The Hardest Fight...

December 1st, 2005

It's been over a year since Maria faced her demons in Antarctica. After eliminating the clowns that had overtaken the continent, she returned to the United States. Her and Twilight were currently investigating the events from Maria's hometown, Americus.

"Do you hear that?"

"No. What is it?"

"It sounds like someone's in that store over there."

"Are you sure?"

Twilight nodded.

"Any clowns?"

"I'm not sure. I just hear breathing and footsteps."

"Okay. You know the drill."

Maria readied her weapon just in case. They quickly made their way to the occupied location. Maria opened the door ever so slowly. Twilight used her horn to illuminate the building.

"Hold it!"

A figure dropped what it was holding and held its hands in the air.

"Wait! Don't shoot," a male voice said.

"Wait a minute; you're just a kid?"

"Yeah! My name's James!"

"Why are you here?"

"I've been looking for a safe city for three months! I was hungry, so I broke in! I'm sorry!"

"It's okay, James. Just calm down. My name's Maria. We're here to rescue you."

"What the heck is that thing!?"

"Rude...," Twilight replied.

"It's a long story. Let's just get you out of here and somewhere safe, alright?"

"Where can we go!?"

"I can get my hands on one of the abandoned cars around here. If we can make it to Texas, you should be safe there."

"But Maria, what about finding the truth here," Twilight asked.

"This is more important. Besides, I know enough. Americus was one of the earliest cities that was attacked."

"We should probably move, then. Sticking around here is risky."

"Seriously."

Maria left the store with a canister of gas. She returned a few minutes later in a red mustang.

"Hop in."

"What do I do with these strap things," Twilight asked once she was in the car.

"Pull the belt across you. It'll click into the buckle receptacle on the other side."

"Oh, okay. Earth technology is so strange."

"Are you guys government operatives or something?"

"More like vigilantes," Maria responded to James' question.

"James, when we get to Texas, don't tell anyone about me," Twilight commanded, "We have enough problems as it is."

"I understand. I don't think anyone would believe me anyway."

Maria started driving.

"Do you have any family we need to find first," she inquired.

"They're all dead..."

"..."

"..."

Maria drove on, eventually leaving the city. The sky cried tears of grief as it had done for so many days before. Every last person was ready for this nightmare to be over once and for all...