The first big hurdle had been jumped by the herd, but more would have to wait until Artex, Vaiawa, and Luna had more time off from their duties.

The trio of Emissaries/Ambassadors had to head back to Earth. Their two days of relaxation were finished and duty called. It was an unhappy but accepting herd that escorted Artex and Vaiawa back to the portal where Luna was already waiting. John, Chrissy, their children, and Chris were all there to see Luna off.

Razor Wit, Oriana, Danielle, and the rest of Artex' family followed along behind the emissaries. Everyone was talking and chatting, but there was a measure of uneasiness among the Humans. They were in a new world among non-Humans and some Humans they knew nothing about. They were nervous. With Artex present, they had a trusted and reliable guide to the new world. Without him, they were out of their elements.

Artex, Vaiawa, and Luna all bade goodbye to their loved ones and stepped back through the portal. As soon as the trio were out of sight Chris led his brother and family back through one of his portals with a friendly wave at Artex' herd and family.

The herd mares sighed then turned to the family. Donald and Christine smiled sadly, "We are citizens of New Humansville now." Donald said, "I've got the training and experience so I'm going to be doing supplemental training for some of the C.W.G." he then motioned to his wife, "Dear?"

"I used to be a surgical nurse once and my hands are still steady so I've already been accepted at the hospital. I have to get ready for my shift. I still have some training to do before they let me assist with a surgery. Lots of... magical medical tools to learn." Christine then smiled, "At least it isn't demon worship, but it still feels weird to say." She spoke in perfect Velensovth, "Alana helped us out."

"I'll do it the old fashioned way." Danielle said, then looked at Razor, "I need to get to know you guys better anyway, right?"

Razor smiled and placed her hoof on Danielle's leg, "Take your time. There is no rush."

Brian P. looked down and scuffed his left foot on the ground, "Welp, I need to get going. I already applied to Celestia's School for Magical Studies and they are expecting me. I don't have a lot to pack, but I do have a question for you, erm Razor Wit right?" He asked. Razor nodded and Brian continued, "Weapons are allowed in New Humansville, but what about the rest of Equestria?"

Razor lowered her eyes and brought her right forehoof to her mouth, "I haven't needed to think about it for a while, but yes, it is allowed. I would not recommend you bring anything big though. Nothing the size of a spear or a... uh I think Artex called it a rifle. Those would be too big and Ponies would be too uncomfortable seeing them."

Brian nodded, "Perfect, now, if you all will excuse me, I need to get myself and my bag to the top of City Hall.

Oriana shook her head, "I am not certain I will ever truly understand Humans and their preoccupation with weapons."

Razor shrugged and looked at Danielle, "I hope my answer did not unnerve you."

Danielle waved off the mare's concern, "It's nothing to me. Aside from me, my family hates guns. Dan has had plenty of arguments with them about it when they said something dumb. Mostly from CNN or some other news company that's trying to demonize gun owners or spread lies about them."

Razor and Oriana both blinked, not understanding the social context, but the general message was clear enough. Danielle sighed and stared longingly at the portal, "I was really hoping to sleep next to him, but uh, it would be awkward."

Razor's pregnant belly swayed as she trotted along next to Oriana and Danielle, "Why don't we all go out tomorrow? We can have a picnic and enjoy ourselves. Rose has the day off and I can probably get my brother off too."

"I like the sound of that." She skipped around in front of the mares, "Razor, you said you can eat meat now?" She asked.

Razor nodded. Oriana spoke up, "I can too now. Did you have something in mind?"

The woman's face split in a grin, "Have either of you ever had a B.L.T.?"

* * *

Razor was really looking forward to this. She, Oriana, Rose, Danielle, Feather Tip, and Cloud Cutter were a few Leagues outside of New Humansville. Winter had just been wrapped up and she wanted to enjoy the warm day.

Above them Cloud Cutter swooped and circled with a speed he never had before. Razor was proud of her younger brother. He had made great strides under the tutelage of Darryl and Rose. He was stronger, faster, and more disciplined than he had ever been before. He seemed happier too.

She turned her head and looked around the clearing they had just walked into. The center was a small knoll, no more than four Fathoms elevated above the surrounding land and the trees sat around an almost perfect circle half a League in every direction. New wildflowers had sprung up seemingly overnight, lifting a pleasant scent into the slight breeze which rustled the soft grass.

Danielle, the only Human of their group emphasized what Razor already knew, Humans could cover incredible distances when they wanted to do so. She was not even winded as they emerged from the trees while Razor was huffing and puffing like a bellows. To her surprise the Human woman had been the one to keep the closest eye on her and call for a stop when she needed it. Danielle was trying and it showed.

Razor Wit gently laid down on the top of the grassy knoll and levitated their picnic blanket out of Rose's saddle bags. Rose was chatting with Feather Tip still on the side of the knoll, not far away. Danielle sat down on the blanket and blew out a breath, "Whew! That was a good hike," she poked at her slightly plump belly, "I need to get used to hiking again. I used to be pretty good. Never could keep up with Dan though." She reached out and patted Razor's back, "You did pretty good yourself."

Razor ignored the accidentally patronizing implication and continued listening as Cutter continued flipping and spiraling in the air overhead. The young Pegasus whooped with delight, showing his youthful exuberance. He never held still in the air.

Rose was talking with Tip, who seemed to look a bit guilty as she spoke up. "Okay, so a couple of weeks ago I was trotting past Officer Hord's house and I heard... it."

Rose cocked her head, "Heard what?"

Tip facehoofed, "I heard IT. You know, IT." She was visibly blushing.

Rose still did not understand, "I must be missing something here, Tip. Could you be more explicit?"

Tip's blush deepened, "You just had to say 'explicit' didn't you?" She bit her lower lip, "I heard them... together... intimately."

Rose instantly blushed, "Oh!" She snickered quietly, "I hope Backlash sounded like she was enjoying herself! And Hord's a big man... I can't even imagine what it would be like to hear-"

Tip looked mortified, "I didn't listen to them! I mean, I-I heard them, but I didn't stop to listen! That's just rude!"

Rose gave Tip a smirk. "Oh, come on - you can't tell me you weren't even the least bit curious?"

Tip's muzzle flushed. "N-no! NO! That's... why would I want to hear THAT!?"

Oriana tilted her head. "It would be the sound of love, would it not? Fewer things are so wonderful as the sounds of nature, in full swing."

Tip put her wings to the sides of her head. "She was yelling, as well... she was cheering him on! I could have sworn I heard her yelling about him riding her - does THAT sound like love to you?"

Rose gave a snort of laughter. "It certainly sounds like acceptance, at the very least!" That sparked off a few giggles from Razor, while Oriana blushed brightly as she smiled.

Danielle shrugged. "Sounds like love to me. It shouldn't matter what they say, as long as they're happy, right?"

Tip's muzzle reddened even further. "I would assume they were - though I seriously doubt their bed was very happy; they might have to replace a wall, as hard as they were going at it!"

Rose let out a whoop of laughter, with Razor and Danielle giving chuckles as they shared a glance that said this was something that only females would understand; the boys were sweet, but this was 'girl talk' at its finest. Oriana seemed confused for a moment, then her eyes lit up with understanding... and THEN, her face lit up to match Tip's own blush, spurring Rose's laughter on and bringing even more giggles from the gathered group.

"I would not enjoy explaining the need for repairs to the carpenter," the zebra mare said in shock.

The group went quiet, looking at the embarrassed zebra mare for a moment... then, almost as one, they all gave in, and the laughter that burst forth from them felt genuine and whole. They had needed this, and it felt as though it was a moment that would help ease the tensions and bring them all closer together. It felt good, and seemed like the first SURE step on the road to being a full and complete family. There would be a number of steps still to take, but this was the first one that felt pure and casual; it was a good sign, a portent of what the future might hold for them all.

Tip's blush dialed back a bit as she gave a soft sigh. "Honestly? I was a little jealous; they sounded as though they were really enjoying themselves. I hope that I have at least half as much fun whe-"

The Pegasus mare's head suddenly and instantly blew apart, spraying blood, skin, bone, and brain matter all over the hillside as Razor heard a sudden sharp crack, echoing in from the distance. Without missing a beat, she screamed out loud, "Get down!"

She and everyone else crouched low in the grass, after Razor translated for Danielle. Somebody was screaming hoarsely as Rose watched Tip's body kick and jerk, her head split open like a melon. Rose felt her heat racing, 'Oh no! Tip! Oh mercy!' She belatedly realized she was the one screaming. She forced herself to stop screaming only by covering her muzzle with her hooves.

"Rose!" Oriana called from the hilltop in Velensovth, "Only speak in Velensovth! That was a Human weapon! They might not know it!"

Razor looked up at her Zebra sister/wife, "What do you mean?"

Rose kept low as she spoke, "Luna said that some Humans from Earth attacked Ponies somewhere else. If they're from Earth, they can't know Velensovth! Good thinking, Oriana!" She took several deep breaths then continued, "Tip is... s-she's dead! Is anyone else hurt!?"

Razor kept her head down and tried to steady her breathing, 'Fuck that law!' She lit up her horn and pointed it at Danielle. The woman shuddered as the glow enveloped her head then shook it off, "What was that?" she asked, doing her best to keep the shuddering out of her voice.

"I'm a language specialist - I gave you our language. Listen to Rose!" Razor hissed.

Cloud Cutter was crouched down in the grass with everyone else, he was scared. Oriana was shaking and trying to hold back tears. She had been in a tense situation before but this was different. The Blood Mages were direct, this was murder from an unseen assailant. The problem was even worse, none of them could see clearly all the way to the trees. Kavim eyes were poor at distances more than seven or eight Fathoms, somewhere around twenty-eight to thirty-two Human feet. Only Cutter or Danielle could even hope to see so far.

A second shot rang out and Rose crouched down even lower as dirt sprayed her in the face. She did not have her armor or weapon. She grit her teeth at the cowardice shown by their assailant. She would fight if she could see them, but she had no idea where they could be. A moment of inspiration struck her and she hoped it would work. She closed her eyes and focused on her magic. She knew many Earth Pony magic techniques, but she never had cause to use most of them. Her magic was constantly building her body with muscle and thicker bones. To actively use it would take all of her concentration. Tip would have been better for it with her Pegasus magic feeling air currents. Rose concentrated and slowly reached out, her magic touching the soil. She felt herself, the warmth of her body against the ground crushing the plants beneath her. Her consciousness gradually expanded in every direction. She guided her perception toward the Northern trees, roughly where the shot came from. Sweat beaded on her body as she strained her magic to its maximum.

It was a slow process, but she felt the magic of the trees. The plants created tiny amounts of magic with their lives and that magic ebbed and flowed all around them. Rose felt the magic sliding around six shapes to the North. She had a direction. She withdrew her perception back into her own body and suddenly realized she was exhausted. She was not used to using her magic in such a way and it had drained her immensely. She could not do such a thing again for hours.

"Razor! There are six of them, in the trees to the North! Head South when I give the signal! The hill should give you cover!" She paused for breath and made a decision, "I'll draw their fire! Go!"

"Rose no!" Razor cried, tears gathering in her eyes as she realized what the Earth Pony meant, "No! You come with us! You can make it!"

"I can't take that chance! You need more time! You're pregnant!" Rose called back, "Save your foal! Cutter! Carry your sister if she can't make it! Do you get me, cadet!?"

"I get you, ma'am!" Cutter called back.

Rose closed her eyes and took several deep breaths to work herself up for what she was about to do. She was scared - terrified would be more accurate, 'I'm probably going to die today.' It was difficult to even think much less actually do, 'I'm unarmed and I don't have any armor. All I can really offer is time. I have to keep them distracted.' Her thoughts drifted to her few remaining blood family back in New Humansville and her family crouched down in the field. She could hear the whimpering and sniffles, likely from both fear and for poor Tip, 'Oh poor Tip! I hope she didn't suffer. She didn't deserve that. She never hurt anyone.' Rose steeled her will, 'And I have to make sure these bastards don't do the same to anyone else.'

Her will set, she took deep, slow breaths and began to whisper, "To whatever powers are at work in the universe, please, I beg you, let them live." Her eyes snapped open, "GO!" Her body locked up for a second, her instinct for self preservation going into overdrive.

A shot rang out as soon as Danielle stood up. The woman screamed as the bullet passed through the bone of her left leg. She fell to the ground clutching her leg. Rose saw it happen and she stood up, ignoring the screaming instinct. She had a family to protect. She called out as she ran toward the Northern trees, "Cutter! Evac her, now!" Rose felt an impact rip into her chest as soon as she finished. She screamed as her body ignited in burning hot agony. She felt herself try to fall, but she shored up her will and focus, forcing herself to keep running.

Cutter hooked his legs around Danielle just as another shot hit Oriana in her right haunch. The Zebra mare screamed and fell. Razor sped past the trio just as Cutter hefted Oriana onto his back. Forcing himself into the air with the combined weight of the two females he made for the overhead clouds, 'Thank goodness for clouds!' He thought as he ascended. His wings burned from the exertion, but he kept making headway, ascending toward the safety of the clouds.

Rose felt a terrible burning in her chest as a second and third bullet struck her. The force of the impacts almost forced her off her hooves. She felt the damage to her body as the bullets passed through her thick muscles and into her organs. She knew without a doubt that the wounds were mortal, 'No! Not yet! My job is not done! My herd is not safe yet!'

She felt a bullet rupture her left eye as she ran, but she kept going. Another pierced her right cheek and shredded her facial muscles, 'Let me mean something!' She prayed fervently, 'Let them live! LET THEM LIVE!' She screamed in her head as she felt more and more bullets hit her. Another shot shattered the teeth of her lower mandible eliciting a scream from her that was equal parts pain and rage. The bullets poured into her now. She felt her muscles and bones shredding with the report of every shot.

The men were firing their weapons on full auto, but the Pony just would not die. She reached the first one and spun around for a kick. A kick which connected and sent Lieutenant Sa'Aris' ribs out of his back. The rest of the team shambled back, reloading as fast as they could. Corporal Spaulding tripped and fell onto his backside as he failed to get away. She stumbled forward and struck out with her right forehoof. Corporal Spaulding's head splattered into a red mist from that one strike. His helmet did nothing to deflect the blow. The power behind her swing was enough to crumple the helmet as though it were in a hydraulic press.

The rest of the team finally finished reloading. Before the mad creature could take another step they unloaded into its body from four different angles. Their magazines ran empty once more and they all stood there panting. The creature was an absolute mess. Its head was pulped and disfigured, riddled with bullet holes. Its body leaked blood all over the ground as it continued to pull itself toward them still. It's breath came out of its mouth as foamy blood, more liquid than gas. Its one remaining eye glared with fiery hatred at them, shaking their very souls. They could feel the waves of killing intent pouring off the impossible creature. It was terrifying.

"JESUS CHRIST! What the fuck is this thing!?" Private Anders hollered, "Shoot it in the head!"

Rose was beyond feeling any more pain. She knew she was dying, but sheer force of will kept her going. She vainly pulled herself forward using her one good forehoof, using simple bloody minded determination to keep going, 'Come a little closer, evil things. Just come a little closer and I'll give you...'

A staccato beat echoed through the forest as her head was pulverized by four automatic weapons as they emptied their magazines into what was left of her cranium. Her vision went blank and she felt herself fade away...

* * *

Rose felt like she was floating. It was warm and comfortable here, wherever 'here' was. She opened her eyes and beheld a brightly lit but blank plane. All around were swirling colors, like the eddies of the tides swaying back and forth, forward and back, in and out of themselves. It was beautiful.

Rose felt a weight settle on her shoulders. She looked and saw a black shape next to her; she stood on nothing physical. She steeled her courage and spoke, "Y-you're Death... aren't you." It was a statement, not a question. The feeling she got from the spectre beside her was not frightening, though. It was more like the calm comfort of an old friend you reunited with. It felt like something she had always known was there, nearby in life.

The figure did not need to answer. There was no point - there was only certainty here, "What a lonely existence you must have here." Rose relaxed and reached over, placing her own hoof on top of the appendage resting on her. Her fears and concerns were gone. There was nothing left for her to do. She had no pressing matters weighing on her mind. She had perfect clarity in her mind and knowledge poured in. There was nothing to worry about. Eventually all her friends and family would join her here and their worries would be over too. She had nothing to worry about. This place, whatever it was, was good, but she didn't know anything about it. She wanted to explore, to see what was out there... to know just for the sake of knowing.

She gave the wispy appendage a pat then turned toward the entity again, a cocky smirk on her face, "Well? Come on then; let's go see what's out there!"

Without waiting for a response she took off into the unknown, as brave and bold as she had lived. Death had been her unseen companion since the raid on the Blood Mage hideout. She bolted off into eternity, tail streaming behind her, laughing at the sudden freedom from pains she never knew she had. Death smiled to itself mysteriously as it faded away. Rose Thorn would be fine. She was being watched over by a power much greater than itself.

She had cast off her cares and was free to simply enjoy being.

I wrote this more than a year ago, but I could not bring myself to publish it. Until now.