"How are they?" I tilted my head as I saw the other soldier already taken care of the one that looked more hurt. I went to Up and gave him a little poke. "You in there?"

Up gave a groan of pain and forced an eye open from the look of it. "Everything hurts."

I nuzzled up under him and soon had him on my back. He didn't make new sounds, so I assumed I didn't hurt him more. "We'll get you to safety, promise, alright?"

"Yeah..."

"He's stable," said the other soldier. "Can't say much more than that, and we have to move him. Do you have a stretcher in that magic hair of yours?"

That I did not, but... I reached in there and pulled out a blanket I had saved for cold emergencies and he grabbed it right up. "That'll do!" He soon had his friend wrapped up in it and lifted him carefully. "Lead the way. Time is important. I hope you have a doctor where you plan to go."

One of the ponies might be a doctor? I couldn't promise, so I didn't say anything and got to climbing. I heard the clops of the big scary pony just behind me. He'd decided I was a friend and was following me. If I wasn't trying to get Up Stream and his friends to safety, that would be adorable and I'd totally play ball with him more, but that wasn't the time. "Be a good boy and follow Pinkie. No biting, alright?"

It gave a soft growl, which I assumed was as close to a 'yes' as we were going to get.

We got up a few floors before Up let out a keen hiss. "Damn... I... think... oh gods... It's like... Arrrrg." My back felt more wet than it had been. Was he bleeding on me? There was no time to worry about that! I had to get him to safety, but a bounce or a run might hurt him. I tried to smooth out my gait, creeping up the stairs as gently as possible.

"Please, please be alright. I'm going as fast as I can. You're gonna be okay..."

I felt his hoof on my cheek. "I... doubt that... Please, stay strong, for all of them."

I felt a chill run through me. Those were not the words of someone trying to win. "No no no! Stop talking like that! Just hold on. We'll get you help."

"They say..." He was talking like I didn't say anything. "They say when you're dying, you know it, and your life flashes before your eyes. It wasn't a bad life, and I'll die with honor. Tell them I was fighting for the right cause when I went down."

Tears stung at my eyes. Why didn't I know more medicine stuff? "I will, but you'll be there with me. Stop talking and relax. We'll get there soon."

He did stop talking.

~Pinkie? What's going on? You feel horrible.~

I should have answered her, but I couldn't. I couldn't think of anything but going faster somehow.

We reached the floor with the ponies and I rushed in as quickly as I could without bounding. "Please tell me there's a doctor in here!" I sank slowly under the still form of Up Stream. "Please..."

One of the ponies rushed forward with restored fingers. He gently prodded at the pony on my back and scowled. "He's already dead." He pushed him carefully free of me. "How long?"

Trembling, I stood up. "He was just there! Please! He can't be dead!" My words were shrill and panicked. The other soldier was being seen, and they weren't making lots of noises. I guess he was alright? I wasn't paying much attention to him, I confess. I was locked on Up Stream. "Please!"

Zhang suddenly emerged from the crowd of curious ponies. "Stand back!" Her horn began to crackle with electricity. Before the doctor backed away, it jumped into Up Stream.

The doctor swore with pain, but didn't look too hurt by it. "More warning next time!" He hurried forward and put a fuzzy ear on Up Stream's chest, then slid up and began... kissing him? What? I stared at him, trembling before he slowly slid back onto his haunches.

"He'll live..."

I'd never been happier to hear a few words in my life. I sank to the ground, all of my bones feeling like jelly.

The doctor turned to Zhang. "How did you do that?"

Zhang poked at her horn. "The director said I was interfering with their power. I figured that meant I was making some electricity, so I was working on that when she showed up."

"He," I weakly murmured.

Zhang tilted her head. "He? I'm glad they'll be alright, whatever they are."

Aiko emerged with a gentle smile. Like Celestia emerging from a cloudy day, everything was calm around her. She stepped towards me with all the majesty of a princess, and put a hoof on my forehead. "You did well, Pinkie. You saved him. Close your eyes, and relax. You've earned it."

I felt a deep sensation of satisfaction. I had saved him, and I was good. Warm giddy vibes made me giggle just before it all faded to black, and I was whisked off to dreamland.

Author's Notes:

Last time!

How will they reach their goal?
1: The elevators are still openings, even if the cars aren't running! 1.83 votes
2: Maybe we should just wait on this one. The cure will still be there. 1 vote
3: Two injuries? Are you mad? Get them back to base and treatment before considering anything else. 9.67 votes
4: Maybe we should take matters into our own hooves and clear this building of threats. 3.17 votes
5: Leaving is still an option. Maybe? 1.33 votes

The vote is very clear, get those boys to safety! 17 total votes. It's nice seeing a good response. Let's get to writing!

That was kind of short, and yet, it feels just as long as it needed to be. Was I wrong? Let me know!

Speaking of, what do we do?

1: Aiko takes charge of clearing out the building and keeps Pinkie down for now to rest and recover.
2: The Chinese military arrives to enforce peace.
3: Click! The power's back!
4: Pinkie insists on finishing what she started and goes back out to try to reach the leader again.
5: Leaving is good. Let's bail!