DEWY'S P.O.V
We took Rick, Scootaloo, and Home Run to the infirmary despite my arguments to save the meds-- on Home of course. Rick woke up a day later saying he had a dream of aliens and someone called "The Governor". I told him to look around and that we're surrounded by aliens. Anyway, I went to see Home Run soon after and he was not happy.
"You have no right to take her away!" Home screamed.
"We have every right." Twilight said sternly.
I saw Home with over 7 bite wounds on his shoulder and frontlegs. Proof that Spike can do more damage than good... I knocked on the wall letting the two know I was in the room. Twilight immediately turned my way as I took a seat.
"Hello, Home Run. I'm suprised they wasted the pain meds on you." I said.
Home tried to move his hoof, but failed either due to the needles and stitches on him, or the pain of the bites.
"I never thought I'd see a bite that doesn't mean turning into a Walker. It looks like Spike did a lot of damage to you. Those are wounds you're lucky to come back from." I teased.
"If I wasn't strapped down..."
"If I were you, I wouldn't threaten me." I said sternly.
"What're you gonna do about it, monkey?!" Home screamed.
"You see anyone helping you? You see people flooding in with flowers and Get-Well-Soon cards? 'Cause I don't. I'm not saying it'll happen to me, but at least I won't be with someone taking away my punching bag." I said.
Whatever I said, that was it. Home was now lunging at the needles, trying to pull them out, but then Twilight knocked him out cold with a magic blast.
"You couldn't spoken nicer?" Twilight asked.
"No. I couldn't have. I spoke the truth." I said coldly as I got up and left the room.
RICK'S P.O.V
I woke up a few hours after Dewy checked on me. I got up and started laughing.
"What's so funny?" A familiar voice asked.
I looked up and saw Michonne sitting in a chair watching me.
"You were here this whole time?" I asked her.
"Yeah. What's so funny?" Michonne asked again.
"It's just like Terminus. Trapped." I said.
"No, it's not. We're not trapped, Rick. Stop acting like we are. You're their leader now. You need to be there for these people." Michonne said.
"I am. They just don't trust me." I said.
"Twilight does. Celestia does. Spike does. And Scootaloo will, thanks to you." Michonne said.
"We'll see." I said to her.
"Why did you spare him? I don't think I would have." Michonne said.
"I wanted to. Believe me, I did. Then I looked around. Lee ready to kill me, Hershel staring in horror, Clementine glaring at Home. I realized that after everything I've done, everyone I've killed, I need to come back. I've killed too many people so far." I said.
"Like Terminus?" Michonne asked.
"No. Like Shane, Tomas, that man in the cabin--"
"That was me. I killed him, remember?" Michonne asked.
"Right. Too many people who I killed out of anger. When I saw Twilight and the gut piles, I... I saw myself. I saw myself turn into her. A failed test, an overall failure..." I said.
"She came back, she made you and Celestia in charge for a reason." MIchonne said.
Before I could say more, the door knocked. Celestia walked in.
"I need to talk to Rick." Celestia said sitting down.
"Sure." Michonne said getting up and walking out.
Celestia sat down.
"What do we do now?" Celestia asked.
"I don't know. Twilight and Dewy think we should kick him out, I bet Scootaloo, Carol, and Spike will want to kill him. And he'll wanna kill them." I said.
"Yes, we'll have to take care of him however we can." Celestia said.
"How did you lose it?" I asked pointing at her lost hindleg.
"I was bitten. I was lucky we had something." Celestia said.
"You people're lucky. You have magic and power. How do Trotters stop you?" I asked.
"I don't know. I guess it's that we've never had something like this in Equestrian history. That could be a reason." Celestia said.
"Well, I'm sorry." I said.
"It's... not the hoof that's been bothering me." Celestia sighed.
"It's Luna, isn't it?" I asked.
"Yeah. I never thought she'd go like that. Trying to help us, but dying." Celestia said.
"It's not your nephew's fault. You know that, right?" I asked.
"Of course I know, it's just... Twilight told you the Nightmare Moon story, right?" Celestia asked.
"She told all of us." I said.
"Then you know why." Celestia said.
We were now sitting next to each other on the chairs. The first thing I noticed was how the sky was always cloudy and slightly foggy.
"You raised the sun?" I asked.
"Yeah. And since Nightmare Moon, I raised the moon, too. Now it's right back to that." Celestia said with her voice starting to sound bitter.
"Well, I'm sorry." I said.
"I don't expect you to understand." Celestia said.
"...Actually, I do." I said.
"What do you mean?" Celestia said.
"Early on into this thing, one of my people, Shane was starting to lose it. Shane was my best friend since high school, we were police officers together. He was there for Lori when I couldn't be..." I said.
"Is Judith his?" Celestia asked.
"I don't know. When I got back, things were okay for a while, but he started hating me. He said I took his life away. You said Luna became resentful of you, Shane and I were escorting a prisoner, Randall, back to his people when we had a fight. Shane grabbed a wrench and chucked it at me. He tried to kill me. Later, he led me out to find that prisoner. But he killed him and led me out to shoot me. But I killed him. You banished your sister, I killed my brother. You knew what that felt like, that guilt, that pain, that... that self hatred. I get it..." I said.
"Rick..." Before I could say anthing, Celestia wrapped her arms around me.
SPIKE'S P.O.V
I went to visit Scootaloo with Sweetie Belle.
"Hey guys." Scootaloo said.
Sweetie let out a "eek" at Scootaloo's state. She was on a bed with tubes injecting pain medicine to her body, arms in a cast, and one eye completly red and bloodshot.
"Are you okay?" Sweetie asked.
"I've been better, but at least now I'm away from him." Scootaloo said.
"I know." I said taking my seat.
"I saw you biting him. You should of done us a favor and bit his neck. As deep as you could." Scootaloo said creepily.
"Scootaloo, don't talk like that. Rick could've killed him, he didn't." I said.
"If you're infected, does that mean he is too?" Scootaloo asked hopefully.
"No. Charles and Jenner told me the virus just dies inside of me. I'm not infected anymore." I said.
"Well, that sucks." Scootaloo said.
Dewy knocked and walked in.
"I agree." He said to Scootaloo.
"Well, all we can do now is hope Rick can take care of him." Spike said.
TWILIGHT'S P.O.V
I was with Dwight looking at the amulets he brought with him.
"So they all have one?" I asked him.
"Yeah, everyone who came in got one. Sorry to say it, but also Rarity." Dwight said.
"I know." I said.
"These were for me, trying to escape. I wanted to find Aria. After what I did, I wanted to apologize if I could." Dwight said.
Then I turned around and saw Sonata.
"You did. She forgave you." She said.
"I know, but I still feel like I owe her somehow." Dwight said.
"Well, stop thinking that." I said to him.
"I'll try." Dwight said.
I would've said more, but I heard Maggie.
"How is he?" I asked.
"We caught him up to speed." She said.
2 HOURS AGO
I stood at the door waiting for Glenn to walk out. I placed my head against the wall and listened.
"Where are we?" I heard Glenn ask.
"You're safe. We're back home at Equestria." Rick said.
"What's... Equestria?"
I leaned in shock.
"You don't remember?" Maggie asked in the room with Rick.
"No. All I remember is seeing Beth dead..." Glenn said.
"We have a lot of catching up to do." I said walking in.
"Rick... Am I the only one who sees the talking pony?" Glenn asked.
"No." Hershel said walking in.
"Whoa... I must be having the craziest dream..." Glenn said.
"No. This is real." Rick said.
PRESENT DAY
"Now that he remembers, all we can do is wait." Maggie said to me.
"I know." Dwight said.
"I'm just glad he's alive." Maggie said.
"Me too." I said to her.
"Do you have anyone?" Maggie asked me.
"No. Flash was the only person I ever 'liked'." I said to her.
"Really? No-one your whole life?" Maggie asked again.
"Really. Before Ponyville, I was kind of a loner. The only friends I had were Spike and my brother." I said.
"And you liked it that way?" Maggie asked.
"...Yeah. I did. Then I was sent here and I saw what friendship was. Now we have Trotters walking around and the Sirens are taking over." I said.
"We will stop them." Rick said walking with Celestia.
"I know we will. But with all the people they have stay and like it there..." Dwight said.
"I know." Sonata said.
"We need to stop them. There'll be a meeting at the Town Hall at noon." Rick said walking away with Celestia following him.
"Let's let them work it out." I said as I walked away.
SPIKE'S P.O.V
Me and Sweetie Belle were walking from the hospital when I saw AJ with Apple Bloom coming to visit.
"Hey, Spike. Did you two see 'er?" AJ asked.
"Yeah, but be careful. She's not looking to good." I said.
"We know. Ah saw 'er earlier with her father an' Rick dukin' it out." She said.
"I saw it too." Dewy said walking up.
"How is she?" Apple Bloom asked Sweetie Belle.
"Not too good. She wants him dead, Bloom." Sweetie said.
"We'll see for ourselves. See y'all at the meetin'." AJ said.
"What meeting?" Dewy asked.
"Rick and Celestia're havin' a meeting later about the Dazzlin's." AJ said.
"Does everyone else know?" I asked.
"Every pony and human but Clem." AJ said.
"I'll get her." Dewy said.
CLEMENTINE'S P.O.V
I was sitting with Lee, Kenny, Rebecca, Alvin, and A.J when Dewy walked up.
"Rick and Celestia are having a meeting later about Adagio. I just wanted you to know." Dewy said.
"Wanna sit with us?" Kenny asked.
Dewy looked in suprise.
"Sure." Dewy said taking his seat.
We sat for a few moments of pure silence when Lee turned to him.
"So, who are your parents?" He asked.
The look Dewy had said 'You shouldn't have asked that question'.
"My mother was Jessie Anderson. She was the sweetest woman I've ever met. My father was Pete Anderson. He was a drunken surgeon who always came home and... Whenever he came home angry, Jessie told me and Ron, my older brother, to hide in the closet. I had to listen to my father beat her. One time, I had enough and walked out. I saw her... on the ground. Passed. Out. Bleeding. On. The. Rug. And I saw PETE, ON THE PORCH. LIGHTING. A F***ING. CIGARETTE!" Dewy said smashing a mug.
"Sorry. I'll get you a new one." He said to us.
"No, it's okay. Please, keep talking." Rebecca said.
"Anyway, I grabbed the phone and called 911 and told them she was hurt. They came and Pete was arrested for questioning. Soon, he was arrested and they divorced on the spot. We went to a homeless shelter for a month until a family member found out and took us in. My mother then found my step-father. Me and Ron met and got along with Enid soon before they married. Then, the damn Walkers came and killed him. Jessie fell behind and we were on our own when Adagio found us." I said.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked." Lee said.
"No, it's okay. I'm glad to let that out." Dewy said.
Little did Dewy know, Aria was right behind him, trying not to let tears fall. Dewy turned around and flinched.
"Jesus, Aria! How long were you standing there?!" Dewy asked.
"The whole time. I'm sorry, I had to listen." Aria said.
"It's okay. More people to hear it." Dewy said sitting back down.
"Well, don't stand there awkwardly, take a seat." I said to Aria.
She took a seat between me and Dewy.
"So, who were your parents?" Dewy asked me.
"I..." I started saying.
"It's okay. I'll tell them." Lee said.
"No, we'll both do it." I said.
"Alright. I was... on my way to prison for murder when a Walker caused us to crash. I found Clem after I shot the cop who turned. I was in her house when I heard her on the walkie she had. We found Shawn, Hershel's son, and went to his farm. That was where we met Kenny and his family. Shawn was reinforcing the fence around the farm when he was grabbed. Hershel and I tried to save him. We needed Kenny to help." Lee said turning to him.
"My boy was grabbed too. I froze when Shawn called for me. I just... ran." Kenny said.
"Shawn still died and Hershel kicked us out. We went to my parents' pharmacy in Macon where we found some people. We were attacked and I had to choose between Doug, kind of a tech nerd, or Carley, a news reporter who knew about my past. I saved Carley, I don't know why, but I did. We went to a Motor Inn for a while. We fought Walkers, cannibals, and bandits for a month until we were forced to leave. Duck, Kenny's son, got bit there. I learned it was one of our own, Ben. A coward, but he still had some value. I almost killed him. We found a train and we met Christa and Omid, two survivors who I trusted with Clem when I died. We went to Savannah to find a boat and her parents. She was taken by a man whose car we found after we met the St. Johns. We had no choice but to take their supplies. Now I regret it more then ever. We were taken out one by one trying to find her. I was bitten at a house when she was taken. I found her and fought that Stranger off. He was about to kill me when Clem killed him. We were walking the streets with the guts when we saw... her parents. I passed out and Clem saved me. I was dying of infection and Clem was alone with Christa and Omid. How about after, Clem?" Lee asked me.
"We were in a restroom when I was looted. It was my fault for putting my gun down. Omid walked in trying to stop her, but she turned around and shot him on accident. Omid died and Christa killed her instantly. Her baby was stillborn and we were on our own for a year. Then Christa was out looking for firewood when she was captured and probably killed. I found Luke and Pete, not your father, Dewy. A great man who I wish was still alive." I said.
"Well, here I am." Pete said behind me.
"Pete? Thank God." I said hugging him instantly.
"Nice to see you too, Clem." He said.
"Anyway, I was bitten by a dog earlier and they thought it was a Walker. I was locked in a shed to see if I was bitten. I snuck out and grabbed supplies and fixed it myself. I was attacked and they opened the door and saw me. You should've seen me in that moment. After that, I stayed with them until a man, Bill Carver, found us. We went to a ski lodge where I found Kenny again. We stayed until we were kidnapped and taken to Carver's camp. Kenny lost his eye there."
"I know. Sarita told me." Lee said.
"Then we escaped and she was bitten. I killed the Walker and we went to a Civil War site nearby. We escaped with three people: Bonnie, Jane and Mike. We were searching for supplies when we found a guy named Arvo. He had medical supplies with him and Jane wanted us to rob him. I said no and we sent him off. We were attacked when Rebecca was delivering her baby. We went to the place from earlier and Jane and Luke were there. They just... um..." I struggled saying.
"Made love?" Dewy asked.
"Yeah." I said, remembering my father's talk when I found him here.
"Proves the nerve of some people..." Dewy said.
"Anyway, Rebecca had her baby and we were leaving to find Wellington, a place that was safe. And--"
"You're lucky you didn't go. Adagio's using that place as bait. It's one of many outposts in her name." Dewy said suddenly.
"What?!" Kenny asked.
"It's true." Dewy said.
"Wow... We were attacked by Arvo and his people when Rebecca died of blood loss. They shot at us, injuring Luke. We took Kenny hostage and we went to a housing development Arvo said had food. Kenny was losing it there. He beat Arvo to near death, he lashed out at everyone around him, even me. Bonnie and Mike took Arvo and tried to escape with our supplies, all of it. I tried to stop them, but Arvo shot me. Me, Kenny, A.J, and Jane got out in a pickup truck and they had a fight. We had to leave and Jane took A.J. I went to a diner where Kenny showed up. Jane walked in, no A.J. She said he was killed. Kenny tried to kill her, I had no choice but to shoot him. I heard A.J crying and I learned she lied to us. I left her on the spot. We were alone until I found C.H.S a year later. We were attacked, and now we're here." I finished.
"Damn. You've been through a lot." Aria said.
"I agree. That seems like Resistance-material right there." Dewy said to me.
"Save the enthusiasm." I said.
Then, Twilight called out.
"It's time." She said.
CELESTIA'S P.O.V
Everyone who was left showed up with Dwight, Sonata, and Aria.
"Hello." Rick said.
"You called us here. Why?" Dewy asked.
"What happened with Scootaloo's father wasn't intentional. In case you hadn't heard yet, me, Twilight, Carol, and Dewy found out that Scootaloo was being abused. On a physical level, sexually is unknown as of now. We were trying to get her out when he attacked me. I wanted to kill him, and I probably should have. But I didn't. I didn't because I was weak, but I didn't because I killed too many for no reason. If I could go back, I would stop many deaths I've caused, even if I die in the process. I was wrong, not to tell you." I said.
MORGAN'S P.O.V
I was walking to the hospital to see Home, when I saw a puddle of blood nearby. I ran in to see Ezekiel, one of the Resistance, with a needle into his stomach.
"What happened?!" I asked.
"Home... Run. He's... out. Warn... Rick. Warn..." Ezekiel passed out and I put the needle in his head. I ran to Michonne's house to tell her, all I found was her sword sheath-- without the sword in it.
Oh, no...
RICK'S P.O.V
"Now, Negan almost killed one of my own. If I find him, without a doubt, I will kill him. Not because I.. I want too. Because I have too." I said.
"With all due respect, you haven't shown us any leadership since you let the Dazzlings in." Twilight said standing up.
"I know. Once we heard of Adagio, I wanted to leave. But I'm not gonna do that. Because I trust you. And even if you don't trust me, you trust her." I said pointing to Celestia.
"And I expect you to listen to her." I said.
MORGAN'S P.O.V
I was running towards Town Hall when I saw Home running with the sword. I tackled him and threw the sword away. Home punched me in the face and ran with the sword. I tried getting up but I failed. I then got up a few seconds later and followed the hoofprints.
RICK'S P.O.V
"Now, we need to fight. We can't sit on our asses and pretend we're going to be okay. If we do that, we'll die. Luck runs out..." I said.
Dewy looked behind me and looked in shock.
"You're not one of us. YOU'RE NOT ONE OF US!" Home Run screamed with Michonne's katana in his hoof.
"Home, you don't wanna do this." Eric said standing in front of me.
"Get out of my way." Home said.
"No, man." Eric said.
"I said, GET OUT OF MY WAY!" He said forcing the sword through his stomach.
"ERIC!" Aaron screamed.
"Home, STOP!" Dwight said running at him.
"NO!" Home said, swinging the sword at Dwight.
Dwight's head turned around directly at Aria, his throat slit, the sword covered in his and Eric's blood. Out of nowhere, Morgan came and whipped him at the head with his staff.
"DWIGHT! NOOOO!" Aria sobbed running towards him.
Dewy, Sonata, and Celestia stood in shock.
"NO, DWIGHT." Aria said, choking through sobs.
"Rick..." Celestia said turning to me.
"Do it." Dewy said to me.
I turned and shot Home, looking in shock and sadness over what I've just done.
"Rick?" Scootaloo asked, looking at me with Ezekiel's body on her back.
"What did he do? WHAT DID THAT BASTARD DO?!" Dewy screamed.