Chapter 9

A few miles from Border Town, Equestria

Noon Time

Joseph Aucleir

Dawn made the first move, charging at me, screaming a war cry. I also charged, taking her by surprise. We rammed into each, though I was the one pushed back by the sheer force of Dawns charge. She was strong for her age, or maybe it was her rage that gave her extra strength. I fell to the ground, Dawn on top of me.

She lifted a hoof and brought the soft but firm appendage down on my face, striking me right on the nose. She brought her other hoof into the air, ready to strike again. Out of pure instinct, I drew a knife from my back pocket. But, instead of using the blade on her, I rammed the butt of the knife into her side. She fell off of me with a grunt, rolling away and attempting to stand again.

By the look on her face, I could tell she was never going to relent till I was defeated. Or dead.

"Dawn, stop this madness! It doesn't have to be this way." She struggled onto her feet, and saw the knife in my hand.

"Playing dirty now, are we?" Instead of charging as she had before, she surprised me with a new tactic.

"Well, two can play at that game." Instead of ramming into me again, she began to slowly walk in circles around me. At this point, the flurries began to come down even harder, resulting in normal snow storm weather. She continued to pace circles around me, and I tried to figure out what she was doing.

Her eyes were puffy and red, tears still coming from them, and her left eye was also beginning to swell from when I had punched her. I began to get paranoid. Why wasn't she striking? Her movements suggested that she would strike at any moment, but that moment never came. And then it struck me as to what she was doing.

Psychological warfare. She wanted me to strike first, she wanted to see me attempt to hurt her, put me on the offensive. And I would refuse to satisfy her. I would not let her mind games get the best of me. But slowly, they became more and more effective.

1 Minute passed. Then 2. The snow began coming down harder and faster, until I could barely see anything. I large clump of snow hit my eyes, making me look away for a second. I rubbed the snow out with my fist, looking up quickly. But Dawn was nowhere to be seen.

"You used me." Dawn's voice echoed throughout the storm. Suddenly, a flash of red came out of nowhere and hit me in the face, making me stumble a bit. But as soon as the red streak had arrived, it was gone.

"You lied to me!" Her voice was becoming more and more angry as she said each accusation. Another blur of red light, which knocked me to the ground. Judging from the past two attacks, I could guess where she was going to dash from next.

"And you betrayed me!" I ducked as soon as she spoke. Sure enough, the red streak emerged from the blizzard, coming where I was last at. She passed over me and I made my counter attack. Jumping up quickly, I caught Dawn in a roundhouse kick. I made contact, and she went flying just to the left of me. As soon as I disrupted her focus, the blizzard reduced itself to the small snow fall that had happened earlier.

When she was going in circles, she must have been concentrating the storm on our specific position. I collapsed to the floor, exhaustion overtaking me. Something wet was falling from my cheek, and I quickly put my hand, wincing. When she had struck my face, she must have cut it, resulting in my cheek bleeding. I stood and slowly walked over to Dawn.

She was on the ground, breathing heavily. My kick must have winded her pretty hard. She looked at me, tears still in her eyes. She was sobbing, her sobs reaching my heart and instilling guilt. She sniffed, wiping the tears from her eyes. She looked up me, a defiant look in her eyes.

"Finish it, traitor. End my life." Her voice was full of venom and hostility. I shook my head, back away from her. She stared at me for a second, before jumping to her feet, seething.

"What are you doing? Finish me! Put me out of my misery. You have hurt me enough, at least give me a warriors death." Again, I shook my head.

"I will say it again, and continue saying it until you either understand or end me. I am not working for the Oberherr, and I am your friend." Her face changed then. Her face showed complete surprise, as well as a little regret. She then twitched, her face returning back to the way it was before.

"No, Joseph. I know what you are. And I will end you... for... it." She gasped a little as she readied to charge. She was weak. I could easily have knocked her out, and explained it to her when she had a clear head. But then something happened. Something in my heart said something, something that completely took me by surprise.

My heart told me to prove to her that I am a friend. And the only way to do that was... I sighed, looking her in the eyes. I opened my arms wide, almost in an inviting way.

Dawn looked confused at my gesture, saying, "What are you doing?" I closed my eyes and sighed.

"I will not defend myself. If you don't trust me, then I must prove to you who I am." She still looked confused, which quickly turned back to anger as she charged. Her wings spread open as she flew to my face, using her hoofs to throw punches. Punch after punch hit my face , and I slowly felt my face begin to swell from the sheer number that Dawn was laying into me.

But as I continued to look into Dawns eyes, I saw the fight leaving her. Her punches became weaker, not as strong or backed up as the last, until finally she stopped altogether.

"Why are you doing this? Why do you take my attacks, and make no reactions towards them?" I looked down on her, wincing at the stinging pain in my face.

"Because a friend doesn't hurt another friend." Dawns mouth opened, then closed. Then she began to cry. She fell apart, falling to the snow and crying into it, muttering to herself.

"What have I done?" She would keep repeating that phrase. I sat beside her and stroked her mane, not really knowing how to comfort her. I began whispering words of encouragement to her, continuing to stroke her mane. I picked up her sobbing form and put her on my lap, still comforting her and stroking her mane. After about 5 minutes, her body stopped stuttering, and her crying eased down. She sniffed once and looked me in the eyes.

"I...I...I am sorry I didn't trust you. I should have listened to you... I...I...I should have..." I hushed her, holding her a little more closely to me. "You don't have to apologize for anything. You were only doing what you thought was right. You thought I had betrayed you." She sniffled a little more before jumping off my lap, sitting on the ground and facing the now setting sun, her ears drooping.

"What the hell kind of friend am I? I wouldn't listen, and I attacked you." This was probably the first time I had ever heard a pony curse, but that wasn't what was important at the moment. I stood and went over to comfort her, putting a hand on her shoulder, which she quickly backed away from.

"But then there is you! You wouldn't stop trying to tell me, you still had faith I would listen. If anyone is a true hero here, it is you." She sighed, turning her back to me again. I sat down next to her, again putting my hand on her shoulder. She flinched a bit, but didn't shoo me off this time.

"Listen, Dawn. We are friends, and I would never let that fact go. You did what you did based on what you saw, and I should be the one apologizing for attacking YOU. So hey, we even?" She looked at me and smiled a bit, her bruises on her face dimming a bit. Then she did something that completely surprised me, but something that I wouldn't say that I didn't like.

She leaned up and kissed me on the cheek, making my cheeks blush a deep crimson. She then lowered her face to my ear and whispered, "We are even." We stared into each others eyes, and I felt something in my heart.

Was it a tug? No, I couldn't be falling in love with a pony. Could I? Well, Breaker did with Mineral Flare... Suddenly, Dawn broke eye contact, focusing on something behind me.

"The sun is almost gone. We should probably get home." I nodded, standing up. The walk back to the town was silent, Dawn not saying a word. I still felt guilty, but I didn't know why. She had accused me, and now she saw she was wrong, andwas feeling guilt over it. She did seem very quick to come to the conclusion I was a traitor.

But if I was Dawn in the same situation, I probably would have reacted the same way. I looked at Dawn as we entered the town. Her usually perky face was now deep and solemn, and I could tell she was deep in thought. It was probably good for her to get some rest, and I wouldn't object to some sleep either. I checked the time and saw it was only 8:24.

I looked at her and sighed. "You still have a few hours until your Patrol shift. You should get some rest, maybe get some of those cuts looked at." She winced at that, bringing a hoof up to her face where I had given her a pretty nasty cut. When she spoke, her voice had lost all its happiness, instead being deep and sad.

"Yeah, you should probably get yourself looked at as well." I nod, waving goodbye to her. She didn't return the gesture, instead trudging down the road to the military base. Her wings were drooping at her side, and that pang in my heart came back. I shook my head, turning to head back to the apartment.

Within 3 minutes, I had opened the door to Apartment room 123. I walked in and was surprised to see Breaker standing by the window, looking outside. "So, how was your walk?" I shrugged and plopped on the sofa. Breaker fully turned to me and his eyes widened. "Bloody hell, Joseph! You look horrible! Especially that eye. Lie down, and I will take a look at you." I groaned as he shoved me onto my back and began looking at my injuries. "What did this to you?" I sighed as he began looking at my swollen cheek.

"Dawn Blade."

Border Town

3 hours later

Night had fallen over Equestria, the moon shining beautiful rays of light across the land. Most of the ponies had fallen asleep, enjoying the bliss of dreams, and the brief escape from reality. Most of them. On the streets of Border Town, near the brick apartment, 4 shadows weaved through the darkness, ducking from shadow to shadow, slowly approaching the apartment.

They were human, who wore pure black clothes, which blended in with the shadows that covered them from sight. All were armed, besides one, with USB. Pistols. The last man was carrying a heavy satchel, filled with bottles of alcohol. Inside each bottle was a flammable piece of clothe. Molotav Cocktails.

"Stay silent! We are almost there." The man in the lead hissed to the others, who all nodded in response. Looking around quickly, he signaled to his men, and they all made a dash for the building. Crouching low, they went around to the back of the building, coming across a wooden hatch in the ground. The armed men forming a secure perimeter around the hatch, the man with the Molotovs opened it, and, taking out a flashlight, began descending into the dark hatch.

"Clear." The man said as he switched on a light switch in the basement of the apartment. The 3 other men soon followed still aiming their pistols, eyes wide and alert behind their behind their masks. The men slowly descended down the stairs, entering a brightly lit room. The room was filled with boilers, wires, and electrical boxes.

The men secured a defensive perimeter in the small room, while the man with the molotovs went to work. He brought out one of the cocktails, placing it in-between a nook in the boilers. He continued to place the explosives, until his satchel was nearly empty. That was when the leader of the men threw his hand into the air.

"Something's coming!" He hissed to the others, who quickly went to hide behind the boilers. Hoof steps could be heard coming down the stairs, and the leader of the men signaled to take weapons off of safety. 2 ponies came down the steps, both dressed in the common attire of the Equestrian Military Police.

"Who left the lights on down here?" One of them grumbled, heading towards the light switch. He was a light furred pegasus with green eyes. The other, who was a darker colored pegasus, suddenly started heading towards the boilers.

"Wait a second, Dagger. I see something over here, in the boilers." The leader of the men signaled to his men to engage, and they did it so fast that the 2 EMPs didn't even see them. The men fired silent rounds at the pegasus, instantly striking the one approaching the boilers dead. But the other one responded faster, flying directly at the men, nimbly dodging the pistol bullets.

He rammed into the first mans skull, almost instanty knocking him out. The pegasus then kicked his hind legs out, making another man stumble. The man lost his balance and fell onto the boiler, making his skin sizzle. Before he could scream and give away their position, the leader shot him, shutting the man up immediately.

He then rounded on the pegasus, kicking him in the jaw. The pegasus fell from the air, hitting the concrete ground. Before the pegasus could recover, the leader shot a bullet into his skull. Spitting with disgust, the leader turned to his last remaining man.

"Get some gunpowder from the cocktails to a safe distance, and I will grab our unconscious man. It is time we blow this joint."

Joseph Auclier

It was that same feeling. That same gut feeling that I was in danger. I got out of my bed, rubbing my eyes. It was 11:45, and I was still tired as hell. Getting out of my bed, I went over to my window, looking outside, wincing as I moved. I looked outside and saw nothing. Then something caught my eye. Something on the bottom floor was letting off an awful amount of light. Pretty strong candles to be making that much light... and then the smell hit my nose.

Burning wood. And smoke. I gasped as smoke began seeping underneath my door.

"Fire!" I yelled coughing a bit at the smoke. I dashed to my door, almost breaking it down when I rammed into it. Screams were being heard outside the room, as well as the trampling of many hooves. I began going for the door, when I heard coughing. Turning around, I ran into Mineral and Breakers room.

They were both on the ground, coughing profusely. I dropped to the ground, barely making it below the smoke cloud. I saw Breaker unconscious, the fumes most likely making him unable to breath. Mineral was right next to him, poking him weakly, telling him to get up in a husky voice. I crawled over to them, heaving Breaker over my shoulder. I went over to the window and opened it. Ponies were gathering outside, screaming, calling for help.

I coughed again, then shouted out, "Hey! We need some assistance over here!" To my surprise, a Pegasus flew up. It was Dawn.

"Dawn! I have two people here I need to get out of here." She seemed hesitant, sweating a lot. The fire was slowly making progress up the building, by now reaching the second floor.

I slung Breaker off of my shoulder, Dawn placing her hoofs under his arm. I shoved him out the window, and Dawn groaned from the massive wait she was suddenly carrying. By now, five more MP pegasi had arrived, and helped Dawn carry Breaker to the ground. I turned and went to Mineral, who I lifted with ease. Carrying her to the window, another MP showed up and took a hold of her body, carrying her out. Dawn was back up now, panic in her eyes.

"Joseph, jump! I have you!" I probably shouldn't have, but I jumped, and started falling. Then, I began flying again when Dawn and another MP slowly carried me to the ground.

I landed on the ground with a thud, and quickly stood, dusting myself off. I looked up and saw as the fire was halfway to reaching the third floor. I went over to Mineral and Breaker, who were still unconscious on the ground. Suddenly, Mineral began coughing, her eyes shooting open.

"Where are my babies?!" She almost screamed. My eyes opened as I realized I my error. I turned and began running to the building, Dawn close on my heels.

"How could you leave them?" Dawn asked, her voice frantic. I scowled at her as I continued running. Maybe it was the heat of the moment. I then stopped as I came upon a separation in the crowd of ponies. A line of MPs were keeping the crowd away from the building, stopping them from entering. Dawn shot forward, only to be tackled by one of the MPs.

"Dawn, stop! The fire is too hot, it will consume you." Dawn continued to struggle. I ran after her, actually breaking the police line. Dawns eyes widened when she saw me.

"Joseph!" She screamed, but it was too late. I rammed down the door to the apartment, shielding my eyes as fire in the lobby crackled at me.

Charging through the fire, I wondered what the hell I was doing. I was going to die if I continued. But at the same time, if I got out now, I would still die. I would die on the inside. Ijumped through a wall of flames as I began ascending the stairs leading upwards. Better to die with a cause, I thought, then to live without one.

I continued to climb the stairs, finally reaching the third floor. It was engulfed with flames, the crackling of the fire blinding me and giving me small burns. Despite the pain, I continued on, ramming down the door to room 123.

As soon as I entered, I could hear the crying of a child. Two of them, to be specific. I ran into the room, relieved to see that not too much smoke had entered yet. I went over to the cradles, seeing Colby and River crying. I picked up the human baby and made my way to the window, opening it and calling out. Dawn looked up and saw me, flying up to me.

I handed her the baby, and she took him down to Mineral. I ran back and picked up the filly, who wasn't crying, but was staring at me with very big eyes. Hugging him close I ran to the window, where Dawn was waiting, I was about to give him to her when things suddenly turned for the worst. Dawn looked up and gasped.

"Get back!" She screamed, just as the roof near the window collapsed. I barely had enough time to jump out of the way as the window was cover with debris. "Joseph, are you alright?" She yelled through the crackling fire.

"I am fine! Just get back. I will find my own way out." I looked down at River, who was hugging me very tightly. I ran out of the room, looking around the room in panic. I saw another window and ran towards it. I suddenly screamed and fell to the ground as some debris landed on my leg, making it bend sideways. I collapsed, the filly falling from my grasp.

I gripped my leg, groaning as the pain coursed through my body. I felt something beside me, and I turned to see River nudging me, trying to get me up. His eyes were filled with fear, but at the same time, filled with courage. A tear escaped my eye as I began crawling towards the window. Then the floor gave way, making me and the filly fall to the next floor.

I groaned as I hit the ground, looking over to the now unconscious filly. My mind was completely blurry, and I could barely make anything out of my surroundings. I looked up and stared as the fourth floor began creaking, getting ready to completely give way. Then it did. Time seemed to slow as the debris fell, slowly coming at me.

"Get down!" I yelled to the filly, as I brought him under my body, turning it into a living shield. If we were going to die, I was going to die saving Rivers life.

Then the roof collapsed on top of me, burying me alive.

A mile outside of Border Town

Mallace stared through his binoculars, shocked at what had just happened. The plan was for Joseph to escape, make a few pony casualties, and make the town give him up on threat of more attacks. Mallace had not expected Joseph to run back into the apartment. And as he watched the building collapse, he turned to the leader of the expedition. "You had better pray that Joseph survived this. Because if he dies, I will report that his death is on your hands!" The captain stared back, fear portrayed in his eyes. "He wasn't supposed to go back in! What was so important for him to risk his life on?" Mallace looked through his binoculars again.

"Whatever it was, you had better hope that Joseph survives to be able to say WHY he went back in there!"