//------------------------------//
// Chapter Twenty: Alone 
// Story: Equestria; UNDEAD 
// by runningtoastgirl77 
//------------------------------//

	"Autumn... I'm leaving for Canterlot..." Zian called up the stairs. I had been up for a few hours, but didn't want to face the fact she was leaving. I trotted down stairs, and she smiled. "Oh, come now. You know I'm not going to be gone forever, I'll be back."

"I know..." I gave her a reluctant hug. 

"... your not going to try to come with us?" She frowned.

"No. I think I'll stay here. You know... in case Morning Glory or Grella come back. That, and Butter Crisp could always use the help around here." I sniffled. "That and... not like I could do that much, right?"

She placed her hoof on my cheek. "Oh, come now. Have a little faith in yourself, Autumn."

I glanced away. "I guess so."

She smiled, and gave me a hug. "I'll miss you. I'll try not to be gone to long."

"It's okay, Zian. Your going to help save the world, remember? I think I can wait." I smiled. 

"Hey, Autumn! How are you feeling this morning?" Strife trotted up to us. 

"A little better, I can walk around without feeling like passing out so... that's a thing."

"Sorry about your friend. That was just... that wasn't like me."

"It's fine Strife. I just hope that they com back." I walked off into the kitchen, where Cherry and Whirlwind were finishing breakfast.

"Are you sure you want me to have this?" Cherry said. an old saddle bag was on the table.

"Yeah. Don't worry, I took what I wanted out. Besides, a filly like you could make some use of these tools." I then realized that it was Mech's saddlebag, though it had taken a beating, it seemed as though it could still be on that pony. It was hard not to think of Mech, though out loud we scarcely talked about that horrific day, I knew it had to be beating on their subconscious, the image of the stallion's corpse on the ground when only moments prior they were happy- if not artificially happy via alcoholic assistance- and alive. If it didn't haunt their dreams, one thing I know is it haunted mine. Among other things. "Oh, Autumn. Your finally awake..."

"Yeah. You guys going to go soon?" 

He frowned. "You know, there is no reason why you can't go, too... if you want to."

"No. It's fine, I understand. besides, there are things I could help out with here, right?"

"Oh..." he sighed. "So... you overheard our conversation last night."

"Maybe. But I guess I understand. Not much help a baker can be against an undead army, right?" I felt a little unintentionally angry, or at least a bit salty. I sat at the table and grabbed an apple. 

"Autumn, don't be like that. Nopony was ready for this. All we can do for now is... adapt, and try to fix it." Whirlwind sighed. "Do you understand?"

"I guess. I just don't think I'd be that useful. Unless you want a cake." I laughed nervously. 

"Alright, if you want to limit yourself I guess." He shrugged. "Hard to believe it's only been almost a month now. Seems like just yesterday Zian was dragging you to that old farmhouse..."

"I'll try to keep up with the times." I said softly. 

Cherry's eyes darted between us. "It'll be okay!" she smiled. Cherry sure had grown up a little, though I couldn't imagine what the long term effects of the events of the past few weeks would have overall on a filly's psyche. Then again, I had no idea what even happened to Cherry before this apocalyptic nightmare. I didn't know a lot of things about my group I had been fallowing, especially after the prior night's events.
Cherry got up and went to the kitchen to wash off her hoofs. 

Whirlwind sighed. "Time to go then."

I followed them outside to the carriage they were going to take to the train station, the carriage we got from Stone Whooves. They were going to take it with them. "I said the trains would still be running." Whirlwind boasted, though to nopony in particular. After all, it was Grella who denied the matter in the first place."

"Sorry again." Strife said, getting inside of the carriage. 

I saw Butter Crisp rush past me, giving her sister a quick hug good bye, and exchange silent words. After waiting for the sister's goodbye I waled up and gave Zian a hug. "Be back soon." I smiled. 

"You know I will." 

"I love you..." And shortly after that, they were gone.

Shortly after Zian left, I felt a cold darkness in my life, with the realization that there was no assurance I would see her ever again,  if we couldn't find a way to fix this. Even though Cherry and Butter Crisp were standing nearby as I sat on the trail to town, I truly, again, felt completely alone.

I eventually stopped my crying and went back up to the house, and trotted up to Zian's room. I glanced around, the room seemingly exactly the same scrap the things Zian took with her. I gazed at her bookshelves of magic and potion making, and of course cooking,  to her old no doubt precious childhood memories. My feelings gnawed at me, as I realized how much I truly would miss her, despite the fact she could be back in s month or maybe even a few days if we were lucky. I frowned. "Autumn, way to go. Way to go..." I said to myself, sighing and lying down in the bed. "That sure was a great idea, wasn't it?"

The next day I managed to actually get up in the morning, greeted by Butter Crisp downstairs. "You want to help me with breakfast?" She said, cutting several apples. 

"I'm not really in the mood to cook."

"You know, everypony has a little magic in them, as I see it. After all, if a nice meal with friends isn't magic, why would it make everypony so happy?" She smiled. "And you know, not eveypony has to be strong to be strong, you know? There are plenty of ways to be strong, have a strong personality, a strong build, or even just a stong spirit. " She got a pile of three plates out of the cabinet. "How are you feeling?"

"Better."

"Not sick?"

I shrugged. "Well... no."

"Well then, I suppose that means you can help me with the harvesting today. I could use an extra hoof around, and Cherry is going to be busy."

"Busy?" Cherry said, trotting in. "Busy with what?"

"Well, I talked with Pumpkin yesterday, and they do have room at the schoolhouse."

"School?" she rolled her eyes. "You want me to go to school during the apocalypse?"

"I don't see why not, after all your about that age now. Come on, it won't be that bad."

"I don't need to go to school. My daddy always told me school is just where little ponies go to waste their time."

"Well, I say that you should at least go. You'll like it, you'll see. It'll be fine." Butter Crisp smirked. "If you don't like anything that happens today, you don't have to go back, okay?" 

"That sounds fair." Cherry grimaced. "Still don't like it."

"Come on now, let's eat up and get you to school."

After Butter Crisp left with Cherry into town, I sat on the porch and smiled. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, I thought. 

Then a dark shadow filled my peripheral along with a sudden swooping sound. I felt something hard smack the back of my head, knocking me to the ground. As I slowly lost consciousness.

Maybe It would have been better If I waited inside.