The Source
The four stood around the mare simple looking at her. “So Pete, any ideas?” the largest one asked.
“Well, it looks like a small horse, a pony I would say. That color however throws me off, and if I’m not mistaken that is a horn on its head. So in my expert opinion, I believe this is a colorful, and magical pony.” One of the others said.
“Can I keep it?!” The smallest of the group asked looking very happy.
“Who…who are you?” The mare asked causing most of the group to freeze.
“I retract my previous statement. This is a colorful, magical, talking pony…Yup I’m going insane.” The middle one said rubbing his head.
“Can I keep it, please?! I’ll take real good care of it!” The smallest of them asked again.
A sudden noise from behind the group made them turn and point the guns in their hands toward the noise.
“Pete what you think?” the large one asked again.
The man in the middle listened carefully. “Sounds like a small hoard. Would be relatively easy to take care of, but may draw unwanted attention.” He responded.
The large man turned back to the mare. “Little horse pony thing, do you have anywhere that is a safe place to stay?”
The mare stood stunned not registering that she had been spoken to. She had seen something like these creatures before with the initial infection, but these were different, they seemed sane. The mare soon realized that she had been asked a question. “Yes, I was on my way to Canterlot. It’s the last place that’s free of infection.”
“Good then lead the way pony.” The man said pumping his gun.
“Alright.” The mare said standing up. “And my name is Twilight.” She said as she stood up with a determination.
~~~Outside Canterlot Gate~~~
“You never said it was at the top of a mountain.” Pete said trudging along with the group.
“I told you that you needed to exercise more.” Jared said slapping Pete on the back.
“It’s not the exercise. It’s that I would prefer to know beforehand that I’m climbing a freaking mountain.” Pete said with a sigh.
“So pon- Twilight.” Matt started. “How much farther is this Canterlot of yours?”
“It’s just around this bend.” Twilight said as she turned the corner. The four followed behind and what they saw stopped them in their tracks.
“Is that a castle?” Jared asked.
“Yes that’s Canterlot Castle.” Twilight answered.
“…I want one.” Jared continued with a smile.
Part of the group started towards the gate to the city while the other waited behind. As they approached a large group of ponies wearing shining golden armor exited the gate and formed a long line. In front of the line stood one pony that stood out. He had a white coat and a blue mane. The mare smiled as she saw him and trotted quickly to his side.
“Twily you had us all worried.” The stallion said. “We told you not to go off on your own.”
“He’s right you know.” Matt said as he approached still holding his gun.
“That’s the rule we follow.” Pete continued. “Never go anywhere without at least one partner.”
“That way if you get bit you have someone to take off your head.” Matt finished.
Twilight’s eyes grew large, and Pete put his head in one of his hands. “You didn’t need to add that last part Matt.”
“I demand an explanation, who are you and what is your purpose here?” The stallion said raising his sword. Matt raised his gun at the same time taking aim at the stallion.
Pete quickly got in between. “Matt gun down.” He said to the large man. He then turned to the stallion. “Whatever your name is I suggest you put the sword down as well.”
“My name is Shining Armor and until you explain who you are and what you were doing with my sister I refuse to put away my sword.” The stallion said.
“Sister… Great, just what we need, an overprotective brother.” Pete said with a sigh. The sudden sound of a gun discharging distracted him. He turned to look at the sound and saw Liz and Jay running from the side of the mountain followed by herd of zombie ponies. Before Pete had seen these and thought that it had simple mutated to animals, but now he knew that they were sentient. He looked to Shining, using the distraction he grabbed Shining’s sword from the colorful aura it was encased in. “Gonna have to borrow this.” He said quickly taking off towards Liz and Jay with Matt close behind. “Matt, Jay, Liz conserve your ammo. I don’t think that they have guns here! Chances of finding ammo laying around is very unlikely!” He shouted tightening his grip on the short sword. He let Matt run a little ahead and stood behind the large man. Matt started firing into the group picking his shots carefully. As Liz and Jay passed the two and the herd was closing in Pete stepped out and swung the sword in an arc cleaving off the heads of three of the ponies in one swing. He stepped back and allowed the three with guns to take shots on a few of the farther away ones. Before stepping out again and swinging the sword. This continued a few more times before the herd was on the ground motionless. The four stood over the bodies checking to see if they were all dead like they always do. The guards all stood amazed by the way in which these four took out the herd. Pete soon walked back over. “Here’s your sword back.” He said reaching out with the sword still dripping red with blood. “Sorry about not cleaning it first. Didn’t have anything to really wipe it with.” Shining took the sword in his magic aura and gave a half nod.
“Okay I’m going to say it.” Jay said above everyone. “Is anyone the slight bit bothered that these ponies are levitating objects? I mean seriously, am I the only one?”
“They’re colorful, talking ponies Jay. Do you really think that levitation is too farfetched?” Pete countered.
“…Point taken.” Jared said after a pause.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” Shining said sheathing his sword. “But you still haven’t explained who you four are.”
“Alright then, I guess I’ll go first. My name is Peter Rhodes, but everyone just calls me Pete.” The average sized man said.
“I’m Matthew Bennet, just call me Matt.” The large man said strapping his shotgun to his back.
“I’m Jared Smith, you can call me Jay though, or Jay Jay Lord of Darkness.” The small man said with a wide smile. “Oh, and the pretty lady behind us is Miss Fortune.” He added on pointing a thumb over his shoulder to the last of the party.
“Don’t listen to Jay, he’s the least mature of us all.” The women said. “My name is Elizabeth Fortune, just Liz or Beth for short though.”
“So this Canterlot is free of infected?” Pete asked looking to the large castle.
“Correct being at the top of a mountain has really helped limit attacks that come if any.” Shining answered.
“That sure is good news.” Pete said.
“So does that mean we can come in?” Jared asked excitedly.
“No it does not!” A loud voice said from above. As the group looked up there was another pony this time it was one that had both wings and a horn. From the sound of the voice it was a female. She had a midnight blue coat and wore very nice silver armor that gave her good protection from any attack. As she landed all of the ponies standing around gave a low bow to this new pony.
“And why the hell not?” Matt asked irritated. “We’re not infected and we sure as hell just proved that we can be of some use.”
Pete stepped in front. “Matt just let me do the talking.” He said before turning to the new pony. “I’m guessing you’re royalty correct? So Queen?” he asked.
“Princess, Princess Luna.” The pony answered.
“Aw, so who is the queen?” Pete asked.
“There is no queen.” Luna responded.
“But if there is no queen then doesn’t that mean that you as princess become queen?” Pete asked confused.
“That is not how our government works… or worked more precisely.” The princess answered.
“Well it doesn’t matter at the moment. Right now I believe that we would like to know exactly why we aren’t allowed to enter the city. I’m sure we could be of some use somewhere.” Pete told the Princess.
“If you must know it’s because I have no idea who you are and I do not trust you.” Princess Luna said to the group.
“Well why not? We obviously showed that we aren’t enemies. Why can’t you just put a little faith in us?” Peter asked.
“BECAUSE THE LAST TIME I TRUSTED SOMEPONY AND PUT MY FAITH IN THEM I WAS FORCED TO KILL MY SISTER!!”The Princess shouted at Peter in a voice so loud he had to cover his ears.