Let There Be Chaos

by Blockheadgreen1189

Mobius and Equestria are continents separated by an ocean. After fifteen peaceful years since a terrible villain Dr. Eggman was defeated, the anxiety and fear return back to lives of our heroes, as the strange events occurring on the planet. Our heroes and heroines must again remember the good old fight days and to take the situation under control. REVIEW, PLEASE!

21. The Unexpected meeting

Chapter # 21 - An Unexpected Meeting.

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Somewhere in the jungle forest.

Jungles. Impassable thick thickets, horrible humidity, danger lurking around every bush and tree, and paths that can easily make you lose your way. Each next step can be your last. This is a perfect place to get a serious infection like malaria, and not to mention a perfect place to get a lethal snake bite.

On the jungles' paths our brave and heavily injured heroes keep their back to the civilized towns. Tails was limping first as he held his navigator in his left hand. His limping wasn't as bad as it was a few days ago. Fluttershy was walking slightly behind him, as she looked as fearful and nervous as she usually looks when she makes her way through an unknown place like this, not to mention she was soaking wet with sweat from all the humidity as she had a nice sheen of sweat on her body. She was looking on left and right to be sure that nothing is endanger them two.

Suddenly one of the bushes shook hard, what made her gasp and freeze dead. The girl then shivered as she ran after her partner and grabbed him by one of his tails.

"Ah…" Miles gasped as he then turned around to see who grabbed his tail to see his pony companion frightened and shivering. He then frowned.

"Hey, careful there." He said, a strong note of displeasure in his voice, to which Fluttershy looked questionly into his eyes. She then looked at his tail she was holding in her hands, and then she let go of his tail and stared back into his eyes, an apologetic smile on her face.

"Sorry… hehehe." She said as she giggled nervously. Miles breathed out the air and rolled his eyes as he then looked at the map.

"Let's keep going." He said as he limped further into the jungle. Fluttershy was standing still a few more moments before dashing after him. Just as she equaled her pace with fox's she slowed down and spoke.

"Miles we went too far from the main road." She said a frightened tone in her voice, "I already feel I'm lost and can't be sure if we're going south or north… *cute puppy eyes*... let's go back, please." She begged him as she folded her hands together. Miles sighed again, disappointed.

"Fluttershy, I can understand your fears, but one; we are perfectly armed, two; we have a navigator that helps us to not get lost, and three; the road is more danger at the moment than the jungle." He said, a sarcastic tone in his voice, as he then glanced his narrowed eyed look straight into her eyes, "I thought I already explained this to you, why we can't use the main road?" Tails said kind of annoyed at Fluttershy's sniveling behavior.

Fluttershy then cringed and shivered as her eyes ran from side to side, "I still think this is a suicide trip." She whimpered with a tremble in her voice, "Ammo will run out sooner, or later. Your navigator will run out of battery. And the road is… the road seems to be a more reasonable path to find some help, than the jungle….. N-N-Not to mention all manner of things can happen to us h-h-here?" She said as imagined all the possible types of peril that they could run into.

Hearing this as well as seeing her inability to see obvious things, the mobian twin tailed fox smacked his face with his left palm. He groaned in annoyance and then after his hand slipped across his face her throw both of his bags, walking stick, and the radar on the ground. He put both of his hands on his hips and gave a dirty skeptical look to his journey companion.

"I totally forgot that I am dealing with an ex-fashion model… *pause*... w-w-who was so much of a coward… *pause*... that she… *pause*... can't handle a little attention from a paparazzi!" He said, causing a curious look on Fluttershy's face, "Look, I like you a lot and I genuinely enjoy a conversation with you but now it is… it's… *sigh*... it looks like this is enough for us to at least something's not going according to the plan and you're becoming scared and nervous." He then crossed his arms across the chest, "I hate boasting I really do. But you're dealing with a fox who's been dealing with the most terrifying creatures on the planet. All you have to do is trust me on this and we'll be perfectly fine, understand?" He asked with a strong hint of annoyance in his voice as he pointed a finger at her.

Fluttershy then got mad as she frowned at him; "That's not true!" She complained, a high volumed tone in her voice; "I am not a glamorous air head of a chick who lives in the centre of the big city for the most part of her life! I've been dealing with dangerous creatures, too. How do you think I learned to speak with animals?!" Miles looked at her with an intrigue when she spoke to him in a tone like this, while Fluttershy continued, "My house stands closer to Everfree Forest then any other house in Ponyville, and most ponies there are scared of that place. Me and my friends had and still have to go on frightening and hazardous places where even you have never been! And generally speaking, it was me who dragged you out of the plane, while you were unconscious. I am better oriented in these places than you, because I was born here, I've been here so many times… I know how dangerous this place is, as well as I know which stick isn't actually a stick but a piled timberwolves!" She then pointed a finger at him, "Do not underestimate me, Doctor Miles Tails Prower. If I was as cowardly as you just claim, I'd left you far behind just at the moment when the missile hit your helicopter." She finished her speech.

Tails found himself a bit confused by her particular reaction, "Then why don't you act like what you just claimed to be?" He asked, surprised, as he spread his arms to the sides, "We spend the night safely here, no practical predator attacked us, and we still not injured, exhausted or even infected, but you… still crying that we're not walking across the main road, when anyone with common sense would see that as really bad idea!" He then frowned at her, "If what you just said is true, then you should be more confident than me." He made a skeptical comment.

Fluttershy then sighed and dropped her head as she sat down on the nearby rock, "Well, to be honest, I have always been a heavy anchor to bear for all of my friends." She said, an apologetic tone in her voice; "I was always scared to go on the places which is potentially dangerous even if I'm when I'm with the other girls are around me. I-I-I can't help it… I've always been this way." Fluttershy said as she began to quiver, "Don't you think I wish I could be someone different? To not always be scared all the time and always be socially awkward and shy?! Believe me….. I wish I could be somepony who was a lot braver than I….. Sometimes it feels like one of these days…. I'm going to let all my friends d-d-down….. because I was too scared to do anything." Fluttershy said as her eyelashes covered her pretty eyes and some tears rolled down on her cheeks.

Seeing her crying, Miles developed a kind smile of his own, as he recognized a certain someone in her portrayal of this story. Besides, he always been the biggest hater of the girls crying due to the circumstances he went through in the past. He then limped closer to her and sat on the rock next to her as he wrapped his arm around her waist. Subconsciously, the pony girl rested her head on her friend's shoulder.

"Now, now, don't cry." The fox guy spoke kindly, "I don't really think you're a coward. You saved my life by risking yours, and for me it is a sign of a great bravery." He said as he smiled with a warm sense of reassurance.

"Then why did you… say these things about me?" Fluttershy asked without opening her eyes.

Miles sighed deeply, "I don't know… I guess I was just confused." He questioned his own reaction, "You were so noble and fearless, but now you're acting like a little child who may be scared by a little mouse." He said with a sigh of shame.

Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked at him; "B-B-But…. I am scared of mice." She said, a slight tremble in her voice.

Tails couldn't held back his laughter, "Hahahahahaha… seriously?" He asked, to which Fluttershy nodded silently. Miles then chuckled friendly again and took her by the cheeks. He used his thumbs to wipe off her tears, still smiling at her.

"I'm so sorry for saying these things." He said calmly, "You didn't deserve to hear it. I'm just tired of explain it over and over, but I can see why you find these jungle scarier than the road." He then winked, "No offense to you."

Fluttershy smiled at him as she sobbed once; "Thank you." She said softly, "And… don't blame yourself. Maybe you're r-r-right about me and I have to chill?"

Miles shook his head, "No, no, no… You're fine by me." He said as he then let her go of, and stood up. He then limped over to his things as he picked them up one by one.

"Alright, let's get moving." He said, as he then looked at her, "The deeper we go into the jungle, the safer we be."

Fluttershy decided to trust him on this, as she then stood up and picked up her bags, "Alright, I'm with you." She said in her usual manner, as she walked over to him.

They then moved on.

"Good." The fox spoke, "And whenever you feel scared, imagine yourself in a more relaxed and safe situation. Like… having a spa, or massage?" He asked as he looked at her, to which Fluttershy nodded with a smile.

"Okay." She said as she then closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "Can you turn away, though?"

Tails looked confused again, "Why?" He asked.

"Because I can't take a spa, when the handsome guy is watching me…. wh-wh-when I'm naked." Fluttershy responded with a slight note of a joy in her voice, and a small blush on her face.

Miles then chuckled again, "Alright, alright, I'm not watching." He said as he looked before him. He then used his hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead and sighed in weariness.

The pegasi girl then opened her eyes and looked at her friend, still smiling, "Alright, I feel better now." She said.

Tails nodded, "Good." He answered, as he then looked at the radar, "We managed to cross a lot almost 150 miles for two days, thanks to the manticore and the car… now we left a little less than 124 miles to go." He sighed wearily, "It is still too far, but we should not hurry and just walk at our own pace."

Fluttershy sighed, "If only I had my wings…" She said.

"Yeah…" Tails agreed, "I wish my second tail could be fine now, so we both could continue our way by flight." He said as he lowered his head in discouragement.

Fluttershy then widened her eyes and looked at him, "You can fly with the help of your tails?" She asked, amazed.

"Oh, it's not a big deal, really." Miles commented as he looked at her, "I am not using it as often as before."

Fluttershy then spoke, "No, wait… how is that even possible?" She asked.

Tails smirked; "Well, I developed the skill of spinning my tails as a propeller, and it picks me up into the air." He said as he then frowned in displeasure, "But what sense is there to speak of it right now? I can't do it anyways. And even if I did…. it wouldn't be for very long….. only for short distances…. then my stamina gives out." He said as he then wiped off the sweat again, "Gosh, it's impossible." He said as he then unzipped his overalls and dropped his supplies on to the ground, "It's so hot…" He said as he took off the upper part of the overall and tied the sleeves around his torso, to which Fluttershy gasped in excitement and blushed.

"Now that's much better." Tails noted as he picked his supplies again and continued on limping with his walking cane. The pony girl, however, was still stunned by what she just saw. Sure, she saw him nude in the shower, but not that close. He looked extremely hot now, which clearly distracted her from the goal they had to achieve. She continued standing there, not moving…. and it didn't help she had a spa visual going on in her mind as well.

Meanwhile, Miles noticed that his companion was not there, so he then stopped and turned around. Seeing her standing there frozen, he lifted up one of his eyebrows.

"Hey, are you alright?" He called out to her. Fluttershy blinked her eyes twice, as she then snapped out of her trance and giggled awkwardly.

"Sorry." She said as she dashed after him and passed him by. She used her left hand to cover her vision of bare-chested and handsome fox guy.

Tails, however, was confused by her behavior, as he's been wondering of what really happened in her mind that made her stopping her pace and sent her into a trance. Sighing again, he limped after her to prevent anything silly from happening. He somehow knew that she's capable of that.

Meanwhile, in the basement.

"Almost…" Silver said as he pushed the thin steel bar through the vent pipe.

Meanwhile, down there, his friends attentively watched him so he won't screw everything up.

"Just be careful darling." Rarity spoke carefully, as she folded her hands in a pleading manner, "No need for sudden and sharp movements…"

Silver then frowned as he looked at his girlfriend, "Hey, I got it, I got it…" He said a bit displeased, "I'll do this right, you'll see."

Sonic chuckled over his words as he then glanced at Rainbow and AJ, "Actually, no." He whispered at them, making them giggling quietly.

"Hey, I heard that!" Silver shouted as he looked down at them. He then took a deep breath to get some concentration in what he was doing, and then he looked through the narrow pipe and continued pushing the bar through it.

Outside, the birds were chirping, the crickets were chattering, the sun was shining, and the wind was blowing. A small knob, in the center of which there was a small hole, thin rod got out with a paper attached to its tip.

Inside, Silver grinned as he saw that he made it through, "Got it." He said as he looked down at the rest, "I GOT IT!" He yelled in victory.

Everyone cheered, "Wooooooooo… Well done cowboy!" AJ congratulated him.

Rarity smiled proudly, as she crossed her arms in the chest area, "That's my boy!" She said with a strong note of pride in her voice.

Silver's grin grew wider, as he then looked through the pipe once again, and pushed the bar through.

The bar flew out of the hole and landed right next to the knob.

Inside, Silver sighed in relief as he then landed on the floor next to his friends and looked up again to observe the view.

"Now all we left is waiting." He said.

"Yeah." Rainbow picked up his thoughts, "Hope and wait for someone to see our note, read it and try to help…"

Sonic, though, developed some skepticism, "And also hope that the weather will be perfect." He said as he looked at the others with a frown, "A small rain can kill the note and we have to find another way to give a signal to the upper world."

Meanwhile, not far from Canterlot.

The morning redwood forest looked quite humid. Water vapors soaring over the ground, though, not closing the visions to the two rescuers, who kept their way through this very forest. Shadow was walking up front, his gun hidden in the holster, whereas Twilight tried to stay close behind him. They both looked anxious as if something bad happened just a few moments ago.

"Chaos almighty…" Shadow grumbled, as he scowled into nowhere, "This damn afterrain humidity! We're not in the freaking jungle! Why it's raining two times per day?"

Twilight shrugged as she was walking behind; "That's a very weird indeed." She noted, "But… it probably makes sense when Pegassi Weather Service is… not in the service anymore." She said as she scratched the back of her head, "Clouds accumulations aren't monitored, and thus it occurs into chaotic tropical rain as far as I can see." She finished her sentence as she stopped near the huge redwood and touched the trunk.

Shadow just looked at her over his left shoulder without slowing down his pace, "It's not important why weather has changed." He noted, still extremely displeased, making Twilight looking at him, "What is important that my gun is wet and too dangerous for shooting." He then reached the high cliff and looked down to see a dense mist covering the ground, so it was impossible to see the bottom, "The moisture must be penetrated deep into the trigger mechanism." he then turned around and walked over to Twilight, "If we run into some malevolent guests we have to fight hand to hand." He then crossed his arms over his chest, "Or, it'd rather be… I have to fight hand to hand." He said sarcastically.

Twilight frowned in response, "You're telling me, that I am incapable to stand for myself?" She asked, annoyed, to which Shadow's face showed no reaction.

"Yes." He said, with the same stoney face he had all the time.

Twilight's eyes went wide, as she gasped, "What?" She asked, as she then frowned, "How dare you? You're speaking with an alicorn, who stopped any threat that can be found." She then narrowed her eyes, "And do not forget who saved your life just a moment before that robot smashed you." She said, a monotony in her voice.

The Mobian GUN soldier, however, didn't pay much of his concerns to her words as he remained still.

"Ever went a hand to hand combat fight?" He asked, "Your magic is kind of useful when it comes to a solo survival."

"We're not surviving, Shadow." Twilight protested, "We are conducting a rescuing operation."

"We are surviving." Shadow stood on his words, "There's an anarchy, chaos, destruction and death around every corner. While you casting the spell at one opponent, someone else might attack you from the back or at a long distance."

Twilight ugh'd in annoyance as her eyes rolled up. She felt like she couldn't retract these arguments. But then she gave up, and looked at him with an annoyed look on her face, as she lift her both hands to the level of her face.

"Yes, I have, but…" She said as she then sighed deeply, "... *sigh*... my combat skills didn't get any progress… *smirks*... Why I need it, though? I am perfect in Magic?"

Shadow then put his hands on his hips as he did an eyebrow trick, "Alright." He said, "Let's imagine that I am going to attack you. Cast a spell on me."

Twilight went shocked, "What?" She asked, surprised.

"Cast a spell, Twilight." He answered, "Or, you'll be finished." He said simply.

Twilight then reached her hands out and backed away, "No… no no no no… you can't be serious." She said as she chuckled nervously.

Shadow, though, remained his position, "Maybe I can't, but your enemies can." He said as he deepened his frown, "You're running out of time, young Princess." He said with an air of inpatients in his voice.

Twilight then gave up as she sighed, "Alright, alright." She said, as she then took off her bag and put it on the ground, "But remember." She said as she charged her horn and smirked, "You asked for this!" She said in a threatening tone, as she then turned sharply at him and launched the battle spell. But the magical beam flew into nowhere, and Shadow wasn't there. Twilight went wide-eyed when her companion disappeared into nowhere. Her eyes then ran around the area, looking for him. She tried to catch a sight of him behind every single bush and tree trunk, however, she saw no signs of Shadow.

"Shadow?" She shouted, "Shadow, where are you? Where did you go?" She called out to her companion, "Come out!"

"Boo…" She heard a quiet boo over her left ear, which made her scream and jump to her right in fear. She fell on the ground with a thud and cringed in pain of her back. When she opened her eyes, and looked up, she saw a dark hedgehog towering over her and observing her with a look of disapproval on his face. She also saw him slowly shaking his head, which made her frowning.

"Cheater!" She grumbled quietly.

Shadow frowned, "Bollocks!" He said sternly as he then walked closer, "You were expecting me to tell you what my actions are going to be and what exactly I am going to do with you?" He asked as he sounded extremely sarcastic.

Twilight sighed as she then took a sitting position, "Well… at least you could warn me?" She asked as she looked at him with a look of curiosity on her face.

"Your enemies will not give you a warning before attacking you." Shadow confidently noted, "In a situation like this, you must be prepared for the worst. Your potential murder may wait for you around the next trees and rocks… your eyes must be kept diligent with every single spotted movement, and just as it is…" He then sharply pulled out his gun, much for Twilight's surprise, "... you must be ready for the action. Even if that pony has a peaceful intention." He then hid his gun back into his holster, "Do you understand?" He asked, to which Twilight was silent at first, but then she managed to nod him.

"Uhhhh-huh… I understand." She answered. The dark hedgehog sighed then and picked the bag.

"Get up!" He ordered as he walked pass by, "We got to keep moving." He said not wanting to stand around much longer then needed.

Twilight then got up to her feet and took a deep breath in/out. She then followed her companion to catch up with him.

"Does this go with every GUN training scenario for every field agent?" She asked, still displeased, as she equaled her position with his, "I mean… crime at every turn, worst case scenario, and… things?"

"This is not just GUN training, Princess." Shadow responded, "This is life. Despite peacefulness and generally calm Equestria, there's always a fly in the ointment." He then looked at her, "Even in the most peaceful place there's people who will not hesitate of parasitize on someone's happiness."

Twilight smiled ironically, "I think you're over exaggerating." She commented, "You're living in Mobius, and I'm aware that Mobius is quite a place after many years of war… even now."

"I am not denying that." Shadow said, "But mark my word. Every time where there's a crisis, there's always chaos and anarchy." He looked at her again, "I have been in this world for long enough to make my assessment on the situation." He said in a calm monotone voice.

Twilight lifted up one of her eyebrows, "Yes, yes, yes." She grumbled a bit, "Older people are always right." She then sighed and looked at him with a concern, "That's kind of unfair from you of judging of my age, and not my achievements. I know how to defend myself, and I achieved many things in my life, and not to get every step of mine controlled by someone who is older." She said a bit sadly, "I wouldn't mind some justice from you." She said as she lowered her head and closed her eyes.

Shadow then frowned, "You have a little brother as much as I recall… that little dragon kid, right?" He said in his usual manner, to which Twilight opened her eyes again and looked into his. She then gave him a nod.

The hedgehog-man then continued, "Why shouldn't I take him instead. I am sure he's a gifted boy, and could release his potential in full way." He said as the two stopped and Twilight even gave him a shocked look.

"What? Spike?" She asked, shocked, "No… No way… He maybe have some power but when facing with robots… He couldn't handle it."

Shadow then frowned deeper, "And so as you." He said a bit sternly, "At your first encounter with metal killing machine, you almost got your life finished by the Neo-Type MS robot, despite your magical spells. You can't help but obliged to follow my order and to trust my experience of encountering with them." He then put a hand on the left side of her head, much to her gasp, and then he moved closer, so there were only a few inches between their faces, "I am not doubting in your potential in any case, but we're both in a higher league now. Remember your yesterday's encounter? You tried to shoot it with your magic, but it didn't work, and you had to run to your life just to stay safe."

Twilight then closed her eyes again and sighed in desperation. Shadow, however, continued lecturing her.

"I don't want this to happen to you again in the future." He spoke calmly, "Like it, or not, but I am here to take a responsibility if at least a single scratch will appear on your body. Your life is much more important that mine, and you have to remember that. Whatever your achievements are, of us two… only one may return…" Twilight then opened her eyes and looked into his, to see that his eyes showed no fear before the threat of death, though, it showed some of not returning back alive, "And it must be you. Do you understand?" Shadow asked again.

Twilight silently nodded.

"Now, I want you to follow my orders. If there's a danger and I say run, you run. If I say hide, you hide." Shadow said again, still calm, "And no exceptions."

"But I can help you…" Twilight tried to protest, but Shadow was unbent to her pleads.

"You will help me more, if you will stay in safe space, away from robots." He said in a whisper, "And I want you to understand it now. Not tomorrow, not in a year… *whispers*... now…" Twilight sighed again and lowered her head.

"Alright." She whispered, as she then looked into his eyes, an apologetic look on her face, "I'll do it." She said, making Shadow smirking at her as he then patted her friendly on the shoulder and looked away.

"Let's go." He said as the two then resumed their mission.

Meanwhile, on another side of Equestria.

Fluttershy and Miles decided to camp near the huge tree. Surrounded by thick bushes the two were sitting before the camping fire, where Tails was cooking himself some canned food. His face looked more fresh than a few hours ago, and he was even smirking and humming himself a song. The pony-girl, however, did not share his enthusiasm, as she looked a bit lost by the fact that they decided to stop in the jungles. She was sitting on the side opposite to Tails', and kept looking at how he was cooking himself a dinner, and singing song, with her eyebrows arched in a frightened manner, her arms hugging her own legs, and her head resting on the top of her knees.

The fox guy didn't pay much attention to her pose and facial expression, until his curious eyes made their movements towards her. Seeing her like it was previously described, he sighed deeply, and wiped off his smile. It was replaced by an acid look instead.

"Oh, come on, it's not like what I am cooking here is a meat…" He said a bit tired, "I promised you, that I'll get along without it, remember?"

Fluttershy didn't answer, and instead, she kept scanning the area around them. Miles then shot a curious look and straightened up his back, and looked around to see what spooked her. Seeing nothing, he humphed sarcastically, and returned his gaze back at her, but only to see her pleading look on her face, and noticing that she was shivering slightly. He then sighed and crawled over to her as he positioned himself on her left hand side and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Look, I told you that it's not the worst case scenario." He started, "And I think I explained why…"

Fluttershy gulped, "M-M-Miles, I have a feeling that… *gulp*... someone is watching us…" She whispered, to which Tails widened his eyes shockingly, as he then moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Where?" He asked in a whisper, to which Fluttershy moved her precious to meet with his eyes as she hen lifted up her left hand and spun her index finger as if saying that this someone, or rather something, is right behind them two. Miles then arched his eyebrows, and let go of her, as he looked through the bushes right behind them. He then looked back into her eyes.

"How long did you notice that?" He asked, still whispering.

"About an hour ago… when we were on our march…" She whispered again, as she again rested her chin on her knees.

"Why didn't you tell me about it?" Miles asked, spreading his left arm and his right arm is still on Fluttershy's shoulders, to which the girl cringed in shame.

"I wasn't sure… I mean… you said it yourself, that… I'm… umm… basically scared of everything…" Fluttershy whispered again, as she had a slight tremble in her whisper, and then she looked at him apologetically, "I'm sorry…"

Miles sighed as he then patted her on the shoulder and shook his head, "Don't be…" He said with a soft whisper in his voice, "It's more reasonable to check your feelings, rather than shouting the alarm." He then tried to look over the bush to see the dark and dense jungle thickets. His eyes ran across every single inch, and seemingly checked every single leaf to notice at least some movements.

Suddenly, he saw that one of the bushes started shaking. This made him gasping and hiding back into the bushes. He then looked at Fluttershy.

"Don't move…" He said, as he then grabbing one of the bags and unzipped it. He then pulled out a wide steel dome with a plastic handle on its top, and used it to cover a fire. The fire soon died down due to the lack of oxygen. When he glanced back at Fluttershy, he pulled out his gun and grabbed his medical cane.

"Now help me up and grab your gun." He ordered, still in a whisper, to which Fluttershy nodded as she quickly helped him up, though, Tails still struggled to get up, but not as bad as a few days ago. Just as he was up, he aimed his gun towards the bush, while Fluttershy stood behind him and snuggled up to him. She placed both hands on his shoulders and looked up from his left shoulder, to see if there's anything wrong there.

Miles, however, kept looking at the bush which was shaking just recently, but only to notice that it stopped moving all along. Besides, the sounds of the jungles were still here. It wasn't quiet, as it should be in the case of the danger, so it helped his heart to calm down. He then sighed in a slight relief, as he then hid his gun back into the holster and looked at Fluttershy. He then took her by the hand.

"It's fine." He said calmly, making her looking at him, "You can be relaxed… I mean… in some way."

Fluttershy blinked her eyes a few times, before speaking, "But Miles, what if it is a robot?" She asked, still whispering.

Miles then smiled, "If it was a walker, it would attack us instantly." He answered as he then struggled to sit down, and put his cane next to him. He then grabbed the dome and lift it up to face with a dense puff of a smoke. He then coughed a few times and waved the smoke off his face, and then he grabbed his can with a food, and looked inside. He then lifted up his left eyebrow.

"Well, I wasn't hungry anyways…" He then looked up at his companion, "You want it?" He asked, to which Fluttershy shook her head. Tails then shrugged, and put it down on the ground. Fluttershy then sat next to him and the two looked at the bush behind their backs.

"Besides, the sounds of nature are still loud enough." Miles continued as the two looked at one another, "You know that it's an even greater indicator of danger when everything around you is suddenly quiet."

Fluttershy nodded, "Yes." She said as she then dropped her head, and breathed out the anxiety, "I wish we landed not far away… and…" She then looks apologetically at him, "Miles, I'm sorry to say it, but I wish, I never left our bus."

Miles smirked kindly, "Awww, don't be… You're apologizing way too much…" He said, making her smiling in return, "Maybe you're right. If it wasn't my obligations in Equestria, I'd stayed at Mobius away from this mess… Or not, because I should've go to that competition to celebrate Sonic's career ending…." He then looked at her, "If anything… things that have happened, would of happened anyways. If we're going to grieve on what we lost, we won't make it…" He then became sad, and turned away, "Or… those who we lost… recently…" He then deeply breathed out his sadness, and closed his eyes, as he remembered Nicole.

Seeing him like this, Fluttershy instantly understood why he's so sad, so she then hugged him tightly and rested her head on his shoulder to give him a comfort.

"That's okay." She whispered soothingly, to which he opened his eyes and looked at her to see her smiling at him kindly. He couldn't help, but smiled back at her as he took her by the hand. The two then looked up to see where the sun was, and seeing that it was still high, they decided to continue their journey, before it's to late.

Back to the lands across Canterlot.

There were many separated single houses all across the Equestria's capital. Some of them were abandoned while some of them were demolished and turned into the piles of debris. The landscape didn't change much, though. The trees looked unharmed, but there were some traces on the ground. The explosive craters and the burnt grass spoke the the battle apparently happened here.

Shadow and Twilight stopped near one of these craters, as the GUN agent was hunching over it and his fingers were tracing across the formed pit. He was all silent and concentrated, as if he tried to see through it, thus confusing Twilight, who thought that they were wasting their time.

"Shadow, you said that we should work faster to find my friends, but now you yourself wasting your time on checking the pit which was formed more than a week ago." She was complaining with a confused look on her face.

"That's the thing." Shadow answered in a deadpanned tone. "It was formed not one week ago. It happened after the robots attack Equestria."

Twilight widened her eyes, "What… H-How can you be sure of that?" She asked, to which Shadow gave her his trademark stoney face.

"Because the scorch traces are still fresh." He said as he then again looked at the burnt up earth of the crater, as he took a pinch and rubbed through his fingers, to better examine it.

Shadow then turned his gaze towards the charred patch of grass that was nearby and noted; "The grass still seems hot, and it's even still smoldering as well…. leaving a very strong odor in the air, you'd even be able to tell a block away from here?" He said inquisitively as he then continued to search the surrounding area for anymore traces.

Twilight then began to search the area…. hoping not to find any more dead bodies…. especially that of the certain individuals that they were looking for, that were not among the dead. As she went to look for any signs of potential survivors amongst the ruins of the once suburban residential area, though not sure what to find that would indicate that.

Meanwhile, Shadow looked at his female companion over his left shoulder to see her scanning the surroundings, obviously worried to see the potential ambush. He then shook his head as he stood up.

"I know what you're thinking…" He spoke in his trademark stern manner, making her looking at him, "Are they still there yet, or ran off somewhere else to find themselves new victims." He said as he then looked around as well, "But it's not like this crater was made by the robot, because I don't see any traces around."

"But what if this thing fired from the air?" Twilight asked, as she frowned, "These things can fly, can't they?" She asked not certain.

Shadow looked at the crater and walked around it, "Look at the angle." He announced, to which the alicorn girl looked at the pit, "The soil plowed at an uneven angle, and the form of a crater is a remincement of a water drop." He then deepened his frown, "No, the ground deploy robots doesn't have any missiles weapons, and the air ones aren't shooting so crookedly." He then looked at the west side, "The shot was performed from there, probably. Apparently it was some sort of a grenade launcher."

Twilight then walked over to him, "So there might be survivors?" She asked quietly as if she felt that they're being watched, "And you think they're watching us?"

"You are correct." Shadow answered as they looked at one another, and then they looked at the Canterlot mountain, "We moved away from Canterlot for fifty miles, and we still didn't find any trails that could indicate to those who we are looking for…"

"Sometimes I think that it'll take forever to find them." Twilight said as she looked at her companion, "You think we could ever face with The Walking Dead?" She asked with a slight shiver in her voice, "After what Fleetfoot told back there in the castle's infirmary…"

"I strongly hope that we won't." Shadow answered, as he turned his gaze ahead of him to observe the trees. Frowning deeply, he strengthened up his legs and walked there to see if there's anything behind them. Twilight remained silent and still as she looked him walking away somewhere, and then she promptly followed him, knowing that he may scold her for not obeying his orders. She felt frustrated by his nature, though, because he treated her like a child with no experience of holding her own in dangerous missions, though, she had to admit that he was right at some point. She just had to get over it.

Meanwhile, Shadow walked over to the bushes, and used his hands to spread the sticks to the sides to see if there was something in there. Gazing down at the ground behind the bush, he spotted a few traces led somewhere deep into the forest. The trail go straight between the dense vegetation, perhaps to avoid the meeting with the robots' sensors. The mobian then walked through the bush and kneeled before the trail. He used his hand to remove the grass for better look of what it is.

The violet Equestrian Princess walked straight after Shadow, struggling a bit of walking through the bush. As she went through, she dusted off her clothings, as she frowned.

"Too bad, we're too proud that we can't walk around these bushes, huh, Shadow?" She asked sarcastically as she looked at her companion. Seeing him kneeling before something, she then widened her eyes as she went closer to him. She then spotted the trail left by someone's boots on the ground and bent to take a better look.

"Who might of left those behind?" She asked, observing the traces, as she then looked at Shadow, "Or, it's rather… what left them?"

"No." Shadow answered as he shook his head, "The traces aren't deep for a heavyweight robot." He then looked into Twilight's eyes, "It was left by the living being. Not too long ago."

Twilight became confused, "What?" She asked as she looked at the trails, "What they needed here? There's nothing around that could cause the interest." She asked as she then straightened her back and scanned the territory around them, "If only… They tried to destroy the robot and launched that missile, which hit the ground?" She asked as she looked at her mobian companion.

The hedgehog then stood up and crossed his arms around her chest, "If it that was the case, we'd found the powder traces on the leaves." He assumed as he glanced up, "The shot was made from that hill, apparently." He said as he looked at the top of the nearby hill, and then he looked back at Twilight, "If someone was here, they maybe we're casual witnesses." He finished his assumption, making Twilight looking intrigued.

"If that's the case, maybe we should find them?" She asked, "I doubt that this is someone of my friends, though."

The hedgehog just shook his head, "I don't think that it could give us some progress in our searching." He announced, as he looked up, "It's getting dark, and we'd better to find ourselves shelter for the night." He finished his sentence as he looked at the alicorn again. Twilight, though, insisted.

"I think, if we distract ourselves a bit from our main searching, nothing bad will happen." She noted, "Besides, if we find them, we may find ourselves some shelter when we do. Who knows, maybe they're the good guys?" She asked with her eyes opened wide.

Shadow certainly didn't like the idea, "Negative." He replied, "What if they'll attempt to kill us when we are in their sights?"

"And what if not?" Twilight asked as she smiled, "Come on, we got have got to at least check them out for ourselves. And if something goes wrong, you can always fight them back, can't you?"

The mobian sighed deeply, "... *sigh*... They might overhead me." He said a weary tone in his voice, to which Twilight chuckled nicely as she walked closer and took him by the arm around his elbow.

"Don't worry." She said calmly, "I am not going to go far away from you." She said reassuringly.

Shadow sighed again, knowing that this may not end well, and then he looked up at the sun to see where it was. Seeing that it's moving towards the west, he then shook his head, as he then looked at Twilight.

"Alright, let's go." He said as he and Twilight then went after the trail, "But don't do anything stupid."

Twilight formed a sore look on her face, "Shadow, stop treating me like a child." She said, "I won't do anything like that, while we're investigating." She scolded.

"I'm still going to remind you." The hedgehog replied as the two moved deeper into the forest.

Meanwhile, in the Jungles.

Fluttershy spread the bushes to the different sides, and used the binocular to check on what was down there. She was on the top of the high hill, and down there, she saw nothing but dense thickets. It was even impossible to see the ground hidden behind the trees and bushes. Sighing, she lowered the binocular and hung it on her neck, as she then hide back behind the thickets. She then ran down the hill to reunite with her friend. All the while her large round breasts were bouncing up and down as she feared they might cause her to either lose her balance and tumble foreword, or smack her in the face due to the rough terrain.

Meanwhile, Miles was sitting on top the fallen log over a pond and checking on his radar to count the distance they have to overcome before they finally got to Ponyville.

*QUA-QUA-QUA*

He suddenly heard the frog's croaking, which caught him in surprise as he then looked down below his legs, and saw a frog staring at him curiously. He couldn't help his smirk as he then put his radar on his own laps and focused his attention on frog.

"Well, hello there…" He said a bit jokingly, "Nice weather, huh?"

The frog didn't make even a little sound as he was speaking, and kept the same position as its gaze was focused completely on the mobian fox. Tails chuckled a bit as he then put the radar away from his lap on the top of the log beside him and then he located his hands on the top of his knees, continuing staring at the frog.

"I have met with a lot of your neighborhoods recently." He spoke, "They seemed nice. If I were you, I wouldn't change my rezidence."

The frog was quiet at first, but then it croaked a few more times. Miles chuckled again, as he found it funny when the frog started croaking.

"I wish I understood your language." He said ironically.

"Miles?" He heard Fluttershy's voice, what made him looking to his right. He saw her running at him, pretty fast for her kind, as she had a smile on her face. That brought a sigh of relief to escape his mouth as he then smiled in relaxation, glad to see her fine and well.

Just as the gap between them two have disappeared, the fox-guy grabbed the walking cane and struggled to stand up, and his pony-friend gladly gave him a supportion. When back on his feet, he looked into the girl's eyes.

"Found anything?" He asked, hoping that she saw any signs of civilization somewhere around. Fluttershy shook her head.

"Nope." She said, as she then handed him a binocular, "Just the thickets everywhere."

Miles hung the binocular on his neck, "That's good." He said, "We don't need the sudden intruders." as he then looked down at the frog, "Oh, and by the way, I found myself some company while you were out."

Fluttershy curiously gazed down at the pond to see the frog staring at them. She then smiled.

"Oh, hello there, Mr Frog." She greeted the animal.

The frog croaked once, and this is when Fluttershy felt awkward and blushed heavily, as she then wrapped her arms around her own chest. She then giggled awkwardly.

"Ummmm… thanks." She thanked the animal. The fox was confused by this.

"What did he say?" He asked, wondering. Fluttershy then tried to hide her face behind her own hair.

"Ummm… he paid me a compliment." She answered awkwardly, to which Miles studied her from bottom to up, apparently guessing what the frog had said to her just now. He then smirked and shook his head.

"I see." He said as he then limped towards their bags, "Let's keep moving."

Fluttershy recovered from the sudden compliment and with a smile on her face, she followed him with a fast pace. She then suddenly heard the frog croaked once again, which made her stop and cringe shamefully. She then quickened her pace to catch up with her mobian friend.

One hour later.

The two travelers continued on their way towards the west, according to Tails' radar. Miles was walking in front, sometimes gazing down at the screen of his radar, and attempting to avoid hitting low hanging twigs from nearby trees. Fluttershy was walking right behind him, as she carried one out of three of their bags. She kept looking around, though, looking more calm, than usually, due to the fact that they met nobody during the time they spent in the Jungle.

Suddenly, she heard shaking from behind, and stopped dead, as she gasped quietly. She could hear the nearby bush is shaking behind her back, and then she slowly turned her head over her left shoulder to see what it was. She saw one of the bushes shaking heavily, as if someone's moving there. Soon, the shaking stopped and Fluttershy saw two yellow eyes got opened from the dark.

She gasped again, and sprinted off after Miles.

Meanwhile, Tails stopped his way and lifted both of his eyes up to see where the sun was. He used his hand to shield his own eyes from the sunlight, and up there, he saw that the sun was going more and more towards the west. He knew that they have to find themselves a shelter for the night. He then sighed and hid his radar into one of his bags.

"Ahhhhh… looks like we have no choice but to find a shelter for the night." He said as he then started scanning the trees in a search for a tree hole, "Let's see if we can spot any hole anywhere around here?"

He then felt someone bumped into him and someone's arms got wrapped tightly around his chest. And someone's body nuzzled against his as tight as it only could. Cringing a bit, he turned to see Fluttershy's frightened silhouette and felt her shaking with fear.

"Miles, someone's out there again." She said as her voice rumbled. Miles widened his eyes.

"Where?" He asked, but soon the answer came to him itself. He heard the cracking sounds not far away from them, and these sounds are getting closer and closer. He then gasped and dropped the bags as he wrapped one of his arms around Fluttershy's waist and used his free hand to pick up his gun. He aimed the gun towards the source of the noise.

"What the hell is this?" He asked the rhetorical question, as he tried to look through the thickets. He saw someone's, or something's, shadows flashing around. This caused him to shiver a bit as he then held Fluttershy closer to him.

"DId you see what it looks like?" He asked.

"N-n-n-n-n…. N-n-no… ah-ah-ah… I only saw its eyes…" She answered as she kept looking through the thickets and nuzzling Tails tightly, "It looked scary…"

"Damn…" Tails swore as he frowned, "We're screwed.", Suddenly the noise died down.

"Don't be scared, wanderers… I mean peace, and no harm, if you pander?" They suddenly heard someone's voice spoke to them in a rhyme. Fluttershy then got herself confused, as she thought that this voice and this manner of speech is kind of familiar to her. Tails, however, found himself more confused, as he clearly heard that this is not a machine's voice, but living being's, though, he was still sparked.

"Why are you watching us?" He asked angrily and loudly, as he deepened his frown.

"I thought you are lost… A helping hand I can give for you to trust…" The voice repeated again, and that's when Fluttershy finally realized where she heard this voice and even how this person looks like. She then uttered a sigh of relief, and even a small smile sparked across her lips, though, at first, she didn't want to get out of the mobian's grip. For some reason, she liked the feeling. The fox-guy, however, became confused by that mean of communication used by the woman, whose voice he heard.

"Is that some sort of a trick?" He asked, making Fluttershy looking at him, surprised, "Why don't you show yourself?" He shouted as he glared, "Come out!" He commanded.

Fluttershy then gasped, as she put one of her hands on his cheek, and made him looking into her eyes.

"Miles, it's alright. You can lower your gun." She said calmly, making her friend confused.

"What?" He asked, "Are you sure about that? We can get attacked in a second if I'll do that."

Fluttershy smiled, "Yes, I am. Trust me, I know her." She said as she then let go off him and turned towards the source of the voice, who was still hiding in the thickets. Miles was looking at his pony friend with a shocked look on his face, but he the decided to do what she asked him to do, so he then lowered his weapon and scratched the back of his head.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy giggled, "Come out Zecora." She spoke with a newcomer, "It's all right now."

Suddenly, the mysterious shadow moved towards the two wanderers and Fluttershy saw the same very yellow eyes she saw just recently, which scared her, but this time, she recognized the owner of these eyes and no longer tried to run from them. When the newcomer appeared on the bright side, the shadows stepped back. The newcomer was a female zebra. She was dressed in a ragged knee-length dress, her top is covered by a furry shirt with a strap only on the left side her feet covered by an ankle boots. Her hair formed a mohawk in the punk rock style, each of her ears had an earring, and her neck is covered by numerous rings. She was smirking at the wanderers, when she was in the light, and then she spread her arms at Fluttershy.

The pegasi-girl giggled again and gladly threw herself into her friend's arms as they met in the welcoming hug.

Miles found himself confused by what he saw, though, he also felt wave of relief, because it wasn't an enemy. He then sighed in relaxation, as he picked up the bags, and limped towards two girls.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy and Zecora finished their friendly hug and looked into the eyes of one another.

"I'm so glad to see you." Fluttershy announced, "We haven't seen anyone in more than a week…"

Zecora winked at her, "Sorry if I planted the seed a fear into your heart…" She said as she then looked at Miles, "I thought your boyfriend was about to tear me apart?" She asked as she lifted up one of her eyebrows. Tails found himself confused by this, whereas Fluttershy just chuckled awkwardly again, as she looked at him.

"Zecora, this is Miles." She introduced him, as she stepped back from Zecora, so they could shake hands with one another, "Miles, this is Zecora. She's my friend, we can trust her." She said to him, to which Tails didn't really believe at first, so he then looked again at the woman to observe her from the bottom to the top. However, he then sighed in relief and limped closer to zebra and reached out his right hand.

"Nice to meet you, Zecora." He spoke in a friendly manner, "I never knew Fluttershy had friends such… well… as extraordinary as you."

Zecora chuckled and then she wrapped her arms around the fox-guy, thus confusing him. He blinked his eyes a few times as he then patted her on the back, thus reluctantly accepting her hug.

"Huh… hehehehe…" He chuckled awkwardly, as they then broke the hug, and Tails scratched the back of his head, "Women in this country sure love hugs and kisses. Hehe…"

Zecora chuckled in response as she then put her hands on her belt, "I've been watching you for three days… To make sure you both are in a right way." She spoke, thus confusing Miles again.

"What does that supposed to mean?" He asked, not sure what she's trying to say. Fluttershy then stepped closer to him and put a hand on his left shoulder, making him looking at her.

"She wanted to be sure that we are not enemies… Or… it's rather you were not an enemy." She said a bit reluctantly, as she didn't want him to feel like he's not welcomed here. Miles, though, was only about to shrug this off.

"Huh, yeah… fair enough." He said as he then smiled at Zecora friendly, "Never seen a Mobian before?" He asked, to which Zecora shook her head.

"My eyes caught the sights of them here and there… But tell me friends, what brings you here?" She asked, wondering what are they looking for.

Fluttershy then made a sad look on her face, "You mean, you didn't know about the attack?" She asked a bit sadly. Zecora's smile then disappeared and replaced by a dramatic expression on her face.

"Oh, I am aware of that…" She said as she looked at them two, "Poor souls seem have tried to hide from this very attack?"

Miles then spoke in, "Not exactly." He answered, "We are trying to get to Ponyville and then to Canterlot to figure out the fate of the rest of the Equestria."

"We tried to escape from the robots on the plane, but we got hit, and crashed three hundred miles away from home." Fluttershy spoke in with a sad look on her face.

"It looks like that all of us had a day… You are still need to cover a long distance away." Zecora spoke with a regret in her voice.

Miles smiled at her, "Nah, that's alright, we'll get there somehow." He answered as he then ceased to smile and looked at her with a frightened look on his face, "Zecora. Is there any robots in the jungle? We didn't seem to face with even one of them."

Zecora shook her head, "No machines I have seen." She answered.

"That's good." Miles replied with a strong note of relief in his voice.

"Zecora, can you tell us if there's any shelter around where we can spend the night?" Fluttershy asked, folding her hands in a pleading manner, to which Zecora smiled again.

"Of course, there is. It's getting dark. Follow me, my friends, and I'll take you to my ark." She answered as she turned away and headed somewhere even in the dense jungle. Fluttershy smiled happily, and then she turned to her friend and spoke.

"Isn't it amazing, Miles?" She asked happily, "We have a shelter for the night, and we won't be alone."

Miles sighed as he limped over to her, "That's a good news." He said, "Alright, let's catch up with this friend of yours. We don't want to spend the night outside again, don't we?"

Fluttershy shook her head as a negative response, and then they picked up their bags and followed Zecora. They quickly caught up with her pace and equaled their positions with hers. Zecora's pace was slow, because she certainly saw that the fox was limping on his left leg, and using a walking cane. Just as they have met while hiking in the rainforest, zebra turned to the two.

"You must be tired from the long road. I bet you're hungry. Do you wish to unload?" She spoke to them two, to which Fluttershy smiled happily.

"Oh, I'd love to taste a fresh cooked meal." She said, a happy tone in her voice, "I'm so tired of eating the rations and canned food…"

Miles smirked at her as he nudged her in the shoulder to get her attention, "Do not forget to mention the composition of these rations." He said jokingly with a wink, to which the girl chuckled a bit, as the three continued on their way to Zecora's home, hoping to get a bath, clean beds, and, of course, a tasty cooked meal.

Meanwhile, in the forest fifty miles away from Canterlot.

The two continued on following the trail, left by the strangers, and Twilight obviously had a hope to meet with her friends, though, her mind told her that is unlikely for her to see them now, but at least she could see and hear how they're surviving the mayhem, made by the robots. She had her horn glowing lightly as she tried to make a telepathic connection with Rarity.

"Rarity! Rarity, please hear me!" She spoke in her mind, "It's me, Twilight! Where are you? Are you safe?" She said as she sent a telepathic message hoping it would relay back a response from her white unicorn friend, she was reaching out to, despite knowing there was a slim chance she would get a response back from her, and where they were.

She didn't get a response, though. After numerous attempts, she then sighed deeply and her horn ceased to shine, as she then stopped and shook her head.

Shadow continued on moving forward, but only to stop when his sixth sense old him that the Equestrian Princess is stopped. He then looked at her over his left shoulder to see her walking back and forth, with her head dropped and her eyebrows arched in a frown. He then shook his head and approached her slowly.

"Why did you stop?" He asked, as he towered over her.

Twilight sighed again and looked up straight into his eyes, "I just… It's getting annoying." She announced as she then shook off her bag and dropped on the ground, and then she sat on the big rock, "We're following the trail for two hours, it's almost dark, and my telepathic messages are not getting any reply. As if the whole world is against us."

Shadow smirked, "You'll get used to it." He said a bit sarcastic, "In one way, or another."

Twilight closed her eyes, "I know, it's just… I'm starting to have a doubt that following you in this mission was a good idea?" She said annoyed, as she then looked up into his eyes, "And I have a feeling that we won't find them anytime soon."

"We certainly won't, Twilight." Shadow agreed, "But we got a job to do, and we must finish it at any cost. We just can't stop until we find them."

Twilight nodded, "I agree." She said as she then stood up, and bent to pick up her bag. Shadow kept smirking as he observed the young princess all the time, but just a second later, he ceased to smile and turned quizzical when he felt something is coming. He then started looking around and scanning the forest, which was pretty dark by that time, to see what it is that was out there. Glancing on his right, he frowned deeply, as he seemed that he saw something out there.

There between the trees, he saw a suspicious shadow, which didn't really reflect the tree silhouette, or a bush silhouette. He then made three steps towards that very shadow and stopped in a ready stance. His left hand then slowly reached to the holster as he unlocked it and put his fingers on the grip of his gun. He kept staring at the spot unblinking, as he watched attentively if it's going to move, or not. And just as if he ordered, the shadow made its movement. The hedgehog guy then glared fiercely.

"Twilight." He spoke calmly, "Prepare to get down, when you hear the clicking sound."

Twilight picked up her bag, and looked questioningly at Shadow, "What sound?" She asked.

*Click*

"That sound." Shadow answered, to which Twilight gasped. Just a few moments later, Shadow pulled the gun out and aimed straight towards the spotted dark silhouette.

"Get down!" He shouted, to which Twilight ducked on the ground and made a magical shield to protect herself. Just a few moments later, three shots came at them, though, luckily they all missed the target. Shadow then performed an answering shot towards the shooter.

"Hey… you almost killed me?" A male voice suddenly shouted from the bushes, to which Shadow tch'd.

"Really?" He asked, "You shooting at us, only to complain that you almost get killed by the bullet?"

"I wasn't shooting at you." The voice replied, as the silhouette moved behind another tree, followed by Shadow's aim, "It was a warning for you to not go there."

"And so did I… warned you so you do not fuck with me!" Shadow angrily replied as he cocked the hammer.

"Who do you think you are, man?!" The voice asked him, slightly annoyed. Twilight's ears, though, picked up a very recognizable male voice as she then lifted her head up, and looked towards the silhouette. Shadow, though, was still aiming.

"It's none of your fucking business of who I am!" He growled, "I can perfectly see your silhouette in the moonlight, and I am aiming straight at you! I give you ten seconds for showing yourself, or else I'll open a fire!"

Twilight then gasped as she stood up and ran at Shadow.

"One!" The hedgehog counted as his index finger slipped across the trigger, "Two!"

"Shadow, wait!" Twilight stopped him as she put a hand on his left arm, making him looking at her questioningly, "Lower your gun."

Shadow then frowned, "What? Are you crazy?" He asked, thinking that she's dumb. Twilight, though, just looked towards the stranger's shadow.

"Mr Cake?" She called out, what made the stranger to make one step forward, "Is that really you?"

"Princess Twilight?" The stranger asked as a reply message, as he moved towards them.

Shadow took a better aim, "Don't move, you fucker!" He ordered, an angry tone in his voice.

"Whoa, whoa, I mean no harm… please, don't shoot!" The stranger begged Mobian to spare his life, as its form soon approached to the moonlight. He then held his rifle at the light, as a sign of his peaceful intentions.

"Here." He said as he slowly approached them. Twilight then looked at Shadow with a small frown on her face.

"Shadow, please, do what I said." She said to him; "This man out there is a friend of mine, he's absolutely harmless."

Shadow, though, was as tough as usual; "I believe it only when I'll see it." He answered in his usual manner as he then turned his gaze towards the newcomer, "Come out! Slowly! And don't even try to make any sudden movements! My fingers are sweaty… they might slip!" He warned him, to which Twilight gasped and glanced at the person, who may be, or not be her friend.

"That's alright, I come out!" The man replied as he then slowly stepped into the moonlight. It was a stallion, orange in a color, with a light-brown hair, beard and mustaches, dressed in a grey warm clothings, black boots, and black winter hat. He held his hands with a rifle as high as he could and walked as slow as he could to not provoke any unnecessary shooting. Seeing him, Twilight ran straight at him, which made Shadow surprised.

"Twilight, what are you doing?!" He asked, an angry tone in his voice; "Stop!" He ordered, but she didn't follow his orders anymore. Just as she reached Mr Cake, she hugged him tightly, which made him dropping the rifle. He just hugged her back. Shadow then sighed deeply, disappointed in Twilight's actions, so he then cocked the hammer into the safe position and clicked the safety trigger. After hiding his gun back into the holster, he approached the two.

Meanwhile, Twilight kept hugging Mr Cake, "Oh, I'm so glad to see you alive and well, Mr Cake." She said as she then broke the hug and looked into his eyes, "How's your wife and children? How's Ponyville? Is everyone okay?"

"I don't know, Princess." Mr Cake sadly answered, "Me, my wife and kids went on camping on the day of the attack. We saw a huge army of robots flying towards Canterlot and stayed here before it all ends."

Shadow observed it from the distance with a look that had a slight note of displeasure, because he wasn't taken seriously after Twilight's friendly approach for this stranger, but on the other hand, he saw that she knew him very well, so he just let it go. After he hid his gun back into the holster, he walked closer to them and crossed his arms around the chest, as he then started scanning the surrounding area with his eyes to see if there's any more danger.

Meanwhile, Twilight finished her friendly hug and looked into the eyes of Mr Cake.

"I'm so sorry that you of all ponies had to go through all this." She said with a look of regret in her eyes, to which Mr Cake sighed deeply.

"I know, that you're sorry, Princess, but… you don't have to." He spoke as he looked into her eyes, "Who knew that this would happen?" He then looked at Shadow, "And who is your companion?" He asked, wondering. Twilight then looked at Shadow and introduced him.

"Mr Cake, this is Shadow the Hedgehog. A GUN special agent." She said.

The hedgehog then smirked at Cake and reached out his left hand, "Hi." He greeted the stallion man. Mr. Cake was a bit surprised by his sudden act of affability, but still he managed to shake his hand.

"You were acting according to protocol, Mr. secret agent?" He asked a bit sarcastically, as he made a nervous smile, because he knew well, that this guy is not the one who is not one to take lightly when angered. Shadow, however, reacted calmly at this, and let go of his hand. He then crossed his arms in the chest area, and did an eyebrow trick.

"Definitely." He said simply. Twilight sighed at Shadow's lack of empathy towards the stallion he just scared to death, so she then decided to take the situation into her own hands.

"Shadow feels sorry for scaring you, Mr. Cake." She said, surprising her mobian companion, "He bears a huge burden of responsibility now, so he's… well, he's not really emotional type of a character." She then looked at Shadow, "Am I right?" She asked him as she then formed a nervous girl as a sign for at least to pretend that it is true.

Shadow went narrow eyed, "That's true." He said as he then looked confidently at Mr Cake, "I've been appointed at the mission of bringing back the member of a Mobian Royall family, and a few persons who happened get engaged in a fight against a few robots. All the witnesses showed at the direction outside of the city." He did an eyebrow trick again, "Didn't you see any signs of them? Maybe you heard the explosions, or screams… or something?" He asked, hoping that Mr. Cake heard at least some signs that may speed up their searching.

Mr. Cake rubbed his chin as he pondered over Shadow's question, "Actually…" He then looked at him, "We heard female screams of pain, but it seemed so far away that we didn't go to check it. I'm sorry, but we have two little kids to watch for, and they didn't know yet, how to act in the case of emergency."

"Where?" Shadow asked.

"Ummm…" Cake spoke again, "South Eastern direction I think."

Twilight smile; "That's good." She said, "Tomorrow, we will continue our searching in that direction." She then put a hand on Mr. Cake's shoulder, "But now we have to find ourselves a shelter for a night"

Mr. Cake smiled at her, "Oh, I know what you're hinting at." He said a bit happier, "Of course I'll take both of you into our tent."

Twilight went wide-eyed, "You're living in a tent?" She asked, to which the stallion nodded.

"Uh-huh." He answered, "Twenty minutes of walking from here." He then turned away and headed to the direction opposite to where Twilight and Shadow were standing at, "Let's go, it's getting dark, and we should hurry." he called out to them.

Twilight and Shadow left standing on the place where they were standing before they looked at one another. Twilight then smiled.

"See?" She spoke, "Some issues can be solved without threats to be shot down." She said as they soon followed Mr. Cake. Shadow, though, was still stoney faced.

"We didn't know it for sure, Princess Twilight." He spoke, "Right now we have met with a good man, but what if we weren't that lucky? What if it was an anarchist?"

Twilight sighed, "Shadow, stop thinking pessimistically." She said, "This mission is full of whats and ifs, and now… just let's relax in the company of good people. You'll like them, I can guarantee it."

"One of us couldn't get relaxed, Princess." He noted, "Some of us should've stayed on guard, while the others are sleeping."

Twilight answered with silence at his words, and all she could do is shaking her head from side to side. She then quickened her pace to equal her position with Mr. Cake so they could continue their chat. Meanwhile, Shadow's eyebrows arched in a deep frown as he turned back over his left shoulder and put his hand on the holster. He saw that the forest is getting darker and darker and soon it was impossible to see what was there and if there's any danger. He then turned to look at Twilight and Mr. Cake to see them chatting with one another.

Meanwhile, deep in the jungle.

Zecora was leading her guests towards her house, as she was carrying two of their bags, while Miles carried one bag attached to one of his tails, whereas Fluttershy was walking on light.

"How much are we still left, Zecora?" Tails asked, limping behind Fluttershy, who was heading before him.

"Not too long." Zecora answered simply as she was smiling all the way they were walking.

Tails chuckled a bit, "Okay." He said to himself.

Fluttershy then looked at him, "How's your leg, Miles?" She asked him, a worrying look on her face.

The fox-guy smiled at her, "It doesn't hurt as bad as it used to a few days ago." He said, limping, "But I believe that I'm going to lean on the walking cane all the way before we get to Ponyville." Fluttershy then went wide-eyed as she remembered something. She then looked towards Zecora.

"Zecora, if you're here, than it means we're not far from Ponyville, right?" She asked, hoping, that tomorrow she will see her house. But unfortunately for her, Zecora was only about to drop her head, and looking at her over left shoulder, with a look of regret on her face.

"I am deeply sorry, but it's not. To reach the town you need to pass a lot." She said as she then turned before her to see where she's going. The yellow pegasi girl then sighed deeply, too, and looked at her fox-friend who is walking behind her.

"Well, hope dies last, doesn't it?" She said as she turned forward, too. Miles was only about to sigh in response as he decided to tell nothing at this point.

Few minutes later, the two went on an open glade near the pond, where they saw a huge house built around a tree trunk. The tree was massive and covered by the leaves from top to bottom. Miles was shocked after seeing this as he then stopped and gazed at this in awe.

"Whoa… that's something you won't see every day." He said as he continued on limping behind the two women.

Meanwhile, not far from Canterlot.

Shadow, and Twilight continued following Mr. Cake's lead somewhere deep in the forest. Twilight looked calm and even relaxed after meeting an old friend of hers, whereas Shadow was obviously alarmed and his full attention was turned to the observation the surrounding bushes and thickets. He tried to see through them, as well as he was attentively listening to the sounds of nature which was loud enough. The crickets were chirping, the owls were howling, and somewhere on the distance other animals made their noises. It brought small calm to his heart, but he still felt it beating pretty fast.

Mr. Cake continued walking, while using his hands and the rifle for pushing the bushes away. Very soon, he spotted a big rock straight before him, and stopped as he took a better look. He then looked down at the bottom of the rocky hill, and spotted a small light, as he then smiled and looked at the two newcomers.

"We're here." He said as he then continued his pace, "Follow me."

Shadow and Twilight both silently followed him towards the light source. The young princess then accidentally glanced towards her partner and saw him looking around with a look of strong alarm in his eyes. She then widened her eyes.

"Shadow, you saw something?" She asked, to which the hedgehog shook his head negatively.

"No." He said as he looked into her eyes, "I can understand your excitement, princess, but never forget what is currently happening in our world. Another attack might happen in any second, so we should make haste."

Twilight nodded in understanding and glanced towards the light. The source of light was a small camping fire, and a tent was standing nearby. The tent looked solid and big enough for four people to feel comfortable inside. Two logs were on both sides of the fire. On the left a certain mare was sitting, bright blue in body fur color, with magenta hair and tail, and dressed in green camouflage clothing. She had dark green ankle boots on her legs. On the right, the two kids were sitting, and playing some sort of board game. They both wore the typical camping clothing for kids and had the shoes similar to what their parents wore.

Mrs. Cake soon heard the footsteps on her left, so as her children, so all three of them looked towards the source of these very footsteps and saw their man heading towards them with two newcomers. She smiled at her husband and stood up as she approached him. Kids followed their mother's example and rushed at their dad with a speed, and soon they both attacked him with strong-armed embrace.

"Daddy!" They both exclaimed, making Mr. Cake chuckle as he returned the embrace of his children.

"Ohhh… hehehehehe… hello." He said as he then looked at his wife to see her approaching him smiling. She then closed the gap between them and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"You were absent longer this time, darling." She said softly as she put a hand on his left shoulder.

Twilight was smiling warmly at the picture before her eyes, as she sincerely enjoyed the view, however, she also experienced some sort of jealousy towards them as she wanted her life to go this way. Having loving husband and wonderful kids. Shadow, though, remained the same stoney face, however, inside, he could imagine his woman meeting him as excited as Mrs Cake met her husband.

Meanwhile, Mr. Cake smiled at his wife, "I just met an old friend and told them to join us for the night." He said as he then looked at Twilight and Shadow, and his family members repeat his movements of the head. The children then smiled and rushed at her.

"Princess Twilight." They exclaimed again in unison, as they embraced the Princess of Friendship. Twilight laughed awkwardly, as she returned the hug.

"Hey, hey, easy there." She said through her laughter, "I almost fell down."

The kids then finished hugging her and looked into her eyes, "Princess Twilight, where have you been?" Pound said as he looked a bit desperate.

"We thought that we were the only we ones left out of all of ponykind." Pumpkin said as she then shivered slightly, "These things were so scary."

Twilight looked at them with a look of regret, "We are doing whatever in our power to help all the ponies we could, but… these robots are way too strong." She said, "I promise you that when I come back to Canterlot, the Princesses will make up a plan of fighting back these machines."

The children smiled at her, and Twilight then looked at Mrs. Cake. Two women then exchanged a tight hug with one another.

"Oh, Princess Twilight, we're so glad to see you." Mrs. Cake said softly, "It's always great to find out that we're not alone…"

Twilight patter her on the back, "I know, Mrs. Cake." She said.

Shadow just rolled his eyes and shook his head, as he stood slightly distant from this weird company. However, that's when he felt someone tugging him by the clothing, and looked down quizzically, to see two curious kids staring at him.

"Princess Twilight and who is your friend?" Pumpkin asked.

Pound then formed a frown and stared deeper into the eyes of a stranger, "He's doesn't look like a pony." He said as he then smiled, "He looks like Mr. Silver….. only much meaner." He noted, to which Shadow sighed in annoyance.

"That sounded like an insult." Shadow commented as he looked down at the kids, a dirty smile on his face.

Pumpkin then giggled nicely, still smiling at him, "You're so weird, mister." She said.

Twilight then giggled at this, and looked at curious Mrs. Cake, "Mrs. Cake, this is my partner, Shadow the Hedgehog." She introduced him.

"He's from GUN." Mr. Cake added, to which the kids gazed at him with wide eyes.

"GUN?" They said in unison and then they looked up into Shadow's eyes, now staring at him in awe, "WHOA…" They breathed out their amazement, to which their parents chuckled awkwardly, as Mrs. Cake then walked over to Shadow, as she gave him a welcoming smile.

"I'm so sorry that, sir." She said, "They're just children, they don't understand what they're doing or saying."

Shadow hmph'd; "I am not offended even at the slightest." He said confidently, "I got to say that I'm impressed that you managed to survive here for so long."

"We're trying our best." Mrs. Cake said as she then walked back to the camping fire, "Please, join us for a dinner."

Twilight sighed with relief; "Oh, dinner does sounds like a good idea…"

"DINNER!" The kids exclaimed as they ran past Twilight, nearly knocking her down, to which she staggered.

"Ahhh…" She squeaked in suddennes, as she then dusted off her clothes.

Mr. Cake then chuckled; "Oh, kids… They're so charming in that age." He commented.

Twilight huffed sarcastically, "Yeah, they definitely are." She agreed.

"If I were you, I would ask them to be more disciplined." Shadow said as he frowned, "One small noise and the MS robots will catch you."

"They are acting disciplined, Mr Shadow." Mr. Cake assured him as he smiled, "It's just they see that it's safe here and feel more relaxed. Once the danger is near and they becoming quiet." He then led the guests towards the camping fire, "Alright, let's go." He said as the three then went over to the camping fire and sat on the logs around it.

Fifteen minutes later.

Near the campfire, the family of Cakes, Twilight, and a certain Mobian GUN agent sat on the logs opposite of each other, and enjoying the evening meal. They had beans with vegetables for dinner and fruits for desert. The children acted quietly and just ate the food from the plastic plates. They sat next to Twilight and Mrs. Cake, who were mostly quiet. Mr. Cake sat next to Shadow, who obviously refused to eat, and just watched attentively through the bushes in a search of a danger.

Mr. Cake then swallowed his food and looked at the Mobian, "Why aren't you eating?" He asked.

"I'm not hungry." Shadow answered, still looking through the thickets and keeping his hand on the top of his holster. Mr. Cake then glanced quizzically at Twilight, who just sighed in response.

"Don't be surprised, Mr. Cake." She answered an unasked question, "When he's on guard, nothing could distract him from that."

Mrs. Cake then spoke in, "So, Princess… may I ask what are you doing in the forest?" She asked, making Twilight glancing at her, "As much as I wanted you to come after us, I don't think that you're here for just that, and not without an army at your side."

Before Twilight could respond, Pound entered the conversation, "Well of course they're here to save us. Are you Princess Twilight?" He asked as he looked at Twilight with a big and hopeful smile. Twilight sincerely wanted to say yes, but was only about to sigh deeply, thus bringing a sad look on Pound's face.

"That means no?" He asked, to which Twilight smiled and giggled friendly. She then put a hand on his shoulder.

"Well, of course we will help you to get to Canterlot if we stumbled upon you." She said, thus catching Shadow's attention who looked questioningly at her, "Tomorrow, we will show you the safest track to Canterlot." She finished her sentence, thus prompting Pound's smile to appear again on his face. Shadow, though, had a different opinion on this matter, as he then turned to them and spoke with a frown.

"That's quite stupid decision." He spoke, making everyone to look at him, "The city is full of robots. It won't be easy to go through, considering that they have to climb the mountain road, which is surely under the surveillance."

Twilight glared at him, "Shadow…" She growled quietly through the gritted teeth.

Pound then smirked, "Oh, don't worry, mister." He said, "I can deal with these robots with my left…"

"Ha-ha-ha…" Pumpkin sarcastically chuckled, prompting Pound to look at her, "Says the boy who cried and tried to hide in dad's arms when he saw the robots flying in the skies." Pound then glared at Pumpkin, but Mrs. Cake prevented their fight before it had even started.

"Do not even think of fighting with your sister, mister!" Mrs. Cake said sternly to her kids, to which Pound looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

"But she started it…" He whined, but his mom only frowned in response.

"I don't care who started it. Stop it! Now!" She said, "We have guests, after all!"

Pound was only about to sigh in response, as he then pouted and turned away from them. Pumpkin giggled at this, and continued eating her food.

After this small family thing ended, Twilight looked at Mr. Cake, and gave him an ironic smile, "Do not think that we're going to leave you after we found you." She said, making Mr. Cake smiling in response, "We will lead you back to Canterlot, I promise!"

Mr. Cake chuckled, "Nah, do not trouble yourself, Princess Twilight." He said, "You can come back to us after you accomplish your mission!"

Shadow looked at him; "That's excluded!" He said in his trademark manner, making Mr. Cake looking at him with a look on surprise on his face, "Too dangerous, all things considered!"

Twilight, Mrs. Cake, and the kids all glanced at the GUN agent as he said this, "What do you mean, Mr. Shadow?" She asked him.

The hedgehog glanced at her, "That means that you're coming with us!" He said with his voice full of confidence.

"Isn't that be more dangerous to take them with us?" Twilight asked, surprised as well.

"Not as dangerous when we drop them in a solo run to Canterlot." Shadow noted as he looked at Mrs. Cake; "Not going to lie here, you'll be a ballast for us in our mission, but if we keep an eye on you, that'd be safer for you and your children. Tomorrow, we will find you some shelter, and you will sit there lower than grass, before our return, understood?"

Mr. Cake then decided to speak, "Mr. Shadow." He spoke, bringing Mobian's attention, "I know that you want to help us, but we don't want to be extra weight for you. We can't move fast, and we are not armed as good as you, as well as we are not prepared as well trained as you are." He then smiled, as he put a hand on hedgehog's shoulder, "Besides, there are no robots anywhere around here. We'll be safe here, don't worry."

Shadow, though, did not change the expression on his face, but she felt like something cracked in his chest as if he imagined what's gonna happen if they leave the family of two lovely people and their fidgety kids alone. Glancing at Twilight with his eyes full of alarm, he as if sent her a mental signal that they need to listen to what he said. Twilight clearly saw that in his eyes and she agreed with him on that, as she then glanced at Mrs. Cake, with a sad look on her face.

"We had a report." She said, putting a hand on Mrs. Cake's shoulder, "That there are things which are even worse than robots."

"What?" Mrs. Cake asked, "What is it?" She asked as she looked at Shadow, "Mr. Shadow?"

The GUN soldier lowered his head as he gazed at the fire. Through the fire, his eyes gave him an image of what he saw seventeen years ago on Eggman's base, something creepy, and something that was almost impossible to stop. Something that gave him nightmares back then, when it was all over and against which he fought for months.

"Children must leave." He said, a soft tone in his voice, to which the kids looked quite offended.

"What?" Pound asked, "No way!"

"We're not going to miss a creepy story!" Pumpkin moaned as she smiled then, "I love creepy stories. They giving me chills….." She said as she then fidgeted on the log. Shadow, though, was quiet at first, and not even lifted his head up, waiting for Cakes to do what he told them to do. Seeing that he's not going to talk to them, Mr. Cake decided to do what he said, and stood up. He then smiled at the children.

"Kids, it's late, let's go to sleep." He said kindly, to which Pound and Pumpkin responded with a whine.

"But daaaad…"

"No buts, little ones." Mr Cake said as he helped them up, "It's late night, you both are tired, and want to sleep."

"No, I am not…" Pound tried to speak as he then yawned deeply, and formed a dreamy smile, "Tired…"

Mr. Cake then chuckled, "See… hehe… come on." He said as he then led both of his children towards the tent, and helped them both to get in. Glancing back at the adults he nodded at them and entered the tent.

When children were out, Twilight looked at Shadow, a sad look on her face, and said; "Tell her, Shadow."

Shadow lifted up his head and looked into Mrs. Cake's eyes, "A week ago, Princess Celestia sent Wonderbolts on an intelligence mission to find out how much damage is caused by the attack." He spoke, a quiet tone in his voice, "She sent six, but only one of them returned. They were all killed, but one, who barely managed to escape. She grabbed few parts of her companion's body to prove it."

Mrs. Cake hid her mouth behind her hands as she had a look of horror in her eyes, "Oh my gosh…" She whispered.

"That's not all." Shadow continued, "The thing that killed Wonderbolts was not a regular robot you saw recently. It was a technology developed by Eggman which allows to use the already dead body for a robotization. These machines are many times more ruthless, and invincible than the regular robot. It can't fly, but it moves faster on the ground, and kills everything it sees. Birds, mammals… smart beings. Everything. Eggman called it The Walking Dead."

"That's why we can't leave you here." Twilight joined into their conversation, to which Mrs. Cake turned her eyes at her and saw a sad look on Twilight's face, "We haven't seen one, but there's no guarantees that they will not appear."

Mrs. Cake then sighed deeply, "I understand now." She agreed with Twilight, as she lowered her head.

"That's why I am so surprised that you and your children managed to survive for so long." He said, making two women to look at him, sad looks on their faces, "Having these things wandering around kills any chances for surviving in a place like this. I'd rather prefer you to meet you in a bunker, or in the house basement, because it's much much safer than tent in the forest."

"Please, tell me that there's a chance that we're not going to meet with them." Mrs. Cake begged him.

Shadow sighed, "There's always a chance, Mrs. Cake." He said as he pulled out the gun, "But we must be prepared for the worst. That's what the situation demands. While I'm here, you can sleep peacefully." He said she he then stood up, and gave a small bow to the females, "Good night, ladies." he said as he then walked towards the stone which was lying not far from the campfire, and sat on the top of it. He had his back turned to the tent, and his gun in his left hand, as his eyes stared through the darkness of the forest.

Twilight then sighed and smiled at Mrs. Cake, as she massaged her shoulder, making her look at her, "That's alright Mrs. Cake." SHe said calmly, "Shadow knows what to do. He's been in a situation like this many times."

"He maybe did…" Mrs. Cake said; "But we did not." She then sighed and rubbed her forehead, "I feel so exhausted." She said sleepily, to which Twilight nodded.

"Then go to sleep." She said, "I'll take care of the fire."

The older mare nodded as she then struggled to stand up before she approached the tent to join her husband and children in sleep. Twilight then looked at the fire and performed a spell to create a purple shield that surrounded a campfire and soon it died. It got dark and was hard to see when Twilight looked up to see the stars. Soon her eyes got used to that darkness and she then looked towards Shadow to see him standing there, and scanning the area. She then approached him.

"Are you sure, you don't want to sleep?" She asked, "You can't stand here all night."

"Actually I can, Princess." Shadow said as he looked at her, "Somebody has to stay on guard, while the others are resting. The situ…"

"The situation demands, I do it." Twilight finished for him as she smiled; "Well, suit yourself. Good night."

"Good night." Shadow said as he again faced the forest and started listening and watching carefully. Twilight then yawned and approached the tent to get some sleep. Shadow looked at her over his shoulder to see her walking to a tent, and getting inside. Just as she disappeared, Shadow sighed and looked away from the tent. He then looked up at the stars, thinking of the one whose hair is as bright as the night sky, which brought a smirk to his face.

---

To be continued...