt. The sound of Kurt's terrified scream grew farther and farther away.

"Nono, come on." Russell shook with fear as tears began to drip down his face. "Come on!"

Kurt pushed himself up. He reached down to grab the Pegasus. "Somebody! Cover me!"

Kurt strained as he lifted her up, trudging forward. Something slammed into him, knocking him back down. The mare dropped from his arms, hitting the ground. A feral snarled threateningly. Kurt reached for his gun.

Before he could line up the shot, Shortstack disappeared. Kurt sobbed as he saw shapes in the darkness fighting over a small object. The sound of flesh tearing dominating his head, Kurt could only pray that Shortstack was still unconscious.