Author's Note

This is where things transition from straight horror to dark fantasy. The ultimate alliance of pony and mankind! Bring it, fuckers!!!

Prayer for the Innocent (Phase 5)

"What are we looking for, exactly?" Twilight asked.

"The creatures we're hunting look human, but they're made up of some sorta smoke." Maria explained.

"I take it that light helps stave them off?"

"Yeah. Cuts 'em down to size with one touch."

"You said you discovered it on accident?"

"It just kind of happened on its own. None of us were expecting it, but it's saved our skins a bunch over the last week and a half."

Twilight paused.

"You've been fighting them for less than two weeks!?"

"Guess the tables have turned, eh?"

"It's just...You compose yourself in the manner of a hardened soldier! I assumed you'd been fighting them a lot longer..."

"You didn't find my lack of reaction strange when we met?"

"Now that you mention it..."

"I woke up one Sunday morning and my neighbors were dead. Not much can get to me anymore."

"Dead!? What happened!?"

"One of those things got to 'em first. Dragged 'em to the bedroom and eviscerated 'em 'til they bled out."

Twilight felt sick. The disgust was reflected in her expression. Her friends sympathized with her plight.

"I...I don't know what to say..."

"Not much that can be said. They're monsters compelled to kill by instinct. The sooner we get rid of 'em, the better off we'll be."

"Yeah...Sounds like it."

"I can already tell you where most of 'em'll be."

"Where?"

"The ICU."

"...We should hurry."

Several doors down from their initial convergence point, Twilight finally caught a glimpse of one of the unwelcome intruders. She recoiled in horror, slamming her back against the wall. The pain didn't even register.

"It doesn't have a face!"

"Spooky, huh?" Maria teased.

"This isn't the time for stupid jokes! Kill it now!"

"Copy that."

Maria summoned her aura. She burst through the door. The unnamed monstrosity had already been sucking the life out of a young boy before they arrived. She sliced through its head before it could so much as stand straight. It instantly vanished in a veil of darkened air.

"Hasta La Vista, fucker."

The rest of the party shuffled in, save for Twilight, who was too stunned to move.

"He still breathin'?" Brandon questioned.

Maria checked the comatose boy's pulse.

"He'll be all right. Might feel a bit fatigued for a while though."

"Kid can't be no older than eight, man..." Eric muttered.

"We're on a stringent time limit right now," Maria reminded, "We can save the kids, but we have to do it quick."

"I fuckin' hate hospitals." James stated.

Twilight's friends gathered around her. The Alicorn's fear had almost rendered her catatonic. She could just barely move her head enough to stare between them.

"You okay, Twi?" Applejack voiced.

"I...I don't know..."

Maria stepped between the group. She squatted, meeting Twilight at eye level to console the frightened mare.

"First time freaked me out, too. You'll get used to it."

"I thought I knew..."

"This world's full of surprises the same way yours would probably be to us. Gotta stay on your toes to keep yourself breathin'."

"..."

"I'll tell you something. It's a handy secret to know in a pinch."

"Secret...?"

"Support helps. I couldn't have done half of what I have without these guys havin' my back. If you're willing to put aside your preconceived notions of humanity, there's no limit to what we can accomplish. We can rebuild the world piece by piece if we have to, but only if we work together. Cooperation is key. With that being said, I have one question."

Maria extended her hand.

"Are you in...Partner?"

A spark erupted in Twilight's eyes. It was true humans had once committed deplorable transgressions against existence, but maybe...Just maybe...This was their chance to redeem themselves...

"No need to ask...Partner."