//------------------------------// // Meetings // Story: Equestria's Death and Dead // by Sif-Sif //------------------------------// 3 Hours Prior to You arriving in Ponyville. Somewhere in Equestria. “Get Exile in here, now!” a feminine voice commanded. “Again? It’s only been, three hours since he came back.” another responded while entering the room, but with a more baritone tune to it. His features were hard to make out due to the very dim lighting in the room, the windows drapes blocking out the early afternoon sunlight. Taking a few steps toward the desk to where his commander sat behind, she replied. “I know, I know he has been out a lot, but he's the best we got. But we have to save as many struggling ponies out there.” She said as she had her hooves massaging her temples. “Ugh. Alright. I’ll send one of my greens to fetch Ex’.” “Lazy as always, aren’t you Colonel Hawkeye.” “Commanding others isn’t being lazy! Besides, Chase always knows where to find him.” With a roll of her eyes, the mare nodded her head, signaling that the stallion should carry on his orders. She stayed seated on her chair, thinking. Thinking about what now, how things came to be. It’s been only 5 days and 7 hours since the mass spread mystery infection. Spread from one pony to another, to five, to dozens, to hundreds in the matter of a two days. The ponies that were infected became cannibals, became monsters. Equestria wasn’t prepared for such heavy large number losses, and it would only keep growing with each passing day. But there was some hope to look at, in a world where death is constantly around and walking about. On the third day of infection, an Anonymous group of elite trained Commanders, kept secret for only the darkest of times in Equestria, received orders from the Royal Sisters. Their plans were simple. Each member was assigned a major town, city or community throughout the lands. They had to round up and organize with any living ponies there. Form some sort of standing ground for them to wait it out. But supplies can only last for so long for so many ponies. So within each hold, stands either a Company of guards, or a small squadron of another Anonymous group. Again, this group was kept secret to avoid any political judgment and conspiracies rumors for the other nations to form against them. “Ugh!” The mare slammed her hooves on her desk. But she had a feeling that there was another pony in the room. She looked up from her desk to see Exile staring at no one in particular. “Exile. Don’t you ever knock?” “Door was open. So I simply walked in.” “But it is considered good manners to knock.” “Yeah well, I didn’t have coffee this morning. And I already had to go out there,” He sighed “Who’s this oh so lucky pony now.” “Ponyville. Cloud Note spotted her at the outskirts of town. Look for a purple coat and dark blue mane” “Heard from another mare… sounds the same as she described her.” “Maybe. So it’s best you... hurry...” Before she even finished her sentence, Exile was already out the door and headed for the exit of their hideout to carry out his mission. “May my distant stars keep thy safe.” she sighed. Two Hours Later. Exile. Exile soared high, passing clouds, appearing as a red and black speck in the blue sky. He was in a state of, meditation. But instead of inner peace he sought, it was 210% focus. To focus on his goal that was given to him. Find and bring back another survivor. Every life we save counts for a better Equestria… His bosses words echoed in his mind. Ponyville was a fairly large town. The actual town covering over thirty square miles. And another ten by adding the outskirts and the apple farm. It was a good day to Exile. The sun was out, it was nice and quiet. Only, to quite. And dead. The only thing moving, was either the crows picking on rotting corpses, or actual walking corpses that only crave bloodshed and blood. “No no no!! Stay away!” came the distant cry. It has to be her. Exile thought. It came from the center of town, Town Hall. With that in mind, he immediately changed his course downward towards the distress call. At a very, very fast rate. Whoever cried out was in view now, but something was bad. There seemed to be another pony limping towards her. A pale brown, bloody pony with what seemed to be a long blade being dragged by him. Exile tucked his wings to his body, and positioned his hoofs to his sides for more speed. Faster. The pale pony raised his weapon. Faster! As soon as Exile was close enough, he twisted his body so his blade like tail swooped down and flashed passed the brown pale pony's raised hoof, completely slicing it off. The pale pony's hoof and its weapon to fell to the ground, while at the same time seeing the mare he was supposed to rescue. Exile then proceeded to shift for another swipe, turning in a large arch, and aligning his course for his target. It was a straight shot, too easy for Exile. He was going yet again at fast pace, this time, aiming for that pony's neck. The next few seconds passed by in a flash. One moment, Exile is a few twenty good yards away from his target, the next he was twenty yards passed. His target remained standing for a good two seconds, before having his head slide off, and his body fall limp to the ground. Exile began to slow down and head back to where his target stood to find that purple mare he caught a glimpse of. But when he returned, she wasn't in the area. Instead, she was running from what looked like to be another pale pony in the distance. Exile growled at this, knowing he would have to take out that one too. With a quick swoop downwards upon the pale pony, he pointed down his weapon, flew right above the pony, and sliced right through it, as well as sending it flying to a building window with his momentum. Exile flew above the rooftops and towards the general direction of where the mare was headed, and soon found her, quite easily because of her purple coat. He flew ahead, and landed in front of her, but she was looking back when he did, so when she looked forward again, she nearly crashed into him. “Uh.. Huh... H-hello?” The mare stuttered as Exile observed her. Exile turned and walked away from her, knowing all to well that of course she would follow him. He smirked as he heard her call out to him, but he didn't even bother on looking back. Though his smile did fade away as she walked to his side and started asking questions, to which be bitterly answered some of them. I really need a coffee after this... He thought as he told her his plans, and about a safe place to fall back to. After walking down to the street, finally reaching the edge of town and the tree line of the Everfree forest, he spread out his wings and was about to take off into the skies, but stopped in crouching position as he noticed a dark figure in the corner of his eye.