The Division-Lost Hope

As the train headed towards the Griffon border, Twilight looked over at Nick and Anubis, who were telling the various Equestrian leaders of the Manhattan Outbreak.

"So, this "Gordon Amherst"..." said Iron Wrath, the Minotaur leader. "created this virus as a population check?"

"Yes." Nick said. "His current whereabouts are unknown, but we've presumed him dead based on evidence we found in his lab. Right now, our main suspect for whoever started this outbreak here is a man named Aaron Keener. A former SHD agent, Keener betrayed The Division and went Rogue, with several other agents who sympathized with him. Now, we suspect he's in this world, and since we last checked, he had the materials and tools to make a new strain of the Green Poison."

"And is there no cure?" Ember asked.

Nick gave a hollow laugh.

"Cure? We're still making the goddamn vaccine. A cure is a far future development. We made it to 75 percent of the vaccine for the strain on our world, but seeing as this world lacks the tech needed to make a vaccine for this strain...we're still got a lot of work to do." Nick said.

"But...you said this Smallpox disease was eradicated." Thorax said. "How was it revived?"

"Easy. Amherst stole samples from a human laboratory in Russia. A virologist named Vitaly Tchernenko was working with him. Vitaly was kidnapped by Keener's agents, and we still have yet to locate him. Anyway, when we arrive, we'll need to see who's in charge, and coordinate a response. Judging from what happened in our world when the Green Poison hit, factions will rise up to take control of supplies, arms, and territory. We'll need to have every Response unit armed and ready for combat if needed. Plus, we'll need basic supplies such as food and water. We'll need anyone who's medically trained. People that can fight, too." Anubis said.

Nick nodded to his squadmate, just as the train whistle blew.

"We're here!" Twilight said, walking in. The agents grabbed their bags, and the leaders disembarked to a military-style base on the outskirts of Griffonstone. Several members of each species on Equis were doing their tasks at a frantic pace.

"Who's in charge here!?" Nick yelled at a passing dragon.

"If you're looking for General Razor, he's at the mayor's office, in town!" The dragon replied. "Not sure what you're doing here, though. Everything past the gate's already gone off the deep end!"

"We'll handle it." Nick said. As the agents headed into town, followed by the JTF soldiers, they approached the town hall, Nick saw several griffons carrying swords arguing with relief workers.

"On standby." Nick said. As agents approached, the conversation grew louder.

"I'm sorry, but we can't spare any more." the Changeling said. "We gave you your allotted amount for the day."

"We have kids! They need food!" the lead griffon said.

"We can't give any more!" The Changeling replied as the Griffons advanced. Nick fired a warning shot from his recently-acquired CM901 assault rifle, and the two groups froze.

"Head home." Nick said. "They said they couldn't give any more. We'll get more supplies soon, but for now, make do. That's an order."

The Griffons looked at the humans nervously before heading off. The Changeling sighed before walking.

"Thanks. Thought I was dead for sure." he said. "I'll take you to General Razor."

As the humans walked, they noticed several doors marked with yellow skulls.

"Bodies." the Changeling said. "We can't bury them en masse, since most of the Griffons are sick. We've had to burn them."

"Good thing. Burning the bodies stops the contamination from spreading." Nick said, thinking of the Cleaners. "We know."

"Alright. The General's in here." The changeling saluted, and walked off. The agents walked into the room, and were greeted by a large griffon with pale blue feathers, and a black face.

"Glad to meet you, whoever you are." he said. "Here to help?"

"In a sense." Kestrel said. "We're advisors from our world, as this virus originally came from our world."

Razor scoffed.

"I had a feeling it was that. What's your operational strength?"

"Twenty-seven total personnel, are combat and first-aid certified. They can't be assigned combat duties, however. We need them mainly as advisors."

"Done." Razor said. "The gate's been sealed for now."

Razor motioned to a large wall with an oaken gate, which had a magic shield on covering the top.

"That's the only entrance into the quarantine." he said. "We haven't sent any units in, because we don't know if they'll drop dead upon entry."

"We can fix that." Nick said, taking out a Mask filter. "SHD Virus Protection Filters, level 4. If you can synthesize these, and make masks for your units, you'll be protected."

"Good. I'll have my technicians get to work." Razor said. "Did you bring supplies?"

"Yeah, as much as we could spare." Logan said. "We're in a similar situation. Quarantines, rioting, destruction. Sound familiar?"

"Yes." Razor said. "Do what you can. See you around."

The agents saluted and walked back outside. Twilight was speaking with Celestia,Sunset Shimmer, and her friends, who had recently arrived. Nick walked over and sighed.

"The General's on board. We just need to start making protection gear, and we'll be able to start heading into the quarantine."

"Good…" Celestia said, when ISAC then spoke.

"WARNING. POTENTIAL HOSTILES INCOMING!"

Then, the sound of footsteps was heard, and a large crowd of armed Griffons approached, and they looked out for blood. As the team assumed combat positions, Nick walked forward apprehensively.

"Where's the food!" the leader roared.

Nick walked up to him, and slapped him.

"Get. your. shit. straight." Nick said. "Look around. What do you see?"

The griffon took a few looks around.

"Just the town." he said.

"I see something different." Nick said. "I see potential. Instead of focusing on what isn't happening, focus on what could happen, if you work to do it. We know what it's like. To be uncertain. The best thing to do, instead of riot and destroy...is work together. Work together to restore what you've lost. Now, head home. I'll see if I can find more food for you, alright?"

The griffons looked at him, nodded, lowered their swords, and walked off. Nick walked back to an astounded audience.

"Let's get to work." he said.