//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Base Sweet Base // Story: The Trotting Dead // by AstraPony //------------------------------// "Who... Who are you?" Rainbow Dash asked to the suited and masked pony before her. "No time for questions. Come with me." the pony said in a distorted voice. "More trotters will be here soon." the pony started to walk away. 'Trotters?' Rainbow Dash thought. "Wait! What are Trotters?" Rainbow asked. The pony stopped and turned around. "Ponies that come back from the dead." "Well, why are they coming back?" The suited pony went to open their mouth but a deep 'ugggh' was sounded from somewhere behind Rainbow Dash. "Trotters! We need to move!" the pony said with concern. "Follow me." The two started to run in the opposite direction of the trotter. Rainbow tried to fly but her wings were still injured. She would have to rely on her hooves. They ran across Ponyville and past dozens of trotters. Rainbow didn't pay attention to who they where, but she saw blurs of ponies she had seen in the past that were now the undead. Rainbow may have been running through the streets of Ponyville, but her mind was outside the hospital with Applejack. She couldn't believe it. One of her best friends, gone. "We're here." the pony said. They were at Sugarcube Corner. "Why are we here?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Its our base." "Wait 'our'. There are more surviors?" Rainbow asked. "Yes. Now inside. The Trotters must be close on our flanks." the pony said. They go inside the shop and Rainbow sees other survivors. Among the survivors are Pinkie Pie and Twilight. "Pinkie! Twilight! It's so good to see you!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Its good to see you too Rainbow!" Twilight says. "How long have you been awake?" "Oh... Maybe an hour." "Woah! What a way to wake up!" Pinkie says. "Oh! That reminds me! I need to throw your 'Happy Waking Up' party!" Suddenly a mini party cannon goes off. "Shh!" the suited pony says. "You don't want to alarm the Trotters!" "Sorry." Pinkie whispers. "Besides, we don't have time for a party." Rainbow said. She turns towards Twilight. "Twilight, I need to tell you something. Its about Applejack." "We already know. She turned while you were under." Twilight interrupted. Pinkie's mane goes flat. "Yeah, don't remind me" Pinkie suddenly becomes interested with the floor. Her eyes started to tear up. "Oh Pinkie! I'm sorry for bringing it up." Rainbow apologizes. "Its ok. You didn't mean to." Pinkie reassures. Suddenly, her mane poofs up again. "I know what will turn our frownies upside-downy!" "Oh boy..." Twilight mutters. "A PARTY!!!!!!" Pinkie yells. Another party cannon goes off, but this time it is silent. "Pinkie! I thought I said no parties." Rainbow says. "Can we at least have cake?" "Sure." "Yipee!" Pinkie goes right off to the kitchen to start on the cake. After an hour of baking, Pinkie Pie has two cakes, one chocolate and one vanilla with them both decorated with blue and sporting Rainbow's cutie mark, and a batch of cupcakes with the same design as the cakes' "Sorry. I couldn't help myself." Pinkie said. "That's ok, its what you do." Rainbow said "Besides, there will be more for everypony!" Twilight exclaimed. All of the other ponies that were there erupted into (quiet) joy. Everypony was chowing down and having a good time, well as good as it can get in this situation. Meanwhile Pinkie had also made a bowl of punch. "I guess i am having a 'welcome home' party." Rainbow Dash points out. "Yup!!" Pinkie confirms. Suddenly, the suited pony pulls Rainbow Dash aside. "Can we talk?" "Uhh... sure." "I wanted you to know I'm sorry." "For want?" "About your accident." "No sweat. You had nothing to do with it." "But... I'm afraid I did." the suited pony starts to take off their mask.