The Ambassador

Muffin heaved as she forced herself to fly faster. The wind bit at her face, causing her eyes to tear up. She gasped, pushing onward. Muffin had never flown this fast before. The fear of whatever monster was behind her only made her flap her wings faster. She soared between the buildings, weaving in and out of the obstacles.

“Can’t…stop!” Muffin urged herself as she felt her energy drain. But already she began to sink from the sky. Muffin flapped desperately, propelling herself through the air. She was lucky to get that far in the nighttime, but she would be caught without a doubt if she stopped now.

Muffin sobbed as she careened into the hard ground. Small rocks jabbed into her side, making her whimper in pain. Muffin lay wheezing, sucking in air. “It’ll… get me…” Muffin’s eyes drooped.

It didn’t even feel like minutes before Muffin felt something tugging at her hind legs. She groaned as she was hoisted up.

It got me. Muffin realized, too tired to resist. She was aware that she was being slung across the back of the creature as it carried her away.

The monster got me.

3 hours earlier…

Twilight pondered the severely devastated building with bleakness. According to human historians, this building was one of the most important in their nation.

“Are you sure this is the White House?” Blazing asked.

“Of course.” Doctor Whooves nodded, though he looked less certain. “It… matches the architectural description.”

“They’re gone.” Twilight murmured to herself. Blazing Skyward looked up.

“What?”

Twilight shook her head. “The humans… they’re really gone.”

Doctor Whooves grimaced. “Not entirely. But I doubt that there is anything we can do to help them now.”

Twilight frowned. “I just don’t understand. How could they not tell us about this? They were repairing the damage they did to Earth! What happened?”

They had communicated on a daily basis. Each received reports on the other race’s status. How could the humans, who were so desperately climbing the ladder of salvation, possibly end up in such a cataclysmic state?

Unsure how to answer, the two ponies exchanged looks, illuminated by the pink shield spell surrounding them.

Twilight shook her head. “Come on. We’ve left the others for too long already.”

And indeed they had. Twilight had barely managed to calm the hysteria that arose when Pop appeared, carrying a badly wounded Shortstack. Twilight knew more than a few medical spells, but none that could reattach limbs. Even though the gaping wound had already started to scab over when Twilight left, Shortstack would be grounded for the rest of her life.

Twilight knew that there could be no worse feeling for a young Pegasus like her.

The other ponies now waited for Twilight’s return, fortified in the tower behind countless amounts of protection spells. Nothing could come close to the tower without anypony knowing about it. Twilight hated having to abandon her team, even temporarily, but they still had a mission. A mission, it turns out, that was in vain.

They would be calling Lightning Strike tonight. He would surely be surprised to see the beacon activated in less than 24 hours.

The Doctor Whooves and Blazing fell in line with Twilight, as her shield spell moved with her. It would probably be easier to fly back, but they would certainly get lost in the dark, even with the Doctor navigating. So, a silent trot through the streets it was.

Streets that were cluttered with debris and trash. It was dispiriting to see the buildings on either side crumbling and ruined, littered with graffiti. The other two must have thought the same, because they kept their eyes straight forward.

Suddenly, Twilight heard Blazing yelp in surprise, followed by a muffled thump. Blazing stumbled into Twilight, knocking her into Doctor Whooves. Just to the right, a human pressed against the outside of the transparent shield. This human bore similar features to the one that had attacked Shortstack: tattered clothes, little hair, gangly, misshapen body, and a horribly disfigured face.

Twilight couldn’t help but gasp. Even after the events described by Pop, Fizz and Dubstep, she couldn’t believe what humans had devolved into. This human, who appeared to be male, snarled menacingly, baring blackened teeth. He pounded furiously on the shield, anxious to get his next meal.

“What do we do?” Blazing puffed as she scrambled to her hooves.

“Just… keep moving. He can’t get in, he’ll go away eventually.” Twilight didn’t believe herself, even as she spoke the words. The human acted animalistic, and very aggressively. Twilight, however, continued onward. Doctor Whooves and Blazing followed, determined not to fall outside the shield.

The human moved with the shield, enraged that his attempts to break through were unsuccessful. Twilight saw out of the corner of her eye that the human was glaring at her, as if accusing her of some minor inconvenience. He threw back his head, and even though it was stifled, Twilight could hear him howl. Twilight began to sweat. The human growled, a triumphant look reflecting in his yellow eyes.

Twilight felt her fur rising in anxiety, and she didn’t have to look to know that the others did the same. Soon, another human came crashing from the darkness, lunging at the shield with all its might. It bounced off, shrieking in pain and confusion.

“Th-they can’t get in here, right?” Blazing Skyward stammered.

“No, we’re safe for now.” Twilight could practically feel Doctor Whooves’ dubious gaze. She was not surprised that he knew about the Changeling invasion of Canterlot.

As they moved, more and more humans dived at them from their hiding places. Twilight made sure to stay in the middle of the road to avoid letting some dark crevice pass into their shield. The three ponies jumped as a loud boom went off in the distance.

“Great, now it’s thundering again.” Blazing muttered. 2 more bangs followed shortly, and a couple humans outside collapsed.

“What the-” Twilight was interrupted by another series of rumbles sounding off. The humans dropped like rocks, and Twilight saw, to her dismay, that they were exploding with blood.

“Stop! Don’t move!” Twilight ordered the others. They didn’t need to be told twice. All around their shield (which Twilight had prayed didn’t crack), human bodies were scattered, bleeding and unmoving.

“What’s going on?” The sight of the blood made her stomach flop, but she refrained from gagging. Her inquisitive side was too busy trying to understand what had just occurred. It seemed like hours, but Twilight eventually saw movement outside the shield once more.

Another human was approaching. Only this one moved with distinguishable purpose. Not the irrational staggering of the crazed Earth inhabitants she observed. He strode (definitely a male, by its build) tensely and cautiously, slowing down as he approached the shield.

As he grew close, Twilight gasped. “Impossible.”

Even with the shaggy, unkempt hair and hardened, weathered body, there was no mistaking the piercing green eyes and business-like posture.

Standing less than 10 hooves away was Roman, the first human to set foot in Equestria, nearly 100 years ago.

Meanwhile…

Somepony sniffled in the darkness. The top of the tower had begun to reek from the stench of the dead body. Nopony had moved it, even though they all agreed that the top of the tower had to be the safest place in the building.

The room was spacey, but nopony dared venture off to their own corner. They all crowded together by the door, anxious for the Princess to come back.

“That’s it!” a dull gray Pegasus mare snapped. She stood up and galloped to the still corpse. “We need to get this body out of here before we lose our minds!”

“Don’t touch it, Ash. You’ll get sick.”

“I don’t care! We’re all breathing in the gunk from this thing. Let’s just move it out of here so we don’t have to deal with it anymore!”

Nopony else moved a muscle.

“Come one!” Ash pleaded. “I can’t move it on my own!”

“Just leave it, Ash,” she heard her brother Charcoal call. “Princess Twilight said not to leave, anyway.”

“I’m just moving it outside, I’m not going anywhere.” Ash retorted, desperation creeping into her voice. “Won’t anypony please help me?”

“I’ll help you.”

Ash saw the blonde Pegasus mare trotting up to join her.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Somepony asked.

The mare shrugged at the other ponies. “She shouldn’t be doing anything alone. Besides, we’ll be safe.”

Ash smiled gratefully at the mare, who returned it. Her left eye slid upward a tad, as Ash had become quite accustomed to.

The two mares grabbed a mouthful of whatever clothing they could, instantly recoiling from the taste, and hurriedly began to drag it to the elevator.

```

“Roman! You’re alive!” Twilight embraced the human securely, almost sending him tumbling to the ground.

“Twilight, what are you doing here?”

“No no no, don’t change the subject, how are you alive?”

Roman gaped, apparently at a loss for words. “You know, I think it would be better if we talked when we’re safe at camp.”

“You have a camp?” Twilight’s eyes lit up as she relaxed her grip around Roman. “There are more of you?”

“Yeah... who are your friends?”

Roman finally noticed the two ponies behind Twilight, who had silently watched the reunion unfold.

“Oh, this is Blazing Skyward and Doctor Whooves. They came here with me.”

“We’ve met before, briefly.” Doctor Whooves interjected.

“Okay… well, as I said, we should get back to my camp. These aren’t the only ones out here,” Roman muttered bitterly as he kicked a nearby corpse. It was then that Twilight remembered the situation they were in.

“Oh, of course. We can’t be too long, though. We need to get back to the others eventually.”

Roman cringed. “There’s more than these two?”

Twilight ruffled her wings as she trotted beside him. “Yes. They’re safe, if that’s what you’re concerned about.”

Roman sighed. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”

Twilight sensed Roman wasn’t interested in how the last century had been. “How did you…” Twilight choked on the word “kill”. “-take care of those… I think they’re humans.”

Roman reached into his thick coat, pulling out a small metallic instrument. “With this.”

Blazing Skyward scrunched her face at the device. Doctor Whooves, however, flattened his ears in shock. “That’s a firearm, isn’t it?”

Roman nodded. “I had backup, but I nailed a few with my 9-mil. You’re lucky that Twilight’s shield was so… conspicuous. We would have gone right past you guys if I didn’t recognize Twilight’s magic.”

“How do you know Twilight, anyway? I don’t recognize you.” Blazing asked.

“I was the first ambassador.”

Blazing frowned in confusion. “So, did you time travel too?”

“’Too?’ What do you- never mind. I reiterate, lots to catch up on.”

```

Muffin wiped her forehead. It was quite the exercise getting the human all the way up the stairs. The whole time she wished she hadn’t spoken up.

“We’re just going to observe, my dear.” Doc’s voice rang in her head, as clear as the day they left. “What a story it will make to tell Twilight when we get back!”

Muffin doubted this was what Doc had in mind. However, she couldn’t stand watching the poor girl struggle with the task all by herself. Everypony wanted it out, but nopony wanted to move it. Besides, it just wasn’t smart to go anywhere alone.

When they finally reached the door, Ash sighed, shoving it open. They quickly rolled the body outside. Ash sighed once more.

“Done.”

The two mares sat, catching their breath. Muffin kept a careful eye on her surroundings, then two, when one wouldn’t suffice.

Before she turned to reenter, Muffin stopped to stare at Ash. Ash stared back, perplexed.

“What?”

Muffin couldn’t help but giggle despite herself. “There’s a speck on your forehead.”

“A speck.” Ash deadpanned.

Muffin squinted. “Well, it’s a reddish blob.”

Ash groaned. “Oh Luna, is it blood?”

Muffin shook her head. “It’s kinda bright, actually. Like a neon marker.”

Ash rubbed her forehead. “Well, help me get it off. I don’t want to look like a-”

Muffin saw Ash’s head snap back at a frightening speed before she heard the thunderous crack. Muffin’s face was sprayed with a steaming hot liquid.

Now that was blood.

Muffin ducked, pressing herself to the ground as she inched closer to the door. As she neared, she stopped to drag Ash along with her. Muffin tried not to look at Ash’s face, her uncomprehending eyes still open. Her neck was bent at an impossible angle, and Muffin choked, realizing that Ash was dead.

The ground exploded near Muffin, and another boom rang off. Tears ran down Muffin’s face as she hauled herself to the door. The journey was less than a mere hoofstep, but it felt like miles. Reaching up, Muffin shoved the door.

To her horror, it didn’t budge. Muffin’s eyes widened when she remembered that Twilight placed protective spells on the building. How could they have let the door shut?

The side of the building next to Muffin’s head was pulverized, followed by another mystery bang. Muffin squeaked as rubble pelted her cheek.

“Help!” Muffin began pounding the door futilely.

Bang, bang!

Twice more, the world around Muffin blew up. “Stop! Stop! Please!”

Muffin extended her wings, sobbing. She took to the air, filled to the brim with terror. Muffin gained speed, the wind blowing her tears off. Subconsciously, Muffin wondered how Doc could ever survive the terrifying new world, even with Twilight.

But she pushed everything aside as she flapped harder. The only thing that mattered right now was escaping. Something had murdered Ash. And Muffin was sure it was after her, too.