Chapter Ten

"Oh sweet Aunt Celestia, what am I going to do?" Blueblood staring into the filly's pleading eyes, then at the bitten colt.

"P-Please, mister! Is there anything you can do?" She asked, holding her twin brother tightly. "There has to be something!"
Blueblood knelt down, looking at the two. He had absolutely no idea what can be done right now, but one option. Already, his free hand traced the weapon's pistol grip, before his consciousness realized what the hand was doing and pulled it away. "What are your names, you two?"

"I'm Aurora Star…" She answered.

The colt grunted a bit, the bite obviously causing him pain. "B-Bright Star, s-sir." His voice was weak, the infection already spreading.

"Ok, Aurora Star? I need you to go join my friend, Dawn Fire, outside… Ok? I will see what I can do for your brother." Blueblood instructed, the filly holding her brother even tighter.

"What are you gonna do, mister?" She was afraid, for her brother's safety.

"The only thing I can do." Blueblood replied, unable to look her in the eyes.

Aurora Star's eyes went wide. "No! You're not gonna hurt him, I won't-!"
"Aurora…" The filly looked down at Bright Star, who smiled up at his sister. "Its alright, do what he says… He's a soldier."

"B-But, we told the others we would be back… We promised to go back together!" Aurora Star was in denial, even Blueblood could see that, but his focus was on what she said.

"Others? There are more?" This was something Marius needed to hear, fast.

"We both won't make it back, if you do not listen!" Bright Star snapped, making his sister recoil away. "Now, do what he says, and lead them to the others." Aurora Star just looked at her brother, before nodding and leaning him against the wall. Bright Star waited until she left, staring up at Blueblood. "I know what happens next… When one of those things bite you… Mind promising me something, mister?"
"What is it?" Blueblood asked, pulled out his las-pistol. "I will see what I can do."

"M-Min taking care of Aurora for me? I'm all she's ever had, since our days at the orphanage…" Bright Star asked, causing the former prince to freeze. "We needed to get supplies, and promised to get back… That had been a day ago. Please." The colt kept his eyes locked on to him, unwavering. "Take care of Aurora, and save the others…"

"I have been forced to do unspeakable things, to protect the innocent lives of an entire worlds."

Marius words echoed within his mind, as Blueblood started to raise his las-pistol up. "I promise, Bright Star. Do not worry, I will take care of Aurora Star and help save the others."

The colt smiled, even as the, cold, metal barrel pressed against his forehead. "W-What is your name, mister?"

"So, giving those citizens mercy, yesterday, was a last resort choice."

Blueblood started to understand what he meant, a tear falling down his cheek. "Knight Squad Recruit, Blueblood."

Bright Star kept his smile. "Thank you, Mister Blueblood."

FZZZT!

-Treatment Camp-

"Let's get those supplies loaded, stallions! Come on, move it, no telling when our time will run out!" Strong Arm ordered, Knight Squad members loading medical supplies into Umbra Equitis' storage compartment. "Damnit, where is Dawn Fire and Blueblood at? Those two should have been back from their search, by now…"

"Do not worry, Sergeant. They will be back." Marius assured, as he and Nurse Redheart also watched the supplies being loaded. "My only concern, is how many of the infected heard our initial attack."

Marius informed Strong Arm about his discovery, with Doctor Urgent Care. This concerned the two seasoned veterans, seeing how the undead are attracted to only sound. To keep things from getting bad, every trooper had been pulled from firing positions, and put on supply recovery. Luckily, Doctor Whooves had removed all unnecessary components from Umbra Equitis' storage compartment, which opened it up for more supplies to be loaded. However, they will still have to tie some on to Imperial Knight's frame.

"When we left, there were still a great many left in town." Marius added, leaning into the wheelchair, in thought.

Strong Arm gave a nod. "Knight Squad is pushing themselves to get things loaded fast, we all know-?"

"Lord Marius! Sergeant Strong Arm!" The sudden call caused the two to draw their weapons, ready to fight, and turn around… Quickly seeing Dawn Fire carrying a filly and Blueblood carry a draped foal. "We have a problem!" The former prince called out.

"What is it, Recruit? Where did you find those two?" Strong Arm asked, both he and Marius noticing a blood stain from the draped foal's head on the cloth. "Are there more here-?"
"Aurora? W-What are you doing here!? My brother said he was going to get you to Canterlot before the last train!" Nurse Redheart shouted, after recognizing the filly, and rushed up to Dawn Fire.

Dawn Fire passed Aurora Star over to Nurse Redheart, who hugged the filly tightly. "Bulky tried, Ms. Redheart! But, all those sick people showed up, and he had us go back to the orphanage…"

"Orphanage!?" Marius and Strong Arm shouted, drawing Blueblood's attention. "That is what I was about to say…" The former prince started, both veterans looking at him. "They're hide out is just outside of Ponyville, she told us that they saw many more undead heading that way yesterday!"
"Sergeant! Get those supplies loaded, asap!" Marius demanded, causing Strong Arm to salute. "We need to move out, immediately!"
"Right away, sir!" Strong Arm sprinted over to his squad, joining in their loading chain. "On the double, stallions! We needed these supplies loaded yesterday!" Dawn Fire quickly ran over, joining in the chain, while Blueblood laid Bright Star down in front of Marius, before joining in himself.

-Ponyville Orphanage-

"YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAH!" A massively built white pegasus stallion yelled, as he threw the light pole down at an advancing group of undead. Slamming both of his firsts together, fingers down, flexing every visible muscle, he growled at the undead. "You freaks think you can get to these foals so easily!?" He ripped a metal pole from the ground, a block of concrete coming up with it. "Not while Bulk Biceps stands guard!"

Swinging the make shift Warhammer, Bulk Biceps crushed tree of the undead, sending them flying over the fence. Another rushed towards him, but the pegasus body builder slammed his weapon on to their head, effectively smashing it to mush. Snorting steam, Bulk Biceps faced the advancing horde, fingers tips tapping his weapon. Luckily for him, the Orphanage's fence had been sturdy enough to hold back majority of the undead, funneling them where he currently stood. Though, what he would give for some help, but Sunny Days is the only other adult here and no way is the stallion making her fight.

"Get'em, Bulky!" The foals all cheered, as Bulk Biceps continued to swing his make shift weapon around. They are the reason he stood his ground here, why he kept pushing both his physical and mental limits each day. Why Bulk Biceps, Ponyville's professional body builder and former orphan, refused to give up or run.

Despite the fact he is facing far more than a couple of undead, that randomly wondered over to the orphanage and overheard one of the foals playing, Bulk Biceps kept swinging his Warhammer. "That all you got!? I can do this all-?"
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump

The thunderous stomping actually caused Bulk Biceps to lose his footing for a moment, the undead more so. Though, with those stomps, the undead were confused and disoriented, unable to figure out where to go. In all honesty, not even Bulk Biceps knew what is going on, until a deafening boom rapidly echoed around him, and several groups of undead exploded into bloody chunks!

His gaze went to the source, eyes widening as he watched a massive metal colossus striding towards the orphanage! The strange metal barrel on its left breast took aim, before it open fired on to the undead horde. What really caught the pegasus' attention, had been the strangely uniformed soldiers riding on its back. They took quick pop shots at the closer undead, the beams of red light being strong enough to knock them to the ground, if they were not headshots. It looked like something out of a Sci-Fi Comic to him, even the foals inside were starry eyed about the machine striding into the area.

Once the colossus stood around within the orphanage's fenced in area, taking up a guard at the entrance, the soldiers quickly repelled from its back, pegasi flying down. Their sergeant quickly jogged up to Bulk Biceps, nodding to him. "I am Sergeant Strong Arm, Knight Squad Leader. How many are hauled up inside the Orphanage?"

It took him a few moments, but Bulk Biceps managed to speak. "T-Twenty foals. Nine colts and eleven fillies." He looked towards the colossal metal giant towering over them, using its chainsword arm to create a trench in front of the gates or cleave a group of undead. "How did you all know about us, Sergeant?"

"While we were on a supply run, for medical equipment and supplies, to help those in Canterlot." Strong Arm started, as troopers rushed into the orphanage, and help those inside get things packed up and ready to go. "Two of my troopers rescued a young filly named 'Aurora Star', who told us about this place."

Bulk Biceps eyes widened at the name. "What about a colt? Her twin brother, Star Bright?"
Strong Arm gave a light sigh, shaking his head. "He… Did not make it. One of my troopers took care of him, before the colt could turn." The answer caused Bulk Biceps' ears to drop, wondering how Aurora Star is currently taking all of this. "Best hurry, no telling how long we can say here. Lord Marius and Umbra Equitis is making a lot of noise, which will attract more of the undead."

"Right, how are we getting the foals out of here?" Bulk Biceps asked, as the two went to help inside.

Strong Arm smirked, thumping back to Umbra Equitis. "We all will ride on Umbra's back." This caused Bulk Biceps to look up at the metal colossus, just as it fired a quick burst and then looked back at them, red eyes glowing like some wrath filled metal god. "Impressive, isn't he?"

"Y-Yeah…" Bulk Biceps managed to say, unable to take his eyes off of the metal colossus, even as it turned around and fired on to the undead. "Where did that thing come from?"
"Classified, sir." Strong Arm answered, smirking, before something caught his attention. The sergeant focused his attention on the strange silhouettes in the distance, Bulk Biceps doing the same. "What is that?"

"I don't know, but they look rather big." Bulk Biceps answered.

Strong Arm motioned to a nearby trooper. "Trooper, scope those silhouettes." They gave a nod, looking through his lasgun's scope.

Once it zoomed in fully, the trooper gasped out. "By Celestia!" The trooper looked up at Strong Arm, full panic. "Eight Manticores, sergeant! They've been infected!"

Strong Arm did not hesitate, springing up to the base of Umbra Equitis. "Lord Marius! We have some serious incoming heading our way! Seven o'clock!"

The Imperial Knight looked down at the sergeant, then to the direction mentioned. "I see them.' Marius voice boomed from Umbra Equitis warhorn, the Heavy Stubberd Cannon taking aim. The orphans had to cover their ears, when it open fired on to the undead Manticores. Marius smirked, waiting for the smoke to clear, but went wide eyed. "By the Emperor…"

The undead Manticores had been torn by the rapid fire, but it was not enough to stop them! Marius could see their blood stained mouths, drooling with both blood and bile, going everywhere. These mad beasts were not bitten, which told the knight pilot they must have been eating the infected… Which meant the infection could be transferred!

"Anti-Personnel Missiles!" Umbra Equitis took a wide stance, the Stormspear aiming straight for the undead Manticores. "Fire!" At Marius' command, four missiles soared from the Imperial Knight's back and exploded just in front of them, sending shrapnel rounds everywhere. "Got them!" They all cheered, victory over such dangerous undead, but a wailing roar stopped that. "What!? But how!"
Three of the eight undead Manticores kept charging, Strong Arm looking up at the Imperial Knight. "It is their hide, sir! You're going to need something bigger!"

"Understood…" With that, Marius brought the Avenger Gatling Cannon around, right leg stepping back as the left braced a bit more. Troopers did their best to cover the ears of the orphans, as the much bigger weapon opened up… This time, the last group of undead Manticores could not withstand its onslaught, being torn apart. Its barrel kept spinning, smoke coming off of the heated metal. "They're down for the count. Now." Slowly Umbra Equitis turned around, the foals all starry eyed. "Let's get these orphans to Canterlot."

-Canterlot Hospital-

Marius smiled, sitting in the wheelchair just outside his room, at how Nurse Redheart and Bulk Biceps hugged. They had quite the water works, after the mare left Umbra Equitis, the stallion surprising Marius by soaring up and practically crushing her in a hug. Once again, the knight has reunited lost siblings, and now enjoyed the merriment of such things. Though, one thing really struck him as quite odd, it involved Blueblood and the orphan who told them about the orphanage.

Shortly after they returned to Canterlot, the city's Orphanage Matron was ready to show them where to go, Sunny Days prepared to go with them… But Blueblood had stopped Aurora Star and too her with him, instead. When they asked why he did, the former prince simply said 'to keep a promise'.

"Marius!" Nurse Redheart's sudden yell snapped him out of those thoughts, now realizing that she is right in front of him. "Are you feeling alright? You did not seem all there…" She placed a hand on to Marius' forehead, pressing it ever so gently. "Did piloting Umbra, for so long, put too much strain on you? Should I let Princess Celestia know to postpone your treatment?"

"I will be fine, Nurse Redheart. Just need some rest, is all." He replied, smiling at concerned nurse.

"Treatment?" Bulk Biceps asked, walking up to them. "Is he alright?"

Nurse Redheart gave a light nod. "Marius does not have the use of his legs, due to old wounds." She walked behind the knight, unlocking the wheelchair's wheels and grasping its handles. "For his help protecting the survivors of this plague, along with rescue those who could not make it to Canterlot… Celestia saw fit she would work on mending his legs, as thanks for this."

"Oh…" Bulk Biceps looked down at Marius, who simply gave a nod. With a sudden grin, he flexed almost every muscle. "Well, when she finishes the treatment, I would be honored to help make those legs strong again!" Being able to see every flexing muscles behind the massive pegasus' torn gym attire did quite the number on Marius' nerves, not sure if he'll survive such a workout.

"Bulky…" Both looked to Nurse Redheart… Despite having such a friendly smile, holding a tensed fist and had both eyes closed tightly, the two were terrified of her fiery aura of rage. "Please do not try and push the limits of those under my care, or put such absurd ideas in their heads?"

Bulk Biceps backed up to the wall, completely terrified of Nurse Redheart. "O-O-Ok, Tender!" He nearly shouted, rapidly nodding.

"Good!" Her voice had returned to a more cheerful tone, turning Marius towards the room. "I will help Marius into bed, so he can rest, then we can catch up." Bulk Biceps just kept nodding, not even stopping after shutting the door.

Once the wheelchair was rolled next to the bed, Nurse Redheart gently pull its covers back, to where Marius could be under them without having to adjust. Silently, she helped him up out of the wheelchair, both of Marius' legs were shaking. It took this long, treatment every other day, for him not to feel pain when moving or being touched. Now, they needed to work on some way of his legs regaining their strength… A task that would prove to be the most difficult part.

After getting Marius into bed, pulling the covers up, Nurse Redheart gave a nod. "There we go, if you need anything? Just-?"

"Tender…" Marius saying her first name surprised the nurse, both eyes wide. Slowly, she looked at the serious looking man. "Will you tell me why you were really discharged?" Nurse Redheart's eyes began to shake, her body slightly trembling. "What you told Strong Arm? I know it had been a lie."

Nurse Redheart looked away, taking a breath to calm her nerves. "It… Was not the best time of my life." She placed a hand over her heart, before looking back at Marius. "The discharge had been for medical reasons, not because I finished the full contract." When her hand unbuttoned the first few buttons of her nurse's uniform, Marius suddenly got a full view of her black laced braw, keeping her ample breasts captive. He was honestly about to protest, and tell her to stop… Until he saw it.

A jagged and angled whip scar going from her right hip to the center base of Nurse Redheart's breasts. The pink scar tissues caused her fur to be a duller white, as if to forever mark her pure-like form. Marius knew this kind of scar; he had seen it many times before… This was a battle scar, the kind you get from dangerous foes.

"What happened…" He simply asked unable to divert his eyes from the scar.

"My platoon was deployed to stop a rampaging dragon; it had barely reached adulthood." Nurse Redheart rebuttoned her nurse's uniform. "We underestimated its strength. One of my squad mates took its claw to the chest, I rushed in to get him out… When I did, the dragon turned to fight more of my platoon, and it struck me with its barbed tail." She took a quick breath, composing herself. "They managed to save me, but the others were not so lucky… Afraid I won't be able to look forward to any reunions."

Marius was at a loss for words, after hearing Nurse Redheart's story summery. "Tender, I'm-?"

The moment he reached for her, Nurse Redheart stepped away and turned towards the door. "Too bad I have this scar… Means I cannot wear all these cute two piece bikinis that came out before the plague. Though, one piece bikinis can be rather cute, too."

"Tender… Seriously, I am sorry." Marius managed to say, drawing her attention. "If I knew… I would not have asked."

She just looked at him for a few moments, then smiles and nods. "I know, but now we share a certain type of pain."

"Yeah…" Marius returned her smile. "The kind that creates powerful bonds." The two shared a moment of silence, smiling at each other and content with their current situation. Until…

"Next time, on Umbra and Friends! Will Nurse Redheart and Lord Marius form a deeper connection? Or will their friendship prove to be something even more?" Both looked at the dataslate in Nurse Redheart's arm, the two turning red from such an embarrassing statement.

"UMBRA!"

"I'm getting better at these 'Social Interaction Jokes'."