Chapters The day felt different for Lemon Blitz, especially since he was deploying for the Junior Equestrian Military after school. Lemon and his best friend Nighthawk were excited.
"I'm outside of the Equestrian Laboratory with Scientist, Lollipop Twist to explain to us, what this 'miracle' is." The reporter said.
"Thank you my dear..." The scientist began.
"Ha, the only miracle that will occur is if they realize their mistake." Lemon said as he was packing a few more items.
Nighthawk grinned, "Oh, why would you say that?"
"Think about it. Is it entirely possible for someone to create a cure for all diseases?"
Nighthawk began thinking, "Perhaps it isn't, but they were able to form it."
"I'm just saying, they aren't smart enough to cure the common cold, so they won't be smart now."
Nighthawk tilted his head, then felt his phone vibrate, "Uh oh, we better get going, Twilight and the others are waiting on us."
The two began walking out leaving the tv on, "...This has been Canterlot news," The reporter ended, "Home of 'Project Zero!'"
The two began jogging to the bus stop with their backpack, and military packs hoping to catch the bus. "I think we're going to be late!" Nighthawk said as he was panting for breath.
"Oh please, Nighthawk. You lack faith once again." Lemon said with a slight laugh.
Suddenly, a golden yellow jeep came up next to them and slowed down, "Well, it looks like you boys are going to be late." Sunset Shimmer said with a laugh, "Want a ride?"
Nighthawk smiled, "I would love to get a ride."
Lemon Blitz grinned, "Once again, our lives are saved by Sunset." He tossed his bags in the back and jumped in.
Nighthawk tossed his stuff up front and jumped in, "Can we beat the bus?"
Sunset smiled, "Lets find out."
The school was quite active for today was the day before Prom, and everyone was attending. When the group got out of the jeep, Rainbow Dash was the first to get Lemon's and Nighthawk's attention. "Well finally you two show up."
"Is there something that we missed?" Nighthawk asked.
"Uh duh, Pinkie is going crazy about the decorating, Applejack still needs more supplies."
"And we still have that test to study for." Twilight Sparkle said with a smile.
Lemon sighed, "Oh right, that test."
Nighthawk laughed, "Look on the bright side, at least we get to deploy after all of this right Lemon?"
Lemon Blitz sighed and looked at Twilight, "Yea, we deploy."
Prom was important to Lemon Blitz, mostly because he was deeply in love with Twilight Sparkle. The only problem was he wasn't brave enough to ask her out, he was hoping that he could do it for this years prom.
The class was in a hyper mood, "Okay class," Ms. Cheerilee shouted. All the students continued to talk, "Settle down now. Quiet!" The students froze, "Thank you. As you all know tomorrow is prom, and you all will be having the best time of you life."
Of course, as students, they began fidgeting with papers, pencils and a couple even fell asleep. "But first, get your pencils out, and lets take this test."
Nighthawk smiled and pulled out his pencil, Lemon sighed and looked at his notes one quick time. Before Ms. Cheerilee passed out the papers, Principal Celestia came on the comm, "Good morning students, pardon the interruption, can the students who are enlisted in the Junior Equestrian Military, please exit the school for emergency deployment? As for the rest of you, we are going into emergency lock down.
"Well, I guess we get out of it." Nighthawk said as he grabbed his bags.
Lemon jumped up and grabbed his stuff, "I second that choice."
The alarm began blaring as students began walking out and headed to the front doors. Along with the group was Nighthawk, Lemon Blitz and Rainbow Dash who recently joined up as a cadet and was going to deploy for training.
Rainbow nodded, "You know it."
"Let's just hope it doesn't take forever."
Several military vehicles pulled into the school parking lot and began loading other students up. A military officer directed the two boys to a vehicle. "Sir, what seems to be the problem?" Nighthawk asked.
The officer responded, "We'll brief you when we get to the base."
They looked up and saw several jets fly by towards the city.
"We're clear to go, set for blockade." The officer said as he closed the door.
Lemon and Nighthawk looked at each other, "What ever it is." Nighthawk began, "It is not good."
Nighthawk and Lemon Blitz joined along with a couple of their friends in the military locker room as they prepared for what they were called in for.
"What do you think this threat is?" one soldier asked.
"Let's hope that it's a threat that will be easy and simple." Nighthawk responded.
Lemon chuckled, "Believe me, nothing is better than getting a mission done and out of the way so you can relax."
"Ooh!" one of the soldiers played, "Prom boy is desparate."
An officer walked in, "Okay boys, we can talk about love dates and shooting games when we get this job done. So let's get to work."
"What seems to be the problem?" Lemon asked.
The officer pulled out a data pad, "We have word of a hostile attack code name, 'Zero'."
one of the soldiers grinned, "Is there a reason to this attack?"
"There is." The officer continued, "Equestrian scientists was busy with that little cure of their's when it backfired. Now, instead of creating a cure, they formed some sort of virus that mutated their patient into an un-dead creature of horror."
Nighthawk and Lemon looked at one another, "Is there a way to stop this?" Lemon asked.
The officer sighed, "Sadly no, Shadowbolt intel said that they can adapt to a shot to the chest, but with the virus continuing to mutate and evolve, they are burning ammo with hitting the chest several times."
Lemon grinned, "Have you considered hitting the head?"
"We did, but again, its evolving at a slow pace, we can't determine anything."
A few of the soldiers began writing things down on their pads.
"We set up a blockade outside of the city to slowly contain this. your mission is to get in there, evacuate anyone that you can, and find a weakness for this creature and bring it back asap. Understood?"
All of the soldiers shouted, "Yes sir!"
"Very well, let's suit up!"
A few of the soldiers ran back to grab extra belongings, while Lemon, Nighthawk and a couple others ran to the armory and began loading weapons when one of the soldiers looked at the tv. "Uh, guys?"
The scene did not look pretty, people were running for their lives, and the Equestrian military already began losing ground. The news reporter was standing in the middle of the fight, "This is a complete nightmare, people running and..." before she could continue they heard a loud bang and the camera man swung it over showing a helicopter being attacked by several of the creatures, and slowly spinning out. After the crash, the cameraman turned back over, and was jumped by one of the creatures and it switched to the regular news station.
A few of the soldiers began asking questions, both Nighthawk and Lemon looked at each other, "I don't think we'll get this done before prom." Nighthawk said as he shook his head.
Lemon took a deep breath and grabbed his rifle, "We'll see about that."
"All hands report to your stations." One of the officers screamed over the comm.
The troops marched out and loaded up into their transport vehicles, before Lemon hopped in he saw several blue angles fly by with loaded missiles towards the city. He closed his eyes and jumped in. The officer closed the door and the green neon lights lit up. Several soldiers began closing their eyes and mumbled some prayer to themselves. Nighthawk and Lemon looked at each other before the vehicle began rocking back and forth. Suddenly it jolted up from a bump then rolled over from an explosion that knocked out Nighthawk and Lemon Blitz.
The next morning, Lemon and Nighthawk was in the forest heading back to the house with a new glass pane that they picked up from Lemon's garage, "I can't believe your garage is a mile from your house." Nighthawk said as he was slowing down. "What in your right mind gave you that idea?"
"More excercise." Lemon said as he lowered the pane. "Let's get a break in before we move."
The two sat down next to a tree and pulled out water and a snack, "You know, you stopped on the story last night." Nighthawk said when he pulled out his camera, "how about you continue it?"
Lemon sighed, "Ok, well, as you knew, we were knocked out in the transport..."
Lemon opened his eyes and was in darkness, the only light coming through was the neon lights flickering, and sparks coming out of the side panel. Lemon heard a groan and realized that it was Nighthawk, "How in the heck are we still alive?"
Lemon looked around and felt a couple of the troops for a pulse, "Either dehydration, suicide or they hit their heads too hard."
"Then why aren't we like them?"
Lemon kicked the door, "Never question the questionable. Just be happy that you're alive. And help me with this door, please?"
The two pushed open the door and the sight was not pleasant. Smoke was covering the sky, several jets flew by towards the city which was now an apocalyptic ruin. Lemon couldn't bear to see the scene and looked at Nighthawk who began crawling out with several weapons and ammo. "How long do you think we've been out of it?"
Lemon looked back at the city, "Who knows, days, weeks. I don't think anyone would've survived."
Nighthawk tossed him a rifle, "And if they did?"
"Then they would evacuate to a base or something."
Nighthawk walked off while Lemon was talking and found something disturbing, "Uh, Blitz?"
Lemon walked over and saw several bridges, bodies and vehicles just destroyed and in several piles. "They must have broken the blockade and finished off the town." Nighthawk said as he examined the destruction.
Lemon cocked back his weapon, "Let's go."
The two began walking walking away from the city, "So what will happen if we encounter these creatures?" Nighthawk asked.
"Do what we always do and kill them."
"But how? they are probably evolved enough to probably avoid a mag worth of bullets."
"Then we find its weak point."
Nighthawk grinned, "Which will be where?"
With a huge sigh Lemon stopped, "I don't know, but what I do know is that we don't get to the school, we will die in terrible ways that I don't want to think of now?"
Nighthawk's eyes shot up, "The school? Dude no one will be alive when we get there!"
Lemon shook his head, "The girls probably held up the place with their new magic."
Nighthawk flung his arms up in the air, "That doesn't mean squat since there is no weakness to these things!"
Lemon got up to Nighthawk's face, "Are you doubting Twilight and the others?"
"Dude, they're strong, but not that strong to hold these things off."
"They know that we will come for them back at the school, I believe in their powers and you should to."
After thinking about it Nighthawk sighed, "Okay, we'll go, but I should warn you that we should fear the worst, whatever we find."
Lemon sighed, "Then let's roll."
Nighthawk was putting away his camera and looked at Lemon, "Blitz, I want to apologize for not believing you at first."
"No, I should be the one who should apologize." Lemon said as he picked up the glass pane again, "I compromised the mission when I even mentioned going back to the school to find them."
Nighthawk helped Lemon pick up the pane and finished their trip. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, you had an affection for Twilight, and you wanted her safe. Me, I wanted Rainbow Dash to be safe."
"Really? And why's that?"
"Well." Nighthawk began as he began to blush, "I invited her to Prom a few days before the attack."
Lemon laughed, "You and Rainbow?"
"Yes."
"And you say i'm weird."
"Well you have nothing in common with Twilight. You know, book nerd, military soldier, it doesn't mix."
Lemon grinned, "Oh and a hunter and future military cadet does?"
Nighthawk laughed, "At least we love the military."
Lemon rolled his eyes and laughed, "Oh whatever."
Back at the house, Lemon finished hammering the last nail in and shouted, "There, a brand new window."
Nighthawk walked to the counter and grabbed his camera, "You know, that chaos at the school was too hectic that I don't remember much of it." He slowly opened it and started recording, "Mind refreshing my memory, Blitz?"
Lemon chuckled and tossed Nighthawk a soda, "Sure thing..."
The two approached the school with caution. Even though nothing was around, the two soldiers learned better not to lose guard. They walked into the school and saw a few bodies and junk everywhere. "Want to split up?" Nighthawk asked.
"Sure, keep the fire silent and meet back at the cafeteria in ten."
They went their separate ways, Lemon heading towards the east side, and Nighthawk the west, and all that they could see was trash and empty rooms.
Lemon walked into one room and sighed when he saw a little blanket lying on the floor, suddenly he heard a banging sound behind him and drew his knife. He got closer to the door, and stepped to the side. With one deep breath, he opened the door and a creature marched out of it. Blood was dripping from it lips, clothes tattered and its blood red eyes locked on Lemon, The creature shrieked in terror and jumped towards Lemon. He jumped out of the way and kicked the creature in the legs, breaking them and knocking it over. The creature tried crawling, but Lemon stomped on is dead, fleshy arms, squishing them in the process. He turned it over so he could see its head and crushed its skull. "Nasty little beast." Lemon said as he secured his knife. He turned over towards the door and heard Nighthawk scream across the other end of the school, "Get out of that closet and put your hands on the ground!"
Lemon ran over to Nighthawk and he had not one but six girls on the ground panting in fear. Nighthawk looked at him and nodded his head toward the door, " I think one of them ran out towards the music room."
Lemon sighed and looked at one of the girls, "You know these are the girls right?"
Rarity popped her head up, "We tried explaining that to him, but he wouldn't listen."
"Nighthawk?" Lemon said as he crossed his arms.
Nighthawk looked back at the girls and holstered his weapon, "My bad you guys..."
Lemon shook his head and walked out of the door, "Idiot."
"Check the music room!"
"Yea yea, I got ya." Lemon said as he walked into the music room. He had his gun drawn on a figure kneeling on the floor, "Twilight?"
Twilight turned around with her hand on her side and shirt dried up in blood. She took a couple more breaths and passed out. Lemon secured his gun and ran to her. he shook her a couple time and he felt her breathing still, "Hang tight, you're going to be alright."
A few hours later Nighthawk came in with a crate of canned goods and knives, "Better make use of the knives, that's all the ammo that we have."
"And we have Pinkie's Cannon." Fluttershy said as she was digging through the food.
Pinkie grinned, "Yea, that isn't happening."
"And why not?" Rainbow asked as she put a couple knives in her pack.
"I only have five confetti rounds left and three of them are explosive rounds."
Nighthawk grinned from the statement, "Wait, how did you manage to make explosive rounds?"
Pinkie smiled, "Just mix glitter and confetti together. Makes a powerful shot too."
Nighthawk turned over, "I knew it."
Lemon walked over, "Why can't you make more?"
"Somehow we all lost our powers when Twilight was injured." Sunset Shimmer said as she picked up her pack, "We couldn't do much."
"Yea, well, I don't think that you will have any powers at all." Lemon responded as he showed them the broken crystal, "I found it broken on the floor next to her, and now I want to know what happened?"
Nighthawk stood up and put his hand on Lemon's shoulder, "Maybe we should let them rest for a while, they're in pretty bad shape to do anything."
Lemon looked at the girls and sighed, "Fine, Lets use the roof the our advantage and take watch, I'll get first shift."
"You need rest too. I'll take first shift, you can hang here and guard the entrance." Nighthawk said as he shook is head.
That night, everything was quiet, Nighthawk and Lemon switched out their shifts, and the girls were piled on top of each other next to Twilight who was taken care of, and covered up warmly. Sunset Shimmer snuck out on the roof and kneeled next to Lemon Blitz. "Aren't you supposed to be inside." Lemon asked.
"Couldn't sleep, I needed to clear my mind." Sunset replied.
"I understand, that's the one thing I like with night watch, I could be able to think in quiet."
Sunset chuckled, "I like quiet but not like this." She looked out to the city which was now a smoky wasteland.
Lemon grinned, "So what happened with Twilight?"
Sunset lowered her head, "About an hour when you left, the blockade was broken and everyone began panicking, We decided to hold up the school as long as possible so people will get in. A few of us stepped out to hold these things by force, but I never realized that Twilight was knocked over by one of them until I stepped on her necklace. Rainbow came in from behind me and stabbed it, but she also cut Twilight in the side by accident, We could see an airstrike coming and we got her inside before the bombs fell."
Lemon nodded, "What happened to the survivors?"
"A day after that several survivors got teams and began roughing it. Some went into room and killed themselves off. Others revolted and tried taking the school for themselves. So we got some supplies and hid in the room, waiting, praying, that either you find us, or someone else does."
Lemon sighed, and looked at Sunset who had a couple tears in her eyes, "I don't understand why this happened, but it scared me more than anything."
Lemon put his hand on Sunset's, "Hey, you did what any soldier will do, and that's protect your friends. We will get through this, I will promise you that."
The sun rose the next morning and everybody at the school was active. Nighthawk walked in with several more items and water for Twilight. Even though she had a bad looking cut on her arm, she was slowly putting herself to work getting a bag pack for herself. "How are you feeling Twilight?" Nighthawk asked with a smile.
"So much better. Thank you."
Nighthawk nodded and Lemon walked in, "Sunset, Rarity, Rainbow, can you take guard? Nighthawk there's something I want you to see."
Nighthawk and Lemon walked to a room with a creature lying on the floor with blood oozing out of its arms and legs, and several bullet holes on the left side of its chest. It began croaking and panting loudly.
"What is it doing?" Nighthawk asked.
"I don't know, but whatever it is, it doesn't sound good." Lemon responded as he broke its jaw. It suddenly stopped and just began panting.
Back on the roof, the three girls were looking out into the streets when Rainbow saw something that caught her eye. "Uh guys? There's someone out there."
Sunset directed her attention to where Rainbow Dash was looking. Rarity did the same, "What is is Rainbow?"
Sunset grinned and replied, "Someone is in that vehicle."
Rarity grinned, "Maybe he is protecting himself."
Sunset shook her head, "No, he's trying to start it."
The person jumped out of the vehicle and began running. Suddenly, a creature came out of no where and tackled him. Sunset smirked, "That'll happen to us if we don't get out of here." The three began running down and ran into Nighthawk and Lemon carrying one of the creatures.
"Darlings?" Rarity said suddenly, "What are you doing with that?"
Nighthawk looked up, "We're going to figure out how to kill it."
Sunset grinned, "Well besides that, we got some movement east of here."
Rainbow popped in, "In short, we don't have time before they find us."
Applejack,Pinkie, Twilight and Fluttershy walked over to the group, "Wait a minute," Applejack started, "Does that mean?"
"We're getting out of here then." Lemon replied as he and Nighthawk set the creature down. "Here's the plan. Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie will keep guard up top, while Fluttershy, Twilight, Nighthawk and I stay here, and get the gear ready. And find this things weak spot."
"And what will we do?" Rainbow asked as she pointed to Sunset.
Lemon smiled, "You're going to hot wire a car for me."
Rainbow and sunset looked at each other, "Let's do it." Sunset said with a smile.
The three girls began looking out at the car, "Okay," Applejack began, "They're clear to go."
Rarity gave the thumbs up and the two began running out towards the vehicle.
Nighthawk, Lemon, Fluttershy and Twilight began looking at the creature, "So any ideas?" Lemon asked as he was holding a knife.
The group shrugged and Lemon sighed, "Okay, I guess i'll try this." He dug the knife into the creature's right side of the chest and it began to roar from the pain.
"I don't think it worked..." Fluttershy said.
Lemon took the knife out, "Yea no kidding." he stabbed the creature again in the stomach making it roar again.
As for Sunset and and Rainbow , they began fixing up the vehicle, "C'mon Sunset, we don't have time." Rainbow Dash demanded.
Sunset popped her head out from the bottom of the car, "Hey, you try hot wiring a car with nothing but a lighter and screw driver, and then tell my how it goes."
The three girls was keeping a close eye on the two others. "Are you sure that they will get that vehicle working?" Rarity asked nervously.
"It's the best way to get out of here with a living chance." Applejack said as she heard glass break. "Please don't tell me that you heard glass breaking?"
Pinkie looked over and saw a few other creatures begin walking through a window, "Uh, guys!"
Lemon yanked the knife out of the creature's body, "Come on there has to be a weak spot somewhere."
"Guys! We have a breech!" Applejack screamed.
Nighthawk and Lemon looked at each other. "I got it covered." Nighthawk said.
Lemon nodded, "Get the cannon." He then lodged the knife into the creatures head.
Nighthawk ran up to the roof, "Where's the cannon Pinkie?"
"Look down the hall third door on the left, middle closet in the room next to the chemistry equipment."
With a slow, yet confused nod, Nighthawk smiled, "Great, in the chemistry lab, got it."
"Come on you stupid thing..." Sunset said as she began to turn the key, "Why...can...you...work?" After a few cranks she heard the sound she always loved to hear, "I did it. I fixed it!"
The two girls cheered, "Well finally." Rainbow cheered, "Let's get the others."
Nighthawk got the the closet and grabbed the cannon. He was on his way out when he paused and slowly turned around. He could hear mumbling and groaning. There stood three more creatures who roared and hissed at him. Nighthawk grew mad, and grabbed the string at the end, "Alright. Come get you some!" He pulled the string and the cannon shot off one of Pinkie's Explosive rounds. which caused a ton of damage to the hall.
Lemon on the other hand pulled the knife out of the creatures liver, still living and breathing, "I don't understand, there has to be a weak spot somewhere?"
Twilight grinned, "What about the neck?"
Lemon looked down at its neck and saw a blue vein sticking out, "Thoughts?"
"Well, most of this creatures body and veins are blood red, and since this vein is directed to the brain..."
"Then it could possibly be the creature's source of life."
The rest of the group ran back into the cafeteria, "We have our vehicle." Rarity said as she grabbed her pack. Lemon looked at the creatures neck one last time and brought his knife up, and with one deep breath he lodged the knife into the creature's neck and it gave a loud shriek.
Nighthawk pulled the rod out of the cannon and saw the creatures walk towards him, "I got more!" with the next shot he knocked the ceiling over and destroyed a couple other doors. He shook his head and began dragging the cannon towards the front.
Lemon ripped out the knife and put it away, "aim for the neck, that's our weak spot."
"Then what are we waiting for." Rainbow said as she slung her pack over her shoulder, "Lets get out of here."
Lemon nodded, "Good idea. Nighthawk, hurry up we're moving out!"
Nighthawk replied back as he pulled the string, "I got one more!" The shot flew towards the floor and blew out a crater which knocked out the walls and ceiling. He ran outside with the cannon as the others jumped in and tossed the cannon in the back.
Lemon looked over, "Everyone in?"
"We're clear." Nighthawk replied.
As they drove off several other creatures jumped out and ran towards the school practically taking it over. Nighthawk looked back one last time and sighed, "What do we do now?"
They got to the highway and Lemon got out, "Okay guys. See if you can find anything useful. Clothes, food, medical supplies."
"And if we can find some containers, we can siphon some gas out of these cars." Nighthawk said as he loaded his gun.
None of them noticed that there was someone watching them from inside of the trees. With a couple small breathes the sniper sighed, "I want to take them out."
"Don't, they aren't raiders." A voice replied on his comm.
"Then what do you recommend?" the sniper said as he kept his eye on Lemon Blitz.
There was a sigh from the comm, "Patience."
Lemon was digging through a car for supplies when he paused and popped his head out.
Nighthawk raised his head, "You okay Blitz?"
Lemon looked around, "Everyone get down!"
The sniper groaned and rolled his eyes, "Dang it, I've been spotted."
"stay cautious, I don't think it was you."
Nighthawk crawled over to Lemon, "What is it?"
"Something doesn't feel right."
Another barrel was pointing out in the distance. The sniper looked around and saw one of the creatures heading towards Twilight.
"Ah shoot!"
her comm sparked up, "I see it."
The sniper in the trees was looking right at the creature, but he couldn't get a clear shot, "I'll kill her if I take it."
The other sniper hesitated, "I think I can take it, but it won't end well."
"Take the shot then."
The sniper grinned, finger on the trigger, she closed her eyes and pulled.
Lemon kept hearing something and he turned towards Twilight. Suddenly, a creature appeared out of nowhere and was ready to tackled Twilight. A gunshot went off and blood began pouring from the creatures neck and from Twilight's shoulder. She jolted forward and fell from the shot. The creature immediately fell to the ground, and the girls ducked down. Lemon ran to Twilight and picked her up, "Twilight? Twilight look at me."
One of the snipers ran towards the group. He was in a black leather jacket, dark blue hair and had a scar on his left eye. "How bad is it?"
Lemon looked at the sniper, "I, I don't know."
"Then we better get her to camp. Follow me."
Nighthawk looked at Lemon and nodded.
"Ok, let's go."
The group got to a campsite with a couple other girls playing in a fire pit. One of them stood up when she saw the others. "Hold on, you said-"
One of the snipers replied back, "We have an injury."
The other one stood up and ran to a tent, "Set her down and i'll get to work."
Everyone got into the tent and set Twilight down, still shaken that Twilight was shot.
"If you want me to do this I need everyone to get out." One of the girls said.
Rainbow Dash shook her head in anger, "We stay in here together."
Nighthawk and Lemon sighed, "Come on girls." Nighthawk said, "Let's give her some space."
"Seriously? Lemon you can't let us leave her."
"I agree with Rainbow, Lemon. Who know's what she could do to her after getting shot by that sniper?"
Lemon looked back at Twilight, "Let the medic do her job in peace. She could be Twilight's only hope."
The group sighed and began walking out of the tent. Lemon knelt down and grabbed Twilight's hand, "You'll be okay. I promise."
As the day turned to night, Nighthawk and Lemon Blitz was sitting next to a campfire as Nova Burst began giving them his story of the monstrosity that occurred, while the girls were piled together in a tent sleeping. "It was a nightmare," Nova began. "We were the first to hear about an attack in the city. But we never knew what."
Nighthawk grinned, "Not even a military briefing?"
Nova chuckled to the comment, "You know pretty fast what the situation is when you're a Shadowbolt."
"What then?" Lemon asked.
"My platoon was ordered into the city, to attain any information, and boy did we get it. These dead looking creatures, blood oozing out of their mouths. Some lost arms, others legs, heck, I even encountered one who lost one side of its head."
Nighthawk grinned, "How did you live through that?"
"When we heard that they were bringing in an airstrike, I tried getting my team out of there, but we were too weak. We tried hiding in a building from the the strike, and somehow I was the only one who live when the building fell on top of us."
Lemon sighed and looked at Cinnabar, "What about you?"
"I was a part of third platoon. We were in charge of keeping that blockade in check. Sadly, it didn't last long."
Nighthawk grinned, "How did you remain alive?"
Cinni chuckled, I hid away in a tank that was crushed from the collapse of a bridge. Once they passed through, I'm guessing it was three days later and the entire city was nothing but rubble. I went out to find survivors and then ran into Nova."
"And the two girls," Lemon asked, "What platoon are they with?"
"We found them as civilians, but when they figured out who we were, they didn't hesitate to join along as cadets." Nova said as he tossed another piece of wood into the fire. "So what about you?" Nova asked with curiosity, "How did you two survive the attack?"
The two looked at each other and Nighthawk sighed, "I would call it a miracle that we are even alive."
Cinnabar grinned, "How so?"
Lemon took a sip of his drink, "We were unconscious at the time, don't know ho long we were even out of it. Days, weeks, with no food or water at all."
"Wow!" Cinni said being surprised, "That is lucky."
Nova sighed, "It must've been hard to lose an entire company just like that."
Lemon shook his head, "You don't even know the half of it."
Before Nova could ask his next question, the medic walked over to the fire cleaning herself off with a rag.
"How is she doing doc?" Nova asked.
the medic just sighed, "I slowed the bleeding, but I can't extract the bullet without proper equipment."
Lemon grinned, "What do you need?"
"A working respirator, some anesthetics if you can manage, and I need more cleaning supplies and proper surgical equipment so she doesn't get an infection."
Nova and Lemon looked at each other, then Nova said, "I know where we can get that. What do you say Lemon?"
Lemon smiled, "I'm game. Nighthawk?"
Nighthawk grinned, and grabbed his cup, "Why don't you take Rainbow Dash with you? It will give her some cadet training."
Nova stood up and crossed his arms, "And you will?"
"With your permission, Nova Burst, I would like to guard the camp while you are out? There needs to be someone here to keep the others safe and the camp in check."
"Permission granted, under one condition." Nova looked at Cinnabar, you allow Cinnabar, to have the full authority. Any major decision you filter wither her. Got it?"
"Understood." Nighthawk said with a nod.
"Good. Now, I don't think I have introduced you to our medical examiner who is treating your friend." Nova said.
Lemon smiled and stood up, "No we haven't." the two shook hands, "Lemon Blitz."
the medic smiled, "Juniper Twist at your service."
The next morning, Lemon Blitz, Rainbow Dash, and Nova Burst began making they're way to the town to pick up some more supplies as well as the medical supplies that Juniper needed to save Twilight. The three came up on the ridge where they first met, separating the road from the trees. "Okay, i'll scout on ahead." Nova said as he cocked back his rifle, "Wait for my signal." He soon ran out into the highway leaving the others in the trees.
"Pfft." Rainbow made as she watched Nova, "why can't we just kill him right now?"
Lemon just chuckled, as he checked his weapon, "Rule number one, you treat each soldier like you would a friend or a sibling. No exceptions."
Rainbow grinned, "But he's a Shadow Bolt!"
"And I don't care!" Lemon responded. "I really don't care about your past with the Bolts at the moment, right now we are here and we need to save Twilight. And if you want to be a soldier, then you need to cooperate."
"Look, I'm not saying that I hate the Shadow Bolts, but I'm not forgiving him for what happened to Twilight." Before she continued, they heard a sharp whistle from Nova.
Lemon chuckled, "And that's where rule two comes into play. Let it go." He jumped out of the trees and ran towards Nova. Rainbow jumped out and followed, but decided to slide on the hood of a car for fun.
Nova was looking through his binoculars and then handed them to Lemon, "Over there is our target."
Lemon grinned and handed the binoculars to Rainbow. "That's our town?" Lemon asked.
Nova chuckled, "It is what's inside the town that we need."
Rainbow scanned around the town with her binoculars and saw several of the creatures around the town.
"Well, any ideas Rainbow Dash?" Lemon Blitz asked.
"I say we rush the town and kill them all."
Nova laughed, "I like your spirits, kid."
"I'm no kid, Shadow Bolt."
"He's right Rainbow." Lemon countered, "If we want to get back to the camp with the supplies, then we need to stay stealthy." He looked back at the town, "Come on."
The three got to the town, and by the look of things it was pretty quiet, and way too empty.
"This doesn't look right." Nova said as he scanned around for any of the creatures.
"Do you think they ran off?" Lemon asked.
"Maybe they were afraid." Rainbow stated.
Nova chuckled, "How cute. Listen up you two we'll split up, find the supplies and meet back here by sundown. No loud guns, let's use this to our advantage."
The two nodded, and ran off to search for the supplies. Rainbow Dash walked into a toy store with her rifle and saw nothing but scattered carts,torn blankets, and a torn rag doll, probably left by a young little girl, who didn't last long from the attack. Rainbow Dash turned over and heard some sort of rattle in the back of the store. She aimed her rifle in that direction and slowly stepped over. The noise started to get louder, and more muffled. Rainbow got closer, to the door, and suddenly, a bloody, fleshy looking hand hit the window and the deadly creature reveled its face, screeching and clattering its teeth. The creature began following rainbow with her eyes, she put the rifle around her back and drew her knife. Rainbow put her hand on the door knob, ready to kill the beast, but she stopped, and let go of the door. She sighed and remembered that there was still an Equestrian Shadow bolt around and decided to stage a little accident that will hopefully kill Nova.
Meanwhile, Lemon and Nova walked into a general market which was somewhat cleared out, but
They could hear the cable breaking apart thread by thread. The chain began snapping apart, and the beam began sliding down from the loose dirt. Twilight looked up to Lemon Blitz one final time before her fingers slipped from his hand and fell to her death. Lemon could hear the screams of thousands of innocent people get slaughtered by some creature. He could hear the sounds of gunshots and the screams of their enemy running towards them. Lemon Blitz can also see the eyes of the creature looking right at him. Next thing he knew, he woke up and was back in his dark, drafty room again. Realizing that it was just a simple dream...
Lemon Blitz slowly yawned as he slid out of his bed to look at his calendar, marking another date out of it. With a big sigh he threw on his bath robe and went into the bathroom to wash off. The year was 2021, March 27th, a day that no one could possibly forget and heck, why wouldn't they. Lemon could still hear the news report as he began washing his face.
"They call it, 'The miracle of a lifetime!'" A Canterlot news reporter began, "I'm outside of the Equestrian Laboratory with Scientist, Lollipop Twist, creator of this miracle."
Lemon looked up at the mirror, and grinned, He's the one who started all of this. Lemon began his normal routine as always. He opened up a black chest filled with military MRE's and grabbed one. He opened up the cabinet and grabbed a water bottle. He opened up the curtains and went up to the rooftop to eat. He could see the dried up courtyard and locked gate, then he looked out into the city, the destroyed, green city of Canterlot that was once populated and beautiful.
On his way back in he pulled out a mix tape and tape recorder, "Okay then, from my family to yours, here is your sunny side mix." Lemon grabbed a clip board and turned up the volume to the music and began his basic chores.
One thing that Lemon Blitz learned during his training was to always make sure that he had supplies during a disaster like this and he was loaded. He had a gun safe loaded with several assault rifles, shotguns and hand guns, a room loaded with ammo of all types of weapons, one with boxes filled with food and water and another room with emergency supplies and escape route just in case there was no way to get out front.
Lemon Blitz began pulling out a few of his weapons and tossed them on the couch with some cleaning supplies. After he locked up, he began cleaning the weapons and started humming the tune of the song "Behind the clouds." He stopped and paused the song for a second and heard banging upstairs. He got up and pulled out another shotgun with a few shells. He loaded the weapon and walked upstairs. He stopped at the door and peeked over into the kitchen. Lemon could see someone grabbing food and water out of the cabinets. He couldn't tell if his intruder had a gun, but if he did, then Lemon knew what to do. He took a deep breath and aimed the rifle, "Drop what you have and put your hands in the air."
The intruder dropped the stuff and put his hands up. "Turn around, slowly." Lemon ordered.
The intruder turned around and began coughing, "L-Lemon, Is that you?"
Lemon lowered the rifle, "Nighthawk?"
Nighthawk coughed again and passed out. He was in really bad shape. Nighthawk was bleeding out on his chest and his arms. His clothes were torn apart and he had scratches all over his face. Lemon took off his jacket and covered Nighthawk, "Stay with me man."
All that Nighthawk could hear before he passed out was echoes, "Stay with me..."
Lemon walked out of the tent with the Nighthawk and Sunset walking next to him.
"I do apologize about what happened." The male sniper began.
"Let's just get on thing straight, sir!" Rainbow Dash began barking, "Don't think that we will let this so called 'incident' slide just because you shot our friend."
"Well, your welcome for me saving not only your friend's life, but also your's." The sniper got up in Rainbow's face, and if you want, I can send you and your injured friend back and see if you can do better."
Rainbow grinned, "That might be a challenge that I would accept."
"Then I will gladly arrange that."
"Rainbow Dash!" Lemon shouted.
Nighthawk slowly shook his head, "Come on girls, lets see if we can get settled in."
Lemon looked back at the male sniper, "My apologies about my cadet, she's still in the process of learning."
All that the sniper did was laugh, "That could actually be an understatement compared to my two cadets when they started out. Name's Nova Burst. Shadowbolt Brigade."
"Lemon Blitz, Wondercolt Brigade."
"Wondercolt huh, which platoon?"
Lemon sighed, "First Platoon."
"Oh, I-i'm sorry." Nova said with a sigh.
"The entire brigade, just gone."
Nova grinned, "I wish I could say the same for my crew. Cinni, come over here."
An older teenager with white hair up in a pony tail, wearing a red jacket and leather gloves walked over to Nova Burst. "Lemon, meet my commander and the one responsible for saving your friend." Nova said with a friendly smile.
"Cinnabar, Lieutenant Cinnabar."
"She's our star sniper best of the best." Nova said said with a chuckle.
All that Cinni did was blush, "I wouldn't say best of the best."
Lemon nodded, "Thank you for the help."
"I just wish I could not have shot your friend the way that I did." Cinnabar said as she lowered her head.
Lemon just smiled, "You did what you had to do. Those things are flimsy anyway."
Nova Burst laughed, "Come on i'll get you settled in. What's mine is yours."
Inside one of the tents, Sunset Shimmer was cleaning out her pack thinking about what she could possible do now.
"I know what you're thinking." Nighthawk said with his arms crossed.
"I just don't know what to do anymore," Sunset said as she began to cry. "Twilight is injured, and I don't know what to do with these, so called friends. Should we trust them?"
Nighthawk put his hand on her shoulder. "Sunset, I know that you are stressed, but when it comes to situations like this, you have to trust who you can." He put his hand on her shoulder and sighed, "We'll get through this. I promise."
