A thousand dark tunnels... The constant sound of screaming and pain... Darkness and sadness washing over like waves... No hope... The loss of everyone close... A single bullet shot... Death...
. . .
Sev awoke screaming from his nightmare. He breathed heavily, his chest throbbing from the lingering emotions. He sat up in his bed clutching his head. It was all a dream. His head swiveled on automatic to check his clock. The small alarm clock’s arms rested at the 9 and 12 of the circle. 9:00. His mind went frantic. He was late for work! He jumped out of bed quickly, throwing on the simple clothes that lay cast aside on the floor. He galloped through his Living Room towards his door without thinking and thought it open. His foot caught halfway though and he fell with a sudden squish. Sev lifted his face from the ground to see what had tripped him. The charred body from the night before clutched onto his foot like a lost filly. He kicked the mass away from him, and picked himself off the ground. Carefully breathing through his mouth, he stepped over the bodys and puddles of blood, then when felt it was safe, dashed away from them as fast as he could. He gasped in cool air as he neared the single elevator in his apartment building. He slammed the button to the door angrily. He had promised himself, not to kill anymore, not to get caught in anything like that. Not after what happened that day... So long ago.
. . .
Sev ducked his head as a volley of bullets flew over his makeshift cover. The recently flipped car might have survived small arms fire, but anything more and it might blow. Sev flinched from the explosions ringing in his ears. He looked up in fear at Canterlot castle, looming over head. Canterlot had become their last refuge, the war against The Changeling swarm had escalated quickly, as their forces now poured onto the streets of Canterlot without a warning.
“Get your bucking head down!”
Sev was shoved down as rockets soared overhead and detonated against a nearby building. Sev rolled out of the way of the debris. He looked up to the one who had moved him. Kingsly, his leader, and friend. Tossing his rifle to Sev, Kingsly quickly raised his revolver and sent forth several cracking shots towards the approaching army.
“It’s no good! Retreat to the castle! We will not fall!” The dark colt bellowed.
Sev stumbled backwards, raising his rifle and firing into the sea of black. A hail of bullets greeted his assault, and sent him scurrying backwards yet. Getting to his hooves he dashed back towards the line of guards, being pegged off by stray bullets. Making it behind the wall of shields he breathed a sigh of relief. A sudden whistle from above brought his attention. A cluster of mortars sliced through the air, there arc bearing down on them. Sev shut his eyes for the imminent impact...
. . .
The small train shook as Sev snapped back to reality. He had let his mind work against him, and had let in horrible memories once again. He sighed sadly as the train slowed to a grinding halt. His frown quickly vanished as he was bombarded by the image of his favorite place. Posters and advertisements screamed for viewers to buy their products over others, and the thick scent of earth could be smelled, even through the thick haze of smog being pumped out by the train. Arcadia. The one place in the entire city that could support so much plant life. The entire place made his heart flutter with joy. Though the job of tending to the plants was usually kept to earth pony’s, his wings allowed him to be able to tend to the higher trees. He smiled as he walked through the gates, as if nothing wrong could possibly happen. But his thoughts of happiness quickly disappeared as he walked through the grand gateway to the gardens. He gasped in horror at the sight that unfolded in front of him. 10 dead ponies. Their entrails creating a pentagram, dangling from the columns that made up the lavish arcs that had once stood their. Now a bloody altar...