((STORY EXTRACT))

The earth pony wrapped his forelegs about myself in a tight hug, resting his chin on my shoulder. Fresh, freezing tears flowed down my cheeks as I sputtered my breaths, shaking in his hooves. Static lightly shushed, gently rubbing up and down my back, trying to calm me. After a few moments of the gentle crying, I pushed myself back, Static resting his hooves on my shoulders as my sore eyes met his. "Look, just… promise me that we'll both make it through this, together and alive."

Static let off a slow breath, passing on a light nod as he pulled me back into the hug, myself resting my own chin on his shoulder. "I promise we'll both get home, Night Strike. One way or another, we'll both get through this." A shuddering sigh escaped myself as I snugged the earth pony against myself, burying my muzzle against his neck and letting myself relax. I really just needed to hear him say that…