Chapter 4: I Hate Running!

I got to admit that when I started this day out, I didn't expect to run through the crowded streets of District 5 while being chased around by two unicorns who had the intent to kill me. Whether this was what life had planned out for me or just a cause of my stupidity (I knew I shouldn't have played around with the circuit.) I don't know. All I know is that I couldn't stop it now and had only one option at the moment. Which was to run away as fast as I could. I would have preferred flying away rather than using my hooves. But Autumn said that a Pegasus flying around, and wearing the Overwatch uniform, was an easy target to spot. It made me hate running more, with the addition it made me feel like an earth pony.

So I got stuck with running, which made my feet very tired. I really need to get in shape if I'm going to do this in a daily basis. (Which I hope I wouldn't have too, since this will all get sorted out sooner or later, I hope.)

As we ran through the streets, I noticed that the ponies chasing us weren't firing their guns. It seems like they wanted to keep things quiet and not expose the public to violence. So maybe Autumn was right about them wanting to hide something. Well at least I was glad about that. If they wanted to hide killing, then I was sure they wouldn't shoot us in public or any open space where a pony could see. Since it would mean that they would have to eliminate everypony who witnessed it.

"Where exactly are we going?" I asked Autumn as I panted. All this running was taking its toll in my energy and I didn't know how much longer I could continue this.

"A place where we can hide." She told me. "But first we need to lose these guys."

"How? We can't seem to shake them off our tail."

"Yes, but they would have a harder time chasing both of us. You go left and I go right, I will then meet you near the junk shop." She said, turning her head towards me and grinning. I didn't actually think it was a good idea for us to split up, since I thought that we would be able to work better together, but she seemed to know what she was doing.

So I gave a quick nod, before dashing off to the left, heading towards the market center. Turning my head towards the ponies chasing us, I could see them make their way through the crowd trying to get near us. They then separated, one heading for Autumn, while the other towards me. I felt scared as I felt alone and no one to help me if I got captured. But this was no moment for fear, but the moment to run!

Reaching the market place, I could see the area was buzzing with activity. Ponies from all over District 5 were buying supplies, like food and other material. Signs saying fresh fruits and vegetables littered the area, but I know for a fact that they weren't fresh. Since the Domes were located miles underwater, sunlight barely penetrated the water to reach the plants we plant. So that means that we had to use artificial light to grow them. But although artificial light helps grow plants, it still lacks on giving the plants enough nutrients to be nice and juicy. Well those fruits were as fresh as they could get.

Racing through the market place, I tried to swerve left and right, trying to lose the pony chasing me. I knew that the market place was always filled with ponies, even more than the streets and other paths. So if I were to lose him anywhere, it would definitely be here.

But he seemed to have keen I sight, since I found it impossible to shake him off. Every time I tried to turn a corner and hide behind a group of ponies, he somehow manages to pop out. Getting nearer and nearer towards me.

I panicked as I saw him closer and I knew that I got to get him off or at least slow him down. So I raced towards the only place in the market place where I was sure to lose him. The Ice Center.

The Ice Center was the area were most ponies bought their cool blocks of frozen water. The ice came from the factory, which was located on the far side of the District; one could actually see the ten story factory from the distance. With its brown muddy walls showing how unhygienic it was. Maybe that was why they put it so far from the market place.

To get the blocks of ice, long slides were made that transport the large cubes at high speeds. The ice blocks slide down from the top floor of the factory and move through the entire District before ending its journey at the market. The ice blocks slide out of the slides and on to a specially made floor, before being halted by some sort of machine that I didn't much understand. The large cubes of ice were as big as a pony, and it took a special device with springs to catch them. So getting hit by one would hurt a lot.

There were tons of these slides in one corner of the market and running through them, while avoiding the chunks of ice, would be difficult. But at the time, it was the only way I thought I could lose him.

The path towards the slides wasn't filled with ponies and the only ponies there were the workers, who were staring at us as we ran off.

Running towards the slides, I could see that a fresh batch of cubes launching of the slides, before skidding down the floor and caught. I could see, from the distance, which another batch was coming soon. The white blocks of us shone from the distance, as I mentally calculated on its time of arrival. If I was lucky, I would be able to pass through them with enough time to miss one of the blocks.

Stretching my wings, I decided to fly low and bate the pony behind me. Since he already knew where I was, there was no use not use walking and trying to not attract his attention. Since his attention was now fully focused on me.

I flapped my wing as fast as I could, trying to gain speed. But the pony seemed to be very fast and I wondered what kind of genetic modification he took to be able to ran that fast.

Bang!

The sound of shots being fired made me squeak in surprise. It was obvious how much he wanted me dead. Well if all went according to plan, then I would be able to walk away from this unharmed.

Bang!

If no bullets hit me first, that is.

Passing through the slides, I could see the blocks of ice nearing. I flapped my wings faster, trying to get out of danger. But for a moment, I thought that I would get hit and meet a fate that was as painful as getting his by a bullet. Luckily for me I didn't. Instead, I manage to avoid any of the blocks and reach the safety of the other side.

But the sane couldn't be said for the pony chasing me, as I heard a loud thud, the sounds of muscle and bones being crushed, from behind. Stopping, I landed on the ground and turned my head to see what happened.

Looking towards the slides, I could see a trail of blood on the floor in front of the third slide. The blood was as red as it could be and I followed it to see a more gruesome sight. Near the machine that catches the ice, a large pool of blood spread through the floor.

I gasped at the sight, as the pony that chased me earlier was squished in between the machine and the block of ice. His body twitched, showing that he still had some life in him, yet he didn't look like a healthy pony anymore. The ice had pressed against the mid part of his body with great force that he looked like a soda can that was stepped on. His mouth hung open, as he desperately tried to breath from his broken lungs, while blood dripped out.

From all over the place, worker ponies started to gather. They went towards the pony and tried to free him from the trap he was in. But the freshly made ice seemed to freeze his skin with the cold block, as a rubber like mesh of blood and flesh was stretched at every attempt to pull him out.

I wanted to vomit right then and there, but I knew that there was no time for that. I still had to head out towards the junk shop and meet up with Autumn. I decided to walk, knowing that I would easily be spotted by his companions, which he probably had, if I flew. So I turned around, ignoring the fact that there was a dead pony, and trotted off.

Walking towards the junk shop, I could see the rusty piles of metal that littered the entire area. The large metal shed in the middle looked like a large trash can, old appliances surrounded it. The stench of rust and other materials entered my nostrils making me wince at the pain it brought my nostrils. "Why am I here again?" I thought aloud, wondering what forces brought me to the most unlikely places. Then I saw Autumn revealing herself, from inside the shed, as she motioned me to come inside.

"Oh, yeah…that's why…" I muttered as I walked towards the shed.

Entering the shed, I was surprised to see that it was very dark. I tried my best to navigate inside, but found it very difficult. The only light I had was from the open door behind me, yet it still proved difficult. I might have bumped into something, or two, when I noticed a loud mechanical sound behind me.

It sounded like gears moving and as I turned around, I noticed the entrance I took was closing, and it was closing fast. The rusty and mechanical sound of the doors sliding together echoed around, before each side finally met each other and closes with a loud thud.

I was left there, standing alone and in complete darkness. Have I said that I have the fear of the dark? No? Well I do and dark places liked this scared me out of my skin. I began internally panicking as I started pacing around, tripping on object before standing up and tripping again.

Suddenly, a deep raspy voice broke my panic, as it started to talk in the darkness.

"Autumn, are you sure it's safe to keep her here." The voice said. "She is wearing an Overwatch uniform. What if she leads the others here?"

"Ow, hush now, Dusk." I heard Autumn sweet voice say. I never thought that hearing her was going to be so comforting. Especially after all I've been through. "I can assure you that she is safe. I have known her since I was a filly and I trust her with my life. Besides, she doesn't know anything about the government's activities. She is the most clueless pony in the entire Dome."

"Hey!" I retorted, glaring at the darkness as I gave my retort. "I wouldn't be so clueless if you would tell me what is happening."

The sudden introduction of the bright light temporary blinded me, as my eyes tried to dilate and adjust to the change of brightness. I rubbed them with my hooves before looking around at the now well-lit interior of the shack. Which I had to admit, looked bigger than it actually is.

Looking in front, I saw a black earth pony with white and black hair, and a hammer as a cutie mark. His blue eyes studied me as I stood there, but he didn't say a word. Standing beside him was Autumn, who had a small friendly smile on her face. I was really relieved to see her safe, knowing that she didn't get hurt while managing to lose the pony chasing her.

"Looks like you got here in one piece. I hope the pony chasing you didn't give you much trouble." Autumn said. By the looks of it, she too was happy to see me safe. "So how did you lose him?"

"Lose him…" I said, as the thoughts of the deformed body of the pony returned. It was a terrible sight, and I didn't want to remember it. So I breathe a sigh of relief when the pony, who I assumed was Dusk, changed the subject.

"I think you two could talk about that later. Didn't you say you were going to explain why she's here? I didn't leave my work just to watch you chat. I have infiltration plans to finish!"

"Oh, yeah, alright." She said, nodding. She then turned to face me. "I brought you here to explain things. So do you want the long version or the short version?" She said.

"The short version please." I said. After all I've been through; a short and simple explanation would be good enough and probably won't cause too many headaches.

"Well first off, I would like you to meet Dusk…" She said pointing her hoof towards the black earth pony beside her. "…he is the leader of the Resistance."

"The Resistance?" I asked, confused. "What Resistance?"

"Well officially we don't have a name, so that we could keep this all a secret." Dusk said. "But we can't keep everything a secret and when the government catches as whiff of us, they dub as the Resistance."

"Okay, I get it. But, what would the government want from you guys? It's not like you stole something from them."

"Well technically it's borrowing without permission." Autumn said shuffling her fore hooves.

"Wait…you stole from them! No wonder they want to catch you so bad? But why?" I said bewildered at the thought of stealing from the government. Let alone the fact that you could successfully steal from them.

"So that we could prove their corruption and the atrocities they did to the citizens of the Dome!" Dusk said, with a serious tone. My full attention went to him, as I waited for him to explain. "For years, we have infiltrated the government and stole files proving that they stole from us. Money that could be used for project, are instead used for their greedy ambitions. Have you ever wondered why all the upper class ponies are government members?"

"Well now that you mention it…" I said, thinking it over. I was never good when it came to politics, but even I should have noticed that!

"Exactly…" He said, as if he knew what I was thinking. "We tried to fight them by peaceful means, but every time we do somepony dies. Also, every time we spread the word, we are silenced, so that the general public won't think and rise up! So anypony who has the slightest contact with us is immediately eliminated, for fear that you might influence others."

"You mean…I can't just go back and pretend nothing happed?" I asked hopefully, as I wanted to return to my normal life. The shaking of his head, left to right, answered my question.

"You're in this weather you like it or not. It's only the matter of you willing to help us or not. If you chose not, then we would not be able to help you when they co e knocking on your door."

I stared at him, trying to take that all in. It meant that my life would change. I was now being hunted by the government and considered a threat. Although I understood what he meant about the corruption of the government, the idea of fighting them was something bigger. Having worked for the government myself, I knew that they were powerful and in control. But what else could I do. The only way to go back to my old life was to fight and hope that I joined the winning side. Well, at least I had Autumn with me.

So, after a long moment of silence, I nodded my head. "Alright, I'm in."

I just hoped that I made the right decision.