On the coldest day of the spring, Harmony Harp, Harper for short, sat at the kitchen table watching the news on her laptop. She had just clicked the link to it after reading the blog of, Press Release, a news Journalist for "On the Scene" Magazine. Normally Harper could count on Press Release getting the real truth out and disproving conspiracy nuts but Harper had to reread the blog once more. She just couldn't believe it. Press Release was writing about this supposed Virus outbreak, ZP1 Virus. Press Release wasn't even trying to disprove it or even question it. Press fully believed this was really happening.
It made her ponder the 'Apocalypse' as Press Release put it, and whether or not the reports prove true seemed too early to determine, but the news and social media were abuzz with the threat of a virus and a potential pandemic brewing in remote areas of the world. 'Is it really something to be worried about?' Harper questioned as she looked out the window.
Snow fell outside, despite the calendar reading Spring, plows and salt trucks dealing with the white roads and preventing them from icing over. Only days ago, a pony named “Apple Jack” won the Appaloosa Derby, and Major League Buckball was in full swing. The price of milk hadn’t changed, and hardware stores reported no shortage of end-of-the-world supplies. The only real impact is a TV channel showing 24-hour marathons of reality TV show about doomsday preparation enthusiasts. So it really makes one wonder if any of it is true.
Shutting the laptop down and pushing it away, Harper picked up her homework to distract herself. She took another look out the window at the sudden snow fall outside, the ponies walking by, cars zooming down the street. Life going on in the City as per the usual norms.
Neighfalls- a thriving, multicultural city on the east side of the Neighagra Falls. Harper lived in Fallwater Community, in a quaint townhome in the middle of the block. Through the front window, she spotted ponies braving the cold weather and heavy flakes of snow now collecting on the car tops and sidewalks.
'The end of the world—could it ever really happen? Am I prepared? Who can predict their preparedness for apocalyptic conditions anyway?' She thought again. Shaking those thoughts away she turned back to her homework. "Greenlight will be back soon..." Harper needed to finish then prep for dinner. Not to mention help Greenlight with his homework. Lost in thought and homework, she was startled when she heard a crash come from the back of the house.
Twisting in her seat she stared at the back door. Red curtains covered most of the door window. She sat still, and focused her ears for any sound. All she heard was her own accelerated heart beat. Harper slowly stepped down from the seat and cautiously approached the door and looked out the window. She saw what looked like hoof prints leading up to her door. 'The stone fence is too high to climb without a ladder... Well unless you were a Pegasus...' She thought. Then she noticed the smudge on the window. Like some-pony pressed their nose up to the window to look in.
*Vvvvrrrrpppppssss!*
Harper nearly jumped out of her fur because her phone was vibrating on the countertop. Levitating the cell, she answered it as she continued to watch the window. "Hey."
"Yo! Have you seen this stuff on the news? Every channel is talking about this ZP1." The voice said excitedly. Harper groaned inwardly at Maverick. Only this stallion would act like this at the sound of this kind of news.
Cracking the back door to poke her head out as she spoke, “Do you really believe that crap?” She noticed the back gate was wide open.
“I don’t know what to believe, but I read about it all at work.”
Maverick was an Earth stallion that was working security at Calypso Lounge, a hip new nightclub far north of Neighfalls. At 18 hooves tall and weighing in about 300lbs, his stature emanating strength which is all the security the nightclub required.
“Yeah, check out EPC (Equestria Public Channel). Dozens of reports about ZP1 and the remote parts of the world, shutting down towns, villages, governments quarantining whole areas. They’re closing Cloudports, Seaports, Train stations, anything coming in and going out of Equestria. I hear parts of Griffonstone has been hit too!” Harper rolled her eyes as she listened to him babble on, she wrapped her green scarf around her neck and stepped out to close and lock the gate.
“So should I be stockpiling water and guns?” She asked half sarcastically, “Time to board up the House? Rob the locale food mart?”
“Not sure I’d go that far...yet” Maverick stated seriously.
Harper came up to the gate and looked out to see who could have opened it. She couldn’t see anypony. She took another moment to look up at the houses around the back alley. Harper didn’t notice anything until the old couple down the way stood on their balcony waving down the street at her. Awkwardly she waved back, ‘Weird…’ She thought. Shutting and locking the gate. ‘Wasn’t that Mr. Mulato and Old Mare Truffle?’ She wasn’t even paying poor Maverick any attention as he continued on talking. She jiggled the gate to make sure it stayed locked. ‘Old Mare Truffle is a mean old mare… Why would she be waving at me? Then again Mr. Mulato was there… Maybe she’s just mean when he isn’t around…’
Harper tuned Maverick back in as she checked the rest of the yard. “But I was skimming this book on Zebraian Flu, and…” He started.
“You just happen to read books on pandemics?” She asked walking back to the house after finding nothing out of place.
“Well, I was reading one about the last of months of WW1. A historical scholar, Dr. Time Turner I think? Anyway, he was discussing the impact of influenza. The mortality rate of that virus reached 20%, affected up to five percent of the world pony population…” Harper chooses to listen quietly, she humored his fantasies. Even as her patience weared thin.
Maverick’s voice grew louder, bellowing into the phone. “And if the virus moves like that, we could be seeing a much greater lethality. If it’s already spreading through dense areas like Ponyville, imagine how contagious it really is!”
In a flat tone she said, “That does sound serious.” Unwrapping the scarf she sat back at the table.
“I have faith, though,” Maverick said sounding unsure of himself. “The government will come through and keep us safe. Too many powerful ponies stand ready to protect us. Politicians, scientists, the princesses… The virus doesn’t care who it infects! They know that and will work to stop it.”
“I hope so, Maverick.” she said trying to reassure him.
“…Changing topics--- did you finish your profile for that dating website?” Harper's face heated, her sunny gold coat matched the umber red marks she had. “Remember, I get 25 bits if you do. You can even cancel the account after you set it up!” he goaded.
“Well… will they even let me sign up? I mean, I’m not even of legal age.” she shot back trying to avoid doing it.
“Good question…” He said. “Well, just try, and if it doesn’t work, no biggie. Anyway, I have to work again tonight. If you get bored ring me up!” Harper couldn’t tell if he was being flirty or not.
Maverick has been a close friend to Harper since first year of high school. They had met after school in an RPG club. Harper liked the games and all, but she really loved dressing up and playing parts of the games. Though he was a senior, Maverick hung out with her often and kept other upper-class mates from harassing her. He’s the one that gave Harper her nickname. Her full name being Harmony Harp. Though he called her princess Harper, which she detested, but he still called her princess much to Harper’s dismay. Harper was now in 11th grade. She had only known him for 2 years but she owed him a favor or two for protecting her over the years.
She turned on the laptop and typed in Ponymate.com. “Here we go…”
Author's Note
Hello! Just a few words! Sorry if you don't want to see this, It'll be quick!
In THIS world cell phones exist, cars as well but not what you are thinking, These ponies eat meats (not cows because they talk...), most magic is used but not to the extent of teleportation, or floating large objects.(example: they can't levitate car sized thing. Motorbike sure, but it'll be hard on them.)
Big thanks to Nightmare Darkness for the much needed help with editing!!
Tell me what you think!
Harper had decided to walk Greenlight to school. The little colt waiting with them at the bus stop didn't look very healthy, and with all this talk of sickness going around Harper didn't want to risk it. She was staring at the cars passing by; waiting for the light to change so they could walk across the street. She noticed Greenlight staring up at her and looked down at him. "Yes?" She asked placing her hoof on his back between his wings and right under his purple school tie.
"Why are we walking, Sis?" His blue eyes magnified with the thick black glasses he wore. She rubbed his lime green fur reassuringly as she thought of an answer.
"I just wanted to spend some time with you and thought I'd buy that thing you wanted from the school store... What was it again?" She asked noticing the light change in the street and started walking with Greenlight right beside her. She didn't want to lie but she just couldn't see the logic in telling him about her paranoia.
"Oh! Really?!" He said grinning from ear to ear. "Are you really going to get the spy kit for me?!"
'That's right, he has been talking about nothing else...' she thought as they stopped at the convenience store two streets from the school. "That's right! Now how about we buy some candy to share with you class mates?" Greenlight stopped at the door.
"Do we have too?" He asked sheepishly, rubbing a hoof on his shoulder. "They don't really like me... I don't want to get them anything..." Harper was a little shocked by it and stood between the automatic glass door just staring at him. Greenlight must have realized how he sounds for his cheeks flushed red just under his glasses. "I-I didn't mean it, like THAT, that. It's just-"
"... No worries... How about we just get a snack for your lunch box?" She smiled changing the subject. She didn't really have room to scold him about it. She too had trouble as a kid with other foals, but she most defiantly will let her mother know tonight. "How does hay chips sound? Or maybe a pie?"
He leaned against the roof top railing smoking and playing on his smartphone. His black hair hanging in his steel colored eyes made it harder to see but he needed some form of relaxation. He just got back from vacation but already Hocus was up his ass about work. He hasn’t even been here for 2 hours and already they were at each other’s throats. He had already smoked 4 sticks and was planning on one more but got an email. Seeing who it was from, he grumpily opened the app and read it.
Star-tech Status Meeting, Today after lunch!
For those who are unable to attend, we will not be sending info, you will just need to pack your desk and have a lovely life...
Items to address
* Safety Committee follow-up
* Enrollment update ( to replace tarty employees)
* Support for new viral outbreak research?
*Team selections
If anypony has additional items to discuss, please bring them up during the meeting.
Thanks.
Head Director
Hocus Pocus
Using a gray hoof he scratched his hickory brown fur just below one of his scars on his chest. Then, he closes the email and ignores the ringing of his earpiece. She was calling. His gray eyes looked at his watch and saw it was another 2 and ½ hours till lunch.
Getting a call on his private phone, he cringed dreading who it was. He peeked at the Id and signed in relief. It read Maverick, answering it as he lights one up, filling the air with smoke. “What?” he asked.
“Really nice, man… You kiss your mother with that tone?” He joked.
“I don’t kiss Ladies, Mav. They can’t handle all this...” He half joked back, feeling better about his day. “I mean I got a face a Mother couldn’t even love!”
“Ah well, what do you kiss, man? Not stallions right?!” He could hear Maverick laughing loudly.
“Na, Never! I go for the mares with bad eyes!” He laughed along with him. After they settled down he asked. “So what do you need Mav? I’ve only been here a few hours and already I want to blow my brains out.”
“Sorry to hear that! The Queen causing trouble?” Maverick asked referring to Hocus. He hummed to confirm Maverick’s question. “Aww, just start your own lab. You are the best there is!”
“All true, I know, but with my looks and background I was lucky the she-devil looked past all that. I get paid VERY well and am learning a lot from Professor High Dive. Old fart knows his shit Mav.” The stallion pushed off the railing and made his way to the door. “I still got opportunities here so, got to suck it up…”
“Ohh! I remember when you came to the school with that old man, ha!” Maverick laughed. “None of us could understand a thing he was saying! He couldn’t even get our names right, even yours!” He heard laughter and what sounded like stomping. “Man! How hard is it to say Atlas Codex?!”
Atlas smiled to himself. “Hey, I just met the man a day before he made me attend the thing! I also remember a scrawny little stallion that followed me around the rest of the day! How old were you? 10?” He joked. Maverick was a big fan of the scars. Said it made him look bad ass. Has treated Atlas like his big brother ever since.
“Naw, I was a 9th grader! And I ain’t scrawny no more!!” Atlas could just imagine Maverick flexing his brawny muscles.
“Ok, ok, put the guns away man. You’ll scare the delicate mares.” He leaned by the door. He knew he had to go to work but didn’t want to end the call. “But, seriously, do you need something?”
“Aww… OK…” Long pause, Atlas thought maybe the phone cut off. “You know anything about this ZP1?”
“Well, that was unexpected… Thought you’d ask all subtle like…”
Sheepishly Maverick said, “Yeah… No need here right...”
“I’ll tell you the truth, I honestly don’t know much. Yes, I’m a Bio-engineer but there are projects even I can’t know about…” Atlas sighed, “But I am having a meeting today. I might learn something more, then.”
“If you could share later, that’d be grand…” Maverick asked sullenly.
“Of course, Maverick. Hey, now stay out of trouble, ok?” Maverick is a friend, despite the age difference, that is how Atlas feels.
Making friends wasn’t easy for Atlas, so he holds onto the few he has. Atlas wasn’t joking when he was talking about his looks. An accident when he was in college scarred his front, left side pretty bad. His hoof is chipped in multiple places. Scars litter his whole front leg, left side of his chest. He has scars on his face, though not as deep and grotesques as his leg, up to his ear. One tooth was even chipped into a scary fang. He was very lucky not to have his leg ripped off or his face. Luckily the lab coat covers most of his body. Also doesn’t help he has a very, very, very short fuse. No joke, it might not even exist.
Atlas has scared a number of new techs, not only with his looks but with his temper. Might be why he and Hocus fight a lot. The Queen doesn’t scare easy, and professor High Dive doesn’t care how a pony looks as long as you get the job done.He often works alone, but he’s gotten us to it. When he HAS to have a tech help he can hear them argue who’s going to do it. One day it made him so mad; he now has a list and picks who’s to help. Stopped the fighting between the techs so Hocus didn’t care either way.
“Ok see you around!” Maverick said then hung up the phone. The piece in his ear started to ring again. Sighing Atlas finally answered it.
“What?...” He heard an irritated huff and the sound of a keyboard tapping.
“Don’t give me that tone!” She was angry again. The tapping got faster. “Get to my office, NOW...” The call ended just like that. He grumbled as he places his ID band back on his arm.
‘Back into the pits of Hell...’, he thought scanning his ID to open the door and making his way down the stairs. “This should be good...”
Author's Note
Hello! Just a few words! Sorry if you don't want to see this, It'll be quick!
In THIS world cell phones exist, cars as well but not what you are thinking, These ponies eat meats (not cows because they talk...), most magic is used but not to the extent of teleportation, or floating large objects.(example: they can't levitate car sized thing. Motorbike sure, but it'll be hard on them.)
Big thanks to Nightmare Darkness for the much needed help with editing!!
Tell me what you think!
