//------------------------------//
// Unfortunate 
// Story: A Land so Barren 
// by Foxes33 
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7. Unfortunate


The night was cold and decedent. There was no pony else around the twosome as they camped among the trees. Harsh pain rippled through Ice's flank, the stab wound being very deep. The wound was caked in dried blood, but was covered in darkly stained cloth. The wound had a terrible metallic odor that stuck in the air, but like most ponies, the twosome were use to it. Blood stained the dirt nearby the camp and the bodies of the stallion and mare were hidden. Ice laid down on the dark green grass underneath a thin birch tree. Comet was peering over the bushes, checking for guards. She was covered in purplish bruises and dull red cuts. The most menacing cut being the one below her right cheek.

Ice just laid down for a while, sensing the pain of the terribly deep wound. He had a feeling it wouldn't kill him, but it hurt like hell. The unfortunate encounter with the two gang members had left them both battered and bruised. Although Ice was stabbed and had been bleeding before, he was really shaken up by the wound. Yes it was indeed deep, but these days, it could have been worst and Ice knew that. Comet looked around for a few more seconds, but soon left the bushes.

"I think we're good, no one has come yet, I think you have tonight to get healed unfortunately." Comet explained, gazing at the wound covered by grey cloth.

Ice's head lifted and he looked at Comet, "That's fine. I just don't want Storm to get hurt. There isn't many allies in this world."

Comet nodded in agreement, "Quite true, the world has gone to shit. We all have to face it sooner or later."

Ice just nodded, the comment being very true. There wasn't anything to really depend on, other then the hopeful truth of a stranger. The world had many gangs and twisted ideas for the future. A possible future ruled by black magic.

"Hey Ice, I meant to ask you something. When that mare was going to kick me and you had the stallion pinned, why did you help me?" Comet asked, looking Ice straight in his icy blue eyes.

Ice's head lifted and he met his gaze, "You wanted to be my ally, you're one now. If Storm is dead or dies and Juniper can't be found, your my only ally."

Comet just looked at him for a second, unsure of what to say. It was true, she wished for him as an ally and now she had him as one. She just nodded in reply, soon settling down under one of the trees. Her eyes still watching him, but he wasn't paying attention.

"All I hope is that your wound doesn't get infected, you could die just from that, and nothing else." Comet sighed in a mumble.

Ice couldn't help, but to glance down at his wound. He knew it was terrible and he had to be careful. Ice nodded in agreement to what she had said. Yet he didn't want to be sitting here, hoping that Storm wouldn't be dead when he got here.

"Lets rest, we need some sleep anyways." Comet suggested.

Once again he nodded, still not in the mood to talk. He lowered his head and folded his ears down, letting his mind enter sleep. Soon the darkness entered his eyes and he fell into a dreamless sleep. After a full night of sleep, he could just hear a voice during his slumber. He couldn't quite hear it, but soon his icy blue eyes opened and he turned his head. He saw a few ponies trying to carry away Comet. Her struggles were futile and she kept kicking her legs, trying to pull away from the four ponies. Ice attempted to get to his feet, but slipped, landing face first into the dirt.

His flank burned terribly from the stab wound, and it immediately opened from his haste. He let out a cry of agony and the four ponies just laughed, and continued to take Comet. She kept struggling, but she couldn't escape. Ice took a few minutes to recover, but found they had disappeared from sight.

"Damn it," he mumbled.

Ice raised to his hooves and looked at the struggle marks. He ignored the burning in his flank and followed the path. It was incredibly bad and was bleeding. Scarlet droplets of his blood fell to the ground, and he stopped for a second. Ice stared at his wound, but didn't bother with a healing spell. Instead he grabbed the old rag and just wrapped it once again. He felt flustered with all that had happened, but he had to help his allies. He stared down the path and began to walk, his head sturdy and focused on the markings. He kept his ears pricked and just kept moving down the way. He was angered and when he came to the opening, he stood tall, not afraid of what he was facing.

"Look, he came," the new leader chortled.

Ice turned his head and could just tell he was the leader. He stood tall, a pegasi with large wings that were made for speed. His mane and tall were dark brown and his fur was a lightly tanned brown. He had bright blue eyes, and a mischievous smile upon his face.

"Look at you! Your wounded and you still come here Ice. How naive! Your friends are quite doomed, and you won't find them before you get thrown like trash," he laughed. "You will pay for what you did to Rain."

The leader's hoof pointed to him and his guards ran towards them at fast speeds like rabid dogs. They were ready and gained speed, getting closer to wounded Ice.