The spiraling path snaked it's way through the trees and shrubs, almost seeming to stop at certain spots before moving on it's way again. I've traveled this road over a thousand times, but still I felt like I could get lost with one wrong turn. My ears were always upright, acting like a radar to catch any indication of trouble. I was on edge. Things are quiet in these woods, more so than I'm comfortable with. I feel like I could die at any given second, although I don't. Ponies are out to get me. I know they are, along with the rest of my troop. I've seen it happen before my very eyes.
Sombra agents are, how shall I say, sneaky. Like cats stalking a mouse, they could have a edge at your throat before you had time to finish that second thought you had about wandering the forest alone. I crept along, making sure my head was low. It didn't take a lot to kill a shadow. They pass pretty much the same way as anyone else does. Quick shot to the head, lose a sword fight, whatever. I like to make sure it happens slowly, so they can feel the pain I felt over eight years ago. Everyone says I hold to big of a grudge, but that's an understatement. I'm looking for revenge.
*Snap*
My blades were out before the sound left my ears. I held them at my sides, positioning myself to defend from every angle. I hadn't made a sound, eyes scanning the foliage for any signs of movement. Dammit, show yourself! Beads of sweat began to roll down my forehead, as another branch broke closer than before. I pointed one of the swords at the sound. I clenched my teeth. It isn't easy to fight an agent alone, and even the best skilled survivor could get killed if they made a mistake. The bush before me trembled, before revealing the culprit.
"Whoa, slow down there, Spidey." I let of a sigh of relief as the light blue mare stepped out of the shrub.
"Ivy Breeze jeez, you scared me," I sheathed the weapons to their case and turned back to the trail. "What are you doing out here?" She chuckled and picked up a stick with her wing, twirling it in the air.
"Same as you," She explained smugly. "Patrolling." I snorted and continued on my way.
"Well, your kind of late," I called from over my shoulder. "I'm heading back. It's almost nightfall." I heard her drop the stick and trot up to me. She playfully bumped my side with a smirk.
"Your so serious," She teased. "How come?" I kept my gaze ahead and quickened my pace.
"You already know," I said grimly. She put a hop in her step and eventually caught up. She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly closed it after seeing the blank expression on my face. The rest of the trip home was silent, only to be disturbed by the slight chirping of birds and crickets. I stayed on task, not wanted to worry the others because we stayed out to long. If you're not back by sundown you were considered captured, or dead.
I began to smell firewood burning, then see the smoke rising from above the canopy. I grunted and switched to a slow trot. They're preparing for night. I heard the beating of wings, before watching Ivy Breeze fly past me. She has the same idea. The smoke could give away our location. My hooves sped into a gallop, getting me closer to the mare in the lead. I pushed harder against the wind that was now beating against my face. God dammit, stop flapping your wings so hard!
We burst into camp, Ivy in before I was. I skidded to a halt and paused to catch my breath, taking in slow, steady gasps of air. Looking around, I saw two ponies manning the flame-pit in the center. Ivy was crouched down besides the stallion, hugging him tightly. I started towards them.
"Hey, Coal Dust!" The unicorn being squeezed by his mare-friend looked up. He smiled and waved at me.
"What's up, squirt?" He threw a stupid grin at me. I rolled my eyes.
"Don't call me that." I said sternly. Coal snorted in amusement and turned back to Ivy. I couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. I shouldn't have, because Coal is my friend, but it happened either way. Instead of arguing with the stallion that was three years elder, I sat down next to the other pony around the fire.
"The smoke could give away our location," I informed her. "Are you gonna-" A green beam of light shot into the air, before exploding into a field covering our location. The aurora surrounding her horn subsided to a light mist. I shrugged and let out a sigh of relief.
"So how was the patrol," She asked, not meeting my eyes. I threw a twig into the embers, and watched as it shriveled into ash.
"It was fine," I reported, tossing in another branch. "I didn't know Ivy was going too, she scared the living daylights out of me." The orange mare beside me blinked and flicked her ear.
"Thunder was worried about you." She stated smoothly. I jumped up in a hurry.
"Clem, you know I'm not a baby, right?" I seethed, my cheeks turning pink. I stomped my hooves in annoyance as I waited for her answer. She glanced up slightly.
"Spider, he was just trying to keep you safe," Her eyes flashed as they stared into mine. "It was your first time alone, he's going to be anxious." I turned with an agitated huff, heading for the sleeping quarters in a fit. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind... I stormed over to his tent and flung the flap open. He and Poppy Seed were playing cards inside. From what I could tell it was Lucky Jacks, and Poppy was winning. She looked up from her game with a smile, but her expression quickly changed after catching sight of the anger written on my face.
"Thunder Blunt, we need to talk," I narrowed my eyes. "NOW." I watched as he raised his eyebrows, then shooed our sister away.
"But-" She protested.
"We can finish it later." Thunder assured her with a slight smile. I felt a twinge of guilt as Poppy sulked out of the tent, her ears low. I put it aside and looked back to my older brother.
"Why did you send Ivy Breeze after me?" I asked hotly. I couldn't tell if he was surprised I asked, or mad. His expression was never readable.
"We need to stick together," He said calmly. "You weren't supposed to know, who told you?" I snorted and flicked my tail.
"She's not that hard to detect," I snapped, annoyed. "If you didn't want me finding out, you should've sent Clementine instead." Thunder got up from his sitting position.
"Spider, mom asked me to protect you," He walked past me, out into camp. "and I plan on keeping my word." I winced at the mention of our parents. We still haven't found our father, and mom has long since passed. I wiped the escaping emotion from my eyes and trotted out of the tent. Everypony else is older than me, having Poppy be the exception.
She's eight now, and can carry a weapon. A small dagger to be exact. I'm turning sixteen in a couple weeks, but they still think of me as a kid. Or, at least I think they do. I'm just lucky Thunder will let me "hold on" to dad's dual blades.
Clementine is about a year older than me at sixteen. She's really smart and quiet, except for when she pulls out her pistol. Things can get ugly when she's in battle.
Ivy Breeze is seventeen, and a pretty athletic mare. I'm not surprised she made it to camp before I did. She's pretty good with a bow and arrow, considering she has to use her wings.
Coal Dust is everyone's buddy, including mine. He's the funniest guy I know, always cracking jokes and puns. He's dating Ivy, still eighteen and going on strong. Wouldn't you know it, he uses the same weapon as his mare-friend.
Thunder Blunt is the oldest is our group at twenty two, and he's also the strongest. He uses a long-staff in fights, and he knows how to use it. He's basically the guy who makes all the game plans, but to me they're rules.
After looking around for a while, I found Poppy Seed chatting with Clementine on a log near the fire. I trotted over to them, plastering a fake smile on my face.
"Um, hey," I greeted them in an awkward tone. Clem looked over her shoulder at me, her gaze unnerving. Poppy didn't move from her spot. It got me in a sweat.
"Can I, talk to Poppy real quick?" I asked, rubbing the back of my neck. I saw Clementine whisper something in my sister's ear. She got up and walked away, but not before she flashed me an icy stare. I gulped.
"Uh, hey sis," I sat next to her and smiled sheepishly. "What wrong with her, am I right?" I nodded my head in Clem's direction, trying to get a positive vibe.
"Why?" Poppy raised her eyes to mine. "Why do you always fight with Thunder?" I was taken back at the question, considering it was so straight forward. It kinda scared me a little. I cleared my throat.
"W-what do you mean, I don't-"
"I heard you arguing with him!" She stood up on the log, towering over me. I could tell she was holding back tears, her eyes misty and turning pink. It crushed me, it really did. I hate seeing her cry, because it makes me feel like she stabbed me several times with a sewing needle. Yeah, it hurts. I set my hoof on her shoulder and eased her down. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close. She did the same.
"Hey, you don't have to worry," I soothed, stroking her mane. "We're brothers. I'll try not to fight with him anymore, okay?" Poppy buried her face in my chest. Her fur was soft, and it made me feel mushy inside when it brushed against mine.
"Okay..." I could barely make out the muffled response, but I got the message.
"Everyone, front and center!" Thunder Blunt bellowed from the center circle. Maybe this time it will be GOOD news. I slowly got up, taking the tiny filly with me. She pressed against my side, wiping her eyes with an arm. I showed a warm smile.
"You okay?" She nodded slightly and started to move ahead. Poppy is usually tough kid, considering the things she's seen throughout her life. The only thing that scares her is when we have at it with each other. Thunder and I don't get along as well as we used to. I started after Poppy, and eventually joined the others in a circle. Thunder had a huge map stretched out on a tree stump, and had marked several locations with ink.
"There has been word of a location that is fending off the dark forces," He explained gruffly. "The Crystal Empire is using the power of love, and hope to keep a force-field around the civilians." I blinked. There's still a chance! We just have to keep the princess and her subjects safe from harm.
"What about the Crystal Heart?" Coal Dust cut in, acting serious for once. "If it fails, the whole Empire will fall to it's knees!" Thunder turned his head to face him, his eyes full of faith.
"That is our mission," He stated. "We will protect Cadence and Shining Armor to the best of our ability, and keep spirits high enough to keep the shield up." I stared at my hooves. This was a big deal. Our only chance of fighting back is to retake Equestria and stop the king from taking over completely. I looked up at the other ponies around me, each of them radiant with determination.
"We leave at dawn," Thunder rolled up the map and tucked it under his wing. "Be prepared for anything." We separated and started packing up camp. I headed for the tents, taking long strides in hopes of leaving soon. This is it. The first step of a new Revolution, and I'm a part of it...