Chapter 3- Tragedy Part 2

Heat. Felt like the sweat in my clothes were wearing me down in weight. Everything on me was like I took a shower whilst in my uniform. Or I didn’t dry myself slipping into it. I hadn’t found any help yet either. That wasn’t good. Not good for me or Parhelion. I hope she’s still ok.

I tried recalling my mental map of the area. Maybe I can get to the exit of the bunker and find a new rescue team. The smell of smoke, the thick black clouds with amber lighting physically hitting me and the ceiling, and the drowsiness from days without proper sleep made it significantly hard to do so. I stopped when I heard crashes coming from ahead of me. Then came indistinct chatter followed by some banging.

The desperate side of me told me it was rescue, and the panicked side of me began yelling danger. After what I saw, panic began talking sense, but then desperation came to my logically to tell me that it has to be. Didn’t know who to listen to. Should I turn the other way? Or should I approach them? Shoot first? Would it be wise to just go for it?

My debate broke when I coughed harshly again. My vision turned dark around the edges and everything around the middle began to blur. My lungs felt heavy, almost sore and cumbersome. I stumbled forward a bit before falling on my front knees. Tired. I need air. But I need to keep going. Somepony’s life depends on me.

“Who’s there!?” Came a voice from up ahead. Seems like my cough attracted what was really help. I’d smile to that, but it wasn’t the time. I was losing myself for a moment after more hoarse coughing. The two coming coughs turned into a cough attack. Hard to keep air in, or rather breath air in without more coming out.

The rushed stomping echoed towards me; calling out to me. ‘We’re on our way,’ they seem to say; ‘just a little bit longer.’

I lost my strength. Was it my sleep deprivation? Or the smoke? Or both? Lost the grip on the energy pistol. Near blackout. Something wrapped itself around me. Holding me up. Indistinct voices continued to echo around me. They sounded panicked. Who could it be? Who found me? If I could smile to show my gratitude, I would’ve.

Something gave me a big open mouth kiss, big enough around my nose and mouth. There was a hissing sound now. Something of a cool breeze seeping into my nostrils. Fresh air. Beautifully crisp fresh air.

My strength somehow came back to me and my lungs started working. My vision came back. My senses. Everything. All came back to me at once; too fast. I braced what was kissing me full on the nose and mouth (which happened to be a mask). I began taking big gulps of the new fresh air, taking in too much at once and coughing so hard I might as well be spitting lung chunks.

“He’s coming back.” A voice said in joyful relief from over me. I know that voice. And it felt good to hear it.

I opened my still stinging eyes to see two figures looming over me. One of them seems to be having tremors.

“What’s going on?” I unwittingly peeped up at the figures.

“You stupid mustang.” It was Aviatrix’s voice, shaking slightly with joy. Ventilated by a full face mask. “I knew you’d be alive.”

I was bamboozled. The tone of her voice just threw me off. I didn’t know how to react to this at all. Aviatrix pulled me upright before embracing me in a big feathery hug. I froze as she rested her head on me, adding her hooves as an extra hug under her wings. Then Typhoon seemed to jump into it, wrapping both of us in a hug. Aviatrix was still shaking, but I still couldn’t tell if it was fear or joy. Thinking about them, made me feel glad I had them. But then something began pestering my mind...

“What happened guys?” I asked, still covered in the both of them. They both got off of me, allowing me to get my words out clearly. “What happened? Where were you guys?” I coughed hard, then eyed their gear when it settled. Both of them were wearing protective suits. Aviatrix was carrying saddlebags covered in masks and tanks; Typhoon carried a Flash Industries M-9 laser rifle on one side, and a saddlebag full of masks as well on the other.

“Security Force came in some time after you left and asked us -all of us- to move to the Cloudship.” Aviatrix explained quickly. “They came in by groups, ordering everypony in and around the mess hall and levels above out. Then the alarm sounded soon as we got out.” She looked around for a moment then back to me. “They sent down rescue operations. Typhoon and I were some of the volunteers.”

She turned around and showed me another four pegasi. One was opening terminals and working them to open from the outside. Two were checking and clearing nearby rooms. One of them in the hall, assuming it’s the officer of the squad, was looking in our direction. His flashlight tried to pierce through the smoke and down to us.

“Hate to ruin your reunion, if that’s what this is,” He said flatly through his mask. “but we still need to get moving. Give him a proper mask and get him up. We need to get moving.”

“Yes, sir!” Typhoon agreed firmly before giving me a full face mask from his saddlebag to me. Took me a while to slide it on, but I managed with the help from Aviatrix and was back up on my hooves, albeit a bit fatigued.

There was a banging up ahead. At first, I thought it could be something else. Turns out it was one of the S.F. working the control panel to get inside a room. I guess something was in there. Or somepony.

I watched as he pried open the wall’s front plating to expose the wiring. Then he got to manipulating said wires with some tools. These doors were simplistic, but they hermetically sealed to prevent anything to get in. They’d be alright with the air conditioning inside, but with the situation we’re in? I’m not sure that’s the case.

“Got it.” The Technician said triumphantly. His words coupled with the door almost made it look his words were what got it open.

The two pegasi moved in one after the other. Check and clear. In the room and around the door before moving in. “We got survivors!” One of them shouted.

The Officer caught notice and stepped at the door. “Enclave Security Force. We’re here to evacuate you.”

It took a while, but confidence seemed to build in there. A colorful group of pegasi families sizes from a foal to a seasoned adult. Some looked severely burned but still alive, hauled out by comrades who have lesser but nasty looking burns.

Typhoon and Aviatrix were giving out as many masks on their persons until the last Civi was out of the room. As for me, I watched the end of the hall I came from. The fear of seeing that thing stomp its way over her has me on edge. Felt like the longer I stared into that black abyss, the more I heard anguish screams of the damned. Then I thought of Parhelion.

“That all of you?” The Officer asked the group behind me, tearing me away from the hallway daydream.

“Room clear! That’s all of them!” One of the two S.F. reassured their officer before moving out of the room. The Technician just left the door open.

“Don’t look, sweeties.” Came a disturbed voice of a mare. Looking over to the direction of said voice I saw a mare shielding her foals with a magenta wing from a twisted and tormented-looking body nearby. Poor things. They didn’t need to see that.

“Alright,” The Officer brought the groups attention. “Let’s go. We need to get everypony back to the Cloudship till the situation is resolved. Follow close and don’t stray away.”

The Civis began to follow the group, almost herded by the group. After a couple of steps and a looming thought in my mind, I stopped walking frozen in place and at the same time tugged at my promise. Aviatrix noticed as I coughed again, this time tasting something disgusting and warm from the back of my throat.

“Ward, come on.” She beckoned me as the group went on. I noticed Typhoon looking back a bit and his pace slowed.

“I can’t go,” I told her. “Not yet, at least.” I can’t do this alone. Not with that thing back there. I need their help.

“What do you mean?” She asked me from where she stood; some feet away from me.

“There’s somepony still down there in the clinic. I promised I’d get her help.”

Typhoon apparently stopped and so did the group. “Stormtroops, keep up!” Came the demanding, authoritative voice of the Officer up ahead. Likely referring to Aviatrix and Typhoon.

“Ward, we’ll go for them when we get the Civis to the Cloudship.” Typhoon tried reassuring me. No.

“There won’t be any time for her!” I insisted. “I promised her I’d get help, and help’s here.” I thought about the shape from before. “Ther-hnn. There’s somepony down here killing survivors. It already got to a group of rescuers, and chances are they won’t stop there.”

Typhoon just looked at me, unmoved and more concern with the many. “Ward. We just need a little more time. Just wait, ok?”

I grinned my teeth, knowing I wouldn’t get to him like that. I can’t wait. They’re out there, and it’ll find her. I can’t let it happen. Then again, I don’t want them dragged into this either. Out of all the other pegasi I could’ve ran into they had to turn into meat, bone fragment, and plasma mix before I could get to them. I don’t want that happening to them. Not ever.

I said nothing and doubled back for my pistol. Finding it, I examined. The charge pack looks a little drained, but hopefully, I don’t need to use it. Save for the scuffs and worn barrel it will still work. Once checked, I got up and walked to Aviatrix. I dug through her saddlebag as she looked on and pulled out a spare respirator mask.

“Sorry to keep you all waiting.”

I powered the energy pistol and walked back down the hall. Into the inferno.

“Ward, wait!” I heard Aviatrix call to me. As much as it pained me in the chest I didn’t listen and kept going. This time kicking the pace up a notch.

“Ward!”

* * * * * *

I did the right thing.The more I thought about it, the better it turned out. They are what matter to me, and I feel glad that I was able to see them. Glad they were ok. I went and got help; they turned out to be the help, and that just threw a bitter-sweet wrench into my hope. I would’ve been fine with just complete strangers. But them? No fuckin way. Can’t dwell on it now. I need to do this.

I finally came back to the flight of stairs leading to the medical wing. Down there was the clinic, and it was awful quiet save for the small crackling fire. Hard to see with this soot cloud. I rushed down, taking precautions around corners with a scan. The clinic is close. I hope I’m not too late. I hope to the sky that I’m not too late.

I arrived to see...oh no. The door wasn’t the way I left it. It was punched into from the center until it was forced some ways into the clinic. That’s...no pony could’ve done that. No normal pony...Oh shit!

I rushed inside while my body temperature ran cold against the hot setting. “Parhelion! Mrs. Parhelion!”

I rushed down the familiar corridor. It was so close. Past the blanket of thick smoke will be the storage room just the way it was left. Or it could be something worse. Maybe the door was only done some time ago and whatever did it didn’t find her. I hope...I can only hope...Can hope be enough to ensure she’s alright?

I think I’m coming to the end of the hallway. So far nothing seemed out of place...until now. I stopped. I can’t believe it. They were right in front of me. The gagging was coming from Mrs. Parhelion. They were pinning her to the doorframe by the neck.

“Gkh...eh..ack…” Were the few noisy attempts of gasping air she made. She reached a hoof out to me in hope I can save her when she turned her head towards my direction. I could also see the glistening trails of tears coming down her cheek.

The figure holding her up eerily turned their head towards me. I can’t tell if they were a mare or a stallion because of that power armor they were wearing. Those orange eyes pierced into my soul with that expressionless mask. This whole thing begged the question: How did they get the suit? Whatever the reason, it was safe to assume it was a traitor we’re dealing with.

I armed the laser pistol, lifting my mask just enough to where I can see with the pistol in my mouth and put on my combat stance. “Let her go! Traitor!” I demanded like security. He just stared at me, making him look like a statue. They didn’t seem to get me, so I pushed the envelope. “Put her down! NOW!”

They twitched, getting a reaction out of me that was close to pulling the trigger. They looked back at Mrs. Parhelion, then back at me. I gave them a ‘don’t-screw-with-me’ stare, and they reacted by looking back at her. They let her go. She slumped to the ground

Mrs. Parhelion picked herself off the ground, gasping for air after the armored pony let her go. She looked towards me and I beckoned her when I reached the spare breathing mask to her. She crawled momentarily towards me, quietly sobbing.

The armored hoof suddenly came down on her back and an audible crunching sound was heard from under her. Her jaw dropped as the pressure plunged into her, making her sides explode and stain her suit red. She soon after with her eyes looking up at me and falling lifeless.

She’s dead. She’s really dead. I was right there. So close to rescuing her and I failed. I failed. “No. No. No. No.” I began muttering as the failed promise began to sink into my mind. I looked back up at the armor and their head tilted ever so slightly.

“No. No. No. No! No! NO! NO! NO! NO!” I screamed as my volume grew louder with denial. Without hesitation, I unleashed the full might of the pistol in my mouth.

He wasn’t flinching. The lasers were just bouncing off of his armor and he was looking down at himself as he did. When I ran out of ammo for the pistol, They looked up at me. One step. Two steps. They began walking towards me like he was stalking me- toying with me.

I searched my pockets for some ammo. Then I was reminded: I didn’t get any from the bodies. Or from Aviatrix or Typhoon. I should’ve. They might have helped me. And now, I only do one thing. I dropped my pistol and bolted the exit. It was hopeless to go up against an armored target like that. Especially without anything less than a security vest, and I don’t have that either. Fuck me!

I bolted for the door, making some distance to the front desk, but found myself unable to cross it. Something had me by my small tail. Then I was yanked back into the room from that end, across the heated floor, and into the reception desk. I pulled myself up and saw the Traitor now walking towards me. I still felt weak. Too weak to fight them one on one. This is bad. I fucked up. I looked down and found a pipe that fell from the ceiling. Then I looked up at the Traitor. Their head shifted down to what I looked at, then to me.

They jumped at me suddenly with full metal force aimed for my head. I managed to narrowly miss his armored hooves by an ear as they slammed and crushed the edge of the large reception desk. I fell on my side and saw their head snap to me. Another jump at my head, another narrow miss. One after the other armored hooves slammed into the floor, narrowly missing me by the hair of my mane. The pace was quickening, and now I was rolling continuously just to keep myself from ending up like Parhelion.

I ran out of room to work with. I was too dizzy from the rolling to keep up. I felt sick. The room wouldn’t stop spinning. I started wondering if the Traitor was even tired from trying to get me. The dizziness in my head and the churning in my stomach were quickly overpowered by a devastating pain in my right cannon. A bloodcurdling scream escaped my mouth and the pain flared from the leg up to my whole body. I saw the damage through teary eyes. They crushed it. I could see the gleaming blood splatter and spill from the wound. Fuck!

They lifted their hoof off my leg. I tried moving it again. It hurt too much to try. I only shouted in more pain trying to curl it back to me. I tried crawling away, feeling my crushed leg dragging behind me as I did. Crawling towards the door desperately just as Parhelion did. I could feel their presence around me; hearing every metallic clomp of hooves behind me. Closer and closer to me.

A powerful laser shot came from the door and flew overhead. Training kicked in and I pulled my head down with my forelegs over my head as cover. There was the familiar ding of concentrated energy against metal. I cautiously lifted my head up, still keeping at least one forehoof over and looked back. The Traitor was looking away from me and eerily turned their head towards the direction of the shot. Their mask had taken a hit. I could see the glass fall from the visor. More red discharges came at his head, then I ducked my head back down to avoid the fire. I heard a loud, metallic thud.

The ambiance was that of crackling fire on top of what sounded like respirated breathing. It was coming from in front of me. The crackling of a laser rifle powered off and was followed by rushed steps towards me. Then I heard the sound of a uniform crinkling next to me, then the feel of feathers finding their way under my belly.

I lifted my head and over to my left. A mask was pointing down from me before the visor adjusted to making eye contact. I can’t believe it. She came. Alone, nonetheless. She’s fucking crazy! “Aviatrix...what are you doing here?”

“You’re seriously asking me that?” She asked with doubt directed to me. I was now feeling the pulling force from under my belly, making little progress in getting me off the ground. “Come on, Ward. Get up.”

Getting the hint, I pulled myself up. I was sore and deeply wounded. I was rudely reminded of my shattered leg when I tried to stand on it. It crunched under my body weight and shot the same unbearable pain and scream through and out my body, respectively. As a result of trying to walk, I also fell over to my left and into Aviatrix’s side. She was knocked off balance before finding her strength to support my weight.

“I’m sorry.” I inhaled sharply as I tried balancing on three of my good legs. This is embarrassing for me. I hate it.

“Are you ready?” She asked me. I nodded before pulling down my mask and looking away. I felt her adjust her hold on me. She stepped forward once and I followed with an awkward and painful limp.

Foal steps. One after the other on the side of caution.

* * * * * *

The smoke was getting worse. Almost so bad that I swear I could smell the carbon dioxide or methane, or whatever else could be in there through the mask. Even with a new filter. I don’t even what to think about what could be cooking and burning in the larger fires we pass up. The twisted shapes bathed in amber are a gruesome sight.

We barely made it near the mess hall after what felt like an eternity. Aviatrix let me take periodic rests when my leg or my fatigue became too much for me. Right now we were resting on a ruined mess hall table where she gently set me down on a table seat.

“You didn’t find who you were looking for, did you?” Aviatrix spoke in a near apologetic voice.

I didn’t want to think about it. It tears at me when I think about it. Guilt. Regret. All of it was chewing at me from the thought. It doesn’t help me. It only reminds me. Reminds me of what went wrong and what would’ve been if I did something different. It’s a terrible feeling.

“Take as much time as you need,” Aviatrix told me caringly with a gentle rub of my back. I only gave her a troubled look. I think she smiled at me with a slight head tilt to her right. Then she eyed my battered, swollen leg and sighed. “ I should’ve seen if there was something to fix your leg up while we were there.”

“Like that would’ve done anything helpful.” I countered irritably. I’m tired, worn, and my leg’s busted. I looked at my resting, swelling leg and reached touch it. I twitched to the tenderness and left it alone. “ Even with a healing potion, my leg wouldn’t fix itself completely. More like reconnection without alignment.”

“Don’t worry,” she told me reassuringly. “More than sure the Cloudship will be able to fix it up.”

“And if they don’t…”

“They will!” She said confidently. “They’ll fix you. And I’ll fight them to make sure you’re fixed if I have too.”

The idea donned on me about what I said about healing potions. If my leg isn’t fixed then I’m crippled. I’ll truly look like a burden, and I’ll hate myself even more than I already do. And I’ll hate every moment they’ll come and see me with my crippling condition. Unable to walk on my own. Unable to do anything worth the Enclave’s time. Unable to escape the idea of what I am. I don’t want it. I don’t fucking want it!

“They won’t be able to fix this,” I said soberly, staring at my leg. I flinched, “They crushed it with Power Armor, Aviatrix. Power Armor. It’ll probably be a miracle if I can keep my leg.”

“Have hope, Ward.” she urged. “ It’s not the end.”

“Maybe not to you!” I snapped. “You can still walk! And I won’t be able to fly my way in those the halls without enough wing room! Hell, they’ll ship me off to who-the-fuck-knows along with the rest of those who can’t pull their weight! Face it, Aviatrix. I’m done.”

“We’ve come this far, Ward.” She told me, sounding a bit annoyed. “Would it hurt to have a bit of optimism once a while?”

“How can I be optimistic about any of this!?” I shouted to make my point. Then I panned one of my hooves around the general area like I was beholding something:

“Look around you, Aviatrix. What’s there to be optimistic about!? We live in a fucking hole in the ground; we have advanced tech but don’t use it because of X-reason; We’re under fucking attack by...somepony that’s in here with us! On top of that, I have to deal with the fact that I’m a fucking burden right now! Maybe even was for my whole life! Now with a broken leg, that problem’s only worse!” I slammed my hoof onto the table. “Do you see my point!?”

I had to take a breather for a moment. I blew off a lot of pent up steam just now, and to think that it probably wasn’t necessary. This was about my leg. Not any of this and what I said. I need to calm down. How can I with the condition I’m in now!?

“You think...you’re a problem?” Aviatrix probed questionably. Her tone changed. It wasn’t growing annoyance, but it was something else. I don’t know how to describe it.

I’m a burden. I’ve always been a burden and I hate it. I wanted to change it. But I can’t. I don’t know why. Trying to figure it out just drives me insane. I’m annoyed, angry and sad about it all at once. I’m sad for them. I’m sad for her. I’m angry with myself. And they once asked me why I never wanted them. She once asked me that question...

“Why did you come for me?” I said sullenly.

“Ward…” She said in a soft, confused and concerned voice. “ Why are you saying that!?” her tone saddened. “Do you know how much you mean to me!? Do you know how those words hit me!? You’re all that I have left...” Avie... her masked gaze shifted down to the table. I can see her trembling. “Ever since father…ever since you-”

There was a distant scream echoing from the halls outside, disrupting the mood significantly. That scream was loud enough to remind us that we weren’t out of the clear yet. We still had a ways to go, and from the look on Aviatrix’s face, there was something to do as well.

She got up from her seat and armed her rifle, focused on the door to the hall. Then she looked back at me, her saddened mood melted away. “ I’ll be back, Ward.” She said, “It doesn’t sound too far.”

That’s what concerns me. I don’t want her to go alone. I need to go with her. I kept that thought in my head until the sharp pain and collapse in my leg told me otherwise. Aviatrix was quick to catch me when I tried standing.

“Ward, just stay here and stay quiet.” She told me insistently.

“You can’t go alone,” I told her with deep, pained breaths. I tried standing one last time and the pain was too much. She helped me sit down. “ just let me come.”

“You’re in no condition to fight, Ward.” She told me, kneeling down to my sitting level. “It’ll be quicker if I go by myself.”

My head was hurting from everything. I don’t want to argue if I know this conversation will go back and forth on the subject. I’ll try to push to go and she’ll push her argument too. Not wanting to spend anymore time down here, I reluctantly nodded my head. Please come back, Aviatrix.

“Thank you for understanding,” Aviatrix gratefully told me. She got up from her knees and moved toward the door hastily, and then came back. Why is she removing her mask? She’s getting too cl-

She kissed me. On the lips. My mask slightly uplifted by her hoof and then the kiss. Sweet, sweet strawberries. I’m appalled. Warmer than before, and the negativity slightly dissipated. Confused? Happy? Flabbergasted? I don’t know.

She pulled herself away and gave me a warm smile, “remember that one for me, ok?” She pulled her mask down dashed for the door as the screams continued. I watched from my seat as she disappeared into the soot clouds, bringing a hoof to my now covered lips.

Almost...Almost like last time.

* * * * * *

I waited to see her come around the corner. With the screaming pegasus by her side. No shout. No voice. Not even a laser discharge. It all made me so anxious. Too anxious. Tapping the table faster and faster with a hoof. Taking deep breaths. Twitching at the sounds of falling pipes and what I took for as small explosions further down. Hearing things. Where the hell are the fucking rescue squads? Thought there’d be more coming down here by now.

Finally, the sound of laser discharges made my heart jump. They were coming from down the hall. That’s it; I can’t wait anymore. I need to go find her. I can’t walk there that’s for sure. Then I looked at my semi-unfurled wings. I pushed myself off the seat and immediately collapsed to the crunching of my leg. Now on the hot, soot-coated floor, I cried out softly to ride out the wave of pain. I tried again and pulled myself off the hot floor with the aid of my hoof on the nearest table. I rested myself on the seat and this time pushed off in haste. I spread my wings before I took that leap and pushed off into the thick black cloud overhead. I did it.

I made progress getting to the door...

Next to the door…

Headfirst into the wall next to the door...

I can’t focus with the number of inflictions I’m dealing with. I’m tired, in pain, weak, and now I’ve got a web crack across the visor. Fucking perfect. But no matter how big of a deal I make it, there is still something more important. I got back up by sliding my wounded side up the wall. Now I just need to guide my way to her. One step at a time.

I jump-glided to the other side of the hallway once I rested on the doorframe. She went right. Now I have to jump-glide to the other side of the hallway till I find her. I did just that and then took my time to guide myself down the smoldering hallways again.

What felt like minutes I’ve been inching myself across the hall wall and was approaching a T-section. I have to find her. It shouldn’t take this long if the voice she heard sounded close. I’m not hearing it. Not hearing anything. I’m getting anxious. Where the hell did she g-

I tripped over something and was once again kissing the floor, this time on a burning pile of pony. Now panicking with the contorted corpse crumbling under me and feeling the ash burn through my uniform I bursted upward with a wingburst away from it. Then I patted down the ash on me. Now that I’m off that, I irritably looked to what tripped me.

It was a broken battlesaddle. An M.E.W. Model 9 layed near it, some parts of the saddle still clinging onto it. It looked like it was in good condition, but the saddle was totaled. Something bashed in the harness plating and the weapon carrier had snapped off.

“I could use it.” I told myself. A sudden thud put my dull edges on high alert for a moment. A quick glance behind and around, now I’m focused on getting the rifle. Fortunately, the rifle came off easy.

“Alright.” Finally, something works out. The cell seemed alright for now, and found three cells to go with it. Even better. Then I found a familiar glow when the saddle shifted on its side. Dread filled me when I saw the pool of it hidden under the saddle. Oh shit…

Something got me from behind. A hoof. The Traitor. Fuck! I let my guard down! I autonomically turned back to see the Traitor hovering over me. It wasn’t them...it was…

“Shit!” Aviatrix was staring at me in shock. I quickly grabbed her to lighten her fall, then adjusted her so she was looking up at me.

I took a heart-wrenching look at her. She was lacerated. Mutilated like she fell into a blender. Her deep wounds were leaking so much blood that the lacerations pooled in her skin and flesh and poured out crimson waterfalls. The once angelic white mare is now a crimson mare. A glistening, crimson mare. It hurt me to see her like this. I wanted to cry.

“Aviatrix! What happened!?” I asked in panic. She was just staring up at me through her damaged mask, struggling to make words. “Please, Avie! I need to know!?” Please, Avie. My heart was falling hard. Too hard in fact.

I heard the echo of metallic clomps. Slowly, I raised my head towards the direction of the steps. They were coming closer. My heart accelerating and my blood becoming more like ice water after every step. Was there another Traitor? It had to be.

Shit. Shit! We had to get to the exit and fast. But how? Aviatrix’s losing too much blood and I’m crippled. I can try carrying her on my back. It’s not like I have a choice.

“Just hang in there, Aviatrix!” I told her reassuringly in panic. I placed her flat on the ground against the wall behind me and then got into my best crouching position. I pressed my head under her and up the wall till she rolled on my back.

My legs wanted to give out as soon as I tried to stand. The only thing that kept me from collapsing was the adrenaline in my blood and making sure we make it out. Together. I will repay my debt.

The metallic clomps were getting too close. I started putting distance between us and the incoming Traitor. Come on. Come on! I pushed myself harder. Harder and harder like training. It was just like training. Yeah, if fucking training involved fire in close quarters! Crippled and carrying a companion!

I made some progress but it wasn’t enough. They were still too close and now my knees were tiring out on me. I almost fell after so many steps and now I must be hearing things because there’s something coming from up ahead. Lights pierced through the thick atmosphere. Never been happier in my life to see the second wave of rescue come in.

“Got live ones here! ” One pegasus in a protective suit screamed. “One of you get the Medic! Now!”

I relaxed, knowing we found help and got down on my knees. The pegasus who found us propped me against the wall. He looked to the sound of the still coming clomps and got two other pegasi armed with battle saddles to position themselves like a guard wall.

Another pegasus came carrying saddlebags this time. He stopped to kneel at Aviatrix who was still bleeding and got to work. Pulling out healing potion and telling her to drink up. It was good to see her well- or something close to that. After the potion, she was given water.

“Get ‘em up!” The pegasus ordered the medic and another rifle pony. They immediately complied and began aiding us back to our hooves. They started making us move down the hall they came from. Finally.

“Enemy sighted! Engaging!” Somepony cried out from behind us.

There was a short burst of an energy rifle from behind. First two shots, then consecutive shots overlapping each other. I looked back to see the hallway light up a bright red that traveled and stopped on armor. The Traitor seemed to start picking up the pace, forcing the guard to backpedal hastily to maintain distance.

The Lead Pegasus took a look behind. I just realized that the energy discharge started to pick up. Then there were screams and what sounded like something heavy slam the walls. Next thing I knew something bloody flung at the Lead Pegasus and knocked him down. Our support didn’t stop, they just kept going.

The klomps kicked up to running speed. I could feel the panic in the two pegasi that were holding us when they tried kicking up speed themselves. Now the klomp was right behind us, and a powerful sweep threw us all against the walls. Unluckily, I landed on my bad leg and groaned with intensity at the pain.

The Traitor was just standing there, scanning his victims and giving a vibe that was unnerving. Then his attention turned on the medic that regained his footing. The Traitor stormed off to him.

“Stand down!” The Medic yelled out to The Traitor. “Stand down, now!”

The Traitor would’ve pinned him with the bladed tail hadn’t the medic jumped out of the way. The medic scrambled for the weapon he had holstered and removed his mask to use it. The extra pegasus that helped Aviatrix come to his aid, aiming his rifle at the armored pegasus from the opposite end. They were starting to corral the mysteriously violent pegasus.

“Stand down!!” The Extra repeated to the Traitor with a mouthful of pistol.

Another pegasus came from the hall. The Lead. He was bloodied up and huffing. He too was arming his weapon and aided in the corralling.

“Stand down!” The Lead joined in that chant. The Traitor was shifting their head left and right as they backed up into a wall. “Unit 78-D! Stand down at once!”

The Traitor got out of their aggravated stance and stood tall. The Lead approached them, staring up at them. “Check this one.” He told his extra squadmate. Speaking of squadmates…

I saw Aviatrix on the other side of the hall. I have to make sure she’s alright while this squad’s doing their thing. Whatever it is. I pulled myself up and limped my way to her. When I got close enough to her I fell to my knees. She wasn’t moving. I nudged her with my muzzle. Still nothing.

“Please. Please. Please.” I started muttering in a panic. She had a healing potion. She was drinking water. Was she knocked out? To be sure, I put my ear to the side of her chest. Never had I been happier to hear a heartbeat.

“How many did they say were brought here!?” The Lead asked his squadmates.

“Two, sir!”

Two of them? Just as soon as it was said came the heavy walking again. When it came to the attention of the squad, they began setting up. The lead pointed to us then at the standing power-armored pegasus. “Stay wit’ ‘em! Make sure nothing happens to ‘em, do you get me?”

“Yes, sir!” The medic shouted. The Lead joined the extra and set up the same defense as before.

We waited. They waited. The waiting game was on. In that black curtain was the other, coming for us. Creeping towards us. Stopped.

Now it was quiet. The squad was unnerved. I was unnerved. The medic seemed just as unnerved, if not on the verge of a panic attack.

“Why the fuck did it stop!?” shouted the Medic in distress. Yeah, give away the fact we’re here. That’ll help. I turned to him in agitation at the fact he shouted. Then I noticed something slither under his hooves, then over his head.

“Watch it!” I tried warning the medic but it was too late. The curved blade lodged into the back of his head and went limp. The pistol dropped out of his mouth and fired a stray shot that bounced for a bit. I covered Aviatrix to shield her from it.

The two pegasi waiting for the encroaching other immediately turned in alarm to my shout and the shot. “He’s going at it again!”

I watched the Traitor’s tail lift the medic’s body from the floor and flung it towards the two. They ducked out of the way when they saw it coming and the flying body hit the wall with such force the body flattened, crunched, and splattered on the burnt mural. It stayed attached to the wall until it sloughed down and hit the floor, leaving a gleaming, trail stain of blood and a pile of meat. I just froze in the combat. Aviatrix is still out cold. I need to protect her. I need to. It’s my turn.

Shot’s fired. The second one was here. It was The Traitor from Medical. How’d he survive!? I saw his head get hammered! Even his mask says that! It was slowly walking towards the extra.

“Sir! We’ve got a problem!” shouted the extra as he narrowly avoided a jump.

“Hit ‘em hard! Open the armor!” The lead shouted. They were both occupied by the individual Traitor. I just watched from the sideline as they struggled. What could I do? I can’t risk leaving Aviatrix alone.

The Extra ran out of ammo and rear kicked to get another cell in his rifle. Soon as the rifle whirred up, the Extra’s throat was sliced open by a blade-tail whip. He held a hoof to his neck, trying with false hope to stop the bleeding as it gushed profusely. He was done, and fell forward. Dead.

Now the Lead was all alone and they started coralling him. He would aim his rifle at the one on the left. The one on the right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Now he was backed up against the wall. Who’d jump first? Who’d be the one to give the killing blow? They were in kissing distance. One arched their tail over their shoulder and sharply stabbed him in the chest, and the other went through his eye with a pop. He was finished.

They stood there. Both of them looking at the fallen body, then eerily up at each other. Then they slowly turned in my direction. Our direction. My blood ran cold throughout my body.

Shit! I knew I should’ve left when we had the chance. I would’ve been able to reach the exit by now if I thought about it. Maybe it’s false hope; maybe it’s me not thinking straight but I know I can still try. I got to.

I got up as fast as I could and put Aviatrix on my back. Now it was a game of Cat-and-Wounded-Mouse. Before I even took a step, one charged at me. I dropped Aviatrix (rather roughly) in time, got low and jumped out of the way. My leg shot pain through my body again when I landed on it, leaving me crying in pain.

I was now at the mercy of the Traitors. One was creeping towards me, and the other was creeping to Aviatrix. That tail looked very eager to end her. No. Not her. Anypony but her. I won’t let it.

I mustered whatever strength I had left, I decided to try and get around them. I put myself into action, limping hastily towards his left. The Traitor’s gaze- blank with the mask’s broken lenses- just focused on me. They weren’t even reacting to my sudden burst. Why are they just standing the-

My ears are ringing. Everything just went silent. Why can’t I move? Why can’t I breathe? What just...happened? Some of my senses were coming back- I can hear a heartbeat in my ears. Something tugged at me. The tugging was from the upper left side of my chest. Now I felt that spot unusually warmer and wet. Slowly, I looked down at myself. There was a thick, sleek and scorched black cord of sorts in my chest. It was segmented- insectoid. Blood. My Blood was dripping around it. I looked slightly to my side. This thing in my body was connected to the Traitor. they were staring at me.

It all came back at once. A horrendous wave of pain shot through my chest and I gave way to it. I screamed strainfully, putting a hoof on the armored tail inside. Now they were lifting me up off the ground till I was practically hanging. My scream became more breathless and strained from the pain the curved blade inflicted on me. I was beginning to feel sick, feeling my chest and my ribs tear themselves apart across that sharp edge. I looked back at them, my mouth now hanging open as I began running out of air. They cocked their head to the side, then with full force whipped their tail till I went flying back to the wall like a foal’s doll during a tantrum.

I broke. Sickening pops sending different frequencies of pain, one on top of the other. I felt my left ribs snap then felt back of my head slam into the steel wall, sending a traveling flare of pain to my crown and forehead. My left wing popped out of its socket and limped under the weight of my own body.

I was in so much pain, I felt like passing out. Instead, I threw up to taste vomit and blood. My ribs were on fire, my wing’s feel like a red-hot, painfully electrifying poker. Ironically, I began to start feeling cold. My head hurt like hell; so disoriented that I felt like I was going blind. My head was leaking too. Hard to breath; every breath a wheezing, painful, burning feeling. Every breath made my chest tighter and tighter. I can’t move, I felt like if I tried I’d only make things worse.

I could see one of them creeping up to me. Their menacingly dark silhouette approaching me closer and closer. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I was so close to crying, knowing that this...this was going the last thing I’d ever see.

Please… Somepony...Aviatrix...Typhoon...guys...I’m scared… where are you guys...I don’t want to be alone…

There was a sudden discharge, the Traitor was hit behind the head. After the second shot he calmly turned behind him to see the attacker. I painfully managed to see Aviatrix through my blurring and tunneling vision holding the Medic’s energy pistol in her mouth. She was still laying down against the wall, her right foreleg being the only thing keeping herself propped up.

The Traitor’s gaze was now fixed onto her. I started wondering where the other one was. Where was he? Oh shit!

Aviatrix fired at the Second looming over her after they failed to react. They staggered back from a couple of consecutive shots to the chest. He recovered, looked down at his armor, then unexpectedly jumped at her. They barely missed her. I could tell she was still fatigued, her foreleg giving out for a moment soon as she made the dodge. Now they both were creeping up on her. No. Not her. Anypony but her.

With any ounce of strength left in me, I pushed myself forward and fought through the tremendous pain. I was slipping over my own blood, holding back screams of agony. I clung to the hole in my chest to stop the bleeding and used one hoof to pull myself toward them. I hoped that if I can somehow slow them both down, then Aviatrix could have a chance.

I clung onto the Traitor as tight as I could. He dragged me across the floor; four steps later, They finally noticed me and stopped before they got to Aviatrix. Oddly, the Second stopped the same time the Traitor did. Then they both eyeballed me, taking their attention away from Aviatrix.

“F-f-finish… you...started…” I breathily told them. I looked to Aviatrix and our eyes locked. “Run!”

The Second darted at me where they socked me in my broken ribs back down the hallway, away from the exit. My ribs were flaring intensely with waves upon waves of pain. My breathing was labored. Every breath was a burning, sore, and hideously tight sensation.

There were more discharges coming down the hall I came from. Behind the last red beam, I saw Aviatrix desperately shoot through the smoke towards me. Seemed like she got a second wind. She slid across the floor on her hooves, and reached down to get me.

“You...were supposed to leave.” I wheezed in pain. “...gave you a chance.” I think she heard me, but she just continued trying to get me on her back. I grunted and almost screamed from feeling the loose things grind against my insides.

The Traitor darted again, and this time knocked both of us straight into the wall with brute force. Aviatrix landed some feet to my right and I was now on my belly. Back at square one. They looked at me then I saw the knife tail snake around one side and point at me. I knew what was coming next. All I can do is close my eyes. I don’t want to see it coming. I don’t want to look.

I heard the Traitor take calm steps towards me, and after three steps I heard the blade cut through the air. Something of a sixth sense tingled my stomach, intensifying the closer the blade came to me. It didn’t come. I didn’t feel the blade pierce me again but I heard it pierce something. I opened my eyes. Shock consumed me.

“Nnnnooo…”

Aviatrix. She was hunched over me from the side. She was gasping, eyes wide open and her body shaking weakly. I saw a blade tip jutting out of her chest. The tip pushed out of her heart, Aviatrix half grunted and half screamed as her chest was torn apart.

The blade sharply slipped out and she almost fell, her hole punched chest almost hitting me. I saw the blood flow and drip from her cavity onto my own uniform; onto my own blood. Her legs were shaking, struggling to keep her up. She looked at me, whimpering with tears running from her eyes and blood leaking from her mouth. She smiled. Why is she smiling? Then she mouthed something to me….she mouthed something to me...no…

She gave out, her body fell on me. Her eyes were still staring at me. She convulsed slightly and I heard her struggling. She smiled one last time...then she went limp. Her pupils opened up. She wasn’t breathing anymore.

My chest was filling up with emotion. I’m wracked with anger; with guilt...tremendous guilt. Just seeing her body...I can’t take it. Why, Avie? Why did you… I told you to- why the hell didn’t you- no...no. No. No. No. No. No. I don’t want to believe it. I refuse. She can’t… she can’t be…

My vision was fading- everything’s blurring. My breaths were shortening. I heard my heartbeat thumping again- slower and slower, one after the other. I saw the one of the Traitors pop into view. They were staring down at us. Watching my body give up. They were removing their helmet, and I heard the hiss echo in my head. Before my vision faded, I saw glowing dots. Two light green glowing dots in their head.

So tired… My eyes closed slowly. My breathing was slowing. My body went numb and cold. I heard my heartbeat start to slow. My world went silent and died all noise faded to my last passing breath.

≈ ≈ ≈ | ≈ ≈ ≈

My eyes popped open. I’m lying belly up, and all I see is white. A white void and specks falling from it- coming at me slowly and lightly. Some of it got into my eyes, and I realized some of it started falling into my nose holes. The sound of mildly blowing wind beating down on me in nearly every direction.

I coughed harshly, practically trying to cough up a lung. I rolled over on my side, getting up on three hooves- one holding my aching chest- and still coughed till it felt like my throat was raw. Now I was taking in deep breaths, staring down at the floor. Then I looked up and around me.

Where am I? I was...somewhere. No place familiar at all. All I saw was white. There was a distinctive mist of sorts that moved in accordance to the blowing wind. It was also white, but the odd thing was how it was distinctive from the ambient color. I did notice a tinge of sorts in the mist; a color I can’t quite make out. There was that falling debris falling daintily like a feather. Those small, colored specs fell from an unknown source above, and seemed to fall through the white floor under me.

I sighed, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Where am I, indeed. My chest pain nulled down a bit and I dropped my hoof with my othe- hold on a minute.

I’m standing; I can breathe just fine somehow; my wings respond to my brain’s commands with no pain or issues. Oddly, I’m also not sleepy anymore. Everything about me felt...right; like there was nothing wrong with me, at all.

“What?” I said as I drowned in befuddlement. Or at least that’s what I think I’d hear myself say. I brought a hoof up to my throat. I hollered testingly. No vibration in my throat; no note. Nothing came out, even if I screamed at the top of my lungs. I felt the pressure, but heard nothing from me. Not even a whistle from trying so hard.

Now begging for air while drowning in my internal confusion my rump hit the floor. I sighed with frustration at my strange predicament. I’m lost. I’m mute. I don’t even know anymore. My head was pounding and I instinctively pulled a...white...translucent and cloudy hoof to my forehead…to relieve...the pain...W-w-what?

I gawked at it for a while, then I brought my other hoof to level them both side by side. I remember being a dark cerulean, last time I checked. Why am I white? Still shocked that I look different I got to giving myself a pat down. Everything else is here. Everything on me looked white. My hooves. My chest. My belly. Even my wings. Where are my clothes? My body was somehow fixed and well, and...wait. Now I’m convinced something is wrong. Very wrong. I’m more than sure feathers don’t fade into nothingness around the tips. Let alone look like they’re constantly turning into a mist like the rest of me.

I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel. What happened!? How did this happen!? Why am I white!? Why do I look like a pony-sized cloud in glass? Now that I think about it, where am I!? There’s nopony here! Where is everypony!? Anypony!? It’s just some hazy, empty...nothingness all around me. WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED!?

The sudden surge of questions and emotions got my heart racing. My breathing accelerated to keep up with my heart. My chest was hurting from both. My head was spinning and began throbbing so much; so much that I had to brace my head between my hooves. Oddly, as the feeling got more intense, so did the blowing wind around me; encircling me and howling loudly in my ears. They began ringing, bringing more pain as the pitch escalated. I pulled my head down to the blank surface, almost falling belly first.

This is insane! This is insane! This is insane!! Where am I!? What happened!? Where is anypony!? Somepony!? ANYPONY!? My head! Make it stop! Make my head stop spinning! Hurting!

Out of the blue my body jolted still. My trembling was gone. My head pain snapped out like a fire. Somehow my breathing calmed down and I could feel my heart slow. The howling wind was calming down to a soft and gentle whisper. I let go of my head and lifted my gaze a bit.

There was something in the mist. A shaped silhouette obscured by the mist, some distance from me. It just stood there like a statue.

I got up and took two hesitant steps. I know this could be a trap or something, but this is the first thing I’ve seen since about 15 minutes ago.

“Lost…”

Huh? Odd. That voice was seemingly out of nowhere. Echoing in the vast emptiness like it was a closed room. Didn’t stop to even think how smooth the voice was. So serene. So welcoming. The echos themselves seemed worked their way into my head, making everything sound like I was getting an echo upon echo; one after the other, after the other.

“Seek…”

The shape disappeared, and some unknown force was just telling me to follow. Maybe they knew something. Maybe a way out? I can’t be sure, but...I need to know.

My hesitation melted and I was able to move again. I just bolted to where I last saw the shape, moving at an alarming speed that I never thought I could achieve. It was just frustrating that it felt like I was making no progress at all. I stopped running after ten minutes. Didn’t run out of breath, and I can’t believe I couldn’t find them. I swore I saw them disappear this-

There something in front of me. It looked so out of place, but at the same time, it didn’t. It was a tunnel. This tunnel...it was made of the ambient mist. I could see the vapor arching and encircling the dark opening. Seemingly leading to nowhere. No light at the end of that tunnel.

I felt my ears twitch. The wind that came from it carried an alluring voice that whispered and hummed in my ear. It sounded so beautiful.

My vision seemed to tunnel into the black opening. My senses went numb, and I somehow lost control of myself. Through my own eyes I see myself shuffling into the tunnel against my own will. The edges of my vision were going black. I could feel myself straining towards something.

The hum grew louder the further I went in. The wind blowing in my face somehow turned into a sweet-sour fragrance. Now my vision is encased in darkness, and in that black void I saw a greenish mist. It seeped from nowhere, then the thick clouds turned into elongating, snake-like tendrils that slithered across the emptiness towards my reluctant body. The closer the mist tendrils came, the more anxious I got. What are these things?

I started feeling weak. Like I was losing myself. My blurring vision saw white mist pulling towards the tendrils. The mist was coming from me. What’s going on!?

My body stopped, and the tendrils snaked closer and closer towards me. I tried regaining control of myself while I had strength left in me. My body wouldn’t respond. My anxiety turned into full fledged panic when the situation triggered the memory of the Power Armor Incident. I tried desperately to move, but I just couldn’t. Fuck me!

The hum was growing louder. So loud I couldn’t hear myself thinking anymore. But I started hearing something in it. Like there was somepony else in that voice. Someponies? It sounded like smaller voices under the dominant one. I couldn’t tell if it was the wind or my Insomnia-like weakness playing tricks on me.

There was something coming towards me. The shape. I could see it outlined by yet another ominous glow in front of me. It came to me, slowly walking with ounces upon ounces of near elegant patience. These tendrils didn’t seem to go for it. They just, slowly curved back around from the shape- like two reversed magnets.

I was sharply yanked from the back and was pulled out of the darkness like a laser from it’s rifle muzzle. The hum turned to fading shrieks when I was basked in a radiant white light.

The ordeal left me worn, and I closed my eyes to the rising warmth of the white light.

≈ ≈ ≈ | ≈ ≈ ≈

I jolted awake and autonomically pulled myself sharply upright, gasping for air. I gulped the cold oxygen around me with my chest heaving hard to take it all in. My body felt wet and cold. Something was trying to hold me down from the chest. I heard metallic objects fall some ways ahead of me.

My eyes adjusted to the light, and my breathing slowed but was still taking in large quantities of air. There was a pony in a yellow gown and medical mask staring at me from the right in surprise. The force I felt earlier was his hoof pressed up against my chest. The noise was an assistant knocking over a tray of tools. She looked like she’s seen a ghost.

I scanned the room blankly with wide eyes. There were flat, steel tables in a neat row on the other side of the room. Each one had a black bag of sorts resting on them. I heard something crinkle when my back legs moved. I looked at them only to see a halfway zipped black bag over them.

I looked over to the pegasus on my right and stared at him with my still wide, but now questioning eyes. “Where am I?”

Author's Note

So, I've managed to get out this many chapters in a short while. Pays to have the drafts in G-Docs. Got any questions about the story? Concerns? Or just curious? Feel free to leave comments, I don't mind a friendly conversation. :)