A young woman sat huddled against a wall clutching her young child. Tears streamed down her face as gunfire raged outside of her hiding spot. In her arms, wrapped in a blanket, sat a young baby girl clutched safely in her mother’s arms. “Shhh, shhh,” the mother attempted to calm her screaming child. “It’s okay! Mommy’s here! Mommy’s- AH!”

Bullets tore through the wall sending debris flying, reflexively the woman used her body to protect the child. Rocking the child lightly she did her best to keep her quiet. But with the gunfire and explosions, her attempts had little effect. It was an understatement to say that she was scared. She was terrified, more for her child. Sentients knew no mercy.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, its oka-a-a-ay!” she said between sobs.

The gunfire outside raged farther as the battle between man and alien raged. She could hear screaming of the injured and the commands of the living. She just wanted to get as far away as possible and avoid the bloodshed.

“RUN!”

“THERE’S TO MANY!”

“WAIT, WAIT, WAI-AK!”

Silently, she prayed to whomever was listening that she wouldn’t be seen. She just wanted to live, to be with her husband. She wanted him to say it was alright and that they would never find them. He could protect her… why… why…

Why did he have to go and die?

The woman screamed as the door to the house crashed open and smashed against the wall. Covering her child, she looked up in time to a man in a suit grab the door and slam it shut before he placed his back against it. He used every ounce of strength he had to keep the door shut as something on the other side slammed into it. Turning around, the man placed his hands on the door and braced as another hit impacted on the other side. Looking around for something, his sights fell onto the woman and the child.

Time froze.

She blinked and clutched her child closer to her bosom. He watched in awe. But it was short lived. The door exploded in a bright flash of light sending the man flying back where he impacted on a nearby counter that separated the living room from the kitchen, tumbling over it and out of sight. The woman’s attention soon moved to the door where a Sentient had started to enter.

It scanned the room for life before its cold eyes looked at the woman and the child. She screamed at the top of her lungs and closed her eyes while she held her child and cried. Slowly, the Sentient approached. It made no sound as it moved above the ground. Coming to a stop just in front of her, it tilted its head and scanned her.

She was no threat; the figure knew it. She appeared to be with child. But she was a target, a pest, and it needed to cleanse this pest. Lifting an arm, the Sentient prepared for the attack. Before it could crush her skull it, the sound of metal grinding on metal filled the room. Looking up, the woman gasped as she could see the end of a blade sticking out of the alien’s chest. Turning, she saw the man from earlier. How… how could he be alive after such an attack?! With a heavy grunt the man pushed the Sentient into the wall next to her. With a thud hard enough to shake the wall, the man tore what appeared to be a sword free from the Sentients chest and tossed it behind him.

Lifting a hand, he clenched it into a fist, where upon three massive sharp claws appeared. Reaching back as far as he could he shoved the blades and his fist into the glowing chest of the alien. It beeped in agony as his fist wrapped around its heart. Pulling his hand free from the wall he tore the life out of the Sentient and crushed the orb. With nothing left, the alien dropped to the floor as nothing more than a mass of metallic bones. The woman looked on in truthful disbelief. He did the impossible… he killed…

A Sentient!

Turning around the man walked over to the center of the room and grabbed his sword. Lifting it over his head he holstered the weapon on his back. Turing around he faced the woman. She took a terrified gasp and clutched her child close. Now a more human threat was evident. She saw the power he possessed, he could do anything and she could do nothing to stop him. “Please… take whatever you want!” she begged. “Just don’t hurt my baby…”

The man just stood there and never made a sound. After several seconds he took a step. He didn’t make it far as the window next to him exploded and the sound of lead impacting on a hard surface was heard. His head recoiled to the side as the round hit him in the side of the head sending him flying. He landed face down, slumped halfway over the back of a nearby couch. Another shot whizzed through the air and impacted on his upper back, creating enough momentum for him to fall over the couch and out of sight.

The woman cried and cradled her child.

BANG!

She screamed yet again as a loud gunshot roared through the home. Looking toward the noise she watched the man slowly rise to his feet with a large pistol in his hands. Once he stood up fully, he scoffed and holstered the weapon on his right thigh. Turing his head he looked at her. She shrunk down in an attempt to not only make herself feel small, but to show that she wasn’t a threat. Walking over, fear washed over her as she closed her eyes and expected him to strike her.

But that wasn’t his intention.

He coughed lightly. Timidly and unsure, she opened her eyes, she looked up at him. Now that she had a good look, his armor was black and grey and covered in blood. A wave of nausea rolled over her and the smell of backed on, dried blood. Holding what little she had in her stomach down, she looked at the hand. With a light gesture, the man waved his hand in ‘take it’ motion. Slowly and timidly, she lifted a hand from her child and offered it. Gently, the man wrapped his armor clad fingers around her and lifted her to her feet. Once she was up and adjusted her still crying child. Giving her a thumbs up, the man waited for a response. Smiling lightly, she ‘uh-huh’d’.

Giving her an ‘OK’ symbol with his hand he stepped to the side and grabbed a nearby rifle. Offering it to her, she took it and placed the strap over her head. Nodding the man grabbed his own rifle from his back. Looking around, he pointed at her than the toward the back door.

“Where are we going to go?” she asked, confused.

The man shrugged.

Heading toward the back door, the man opened it forcefully. Raising his weapon, he surveyed the area before walking outside. Stopping after making sure the area was clear, he gestured for the woman to follow him with a wave of his left hand. Leading the way, he lead her through alleys and buildings all while making sure to cover her as she moved. Together the pair moved for what felt like hours.

Off in the distance the sun began to set. Opening the door to an abandoned home, the man waited for the young woman to enter. Once she was in, he followed close behind before closing the door and locking it. Leaning against the door, he slowly slid down it before landing on the floor. Sighing, he placed his rifle next to himself and dropped his head out of exhaustion.

Nearby, the woman watched him.

“Who are you?”

The man looked up at her. His head moved around in an attempt to look for something. Holding up his hands he made a ‘pen and paper’ gesture.

Confused the woman asked. “What? Cat got your tongue?”

He looked at her and nodded slowly. He took a deep breath. “Car…” he said in an extremely strained and hoarse voice. “Explode… vocal…” he coughed violently. “Cords… severed…” he finished before falling back into a heavy coughing fit.

Her eyes widened.

“You lost them in an explosion?”

He nodded through his heavy coughing fit. Holding a hand to his chest he let the fit pass as he slowly regained control of his breathing. The man pointed to his neck before making an explosion gesture with his right hand. “Hurt… like… hell!” he said weakly before breaking back into his previous coughing fit.

The coughing soon caused the young child to stir and start crying again. Groaning out of exhaustion and slight annoyance, the woman walked over to a nearby couch and placed her baby on it. Standing up, she bit her lip and looked around the room, she took her backpack off and rooted around in it before grabbing a baby bottle and a canteen. Shaking the canteen, she groaned and ran off toward the kitchen.

The man regained his breath once again and watched as the woman disappeared into another room. Looking to the side he looked at the crying child. Standing up, he walked toward the infant. In the kitchen the woman rooted through cupboards and the fridge for anything. Groaning yet again and giving up, she headed for the back door. Opening it slightly, she poked a head out. Slowly she slipped into back yard and up to a nearby water pump. Praying for water she lifted the handle.

Several seconds passed as nothing happened.

“Yes!” she whispered victoriously. Water poured from the spigot. Posthaste, she filled her bottle and the babies. Once full, she quickly headed back inside. Running toward the living room she froze and dropped the bottles. On the couch sat the armored man with the little girl cradled in his arms sleeping soundly.

“Get away from her!” The man looked up and held up a hand gesturing for her to calm down. The man continued to wave his hand before he held a finger to his helmet. The woman had none of it! Drawing a knife from her belt she screamed again. “Stay away from my baby!”

Her screaming startled to child awake. Looking down the man rocked the child lightly and shushed her. Just as the woman took a hate filled step toward him she froze. Realization hit her. He wasn’t going to harm her child. The man gently rocked the baby back and forth as she slowly shut her eyes and stopped her screaming. Several seconds passed before the child was back to her peaceful state.

The woman looked up at him.

“How did you do that?”

The man shrugged. Internally… he knew.

Holstering the blade, she walked over and stood next to the man. He glanced at her before looking back at the baby. She slept quietly while sucking on her thumb. She looked so peaceful, in that moment, all the war, death, and bloodshed was gone. All that matter was the innocent life and the potential the child carried. The duo sat silently, the woman holding her sleeping child yet again as the man worked on his weaponry. Glancing up she watched as he field-stripped his gun. Examining it, she could pick out the jet black color of the gun and the white skull painted on the side. Her gaze soon fell on his helmet.

“Who are you?” she asked. Looking up the man stopped his working. “What’s your name?”

The man looked around before standing up and leaving the room. Several seconds later he returned with a pen and a pad of paper. Taking a seat in his previous spot he started writing. After a few seconds he held up the pad so she could see it.

Excalibur

“And you said an explosion took your voice, correct?”

He wrote on the paper.

Yes

She turned her head to the side and squinted her eyes.

“Why did you save me?”

He started writing again.

I hate Sentients

“That didn’t answer my question.”

It’s my job

He lowered the pad and wrote some more.

To protect

He then pointed at the child before writing yet again.

So young, she deserves to live, even in this state of humanity

The woman looked down at her child as a tear rolled down her cheek as the man lowered his pad of paper. After a second he snapped his fingers to grab her attention. Looking up the woman watched as he wrote some more.

Name?

She squinted lightly and thought for a second before answering.

“… Melanie.”

The man shook his head and pointed at the child. Melanie looked down before having a moment of realization.

“Oh! Her name is-”

Gunfire outside caused her to stop talking and yelp lightly while the man quickly rose to his feet. Drawing his pistol, he turned toward the window. Apprehensively, he glanced over his shoulder at her before slowly approaching the window. Opening the curtains with two fingers he peered outside.

“What is it?” the woman asked silently form her spot on the couch.

“Sen… ti… ents,” the man forced out before breaking into a quiet coughing fit. Stepping away from the window and holding a hand to his helmet. Melanie watched on with concern. As his fit got worse she gasped lightly as blood poured out from a seam where his helmet connected with the rest of his armor. She gently placed her baby down on the couch and approached him.

“Let me help you.”

He waved her off before walking out of the room and toward a set of stairs leading up to the second floor. She could hear him coughing and wheezing before a door shut and muffled it. She heard a thud on the floor above her as the coughing intensified. Several minutes of coughing passed before everything went silent. Slowly, she went back to her child and held her. Sometime more passed before she heard the door open and footstep before the man came back down and slumped against the wall where he had been siting and slide down into a sitting position. He sighed exhaustively and rested his head on his arm.

“You okay?” she asked, clearly concerned for what just happened.

He lazily waved a hand at her. Taking the hint, she stayed quiet while he regained his composure. Without looking he dropped a hand to his side and haphazardly looked for the pad and pen. Slapping the pad once he grabbed them he pulled them into his lap and started writing. After a few second he held up the pad while keeping his head on his arm.

No talking okay?

“That bad huh?”

He lowered the pad and wrote some more.

The sink is no longer white

She cringed at the thoought. “When did this accident happen?”

Several hours ago

He lowered the pad and wrote before raising it again.

The skin is healing not the my vocal cords

She just pushed it aside as some sort of thing in his suit. People, before the attack, had the ability to heal sever wounds without having to go to a hospital. He looked like the type of guy that -since his abilities- would be covered by the council. What she wouldn't do for something like that! Time passed as the two sat in silence. Quietly, the woman grabbed her backpack and pulled out a simple foam pad and a sleeping bag.

“You mind if I set up out here?” He looked up at her and shook his head. “Thank you.” Continuing, she set up her sleeping areas and climbed in the bag with her child. An hour or two passed as the woman groaned and turned in her sleep. Over the time the man had reassembled his weapon and was working on his pistol. Quietly, the woman sat up in her bag and looked at him.

“Can I lay next to you?”

He looked up at her before grabbing the pad.

You always this forward?

She rolled her eyes. “It’s how I met my husband.” He lowered the pad and drew a simple sketch of a face with a raised eyebrow. She rolled her eyes again and sighed. “Please?” she asked. “I know we don’t know each other but I can’t sleep.” He glanced to the side and shrugged. “Thank you.”

Picking up her baby with one hand she squirmed out of her bag and dragged the pad and bag over and next to the man before getting back in and lying down. Subconsciously she snuggled up to him. He didn’t protest. After several minutes, she was out like a light. Quietly, he assembled his weapon before looking down at the sleeping pair. Mother and daughter slept soundly, the daughter safe in her mother’s arms. Gently he grabbed his helmet with both hands. Removing it with a hiss, she placed it on the floor next to him. Wiping some dried blood form his mouth he smiled as tears welled up in his eyes. Quietly, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head before kissing the forehead of the child.

Sitting up, he placed his helmet back on his head and grabbed the pad of paper. Placing it in his lap he started to write with his right hand and gently rubbed her side with his left. Hours passed as he worked. Many times he would place the paper down and cry silently. By the time morning came he was still writing.

Slowly she sat up and rubbed her tired eyes before stretching her arms high over her head. “I haven’t slept that good and a while,” she lowered her arms and sighed. “… thanks a lot honey…” she looked up to see the man writing. “What are you writing?” she asked while leaning in.

Leaning back, the man shielded his work and shook a finger at her. Pouting, she leaned back. Her attention soon moved to her daughter whose eyes were wearily fluttering open. Smiling the mother grabbed her baby and held her up. “How’s my little sunshine?” she asked happily. The baby giggled happily in return. “Who’s hungry?” Out of habit she reached toward the collar of her shirt before stopping and slowly looking over at the man who was writing away. “Uh… mind if I feed her?” He just waved a hand at her.

Slowly she lowered her shirt and fed her baby while making sure to keep her back to him. Several minutes passed before she readjusted her shirt and smiled at her baby before rubbing noses. Nearby the man watched with a hidden smile. Feeling like she was being watched, she glanced over at him. He quickly averted his gaze and went back to his paper. Shrugging, she climbed out of her bag and started to pack her things. Eventually, she was all packed up and ready to go while her armored partner prepared for a possible fight. Leaving the home, they headed east. Leading the way, he had a well thought out plan while the woman absentmindedly followed close behind with her baby on her back and her rifle in her hands. The pair walked for what felt like hours before they took up cover behind an abandoned vehicle.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

He lifted a hand and started writing on the dirt vehicle.

SAFETY

She looked at it confused.

“Where is that?”

BUNKER

“A bunker?” she repeated. “My husband told me to avoid safe zones.”

He held up his left arm and used his right hand to go under it before he pointed at the ground.

“An underground bunker?”

HIDDEN – VERY WELL

“Is it safe?”

YES

Standing the pair started to walk before the car exploded in a massive ball of flame. Landing on her side the mother slowly pushed her self up with her hands and moved to check on her crying child. Confused and ignoring the new battle, her instincts over took her. And they told her to protect her baby. Holding her screaming child, she examined her for injury. Seeing none she let out a relieved breath.

A shadow covered her form.

Looking up, she was struck stiff. In front of her were three Sentients. Fear filled her every being as she fall back on her rear. Clutching her baby, she started to crawl back in fear as they advanced. As the chest of the central one started to glow, she curled up in a ball clutching the child. She didn’t notice the man vault over her and tackled the center alien. With a roll and grunt he threw the being with all his strength before turned toward the now attacking others. Grabbing the right one he spun and used it as a battering ram on the other, sending it flying.

Still holding his captive he lifted it over his head before slamming it into the ground. With a twist, he snapped the arm free before holding it high over his head and impaling -and destroying- the heart of the being. Without missing a beat, he drew his sword and threw it.

Nearby the Sentient’s body reacted accordingly and turned to the side slightly as the blade buried itself in its chest cavity and shattering its heart. Rolling to the side the man dodged an attack from the third as a small explosion of light went of where he was previously standing. Charging as fast as he could he used his momentum to jump into the air. Both feet connected with the aliens, abdomen as it was throw back from the impact.

Drawing his rifle, he used the energy in the suit to defy gravity and hover. Placing the sights on the alien’s chest he fired. The weapon roared as the bulles left the barrel at an alarming rate. The Sentients body lurched with each hit. The small bullets tore into its body, shredding it. She watched in awe as the man slowly descended to the ground. At the exact same time as the last bullet left the magazine, he landed. Breathing heavily, the pair watched as the hole ridden Sentient slowly approached. Reaching out, it slowly bent over to attack. Just before it could muster up the energy to strike…

It fell to pieces.

Both humans sighed in unison. The woman cradled her child to calm her down. After several seconds the child stopped her screaming but continued her crying. Quickly, a shadow covered her form yet again. Looking up, she watched the man offer her a hand.

Taking it, she stood up.

For three days the pair walked. By the third day she was exhausted and hungry. Most of her food was being converted into milk for her baby. She was skinny and weak. He did his best to provide food when he could by shooting the occasion squirrel or small animal. By the third day they were headed directly for a cave hidden far back in the Canadian Rockies. Just before they reached the cave, the sound of metal grinding from within forced the woman to stop in fear. Inside the cave the sounds of metal clanging on rock and the sounds of people running echoed through the air.

From the cave, five men appeared.

The woman smiled, rejoiced internally and looked at the man. Four of the men ran up to her and her baby and started to escort her toward the cave while the fifth man ran up and saluted her partner. Saluting back, the men talked, as best as they could.

“Wait!” the woman said before turning toward the man. “Thank you.”

He gave her a head tilt before holstering his rifle and grabbing a slip of paper from his hip. Grabbing her hand, he placed it in hers and wrapped her fingers around it.

“... Read,” he forced out.

Nearby, the roar of engines filled the air as a ship came in from above to land. As it descended, he released her hand before turning toward the ship. Kicking up dirt and debris as it slowly came to a land, the back of the ship opened to reveal another armor clad figure with a massive flame on their head. Walking up the ramp, he grabbed a handle for support before facing the woman.

Looking down, she read.

Melanie

This comes at a heavy heart but… the man you just spend four days with was… me. Your husband. I… I could not come to tell you because I was scared. I was scared that you would yell at me, belittle me, hit me. I feared that you would hate me for not coming back… I wanted to, I really did. That day… it still haunts me, even when I am so close we are worlds apart.

I could never lie to you. I made a deal with the Council. The suit is humanities last hope. I… am its last hope. My choice came at a cost. I know for a fact that you would have tried to talk me into coming with you. But well… you saw what I am capable of.

I was also scared of what I might do. I have more power than even the Executors. I love you honey and I always will. And I thank you for allowing me to hold our little girl. She looks a lot like you. My only regret is not getting her name.

I spent several hours writing this and just about the same amount crying. As you can see by the stains. Anyway, the only reason I brought you to where you are now is because it is a secret hidden bunker that I was in charge of protecting a supply convoy too.

A failed my mission… but I can rest easy knowing that you and our little bundle of sunshine will be safe.

I’ll try to visit… if I can. I’m being worked like a horse. So far… only me and my new little sister are the only ones that ban can kill a sentient. If this is the last time I see you well…

I love you

And our daughter too.

Please, when shes old enough tell her what I did and how much I love her. Jeez… that sentence hurts so much. I’m sorry… I really am. But my fears overcame me. I love you.

Be safe and best of wishes.

Love your husband, friend, father, and defender of all.

-Chris a.k.a. Excalibur Prime.

I watched with a heavy heart and a tear as she looked up at me with tears in her eyes. As the ship pulled away all she was forced to do was watch as the ship departed. I couldn’t even her pleas and screams over the roar of the engines. But she was safe and so was my daughter.

That’s all that mattered.

As the ship departed I made a heart with my hands in front of my chest before turning around. I couldn’t take the pain. But it quickly changed when I felt a needle being jabbed into my shoulder. Screaming and wincing, I felt something in my neck.

And it hurt.

“Ahhhh-ak! What are you going to do!? Harvest my kidney!?”

And I can speak.

I stood in front of Celestia and Luna with the six fillies and one baby dragon as she examined them. Her horn lighting, the same color aura covered all the children, some of them giggling, before it cut off just as fast as it appeared. “It’s just a simple age spell that will wear off in a day or two,” she informed. “At least it’s not permanent.”

“You’re telling me,” I replied before shooting a glare at the filly alicorn.

Wincing, Twilight’s ear fell flat as she looked to the side.

“I said sowwy.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes before bending over and picking up the tiny alicorn. “You’re lucky your so freaking cute,” I said while booping her nose lightly, causing her to giggle. “I mean, you all look so fuzzy, but this ridiculous!” Smiling at her cuteness I cuddled her and nuzzled her cheek. Nearby Luna and Celestia held a hoof to their muzzles in an attempt to keep from laughing. I pointed at them without looking. “And if you say a word, both of you are going to wake up with your coats died hot neon pink.”

Author's Notes:

The last of the three as promised and on time too.