> The Trotting Dead > by Littlepip1231 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Twilights POV > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE TROTTING DEAD Written by: Pierce The Veil Chapter One ~Twilights POV~ “Spike? Spike can you go get the door?” I called out irritatibly to my younger dragon. “I’m on it Twilight!” I let out a sigh of relief as I heard Spike thump away to the front door. ‘Now back to my studies’ As soon as my eyes meet the book once more, I heard a piercing shout from downstairs. Instantly, I teleported to the front door. To my surprise, there was nopony there. But upon turning around, three police ponies had their attention upon a corner, in which Spike was huddling in. “W-Whatever it is, I DIDN’T DO IT!” Spike cried out. “No, you didn’t do anything, but you need to leave now. We’re taking you and everypony else out of here … It … It isn’t safe around here anymore” My furrowed my eyebrows curiously. “Excuse me? Not safe? What do you sirs mean?” I piped up. The police ponies turned around. The one in the middle dashed over to me. “Miss, you need to leave now. Head to the Ponyville main hall where everypony is sheltering, and it’s safe there” I stomped a frustrated hoof “I’m not leaving until someone tells me whats going on!” I stated angrily. The other two police ponies gulped in fear. “We don’t even know what’s going on ourselves, but there’s ponies out there … Sick ones. They’ve gone mad and they’re attacking other ponies! It’s not safe here! Go now, we’ll bring your dragon” The stallion pointed one of his burly hooves out towards the door. My mouth opened a slight, and I was about to protest when the police spoke up again. “NOW” I hesitated for a sec, before casting an uncertain glance in Spike’s direction. “It’s okay Twilight, just go!” He cried over the cops. I hated knowing the fact that there is something wrong outside, and I’m leaving him here … In the care of three cops. Groaning inwardly, galloped out the door. My stomach lurched as soon as I exited my house. Bodies lay everywhere, blood coated the streets and there was ponies walking around, however they seemed .. Different. That pony looks like Twist! She looks hurt! I have to help her! “Twist! Come here, we have to get out of here!” I cried. Well, that sure got her attention. She stared at me with pale eyes. Blood was trickling down her mouth and tinting the road below her red. She let out a snarl as she started towards me. “Twist, it’s okay I’m not here to hurt you” I called out. Twist just snapped her jaws together as she broke into full dash, despite the deep, gaping holes within her legs. “Twist!” I yelped, turning and dashing in the other direction. The scene that I caused made other ‘ponies’ look at me, and they started to hobble quickly towards me. ‘What’s going on here!? Why is everypony so weird?!’ I turned around to see Twist still behind me, keeping her speed up, and never losing breath. “Oh no!” I gasped out. More and more ‘ponies’ were behind Twist. ‘RUN, TWILIGHT RUN!’ My lungs were already screaming for air and a break, but I couldn’t. If I stopped … Only Celestia knows what would happen to me! I kept struggling to keep one step ahead of the ‘ponies’, and as soon as I thought my efforts were in vain, the town hall slowly made its way into my sight. The only issue was, lining the outside of the building was rows upon rows of ‘ponies’ stomping their hooves against the building, in best hopes to get in. ‘Wouldn’t it be easier if I …’ Using my magic, I teleported and successfully landed inside the building. My hooves hit the ground, and I instantly looked around. Familiar faces were huddling in corners or with loved ones, and among the crowd I spotted Applejack with her hooves around Applebloom, rocking her slowly in her lap. The orange earth pony seemed to be caressing and comforting her. “Applejack!” I called out, trotting towards her. “H-Hey Twilight” Applejack sniffled. “What’s wrong?” I asked. Applejack looked up at me wearily with hopelessness in her eyes. She held my gaze steadily before speaking up. “Granny Smith … Big Mac … Walkers got to ‘em before we could … Ah .. Ah don’t even know what to do anymore …” Applejack said flatly before burying her head into Applebloom’s mane. “Oh … I’m so sorry to hear Applejack …” I said quietly. Frankly, there wasn’t much to say anyway, but just to sit in the unnerving silence of the building with the occasional sob here and there. I rested a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder and closed my eyes. Yesterday seemed to joyful and happy, and all of a sudden- our world has changed before our eyes. A voice broke my chain of thought. “Ponyville citizens” the Mayor Mare called out. Everypony looked up silently. The Mayor scanned the crowed to make sure she had everypony’s attention before continuing on. “We won’t be stuck in here much longer. Our Weather Patrol leader Rainbow Dash and her team are scouting the clouds to make sure it’s safe for everypony to stay. We also have some unicorn volunteers to cast a spell upon everypony to walk on clouds. We think we’ll be staying in Cloudsdale, but we’re not sure yet. They’re still checking. You all are doing so well right now, just sit tight for a little longer and we’ll be out of here in no time” The Mayor casted a weak smile of encouragement. Silence met the Mayor. She bowed her head and trotted off the stage. “Applejack, have you seen the others?” I asked. Applejack shook her head weakly. “Okay. You stay here, I’ll find everypony else .. Oh, I sure hope they’re okay!” The last part of my statement was mostly to myself, but I was speaking for Applejack as well. I trotted around the herds of ponies, and right as soon as I spotted Mrs. Cake and Mr. Cake, I felt a hoof touch my shoulder. I gasped and reeled back, and a wave of relief washed over me as Mayor Mare looked at me with concern. “Miss Sparkle, I need to ask of you a favour” She asked. “Sure! I’ll be happy to help” I replied upbeat. “When the Weather Patrol gets back, I’d like to ask if it’s okay if you used some of your magic on the citizens to get to Cloudsdale … I know there’s a lot of us, but you’re not the only unicorn” “Of course! I’d be happy to help. Now, I have to find some ponies so just find me whenever you need me!” I gave her a respectful smile as I started to walk away from her. “Mrs. Cake? Where’s your children?” I asked. “WE’RE HERE!” A voice screeched out. Pinkie Pie jumped up from behind Mrs. Cake with Pound and Pumpkin Cake in hoof. “Oh thank Celestia! I didn’t see you and got worried …” “Don’t worry about us Twilight, we’re all here, safe and sound” Mr. Carrot Cake said, putting one of his orange hooves around his wife and twins. “Pinkie Pie, I need you to come here for a moment. It’s Applejack, and we need to find the others” I explained, changing the topic. Pinkie Pie stared at me for a moment before speaking up. “Okie dokie lokie” She replied. I nodded my head, turned and started jogging towards Applejack. As soon as we reached our orange friend, Pinkie gasped and ran over to Applejack. “JACKIE ARE YOU OKAY!?” She gasped. Applejack mumbled a few things, then Pinkie’s hair deflated. I watched as they spoke quietly among themselves. “I have to head out again to find Rarity, and Fluttershy. Will you guys do fine holding up here for a little longer?” Applejack nodded, and Pinkie shot me the: “I got this look”. As soon as I was turning around to find the last two of our group, a sickening crack broke through the building. My head snapped in that direction to hear the voice of somepony scream” “THE WALKERS! THEY’RE BREAKING IN!” The moment after he spoke, the wall along the sides of the town hall gave out, and the walkers began to push their way into the town hall, their soulless eyes hungry and eager for pony meat. > Rarity's POV > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Two ~Rarity's POV~ “Rarityy! Scoots and I don’t wanna go outside though!” Sweetiebelle whined. I narrowed my eyes at my younger sister. “I have things to do and I simply cannot be interrupted! Now shoo!” I scolded. Sweetiebelle rolled her eyes as she dragged herself away from me. ‘Now, where was I?’ Screwing up my face in concentration, I put my hoof on the hoof-pedal, and my sewing machine began to run once more. That was, until a scream pierced my ears, making me lose focus and run the machine off the fabric. I gasped in horror at the fabric in front of me. An ugly stitch line ran right through the whole fabric piece. It’ll take hours to take out! “Sweetie BELLE!” I screamed out, stomping a hoof vigorously. “YOU MADE ME SCREW UP THIS PIECE THAT I’VE BEEN WORKING HARD ON, AND NOW YOU WILL-“ My rant was cut short at gory scene before me. “R-Rarityy!! HELLP” Scootaloo cried. “Oh sweet Celestia … Hey! You! You leave those fillies alone!” I marched forward. A ragged looking stallion had Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo cornered. He was staggering and growling, slowly inching towards the defenseless fillies. “Where is your manners? And why are you picking on ponies younger than you!?” I snapped. The stallion turned around, and I felt my face go green and the need to hurl. He let out a snort and started limping towards me. His eyes were missing, and a chunk of his mouth was hanging off his jaws. I backed up slowly, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo hugging each other in fear. “Don’t. Come. Any. Closer” I warned. He let out a roar and charged at me. With my magic, I picked up a few pin holders and I stabbed him into the sockets where his eyes should be. There was a sickening squish before he fell limp at my hooves. “Oh no … I … I killed somepony” I whispered as soon as the fact sunk into my head. There was a pause for a moment. I just stared at the broken body in front of me. My heart jumped as soon as one of his hooves lashed out for me. I jumped out of the way in time. He heaved himself to his hooves and charged at me. Quickly, I raised my fore-hooves up in self-defense. I squeezed my azure eyes shut as he was only a mere inch away from me, and to my surprise, my end didn’t come. Carefully, I opened one eye to see Sweetiebelle hovered over him. A dagger was in her magical grip, sunk deep into his head. She tore it out and the sick sound of meat was enough to make me hurl over to the side. “Thank you, Sweetiebelle” I murmured. She nodded in return. “Hey … I think we need to leave ..” Scootaloo awkwardly mentioned. Sweetiebelle and I looked over to her, and the orange filly was pointing a wing out the front door. Sweetiebelle and I trotted over, and I nearly collapsed on the sight. Everywhere was littered with a few of these ruffians, scourging the grounds for only Celestia knows what. “Sweetiebelle, stay here, Scootaloo, stay right behind me” I instructed. I got two nods from the ponies in return. “It’s not safe out there … We … We need to find something to protect ourselves. Sweetie, how did you kill that creature before?” I asked, looking at my younger sister. Sweetiebelle shrugged. “Just stabbed it in the brain … Otherwise they don’t die!” She exclaimed. I closed my eyes slowly. This isn’t right. We shouldn’t have to kill these ponies. Maybe they’re just looking for help? It seems unlikely … “Sweetie, give me the knife” I ordered. Sweetiebelle hesitated for a moment, eyeing her dagger wistfully. “Give it to me” I pressed. Sweetiebelle nodded and dropped the knife at my hoof “Thanks” I said to her, picking up the dagger. “Now you two find something sharp to defend yourself with … I can’t risk anyone getting hurt” Rarity called from over her shoulder. Her attention was focused on the monster ponies outside. They didn’t seem to notice them … Yet. As Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle scuttled off to find something to their liking, Rarity began to ponder to herself. What happened to Ponyville? It wasn’t this disastrous yesterday … “We’re back Rarity!” Scootaloo called. Rarity nodded, not tearing her line of sight off the creatures. “What do you two have?” Rarity asked. “We went to the kitchen and found these” Sweetiebelle showed her sister her butcher knife, and Scootaloo’s large kitchen knife. I nodded and a gulp slowly went down my throat. I’m not exactly too thrilled to see my little girl and one of her best friends with a knife at such a young age … But I can’t leave her unarmed, can I now? “Good. Let’s head out and check up on our friends. We have to make sure they’re fine” I said, looking at each filly in the eye. They nodded their understanding and followed me out of the boutique door. The air scented of rotting corpses, and the world we once knew was now full of guts and gore. A few of these walking creatures spotted us, and began their hike towards us. “Come on! This way!” I cried, starting my way into a full gallop towards Twilight’s tree house. I have to check up on Twi and make sure she’s okay! Ooh and the other girls too I thought frantically. I yelp sounded from behind me. I skidded to a halt to see one of these ‘ponies’ on Sweetiebelle. The younger filly was thrashing her hooves around, trying to get the beast off her. The pony seemed to be .. Snapping at her and trying to bite her, as if its trying to make her into a snack. I raised up my dagger and sank it into the back of its head. At this point, more ponies were eagerly hobbling and limping towards us. “You okay Sweetiebelle!?” I asked, pushing the body off her. Sweetiebelle nodded and got up. I eyed her one more time before we continued our way to Twilight’s tree. As soon as my friends house rolled into a sight, something strange ran out of the building. Three caramel brown stallions burst out of the building with Spike on one of their backs. On their torsos was a shirt that screamed that they were the police. “Hey! Hello!!” I cried out.l They stopped and looked at out direction, while the unicorn stallion of the group aimed a gun at the three of us. “We mean no trouble! We need help!” I called out, in hopes to explain. The unicorn briefly nodded and lowered his gun. “Come on!” I urged. “Sweetiebelle, Scootaloo, come here, these cops are going to help us” I looked each filly in the eye. They nodded once more. The three of us trotted over. “You three need help?” He asked as soon as we were in ear-shot distance. “Rarity!” Spike called out gleefully. He was silenced from a look shot by the pegasi guard. I smiled at him feebly. “Yes” I replied, nodding my head at the same time. “Alrighty” The unicorn replied. He raised his gun again and peeked through the aiming hole. It seemed to be as if he was pointing at us. “Um, sir?” I asked nervously. With his magic, he loaded the gun and a click came out of weapon. The trigger was pulled, and a bullet shot out faster than Rainbow Dash, right past us. Scootaloo, Sweetiebelle, and I turned around in confusion to see where the bullet was shot. We turned around in time to see one of the scary looking ponies collapse to the ground. “You want no business with those biters. They try to eat you, and when you die, you turn into one of them” The pegasi cop informed grimly. My stomach did a flop at that. “They’re … Cannibals?” I asked quietly. The earth pony cop nodded. “Come, we’re heading to the town hall. It’s safe there. We can’t dawdle here much longer” The unicorn pony instructed. The five of us trotted behind the unicorn, avoiding the biters along the way. It was a long, and terrifying walk. Biters were coming at us form all angles, and every few minuets we’d stop to stab or shoot one here and there. Finally, we reached the town hall. It was in ruins, and biters were trailing in. “OH SWEET CELESTIA!” The unicorn cop yelled. The three police broke into a dash, and the fillies and I were right behind them. The unicorn aimed his gun again. He was shooting at the corpses, every few shots at least two would drop to the ground, dead. The pegasi flew over to the chaotic crowd. I watched as he repediatly stab or bash the skulls of ponies in- Until one pegasi biter flew over and bit him in the wing. There was a wail before he fell and disappeared into the mob of biters. The biters rushed over to him to begin their feast. “This way” I whispered to Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo, who were shaking from terror and shock. We crept along the sides of the building. The biters didn’t notice us- they’re too busy with their victim. Upon entering the building, there were pony entrails and biters everywhere. I just so happened to see Applebloom, Applejack, Twilight, and Pinkie fighting biters by the corner. “There!” I pointed a hoof in our friends direction. We sprinted over and sank our weapons into the heads of the biters attacking our friends. I was panting by the time I yanked my dagger out of its skull. I looked at the face of the biter I killed, and reeled over in shock. The biter I just killed was Aloe. “Rarity? Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle?” Twilight asked softly. I nodded. “It’s us” I replied. “Thank Celestia you’re safe!” Applejack cried. She jumped over to me and threw her hooves around in a hug, soon to be joined by Pinkie Pie. “We don’t have time for this. We have to celebrate later. More biters are on their way” Twilight mentioned with fear mingling in with her voice. I turned around to see biters slowly cornering us. “OH NO WE’RE GONNA DIEEEE!” Pinkie Pie wailed. I gulped in fear and took a step back, only to trip over Applebloom. “Hang on everypony!” Twilight called out to us. I squeezed my eyes shut and prepared for the inevitable. There was a flash of purple light, and then we were gone. > Fluttershy's POV > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Three ~Fluttershy’s POV~ “There you go Angel bunny! A nice salad for lunch!” I chirped happily, setting the plastic bowl at Angel’s paws. The white rabbit kicked the bowl, and its contents spilled onto the floor. I felt my face fluster. “I’m sorry …” I whimpered. I glanced over at the leaves on the floor, and thankfully enough, little mice and shrews scuttled over and snacked on the remains. “Well, what do you want?” I asked, looking at Angel. The little rabbit hopped away for a moment, and returned holding the cookbook. He turned to page 54, and pointed at a gourmet salad. I quickly scanned the ingredients. “Angel, I don’t have carrots. You know I’m going shopping tomorrow though. Why don’t you pick something else?” I asked gently. Angel crossed his arms and looked away. “Okay, fine I’ll go get the carrots right now!” I squeaked. Angel proceeded to look away from me as I skipped out the door. As soon as I trotted down the dirt path, I knew something was wrong. Just the sight of the blood staining the streets, and hurt ponies everywhere, limping and groaning. “Oh no!” I squeaked. I unfurled my wings and began to fly as fast as I could to the nearest pony. Angel could wait for a bit- I had things to do. I recognized the hurt pony to the filly called Silverspoon. “Oh no! Silverspoon, are you okay!?” I gasped. The gray filly looked up at me slowly. Blood slowly dripped from her mouth, and her white eyes bore holes through me. I squeaked in terror and backed up slowly. She growled and began to make her way towards me. “Silverspoon, I’m going to help you” I reassured her carefully. She snarled and lashed one of her bloody hooves at me. I ducked just in time. “That wasn’t very nice” I stated sternly But she’s hurt. She needs help I scolded myself for being so insensitive. I landed on the ground and tucked my wings to my side. I held out a hoof to her. “You seem to be in pain. Here, let me help you” I said squeamishly. She let out a half-growl-half-snort and – All of a sudden she collided with the ground in front of my hooves. I jumped back in surprise in time to see Rainbow Dash hovering over the body, pulling her arrow of the skull of Silverspoon. “Rainbow Dash!” I cried. Rainbow rolled her magenta eyes at me. “Have you seen this town lately? You should be thanking me! You were nearly eaten by a walker!” Rainbow said irritably. I decided to ignore the comment. I flew up to meet her gaze. “Since when have you learned to use a bow and arrow, anyway?” I asked. Rainbow shrugged. “I dunno. I kinda knew since I was a filly” She responded, throwing it back over her shoulder. “Come on Fluttershy, we have no time to lose. I heard that the town hall was being attacked by more walkers” Rainbow explained in a hurry. My head was spinning with confusion. Walkers? Attacked? What’s going on here? Rainbow grabbed my hoof and flew off in the direction of the town hall. We were there in 10 seconds flat. “Oh no! We have to make sure Twilight and the others are okay!” Rainbow gasped. “Here! You’ll need this to defend yourself. Hit the walkers in the head and that should do it” Rainbow reached into her saddlebag and threw me a knife. I caught it by the handle before it fell. “Now hurry!” Rainbow said as she glided down. Why do we have to kill? I whimpered to myself. At the same time, I felt hooves being placed on my hind leg. I let out a squeak and I turned around to see a pegasi mare, snarling at me. One of her eyes were missing, and her mane was ratted. It let out a moan as it prepared to sink its teeth into my leg. “YOU WILL NOT GET ME ALIVEE!” I cried out, jabbing the knife into her head. Its single lifeless eye closed, and its wings stopped flapping. It fell to the earth below. I quickly followed it, and I yanked the knife out of its head as soon as it hit the ground. I stared at the bloody blade in horror. Oh no … I killed somepony! I felt myself shivering in fear. I acted out of instinct. I would never purposefully hurt another pony! “Somepony! Help!” I heard. My head snapped up, and I flew in the direction of the voice. I almost fainted at what I saw. Five walkers were trying to snap at Twilight, and other familiar faces. I dove down to go help out, but I halted in mid-air as Twilight casted a spell, teleporting all of them somewhere else. I looked around in confusion, to see them reappear on the ground below me. I lowered myself to their height. “Hi” I said quietly. “Fluttershy! Yer alright!” Applejack gasped. I nodded. “Ooh thank Celestia Ah thought you were ah gonner!” Applebloom squealed. “We have no time to waste. Fluttershy, have you seen Rainbow?” Twilight looked at me with concern. “Umm yes. She’s looking for you all right now” I replied. “Well she flew right past us then!” Rarity interrupted. I shook my head. “I can go get her. If it’s no trouble at all, I mean” I offered. Twilight nodded. “That would be awesome. We’ll hold up here for now. I wish we had more weapons though” Twilight’s voice trailed off. “I can go get some!” Pinkie Pie chirped. “And me too!” Applejack piped up. “Good. Hurry! These walkers are coming!” Twilight ushered us away, and she picked up a nearby rock in her grasp. She slammed it into the head of a nearby walker, and I shuddered. Has our world really come to this? I spotted Rainbow up in the sky, just past the town hall. “Rainbow Dash! Rainbow! Dash!” I called out. However, the headstrong pegasi didn’t hear me. “RAINBOW DASH” I yelled. The cyan pony looked at me, and flew over. “What is it, ‘Shy? You know we have to find Twilight and we have absolutely no time to lose!” Rainbow said worriedly. I smiled cutely. “Beat you too it already!” I said in a sing-song tone. Rainbow let out a small chuckle, before her eyes went wide. “DUCK!” She gasped. I did. I lowered my head and a bow shot right where my head was a heartbeat ago. I turned around and saw a walker falling from the sky. Rainbow Dash moved quickly through the air, and ripped her arrow back from the pony before it hit the ground. “Now Fluttershy! Hurry, take me to Twilight and the others!” Rainbow said frantically. I nodded, and we glided past the town hall, to where the group was holding up. We landed on the ground, as soon as I saw Applejack and Pinkie Pie returning back. They leaped through the ruins of the town hall, and proceeded to charge towards us, their backs carrying saddlebags of weapons. “We’re back and we got walker killers!” Pinkie Pie chirped, putting the bag down beside where Applejack put hers. “Good” Twilight praised. I looked at the knife Rainbow Dash gave me. “Just put that in the bag for now, Fluttershy. You’ll need something sharper” Twilight instructed. I nodded and put it in the bag. “I’ll keep watch. Walkers are coming from all angles and if somepony doesn’t keep watch, we’re all walker food” Rainbow said, before pulling out arrows from the sack on her back, and firing them at the nearby walkers. I found a large scalpel, and pulled it out for myself. “Is that what you want?” Twilight asked me. I nodded as she loaded her gun. Applejack pulled out a hacksaw for herself, Rarity clutched a dagger with her magic, and Pinkie Pie decided that a hammer would do the trick. Sweetiebelle had a butcher knife in her levitation, Scootaloo had a large kitchen knife, and Applebloom held a serrated knife. Also, inside the saddlebags were knife and gun holders. I picked up a bag designed for knives and put it over my shoulder. It looked similar to Derpy’s mailmare bag … Soon, we were prepared. Thankfully no walkers got to us while getting ready. “Where do we head to now?” I heard Sweetiebelle ask. Twilight didn’t look at Sweetiebelle. She was focused on keeping the walkers approaching us slowly. “I don’t know. We’ll head to the everfree forest, and see if Zecora has a solution to this” Twilight called back in response. “Everypony! Make a circle and stay close together! Don’t lose this formation!” Twilight instructed. Instantly, we made a tight circle, and I wormed my way in there. We were constantly driving our knives through these walkers, and I would jump every time I heard Twilight’s gun go off. “Fluttershy, how safe is your house?” Twilight called over to me. “Haven’t even known this chaos is going on” I responded. “We’ll head there for the mean time” the purple unicorn cried to everypony, who seemed to have no objections. Oh no! I wonder if walkers got into my house, would they get Angel!? I hope not! I panicked to myself. I gulped in fear. We’re just going to have to find out. > Applejack's POV > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Four ~Applejack’s POV~ Honestly, Ah didn’t know what to feel. It all just happened so quickly, and Ah barely knew what was happenin’! All Ah can register was it was lunch time, and we were eatin’ away happily, and all of a sudden, those things burst through the door, and took hold of Granny Smith. Big Mac began to fight them off, and he told Applebloom and I to go … He told us to leave … And we did. ~~~ “Twilight, I don’t know how much more Ah can take!” I cried. My hoof was starting to get sore from holding the Celestia-be-damned hacksaw. I raised it over my head and sliced through the head of a walker approaching me. “We’re almost there! Just hang on for a little longer! All of you!” Twilight called back. I let out a grunt as I threw effort into my next blow. This walker’s head came clean off its body. “We can teleport from here” Twilight informed again. “then DO IT!” Pinkie yelled to the purple mare. And in the next second, we’re in the front of Fluttershy’s cottage. “I have to see if my animals are okay!” Fluttershy gasped. She darted into the cottage without precaution. “Fluttershy no!” I cried out to the butter-yellow pegasi, but it was too late. She already disappeared into the darkness of her home. Rainbow and I casted each other worried glances. “F-Fluttershy?” I called out carefully. “HE’S NOT IN HERE!” I heard her screech. “Shush Fluttershy! You’ll attract all the walkers!” Rainbow snapped. Fluttershy zoomed out of her cottage and halted in front of us. Her eyes searching around frantically. “He’s not here. Ohno hesnotherehesnothereHESNOTHERE!” She wailed. “Flutters, calm down. We’ll find him!” I rested a hoof on her shoulder. Fluttershy looked down and didn’t meet my gaze. “If she was able to screech like a banshee and NOT attract any biters, then there’s a sweet chance that her house is clear” Rainbow Dash pondered out loud. Twilight nodde.d “You’re right Rainbow, but we should still be careful. You never know …” Twilight’s voice trailed off. “Ah’ll go in and check” I volunteered. Twilight eyed me carefully. “You sure about that AJ?” She asked me doubtfully. I nodded. “But sis! What if there is something in there? What if it attacks you? Ah don’t wanna lose you either!” Applebloom protested. I held her gaze and smiled warmly. “Ah’ll be fine! Ah promise!” I reassured her. “Applebloom’s right! I’m coming in with you” Rainbow Dash landed beside Applebloom and stared me straight in the eye, as if wanting me to object. “And me too! Me too!” Pinkie Pie bounced over to us cheerfully. Her hammer’s handle poked out of her bag. I nodded. “We’ll be out in ten minuets, and if were not, then there’s something wrong” I looked at Twilight in the eye, and she nodded. I tipped my hat, and the three of us proceeded into the house. I’ll admit, I felt pretty anxious about what will be inside. I could tell Pinkie and Rainbow felt the same way, but since we were together, we were unstoppable. We slowly crept into the house, the floorboards creaking below our hooves. As silent as possible, we crawled to the nearest wall. I glanced past it to see that familiar sight of Fluttershy’s living room, however it looked awfully barren. This new cleanliness was incongruous to the way it looked before. It was almost scary, actually. “Its all clear! We’ll head that way” I whispered, pointing one hoof towards the kitchen. I received two nods from Rainbow and Pinkie. Still keeping our stance, we moved quickly, but silently to the kitchen. A scuffling sound from the pantry caught my ear. The three of us exchanged bewildered expressions. “Hey Dash, you go! You ain’t scared of nothin’!” I urged the cyan Pegasus. Rainbow shot me a glare. “Me? Why don’t you go? Stop being such a sissy” She retorted. The scratching sound inside the pantry took us by surprise. I casted Rainbow a dirty look before creeping over the pantry door. Carefully, I put a hoof on the doorknob. Turning around, I saw Rainbow aiming her bow and arrow at the door, and Pinkie’s hammer handle was gripped tightly in her mouth. “Go on. Open it” Rainbow nodded at the door. “Just think of it as a surprise, AJ! Ooh! I love surprises!” Pinkie giggled quietly. I ignored the two, and slowly turned the knob. My heart was racing, and I felt a cold bead of sweat trickle down my forehead. I tightened my grip of my hacksaw in my other hoof, and I flung the door open and let out a battle cry- Only to be greeted by tiny mice scurrying out of the pantry. “What in tarnation!?” I gasped. Rainbow Dash broke into fits of laughter. “Well, at least Ah had the courage to open that door” I stomped a hoof down in anger. Rainbow wiped a tear from her eye, only to break into laughter some more. I looked over at Pinkie. She was trying her best to contain her laughter, but with no avail. I groaned and slapped a hoof across my face, I couldn’t help but let out a few chuckles myself. It was a good laugh. A really, really good one. > Rainbow Dash's POV > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Five ~Rainbow Dash’s POV~ So, I never even thought a zombie apocalypse would ever happen. But it did! And I think it’s pretty cool! I finally get to go pull some awesome tricks in the air while kicking pony guts and stuff everywhere! I mean, how cool is that? So anyway, Applejack just made a TOTAL fool of herself just now. Pinkie and I were throwing a laughing fit on the ground, and I didn’t even bother to keep quiet. I wiped a tear from my eye as Pinkie’s laughter died down. “Done yet sugar cube?” Applejack glared at me. I nodded. “Uh huh” I nodded, opening my wings and taking flight once more. “Let’s go check upstairs, shall we?” Applejack’s glare didn’t leave me. I rolled my eyes. “Sure” I replied. I checked over my shoulder to see if my cross-bow was there, and thank goodness it was. “Hey, I’ll go first! I’m not some chicken” I called out boastfully, before flying up the stairs of Fluttershy’s cottage. Halfway up the stairs, I heard a dull thump on the top floor. A little anxiety burned in my stomach. I turned around and saw Applejack followed by Pinkie Pie. Applejack raised an eyebrow as if saying: ‘Go on’ I turned back and cautiously flew up the stairs. I drew my crossbow out and aimed it around the room as I entered the top floor. I almost gasped openly. Angel, or at least, what was left of him was snarling and biting out gashes of an unfortunate squirrel. It seemed to be have gone, because the skin where the fur was torn away was pale. I aimed my crossbow at it and slowly loaded it. Right as I put a hoof on the trigger, Angel turned around. His death-black eyes glared at me as he lunged forward. I quickly pulled the trigger and an arrow shot quickly out of it, landing exactly between his eyes. He fell over, dead once more. I was panting by the time I put my crossbow away. I trotted over to the dead bunny and pulled out my arrow, as sharp as a cantata. I looked back and exchanged glances with Applejack and Pinkie Pie. “I did it. See? I’m not chicken” I retorted. Applejack rolled her eyes as she began to search for more biters. Pinkie Pie jumped around the room humming a familiar tune. After a few minuets of quiet exploration, Applejack spoke up. “Ah think this is now safe for everypony to stay in. But, Ah don’t know how Fluttershy is going to take the fact that Angel is uh … One of … Them” Applejack said sheepishly. Pinkie Pie sprung over to AJ. “Here, I’ll tell her” She offered before bounding down the stairs. Through the cottage window I was able to see Pinkie tell the rest of the group what we discovered. I was unlucky enough to see Fluttershy burst out into tears outside. A pang of empathy stabbed me at the sight of the fragile pegasi. ’She’s going to learn that we’re all going to die eventually though’ I told myself. Twilight spoke a few words before the herd trotted into the cottage. I picked up the body of Angel, and stuffed him in a nearby chest before gliding down and joining the rest of the group. “Thank you, all of you for clearing this for us” Twilight glanced at the three of us. I waved it off with my hoof. “It was no biggy” I chirped. Peering behind the crowd, I saw Fluttershy huddling over, sobbing to herself quietly. I silently flew over. “You okay?” I asked. Fluttershy nodded. “I-I’m fine” She mumbled. I didn’t leave. I landed and put my hoof on her shoulder. “Is … Is his body still …” She attempted to ask. I shook my head. “It’s gone” I told her. Fluttershy nodded her head and continued to avoid my gaze. “Fluttershy, listen. I know this is hard for you, and it was even harder for me to shoot him, but it had to be done” I explained. “YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO! YOU COULD’VE JUST TIED HIM UP!” Fluttershy wailed. I was taken aback by her new tone. “YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO KILL H-him” She whimpered. “Fluttershy-“ I started. “Just go” She turned away from me. I drew back and accidently bumped into Twilight. I looked at her, searching her face for an answer to cheer Fluttershy up. Twilight didn’t say anything. “Leave it to me” She said, before pushing past me and making her way to Fluttershy. “Rainbow Dash?” I looked down and saw Scootaloo looking up at me. I put on a smile. “Hey Scoots” “Have you killed any walkers yet?” She asked. “Yeah. I’ve killed a few. Quite simple” I replied proudly. Scootaloo beamed. “You should teach me some cool techniques sometime! I wanna be just like you!” She closed her eyes enthusiastically. I felt flattery wash over me. “Heh, thanks Scoots! I will defiantly teach you one day” I promised. “Um … Guys?” Sweetiebelle started. Everypony turned to Sweetiebelle. “L-look!” She pointed a hoof fearfully outside the door. And outside, was a big wave of walkers, making their way towards the cottage. > Pinkie Pie's POV > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pinkie Pie’s POV “one TWO IM COMING FOR YOUUU!” I sang fretfully as I smashed my hammer into the skull in one of the approaching walkers. “THREE FOUR WE BETTER LOCK OUR DOORS!” I added, swinging my hammer and smashing the leg of another creature. “FIVE, SIX, WE SHOULD … Eat some twix?” I paused for a moment, wondering what should be added to my song. “PINKIE PIE LOOK OUT!” Dashie screamed from behind. I turned and looked at her, but she was already flying at me at full speed. “DUCK!” she cried. I did. She crashed into one of the walkers, and pierced its skull. “Dash! Quick close the door!” Twilight cried. But before Rainbow Dash could’ve gotten there, Twilight teleported over and slammed the door shut, and it made an unsettling ‘thud’ as it crashed shut. There was an eerie silence between the nine of us. “Well, I’m glad that’s over!” I chirped. The tired ponies casted wary glances my way. Twilight continued on, TOTALLY ignoring me! Like, how rude! “We must get rid of the unessesariy material if we want to be settled in just fine” Twilight said after a moment. We cleared most of the items, except for food, and while the other ponies were being all so boring, I was skipping and singing, and trying to lighten the mood. Except when ponies are sad, I get sad, and then everyone’s sad, and when everyone’s sad, its extremely sad so my hair deflated and even though I didn’t want to because I didn’t wanna be sad BUT STILL IT MEANS IM SAD BUT I DON’T WANNA BE SAD!! But finally we cleared the house. Rainbow Dash is going out to scour the city for more residents that are still living. Twilight also looks pretty worried. What could be bothering her? I mean, she’s awesome! I trotted over. “Yo Twilight bro! What’s uuup?” I asked her. She looked down. “Spike’s missing” She said. I gasped. Spike! How could I not notice him gone!? Twilight kicked one of the corpses feebly. “And I don’t know what I’m going to do without him” She whispered. I pushed the corpse outside so she wouldn’t kick it anymore. “I’m sure Dashie will find him” I put a comforting hoof on her shoulder. She glanced up at me with tears in her eyes. “Thanks” She forced a smile before looking away from me. I noticed Sweetie Belle and Applebloom looking at us sadly. “Ah sure hope he turns up” Applebloom said quietly before the two went over to join Scootaloo on the top floor. Knocking on the door caused us to look up. With Twilight’s magic, she opened the door and Rainbow Dash flew in, her saddle bag filled with many goods. I smelled something sweet. CANDY! “RAINBOW DASHIE YOU BROUGHT CANDYYYYY!” I screeched, jumping over to her and knocking her out of the air. She let out a cry before falling over, and some sweet goods flowed out of her bag. Caramels! I quickly lapped up the goods and felt my deflated hair poof right up again. I giggled in delight. Rainbow Dash casted me a glare. “Hey! Those were for everyone you greedy cow!” Rainbow Dash snarled. Greedy cow? greedy cow!?! I felt my hair deflate once more, and sadness well up in my heart. “I’m sorry” I squeaked. Rainbow Dash threw me one more menacing glare before flying upstairs to join the other girls. Twilight glared at me. “Don’t be so selfish next time” She said sternly before following Dashie upstairs, leaving me by myself in the ruined floor. I blew some strands of mane out of my face. “Why do I always mess up?” I said out loud. “Why is it always me who’s impulsive and hyper?” Tears flowed down my cheeks sadly. “Why me?” > Chapter 7 (Twilight's POV) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~Chapter 7~~ =Twilight’s POV= I sit looking at my hooves. “I...why has the world come to this? Where is Spike, why?!” I say through gritted teeth I sniffle and wipe my eyes. I..I need to be a leader. The group needs me. I look back at Pinkie whilst I trot along Fluttershy’s cottage looking for some sort of food. I Trot around. “Rainbow, Applejack, how are you girls doing up there?” “We’re fine, we can’t find any darn food ‘round here.” “We may want to hurry, we don’t want to be occupied here too long. I fear of what may come at us.” Rarity says on her way upstairs. I look ever at Fluttershy who is sitting in a chair, tears streaming down her face. “Are you alright Fluttershy?” I ask worried. “I can do this..on..on my own, you leave me alone! I don’t need any of your help!” I open my eyes at the sudden outburst. I turn my head away “I...I’m sorry. I..I jus-” She is interrupted by the sound of shattering wood panic arises within me. I look to the right to see Walkers busting through the door. Applejack runs up from behind my with her hacksaw and starts slicing at the undead ponies one swipes at her and she jumps back. “Uhh, we are goin’ to be needin’ some help y’all, they’re bustin’ in!” she says with a slight worried tone I grab my gun and look at the amount of ammunition left. None. The clips are gone?! “Shi-” I begin to say but am interrupted by Fluttershy running and knocking me to the side. “How could you hurt him.....you..you MONSTERS?!” she screams swinging the knife back and forth, slicing the undead ponies’s heads one by one. I stare wide eyed at the enraged Fluttershy. “YOU SICK BASTARDS!” She screams as she pulls a bloody knife out of a Walker’s head “These guys just don’t quit!” I hear Rainbow. I grab a nearby kitchen knife with my magic as I turn around to see Rainbow and Pinkie fighting the undead coming from the other side of the cottage. Feeling useless I run up to help. I stab a Walker in the brain and pull my knife out. Blood and gore spraying across my face. Thinking of an idea suddenly, I look to a kitchen drawer, I run over and open until I find a drawer of knives. I use my magic to grab all the knives out of the drawer that my magic can hold. I hover them at the door and yell “Duck everypony!” I throw half of the knives towards the front and the rest towards the back. I hear the sickening thuds of bodies hitting the ground. I then turn to see a small clearing behind the undead shoving their way into the cottage. “Come here everypony! We’re going to teleport out of the house while we can!” I say seeing a small chance. Everyone huddles around me and I conjure up my magic, seeing a purple flash I open my eyes to see us outside of the cottage. I turn towards the Everfree forest. “Run!” I yell sweat beading into my eyes. We enter the forest to see more undead everywhere, but these aren’t ponies, but Birds and Bears. I turn to look at the girls following behind me. I see Rainbow Dash start to flap her wings and get into the air. Rainbow Dash flies high in the air and yells. “Get down everypony!!!” We all duck. She then flies towards the ground at lightning speed, a loud crash can be heard as she does a Sonic Rainboom close to the ground, the undead bears stop in their tracks and fall to the ground, the hawks cease to fly as their wings burst into different chunks, I see a bears brain, a pile of mush lying on the ground. I look up at Rainbow Dash who pulls up at the last second, bright Rainbow trail behind her. I look at he as she dashes down the forest path and near some trees “RAINBOW!!” Pinkie screams as Rainbow Dash attempts to dodge an incoming tree. She couldn’t turn enough as the tree came into full contact with her wing. An audible SPLSHHH is heard along with a cry that sounded of pure pain. Rainbow Dash crashes into the ground. The tree is shattered and lying a couple feet away from the bloody cyan pegasus, the blood is around the entirety of the tree. Rainbow Dash crashes into the ground. We all stare wide in horror as we look at Rainbow Dash lying on the ground, wing, lying several yards away from where it is supposed to be, in pieces. We all stand in shock at what just happened. Did...did Rainbow just loose her flight? How..how.....w..will she react?! She will quit, flying is her life.... “Pick her up! Walkers are closing in!!” Rarity cries out interrupting my thoughts. I gallop foreward and grab the unconscious Rainbow maned mare. We start turning to go more into the Everfree forest as more Walkers are heard stumbling along behind us. Panic arises within me as I walk I hear the sound of the horde of Walkers getting steadily closer. I can use my magic beams, they won’t be strong, I don’t have enough energy for that, but I may be able to stun them. I set Rainbow Dash down and charge up my magic. Purple beams of light are shot at several walkers, the walkers merely blinked a couple times and continued on. This.....it’s useless, we’re only delaying the inevitable. We will all....die!Hopeless ness floods my brain. I pick Rainbow Dash up as I imagine all the ways we’re going to die. My eyes are suddenly full of tears. The sound of blood and bodies hitting the ground are audible over the throbbing. The world is a blur as I see the shapes of what I believe to be Rarity, Applebloom, and Scootaloo walking along, protecting me as I dragged Rainbow along. Her blood staining my hooves and my chest. “Don’t die Rainbow, please don’t die on me!!!” I say through my heaving breaths. I turn around to see even more walkers than when we entered the forest. I look ahead to see Zecora’s hut. Rarity gallops forward and slams her hooves against the door. “Zecora!! We...we need help!” she says “Rarity leans against the door and it opens abruptly, Rarity falling on the ground at the zebra Zecora’s hooves. I look at Zecora to see her holding a small gun, a suppressor on the end. Her eyes full of tears, she runs out, she opens fire on the Walkers, silent, eyes having a haunting look within them. She turns to look at the dying Rainbow Dash. “Get her off of her knees, for my treatment is what she needs.” She says, in her enchanting voice, which seems unusually empty. I walk foreward but find myself unable to move. I look down to see a vine wrapped around my body. It reaches to my throat and I struggle. Zecora rushes over and attempts to move the vine. It wraps around my throat and my world begins to dim. I attempt to scream, but can’t find the air. Suddenly I am met with the ground, then darkness.