-Hey guys, how much longer do we have to walk?- Asked one of the volunteers with a listless intonation. The person closest to his right flank gave him a sharp, reproachful look.
-You wouldn't have come if you were going to get tired so quickly, Fall- The pegasus' reprimand made the terrestrial frown.
-Forgive me, Princess Winter, but I don't remember asking for your opinion- He exclaimed with disdain, to which the alluded snorted with indignation.
-You literally asked.
-Silence, you two- Exclaimed a unicorn in front. His firm, gravelly, imposing voice gave a little shiver to the two fighting individuals, who nodded stiffly and engaged in grumbling insults and malice against each other. Starlight, who watched the development of that little quarrel, drew a hint of a smile on her lips. Old memories once again assaulted her mind and made her relive a better world.
-Miss Glimmer?
-Hmm?
-Where are we?- Questioned Lieutenant Wildride with his characteristic firm demeanor and neutral voice. The unicorn looked around for a few seconds, observing the infinite night sky and the huge green moor beneath the train tracks.
-... Has anyone been keeping an eye on their watch since we left Ponyville?- Starlight asked seriously, to which all the people present turned their gaze towards her. One of the volunteers raised her hand, to which the lilac-eyed unicorn nodded at her.
-We um… We've been walking for half a day and we've only stopped twice for fifteen minutes- Informed the feminine terrestrial, to which the purple-haired unicorn nodded.
-Thank you, Trick- She took a quick glance at the time on the watch on her wrist. She then proceeded to make a projection of the rest of the journey based on the pace they had been at so far.
-If we rest now for six hours, we'd start tomorrow at seven... If there are no interruptions, I'd say we'd be in front of Canterlot by noon, maybe later...
-Are you sure it's a good idea to sleep on top of these tracks?- Questioned the earthling known as Fall, somewhat nervously peering over the edges of that structure. Winter widened a mocking grin.
-Are you afraid of heights?
-Shut up, Princess.
-Yes, here we have a better sight to observe our surroundings and warn of dangers before they even realize we are here- Explained Lieutenant Wildride confidently, removing the bag from his back and planting himself on the ground.
-Besides, we have the Hurricane River below and near us, in case we need to escape- Said the other unicorn in the group of volunteers. Starlight raised her hand.
-Very well then. I'll take the first watch.
Everyone began to unpack in place, some having the exasperation of a near future where their back would be anchored to that concrete.
-No campfires, we don't want to attract attention- Said the unicorn sternly, to which those who were previously annoyed now let out groans and grumbles about their situation, uncomfortable and soon with the cold seeping into their bones.
But the grumbling stopped soon after as the vast majority of the group of volunteers fell asleep, listless after a lot of hours of walking. Starlight, for her part, scanned the surroundings for any irregularities.
-Miss Glimmer?
-Yes?
-Do you mind if I keep you company?- The green-haired Pegasus asked, to which the blue-eyed unicorn quirked her right eyebrow.
-Shouldn't you take the opportunity to rest?- The unicorn debated with intrigue, skepticism. The yellow-eyed lieutenant shook his head.
-I'd rather take the first shift, since I can't rest at the moment- He exclaimed, in response making Starlight frown.
-Is that so?
-If you don't like my offer, I'll withdraw it.
-No, no... It's just that... Well, I wanted to have the first turn... But sure, I need to rest a bit too...- Confessed the unicorn, easing the expression on her face with a sincere smile. Wildride also made a similar gesture.
-It's good to know you're here- The pegasus turned his gaze to the side, watching as two of the volunteers fought over one of the pillows- At least we have three experienced scouts...
-They're just kids with a lot of spirit...
-It would have been ideal if someone of experience like Mr Spike or Miss Belle had accompanied us- Starlight's countenance darkened by the shadow of her fringe while the bridge of her nose wrinkled.
-What do you mean by that, Lieutenant?
-With all due respect Miss Glimmer, I was quite clear. I was not on the occasion where you spoke Mr Spike regarding this initiative, but it is a fact that when we discussed in Miss Belle's quarters I clearly noted your rejection of the prospect of her accompanying us on this journey.
In the space between the two of them absolute silence prevailed, one with a sharp and intense gaze and the other with a firm and intrigued look. A sudden, tense atmosphere had formed, not very pleasant for neither of the two.
-You are imagining things, lieutenant... You see "facts" where there are none- That severe tone of the unicorn made the Pegasus understand that it was better to leave the subject for later... or better yet, bury it and forget it. Therefore, he swallowed saliva and made a gesture with his hand.
-I beg your pardon for my intrusion into your affairs, Miss Glimmer. It was only my inquisitive curiosity, it will not be repeated- The alluded nodded stiffly, accepting with skepticism the morbid intrigue of the green-haired Pegasus.
-Well, I think this deserves a remuneration, don't you think?- Said the unicorn with a faint smile, wryly. Wildride raised his left eyebrow, slightly dazzled by the interrogation. However, he soon regained his usual composure and nodded.
-What do you need?
-I want to know the history of Canterlot… I want to know how you managed to build something functional up there.
-What is your motive behind this pursuit of knowledge?
-… I was there at the beginning, but when the shield fell, I got separated from the elements of harmony and had to guide some survivors back to Ponyville and then the Everfree Forest, reuniting with the zebra known as Zecora as well as the others… But I want to know what happened up there. Let's just say that the last time I was in the city, it didn't seem to me an optimal place to reside- The unicorn stated, to which Wildride widened a small, proud gesture.
-It's what many said at the beginning... And honestly, it's hard sometimes. We have some of the best warriors the Royal Guard could leave behind, but between the hordes of them and the gangs of thugs, our situation is one of constant alert- The pegasus recalled several situations he found himself in during his stay in the once great city- Sure, supplies abound in the capital of Equestria... As well as it has a large amount of dangers. It's like they say; high risk, high reward.
The short explanation of the green-haired pegasus managed to awaken the unicorn's innate curiosity as well.
-How did you come to settle there?
-We were originally a group of eighteen royal guards, wizards and other members of the Royal Palace. We were organized by Lieutenant General Bronze Water, one of the four Lieutenant Generals who coordinated the defense of the city at the command of Generalissimo Shining Armor. We got separated in the east quadrant and we settled down and soon received dozens of survivors of all kinds, including soldiers... We established a sort of Council of three people; the civilian branch with the highest government official we could find; the military official with the highest rank and the sorcerer with the most experience and wisdom...
-A Triumvirate of some sort?
-Precisely… But soon, Bronze Water perished defending the refuge from an attack by Boomy's gang... On his deathbed, he resigned his position on the Council and placed a new military officer in his place.
-I assume you were this person- The pegasus nodded stiffly, confirming the unicorn's suspicions- Your story is fascinating... Where is your Refuge currently located?
-Sapphire Ring, Fleur Dis Lee and I agreed to use one of the latter's administrative buildings. Good position to defend and it is in a relatively secluded area of the city, so escape routes are many... Still, both they and the lunatics plague the city, consuming whatever they can get their hands on.
Starlight frowned, recalling the chaos throughout Equestria during the early days of that horrible reality. Everyone had gone mad. The despair and fear in the Equestrians had eliminated and buried the values of harmony, love, friendship and solidarity that had once been the proud banner of Equestria... Those values that Twilight and her friends had fought so hard to preserve...
-It is... certainly discouraging our new reality... But as that crystal soldier said, as long as we remain alive, harmony will never perish.
-Indeed. It is, in fact, one of the pillars that keep our shelter sane- They both smiled with melancholy and nostalgia- Many refugees were created at the start. We even had confirmation that Shining Armor himself constructed a Refugee… But we know for a fact it fell because of an attack of lunatics as well as them. We also know for a fact that Shining Armor died protecting the people of that refugee. I didn't want to create false expectative in your protégées, but we received the news that Captain Rainbow Dash and Miss Rarity Belle were the guides of the rest of survivors and diverted the attention of the infected to an unknown place- The information made Starlight's eyes shine with a little hope, but also a lot of fear. What seemed like a solid fact for years suddenly turned into a flimsy, dubious reality. Starlight couldn't help but to smile hopeful.
-"They may be alive!"- Was the first thing that came to her mind. However, she frowned- "But then why didn't they try to contact us?" Is there a possibility they're alive?
-… It's not likely, as we would have heard from them by now…
Starlight let out a dragged, painful, tired sigh. The small fiber of hope that had formed collapsed under its own weight, leaving behind nothing more than a shallow heart. Starlight's mind, in an attempt to evade the sadness and angriness, reviewed the information she had received from the pegasus, noticing a small detail.
-Why didn't you use the Royal Palace as a shelter?
Wildride's countenance suddenly changed to a much more somber, dark one, alarming that sudden alteration of expression.
-There is a reason for that.
At such a blunt response, the unicorn swallowed saliva. She could feel indignant, yet it would be hypocritical of her to demand that information when she herself minutes before had been greatly angered for the same reason...
But still, the Lieutenant did not look annoyed, but rather somber, forlorn.
-"He probably has a good reason."
She feigned a yawn, stretching her arms.
-I think you were right, Sir Wildride. I do feel tired- The pegasus nodded slightly.
-Feel free to rest, I will take first watch.
-Thank you.
The unicorn walked away and went to her own backpack, pulling a small sheet from it and using the bundle itself as a pillow. She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.
A piercing scream made her wake up abruptly. She instantly tried to reach for the knife under her pillow, but she recalled that she was no longer in her bed. She hissed with her tongue.
-"That sounded like a cry of help"- It truly felt that way, the shiver that traveled through her spine could attest at that.
She sat up to see what was happening, but was restrained by a hand on her arm and another on her mouth. Her pupils constricted, what was happening there, had they been ambushed? She prepared quickly a spell.
-Don't, Miss Glimmer- Whispered Wildride. His muttered voice at first soothed her, relaxing her muscles. But soon the realization of those words brought the worry and anguish back to her.
Wildride released the unicorn and soon they both approached the edge of the train tracks, being accompanied by the other four volunteers. At a considerable distance they could detail multiple individuals dressed in white and yellow robes forming a circle. They carried torches, axes and even some had lever action rifles. Inside the circle were five people. One male terrestrial stood tall, armed with a double-barreled shotgun, a line of blood running down his forehead. The female unicorn carried a knife in hand, as they protected a younger terrestrial and two children.
-SOMEBODY HELP US! SOMEBODY!
-SHUT UP!
-For Celestia...
Many of those present felt the helplessness swell in their hearts and guts as they witnessed one of those robe people slash the young terrestrial who tried to get out of the circle.
-Disgraceful- The unicorn muttered with contempt.
-I recognize them; they are one of the gangs that prowl Canterlot. They call themselves the Sun Worshippers- Remarked the green-haired pegasus with solemnity, even some disdain, to which those present were impressed.
-And what are they doing to that poor person?- The pegasus known as Winter asked, angry and frustrated. Wildride frowned.
-They like to make sacrifices in the name of Celestia, especially those they consider heretics or deplorable... If you want to sleep the rest of the night, I suggest you don't watch what follows and cover your ears- The yellow-eyed Pegasus's recommendation made the stomach of everyone else but one person turn, as well as their blood boil.
-What, are you saying that we should leave them to their fate?!
-Yes. We have a target to meet. There are at least twenty of them, possibly fully armed- That made several of the volunteers either cluck their tongues or snort with indignation- But if you want, we may as well start a fight with them and draw the attention of all of them to our position- Lieutenant Wildride offered firmly, prostrating himself and readying his rifle. The prospect of being caught between a band of lunatics and a horde of them was enough of a deterrent to undermine the initiative of many of those present. Starlight gritted her teeth in annoyance and frowned.
-What reason we have to rescue the crystal survivors if we can't save a family in peril?- Questioned the terrestrial known as Fall of the group earnestly, those words sinking deep into the others. Even the pegasus himself looked thoughtful at that.
-I'm with Fall, we must help them!- Winter's support made the other volunteer pluck up enough courage.
-We are Equestrians; it is our mission to help those in need!- Exclaimed the young terrestrial known as Trick with confidence, making both the other earthling and the pegasus smile enthusiastically.
-Well said, Trick Sweeper- Exclaimed Fall. Wildride turned her gaze to the unicorn, who only nodded firmly. He diverted his yellow orbs towards Starlight, who after some hesitation imitated the gesture of the other of the same species. The collective decision had been made, now they awaited his acceptance. After debating with himself for a few moments, he sighed in exasperation and turned his gaze back to the wasteland.
-I guess that's about as much rest as I was going to get- He raised his rifle and placed his sights on one of the robed subjects, taking a deep breath.
The bullet pierced the individual from ear to ear, impacting the chest of his opposite number in the circle.
-NOOOO! IRON! STEEP! HOLY CELESTIA!
-Shoot them down!- Starlight witnessed in wonder as the others present, armed with rifles, began firing at the sun worshippers, who scattered and soon began firing back.
-"It's a cause worth fighting for"
The roar of the guns had ceased and the bullets had stopped crossing the moor a few minutes ago. Most of the Sun Worshippers had fled the scene.
-"They probably thought there were many more attackers"
Oh well, at least she thought so. Starlight watched as Lieutenant Wildride along with the other unicorn gave instructions to the family they had rescued to head to their Haven in the Everfree Forest. She checked her ammunition. She had expended a few rounds from her revolver, but nothing excessive. If she was honest, she didn't think she had hit any enemy, but she certainly scared them off.
She turned her gaze to the side, visualizing a scene that made her stomach churn.
-We hit them hard, eh, Winter?
-Yeah, Fire Fall... We scared them off and they ran like chickens.
-Awesome, we're so cool…
He approached the trio of young volunteers. Fire Fall had his head resting on the lap of Winter. He was smiling while a line of blood traveled from his mouth to his chin. She, on the other hand, had a faint smile, her eyes were watery and her hands were shaking. The third one, Trick Sweeper, was just watching from the sidelines, her expression somber, her eyes filled with rage, frustration and pain. She could recognize well those eyes.
-Shit, why is it so cold here?- Questioned the earthling with bewilderment, to which the pegasus holding him averted his countenance, closed her eyelids and suppressed the tears that threatened to come out of her eyes.
-I-It's because of a breeze you dummy- Replied with a crack on her voice. It was truly an unnerving, desolating scene.
-We did not come out of this contest unscathed- Mentioned the other unicorn at her side, to which Starlight sighed listlessly.
-He's so young, he doesn't deserve this... I shouldn't have let him come; I shouldn't have allowed the attack.
-With all due respect, Starlight, but he was the one who insisted on attacking...
-...Yet another guilt I must carry…
-All of them, really. You're neither the only one nor the most affected by what's happened- And with that said, her partner pointed at Winter, who was holding the dying Fall in her lap.
-... I'm tired, Roughwill... I'm tired of this happening to me... I just want to wake up in a better Equestria...
"I just want to wake up in a better Equestria"
In retrospect, that sentence held and condensed many of her deepest desires. It was what she longed the most. Like a child waiting to be surprised at Hearts Warming. And she hoped that it would come true one day...
-We're close, stay alert- Wildride exclaimed firmly, watching his flanks like a predator. Starlight snapped out of her mind, remembering where she was. She took a look at her companions, who looked mostly temperate, ready to face anything. They'd done it once before with the lunatics... ...Although they had paid dearly for it as she noticed both the expressions of Winter and Trick Sweeper.
Surely they were thinking about everything that had happened since that trip began. What could he have done differently to prevent the death of Fire Fall? Protect him better? Convince him to abandon his voluntary entry into that expeditionary group? They perhaps had to Support Lieutenant Wildride in his attempt to avoid a confrontation with the Sun Worshippers? She could recognize well the look on both the pegasus as well as the terrestrial's face.
Doubt, pain, frustration, anger, despair, sadness.
It was the same look she had when her first teammate died during one of many, many expeditions. She remembered the name of the unicorn that time had tried to erase from her memory.
-"Lyra Heartstrings… She is the 'friend' of Sweetie Drops or as Lyra herself called her, Bon Bon"- Starlight recalled the introduction of Applejack to the unicorn. She was outgoing, friendly, a little strange with her fascination with horses, but nothing too outlandish- "Just one more extraordinary person consumed by the horde of the rotten beasts that ravage every life they can get their hands on"
She frowned.
Many people she had known in her life, people of unique character, now belonged to that mob of destroyers who consumed everything in their path. By Applejack's recording, she knew that mob had a collective mind with a precise objective, to end life. Attempting to confront them usually resulted in isolation and death as she herself had witnessed in the early days of the infection... And those isolated by the mob eventually succumbed to it and were just another addition to it and shared the same goal as them.
So it had happened with a large part of all her friends.
-Fluttershy… Applejack… Twilight…
She shook her head, recognizing that if she continued to ponder those dark thoughts and deeds she would be consumed by them. She had to be focused on her current mission.
The smell of black smoke began to invade her nostrils. She took a quick glance at her companions, who had also detected that smell. They looked considerably more worried and anxious.
-Watch out- Roughwill demanded, visualizing a column of smoke raising into the sky a few streets away. He furrowed his brow, having a bad feeling. Starlight, for her part, readied the revolver in her right hand, ready for anything.
Wildride, who was leading the group, rounded the last corner before coming upon his Refuge. But as he took a few simple steps to the next street his heart squeezed and his stomach churned at what he discovered. His pupils constricted to their smallest expression and his legs wobbled back to the cover of the wall, alarming his companions.
-What's going on?- Asked Starlight.
-The Refuge... The Refuge is no more...
Hey guys, back at you with a new episode! Starlight and company have finally arrived to Canterlot, new enemies and new allies have risen. What else awaits Starlight at what was once the Great City of Equestria? Find out soon! Leave a review! It's F.R.E.E after all!
¡Hasta la vista!