//------------------------------// // The Final Straw // Story: The Veins Run Deeper // by Thunderblast //------------------------------// Watching over a slumbering Halfmoon rested Night Shadow and Zipline, either one overly concerned for her mental state by the time she does eventually come to. With Duskbloom missing, her reception to the news was sure to be stressful in the long run for all of the Zodiacs, not just herself. "When do you expect her to wake up?" asked the white pegasus, eyes set on the sleeping thestral mare. Night's head shook gently. "My hopes are both soon, as well as not until after we are back in Canterlot." "When will that be?" Zipline glanced at the bat-pegasus to his side. "Not until tomorrow, most likely. It is imperative that we are certain we will not be attacked a second time. Another ambush such as three days ago would not end well for any of us, not one bit," Night responded with a sigh. "We would be more outnumbered and weaker in our attacks." "Which is the precise reason I am hoping you do not vacate for one or two more days," the zebra caretaker stated as he entered the room, carrying a tray of warm beverages on his back. "I'm afraid the sooner we head home, Zava, the better," Night said. "Gonna have to agree with the Cap on this one. The longer we stay puts you at risk, too," Zipline spoke quietly so as to not wake the others. "Please, there is no need to fret about me. I can fend for myself. I have for as far back as my memory goes." "Not when you are well outnumbered," added Zipline. "Against an army such as that, even you do not stand a chance." "I understand," Zava responded with a gentle nod, holding out the hoof-carved cups to them. "In case you are feeling cold, here." Taking the cup gently, Night examined its steaming brown bubbly contents. "What is this?" "Bubbling, liquefied, water-infused cocoa. Or, as it is referred to in modern society, hot cocoa." "Thank you, Zava," Night nodded with a smile, taking in a whiff, then a cautious sip to taste, as well as avert scalding his tongue. "Yes, thank you," Zipline said, also taking a sip. "Do inform me if there is anything off with it. This is one of the first instances that I have prepared it," Zava said, beginning to walk back to the kitchen. "I will be in here if either of you require my assistance." Taking a second sip, Night's lips smacked as he processed the flavor. "All natural cocoa. Even better than how Buckin Donuts brews it." "I concur," Zipline replied between another sip, yanking back when the heat got to him, steaming tongue sticking straight out. "Ow! Mah tongue!" *** Against a whipping breeze swirling down into the gap in the earth, a dark cyan pony peeked just his head outside of the hole in which Zava resided, scanning as much as his gaze could take in from this position. With confidence that they were alone, cautiously Lodestar started down the snowy dirt path that led out of the roofless tunnel, carrying a still-slumbering Scarlet Iris. Trailing him strode Night Shadow, Zipline, Midnight Blade, and finally, Stellar Star, having gently lifted Halfmoon across his back to carry her away. Ending the short line followed Zava, dressed in a light brown button-up leather-hide coat, cuffs lined on the sleeves and neck with fur for added warmth. To anypony, he would for sure look like a survivalist in the wilderness. Night fell behind as the others moved ahead, following a narrow path toward town. He matched the pace of the bulky zebra, walking close to his side. "I still cannot thank you enough for saving my squad. What you did for us, we owe you big time. I simply do not know—" "Please," Zava waved a hoof. "Do not repay me. Money has no true significance to zebras like myself, nor is much else. We survive on primarily on instinct and wit. Rewards for my actions, I can assure you, is unnecessary." "No, no. I insist, Zava," Night turned to him. "We owe you. Or, at least, I do. Please, allow me to repay you some time, once things have settled." The zebra let out a small, even sigh. "I suppose I must allow you to. Though, once more, it is not necessary." "Thank you. I appreciate it," Night pursed a genuine smile across his muzzle. Zava bobbed his head once. "I will do anything for the greater good." "As will any of us," Night sighed, his smile fading away as an unwanted, haunting image forcefully reentered his mind. "But not now, because you are hurt, and you will recuperate. It will take much time, even if I were to keep all of you under my watchful eye." Pushing the injuries aside, Lodestar spoke up from ahead. "You've done what you could, which, believe it or not, is more than the medic's office would do for simply one of us." This brought chuckles out of those who were conscious, except for Zava. He only nodded. "It is one day in the near future, I pray, society opens its eyes to simpler solutions of nurturing itself. It is what us zebras have done for centuries on this earth. We spread out to all civilized nations to share our cultures," he then exhaled softly in a sigh. "We are often declined this opportunity and are shunned away to the wild with our decrepit ways of life, as they are referred to. It is reassuring to learn not all follow similar ideals and understand not every part of your modernized community is beneficial." "Each and every one of us is thankful for your know-how, Zava," Zipline responded. "The world may seem harsh. Though, in all reality, the world needs poni—zebras—like yourself. Without you, not one of us would still be here breathing." "That may very well be the truth. Thank you... for believing we have a role in the universe," Zava bobbed his head once. A very discreet smile pursed on his muzzle. Up ahead, Lodestar came to a stop at the top of a hill, overlooking a clearing where the railroad crossed through, a small train platform just narrowly visible through the forest. "There it is," he said, the others gathering to his sides. Zava scanned over the area, determining it was clear. "Let us get you ponies home." *** At long last, many hours later and just before dusk, the Zodiacs reached Canterlot. The train they boarded sat vacant throughout the entire journey, from tender to caboose. Now for sure in the clear of any proper enemy, each pony took a relieved breath, one that steamed in the frigid early-winter air. However, while it was out of the majority's concern, Night sat alone with the idea of having to explain their earlier-than-planned return. In no conceivable way should it go down well with Princess Luna, nor with any princess in general, or other fellow high-ranking officials. This meant war. Nonetheless, what was coming had no aversion. It will begin the instance someone learns of somepony's presence when they should be back in Hollow Shades. Of course, excuses could be made, though the consequences far outweighed those of telling the truth. Maybe. At the Palace, the squad separated, each returning to their quarters, alternatively bringing whomever had not yet awoken with them. Night proceeded to his personal space, lighting the room with a few candles scattered around rather than turning on the lights. As oddly as it felt, Night was home. It occurred to him that the events may have transpired far differently, and he might not have made it out with his life. Yet, he knew well that one pony did not, and likely more that he could not be aware of. With the final candle lit, Night placed it directly in the center of the room on the cold cobble floors. He turned slowly and faced the wall of windows stretching from the ceiling down. He gently shut his eyelids, front side shining weakly against the outside light of the city through the glass before him. Flickering glows from the candles danced behind him, forming a soothing climate that was sure to relax his body and rid it of physical pain. A hurt remained in his chest, a pulsating anguish that refused to leave him be. It was the image that would forever scar Night's soul, more than any devastating incident to ever affect him. He felt failure. The deficiency of his ability to lead all of his ponies home safe and sound. Two were no longer under his command, two ponies he believed he could have exchanged his own life for. Rather, one did, and the other was nabbed without a trace. More so, he felt helpless to alter the outcome. Without a clue of where to initiate a search, they were far from any sort of rescue operation, if one could be successfully carried out. To his knowledge, his captured guard may no longer be alive, and to think of that as a possibility simply further worsened the ache in his heart. Yet, atop the cruelness of the relived event, a chest-burning loathe ignited. His veins tightened, mind focusing primarily on the army of thestrals that ambushed them and took not just Shieldhunter and Duskbloom, but also Norealis' soldiers that, now with thought put into the concept, had to have been also kidnapped long before the attack. Bottled fury surged in his heart, destroying any inhibition previously residing in his mind. Now, there was only one thing Night could think of. Revenge.