A New End

Screams were heard throughout the castle. Bodies lied across the castle floor. Blood painted the walls in liquid red. But I couldn't focus on that. I had to focus on getting the princess to safety. But the only place I could think of was the dungeon. But if there are those "things" are down there, they have the element of surprise. The dungeon is supposedly the darkest place in all of Equestria. Near the hall to the dungeon, the torches were not lit and it was extremely dark. So I used my magic to create a bright glow. It filled the area with a brilliant light. However, I became tired before I could make it to the dungeon and I couldn't create light anymore. The princess noticed what I was trying to do.

"Please, captain. Allow me."

She used her magic to create another source of light. The light was almost blinding. This time, we all reached the dungeon. Two torches were on either side of the entrance. Those two were lit. I grabbed one of the torches and locked the door when everypony got inside. There were torches inside the dungeon as well, but they looked as if they were already used. Most of it was burned away and unusable. The most it could hold the fire was about 3 hours.

"Soldier, light the torches. I'll go see if there's anypony in here."

"I'll get right on it, sir."

I began to walk deeper into the dungeon. Every step I took seemed to get louder and louder. Echos bounced off the walls and through my head. I could hear rattling chains coming from behind me, then a low growling sound. I turned around and saw a zombie chained on the wall. It was hanging by its front hooves. They were chained to the wall. It desperately tried to reach me, but the chains made that impossible. I brought out my still wet sword and stabbed it through its head. I then pulled out the sword by pulling it up. The zombie's head split in two. It stopped moving instantly. After a few more hours, I returned to the rookie and the princess, who was accompanied by two more guards that I haven't noticed before.

"Who are you two?"

The two guards turn around, their eyes grew wide, then they stood in line at attention, saluting me.

"Sir! Pvt. Metal Gear, sir! My friends call me Iron Heart, sir!"

"Sir! Cpl. Thunderlane, sir!"

"At ease. How did you two get in here?"

"I was already in here before you and the princess got in here." said the private. "The princess let Thunderlane in right before she boarded up the door. We had a few more ponies try to get in, but the zombies got to them before we could unlock that rusty old door."

Thunderlane notices the rookie. "Who is that, sir? I've never seen him around before."

I thought for a second. I actually din't know anything about the rookie. I couldn't even seem to recall seeing him in the enlistment files. I was just about to call over the rookie when a huge force clammed against the door. It sent the princess flying backwards. The rookie nearly lost his balance, but he managed to keep himself up.

"Incredible... He held his ground against a force not even Celestia could hold... Who is this pony?"

I checked on the princess, who was on the ground. She broke her wing on the impact! I quickly took off the bandana I always wrapped around my forehead and wrapped it around her wing. Surprisingly, it was just big enough to wrap around the wing twice.

"Thank you, captain..."

"Of course, my lady."

It was quiet in the dungeon. Too quiet.

"Hey, captain. Check it out."

"What is it?"

"The zombies stopped banging on the door."

"Why?"

"Not sure, sir."

I took that moment of silence as an opportunity on discussing on how I and the others were going to survive.

"We can't survive in here forever, captain. We need supplies."

"Don't forget weapons."

"We need a new place as well. This dungeon will not provide us with the survival elements we need. We need a new stronghold."

"I agree with the princess. But how are we going get outside? The castle is probably swarming with zombies. Not to mention the rest of the kingdom. None of us will survive 10 minutes on our own with these dull weapons. We need sharp, new ones. Not even the princess will survive very long on her own. No offense, your highness."

"None taken, soldier. You are right. But who will leave safety for the good of all of us?"

It was silent. No pony wanted to go. They were all too frightened. But not me.

"I'll do it."

Everypony turned their attention to me.

"What?"

"Captain. That's suicide!"

"I understand. But for the good of everypony here, and Equestria, I volunteer to go."

"Very well, captain. You always were a stubborn pony."

"Yes, ma'am."

"If your mind cannot be changed, the very least I can do is give you this."

Celestia lifted her undamaged wing to reveal a sword and scabbard. The handle of the sword was pure gold and had swirly designs engraved into it. In the middle of the handle was a red-orange gem shaped like a galaxy with four ponies circling around it. It was the royal family insignia. The four ponies were all the different race of ponies. One was a earth pony. One was a unicorn. One was a pegasus. And the last was a alicorn. It was a truly beautiful sight to see. She pulled out the sword from its scabbard using her magic. The light from the torches shined off the blade. The blade was made of genomite crystal, the hardest and sharpest mineral in the world, and was as sharp as the tooth of a dragon.

"It is from my personal armory. It was my fathers."

I recalled seeing her father as a little filly. I never knew what a huge honor it was to meet him until that very moment, when I remembered the event. I took the sword. I was overcome by the mere sight of holding it.

"Thank you, princess."

"Be careful, captain. I'd hate to break in a new bodyguard."

"Don't worry, princess. I'll be back."