//------------------------------// // Red Fountain // Story: Zombie Chronicles: New School // by ZombieBrony22 //------------------------------// We were all in AJ's truck, Mom was driving. We were starting to travel to Gardenia for a chat with Red Fountain's "Headmaster". Mom looked back at me. "Jason, are you sure about this? This could determine everything that you do going forward. Doing this could mean life or death. Can you handle that?" She asked me. "I don't even know if I wanna join, this is just for curiosity." I said, slightly hinting about my mother, which she acknowledged. Mom then turned to Bloom, who was riding shotgun. "So, what've I missed? Who's in charge of Alfea now?" Mom asked. "Faragonda." Bloom answered. "Still? She was in charge when I was there..." Mom said. "How long ago was that?" Bloom asked. "17 years, a year before I had Jason." Mom said, with slight sorrow. "Man, what is this month turning into? First, we have zombies, now fairies. What's next, aliens?" I asked in pure confusion. Bloom looked back at me. "Look, I know how hard this is to wrap your head around. Just don't think about it. Roll along, and it'll all start to make sense sooner or later." She said. "She has a point, you know." Mom said as she started entering the city. "So, where're we going?" AJ asked. "Ocean Gate. It's just by the bay, right?" Mom asked Bloom. "Yeah." Bloom said. "And from there, we go to Red Fountain in Magix-- another dimension full of people like Bloom." Mom said. I decided to do what Bloom recommended: Roll along. "Sure..." I said. Bloom acknowledged that I was taking her advice, and nodded. "AJ, how easy is this on you?" I asked her. "Doin' alright. I already knew about Twilight and Equestria, but this... This is somethin' else." AJ said shaking her head. "You know about Equestria?" Mom asked. "Yeah, we have a friend who's from there, says she's a princess." AJ said. "Celestia?" Mom asked. Principal Celestia? "No, her name's Twilight, she's a new one." Bloom said. "You know her?" AJ asked. "Not personally, but me and Celestia have chatted several times." Bloom said. "So Equestria's in Magix?" I asked. "Yeah, or at least on the outer rims." Mom said. We decided to stop talking and absorb the scenery of Gardenia. It was a beautiful city, honestly. People seem decent, architecture's amazing, and to top it all off, my mom seems different here, more... authoritive. Maybe she was always like this and covered it up? My train of thought was derailed when I felt Applejack's hand on my thigh. I decided to hold her hand as she looked at me and smiled. "So, you and Applejack, huh?" Mom asked. "Y... yeah. I was gonna tell you, but all this happened, and--" "It's okay. I know it went so well last time, and I'm glad you're happy." Mom said as she looked up the mirror at us. We were followed with an awkward silence as we finally arrived at the bay. "So, what now?" I asked. "Don't worry, I got this." Bloom said. To be honest, I was to confused to remember how exactly we got there, but we arrived at a form of futuristic building, matching Seattle. "We're here." Mom said as she went to the entrance and rung us in. "Saladin? It's me, we were told that you wanted to interview Jason." Mom said. In a matter of seconds, 5 students came out holding spears and maces. I took it as an attack and got into my fight stance, but Mom put her hand on my shoulder, assuring me that they were innocent. "Hello. I am Headmaster Saladin. Welcome to Red Fountain." An old man said from the entrance. None of us responded, mostly because of confusion. "Oh, this. Right... Fall back, men. They are allies." Saladin said as his students fell back. "Sorry about that, precautions for what will come next." "It's alright. As far as I see it, everyone's got precautions." Mom said. "So this is Jason, then? Taller than I imagined." Saladin said in a jolly manner. "Um... thanks?" I said/asked. "Anyway, let's not drown in small talk, let's take you guys around the building." Saladin said. "You know where Sky is?" Bloom asked. "In his dorm as usual, Bloom. I'll have someone help you up." Saladin said. "I'm good, I know this building like the back of my hand." Bloom said. With that, Bloom entered the building, out of sight. "Who's 'Sky'?" I asked. "Her fiance." Saladin said. "Uh, fiance? Isn't she our age?" AJ asked. "Yes, but she is also princess." Saladin said. "Um... princess?" I asked in more confusion than ever. "Yes, Princess of Domino. I guess the plan to marry once they hit proper age." Saladin said. I didn't know either to be flattered, or confused. I guess I was both in that moment. "Wish I knew that earlier, never called her Your Highness." I said. "It's... quite alright. She doesn't quite enjoy that spotlight." Saladin said as we decided to enter the building and explore. "What happened to the castle? That was a better environment than a flying tower." Mom said. "It was lost during battle." A student said behind us. "Oh, Riven! I don't believe you've met Jessica yet." Saladin said. "No, I can't say I have." Mom said as she shook his hand. "This is Jason, we requested him after it was learned of his, um... origins." What was that supposed to mean? Saladin observed the look on my face. "You haven't told him..." Saladin said. "I... I couldn't bring myself to. I hoped I'd never have to." Mom said. Was this about my father? There was a short silence before Saladin cleared his throat. "Anyway, let's worry about that at a later date. Let's show Jason what he'd be getting into." Mom nodded and we continued. "This is the Forge. Most of our weapons are made here, melee, of course." Saladin said as we watched two students forge a sword. "Next up: the Armory. We keep our firearms, along with munitions in this room. We use them for training, a weaker form of blast, of course." Saladin said. Laser weapons? "Finally, the classes. Jason, here you will learn how to fight more than the average gangster. You will learn to fight monsters. Your mother was one of the first females we had at Red Fountain. However, the co-ed experience was shut down after..." Saladin clearly looked at Mom with a look of guilt. What did she do? "Anyhow, today was just a tour. Tell me, what do you think of Red Fountain?" Saladin asked. I could barely speak. "It... it's amazing. Complex, and clearly some things I need to learn, but this... this is amazing." I said, breathless over what I saw in the past hour. "So, I know the orientation was fast, it's just... we need people ASAP, you know? Zombies?" Saladin asked. "Yeah." AJ said. "We would offer both of you to come, but..." Wait, AJ can't come? Bloom said something about a dorm. This is a boot camp? "I understand you have second thoughts. Think about it for a while, and your mother can call me once you've made up your mind." Saladin said. What? How can I leave AJ? "Sure." Mom said as we headed out for the truck. "Mom, it is not happening!" I said as we went into the truck. "How hard is a few months without us?" Mom asked. "What if something happens and I'm not there? What if Russia falls and we get hit next? How would I find you, how would I find Applejack? Mom, this is not happening." I said. We were silent until AJ held my hand. I saw that her eyes were sparkly. "Okay." Mom said as we drove off to Ocean Gate. "So what're you going to do?" I asked her. "Filthy's considering buying Camp Everfree, but the jury's still out. Once we buy it, we're turning it into a spa, but it'll really be a safe-zone. We'll have concrete walls, food, water, and medicine. We'll be lying, but it'll keep us safe. Me, Filthy, Rin, Len, and Diamond are all headed there, if your family's interested, AJ." Mom said. "Y-- you can't tear down Everfree! You just--" "I know it's wrong, but we don't have much of a choice. Don't tell your friends, just play along AJ, please." Mom begged. AJ nodded, but I knew she didn't like it. "We can talk about it later." I told Mom as I held AJ's hand. I'm not leaving this. Not now, not ever. Not with so many questions.