> Age of the Machine.
>  by SigmaAtlas
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Anna
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Anna poked the barrel of a sniper rifle out the small hole of the cracked window. Her barrel scanned up and down the street, the sidewalk, the alleys, the street itself, to see if anything was lurking in the darkness. A cold, overcast fall day. It was bitter, unforgiving, but worst of all was the complete silence. The rustle of leaves was all you could hear, anything different could mean multiple things. It could of been something to eat, or possibly a ally to join her in her sanctuary. That was the optimistic side of her, but what she knew was that most of the time it wasn't anything good. It was a angry boar that wanted to tear her head off, or a psycho that wanted to do unimaginable things to her. Worst of all, it could be the turning of gears. The sound of metallic foot steps heading down the road in whatever direction. A deadly machine, wandering, and trying to find today's kill. Whatever it was going to be, not in a million years would Anna let that thing have mercy. It would be killed, if had no feelings other then the will to murder and kill. Never could she risk anything hostile coming of 100 feet of this apartment. It was protected, and as at any moment a machine could come running on it's metal, bipedal legs, the same any moment could a bullet come shooting out of the barrel of the mares rifle, killing whatever would want to mess with her.

She often became lost in thought. It was only natural to get bored and for her mind to wander about the situation she was in. How much she regretted her old life, or how much she missed it. How many ponies were gone and how it was because of how stubborn and stupid the Equestrian government was. Anna remembered. She remembered the time when they told you everything was alright and would always be that way when in reality they had thousands of killing machines under their noses. Her thoughts were filled with anger up in this room of the apartment. That anger replaced a feeling that put a risk in Anna's survival, and that was loneliness. The rifle scanned the beaten road that was filled with ruble, ash, and scrap metal. It eventually paused as the sun went down. It filled the sky with it's orange lust that Anna saw as hope. Hope that there was still beauty, still love, and still somepony out there to keep her company.

At first glance it seemed her luck wasn't for her. A single mother, that was pregnant when it all began. Almost ready, only a few months away, and the mother ran through the streets filled with chaos. Ponies running back and fourth and shouting for loved ones. Lasers shooting in all directions as the sound of stomping was almost deafening. Anna didn't have anypony, not even a father for her baby. So she ran, for as long as she could run. Now stuck with a young one, the only thing she could do now was nest. The luck was for her the entire time, that somepony above blessed her to keep running despite the pain of the extra weight and sore body. Now Anna had a safe haven, a nest, not the best one, but one that could do for now. The feeling of being alone though was the bad part. A feeling that haunted her for a long time now, even before this all happened.

The mare stopped at the bottom of the wooden stairs. They were bare and cold, but Anna made sure to keep everything else like a real home. She let all her pain or anger drain out of her before turning the corner into the main parts of the home. She would walk down the hallway, and look into a pair of eyes she wouldn't want to upset. Anna sighed as she clicked the safety of her sniper rifle and put it on a shelf she installed by the stairs. She had to stop thinking about the anger and loneliness for a little while. The pegasus breathed in, opening her wings with it, and out, closing her wings with the exhale. 

Anna turned the corner, trotting down the musty hall, filled with pictures of a probably dead family she never met. At one point it was a pair of parents, and two sons living in this home.To the right was the family room, or the base of operations for this little HQ Anna had set up here. It was filled with all sorts of equipment, but most importantly, there he laid. A little colt who tilted his head to the right with curiosity. Very young, only a month old and growing like a champ. Blue eyes that stared into Anna's that were the same shade, something that always made her smile. He had to be glad to see her after napping while she was on watch. She rubbed his head, a brown mane that was a mix of his fathers black and her blonde. His coat that was a darker grey, something that was the complete opposite of Anna's lighter tan, but still had the same texture as hers. Last but not least was the wings that opened up in excitement when his mother showed. The innocence he had, how happy he always was, something that would vanish when he laid eyes on the dark world around him.

Anna picked up her baby, giving him a hug then a nuzzle. This was the second part of her duties, her tasks now being to be a mother. To care and love for her little colt, and depression were the threats that stopped her from doing this duty. She inhaled and resisted the urge to gag "Somepony needs a changing" Anna chuckled. She moved her son over to a small pile of supplies, then she laid her son down on the floor. Sprinkled into their daily bonding was always something that reminded her of the war outside. The pile was filled with the supplies she needed for her son. What reminded her this time was when she reached for the diapers, she was to the last package. Not only did she know she would have to venture out again to get more supplies, but this pack was half burned. Anna couldn't help but to imagine what other innocent little foal these once belonged to. But in order to keep herself joyful for Zeus, she smiled again and went to work.

"Momma?" The little colt said as soon as she was finished, and was being given a rub on the belly.

"Yes?" The mother replied to her foal, knowing there probably wouldn't be much more of a response in his small vocabulary. 

"H-Hi"

"Hi Zeus" Anna chuckled

She turned him over, discarding of his dirty diaper at the end of their small conversation. Her ears listened carefully for any activity outside, but oddly enough there wasn't any. You would think in the city there would be more activity, being the epicenters of ponykind's society. But instead they were the first targets, and as soon as she showed up, it had already been wiped clean of life. They marched endlessly. It wouldn't be long until their march circled back, where there lasers would shoot again and the street would echo with the screams of the only survivors.

It wasn't something to be thinking about. It was negative, and Zeus didn't need negative. He needed for his mother to be happy and positive so he could continue to be a joyful, and innocent foal he was without a worry. Anna started up a fire in the fire place, knowing the smoke would rise through the chimney, and release high up where it would be hidden in the city's towers. It glowed and was something that always had Zeus staring. The mother cradled her foal, sticking a pacifier in his mouth and rocking before she had to go back to her survival business. He had been sleeping when she was upstairs keeping watch, so there was no chance he was falling back to sleeping. Later in the night there would be a feeding in order so that way he would feel full, and happy enough to drift into sleep. Right now he wanted to play, but waited patiently as Anna continued to rock him. Appreciating her love that she was giving him. The mother closed her eyes, just taking a few stray seconds to enjoy the calm, quietness. Letting her mind empty and her coat warm up from the fire. It was nearing winter, the upper floors of the apartment building got cold. Anna put her foal down by the fire as she headed for the old, dusty radio on the table. Zeus trotted along, watching and observing what she usually did every night.

The mother looked at the beaten radio. It was a beacon. A beacon of hope for anypony in the city that still had a working radio. It's broadcast reached every frequency around the city. It was the last frequency that could hopefully be heard. Anna had a antenna that ran up the side of the building that would send out the signal. She would talk into the microphone and within seconds her voice would be heard across Manehattan. But, when the sun rose the next day and nopony was there... It just made her feel more lonely. The thought that in reality, she wasn't heard at all across the city after all. But Anna still did it anyhow. She pressed the button on the speaker, knowing her baby was watching her growing stress, and she spoke. Her voice was gentle and calm, not bombastic like the military did on their frequencies. Just like a foal, ponies needed calmness to know everything was alright. Being frantic would make them doubt her message.

"This is frequency 8, broadcasting from apartment 7210 on 40th street. My name is Anna, and I have established a safe haven in the center of the city. I have supplies and a strong, old apartment building that can hold hundreds if needed. If anypony is out there, I'm alive. I lived, and continue to live everyday with-" Anna stopped herself, something she was about to add. What she said changed slightly everyday, but never once did she mention Zeus. It put his safety at risk in her eyes. That time she almost did. Anna ignored it, and continued after some hesitation "-safety and happiness. As long as you pull your weight, we can restart here. I'm on 7210 on 40th everyday. I will always be here when it's light, but when it's dark, I can't guarantee I will answer. I will continue this broadcast, everyday, for any survivors. If you are out there... Please come, it's safe" The mare stopped. She turned a few dials, and the broadcast ceased. Anna rustled Zeus' mane as she headed for the couch. Work was over for the day, and now she could only watch her son play as hell continued outside.

Anna laid her head down, staring up at the cracks in the ceiling. She could only dream that someday things would go back to normal, and she could start a small society in this apartment. But she couldn't be sure, it almost felt like it would never happen. But she could hope couldn't she? Zeus was on the floor, pushing building blocks around with his nose. It was all she could really care about now. Anna's offspring was the only thing she could bring up and hope could survive happily. It's what her ancestors and family did for years and years before her. Maybe this Apocalypse was supposed to be a reset to remember what was really important.
> Spark and Ella
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Spark was laying down on top of rubble and dirt in an ally. In no way was he prepared for any chances of attack from machine, or anything else hostile. The stallion didn't care. He waited with a annoyed and beaten expression laid upon his face. He was sick of it. Spark was sick of it all, the machines, the war, the ponies, and generally the entire world. His life had not much meaning now since he learned the truth about everything he had done, and that those things he did were all worthless. Spark had failed. However, deep down in his personality was hope, something his companion brought out of him to keep him moving, instead of doing what he did now. Now, the pegasus laid with his bow along his side and shattered glass from the bottles of whiskey he threw down in anger. The alcohol didn't cover the pain, it would take bottle after bottle to reach the glorious state where he could forget it all. That state ended with him drooling on the floor with a veneer of happiness spread across his face.

A young mare, just as young as he was, laid beside. Staying nearby and loyal. She watched him drink, it hurt her to see him do it. There was nothing she could do, and she didn't stop him. All she could do was watch while she was startled after each bottle he threw down. Spark had tricked her into going about, looking for supplies in the city, where all he was actually doing was looking for was alcohol. After yet another shatter, Ella couldn't take it anymore. The mare had to speak up, although his anger had a very slim possibility of being taken out on her. Never would Spark do that, but it still laid in the back of her mind. She was the only thing he had. With a deep breath in, Ella scooted herself back. She winced when her flank sat on a piece of glass. Spark noticed quickly, cocking his head up and giving her a glare. She cleared her throat "S-Spark, shouldn't we get moving?"

"What for?"

"Well... We can't stay here forever. You know we have to find shelter before night falls... T-they are hard to see in the darkness" The idea of the machines lurking about in the night, was just as scary as everyponies worst nightmare as a child. Something that turned you into ash in seconds, that you couldn't see coming. Like a monster under a bed, you had nowhere to run. They were everywhere with a suit of metal armor that was impossible to see at night. All you could see is the red glow of their eyes.

Spark cleared his own throat as he got up from laying down. Pieces of gravel, along with dust and debris, brushed off his brown coat. He was as graceful as he usually was, being turned clumsy from the whiskey in his system. Spark cracked his neck, trying to stand tall and make himself look big, like he was used to. The stallion couldn't do it though, and he stumbled around in his slightly confused state. His eyes met Ella's. Was Spark angry? He wasn't, his eyes showed no emotion. "What's the point. Why did we even come here Ella. We are all going to die eventually-" He was stopped.

"Don't say that!" Ella said with her voice raised

"Why not? Is it bad luck? Look around you, I don't think there is a such thing as luck anymore. That means thousands upon thousands had 'bad luck'. I don't think a simple, but true, statement is going to hurt us"

"You're wrong Spark. You're just spitting out drivel in a drunken state. It means nothing... We need to get moving. I've always been by your side, you can't do this" Ella sighed "This isn't the stallion I used to know"

With a growl, Spark moved closer to Ella as he pushed aside two other bottles in his way. He looked her in the eyes. This time Ella saw emotion, but it wasn't anger. It was depression and confusion trying to disguise itself as anger. She didn't feel threatened, she was all he had. If Spark laid a hoof on her she would be gone in minutes. Ella was just the pony that Spark could complain to. "I'm not drunk Ella. Don't doubt me, I know what I'm saying and it's true. There is no point of going on" He spit on the ground "Might as well just stop here and drink until the machines get us"

"You are sure as hell are drunk Spark. This isn't you" Ella moved forward. Despite the smell that arose from him and how much of a jerk he was being right now, she leaned in for a kiss. He was still her Spark, no matter how hopeless he was being. Every once in awhile her stallion got dramatic. The mare looked into his eyes "You're the solider that could go miles and miles without water or food, but still somehow have hope that you could go on. You're the ranger that stayed in Canterlot for weeks without any care for yourself while you looked for survivors. Now you want to give up? What about me? What about the pony that was there before this all happened? We've come far. Look in a mirror Spark, you aren't being you. You're being a hopeless monster, and that's not the pony I remember"

The stallion looked down at a small puddle of water. It reflected his face, the walls of two apartment buildings, and the sky that was overcast as usual. Without Cloudsdale's weather team anymore, the weather came from wherever, and that was usually no-ponies land. Clouds drifted in from the west, usually bringing this normal, miserable weather that the pegasi pushed away for so many years. It sure was a hopeless atmosphere, but just like there was always signs of failure, there could also be signs of good things too. Like his mare that always stopped him from being the pony he never was, a bum. The sober thoughts came through "I-" Spark started "-I love you Ella. You're right... I-If I keep doing this we can't get anywhere. If we have the will to go on, maybe things didn't go well for others, but things could go right for us. But I still want to look for survivors. We are still part of Equestria, I'm still a ranger, so I still have to carry out my last duty. That duty is to save as many lives as possible"

"That's the stallion I remember"

"I know... I can have my moments sometimes. Sorry you had to see that" Spark sighed. This was originally supposed to be a break to eat a somewhat dinner. Instead it became a moment for Spark with his drinking. He was sure to keep those two bottles for later, there was a good chance this would happen again.

"Yeah, that's a no brainer" Ella chuckled. With a kiss, Spark slowly started to recover. His mare wrapped a hoof around him as they brought themselves into the street.

=================================================================================================

It was close to dark as the two continued forward on their journey. It was a mission to find the one area, the one area that all were looking for. An area where they were safe from the metal menace. If it would be found, or if it even existed, it was always doubted and especially by Spark. But Ella made him push forward as always. The stallion held his bow close, with a arrow always ready to be fired. The very point of arrow scanned while he stayed in a defensive position. It always had to be a direct hit in the eye for a arrow to be effective against a machine. It was his talent, and it was what his specialty was in the Ranger's branch of the royal guard. Most used the guns, a hidden technology, the machines, with help from G-3 brought into Equestria. Spark however stayed to the weapon he was used to, and the weapon that was forever to be on his flank. Spark's eye was watchful, listening for the grinding of metal.

Ella followed along with her head down. She knew she was defenseless compared to Spark, having not much of a talent in survival. Her flank had a rose, a beautiful red one on it. If somehow decorating for weddings, funerals, or birthdays would help her out here it would be useful, but that wasn't the case. Ella's talent was being a florist, a beautiful talent yes, but flower's weren't around anymore to pick. Her coltfriend always kept her safe, a strong solider that was always smart, so she didn't have much worry. Ella continued to slowly follow along while Spark scanned every inch of the land in front of them. Spark put his hoof up as he suddenly became tense. "Spark, what is it?" The mare whispered.

"I heard something" He replied with the same volume

"Machine?"

"No, not loud enough... Pony, maybe a animal of some sort. At my 1"

"Would you like me to hide?" 

"No... Stay with me" Spark waved his hoof for the two of them to move forward. He was right. With a loud reaction from Ella, a irritated and infuriated dog hopped out of a trash can with it's teeth drawn. It didn't stand much of a chance. Spark gave no mercy, as his very quick and swift reaction had a arrow in the dogs eye while it was still in air from it's jump. Ella hopped back, startled, as the momentum of the body had it drag and stop in front of her. A brown, fairly large dog that looked beaten. It still had a angry look on it's face. Spark chuckled while Ella looked down. He was proud of yet another impressive kill.

"Spark! It was scared!"

"Yeah... It-" He stopped as his ears perked up and he walked towards the trashcan "-There's more" Spark said quietly as he walked towards the trashcan that was stuck in a pile of ruble in the middle of the street. The answer was going to be along the lines of 'It shouldn't of messed with me' but it sounded like the fight wasn't won yet. He kept his arrowhead pointed right at the trashcan. Ella put her head down again as they slowly went towards it. He walked away as soon as he saw what it was.

"W-What was it?" Ella tilted her head at Spark's carelessness. She headed forward and saw it was a litter of young, frightened puppies "Spark!"

"Yeah?"

"Are we just going to leave these little puppies here?"

"Eeeyup" The stallion said as he continued to march forward in the slowly darkening street. He hummed a little tune to himself.

"But... Spark, that dog you killed was a mother. It was just trying to defend it's children"

"That sucks. It got in my way, and I couldn't stop myself from defending our well being" Spark rolled his eyes, looking at the whimpering puppies mourning their mothers loss. He had no choice but to comfort her mare, who looked pretty sad. What pony with a sole couldn't be? "They are old enough to go out on their own. They sure as hell figured out what happens if you mess with a pony. If they don't have a father figure to grow them the rest up, they'll go out and survive on their own. The machines don't kill animals, they are only programmed to kill ponies" He chuckled "Feel better now?"

"Just-" Ella started "I don't know... I would do the same if I had a foal"

"Of course you would... But let's hope that doesn't happen" Spark trotted towards the dog, taking his knife to it "Ah, I don't think we could use any of this meat anyway. This mom looks pretty sick"

Ella sighed, petting one of the puppies heads. It reacted by lowering it, very scared of the companion of it's mothers murderer. She felt bad, and pulled a piece of bread out of her saddle bag. Instantly, all of them forgave her, and came in to start nibbling on the piece of bread. Spark came closer, watching what she was doing. When she stood up, he patted her on the back. "I'd say it's a waste of supplies, but it's something we could donate. See, the little guys are old enough that they don't need their mothers milk anymore. Any day now they would go out and live by themselves"

"I just wonder if there is still any mothers out there alive. We saw older ponies like us on our travels, but nopony younger then 14"

"Well, just like this dog here, they have to stay home and defend the litter" Spark put his head down "Sadly, they had no ways of defending against machines" Spark nudged her forward "Come on, we don't need this depression. Let's keep moving, it's getting dark"

With that, the two kept marching forward. Shelter consisted of a well put together building, that had most of it's structure so that the two could go on the fourth level. The machines were about three stories high, and could look into any third, second, or first floor with it's menacing eyes. That's why story 4 or a little higher was safe. However, too high would make it hard to get out in case of the worst sort of attack. Machines had capability on all grounds, so if a aerial machines bird eye caught you high enough, it would crash and burn through walls just to kill you. So a level in the middle was perfect. Spark was having no luck as the sun lowered past the city skyline. He stopped in his tracks and looked around, wondering if sleeping in a dumpster was the best idea. It was getting dangerously close to night. The roamers were the small population of machines in the city. They were the few decently powered machines that peeled off the main group to keep guard in the areas they already destroyed. However, the main group did a well enough job that the roamers were often off guard, not calculating any chances of life. But if found, they were hungry, and they would kill you in seconds.

Ella was a few feet away from Spark as he flew up a few feet to look about for a building. Most had excuses for why they couldn't be used. Not high enough, looks unstable, too dark, located in a bad spot, too noticeable, and too open was just a few. Spark was almost out of time when he turned to Ella. Noises started to ring out, but he didn't pay attention to them. They were faint, but they were the noises that weren't wind, or leaves. They were the noises that you should run from, and the mare perked her ears up at them. Spark talked "We are sleeping in a dumpster... We don't have time".

"Do you hear that Spark?"

Spark paused, crouching down as he listened. He put a arrow in his bow as he heard something coming closer. He stayed quiet as a mouse, like he was back in the military. His heart slowed, everything slowed, as he knew that a machine was coming. The noise came close enough that Spark knew he had a shot. His bow came up, swiftly and quickly as he was about to shoot. He was startled by what he saw, and the stallion was about to fire until Ella tackled him. The arrow flew upwards, just missing the target.

"Ella! What are you doing!" Spark yelled, confused. But Ella pointed, wanting him to turn off his kill switch and just pay attention for a second. He sighed as he saw a creature he never thought he would see again. A very large and tough looking griffin had his arms up, along with a smaller one that also put his own hands up. Spark sighed, walking towards them "It's fine... We're not-" The stallion paused again. His ears perked up and he looked around. Was that still a noise he heard? A unknown one that didn't belong? The two of them looked at the two new arrivals, both staying still as statues. Spark aimed his bow again, annoyed. "You two playing games?" The pegasus growled.

"Spark?" Ella whispered?

"Ella, not now" Spark kept his aim.

"Don't. Move."