The Crystal Empire: Facing Uncertainty

More supplies had come in with another train. Food rations, medicine, and construction supplies looked to have taken up the bulk of it. They had been carefully loaded into carts. The train pulled away and smarter ponies than Brave Storm took the lead on further breaking down the supplies. 

The supplies meant for the uninfected had been loaded off and stored elsewhere. What was left for those behind the fences was left in carts. She would have done it anyways, but it looked like it was expected of Brave Storm to take the heaviest of the carts. Normally, she would have required some assistance, but the cart was front pushed. It was odd pushing instead of pulling, but she was able to get in and out by herself. Something she was sure to come in handy as her time in the Crystal Empire continued.

She was thankful to see Pas D’arms being saddle loaded with rations for the quarantined ponies. She was scared and she wanted a friend with her. Brave Storm wouldn’t have to ask him to put his life on the line just so she could have company, he was already taking the plunge with her. The unicorn and the earth pony locked eyes with each other, exchanging complicated looks of uncertainty, sorrow, and determination. 

Together, they crossed through one of the fences and into the heart of the Crystal Empire and the source of infection. Brave Storm had already been through this side, but crossing the threshold and knowing what was waiting sent a shiver down her spine. She had helped fight a giant spider and helped prevent a raid despite recovering from a panic attack, and yet, this was the scariest thing she had to deal with in the past year.

With the help of other volunteers, Brave Storm, Paz, and other haulers loaded off their supplies. Those who didn’t want to risk infection more than they already had left and joined the uninfected. Pas D’arms was still with her, and she selfishly felt relieved. Together, they brought supplies and rations to more appropriate drop-off points. Brave Storm brought her construction tools closer to buildings that were in desperate need of repair. Paz had brought rations to a building repurposed into a mess hall. 

 

It had been Brave Storm that suggested those who were working closely with the infected should put themselves in a light quarantine. They would have no idea of knowing until it was too late if the crystalline disease had been transmitted. Some begrudgingly agreed and sought shelter away from the infected homes, but still on this side of the fence. Others, as expected, ignored her and rejoined the others. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than every possible infected pony spreading the disease.

Pas D’arms and Brave Storm took shelter in a run-down house together. It had a heavy draft that made it unbearably cold for most ponies. But thanks to Brave Storm’s thick coat and Pas’s odd resistance to cold, they were fine with not much more than a thick blanket. They lay across from each other with a magically fueled lamp between them. Brave Storm couldn’t tell how long she had waited for sleep to find her when she heard Pas shift.

“Brave? Are you awake?” he asked her.

Brave Storm released a small grunt in response, not being able to find the emotional energy for words. She heard the unicorn shift more and heard the sound of his horn tinking on the lamp. The lamp cast a mellow orange light over the two equines. Brave Storm could now clearly see Pas’s conflicted expression.

“Something’s on my mind and I’d like to hear your take on something.” the unicorn began. “I know the quarantine is important to not spread this crystal thing. But dang, it feels so different living it. It’s cold and isolated. And everypony is scared. On both sides of the fence. What do you think of this?”

“Well…,” Brave Storm started after a moment of mulling the question over, “I dated some filly when I was younger. Her family was pretty big on ranching- raised sheep. The thing about sheep is that they like to really pack in with each other and they like to be in big herds.

“And the thing about diseases is that they thrive and spread in those sorts of conditions. If a sheep was shown to be sick, it was important for her to isolate that sheep from the others. Yes, the sheep would be lonely and get scared being alone.” Brave Storm shared. “But what would happen to the rest of the herd if the sheep was left with the rest?”

“It would have spread. And faster with each new sheep.” 

“Exactly. A little bit of loneliness, while it recovered, was better than the whole herd getting sick. It may seem cruel, but it’s necessary. And it’ll make it easier to help everypony once we figure out how to help them.”

Paz nodded thoughtfully as he deliberated on Brave Storm’s answer. He gave her his thanks, turned off the lamp, and slowly managed to lull himself to sleep. Brave Storm felt too uncomfortable to find sleep. It was like there were rocks in her hay bed that kept pushing against her chest. Even when she took to her side, there was a pressure that hurt. Brave Storm had to lie on her back, which was odd and uncomfortable for her, but at least it wasn’t painful.

When dawn broke, the source of her discomfort in the night became obvious. Brave Storm backed away from Paz first as he gave her an apologetic and sorrowful look. She looked at the crystals that had the audacity to look as though they might have belonged on her. Despite the fear of becoming a crystal statue like Princess Flurry Heart, Brave Storm managed to give Paz a smile.

“At least I can go all in helping the Crystal Empire now.”