MARES IN BLACK

CHAPTER 2: DEVISTATION AND CONTEMPLATION.

I opened the door not knowing what had happened yet and walked out to find that it was absolutely freezing outside. Figuring this was just the cold from last night I moved on to find myself standing directly in front of a frozen body, a chill went up my spine as I looked at the frozen solid corpse. Bon was checking out another corpse but this one looked oddly familiar. I got my lighter from my jacket pocket and melted the ice around the head a little to see who it was but the thing that I found standing before me will haunt me in my dreams for the rest of my life.

There in front of me was a frozen solid twilight sparkle with a petrified expression on her face. All colours had been drained from her eyes and she’d been running from something, but what? We both looked each other thinking the same thing; what the hell is going on? We both took a cliché gulp and continued. I’ve seen things like this happen, things like rainbow factory but this is just damn right clueless. Worst thing is twilight wasn’t the only one. Ten’s upon twenties of frozen pony’s all running, but from what?

We were just passing town hall when an idea struck me like a sack of bricks. What if like us some ponies were somehow unaffected and looking for survivors. We stopped both at the same time; we must be thinking the same thing I said to bon. She nodded and we hastily made our way to zero’s house. No this can’t be right I said to myself. Zero’s house was completely unaffected, not an inch of snow within a 2 meter radius of his porch. For some reason my gut said that is was a trap, but I ignored it since one of my best friends may be still alive and well. Zero? You home? I shouted at the door still aiming my gun directly at it.

No response. I gave bon the hoof signal to advance but I instantly stopped once I saw what was inside. Only just being able to see thru the window I went closer and found a black and gold manned Pegasus sleeping on the polar fleece carpet. It was GOLDEN SPARKLE! True question was; what in equestria was he doing in zero’s house? Quietly opening the door and entering, he slowly woke up but didn’t notice we were even inside. It was at least 20 degrees in there and the heat pump was going, zero is either here or just left. YAWN what are you two doing here? He asked while scratching his ass.

We were looking for survivors and we found you. Survivors? He said yawning again. You mean you don’t know bon asked. I don’t know, I don’t really remember much from last night actually he said while putting his hoof to his fore head. Zero and I were at a bar and the last thing I remember is a storm brewing ARRG! He put his hoof back to his head. Bon put her weapon on the floor and trotted over to him and knelt down in front of him. You’ve got a nasty bruise man; you hit your head or something? I don’t know, I told you the last thing I remember are that there was a storm on its way. I interrupted bon before she could start and asked; this storm, can you describe it? Hmmmmm he mumbled. No sorry, all I can remember is that it was pitch black and zero had to use his belt torch to find the path then poof! I wake up to find you guys. I’d tell you to go ask zero but the booze was already starting to take control in the storm so he probably has a hangover, and a bit of liver cancer due to the amount beer HE drunk.

There was a thud upstairs and a painful groan. Well there’s your answer girls. Well then maybe you should look outsi- WILL YOU SHUT UP!? IM TRYING TO GET SOME FUCKING SLEEP UP HERE! Well good morning to you too bon said sarcastically. Bahhh ignore it, that’s just the booze talking. Better be! Bon said angrily. So anyway what did you want me to- once he looked outside it was clear his heart had missed a beat. H-how did this happen? W-when did this happen? 5:04 am. How do you know? That’s when my clock stopped.

Wh-w-what’s that? He pointed his hoof to a frozen pony which looked to be berry bunch. Uhh that’s a frozen pony. WHAT!!! But golden didn’t say this, it was zero. The pitch black Pegasus raced down the stairs and out the door. We all looked at each other then went outside. Ohhhh no zero said. This is the first time I’ve seen him this worried bon said into my ear. Should we be worried?

This CANNOT be happening, not now. Zero do you know what’s going on? Unfortunately so. Has there been any frozen body’s Lyra? Yes, many. God DAMNIT!!! It echoed throughout the empty soul of a city this was. Zero, what’s going on? I asked softly. They, he sighed, they have come back. Who or what have come back? The bustards that started our line of work. The CEPH!?!?! We all said simotaniosly. But that’s impossible! We wiped them out bon said in a worried tone. And now, there back to return the favour.

2 HOURS LATER……

Bon and I were wondering around wondering what would happen next, golden was scared shitless about whether his twin sister spark gold was ok and zero was for some reason doing some measurements and marking’s the snow. Lyra get over here he shouted. What’s up zero? Well by my calculations this canvas that I’ve drawn in the snow should allow you to focus your magic enough to perform a pps or portable protection spell. Why do we need a protection spell bon asked? The ceph have been known to release spores witch contain the Ebola virus. And we all know what happened last time there was an outbreak.

Ok Everypony in the circle zero ordered. Will it hurt us? Golden asked. No, really it just feels like a giant condom is being stretched over your entire body. Everypony cringed. Alrighty then Lyra, on with it. Ok here I go. I concentrated as hard as I could and zero wasn’t kidding, it felt much more channelled than normal spells but it still was no easy task. I kept on forcing every last bit of magic a had within me toward the spell, I felt a sweat run down my fore head but the amount of effort I was putting into this spell must have evaporated it. Everything tuned a light shade of blue and then darkness.

I was floating in pitch black. I was looking around for a way out when I heard breathing, I looked down to see zero somewhat on a floor. I floated down to him and rolled him over and I almost had a heart attack when I saw his face. I tried to remove what I just saw from my mind but it had now been engraved there forever. His face was burnt off, slowly by the look of it. I got up from my haunches and walked away when I heard him whisper quietly. Peace is irrelevant. I turned as fast as possible but it was too late, he was gone.