Mask

Shadows.

Bulk grunted as he walked along, wiping his armor, seeing his heavy shirt torn from the scuffle. Thunderlane walked beside him, shouldering his weapon, Meteor was behind them, peering all around through the snow, trying to spot any beasts that may be trailing them. Bulk stopped when he saw something on the wall, giving a loud gasp as he saw some shape take form. Both Meteor and Thunderlane twirled around, weapons ready, aiming towards Bulks direction.

That is when they saw it. Shadows.

No, not shadows...outlines of people. Once they were living, breathing people. Some were running, others were holding items or their loved ones. Some were even praying. All gone in a flash, all that was left were the blackened silhouettes of their bodies.

Bulk rested his hand on the wall, being as gentle as he could be, as if the entire thing would crumple at the slightest miscalculation. He ignored the ticking on his counter, before it suddenly went haywire, screaming at him, warning him of danger.

He pulled his hand back, Thunderlane resting his hand against Bulks shoulder, asking, "You know them?"

"A few I recognize. Some I don't." Bulk confessed, looking at the wall. He slowly stood back up, his counter clicking loudly as they started to walk again, back towards the front gates. "We should head back."

"Can't wait to get out of this cold." Thunderlane mumbled out as they walked, his eyes scanning along the shops. He stopped when he saw a trail lead off into the following street, adjusting his crossbow. "Hey, what's that?"

Bulk and Meteor turned, the latter walking over and kneeling down, inspecting the prints. She hummed in thought, before a distant howl was carried by the wind. The group shot up, aiming their weapons around, hearing another howl, closer and further ahead. They twirled around, Bulk straining his ears as he struggled to listen to anything.

All he could hear was breathing, the filters doing their work. Wait...not their breathing. Something was breathing further ahead. Heavy panting and sniffing, Bulk slowly turning and kneeling down, crouching and aiming at the sound.

A shadow moved, Bulk aiming his weapon and giving a loud yelp in surprise. He shot his crossbow, on instinct, before the beast fell in front of them, arrow miraculously planting into its forehead. Another beast emerged, snarling and giving a low, throaty growl, Meteor spinning around and firing an arrow into its arm. It screeched in pain, before another arrow was shot into the beast, silencing its pained cries. She reached down and planted her boot on the beast, grunting with exertion as she tugged the bolts out.

Another Mutt appeared in the flurry of snow, Thunderlane firing an arrow into its hand, pinning it. It roared and barked at them, before Thunderlane took his knife out and slammed it into the beasts forehead. He slammed it down again and again, silencing the poor beast and violently shanking into its skull.

Now, hands soaked in blood and some brain matter, he sat back, panting and staring at the deadly beast. He heard another bark, tugging the knife out and ripping the crossbow bolt out of the beasts hand, aiming his crossbow towards the noise. He fired another shot, then another, the beast falling into the snow, bloody and broken.

Bulk grunted as he fired another bolt, another.mutated beast crumpling before him, before giving a yell of surprise, being tackled out of the group, Meteor and Thunderlane twirling around. They shot into the beasts back as it tried biting onto Bulks throat, the mans hands and incredible strength ripping the jaws open and keeping it there. Its teeth cut into his hands, his face underneath his mask grimacing as the beast tried clawing into his armored sides and chest, gripping his jaws. He kneed it in the stomach, making it yelped, before grabbing the beast and headbutting it, his mask miraculously holding together.

He twirled himself and the dazed beast around, tugging his knife out and slamming it into the beasts eye. He grunted as he kept the movement for a moment, before tugging his knife out of the still mutant. He stood up and grunted, both Meteor and Thunderlane pressing their backs against him, taking up multiple sides, weapons aiming around. They saw more shapes in the snow, taking shape, barking and growling surrounding them from all sides.

That was when they heard the roar, a sound which froze their blood far faster than the snow and ice around them. It was deep, loud, and seemed to suck the very sound out of the air, continuing for a few moments, before slowly tapering out. The trio turned towards the origin, slowly backing up.

The beasts had the same idea and yelped as they scattered, scampering into the snow with their tails between their legs. One of the beasts ran by Bulk, though paid him no mind, ignoring the exhausted humans and scrambling into the alleyway, yiping in fear.

"We...should get outta here." Thunderlane said, leaning down, tugging his bolts out of the bleeding beast. He put his boot down on the beast and tugged bolt after bolt out. After all, they had no clue when they would get ammo again, better to resupply and leave.

"Whatever that is, sounds powerful." Meteor said, her grip tightening on the bolt she was pulling out. She started to reload the weapon, giving soft grunts of exertion, before the beast bit at her, snarling angrily.

She took a knife out and slammed it into the beasts head. She grunted as she forced the beasts head into an awkward angle, feeling it slash at her, tearing into her clothes a bit. She finally pushed, a loud crack echoing out as the beast finally fell still, Meteor panting in her mask as she pulled the knife out.

She sat there for a few minutes, catching her breath, when a loud shriek echoed out in the wind. Meteor stood up and gave a soft noise, her flashlight flicking on and they walked out into the snow.

The bodies they left behind painted the snow with blood, snow battering against the bodies and hiding the tracks that Meteor had noticed before the battle.

Big Mac and Silver Spear walked along the fences of the outskirts of Sweet Apple Acres. Silver Spear was scanning ahead and to the sides, his crossbow drawn and at the ready, Storm bringing up the rear and watching behind them, her eyes scanning the dead trees and snow, the heavy snow falling all around them making it nearly impossible to see twenty meters around them.

Big Mac himself was watching the trees go by, sadness filling into his heart at the sight of the once mighty orchard. He gave a trembling breath, his eyes may not have been able to see, but his heart knew the way. They were close, very close.

"Hey, if we get a moment, we could probably put your grandmother to rest." Silver Spear finally said, Big Macintosh looking at him in surprise.

"B-but, what about tha-"

"Mission is important, but this is your home. Wouldn't feel right to just leave her up here. She should be put at rest." Silver Spear said, Big Mac staring at the man in silence. He then nodded, Spear taking his eyes off the road ahead of them and looking at Big Mac. "We've lost a lot. Friends. Families. Our homes, but we don't have to lose our hearts."

Big Mac smiled, only for the trio to freeze when they heard a roar tear into the air. Their fight or flight response shot through their systems, but they stood their ground, raising their crossbows up. They waited a few minutes, fingers on the triggers, before slowly moving forward, eyes peering out into the snow, jaws clenched and ready.

"What was that?" Storm finally asked, her eyes scanning around, a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"I don't know." Silver Spear said, Big Mac peering all around.

"Hey, do ya get tha feelin we're bein watched?" Big Mac mumbled out to Silver Spear, who nodded in response. "We should hurry up then."

Silver Spear and Big Mac kept walking, Storm taking a few seconds to scan the sky, before slowly following behind the duo. Storm looked back at the fence, then back up towards where Canterlot would be, if the clouds surrounding them did not block the view.

"Wonder how the others are doing back at the palace." Storm finally spoke, breaking the anxious silence, her eyes turning soft. "Bright Chimes up and making her breakfast, maybe waffles. Maybe

Silver Spear smiled as they walked, before responding, "I remember when Flash Magnus and I would scare the shit out of recruits in the morning." He looked back at Storm, giving a hum, "He thought you had potential. Would say you would always stay up, cleaning your weapons when the others fell asleep. He'd make them go exercise in the Pit while you just got to clean your weapon."

"I hated that Pit." Storm said, her crossbow being swept around in defensive motion. "I hated boot camp even more."

"I hated boot camp too." Silver agreed, before Big Mac started running ahead, Silver giving a look back at Storm. "Cover the flanks, we don't wanna be snuck up o-"

Big Mac suddenly fell to his knees, staring ahead. Silver jogged up to him, aiming all around. He lowered his weapon and gave a soft sound, kneeling down next to Big Mac. The ruins of the house were shown, snow whipping past them, the barn half sunken in from the blast waves over a month ago. Big Mac lowered his head, his eyes stinging quietly as the grip on his crossbow tightened.

"Big Macintosh, I am so sorry..." Storm said, resting her hand on Big Macs shoulder. The man shuddered a bit, trying to hold in the tears, only to look up, eyes burning.

"We been through a chaos god, fruit eatin bats, giant wooden wolves, a literal dragon...an it finally takes tha end o' the world to take this farm down." Big Macintosh said, before blinking his tears away. "Wait...what in tarnation?"

Silver followed his gaze and stood up, mumbling out, "A hot spring? On a farm?"

"We didn't have a hot spring."

They helped Big Mac up and they walked over to the steam spilling out of the corner of the barn, peering around the corner and seeing a form taking place through the snow. Silver held a finger up to his mask, before making a motion with his hand. Storm nodded silently and started to circle around, keeping her crossbow aimed squarely at the form, moving in the snow. Big Mac slowly walked forward, Silver Spear flanking him, kneeling down and getting prepared to fire.

"Freeze!" Silver yelled out, and although it was muffled and against the howling wind, the figure froze and threw their hands up. Sapient, good, not an animal. "Canterlot Guard! Turn around slowly, and keep those hands up!"

"Silver Spear?"

Big Mac froze, giving a frown, staring at the figure. He shouldered his crossbow and grimaced, yelling out, "Spike?! Now what in tarnation are ya doin' out here, boy?!"

Storm and Silver sighed and lowered their weapons, walking over to the young dragonblood. Storm knelt down and gave him a frown, "Spike, I saw you with Mayor Mare two hours ago, how did you even get out of here?"

"Well, I, uh-"

"And why exactly are ya at my family's farm?"

"It's because of-"

"And why are you-"

They were cut off by the sound of water and looked back at the grave, the freshly dug dirt resting on top of Granny Smiths now peaceful body. Big Macs eyes trailed up to the tombstone erected, although the words literally scratched in drew his gaze, the snow melting around the grave to give it some reprieve from the cold.

HERE LIES GRANNY SMITH
LOVING MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND MATRIARCH OF THE APPLE FAMILY

"Spike, you...did ya..." Big Mac looked down at the young dragonblood, tears slowly creeping out of his green eyes. Spike smiled bashfully and rubbed the back of his neck.

They were interrupted by something heavy landing on the roof of the barn, the trio of adults aiming upwards, Spike gripping the hilt of his machete in response, but not tugging it out. They stood there, wind howling at them as the roof creaked with the weight of the beast. Silver tapped his leg, catching the trios attention, then thrust a thumb back towards the house.

They nodded and quietly (well, as quietly as they could through the crunching of snow), and walked towards the house. Big Mac pulled a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door, slowly pushing it open.

"Doors and corners. If you run into the room, the room eats ya." Silver mumbled out to them, Storm kneeling around and slowly aiming inside. She swept the room and slowly circled around, before nodding to them. "Okay, inside, we'll wait that thing out."

They shuffled into the room, Big Mac quietly closing the door behind them, and the group shared a quiet breath of relief. He leaned against the door, before looking around, seeing the windows cracked and broken in, and the furniture thrown around from the shockwaves.

"So, young Spike," The young dragonbloods tail curled around himself, the boy tugging his mask down and giving an ashamed look at the tone of Silvers authoritative voice, before he continued, "Mind telling me why you are out here instead of being in the Caverns?"

Spike sat there silently, before motioning for them to be quiet. He pointed towards the roof, creaking being heard as the beast walked across. It gave a shrill hiss that echoed throughout the house, before slowly clambering back.

Big Mac took this opportunity to point towards the outside, giving a slight grunt once a few moments passed. "Cellars entrance is outside."

"We should wait a few more minutes, then get in the cellar." Storm mumbled out, Spike sitting down on a chair, it creaking a bit from his weight. "If we have to fight, we have four against one."

"Ya better not be suggesting that Spike is goin ta fight with us!" Big Mac hissed out, only for Spike to glare at Big Mac. He puffed his cheeks out, before Big Mac interrupted him unintentionally, "He may be a dragonblood, but he is still a boy."

"I agree." Silver said, before turning to Spike, saying, "If things go south out there, you should run to the Caverns as soon as possible."

"I can't just-"

The sound of claws scraping against the wall stopped the conversation. They waited a moment, a bead of sweat dripping down Big Macs forehead as he strained his ears to listen. They waited, listening, Storm silently pressing the stock of the crossbow against her shoulder, slowly panning around, Silver himself aiming at the noise, eyes hardening at he stared at the wall.

A few more moments passed, before a muffled scream echoed out from beyond the wall, the creature taking off into the wind. They stood there, motionless, for a few more minutes, before Spike slowly stepped out, sniffing the air, flicking his long tongue out for a moment.

"It's gone." He finally said, the group relaxing at the sound. Silver checked his watch, then nodded to the group.

"Once we are in the cellar, we'll clean our filters and get the supplies." Silver said, slowly opening the door. He slowly poked his head out, looking around, before opening the door more, sweeping his weapon around. "Clear."

They shuffled out of the door, before Storm whipped around, hissing, "Wait! The kid doesn't have a mask on!"

"I'm a dragonblood." He said, before pulling his surgical mask up. "I can breathe this stuff. You guys can't."

"Then, what's with the-"

"Hides my breath from sight, and it helps me see without any steam obscuring my vision." Spike explained, before looking up, his green eyes scanning the swirling clouds.

Big Mac walked ahead of the group, scanning the snow covered ground, Spike slowly sliding his machete out and walking with him. Silver and Storm knelt down and took positions, kneeling down and aiming around, keeping an eye towards the clouds.

"Sorry Big Mac, I just wanted to...you know, ever since AJ and I...well, I just...sorry."

"Thanks Spike."

Spike blinked, before giving him a confused look, "But, what did I do?"

"You...ya buried Granny. Somethin' Applebloom, Applejack and I, we just...jus' couldn't even think about it. And you did it for us. You didn't have to, but...but ya did." He knelt down and started brushing away snow, giving a soft hum as he brushed away the hardened powder. He sat up and gave him a look, which warmed Spikes heart, even as the cold was biting at his skin, then continued, "I really don't think I could...that Applebloom or I could...thank you."

Spike smiled, before resting a hand on Big Macs shoulder, who grasped his hand and gave it a squeeze. Spike felt his knuckle pop, but said nothing and just stood there, Big Mac lowering his head. The large man then patted Spikes hand and started wiping the snow off the cellar door after a moment had passed.

"We'll mourn when we head back home." Big Mac said, before lifting the cellar door. "For now, we got a job to do."

Silver made a movement with his hand, Storm nodding and slowly moving into the cellar. Spike pulled his machete out and slowly stepped down, Silver bringing up the rear, aiming around as they slowly made their way down.

Had they looked up at the barn, they would have seen the face of the beast that had been tracking them. It stared down at the cellar, lazily resting on the roof, waiting, watching.nits ears flicked a bit, chittering a bit to itself as it waited.

The dragonblood would cause a problem, but if it was lucky, maybe it could get a meal without too much damage.

Mayor Mare hummed softly as she clicked her pen thoughtlessly, the paper in front of her empty and baren. She hummed softly, before looking up through the low candle light of her office. Some books, cute models that Spike had found and built (including one of a strange, bipedal dragon with massive spikes on its back roaring that reminded Mayor Mare of Spike), and a few scrolls that Mayor Mare had found in the office.

She drummed her fingers on the desk for a moment, before leaning back on her chair, giving a soft sigh. She peered around the room again, before setting her pen down, rubbing her cheek in thought, her eyes scanning every book, every nook and cranny and yet found nothing.

It was quiet. Far too quiet.

She stood up, adjusting her shirt a bit as she walked out of the door, peering around. It seemed, although they were underground, people still rose and set with the sun, and the late afternoon still proved to be busy.

People were talking, children were playing, pets ran back and forth, all was peaceful in the cavern they called home.

Something was missing.

She stood up and sighed, walking over to her door, opening it and stepping out. Perhaps she needed fresh air, she was worried about the group up above. That's it, just worry. Just worry.

No, it was something different.

She started her trek towards the front gates, panning her head around, seeing everyone going about their business. Kids were playing, totally unaware of the outside world, people were working and trading. Although bits were now useless, they did trade in gems or items, much like the bartering systems of old.

Mayor Mare kept walking, until she saw Steel Wing watching the door, his weapon pressed firmly against his shoulder. Steel Wing was patting himself down, before watching Mayor Mare approach. He stood rigid, making Mayor Mare roll her eyes a bit.

"At ease." Steel nodded, then started patting himself down, Mayor Mare quirking an eyebrow at the sight. "What are you doing?"

"Sorry, ever since I quit smoking, I usually have some gum or something on me." Steel explained, patting down his pockets, frowning a bit. "But it seems I may have forgotten my pack in my room."

Mayor Mare chuckled a bit, before looking at the massive door. She hummed in thought, before looking back at Steel, asking, "Did you grab what Smith wanted to give you?"

"Warming Smith? Yeah, he gave me the thing. Said he wanted to test it out before the rest of the team got it...I will admit, it is pretty cool." Steel said, adjusting his right wrist, before looking back at the door. "They're taking a long time."

Mayor Mare gave a soft sigh as she looked at the door too, scratching the back of her head, "Yeah, well. From what the labs tell me, it may be covered in snow up there. Not the easiest thing to travel through."

Steel looked back at her, before adjusting his crossbow a bit, "Where's the kid?"

"Reading a comic somewhere." Mayor Mare answered, though Steel chuckled a bit. "What?"

"With how much he talks about wanting to leave and find his friends? You'd think the kid was talking about saving the world." Steel Wing said, before a skittering caught their attention. Steel lifted his weapon and turned on the mounted flashlight, shining the light up the tunnel. They saw a hole in the side of the cavern, Steel giving a hum as he walked over, shouldering his weapon.

"You don't think the Mutts dug into the tunnel, do you?" Steel asked, shining a flashlight into the hole, kneeling down a bit to get a better look.

"Not unless they spit acid. Walls are too hard to get into, they would need a sort of acid to break through."

Steel looked over, moving his flashlight away from the hole, not noticing the chittering erupting out of it. "Well, something broke through, and if it wasn't a Mutt, wha- OH FUCK!"

Mayor Mare turned around to see Steel on his back, holding back some sort of strange creature. It screamed in his face, its massive tail swinging forward and stabbing into the rock where Steels head was a moment ago. He yelled as he grabbed his knife out and jammed it into the beasts back, though the knife slid off of its armored hide.

Mayor Mare froze, her fight or flight reacting instantly, her body's adrenaline kicking in, her eyes watching. His weapon clattered when it hit the ground, Steel jamming his armored bracer into its mouth, feeling its mandibles scrape against it. He tried hamming his knife into the monster, only to drop his knife when it struck again, just barely missing his head.

He snapped his arm up and grasped its tail, trying to force the thing off of him, hearing it scream and claw at his armored chest. "Fuck! If I die like this, I am gonna be so fucking pissed!"

His words snapped Mayor Mare out of her stupor, making her jump for his weapon, not caring if her clothes got dirty. She grabbed his crossbow, and aimed it at the beast, pulling the trigger, only to hear a click. She smacked the contraption three times, before suddenly turning the mounted flashlight on, the sounds of the scuffle stopping when she aimed again.

The insect like beast scrambled off of Steel, the man grasping his knife and scooting towards the opposite wall, holding his knife in a defensive manner. The creature screamed and started smoking, Mayor Mare keeping her flashlight on it, its tail whipping to and fro as it tried scrambling away from the pain. Its carapace started to darken as it scratched across the ground, trying to stop its pain.

It finally flipped over, belly bright red, before Mayor Mare finally shot, the crossbow bolt slamming into it and killing the beast instantly. Steel and Mayor Mare waited for it to move, but its legs just curled in, its body smoking and charred as it lies there.

"Holy shit, Mayor."

"Yeah, well..." She walked over and handed him the crossbow in a disgusted motion. "You were being attacked, I needed to help." She walked over and knelt down, nose crinkling at the smell of the burnt carcass. She reeled back and gagged, walking away from the carcass, before looking at the hole in the wall. "What ever it is, it hates lights."

"Yeah, dude burned like he was set on fire just by this weak flashlight."

"We should get some people to plug up that hole."

"Won't they burn through with acid?"

"Not if they use magic. And not if this place has lights too."

Steel adjusted his weapon and looked at the carcass, examining it. Before, its exoskeleton was a white, almost yellow like coloration, but now it appeared to be charred black. Its head was almost scorpion like, multiple eyes, mandibles were strengthened and had teeth in them. Strangely enough, it possessed no front pincers, it had legs instead with sharp tips. Its tail was massive, containing two extra stingers on top of a large one, likely used to strengthen its attacks.

Its back was hardened at first, likely able to take some heavy damage before it would eventually be damaged, though its extreme sensitivity to light seemed to make all that armor useless. It also seemed like the underbelly was much softer than the upper carapace, making it an ideal target, if one could get to it.

Steel hoped Silver and the others were having an easier time on the surface. Now he had to sit here and watch a damn hole in case more spider things came out while the Mayor went to grab some magicbloods.

"I hate bugs."