//------------------------------//
// Mad World 
// Story: Mad World 
// by Acespadez1134 
//------------------------------//

No pony knows how the disease came to be, or how devastating it would become to Equestria but one thing is for sure. Life as we know it has been ripped away from everypony.

“Ponyville, huh…” said a unicorn named Platinum Sword more to himself that the group of ponies that followed him. He undid the belt that held up a needle like sword and a small pistol that an officer would likely have carried, which dangled on either side of him, dropping them to the ground. He reached a hoof around and rubbed the spot where the belt was pulling at his clean light grey coat, “Ok everypony, we rest for a few moments before heading in.”

Most of the ponies dropped their weapons to the ground lightly enough as to not draw unwanted attention to the group. A strong looking stallion walked past some of the small groups and started putting ponies on guard watch before coming to Platinum, “Sir? Is everything alright?”

Platinum Sword took a canteen from a little red coated mare who walked up and offered it to him and dumped a little over his deep yellow mane, before bringing it to his lips and taking a large swig. He took a small breath and handed back the canteen to the mare, “Thank you…” She gave a little nod and walked over to another stallion taking off a large chest plate. Platinum looked up at the Stallion, “Let me ask you something first Blue Crush, why do you insist on calling me sir? We are no longer in an army, so therefore I am no longer your commanding officer.”

Blue Crush gave a confident smirk as he looked back to the group of ponies taking drinks and resting their hooves, “Looks like an army to me, sir.”

Platinum gave a sigh, “Fair enough, as to your question,” he thought for a moment and looked up at a foal who was clinging to a light colored mare too tired to sit up, “Are any of us ok?”

Blue Crush pushed his dark blue mane out of his eyes, “Sir, if I may… you gave these ponies a chance that they wouldn’t have had otherwise,” he looked at the mare and foal, “I mean when you saved her, she wasn’t going to survive being a show pony, and the foal she has decided to look after? He never had a chance until you came into the picture… I mean his own mother was only seconds away from smashing his he…”

“I am aware of what almost happened to him Crush,” Platinum snapped rubbing his temples, “Get me the Pegasus twins. I want to send them in for a scouting mission.”

Blue Crush nodded and turned around and trotted off. Platinum looked down to his sword still sheathed on his belt. He concentrated and levitated the sword out and over to him. He tilted the small needle like blade back and peered down to the point. He then looked the elegantly jeweled encrusted guard before sliding it back into place on his belt. He then pulled out the pistol looked at it for a second then slid it back as a few horrible memories started to surface.

Two Pegasi walked up, ripping Platinum from his dark memories, “Blue Crush said you wished to see us, Captain.”, said the female as she flicked her bright pink mane out of her face. Her pale blue coat was covered with a black vest.

Platinum looked at the two of them and to Ponyville, “I want to know how bad the town is, and why we haven’t seen any Ragers yet…”

The male who was wearing a black jacket covering his bright blue coat reached inside his jacket and pulled a pair of goggles on and straightened his dull spike pink mane, “I’m going to assume you want us to stay quiet on this one?”

Platinum turned back to them, “Hes… I don’t want to attract unwanted attention.” He looked to the female, “Sunny Rays, you head around the edge of town and look along the river to see if anything is in it keeping us from drinking it,” she gave a salute and jumped into the air and flew off. Platinum then looked to the male, “Lightning Blitz, head into the center of town and look around but keep out of reach and sight do you get me?”

He gave a smirk and saluted, “What? Don’t trust me?” He then lowered his goggles and took off into the air.

Platinum looped his belt over his back and connected it, then gave a shake to adjust it better over his back and sides. The red coated mare trotted back over to him and held up a apple. He smiled at the mare who returned the smile as she trotted away. Platinum brought the apple up to his mouth when he overheard the light blue mare and the foal talking.

“I’m still hungry.” the foal whined.

The mare ran a hoof through his mane, “I know Whistle… I am too.”

Platinum looked at the apple and sighed before using his magic to split the apple in half before levitating the apple half over to the mare and the foal.

The foal grabbed the apple and started munching happily. The mare looked up at Platinum, “But…”

Platinum shook his head, “Not hungry, go ahead and take it,” he dropped it into the mare's hooves and walked off to find Blue Crush. He found Blue Crush using his magic to purify a small tub of water as a few ponies stood waiting close by. When he finished Platinum took a small amount to drink before anypony moved. He gave a nod and they all walked over and started filling up canteens or drinking right out of the tub.

Blue Crush sat down and watched as Platinum sat next to him, “Are we going to survive this?”

The question took Platinum off guard as he looked at the sad look on the teal unicorns face. Platinum then looked to the ponies surrounding the tub stop drinking instantly as a couple of fillies and colts walked up, looking for a drink. One stallion laid down allowing a tiny filly to climb up and get a drink. He shook his head, “I don’t know… but I don’t plan on rolling over and letting this beat me or everypony I have the ability to help.”

Blue Crush shot him a look that told Platinum that wasn’t the answer he was hoping for but he smiled, “Never could lie when it came to ponies lives huh?”

Platinum smiled sadly, “Nope.”

The sound of hooves hitting the ground behind him made Platinum jump up and start to pull out his sword. Sunny Rays put a hoof up in surprise, “Sorry, sir, I wanted to tell you that from what I could see the river is clean but I wouldn’t chance something not being in it further up,” Platinum nodded. She pressed on, “and I did notice a few stragglers, though the town seems very empty…”

Lightning Blitz landed next to his sister with a grave expression on his face, “That is because most of the town is trying to get into some place shaped like a tree…”

Platinum narrowed his eyes, “Survivors?”

Lightning shrugged, “It’s possible,” Platinum started to walk toward the bridge heading to town.

Blue Crush trotted up next to him, “Platinum, what are we going to do against a whole town of Ragers?”

Platinum lowered his head then looked up determined, “I need to see what we are going up against before I come up with a plan, so I’m going to leave a few soldiers here and take a selected few with me.”

Blue Crush stops, “Ok I’ll get a team together and meet you at the bridge…”

Platinum stopped and turned to face Blue Crush, “No! I need you here just in case something happens,” Blue made to come back but Platinum cut him short, “You know I can’t trust anypony here with what I need you here for.”

Blue frowned at Platinum, “I don’t like it, Sir, but I will stay behind as you ask… just don’t leave me in charge of this group for long.”

Platinum gave a halfhearted grin, “No promises, my friend.”

Blue gave Platinum a salute realized what he was doing and gave an innocent smile, “Sorry, old habits die hard…”

Platinum cocked a smirk at him before heading off to the bridge only stopping every so often to motion for a few ponies to get ready to go. He stopped and motioned for the stallion with a heavy looking the heavy looking breast plate to suit up. He gave a serious nod and started to put on his breast plate. When he had the armor fastened on the red mare stood in front of him watching him sadly.

He walked over to her and brushed her purple mane out of her face and just as he was about to say something she pushed forward and kissed him. Platinum watched them sadly as he made his way to Platinum, “Ready, sir…”

Platinum looked at his small team of ten then to him and placed a hoof on his shoulder. He gave the mare a quick glance, “I didn’t realize that I had more than what I needed, soldier, so I need you to stick behind and keep an eye on the civilians.”

The stallion took a step back, “Sir? I am ready to help you…”

“Then help by following orders soldier. You are needed here far more than I need you right now,” Platinum snapped as he turned around and started to cross the bridge. He glanced back to see the stallion with his head down but watched for a few seconds as the mare walked over to him and nuzzled the side of his head.

Platinum looked back up, “It’s better this way, son…”

They made their way across the bridge and slowly the severity of the situation started to bear down on them as they crossed to the other side of the bridge their attention is caught by a red smear on the side of a house. Platinum walked over to it and looked into the trampled flower bed and pulled up a twisted and bloody diamond encrusted piece of metal frowning.

“What is that, sir?” asked a small unicorn with a large bow with a fierce looking tip on it.

Platinum dropped the item, “It was a headdress of some kind…” he looked at the pink mass of what used to be a filly and used some loose dirt to cover her, “I’m sorry you never got to live a full life, but maybe it was for the best.”

“SIR!” yelled one of the soldiers.

Platinum jerked his head up to see a light purple mare walking from around a corner looking at the ground. Her dark purple mane was matted with blood which was also dripping out of her mouth as she wheezed. She slowly lifted her head and looked up at Platinum her magenta color of her eyes almost blending in with the bloodshot whites of them. She looked at him for a second lowered her head gave a low growl and charged him.

Platinum took a step back in surprise but quickly regained his composure by taking a battle stance and pulling out his sword. She growled louder and and picked up her speed as she closed the distance between them. Platinum stepped to one side but the mare also corrected her course so Platinum stepped back. She corrected her course again and Platinum went back once again and she tried to correct her course but her front hooves tripped up and she hit the ground hard and slid on her face. She quickly started to get to her hooves but Platinum pushed her head to the ground.

“I’m sorry that you had to go through this…” she tried to push herself up and get at him so Platinum drove the tip of his sword into the back of her head into her brain. She froze, twitched and finally went limp. Platinum closed his eyes, “No longer will you hurt anypony… Now sleep.”

The other soldiers all lowered their head in silence. Platinum looked up toward the center of town, “Let’s move.”

They made their way hopping from building to building staying silent as possible. The stallion with the bow leaned close to Platinum as they peered around a pink sweet shop, “Sir, I’m a little concerned that we haven’t seen anypony apart from the dead filly and the Rager mare.”

A soldier behind them ran past them into the middle of the street and threw up. Platinum looked back and seen that somepony stepped in a dark red puddle coming from a small cream colored mass of fur and feathers. The mass was smaller than the filly he saw, but he looked back to the soldier, who was just a stallion, who was a farmer. Platinum started to move to him but the Bow pony grabbed his tail and as Platinum looked back at him he pointed down the street.

Platinum looked down the street to see three ponies making their way towards him. He turned back and stopped as a pink mare made her way slowly down the stairs. Her hooves red with blood and he long straight mane hung over one eye as the other locked on the farmer. The farmer looked at Platinum with fear in his eyes.

Platinum pointed at the pony with the bow and a gray mare with a crossbow and pointed at the three ponies coming down the street. They nodded and moved back down the other way. Platinum looked at the rest and pointed down the other street. They nodded and moved to make sure that no others were on their way. Platinum moved swiftly up behind the pink mare and as she looked back he quickly stuck the needle through her eye and out the back of her head. She dropped to the ground.

Platinum looked up to see two of the ponies walking towards them drop without a sound. The third started its charge at the farmer who dropped his lance when he ran out of the alley way. Platinum pushed the farmer and stood in the way of the charging pony. The blue stallion sped toward Platinum, giving a feral roar just before the farmers lance drove the stallion into the side of the building; pinning him to the wall of the building through his chest.

The stallion with the bow trotted up to Platinum who walked over to the pinned stallion who continued to try to get at Platinum with blood dripping from the lance and his mouth, “Impressive sir, Crossbow is keeping an eye out for anymore Ragers,” frowned at the stallion who tried to stand up and bit at Platinum, “I can’t believe the abuse these things can take.”

Platinum leveled his sword and ended the stallions thrashing once and for all, “We have to remember that these things are not ponies anymore and ending their lives as quick as possible will ensure that they can finally move on.”

He whipped his sword through the air ridding the blade of its gore before turning to the farmer who was holding his hooves over his head. He looked up at Platinum, “Platinum Sword, Sir, I’m so sor…”

Platinum slid his blade away, “I am aware why you did what you did and you don’t need to apologize but i do need you to pull yourself together or a lot of ponies are going to die if we can’t count on you.”

The stallion lowered his head and Platinum turned and gave a short whistle and the rest of ponies that came with him walked out from behind the corner and started making their way to him.

What happened next was almost in slow motion as the door next to where the farmer was starting to get to his hooves burst open and a dark purple mare with a pink mane tackled the farmer pony to the ground and bit down hard on his neck. His scream was drowned out as blood came out of his mouth and from the mouth of the mare as she ripped her teeth away pulling a chunk off his neck. She then started to stomp on the chest of the farmer pony breaking his ribs through the thick leather armor he was wearing.

Platinum spun around and brought the razor sharp edge of his sword across and took the head off the mare with a skillful hit. Platinum bent down to the farmer who was struggling to breath, “I’ll give you the choice… Die as you are or as one of them…” The farmer gave Platinum a long stare then closed his eyes slowly. Platinum closed his eyes and brought the blade up to the back of his head, “I’m sorry…” and with a thrust of his magic took the life of the farmer as peacefully as possible.

Crossbow came around the corner in a hurry, “Sir I…” she looked at the dead farmer and looked away.

Platinum looked up, “Did you know him?”

Crossbow kept her head turns away but nodded slowly. Longbow walked over to her and wrapped a hoof around her and looked up at Platinum, “He protected her from getting hurt during the cluster at the last town.”

“I’m sorry Crossbow, really, I am ,but I let him choose if he wanted to die as who he was or as a Rager, and he chose right.” Platinum said with an apologetic look.

Platinum pulled out the lance with his magic as he was never the one to overlook a good weapon as a small pony in black leather armor ran up to him, “Um Platinum sir? you might want to see this..” the mare said through her face wrap leaving her orange eyes showing.

Platinum kept the lance at his side as he followed the mare to a building and he slowly peered around a corner. Platinum felt his heart skip as he finally saw the tree like building and noticed that none of the Ragers had managed to get in, but his heart quickly started to drop at the number of infected ponies surrounding the building.

Platinum turned and started back to Crossbow, who was lying next to the dead farmer with Longbow. The rest of the group was keeping on high alert until Longbow noticed Platinum walking back, “Sir?” he asked looking at Platinum’s concerned expression.

Platinum sat down in the middle of the street and put him hooves up to the side of his head and closed his eyes, “There are a lot more than I expected…” he concentrated for a second then looked at Longbow and Crossbow. He then put his hooves down and looked up to the balcony of the pink building and stood up, “I got an idea.”

Longbow smirked, “Naturally,” he breathed as he walked up next to Platinum.

Platinum pointed to the balcony, “You and Crossbow should be able to thin the number of Ragers from that vantage point before the rest of us go in to finish the horde.” Platinum turned back and looked at Crossbow who managed to get up and started to make her way to Platinum and Longbow, “Are you ok?” Platinum asked genuinely concerned.

Crossbow looked back at the fallen farmer and back to Platinum, “It’s like you said, sir, we don’t have luxury of just sitting down and hoping if somepony else will take care of this.”

Platinum cocked an eyebrow, “Maybe, but I never said to turn a blind eye to any kind of help… even emotional.”

Crossbow walked between Longbow and Platinum and gave Platinum a half glance, “Then why don’t you?” she turned back to the pink building and started inside.

Platinum lowered his head unsure himself. Longbow placed a hoof on Platinum’s shoulder, “Sir, you also said there is a time and place for everything.”

Platinum looked up at Longbow nodded and looked back to the corner of which lead to the Ragers, “Yeah, and this is neither the time nor the place.” Platinum turned back to Longbow, “Get up there and let’s get this over with,” Longbow nodded and followed Crossbow inside. Platinum turned to the others, “spread out and keep an eye on the Ragers that start to move and take them out quietly.”

A couple of the ponies saluted while the rest gave confident nods and ran of silently. Platinum turned when a low strong voice stopped him, “Sir?”

Platinum looked back to the large pony armored from head to hoof in solid heavy armor, “Thornmail? What’s wrong?”

Thornmail lifted his visor showing his tangerine colored eyes, “I think I should stick by you, sir. You always said to never fight alone.”

Platinum looked around and realized that Thornmail and he were the only ones around. He let out a long breath, “Thank you, Thornmail, but who is keeping the rest inline?”

Thornmail nodded in the direction the rest of the ponies took off in, “Glave said he would keep everypony on their hooves…”

Platinum’s jaw dropped, “You left Glave incharge?”

Thornmail looked down the street, “After what happened to the group he was in charge of when we rested at the farm… I think he wants to make up for what he did.”

Platinum put a hoof up to his face, “He is still too young to be taking charge right now,” Platinum looked into his eyes and let out a long breath, “I hope you know what you're doing.”

Thornmail put a hoof up to his chest, “I will take full responsibility Sir.”

Platinum gave a sharp nod and moved back to the corner of the building and peered out in time to see a Pegasus wearing a blue uniform with a lightning bolt drop to the ground with a bolt in the side of her head. Platinum pulled back a little as a couple of the infected turned to the dead for a second then went back to roaming around.

Platinum watched as infected ponies dropped as Longbow and Crossbow took turns taking shots. After about an hour or so Longbow looked over the edge and signaled that Crossbow and he were out of shots. Platinum nodded and looked to Thornmail, “Let’s go finish cleaning up.”

Thornmail dropped his visor, “Lead the way, sir.”

Platinum levitated his rapier and the lance up and walked around the corner. Two infected looked up and growled as they noticed Platinum and Thornmail walk out. The blue stallion started to run at Platinum as the yellow mare limped behind as one of her back legs flopped around uselessly. The stallion’s face had a chunk missing from one side as he roared at Platinum.

Platinum didn’t move as the stallion drew closer, and just as he was about to leap onto Platinum Thornmail shoulder checked the stallion into a statue of some mare. He walked over to the stallion who had started to climb to his hooves, and slammed his head into the stallions face, which only made the stallion stumble. While the stallion was off balance Thornmail pushed the stallion down and pushed his head onto the base of the statue with a strong hoof. With a strong stomp he cracked the stallion’s skull but he continued to try and bite at Thornmail, so Thornmail reared up, and dropped both hooves onto the stallions head. With a crunch and a wet splat sound the stallion stopped moving.

The mare turned to Thornmail only to have Platinum’s rapier stabbed into the side of her head. A pink mare with a large bleeding wound in her neck raced up behind Platinum which he spun around and drove the lance through the top of her head and into the ground. Thornmail brought a blade on the back of his hoof down on the back of the head of a light brown stallion which dropped quicker that the blue one.

Longbow ran up next to Platinum levitating a few arrows close to him as he notched one, “Where is the rest of the group?” he breathed as he let an arrow fly into the head of lime green mare that used to be a Pegasus judging by the bleeding nubs on her back.

Longbows question was answered when a loud roar came from a few buildings away. A small pony wearing only a breastplate flew through the air like a ragdoll and landed hard a few feet away. He started to get to his hooves when a huge white stallion charged out from where the smaller stallion came flying from and grabbed him by the head and spun around slamming the pony against a light post and almost breaking both the light post and the pony in half. He dropped the pony and started to pummel him into a paste.

A unicorn ran out from behind the buildings levitating a long pole with a long blade at one end as swung it at the giant white stallion. He cut a long gash along the side of the white stallion and he turns and grabbed the pony by one leg and flung him over his head. The unicorn flew through the air and landed hard in between two trees that were close together. The unicorn tried to get up but he was stuck tight between the two trees. The white stallion ran over to the unicorn and grabbed his head in his mouth; which with the size of the white stallions mouth it fit nicely inside.

The unicorn screamed as the white stallion started to pull the unicorn head. Platinum’s eyes went wide as he started to run to the unicorn but as he drew close a loud pop told him that the unicorn’s spine had just broken. The unicorn screamed louder and blood was dripping from the white stallion’s mouth as he continued to pull at the unicorn. Platinum stopped short as a sick ripping sound came from the unicorn and white stallion was holding a segments bloody thing from his mouth. The screams stopped instantly as the white stallion dropped the unicorns blood covered head and started to crush it into the ground.

Platinum ran to the stallion and he quickly realized the stallion was a Pegasus due to the tiny wings on his back. The size of the muscles of the Pegasus made it hard for Platinum to imagine this pony ever getting off the ground. With the stallion’s legs being its only means of getting around, Platinum knew what he needed to do to stop this monster.

The stallion looked up to see Platinum running at him and roared loudly and turned to start running at him, but Platinum took the lance he had and drove it between the stallions shoulders and deep into the ground. The stallion was forced to the ground but he quickly started to pull himself up lifting the lance up from the ground.

Platinum grinned confidently as the stallions back legs were paralyzed. Platinum’s grin faded as the stallion used his huge muscular front legs to pull himself toward Platinum with surprising speed. Platinum looked around and spotted the glaive. He levitated the glaive up and toward the stallion.

He swung the glaive in a downward arch and cleanly severed one of the stallions front legs off. The stallion continued to pull himself along the ground leaving a deep gouge in the ground and l trail of blood. Platinum narrowed his eyes as he lifted the glaive into the air and pointed the blade at the head of the stallion and with a flair of magical energy, the blade drove itself through the top of the stallions head in deeply into the ground, stilling the monster.

Platinum sat down glancing around at Thornmail and the Bow siblings as they finished taking out the rest of the infected. Then to the rest of the soldiers as they made their way slowly towards him. He stood up and looked at the dead soldiers then turned back to the building that was carved right out of a large tree.

Thornmail trotted over to Platinum as he started to the badly blood stained door, “Sir…”

Platinum put a hoof up and turned his head away, “I don’t want to hear it right now Thornmail. Let’s get inside and see if there are survivors first.” He walked past Thornmail and up to the door. He looked it over and with a quick study he realized that the door was thick and heavy but probably barred on the otherside. He raised a hoof and knocked loudly on the door, “IS THERE ANYPONY ALIVE INSIDE?”

A male’s voice answered with a shaky voice, “Who… who is it?”

Platinum let out a breath, “My name is Platinum Sword, is anypony in need of medical attention?”

The voice turned from concerned to a little desperate, “My… My daughter is not feeling well… and… and there are ponies in here that… we’re low on food and water…”

Platinum put a hoof on the door, “It’s ok son, listen to me. The door is barred on your side and we want to help but we need to get in first…”

“No… no no nonono” the pony jabbered, “there are too many sick ponies who…”

“I promise you that there are no ponies here that want to hurt you,” Platinum assured the pony he couldn’t see.

After a moment of silence he started to hear something heavy being moved from behind the door. Platinum took a step back and waited as the muffled sounds started to become louder. The wrenching sound of what Platinum guessed to be boards over the door being pulled down told him he was about to see the pony he was talking too.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” came a mares voice from inside. Platinum’s ears perked up and he put on against the door to listen.

The male’s voice shook with every word, “A… a pony out… outside said he… he wanted to help.”

The mares voice grew in anger, “ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL US YOU IDIOT? THERE ARE NO PONIES…”

Platinum looked at the door, “PLEASE LET ME HELP”

The mare went silent for a second, “Who Are You?” she asked with authority.

“My name is Platinum Sword. I am leading and traveling with a group of survivors.” he heard some murmuring but no one said anything so he continued, “We have plenty of food, good, clean water and medical supplies.”

The mare sounded close to giving in but she still had just a little fight left in, “How… how do we know if you are real and you are not going to just hurt us?”

Platinum closed his eye, “Many ponies asked me the same thing so I will tell you the same thing. I cannot promise to make everything better or that everypony will survive,” he glanced at his fallen soldiers. With a confident stare back at the door he took a deep breath, “but I promise to try and make it better by helping everypony I can.”

The silence on the other side of the door started to worry him but after a few moments he heard the metallic jingle of the lock and the door started to be pulled inward. A blue mare’s head peaked around the door brushing her multicolored mane out of her face, “Is this the part where you come barging in and demand everything we have? Because we don’t have anything…”

Platinum gave a confident smile, “No ma’am, everything I said was true.”

Longbow trotted over to Platinum, “Sir, I will head back and get the rest of the group.”

Platinum nodded, “Take your sister with you just in case,” Platinum looked at Thornmail, “I want you to get the rest of the soldiers and line up the deceased for identification before they are properly taken care of.”

Thornmail saluted, “Would you like me to take somepony with me to make sure the rest of the town is clear?”

Platinum thought for a moment then nodded, “Keep your head down if it is a situation you can’t handle.”

Thornmail gave a sharp nod and trotted over to the group of waiting ponies. One of the ponies walked by him and trotted over to Platinum, “Sir? I have medical supplies…”

Platinum looked at the tiny mare then back to the mare in the doorway, “What is your name?”

“Rainbow Dash,” the mare said to him but looking at the small mare who was digging around in her saddlebag. She looked up at Platinum hopefully, “So… you're really here to help?”

Platinum closed his eyes and nodded, “Yes, ma’am, I…”

Platinum was interrupted as Rainbow Dash wrapped him in a hug, “Thank you…” her words were quiet and Platinum felt his shoulder dampen. her back started to shake a bit, “Thank you…”

Platinum pushed her back and she tried to rub her magenta eyes dry to little effect. He bowed his head, “Stay with her and she will give you a look over…”

Rainbow Dash’s eyes went wide, “No! There is a filly inside that is really sick you need to help her…”

Platinum felt his stomach drop as he looked inside, “What is wrong with her?”

Rainbow Dash regained her composure and looked inside, “she started to get a high fever and started twitching uncontrollably,” Platinum gritted his teeth as he started moving inside and Rainbow Dash continued, “She stopped one night and the next morning she tried to bite at anypony who went near her. Please, can you help her?”

Platinum lowered his head and looked at Rainbow Dash out of the corner of his eye, “I’m afraid there is only one known cure.”

Rainbow Dash brightened a bit, “really? then…” she turned around and her bright face turned to horror, “No…” The medical mare near her wrapped her hooves around her as she started to cry franticly.

Platinum walked inside and looked around the hollowed out tree. Platinum felt a little better as he looked around at the faces who were watching him. He tried to smile fearing what was to come, “Food and water will be here soon. Those who need medical attention please go and see the cherry colored mare outside.”

Everypony in the room brightened like someone turned on a light. They all started to stand up and move to the open door. Platinum watched as they all filed out into the sunlight. Platinum felt something tug at his tail so he looked back and down at a little orange pegasus. Platinum turned around and bent down close to her, “What’s your name sweetheart?”

The filly looked at him and rubbed her front leg with the other, “Um… Scootaloo, sir,” she looked over her shoulder at a closed door then back to Platinum, “Are… are you here to help Sweetie Belle?”

Platinum gave her an empty smile, “I’m going to try…”

The filly gave him a hug like Rainbow Dash did, and just like Rainbow Dash she spoke in a small voice, “Thank you…” she beamed at him and trotted out of the library.

Platinum watched the filly as she left then turned slowly to the room. He walked over to the door and with his magic he opened the door. The first sound the filled his ears was the low growling and another pony whispering. Platinum concentrated a little and he lit up the room with a glow from his horn. He noticed an ivory white mare sitting on a single bed tears and makeup rolling down her face. She help a white filly who continuously tried to push her away and take a bite out of her.

The mare ran a hoof through the fillies mane, “Shhh, it will be alright,” she looked over at Platinum, “Help her… please.”

Platinum felt his stomach tie itself into a huge knot, “I… I have to be honest with you…” Platinum levitated his pistol out of its holster.

The mare’s eyes went wide in horror, “What Are You Doing?” she demanded as she shielded the filly.

Platinum looked down at the floor, “The filly is infected and… I’m sorry that in order for her to stop hurting anymore she…” Platinum gritted his teeth as memories started to flash through his mind, “I can’t ask you to do it so I will if you want.”

The mare hugged the filly tighter, “But… I can’t… she’s… my sister and…” the mare’s voice sounded small as she fought to keep herself from crying.

Platinum took a step forward as a tear slipped down his cheek, “I wish… there was another way, but keeping her like this is only hurting her. In order to let her move on she needs to be set free.”

The mare hugged the filly as she started to fall apart. Platinum wrapped the filly in a magical energy and pulled the mare along to the door. The mare turned on Platinum, “Please… please tell me there is another way…”

Platinum looked up at the filly and shook his head, “If there were… My son and wife would be…” He gritted his teeth looking away, “Please, you don’t need this on your conscious…” The mare looked up at the filly who continued to try and bite at her then to Platinum she took a step back as He closed the door.

Platinum walked to the middle of the room and sat the filly down and placed the barrel of the gun to the back of her head. He heard the mare on the other side of the door crying softly to herself then focused back on the filly. She tried to turn around and get at him but he held her firmly with his magic. The barrel of the gun started to shake and he tried to keep focus on the gun when the memory of the final moments with his son flooded him.

He closed his eyes tightly letting tears fall to the floor, “I’m… I’m so sorry….”

BANG

The filly dropped to the floor and the mare behind the door howled in grief. Platinum wiped his eyes and looked up to the bed and pulled the blanket off it and wrapped the filly in it. It is never easy to do it and it will never become easy. Platinum lifted the filly up and walked to the door when it burst open.

Platinum took a step back in surprise as the purple Alicorn looked at him then to the wrapped filly in shock. She put her hooves up to her mouth, “what have you done?”

Platinum closed his eyes, “I set her free…” He slowly set the filly in the arms of the white mare, who held the wrapped filly closely and cried into it.

The Alicorn stood up and stomped a hoof, “I… I Demand To Know Who You Are!”

Platinum was just about to the door when he stopped, “My name is Platinum Sword and I…”

The Alicorn shook with rage, “I Have Been Working On A Way To Make Everypony Better, But Ponies Like You Who Just Feel The Need To Kill Before…”

Platinum turned on her and stomped up the her and put his muzzle right up against hers, “THERE IS NO WAY TO MAKE INFECTED PONIES BETTER, AND YES I CHOOSE TO KILL THEM BECAUSE I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THEY WOULD RATHER DIE THAN LIVE LIKE A KILLER AND KILL THEIR OWN FRIENDS AND FAMILY.”Platinum shook with rage.at her.

She took a step back, “I Had Everything Under Control.”

Platinum glared at her, “Really?” He reached over and took a bunch on her mane on his mouth and yanked her off the ground causing her to fall on her face. He started to drag her by her mane as she kicked and screamed. He picked her up by her mane and tossed her out of the door and making her land close to one of the dead infected ponies, “Does this look like you have anything under control?” Platinum growled.

The Alicorn put a hoof up to her head where Platinum was dragging her. Her mouth dropped open in horror as she looked around at the carnage, “I…” She looked at the ponies who were now staring at her as they received medical supplies from the red mare who was pass them out, “I just…”

The white mare levitating the deceased filly calmly walked over to a shady spot under the tree and set her down, “That’s enough Twilight…” she said as she ran a hoof over the blanket that covered the filly, “That’s enough.”

Twilight looked at the mare, “Rarity, I just… I tried to…”

Rarity sat down, “It’s over Twilight. He has done more in the past few hours that you have in the past week.”

Twilight looked at her on the verge of tears, “but Celestia, she might be able to help us.”

Platinum walked up to Twilight and glared down at her, “Got news for you. Either Princess Celestia doesn’t care about anypony or she shares similar traits with the rest of the Ragers around.”

“Ragers?” asked a sea green unicorn mare.

Platinum looked around and noticed that everyone was looking at him and Longbow walked past the mare and up to Platinum, “That is what we call the infected, due to the endless rage they have.”

Platinum looked past Longbow and saw the rest of the group making their way towards them all. Platinum sat down and let out a deep breath that he never realized he was holding, “Start finding secure houses around this location and set up tents. We will use the library as the command center for now.

Twilight’s ears perked up, “Why do I have to sacrifice my place to…”

Platinum shot her a glare that caused her to shrink back with her ears back. Platinum felt a tap on his lower back so he cocked his head back and noticed Scootaloo looking up at him hopefully. He stood up and crouched down close to her leveling his eyes with her.

She looked into his eyes and spoke in a shaky small voice, “Where is Sweetie Belle? Rarity won’t tell me because all she is doing is talking to the blanket and…” Rainbow Dash walked up behind her and scooped her up and held her in a tight hug tears still falling from her eyes, “Rainbow Dash? Why… why are you crying?” tears started to fall from the fillies eyes now, “All… all we have to do… do is… find Sweetie… and…” the filly couldn’t hold it in any longer as she buried her face into Rainbow Dash’s multi colored mane and cried.

Platinum lowered his head and turned to the group that finally reached him. Blue Crush walked up to him, “What happened, sir?”

Platinum told Blue Crush about everything since he walked over the bridge and when he finished Blue was staring at him dumbfounded. Platinum looked around at the group as they started to help the newest survivors. The light blue show mare walked over to Twilight with the foal and started talking to her. The mare pointed to Platinum and Twilight looked at Platinum in surprise then lowered her head to the ground sadly.

Platinum snorted in annoyance, “Go figure, the first Alicorn we see is a kid with no idea what to do in this situation.”

Blue cocked his head at her, “she’s cute Sir… wait… Alicorn?” Blue squinted his eyes then drew back eyes wide, “How… How many Alicorns are there?”

Platinum shook his head, “A solid three that we know of,” he said with a hint of sarcasm.

Blue looked at him, “uh… three?”

Platinum looked up at Twilight again, “Yeah, Celestia, Luna and two half Alicorns.”

Blue looked at Twilight, “the Crystal Empire Princess and now her.”

Platinum shook his head as Scootaloo came running up to Platinum. Platinum put a hoof on her back as she tried to catch her breath, “what’s wrong sweetheart?”

Scootaloo put her front hooves up on Platinum bringing her face as close to him as possible, “You Have To Go And See If My Friend Applebloom Is Ok!” she sounded frightened and desperate.

Platinum put a hoof on her head, “Calm down, Scootaloo,” Scootaloo sat down and took a deep shaky breath, “now what friend, and where do I look for her?” Platinum asked looking for anything to try and help the filly.

Scootaloo closed her eyes as she started to shake, “She lives at Sweet Apple Acres,” Platinum looked up to see Rarity walking up to him, “It’s an apple orchard not too far away from here.” her horn lit up with an aura of magic which was being used to levitate the lance that Platinum used on the white monster stallion.

Blue’s jaw dropped at the approach of the ivory unicorn. Platinum stood up and cocked an eyebrow, “What are you doing?” Platinum asked gesturing to the lance.

Rarity looked the lance over, “I am going to take you to Sweet Apple Acres and I will not go without some sort of protection.”

Platinum shook his head and with a hard yank from his own telekinesis pulled the lance away from her, “a lance is a very hard weapon to use if you do not know how to use them.”

Rarity stomped the ground hard and glared at Platinum, “Well I am going with you so either you stick close to me and keep me alive or give me a weapon to…” She stopped short as Platinum levitated his pistol in front of her, “What…”

Platinum looked her in the eye, “This is an easy weapon to use. Just line up the back sight with the front one and pull the trigger just aim for the head before you pull the trigger.”

Rarity took the pistol in her hooves and looked it over, “Is this?” she asked without looking up at Platinum.

Platinum stood up and levitated the glaive up next to him, “Blue Crush, you are with me this time. Bring the filly back to the rainbow maned mare and find Thornmail and Longbow. I don’t want to take any more time than necessary.”  

Blue picked the filly up and set her on his back and trotted off. Rarity continued to examine the gun, “Why did you give me this and not something else?” She asked flatly.

Platinum looked over at her and rolled his eyes, “Like I said, it’s easier to use, but before I forget,” he stood up and moved close to her and touched the tip of her nose with his and glared into her eyes, “You make sure you know your target before you pull that trigger. There is no second chance and there is no taking it back… Do you understand me?” Rarity nodded as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face. Platinum pulled back but didn’t soften his stare, “We’ll see.”

Platinum walked over to a building and looked inside the window. A table was set up for a nice dinner that was spoiled now but what caught his eye sat in the middle of the table. He lit his horn up and pulled the window up as he levitated a dark green bottle to himself. He caught the bottle in his hooves and spun it around to see that is was a strawberry wine. It was nothing special just a dinner wine but he wasn't about to complain. He slipped the wine into his saddlebag as Blue, Longbow and Thornmail came trotting up.

Crossbow jabbed Platinum in the side making him jump as he spun around on her. She glared at him, “Why am I staying back? It’s because I proved a point isn’t it?”

Platinum shook his head, “I need somepony to keep the new ponies in line,” he nodded toward Twilight, “Especially her, and I know you won’t take any crap from anypony.”

Crossbow took a step back and her expression softened a bit, “Fine, but keep my brother safe… he…”

Platinum glanced at Rarity who was facing away from them levitating his pistol close to her head, “I understand Crossbow… and you know that I will do anything to make sure no pony gets hurt needlessly.”

Crossbow looked at him like she wanted to say something else but she turned to Longbow, “You better not get hurt.”

Longbow smiled crookedly, “Yeah, I think I would ask Platinum to put me out of my misery due to not wanting to face you if I did.”

Platinum, Crossbow and Blue simultaneously told him, “Not funny.” which cause him to look at the ground, flattening his ears back.

Crossbow gave Platinum one final look before walking back to the group who were starting to erect tents now. Blue Crush leaned to Platinum, “She cares for you, ya know?”

Platinum stood up and turned around, “I have a job to do; protecting too many lives, and giving everypony a safe place to rest their heads. I don’t have the time for something like that and didn’t she have something going with that farm pony that was killed?”

Blue walked by him without a glance, “No, she didn’t. He became a good friend to her but nothing serious, but turning away everything won’t make things easier for you or anypony.” Platinum stopped dead and watched as Blue walked up next to Rarity, “Let’s hurry.”

Rarity looked up at him and nodded and bounded forward. Blue shot platinum another look and followed. Thromail and Longbow waited a second but when Platinum shot forward they followed closely behind. Apart from a couple of infected ponies which never got the ability to do anything due to Longbow and Thornmail.

Platinum watched as the Sweet Apple Acres sign passed over them and something inside him screamed for him to get away from this place. Rarity stopped at the top of the hill overlooking the farm and Platinum looked at the large farmhouse and the large red barn and instantly knew something wasn’t right. Thornmail took a step forward and Platinum put a hoof up stopping him.

Thornmail lifted his visor, “What’s wrong, sir?”

Platinum pointed to the barn door, “Is the barn door always locked with a walker?”

Rarity looked to the barn and squinted, “What are you talking about?”

Longbow walked between Rarity and Platinum, “I see it as well Sir. Something keeps pushing against the door too; I can see the doors bowing out a little bit.”

Platinum looked around as the feeling in his gut started to become worse. He swallowed hard and started forward slowly. As he drew closer to the barn he could hear the door creaking as something clearly was pushing against it. Rarity opened her mouth to say something but Longbow put a hoof over her mouth and shook his head.

They made their way to the front of the farmhouse when Rarity spun on Longbow, “Why wouldn’t you let me see if my friend was ok?”

Longbow rubbed the back of his head but Platinum answered, “Because it looks like everypony here is either dead or infected.”

Rarity looked at him, “How do you…” she noticed him staring over at the side of the house so Rarity slowly looked over to the corner of the house and took in a sharp breath as an orange mare limped around the side of the house. Her mouth and nose dripping blood as one of her front legs hung uselessly as a huge chunk of her flesh was ripped from it. She slowly looked up and locked eyes with Rarity who put her hooves up to her mouth as fresh tears started to build up in her eyes, “Oh, Applejack… no…” was all the unicorn could say.

The orange mare limped forward a couple steps and Platinum walked by Rarity toward the mare, “And your friend placed all of her faith in Celestia,” he pulled out his rapier and leveled it to her temple, “Tell me…” he drove it through her head stopping the mare and dropping her to the ground, “If Celestia cared or was alive would things have gotten this badly?” Platinum turned around and noticed that Rarity was now pointing his gun at him, “What are you doing?”

Rarity shook her head, “What gives… What gives you the right to determine if a pony is infected and needs to die or not?”

Platinum watched the gun shake in her telekinetic grip and he walked forward and pushed his head against the barrel of the gun and locked his eyes with Rarity, “I watched my wife get bit by a Rager and in less than a minute she nearly bit my son’s leg off…” Rarity’s eyes went wide and the gun dropped a little, “I used that gun to stop my wife from killing me and my son from trying to get at me. And he crawled at me.”

Rarity dropped the gun, “I… I didn’t…”

Platinum took a couple more steps forward, “I have lived for almost a full month now living with their deaths on my hooves and the fact that I couldn’t protect them…”

Rarity put her hooves over her ears and closed her eyes tightly, “Please… stop…” she said quietly.  

Platinum stopped as he loomed over her, “I have watched foal’s rip out the throats of their mothers, stallions pummel innocent fillies into a paste, and siblings kill each other because of this fucking plague.”

Rarity started to shake, “No more… no more…” she whispered.

Blue Crush put a hoof on Platinum’s shoulder but he pulled himself away and continued to glare at her, “So you want to know what gives me the right?” he took in a deep breath, “The fact that nopony else will take it upon themselves to do it so somepony has to do it and I will…”

“STOP IT…” Rarity shouted snapping out Platinum out of his building rage. He looked down at the unicorn who was shaking with hooves over her head crying, “Just… stop it… no more…” she begged.

Platinum took a step back but bellowing from the barn followed by a large crash told him he didn’t have time to apologize as a huge red stallion lumbered from around the side of the barn. Something dark caked the front of the stallion as he drew near. His bloodshot eyes locked onto Platinum and he roared and shot forward. Platinum picked Rarity up and threw her into the house as Blue, Longbow and Thornmail scattered. Platinum drove the lance into the chest of the stallion, but the stallion slammed into him sending him through the wall of the house effortlessly. Platinum lifted his head up and coughed as he grabbed his ribs.

The stallion had his head down but lifted it slowly as he started to walk towards Platinum. Platinum scooted himself back a little but the stallion was knocked off his course as Thornmail tackled the giant stallion away. Blue and Longbow started shouting as Platinum dropped his head to the floor letting himself recover a bit. Something moved out of the corner of his eye and he whipped his head to see a pair of light red eyes looking at him. He raised a hoof but Blue’s scream tore his attention away.

Platinum looked at the pair of eyes, “I’ll be right back,” he jumped up and ran out of the new hole he helped make. Platinum looked around to see the stallion pinning Thornmail to the ground. Longbow shot an arrow that wedged itself into the yolk on the stallion's neck, “LONGBOW CHECK YOUR SHOT’S,” Platinum shouted.

“I CAN’T GET A CLEAR SHOT,” Longbow shouted back as an arrow stuck into the side of the stallions face. The stallion didn’t even flinch as he reared up and slammed down onto Thornmails chest caving the armor in a little.

Thornmail grunted in pain, “GET… GET HIM OFF ME…” he shouted as he tried to get out from under the huge stallion.

Platinum looked around, “WHERE THE FUCK IS BLUE?” he shouted as he spun around.

Longbow leveled his last shot and let it fly which stuck into his cheek breaking a few teeth, “THAT MONSTER KICKED HIM AND I DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO… SHIT!!!”

The stallion reared up and slammed onto Thornmails chest again and the armor crumpled like a soda can. A stream of blood shout out of Thornmails visor which sprayed the stallion in the face. Platinum concentrated as he tried to pull the lance out of the stallion but it was bent in a weird angle due to the stallion’s power as the lance didn’t bother him at all.

The stallion started to pummel Thornmail’s helmet like stomping a snake. Every hit dented the helmet and made a sickening crunch sound. Platinum swung the glaive around with a combination of physical and magic strength and sliced down the side of the stallion and took one of his back legs off cleanly. The stallion lost his balance and fell to the side which Platinum took advantage of as he ran up and ran his rapier into the stallion’s eye.

The stallion shook his head and glared at Platinum with his last good eye, “You have got to be…” the stallion kicked out and pushed Platinum away making him slide a good few feet away, “Kidding me,” he coughed.

The stallion got up and hobbled toward Platinum blood dripping from almost all over the place on him. The stallion reared up and Platinum saw something levitate up to the side of the stallions head.

BANG

The stallion stumbled to the side and looked up at Blue Crush who has fresh blood running down his face. He glared and pulled up his pistol and put it between the stallions eyes.

BANG, BANG, BANG

the stallion dropped to one side and Blue put the gun to the side of the stallions head and unloaded the rest of his round into the side of his head before sitting down breathing heavily. He glanced over at Platinum, “You ok, sir?”

Platinum got to his hooves only stopping as pain shot through his chest, “I think I broke a few ribs but I’ll live. How about you?”

Blue pulls his hoof away from Thornmail, “He’s dead sir…” he said with a flat tone.

Platinum grimaced then he looked back to the house as Rarity made her way back to them, “Blue, make sure she is ok and meet me in the house,” Platinum tried to trot but his ribs protested so he settled on a slow walk. He stepped through his hole and into the kitchen and bent down and peered under the stove. The filly had her back to him now and his heart started to drop, “Applebloom?”

The filly’s ear shot up and she shifted around and looked at him and nodded. Platinum felt his face break into a smile as he started to reach a hoof under the stove. The filly drew back and Platinum brought his hoof back, “It’s ok sweetie, I’m here to help you,” he slowly slid his hoof back under the stove, “I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Applebloom looked at his hoof and scooted forward with some difficulty as Platinum noticed the one of her front legs was probably broken. She put her good hoof over his and he gently slid the filly out from under the stove and cradled her. Her yellow coat and red mane have black spots and all through it, and she was whining a bit as Platinum tried to examine her.

Blue poked his head through the hole, “Rarity is fine Sir…” he went silent as he noticed Platinum holding the filly. He walked over to Platinum eyes never leaving the filly, “Is she?” he watched as Applebloom hid her face into Platinum’s chest, “She is…”

Platinum frowned at Blue, “Focus Blue…” He smiled at Applebloom, “It’s ok, he is going to give you a look over to see what else is wrong.”

The filly nodded and Longbow poked his head in the hole, “Sir… you might want to see this…”

Platinum looked up, “I’ll be right there,” he carefully handed Applebloom to Blue Crush, “I’ll be right back, ok?” Applebloom nodded and Platinum smiled. He walked to the hole and hopped to the ground as his ribs gave him a reminder of his fight.

Rarity trotted up next to him, “so what is inside?” she asked seeming like the argument they had never happened.

Platinum took in a deep breath, “The filly, Applebloom, is alive and for the most part ok.”

Rarity’s eyes went wide, “REALLY?” she looked into the house and ran inside.

Platinum shrugged, “If it were so easy…” he looked at the barn and seen Longbow waiting for him so he walked up to him, “What is it?” Platinum asked rubbing his ribs tenderly.

Longbow closed his eyes and nodded to the barn. Platinum walked by Longbow watching his face, but as he rounded the front of the barn he looked inside and his heart dropped at the mess inside the barn. He swallowed and carefully walked inside looking at all of the gore spread all over the walls, hay, and even the ceiling. Most of the gore Platinum was able to see was a pony due to the color of the coat that he could see. The rest of it was mutilated cows and Platinum couldn’t tell where they ended and the pony began.

Platinum turned and walked out of the barn and looked at Longbow, “We should bring the stallion and the mare into the barn and burn it down.”

Longbow shot Platinum a concerning look, “Think that is how they would want it?”

Platinum looked up to see Blue Crush and Rarity walking towards them. Blue has Applebloom floating wrapped in a white blanket next to him while he wore a worrying look. Platinum walked to them, “So, how is she?” he asked feeling a bit worried.

Blue Crush looked at Applebloom who was asleep uneasily, “She, well…” he caught a quick glance from Rarity and swallowed, “She will be ok if we can get some supplies from a nearby hospital,” he glanced back at Rarity how gave him a grateful smile.

Platinum looked between the two and narrowed his eyes, “What?”

Rarity cleared her throat, “The hospital is close by but when ponies were being injured by other ponies they were all brought there.”

Platinum rubbed his temple with a hoof, “which means…”

Longbow rolled his eyes, “The whole building is overrun with Ragers.”

Blue lowered his head, “Yeah.”

Platinum turned back to the barn, “Let’s deal with this first and get back as soon as possible.”

Rarity cocked her head to the side, “Deal with what exactly?” she asked with a hint of concern.

Platinum turned slowly to her, “If you trust me on anything I say, trust me on saying that this barn need to be burned down and we are going to put the bodies of the stallion and the mare…”

Rarity stomped a hoof, “Big Macintosh and Applejack, and why does this need to be burned down? We need to find Granny Smith and see if she is…” she stopped when Platinum looked up from the ground at her sternly then to the barn. She sat down hard, “No… you can’t know it was…”

Longbow walked past Platinum, “Was she a light green color?” Rarity nodded, “Let’s assume that is who it was inside because all that we could identify uh… her was by the color of her coat.”

Rarity’s eyes went wide and she grabbed Applebloom out of the levitation field and hugged her tightly. She closed her eyes, “But… but burning it down,”

Platinum walked past her, “it would be what I would want so it is what I think they would also want it,” Rarity nodded as she hugged into Applebloom. Platinum proceed to to Big Macintosh and Thornmail and levitated them into the air carefully. He fought every urge to look up at Thornmail but as he slowly walked back he let out a long sigh, “I’m sorry Thornmail, you deserve better than this,” he walked them in and laid them down next to each other and Longbow laid Applejack next to Big Macintosh and Platinum gave a halfhearted chuckle, “And to think I was going to jump down your throat about getting a colt killed, I’m sorry my friend forgive me.”

The two of them left the barn as Blue waited by the entrance with a burning torch. Platinum gave a nod and Blue looked in and tossed the torch onto a bale of hay which caught fire instantly. He followed Platinum and Longbow in a trot. Rarity kept her back to the flame cradling Applebloom while crying softly.

Platinum watched as the fire engulfed the barn as he put a hoof up to block the heat radiating from the flames. He turned and walked to the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres. Blue, Longbow and Rarity walked up next to and Rarity sat down looking at Platinum desperately, “So, what do we do now?”

Platinum looked up at the house and lowered his head, “We will send somepony to come and gather supplies from the house and others to gather some apples so we can have something good to eat tonight.” he looked at Applebloom, “We will take her back to the library and set her up where I will be sleeping tonight. I will be keeping an eye on her from now on.”

Blue’s eye’s widened as he looked at Platinum, “Sir? Are you sure?” he asked with a little bit of concern.

Platinum nodded and Rarity grabbed Applebloom and cradled her. She looked at Platinum in desperation, “But Platinum I…”

Platinum waved a hoof, “I understand what she means to you right now and what you will mean to her,” Rarity continued her look but closed her mouth. Platinum smiled at her, “I will not be able to look after all the time so I would be grateful if you would help keep an eye on her for me.”

Rarity’s face brightened and she gave a nod, “Yes, sir!”

Platinum rolled his eyes, “Not you too,” and he turned and walked away.

Blue walked past Rarity and chuckled, “You must be getting on his good side now.”

Rarity nodded and put Applebloom back into her levitation spell and started to follow them. Longbow took up the rear glancing back every now and then.

As they approached the library, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were the first to notice them as they walked into the clearing. Rainbow Dash ran up to Rarity and put her hooves on her shoulders, “Where is AJ and…” as Rarity’s face fell Rainbow Dash took a step back, “No.”

Scootaloo looked up at Applebloom and she broke into a wide smile, “APPLEBLOOM!” she yelled happily. Platinum put a hoof up to his lips and Scootaloo flattened her ears back, “Is she going to be ok?”

Rarity placed a hoof on Scootaloo’s head causing her to look up at her, “Yes, dear. She is just a little beat up and very tired.”

Scootaloo lowered her head a bit as Rarity walked by her. Platinum leaned down to her, “You can go with her if you want,” he told her quietly. Scootaloo looked up at him and gave a small nod before trailing off after Rarity. Platinum looked to Rainbow Dash who was talking to herself while trying not to cry. He reached out a hoof and to comfort her, but she jumped up and spun around eyes wide and fearful. Platinum took his hoof back in surprise, “What?”  

“Fluttershy!”

“Who? What?” Platinum clearly confused.

Rainbow Dash turned around, “I need to find out if she is ok.”

Platinum held out a hoof, “Hold on, We…” Rainbow Dash took off before Platinum could say another word. Platinum slammed a hoof down, “Shit,” he stood up and started to walk to the library. He pushed open the door and ran into Twilight who tried to rush out of the library. He stumbled back a bit, but recovered enough to offer a hoof to her, “Sorry, are you ok?”

She shook her head and took his hoof as he pulled her up, “I… I will be.” She had tears in her eyes which told Platinum that Rarity told her what happened at the farm. She rubbed her eyes dry and looked up at him, “Rarity told me that you are planning on going to the hospital.”

Platinum nodded, “The filly Applebloom, needs some medical supplies that we should be able to acquire there. Plus the more we get the better off we will all be as a group.”

Twilight looked away, “What about the ponies that were brought there before all this became too much?”

Platinum looked around, “I’m not sacrificing anymore ponies. Blue Crush and I will be going to the hospital.”

Twilight’s head snapped back around, “Take me with you.”

Platinum took a step back and shook his head, “WHAT? Absolutely not.”

“You want me to trust you more right?” She asked, leaning in towards him.

Platinum frowned at her, “To be honest, I don’t care what you think of me.” Her face fell a bit and he looked at the ground and rubbed his eyes, “Fine,” she smiled up at him but he lifted his head and glared at her, “You do what I say, when I say it. If something happens I will put you down right there,” she swallowed hard. Platinum put his face right up to hers causing her to recoil back, “Do I make myself clear?”

Twilight nodded slowly. Platinum sat down and a hoof came up and tapped him on the back. He looked back to see Crossbow frowning at him, “You are leaving again aren’t you?”

Blue Crush walked up next to her and sat down, “I already gathered a team to go to the farm and gather supplies and food, so we are ready to head out when you are.”

Crossbow looked from Blue back to the Platinum frowning still. Platinum rolled his eyes, “I lost one of my most trusted soldiers when we went to the farm.” Crossbow’s eyes went wide and she lowered her face to the ground a bit. Platinum sighed, “Why am I going to sacrifice anymore ponies with something as trivial as this? Especially somepony as important as y…” Platinum put a hoof to him mouth and cleared his throat, “Somepony that…” he rolled his hooves around in the air trying to come up with a better way to tell her.

She placed a hoof on his shoulder, “I understand, sir, just be careful.” She stood up and turned around. Giving one last glance at him she walked away heading to her brother that was with the team getting ready to go to the farm.

Blue smirked, “Told ya.”

Twilight smiled up at Platinum, “She is pretty.”

Platinum locked Twilight with a hard stare, “The last pony I need any advice from is you.” Twilight looked away innocently. Platinum stood up, “Let’s get going before you all start trying to plan a wedding for me or something.”

Blue and Twilight glance at each other and stifled a laugh as they followed behind Platinum. They stopped at one of the tents that was set up and grabbed a couple of saddlebags and some other supplies before heading away from the safe zone. Twilight kept close to Platinum as they made their way through Ponyville. The presence of more infected ponies told Platinum that they were a good distance from the library.

Twilight stopped just short of the corner of a house and looked back to Platinum, “The hospital is just around the corner of this house.”

Platinum inched his way to the corner of the house and glance around it. He gritted his teeth at the massacre that happened just outside the hospital doors. A large white tent with a red cross over the door had a large blood smear on the inside that had soaked through it. One of the two emergency carts was turned over and pinned a Rager to the ground who had his hooves worn down to stubs trying to move.

Blue crept up next to Platinum stood up on his hind legs and looked over Platinum out at the clearing, “Where are all the Ragers?”

Platinum looked at the hospital, “there,” he pointed a hoof at the blood stained doors. One of the windows one the second floor was broken open and the top half of a mare hung out of it lifeless as a blood dripped from her mane from a large wound on her head. Platinum gave one more glance around, “Ok… let’s go to the tent first and then we can take out the pinned Rager and figure out our next plan.”

Blue and Twilight nodded. Platinum crept around the corner glancing around nervously, but as the distance between them and the tent closed nothing moved apart from the pinned stallion under the cart. Platinum reached the tent flap and, using his levitation magic, pushed the flap open. Platinum stepped inside and almost slipped on a torn piece of flesh on the ground. He regained his footing and looked up at the carnage inside the tent. Twilight made to walk in but stopped and looked around the tent in horror. Her color drained and she put a hoof to her mouth and ran back out of the tent.

Platinum sighed lightly as he heard Blue chase after her. He couldn’t blame her because this was one of the worst things he has seen since this epidemic started. Platinum walked to a small chest that had a mostly intact mare’s body sprawled across it and pulled it out. He could barely see the red cross on the chest with the blood that caked the top of it but he has been around medical tents before so he knew that basic first aid supplies would be used while severe cases would be brought inside the hospital.

“If this was caused by a pony with minor wounds,” he said to himself as he took a cloth and tried to get as much blood off the chest. “What are we going to be expecting inside?”

Blue took a step inside and he almost walked back out like Twilight did but locked Platinum with a stare and walked to him, “Sir?”

Platinum found some straps and tied it to the chest to sling it over his back. He looked up at Blue before looking around to see if there was anything else of value, “How is she?”

Blue swallowed as he pushed, what appeared to be the last survivor who shot himself to stop from becoming a mad killing machine, and lifted the small revolver and checked the ammo, “She will be alright. I don’t think she fully grasped the situation until now.”

Platinum watched as Blue tucked the revolver into his saddlebag, “I don’t think anypony would be ready for something like this.”

Blue glanced at some of the remains and nodded. Platinum motioned for Blue to follow as he made his way out of the tent. Once outside Platinum took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Blue walked up next to him, “Something wrong?”

Platinum glanced up at the city outline of Canterlot, “Yeah, the smell doesn’t bother me much anymore.”

Blue glanced back, “Yeah, now that you mention it.”

Platinum glanced over at the overturned cart where Twilight was sadly watching the trapped mare reach out to her only inches away. He walked over to her and sat down next to her watching the mare.

“She… She told me to take as many ponies as I could and barricade myself someplace safe,” Twilight spoke to Platinum with a soft shaky voice. She gave a wet sniff, “Why? Why did this happen?”

Platinum lowered his head, “If I knew that, I would have gone to the source to put a stop to this.”

Twilight put her head down as tears started to fall from her face. Platinum looked at her and sighed. He placed a hoof on her shoulder and she slowly leaned over and put her head on his shoulder and cried harder. Blue walked up to them and glanced at the mare. He pulled one of the tent stakes out of the ground and lined it up with the mares head. Platinum gave him a small nod as he turned Twilight away from it.

Blue turned to the mare and closed his eyes as he drove the spike through her temple, stilling the mare instantly. He then looked around and noticed a box that was on its side and medical supplies spilling out of the top. He walked over and started to rummage through it occasionally placing a bandage of some vials into his saddlebag.

Platinum steadied Twilight as she dried her eyes, “We need to hurry and get this done as soon as possible.” Twilight gave a small nod and stood up before giving her eyes one more quick rub with her wing. Platinum slowly made his way to the double doors of the hospital and stood up on hind legs and peered through the small circular window.

Inside the waiting room from what he could see were three of the infected roaming around slowly. One of them dragged his back legs behind him as he slowly made his way around the room. The two mares looked to be more of a threat as they didn’t seem to be dragged down by an injury.

“What do you see?” Blue asked as he moved up behind Platinum.

Platinum dropped back to the ground, “I could only see three inside. The two mares are in the best condition and will put up the greatest fight.”

Twilight glanced between the two of them, “So we…” she cleared her throat as they looked at her, “I mean the two of you will target them first right?”

Platinum nodded, “Yes but.”

Blue looked to Twilight as Platinum started to push the door open a bit to get ready to burst in, “But we have to expect that there are more than what we can’t see.”

Twilight put a hoof up to her chin in thought, “Makes sense.”  

Platinum levitated the rapier up next to his head, “Crush, ready?” Blue gave a short nod and Platinum crouched down, “I’ll go right.”

Blue crouched down too, “I guess I will go left.”

“I shoot up the center?” The two of them looked at Twilight who was also crouched down. “What?” she asked innocently.

Blue stood up and placed a hoof on her shoulder, “first, you don’t have a weapon. Second, are you willing to take another life?”

Twilight flinched, “Ta… take a life? I thought they were dead or something other than dead…” she expressed sadly.

Blue turned back to the door and crouched down, “Maybe they are, but if somepony gets hurt, you might have to end them before…” he lowered his head deep in thought.

Platinum looked at him, “Blue… BLUE!”

Snapped back to reality, “Huh? What?”

Platinum looked through the cracked door then back to him, “Are you sure you're ready?”

Blue rattled his head around, “Yeah, I just… yeah, I’m good.”

Platinum studied him suspiciously, “... Right, just stay focused until we get back.”

Blue gave a slow nod, “Yes… sir.”

Platinum looked back to the door and drew a breath and with a concentrated magical burst from his horn he threw the doors open and leaped inside. He locked onto one of the mares and as she slowly turned to him he drove the rapier through her eye and into her brain. He pulled out the sword and spun it around and stuck it into the stallion's mouth and up through the top of his skull.

Something slammed into the side of Platinum and making him slam his head into the receptionist desk. He looked up to see a stallion wearing a doctor’s coat walking to him with a weird twitch. Platinum put his hooves over his head as the stallion reared up to slam down on him but was pushed back against a wall by Blue.

Platinum watched as Blue pinned the stallion to the wall and quickly stuck a couple of hoof sized blades into the sides of the stallions head and twisted them stopping it from struggling once and for all.

Blue dropped the body and turned to Platinum, “Sorry, sir, I didn’t catch him in time to stop him.”

Platinum pulled himself to his hooves and spat out a little bit of blood on the floor, “What the hell is wrong with you? You’re usually more focused than that.”

Blue rubbed the back of his head with a hoof, “Well, sir, it’s just that… never mind. I promised that I wouldn’t tell.”

Platinum slowly raised an eyebrow, “Right… Maybe you can forget about it then and focus on what is at hoof? Please.” Platinum hissed as he gave him head a shake then made his way to the door that lead to the patients’ rooms.

Blue watched him closely and mumbled something under his breath and gave a short sigh. He turned to the entrance and motioned for Twilight to come in. After she closed the door behind her he carefully made his way next to Platinum who was already peering through the door.

Platinum stood up and pushed the door open and Blue jumped back surprised, “SIR?” but after looking down the hall he stood up and swallowed hard.

The hall had pony bodies lying along the floor under blood stained sheets. The doors were all open and Platinum quickly realized how quiet it was. He stepped into the hallway and froze half expecting his step to send a wave of infect on them, but nothing stirred.

Twilight glanced down the hallway and in a quiet voiced asked, “Why is it so quiet?”

Blue leaned close to her, “To tell the truth, we don’t know. This is the first time we expected the place to be packed and have it completely empty.”

Platinum glanced back, “Shhh!” the two put hooves to their mouths and Platinum closed his eyes. He was sure he heard something bang further down the hall but couldn’t be sure. He opened his eyes back up and narrowed them as he continued slowly back down the hall. He swept his head from side to side as he passed by the dark empty rooms.

As he drew even to one of the rooms something moved which made him freeze. He placed a hoof to his mouth and pointed to the room. Blue nodded and leaned against the wall ready to intercept as Platinum pulled his rapier even with the side of his head. He gave Blue on quick glance and then gave a sharp whistle.

A white mare with clear blue eyes poked her head out and looked at Platinum. Tears instantly started to fall from her eyes as she leaped to her hooves and moved around the bed, “Oh thank Celestia,” she cried as she started a quick passed trot to him.

Platinum dropped the rapier and caught the mare in his hooves and started to comfort her, “It’s ok,” he whispered to her as he patted her back lightly.

She sobbed into his shoulder as Twilight moved up next to her, “Nurse Redheart? Are you ok?”

Nurse Redheart looked up at her and rubbed her wet eyes with a hoof, “Pr… Princess Twilight?” She released Platinum and turned to face her, “I… yes. I will be ok,” she said as she looked around at them with a small smile on her face.

Platinum placed a hoof on her shoulder and she looked up at him, “Are you the only survivor?”

She shook her head and turned to the rooms, “It’s ok, somepony is here to help.”

Platinum looked down the hall they just came from and to his surprise head started to poke out from the doorways looking ranging from foals to a couple of elderly. A stallion that was not much older than Platinum came walking out of one of the rooms and up to him, “You're here to save us?” he asked hopefully.

Platinum looked around at the survivors and sat down, “Yes, but…” before the ponies started to get too excited they looked back at him nervously. “I need to know if anypony here have been bitten of have come in contact with body fluid of any infected in the past three hours.”

The ponies started to look around at each other and Nurse Redheart shook her head, “No, we are the only ones that made it that we know of.”

Platinum gave a nod, “Ok, we are here to search for medical supplies so we need you all to sit tight and…”

Twilight moved up to Platinum, “Sir, I can take them back.”

Platinum gave Blue a glare then looked back at her, “What?”

“I know the way back that we came from and we should be able to get back without anypony getting hurt,” she explained.

Platinum crossed his hooves and looked up at the ponies around him, some of them dirty and more than a few grabbed at their stomachs as they gave loud growls. Platinum closed his eyes and nodded, “Ok… Ok fine,” Twilight’s face lit up and he put a hoof in front of her face, “No heroics and no fighting unless you have absolutely no choice.”

Twilight gave a salute, “Yes sir.”

Nurse Redheart moved in front of Platinum as he stood up, “Let me stay with you.”

Platinum shook his head, “Wait, huh?”

Nurse Redheart looked at a couple doors, “I know where we can get the supplies and get back before we get into trouble.”

Platinum couldn’t argue with that so he nodded again, “Fine, but keep close to me and Blue.”

Nurse Redheart gave a stern nod, “Yes, sir.”

Platinum turned to Twilight, “When you get back report to Crossbow and let her know that we are fine and we will be back in a few hours.”

Twilight gives him a small nervous nod, “Platinum… Blue Crush, keep Nurse Redheart safe, and get back in one piece.”

Platinum gave a confident grin, “I don’t plan on letting anypony die here.”

Twilight turns to head out but gives one glance back before walking through the door. Platinum watches the door for a few seconds before turning around and walking to Blue.

Blue turns away from Platinum nervously, “I… I think we should continue on.”

Platinum tilted his head to try and get a better look at Blue, “Yeah, we should.” Platinum then turns to Nurse Redheart, “what way should we go from here?”

Nurse Redheart pointed to the door that was the furthest away from them, “This way.”

As She made to move Platinum put a hoof up in front of her stopping her, “Let me take the lead.” She nodded and Platinum picked up his rapier off the floor and made his way to the door. He pushed open the door just enough to take a quick glance inside. Platinum swallows hard and pushes the door open to another long empty hallway, “I really don’t like this.”

“Don’t like what? I didn’t do it,” Blue said nervously.

Platinum looked back at him and he took a step back looking at Nurse Redheart and Platinum nervously. Platinum turned to face him, “You ok?”

Blue stood up straight and walked up next to him, “Of course,” he crouched down, “Think it’s going to be this easy the entire time?”

Platinum moved into the hall, “Doubt it.” He looked back to Nurse Redheart, “So where from here?”

She pointed at the far end of the hall, “It’s not much further.”

Platinum moved down the hall slowly glancing from room to room, but apart from blood smears the hall was empty and eerily quiet. Once they got to the next door Platinum made to open it but Nurse Redheart poked him causing him to look back. She shook her head and pointed to another door next to them that was wide open. Platinum looked inside and couldn’t help but smile at all of the supplies inside. He nodded to her and she stood up and walked into the room and started to rummage around.

Blue pushed on the other door a little and it didn’t budge. He then let out a long sigh, “Sir?”

Platinum looked back at, “What’s wrong with you? You have been acting odd since the farm.”

Blue swallowed, “I… I’m sorry,”

Platinum stood up to face him and looked at him suspiciously, “Why? What happened?”  

Blue turned to him, “You know the filly you found? Well she was bitten and…”

Platinum took a step back, “WHAT? YOU BROUGHT BACK AN INFECTED AND STUCK HER RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAMP?” Platinum took a threatening step forward.

Blue took a step back causing his flank to bump against the door, “Platinum, please, her bite was old and…”

Platinum started to pace shaking his head, “I can’t believe you of all ponies would just ignore my orders that have been keeping us alive this whole time.”

Blue stomped hard, “Platinum, I believe she is immune to the infection and…”

Platinum spun on him and glared at him, “NO PONY IS IMMUNE.”

Blue’s eyes went wide for a second then narrowed, “You coward,” Platinum took a step back in surprise and Blue stepped forward, “Everypony need something that can give them hope, and this is the first time that there is hope and you want to shoot it down before even trying. I didn’t realize how weak this infection has made…”

Platinum swung a hoof around and cracked Blue face knocking him back into the door. Platinum shook with anger, “Everything… Everything I have done has kept everypony alive and YOU,” he swung his other hoof hitting Blue again causing him to fall back against the door, “could have messed everything I have tried so hard to protect.”

Blue rubbed a hoof over his now bleeding nose as he leaned against the door, “Protect or herd?”

Platinum’s eyes dilated for a second. He then clenched his teeth, “You…” Blue cocked his head to the side and Platinum looked up followed by his right hoof which connected under Blues jaw, “YOU SON OF A…” Platinum stopped short as the force of the hit knocked Blue back through the door and into the center of about eight infected ponies. Platinum pulled out his rapier now panicking, “Blue!”

Blue levitated his pistol up and shot one of the infected in the eye but another one grabbed his ear in his teeth and jerked his head to the side ripping it off spilling fresh blood down the side of Blues face. He screamed and Platinum drove the rapier through the infected ponies head. Blue spun around and dropped two more as another infected grabbed Blue on the back of the neck and bit down hard. With the sickening sound of flesh being ripped apart the infected pony started to pull the flesh on his neck away.

Platinum drove the blade through it and spun around and blasted the last three with his own pistol. He stood there for a second before dropping his weapons to the floor and running to Blue who dropped to the floor breathing hard, “BLUE, I… I’m sorry I didn’t”

Blue chuckled it, “Sir, I deserved the hit, all of them in fact.”

Platinum shook his head as tears started to form in his eyes, “No! You were right. I was being too stubborn and I should not have gotten angry but you should have told me I…”

Blue smirked but jerked his head around as the sound of more infected started to make their way to them. He stood up with difficulty and looked away from Platinum, “Sir, Get the supplies and get out of here I will keep them at bay.”

Platinum stood up, “But Blue I…”

Blue turned to him, “Keep the filly alive and work on a cure as my last request.” Platinum took a step back and shook his head and Blue levitated up Platinum’s rapier and pistol and sheathed them into Platinum’s belt, “Now get the fuck out of here, sir, That’s an order.”

Before Platinum could say anything Blue pushed Platinum back through the doors and slammed them closed. A thick layer of ice then coated the door sealing it shut. Platinum jumped up and started to slam on the door, “BLUE… BLUE OPEN THIS DOOR THAT IS AN…” and gunshot stopped him instantly. Platinum put his head against the door as tears started to fall from his eyes, “Blue… I’m sorry I didn’t mean…”

Platinum slammed a hoof against the ice coated door. He sniffed and pulled himself up straight and looked to the door were Nurse Redheart sat with her hooves over her mouth and fresh tears falling from her eyes. Platinum looked down at the six saddlebags full of supplies around her and two large rolling coolers. Platinum stood up and levitated them up into a telekinetic field, “ok… let’s get out of here while we can.”

Nurse Redheart reached out a hoof then hung her head and nodded slowly. Platinum held his head up and kept looking about until they made their way out of the hospital. Nurse Redheart gasped once they reached outside, “Is… Is it this bad all over?” she asked before turning to look at Platinum.

Platinum held his head down and nodded slightly, “Yeah.” He stood up and started to head back to the camp, “Come on, we need to get out of here.”

Nurse Redheart walked silently behind Platinum as they made their way back to the camp which was just as uneventful as the trip to the hospital. They soon saw the white tents and some ponies hugging others while some medics look over the new survivors. Platinum looked up to see Twilight hugging a cute yellow Pegasus with a long pink mane with Rainbow Dash sitting next to them smiling widely. Twilight held her out in her hooves and glanced to Platinum. Her face fell when she looked at him and she stood up and started to make her way to him.

Platinum dropped the new supplies close to the ponies conducting exams on others then turned and started to make his way to the library. He walked into the now very busy library as ponies moved around him and talked about clearing out the rest of the village. He walked past them all and into the side room and closed the door slowly behind him and sat down and leaned against the door.

Platinum jumped when something lightly touched his leg. He looked down to see Applebloom staring up at him. She had a blanket draped over her and she was shaking slightly. Platinum put a hoof on her head, “You should be resting,” he told her softly.

She curled up in front of him resting her head on his chest. She looked up at him sadly, “You saved me,” she said in a raspy voice. She nuzzled him pulling her blanket up around her better, “You also… Stopped my brother and sister from hurting anymore… Why are you so nice?”

Platinum felt tears building up in his eyes so he shut them tightly, “I’m… I’m anything but nice.”

“But… you helped so many ponies. Rarity told me what you have done and nopony asked you to do it you just did.” She told him as she lay in his lap.

Platinum did everything he could to keep himself together, “But I also… I got a lot of ponies hurt or… Killed because I was being stupid… even… Even my best friend and brother…” He sniffed as tears started to fall from his eyes.

“Were any of them angry before they died?” she asked curiously?

Platinum stopped and thought back, “I… I don’t think so… they did everything they could to make sure nopony else got hurt.”

Applebloom yawned as she started to drift to sleep, “Thats because everypony… thinks that… you… can… make everything right… again.” she finished with a yawn.

Platinum started to run a hoof through her mane gently, “But I’m just one pony…” he noticed that she fell asleep and smiled sadly, “How can I fix anything if a little filly like you is more brave than I am?” He leaned his head against the door and looked to the ceiling, “I should have been the one to die back there not you Blue,” He closed his eyes, “Not you…” he quickly drifted off to sleep as the last image of Blue closing the door behind him went through his mind, “I’m sorry Blue… forgive me…”