//------------------------------// // Nearsighted // Story: My little starcraft: Friendship is chaos // by Krasus Shyhoof //------------------------------// Chapter 6: Nearsighted The ship rocked through the vast, abyssal space, vespyeme running low, Luna knew they would need to stop and harvest the precious gas to keep their fleet moving. The darkness seemed eternal. Stars seemed to hide in the expanse, the darkness illed bad news to Luna. She had no idea why, but everything here felt. . Empty. The endless darkness bode ill to Luna, after being banished by her treacherous sister Celestia. The tyrannical women who banished her also banished her quadrant, Antigina Delta, a ripe system with many resources. A system which Luna planned to liberate and retire in one day. Luna sat in a control chair, watching a few screens and occasionally glancing out the window of her battle brig. Luna's "Battle brig" was her office, where she decided strategic motions during combat. "I need a break." Luna blurted out loud, knowing there was no one around to hear her. Luna laid down and waited, staring at the ceiling for a lifetime before she closed her eyes. Luna fell asleep thinking about her next move. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As AppleJack looked up, she gasped, seeing her big brother Big Macintosh. A big grin came across her face as her puzzled brother stared. "Well if it a'int mah bruther, Big Mac!" AppleJack sprung to her feet and wrapped her arms around her brother tight. Still puzzled, all he could manage was - "Eeyup." The Orange haired man stood tall, large muscles showing through his checkered white and red button-up shirt. "Ya look bigger than ya use to!" AJ exclaimed, pulling off her big brother and smiling brightly. "Ah missed ya, ya big ofe!" Big Mac snapped out of his puzzled expression and smiled. "Well a'int this just a reunion!" Big Mac responded, his deep voice booming through the corridor. A smaller voice called from behind the tall, standing figure. A small girl with cherry-red hair peeked from behind his waist. "AppleJack!" Applebloom's shimmering yellow eyes showed confusion and fear, the small girl stood in her big brother's shadow. AppleJack gasped again. "Whah're ya'll here?!" She put her hands on her waist. Big Mac scratched his head. "Ah don't know! Some big bucket done took us here!" Big Mac answered shrugging, still juggling the odds of finding his beloved sister. Regardless, they all hugged as a family. "Is Granny Smith here! Ah wanna see her!" AppleJack exclaimed. Big Mac solemnlyshook his head, his orange hair waving with each shake. His hair seemed longer than usual and he was drenched in sweat, his red and white checkered shirt plastered to his muscular body. "Them dropships was to full! Dispaht mah protests." Big Mac stated. "Ah tried AppleJack." He slowly let his siblings go. "So where were ya goin' in sucha hurry ta anyway?" Big Mac tilted his head slightly to the left, his green eyes questioning her. "Ah was goin' to see Fluttershah, she freaked an' took Krasus to the infirmary!" AppleJack said, a renewed sense of urgency in her voice. Big Mac started thinking to himself, all five of AppleJacks friends were here. He wandered if Cheerile was here too. AppleJack walked passed her siblings until she saw the green sign stating "Infirmary". The door was opened and she heard FlutterShy's soft voice drift out. "It's okay Krasus, Twilight doesn't know what she's doing. . But you'll be okay. Oh, you'll be just fine." The voice slowly drifted to AJ's ears. AppleJack entered the infirmary. The Reapers pink hair was strewn on the bed next to the unconscious Ghost. FlutterShy was slowly stroking her hands through his Green hair. Krasus rocked in his unconscious state, sweat slowly ran down his face, his bottom lip was curled under his upper lip, held by his teeth. His eyes quivered at the many visions of the past, voices filled his head, but seemed to be cut off occasionally. There were his parents, sitting execution style with a man - Jack behind them. "Fluttershah, Krasus needs to be alone!" His mother's bleeding mouth was a mixture of red and white from the blood and saliva. "No! Krasus needs me!" His father's bruised face showed fear and misery, his pleading eyes shot around before he broke out into sobs. His Father begged and pleaded. "Big Mac, help me out here!" A gunshot echoed, tormenting the young Ghost. "Whudda ya expect me ta do?!" A second gunshot, everything went quiet. The images of his dead parents faded from his mind. The quivering Ghost shot up and pulled his sidearm, staring in blinding rage at the orange-haired male that was advancing. "Don't. . . Move!" Krasus shouted through a dry throat, making his voice scratchy and painful to talk. His hands were wrapped around the grip so tight they were turning pure white, nearly pulling the trigger. "Who are you! And where am I!" The tension seemed to be so thick that is could be cut into little doughnuts. AJ struggled to move torwards her startled brother, her combat boots seemed to weigh as much as steel anchors. Her brother couldn't manage to utter a word, only short studders, "Ah. . We. . Uh. " Big Macintosh stumbled back, Krasus' eyes stared bloody murder as the trigger came closer to leaving a trail of metal murder, blood and brain matter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NightShade stood in the firing range, eyeing all the targets. The many small targets were all lit up from other recruits. "Blind grunts." NightShade remarked, pulling out his P-38 Gauss pistols and shot two targets. Bullseye. One bullet shot through the middle of the target, the second followed close behinde, traveling through the bullet hole he just made. Double Bullseye. The hidden Rainbow-haired girl squealed in excitement to herself. NightShade shifted, feeling a gaze upon him. "Come on Nightie, again!" Rainbow whispered to herself, staring at him from inside a large barrel of Kevlar vests. NightShade's eyes shifted around, checking the perimeter for anything out of the ordinary. Seeing his red eyes drag and analyze, she knew he was on to her. Her Rainbow-colored hair was tied in a pony-tail (No pun intended) to help hide her. "I swear my paranoia gets the best of me. ." NightShade sighed, turning back to the range. Firing a volley of shots into the tarp, NightShade holstered his guns. As he stepped away, he heard rustling in the room. NightShade waited for the intruder on the other side or the door. Rainbow snuck out, making just enough noise for NightShade to pinpoint her location. Throwing out his arm, he caught the young Reaper by surprise, she fell to the ground. Once she regained her thoughts and senses, she saw NightShade with a knife to her throat. She swallowed loudly. NightShade scoffed and put the knife back in his boot. "What were you doing?" NightShade asked, narrowing his eyes. Rainbow smiled sheepishly. "Watching you shoot.." She said, a mixture of embarressment and adrenaline. NightShade lifted one brow. "If you wanted to watch, why not approach like a normal person?" NightShade questioned, fatigue falling in his seemingly-monotone voice. Rainbow shrugged. "It felt cooler to spy..?" She let a smirk of confidence stretch across her cheeks. Her dimples are really cute.. NightShade thought for a moment. Finally noticing, he shrugged the thought away. As much as NightShade hated to admit, he was attracted to this new recruit- No, friend. This Rainbow-haired girl seemed to appeal to him, make him fight harder, shoot faster, and aim more precise. "So, you like watching me? Do you watch me in the shower?" NightShade gave a concerned expression. I wish! Rainbow thought, but simultaneously declined the answer with a giggle. "Noooo." The tension seemed to fog and cloud the room. --------------------------------------------------------------- Whispy sat back at the bar, a hand on his chest and his head lulled back in a deep drunken slumber. Beside Whispy sat Pinkie Pie, who had her head buried in her arms, sleeping on the bar table. The two had decided to have a drinking contest. Pinkie was a formidable opponent, however, dropped in her arms after about fifteen beers. Whispy had retained his title, however, passed out during the celebration due to more beer. The passed out duo seemed to be the laughing stock of the whole cafeteria. Until Twilight and Rarity decided to have their first drink. . . "God, this stuff is great!" Twilight spat out, burping loudly. Her hair was starting to frizz and branching out everywhere. Her stuttering and rocking made every person around her laugh, save Rarity, who was just as drunk as her friend. "HEY! You people.. Leave her aloooone!~" The now unappealing fashionesta called out. Twilight reached for a high five and Rarity tried to oblige her, but missed and they both ended up face-first on the ship's floor. The whole room roared with laughter. They both laid there for a while before Twilight pushed off of the floor. "Ugh.. That was so fun!" She giggled as she jumped up. She looked around the spinning room. For once, she knew she was the center of attention. The small Ghost gave a squeal of happiness. She finally heard Whispy for the first time since he had passed out. "Ugh... I don't feel 't good.." Whispy grunted out, leaning up. One hand strewn through his hair, gripping his head. Twilight stumbled over, tripping and falling on his back. "Whispy, you're up!" Twilight called. Whispy winced from Twilight's volume. She obviously hadn't yet figured out she was yelling. "Ah... Quiet down will ye..." Whispy had his head clenched so tight it may as well have popped. "... Crazy women.." Whispy grumbled to himself. Twilight managed to push up on Whispy's back. "Hey... Hey what's. What's your problem hon?" Twilight managed to ask. Whispy sighed and slowly stood. Twilight's hands fell to her sides. "Ye've had 't much 't drink, Ye should go back 't yer cell. Along with yer friend there." Whispy replied in a sincere tone. "Before someone here tries 't take advantage of yer present state." Twilight seemed to scoff and try to jump on his back. "Piggy back! Piggy back!!" Twilight exclaimed. Whispy sighed, picking up Rarity with one hand and holding Twilight on his back with the other. His eyes pleaded for help, but no one came forward to help. With much trouble, Whispy exited the cafeteria with the two woman and escorted them to their cells. After thoroughly explaining why they need rest, they both promptly surrendered and fell limp on their beds. Whispy then proceeded to his cell to sleep off his headache. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thunder Cloud stood in his own room near the window, glaring out at the vast expanse. His mind was lost somewhere between space and the desire of flying in it. The anxiety was killer, his Wraith was his lover. Every time he touched of thought of it, his whole body went numb. The feeling of being separated from it seemed to be a fierce punishment. Thunder always had trouble sleeping at night, due to his constant train of thought. "I might as well ask Luna.." Thunder Cloud stood, shaking his thoughts away. Thunder stripped from his casual clothing, not thinking about the noise in the hallway, he turned to his cabinet, facing his door. That's when his door shot opened. "Thunder Clou-" Twilight paused. Thunder Cloud's bare skin shone throughout the whole room. The ventilation system blew through the puzzled man's hair. A blush ran rampant across Twilight's face. Her whole body froze, all but her eyes. Her scanning eyes shot to a stop as she saw his hanging genitalia. Thunder Cloud managed no better, all he could manage was short outbursts. "H-Hey I- Close the d.. Door!" Thunder Cloud's voice shot at her, noticing where her gaze hung. His hands quickly closed the gap between his genitalia and her eyes. Twilight swung around dizzily and shot down the hallway. Thunder's door closed. "Oh... My... God!" Twilight panted, running quickly and slamming into Nightshade. Falling to the ground, Twilight looked up, her face burning red. "I-I saw Th-Thunder Cloud... Naked..!" Her blush covered her whole face. and started to stain her normally yellow skin. "...Not this again.." Nightshade responded, snaking his hand out to help her up. She took it and Nightshade pulled her up. Twilight stared, a bit puzzled. "A-Again?" Twilight questioned, curiosity staining her voice. Nightshade looked back down to her. "Yes... Again. It happened to me on one of the first years of service." Nightshade responded, shaking his head. Twilight still appeared to be confused. "So.. So you saw.. Everything?" Twilight asked, the blush getting deeper as her memory shifted back to the recent event. "Yes." Nightshade heaved, his back slowly sinking, making look similar to an ape of old Earth. "Oh my.." was all Twilight managed to chew off. Twilight's cheeks seemed to be stained by the crimson blush. The slumping Reaper straightened his back out. "But I got over it. Thunder Cloud is my best friend." Nightshade's mind slowly cruised back through the years to when they first met. It was Tuesday afternoon, the birds cried out and chirped in the mid-summer wind, Nightshade strode down the concrete streets of Tarsonis. All he currently owned was a dark-blue duster and the black pants that he wore. Nightshade, despite his current poverty, was well known for his skills at hand-to-hand combat. One day, a Brown-haired pilot walked up to him, wearing a wide grin and competitive eyes. "Hey! I heard you were a good fighter." The brown-haired boy stated, his hands in the pockets of his grey jacket. NIghtshade just scoffed. "Another prick then, huh?" Nightshade asked, staring at the boy. Thunder Cloud put up his hands, palms facing Nightshade. "Wooah friend.. I was just wondering if you need a place to crash! Heard you were also homeless." Thunder Cloud replied. Nightshade looked skeptical, the chances for this were slim to none. Finally, considering the option, he accepted. "Let me see your home.." Nightshade surrendered, seeing Thunder Cloud's smile, he couldn't help but let a smile cross his lips. Thunder Cloud strutted triumphantly down the street, almost raising his fist to bump the sun away. The walk to Thunder Cloud's house was long and silent. During the long walk, Nightshade watched the clouds drift slowly passed. "We're here!" Thunder Cloud exclaimed, pointing to his tall-standing house. Nightshade eyed the home. "This.. is your home..?" Nightshade asked, standing in it's tall, dark shadow. "Weeell... Not exactly..." Thunder replied, while scratching the back of his head. "It's more of a shared home!" Thunder smiled sheepishly, Nightshade stared at him for a few moment, his mind feeling as if it's curving in on itself. Great, now I'll have to put up with more people.. Nightshade though to himself. Thunder Cloud suggestively ushered him in. "Come on, come on! You'll love it, I'm sure!" Thunder cloud was ecstatic. "Sure I will..." Nightshade grumbled to himself as he followed the skittish young man into the home. "I live just upstairs!" Thunder exclaimed, excited to have a new room mate. "I don't know Thunder.. I just..-" Thunder Cloud cut him off. "Oh, come on! Better here than a curb!" He smiled again. Those flawless shining teeth were almost impossible to deny. Taking a look around, he finally gave up. "Fine." He replied simply, his eyes lightened from this boy's hospitality. ". . . . Nightshade?" Twilight's voice cut into hi memories, making him snap back to reality. "Yes?" His eyes landed on the young Ghost. "You never answered my question." Twilight said, a bit nervous. "Uh.. What was your question?" Nightshade asked, feeling a bit embarrassed from spacing out in front of someone. A weakness! Nightshade cursed himself internally "Well.. I mean.. How did you get over it?" Twilight asked softly, looking to the right to hide her still blushing face. "It leaves over time. Just busy yourself with training or reading." Nightshade stated, staring down at the girl. "Hmmm.. Reading." Twilight put a finger over her lips. "That may just work!" Twilight moved from sight after thanking him, quickly walking down the empty hallway to go read in her cell. Nightshade lightly shook his head, the smile on his face stayed as he walked through the halls silently. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zaskorch sat in his cell, hands entwined before his lips. He was thinking back to the day he was saved. (Yes this is a memory chapter, get over it!) As he closed his eyes, he drifted back in time. He was before the court, his leather pants and jacket shone against the dull-lit courtroom. The judge was dressed in a long black dress, her glasses hanging half-way down her tan nose. His lawyer was dressed in a black overshirt with a white one underneath, and faded black pants, the sewn in lines showing. "And that, judge, is why I find my client, Zaskorch Skullsworth, innocent." Zask heard the chair scrape against the floor, his lawyer shuffled his papers together. Zask moved in his chair uncomfortably. His memory blurred to the verdict. "Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Mare said. One of the jury members stood. "Based on the undeniable proof, we the jury find Zaskorch Skullsworth guilty of treason. The sentence is life in containment." Shocked, Zaskorch sat speechless. Two burly officers walked down the isle, 'helping' him up and forcing him out. After being hauled to the big house, Zask stepped out of the aircraft- He was in. The government facility looked typical. Metal fence, paint-faded bricks, and ugly men and women staring as he entered. Zask was 'urged' into the building, his restraints were removed. First rule of prison- Don't make eye contact. Broken. Zask stared down most of the inmates, their intimidation methods doing little to no good on Zask. Later that day, he learned another rule - Keep your food close. In mates would take his food as they passed. "I get it.. Pick on the new guy..?" Zask muttered, not looking at any of the ones passing. Suddenly, an inmate sat by him. His head was shaven and he had many tattoos, one was clear, the rebel tattoo on his forearm. "You need a daddy, boy?" The man breathed deep, smirking and staring at the side of his face. "Watch who you're talking to cowboy." Zask shot a look of disgust. The mans face crumpled into an angry expression. "You're not makin' it here unless you'll be my bait!" He said. "You won't make it a week!" The other men exchanged glances and laughed. Zask just glanced, disgusted again. "Stay outta my face." Zask closed his eyes and smirked. The men stopped laughing, eyeing him before starting to close in. Zask opened his eyes and glared. "Heh, what're you gunna do about it?" A few men said as they approached. Zask pulled his fists up, prepared for a fight. "I'll take you on." Zaskorch grinned. His special ops training was about to pay off. . . . . . After the fight, Zask glared at the four men on the ground. Half of them had broken bones. "Told you not to mess with me." Zask said as he paced around them, officers clamored to get paramedics and more officers to detain the silver-haired man. "Get on the ground, now!" The officer said, pushing him down. Zask put his hands behind his back, "Yeah, yeah I know.." Zask closed his eyes, but instead of being taken to his cell they took him to a large truck known as the "Death Truck". He knew he was being taken to the execution center. As they shoved him in the back, for the hell of it, they pushed the gas. Zask's head smacked against the back of the truck. Slowly picking himself up, the back of the truck opened, Zask squinted from the light that intruded. "Oh, Faust.." Zask said. "Shut u." The guard roughly pulled him out of the truck, making him stumble on the granet cement. The facility was fenced in, barbed wire lined the top of the fence. The front service gate was armed with two men wielding Impalers. "So whens my "Appointment"? Zaskorch asked, a bit curiously. The guard smacked the back of his head, forcing Zask to fall. "Get the hell up!" The guard yelled. Two of them pulled him up by his upper arms, his feet dragging across the floor. He grunted as he stood up and grinned. "That all you got, you softie?"Zask snickered to himself as the guards threw him in a dank cell. "That all you got, you softie?" After two days of detainment, the sisters attended the trial. The judge slammed down his gavel. "The jury finds the defendant, Zaskorch Skullsworth, guilty of slaying five imperial guard on the day of July 5, 2476. Luna eyed the silver-haired boy. He showed neither fear nor remorse. "We have set the execution for tomorrow afternoon. You are sentenced to death by firing squad." Zask sighed, being escorted to his cell and laying down for sleep. Suddenly, gunshots echoed through the halls. Zask stood, ready to fight if nessicary- If he could. His cell door shot opened. Zask almost threw himself at the target. Dark-blue hair was strewn down her shoulders, a silvery-colored crown sat atop her head. Her beautifully curved body seemed to lean against the doorframe. "We need some help." She said as he was pulled from his cell. . . .