//------------------------------// // Casting Shadows // Story: A Land so Barren // by Foxes33 //------------------------------// 5. Casting Shadows Ice could tell by Comet's jerked, she was startled by the immense power that these creatures possessed. Although they weren't often seen, when they were, it was the worst thing. They cackled like crows, there laughs bone chilling and could easily frighten any pony. Ice knew although he hadn't strayed far, and the sun was going down, he had to head back to the base. Storm needed to know and when Juniper returned in approximately five days dependent on the events that occurred. Slowly Ice moved, and Comet seemed shocked by his movement. "What are you doing?" She asked, slowly making her way closer. "I have to go back to my base and tell the others." Ice explained in a hush growl. He weaved slowly through the undergrowth, drawing closer to the edge of the forest. It was hard to move from the undergrowth and the fact it wrapped around there hooves. He looked back to see that Comet was following him. He moves slowly through the underbrush, and was just able to escape the dead trees. He looked back again, she was still there and Ice didn't understand why she was still following him after what happened. Maybe she was afraid? However she didn't look like a mare who would be easily startled or anything really. "You should go to you home or find a base." Ice snapped, trying to get her to leave. Comet just glared at him. "Oh, no way! After seeing those, those, those things, I think I deserve an explanation! How do you know about those things? In fact, who are you really?" Comet growled. Ice just sighed, and couldn't help, but to glare at the ground. Out of all ponies to find him, it is one that needs a gang. He wanted to ignore the questions, but he knew that would just make it worst. "I was told be a friend. He had to get them out of his mind. I have to head there first, then I have to find my pegasus friend. She will be in the most danger. So please, just calm down. Those are Shadows, they are evil creatures from the old world. During the war they convinced team mates to fight each other. That is why there are less ponies on this Earth today. They're pure evil. Don't go near them." Ice explained and began to follow his tracks back, at first slow. Comet was silent and followed hesitantly, but she was still there. Ice didn't get why she was so persistent of helping them after one fight. What was wrong with her? However he was careful, he still didn't trust her. "We will have to run. I can't waste too much time. A lot of it I need to use to find our last group member." Ice called, as he quickened the pace. He was soon at a full gallop and Comet followed, keeping a faster pace, she wasn't even giving it her all. They ran through the snow until they came to the ruins of Appleloosa. Ice paused, something wasn't right. There were more knocked over buildings then last time, it was odd. He knew he had to find Storm and fast. Although Ice had to hurry, he walked, he knew he couldn't take any bad risks that were unnecessary. Comet was close behind him, and was looking at the ruins herself. "So, this is where you all live?" She asked, her voice confused. "Not just us. Our gang is small, we share this area with several other gangs. This was once Appleloosa we believe, once a desert, but ever since the Shadows came and the war ended, it has had strange weather patterns." Ice explained. He walked down the dirt roads until he came to base, and his mouth gaped as he saw it destroyed. It looked like a fire had started, and that somepony had bashed the rest. However there was something else, a note. You have been warned. We know the lies you spill. Don't cross us again. You shouldn't have, killed Rain. "Damn it!" Ice growled, he should have known. Comet hovered over his shoulder, but didn't say a word, just looked at the note. Ice walked into the ruins of the old bar and looked around. He was hoping to find a clue to where Storm was, or if he was dead. Ice doubted him being dead, there was just no way. He looked around and knew then where he was.going, however not quite. They either made a new base, or they were in the old ruins of the last, that was destroyed by Rain and him when they fought. "Come on, we have to find my ally." Ice said, although he hated his follower. Comet nodded and with that they began to search for Storm. Ice scanned the surroundings for clues ad he walked to there past base. When they got there, he noticed it was all the same. Some of the walls crumbled and when he walked in, he saw the blood of Rain and her body still stabbed by glass. She was still pinned up against the wall. The smell was bloody and metallic and when Comet walked it, she almost gagged. She looked at the mangled body on the wall, and just shrugged it off and kept following Ice. The twosome looked about the ruins, in the few areas that weren't demolished. There were still a few safes that had food in them, some chests and a tiny broom closet that weren't destroyed in the fight. Ice sighed, he couldn't find a thing, until he looked back at Rain's mangled body. In the rubble was a piece of paper. He plucked it out using his magic and looked at the note. He isn't dead yet, don't worry, come and find us. We are at the Drop Off. I think you know it, well we hope. Ice couldn't help, but growl, the Drop Off was a bad place to be or to even go. It was a high cliff where gang members threw traitors or even hostages of a cliff to there death. There was stone down the face of the cliff that effected unicorn magic, a certain death trap to any pony. It was basically used as a graveyard, or more like a garbage can. Somewhere in the hole was a creature that devoured the dead bodies, most called him Scavenger, because he ate dead ponies. Ice sighed, he went out and could see the cliff, he knew where he was going next.