The Last of Equestria

“We’ll have to go outside the Zone limits to get to the warehouse, won't we?” I ask.

“Yeah, which means we've got stay on guard at all times when we do,” Sapphire replies “take this next right, it'll take us outside of the part of The Wall that's a bit closer to the warehouse than the normal way. It'll save some time.”

“Lead the way, Boss,” I say.

Sapphire gives me a small smirk and trots ahead of me as the walls narrow and split into two. I follow her down the right passageway and look down at the shotgun I'm carrying. As we trot down the tunnel, I think about the past twenty years, all I've done between the day this all started and now, and what my daughter would think of my actions. Ivory was such a kind young filly with a big, compassionate heart and had a knack for being the helping hoof everypony needed. I know she would've grown up like that, too. I was Ivory's greatest role model, her hero as she used to say. I have a feeling that she, wherever she may be right now, is disappointed in my actions. I've done what I've had to do to survive, even if that entailed killing somepony innocent and taking their belongings. It seems that the day that law and order left this world, my sense of morality went with it. Can't say I'm happy or proud of the way I live my life and the choices I make, but- despite minor hiccups from time to time, like this whole thing with Cobalt’s betrayal- things are going good and I don't plan on changing it for anypony.

Up ahead, I can see light coming into the tunnel from the outside. Sapphire leads us out of the dark, narrow tunnel and into a large, wide clearing. Overgrowth clings tightly to the walls of the dilapidated buildings around us. Sunlight shines brightly above in the empty, blue sky. Birds perch at the edges of the tops of the buildings and communicate to each other through chirps and whistles.

“I love it when we leave the Quarantine Zone,” Sapphire says “something about it just makes everything seem so stuffy and bleak, but when we come out here, the world- putting aside all the bullshit- just feels so lively and full of color, not to mention free.”

“It might be a shithole, but at least it keeps us safe,” I say “but it does feel nice to get away sometimes.”

“Well, that's enough scenery watching for now,” Sapphire says, trotting forward “we've still got a rat to catch.”

Wordlessly, I follow Sapphire across the clearing and into the back door of a dilapidated hotel. Ivy and other plant life grow inside, covering the yellow chipped walls and dark brown wood moldings. Weeds grow from the cracks of the old tile flooring.

“I used to stay here on my business trips to Canterlot before everything went to shit,” Sapphire says “it was a nice place.”

“Did those business trips include your various illegal activities?” I question.

“Perhaps,” Sapphire answers “I may or may not have had a major role in the thefts of very valuable objects.”

Sapphire stops and looks back at me with an affectionate smile on her face.

“What?” I question.

“I know this gonna sound out of the blue and very random, but, I just wanted to say thank you for being my partner in crime- sometimes in bed too- and for always having my back,” Sapphire answers “before the apocalypse started, I had my fair share of partners, ponies I thought I could trust, but in the end they always betrayed me. You… you've stayed by my side for the past seventeen years and I can tell you have no intentions of changing that either. As much you like to deny it and act like an emotionless brute, I know you genuinely care for me as a best friend, partner in crime and… hmm… we're not really lovers per se, but… uh… damn, what's the term I'm looking for?”

“I think you're probably looking for 'friends with benefits’, but, I'm willing to admit we've got something more than just friendship going on,” I say.

“Maybe when we get back, we can take some time off, lay low and all that,” Sapphire says “just you and me, whaddya say?”

“Sounds good to me,” I say with a small smile.

“Let's keep going,” Sapphire says “if we keep stopping like this to talk, Ocean Breeze’ll get to Cobalt before we do.”

I simply nod my head and follow closely behind Sapphire as she continues to lead us through the ground floor of the hotel. We make small talk as we exit through the front door and follow the street down to an old bookstore. Much like the buildings nearby, it's run down, falling apart and in the process of being taken over with plant growth.

Before we go in, Sapphire stops and points out the spores growing inside. From the shop windows, I can see the fairy wing-like fungi growing out of the walls, ceiling and shelves in different places. Some fungal bodies are pinkish in color while some look almost red wine in color. The plates and spores themselves that grow from the fungal bodies are a sickly whitish-grey color. The air inside of the bookstore looks almost if it was snowing due to the spore particles floating around inside.

Sapphire and I pull out our gas masks without a word and secure them tightly around our faces.

“Spores. That's a sign that infected could be nearby, so stay alert and keep the noise to a minimum,” Sapphire says.

I simply nod my head and follow Sapphire inside. We carefully and quietly make our way through the front of the small shop, avoiding the spore and fungal bodies the best we can. We quietly slink our way around the checkout counter and head through the door leading to the back area of the store. Sapphire and I pass by a small office and enter a dark storage warehouse shared with the other buildings. We turn on our flashlights and pass by a multiple shelves with boxes crammed onto them and make our way towards a sign that says 'Maintenance’.

As we pass by a forklift, I hear snarling coming from nearby. Simultaneously, we turn off our flashlights. Sapphire gestures towards my shotgun and horn, both of which are enveloped with bright orange colored magic. I grab my shotgun and hold it with my hooves to avoid dropping it as I stop using my magic to hold onto it. I holster my shotgun and crouch down to make myself quieter as we move across the area quietly.

In the darkness, I accidentally trip over a box and send a metal can skittering across the floor. Both incidents make enough noise to attract the attention of the source of the snarling.

“Shit, shit, shit,” I mumble under my breath.

Sapphire and I stop and listen to the source of the snarling. Something in the darkness stumbles around, snarling and growling. Whatever it is seems to stop nearby and becomes quiet. It's listening for us to make a noise so it can come after us.

As quietly as I can, I gently feel for something to throw. My hoof settles on a glass bottle. I pick it up and hurl it as far as I can behind me. The bottle lands with a resounding shatter and the snarling moves from nearby to the other side of the storage area. Quickly and quietly, Sapphire and I move towards the maintenance sign.

A metallic garage-esque door blocks our path. Sapphire quickly grabs the chain that opens the door and begins to yank on it. The sound of the door opening echoes across the shared storage area and alerts the source of the snarling to our location. I ready my shotgun and prepare to defend Sapphire as she works to open the door.

“Here,” Sapphire grunts as she pulls on the chain “go through and hold it open.”

I crouch down and make my way through the small opening Sapphire made and quickly get back up. I grunt as the weight of the door shifts onto my hooves as I hold it open. Sapphire slides under the door which allows me to let go and let the door drop and close with a loud bang. On the other side, the source of the snarling bangs on the door, growling and snarling. The area is spore free and the air is clear and breathable.

“That was close,” Sapphire says quietly “not that we couldn't have handled a couple of Runners.”

“I didn't mean to trip on that box and step on those cans,” I say, equally as quiet “I didn't see them there.”

“It's fine, don't worry about it,” Sapphire says, turning back on her flashlight and removing her gas mask.

I nod my head and copy her actions. Together, our flashlights illuminate the hallway ahead of us as we trot on in silence. We make our way through maintenance area of the building and come to a small, almost bare room. A long, empty table sits on the far end of the room. Next to it is a broken and overturned vending machine.

Sapphire trots up a small set of steps and partially opens a door. A colt about ten years of age comes up to the door and is given a ration card and instructed by Sapphire to check the area for soldiers and or any of Cobalt's followers. We wait for a couple minutes before hearing three knocks on a nearby window. Sapphire opens the door and trots outside. I follow behind her closely as she leads us into the slum area of the Quarantine Zone. A stallion tries his best to get Sapphire’s interest in something he's selling, however she brushes him off and continues to trot through the slums. Various mares and stallions give us cold stares as we pass through.

Sapphire leads us through a small bus and around a small mover’s van. A young pegasus mare smoking a cigarette and leaning against the wall looks at us as we approach.

“Good afternoon, you two,” the young mare says “what brings you to the slums?”

“Afternoon, Callus,” Sapphire says, holding out a ration card “we're looking for Cobalt. He still hiding out in the warehouse?”

Callus gives Sapphire a skeptical look as she accepts the ration card and gestures towards the nearby alley with her head.

“Yeah, he's still there. Got his lackeys on guard all over the perimeter,” Callus answers as she blows smoke from her nostrils.

Sapphire nods her head and trots towards the alley. I follow her silently and focus my gaze on the stock of my shotgun. We follow the alleyway into a large open area littered with chest high crates and boxes. As we approach the other side, two rough looking mares- one a unicorn and the other an earth pony- and a male griffon come through a opening on the other side.

“I suggest you and your little fuck buddy turn around and get the hell outta here right now,” The lead mare- the unicorn- growls as she unholsters her pistol.

Sapphire looks at me then back at the mare.

“We just want to talk to Cobalt,” Sapphire says “we don't got any beef with you, so step aside and let us go.”

“To talk with what? Your guns?” The mare scoffs “I don't have any beef with you either, none of us do personally, but Cobalt is our boss so I'm gonna tell you one more time to get the fuck out of here before I blow your damn brains out.”

“Alright, fine,” Sapphire says with a sigh “you've left me with no choice.”

With a loud, resounding bang, the mare falls to the ground motionless as blood pours from the wound between her eyes. Sapphire and I dive for cover as bullets begin to fly. The griffon takes to the air and begins to fire at us from the sky. I focus on him and aim my shotgun at his wings. I pull the trigger and watch as the bullets find a home inside of his wing. The shot causes him to fall from the air and land not far from me. Without waiting for him to recover, I quickly reload and end his life with a couple of shells to the head. Sapphire makes quick work of the other mare and trots over to me.

“You hurt?” She questions.

“Nope. You?” I answer.

“Nah, I'm fine,” Sapphire says “check the bodies for ammo.”

I nod my head begin to search the griffon's corpse. I confiscate his boxes of handgun ammunition.

“If he's good at one thing, it's writing blank checks,” I comment as I search the unicorn mare for anything useful.

“Tch, definitely,” Sapphire agrees “whelp, let's go exterminate our rat.”

Together, we trot on through the opening and go down another alleyway before coming to a large brick warehouse with '2-B’ painted in white above the partially open door. Sapphire and I sneak up to one of the windows and peer inside.

Armed mares, stallions and griffons patrol the inside of the warehouse in various numbers.

“See those crates over there?” Sapphire questions, gesturing to the left side of the warehouse.

“Yeah, I see 'em,” I answer.

“Our best bet it to sneak in through that side door and use those crates as cover,” Sapphire says excitedly.

“There's one, two… thirty one guards inside,” I say “there's no way we have enough ammo to take them all out.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Sapphire asks.
“I think our best bet would be for us to teleport up onto that top terrace where that box is at near that door,” I reply “Cobalt's more than likely hiding out in an office or something up there.”

“Can you really teleport us that far?” Sapphire questions.

“If I can teleport two full grown ponies and a little filly to the Ghastly Gorge from Ponyville, then I can teleport two full grown mares from a window to behind a box inside of a warehouse,” I answer.

“Then what are you waiting for?” Sapphire asks “take us there.”

With a flash of bright light, Sapphire and I find ourselves inside of the warehouse and behind a large box. Quickly and quietly, we move towards the door, open it and slip inside. To prevent anypony from following us, as soon as she shuts the door, Sapphire blocks the handle with a chair.

“That went better than I thought it would,” Sapphire says quietly.

“I know nothing makes your day more than bashing some brains and spilling some blood, but we don't always have that luxury,” I say “ammo IS limited and we need to use it wisely. Dove did give us a few extra boxes this time, but that doesn't mean we should spend them needlessly.”

“Sheesh, thanks for the lecture,” Sapphire says sarcastically “c’mon let's go get Cobalt.”

I exhale sharply and follow Sapphire. We trot down a short hallway before coming to a stop in front of an office door. Sapphire takes a deep breath in before kicking the door open. Inside, an earth pony stallion with a grey coat and a dark blue mane flinches hard at the sound of the door hitting the ground with a hard thud. The young unicorn mare who had previously been going to town on the stallion’s privates screams and cowers in the corner as we enter with our weapons drawn. The stallion tucks in his junk and nervously gets out of his chair.

“Honey Cake! Sapphire! S-sorry you had to see that, I-” His sentence is interrupted by Sapphire.

“Cut the crap, Cobalt,” Sapphire sneers “you know damn well why we're here.”

“Look, wh-whatever you heard, it wasn't true, okay?” Cobalt says nervously.

“First of all, you owe us a large shipment of weapons that you said would be given to us within a week and it's now been three. Whole. Weeks,” Sapphire growls “secondly, you sent two of your jerkass lackeys to pick me off. There's not a single damn thing you can do to get yourself out of this pickle, Cobalt.”

“That is, unless you have you our weapons,” I interject.

“Do you, Cobalt?” Do you have them?” Sapphire questions.

“It's… it's complicated, okay? You wouldn't understand,” Cobalt answers.

“Is that so?” Sapphire questions, looking to me then back at Cobalt.

I teleport behind Cobalt and quickly disarm him and pin him to the ground.

“I'm only going to ask you one more time,” Sapphire says “where. Are. Our. Weapons?”

“I-I sold them! I sold them!” Cobalt exclaims “there, now let me go!”

“Why? So your friend over there can go back to sucking you off?” Sapphire sneers “tell us who you sold them to or I'll have Honey here break something of yours.”

“I-I can't tell you,” Cobalt stutters.

Sapphire gives me a look as if to say 'do it’. I grab Cobalt’s left foreleg and begin to bend it backwards until we hear a satisfying snap. Cobalt lets out a yelp of pain as he begins to squirm beneath me.

“Fuck! Y-You win, okay?! I'll… I'll tell you!” Cobalt exclaims “I sold them to the Fireflies, okay?? You happy now??”

“No, not really. Know why? Because you sold our weapons to the FIREFLIES!” Sapphire snaps “WHY, Cobalt?? Why would you do that, hm?”

“I… I owed them, okay? Th-they did me a favor a few years back and now that they're in a tight spot, they needed some extra firepower,” Cobalt explains “look, they're basically all wiped out at this point. Why don't we just go in there, show them who's really in charge and get your guns and whatnot back, whaddya say?”

“I say that's the most stupidest plan I've ever heard,” Sapphire says coldly as she draws her pistol and puts a bullet between his eyes.

“Now what do we do?” I question with a sigh as I stand up.

“Well, I suppose we go find ourselves a Firefly,” Sapphire answers.

“Pfft- That’s easier said than done, y’know,” I snark.

“Or maybe not after all,” Sapphire says, gesturing behind me.

I turn my head and fixate my gaze on the pegasus mare entering through the window behind me. Her mane is a sandy brown color with a single white stripe through the middle and is styled into a single, sweeping wave. Crimson blood stains the turquoise skin of her neck, chest and left foreleg. On her back, two rifles are fitted and strapped onto saddlebags. In her mouth is a pistol that she holsters as soon as she's completely inside.

“What are you two doing here?” The mare questions.

“Business,” Sapphire answers “what are you doing here, Ocean Breeze?”.

“What in the hell happened to you?” I ask.

“Don't worry about it, I'm fine,” Ocean Breeze replies “I'm looking for Cobalt Blue. Have you seen him?”

I stand up and back away from Cobalt's body with a small smirk on my face. Ocean Breeze takes in a deep breath and exhales sharply.

“I needed him alive,” she says in a calm yet annoyed tone.

Ocean Breeze takes a step towards us and lets out an exasperated sigh. She looks towards the young mare cowering in the corner and stares at her.

“And we needed or weapons cache,” Sapphire retorts “they weren't his to sell to you, you know”

“I paid for those weapons. I'm not going to hand them over to you just like that,” Ocean Breeze says coldly “you want them back? You're going to have to earn them.”

“Excuse me?! Excuse-fucking-me?!” Sapphire exclaims, charging at Ocean Breeze.

I grab Sapphire and hold her back and watch as she berates Ocean Breeze.

“You paid for them?! We paid for them first. They were- scrap that, ARE- ours after we signed the deal with Cobalt Blue!” Sapphire shouts “you're going to give the weapons to us or else! We’ll make sure you and the rest of your little militia buddy-buddy group gets completely wiped out!”

“Look, I'm not going to give them to you for free,” Ocean Breeze says calmly “but if you do something for me, I'll give you back what Cobalt Blue owed you and then some.”

Sapphire looked up at me then back at Ocean Breeze and let's out a long sigh.

“Fine, fine. I'll bite,” Sapphire says “what do you want? Ration cards? New recruits? A part of Underground territory?”

“I don't need or want any of that,” Ocean Breeze says “I just need somepony to smuggle something out of the city for me. Smuggle it for me and I promise you’ll get double cobalt blue was supposed to give you.”

“You need something smuggled? We can do that,” Sapphire says “but how do we know you've got our goods?”

"You can come with me, I can get patched up, I can show you what I've promised and and then I'll show you what you're smuggling,” Ocean Breeze explains “but if you're going to do this for me, we've got to get going. Soldiers will be here soon looking for me. So what do you say? You in?”

Sapphire looks at me for a sign of approval. I nod my head slightly and look at Ocean Breeze.

“We're in,” Sapphire says.

“Good, let's go,” Ocean Breeze says, turning back to the window.

“Wait! Wait!” The young mare in the corner exclaims “take me with you! If soldiers are coming, I know they'll kill me for associating with Cobalt Blue! I don't want to die and I know I can be of some use!”

"Stsh. Give us one good reason,” Sapphire says.

“Okay, first let me just say the only reason I was here was because he said he would pay a shit ton of ration cards to sleep with him and whatnot,” The young mare says quickly “I just wanted to help feed my little brothers and my grandma and I didn't know what else to do. It was so many ration cards!”

“How many?” I ask.

“Two hundred and fifty,” The young mare replies.

“Bastard must've been equally as desperate,” Sapphire sneers.

“But to answer your question, miss, I'm a really good medic,” The young mare says “I know a few healing spells too for when there aren't any bandages. I have experience out there- outside of the wall and the city- and I know how to handle a gun. I'm better at defense and support, though, so I'm best put to use with medical equipment and things of the like.”

Sapphire and I look at each other, debating the situation with our eyes rather than words. After a moment, Sapphire looks at the mare and sighs.

“Fine, you can come with us,” Sapphire says.

“Oh, thank you! Thank you! You won't regret it!” The young mare exclaims gratefully as she stands “my name is Zephyr Hearts, by the way.”

“If you're done recruiting new Underground members,” Ocean Breeze begins “there's a special cargo that needs smuggling and a injured mare that needs medical attention.”

“I can help!” Zephyr exclaims “what kind of wounds are they?”

“Gunshots,” Ocean Breeze says “I think one of the bullets is still inside me. I pulled the other two out.”

“I was taught that should you get wounded and the object that caused it is still inside you, you should leave it be until you get medical attention,” Zephyr says.

“If you can fix me, do it quickly,” Ocean Breeze says in an impatient tone “the longer I wait, the more likely I'll be found by ERMR soldiers and executed on the spot.”

“Right, right,” Zephyr says “I know three different medical spells. I know three spells of various strengths that will completely heal external wounds, one for healing internal wounds and an x-ray spell. Would you say all your injuries are external?”

“I'm pretty sure they're mostly external,” Ocean Says “and before you ask, use the strongest healing spell. I'm basically running on fumes at this point.”

“Is that why you've been so cooperative and non-hostile with us?” Sapphire asks.

“Partly the reason, yes,” Ocean Breeze replies “believe or not, I'm only hostile and rude when I have to be. Usually, I'm pretty relaxed and kind.”

Sapphire rolls her eyes and looks down at Cobalt. I watch on as Zephyr chunters on about the various medical knowledge she has as her horn begins to glow a peach-red color. With a brief flash of light, the wounds on Ocean Breeze's body slowly begin to disappear.

“Damn, that feels good. Beats morphine anytime,” Ocean Breeze says “now that that's out of the way, let's go.”

“Lead the way,” Sapphire says.

Ocean Breeze climbs back out of the window and flies over to a nearby roof.

“I assume you unicorns still know how to teleport?” Ocean Breeze calls from the roof.

“I do,” I call back.

“Me too!” Zephyr calls.

“Then hurry up,” Ocean Breeze calls “soldiers will be here soon and then we won't make it to my side of town. Well, we might but it's not likely.”

In the blink of an eye, Sapphire and I find ourselves on the roof near Ocean Breeze and Zephyr Hearts. We follow Ocean Breeze as she trots across the rooftop and jumps onto the next. The four of us traverse from rooftop to rooftop until we reach the roof of another hotel.

“Where exactly are we going?” I ask.

“To the temporary Firefly camp we had to set up in the Canterlot mines,” Ocean Breeze replies “we were hold up in the Castle, but then the military came in anc took it, but we still have the dungeons under our control. The dungeons are our main base of operations, however, we've set up an evac camp in the mines just in case, and most of my crew lives down there.”

“So where exactly is our payment?” Sapphire questions.

“In the dungeons,” Ocean Breeze answers “I figured I'd go ahead and hand over the cargo to you first. The tunnels we set up beneath this hotel lead to the dungeons and the evac camp.”

“Are they safe?” Zephyr asks.

“For now,” Ocean Breeze replies “the tunnel is very well hidden, so unless you're either a Firefly or an ally of the Firefly, you'd never find it. I trust that when this is all said and done, you'll keep the location a secret.”

“Don't worry, after we get back and get our weapons, we don't want anything else to do with the Fireflies,” Sapphire says “after what happened before between the Underground and the Fireflies, we really could care less if you all get wiped out.”

“The feeling's mutual,” Ocean Breeze says.

“Wait, what happened?” Zephyr questions.

“There was this big area of unclaimed territory both of our groups wanted. We fought of over it for a bit, but then an agreement was made that we would share it,” Ocean Breeze explains “but our groups have very different ideals, morals and way of running things, so tensions were extremely high between those stationed there.”

“About two weeks in, a fight broke out between two ponies, a mare from the Underground named River Boone and a stallion from the Fireflies named Bull Barrelled,” Sapphire explains “it started out verbal, but then it escalated to physical. Then, Bull Barrelled pulled out his gun and shot River Boone right through the eyes.”

“Oh my,” Zephyr says quietly.

“River Boone's death was the straw the broke the camel’s back,” I say “almost immediately after, both sides began fighting again and it soon turned into a war. It ended when the military came in, claimed the territory and drove us out. Since then, if an Underground member sees a Firefly in or approximately twenty yards from Underground territory, they're given the right to shoot them. Same goes for the Fireflies. They see one of us in or twenty yards from their territory, they're given the right to shoot us too.”

“Why specifically twenty yards?” Zephyr asks.

“I don't remember, we just really said a reasonable number and went with it I think,” Ocean Breeze replies “but anyways, we need to get to the hotel basement, the tunnel entrance is there. Soldiers patrol this area and always search the hotel. There'll be another patrol here shortly so we need to be quick.”

“Lead the way then,” Sapphire says, gesturing at Ocean Breeze.

Ocean Breeze nods her head and trots over to the rooftop door of the hotel. She fishes a key out of her saddlebags and sticks into the lock. The key is turned and the door opens with a soft click. Ocean Breeze trots inside and leads us down several flights of stairs, the four of us making small and somewhat awkward talk as we walk. Finally, we make it to the basement door. Ocean Breeze fishes another key out of her bags and uses it to unlock the door. Once inside, I take a good look around.

The basement walls, ceiling and floor are made of concrete, chipped and cracked with age and neglect. The basement is mostly empty, save for a few washers and dryers, empty shelves and a few stacks of wooden pallets. Ocean Breeze trots up to the second to last pile of pallets and begins to push them over. With help from Sapphire, the pallets move over to reveal a hole in the basement floor.

“Will you the two of you move the pallets back after you jump into the tunnel?” Ocean Breeze questions Zephyr and I.

Zephyr and I nod our heads in response. Ocean Breeze gives us a small smile before jumping down into the hole. Sapphire follows suit and disappears into the hole below. I let Zephyr enter first and follow after her. Together, we use our magic to pull the wood pallets back over the hole. The four of us are enveloped in darkness. Sapphire, Ocean Breeze and I turn on our flashlights.

“So, can we have some details on our cargo?” Sapphire asks as we trot down the tunnel.

“Let's just say, for now, that the cargo is extremely important, precious and must be protected with your lives at all times,” Ocean Breeze replies.

“Okay, then. That's extremely vague,” Sapphire says “so where exactly does this cargo need to be delivered?”

“Vanhoover,” Ocean Breeze says.

“Vanhoover?!” Sapphire exclaims “do you realize how far that is?!”

“I do, which is why I'm only going to ask you to take the cargo to a Firefly facility in Ponyville,” Ocean Breeze says “from there, a group of Fireflies will take the cargo to Vanhoover.”

“Ponyville? Okay, that isn't so bad,” Sapphire says “it'll be a pain in the ass to reach, but that's a pretty reasonable distance.”

“How will we know where to go? How will we be able to identify the facility?” I question.

“You're aware of Princess Twilight's Castle, correct?” Ocean Breeze questions.

“Yeah, why?” I ask.

“That's your target; the Castle of Friendship,” Ocean Breeze says “since the Princesses and the Elements of Harmony went north to the Crystal Empire, the Castle has been vacant. We're making great use of it.”

“This'll be an easy run,” Sapphire says proudly “we can just teleport there and back.”

“I can only teleport so much a certain distance,” I say.

“That's okay, Zephyr can teleport too,” Sapphire says.

“Yeah, but I dunno where Ponyville is,” Zephyr says “to teleport, we've got to have a mental image of where we're going.”

Silence creeps over us as we trot through tunnel. The pony-made tunnel reminds me of that of a mine, with the walls, ceiling and floor comprised of nothing more than dirt and sturdied with wooden beams. The occasional lit lantern hangs from the topmost beams. The tunnel is wide enough for two ponies to walk through it side by side. Ocean Breeze and Sapphire walk side by side, the temporary truce more than likely the only thing keeping them both from tearing each other apart. Zephyr and I trot closely behind the two of them.

I looked over at Zephyr and take a good look at her. Her coat is a nice shade of pink and her mane and tail are a solid crimson, her eyes a dark teal. Her cutiemark depicts a yellow caduceus atop a red cross and two white hearts at the top and bottom of the cross.

Those eyes… they remind of my daughter's. A small pang of sadness and regret echoes in my heart. Zephyr notices my staring and turns to look at me.

“Something the matter?” Zephyr asks.

“N-no, nothing's wrong,” I reply “I was just… your eyes… they, uh- nevermind, don't worry about it.”

Zephyr gives me a look of confusion. Sapphire and Ocean Breeze look back at us with similar looks.

“My eyes? Is there something wrong with them?” Zephyr questions.

“No, not at all. They just reminded me of something is all,” I answer.

Zephyr nods and looks down at my necklace.

“Is that a charm necklace? It's really pretty,” Zephyr says.

“Thanks, I got as a birthday gift from my little sister,” I say.

“Do the charms stand for anything?” Zephyr asks.

“Look, we aren't playing twenty questions, so just mind your fucking business, alright?” I snap angrily.

Zephyr winces as her ears flatten against her head and an apologetic look spreads on her face.

“Don't take it personally, Zeph,” Sapphire says “Honey Cake might sound sweet because of her name, but she's a total bitch.”

“Oh, jeez, thanks,” I say sarcastically as I roll my eyes.

“I'm just slightly kidding,” Sapphire says with a chuckle “but in all seriousness, it takes a lot of time and trust before Honey Cake will open up to you. She's been through a lot, even before the apocalypse.”

“I understand,” Zephyr says quietly “sorry for prodding you.”

“It's fine,” I say with a sigh.

Zephyr gives me a brief smile before turning gaze to the ground in front of her.

“I'm glad you decided against sharing your life’s story,” Ocean Breeze says “we don't have time for one.”

“Listen, I know we absolutely loathe each other but that's kind of fucked up,” Sapphire says defensively.

“No, no. I didn't mean it like that,” Ocean Breeze says “I meant that we're here at the camp entrance is all.”

Sapphire gives Ocean Breeze a skeptical look before turning her attention the wooden door in front us.

“That was quick,” Sapphire says in amazement.

“The mines is a large place. There are lots of entrances and exits,” Ocean Breeze says as she opens the door “it's easy to get lost, but that's only if you're foreign.”

The three of us follow Ocean Breeze into the rocky mines. We pass through several small, lantern-lit caves before coming to a large cavern dimly lit with hanging lanterns, barrel fires and campfires. Tents varying in size and color fill the cavern, giving it the appearance of that of a small town. Ponies and griffons roam the area sporting black and green protective vests with dark orange Firefly symbols emblazoned on the sleeves. A few of them greet Ocean Breeze as we trot by them. Some recognize Sapphire and I and give us cold glares.

“What are these two dumbass fuckers doing here?” A stallion asks a he trots up.

“Watch your tone, Braveheart,” Ocean Breeze says sternly “we don't speak of or to our allies like that, even if they're temporary ones.”

“They're our temporary ally? Them? The leaders of the Underground?” The stallion scoffs “are we really desperate?”

“I don't like it anymore than you do, but we won't get another shot at this,” Ocean Breeze says sternly “there's nopony else willing to do this. The only other pony who would be is dead.”

“Cobalt is dead?” The stallion questions.

“Yes, but I suppose that's what you get when you double cross the Underground,” Ocean Breeze “we, more than anypony, should know that.”

“I guess you're right,” The stallion says “but who killed him?”

Ocean Breeze stares at him for moment then at us and back at him again with an amused smile on her lips. The stallions raises an eyebrow for a moment before realizing the meaning of Ocean’s gesture. He turns and looks at us and scowls.

“You'll kill anypony who doesn't give you what you want, won't you?” He asks bitterly.

“Well, we want you to lose that attitude. Would you like to test that theory?” I say smugly.

A look of terror briefly flashes on his face. Nervously, he says goodbye to Ocean Breeze and trots off. Ocean Breeze looks back at us with an apologetic smile on her face.

“Sorry about that, but I guess with the feud between us, it's expected,” Ocean Breeze says.

Sapphire and I simply shrug our shoulders in response. Ocean Breeze faces her head forward as she trots inside of a large green tent, the three of us not far behind. Inside, three stallions, two mares and a male griffon stand around a table with a map pinned to it. To the right of the table, a young pegasus mares sits on some boxes fidgeting with a pocket knife. Her coat is about the same color as Zephyr's mane and her eyes are a baby blue color. Her mane and tail, which are styled into curls, are blue with green stripes.

They all turn and look at us as we enter. Ocean Breeze greets them and gives them a brief explanation on how Sapphire and I are temporary Firefly allies who will be smuggling their cargo. The only objections come from the young mare with the pocket knife.

“What? No! I'm not going with them!” She objects.

“River, we are not going to get another shot of getting you out of here,” Ocean Breeze says sternly “they're the only ones willing to do this. They smuggle things all the time, alright? They know what they're doing.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” I says “you mean to tell me we're smuggling a fucking teenager out of the city?”

“Why can’t y’all take her there yourselves?” Sapphire questions.

Ocean Breeze takes in a deep breath and exhales it sharply.

“I can't afford to send any of my ponies out of the city. We're spread then enough as it is. Who you see here? That's all of I've got left aside from the few back in the dungeons,” Ocean Breeze explains “please, just take her to the Castle of Friendship for me. You want those weapons, don't you?”

“We do, which is why we'll smuggle that brat for you,” Sapphire says “but what's so special about her?”

“She's… somepony special,” Ocean Breeze says, looking over at the young mare “I promised somepony I'd look at after her and… she's not safe here. In the city, I mean. Her name is River Rose and she… she's got a special… ability… that's vital to the Firefly cause.”

“I really have to go with them?” The young mare, who I presume to be River Rose, questions.

“Yes, you do,” Ocean Breeze answers.

“We're not smuggling jackshit until we verify the weapons we were promised,” Sapphire says.

“You can come with me to the dungeons to verify them, but River isn't going to that part of our territory,” Ocean Breeze says.

“That’s fine. Honey Cake can take her to the west tunnel and wait for me there,” Sapphire says.

“What? No, fuck that! I'm not babysitting her!” I protest.

Sapphire turns to me with a scowl on her face.

“This isn't a debatable matter, you're going to take her to the west tunnel and wait there,” Sapphire says sternly “I'm not asking you to get all buddy buddy with her, okay? Just watch her until I get back and then you can have zero interaction with her afterwards. Zephyr and I can handle that, right Zephyr?”

“Huh? Oh- yes ma'am.” Zephyr says with a nod.

“River, follow Honey Cake and her companion, Zephyr Hearts, and do as they say when they say it,” Ocean Breeze instructs “knowing you and your little rebellious self, you'll cause some trouble without a doubt, but don't cause them too much trouble, okay? Sapphire and Honey Cake- especially Honey Cake- don't fuck around. They'll more than likely shoot you if you piss them off. I can't say anything about Zephyr because we just met her, but don't give Zephyr hell either.”

“Oh, speaking of, please don't shoot her if she gets aggravating,” She adds.

“We won't, I promise,” Sapphire says with a smirk “we'll just leave her wherever and go on home.”

“If you want your weapons, I think it's wise that you don't that either,” Ocean Breeze says.

“Whelp, let's get this over with,” Sapphire says “the sooner it gets done, the better.”

“Sapphire, you'll follow me,” Ocean Breeze says “I assume you two remember the way out?”

“We do,” I say.

“Don't give the kid hell either, Honey,” Sapphire says quietly to me as she walks past.

***

“Curfew is now in full effect. Please return to your homes immediately. Anypony caught outside during curfew without proper authorization will be arrested and prosecuted,” A mare's voice announces.

Her voice echoes around the area as the three of us trot back through the slums. Ponies and griffons begin to close their shops and shuffle home. River Rose trots close to me and next to Zephyr, who is humming a catchy tune quietly.

“Attention all citizens. Harboring or aiding wanted criminals is punishable by death. Please, please do not place yourself at risk,” the same voice announces “please report any suspicious activity to the nearest ERMR soldier as soon as possible. Again, it is punishable by death to harbor or aide wanted criminals. Do not place yourself at risk.”

The announcement warning of the aiding or harboring of wanted criminals repeats itself three times by the time the three of us reach the entrance to the maintenance area.

I stop and turn to Zephyr and River Rose.

“There are spores in an area we have to pass through in here and a couple of Runners,” I say “the Runners are easy enough to avoid, the area they're at is very dark. The spores, well, they're unavoidable. Zephyr, you don't have anything on you. If you breathe in the spores, you're a goner.”

“So how are we going to get through if the two of us don't have masks?” River Rose questions.

“You don't have one either?” I question with a sigh “whatever, that won't matter for now. I'm just going to teleport us beyond the spores and Runners, so get ready.”

Bright orange magic envelops my horn and in the blink of an eye, the three of us find ourselves in a large clearing very familiar to me. I instruct Zephyr and River Rose to follow me through the tunnel Sapphire and I had previously taken earlier in the day. Zephyr and River Rose make small talk as we trot through the tunnel.

“We're going to make a pit stop before going to the west tunnel,” I say “we're going to visit a friend of mine and get some gear from her so that Zephyr will have something to protect herself with, along with a medical kit to treat injuries with since she prefers to be a medic than a fighter, which is fine.”

“What about me? All I have is a pocket knife,” River Rose says.

“No, absolutely not. We might run into a little bit of trouble along the way, but nothing that will need a little filly to help us with,” I say coldly “you're just fine as you are with that pocket knife.”

River Rose mumbles something inaudible beneath her breath. I look back at and glare coldly at her.

“So, uh, this tunnel you're taking me to. Do you use it to smuggle things?” River Rose questions, trying to change the subject.

“Me, Sapphire and all the other members of the Underground all use it to smuggle things,” I answer.

“Are those ‘things’ illegal things?” She asks.

“More often than not, yes,” I reply.

“Have you or anypony else smuggled a kid before?” She asks.

“No, that's a first for me and Sapphire and the Underground as a whole,” I reply.

There's a brief moment of silence.

“My turn to ask some questions,” I say “how do you know Ocean Breeze?”

“She knew my parents and they were good friends, so when they passed, she kept me safe me sticking me in this boring ass military school when I was five,” River Rose explains “and I guess Ocean Breeze is a good friend of mine too. She's nice. Stubborn, but nice.”

“Hmph. Good friends with the leader of the Fireflies, huh? You're what? Like, thirteen?” I scoff.

“There's nothing wrong with being friends with her,” River Rose snaps “and I'm fifteen, dumbass. Not that has anything to do with anything we're talking about.”

"So, instead of staying in school, you decided that you were going to sneak off and join the Fireflies, huh? Is that about right?” I question.

“Listen, miss, I'm not allowed to tell you why you’re smuggling me if that is what you're trying to get at,” River Rose says.

“You want to know something? The best part about my job as a smuggler is that I don't got to know why I'm smuggling whatever it is I'm smuggling,” I say bitterly “to be completely honest with you, I could give two shits about what the story is behind whatever it is I'm smuggling. I sure as hell don't give a damn about what you're up to or what’s so 'special’ about you. All you are to me is cargo and nothing more.”

A brief flicker of sadness crosses her face before it twists into a look of annoyance. Silence, save for the sounds of our hooves against the concrete floor, fills the tunnel as we trot. A few minutes pass before we reach the fork in the tunnel where the left leads back into the Quarantine Zone and the right to west tunnel. I turn and trot down the right pathway. Zephyr and River Rose follow closely behind me. The two of them resume their small talk, leaving me to my thoughts as we trot down the tunnel.

Ever since my daughter was wrongly taken from me twenty years ago, I've always harbored a strong grudge and resentment against young children and teenagers or those who survived the beginning of the apocalypse as a child and grew up in it, even if they haven't done a thing to me. Whenever I see a child or teenager, I always think to myself,‘why? Why do they get to grow up in this apocalyptic world and survive? Why did my daughter have to die while they lived?’, but I can never find an answer for any of those questions. I honestly don't think it's the children themselves, but rather the happiness, innocent and joy they express and share. It's all the qualities of a sweet little kid that, I believe, are what really piss me off. Everytime I see a little kid's face or even that of a teenagers or an adult that was once a child when this all started, I see Ivory's face in them. I see the little filly she once was and the mare she could have been if only she hadn't died. I see all the potential she had and I see all the potential that was wasted when she took her last breath. I see the happiness she brought to the world and all the happiness she could have brought as she aged and all the contributions she could have made to make Equestria a better place. But, most of all, I see the most precious, fragile gift I have ever been given and the day it was smashed and broken beyond all repair. That's one of the reasons why I've acted the way I've acted towards River Rose. The other reason? I've been entrusted with the care of a kid I have to take through zombie infested areas. I have to take her to Ponyville. I have to keep her safe from her. The last time I had the responsibility of keeping a kid safe from zombies, they died. She died. As much as I hate to admit it, even to my own self, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect River Rose. I'm afraid she'll get hurt- or worse.

With a small sigh, I stop and trot into a small side room. Inside, four ponies- a pegasus mare, a pegasus stallion and two unicorn stallions- sit around a table playing a game of poker. The mare’s coat is a pure shade of white, her mane a soft lavender and styled into short waves. Her left eye is covered with a black eyepatch with a pink heart in the middle. From under the eyepatch, the end of a scar peaks out. Two other scars cut across her muzzle and mouth, one slightly longer than the other. Her right eye is light pink in color.

The four of them look up from their game of poker and greet me.

“Hey, Boss No. 2! What brings you to our humble abode?” The mare says.

“Dove, I need saddlebags stocked with light guns, ammo, a flashlight, gasmask and a medical kit or two as soon as possible. I need another pair of saddlebags stocked with nothing more than a gasmask, flares and a flare gun,” I say “in fact, put a flare gun and flares in both.”

“On it, Boss No. 2,” the mare, named Dove, says as she stands “what for? Those new recruits?”

“We’re, along with Sapphire, smuggling something out of the city for somepony. The unicorn here with me is Zephyr Hearts. I suppose she's technically a new recruit,” I explain “but this pegasus with us, she's what we're smuggling. She's got a knife and that's all she needs protection wise for the job we're doing. She doesn't have a gas mask, though, so I figured I'd give her one and you know the protocol with flare guns. If separation occurs outside of the city, the flare guns are used to find one another. Zephyr says she's a medic and best put to use in non-combat situations, so I figured I'd give her some medkits and also something to protect herself with along with a gas mask.”

Dove disappears into another room and is gone for a good ten minutes. We hear rummaging and shuffling coming from the other room. She comes back and trots over to me with two pairs of saddlebags. She gives one to Zephyr and hands over the other to River Rose. The two of them strap their saddle bags around their waist and thank Dove.

“Need anything else, Boss No. 2?” Dove asks.

“No, that's all I needed,” I reply “thank you, Dove.”

Dove gives me a big grin and returns to her seat at the poker table. The stallions murmur of words of goodbye before focusing their attention back on their game of poker. I exit the side room and continue down the tunnel with Zephyr and River Rose.

“Thought you said I couldn't have a gun,” River Rose says.

“I did say that and you still don't have a gun,” I retort, turning my head to look at her “it might be a flare gun, but it's not something you could defend yourself with. I'm sure you could if you tried, but be a total waste of a flare. They’re for emergency uses only.”

“Riddle me this; why are you so goddamn rude to me? What did I ever do to you?” River Rose questions.

“You haven't done jackshit to me. I just really hate children, especially teenagers like you,” I answer bitterly “I hate everypony though, except for a small pool of ponies, but I hate children, teens especially, the most.”

“Why though? What did children ever do to you?” River Rose questions angrily.

“They… they did nothing to me personally,” I answer quietly in calm voice “they just remind me of somepony very important to me is all.”

“If they remind you of somepony so important, then why do you act so bitchy?” River Rose questions in a sneering tone.

“Because that somepony was wrongfully taken away from me,” I answer in the same calm yet quiet voice.

“Hey, River, I think you should stop,” Zephyr says quietly “you're hurting Honey Cake.”

“I'm hurting her? What do you mean?” River Rose questions.

“I can see it in her eyes. It's hurting her to talk about why she hates children,” Zephyr answers “I'm only saying this from what I've been told, not experience, but Honey Cake isn't somepony who trusts easily. You’ve got to earn that trust and that will take some time, a lot of it. Eventually, though, she'll trust you enough to open up to you. It's nothing against you or something you should take personally. Honey Cake has been through a lot in her life, even before the apocalypse or at least according to Sapphire.”

River Rose looks over at me then back at Zephyr and nods her head.

“Now, please apologize to Honey Cake,” Zephyr says.

“Tch, you're not my mother so don't talk to me like you are,” River Rose sneers.

“You’re right, I'm not your mother and I'm sure as hell glad I'm not. I'm only two years older than you,” Zephyr snaps “if I was your mother, you'd be smacked across your haunches with a hole riddled paddle and your mouth would be washed out with soap. That's what I do to my brothers when they misbehave. Moving back to the subject on the table, I may not be your mother but Ocean Breeze told you to listen to what I say. She told you to do as I say when I say it, ditto for Sapphire and Honey Cake.”

River Rose glares at Zephyr before sighing and hanging her head in defeat.

“I'm sorry,” she grumbles.

“Louder,” Zephyr orders.

“I'm sorry,” River Rose says loudly.

“Apology accepted,” I say.

“Aren't you gonna make her apologize?” River Rose questions Zephyr.

“No. Unlike you, I can't make her,” Zephyr answers “besides, she kind of scares me when she's angry. Sometimes interacting with her is like poking an angry bear with a stick.”

I can't help but to laugh at Zephyr's statement.

“Woah, you have emotions?” River Rose questions sarcastically.

“Hey, don't ruin it,” Zephyr says.

“Sorry, sorry,” River Rose grumbles.

A few minutes later, we arrive at a blue metal door labeled, 'West Tunnel’. I push the door open and trot inside. The three of us are greeted by flights of stairs. To save some time, I teleport us to the top and enter the hallway of an abandoned apartment building. We walk down the dilapidated, time-worn halls until reach an apartment labeled, 'C-19’. I fish a key out of my saddlebag, unlock the door and trot inside. The two of them follow me inside and close the door.

The apartment is similar to mine in size and layout, the only real difference is the state of the room. Everything is torn, chipped and falling apart from both time and neglect. I trot over to the couch and lay down on it.

“What are you doing?” River Rose questions.

“Killing time until Sapphire gets here,” I answer as I close my eyes.

“What are Zephyr and I supposed to do in the meantime?” River Rose asks.

“I dunno but I'm sure you'll figure it out,” I reply.

I hear one of them trot up to the nearby coffee table and turn on the radio.

“Good evening, folks. This your beloved Lady Bird here to bring you a glimmer of hope in this bleak world we live in. Here's a little song I wrote about two lovers in the apocalypse.
…
Well, I took a walk around Equestria to ease my scarred mind. I left my body lying somewhere in the midst of the sands of time. I watched the world become as black as the dark side of the moon, but there was nothing I could do, yeah…”