//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Call // by sjrxbox //------------------------------// Chapter 2 “What the hell are you?!” John exclaimed while raising his pistol. “Well technically I’m a Pegasus but of right now I can’t fly” the pony told john motioning to her wing which had a large hole at the base, and several chunks of feathers missing. “Ok then…” John said “and what are you doing here?” “As for right now I’m bleeding out in a cave, getting interrogated by the sniper that almost blew off my wing.” The pony said smugly. “Why am I not surprised you said that” John said remembering his time with Paul and another one of his friends rouge . John’s headset fizzled to life and Paul’s voice came to life “Hey john we’ve got a bit of a- OH SHIT, GRENADE” Paul’s voice yelled through the radio and went silent. “Paul!?!” John yelled “Paul hold on man I’m coming” “Stay here” John told the Pegasus sternly “If I have to” she responded John rushed out of the cave, and dashed behind a large boulder several feet away from Paul’s location. He was just able to peek around the corner of the boulder and see his partner. Paul was crumpled up on the ground like he was unconscious, John slowly moved from behind the stone and move to his friend’s side. “What the hell?” John said to himself with concern, whatever had done this to Paul had to have had enough force to knock him out even with his helmet on. A dull ‘thunk’ rang out behind him and he turned with his pistol at the ready, he was greeted with the sight of a flash grenade. “Oh shit” John had barely enough time to mutter before his eyesight left him, a sound that reminded him of cloven hooves on cobble was coming towards him, suddenly a sharp pain raced through his body momentarily as two hard objects slammed into his helmet. The last thing john heard before blacking out, were the words “good job applejack” -0- “Hmm” Rouge murmured “What is it?” Roach asked “Well they shot something” Rouge stated in a matter of fact tone. “How can you tell?” Roach asked instantly regretting the question “Oh I don’t know, maybe the giant blood splatter on this rock here” Rouge said pointing towards the now crimson red stone. “So yeah I think they shot something” Roach only sighed in response to the sarcasm. There was a long period of silence as the duo observed the scene before them. “Any sign of what happened to them?” Roach asked with a cautious tone. “As of now… no” Rouge replied with a sigh. “Look I’m sorry man, I know you three were good friends” Rouge said with sympathy in his voice as he patted his friends back. “It’s just a bit nerve racking knowing that my two best friends since kindergarten, might be found with their heads on spikes” Rouge said with a tremble of rage. Roach sighed again “Ok man I think I’ll give you a minute” he told his friend deciding to give him some space “I’m going to go check the perimeter again” “All right just keep your eyes open” Rouge said not even looking up at Roach “I don’t want what happened to them to happen to you too” “I will” Roach replied as he walked away Several minutes passed before Rouges mind was calm enough to focus on the task at hand. ‘Ok so what do we know now?’ Rouge asked himself ‘They’ve been gone since the day that general was supposed to take a bullet’ “There’s nothing here” Rouge finally radioed Roach “Same here, I’m on my way back I just gotta check this cave real quick” Roach replied through Rouges head piece “All right I’ll wait here” Rouge responded “Ok I’ll be-“Roach started, a dull ‘thunk’ could be heard through the head set. “What’s going on?” Rouge tried to ask his partner through the radio A quiet fizzing noise could be heard through the headset, but no response from roach was there. Rouges heart raced with fear “ROACH!” he yelled into the headset as he took off in a dead sprint towards his friends location .