//------------------------------// // The Dead Walk the Earth (Night 1)/ EVERBODY'S GETTING HIT TONIGHT! // Story: The Priest of Nalarath // by Pigrangler //------------------------------// The Void When Gregory opened his eyes after some time, he noticed that he was back in the void for some reason. He wasn't about to complain about it though. After all the things he had been through today, he could use some peace, quiet, and darkness. But life has a funny way of altering someone's plans of relaxation, and turning them into anything but relaxing. This method also applies to the dead, as Gregory soon found out, when a bony fist met his jaw. AH! What the hell Death?! Oh good, your finally awake. How long was I out? Long enough, trust me. Now get going, you got work to do. Work? But I- Remember the zombies? Oh right... But how am I supposed to- Hey no more advice from me until you take care of this nightmare you just put everyone in! ..Fine. Can I at least get a headway? Maybe if you take me out to dinner first. ... ... Fine I'm going. I don't need your idiocy or your perverted advice anyway. Try not to die! Twilight's house (shocker) (9:00 pm) Gregory awoke in reality with a sudden gasp. Taking in his surroundings, he noticed that it was dark. If what Twilight said about Luna is correct, then that means she must have raised the moon. Which also means that she's awake, Gregory thought, with a heavy sigh. When he turned to his left, his suspicions were confirmed, as a regal coated blue hoof was heading directly for his face. Oh not again... With some sort of reflexes Gregory didn't know he possessed, he swiftly dodged Luna's attack with a tuck n' roll. Unfortunately for him, he had failed to take notice of what was to his right when he dodged Luna's attack. After a successful avoidance of hoof to face contact, Gregory rand head first into another regal figure. This one however, was very tall, very white, and very...sad? Princess Celestia towered over the crouching Gregory, with tears in her eyes. She could not believe what this human was capable of. It made her sad to think that Gregory would even use this attack on them. But then again, Luna had attacked first. Still, she just couldn't believe this whole situation she had found herself and everypony else in. She had made a horrible decision, in allowing trust into her student over this certain matter. Yes she did believe in Twilight's capabilities and trusted her with a number of tasks. But she was starting to realize that, she may have been putting too much faith in her prized pupil. As she turned to where Twilight and Spike lay, both still asleep, a single tear was shed at the situation she had allowed. This was all her fault. But before she could begin berating herself, she had to know just one thing. "Why?", Celestia asked Gregory. "Well in my defense, Luna was about to attack me again when-," Gregory started, but was interrupted by Celestia. "No I mean...Why did you come here? Why were you acting so strange? And why did you lie to us?" "I...uh..." Hey Death? Is it okay if I tell her? Normally, since you are being punished, I would ignore your question. However, since I cannot predict the positive or negative outcome of you revealing me to them, then I say go for it. Hopefully they'll find a way to punish you. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna...you might want to sit down. This is going to take a while to explain. ????'s House (9:00pm) "Oh thank Celestia I'm almost done," the green stallion mumbled tiredly. He had just recently finished boarding up the house, and was now going through every door in his basement. Per the demon's instructions, he silenced and detained the new alive/dead ponies. The demon's plan was simple, yet tasking. If the reaper couldn't find the dead souls, then they wouldn't be discovered. But that wouldn't stop some passerby pony from growing curios to the sounds of moaning, so they would have to silence the now living dead, and find a way to keep them from leaving their cells. Just because they were a nice way underground with very little chance of a pony discovering this place, the demon didn't want to risk it. The green stallion had just finished room 116, (the room with the mare he had partially eaten last night.), and was on his way to finish the last door. When he opened the door however, a shocking sight met him. The pony in this room was dead. Not dead alive, not living dead, just dead. The green stallion approached with great caution.Maybe this one's late? With a trembling hoof, the green stallion reached out to touch the lifeless shell that was once Star Search. When he made contact with Star Search's face...nothing. So, with nothing else to do, he poked him again...and again. This poking continued for a full minute, before it evolved into punching. The green stallion was getting nervous because he knew that the demon would not like this turn of events. He didn't know exactly how he would handle this new development, but he new it wouldn't be good. So...The reaper did find one of ours...This is a most unfortunate development Green Tea. "I thought I told you not to call me that." Green Tea replied with a frown. He had always hated that name his parents left him. I thought I told you to shut up. "..." That's better. Now then...What do we do about the reaper?... It didn't take long for a plan to find it's way into the demons' demented head. Green Tea did not like this idea at all however. It involved a lot of work on his part. But with some persuading, (threats), from the demon, he was given the proper motivation, (beating), to go forth with the plan, (bacon). ...What? Twilight's house (10:36pm) "And so that's the reason for my...strange behavior," Gregory finished. He had spent the last few hours telling the princesses about everything. Death, the void, his outfit and abilities, his hatred of colors. Halfway through his explanation he had to put his blindfold back on because the more and more he looked at Celestia, the brighter she seemed to glow. By the end of his explanation, Celestia had a look of understanding, and Luna one of utter confusion. Gregory couldn't see either reaction so he just assumed the worst. "I see," Celestia started. "That would explain why we felt such immense dark power from you. It wasn't really your power we were sensing, it was Death's" "If you would allow me to correct you your majesty," Death said through Gregory's voice."Most of what you sensed was my power. But...that initial build up leading to him yelling like that, was all him. It was from so much built up raw emotion of...anger towards my treatment towards you, and the misuse of his body." And you better get back in the void before you start doing stupid things again. Yes mom... Celestia simply nodded at Death's explanation while Luna started to grow a look of understanding. "So...you are a reaper?", Luna asked. "According to Death yes," Gregory started. "But that isn't the biggest issue at the moment." Both Princesses raised their eyebrows at his statement and motioned for him to continue. Gregory sighed and said, "What I did is apparently referred to as a 'reapers yell.' It gives me the ability to mentally paralyze the living, like what happed to all of you," Gregory motioned to everyone in the room. (Or tried to. He basically swung his arm out in every direction.) Twilight and Spike had recovered halfway through his explanation to the princesses. They had remained silent this whole time, and both were giving him a sad look. Twilight was stricken sad by Gregory's position and very upset that he had lied to them. Spike was practically devastated that Gregory had lied to him. At his...attempted acknowledgement towards them, they simply grunted. They understood the predicament he was in, and the reason he made the choice to hide that information from him. But it would be some time before they could truly forgive him for lying to them. "It can also weaken demons and..." Gregory paused for a moment. "Yes?", both princesses asked in unison. "...And it can bring the dead souls that haven't been judged back to their bodies, creating zombies," Gregory finished with his head hung low. "And since I've only judged one soul so far....yeah you see where I'm going with this?" Everyone was silent after that... but only for a moment. "ZOMBIES!!??" Spike broke the temporary silence with great ease. He didn't stop there in making a scene of himself either. Without needing to pick up any momentum, he began a full sprint up to his room to hide in his basket. This went unnoticed to Gregory however, as he was to preoccupied checking his ears to see if they were bleeding. Twilight freaked out as well, albeit, much more understandably. She simply sat there with her mouth open, eyes wide, and pupils dilated. It was really something for Celestia to see her hold that face for a full minute before breathing in deeply and hyperventilating. Okay...maybe Spike did handle it better then her. Sensing that her number one student needed help, Celestia rose from her spot, walked over to Twilight, and back-hooved her across the face. Without another word, Twilight stopped freaking out, and Celestia returned to her seat. "...What just happened?", Gregory asked. Nothing too important by the sound of it. "Nothing too important," Celestia replied in a gentle tone. Told you. "Right so...I noticed that Twilight and Spike freaked out at the mention of zombies, yet neither you or Luna have. Am I too assume you have dealt with a situation like this?", Gregory asked. "Well we have dealt with some very bad situations over the years," Luna started to explain. "But no matter what horrible thing is happening, it is important that we keep a calm demeanor. We are princesses after all, and as such, we should always hold an air of professionalism in great times of peril," Luna concluded with a smile. "Is that why you hit me when I made that joke?", Death asked with a cheeky grin. Luna huffed before responding. "That was different 'Death'. This was just a simple meeting to see what the new creature was. You had to ruin it with that awful joke, and let poor Gregory pay the price for it." "Still mad at you for that by the way," Gregory responded with a snarl. "Oh get you'll get over it eventually." "Wait," Twilight cut in, interrupted their banter. "If Death is the one that upset Gregory...then wouldn't that mean it's his fault for Gregory freaking out, and using that 'reapers yell' therefore putting in motion the rising of the dead?" ... ... ... "...Well uh..." BUSTED! Damn it Gregory! Let me think here! HOW'S IT FEEL TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE HUH?! I SAID SHUT UP! "We can play the blame game later," Celestia stated. "Right now we have to find out what to do about these zombies. I will issue out punishments after this matter is settled." "I'll take mine in the form of a hard spanking," Death replied sensually. . "Not in my body you won't!", Gregory retorted. "SILENCE!!!",,Luna yelled, using the royal voice. "Now is not the time for stupidity! We need plans and action!" "...Oh yeah...that calm and royal demeanor is really showing it's colors here princess tuna", Death laughed. Luna attempted to give him a glare, but was unsuccessful because of Gregory still wearing a blindfold. "Wait a minute...I think I know what to do!", Twilight exclaimed excitedly. Gregory did not like Twilights plan because it involved him doing a lot of work. But through some motivation, (threats), from the princesses, (everyone including Death and Spike), and words of self confidence, (bribery from Death to reveal to everyone Gregory's darkest secrets), Gregory agreed to the plan, (bacon). ...What?