Zombies are relentless if they have an inkling there’s prey to be found nearby. There had been a few occasions where the rare zombie with an attention span longer than five minutes had chased me for an entire day.
Between the cacophony and how badly Dave shook, there had to be dozens of them out there. The three of us silently watched the door as the clamor continued, each minute as excruciatingly long as the time it takes to thaw the middle of a microwave burrito.
With all three of us hiding within, the hotel room was much more cramped. Cracked windows, peeling paint, and ratty sheets surrounded us. The deteriorating condition of the furniture and building only lent strength to the gloomy atmosphere. Granted, it was near this state before the apocalypse, but that little bit extra pushed it from disgusting half-star hotel to depressing.
Dave reached up to tilt his hat down only to find it had fallen off his head during his flight. He grumbled angrily and rubbed his eyes. "What did you two do? All fine and dandy one moment, walking along and keeping an eye on things for you, then things got real. Literally. Relatively literally. You know what I mean, I just want an answer."
The weary princess was the first to reply, her voice calm, but concerned. "David, we need it to be this stable. With Sterling in her current state there is actually a chance of resolving this issue."
Nothing can resist a pony-pout. "How come I don't get to call you David?"
He shrugged and offered a snide smirk. "You aren't royalty." Except Dave, apparently. Jerk.
"How did you know we'd be here?"
Dave snorted derisively. "It's always this room. You have this nightmare three or four times a week."
There was a stain on the wall that held my attention as I contemplated his words and eventually replied, "That can't be right. The only night I remember having a nightmare was last night." But it had felt like it wasn’t the first time I’d had it.
"And what was different that day?"
"I was in mortal danger?" I shrugged. And put Vinyl in it too. If it weren't for the pack—I didn't want to know.
"I said different." He rolled his eyes as he spoke, and Luna tried to hide her chuckle with her hoof.
Had the raspberries spoiled? That couldn't be it, they’d been awesome to be rotten, and I was sure my gut would have protested at least a little. Had it been from ducking out of the hospital or designing that new pattern? It probably wasn’t anything that had happened on my walk with Spot, and after that I’d gone right to the library. Oh, the argument. "You ditched me."
His eye twitched. "I did not ditch you! You drove me away, and now you know what happens when you do it. For whatever reason, me being around keeps the nightmares from actually bothering you. I don't know how or why it works, it just does. Every night I get to sit in on your dreams and—"
I eagerly jumped into the conversation, much to Dave's chagrin. "So you know what we're going to have to do to wrap things up?"
Dave glared. "Like I was trying to say: every night I get to sit in on your dreams and watch them transform from recognizable places to puréed insanity. I get a few minutes at the beginning, tops, before everything goes screwy. Whatever happened yesterday when you made me leave, I got stuck and couldn't do anything to stop them from getting to you. Not that I have any idea what I’d been doing to stop them in the first place, but it was good you caught a glimpse of how it could have been. Builds character. Things only got stranger when this one showed up." He nodded at Luna and grinned. "I scared the crap out of her."
Luna turned her nose up. "I was merely startled to see somepony else who wasn't part of the dream. That is all."
"You and I have very different opinions on what actually happened." Between the eventful night and following day, the spat had slipped my mind. With the memory of the argument refreshed, I couldn't help but return his angry glare.
"Do we? I tried to point out something that should be common sense, but you bit my head off over it."
"Bit your head off? Are you kidding? You spent the entire time telling me I was going to end up alone and abandoned, and then you did exactly that."
Dave’s face was a bright crimson as he jumped to his feet. "Because you never listen to anything I say! I mean nothing to you! You think I was just talking out my ass earlier? I was right. Again." So much for keeping quiet.
"How so? All you did was throw poorly veiled insults at me."
"That was advice, you thick-skulled twit. You would have seen it if you weren't so intent on playing with your beloved ponies."
Luna raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"They're better company than you." The smirk I shot him nearly caused steam to erupt from his ears.
"How is it my fault? I'm from your head! I don't know what part of your mind went rogue and created me, but you seem to think I had a choice. Why would I want to be tethered to some empty-headed jackass who won't stop to think about what mess they've blundered into? I can't go to anybody else." His voice shuddered and he took a moment to compose himself. "You're all I have, kid—and Pinkie too I guess, but that girl makes even less sense—and even though I only exist to you, it's like even you can't see me." Dave plopped back into his seat and frowned, his fiery angry dying down to smoldering melancholy.
Even the wind refused to break the silence that had descended upon us. Words eluded me. Was that really how he felt? I just didn't follow everything he’d suggested. I' was sure I'd taken his advice plenty of times. Let's see, there was back in the electronics store when I’d had to escape. And then there was… crap.
The faint sound of my hooves on the low-pile carpeting mocked me as I swallowed what little pride I had and approached Dave. He didn't frown, he didn't smirk, he didn't scowl. His face could have given any royal guard a run for their money. If it were still my first couple days as a pony I might have tried to put a leg around his shoulders, but I had since learned that using my forelegs for any gesture more complicated than a hug felt extremely awkward.
Resigning to simply lean my head against his shoulder, I let out a weak sigh. "I'm sorry. I know you're there, Dave, I just—I don't approach situations like you. I'd rather wing it, but you're right." Hesitantly, I added, "I missed you, Dave. Please don't think I don't want you around."
For the longest time, he didn't say anything. Eventually, his fingers brushed near my ears and mane. "You're pretty soft, you know that?" He chuckled and gave an earnest, if minuscule smile.
I returned the chuckle. "And you're pretty soft-headed."
"Yeah yeah, I've heard that one before." He continued to scratch at my ears, and I won't lie, it actually felt pretty good. It looked like there was something to ear-scratching after all—my thoughts melted as he hit just the right spot.
Relaxed and wondering what would happen if it actually put me to sleep, I stood there as Dave stared at a spot on the wall. Luna cleared her throat, chuckling as Dave jumped. He kicked me away and sheepishly grinned. "So! I never got an answer as to what you two did. Mind filling me in?"
Luna was more than relieved, and it showed in her voice. Other than her tone and the amused smile, nothing betrayed her thoughts. "Did I not explain yesterday?" She considered sitting, but one look at the moldy carpet convinced her otherwise.
"You were a little busy grilling me for information about what these memories were from. Remember being disappointed I didn't know anything about this dream stuff? And asking about the most random things? Then you bailed once I told you who the dreams belonged to."
"My apologies, I needed to lower the moon." Luna stuck her tongue out at Dave. "I also needed to inform my sister of Sterling's identity so she could arrange for her to be brought here while I designed the spell needed."
"Ah, of course. We could have saved a lot of time if you'd just said 'because magic,' Luna."
"Yeah, it was pretty awesome. There was so much power in the air you could feel it, and that laser beam at the end was the best laser ever. Now that I think about it though, the result of the spell was anticlimactic." I shrugged and curbed my building excitement. "Sorry, Luna, it's not that it wasn't epic, because it was. I'd just expect a spell that looked like that to blow up the ocean or something."
She scoffed. "Nonsense. A spell of that proportion would take at least thrice as much mana as the one that brought you here. The next time I cast a spell that muddles the border between conscious and unconscious, I'll be sure to tone it down." Her ear twitched as she strained to listen to something I couldn’t pick up. "It would seem our guests have departed."
"So, Dave. You spent last night talking to Luna, and that's how Celestia knew all that junk about me, right?" I didn't have to wait long for his tired nod. "Did you explain anything about the zeds? We're going to have to fight our way to—where are we going again?"
"I couldn't get a word in edgewise." Dave held up his hands. "And no idea. Like I said, I have no clue how it plays out in the first place."
"Luna?" She had to have some idea. This was her dojo.
Her stern gaze softened as she turned away from Dave. "The exact solution is unknown to me, but in essence, we need to resolve what caused these nightmares in the first place. There is much to do if we wish to free the night."
"That sounds like all sorts of fun. Good thing you have super princess powers, eh?" Luna and I shifted uncomfortably. "Oh, come on!"
With a sigh, I looked out the window and frowned at the carnage surrounding us. It was just like before: the wrecked cars scattered like a child's toys, boarded or shattered windows on every building, and not a living thing in sight, though that didn't mean the cityscape was bereft of motion. The streets writhed with zombies like a maggot-infested carcass. They wandered aimlessly, shambling in and out of alleys and buildings on the slightest whim. Somewhere behind the endless, thick clouds boiling overhead, there was a sun that was once eager to show itself, but now remained sullen and weak. Home sweet home.
Luna's soft voice surprised me as I hadn't heard her walk over. She quietly watched out the window alongside me, and it was a few gloomy minutes before she asked, "It was like this everywhere?" I sighed and nodded, upset over my lack of a plan. Guessing the cause of my mood, she added, "You may be back, in a way, but once this is over, it will be naught but a memory."
"I thought that's what it became when I escaped." My voice was quiet as my snout gently pushed against the cold glass, fog spreading from my nostrils with each breath.
"They were more than memories if they haunted your dreams, Sterling Gears. Come, now is not the time for sulking. No doubt we have an arduous task ahead of us. It is a dangerous quest that you, and you alone have the knowledge to navigate." With a gentle nudge of her magic, she turned me to look into her eyes.
Within Luna's teal eyes—a scant few shades lighter than mine oddly enough—I could see many things. Concern dominated them, trying to find the best way to assuage any pain they came across. Determination confidently shone with promises of a future victory. But behind the warmth, I could see the pain, regrets, and loneliness burdening her. She was as much an outcast as I was. A fellow loner. "Together we can end these horrors, but it cannot be accomplished by hiding. Do not forget there is much at stake. We must save the Realm of Dreams to draw out what plagues Equestria."
“Right, no pressure.”
“I believe you are underestimating how—oh, my mistake. Regardless, we’d best get started.”
"You're right." With renewed vigor, I asked, "Dave, are there any supplies around?"
He nodded toward the bed. "Check under the pillow. You always hid a gun there. Just in case."
The pillow left a nasty taste in my mouth as it was tossed aside. I would definitely avoid picking up anything else with my mouth while I was there. True to Dave’s word, there was a matte black handgun with a faux-wood grip waiting. I tried to grab it, but I groaned as my hooves came into view. The slip-ups were just getting embarrassing by now. How many days had I been a pony?
"Luna, would you be capable of using this with magic?" I held it out to her, jiggling it to get her attention.
The gun floated out of my grasp and slowly rotated in front of Luna while she looked it over. "You said this was called a gun, David?" A couple loose parts jiggled as she prodded them cautiously.
"Yeah, just be careful not to—" thunder roared through the room. The smoking pistol fell to the ground as Luna jumped away in surprise.
Fire coursed through my leg. I curled up to nurse the injury and screamed, "Dammit, Luna! I was just getting used to having that leg again."
"Volume." Dave snatched the gun off the ground and frowned at Luna. "Yeah, I think I'll hold onto this. Ammo is scarce enough without you shooting us." Then he disappeared into the bathroom.
Luna's eyes reflected her panic and fear as she dashed to aid me, only to retreat as she reminded herself it was her fault in the first place. She quickly repeated this many times, threatening to wear through the thin carpeting while she stammered apologies every few seconds. If I hadn't been curled up in pain, it would have been hilarious.
"Found the little bugger!" Dave exclaimed as he ran out of the bathroom with a first aid kit. He knelt by my side and opened it to find a meager assortment of basic medical equipment. "Right, I've never had to do this myself, but I've watched you patch yourself up quite a bit. So long as it's nothing too serious, that is."
I grunted. "Just grazed me, I think. Forgot how much that burns." Dave took my leg. I called out to the pacing alicorn, "Luna, I'll be fine. You just nicked me."
That did the trick. She sighed in relief and hung her head. "I am truly sorry for injuring you. I should have been more wary of what was obviously a weapon."
I flinched and growled at Dave. "Why not just twist your finger in there while you're at it?" He rolled his eyes at me and grumbled a string of curses. "Don't worry about it. We could have told you sooner or at least put the safety on."
She nodded and let out a sigh of relief. "Are you sure you're alright? Shouldn't you be furious I injured you?"
"I wouldn't say I'm ecstatic, but I'm certainly not angry. It hurts like a bitch, but it shouldn’t carry over to the real world. We finish what we’re doing here and it’ll be like it never happened." I chuckled while Dave made sure the bandage was secure. "I just got shot by a princess—I don't know if I should be honored or irritated. Agh! Not so tight."
Dave returned the chuckle as he repacked the first aid supplies. "Your royal bullet wound is cleaned and dressed."
Confusion was plastered across Luna's face as she returned to her thoughts and resumed her stoic viewing of the dead city beyond the window.
I sighed and shook my head. "Luna," I called, and upon getting no response, I repeated her name louder. This time she arched an eyebrow in my direction, but made no move to speak. "I still have to go over the basics before we can head out."
She nodded and came over. "Ah, yes. What am I required to know?" Her voice still held uncertainty and regret, but it had faded, swept under the rug by other worries.
"I'll keep it simple. Zombies bad. Don't let them bite, scratch, grab, or tickle, though that last one is just because it'd be really creepy. To kill a zombie, destroy its brain. It sounds simple, but the human skull is sturdier than it looks. Zombies like noise as much as Twilight likes books. Gunshots, car alarms, and cell phones are like zombie magnets. Stay quiet, stay alive. Until you get bored, that is. Those guys are slow, just make sure you can get away."
Dave groaned and buried his face in his hands. "And she was doing so good too. Just follow the basic meaning behind her words and use common sense. Partaking in Sterling's sense of fun has the nasty side effect of grievous injuries or drawing several hundred zombies right to your front door."
I couldn’t help grinning. "And then they're all in one place for the fireworks. Which reminds me, we should try and find the stuff for explosives. You up for a little science experiment, Luna?"
She leaned over and asked Dave, "Should I be worried?"
"If you're undead." He paused for a moment. "Or not fast enough to get out of the blast radius."
Luna's eyes widened, and she shot me a worried glance. "Are you sure you possess no ill will towards me?"
"Like I'd say anything if I was."
Dave rolled his eyes and whispered, "You're fine. Shall we set out then? For some reason they didn't flock to us after the gunshot."
"At the very least, let me dull the pain. That much should be within my current power." The pain ebbed away and was replaced by a dull tingling as her horn glowed, and I beamed my thanks at her.
The felt weird as I stood. "Excelsior!" I cheered as I stumbled to the door and struggled to pull the dresser away. "Little help?"
"Luna, you can have this back. No, don’t argue. Out in the hall I tripped over a body with a fire axe stuck in it, so I'll just grab that. With magic you'll probably be able to keep the gun steadier, especially if we need to use it on the move. Remember, the gun is a last resort because of the noise. Shoot a rock through their head or something—I don't know how your mumbo jumbo works. Point this end at something and pull the trigger if you need to fire." He motioned to the parts as he mentioned them, and Luna firmly nodded her understanding.
"Buildings still have fire axes?" I impatiently tapped the dresser.
"Dead fireman?" He shrugged. "Anything you're unclear about, Luna? Now is definitely the time to ask."
"What if we do get bit?" She inquired as her magic wrapped around the dresser and unblocked the door.
I froze and looked at her. "You don't get bit." I really didn't want to find out if doling out mercy was necessary there. I'd had enough of the real deal, and I doubted Princess Celestia would take kindly to her sister’s execution, zombie or not.
The stench of rotting flesh flooded the room as we peered out into the hallway. Half a dozen bodies, if you added up the scattered gore as well, lay haphazardly in either direction. The axe Dave had claimed was at the end of one trail, and I wondered how difficult it would be to swing such a weapon myself.
Many of the other rooms' doors were ajar, some having been broken down entirely. An exit sign dimly flickered at both ends, again in spite of the lack of power. Large splotches of dark brown covered the carpeting and painted, white walls. Their interior designer should have been fired— corpses and blood were so last year. Four zombies awkwardly shuffled far to our left, but luckily, they had yet to notice us.
After we recovered from the nasal assault, Dave held a finger up to his mouth and crept to the axe, warily keeping an eye on the zeds further down. Luna and I followed, thankful for the carpeting and ambient moans muffling our hooves. The pistol floated steadily at the princess's side while I took up the rear to avoid getting a mouthful of ethereal mane, which probably tasted like space. At least Luna wasn’t afraid to get dirty. She would have quickly found out that trying to avoid everything was impossible.
With a strong tug and quiet squelching sound, the axe came loose, challenging Dave's balance and failing. We nervously looked to the zombies, but they remained oblivious. As he crouched and slowly moved forward, Dave quickly peered into each open doorway we passed. An overhead chop ended the first target, but the noise of it slumping to join the rest of the bodies alerted its brethren, who hungrily moaned and lurched toward us.
I looked around for anything that could be used as a weapon. Normally I'd be able to improvise a weapon from anything that was sharp enough or had plenty of heft, but hooves severely limited my options. However, I spotted a ball-peen hammer and pointed. "Luna, use that hammer."
Dave winced as the tool whistled past him, inches from his ear, and obliterated the cranium of a one-handed zombie. Boom! Headshot! Seeing an opening, Dave rushed forward and ducked a lunging grab. If the undead could express surprise, the one that suddenly found himself looking at the ceiling instead of his meal would have looked utterly flabbergasted. The zed's aggressor was quick to recover from the low sweep and end any confusion.
The flying hammer made its triumphant return and knocked the jaw off the fourth and final enemy, drawing a curt "Curses!" from Luna. Fortunately the blow staggered it, and Dave was quick to close the distance before it could recover.
"That wasn't so bad." Dave grunted as he unwedged his new best friend. "Good work with that hammer, Luna."
"I'll say," I said with a proud smile. "You didn't leave behind any of his skull."
Instead of matching my excitement, she merely frowned. "I had hoped it would be different, as they were just memories, but I can almost see what it must have been like for you."
"It gets easier." I nuzzled her neck, hoping it was far less intimate than my sudden paranoia feared. I didn't want to dirty her coat with my gore-caked hug, but the last thing I wanted to do was come on to royalty.
She didn't swat me away, glare incredulously, or stammer a 'let's just be friends' speech, so it was probably safe.
"I hope so." Luna sighed.
"I find it helps if you think of it as a game." Dave groaned again. Maybe he had a gutache.
"A game?" Her eyebrow raised as she regarded my suggestion. "Games are meant to be fun, yes? This most certainly is not something that should be called fun."
"Keeps your mind off it and gives you a bit more incentive to push on." My smile faltered as I lost myself in my thoughts. Had I just been hiding all that time? Was that all I'd been doing? Not behind barricades or firepower, but entertainment? I missed everyone, but they were gone for good. Nothing could bring them back. Why did that tie my stomach in knots and burn my throat? It’d never done that to me before. Had I never really thought about it? I may have hated the solitude, but I’d at least accepted being alone.
"You alright, kid? You're awful quiet, which is a rare thing for you." Although he wore a smirk, he was clearly concerned as he rubbed my withers. Did Dave actually care about what happened to me? Did it go further than just his own preservation?
My funk cleared as I shook my head, and although it still lingered within sight, I could ignore it for now. There were more pressing matters to attend to. "Just thinking about this mess."
"We'll get through it. You did it more or less flying solo, but now you have me and Lulu to back you up. Can I call you Lulu?" He glanced up at Luna to find a stern frown.
"No." All it took was two letters to convey her threat of bodily harm, and her word cowed Dave instantly.
"You're right." With a forced smile, I not-so-gracefully bounced to the door underneath one of the aged exit signs. "Let's blow this popsicle stand."