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Cloudruler

Zhorse (Pony Zombies)

Apr 5th, 2018
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  1. >https://youtu.be/dTYNwwPQH4k
  2. >The young Princess Flurry Heart leads you into the Crystal Empire's version of a war room.
  3. >Compared to the advanced magic of Canterlot, it's many centuries behind.
  4. >Approximately a thousand years... Well....
  5. >It's just a massive table with carved geographic locations on it. Units and points of interest are simply denoted by little flags and figurines.
  6. >Flurry's parents are both already standing at the table, along with a few members of their guard retinue.
  7. >They look up as the doors open to you and the guards stationed on either side salute. Shining Armor, who's looking tired and stressed beyond his middling age, addresses you first.
  8. >"Ah, Captain Anon. You're right on time."
  9. >You nod to the prince and princess.
  10. "Your highnesses, all is prepared. The chariots are packed and ready to leave at your command."
  11. >Cadence speaks next. Despite the situation, she looks as youthful as ever.
  12. >"Good, we won't be long. Do you have anymore news from my Aunts? Do you have any news from Ponyville?"
  13. "Well, I can certainly give some updates for your table, here. As for Ponyville, it was secure when I last passed through there. Extraction teams are out gathering up the Elements of Harmony at their last known locations."
  14. >Honestly, you don't know how true any of that really is. Sure, Ponyville looked peaceful when you flew over it on the way here, with ponies going about their day like there wasn't a national emergency everywhere else. And since some Elements stubbornly continued to live in that rural mudpit, a military cordon was put in place. But this... Evil sweeping the nation moves faster than anything you've ever seen.
  15. >And yes, there are teams out looking for the other Elements. But some are harder to locate than others.
  16. >Many years ago, they all lived in Ponyville together. But somewhere along the line, the peacekeepers of Equestria decided to split up to the far corners of the country for some fucking reason.
  17.  
  18. >The Element of Honesty still lives with her family in Ponyville, refusing to budge without the assurance of her family's safety.
  19. >Princess Twilight had her castle there, but she's since relocated to Canterlot.
  20. >Kindness was off on some expedition to see some stupid animals in the jungle.
  21. >Laughter apparently went full gypsy and was last seen wandering the West as a "one-pony-party" or something.
  22. >Generosity was somewhere in Manehatten managing a line of clothing stores.
  23. >Loyalty was on tour with the Wonderbolts down in Las Pegasus.
  24. >Altogether, you can safely say you can secure two of six. Not like you think they're the answer to this.
  25. >You step up to the map on their table.
  26. >There's a lot of flags reporting sightings of larger herds, and tons of small cubes depicting Royal Guard concentrations.
  27. >Canterlot is swarmed with them, Ponyville's got a small number, but all the other cities are basically the same amount.
  28. "Alright... Well, I can't give accurate headcounts on the garrisons city-by-city, but I know that anything East of here is pretty much gone."
  29. >They just look at you, before Shining Speaks up.
  30. >"Gone as in...."
  31. "Manehatten went dark this morning. Fillydelphia has been under siege since then, and Baltimare is a ghost town - all their ponies are making a dash for either the capital or Las Pegasus."
  32. >Shining picks away several cubes from the table, leaving Manehatten and Baltimare barren, and Fillydelphia a few down.
  33. >You still think that's highly optimistic... The reported casualty rates have been ludicrously high.
  34. "Cloudsdale's packed up and moved South under Celestia's orders; she means for them to join up with Las Pegasus and take as many refugees as they can."
  35. >Shining moves the numbers on Cloudsdale's section down South.
  36. "...Somehow, Vanhoover's getting hit hard by this stuff too. The Vanhoover Guard have blown up all the bridges and roads to close to the city, last I heard. Nopony's getting in or out."
  37.  
  38.  
  39. >Shining Armor doesn't take away any of Vanhoover's pieces.
  40. >He just stares at it, along with everyone else.
  41. >"... This is not ideal."
  42. >That's one way to put it. You were in Manehatten just a day ago... It's been a long 24 hours.
  43. "Well, the positive side to this is that we've not heard of any outbreaks in Canterlot or here, so we still have a window of time to keep things together. But for now, your Highnesses, the chariots are waiting."
  44. >"Right, yes. Best we'd get to Celestia and see what can be done...."
  45. >Cadence speaks up.
  46. >"Hold on a moment, dear. We still have to address our ponies before we go."
  47. >Shining shakes his head.
  48. >"We don't have time for that now. Our Guard will explain the situation to them. We need to get down South now."
  49. >Cadence counters with the slightest hint of annoyance in her voice.
  50. >"Shiny, we already scheduled our address. Our citizens deserve to know that we aren't just abandoning them."
  51. >Shining growls at her.
  52. >"That was BEFORE. This is NOW. Sweetie, half the country has been hit since we last got an update. WHO KNOWS what we'll be galloping into by the time your little speech is done!"
  53. >Cadence scoffs.
  54. >"DEAR! We are NOT leaving our ponies in the dark while we run and hide in Canterlot! If we must leave our home, then we owe it to them to do so in a calm and hopeful manner!"
  55. >Shining shoves his face into hers.
  56. >"THERE IS NO HOPE IF NEITHER OF YOU MAKE IT TO-"
  57. >"MOM! DAD!"
  58. >You all turn to Flurry, who's been quiet up until now. Like her mother, the youngest princess hasn't one wrinkle. And her outburst held no tone of fear. The little girl just sees two squabbling parents.
  59. >She's in her 20's....
  60. >"Now is not the time for fighting! Dad, if we're going to be doomed from taking a few minutes to talk to your subjects, then I think we're probably doomed already. And Mom, Dad's not trying to abandon anypony! He's just trying to protect us!"
  61.  
  62. >Shining hops up.
  63. >"Yes! Yes, I'm trying to keep you both safe. How about you both go ahead on the chariots, and I'll talk to the public?"
  64. >Cadence rolls her eyes.
  65. >"I'm not leaving you behind, dear. Let's just go and make this quick."
  66. >"Cadence-"
  67. >She stomps her hoof on the table. Some of the little cubes jump.
  68. >"That's FINAL! Come on, we're keeping everypony waiting."
  69. >You turn to the doors as the two guards open them. Cadence walks out, followed by a pair of guards. Flurry glances at you, then goes out as well.
  70. >Shining Armor walks up beside you, watching the rest of his subordinates file out the door.
  71. >But he doesn't go. Instead, he waits for the others to be along for a bit before turning to you.
  72. >"Captain."
  73. "Yes, your Highness?"
  74. >Your honorific gives him pause; his eyes slightly jolt about in his head before he answers.
  75. >"... I know I don't have the authority to change the mission of you or your troops, but... Just... Keep my daughter and wife safe, if you can?"
  76. >You glance down the hall they were in before responding.
  77. "Should I tell them?"
  78. >He shakes his head.
  79. >"No, it's got to be me. It was my decision, after all."
  80. >He lets out a long sigh.
  81. >"Not going to lie, I'm dreading THAT even more than what's to come."
  82. "It might not be all that bad up here compared to elsewhere. You have the mountains and the cold on your side."
  83. >He chuckles humorlessly.
  84. >"Heheh, yeah. Lucky us. It's a shame those things become obstacles the second this... Madness breaks out inside the city. Then we're all going to be cooped up in here without enough food or water, or anywhere to run."
  85. >You know he's right. The Crystal Empire is a fortress against outside threats, inside ones....
  86. "You could always change your mind, your Highness...."
  87. >"Don't call me that, Captain. I'm no princess."
  88. "No, but I understand that princes are-"
  89. >He glares at you.
  90. >"I am NOT royalty! I never was!"
  91. >Well that's patently false. But whatever, lack of sleep makes everyone think the strangest things.
  92.  
  93. >Hell, you're only still lucid because of those stimulant potions they gave you and your team.
  94. >Shining sighs again.
  95. >"Look at them both. Look my wife and kid... Equestria's falling apart and they're as affected by it as if it were a bad mane day."
  96. >He points down the empty hall.
  97. >"That, THAT is royalty. They're alicorns, they're princesses. What the hay am I? I'm a wreck. I feel a hundred years old, right now... When I was a captain, like you, everything was so clear. I had a job to do, and my family would be safe at home - everypony would be safe."
  98. >He steps through the door.
  99. >"I'm going to return to that. I have a job to do... And they'll be with my little sister in Canterlot."
  100. >You follow through the door, staying behind him as he trudges through the hallway.
  101. "I hear you can cast a damn good shield. That could be useful at HQ."
  102. >He shakes his head.
  103. >"It'll be useful, here. I can focus here when they're gone. Celestia willing, I'll be the last pony standing."
  104. >Wow, he's less optimistic than you are.
  105. "It may still not come down to that."
  106. >"I'm going to fetch my armor, you go on ahead."
  107. "Yes, sir."
  108. >"Don't-... Fine."
  109. >...
  110. >You walk down the hall to the great entrance to the palace. Here, several of your own team are waiting.
  111. >Instead of the traditional gilded steel of the Royal Guard, these newer teams looked more civilian than soldier.
  112. >Saddlebags filled with supplies, dull black body plate and cold, opaque shades over their eyes. The Sisters' newest addition to their arsenal were the Special Activities Teams.
  113. >You nod to your second-in-command, a unicorn lieutenant named Fire Cracker, who falls in beside you.
  114. >Cracker is the epitome of the SAT's differences from the Royal Guard. He's a hoof smaller than the smallest guard, copper coat with sandy mane and tail, blood red eyes and scraggly patches of beard on his chin.
  115. >Unlike the clean, beefy stallions they place into the regulars, the SAT's prefer accepting... Unconventional applicants into their ranks. Ponies whose strength only becomes apparent when they're fighting; their natural coats are left untouched, rather than turned white or gray; if not for their meager armor and patches, these unkempt fucks would pass as homeless ponies.
  116. "Any news?"
  117. >"Not yet. We swept the hospital and checked around town, and still no signs of an outbreak."
  118.  
  119. >Unlike the clean, beefy stallions they place into the regulars, the SAT's prefer accepting... Unconventional applicants into their ranks. Ponies whose strength only becomes apparent when they're fighting; their natural coats are left untouched, rather than turned white or gray; if not for their meager armor and patches, these unkempt fucks would pass as homeless ponies.
  120. "Any news?"
  121. >"Not yet. We swept the hospital and checked around town, and still no signs of an outbreak."
  122. "Good, we've one more diversion before we go. Royalty wants to give a final goodbye to her subjects."
  123. >Cracker grimaces.
  124. >"What if we missed one, we all know how fast this thing takes over your body... Somepony could have gotten scratched, and will be there, just waiting to turn."
  125. "Cool your shit. There's no reported infections, there's no refugees, there's not even been any sightings up here. Everything's fine."
  126. >"Then why are we leaving? Crystal Empire sounds pretty good right now."
  127. >As you walk, you gaze out to the shielded borders of the city. The tiny crystalline houses are tightly packed in; the grass and shrubbery is immaculately trimmed.
  128. >This may be the last time you see a nice lawn in quite a while.
  129. "Because that's our orders. And because Canterlot's got all the hardware to withstand an emergency like this."
  130. >Your team reaches the grounds below the palace where Cadence means to give her speech. The crystal Heart still hovers on its pedestal, powering the entire Empire.
  131. >Cadence is already there, along with Flurry Heart and several Crystal Pony guards.
  132. >Cracker hisses at your side.
  133. >"Why do we have to be down here? Don't they have a balcony?"
  134. >The princesses are surrounded by their subjects - newsponies, other guards, just random civilians.
  135. "Princess wants to be down here among her ponies. Just roll with it, we'll be alright. But if anypony looks suspicious, well, our first priority is getting the princess out of here."
  136.  
  137. >Your ponies spread themselves out among the guards. There's 12 of them in total, 6 unicorns and 6 pegasi, not counting the charioteers, who are just guard regulars. You didn't think Earth Ponies were the route to go with for this mission for obvious reasons.
  138. >Each one is hand-picked for their accuracy, strength, and personal bravery. As well as their ability to choose duty over family.
  139. >The first day of the outbreak was hell for that; Celestia made an executive order for every active guard and recruit to report to their bases for deployment. Problem is, when they heard the rumors about flesh-eating ponies, deserting suddenly became the hottest new fad in Equestria.
  140. >You know Fire Cracker has no close family, and neither do you, of course - but many in your squad are family stallions.
  141. >Trotting can be heard coming from behind you, and half the guards turn and brandish their weapons at the approaching pony.
  142. >You turn with them to see a very cautious Shining Armor, now decked out in his gilded royal armor and holding a spear.
  143. "Relax, everyone. Christ sake, we're good."
  144. >Everypony raises their spears and assumes their previous positions. But Shining comes to you.
  145. >He whispers to you.
  146. >"Has something happened?"
  147. "Not yet, sir. Everypony's got nerves, is all. We should out of here in no time."
  148. >He nods and goes to join his family. Flurry smiles at him as he comes up beside her, and he wraps her in an unexpected embrace.
  149. >A couple guards nearby flinch, just for a second, thinking maybe he'd turned in that moment between talking to you and walking over there.
  150. >"Hehe, dad, stop...."
  151. >He just smiles at her and plants a kiss on her head before letting her go and moving to his wife.
  152. >As he brings his hooves around her, though, Cadence huffs and pulls away.
  153. >"Dear, now's not the time."
  154. >He shrugs, still closing his legs around her body.
  155. >"It might be the only time we have, my love."
  156. >She sighs.
  157. >"Ugh, don't talk like that."
  158.  
  159. >Despite her protests, he holds her tight and gives her a big kiss on her cheek, whispering sweet nothings to her.
  160. >Something he said must really have been risqué, because she gasps and shoves his face away with a hoof.
  161. >"What has gotten into you, Shiny! We have to stay focused."
  162. >At that, his face darkens, and he assumes a guard stance between the two princesses.
  163. >"Right. Focus. Chariots are waiting."
  164. >Flurry Heart giggles at them.
  165. >"I just... Love both of you so much, never forget that."
  166. >Cadence eyes him suspiciously, but relents and moves to address the crowd.
  167. >"My dear subjects, I thank you all for joining me today. I know how... Hectic things have been recently, so it is nice to see that the Crystal Empire remains a place where ponies can slow down and hear one another out. Now, many of you may have heard of the situation in Equestria, but for those who may not yet know, I feel it is my duty to inform you. As yesterday morning, a sickness began spreading throughout both Vanhoover and the Manehatten area. First, I will say that the Crystal Empire has been entirely untouched by it thus far, and it seems to only be spread by having direct injection from somepony who has been infected."
  168. >Murmurs are heard in the crowd as ponies shuffle their hooves.
  169. >"So for the time being, we are safe. Our Royal Guard has been placed on high alert, and their first and only concern is your safety. As a precaution, the roads and railways to the city are now closed. I understand-"
  170. >A gasp is heard. A young Crystal mare in the crowd pushes forward.
  171. >"Wait! But I have family outside the city! Can we bring our families in, first?"
  172. >Cadence blinks, before responding.
  173. >"I'm sorry, but I cannot take the risk of allowing anymore ponies into the city. My messengers have been sent to every settlement and farmstead in the Empire to warn of the coming danger, and we have established a refugee center at Fort Diamond to the South."
  174.  
  175. >The mare droops her ears and she whimpers something, but steps back.
  176. >"Please listen closely to I have to say next, for this is of utmost importance: Signs that a pony may have been infected include any scratches or bites they may have received from another pony, unexplained coughing, unexplained bleeding, shortness of breath, bloodshot eyes, profuse sweating, nausea, or hallucinations. Now, not all ponies who have been infected show all these traits, but if somepony you know begins to show ANY of these signs, I urge you to contact the nearest guard or royal servant immediately."
  177. >A hoof comes up in the crowd, which Cadence points at.
  178. >"...Is this sickness life-threatening?"
  179. >Somepony's not been paying attention.
  180. >"We... It would seem that once a pony is infected, they pass away within anywhere from ten minutes to several hours. The longest recorded time that pony has survived was three hours."
  181. >Another voice speaks up.
  182. >"Is there a cure?"
  183. >Cadence looks in the voice's direction.
  184. >"As of now, all of Equestria's greatest minds have been called to Canterlot to help in finding a cure. In fact, my family and I have been ordered by Celestia to personally aid in controlling the situation."
  185. >Another round of gasps and shouts. A few ponies step out of line, and the guards all take a step forward, staying between them and the royal family.
  186. >"You're LEAVING!?"
  187. >Cadence holds her hoof up and the shouting dies down.
  188. >"Everypony, stay calm! The Crystal Empire is safe, the sickness has not once been reported anywhere in our land. Canterlot itself is in a more dangerous position than we are, but my aunt has called for our help. It is the Crystal Pony way to help those in need, so I must go. However, our entire Crystal Guard are remaining behind to keep you all safe. My husband has advised me to leave the city's protection in the capable hooves of Captain Magnetite."
  189.  
  190. >She gestures to a guard to her right. A tall, well-built Crystal stallion with a steely grey coat and white mane whose bluish armor bears a golden star on its chest. He nods confidently back at her, before sharing a glance with Shining Armor.
  191. >"Magnetite will do all in his power to protect the Crystal Empire. As of now, the guards will be gathering ample supplies for your survival, including any preservable foods, medicine, and water that they can. I must ask that you all cooperate fully with royal staff, and conserve your own food rations and water appropriately. We do not yet know how long this emergency will last, so please help yourselves, and each other, to prepare and remain calm. Now, I shall take a moment to answer some questions you may have, before I head for Canterlot."
  192. >Several hooves fly up and she picks out the first one, the same Crystal mare from before.
  193. >"Will we still be able to send mail to our loved ones beyond the city?"
  194. >Cadence shakes her head.
  195. >"Unfortunately, the postal service will need to be postponed until Captain Magnetite or myself lifts the shield. We cannot take the risk of allowing the infection to reach us inside."
  196. >Another mare speaks up.
  197. >"Has there been any cases of infection nearby?"
  198. >Cadence responds.
  199. >"As of my last received report, no. The majority of infections have been in the Manehatten or Vanhoover areas. Some sightings of infected ponies have been reported as far from those zones as Dodge City, but those could just as easily have been nervous ponies spreading rumors."
  200. >A stallion steps forward with a notepad in his hoof.
  201. >"Your Highness, you mentioned that the sickness is only spread through some kind of 'injection' from an infected pony. Now, if Equestria is facing a nation-wide crisis due to a sickness spread only through voluntary infection... Does this mean that ponies afflicted with it are actively seeking to spread it?"
  202. >Everyone pauses, Cadence just stares for a moment.
  203.  
  204. >"... A very astute observation, sir. I suppose I should elaborate. The sickness, it... After the pony affected by it passes on, they... They are reanimated in a lessened state. They are clinically dead, but the body becomes active, and... And it seeks out the living to infect them."
  205. >Shouting, pushing, worry, anger, shock. The crowd loses its shit, with half dispersing immediately and the other half yelling more questions at the princess. Several of them step past the allowed boundary, closing in on her.
  206. >She steps back from the chaos cautiously, and the guards step forward once more, angling their spears toward the incoming ponies.
  207. >You reach down and grip the handle of your sword on your belt. But before anyone can do anything stupid, a great pink shield blankets the princesses. Shining's horn is glowing brightly and his pear is fixated on one mare who came almost within stabbing distance - the same mare worried about her family.
  208. >She pleads with him, teary-eyed.
  209. >"Please, your highness! Just let me go, I won't cause any trouble, I just need to be with my family!"
  210. >Shining flares his nostrils and poises to strike her if she comes any closer.
  211. >"Back up! You are past the civilian boundary! Leave now, or I will have you arrested!"
  212. >She doesn't budge, so you step in between them both. Guards, as well as your own men, are beginning to shove the ponies back behind the boundary.
  213. "Ma'am, step back. You are only placing yourself at risk, right now."
  214. >You begin moving her away, but she shouts back at Shining Armor.
  215. >"If it were YOUR family, you would want to be out there! WHY DO YOU GET TO BE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND I DON'T!"
  216. >With one last push, you send her away, weeping. The others have all been returned behind the line.
  217. >Armor's shield lowers to reveal an angry wife.
  218. >"SHINING! You are NOT helping by being so aggressive with our subjects!"
  219. >He doesn't fight back, instead just glaring at the audience.
  220.  
  221. >"Everypony! I understand your fear, I understand your desire to find your families, but this unrest is not the answer. The sickness spreading in Equestria has frightening affects on those it takes from us, and I am not ashamed to tell you that I feel a great level of fear myself at the prospect of heading into that, let alone with my family... But is this the first time we have faced terrible odds? No! The Crystal Empire is no stranger to hard times, and neither is Equestria. King Sombra, the Changelings, Discord, Tirek, the wars with the Griffons, and Yaks, and Zebras... These all came, one after another, and sometimes all at once! But we survived, and came out the other end stronger than before. Not because of some powerful magic weapon, or the strength of our armies, but because of our love for one another! When the fires are all extinguished, and the smoke clears, ponies come together to rebuild. This crisis will pass, and I will be here to rebuild with you, because I love all of you. Now please, remember this, and continue to love each other. So long as the Crystal Heart glows bright, then the Crystal Empire will remain safe!"
  222. >Silence. The crowd stands enraptured by her words.
  223. >You've always had a lot of respect for the way the princesses can command the moods of their subjects.
  224. >Then cheers and applause. Every grimace becomes a smile, every shove a hug, and the ponies are happy for now. You almost feel yourself believing her words.
  225. >But you've fought in a couple of those wars she mentioned, and you don't remember love burning any Zebrican grove-cities.
  226. >As the cheering continues, Princess Cadence and Flurry Heart wave to the audience, while Shining comes up beside you.
  227. >"Alright, that took way too long. Tell your flyers to double-time it to the capital."
  228. "Yes sir, we'll be there before the sundown."
  229.  
  230. >Your entourage heads to the nearby landing area, where three chariots await. The royal family were asked only to bring their essentials, which are already packed. You watch your team load themselves onto the chariots, three alone on one, two in the rear, and you and Fire Cracker will be travelling with the princesses.
  231. >Behind you, the royal couple are arguing again.
  232. >"...-diculous, Shining. I wasn't IN danger! There's no sick ponies here, and even if they were, they would be quite conspicuous among the crowd."
  233. >"I get it, I get it. I wasn't trying to stir up trouble, I just don't want you taking any unnecessary risks! Those ponies knew to stay behind the boundary, and they chose to come at you, instead. What was I supposed to make of that?"
  234. >Cadence stops and presses a hoof into her husband's chest.
  235. >"You should have been more understanding. These ponies are scared, I'm scared, YOU are scared. It's really no wonder-"
  236. >Shining huffs.
  237. >"-I'm not scared."
  238. >"DEAR! When we get to Canterlot, please promise me that you'll act like a prince, and not like a guard."
  239. >Shining stays silent, fixing her with a grim look.
  240. >"Please? The ponies don't need another guard shaking her spear at every shadow... They need their prince, who will give them hope, and the strength to carry on in the face of this threat."
  241. >She brings a hoof up to his cheek, stroking him affectionately.
  242. >Until he brings his own hoof up and lowers it away, sighing.
  243. >"I'm not going."
  244. >Magnetite and another captain approach to flank Shining on both sides. Cadence stares at him, face blank. Flurry comes up next to her. You take your position behind both of them.
  245. >"Dad? What do you mean? I thought we were all going together."
  246. >He shakes his head.
  247.  
  248. >"I'm sorry, kiddo. The Crystal Empire is going to need me a lot more than Canterlot. That shield is going to need to recharge at some point, and I'll have to cast my own up while it does. Otherwise, all our preparations will be for nothing. You girls are going to be integral to fixing all this, while I'd just be in the way."
  249. >He cups his wife's head in his hooves, her face still blank, and kisses her.
  250. >"It's going to be okay, my love. Go on, now. Meet up with Twilight and the others, and keep Equestria alive."
  251. >You reach down and put a hand on Cadence's shoulder; your other hand grabs a metal ring out of one of your pouches.
  252. "Your highness, we need to go now."
  253. >Just then, as you begin shifting her in the direction of the chariots, she comes back to life.
  254. >Cadence bats away your hand and heads to Shining, the two captains flanking him come over and block her.
  255. >"Shining, you are NOT staying behind! We already made our plans, Magnetite will keep the city safe while we're gone! That was YOUR idea!"
  256. >She tries to lunge past them, but they grab her and keep her wings from extending.
  257. >"Get off! GET OFF ME! I'm not leaving without my husband!"
  258. >Her horn lights up, but you deftly slip your metal ring around the tip of the horn and slide it downwards. The magic aura is cut off by its negating powers.
  259. >Flurry stands back, seemingly accepting of the change of plans.
  260. >Cadence continues to struggle as you wrap your hands around her body and pull her away from the two guards. Left without wings or magic, she ceases fighting.
  261. >You ease up, letting the princess stand on quivering legs. Tears pour from her eyes freely as she staggers back in Shining's direction.
  262. >"Is... Is this because I yelled at you? I'm sorry... I-I didn't mean to hurt you, dear... I won't do it again...."
  263. >Shining gazes back at her, eyes watering, but quickly turns and trots back towards the palace, with the two captains in tow.
  264. >"Come back! I'm SORRY! I need you, Shining! I need you to protect us!"
  265.  
  266. "It's alright, princess. Just come with us."
  267. >To your surprise, Flurry comes up beside you and also starts nudging her mom towards their ride.
  268. >"Don't worry, mom. Dad's tough; he'll be here when we come home."
  269. >Cadence allows herself to be led to the chariot, but her whimpering doesn't cease.
  270. >"No...N-no dear, please... I need you... I... I'm weak... I need my love...."
  271. >You all settle in to your seats and you give the flyers the go-ahead. All three chariots lift off together into the clear sky.
  272.  
  273. >The chariot with three guards flies in front of yours, with the other close behind. Your Pegasi are keeping pace, flying on both sides of the convoy.
  274. >Cadence's whimpers have died down, much due to the help of her daughter. Flurry hasn't let go of her since you lifted off, whispering to her and stroking her mane. Now the princess simply stares out the side of the chariot.
  275. >That previous air of confidence she had is now long gone. It seems as if in the short time you've been airborne, she's gotten wrinkles under her eyes.
  276. "Yo, Fire, how are you holding up?"
  277. >Fire Cracker turns his eyes away from scanning the horizon to look at you. His shaggy sand-coloured mane flapped around over one of the lenses on his sunglasses as he speaks to you.
  278. >"It's been a rough couple days, Anon. Once all this business is settled, I'm looking forward to a long nap."
  279. >Cracker's voice has that 'stoner' quality to it, kind of nasally, slightly higher-pitched that most stallions, with a friendly undertone. Just another layer on his disguise for when he's working.
  280. "I hear that. Those stims they've got us on are fucking disgusting."
  281. >They don't exactly make up for missing a night's sleep, either. It's less like feeling rejuvenated and more like feeling on edge.
  282. >Fill a room with some guards and keep them awake on those stimulant potions for a couple days, and you'll have them accusing each other of shit in no time.
  283. >Beneath you, the 'Crystal Express' railway stretches onwards both North and South, heading straight to Canterlot, where it joins up with the 'Friendship Express'.
  284. >Equestria lacks in technology, but their railways are as good as anything you'd seen on Earth. Trains criss-cross the entire country, and as soon as the Crystal Empire returned from their vacation some years back, Celestia's first action was to construct a railroad to head right to the city.
  285. "See anything yet?"
  286.  
  287. >You know you don't have to ask, but you don't want to deal with the awkward tension that was built by Cadence's crying.
  288. >"No, sky's clear, roads are clear. We'll be entering Equestrian airspace in a minute, here."
  289. "Good, quicker the better."
  290. >"That's right, then we can see Twilight, again!"
  291. >You both turn to Flurry, who's got a smile on her face, despite cradling her sullen mother's on her lap.
  292. "...That's right. Y'know, you haven't said much since we met."
  293. >"I've been listening, though. With all the commotion, I thought I'd best wait for everypony to settle down a bit before I asked any questions."
  294. >You recline in your seat and Cracker goes back to scanning the skies.
  295. "Alright, any questions for me?"
  296. >She nods eagerly.
  297. >"Oh yes, like... What's it called?"
  298. "What's what called?"
  299. >"The sickness. Does it have a name? We've called it 'the evil', 'the madness', 'the'... 'sickness'... And a dozen other things, but it's got to have an official name by now."
  300. "That's your first question?"
  301. >She tilted her head slightly, making her silvery armor lightly clink.
  302. >"Well wouldn't YOU want to know?"
  303. "I suppose, but that's definitely down the list from the first question I'd ask."
  304. >She scoffs and smirks at you.
  305. >"Okay, big guy. What should I ask first?"
  306. "How contagious is it, where is the epidemic located, what steps are we taking to control the spread, any of those would have been good options."
  307. >She rolls her eyes.
  308. >"Very contagious, everywhere but here, whatever we can, next question?"
  309. >You hear yourself growling.
  310. "As if you'd be happy with any of those answers...."
  311. >"I'm very happy, already, thank you."
  312. >Fuck this brat.
  313. >You turn yourself to look back out the chariot, seeing a small community below.
  314. >Poor souls, hopefully Cadence made good on her promise to send out messengers to tell of the coming threat.
  315. >Despite everything, you feel strangely unstressed. Sure, you're tired, and need a bath, but everything just feels so distant when you're way up in the sky.
  316.  
  317. >But there's flying ones, too.
  318. >"Awe, I didn't upset you, did I?"
  319. >You look back at her and can't tell if her sad face is a mockery or not.
  320. "It's been a busy day, princess. That's all, I'm not in the mood right now."
  321. >"That's okay, my parents say the same thing a lot."
  322. >You snort, but quickly scratch your nose to cover up.
  323. >"They're all like, 'you're so snarky! You should be more polite!', and on and on. Right mom?"
  324. >She gives her mom's hoof a squeeze and she looks up at her. But you doubt she was listening to any of that.
  325. >"...Mmmm?"
  326. >Flurry raises her hoof up and kisses it gently.
  327. >"...Right. Because apparently the two nicest ponies in Equestria having a kid, results in that kid being a brat."
  328. "Apparently."
  329. >Flurry huffs.
  330. >"Hey! You're not supposed to agree. It's rude to agree with a princess when she's insulting herself."
  331. >You sigh. For so long, it's just been Celestia and Luna giving you orders; they're both very reasonable, respectful ponies. The second you go North, you meet this thing.
  332. "Listen to me, your highness,"
  333. >You say that with as much sarcasm as you can muster.
  334. "I'm not your subject and I don't take orders from you. I'm the commanding officer of your extraction team and I'm responsible only for your safety. If you want to live, you'll do exactly as I say, and keep your mouth shut otherwise. Okay?"
  335. >The effect of your words is obvious. Flurry Heart's smile is long gone, and her ears are pinned against her head.
  336. >She looks at Cracker, who's now paying attention to your conversation, then back at you.
  337. >"Okay..."
  338. >She slumps a bit with a crestfallen look on her face.
  339. >"I was just trying to make you laugh...."
  340. "Thousands are dead, Flurry Heart."
  341. >She slumps a bit more.
  342. >"... I know."
  343. >everyone falls quiet for a while, aside from Flurry's half-hearted attempts to cheer up her mom.
  344. >She just rocks her shoulders back and forth, whispering.
  345. >"Don't worry mom... It's gonna be okay... We're going to see Twilight, and Spike, and...."
  346. >...
  347. >
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