Everyone went pale and paralyzed at that simple sentence. Now, they could hear their grunts a few meters away. The hypothetical case of facing a horde of infected chilled the blood of most of the volunteers.
-What do we do now, Lieutenant?- Questioned Starlight, worried, checking every corner of that dead city. Wildride, however, didn't answer back. He couldn't, as he himself was shocked, deject to see that horrible sight. Everything he had fought for so long was now being consumed by the merciless flames, as evil shadows moved in to prowl the area and search for anyone alive. The pegasus stifled a solitary tear, turning his gaze to an object on the ground. He saw a symbol very familiar to him.
It was a trident above a line.
He gritted his teeth with contempt, while he picked up that piece of cloth from the ground and clenched it with his fist.
-Damn you... Damn you! Damn you a thousand times!- He shouted with absolute anger, remembering all the people he had left behind in that place now engulfed by fire. All those civilians and soldiers alike that he had sworn to defend- Damn you you miserable bastard!
Starlight frowned, knowing well that those screams would attract more infected to their location.
-Lieutenant, you need to calm down.
I had to be here to defeat him! I had to be here to defend them all! Why wasn't I here to defend them all!?
-Wildride, calm down!- The purple-haired unicorn demanded in anguish, but the pegasus listened to no reason, completely immersed in anger and frustration.
-I'll find them and kill them all! I'LL KILL!-
He was silenced by a slap from Starlight, who had a stern expression on her face. The lieutenant was shocked that she had the audacity and will to do that to him, but was stopped in his attempt to claim that action by the blue-eyed herself.
-You are supposed to be the most intelligent and temperate of us all, so control your anger or we will end up surrounded by them- Exclaimed the unicorn, somber and severe, not having a hint of doubt or fear in her lilac orbs. Wildride stood firmer and cleared his throat, recognizing that the unicorn had a very good point. He glanced at the rest of the volunteers, who were looking at him not with annoyance, irritation or frustration, but rather with trepidation, nervousness, fear and uncertainty. He frowned.
-You're right, Miss Glimmer. The anger that deepens my heart at this moment must be undermined. We still have a mission to complete- Affirmed the pegasus with determination, causing the spirits of all present to rise slightly.
-What mission?- Asked Roughwill wryly.
-To save the survivors?- Winter asked doubtfully.
-If there are any- Roughwill remarked with annoyance.
-First we have to get a temporary base- Trick Sweeper felt her eye twinkle, as if a light was flickering in her face. She turned her gaze in the direction from where that bright light was coming from- Then, from there we'll split into pairs to search the city- The earthling noticed that there was someone on the other side of the street, at the entrance of an alley, turning a flashlight on and off.
-Are you sure this is a good idea? The lunatic gangs could corner us more easily- Winter exclaimed skeptically.
-Guys...
-I know a Royal Guard depot where we can get more advanced equipment...
-Guys.
-... The problem is that it's in one of the red zones of Canterlot.
-Guys!
They all turned their faces in the direction of the terrestrial, who was pointing with her right hand to the alley. Sooner rather than later, those present also noticed the person with the flashlight on and off.
-Cuckoo-cuckoo! Cuckoo-cuckoo!- They heard from the other side of the road. Wildride let out a breath of relief when he heard that call. Not so much the rest of the volunteers, who were surprised and confused by the situation.
-What in Celestia's name was that?
-Cuckoo-cuckoo! Cuckoo-cuckoo!- Hearing the high-pitched intonation of the husky pegasus almost made Starlight burst into a frenzy laughter- Come on, they're friendly- Assured the lieutenant, crossing the street quickly. He was closely followed by the other four individuals, not wanting to be left without a guide in that concrete jungle.
When Wildride reached the other side of the track, he stopped his march gradually, standing in front of the person who had caught his attention.
-I thought you really liked the Everfree Forest, Wildy-Wild- Said the person who had attracted them with a mocking intonation. Being so close, Starlight could detail her better, being a unicorn with a brownish-white complexion. Her short, straight hair was composed of two blue and two purple stripes. She was of a considerable height, being in her perspective taller than she was. She carried a sword together with its respective sheath on her back. She wore black sport pants and a gray jacket of the same color, as well as black boots and finishing her outfit, opaque aviator glasses.
-It's good to see you again, Sapphire Ring- The lieutenant remarked, to which the unicorn smiled smugly.
-Of course it's nice to see me again, it's only natural- She turned her attention to the rest of the volunteers- These must be our pals from the Everfree, right?
-They are Starlight Glimmer, Roughwill, Diamond Winter and Trick Sweeper- Sapphire clicked her tongue.
-I didn't ask for their names, dear.
-You asked who they are, so I gave you their identities.
-Yes, but... I mean, it wasn't exactly what I was... Whatever- She looked at the volunteers again- You've come from quite the distance to help us. I appreciate it.
-Anything to help the refugees from the Crystal Empire- Exclaimed the lilac-eyed unicorn seriously, attracting the other woman's attention- Nice to meet you, my name is Starlight Glimmer- She indicated with a friendly smile, Sapphire remained skeptical for a few seconds before shaking her hand.
-Sapphire Ring, although my friends call me Sapphire- She exclaimed serenely and even friendly- Where's my good friend Diamond?
-She's at the refugee- Sapphire clicked her tongue with disappointment, surprising Starlight.
-A pity, I wanted to show her my obviously superior taste in clothes- The lilac-eyed unicorn was left confused at that comment, soon discarding it as a probably small dispute between those two females. She was about to say something else, however Wildride's friend moved her glasses behind her horn, revealing a pair of bright green orbs- I knew it! I recognized you from somewhere, my dear- The lilac-eyed unicorn heart stopped for a few microseconds, tensing up- You're the one who was playing with the past and almost faded us all- Sapphire smiled superiorly at the pale face of the suspect, who was dumbfounded at being reminded of one of her most dangerous past crimes- But no hard feelings, I also know about the other good things you did.
-Hey, this is all very nice and I think there's a lot of context behind that story that we don't know, but we should get out of here- They all looked at Winter, who was pointing her rifle at a trio of infected that were approaching at considerable speed. Sapphire Ring smiled energetically.
-But how rude, they're just coming to say hello- The unicorn quickly passed everyone present, withdrawing her sword from its sheath- Badabim, badabam, here I'll cut your head out!- Sapphire kicked the first of them that approached, collapsing to the ground. The unicorn then proceeded to slice off the head of the second one, while the third one she impaled with her sword. With a quick slash to the abdomen area and another to the leg, his enemy fell to the ground. Wildride took advantage of the opportunity and with the butt of his rifle smashed the head of the first infected that came close. Sapphire finished off the last one, letting out a reluctant huff- That's Canterlot's style, baby- The unicorn turned around and raised her index and middle finger, making those present pleasantly surprised with such a level of skill.
-Onward, lead the way, Zaphire- The lieutenant demanded earnestly, keeping an eye out for more of them approaching her position. The unicorn rolled her eyes and let out a slight snort of exasperation.
-You never let me look good in front of visitors- The unicorn stowed the oriental style sword on her back, starting to walk- Follow me fearless ones!
The six shadows moved through Canterlot as stealthily as they could, taking advantage of the great distraction that was the fire in the shelter. In the uncertainty, they depended solely on each other.
After a little while of walking using cover, they arrived at their new destination. Starlight glanced at every corner, every cloud, ever building, skeptic, anxious.
-Honey Stick- Sapphire whispered in front of the door of a large building that Starlight managed to recognize as one of the most famous hotels in the Capital of Equestria- Honey Stick!- Muttered a little more louder, with still no response.
-Are you sure this is the place?- Roughwill questioned with annoyance, to which the unicorn clicked her tongue, slightly offended.
-I'm not a gold fish, ok? This is this place- She exclaimed, annoyed- Honey Stick! If you don't open this door in five seconds I'm going to-!
That structure opened, revealing a earthling with Royal Guard armor and a listless look.
-You know well we have to check that no one is following you- Recalled the terrestrial with a neutral voice, to which the unicorn gave a confident smile and entered the place.
-Thank you, Honey Stick- The volunteers and Wildride followed Sapphire's steps- Even though we have been beaten, we haven't been defeated! Welcome to the Pacifi 2.0!- Cried with an enthusiastic tone, extending her arms and walking around, admiring the building's lobby. The volunteers made their way inside, appreciating a rather grim looking lobby, with bags and trash everywhere and a few people looking back at them skeptic. Sapphire's smile turned nervous, looking at the volunteers once again, who were all inexpresive- Let's... let's make ourselves comfortable.
Starlight sighed.
-"Everything will be alright"
Hey guys, sorry for the break. College and work is kicking my ass! A new episode has arrived though! We're at 75% of the story, so be ready for the end! If you notice any spelling or gramatical mistakes in older episodes, feel free to announce them! It would help me to improve my english greatly! If you like the story, leave a Review, it's F.R.E.E after all!
Hasta la vista!