//------------------------------//
// Last Stand 
// Story: Opposites Attract 
// by jsn2001 
//------------------------------//

	The warehouse was tall, big, and menacing. Most of the windows were smashed. I didn't have to think twice about opening the door, though. Silently, I crept in, and heard a voice echoing throughout the place. It wasn't Ice's.
"-caught you, motherfucker. You're gonna be locked away for a long time."
I peered around the corner of a box, seeing a Royal Guard tying up Icy Winds. It made me angry. This wasn't what I wanted- I wanted him DEAD. By my hooves. But what could I do?
I looked above the guard. He was standing next to a large shelf. Above him was a large pile of scrap metal. Without thinking, I crept around the side and climbed my way up silently.
"I'm going to get backup. Stay here." the guard said.
I grabbed a large piece of metal and lobbed it at the guard, sending him flying a few feet away. Icy Winds didn't even flinch.
I quickly climbed down and went to the guard. Still breathing. I only knocked him out. Good. I'd have to work fast, though.
"Well, well. Isn't that something." said Ice. I gave him the worst look possible. 
"Fuck you. I'm going to kill you."
"Just like you killed that guy who stabbed your sister?" My eyes widened. 
"How the hell-"
"I did my homework." he said. "I don't understand why you can't leave me alone. I'm just a pony, like you."
"You're an awful person. I'm gonna make sure you don't hurt anyone ever again."
He smiled and quickly jumped up, leaping at me. I had already seen that the guard hadn't tied him very well, and that he had freed himself. I predicted his movements already, much to his dismay. With a forceful punch in the stomach, he crumpled up and flew past me, grunting in pain.
He got up as fast as he could and fought back. He used his magic to grab the metal from before and slam it against my ribs. I coughed, and ran towards him, pinning him to the wall by his throat.
"You piece of shit..." I muttered. He kicked me in the knee, shooting another sinister grin at me. My leg gave out, and we fell to the ground. I braced for another punch, but instead of fighting back, the unicorn fled. 
No way he would get away again. I chased after him despite the sharp pains in my leg. I tackled him just as he got outside the door, prompting him to back up and slam me into the outside wall of the house. I was right next to a smashed window. I grabbed a shard of glass and drove it into his shoulder, as he yelped and slung me off him. I watched as blood trickled down his arm.
"Smart move, asshole..." he muttered.
He rushed at me again, and this time I wasn't so prepared. He slung his hoof into my jaw, and I fell to the ground once again. I spat blood and looked up at him. He grinned.
"Let's see how much of a hero you REALLY are." He dashed back into the warehouse.
"Fucking stay still..." I muttered under my breath. Just the right moment, and I'd kill him.
I heard some loud crashing noises inside the warehouse, and as I got up, the door slammed shut. I braced against it, trying to barge it open. If I climbed in the window, I'd slice myself open from the glass. That's when I saw smoke rising from the warehouse. He'd set the place on fire.
I didn't get it at first. Why would I care?
Then I remembered- the guard was still inside, unconscious. I burst open the door, fueled by adrenaline-given strength. Flames were spreading quickly. I had to act fast. Dodging a few ashes, I made my way to the guard. He didn't seem to be harmed. I went to pick him up, but then I saw Icy looking down at me from a cargo crate.
I had to choose.
I hated myself for it, but I already knew what to do.
I began carrying the guard towards the exit. Just as I reached the door, safety in sight, a flaming beam landed in front of my face. I fell back, coughing. My face was burnt slightly from the impact. More beams collapsed around me, and I realized the entire foundation was cracking. I picked up the guard once more, and tossed him through the window. The flames grew bigger. The guard was now safe- I wasn't.
A flaming chunk of metal hit me, sending searing pain through myspine as my back burnt. That asshole was using his magic to navigate. He stood right behind me.
This was it- the last stand. Surrounded by fire and death. Both of us covered in blood and ash. Only one of us would make it out.
Hell, maybe neither of us.
He ran towards me, and I did the same. We wailed on each other for some time, knowing one of us would soon give out.
I thought of Holy Cross, and Lucky. Dusk too, even. Would I never see them again? Was this it? Was my life finally coming to a close?
No.
With a yell, I slammed against his body, pushing him back as he tripped over a small chunk of wood. As he fell, debris covered him. The foundation was so weak, the slightest impact could be devastating. He was trapped- he couldn't move. The fire spread towards him.
"H-help! You can't just let me die like this! You aren't the bad guy!" he yelled, like a little filly.
"Maybe not." I said. "But I ain't no damn hero either." I climbed onto a shipping container, eyeing the back exit, as the flames consumed him. He screamed for a few seconds, and was then silenced. Ashes flew in front of my face, as the crackling of the fire matched the rhythm of my mane flowing in the humid air. I'd won. Icy was dead.
I won.
The last thing I remember was coughing loudly as I tumbled onto the floor.

"...-fibrilator. I'll start chest compressions."
I heard faint voices as pressure was put on my chest. I coughed again as I opened my eyes wide. The cool night air was like an angel's breath on my burnt skin. A field medic sat over me. 
"You alright, buddy?" he asked.
"Ponyville...I need to get to Ponyville..." I muttered. He smiled.
"Soon enough, bud. " 
A white stallion with a blue mane walked up to me. "You saved one of our men- you're a hero." he said.
A hero.
I was anything but. I know I could have saved Ice in there, but to be honest, I'm happy not being the good guy.
I was just me.
After a lengthy hospital visit, I finally found myself returning to Ponyville. Where I belonged.
The train doors opened once again.
Holy Cross rushed towards me first, and hugged me tight, tears forming in her eyes. 
"I'm okay, girl, it's okay." I whispered. Lucky just smiled at me, nodding in approval. Dusk wasn't there, I'd inquire about that later. It wasn't important now. Holy Cross looked up at me, smiling bigger than I'd ever seen.
Maybe love wasn't such a bad thing after all.
"Ponyville."
The name alone sends joy straight to my heart.
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The End