//------------------------------//
// III - Erasing Ponykind 
// Story: Half-Hoof: a Resonant Hope 
// by Alfoals Trottenbauer 
//------------------------------//

Ace was trapped in an alleyway, A helicopter charged again. It's downdraft blew leaves and garbage through the air. A door suddenly opened.

"Quick, get in here!" A stallion called.

Ace dashed in through the door as the aircraft fired. The door slammed shut and the stallion locked it.

"You almost got killed out there." He stated.

"Why'd you save me?" Ace asked.

"Because you're innocent. Evading the cops like that isn't easy."

Ace looked at him. "Who are you, anyway?"

"Name's Rumble." He answered, trotting to a drink machine.

He pressed a button and the cover slid open, acting as a facade for a doorway.

Ace and Rumble trotted into a lab of sorts.

A lavender mare trotted towards them. Ace instantly recognized her, though she looked more aged.

"Ace? You're alive?!" She asked.

"It's been thirty years. We all thought you died at Black Forest."

Rumble interjected. "I found him cornered by a helicopter in an alleyway."

Twilight dismissed Rumble's statement.

"You probably don't know what's happened since. After the Black Forest incident, A force called the Combine took over earth. Ponies can no longer reproduce, use magic, or fly. Celestia's rule was overthrown and she was killed."  She continued. "Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy died protecting her. I lost contact with Applejack and Rainbow Dash went missing along with Flurry Heart."

"I saw Flurry. She helped me escape the Combine." Ace notified.

"What? Where?" Twilight Asked.

"A residential building."

The race of one hundred twenty hooves passed the fake drink machine. Twilight trotted closer to Ace.

"Show me." She instructed urgently.

"Shouldn't we wait until the cop-"

"No, she's more important." Twilight interrupted.

"I'm pretty sure she was killed by the police." Ace added.

Twilight's expression suddenly turned from hopeful to distressed within an instant.

Twilight turned around and trotted to a Combine Radio. She tuned it to their location. The police were still looking for Ace.

"No trace of suspect Sparks. Dispatch, we need more city scanners sent out, possible Marehacks needed." The radio addressed.

"Marehacks?" Ace asked.

"More things used to stop uprisings." Twilight answered swiftly.