//------------------------------//
// Delivery #9: "Night Of The Dancing Dead." 
// Story: Poppy's Delivery Service 
// by XombieSlayr 
//------------------------------//

It was a dark and stormy day in Ponyville, and deliveries were quite slow on rainy weekdays like today. But luckily Princess Poppy wasn't worrying about deliveries at the moment, as she was giving another public address to Equestria regarding last week's events with the inter-dimensional portal opening up over Ponyville.

"So, in closing," said Poppy at the podium, cameras flashing around her, "The inter-dimensional portal was in fact summoned to Ponyville by accident due to the actions of a homicidally insane brain in a jar based on a remote island that sought to destroy the world by merging his consciousness with an ancient dragon goddess. Nothing at all to worry about."

A reporter nodded as he scribbled in his notepad. "Makes sense," he said. The reporters around him agreed.

Another raised their hoof. "Princess Poppy? Janet Manewell, Manehatten Gazette, I have a question regarding your current position as high priest of Lagoom Island as well as the princess of Equestria. Doesn't those occupations violate the separation of church and state?"

Poppy was unsure. She didn't think so. "Um...I don't think so?" she said with a nervous smile.

"Fair enough." Janet seemed happy with the answer and added it to her report.

"Any other questions?" Poppy asked the crowd. Besides quite a bit of murmuring, nopony else seemed to have any more questions.

With that Poppy concluded the press conference, and was about to head back to her office to get some rainy day chores done, when Root Beer ran up to her, an urgent message for Poppy in her hooves. "Poppy!" she said, out of breath. "You're going to want to read this.."

Poppy thanked Root and read through the envelope. When she finished she let out an annoyed sigh. "Root?"

"Yeah?"

"Let Pears know I'm on my way." she said simply. "We need to discuss the situation."

"Situation?"

"Yep." Poppy wrapped her scarf around, heading for the door. "Seems we have an impending zombie attack on our hooves."

"Oh." Root nodded. Then her eyes shot open. "Wait, zombies!?"





Poppy had received the message from Pears two hours too late, for as she left the castle, the streets, roads and sidewalks were already lined with crowds of the living dead. Apparently, at some time last night, the dead started rising from their graves all across, not just Equestria, but the world; and all apparently making their way towards a single location. 

A location which Burnt Pears had no doubt spent all night narrowing down.

Inconvenience Store

Stepping into the cheery as always, but now extremely heavily fortified bunker-like interior of the Inconvenience Store, Poppy saw two things that made her think she should come back later.

One, was the fact that the counter has been converted into a makeshift operating table.

And two was that Pears was behind it, clad in a butcher's apron, adjusting the straps on what looked like a very irritated zombie's restraints. Pear's looked up and smiled. "Oh, hey Poppy! Can you give me a hand here?"

"Huh?"

"Hoof, whatever."

"Um..." Poppy had a few questions first. "Pears?"

"Yes?"

"Is that a zombie?"

"It is. And a finicky one at that, let me tell you."

"Good, next question: Is that blood all over you?"

Pears looked down at her apron, stained with fresh blood. She looked back up at Poppy. "No?"

"That's not a question you're supposed to answer with another question."

The zombie on the counter (operating table?) let out an annoyed groan. Pears sighed. "All right, Mr. pushy!" she let go of the restraints and went to take off her apron, setting it aside before taking her spot behind the counter again. "The mouth on this guy. Still not as bad as the other one."

"Other one? You have more zombies strapped to countertops?"

"Hell no! Can you imagine the smell in here?" she shrugged. "I had to let them go. Kept struggling, you see."

"I don't see actually." Poppy said plainly. "Why do you have zombies in your store first off, and why do you have one strapped down onto your counter?"

"Oh, that. For testing."

"Testing?"

"I'm testing the blood content of the zombies to determine their point of origin." Pears explained. "They don't die so I can take as many samples as I need, and I've just about figured out where they're coming from!"

Poppy was very relieved. "Oh! So that's where all that blood on your apron came from."

"Huh? Oh, no. That's an entirely different matter altogether." Pears explained.

"Huh." Poppy thought for a moment. "Should I be concerned?"

"No more than usual."

A little ding from Pear's computer monitor interrupted their conversation. "Aha!" Pears cried running over to it. "Results are in! I've pinpointed their location!"

"Great!" Poppy leaned over the counter to get a good look at the screen. "Which is where?"

Pears eyed the screen for a moment. "Hmm..."she hit a button on her keyboard. "It says they are coming from someplace called Dancemania Castle in Transylvania."

"Transylvania?" Poppy repeated. "Isn't that supposed to be the place with all the vampires? Why are zombies suddenly part of the roster?"

Pears thought for a moment. "Well, and this is just a hunch, but it could be that the zombies are being called to this castle; beckoned forth from the afterlife, to cease their endless slumber and rise to converge and meet their dark master, who no doubt has plans to plunge the world into a never-ending torrent of horror and death for centuries to come!" Pears was inches away from Poppy's face by this point, before finally coiling back and giving a shrug. "Or maybe zombies are attracted to goat cheese, I'dunno."

"Right." Poppy knew it was more likely the first one. "So, feel like coming with me to slay endless hordes of the undead?"

Pears bit her lip. "It actually, physically hurts me to say this but...I can't." she took out a clipboard, and begin searching through her notes. "I have to stay here and keep these zombies from shoplifting the store. I've caught two already trying to steal limited edition bottles of Cinnicola; they're surprisingly spry for being rotted by decades of decomposition."

Pear's eyes suddenly shot back to the zombie she had on the counter, trying to stuff a magazine up it's tattered shirt. It looked up at her, and quickly put the magazine back, before letting out a growl of disappointment.

Poppy nodded. "I see what you mean." then something occurred to her. "Hey, have you heard anything from Penny? Or Professor Recipe? How are they dealing with all this?"

Pears shrugged. "Don't know. Last I saw them they were all heading to Crabby's for breakfast. You should probably head over there and make sure they haven't been eaten or whatever."

"Fair enough."

Poppy waved goodbye to Pears before using her magic to teleport herself directly into the surprisingly packed lobby of Crabby's Diner.

Crabby's Diner

The smell of freshly cleaned floors and hot food greeted Poppy as she snapped into existence in the middle of the cheery dining hall, only to have to suddenly jump back a few steps to avoid being trampled on by the crowd that occupied the place; it looked like every pony in Ponyville was there, as Pretty Crabby dashed about taking orders and carrying arms of food with the skill and grace of a ballet dancer.

"Hey Poppy!" a voice called. Poppy turned to see Penny waving at her from a booth, with another familiar face waving along with her, Professor Recipe. Mimi, the professor's adorable pet abomination, barked happily in her direction as well.

Poppy waved back at them, then with some difficulty, maneuvered her way through the crowd to plop herself down next to Recipe. "Busy, today I take it?" she asked.

"Quite." said Penny. "Nearly everyone in Ponyville has taken shelter here because of the zombies; say what you may about the food, but Crabbys was built to last." she gave a grim look out the window as zombies shuffled about on the streets. "I hope this blows over soon though."

"Maybe." nodded Recipe. "Honestly, when I moved here from Lagoom, I wasn't expecting an undead apocalypse. At least not this soon, anyway." she turned back to Poppy. "So, what otherworldy forces of evil are we smiting this time?"

"Honestly? We don't know for sure." said Poppy. "All we know is that the zombies are all being summoned to one place; Castle Dancemania in Transylvania. Beyond that though-"

"Wait." Recipe's eyes widened. "Did you just say Dancemania?

"Yeah. Why? Does that name mean something?"

Recipe thought for a moment. "When I was back on Lagoom, I had more than enough time to do research outside the island."she explained. "It just so happens that one day I stumbled into Transylvania and came across a family of nobles called Et'entad Danceman'ya or Dancemania as they're known today."

"So who are they?" asked Poppy.

"Vampires." said Recipe with a sting of fear in her voice. "Very dangerous vampires."

"Vampires?" Penny repeated, her voice shaking. "Your saying vampires are...real?"

"They used to be." said Recipe "And these were very powerful ones at that; good at getting into your head, making you think things that aren't your own." she locked eyes with Poppy. "And they have a deep fascination with necromancy."

"Could they be the ones behind this?" asked Poppy.

Recipe paused a moment, then shook her head. "Not possible; the last one died hundreds of years ago. As time moved one, people stopped being easy prey for them, they knew the dangers of trusting strangers and going out at night. And with vampires ingrained into our media culture, nopony even fears them anymore. Without blood to feed on from hapless people, they all died out."
Then she paused. "But right now, I'm not sure." she added turning to look out the window. "Something of this scale, the undead rising all over the world; only a Dancemanian Vampire has that kind of power."

As Poppy thought on what Recipe told her, Pretty Crabby came over to their booth, two coffees in hoof. "Okay, Penny ordered the Single shot caramel Deus Ex Mocha," she set a steaming mug in front of Penny, who thanked her with a smile. "And Recipe ordered the Hazelnut Grigorian Chant with Extra Foam," she then set down another mug that appeared to be glowing blue in front of Recipe who quickly donned radiation proof gloves before taking a sip. 

Pretty wiped a single bead of sweat from her brow, as she turned and spotted Poppy. "Oh, Princess Poppy; wasn't expecting to see you here." she commented. "I thought you would be off taking care of this whole zombie mess."

Poppy was about to answer, when suddenly her mind flashed back to when she had traveled back in time with the Ghost Of Hearths Warming Past; she had discovered that Real Crabby, the actual owner of the diner, had still been in the diner when Pretty had told her and Pears that he had left her in charge while he was away. If that was the case...where had he gone?

"Working on it now, actually." Poppy smiled. "So...how has Crabby been?"

Pretty suddenly shot a look at her. "He's still on his Himalayan Mountain Climbing Trip," she said quickly. "Lucky him, leaving me to do all the work myself."

Poppy raised an eyebrow. "Last time, you said that he had left you in charge till he got back, right?"

"And?"

"You didn't mention anything about a mountain climbing trip at the time." said Poppy. Recipe and Penny turned a suspicious gaze towards Pretty. "Why is that?"

"O-Oh! Well he left shortly after coming back from the store, is all."

Poppy wasn't buying it. "Crabby just up and decided to leave on a mountain trip, and leave you in charge of his diner, after coming back from the store. Okay, so why didn't you say anything when me and Pears asked you about him?"

Pretty narrowed her eyes. "Hey, what's that tone for?" she snapped. "I'm just telling you what he told me; he's always been a nutcase, he does whatever he wants, and doesn't care who it effects!"

That might have been true, but something still didn't make sense. Why was Crabby still there at the diner in the past, when Pretty had told her that he was away? Had he really gone to the store and then come and decided to leave on a mountain climbing trip? Crabby was crazy, everyone knew that, but he wasn't stupid by any means. He would rather die then leave his precious restaurant in anyone's hooves but his own. What was Pretty hiding?

Poppy sighed as she decided to drop it for now. "Never mind, just thinking is all." she said simply. "Are the zombies giving you much trouble, Pretty?"

Pretty took a glance up at her normally shining and flowing blonde mane, and nearly shed a tear as a it began to frizz up from stress. "I've been better." she said finally. "Honestly, the zombies I can handle; it's these people that are driving me crazy!"

"At least you have plenty of customers." said Penny. "That's good right?"

"Not when that customer base is half the population of an entire town." Pretty grumbled. "The zombies are a nuisance, but at least they eat quickly and leave."

"Wait, you let zombies eat here too?" asked Recipe. "Isn't the whole point to keep them out?"

"A customer is a customer." said Pretty with a shrug. "We don't discriminate. Plus, they're the easiest customers in the world to serve; they only ever want to eat one thing."

"Um...brains?" asked Penny

"You'd think, but they actually just order eggs." Pretty stood up and stretched. "Well, I better get back to the living hordes; unless you want anything Poppy?" she asked. "Other than to interrogate me more, I mean."she added with a frown.

"I'm good." Poppy nodded. With that Pretty headed back to the counter.

It seemed that whatever was going on, it was all centralized on Dancemania Castle. Whether it was one of their clan or just an average necromancy obsessed lunatic, that castle was Poppy's next stop.

To-Do List: Travel to Dancemania Castle and put a stop to the zombie outbreak.

Returning to the Inconvenience Store, Poppy got a few things before setting out to Transylvania; non-perishable snacks, water canteens and a few wooden stakes, as well as blood purifier pills (Just in case.)

With everything ready, Poppy was about to leave when Pears stopped her.

"Hey wait!" she ran up to Poppy and handed her a small note, emblazoned with the wax seal of a letter G. "Some weirdo in a black robe dropped this off for you while you were at Crabby's."

Poppy's eyebrows shot up. "And you actually trusted him enough to take the note?" she asked, visibly shocked.

Pear's looked offended. "Pfft, no." she scoffed. "But after taking some pot shots at him with my crossbow, he ran out of the store screaming and calling for police. In that process, he dropped this note. It had your name on it so..."

"Right." Poppy nodded. She took the note and broke the seal as she opened it.

The note was very well written, almost like that of a poem or sonnet. It read:

Dearest Poppy.

How are you? I am fine; thank you for asking.

You may have noticed that the entire world is being overrun with the living undead. Quite annoying. Judging by the scale of the spell that is being used, I can only guess that a Dancemanian Vampire is behind this; and that's not good.

Its quite possible that in your heroic attempts to defeat said vampire, you will be killed in the process. This would be very inconvenient, as you have to be alive to save existence from the unimaginable horror that is quickly approaching our reality. Plus, you being dead would be sad, and would make me sad. I like you alive.

Therefore I am going to give you one piece of advice before you go to Transylvania. 

Take the orb.

That was the advice. Tata for now.

- Garnanopo.

P.S: Your friend with the fiery mane frightens me. Please tell her I don't like her. Thank you.


A well written sonnet by someone who had only learned to write ten seconds ago. Poppy scanned through the note a second time, before checking her satchel.

Inside was the strange glowing orb she had taken from Dr. Moreau in her last adventure. It was an odd thing; not metal, but appeared to be made of bone. Yet it felt as if it was smooth as ice, and emitted no heat or energy at all.

She had taken it to Pears before, but even Pears was unable to point out exactly what the object was. Just that it wasn't dangerous, and that she should hang onto it.

And now here was Garnanopo, the odd wizard she had met on Lagoom who claimed she had a grand destiny ahead of her, telling her the exact same thing. It couldn't be a coincidence.

Deciding it was best to hang onto the orb for now, Poppy closed up her satchel, waved goodbye to Pears, then used her magic to teleport herself to the heart of Transylvania, where Dancemania Castle towered over the region.

Transylvania, Dancemania Castle Exterior.

Transylvania was easily the most famous place in the world when it came to vampires and vampiric lore. Horror writers and movie directors would come from all over to do research and find inspiration for their next vampire-themed masterpieces. But there was one place, that nopony, not even the locals would ever go near.

And Poppy was looking straight up at it from a large stone courtyard.

Dancemania Castle was a tall triumph of Gothic architecture, a fortress of black stone and towering spires that seemed to stab up at the sky above, as lighting cut across it, signifying the approach of a large storm. Large ebony colored gargoyles grinned at Poppy as she walked past them to the front door; she swore she felt they were actually staring at her.

Arriving at the front door which had to have least been twenty feet tall and from behind it was what sounded like very loud muffled dubstep, she saw a familiar face guarding the door.

"D-Dancer?" asked Poppy, as she indeed saw her Liutenant Dancer, her own royal guardsman and friend, guarding the door of Dancemania Castle. He was not wearing his usual armor, but instead wore an expertly tailored suit and black tie. Yet still wore his sunglasses, which he never removed (Even when sleeping.)

Dancer nodded to Poppy. "Hello, your highness." he said in his usual monotone voice. "A pleasure to see you again."

"Uh...pleasure to see you too, Dancer." stammered Poppy. "But what in the world are you doing here? Shouldn't you be back in Equestria, ordering soldiers around or blacklisting someone?"

"Ordinarily, yes." said Dancer. "But I'm working a second job at the moment. That job being guarding this door."

"Well... okay, I guess." said Poppy shrugging. "Can you let me in?"

"I'm afraid I can't do that your highness." said Dancer shaking his head. "We're at capacity at the moment. The mistress insists everyone wait in line to get in. No exceptions." he pointed to a massive line of some thousand zombies all lined up behind red ropes, waiting to get into the castle. They were surprisingly quiet and well-mannered given that they were the unholy undead.

"I-I'm not waiting in line!" cried Poppy. "I need to get in there, now!"

"No exceptions, ma'am."

"Not even for the princess of Equestria?"

"No exceptions, ma'am."

Poppy sighed. She was getting nowhere this way, but she'd think of something. In the meantime, this was a good opportunity to get some answers.

To-Do List: Talk to Dancer.

"So...how have you been, Dancer?"

"You mean since you killed Hue Humble, and ruined my chances of ever becoming a high ranking member of the Huetology Organization, while also managing to fool me, not once but twice, humiliating me completely in the process?"

Poppy blinked. "Um...yes?"

"I've been very well, your highness." said Dancer. "Being apart of Huetology wasn't all I thought it would be. Terrible benefits."

"So, who do you work for now?" asked Poppy.

"That would be mistress Dancemania; queen of the night and the dance floor."

Poppy felt a chill go up her spine. So it really was a Dancemanian Vampire causing all this. She remembered the warnings she had gotten from her friends. She needed to be extra careful. "What's so great about this Dancemania, person?"

"She's the most powerful vampire in the world, ma'am. She can command the night like an extension of her will, and possesses unimaginable dark powers that eclipse logic and reasoning." said Dancer simply. "Also, she has a cool castle."

Poppy nodded. It was a cool castle. "What is this place anyways? I know it's a castle, but how can I hear dubstep music from inside?"

"This is Dancemania Castle, ma'am." said Dancer. "Mistress Dancemania's ancestral home; garrison of her undead army. As well as the best nightclub in all of Bert-Wurrtonberg."

"Undead army?" asked Poppy. "So she's raising these zombies for... an invasion of some kind?"

"Unknown. I do not dare question the mistress."

Poppy now knew that this vampire was planning something very big and very evil for not just Equestria, but the world at large. She had to find some way inside the castle; and fast!

Then she got an idea. "Dancer?"

"Yes, your highness?"

"What if I said that I was aware of Mistress Dancemania's plans, and that I was actually apart of them?" Poppy asked. "Would you let me in to discuss said plans with her?"

"If that were true, which it probably isn't, then I would happily allow you inside, your highness."

"Then...can you let me in?"

"Can you prove your here for that reason?"

Poppy thought for a moment. Then she remembered something. Back when she was facing Charming Culture, she had seen a flyer for a popular DJ coming to Ponyville for a large party. She had taken the flyer, purely on a whim. But maybe now...

She reached into her satchel and withdrew the flyer, handing it to Dancer who studied it closely. He then peered at her over his sunglasses. "You're the DJ, Miss Dancemania hired?"

Poppy tried to sound sincere as she answered. "Yes."

Dancer looked at her.

She looked at Dancer.

He handed her back the flyer. "Then, by all means," he stepped aside and opened the door for her," head on in. The mistress will want to speak to you personally."

"Thank you, Dancer." Poppy let out the breath she had been holding.

"Of course, your highness. Have a good time."

She put the flyer back in her satchel, then stepped through the doorway, jumping as it shut heavily behind her.

Dancemania Hall

As Poppy entered the massive main hall, the floor beneath her hooves pulsed with the beat of the music that echoed throughout the place; a loud, high-paced, dubstep that seemed very out of place in the otherwise extravagant castle interior.  She followed the music to the next room, which looked vastly more like a large nightclub then the ball room of an ancestral castle.

The dance floor was a bright flashing array of colors as zombies danced (shuffled, really) about the place, helping themselves to what looked like either food made to look like brains or actual brains. Poppy didn't want to know if they were either.

She continued to look around, but had yet to find anything sinister; at least anything that would allude to the castle's owner being a vampire or that they indeed were amassing a zombie army.

That was until she heard a voice in her ear, sweet as a song, yet venomous. "Who do we have here?"

Poppy whirled around but there was no one there.

"Try again, little one."

It was above her this time. Poppy looked up to see a hauntingly beautiful pale white earth pony mare in a vampiric red dress that showed off her legs, hovering in thin air just above Poppy's line of sight. Her eyes, like deep red moons, scanned Poppy from head to hoof, as she tilted her head in curiosity. 

"Hmm...interesting." Then she vanished, slipping out of existence like a fog.

"Wha-" Poppy looked around for the mare. "Hey! Who-"

"Am I?" Poppy turned to see the mare behind her, standing far too close for comfort. Before Poppy could even blink, the mare took a deep sniff of the air around Poppy. "Hmm, I smell new....blood."

Poppy's breath caught in her throat. Fear gripped her like a beartrap; she felt like she was frozen.

The mare continued to stare deeply into Poppy's soul.

Poppy was terrified.

Then, dropping all trace of her act, the mare burst out laughing.

Poppy was now confused. And slightly ticked off.

"Hahahaha! Oh man, you should've seen your face!" the mare laughed. "You were all like Ooh, scary vampire lady; please don't drain my mortal body of my blood! Have mercy! Hahaha!" The mare seemed to be having a lot of fun at Poppy's expense.

Poppy wasn't amused. "Okay, who the hell are you, and give me one reason I shouldn't stake your crazy hide right now." she warned.

The mare rolled her eyes. "Oh, now don't be like that." she said simply. "I was just having a bit of fun! It's not every day a mortal walks into my castle, without me even needing to glamour them first!" 

The mare gave a polite curtsy to Poppy. "I am lady Selina Dox Nocturnal Danceman'ya Corporeum, the thirteenth monarch of the Dancemania clan. I have roamed this earth for 480 years and I still look damn good, if I say so myself." she gave her flawless blonde mane a toss, and it sparkled like sunlight.

Poppy had to admit, she did.

"And to answer your last question," Selina was suddenly nose to nose with Poppy, blinking in front of her so her blazing red eyes pierced into hers. " Because you'd be dead before you even drew one of those little stakes of yours." She said these words with enough hunger and venom to make Poppy's heart stop. She wasn't joking; she was daring Poppy to try.

A second later, Selina was all smiles again, as Poppy tried her best to keep her heart from leaping out of her chest. "Now that we understand each other, what can I do for you?"

Poppy was dumbfounded. This mare could go from sweet and beautiful to nightmarish and cruel in a split second. She had to be careful what she said to her. "I-I was wondering...if you were planning on invading Equestria with your undead army?"

Selina's smile faded. "And if I am?" she asked, her fangs visible.

Careful, Poppy. She took a deep breath to calm herself. "Well...why do you need zombies for that?" asked Poppy, regaining her composure. "Aren't you the most powerful vampire in the world or something?"

"Guilty as charged." Selina said proudly.

"Then...why the zombies? Just take over the world on your own."

Selina sighed. "Oh, I don't want to take over the world, sweetie. I have other, bigger plans than that." she said. "And I need these zombies in order to accomplish them."

Poppy's eyes widened. "What plans could be bigger than world domination?"

Selina was about to answer, but caught herself. She smiled at Poppy; a smile that sent a chill up her spine. "Now, don't worry about that, sweetie" Selina patted Poppy on the head, annoying her greatly. "I'll tell you what; since you came all this way, why not stay and enjoy the party? You aren't the only mortal here, after all. Maybe you'll find some friends of yours hanging around."

"Excuse me?"

"Consider yourself excused!" Selina said happily. "Now, go off and have some fun! if you need me, I'll be...well, I can't tell you that now can I?" Then she vanished into thin air like before.

To-Do List: Investigate the area and uncover Selina's plan.

Poppy stood and stared at the spot where, only a split second ago, a rather smug vampire mare had just stood (er, floated). She recalled the look in her eyes; wild, full of hunger. Whether it was for blood or power, Poppy was unable to tell.

The entire room was ironically alive with dancing, pop music, flashing multicolored lights and even an undead DJ, who despite having lost one arm was still able to manage the booth just fine. Somehow.

Past the dance floor there were towering speakers as high as the ceiling, blasting music so loud, Poppy could swear it made her bones shake. Between them stood a roaring fireplace, that was alight with a strange red flame, that seemed to snap at her ankles as she strode past.

The refreshment table held nothing of interest save for the seemingly ordinary looking punch which appeared to be housed in a massive crystal skull rather then a bowl. Poppy was about to help herself to a glass, when she remembered she was in a vampire's castle, then quickly set her cup down before continuing on.

The patrons, as far as she could tell, were entirely made up of zombies. They strangely enough paid no mind to her as she investigated, and simply carried on having conversations which consisted of occasional groans and moans.

It wasn't until she reached the other side of the room where she saw another living pony. And a familiar one at that.

"Mary?"

Mary Mareman, who was looking drearily out the window at the rain, turned and immediately did a full one eighty in her expression; going from miserable to elated in a second. "Poppy!"

She lunged and caught Poppy in a tight hug as they laughed joyfully. The zombies around them paid them no mind, and continued to shuffle about the place.

"Ugh, I'm so happy to see another living pony in this place." Mary said as they broke the embrace. "Especially if that pony is you, Poppy." she added with a smile. She was wearing a cleanly pressed black suit and tie ensemble with tailored lapels and cufflinks. She looked more like she was going to a diplomatic debate then a party at a thousand year old castle.

"Same to you Mary, but...what are you doing here? Did POINT not work out?"

Mary suddenly looked puzzled. "How did you know I joined POINT? I hadn't told anyone yet."

"Oh! Um." Poppy thought up and excuse to mask her time traveling escapades. "Pears told me."

Mary sighed. "I figured she would have found out somehow." she said. "I swear that mare has no sense of personal secrecy at all."

"Very true." Poppy nodded. 

"But to answer your first, albeit confusing question," Mary began "No, POINT worked out perfectly! In fact this is my first mission! Uncovering the cause of the zombie apocalypse and putting an stop to it. Exciting huh?"

"It is." said Poppy. "So did you find out anything?"

"Not yet." Mary shook her head. "Well...there was one thing." she leaned in close and lowered her voice. "This castle has these secret underground tunnels running all over the campus, and even outside to the town below. But there's something else, a part of the castle that's sealed off; as if-"

"She doesn't want anyone down there." Poppy finished for her.

"Yep." said Mary. "Vampires are a new challenge for me to be sure, but from what I've seen, this one is in a league of her own. And then there's the castle itself."

"The castle?" asked Poppy. "What do you mean?"

"Once your in, it won't let you leave." said Mary. "Windows won't open, doors stay shut, even stair cases to the roof just fold back into the floor!"

"So...it's alive?" asked Poppy in disbelief.

"Possibly."But if it isn't, it's putting on quite the convincing act." Shine looked around once more to be sure Selina wasn't in earshot. "So...I take it your here for the same?"

"Yeah." said Poppy. "and no."

"Huh?"

"I need to find some way to stop this whole zombie apocalypse thing." Poppy explained. "And apparently that means destroying Selina."

Mary looked alarmed but her face quickly softened into acceptance. "Alright then." she said. "Have you ever killed a vampire before?"

"No." said Poppy. "Have you?"

"Nope." replied Mary. "But hey with all the movies and books and stuff to go on, I'm sure we can figure it out."

Poppy had a bad feeling about the whole thing. But she couldn't worry about it now. At the very least, she now had a friend to help her deal with Selina. That was all the affirmation she needed to proceed. "Alright." she said, "where do we start?"

Mary looked at her. "Honestly...I'm not sure. If the castle is alive, then investigating the place will be a lot harder to do now. We'll need to split up; make it harder for her to keep track of us."

Poppy nodded. "The first objective should be uncovering what she's really up to." she explained. "She needs these zombies for something. We find out what, we'll be one step closer to taking her down."

"What if we get caught?" asked Mary.

Poppy thought for a moment. "If things get too dangerous, then I'll teleport us back to Ponyville and we'll recruit Pears to help. With all three of us, Selina won't stand a chance."

"Then why not go get her now?" asked Mary. "Poof her in here and let her go berserk on the place?"

Poppy shook her head. "If we leave now, Selina will know right there what were up to, and probably lock down the whole castle." she said nodding towards the heavy doors. "Not only that, but who knows what she'll do to us once she learns we're a threat."

Mary nodded. "That's a good point." she took a minute to consider their options. "Okay, let's get started. You take the library, I'll take the foyer. Hopefully things go well for both of us."

Poppy nodded. "We'll be alright; just keep a cool head."

"I will. Good luck."

"You too." with that, the mares split up, each going to a separate part of the castle, while their wicked host stayed none the wiser. For now.

Dancemania Castle Library

The Dancemania clan was not known for their avid reading habits or interest in the stories of others. Despite this, as Poppy walked through the great oaken doors just west of the ballroom, she found herself in one of the largest libraries she had ever seen.

Bookshelves towered above her head till they practically scraped the ceiling, each one filled with more books than Poppy could possibly read in her entire lifetime. Beyond that there were several tables one could sit down to read, and stairways leading to higher levels of the library, including one that was blocked off by chains, as part of the surrounding staircase had collapsed.

As Poppy made her way in further, she could now see the thick layers of dust on everything as particles floated around her in the air. It was clear this library had not been in use for quite some time.

However, there was one shelf that was perfectly spotless in comparison; a small shelf near the fireplace in the very back of the room. It held only one book, it's cover as white as snow.

Curious, Poppy removed the book from the shelf and inspected the cover. In gold cursive lettering it read: The Ballad Of Alexandra Anderson.

"Who is Alexandra Anderson?" Poppy asked herself, her voice echoing off the walls even as she whispered. She looked around the place at the dust and spiderwebs that covered everything else, then at the very much dogeared pages of the book in her hooves. This really was the only book that Selina had actually been reading, and quite a lot from the looks of it. 

But why? What secrets did this book hold that was greater than all these other ones? Poppy had to find out for herself.

Carefully, she opened the tome to the first page and began to read. Inside was a short epic,  written about the life and death of a legendary earth pony hero named Alexandra Anderson.


The Ballad Of Alexandra Anderson

By: Hermand Mellville

She began as a merc for the mob, in the town of Marrowing.
But the police were coming for her, pursuit was narrowing.

So she disguised herself as a priestess and a Samaritan.
But soon she felt like she wanted to be much more than a barbarian.

Then the vampires came, and devastation rained.
And she saw these monsters sucking blood from people's veins.
Till she took a holy blade and stabbed them in the brain.
The vampires were slain, and in her lit a flame.

Soon word got around, people called her insane.
Except a lone priest who told her to get ordained.
But to never forget where she had came.
For soon the world would know her name.

And soon she found a home, back in Rome, the town of Saladin.
And very quickly became known as a heroic paladin.

Vampires and demons were something she could not abide.
Killing them filled her up with pride, she heard a voice inside.

"Despite the blood you have run, your job is not yet done. For there is one more vampire whose fate must meet the sun."

Taking to the east, she ended up in Transylvania.
And very quickly found herself at the doors of Dancemania.

Though the vampire hordes, the heads she did rend, it would be against the final one.
Where Alexandra met her end.


Poppy turned the page, but found this was the end of the book. Disappointed she set the book back on the shelves, and took a moment to consider what she had just discovered.

Recipe had told her that most of the Dancemania clan had been wiped out long ago, and it was now clear that it had been Alexandra Anderson who had done the deed. However she was killed by the last one before she could wipe out the clan for good.

But why was Selina so interested in this? Why out of all the books in this library was this the only one she thought was important enough to read through so many times?

Suddenly the doors behind her opened, causing her to quickly drop the book into her satchel. Luckily it was only Mary.

"Find anything?" she asked.

"I just might've." said Poppy. "What about you?"

Mary thought for a moment. Then finally she said. "I think it's best you see for yourself."





Poppy followed her friend through a large set of giant wooden doors to a grand entry hall, seemingly separate from the castle itself, to the far west of the castle. To the left she saw a stair case leading to the second floor, and a large painted portrait hanging on the wall. A hauntingly beautiful Selina Dancemania in regal attire stared out at them from the frame with cold, crimson eyes as they explored the mysterious room.

There were many doors, but Mary lead her friend through the one that was already open. They walked into a lounge with large chairs and a couch by a small fireplace, a privacy screen that was (oddly enough) against the wall, and a matching one in the right-hand corner next to a well furnished piano. It looked like a perfectly normal lounge, as far as Poppy could tell.

"Here." said Mary gesturing to the privacy screen. Poppy looked at it. Then at Mary, not seeing what was important.

Then Mary hit a key on the piano. They heard mechanisms churning to life in the walls then, slowly, the privacy screen descended into the floor, revealing a hidden stone passageway lit by torches, descending deep underground.

Poppy's eyes went wide. She looked over at Mary. "Nice work." she said, amazed.

"Thanks." said Mary. "Good to know my EBI training is still good for something."

The two peeked down into the passageway, but couldn't see the bottom of the stairway. Carefully, Poppy began to climb down the stone steps into the depths below, as Mary followed.





When they finally reached the bottom of the stairs they came upon a large stone wall which quickly slid over to allow them into a massive underground tomb that had been outfitted into a strange laboratory of some sort.

Large machinery and twisting cables of various colors and lengths curled around the walls, gears churned and spewed steam, and large pylons snapped and sparked streams of electricity between them. The walls were a mess of various calendars, charts, magical diagrams and what appeared to be pages torn from an extremely ancient book, all affixed around a huge, gruesome looking machine that looked like a cross between a metal press and a torture device.

Poppy managed to tear her eyes away from the horrible machine to spot a large leather-bound tome on a candle-lit altar on the other side of the room. Suddenly, she felt herself compelled to move closer, as her legs began to move on their own.

"What is this place?" asked Mary. "I thought we would find a secret underground vampire lair or a bunch of cages or something but not...this." she looked over at Poppy. "Poppy?"

Poppy wasn't listening, she was over by the altar, her eyes glazing over as she looked down at the book in front of her, completely entranced. It was a large, ancient looking black leather tome, with gnarled and yellow looking pages. On the front of it was a design that was so complex it couldn't have been made by ponies or any creature she knew of. It seemed to whisper to her.

"Open me."

Poppy's remaining willpower managed to shine through though, and she quickly moved away from the altar. Mary was watching from the sidelines. "Hey, you okay Poppy?" she asked concerned.

Poppy shook herself and took a breath. "Yeah." she said quietly. "I'm good."

Mary still looked worried. "Good; you had me worried there." she said. "What happened?"

Poppy looked back at the book, then quickly looked away. "There's something wrong with that book." she warned. "It wasn't like hypnotism it was like it could....see into me."

Mary eyed the book suspiciously. "Then I suggest we stay away from it."

"Yeah. Good idea." said Poppy. She took another moment to get her bearings. "Okay, let's look around; there's bound to be some clues as to what Selina is up to down here. But we should be careful; who knows what other things she has down here."

Mary nodded. "Right."

To-Do List: Explore the laboratory for clues relating to Selina's master plan.

The laboratory was vast and had various, strange looking implements and machines strewn about in random ways. It resembled more of a mad scientist's junk heap then a lab. No matter how much Poppy studied them, she couldn't come up with any logical purpose of any of these weird machines other than to simply look scary.

Turning her attention to the torture device, she could now see clearly that it had been built in the shape of a skull; huge jagged spikes jutted down from the maw of the monstrosity, and a single area of open space beneath it lay bare save for a large bloodstain that pooled around the place. It looked sickeningly fresh.

"What could this thing possibly be for?" asked Mary, coming over to inspect it herself. "It looks like some sort of...mincer?"

Poppy nodded. "I think that's exactly what it is." she said gravely. "And I think I know what it minces, as well."

"Is that so?" a sinister voice asked. "Shame; I was hoping to show you two, personally."

Poppy and Mary turned to see Selina Dancemania smiling a cruel smile as she hovered in the air behind them, having appeared seemingly out of nothing moments before. Mary made a dash to run, but it was too late; she seized up as red magic enveloped her and cemented her hooves to the ground. She struggled to move, but it was no use.

Poppy soon met the same fate, as her hooves suddenly felt like they weighed a metric ton. She couldn't even move her head an inch. "Now, now," the vampiress mocked. "What's your hurry, darlings?" she asked through curled fangs. "You only just got here after all."

She snapped in front of Poppy in a puff of red smoke and caressed her face as her eyes flashed evily. "And you haven't even gotten to see my master plan, like you wanted to so badly." Poppy glared at her captor as hard as she could, as she tried once again to move her hooves. Then, at last, she managed to budge her right hoof; moving it up just an inch.

Selina saw this and her smile vanished. "Oh." she cooed. "You are a special one, aren't you sweetie?" her smile returned. "Good." she got close so her crimson eyes burned directly into Poppy's. "Well in that case..."

Her eyes flashed like fire; full of a hunger like a starving beast. "You're first."





Heavy shackles bound Poppy in place as thick magic-cancelling chains kept her from using her magic to escape. Across the way, her satchel hung on the wall, as her friend Mary could only watch helplessly as she was still frozen by Selina's magic.

"Now, then." Selina balanced herself on the lever of the machine as she leaned over towards her prisoner. "You, my friend, have the honor of being the first, living pony, to be used in my patented Soul Extractor. Lucky you!"

Poppy, who was no longer bound by magic, glared at Selina. "So that's it?" she asked. "You made these zombies just so you could harvest them for their souls?"

"Of course not, silly!" Selina scoffed. "Well, yes, but that's not all there good for." Selina smiled that cruel smile again. "They were a good distraction to get you up here. And it worked perfectly; here you are."

Poppy's eyes widened. "M-Me?" she gasped. "You did all this just to lure me up here? Why?"

Selina moved away from the lever, as she eyed Poppy. "You're special Poppy." she said simply. "Very special. A few measly undead souls is one thing, but with your soul to bargain, I'll definitely get what is I want."

"And what's that?" asked Poppy.

"Oh you'll see." said Selina waving a hoof. Then she giggled. "Oh wait, no you won't! You'll be dead! Tehee, my bad." She then pulled down on the heavy metal lever as the Soul Extractor hissed to life.

Poppy watched in terror as the spiked maw of the extractor began to lower itself down, as she fought with all her might to escape her shackles, but it was no use. 

"Don't worry!" Selina laughed. "It''ll only hurt for a second!"

Poppy looked up as the spikes were now inches from her face and then...

SMASH!

END






Poppy sat up in her bed as sweat poured off her brow. She took a moment to calm her rapid heart and breathing, before letting herself fall back onto her pillow. "Uh.." she said. "It was just a dream. Thank Celestia."

"Oh no. It was real."

Poppy's eyes shot back open as they darted over to the odd looking mare that sat next to her bed, smiling away. "Hello!" she said in a sing-song voice. She was an earth pony mare, a very pretty one at that, with a flowing gold mane,  tan coat and was wearing the frilliest dress made from flowers possibly ever created anywhere, in either plane of existence."My name is Furthermore!" she sang. "And you, Poppy Blossom," she stood up as she clapped her hooves. "Are dead! Congratulations!"

"D-Dead?"

"Yep!"

"I'm....I'm dead?"

"Yeah!"

Poppy felt the blood drain from her face as her heart caught in her throat. "I...I can't be dead!" she cried.

Furthermore's smile faded. "Well...you aren't technically dead, yet." she said, sounding far too disappointed for Poppy's tastes.

"What do you mean?" Poppy asked, glaring at the mare.

"Well," Furthermore thought for a moment, "Your soul is still bound to your body...somehow. Almost as if your sheer willpower is somehow keeping you alive, but your soul is still being pulled here, to The Crossroads."

Poppy leapt out of bed, and headed for the door. "Then, I need to get back and stop Selina; I don't have time to be dead!"

"Hey!" Furthermore grabbed onto Poppy's arm. "The dead can't just head back to Earth; there are rules, y'know!"

"Watch me." said Poppy, yanking her arm free, and heading outside to The Crossroads.

To-Do List: Find a way back to the world of the living and put an end to Selina's plans.

Poppy's eyes swelled the size of dinner plates as she looked around. She was not in Ponyville. Or Earth.

An endless sequence of bold buildings appeared before her, shoved together in  what was apparently a fine show of geometry well studied by either a genius or a lunatic. Possibly both.

Curves shook up and into straight lines, tops capped by a triangle, a dome or a dollop of roof  (depending on the storefront) while walls were textured by octagonal,  triangular, and star like tile work. Chimneys were spirals of brick charging into the sky, doors were as tall as walls and nearly as wide  and all the colors from the deep blue sky to the magenta of the grass, were bright, sharp and endless.

Poppy began to walk down a string of streets woven together in no particular fashion and for no particular reason other than to apparently induce headaches, when a cheery voice stopped her in her tracks. Literally.

"Now listen here, you!" said Furthermore, putting a hoof to Poppy's nose. "I am the guardian of the Land Of The Dead, and I am in control here; not you."

"Then send me back!" said Poppy, slapping the spirit's hoof away. "I need to get back and kill that vampire!"

Furthermore's mood changed. "Vampire?" she asked, suddenly serious. "What vampire?"

"Selina Dancemania." said Poppy. "She lured me to her castle, triggered a zombie apocalypse, trapped my friend, and then straight up murdered me!" she explained loudly. "Not only that, but she's planning on bargaining my soul for something."

"Excuse me!?" cried Furthermore. "Oh no." she began to pace the floor. "No, no, no, no, NO!" she turned back and suddenly her flowery pink eyes were literally alight with raging fire. "Nobody makes a soul bargain without MY say so!"

Poppy was alarmed at how angry this seemingly sweet mare had now become so quickly.

"And you said Dancemania?"

Poppy nodded, afraid to even talk now.

Furthermore sighed. "That's what I thought." she turned and began walking up a narrow street. "Follow me." she said.

Poppy didn't dare disobey.

To-Do List: Follow Furthermore.

It was not a common thing for the dead to return to Earth once they had passed. Actually, it was completely unheard of. The powers that be had set up the system of life and death at roughly the same time that time itself existed its way from the ether. And they were quite satisfied with the result.

If you died, you were dead; end of story, close the book, log it away, that's all she wrote.

But, with that said, sometimes rules had to be broken to prevent more from being broken. It was a complete abasement to the laws of nature, and straight up spat on the system as a whole.

But it was very, very hard to change Furthermore's mind once she had made her decision. And this time, was no different.

Furthermore's Office

Poppy, still scared to speak, was escorted past the world of The Crossroads, through a door in time and space, into quite possibly the single fluffiest and pinkest room she had ever laid eyes on.

Pink walls, pink windows, pink carpeting and even pink furniture. Poppy's eyes stung with how much pink was being poured into them.

Every surface in Furthermore's office was draped in lacy covers and bright pink cloths; several vases of multicolored flowers stood on hoof-knitted doilies around the room. One wall housed a collection of ornamental plates, each decorated with a large technicolour kitten wearing a different bow around its neck, while the other held multiple framed pictures of Furthermore posing with various legendary historical figures from the past, and some from the future.

A large pink desk with white lace covers stood behind a glass window at the back of the small room. The chair behind it pulled out by itself as Furthermore took a seat. She then calmly told Poppy to do the same, pointing to the chair in front of her desk.

Poppy took a seat and waited patiently. She didn't have to wait long. "Alright," Furthermore began," Here is what's going to happen."

Poppy's ears perked up, as she became suddenly nervous.

Furthermore let out a sigh. "I'm going to send you back."

"Really?!" cried Poppy, jumping out of the seat. "Oh, thank-"

"I'm not done." said Furthermore softly. Poppy sat back down. "I will send you back, but on one condition."

Poppy nodded. "Name it."

Furthermore narrowed her eyes. "You make sure, that when you get back to the world of the living," she paused, "that you send that  blood-sucking monster to me in your place."

"Count on it." Poppy didn't need to think it through.

Furthermore nodded. "Good." she stuck out her hoof. "Grasp my hoof and you will be sent back."

Poppy was surprised. "That's it?"

"That's it."

Poppy reached for Furthermore's hoof, then stopped.

"What's wrong?" asked Furthermore.

Poppy looked at her. "What's your connection with Selina?"

Furthermore looked at her, then closed her eyes. "Very well." she retracted her hoof. "Vampires are an affront to the natural order; they are not alive, yet they live. They are dead, yet they do not die. Their existence is a mockery to me and the way things should be." she paused again. "But the Dancemanias are the worst of them all," she said with clear hatred in her voice. "They use necromancy to tear souls away from here and stick them in unliving bodies to serve their will. It disgusts me beyond words."

Poppy looked out the window behind Furthermore. "I take it that's why it's so quiet here," she said simply. "Because Selina took all the souls of the dead from here and used them for her zombie army, all to lure me out. The Crossroads is nearly empty because of her."

Furthermore nodded.

Poppy dared another question. "And...is that why you're so, um....aggravated?"

Furthermore sighed. "Yes, it is." she said simply. "I'm not always like this; not at all!" her eyes softened as she spoke. "But something like this? Sorry, the gloves are off with a situation like this."

"Understandable." said Poppy. "What will happen to Selina once I've dealt with her?"

"She will be sent here." said Furthermore. "After that, I will decide her punishment. And I'll make sure she hates every minute of it."

"Good." Poppy smiled, and Furthermore smiled back. She stretched out her hoof. "Thank you for your help Miss Furthermore; I'm glad to have met you."

Furthermore's sweet disposition returned, as she smiled happily and shook Poppy's hoof. "Just Furthermore is fine, silly!" she laughed.

There was a brilliant flash of light.

And Poppy was gone.

Dancemania Castle Graveyard

A zombie mare was out patrolling the graveyard, just like her amazingly beautiful and wise mistress told her, when all of a sudden a red hoof burst up from the ground in front of her.

"Ah!" she cried. "Zombie!...oh wait."

Poppy spit out a clump of dirt as she climbed up out of the earth, and took in a deep breath of fresh air. Slowly but surely, she felt her life return to her and settle back in it's place as she shook herself, trying desperately to shake off the lairs of mud and dirt that now stained her mane and tail.

The zombie mare looked at Poppy with a curious eye. "Hey, you look familiar..."

Poppy stopped and looked at the zombie mare in front of her, eyes wide.

The zombie mare looked at her, red eyes squinted as she studied Poppy. Then it hit her. "Oh!" she said. "Now I remember! You're that delivery mare, the mistress killed! Neat."

Poppy's mouth fell open as she stood there in shock. "H-How the....how the hell can I understand what you're saying?" she asked. "You guys were all moans and groans before!"

"Hm?" the zombie mare was confused at the question. "Oh, that's because you're technically undead, too! The dead can understand the other dead, and all that."

Poppy was unsure, but she supposed that made sense. Plus, being able to talk to the zombies now, would definitely be useful to her in defeating Selina.

The zombie mare stuck out a rotting hoof. "My name is Persimmon, by the way!" she smiled and waited for Poppy to shake her hoof.

Poppy forced a smile as she shook the zombie's cold, undead, hoof. "So, um..." she wasn't sure where to begin. She figured she would just start with the most important thing first. "Are you going to tell Selina that I'm not dead anymore?"

Persimmon laughed. "Pfft, no!" she said smiling. "My orders were to guard the cemetery, and that's it. Not report anything." she rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you got to be real specific when it comes to zombies; we're a finicky bunch."

Poppy let out a sigh of relief. "Good. Then do you mind if I ask you some questions?"

"Not at all, fellow zombie friend!" said Persimmon smiling warmly. "Ask away!"

To-Do List: Get up to speed on what's happened since your demise and find a way to get back in the castle.

"How did I get out here?" asked Poppy.

"Oh! After you died, the mistress ordered that your body be disposed of, so they buried you in the graveyard till they could find a way to do that."

"Ah. Okay then." Zombies weren't very smart apparently. "Can you tell me what's happened since I died?"

"The mistress has been real upset about something; apparently when you died, your soul didn't go to her like the others, but was sealed away in this unbreakable magical barrier that appeared out of nowhere!"

"Wait, so Selina doesn't have my soul?" asked Poppy. 

Persimmon shook her head. "Nope, but she wants it real bad. She's still in her lab trying to get it out from behind the barrier. That other pony is still down there to."

"Other pony?" then her eyes lit up. "Mary! She's okay?"

"Well, she's still being held prisoner by the mistress's blood magic....but yeah, she was fine last time I saw her."

Poppy felt a rush of relief, now knowing her friend was alright. But she wouldn't be that way for long; Poppy had to get back in there and stop Selina. "Is there a way to destroy Selina?"

Persimmon laughed. "What do you mean destroy her? She's the mistress! You don't wanna destroy her, silly!"

"Right," said Poppy, "But what if hypothetically, I wanted to destroy her; how could I do it?"

"Oh." said Persimmon. "Well, I would try looking through her lab. Bound to be some clues as to how to vanquish her in there."

"Great!" said Poppy. "Thanks."

"No problem. Anything else I can help you with?"

"Just one. How do I get my soul back?"

"Huh? Why would you want it back?" asked Persimmon, raising an eyebrow. "Don't you like being undead?"

"I'm not exactly cut out for it, I think." said Poppy making an excuse. "I think I'm better at being alive."

"Oh." Persimmon sounded a bit disappointed. "Well, everyone is different I suppose. But, I'm afraid I don't know how you can get your soul back, friend." she said sadly. "The mistress usually does something with them, but I have no idea how to get one back in a body."

"Do you know anything that can help?" Poppy pleaded.

Persimmon thought for a moment. "Well..." she said solemnly. "If the mistress has a machine to extract souls, then...maybe she has one that can return them too? Sorry, that's the best I got."

"It's okay, that's still something at least." said Poppy. "How can I get back into the castle?"

"Um...just use the front door, like everyone else?"

"I-I can't just walk in the front door! I'll be caught in seconds!"

"No you won't silly!" laughed Persimmon. "You're one of us now; they'll let you in same as me!"

Poppy looked at her. "Seriously?"

"Yep. Like I said, we undead stick together."

"Wow." said Poppy, genuinely shocked. "I had no idea the living undead were so nice. No offense."

"That's okay." said Persimmon. "We don't have good PR. What with all the movies, and video games and the whole brain-eating thing, y'know?"

"True." Poppy looked over towards the castle, and saw the front doors were wide open now. She could easily get back inside to find Mary and stop Selina. "I should get going now, but it was good meeting you, Persimmon."

"No problem! Look me up when you've got your soul back! We'll raid some villages or something, kay?"

Poppy was put off by that, but smiled warmly anyways. "Yeah. See you then." saying goodbye to her new friend, Poppy raced back to the castle, and sure enough, was welcomed through the front doors like it was her own home.

To-Do List: Investigate Selina's lab for a way to get your soul back.

Back in the main ballroom, Poppy was surprised to hear not the moaning and groaning chorus like she had heard before, but laughter and genuine happy conversations coming from the groups of zombies that occupied the room.

"I heard the brain patte, was ordered special!"

"Ever seen that zombie music video? It's discrimination, I tell you!"

"I can't believe they got deadponE to DJ! I'm such a huge fan!"

"Has anyone seen my arm? It looks like, well...an arm."

Then Poppy remembered that she was technically considered a zombie now herself; and thus could understand them perfectly. But she didn't have time to worry about this total abuse of the language barrier at the moment. She had to find Selina.

Retracing her steps from before, Poppy quickly found her way back into the secondary entry hall and back down the hidden stairs till she reached Selina's secret laboratory.

Selina's Secret Sanctum


As she crept into the room, Poppy could make out the distinctive smug voice of Selina, who sounded quite frustrated over something. Poppy froze in place and listened quietly.

"Damn it!" Selina swore. "I should've known that she would've had something like this laid out." Poppy peeked out from her corner and saw that Selina was glaring at a large glowing ball of green energy that pulsated in midair. 

Inside the ball, was unmistakably Poppy's soul; a ghost like version of herself that floated weightlessly inside the ball, looking more like she was asleep rather then trapped. What Persimmon had said was true; and indeed Selina seemed quite upset about it.

Still trapped in Selina's blood magic was Mary, who was shackled to the nearby wall; she was no doubt next for the extractor after Selina found a way to get Poppy's soul. Despite the fact that she couldn't move, her eyes still could, and she spotted Poppy over by the corner. Almost instantly, her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates as a look of both amazement and terror appeared on her face.

Poppy nodded to Mary.

Mary glanced over at Selina, then blinked (Poppy assumed she would've nodded if she could.)

"Well, it doesn't matter." said Selina moving away from the energy ball to Mary, who immediately ceased any sign she could move her eyes. "At least I still have you; if I can't get Poppy's soul out of there, I'm sure I can still bargain with yours my dear." she playfully ran a hoof through Mary's mane as she smiled wickedly.

Poppy felt anger well up inside her as she remained silent. She had to wait till Selina was gone. Maybe she could create a distraction?

And just like that, a very large undead butler strolled into the room, his head nearly brushing the ceiling. "Miss Dancemania?" he asked, his voice so low and heavy, Poppy swore the ground shook.

Selina let out an annoyed sigh. "What is it Maximus?" she asked rolling her eyes.

"There have been reports from the front gate about a possible intruder on the campus."

Selina remained annoyed. "Ugh. Great, more uninvited guests." she groaned. "Oh well, more souls for me I guess." with that Selina patted Mary's head before exiting the lab via a hidden elevator behind a fireplace, as Maximus followed suit, shaking the ground as he left.

Poppy checked to make sure they were gone before stepping out into the lab. Once she was sure Selina wasn't coming back for a while, she immediately went over to check on her friend.

"Mary! I'm so happy to see you're alright. She didn't hurt you did she?"

Mary blinked and wriggled her nose.

Poppy looked at her. "Oh, right. You can't move."

Mary narrowed her eyes.

"Okay, um...how about this?" said Poppy. "Blink twice for yes, once for no. Okay?"

Mary blinked twice.

"Good."

To-Do List: "Talk" to Mary.


"Are you hurt?" Poppy asked.

Mary blinked once.

"Can you move at all? Even a little?"

Mary thought for a moment. She tried to move her left hoof even an inch, until she grew too tired to continue. She blinked once.

"That's a no then." said Poppy. "Don't worry; I'll find a way to get you down from there." Moving away from Mary, Poppy began to explore the lab. It was when she passed a nearby mirror that she finally caught a glimpse of what she now looked like.

Her once vibrant red coat was now a dull shade of light crimson; her mane now a dull orange, as her purple eyes were now blood red and full of darkness. Yet despite the way she looked now, Poppy had expected worse. At the very least she didn't moan, groan or have a sudden appetite for brains. Perhaps she wasn't a zombie...yet. Just close to one.

Back to exploring the lab, Poppy searched a nearby bookshelf for a possible spell to release Mary. 

The Dorian Gray Photo Album.

Ann Colter- A Life.

Blood types from A to Z.

Alchemy for beginners.

Dealing with Immortality.

No spell books. (Though that Ann Colter one probably made a fascinating read.)

It was then that Poppy heard a female voice; sophisticated, almost proud yet mature. "You!" it said. "Over here!" It was coming from another bookshelf, one that had only one book on it and was wrapped in chains and various padlocks.

As Poppy approached, the voice yelled out again. "Yes, up here; top shelf!"

Poppy scaled the chains of the bookshelf only to find the source of the mysterious voice: A massive black book, larger than any other book Poppy had seen thus far, with a wide seemingly bloody gash sliced down the cover. It's yellowed, worn pages jutted out randomly from inside it, alluding more to its incredible age. "Okay you found me." the book said. "Now, if you please, undo these chains."

Poppy stared at the talking book in awe. "Y-You're a book?"

"Yes!" the book cried. "Well...no. It's complicated."

"How is it complicated?" asked Poppy. "Are you a book or not?"

"Ugh." the book was getting frustrated. "Look, I used to be a pony like you alright?" she explained. "But I was killed and my soul trapped in this dusty old spell tome; basically enslaved to help out the Dancemanias in whatever dark bidding they wish of me for all eternity. Happy?"

Poppy was taken aback. "Well, no." she said. "That sounds horrible. I'm sorry."

"Yes well...it doesn't matter now." the book sighed. "Just get me out of here and I can help you!"

Poppy eyed the book suspiciously. "How do I know I can trust you? The last book that was spoke to me nearly took over my mind."

"Because I hate the Dancemanias even more than you do-"

"Debatable."

"-And I know the spell for freeing your friend."

Poppy thought for a moment. "Don't you have to do what Selina says? You're her spell book after all."

"You think I like this?" the book spat. "I have no other choice! I have had no other purpose other than serving that monster and her vile ilk as their family spell book. Or at least that used to be the case; now you're here. You can help me."

"Me?" asked Poppy. "How so?"

"Get me off this shelf, and I'll tell you everything." the book said simply. "I swear it."

If the book was going to try anything, it would have done so already. Plus, it made it quite clear that it was incapable of really doing anything at all on its own. And Poppy had no other options at the moment; she had to free Mary and get her soul back. She had no choice but to trust the book's word.

Poppy used her magic to snap the chains around the book in half then grabbed it, before jumping back down. She grunted as she hit the ground; the book weighed a ton! And it was so large, she could barely wrap both arms around it.

"Okay, now set me down." the book instructed.

Poppy did so, and the book suddenly opened as it's pages began fluttering about till it finally stopped on a page in the middle. On the page was an illustration of an earth pony mare paladin adorned in gleaming white armor and flowing snowy cape to match. In her short red mane was a white headband that glowed as if it was made of light. The illustration looked straight up at Poppy then smiled. "That's better." she said. "Now we can talk face to face."

Poppy looked down at the illustration in awe. "Who...who are you?'

The illustration chuckled. "I suppose introductions are necessary." she said. "I am known as the Sword of The Morning Light, the Bane of Vampire-kind and Slayer of Clan Dancemania."

The illustration drew her sword and held it aloft. "I am Alexandra Anderson." the illustration said proudly. "Charmed."





"You're Alexandra Anderson?" Poppy asked in utter amazement. "But..how did-"

"I believe you wanted to save your friend, yes?" Alexandra interrupted. "We can discuss anything you want later."

She was right. There would be time for questioning later. "Okay." said Poppy. "How can I free Mary?"

"Face her and hold the book aloft," Alexandra instructed. "I will do the rest."

Poppy did as she was told, and held the massive book up to Mary and waited. In the book, Alexandra closed her eyes and knelt with her sword, as she recited a sacred incantation, her words echoing loudly as she spoke; as if the sky itself was speaking for her.

"I call upon the brightest light, to burn away this vampire's blight. To cast it down into the sea, so that this soul, may be set free."

Instantly the red aura surrounding Mary vanished as her shackles shattered apart then faded into mist, allowing the mare to fall to her knees and take a breath.

"Mary!" Poppy set the book down, rushed forward and hugged her friend, who hugged her back tightly. "Are you alright?"

"I feel like I have to blink about fifty times before my eyes work again," joked Mary. "But other then that, yeah...I think I'm good." Then her smile faded. "But...what about you? Didn't...didn't you-"

"Yeah. But...I came back."

Mary shook her head. "You astound me, Poppy." she laughed. "Even death can't stop you!"

Poppy smiled and helped Mary to her feet, then retrieved Alexandra from the floor. "Thank you for saving my friend."

Alexandra nodded. "You're welcome." she sheathed her sword. "Now then...I believe you have questions?"

To-Do List: Talk To Alexandra Anderson.

Poppy, Mary and Alexandra found a place next to the fireplace so Mary (who had been shackled to a freezing cold stone wall) could warm herself up. As Mary rubbed her hooves together by the fire, Alexandra told her story.

"When I was cut down by Selina's great, great grandfather, Corpuscles Dancemania, he didn't want me to just die." she explained. "He wanted me to suffer; to make it so even in death, they could torment me for eternity." her voice began to shake with rage. "So he bound my soul to this damnable tome; trapped in it's pages and forced to aid his vile offspring in their evil deeds for the rest of my miserable existence. Unable to sleep, unable to eat, unable to feel anything; a consciousness without form made just to serve. Destroying me would have been a mercy."

"I...I don't even know what to say." said Mary. "I can only imagine the anger and pain you've felt."

"No...you cannot." corrected Alexandra. "But my pain is nothing compared to the atrocities Selina Dancemania and her family have wrought on this earth for decades. She must be destroyed."

"Yes, she must." Poppy agreed. "But...how? She's too strong."

"By yourself, yes. But if I was by your side..."

"You?" asked Mary. "What can you do, give her a papercut?"

"No, you fool!" Alexandra shot back. "If you free me from this infernal prison, I can help you destroy Selina once and for all."

Poppy looked at her. She had no idea how such a thing was possible. Her magic skill was limited only to teleportation as well as telekinesis; she wouldn't know where to even start with the process of freeing a bound soul from an object, let alone doing so in a safe manner that wouldn't result in her or other ponies exploding.

Then it hit her. But maybe she knew somepony who could.





The zombie apocalypse had been in full swing for around four hours now, and Ponyville's population continued to stay indoors. Canterlot was on lock down as guards searched high and low for the missing princess, who had gone missing hours ago. As the royal guard searched the streets, the Fizzy Poppers searched every inch of the castle, till they arrived in the royal office and collapsed on the floor from exhaustion.

"Ugh." groaned Root. "It's no use; we've looked everywhere! She's gone."

"Don't say that!" cried Cherry. "This is Poppy we're talking about. She'll turn up, trust me."

"Yeah!" cheered Lemon Lime. "You just have to have faith in her is all!"

Root got up and rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah, sure." she snarked. "I'm sure any second now she's just going to appear out of nowhere like magic."

Suddenly, exactly like magic, Poppy appeared out of nowhere in a flash of orange light. "Hey girls," she said smiling. "Want to help me stop the zombie apocalypse?"

The poppers all leapt up from the floor and tackled her to the ground, half laughing and half crying along with her. Root on the other hand stood at stared, mouth agape, astounded by her new apparent wish granting powers. "Whoa." was all she managed to say. Then she looked down at her hooves, disappointed. "Should've asked for a sandwich while I was at it."

Canterlot Royal Office

Poppy told the Poppers everything, that had happened. From meeting Selina, to being trapped by her, to apparently being killed (she was extra gentle with that part, and said she had only been temporarily rendered undead) to meeting Alexandra Anderson and more.

When she had finally finished, the poppers eyes were the size of dinner plates, and their jaws nearly touched the floor. Then, all at once, the floodgates broke.

"Are you a zombie now?" asked Root. "Do you eat brains and stuff!?"

"How are you still alive if you don't have your soul?" asked Cherry. "And how are you going to get it back?"

"Do zombies glow in the dark?" asked Lemon Lime. "If so, I wanna see!"

"Girls!" cried Poppy. "One at time, okay?" She took a moment to compose herself, before turning to Root. "No, I am not a zombie and no I don't eat brains."

Root looked disappointed. "Aww, dang it."

Poppy turned to Cherry. "Honestly? I have no idea. My soul was removed trapped behind a green ball of energy that appeared out of nowhere. It stopped Selina from getting to it, but I need to figure out a way to get it back. Which I'm working on."

Cherry nodded and looked quite relieved.

Finally she turned to Lemon Lime. "As far as I know, no they don't." she said simply. "But it would be neat, wouldn't it?"

Lemon Lime nodded profusely in agreement.

Their questions satisfied, the poppers looked at one another, unsure. "So...what are you going to do now?" asked Root.

"Mary stayed in Transylvania to make sure Selina doesn't catch on to what we're doing. In the meantime," Poppy removed Alexandra's book from her satchel (which she had made sure to receive from lockup before she left the castle) and held it up for the girls to see. "This is the book Alexandra is trapped in; I need to take her to Garnanopo and get him to free her from it, so she can help me destroy Selina."

"Cool!" the Poppers cheered. "Count us in!" said Root.

"Yeah! We'll help you take down that vampire!" Cherry added.

"Just leave it to us!" Lemon Lime chimed in.

Poppy's smiled faded. "Girls...I don't know. This vampire isn't just dangerous." she warned. "I mean she actually killed me!"

"Yeah," Cherry agreed, "But you came back!"

"Plus, she just got lucky. You could've totally taken her down if she hadn't cheated." Root added with a smug grin.

Poppy was still unsure, but she could at least use the help with freeing Alexandra. "You help me with Alexandra; then we'll see about helping me destroy the unholy creature of darkness that brought about my demise. Deal?"

"Deal!" the poppers cheered.

Downtown Canterlot

Poppy remembered that, before he had vanished from Lagoom Island, Garnanopo had said he had a lab in Canterlot. Though she had not seen him since then, she at least knew the location of where his lab was among the many shops and storefronts of Canterlot, as it was the only building that had the Catcher's Landing Gift Shop literally parked in an alley beside it. The zombies that crowded the streets paid no mind to Poppy and the poppers as they approached Garnanopo's place of residence.

The building itself was a small cottage, with numerous walkways and makeshift balconies jutting out from around it, save for a small crooked chimney from which rainbow colored smoke emanated. It looked surprisingly cozy, given the fact that every other home was boarded up by their terrified inhabitants.

Poppy and the poppers approached the front door, only for it to swing open as Poppy raised her hoof to knock. There standing in the doorway, wearing the same black robes and mad scientist porcupine-like mane, was Garnanopo.

"Poppy!" he cried happily. "So happy to see you're dead!"

"Excuse me?"

"Sorry, my words got jumbled there." he said simply. "I meant, so happy to see you." he corrected. "And, oh no. You're dead."

"Um...thanks?"

The poppers only continued to stare at the odd stallion.

"Ah yes, come in, come in!" Garnanopo beckoned. "Make yourselves at home!" He disappeared into the cottage, as Poppy and the poppers followed suit, wondering if it was too late to go ask Pears.

Garnanopo's Cottage, Living Room

Garnanopo's cottage was a cozy yet cramped sight to behold. A large brown couch sat in front of a tiny fireplace, of which was bordered by a lamp, a reading chair and a coffee table that looked like it had been through a war. Poppy could make out a kitchen and a room so crammed with books that she couldn't see past the doorway. She assumed it was the library.

All around the place, potions bubbled and boiled, cauldrons sizzled, crystals sparked with energy, and various instruments Poppy swore couldn't physically exist were set up and hissing steam the took the forms of different shapes as they evaporated. The walls were oaken wood, but in place of wallpaper were various charts, magical diagrams, schematics in languages that barely looked legible, pages from almanacs and encyclopedias, spell network diagrams and more all posted up seemingly in random places all over the cottage.

Poppy turned to see Garnanopo knelt by the tiny fireplace; She couldn't see what he was doing, but when he withdrew a second later, there was a roaring fire that filled the cottage with warmth and light.

"Whoa!" Root gasped. "How'd you do that?"

Garnanopo sat down on the couch and waved a hoof. Suddenly, from the kitchen floated a copper kettle, a package of bacon, a poker, a teapot, several chipped mugs and a tea box. Garnanopo smiled at the popper's amazement, before starting to make tea.

Soon the cottage was full of the sound and smell of sizzling bacon. Nopony said a thing while the wizard was working, but as he withdrew the first six, slightly burned, strips of bacon from the poker, Poppy looked suddenly worried. "Um," she began.

"No worries, my dear Poppy." said the wizard. "It's vegan, of course."

Poppy felt instantly relieved. Ponies didn't eat meat; it just didn't feel right to them.

"But really though," the wizard added," you should at least try meat at some point. It's really quite enjoyable!"

Correction; most ponies didn't eat meat.

As Poppy and the poppers sat on the couch enjoying their tea and vegan bacon, Garnanopo sat down in his chair. "Now then," he said sitting up straight," You want me to release miss Anderson from her literary prison, correct?"

"No way!" gasped Cherry, her mouth full. "How did you know that?"

Poppy smiled. "It's sort of his job, pretty much." she said. "But yes, we need her help to destroy Selina."

"Right you are," the wizard agreed. "Alexandra Anderson is the greatest vampire slayer that ever lived; her aid will be invaluable!"

"So you can do it?" asked Poppy eagerly.

"Nope."

The room went silent. Poppy's heart sank in her chest.

Then Garnanopo's eyes lit up. "Oh wait, I meant yes." he corrected himself. "Yes, I can free her from this book."

"You can?" asked Poppy and the poppers in unison.

Garnanopo nodded. "Trapping a soul in an object is easy enough; but getting it out requires...something else."

"Something else?" asked Poppy.

"A body." said Garnanopo. "Alexandra's body is long since gone. For her soul to be released she needs a new one for it to inhabit."

Poppy waited for Garnanopo to continue. When he didn't she asked. "Okay, um....where do I get her a body then?"

"You don't," corrected Garnanopo, "But we can make her a new one."

"...Huh?"

'"It's really quite simple." said Garnanopo smiling. "We can create a new existential vessel for Alexandra's mortal soul to inhabit; a sort of homunculoid celluloid body to act as her new mortal body. See? Simple."

Poppy looked at him. "Literally nothing about that is simple."

"Well I can handle the details. All you need to do is retrieve a few things for me."

Root raised her hoof. Garnanopo called on her. "Yes?" he asked quizzically.

"Do you need this stuff for the body, or is this one of those things where we get a bunch of stuff for you thinking it's for the body, but it's really for your hoof bath or something to waste our time?"

Garnanopo stared at her. "Ahem, putting the hoof bath that I may or may not be drawing at the moment aside, yes; everything is for the creation of Alexandra's new body."

"Good call, Root," Cherry whispered to her sister. Root smiled, looking proud.

"Okay so," Poppy got up from the couch," What do you need exactly?"

"First: I need the book Alexandra is trapped in."

"Done." Poppy handed Garnanopo the book, who set it aside as quickly as he got it.

"Now I need the following Aspects Of A Hero," he took out a small scroll and unfurled it as he read. "A heart of gold, the hooves of a champion, and the voice of a leader."

"Um...where do I get any of that stuff?" asked Poppy. Then it occurred to her. There was in fact one place, that literally sold everything. And this situation was no different.

Poppy thanked Garnanopo then, with the poppers in tow, teleported herself directly into the lobby of the Inconvenience Store.

The Inconvenience Store

The bright cheery music of the Inconvenience Store sang from the lobby speakers as Poppy spotted Pears, crossbow in hoof, hastily shoving a displeased looking zombie out the front door. "And don't you ever try to steal my coat hangers again!" Pears yelled as she closed the door and locked it.

Pears turned around and spotted Poppy who smiled at her. "Oh. Hey Poppy!" she said. "How was Transylvania?"

"Well....I died."

"I can see that." Pears nodded. "Don't worry, I'm not going to shoot you." she set the crossbow behind the counter. "Y'know, unless you go all brain-crazy on me."

"That's fair. I actually need to ask you if you have some certain um...items in stock."

Pears got behind the counter and pushed aside a large surgery table into the closet. "Welp, considering I sell literally everything, I'm sure we can find you something. What can I get you?"

Root handed Poppy the list. "Do you have a heart of gold?" she asked.

"I'd like to think so, though some other people would disagree." answered Pears with a shrug. "Namely my mother."

"No, I mean an actual heart of solid gold...for sale."

"Oh! Well in that case..." Pears withdrew from the counter and returned with a glass case and set it on the counter. Inside was a literal heart, about the size of a coconut, made of twenty four karat gold. It looked far too detailed not to be real.

"Where did you get that?" asked Cherry, both amazed and horrified.

"Tore it from the chest of an ancient Sumerian hero in Guadalajara." answered Pears casually. "You want it?"

"Need it, actually." said Poppy, getting out her purse. "How much?"

"Well considering it's an actual heart of solid gold, I'd say-" 

Before Pears could finish, Poppy slapped down a gleaming silver card bordered in black onyx. "Just charge it to the royal treasury; we don't have time."

Pears was more then happy to do so, running the card through, then handing it back to Poppy. "What else do you need?"

Poppy checked the list again. "The hooves of a champion and the voice of a leader."

Pears thought for a moment. "Hooves of a champion, you say?" then her eyes lit up. "Oh yeah! I did have the hooves of the most infamous gunslinger that ever rode the west, Toronto Teakwood. I'd say that's probably your best bet."

"Great!" Poppy said happily. "We'll take them."

Pears looked embarrassed. "Actually, I already sold them."

"What!?" cried Poppy. "To who?"

"Tornonto Teakwood." said Pears. "Literally the actual guy, as a zombie. He had to use his mouth to pay the bits, cause he had no hooves. It was weird."

"Well...where is he now?"

Pears shrugged. "He said something about going to Crabbys. Then he bought a Sludgie, shot at one of my displays, then left."

"Crabbys...got it." Poppy thanked Pears, put the heart into her satchel and was bout to leave, when Pears stopped her.

"Hey Poppy." she said, suddenly serious. "When you get your soul back, we need to talk." she lowered her voice to a whisper. "It's about them."

Poppy's eyes widened. "Them? as in...them, them?"

Pears nodded. "I discovered something; something big."

Poppy had been wondering about the mysterious cabal that had been fast approaching Ponyville ever since she returned from Lagoom Island, but with the zombie apocalypse, she hadn't had the chance to really discuss it with Pears. What had she discovered this time?

"What is it?" asked Poppy, eager to hear more.

But Pears shook her head. "Not now." she said quickly. "When you have your soul back, meet me in my lab under the store; I'll explain everything."

Poppy looked at her. Then nodded. "Okay." She knew that if Pears said to hold off on talking about something, it was usually the right move to make. (Or it was something completely nonsensical that would result in you getting a criminal record. But Poppy didn't think that was the case this time.)

Poppy thanked Pears for her help, then used her magic to teleport her and the poppers into the lobby of Crabby's Diner.

Crabby's Diner

As Poppy looked around the surprisingly empty lobby, she suddenly heard a gunshot go off. She ducked as the bullet sailed over her head and hit the lamp behind her, which exploded on impact.

"Whoa!" The poppers yelled as they scrambled to take cover behind a set of overturned tables by the right wall.

Poppy turned to do the same when a voice, shallow as a grave (which was fitting because its owner had recently climbed out of one) hissed at her from the counter. "Don't you move now, little lady." it said. "Or the next one won't miss."

The voice was coming from a tall, imposing undead stallion in a tattered black overcoat, and wide rimmed hat to match. A single, cold eye looked out from underneath the brim, as two arms holding pistols aimed themselves at Poppy. Behind the undead stallion, was Pretty Crabby, bound and gagged.

Poppy narrowed her eyes at the stallion. "Toronto Teakwood, I presume."

Toronto nodded. "You presume right." he growled. "And you are?"

"In need of your hooves." said Poppy. "Don't suppose you'd be willing to part with them peacefully?"

"Not a chance." Toronto snarled. "I just got up from a hundred year dirt nap; I have quite a lot of robbing to get caught up on."

"You're not robbing this diner." Poppy said taking a step forward.

"Watch me." Toronto fired another shot at Poppy, who dove behind the tables in the corner. Three more shots went off, as Toronto laughed.

Poppy peeked out from behind the table, only to see Toronto aim his pistol right at her. But before he could fire, a frying pan was thrown from the right side of the store, and knocked the gun from his hoof.

Root laughed as she aimed a second pan. "Over here cowboy!" she jeered.

Toronto snarled angrily as he looked over at Root. "You little!" he aimed his next shot at her and smiled a wicked grin. But Poppy grabbed his arm, and began to wrestle the gun from his grasp. Toronto swung his arm to hit Poppy, but she ducked and connected a hard punch to his left jaw, then kicked out his legs from under him, sending him backwards, the gun flying from his hoof.

Toronto fell back, and smashed his head against the countertop before sliding down to the floor, barely conscious.

He looked up as he saw the large radio on the counter, teeter off and fall directly towards his head.

"Aw hell." was his last words before the radio silenced him for good.





Poppy untied Pretty Crabby who massaged her arms and desperately tried to straighten out the wrinkles in her apron. "Ugh. Thanks."

"Your welcome. Where did he come from, anyways?"

"No idea. He just burst in here and started demanding I hand over the money from the register." Pretty explained. "I told him to stuff it, and then he knocked me unconscious with those pistols of his."

"What happened to Penny and Recipe?" asked Poppy, suddenly nervous. "They were here when I left!"

"Relax, they left hours ago." Pretty said rolling her eyes. "Penny went back to her office, and Recipe went out to collect samples. Whatever that means."

Poppy breathed a sigh of relief. "Good." she said. "Are you alright?"

Pretty looked down at her wrinkled apron and frowned. "No! It'll take me an hour to iron out these wrinkles!"

"That's a yes then." said Cherry as her and her sisters came out of hiding.

Poppy went up to them immediately. "Are you girls alright?" she asked concerned.

"A little shook up," said Root. "But I think we're okay."

"Good." said Poppy. "Now please....never try that again."

"Duly noted." said Cherry, elbowing Root in the ribs.

As the poppers helped Pretty clean up the diner, Poppy went over to check on Toronto who had turned to dust the second he died (again), and in the dust heap was his overcoat, hat and two dried severed hooves, that Poppy tried not to vomit over as she picked them up and dropped them into her satchel. Two down; one to go.

To-Do List: Locate The Voice Of A Leader and bring it to Garnanopo.

"The voice of a leader?" Pretty scrunched her face in confusion. "What the hell does that mean?"

"I don't know." said Poppy sitting down at the counter. "But we need it if we're going to put an end to all this insanity." she rested her head on the counter in frustration. "I just wish we knew what that meant!"

Lemon Lime piped up. "Well...the heart and hooves were literally the things they described." she pointed out. "So, what if this is the same thing? What if we need to actually find a leader's voice?"

Root rolled her eyes. "And just where would we find that?" she asked.

"Well..." Lemon Lime's eyes lit up. "What about Evil Celestia?"

The diner went silent. Poppy looked over to Lemon Lime. "Say that again."

Lemon Lime's cheeks went red. "Um...what about-"

"Evil Celestia!" Poppy cried, leaping up from her seat. "That's it!- the voice of a leader; it makes perfect sense!"

"Nice job, Lime!" Root cheered, slapping her sister on the back.

Lemon Lime's face was flushed with red, but she smiled anyways as she rubbed her hooves together sheepishly.

Pretty broke up the party. "So, you're just going to go ask the genetic clone of a thousand year old, nigh-omnipotent, monarch, if you can just have her vocal cords or something?"

Poppy's smiled faded. "Oh. Right." she looked over at the poppers. "This might be harder then we thought."





Evil Celestia and Evil Luna were the genetic clones of Princess Celestia and her sister, created by the former happiness guru turned megalomaniacal alien monster, Hue Humble, to subjugate the population of Equestria into obeying his whim. When Poppy usurped this plan, becoming the new princess of Equestria in the process, the two formerly evil (well no, Luna was still evil) clones were down on their luck till, thanks to Poppy, they were given new leases on life and inspired to go out to make something of themselves.

And as Poppy stood and stared up at the large neon sign above her, she at last knew what those leases had been for.

She sighed to herself, before reading the sign aloud. "Evil Celestia and Evil Luna: Private Investigators."

She reread the sign again, about two more times, before finally muddling up the courage to walk through the front door of the run down office building.

To-Do List: Talk To Evil Celestia.

Evil Celestia, clad in her brown detective fedora and matching collared shirt-suspenders ensemble, sat behind her desk in thought. "Hmmm..." she said aloud.

"What the hell are you doing?" Evil Luna asked in an annoyed tone as she came in from the kitchen, herself wearing a black fedora and suspenders ensemble that unequivocally said "bad cop" loud and clear.

"I'm practicing silly!" Evil Celestia explained. "For when a client asks a super important question."

"That would be great," Luna turned around and took a look at the empty office, "If we actually had any clients!"

"Oh, it's just a slow day, sister dear." Evil Celestia waved a hoof.

"Slow day my ass," Luna growled. "We haven't had a client all week!"

"I'm sure we'll get a new client any moment now!" Evil Celestia said eagerly.

It was at this moment (unfortunately) that Poppy opened the office door and peeked inside. "Hello?" The clone sisters looked at her. 

She looked at them. "Um...hi?"

For a moment, no one said a word. Then before she could duck, Poppy was swept up into a strangling bear hug by a joyfully laughing Evil Celestia, as she spun around in a circle. "Poppy!" she sang. "Oh, it's so good to see you again!"

Evil Luna was...less enthused. "Oh joy." she snarked. "It's her highness, come to grace us with her majesty. Hang on let me get the red carpet from the pantry."

"Oh sister, don't be like that." Evil Celestia scolded. She let go of Poppy, who quickly checked to make sure her head was still attached. It was. "Poppy is our guest after all!"

"Thanks, but...I really just need to talk to you," Poppy said getting air back in her lungs.

"Of course!" said Celestia. "What can we do for you?" Luna simply growled again then went into the living room to collapse on the couch, completely uncaring as to the situation.

"Well it's...complicated."





Poppy sat down in the armchair, glass of iced tea in hoof, as Evil Celestia took a seat across from her. "So...you guys are detectives now?...really?"

Evil Celestia shrugged. "Why not?" she said. "I love helping people with their problems, and my sister enjoys yelling profanity at people and beating them up with desk chairs."

Luna nodded. "I do." she gave a satisfied smile. "I really do."

"Not to mention, we've had a ton of clients!" said Celestia happily.

"Really?" asked Poppy.

"Well...no. But we'll get some eventually!"

Luna snorted. "I blame that Sideways mare; she's hogging all the action!" she snapped. "Stupid psychic detectives."

"Right." Poppy set her glass down. "Well, I don't have a case for you, but I do need your help."

"Of course!" Evil Celestia said clapping her hooves together. "Anything you need."

Poppy sighed. "I need your voice."

Celestia looked at her. Luna sat up from her spot on the couch to do the same. "I'm sorry?" asked Celestia.

"I um...I need-" then it occurred to her. Now that she was thinking about it, she still didn't know exactly what she needed. Lemon Lime had correctly assumed that both of the first two things were literally what they described; an actual heart of gold, and the hooves of a champion. So did that mean...

Poppy's eyes lit up. "That's it!" she searched through her satchel, before withdrawing what she was looking for; a tape recorder. She went over to Celestia (who was still quite confused) and held it aloft, pressing the button. "Say something."

Celestia looked down at the tape recorder, then at Poppy. "Um...something?"

"Perfect." Poppy dropped the tape recorder into her satchel and was out the door a second later. "Thanks for your help guys!" she called as she closed the door behind her.

Evil Celestia stood there for a moment a blank look on her face. "Um...what just happened?"

Evil Luna shrugged. "Dunno," she said laying back down. "I told you that mare was nuts."

Evil Celestia nodded. "Yeah." then she smiled warmly. "But I still love her."

Evil Luna snorted.

"And I know you do too." Evil Celestia teased.

"Shut up."





Swinging back to Crabby's to pick up the poppers (much to Pretty's relief as they were getting to be a handful) Poppy then used her magic to instantly appear back in the middle of Garnanopo's cottage, with all the things they needed to create Alexandra's new body, and were finally near their goal of defeating Selina once and for all.

To-Do List: Create Alexandra's new body then return to Transylvania to defeat Selina.

The poppers watched curiously as Poppy helped Garnanopo push a massive stone cauldron into the middle of the room. It was already full of what seemed to be water and it was larger than any cauldron Poppy had ever seen: a great stone belly large enough for a full grown stallion to sit in. Or a mare to emerge from.

As Poppy took a step back, Garnanopo waved a hoof and suddenly crackling flames appeared underneath the massive cauldron. The floor itself seemed completely unaffected by the fire; as if only the cauldron could feel them.

The liquid in the cauldron seemed to heat very fast. The surface began to not only bubble, but to send out brilliant sparks, as though it were on fire. Steam was thickening, blurring the outlines of Garnanopo and Poppy.

"Hey!" cried Root. "I can't see anything!"

Cherry shushed her sister, as they all continued to observe silently.

The whole surface of the water was alight with sparks now; it might as well have been encrusted with diamonds.

Garnanopo picked up Alexandra from the shelf and held her aloft. "Ready, miss Anderson?" he asked.

"Just a moment please; it's been so long since I-"

"Good to know." and he dropped the book into the cauldron; there was a hiss, and it vanished below the surface. Poppy heard the it hit the bottom with a soft thud.

"Now then," Garnanopo said cracking his hooves preemptively. "The first ingredient please."

Poppy handed him the golden heart she had gotten from Pears. He held it over the boiling cauldron. "Heart of Gold, the symbol of heroism and courage, give her shape." and he dropped it in. The diamond surface of the water broke and hissed; it sent sparks in all directions and turned a vivid, electric blue. Poppy watched in awe at the display; she had never seen magic like this. Not ever.

She was snapped out of her trance by Garnanopo who asked her for the next ingredient. She handed him (Trying her best not to drop them in disgust) the hooves she had retrieved from Toronto's dusty remains.

Garnanopo held them over the cauldron like the heart. "Hooves of the champion, the tools of the hero, give her grace and truth." then he dropped them in. The potion turned a burning red; the light so intense that even as Poppy shut her eyes, the light still shined in through her eyelids.

"I'm blind!" yelled Root in horror.

"Open your eyes, dummy." Cherry said shaking her head.

Root opened her eyes. "Oh."

Garnanopo turned to Poppy who handed him the tape recorder. "Voice of the leader, the greatest weapon of the hero, give her words the authority of a king."

Poppy raised her hoof. "Um...I can get that back, right?"

"Nope." and in it went. The potion instantly turned a blinding white; the entire cottage lit up as a torrent of steam poured from the mouth of the cauldron. It began to simmer, sending it's diamond sparks in every direction. The light it produced was so bright, it turned everything else to blackness.

The steam became a cloud; soon no one could see anything at all. Another torrent of sparks, a loud hiss then....silence.

Total silence.

Poppy looked around, seeing nothing but steam. "Um...did it work?"

Garnanopo was about to answer, when suddenly through the mist, the outline of a mare appeared. Tall, radiant, and strong as a war horse. There was a shing of metal (a sword being drawn), then in one swift motion, the blade cut through the fog, revealing the figure in all her majesty.

"Whoa." was all anyone managed to say.

There, reborn again, stood Alexandra Anderson; armor and all. She stood a foot taller than Poppy, and her gleaming white armor looked as if it had been forged from light; her cape like that of fallen snow. She sheathed her sword, an exquisite silver scimitar with a sapphire star on the pommel, then stretched her legs. Brushing what remained of the potion from her short fiery red mane, she smiled at the astonished expressions on everyone's faces. "So," she gave a sly smile. "How do I look?"

"Whoa." was all anyone managed to say.

Alexandra nodded, satisfied with the answer she had been given.





The poppers took turns touching the hem of Alexandra's cape; it felt as if it was made of clouds, and seemed lighter than air.

"Can I touch the sword too?" asked Root eagerly.

"Absolutely not." said Alexandra sternly, but with a smile. Root didn't dare argue. Alexandra sat in the chair Garnanopo had brought her while he ran some tests to make sure that everything was working the way it should.

He had Alexandra walk in place, checked her eyes, nose, mouth and ears, took her temperature, asked her to recite the alphabet and more. By his reactions, she not only passed, but exceeded his expectations.

"How are you feeling?" asked Poppy.

"Considering I'm no longer a literal book...pretty good." joked Alexandra. "What about you?"

Poppy looked down at her hooves. Though she may not have had her soul in her body, she still felt connected to it somehow. She didn't feel hollow or cold, nor did she feel the need to devour brains or anything. She didn't feel dead or even undead. "Honestly," she said looking up at Alexandra, "I feel okay. Not great, but...okay."

Alexandra smiled. "I'm glad." she got up from the chair. "But the time for talk is over." she narrowed her eyes. "It's time for action."

"Yeah! Let's go get that vampire!" cheered Root.

But Poppy put a hoof on her shoulder. "You girls are staying here."

The poppers protested, but between Alexandra and Poppy they knew they were outmatched. They solemnly wished Poppy luck before taking a seat on Garnanopo's couch. Garnanopo himself, wished Poppy the best of luck, as well as Alexandra before leaving to fetch his child-proofing gear.

Alexandra stood proudly with Poppy beside her, finally ready to finish what she had started all those years ago. Poppy turned to her. "Are you ready?"

Alexandra nodded. "I've been ready for over a century," she said drawing her sword. "Let's end this."

With that Poppy and Alexandra vanished in a flash of orange light.

To-Do List: Defeat Selina Dancemania and end the zombie apocalypse.

Poppy and Alexandra appeared outside Castle Dancemania once again, but noticed something odd. There were no guards, nor were there any zombies around at all. More than that the doors were wide open.

"She's expecting us." said Alexandra.

Poppy just smiled. "Good." then inside they went, ready to face down their enemy once and for all.

Dancemania Hall

There was no more music, no more dancing. The hall was completely empty; not a single zombie in sight. Only one figure, sat alone at the bar, waiting patiently. As Poppy and Alexandra entered, Selina sipped her wine and smiled. "And here they are; the valiant heroes, come to slay the evil vampire once and for all."

"It's over Selina," said Poppy narrowing her eyes. "You've lost."

"Hmm...I wonder about that." said Selina getting out of her seat. "Oh, here; you can have this back. I don't need it anymore." she waved her hoof and the green ball of energy containing Poppy's soul appeared before her. In seconds the ball had vanished and Poppy's soul flew back into her body.

Poppy felt a rush of warmth as suddenly the ground felt firmer, the air felt colder, and colors looked more vivid. She looked down and her hooves were once again cherry red again, her orange mane as vibrant as ever. She felt whole again.

Selina smiled wickedly at Poppy's look of relief. "I wouldn't be too happy if I were you," she said. "After all, I'm just going to kill you again anyways."

Alexandra aimed her sword and glared at Selina. "Over my dead body."

"Yes sweetie," mocked Selina, her eyes suddenly like a wild animal,"I believe that's the idea." 

Poppy and Alexandra stepped back as they watched Selina suddenly fall to the floor in anguish. Then her body began to morph and grow; her limbs distending and warping into huge spindly legs, her body extending and twisting into a pale, white skinned monstrosity, her beautiful face contorted into a bestial hook-fanged abomination, as huge bat-like wings burst from her back with a sickening splat. 

A terrible, quivering frenzied scream tore through the night, shook the old walls, continued rising and falling, vibrating. Then she stepped forward. Poppy felt fear grip her throat as her stomach dropped.

Selina was gone, replaced by a monster straight from a nightmare. Her disproportionately large head set on a short neck, was surrounded by a tangled halo of blonde hair. Her eyes shone in the darkness like an animal's. The monster stood motionless, her gaze fixed on Poppy and Alexandra. Suddenly she opened her jaws (as if proud of her rows of serrated teeth) then snapped them shut with a crack like a chest being slammed shut. And leapt, slashing at the mares with her bloodied claws.

"GET BACK!" Alexandra jumped to the side, while Poppy dove out of the way. The monster strafed past her, then spun around, slicing through the air with her talons. She didn't lose her balance and attacked anew, mid-spin, gnashing her teeth fractions of an inch from Poppy's face.

Poppy landed gracefully on two feet, while the monster landed hunched, on all fours, staring hungrily at her prey. Then suddenly, she let out a horrible yell, as a gunshot rang out from nowhere. She didn't bother to inspect the wound, as she glared at her newest attacker.

It was Mary. "Yeah, you like that you freak!?" she cheered, brandishing her POINT issued pistol expertly in her hooves.

Poppy smiled back at her friend. "Glad to see you joined the fun!" she joked.

"Less talking more vampire slaying!" yelled Mary, as she aimed another shot.

The monster screeched again in rage, before making a dive at Mary. The POINT agent jumped away, changing the direction of her movement to confuse the beast. As Mary leapt out of the way, Alexandra appeared from behind and delivered a lightning-quick slash to the side of the monster's head.

The monster roared horribly, filling the place with a booming echo, fell to ground, froze and started to howl hollowly and furiously.

Alexandra smiled maliciously. "Silver hurts don't it?" she mocked. "That's for turning me into a damned book!"

The monster recovered almost instantly, slashing at the paladin, her talons sparking off the white armor, as her sword fell from her grasp. Poppy caught the sword expertly in her hoof, as Alexandra drew her secondary weapon; a long white silver dagger with a curved end. "Keep the sword!" Alexandra called out, readying her dagger. "I always carry more then one weapon, anyways."

Poppy looked at the exquisite sword in her hooves, then readied it quickly as the monster leapt at her. The creature was clearly in no hurry with her next attack. She approached Poppy slowly, relishing the kill, baring her fangs and dribbling acidic saliva from her mouth. Poppy backed away and, carefully placing her feet, traced a semi-circle. By slowing and quickening her movements she distracted the monster, making it difficult for her to leap. As she walked, Alexandra unwound a long, silver chain from her dagger, weighted at the end.

The moment the monster tensed and leapt the chain whistled through the air and, coiling like a snake, twined itself around the monster's shoulders, neck and head. The creature's jump became a tumble, and she let out an ear-piercing wail. She thrashed on the floor, howling horribly with fury or from the burning pain inflicted by the despised metal.

Poppy took her shot. She drew back her sword, leapt into the air and prepared to deliver the final blow to the monster's head. The chain snapped. The silver links scattered like rain in all directions, ringing against the stone. The monster, blind with fury, lashed out at her attacker. Only to hit air.

Poppy felt her hooves hit solid ground as she took a minute to catch her breath. Had she not used her magic to teleport herself, she would've been a goner.

The monster searched around for her prey. Alexandra didn't wait. She drew her dagger, held it close and murmured a silent incantation. The dagger glowed white hot.

To Poppy and Mary's astonishment, the monster suddenly fell back as if hit by a mallet, but kept her feet, extended her claws, bared her fangs. Her mane stood on end and fluttered as if she were walking against a hurricane. With difficulty, one rasping step at a time, she slowly advanced. But she did advance.

"Split up!" yelled Alexandra. "She can only go after one of us!"

Poppy and Mary did as they were told, and each took off in a different direction; Poppy heading up a set of stone stairs, and Mary heading down the eastern hall. Alexandra stayed only a second longer before her spell wore off and she dove out of the way of the charging monster.

Poppy heard the infernal scream from below; Selina was coming after her. To gain time she jumped up the next flight of stairs leading to the roof. She had not even climbed halfway up when the monster appeared on the floor beneath her. Galloping as fast as she could, she heard the monster yell out up at her, before turning to see her make an amazing ten-meter leap directly up to Poppy.

Poppy readied her sword, the monster was fast; twice her talons left their mark on the stone behind Poppy as she just barely avoided being sliced to ribbons. But Poppy was faster still, leaving another huge gash on the monsters' face. Blood spurted from the wound as the monster reeled back in pain. Poppy then tensed her shoulders, lowered her sword and delivered a mighty kick, sending the monster tumbling back down the stairs.

Poppy jumped up the next set of stairs and out the door to the roof.

Dancemania Castle Roof

Poppy felt the ground beneath her shake as thunder crashed across the sky, a streak of lightning following suit. Rain drenched her as she moved away from the door, clutching the sword by her side. "Okay, okay," she said, her heart beating fast. "Have to think this through; have to be smart about this."

She had possibly only seconds before Selina burst out from the doors behind her. She took a moment and calmed herself. Slowly but steadily, her heart beat slowed and her breathing became normal. Poppy held the sword up while she assumed her stance.

She was ready.

The roar she heard from inside the castle was louder than all the previous ones. Even the ground shook beneath Poppy's feet. The monster smashed through the door, shaking with uncontrolled anger and lust for murder.

Poppy waited. "Let's go then," she narrowed her eyes. "I don't have all night, I have deliveries to make."

The monster did not jump. She approached slowly, following the bright streak of Poppy's blade with her eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by a flash of orange light.

Poppy let out a yell as she delivered another slash to the monster's back, then another to her side. Poppy continued to teleport at rapid speeds around the monster, delivering blow after blow; the monster unable to keep track of the pony's movements.

Then one claw swung at random knocked the sword from Poppy's grasp, causing her to tumble forward onto the hard ground. But the job was already done. Poppy looked back to see the multiple injuries she had inflicted on Selina take their toll. The monster collapsed on the ground in a heap as her form morphed and shifted back into that a pale white mare, coughing and wheezing from total exhaustion.

Selina opened her crimson eyes and looked over as Poppy got up from the ground and brushed herself off, before retrieving the sword from the ground, and going over to where Selina lay. "Heh," she chuckled. "Are you going to kill me now, Poppy?"

"Not yet." said Poppy, lowering the sword. "First you're going to answer a question."

"Oh am I?" asked Selina, before coughing up blood. "Huh. I guess I have no choice, do I?"

"No. You don't." Poppy growled. "Why did you need souls? My soul, specifically? What was your real plan?"

"Heh....alright." Selina rasped. "I needed them to make the bargain with Tartarus."

"T-Tartarus?" Poppy gasped. "What does Tartarus have to do with this?"

Selina laughed a high, cold, mirthless laugh. "You *cough* really don't know anything do you?" she mocked.

"What are you talking about?"

Selina locked eyes with Poppy. "There's someone down there," she said evilly. "Someone who is very interested in you, Poppy Blossom. And they have big plans for you, heheh." she chuckled. "I wanted to be apart of it, so I had to make my payment of a thousand souls to even be considered. But adding yours to the pile would have guaranteed my way in."

"Someone....in Tartarus?" Poppy couldn't believe what she was hearing. But Selina had no reason to lie; she was telling the truth. "Who is it?" Poppy asked desperately.

"I don't know," she gasped. "Never got to meet them; I just wanted to impress them is all."

Poppy narrowed her eyes again. "Is that why you killed me and took my soul?"

"Oh for the love of," Selina sat up and glared at Poppy angrily, "I didn't kill you, you idiot!"

Poppy was taken aback as her eyes widened. "Huh?" she blurted out.

Selina rolled her eyes. "You were never dead, you moron," she explained, "you vanished right before the soul extractor could do you in. The next thing I know that stupid green ball has your soul in it. That's all I know!"

"B-But I....I looked-"

"Like you didn't have your soul inside you?" mocked Selina. "Yeah, because you didn't. You were still alive, but you had no soul; the body isn't meant to operate without one. Naturally you would have looked a little under the weather."

Poppy was speechless. "B-But...Furthermore said-"

Then she remembered it. 

Furthermore herself, had told Poppy straight up that she in fact wasn't dead. But her soul was no longer inside her body. This explained why she never felt like she was dead! Why she never got the urge to eat brains or act like a zombie; because she never was one!

But then that means...

"Wait," Poppy's mind struggled to make sense of things. "If...I was never a zombie or dead at all for that matter then...what about Persimmon?" she asked.

Selina looked at her for a full minute, as if thinking it over. Then she finally said "Who the hell is Persimmon?"

"T-The zombie mare you had guarding the graveyard!" Poppy cried. "She told me all about how zombies could-

Selina continued to stared up at her. "I never had any zombies guarding the graveyard, idiot."

"W-What do you mean?" asked Poppy, whose mouth had gone very dry.

"Why the hell would I have a zombie, a single one mind you, guarding a damn graveyard?!" snapped Selina, sitting up straight, clutching her injuries. "What would they guard over, Dirt?!"

Poppy's legs shook as her stomach did cartwheels inside her. "Then...how did I end up buried in the ground?"

Selina gave a shrug. "They probably buried you themselves, just to sell the story about how you died or some crap." she hissed. "And you fell for all of it, heh."

Poppy clenched her teeth, anger and confusion coursing through her. The look of rage on her face was such that Selina quickly ceased her mocking. It was no trick that Poppy's soul had left her body; she had seen it, felt the rush as it returned to her. In fact it may have been the shock of her soul leaving her body that caused her to briefly cross over to the Crossroads, where she met Furthermore. But it had been a trick that made her believe she had been killed, and brought back from the dead. But why?

What possible reason did Persimmon, or whoever she was, have to play the role of a zombie and convince Poppy that she had been killed by Selina's soul extractor? More then that, if she hadn't died, then why did her soul leave her body in the first place? And what was the green energy that prevented her or Selina from reaching it?

Questions buzzed around in Poppy's head; she felt dizzy as it all hit her at once. She turned back to Selina.

But it was too late. 

Selina was already dust on the ground.





Poppy returned to Equestria, much to the fanfare of her citizens and, along with the Poppers, supervised the mass clean up of the thousands of zombie dust piles that now littered the entire country. As soon as Selina had died, every zombie she had brought back, simply turned to dust right where they were. This made the cleanup operation, requiring only dust pans and brooms, though the work was still exhausting. It took 2 weeks before it was all cleaned up.

Alexandra Anderson joined the royal guard, where she took to instructing the guards on how to properly deal with supernatural threats; namely vampires. She was also hailed by countless scholars and historical researchers as a living legend, and many, many modern day historians travel to Equestria to speak to her, and listen to her lectures regarding her hundreds of years worth of knowledge (Both as herself and as the Dancemania family spell book)

Mary was awarded by POINT for her successful mission and promoted to Executive agent; a position she quickly proved to be more than worthy of as she herself supervised the ceasing of the Dancemania property which was converted into a museum about the history of the Dancemania clan. Though the many traps and torture rooms they had were turned into gift shops. As well, the portrait of Selina remained up on the wall. Apparently all attempts to remove it had mysteriously failed.

After all was said and done, things mostly returned to normal for Poppy, who resumed her role as Princess of Equestria and local delivery mare. With the zombie apocalypse ended, and the world saved (once again) by her efforts, she took the rest of the week off to recuperate.





Poppy sat on her couch in her home, listening to the TV as her mind went elsewhere. Namely, the new conspiracy she had unearthed.

Selina had caused the zombie apocalypse, and tried to kill her, simply to impress someone; someone who was planning something for Poppy. Someone who was powerful enough to warrant Selina Dancemania, the strongest vampire in the world's attention and possible allegiance. Someone who was in Tartarus, of all places. Poppy had made her share of enemies over her many days as a delivery mare, but never had she thought in a million years that she would make an enemy that had already been damned to the fires of Tartarus. What had she done to warrant hatred like that? To warrant this big plan they were cooking up?

Poppy rubbed her temples. "Ugh," she said, exhausted. "I'm not worrying about it now." she said laying back on her couch and closing her eyes. "At least, things are normal again."

And they were.

Till she heard a knock at the door. "Ugh," Poppy groaned. "Coming!"

She opened the door and was shocked to see none other than Evil Celestia and Evil Luna standing on her doorstep, still in their detective getups. "Princess- I mean, Celestia?" she asked. "What are you guys doing here?"

Evil Celestia looked worried, concerned. "Well...it's about a case we received. Recently."

"A case?" asked Poppy. "What do you mean? What's this about?"

Luna rolled her eyes. "It's about your friend. The crazy one."

"Pears?" Poppy looked confused. "What about her?"

Evil Celestia sighed, as she looked into Poppy's eyes. "She's gone missing."



Successful Delivery!

- On Time Percentage: 100%

- Issues: None

- Complaints: None

- Rank: A

Delivery #9 of 11 Completed