Author's Note

Note, if you're going to Downvote this, please explain why it earned such a vote.
Thank you, and god bless.

Enjoy.

The Idea

The two pegasi managed a steady carefree flight to the castle, passing by clouds and other pegasi on their way to the two ponies who left them for the castle.

After a bit of time spent flying, Firefly looked over to Fuse, and asked, “Do you think Dustchu will be alright?”

“You want the truth, or half truth?” Fuse asked, swaying in flight as her keen eyes took in everything around them.

“I would prefer the whole truth,” Firefly answered honestly.

“Well… I’m not sure,” Fuse admitted, shrugging her shoulders. “Dusty’s… well… he’s been through some pretty tough times before coming to Penta, couple of years ago.”

“Penta?” Firefly asked curiously.

Fuse nodded, “Its a region up north, by the coast past the Divide.” She explained, “Cold place, lots of mountains and ice.”

The orange pegasus chuckled as she remembered the ice pun war, her and Dustchu had earlier, “I bet it’s a cool place to visit~” She couldn’t help herself.

Fuse just shook her head, but smiled anyway. “Why do I get the feeling you and Dusty had a pun war?”

“Because I’m punny~” She continued to giggle.

A sigh from Fuse, but she nodded, “I can tell, anyway. The guy, he may not look it, but… he’s been through some things that nopony should go through, the scars healed… but the pain and fear remain.”

Firefly mumbled to herself, “I know how that is…” then said in a louder voice, “D-do you think we’re almost there?”

“Shouldn’t be too long now.” Fuse informed her, gesturing with her head towards the sparkling castle that belonged to none other, than Princess Twilight Sparkle.

“Oh wow! It’s so pretty~” The orange pegasus cooed happily.

The castle hadn’t changed much in the years it has been standing, save for the contingent of guards who patrolled the grounds around the structure, and various banners placed through. Looking closer, towards one of the shining balconies one could make out the outline of BP, who was leaning on the balcony railing and smoking, next to a few other individuals.

“Do we just fly down there?” Firefly asked Fuse, unsure of what to do, never having been near a castle before.

“Just stick with me, my team and I have permission to be on the grounds at the moment.” Fuse informed her in a different tone from before, this one was a bit more authoritative, like that of a leader.

“Okay,” Firefly said, not really noticing the different tone of voice, as she focused on staying with Fuse.

The two angled their wings and flew towards the castle balcony, landing on the outside with BP who waved. Once they landed, a small group had made themselves known.

“Heard ya’ll found that case that fell from th’ sky.” A sea blue coated earth pony chimed in, stalking over to Fuse before sitting down, eyes glaring. “Bout danged time, Ah’m sick of stayin’ in this castle.”

“It is not all bad,” A zebra spoke up, the lean built stallion glanced over at the new mare before looking at the earth pony. “You are just disappointed cause you cannot steal anything.”

“... no comment.” the earth pony huffed, the mare trotting off to glare at the ponies down below.

Firefly just looked around, trying to see if she could spot Dustchu in the throng of ponies.

Out of the small group stood a pure snow white stallion, almost like Dustchu, however he was a unicorn and far older, and donning a robe of sorts. He offered Firefly a friendly smile as he trotted over to her. “Well, who do we have here? Somepony new?”

Firefly smiled back, “Hello, I’m Firefly~ It’s nice to meet you~”

“Friendly and well mannered, a pleasure to meet you Miss Firefly.” He nodded to her, blue eyes twinkling in merriment. “My name is Freeze Frame,” He introduced himself, “You’ve already met Fuse and Powder no doubt.”

“Yeah she did Grampa.” Fuse said sweetly, smiling brightly.

Freeze Frame gestured to the earth pony who was currently glaring off the balcony. “That mare is Heartlock, she’s the courier slash thief of our group.”

Firefly looked down at her own flaming heart cutie mark, before looking back up at Freeze frame.

A hum from the stallion. “My, that’s quite ironic, you two have pretty similar cutie marks,” he noted, looking between the two and their marks.

“Ah doubt she got hers from stealin’ shit.” Heartlock commented pointedly, turning to face the stallion.

A chuckle from Freeze. “True,” He locked his icy blue orbs on her own orange red ones. “Unless your mark involves theft to some degree?” He asked, a gentle smile on his face.

Firefly shook her head, “No, it actually appeared when I talked a friend out of killing himself.” She shrugged as if it was no big deal.

Freeze however noticed, and smiled wider. “A kind and noble heart, ponies like you are one in a million.”

If the fur covering her cheeks wasn’t there, Freeze Frame would’ve seen a deep blush overcome them. “Th-thanks… that’s really nice to hear…” Her voice had gone quieter.

A nod from Freeze, as he chuckled. “Of course,” He pointed to the Zebra who was standing nearby. “That fellow is Tipo, an expert in stealth, and a former assassin who worked for the Caesar’s elite forces.” The assassin question nodded towards FIrefly, only offering a sort of grin her way.

“Nice to meet you… wait, Tipo… Oh yeah! You’re the one who suggested a pie cannon to Pinkie!” Firefly then smiled back happily.

A nod, followed by a stoic, “Yes, I did, how is she coming along with such a device?”

“Well, let’s just say I nearly got coated in cake batter, so pretty well I think~” She smiled at him.

Speaking of the pie cannon, a distant explosion sounded, followed by an extremely loud. “I’m okay!” And a string of violent curses, and a scream of terror that slowly closed in on the castle like a missile.

“Oooh dear,” Freeze said as he spotted a distant blot closing in. “I do believe MIss Pinkie Pie blasted Filly C out of her cannon somehow.”

Firefly was already in the air, and managed to catch the filly before she slammed into the wall of the castle, but she had her side get slammed instead a slight snapping sound coming from her left wing. She luckily fell back on the balcony where they were originally. She opened her right wing and released Filly C from her grasp. Emerald had jumped out of the saddlebag as soon as she had heard the explosion, and now ran over to Firefly.

“I’m gonna kill her! I SWEAR!” Filly C screeched, fuming in anger.

“You say that with everypony who pisses you off.” Fuse commented as she made her way over to FIrefly.

“I mean it this time!” The filly retorted, stomping her hoof.

“You said it to Dustchu, I believe,” Freeze Frame commented lightly, straightening out the wrinkles on his robe. “You said, and I quote, 'I’m going to kill that damned stallion if it’s the last thing I do.'”

Literal steam left the filly’s ears before she stormed off, biting her lip to keep from screaming in anger and releasing the mother of all tantrums on the unsuspecting town.

The older stallion chuckled as he slowly made his way over to Firefly, who had Fuse examining her. “How is her wing?”

“Fractured, snapped in the middle.” Fuse winced, her own wings ruffling at her sides.

Pain was obvious on the orange pegasus’ face, “I-it’s better… than have Filly C get hurt…” She tried to smile through the pain, as she stood up, her wing hanging limply beside her.

Moving closer, Freeze lowered his head until his horn was pointed at her wing, he gave her a look and said, “hold still, this might sting.”

“Wait, gramps, are you sure about that?” BP asked worriedly. “That spell...”

“I’ll be fine,” The older pony informed her, horn glowing with an icy blue aura that filled the room with a slight chill.

“W-wait! If there’s repercussions, then I don’t want you to heal it!” Firefly looked horrified to think that she could potentially hurt Freeze Frame.

Freeze Frame offered her a smile, “at most, I’ll be exhausted.” He told her as his spell was cast, tendrils of white snaking from his horn and hitting the mare’s wing. “I won’t be hurt, so do not worry yourself.”

Firefly flinched as she felt the bone get put back in place by the spell, not saying anything else as she swallowed the pain.

Soon the spell was done, and Freeze Frame blew out a plume of icy air, white smoke leaving his mouth as he sat down on the floor. BP and Fusey made their way over to him, Filly C still fuming in the background, biting her hoof and rocking back and forth. “See, nothing to worry about, you two fret over me far too much.”

“Well… you’re old and stuff!” BP countered, pouting.

“Am not, I’m aged,” Frame snorted, “like a fine wine.”

Before even checking her wing, Firefly asked, “Y-you’re okay though, right?”

To her relief, he nodded his head. “Like I said, at most, I’ll be tired. Do not be sad, it was worth it to help the one who saved Filly.” He told her, smiling softly as he pointed to said Filly. “Speaking of which, the little filly is our little mascot.”

Firefly smiled a relieved smile back, then test flapped her left wing, finding it good as new. “Oh really? I wouldn’t have guessed that.” She responded, surprised.

An almost in-equine growl sounded from the filly, “I am not the mascot! I’m an important member! I’m the fucking brawn and brains of this outfit!”

“You have a brain?” BP asked, sounding genuinely shocked.

“GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!” Filly C bellowed as she charged at the unicorn.

Firefly smiled at their interaction, somehow knowing that Filly C was unable to hurt the unicorn. Her face then changed to one of worry, “E-Emerald?!” She cried out, then breathed a sigh of relief as the cat rubbed up against her leg, meowing.

Freeze Frame smiled as well, rubbing a temple with his hoof. “There are more of our number, however they are absent at the behest of Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

“Okay,” Firefly smiled, then put a hoof up to her head, “You okay, Navi?”

Navi thrilled happily, bobbing in a way that looked like he was nodding.

“I take it you’ve made friends with Dustchu?” Freeze asked, titling his head as silvery bangs fell in front of his right eye.

Firefly nodded, “Yeah, I did, I wonder where he’s at though…” She looked around again, as though trying to find him.

“He’s probably talkin’ to th’ princess.” Heartlock answered her, obvious disdain in her voice as she spat off the balcony. “Probably bout the case.”

“Oh, I’ve never actually met a princess before, nor have I been in a castle before~” Firefly smiled as she looked at the decor with a bright smile.

“Yes, it’s quite a sight.” The older stallion commented, but before anyone could say anything else, a loud shout sounded from somewhere in the castle.

“THE FUCK!”

Navi whirled around to the shout, hovering worriedly before landing on Firefly’s ear, giving a small whine.

“Huh? What’s wrong, Navi?” She looked at the small parasprite, as Emerald jumped back in her saddlebag.

As one, the group turned towards the door as it was bashed open by a fuming white pegasus. The stallion looked angry, unkempt mane spilling in front of his eyes, behind him trailed none other than the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle. Both trailed into the room as a pair of guards stood outside the door, keeping guard… obviously.

“I honestly don’t see any problem with this.” Twilight commented to the stallion, who stood an easy six inches taller than she did.

Dustchu whirled around and stared at the mare, he stared right at one of the most powerful alicorns in existence. “No problem you say? You see no problem with sending a world ending virus to a lab for study!” He yelled at her.

Firefly’s ears pressed against her head, as she watched the two. She was unsure of what to think about this situation.

Twilight stared right back at him, unfazed by his outburst. “Regardless of what you say, I’m still going to send it to Firesteed Inc for their opinion.” She proclaimed, “The Princess asked that, when the case was found, that it be sent to a lab for study.”

Firefly’s eyes went wide, and her wings flared out, “N-No! Not that lab!” She flew over to the two, looking at the princess with horror. “Send it to any other lab! I beg you!”

The princess turned to look at FIrefly, looking down at the smaller mare. “Who is this?”

“She’s a friend, helped me find the case that you’re wanting to send to some idiots in Canterlot!” Dustchu fumed, not bothering to ask about Firefly’s outburst.

“Please, Princess, I know I’m in no right to correct your decision. But please reconsider where you send the case though!” Firefly continued to beg.

The Princess frowned ever so slightly, not showing any other emotion other than a brief rustle of her alicorn wings. “I’m sorry, but the decision has been made.” She turned around and began walking away from the two, “stay in Ponyville, or leave… it’s up to you.” She offered Dustchu and his friends before disappearing down a hall, the door closing behind her.

Firefly looked horrified, “Oh goddess, my parents are going to destroy the world…” She accidentally let slip as to where she was from and who her parents were.

While most of the group gave Firefly looks, Dustchu had stormed over to a table, wings flared in agitation before he smashed his hooves onto it, sending a few things falling and crashing onto the floor with a yell of anger. Grabbing a chair, he proceeded to throw it against the wall and nearly hit Fuse, who luckily ducked.

Firefly looked horrified as she laid on the ground, her hooves covering her head, as she hyperventilated. Emerald had hopped out of her saddlebag, and began to rub against the orange pegasus, trying to help calm her.

Slowly the snowy pegasus stopped his tirade, staring at the group before him as everyone stared back at him, mostly in worry. He gave a shuddering breath before folding his wings at his sides and trotting away to one of the adjacent rooms and closing the door behind him.

Fuse gave a look at the broken chair, and gulped before making her way over to Firefly. “Hey, you alright?” She asked softly, nudging the pegasus.

Firefly’s hyperventilating stopped after a while, “I-I don’t know…” she answered honestly, as she sat back up, and wiped away the tears that had accumulated in the corners of her eyes.

Everyone was silent for a time, which was only broken by a distant yell, or the sounds of birds singing their soft songs. The group of mercenaries were unsure of what to say, mostly in regards to what Firefly let slip not a few minutes ago.

The orange mare’s ears were drooping sadly, as she looked at the ground. After a minute of sitting there, her ears flicked forward, and she turned to the group. “We need to get the case back.” She proclaimed, a fire burning in her eyes.

Filly C was the one to question the pegasus, the filly latched onto BP’s ear like a dog. “‘ow do ‘ee do that exactly?” She hissed through her teeth, BP pushing her and making her swing back and forth.

Firefly then thought, “Do we know when they’re gonna transport the case, or if Princess Twilight is going to just wink it there?”

“No idea,” Heartlock said, her devious mind plotting before she grinned a toothy smile. “Even if it’s already on th’ way, we could easily snake it from th’ poor sods who got it.” She chuckled.

Fuse looked at the group, saying, “If… we’re going to plan something… we need Dustchu, he knows more about what’s in that case than anyone.”

“Well, for now, the contents of the case don’t matter, we just need to keep it away from my… uh I mean the scientists at Firesteed,” Firefly said, not even realizing that she had let it slip earlier.

“Even if it’s at th’ lab, we could break in easy peasy,” Heartlock grinned, pulling out a small rectangular wallet like object from her mane. “You got th’ world’s best thief with ya.”

Fuse and BP nodded, the latter casting a look back at the door where Dustchu had gone into. “We still need him though, he knows how to destroy it without letting it loose...” BP explained to Firefly.

“Okay, well… he needs to calm down…” Firefly looked at the door, unsure if he was okay or not yet.

“Hey, can you… talk to him?” Fuse wondered as Navi floated by the door where Dustchu was. “Me and the group should get ready in case the case… hehe, gets out of the castle.” Without waiting, Fuse grabbed her sister and Filly C before flying towards the exit, followed swiftly by Heartlock, Freeze and Tipo, who offered the pegasus a stiff nod before closing the door behind him.

“Oh, okay, guess I get to talk to him.” Firefly said to herself, trotting over to the door, and gently knocking before saying quietly, “Dustchu, you okay?”

No answer, and Navi still worriedly buzzed near the door before trying to push on it. However, his small size made it impossible.
The pegasus sighed, then slowly pushed open the door, hoping that she wouldn’t be interrupting too soon. She watched as the parasprite flew in, and landed on the white pegasus. “D-Dustchu?”

Slowly, Dustchu looked up at FIrefly, and she could see he had a tired hollow look about him. He looked down at the table he was in front of, holding his head in his hooves. “I’m… I’m sorry about.. earlier.”

Firefly gave a small smile, and walked over to him, she took a seat by the sad pegasus, “It’s okay Chu, I don’t know what’s in that case, but it obviously needs to not go to my…” She shook her head, not finishing the statement.

“... your parents, you mean?” The pegasus asked as Navi hopped onto the table, looking up at the two pegasi curiously. “I heard...”

Her ears drooped, “Y-yeah… them…” she looked away, ashamed. “There’s a reason I ran away from home,” The orange pegasus tried to laugh it off, but ended with a small sigh.

Dustchu looked at the mare, and sighed himself. “Bad parents?”

A sarcastic laugh came from the mare, and her tone turned harsh for the first time, “No, they were the best parents, always poking me with needles, trying to get me to do things that hurt. Oh yes, they were the absolute best.”

The stallion said nothing, only patting her on the back lightly with his wing. “Well… they sound just lovely.” He replied dryly.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t be putting this on you, it’s my own problems, not yours,” She sighed lightly, then glanced back at the door. “So… if you’re willing to tell me, what is in those bottles?”

Silence permeated the room, and to anyone else it may have felt like it had grown colder. Slowly, he turned to look her in the eyes, and that same look of fear had over taken him. “Those vials you saw… could very well end all life on this planet,” he told her bitterly and quietly as Navi pressed up against his chest. “And… I had to experience it… not once… but twice.”

“Twice? How come I’ve never heard of it before then? If it’s so deadly?” She tilted her head to the right a little in curiosity.

“You… you wouldn’t understand, fully if I told you.” He said, his tone cold and distant as he looked down at his hooves, holding them both up as if they were alien to him. “Do you truly want to know?” he asked, setting his hooves back down.

“Well, if you’re willing to tell, I am curious.” She admitted, but then quickly added, “But if you don’t want to, then I understand.”

A closed mouth sigh before he looked towards the window nearby, patting Navi on the back gently before saying, “To make a long story short. A long time ago… I lived another life,” He started, “It was a simple, tedious lifestyle but I managed. But that all changed when I found myself in a city known, only as... Raccoon.”

“Raccoon? Like the animal?” Firefly asked, looking at him with wide and curious eyes.

“It may sound silly at first… but that city...” He rubbed his eyes with a tired sigh. “Was a nightmare, and that virus… came from that city.” He turned back towards her, eyes cold and hazy. “You haven’t experienced true horror until you’ve been to a city that belonged to the dead.”

Her eyes widened with horror, as she looked at him, “The dead?!”

A stiff nod was her answer. “And I don’t mean the ones that stay dead...” He shivered, body shaking as images flashed through his mind. “I mean the ones that… get up, and eat the living.”

A shiver ran through the mare’s body, and even the cat in her saddlebag hissed to emphasize the fear from them both.

“Hundreds… thousands of them, filling the city, around every corner, every alleyway,” He continued, “Moans filling the air as they lumbered after you with outstretched arms...” He looked down at the floor. “Me and one other, survived that horror more times then I can count, and I promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen, not here… not to… her...” He shivered again, closing his eyes.

Firefly looked down at the ground, “I’m sorry to hear that Dustchu… I’m sure you did your best to protect her though.” She tried to cheer up the sad stallion, while wrapping her own wing around his back.

“She’s still alive,” He corrected her, “And I did do my best, even though she despised me every second of the time we spent in that damnable city.”

“Oh, well at least she’s still alive?” She tried to take back her mistake as she pulled her wing back against her flank.

“At least… but, that city is gone, destroyed after we escaped.” Dustchu informed her, “But even though it was destroyed… the virus spread, and kept spreading until...” he trailed off.

Firefly knew where he was going, and she was silent for a minute. Suddenly standing, she started to trot over to the door, “Then we better go and get that virus~”

Navi looked up at his owner, and cooed softly before gesturing towards Firefly. The stallion grinned a little grin, “alright then little guy… let’s stop an apocalypse.” He told him as he stood up, looking over at the mare and giving her a smile. “Well… let’s rock n roll.”

She looked back at Dustchu, holding the door open for him to walk through, along with a bright smile back on her face. “I think the others must be ready to leave by now~”

With a smile of his own, Dustchu exited the room, followed by Firefly and Navi. All three determined to stop, what could possibly end the world.