//------------------------------// // Rescue Mission // Story: A Land so Barren // by Foxes33 //------------------------------// 6. Rescue Mission Ice left Comet and began to walk towards an old dirt path. He looked at the barren land covered by dark twisted trees stripped of leaves. His icy blue eyes just glared at the path, anger building up inside of him. A frustrated sigh came from his mouth. Cold air nipped at then both. Ice lifted his hood over his head. He trudged, head down and clearly irritated. Comet beamed at him and quickly caught up. "Your actually going! You could die!" Comet exclaimed. "I have no choice. Storm is a gang member and we look out for each other, not like the other gangs. I have to." Ice explained in a hiss. Comet just looked at him, she seemed surprised. Soon her head looked down and once again she looked up at him. "What about the other member?" Comet asked. "She will come and know what happened. She will know to find us." Ice answered. "How do you know?" "She's smart and a good tracker." Ice explained. Comet just released a long breath of air. She decided to stop talking, Ice making it clear. Ice just glanced up a head, looking from the ground to further up the dirt path. It was hard for him to believe that they captured Storm and Ice knew, Storm must had been out numbered or out of his element. Yet he found himself not doubting that Storm had gone down the twisted dark trail or betrayal. He kept his ears pricked, trying to make sure there wasn't an ambush, but he doubted it. If they wanted revenge, they were going to toss him off that cliff if they could, or kill him in combat. Both probably in a suffering way, although Ice had finished off River speedily, not allowing suffering. Besides, he couldn't have gave her the chance to live, her mind was corrupted by the power of black magic. Its evil twisted ways could corrupt even the strongest mind with power. Ice knew this all too well and didn't bother to ponder it. His sore limbs made him stagger slightly and Comet noticed immediately. "Are you okay? You still seem wounded." Comet asked, lifting her head. Ice just glanced at her, head still low. Although his limbs burned with the sore achy feeling, he didn't want to tell her he was weak. He pondered for a second, raking his mind for an excuse. "Its nothing, just a little tired." Ice answered. Comet looked at him suspiciously. "Yeah right," She grumbled. Ice just glared at her for second, but let it pass and continued down the path. However when he looked up, he noticed that Comet was constantly looking around. Her face looked of concerned, as though it was some sort of horror film. "What's wrong with you?" Ice asked in a mumble. Comet stopped looking around and just glanced at Ice. "I don't know how to explain it, but I have a bad feeling. My stomach is tied up in knots and I am not nervous. This place just gives me the shivers. I just don't know why." Comet answered, then sighed. She just looked up towards where the cliff was. They would soon be going up into a thicker brush of trees and bush. She glared at it and Ice just looked at her confused. Then he looked up at the path and noticed a slight stir in the bushes. "You saw that right?" Comet asked, whispering. "Yeah, somepony is there." Ice answered, also whispering. "Lets act like we didn't see them. We can lure them out, then catch them." Ice nodded in agreement. The twosome went up the path slowly and quietly. Ice kept his ears pricked, something he would have done anyways, while Comet just trotted beside him. Soon a loud snap erupted through the trees, followed by the utter of a swear. Ice turned his head and was just able to see a thin dull red mare with a brighter red mane and a honey colored pegasus stallion with a dark brown mane beside her. A broken stick was at his hooves. Comet watched them carefully. They lifted themselves higher from the dirt road. The stallion had a smirk on his face while the mare just smiled mischievously. "Looks like we were caught." He sighed, stretching out his honey colored wings. "Yeah." The red mare giggled. Ice just glared at them, they were acting like this was some game! He stepped a little forward, while comet watched the pair. Her eyes cautiously scanning them over, sizing them up for a fight. "What are you doing here?" Ice asked in a growl. The mare lifted her head, her mischievous smile still laid across her lips. "Just doing some damage," she answered. Ice's eyes widened as the stallion moved at a fast speed and hit his right side. He was knocked to the ground and covered by dust. Ice released a series of coughs and by the time he looked up, a pair of large hooves were about to smash him into the ground. Before they could make in pact, they were slammed the other way by a pair of purple hooves. Ice's head turned to see purple and grey Comet. Her short black mane with the purple streak pulled back behind her ears and her green eyes lit like fire. Ice slowly got to his feet, and looked at them. The stallion got to his feet and glared at Comet. He was baffled by the fact that the smallish mare had knocked him off his hooves. "Look out they're fast." Comet whispered. Ice just nodded, standing in a defensive position, Comet to his right. The red mare and honey stallion moved together, until dividing, one swing right, the other left. Ice ducked as the honey stallion came for another blow. He hit the ground head first and skidded to a halt on the dusty ground. Ice was about to take the moment to attack, but soon saw Comet. She was fighting back, but the red mare went out of sight and was behind her. Ice could tell she wouldn't notice in time. He glanced at the stallion, who he could easily kill, but soon turned away. He teleported to the right of the mare and kicked her into a tree. Comet turned immediately, and smiled to say thanks. The mare squirmed, but soon found Comet hovering over her. She squealed as Comet put a hoof to her chest and grabbed a dagger from her saddle bag. Ice just watched, but in seconds he felt a stabbing pain in his flank. "Damn it!" Ice snapped as he hit the ground. His sudden outburst distracted Comet and the red mare kicked her off. Ice knew he had to move quickly, he could see the stallion on his feet, walking closer. Ice ripped the dagger out, risking a larger wound and stood, hold it with his magic. Blood seeped out of the deep cut on his flank. It dribbled to the ground, and the stallion just smirked. He took off towards him at full speed, ready to kill him, but Ice jumped to the right just in time. When the stallion hit the ground for the second time, he seemed agitated. Before he could get up, Ice sank the dagger into his back. The stallion's body went limp and he laid there lifeless. "No!" The mare screeched. Ice looked to his left to see the mare now. He got kicked in the side by her back hooves and fell to the ground. His wound sired in pain. He groaned and looked to see the mare hovering over him with the knife. She was smiling, but soon his eyes widened. Ice moved back and she fell to the ground, behind her was Comet. "You okay?" Comet asked in a serious tone. "Yeah, but it hurts like hell." Ice answered in a groan. "We should camp here, we both need rest." Comet suggested. Ice looked at the trees and brush that hid them from sight. It was the best place here where they could wait and get cleaned up. Hopefully Storm was able to wait. Ice could just tell that in his current situation, he had to wait. "Yeah. I guess. I just hope Storm has time." Ice grumbled. "If they want revenge on you, they will wait." Comet assured. Ice just lifted his head, he knew she was right.