Lower Manehatten. 2 months after the outbreak
Snow gently fell onto the empty streets of the usually busy city. It used to be a time of fun and enjoyment around Hearths Warming Eve. Foals and colts used to play around the snow as carolers sang their angelic songs. But now the streets were filled with disease and danger. Houses and apartment windows boarded up with wooden planks to prevent the danger from outside getting in. Overturned taxi-carts filled the streets as pillars of smoke arose from the horizon from burning buildings.
Shadow Dawn walked down the barren street, remembering a time when these very streets were filled with ponies. Ponies peeking through their barricaded windows giving her nasty glares thinking she was another looter. It didn’t also help that she was a bat-pony, usually thought of as being “untrustful” and “scary”. Shadow Dawn sighed, her breath became apparent in the freezing air.
She continued walking down the street, passing by several overturned taxi-carts, and an abandoned medical tent. Soon, she made it to her house. Opening her door, she was immediately hugged by her two older siblings. Echo Burst and Moonlight.
“Guys, you're hugging me too tightly!” She gasped for air before they compiled and released their grasp.
“Sorry about that Dawn. We were worried sick about you. You know it’s dangerous to go out there alone. Especially with the virus and the looters rampaging through the streets.”
Sorry Echo Burst, but I just went to get some supplies.” She took off her saddlebag and placed some canned food and water bottles on the counter beside her.
“Look Dawn. We appreciate you getting some supplies for us, but. But next time we have to go together. We don’t want to lose you” Moonlight said.
“Don’t worry about Moonlight." Dawn said confidently.
“But…” Moonlight was quickly interrupted by Dawn before she could finish her sentence.
“Plus. If we all go out there. Our house is vulnerable to looters and thieves. So some pony has to hold down the fort while I’m out there” Moonlight still had the look of worry on her face. Dawn sighed.
“Look. I understand your concern sis. But trust, I know what I’m doing. I mapped out places that are dangerous and where the supply drops are. So that I can avoid the danger and get the supplies. Look, it makes you feel better. You can come with me. Echo Burst can stay here."
“HEY! Why do I have to stay!” Echo Burst clearly frustrated.
“Come on Echo Burst. Moonlight has to come with me or she’ll continue to worry about me.” Echo Burst sighed.
“Fine. You two can go. I’ll stay and hold down the fort” Dawn eyes glowed like stars in the night sky. She hugged her older brother tightly for a few seconds and whispered something in his ear.
“Thank you Echo Burst."
“No problem. But please let go. I can’t breathe.” Dawn let go of Echo Burst’s request. She looked back at Moonlight. Clearly smiling and longer worried. But suddenly, Moonlight’s stomach began to rumble.
“Sorry about that. I’m just really hungry now.”
“Don’t worry Moonlight. You two are clearly starving, so go eat.” Dawn said to her two older siblings.
“What about you Dawn? Aren’t you hungry?” Echo Burst said to Moonlight
“No. I’ll be fine. I’ll be upstairs in my room. I gotta do some stuff.”
“Like reading that Daring Do book.” Echo Burst replied. Dawn giggled at the comment as she went upstairs to her room.
Once she was in her room. She layed on top of her bed and started to read a Daring Do Book. Pulling out a bookmark, she flipped to the page where she left off. But before she could read a single word. She heard a beeping noise coming from her wrist. Checking her wrist, her watch turned a glowing orange with a beeping noise. Immediately, she sat up.
“Oh no” She was starting to hyperventilate at the current situation.
“I knew the situation was bad, but for this to be activated” Dawn sighed before going to her closet. In the very back of the closet was a black briefcase with a phoenix painted in orange. She opened and grabbed an earpiece. All the while grabbing a M1A assault rifle and inserting a magazine in the said rifle. Then a voice came over her earpiece.
“Agent Shadow Dawn. Do you copy?”
“This is agent Shadow Dawn. Who is this?”
“My name is agent Star Trail. I am the acting Division commander for Manehatten. Currently, we’re at the Celestia Post Office. It's our base of operations' ' The sudden noises of gunshots coming from outside could be heard from the earpiece.
“SHIT! Every pony, we’re under attack! Defend the base. Agent Dawn, we need you at the Celestia Post Office immediately. Sending you the coordinates now!
“Thanks, agent Trail. I’ll see you soon.”
When she turned around, she saw her perplexed older sister standing in the doorway. Shadow Dawn looked back at her older sister for an uncomfortable few seconds.
“Dawn? Why do you have an earpiece? Where did you get that gun! She started to tear up in her eyes. Absolutely breaking Dawn's heart. Dawn was thinking of telling her siblings about her being an agent. But Dawn was told to not tell any pony about her being an agent. Due to it being very confidential.
“Look Moonlight, let me explain.” Before she could explain. She heard her older brother come up the stairs wondering where Moonlight was. Before stopping at the doorway to see Shadow Dawn looking like a soldier of war. With the same perplexed face as Moonlight had for a few seconds. Dawn sighed.
“Moonlight. Echo Burst. Can you come into my room so that I can explain a few things?” They nodded before sitting next to her on her bed. Moonlight was still crying and Echo Burst was trying to comfort her. Shadow Dawn sat in a nearby chair, ready to explain the situation. But when she tried to talk. She couldn’t get a word out before stopping. Dawn couldn’t find the words to explain this situation. But she took a deep breath and exhaled. Dawn tried again to explain the situation she’s in.
“I’m part of an organization that has been activated during a catastrophic event like this. Activated as a last resort when all else fails. I’m part of that organization. I’ve been meaning to tell you but I couldn't for confidential reasons. And now I have to go to meet my fellow agents at the Celestia Post Office in downtown Manehatten. I’m so sorry I have to go” Tears were forming in Dawn’s eyes. Dripping down her face like a river. Wiping away her tears with her hoof. She continued talking.
“But I have a duty to follow. Please forgive me, Moonlight and Echo Burst." She started crying again. But suddenly, she was grabbed by her two siblings. Tightly hugging her. Then, they both whispered something in her ear.
“Be safe out there Dawn” Moonlight said to her sister in her ear.
“Goodluck. We love you” Echo Burst replied to her other ear. Shadow Dawn hugged them back before they released each other. Dawn got out the front door and looked back at her two older siblings.
“I’ll be back soon. I promise.” That was the last thing Dawn said to her older siblings. Now walking down a snowy street. Leaving everything she loved behind. Her goal is to now save what remains. Starting by heading towards the Celestia Post Office building. Which was under siege by the Ravagers.