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// The Journey Begins 
// Story: Pony Zombie Apocalypse 
// by Icewind505 
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    Applejack turned around to see the upper half of the guard's body pulling itself toward her using it's front hooves, blood stained the green grass as the split form spewed blood. The lower half had begun to move as well. Soon the legs attached itself to the upper half at the waist and tottered toward Applejack. She turned around to see the beheaded body kicking the tree. Trying to dislodge it's head from the branch. The head grinned, it's yellow teeth dripped blood and the black gums oozed a purplish liquid. Applejack had never been more disgusted in her life and the smell of rotting flesh made her gag in disgust. As one of the guards pulled towards her she kicked it's legs out from underneath him and ran away. Tears of loss and fear were streaming from her eyes, she regretted that she couldn't protect Big Mac, and she wanted to protect Applebloom, but she knew that it would be in everpony's best interest if she went with Twilight and Luna.
When she arrived where Luna and Twilight stood they gasped to see her covered in blood. Applejack quickly explained the whole ordeal with the guards and Big Macintosh in her southern drawl. Luna shed one tear before forcing herself to her feet. Her eyes hardened and she looked at the earth pony and unicorn before her.
"Twilight, Applejack, you must go get your friends. We cannot defeat this force alone." Before either pony could get to their hooves a familiar voice sounded from the front of the farm.
"Hey guys! We got Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie here! We're all ready to go." Twilight was surprised to see Spike with all the supplies and being followed by four ponies. Luna nodded in approval while Applejack dashed off to get her supplies. Rainbow looked pumped and ready to face the world. Pinkie was jumping up and down full of energy and vigor. Even Rarity had ditched the fancy clothes and such, she had her eyes narrowed into slits and looked ready to fight in a war. Even timid Fluttershy left dents in a tree as she kicked it, getting ready for whatever challenge that faced her. Twilight was shocked to see the drastic change in her friends. At that moment Applejack came leaping out of the barn. 
"Everypony without wings, line up." The four ponies without wings lined up in front of Luna. Luna's horn glowed intensely as she summoned her inner power. Slowly one by one the ponies were enveloped in a dark haze. When it cleared each pony had wings. Rarity looked upon her wings with great pride (much to everypony's distress) , they were beautifully preened and glistening. They heard thumping from behind, the group of ponies turned around  to see a chariot drop out of seemingly nowhere. The only trace of travel was a small rustle of feathers as the cart dropped. A familiar unicorn stallion jumped out with a relieved smile on his face.
"Twily! I'm so glad you're okay!" Shining Armor rushed toward his sister but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the wings. A look of confusion overtook his features. Without a word Luna gave a pair to Shining Armor. He looked fondly upon them for a few minutes. Then his face became slightly downcast but he still had a strained smile on his face. Twilight pondered what would make her brother so sad. Then she remembered, Cadence. She was an alicorn, the wings probably reminded him of her, and it was most likely too late to save her. Twilight leaned against her brother in an attempt to comfort him but unfortunately the fruits of her labor did not show. Even she felt sadness well up in her at the thought of her childhood babysitter being lost to the disease slowly spreading through the land.
"Enough, we must  be off before we fall as well." Luna prepared to take off when a little purple and green dragon tapped her on the shoulder. Luna smiled sheepishly at her forgetfulness. In a flash of magic, Spike sprouted a pair of wings. He flapped them proudly and puffed out his chest. Twilight looked upon his vanity with minor distaste but said nothing about it.
"Princess Luna, what will happen to the rest of the town?" Princess Luna looked at Twilight with sorrowful and guilty eyes. She sighed and let her actions speak for themselves. Twilight backed away in horror, her beloved town, the place where she first met her friends, would crumble. 
"Hey ya'll, I hate to be rushin' things but shouldn't we be a goin'?!" Applejack pointed a hoof to where the guards and now Big Mac were approaching them. All the ponies gasped as they saw the disfigured bodies of the undead. Princess Luna and Shining Armor took off leaving the 6 ponies. Rainbow Dash was the first one to come to her senses and notice the danger they were in. Then she shouted loud enough to snap the others from the trance.
"Hurry up!" The other ponies snapped their heads to Rainbow as she took off into the air. She was followed by Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie. Spike, Rarity and Twilight hot on their tails. The eight ponies soared through the air, looking at the sights as they went. Most cities appeared untouched by the ravenous hunger of the undead. But Canterlot was in shambles and "miniature" ponies in Ponyville dashed around looking for a way to escape. Twilight was disheartened by the loss but was even more troubled by their destination. They were headed for the outskirts of Equestria.