> Pony-Z
>  by Black Light
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1 - Infection
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Infection

Once upon a time there was the peaceful land of Equestria… and then there were zombies.

How did it come to this, you may ask. How would this peaceful land fall into this chaos? That is what this story is about. This story is about how Equestria fell, and a new group rose from its ashes.

Our story begins not in Equestria. It begins in a place not far away, but farther away than could ever be imagined.


~~~At (soon to be) Ground Zero~~~


“Jared, get your ass over here and give me some help with these freaks!” A tall, strong built man with dark brown hair shouted over the sound of gunfire.

“Kind of busy here!” A small man with golden blond hair shouted from behind a broken wall reloading his twin pistols. “Dammit where are Pete and Liz with the truck?”

“Stop worrying about it and shoot! These zombies aren’t going to kill themselves!” The large man said pumping his shotgun.

“Well technically Matt they’re already dead!” Jared said with a small laugh firing off his pistols into the hoard of zombies.

“Just shut up and shoot!” Matt shouted at Jared.

Just then a large truck came around a bend in the road, came down the road and crushed a large group of zombies under its tires. In the driver seat was a man wearing a white button up and a black vest. He had short black hair that was spiked back. In the bed of the truck was a woman with long black hair wearing the type of clothes you would see on your average day. 

The women spoke as the car stopped. “You boys need a lift?”

“A ride with a pretty woman or death by zombies, tough choice.” Jared said sarcastically with a smile as he reached up and took the woman’s hand and pulled himself in.

“Bout time you got here.” Matt said firing off his shotgun into the hoard before opening the passenger door and getting in. “Get a move on Pete.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” The vested man said stepping down on the peddle and starting down the road.

The truck went down the roads a far distance, around half the city's length. As they neared the center of the city the truck pulled off into a large alley and down into an opening. The truck was pulled into a small garage. Jared jumped out and closed the large metal door.

“Well not our best supply run.” Jared said with a smile.

“We would’ve done much better if Mr. Business here would use a gun.” Matt said getting out of the car indicating to Pete.

“Don’t trust guns. Always have to reload at the worst times. You know I almost got killed because of that.” Pete countered.

“That’s why you take two guns.” Jared said taking out his twin pistols. “When you need to reload one you can fire with the other.”

“Don’t lie to yourself.” Pete responded. “You just carry two because you think it looks cool.”

“A side benefit.” Jared said with a chuckle.

“Well come on you two, let’s at least put to use what we did manage to scavenge.” Matt said as he removed a bag from the passenger seat. “Pete you go and cook the beans. Liz start a broth with the vegetables we found.” He said tossing specific cans to the two.

“Alright General” Pete said back with a joking salute. As he took the cans of beans and started for the roof. Liz followed behind with a small metal pot. They got to the roof and walked over to the corner that had now been dubbed the kitchen. It had two makeshift fire pits, a good amount of empty and filled cans sitting around, as well as a few cooking utensils scattered around. Both Pete and Liz got about on their set tasks preparing the food. Jared soon found his way to the roof and started jumping around on the different levels on the building, Matt came not too long later with his assault rifle and shotgun in hand. He sat down at the table and started to clean his weapons. Soon enough both Pete and Liz had completed their cooking and brought over the fruits of their labors to the table. Matt slid his guns off the table, and Jared made his way over and sat down. This was the group’s social interaction for the day. Jared told his jokes, Matt silently listened cleaning his guns, Pete supplied random facts, and Liz just chiming in whenever she felt like it.

They finished their dinner in a relatively normal time, and now they just sat around quietly chatting. However, a noise caught their attention. It was the sound of rotor blades. Both Pete and Matt quickly got up and started towards the edge of the building. Pete took out a pair of binoculars and looked toward the source of the sound.

“Is it a rescue team? Is someone coming to get us?” Jared asked excitedly.

Pete brought down the binoculars and passed them to Matt. “Those don’t look like rescue choppers do they?” He asked already knowing the answer.

Matt took the binoculars and looked. “No, those look like attack choppers.” He answered.

From the binoculars the two helicopters were seen breaking off and turning around. “What does that mean?” Liz asked.

“It means something very bad.” Matt responded. “They were just scouting the city ahead.”

“And that means what?” Jared asked.

“It means that something else is coming, something much bigger.” Matt responded.

As if to prove his claim the sound of a jet engine could be heard far off in the distance growing closer and closer. Soon the jet was within sight and within the few moments it passed over the city it dropped one thing. The metal casing was easily seen and identifiable. One government was attempting to rid the world of this plague, and they planned to do it by burning every infected city to the ground one by one. The bomb dropped faster and faster as it approached its target. Little did they know that this wasn’t going to destroy anything they had planned on. It was just going to give the problem to someone else, or in this case somepony else.

This is how our story begins. With a government deciding nuclear fallout was better than the apocalypse they were already in. No one would ever know the true fate of these four individuals. As the bomb blew the shockwave of it triggered a chain reaction that changed everything. This last little shock was all the barriers between dimensions needed to finally collapse and fall. Soon all the zombies who were in the city found a new food source. One that walked on four legs, was very colorful, and was magic. The barrier between Earth and Equestria had just collapsed bringing the apocalypse with it. The peaceful land of Equestria was overrun not in years or months, but in a matter of days. For once the caring nature of ponies proved to be their greatest weakness. Trying to take in and help as many sick as they could. This kindness only resulted in the spreading of the plague. Our story continues with one who is thought to be the last hope for pony kind.


~~~In the Everfree~~~


The purple mare found herself running through the forest. She couldn’t see them, but she could hear the sound of the hoof beats behind her chasing her. All she could think was how carless she had been using all of her power to get where she was going without saving enough to get back. She knew she needed to get back. If she didn’t then only Luna would be left to fight off this invasion. She tried to find enough power to charge up a teleport and get out of this situation, but try as she might it was all in vain. The mare soon found herself running out of breath and chose to try and hide herself behind a tree and catch her breath. As she heard the approach of hoof beats she covered her mouth hoping that they wouldn’t hear her. Unfortunately they didn’t have to. They could smell her. The mare screamed as she saw the decomposing face look around the tree and stare at her with its one eye. The zompony jumped her and tackled her to the ground. She could see the hunger in its eye, and knew that if she didn’t do anything now this would all be over. She struggled against her attacker but with no success she was too tired to get him off. She looked back at her attacker hoping to see any sign of regret or recognition, but she saw neither of these things. She prepared to scream, taking in what she believed to be her final breath.

Then it echoed across the forest… It being, of course being the sound of a cannon. The mare’s attacker suddenly found itself without a head and fell limp to the ground next to the mare. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw a very large bipedal creature, not unlike the few that had started this invasion in the first place, but something was different about him. Where the first few were void of emotion he wore a cocky grin and also held what appeared to be a long stick in his hand. Then it spoke. “Pete, the hell do you make of this?” It asked indicating to the mare as three others of this creature came out from behind the trees.

> Chapter 2 - The Source
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

> Chapter 3 - Laying in Wait
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Laying in Wait

The group was silent. Princess Luna stood with her eyes closed trying to calm herself. “I’m sorry to hear that.” Pete finally said breaking the silence. “What happened? If you don’t mind me asking that is.”

“It was around the original infection. I was standing guard over the gate when a pony approached. He seemed sane, but he had been bitten. At the time we were unaware of what this fully meant so I let him through to seek medical attention. My sister came to meet with him to try and learn more about what was happening. Then, she was bitten. This was when we started to understand how the infection spreads. My sister fully understood and she told me that I needed to kill her before Canterlot fell, so that’s what I did. She was killed and soon after buried.” Luna told the group.

“It must have been hard on you.” Pete said sympathetically.

“It was, but the worst part was the look on her face.” Pete looked up at this. “It was one of regret and disappointment.”

“Wait, explain again. What did you do?” Pete asked hastily.

“She’s been through a lot. Can’t you give her a break?” Twilight asked defending Luna.

“No I can’t. This is very important.” Pete told her.

“Fine, if you must know I used a sword and stabbed her through her heart.” Luan said looking away.

Pete’s eyes grew. “Matt, Jay, Liz ready up. We’re going to need to move fast.” Pete said quickly.

“What do you mean? What’s the matter?” Twilight asked.

“Because all this time you thought that this city was infection free. While in reality it’s actually been infected for a while now.” Pete answered.

“What do you mean, there are no infected individuals in the city.” Luna said aggressively.

“You’re wrong. There’s one and that’s all they need.” Pete said. “I can see why you wouldn’t realize this however. You don’t seem to pay attention to your environment so much. You haven’t learned to adapt to this new world that we live in.”

“What do you mean by that?” Luna asked forcefully.

“Because you didn’t realize that I’m the only one of my group still standing here.” Pete said with a smile. The guards soon realized he was correct and turned around to see the rest of the group entering the large city. When they turned back around to look at the last man they found him running directly at them. As he got close he jumped over them using many of their heads as stepping stones as he got behind them and ran towards his group. He soon caught up because they had slowed up for him before going at it full speed again.

“Any idea where to find it?” Matt asked.

“Castle, in a garden with some monument most likely.” Pete answered. “It looked like most of the guards were at the gate, so the castle should be relatively empty. At least I hope that was most of the guard.”

“Right!” Matt said as he ran up the steps to the castle and kicked open the large doors.

The small group soon started into the castle taking twists and turns until they finally found the garden they were looking for. As they entered they saw the largest grandest statue of a large mare with both wings and a horn. “This looks like it.” Pete said as he went up and put his hand on the statue.

“STEP AWAY FROM THAT!” A voice shouted. Pete jumped back quickly just in time to be missed by a very angry princess landing where he had been standing.

“You still don’t realize it, do you? You still don’t know who the infected is.” Pete said sternly to the princess.

“Fine let’s say you are right. Let’s say that there is an infected in this city. Then tell me who it is.” Luna said angrily.

“The infected is your sister.” Pete told her.

Luna was taken back for a moment. “Impossible, I saw my sister die. I KILLED HER!” Luna shouted the sadness in her voice evident.

“Yes you did kill her, but you still don’t understand the virus do you?” Pete asked her. Luna looked up at him. “The virus causes them to attack people yes, but it also kills them first.” Luna looked surprised and was about to speak but Pete kept on talking. “It brings them back as mindless slaves, and if what you say is true then I think that you sister woke up a while ago and has been trying to dig her way out. By my calculations if you buried her days ago, then she should be breaking through right about now.” As he spoke the ground beneath Luna’s hooves began to stir. A grey hoof broke through the ground and started to try and find a grip. Pete walked over and pushed the princess aside and brought out a combat knife from his belt. As he did a head came out of the ground that had obviously been white, but was now obscured by decay and dirt. Pete took his knife and stabbed it in-between the mare’s eyes. “The only way to truly stop them is to destroy the brain.” He said as he twisted the knife and jerked it out. The body fell limply to the ground. Pete wiped his knife on his vest and put it back in his belt. “This is the world as we live in. Get used to it.” He added as he walked back to his group. By now the rest of those who had found their way to the garden and watched the actions unfurl. Princess Luna sat on the ground not saying a word.

Matt put away his gun and turned to Pete. “So what do you think? I personally think that we might be better off just leaving.”

Pete looked at Matt. “That may be, but they aren’t prepared for this world yet. We should stay a bit longer before heading out. At least try to teach them the rules of this world. We’ve been doing this for, how long has it been now, months, years maybe. They’ve had days, we should try to help.”

Matt sighed. “You’re too helpful you know that right? It’s going to get you killed.”

“Well that’s why I have a ruthless guy like you to back me up.” Pete said patting Matt on the shoulder. Matt gave a soft chuckle and shook his head.

“You’re hopeless. I don’t know how you survived before us.” Matt told him.

“It’s because I wasn’t always this way.” Pete said. “Come on we should probably get out before she recovers from her shock.” He said indicating to the princess. Matt nodded and they started towards the front gate.

The small group of survivors was waiting at the gate. Jared was juggling his pistols, Liz was on watch, Matt was cleaning his rifle, and Pete was sitting down staring off into the sky. He turned his attention towards the gate when he heard the hoof beats approaching. The group turned their attention to the gate and saw Luna and Shining Armor approaching.

“Where’s Twilight?” Pete asked looking at Armor “and the rest of the guard?” he continued.

“They were sent back to their rooms.” Shining answered.

Luna then stepped forward. “I want to apologize.” She said her head towards the ground. “I let my previous experiences and personal feelings cloud my judgment.”

“I don’t forgive you.” Pete said.

Luna winced. “I understand, I’ll-” Luna started.

“Let me finish.” Pete interrupted. “I don’t forgive you, because I don’t think you have anything to apologize for.” Luna looked up at him surprised. 

“He’s right you know.” Jay said from the side balancing one of his pistols on his finger. “You just did what you thought would protect the most of your people. No one will blame you for that.”

“We’ve done it before.” Matt continued. “If we come across anything that would put us in danger we avoid it.”

“We may seem like just some rag-tag group.” Liz said. “But we’re really quite organized and have a very good system.”

“However all of our systems revolve around one function; to stay alive.” Pete finished.

Luna looked at the four of them. She gave a small sigh. “Still it does disappoint me that I treated you so unfairly. You have truly proven that you can help us and I would truly appreciate it if you would stay in Canterlot.” Luna said to them.

Pete and the group gathered together. “You sure you want to do this Pete?” Matt asked.

“I’m sure. I don’t like leaving them unprepared.” Pete answered.

“Alright then, were with you.” Matt told him getting a nod from both Liz and Jay.

Pete smiled and the group came back over to the princess and Shining Armor. “Princess we would be honored to accept your invitation." Pete said giving a friendly smile to the princess as he spoke.

“Wonderful, follow me and I will take you to where you will be staying.” The princess said as she started back into the city. The group followed behind as the gate shut behind them.

> Chapter 4 - Memories
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Memories

The castle was quiet, not a sound could be heard… except for, you know, the loud shouting and sounds of conflict. In the center of the barracks for the Royal Guards there was a fight. You could see a person running around with short spiked black hair. He was running through the guards dodging and blocking the attacks of the royal guards. He was moving around quickly, and then he found a sword pointed at his heart and he stopped. He looked down at the pony who held the sword and saw Shining Armor at the other end.

Pete gave a sigh and looked at Shining Armor. “Dead.” He said calmly.

“What?” Shining Armor asked.

“Dead, you would be dead.” Pete answered.

“But I’ve got my sword at your heart.” Shining Armor countered.

“Do you think that will stop a zombie?” Pete asked. “A zombie doesn’t care about his well being. They will pay injuries no mind regardless of the severity. You could cut off all their legs, and tear out their heart. He won’t care; He’ll use his head to drag himself to get to you. You can’t aim for any other part but the head.” Pete said tapping his forehead. “All right, that’s it for today!” he shouted out, and all the guards sheathed their weapons and left heading for the mess hall for lunch.

Princess Luna, Twilight, Matt, Jay, and Liz were all sitting off to the side watching the training session. Luna was watching carefully. She then turned to Matt. “I’ve been trying to understand, but Pete still confuses me. What can you tell me about him?”

Matt put his hand to his chin in thought. “Well, he’s smart and quick. He doesn’t like to leave people unprotected, and he doesn’t trust guns. His clothes make me think he was some businessman, but his actions and demeanor don’t really fit that.”

“That’s all you know. You have travelled and defended each other, but you don’t know anything about each other’s pasts?” Luna asked.

“Well yeah.” Jay responded. “When the outbreak started we left our old lives behind. Our pasts don’t really matter that much, so we don’t talk about them. I mean heck, I know that Matt is ex-military but he’s never actually told us.” Jay said indicating to the large man.

“So you think that the past is pointless?” Twilight questioned.

“Not pointless, just… not really important in this world.” Liz answered.

Pete was wiping his forehead off with a rag as he walked over. “They’re getting better, but they still lack the reaction time that they need to survive. I suggest that you don’t let them out to go scavenging for a while.”

“Scavenging?” Luna asked.

“Yeah, scavenging. You know, looting houses for food and supplies you need to survive.” Pete answered.

“That-that’s not right. You can’t just go taking things.” Twilight said recoiling slightly.

“Well if you follow that belief then you’re going to die.” Pete told her. “You can stay shut in one spot as long as you want, but eventually you’ll run out of food and will need to get more.”

“We can grow our own food; we don’t need to take food from others.” Luna countered.

“You can believe whatever you want, but eventually you will change. Everyone does at some point. You’ll have to give up the morals that you kept before: That world is gone now.” Pete said turning his back on them. “I’m gonna go check the gates. Call me when it’s time to eat.” Pete said tossing the towel on his shoulder and picking up his belt with this knifes in it. He then walked off in the direction of the gate checking his knifes as he went.

“Something’s… different about him.” Luna said to the four still with her.

“Yeah, that happens sometimes. He’ll act strangely every so often. He’s still the same Pete that we’ve always known, but it seems like there’s something dark below his skin, where we can’t see.” Jay responded watching Pete as he walked away.

“Does it have anything to do with his past?” Twilight questioned.

“Possibly.” Matt answered. “I wouldn’t worry about him. Just give him some time to himself and he’ll come back the same as always.”

“He looks like he’s letting something fester inside of him, and you’re just going to let it eat away at him?” Luna asked accusingly.

“You think we haven’t tried to find out?” Liz countered. “Whenever we try he tells us he just needs some time to think, and sure enough he comes back later and he’s gotten over it.”

“How can you think that way?” Twilight started. “I’m going to find him.” She finished walking off towards the gates.

“He’ll tell you the same thing he’s told us!” Jay called after her.

Twilight walked along the base of the gate looking around for Pete. She spotted him sitting on top of the wall staring out into the trees at nothing. Twilight teleported up to the top of the wall and started walking towards him.

“If you’re here because you think you’re going to cheer me up you should just go.” Pete said not even turning to look at her.

“I’m not really here to cheer you up.” Twilight responded. “Though I would like it if you did cheer up, right now I just want to understand why.”

Pete finally raised his head and looked at her. “Why what?” He asked.

“Why you change so suddenly. Right before you left something about you changed, and I’ve seen it even before that. When we first got to Canterlot you met my brother, and for a moment when he said I was his sister your demeanor changed. What is it that causes these changes?” Twilight questioned him.

Pete turned away. “I don’t want to talk about it.” He said. “Just leave it.”

“Well I can’t just leave it.” Twilight responded. “Something inside is hurting you and I want to know what it is. It’s what friends do for each other.”

Pete looked back at her. “Friends?”

“Well yeah, the four of you saved my life. I’m pretty sure that I should at least call you friends for that, and I always try to help my friends.” Twilight said before she let a saddened expression come through. “Of course I haven’t seen my other friends in a while. They’ve been so busy with their work that we haven’t been able to get together in a while.”

Pete paused for a second before speaking. “Tell me about them.” Twilight looked at him. “Your friends tell me about them.”

Twilight was silent for a second then she smiled a little. “Well, there’s Rarity, she’s been helping with maintaining the armor of the guard, and she’s always been willing to help lend a hoof in help. Applejack has been supplying food to the city, she would never even think of lying to a friend or even a random pony on the street. Fluttershy has been working in the clinics, she’s probably the nicest pony in all of Equestria but also probably the shyest as well. Pinkie’s been throwing parties trying to keep spirits up, probably the happiest pony you will ever know and it just seems so infectious. Rainbow has been working with the Wonderbolts to look for any uninfected, you can always count on her to come through for you in the end. Finally there’s Spike, he’s basically like a little brother to me, he’s been working with the nobles to relay messages around Equestria to anypony still out there. They’re doing so much for everypony, but I’m just here. They say I’m doing good work by keeping track and organizing everything, but it just doesn’t feel like I’m actually doing anything.” Twilight said lowering her head.

“… You trust your friends very much don’t you?” Pete asked her.

“I would trust them with my life.” Twilight answered proudly.

Pete chuckled a bit. “I wish I still believed in that.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked. “You’ve got your friends and it looks like you trust them.”

“Yes I do trust them, but I also trust that if they have to choose between trying to risk their life to save mine or getting out of the danger zone. They’d probably choose the latter.”

“What?!” Twilight said surprised. “How can you just say something like that?”

“For the same reason that I reacted to your brother.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve already said more than I planned on saying. You should just leave it be.” Pete answered

“Well I can’t. You saved my life so I want to trust you, but if you keep so many secrets I don’t know if I can.” Twilight told him forcefully.

“Well then I guess you just won’t be able to trust me.” Pete said looking away.

“Why is it so hard to say? What happened to you that you can’t seem to trust another?” Twilight asked before thinking it through. “It’s because someone you trusted broke your trust isn’t it?” Pete flinched a little turning away. “I’m right aren’t I?” Twilight asked.

“…Yes, you are.” Pete answered before turning back to her. “However, this is not a topic up for discussion, so leave it.”

“You’ll never get over it unless you talk about it.”

“And I won’t get over it even if I do.”

“You’ll never know unless you try.”

Pete looked at Twilight. “You’re never going to let this go until I tell you aren’t you?” Twilight nodded and Pete gave a sigh. “Fine, you want to know why I can’t trust anyone anymore. It’s because my brother tried to kill me.” Pete said turning away from Twilight and starting to walk away from her down the wall.

> Chapter 5 - Bonds
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bonds

Twilight stood still her eyes wide. “Your brother tried to kill you?” She asked quietly.

“Yeah he did.” Pete said continuing down the wall. Twilight recovered and started walking after him slowly. “When the outbreak started we only had us and we promised to protect each other.”

“You only had each other? What about your parents?”

“Never met em. My brother and I grew up on the streets. We were raised in a small orphanage. When we asked they said they found us together in a dumpster. When we were thirteen, my brother and I ran away from the orphanage and we started to fend for ourselves.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Twilight responded sadly.

“Don’t be.” Pete told her. “I don’t have any negative feelings towards my parents, don’t have any positive feelings either. I don’t really feel anything for them. Hard to hate someone you’ve never met.”

“How can you feel nothing for your parents?” Twilight asked. “They might’ve left you, but they’re still your parents.”

“Only biologically, to me the streets and alleys were more of a family to me than any other person out there, with the exception of my brother of course.”

“You two seemed close, so why did he…did he, um, well-”

“Try and kill me?” Pete finished for her. She nodded slightly. “Because humans are terrible and evil people at our base.” Twilight looked to him surprised. “When put in a bad situation we will elect to save our own hide over saving the lives of countless others. That’s basically what my brother did.” Pete said stopping and turning around to face Twilight. “When the infection started we traveled around scavenging and protecting each other, but when it came down to it and he was in a dangerous situation he chose to betray me and throw me to the dogs.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked moving next to him.

“We were trapped in a building, every side of the building was surrounded by infected. When they broke through the door my brother pushed me to the ground hoping that while the zombies ate me he would have time to escape. Unfortunately for him his plan backfired. The building we were in was falling apart and when he pushed me my weight broke the floor we were on and I fell through to the basement. With no other distractions my brother was the only thing that the zombies could see, so they ate him. I escaped out of the basement and ran off.”

Twilight sat speechless for a moment. “…Well, how do you know he wasn’t trying to save you. He could’ve tried to get you out by putting you in the basement.”

“Yeah, I tried to believe that for a while too. I hoped that he had done it to save me, but you tell me. ‘Sorry Pete, but only one of us can get out of here alive, and I’m not going to die here’, the last words my brother said to me. Does that sound like someone trying to save my life?” Pete asked her. She just sat there silently. “Thought so. That’s why I don’t just give out my trust anymore. Because the more you trust someone the harder it hurts when they betray you. That’s why I keep expectations low, and choose only a select few to travel with.”

“So when you met my brother-” Twilight started.

“All I could think about was my own brother betraying me.” Pete finished.

“But were not like that here!” Twilight told him. “We don’t just go around betraying ponies like that.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it, but until then I’m not just going to give out my trust to just anyone.”

Twilight just watched him. “So why then?” She asked. Pete turned to look at her. “Why tell me all this?”

“I don’t know.” Pete answered. “Maybe it’s because of your friends.” Twilight gave him a confused look. “You have an unconditional trust with them, I guess… I guess it’s just a little hope.”

“Hope?” Twilight questioned.

“Yeah, hope. Hope that maybe one day I’ll be able to have that type of trust again.” Pete said turning away. “Promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“Promise that you won’t tell anyone about this. I haven’t told my past to anyone even before the outbreak.”

Twilight gave a smile and a nod. “I promise, I won’t tell anyone until you’re ready to tell them yourself.”

Pete looked at her. “…Thanks.” He finally said turning away and jumping down off the wall using a tree to slow his fall. With a flash Twilight was on the ground next to him. “We should get back.” Twilight gave a nod and they started back towards the large castle.

The two walked up the stairs to the castle. As they did they received a few looks from the other three humans. They didn’t expect Twilight to come back with Pete in tow. Jay was the first to break the silence among the three.

“Did Twilight get Pete to open up to her?” He asked.

“I don’t know, but he sure seems like he’s back to his normal self again.” Liz responded.

The two who had come from the wall were at the top of the stairs and approached the three. “So what I miss?” Pete asked.

“Some strange stuff man, some strange stuff.” Jay answered.

“What do you mean?” Pete responded.

“Well we were just sitting her then out of nowhere this rainbow just blasts past us.” Jay said.

“A rainbow?”

“Yeah, a moving rainbow just shot past us and flew straight into the castle.” Jay told him.

Pete turned to Twilight. “Could this have anything to do with your friend… what was her name? Rainbow Flash?”

“It’s Rainbow Dash, and yes most likely.” Twilight answered perking up slightly.

“I suppose that means we should probably go and see what’s up.” Pete said.

“Probably.” Was Twilight’s response.

With a nod Pete started into the castle followed by the other four. Twilight soon took the lead and directed them to the meeting room where the Princess most likely was. They soon found their way to the large double doors and entered the room. In the room already was Princess Luna and another pony who by the color of her mane the four humans assumed was Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow!” Twilight said happily confirming the four’s suspicions.

“Twilight!” The new pony said flying over quickly and embracing the purple unicorn. “It sure has been awhile since we last saw each other.”

“Yeah, you’ve been good I hope.” Twilight said to her friend.

“Yeah I’ve been doing-” Rainbow started but stopped as she saw the other four in the room. She moved defensively in front of Twilight. “Who are you four?” she asked.

Pete sighed. “Do we really look that suspicious?” He asked plainly.

Twilight then stepped out from behind Rainbow. “It’s okay Rainbow, they’re friends.”

Rainbow got back into a normal standing position, but didn’t take her eyes off of the four. “If you say so.” She then turned around to the Princess. “Back to what I was saying. We’ve found a small group of ponies hiding out in Ponyville. The rest of the Wonderbolts are waiting there for orders.” She said with a salute.

“How many?” the princess asked.

“We’ve confirmed at least four, but they are inside so total is unknown.” Rainbow answered.

The princess thought for a moment. “I’m not able to spare that many troops. I’ll send a sky chariot and a small squad to help in retrieval.”

Pete looked back to his three. Matt gave him a stare. “Your thinking about volunteering us aren’t you?” Matt whispered to Pete.

“It will give us a good idea of what the rest of this world is like and what the infected of this world act like. It gives us a strategic advantage.” Pete responded.

“You’re just saying that to try and convince me. You really just want to try and save those ponies don’t you?” Matt said to him. Pete gave a small smile and Matt sighed. “But I will admit what you said is true. Fine I’m in.”

Pete looked to Jay and Liz, who both nodded. Pete smiled and turned to the Princess. “Excuse me, but perhaps we could be of assistance.” He said.

The three mares in the room looked to them. “You’re volunteering to go?” the Princess asked.

“That’s right.” Pete answered.

The Princess nodded. “All right I’ll send a few guards with you.” She said turning to one of the guards in the room. “Send word to Shining Armor to form a small group and prepare for departure.”

Pete grimaced a little but got over it quickly enough that only one mare in the room noticed.

Matt nudged Pete. “So how do we play this? We don’t exactly have that much ammo to spare.”

Pete thought for a second. “Princess do you have a blacksmith in town?” He asked.

“Yes we have an entire guild dedicated to blacksmithing.” She responded.

Pete extended a hand and Matt put a small bag of bullets in Pete’s hand. “Do you think they’d be able to reverse engineer these so they could make more of them?” he asked.

“That depends on what they’re made of.” Luna answerd.

Pete turned to Matt on this one. “The main component is lead and gunpowder or black powder. There’s the actual bullet and then there’s a case containing a pocket of powder at the back for propulsion.” Matt explained in the simplest way he knew.

Luna nodded encasing the bag in her magic and floating it away. "I’ll give this to the smiths and see what they can do. In the mean time there should be a chariot in front of the castle. I would like you to take it along with the guards and go to Ponyville.”

Pete nodded and started out of the room with the other three of his group.    

> Chapter 6 - Rescue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rescue

The small group sat on the sky chariot as the guards hooked themselves up to the front. Pete stood leaning on the side of the chariot. He turned around when a hoof poked him in the back. He turned around and saw Twilight standing on the ground.

“You sure you’re okay with this?” She asked him.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he responded.

“I saw you recoil when the princess said my brother was coming with you. I just want you to know that he isn’t going to betray you, and you better not let that fear cloud your judgment.” Twilight said to him.

“Trust me I won’t. I don’t like leaving anyone behind. The only reason that I’ve been able to make it this far is by keeping myself focused on that one virtue. It makes me believe that I’m better than my brother. It lets me believe that I won’t become him.” Pete said to her. It seemed to appease her and she nodded walking away. Matt soon walked up past her and got onto the chariot next to Pete.

“I’ve been talking with the head smith. He says that they should be able to make more bullets. They won’t be as effective as our original, but they’ll do their job.” Matt said to him.

“That’s good. We won’t have to worry as much about conserving ammo as much now that we have a decently steady way to get more. Anything else?” Pete asked.

“Yes actually. They volunteered to make us some armor so that we would have more protection. I told him that once we get back we can come down for fitting.” Matt answered and Pete nodded.

The guards shouted from the front that they were set up and ready to go. Pete and Matt went and took their seats near the back of the chariot. Shining Armor and his squad were already seated and soon the guards in front started to run. Pete looked at the guards in front and noticed something about them, all of them had wings. Pete started to question why and soon a thought came to mind.

“Hey Armor” He said to the captain, who turned to look at him. “Why exactly is this called a sky chariot?”

Shining Armor smiled. “Well that’s simple.” He said as the guards in front all spread their wings and the chariot left the ground. “The chariot flies.”

Pete soon found himself getting very queasy. “Good to know.” He said covering his mouth. “I’m just gonna go stand back here” he said standing up and moving near the railing. Soon enough the rest of the occupants were trying to ignore the noise of Pete empting his stomach of his breakfast. Pete then came back over and sat down his head in his hands.

“Feel better?” Jay asked sarcastically.

“Shut up.” Pete said weakly. To which Jay started to chuckle loudly.

“Not good with flying?” Armor asked.

“More like never done it before.” Pete responded rubbing his head.

“Don’t worry, the first flight is always the worst.” Shining Armor said smiling at Pete. “I’m sure you’ll feel better pretty soon.”

“Hold that thought.” Pete said as he stood up and moved to the side of the chariot again empting his stomach again. “I think I’m just gonna stand over here for the rest of the way.” He said to them letting the edge of the chariot support him.

The chariot ride was relatively short given the distance to Ponyville. The chariot landed near the edge of the town and the small group got off. Pete jumped off quickly eager to get off the chariot. He started to look around.

“Something’s not right.” He said.

“Yeah, where are all the zombies?” Matt asked taking his shotgun off his back.

“Isn’t it a good thing they’re not here?” Shining Armor asked.

“No, it’s not.” Pete answered. “If they’re not here it means they’ve found something worth going after. Most likely food.”

“You mean they found the group we were sent here to get?” Armor asked.

“That’s a possibility, but more likely they found the Wonderbolts.” Pete told him. “Why else wouldn’t they be here when we landed?”

“We need to find them.” Armor said and Pete gave a nod. Armor turned to the guard and pointed to the ponies who had been pulling the chariot. “Get airborne see if you can see anything, report back within five minutes about what you saw.” The guards gave a salute and took off into the air.

Pete took out a small knife and started into town. “I’m going to look around on foot, Matt you’re in charge.” Matt gave a nod, but Shining Armor shook his head.

“You can’t just go.” The captain said.

“Listen I’ve got experience with them. I’m small and quiet, and since they operate mostly of sound to find food I’m the best choice. I know how to take care of myself.” Pete said to him starting into the town. Armor was about to go after him, but Matt put his hand in front of the Shining and shook his head. Shining gave in and turned back to his men waiting for the scouts to return.

In around five minutes both Pete and the guards returned from their scouting. The guards gave the first report. “Sir, we’ve located the Wonderbolts. They’re currently flying over the Everfree from a group of infected pegasi.” Shining nodded and turned to Pete.

“Well, they found the Wonderbolts, but I found the unicorns and earth ponies. Turns out the group we were sent here for did get noticed. They’re currently trapped in a small café surrounded by zombies.” 

Shining grimaced. “That means that there are two groups that need saving. We’ll need to split up.”

Pete nodded. “The four of us will go and help the civilians. The rest of you can go and help the Wonderbolts.”

Shining thought and then finally nodded. “Alright, I can’t say I like it, but there aren’t many other choices. All right I want all pegasus in the air. Get the Wonderbolts attention and lead them towards us. We’ll take out the infected as they follow them. Remember, aim for the head.” Shining said and Pete smiled his lessons were getting through.

Pete then turned signaling for his group to follow into the town, and for a moment it was like they weren’t in another universe. For a moment it was just like things used to be…and then Matt opened fire on the group of zombies tearing many of the ones in front to shreds. The zombies now finding a new food source turned away from the building and started after the two who were running away. Pete and Liz sat in an alley waiting for the herd to run by before they left the alley and started towards the building. Pete walked up to the door and turned the handle, and found the door unlocked. Pete opened the door and walked into the dark building. He took out a flashlight and turned it on. He pointed the light around and saw the small group of ponies huddling in the corner. He put a finger to his mouth telling them to be quiet and ushered them out. Liz walked out of the building and turned to Pete.

“I’m going to search the building through. Get them back to the chariot.” He whispered to her. She nodded and started off with the ponies to the edge of town. Pete turned back into the building. He searched through the cabinets for any type of food throwing any he found into his pack. He turned toward the door and found a zombie waiting in the doorway. He backed up taking out his knife. He would’ve taken the zombie out quickly, but as the zombie filled through the door it was followed by another, then another, and another. Pete grimaced and started to back away. He would be able to slip through without notice if he didn’t make any noise. As he thought this his pack hit a pot on the stove and it fell to the floor with a clang. He grimaced and looked over as he saw the zombie start to shuffle quickly in his direction. Thinking quickly he ran forward and shoved his knife through the zombie’s skull. He pulled his knife out and turned to the others. He saw a small opening in them and started to run through to get through the door, but his foot caught on a broken floorboard and he tripped. As he landed he felt a sharp pain. He tried to stand up, but his leg screamed in pain. He looked back and saw his leg had been impaled with part of the broken floor. A small chunk of wood was partially embedded in his leg which was bleeding all over the floor. The zombies smelling the blood found themselves drawn towards the downed man. Pete closed his eyes hoping not to see himself eaten. He heard a loud thud and a splatter along with the sound of hoof steps. He opened his eyes again and found himself in a small shield. He turned to his side and saw Shining Armor standing next to him, his horn glowing with power. Shining looked around and grimaced. He knew he couldn’t fight them all off.

Shining turned to Pete and saw his leg. He started to grind his teeth trying to think of a way out. Finally he turned to Pete. “I’m sorry Pete, this is probably going to hurt.” Shining Armor said to Pete.

Pete’s eyes grew and he started to sweat. His mind kept flashing back to his brother. ‘No, not again, please not this again.’

> Chapter 7 - Pain
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pain

Pete gave a yelp of surprise and pain and he found himself lifted up off the floor. He gave another yell of pain as he found his body thrown on top of Shining Armor. Armor then took off at a gallop towards the door. Pete groaned as he was thrown up and down as Shining ran, but he always stayed on Shining’s back.

Somewhere along the way Pete’s vision blacked out and when he came too again Matt and Jay were helping to lift him into the chariot. Pete closed his eyes, his first flight wasn’t so good, he didn’t want to be awake for this one.

Pete awoke to Matt shaking him. Pete looked down to his leg and saw that the wood was still embedded in his leg. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths calming his nerves. He looked back to Matt who indicated over to his right. Pete followed his gesture and saw Canterlot they were just coming in for landing. Pete turned his head back up to the sky and watched as the clouds went by. The sudden jarring told Pete that they had landed. He heard Shining Armor call out to get a medical squad and a large stretcher. Pete heard the loud gasp from beside the chariot and turned his head and saw Twilight standing near the railing her hoof over his mouth. Pete tried to give her a reassuring smile, but instead grimaced in pain as he was lifted over the railing and onto the stretcher. The stretcher was lifted with magic and started off in the direction of the clinic.

Pete was brought into the clinic and immediately the few doctors they had were alongside his stretcher heading to a surgery room. Before the doors shut behind him he saw Shining Armor standing in the hall talking to Twilight. He didn’t see any more as the door shut behind him. There was soon a mask over his mouth and he lapsed into a forced sleep.

The three humans stood in the waiting room with the purple mare and her brother. Twilight as pacing back and forth in a state of panic. It was obvious that she was holding back tears as best she could. Matt reached down and put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about Pete he’s a tough guy. It will take more than a hurt leg to get rid of him.”

“How can you say that?” Twilight asked him. “You saw his injury you saw all that blood. How can you just say he’s going to be okay?”

“Trust me we’ve been through worse with less.” Matt said to her. “Back where we come from there are no more hospitals. We’ve had some pretty bad injuries and we’ve made it through even without medical help.”

“Like when you shot Pete.” Jay said with a chuckle.

“WHAT?!” Twilight asked loudly.

“He disguised himself as a zombie to slip past them. Of course I thought that he was one of them.” Matt said to Jay.

The room was silent until the door to the surgery room opened and a single pony walked through. It was a pegasus with a yellow coat and a light pink mane. Upon seeing the mare Twilight ran up and embraced her saying. “Fluttershy.”

“Oh, uh Twilight.” The mare said returning the embrace.

The two broke apart and then Twilight spoke. “So how is he?”

“He’s resting right now. We removed the wood and bandaged the wound. We’ve have a few medical unicorns accelerating the healing process, but I do have one question… What exactly is he, I mean, if you don’t mind me asking.” The shy pegasus said.

“He’s a human.” Matt said gaining the attention of the small pegasus, who froze as she stared at the creature towering over her. Matt looked down at her. “Liz I think that you might need to do the talking.”

The small women nodded and went up to the pegasus crouching down to her level. “Hi, I’m Elizabeth Fortune. Who are you?” she asked with a smile.

The pegasus calmed down and looked at Liz. “I’m Fluttershy.” She said retreating into her mane.

“Well Fluttershy, it’s very nice to meet you. We just wanted to thank you for taking care of our friend.” Liz said.

“Oh, he-he’s your friend?” Fluttershy asked. Liz nodded in return. “Well, we could use your help if you don’t mind.”

“What is it?” Liz asked.

“Well, he’s lost a lot of blood and he’s going to need a transfusion. He’s not a pony so we don’t know if anything we have will help him. It would help if one of you could donate blood, I mean if you’re okay with that.”

“Well, we would, but we don’t know what type of blood he has.” Liz said sadly.

“Well that’s easy enough.” Jay said. “Just get me a sample and I can tell you what type of blood he has.” Now everybody in the room was looking at him surprised. “What telling what type of blood someone has is pretty simple if you’ve been to medical school.” Jay said with a smile.

“You went to medical school?” Matt asked with a bit of surprise.

“Yeah, that I did.” Jay said with a laugh.

“Okay please follow me then.” Fluttershy said returning to the room and Jay followed behind her.

Fluttershy and Jay emerged a short time later. “Okay I’ve got good news and bad news.” He said to them. “The good news is that I was able to tell what type of blood he has. The bad news is that he has O-negative blood. That means he can only get blood from another O-negative. I’m going to assume that neither of you two have 0-negative because I’m A-positive.”

“B-positive” Liz said.

“AB-positive” Matt said.

Jay sighed. “That means none of us can donate.”

“Well, um, I’m O-negative.” Twilight said.

Matt looked skeptical and asked. “Is it even the same classification?”

“Well, I looked at some of the small samples of pony blood they have here, and they do follow the same classification. Although even if it is the same classification I don’t know if cross species donations would work, or if his body would reject it violently.” He looked to Fluttershy. “Do you think he would he be able to make it without the transfusion?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “He’s lost too much blood. Without a transfusion the best case is that he goes into a coma.” She answered.

Jay sighed. “Well, it looks like we don’t really have any options.” Jay said looking at Twilight. “Come on we’ll get you hooked up.” He said walking through the doors the two mares following him. The three others waited outside.

A while later the three emerged from the room Twilight rubbing a bandage on one of her legs. “Well the transfusion’s done. Now all that’s left is to hope that Pete pulls through.” Jay said to the rest of them.

Shining nodded. “We should probably go then.” He said and the rest of the group nodded following him out.

In the dining hall the eight there sat in three different groups. Jay, Liz, and Matt sat at the end of the table eating a few of the cans of beans they had saved. Shining Armor and Princess Luna sat at the head discussing the latest mission. Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rainbow were in the middle of the table catching up. The sudden crashing sound from outside got all their attention. The door to the dining room opened suddenly revealing a very annoyed looking Pete wearing a t-shirt and shorts. On his right arm was a nurse trying to pull him back as well as another nurse on his good leg. He turned to the two of them. “I don’t care if I’m not allowed to go anywhere! I’m hungry and I’m not going to get stuck eating hospital food!” He told them loudly shaking them off and hobbling over to the table and sitting down with the small group of humans and taking one of the cans of beans.

Matt gave a soft chuckle. “Good to have you back Pete.”

Pete gave a small nod. “So who was it that gave the transfusion? I saw the blood bag when I woke up. I didn’t know that any of you were O-negative too.”

“We aren’t” Jay said smiling.

Pete looked confused. “Then who gave the transfusion?” he asked.

“Um, that was me.” A voice behind him said. He turned and saw Twilight standing there.

Pete looked even more confused. “So… how does that work? I’ve got pony blood running through my veins?”

“That’s about right.” Jay said taking another bite of the beans.

“Oh and this is the real kicker.” Liz said gaining Pete’s attention. “Jay is apparently a doctor. Went to medical school and everything.”

Pete looked at Jay who was smiling very big and then turned to the rest. “Yeah, that’s the line.” He said getting confused glances from those around him. “Too much, it’s too much. Doctor, blood, leg, head. Too much. I think I’m-Eeyup. Blacking out!” and with that Pete fell down his consciousness gone and his body grateful for the rest. 

> Chapter 8 - Side-Effects
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Side-Effects

Both the humans and the ponies were gathering in the infirmary. While Pete was resting on a bed in one of the nearby rooms.

“So any chance Pete’s going to sprout a horn and start flinging around magic?” Liz asked sarcastically.

“Personally I don’t know, he might.” Jay answered.

“I was just being sarcastic.” Liz responded.

“Yeah well for all I know that might just end up happening.” Jay said with a serious tone. Both Matt and Liz were a little surprised by Jay’s sudden change. “We’re dealing with an entire different species that not only has little to no similarities to us, but also possesses magic. There’s no telling the possibilities.” Jay told them. “I mean just a few possible options I can think of are that one he dies, two nothing happens, three he actually becomes a pony or four he becomes some sort of hybrid human-pony thing. There’s no telling what might happen.” The few sitting around were passing each other worried glances.

“Ahem.” Those sitting around turned around and looked towards the door. Princess Luna was standing in the doorway. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but there have been some new developments that I need to discuss with all of you.” The Princess said to the group.

“What’s up?” Jay questioned.

“Some scouts have returned with a troubling report. I’m still waiting for Shining Armor to gather some of his troops. I’ve asked him to meet me in the throne room once he’s gathered his remaining forces. I would like you all to join us there.” Luna answered.

“What about Pete?” Liz asked.

“I wouldn’t worry. I’m sure that Fluttershy and our doctors will take good care of him in you absence.” Luna told them.

They nodded with a few worried glances and started with Luna towards the throne room. They arrived shortly later meeting Shining Armor already inside along with Rainbow Dash.

“Princess, what’s the news you wished to tell us?” Jay asked.

“It is regarding the infected.” The princess answered. “I’ve been receiving reports from some of our scouts that the infected have been moving closer and closer to the castle. If they continue in the direction they’re going a large group will reach the castle sometime in the next week.”

“It would probably be very problematic if they reached the castle.” Matt said

“I’ll say, you should’ve seen the size of just one of the herds I’ve scouted.” Rainbow said. “I’d say that the largest I’ve seen is probably somewhere above a hundred.”

“And that’s only one of the herds? That could be very troublesome if multiple reached the castle.” Liz said

“So…What do we do about it?” Jay asked.

“I was hoping you could tell us.” Luna answered. “As you have proven before. You have more experience dealing with them than we do.”

“Well then you’re out of luck.” Matt said. “Out of the four of us Pete’s always the one who came up with a plan. The rest of us just try not to get spotted, and if we do get seen we just run and keep on shooting until we’re safe.”

“Well, that’s just a wonderful plan.” Twilight said sarcastically.

“Hey, before we found Pete it was working out pretty well.” Matt said to her.

Twilight was about to counter but the doors opening to the throne room interrupted her. The group turned to see Fluttershy walking into the room.

“Fluttershy, what are you doing here?” Twilight asked.

“Oh well, you see, Pete just woke up and he’s asking to leave the clinic. I told him that he needs to rest. He told me to come here and ask you.” Fluttershy answered.

“Well I agree with your judgment.” Luna told her. “He definitely needs time to rest, and I think-” Luna started but was interrupted as the doors to the room opened a second time. This time with Nurse Redheart walking into the room.

“That’s it! I’m done! You can deal with him!” Nurse Redheart said loudly pointing to the door showing a smirking Pete. Nurse Redheart looked at the three humans. “I feel for you. I don’t know how you’ve dealt with him for so long.”

Everyone in the room looked over to Pete who simple chuckled. “I was never planning on listening to the doctors. I just told Fluttershy to go and ask the princess because I didn’t want her to be there when I let loose.”

Now everyone was looking at Nurse Redheart. “What did he do?” Twilight asked.

Nurse Redheart’s eye twitched. “He would not shut up. He just kept talking and talking. I didn’t even know some of the things he talked about. What the hay are eighteen wheelers, firearms, and google?! Furthermore what did any of the things he said have to do with a donkey!?”

“I was only gone for a few minutes.” Fluttershy said.

“Well as far as I’m concerned that was way too long.” Redheart said. “If you’ll excuse me I’m going to get some painkillers and take a nap.” She said walking out of the throne room leaving Pete with the others.

“So, what’s on the agenda?” Pete asked.

The princess sighed. “I’m tempted not to tell you, but I’m a bit more concerned that you’ll find out anyways and go off on your own.”

Pete thought for a moment. “Yeah, that sounds like me.”

The Princess sighed with a small smile and shook her head. She then walked over to the side of the throne room were a table was set up. The rest of those around gathered around the table.

“Alright, we’ve spotted many herds of infected heading towards the castle. We need to find some way to keep them from attacking the castle.” Luna said to him.

Pete thought for a moment. “I remember seeing a bell tower in the town we went to before. If we go there and ring the bell loud enough if should attract even the groups far away.” Pete said.

“We could use a sound magnification spell to amplify the sound.” Twilight said.

“That should work.” Pete said reaching down and taking a sip from a glass of water. Pete looked at all those around who were now staring at him. “What?”

“Pete… that glass of water was sitting on the other side of the table.” Liz told Pete.

Pete looked at the glass in his hand. He thought back to when he walked up to the table. He remembered that the glass had been sitting next to Luna when he approached the table, but he was standing on the other side of the table. How did it get over to his hand? “How- how did I get this?” He asked.

“It moved on its own.” Matt answered him. “It glowed black and just moved.”

“Just like a levitation spell.” Twilight told them.

“Okay so a pony moved the water over to my side?” Pete asked.

“Pete, neither Twilight nor I have a magic aura that looks like that, and there’s no other pony that can use magic here.” Luna said to him.

“What does that mean?” Pete asked.

“It means that it wasn’t a pony that used the magic.” Twilight answered.

“So if it wasn’t a pony, what used the magic?” Pete asked.

“Pete, I think it was you.” Liz told him.

“M-me? How could I use magic? I’m just a human. I can’t use magic.” Pete responded.

“Yes a human, a human that has the blood of a unicorn running through his veins” Jay said with a smirk.

Everyone looked back and forth between Pete, Jay, and Twilight.

“Are you saying that because Pete has some of my blood, he can use magic?” Twilight asked.

“That appears to be the case?” Jay answered.

“That’s not possible. I- I can’t use magic. I mean I’m just- just me.” Pete said backing into a wall to support himself.

“I agree, that goes against every form of logic. Unicorn blood has been transfused into Earth Ponies and it’s never given them any form of unicorn magic.” Twilight said.

“Yeah, well if you’ll notice. We’re not really your average pony.” Jay said smiling.

Pete moved away from the wall walking back over to the table and leaning on the side of it. “I think that this is going to be a lot for me to get used to.” He said.

“I think for more than just you.” Luna said to him.

“Hey Luna, do you think you could do me a favor?” Pete asked the princess.

“Of course. What is it you would like me to do?” She responded to him.

“Could you tell Nurse Redheart that I apologize for being annoying earlier?” Pete told her.

The princess was skeptical for a moment. “I would think that it would mean more if you told her, but I will tell her for you. Why do you want me to do this though?” she asked.

“Well because I don’t think she’ll be too keen on taking care of me considering the terms of our last meeting.” Pete answered.

“Take care of you? Why would she need to take care of you?” Twilight asked.

“Well, that’s quite simple Twilight.” Pete said as his eyes rolled back in his head and he lost consciousness again.

> Chapter 9 - Recovery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recovery

Once again the group stood in the hospital. Pete was currently sitting in a bed in the corner of the room looking out the window. The rest of the group were standing around in the room.

“So who wants to talk to him about this?” Liz asked.

“I think it should be me.” Twilight answered.

“I’m probably also a valid option.” Jay responded.

“I think I might speak to him as well.” Luna added.

“I’m not sure how well he’ll handle this. He’s dealt with a lot of shit for a long time. I think this might be his breaking point.” Matt said looking over at Pete.

“In the few days he’s been here. He’s been through more than most other ponies go through in their lifetime.” Twilight added.

“I can hear every word you’re saying you know.” Pete said from across the room.

The others looked over at Pete. “We’re sorry Pete, we’re just worried about you.” Twilight said.

“Well don’t be. I- I just need some time alone to think some things over.” Pete said looking out the window.

“But I can’t just leave a friend alone in a time like this.” Twilight said. “Especially considering this is the first time something like this has happened. We could learn so much from this.”

“Wait, you aren’t planning on turning me into some sort of science experiment are you?” Pete asked.

“What?! No I would never do that to one of my friends.” Twilight responded.

“Well, except for that one time when you hooked me up to those machines in your basement Twilight.” A bubbly voice said from somewhere.

Everyone started looking around the room trying to find the voice. Twilight however just rubbed her face with a hoof. “Pinkie that was different.”

“Was it Twilight?” The voice asked.

“Twilight, I’m not hearing voices am I?” Pete asked.

“Pinkie would you please show yourself?” Twilight asked.

“Sure thing Twilight” A very pink mare said suddenly stepping out from apparently behind Twilight.

“How- how is that possible?” Pete asked.

“Don’t ask. Pinkie what are you doing here? It’s been too long.” Twilight said embracing her friend.

“Well I’m here because I heard somepony was all frowny so I wanted to make them smile.” Pinkie said bouncing around the room.

“Twilight should I be worried that I’m losing my sanity?” Pete asked.

“No Pete, it’s just Pinkie being Pinkie.” Twilight answered.

“I think that if that’s her being normal I’m a little scared.” Pete responded.

“I wouldn’t be. Pinkie would never hurt anypony. She just wants to see everypony smiling and happy.” Twilight told him.

“That’s right Petey.” Pinkie said jumping around his bed.

“Please just Pete.” He responded.

“Okay Petey.” Pinkie said.

Pete sighed. “Are you always going to call me that?” he asked.

“Yep, always and forever. It’s just like that time where-” Pete’s eye began to twitch as Pinkie began rambling on about some long story of hers that apparently involved an alligator.

“Stop!” Pete said extending a hand. Pinkie was suddenly forcibly stopped as a black aura surrounded her mouth and it was zipped shut by a zipper. Pete blinked a few times. “Did- did I do that?”

Twilight’s horn lit up and Pinkie’s mouth was unzipped. “Yes I believe you did.”

“Great. All I wanted was a normal life and then the zombies come along, and then just when I start to get used to things all of this happens. I travel to a different universe, meet colorful talking ponies, gain magical abilities. What’s next?” Pete asked putting his head and his hands.

“Oh come on Pete, do you know what I would give to have magic abilities?” Jay asked. “That reminds me, is there any unicorn blood I could get injected into me?”

“We’re not intentionally injecting you with unicorn blood just so that you can get magic.” Twilight told him just slightly annoyed.

On the other side of the room Pete put his head down on his pillow. ”Could you all please just go?” he asked. “I’ve had some rough times these last few days. I’d just like to rest for a while.”

“But Pete-” Twilight began.

“Twilight please, just a day’s rest please.” Pete said calmly.

“…Alright Pete.” Twilight said. “Come on everypony give Pete some time to rest.” With a few complaints from Pinkie, Twilight finally convinced the group to leave.

Twilight was about to leave the room. “Twilight.” Pete said getting her attention. “Do you think that you could tell your brother to come and see me sometime?”

“Of course” Twilight answered. “I’ll tell him the next time I see him.”

“Thanks Twilight.” Pete said with a small smile before putting his head back down and resting his eyes.

The next time Pete was awoken it was the sound of the door opening and shutting. Pete sat up and looked over seeing Shining Armor near the door. Pete raised a hand in greeting.

“Hey Pete.” Armor greeted. “Twilight told me you wanted to see me.”

“Yeah I did” Pete responded. “You see I just wanted to thank you for pulling me out of that house.” Pete told him. “And I also wanted to apologize to you.” This was the point where Armor got confused.

“Apologize?” He questioned.

Pete nodded his head. “Yes apologize. You see before I came here I had some pretty traumatic experiences involving my brother, and I’ve kind of had trust issues because of it. I really misjudged you because of that, and I don’t know if we had been in the other’s position if I would’ve done the same thing.” Pete told him.

“Pete you don’t have to apologize for not trusting me.” Armor told him. “Truth be told I really didn’t trust you.” Armor said with a small chuckle which Pete joined in with. “So if you don’t mind my asking, what did happen with your brother?” Armor asked.

“That’s something I don’t really want to talk about.” Pete answered. “But if you really want to know you can ask Twilight about it. Just by mentioning my brother she’ll know that I’ve given my permission for you to learn about it.”

“Wait, you told Twilight about your past?” Armor asked and Pete nodded.

“Yes I did.” Pete answered. “It was a few days after I arrived. When she followed me to the wall after that training session.”

“Why her?” Armor asked.

“I don’t know. I haven’t even told any of the other’s in my group about it, but something about her just made me tell.” Pete answered.

Armor chuckled. “Yeah, she’s persistent like that.  I’m pretty sure if she wants to know something she’ll find some way to figure it out. Regardless of the difficulty or odds of the task.”

Pete chuckled as well. “I just hope that my new abilities don’t warrant me to become a lab rat.”

“Truth be told I’m interested as well.” Armor told him. “Before this only unicorns have ever been able to use magic.”

“Don’t tell me you’ll support her if she tries to kidnap me in the middle of the night.” Pete said to him.

Armor had a small laugh. “No, she may be my sister, but I would never support kidnapping.” Armor told him. “So what’s it like for you to use magic? How do you control it?”

“No idea. It doesn’t really feel like I’m doing anything. I just kind of feel like I want something and it seems to happen without my knowledge.” Pete answered.

“Could you show me?” Armor asked. “Could you try to use it intentionally?”

Pete shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I could try.” He answered. Pete looked around the room hoping to find something to demonstrate on. He saw a small desk across the room with a small paperweight on it. He reached out his hand pointing his palm at the weight. Slowly it was enveloped in a black aura and started to lift away from the table. Pete gritted his teeth, small beads of sweat forming on his forehead. The weight began to drift away from the table and towards Pete. It was around halfway when Pete gave a small gasp for air and his hand dropped against the bed. The weight lost its aura and began to fall as well before a different aura surrounded it and caught the weight before it hit the floor and broke. Pete was taking deep breaths trying to regain his strength. “It’s a bit harder when I have to think about it”

“Magic is a confusing thing.” Shining Armor said setting the weight back on the table again. “Still for only having magic for a few days you’re showing good progress.”

“You think?” Pete asked.

“Yeah, sometimes it takes weeks for a young foal to learn how to even use a levitation spell.” Shining Armor answered. “Of course then there’s Twilight. She decided she was going learn it in a day. It only took her six hours.”

“…Yeah, that sounds like her.” Pete said with a chuckle. “Anyway I’m sorry for taking up your time. I’m glad we could talk.”

“Don’t worry about it. It was a good talk, and I think that I’ll leave your past alone for now. I don’t really need to know.” Shining Armor told him.

“Fine by me. By the way I’m told I’ll be able to get up and move around by tomorrow morning. I’ll be at the barracks in the afternoon. Don’t be late for training.” Pete said with a smile.

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Shining Armor said over his shoulder as he walked out of the room.

> Chapter 10 - Training
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Training

Pete had been given the full all clear a few weeks ago, and was now allowed to go back out on assignments again. He had missed the mission to lure the herds of zombies away from the castle, but with his knowledge and Shining Armor leading the team, the mission was a success. The hordes had turned their attention of Ponyville for the time being. Both pony and human knew this was only a temporary solution and eventually they would have to do something more permanent, but that was for another time. Currently Pete was in the barracks teaching the guards about how to deal with zombies in different situations.

“Sometimes you don’t have the correct equipment to destroy a zombie’s brain.” He said raising his hands showing he had nothing. “If you can’t kill a zombie the only thing you can do is run. Don’t try and hide. They don’t have the best eyesight, but their hearing and smell is much more advanced than any you’ve dealt with before. If you can, run away as fast as you can, take a path that has many sharp turns and changes in elevation. Their muscles and bones are brittle, a good fall could even end with a zombie having broken legs, but don’t think this will stop them. They’ll keep on coming, but they won’t be able to come at you as fast. This gives you time to get away. Even if they’re out of sight keep on running, change your direction though. If a zombie doesn’t know where you are it will keep on going in the direction it knew you were last for a good time.” Pete told them. “Alright class dismissed.” Pete said and the guard began to disperse. Pete gave a depressed sigh and his shoulders slumped. He started off in the direction of the castle.

“What’s got you down?” Shining Armor asked seeing Pete’s depressed state.

“Your sister.” Pete answered, Armor raised an eyebrow at this. “Somehow she decided to become my magic tutor so I could control my new magic. Strangely enough though, for a pony who’s so proficient in magic. She has no idea how to teach anything!” Pete said raising his hands into the air.

Armor started to chuckle. “Are you sure it’s not that you just don’t know how to learn anything?” he asked.

Pete gaze him an angry stare and a loud huff. “I know how to learn perfectly fine, but I’ve found if something just comes to you naturally you don’t typically become a great teacher when you try to teach someone else.”

“So you’re saying since she’s so natural at it, she doesn’t know how to teach it effectively?” Armor responded.

“Put simply, yes.” Pete told him.

“Well good luck to you. I know how she can get sometimes.” Armor said chuckling.

“Hell of a lot that will do for me.” Pete said waving goodbye and continuing towards the castle.

Pete found his way through the hallways until he made his way to the library. He walked in and immediately noticed the purple mare sitting at a desk reading a book. He closed the door behind him loud enough so Twilight could hear it. She looked up and saw him walking over.

“Good you’re here. Ready for today’s lesson?” She asked him.

“As I’ll ever be.” He responded rolling his eyes.

“Hey, at least try to take this seriously.” She told him sternly. Pete simply sighed and nodded his head. “Good let’s start where we left off. The history of magic. Magic has been in the unicorn lineage for longer than-” Twilight began to lecture.

Pete simply spaced out as he always did. He didn’t see how being lectured about the history of magic was going to help him use it any time soon. Pete began to do what he always did during these lessons. Continuing where he left off at the ‘Daring Doo’ books he began to count all the books in the bookshelf in front of him. Currently he was at four hundred and thirty six.

“HEY!” Twilight shouted breaking him out of his counting. “Are you even paying attention?”

“No” Pete answered.

“How do you expect to learn anything if you don’t pay attention?” She asked.

“I don’t know. How do you expect me to learn how to use magic from its history?” Pete countered.

Twilight simple bit her lip and started to look around wildly. “I don’t know, okay!” she told him forcefully. It surprised Pete a little as she was normally so calm. “I’ve never tried to teach anything before. I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’m normally the one trying to learn something.”

Pete now realized that Twilight didn’t know what she was doing. She’s always tried to learn everything. Now that she’s the one teaching, she’s trying to teach everything. He chuckled lightly. “Twilight, why didn’t you just say you didn’t know how to teach?” Pete asked her.

“I don’t know.” Twilight answered putting her head in her hoofs. “I just thought I would be able to do it. I guess I was wrong.”

Pete walked around the table and put a hand on her shoulder. “Twilight, no one person can do everything.” He told her.

“Well I feel that I should at least be able to do this. Magic is my special talent.” Twilight told him.

“Yes, learning magic.” Pete responded. “If you put your mind to it you could learn any spell you wanted to. Teaching is a whole different concept altogether.”

“So what would you do?” Twilight asked.

“Pardon?” Pete responded.

“What would you do in my position?” Twilight elaborated.

Pete thought for a good while before coming up with a good answerer. “How should I know?” He said with a smile. Twilight punched him in the arm. Pete simply chuckled.

“You’re not being very helpful.” Twilight told him.

“Well I’m not trying to be.” He responded.

“Are you ever going to stop being a pain in my side?” Twilight asked.

“Previous experiences point to no.” Pete answered.

Twilight sighed and reached over to pick up a glass of water and have a drink. However, just as she was about to grab the glass it was surrounded in a black aura and moved just out of her grasp. Twilight got an annoyed look and reached for the glass again only for the process to repeat. Twilight was mid-reach when she realized what was happening. She quickly looked up at Pete who had his hand outstretched towards the glass and it also had a dim black aura surrounding it. Pete let his hand drop and let out a breath.

“You did it!” Twilight said ecstatically.

Pete was gathering his breath. “Yes, yes I did.” He said slightly short of breath. “Can I go get something to eat now?”

“Absolutely not.” Twilight answered. “We’re finally making some progress here, and I don’t plan on losing this opportunity.”

Pete sighed. “Fine, so what did you have in mind?” He asked.

“I suppose first question being, do you know what you did?” Twilight responded.

“I used a levitation spell to move the glass a few inches.” Pete said unsure of himself.

“Good, now do you know how you did it? What did it feel like?” Twilight asked.

“It didn’t really feel that unusual. I just felt what I would feel if I moved the glass normally, granted to was definitely more tiring than just moving it with my hand.” Pete told her.

“That’s probably just because you aren’t used to using magic just quite yet.” Twilight said scribbling some notes on a pad of paper. “I think the next thing to do would be to see if you can do it again?”

Pete nodded and looked at the glass of water again. He extended his hand again and the same black aura began to form around it. The aura was very dim, but it was still there. The glass of water started to glow as well. It was a constant flickering, the aura’s intensity was constantly changing. Eventually the aura became steady and the glass began to move slightly along the surface of the table. Pete let out a breath he had been holding and closed his eyes. Bringing his hand back he began to rub his temples. “I think that’s just about all I’ve got in me for today.” He told Twilight. “Damn my head hurts.”

“That’s probably a magical backlash. Your body and mind still only have a limited source of energy. Use it up and it could give you some pretty severe migraines depending on the power of the spell you’re trying to use.”

Pete gave a small smile still rubbing his head. “See you can be a good teacher once you get a little experience.”

“I know you’re just trying to make fun of me, but right now I’m in a good mood and don’t really care.” Twilight told him.

“Aw, but the reactions are the only reason I try to make fun of people.” Pete responded.

“Well that’s too bad. Now how about we go get something to eat. I’m starving.” Twilight said.

“I’ll second that idea.” Pete said standing up and stretching his arms and legs as he did so. As he did his pant leg rose up a small ways exposing the newly healed scar that took up a good part of his leg. Twilight saw the scar and had trouble looking away from it. Pete noticed and stopped stretching. “You know I never got the chance to thank you.”

“Thank me?” Twilight questioned.

“Yeah, thank you. For saving my life, for teaching me magic, and really just for being there.” Pete told her.

“Well, that’s what friends are for.” Twilight said to him.

“I suppose so, but still I just wanted you to know. It really does mean a lot to me.” Pete said with a small smile.

Twilight gave a small laugh. “Alright come on, let’s go get something to eat now.”

“I won’t complain.” Pete responded following her out of the library and starting towards the dining hall.

> Chapter 11 - Betrayal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Betrayal

Pete and Twilight entered the dining room that was already occupied by a few others in the room. Matt was discussing battle strategies with Armor with Rainbow listening in nearby. Elizabeth was talking with Rarity and Fluttershy enjoying finally being able to have a conversation with another girl. Jay was sitting at the table with Pinkie, both of them staring intently across the table at the other.

“What are you two doing?” Pete asked as he walked next to them.

“SHH!” Jay said raising a hand to Pete’s face. “We’re having a staring contest I need to concentrate.” Pete rolled his eyes and walked away leaving the two to their staring contest.

Pinkie sat across from Jay smiling her large smile, seemingly unaffected by her eyes being open for as long as they had been. A hoof tapped Jay on the shoulder. “Not now.” He said. The hoof kept tapping his shoulder. “I said not now.” He said getting slightly annoyed.

“Well fine you meany pants.” Pinkie said from behind Jay.

“Thank you Pin-” Jay started but stopped. He turned his head and saw Pinkie standing behind him, looking back he saw the other Pinkie still staring at him. “………. Wha-?”

The Pinkie behind Jay walked over to the other and pulled out a needle. She poked the other Pinkie and a loud pop was heard as the balloon Pinkie started to fly around the room deflating at the same time. The balloon’s remains landed on Jay’s head as he looked at the new Pinkie. “But I- You were-… Ah to hell with it, that was a good one.” He said his smile returning.

“I thought you’d like it.” Pinkie said with her signature smile.

On the sound of the door opening all the room’s occupants looked towards the door. Princess Luna walked through with a few Lunar Guard close behind.

“I agree that this does not bode well, thank you for the report Lieutenant, you’re dismissed.” Luna said to one of the guard who gave a salute and left the room.

“What’s going on now?” Jay asked. “Did the zombies finally grow brains and learn how to build tanks?”

“Or did they figure out how to use the sky chariots?” Pinkie continued.

“No wait! The must of figured out how to make sky tanks. We’re doomed I say, doomed.” Jay said with his joking attitude a smile, but as he looked towards Luna he lost both those. “Not the time for a joke is it?”

“No it’s not.” Luna told him here tone being slightly stern. Luna sighed. “I am sorry, I truly wish the news I got could be joked about, but this is a very serious matter.”

“What’s the news?” Pete asked.

“The guard that just gave me the report, was part of the contingent I sent to the Crystal Empire, he had some news about the Empire that was rather disconcerting.

“The Crystal Empire?” Shining Armor asked with concern. “What about Cadence, is she okay?”

“Cadence?” Jay asked.

“Yeah, she’s my wife.” Armor answered. “She’s the ruler of the Crystal Empire.”

“Worry not Captain. The guard reported that Cadence is well, but that may not be the case for long.” Luna told them. “The guard reports that there are large groups of infected around the city. Cadence has a barrier up, but as with the case with Sombra it cannot last forever.”

“Who’s Sombra?”

“Not the time Jay.”

“Sorry Pete.”

“So what are we going to do?” Shining Armor asked. “We have to go and do something.”

“Yes, but the question is what. With the distance to the Crystal Empire a sky chariot wouldn’t be able to get there soon enough.” Luna said.

“Well isn’t there another way to get there?” Jay asked

“Yes, before we used trains to get there, but with the infection the lines have become unusable. So unless anypony here actually knows how to work a train engine we are out of luck.”

“Well…” Both Pinkie and Pete said at the same time.

“Wait… do you both know how to work a train?” Twilight asked.

“Yeppers.” Pinkie said bouncing around.

“Kind of, yeah.” Pete added on.

“How?” Twilight asked.

“I have my ways.” Pete told her.

“Well, you see I already had my party cannon and then I thought. ‘Hmm, how can I make this even better?’ at first I thought of a party carriage, but that had been done before and then the idea just came to my head ‘a party train’. I realized how much fun it would be so to start off I learned how to drive a train. Currently the party train is only in toy stage though.” Pinkie answered Twilight speaking very quickly.

Everyone in the room just watched her. “I’d buy it.” Jay finally said.

“Well alright then, we have two capable of driving the train, but currently the only train line that goes all the way to the Crystal Empire is the Ponyville line.” Luna said.

“Why does it always come back to that place?” Jay asked. The three other humans nodded, but the ponies in the room looked confused. “I mean so far from what’s happened and what I’ve gathered from eavesdropping on conversations everything only happens in Ponyville, I’m pretty sure that it isn’t the only town in the entire world, so why do things only seem to happen there?” He questioned. All the ponies in the room were silent. There really was no way to answer that, everything did only seem to happen in Ponyville.

“Back to the point though. How long will it take to get to the Crystal Empire by train?” Pete asked.

“Depending on conditions it could take a little as a day and a half to three days” Luna answered.

“Alright” Pete said looking up at the others. “We should leave tomorrow morning, at first light.”

“Why wait that long?” Rainbow asked. “Shouldn’t we go as soon as possible?”

“Bad idea.” Jay said. “Zombies are nocturnal.”

“They are?” Twilight asked.

“In a way.” Pete told them. “We have noticed that they do become more active at night, so it’s best to avoid going out into infected territory during the nighttime.”

“So that’s why we are going to leave tomorrow morning so they have time to become less active?”

“Precisely… Wait we?!” Pete responded.

“Yeah, I’m going with.”

“No, you’re not.” Both Pete and Armor said at the same time.

“And why not, I need to do something. Cadence is my sister-in-law. I can handle myself.” Twilight argued back.

Armor was about to continue, but Pete stopped him. “Twilight tell me. What happened the last time you thought you could handle yourself?”

“What-what do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“If I remember correctly it was the day we met. The day that you almost got killed.” Pete continued.

“Well- I-”

“The day that if Matt hadn’t put a bullet through that zombie’s skull you would’ve been its next meal.” Pete told her bluntly.

‘I- I just-” Twilight started, looking towards the ground.

With a sigh Pete walked over and bent down to Twilight’s height. “I know Twilight, I know. You just don’t want to feel useless.” Pete said with Twilight still looked to the ground. “Twilight you need to understand that this doesn’t just affect you. How do you think your friends would feel if you didn’t come back?”

“That goes two ways, you know?” Twilight responded.

“Huh?” Pete said.

“I’m pretty sure I can speak for everypony when I say that we consider you our friend.” Twilight said with a slight nod from everypony around her. “The same can be said of you. How do you think we would feel if any of you didn’t come back?”

“I wouldn’t know, I haven’t had a friend since this outbreak started.” Pete told her.

“Well what about us? We’re your friends aren’t we?” Twilight asked.

“Maybe to you, but to me. I still don’t have any friends.” The mares all looked to each other in surprise.

“You mean you don’t consider any of us your friend?” Twilight questioned.

“Put bluntly, no not really.” Pete said standing back up. “I worry about you and I want to help you, but like I said. I don’t have any friends.”

“And why not?!” Twilight asked getting slightly angry. “Isn’t that exactly what a friend would do?!”

“Listen, I don’t want any friends. It puts a burden on my when I have to start worrying about coming back.” Pete told her.

“You-you don’t even want to come back?!”

“No, I do want to come back, it’s just that without friends I don’t have to worry about how my actions affect others. I don’t have to focus on keeping myself alive, because I don’t have anything to come back to.”

“How can you say that?!” Twilight asked. “Why would you just ignore the fact that all of us care about what happens to you?!”

“You know my reason Twilight.” Pete told here. “Please just stay here and-”

“No!” Twilight shouted, completely furious now. “I’m not going to let you go and get yourself killed because you don’t consider any of us friends!” She said angrily. “I’m not going to let you ignore what we think just because of your trust issues! You can’t just ignore everypony else, because I think we’ve proven already that no pony here will try to kill you like your brother!!” Twilight finished her rant still furious, every eye in the room was wide, even Pete’s. However his soon turned into a glare at Twilight who was just realizing what she had said. “Pete, I- I’m sorry, I just-”

“Twilight.” Pete interrupted with a bit a malice. “You are going to stay here, that is final. You four.” He said forcefully indicating to Pinkie, Jay, Liz, and Matt. “Gather up everything you need tonight, we leave early tomorrow. Armor, you’re going to stay here and guard Canterlot. If you want any guards to come with us tell them to meet us at the gate before sun up. This conversation is over, there will be no more arguments.” He said as he turned around and started to walk over to the doors. “Every time I start to trust someone.” He muttered under his breath barely audible before leaving the room and slamming the door behind him.

All eyes looked back to Twilight who had fallen onto her haunches and had the beginnings of tears in her eyes. Shaking her head quickly she regained some composure and left the room quickly hoping to catch up to Pete.

> Chapter 12 - Rail Trip
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rail Trip

Pete woke up the next morning before first light in his room groggy. After he had returned to his room Twilight had followed him and kept trying to apologize through the locked door. After some time, she stopped and Pete assumed she left to go to her own room. With a sigh Pete got himself out of bed and started preparing himself. Opening the wardrobe that was in his room Pete saw the light iron armor that sat near the bottom. In some of their down time they had gone down to the smithy and had it made to their specifications. He reached down and picked it up, the armor was as light weight it could be without sacrificing too much durability. Pete started to get into the armor, he made sure to spend some time getting accustom to putting it on and removing it when they got the armor from the smiths. He had finished suiting up he made sure his movements weren’t hindered too much. He checked the inside of his gauntlet to make sure that his combat knife was still secured, and tightened his belt that his new sword and sheath attached to it. He had to admit the smiths sure knew their metalwork.

Pete took the helmet out from the wardrobe and held it in the crook of his elbow as he opened the door to his room and walked into the hall. He started to turn down the hall to the main room, but a small blur of purple out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. Turning his head he saw Twilight laying in the hallway next to his door, fast asleep.

“I guess you never did go back to your room.” He said to himself. With a sigh he slipped his helmet onto his head and picked up the mare from the floor. “Uff, Heavier than you look.” Walking a short ways down the hall he stopped when he reached Twilight’s room. Opening the door he walked in and laid Twilight down onto her bed. Taking his helmet back off his head he left the room and continued on his way to the main hall.

Pete entered the main hall and saw Pinkie, Matt, Jay, Liz, and around seven guards waiting there. “Alright is everyone here?” He asked.

“Yes sir, the rest of the guard are to remain here while we go to assist you.” One of the guards said stepping forward.

“Good” Pete said with a nod. “Let’s start off, we need to get to Ponyville as early as we can.”

“We’ll take one of the sky chariots.” A guard said starting towards the outside.

Pete followed behind with a grimace and a sigh.

The flight to Ponyville was short and the small contingent of guards that had brought them there in the chariot returned to Canterlot soon after, leaving the four humans, Pinkie, and the seven guards. “Which way to the train station?” Pete asked Pinkie

“It’s on the northern edge of the town.” She said in her cheery manner.

With a nod Pete started into the town, followed by the others. The town seemed free of zombies with only a few pockets every now and again.

“Something isn’t right.” Pete said. “The zombies shouldn’t have dispersed so quickly since we lured them away from Canterlot.”

“Even then, there should still be more than this.” Matt said getting a nod from Pete.

“What do we do then?” The head guard asked.

“Something obviously drew their attention away from here. Whatever it was, we should use it to our advantage to get to the train station.” He answered before turning to Pinkie. “You’re sure the train is still here?” He asked.

“It was here when we evacuated the town so I can’t imagine why not.” Pinkie answered her mane slightly deflated.

“Good, we don’t want to have come all this way only to find the train isn’t here.” He said starting to walk off.

“Hey Petey.” Pinkie started. Pete turned around to face her, she had a sad look. “Are you sure you’re-”

“If this is about what Twilight said yesterday I’m not going to talk about it.” He said turning his back to her. The other three humans all gave worried looks and Pinkie’s mane deflated even more.

They found the train station easily with no problems. Pete stepped onto the train, it was an old fashioned coal train like he had expected to find. He made his way from the caboose to the engine checking each car carefully making sure it was truly empty. Once his search was done he motioned for the others to get on.

“Matt head back to the second passenger car and unhook it from the first, we won’t need the extra cars to slow us down.” Matt left the engine with a nod. Pete turned to the guards. “You all find some shovels and make sure the engine has a good supply of coal to keep it going.” The guards saluted and went to their assigned post. “Liz you’re going to stay back with Matt and the guards for protection, Jay you’re staying up here with Pinkie and me.” The two nodded and Liz left the engine. “Let’s get this train running again.” He said turning to Pinkie who nodded. The two of them started going over the controls and gauges on the train checking to make sure everything was within operating range.

“All right then, let’s get this thing rolling.” Pete said as he pulled a lever out of its back position and the brakes were heard releasing. Pete started to turn a few wheels while Pinkie flipped switches on the control panel. Every so slowly the train’s wheels started to turn and the train began its journey to the Crystal Empire.

Pinkie sat down in conductors chair and started spinning around in it still using the controls as she did so. Pete stepped out of the compartment and onto the front of the train. Looking back he saw Liz and Matt on the back car of the train. “HAVE THE GUARDS TAKE SHIFTS SHOVELING, AND THE OTHERS REST IN THE PASSENGER CAR. NO TELLING WHEN WE’LL NEED SOME FULLY RESTED FIGHTERS!” Pete shouted back to them over the train. The two gave a short nod and left his vision. He turned his attention forward keeping a watchful eye ahead.


~~~Seven Hours Later~~~


The sun was around midway in the sky. The train was still chugging away. So far there had been no interruptions in their progress. A few zombies were scattered around, but they either were too slow to catch the train, or too slow to get out of the way. Pete and Pinkie had been switching off control and lookout ever hour and a half. Pete was out front currently.

“PINKIE BRAKES NOW!!” Pete suddenly shouted at her, she responded quickly pulling the emergency brake, making the train screech to a stop.

Pete jumped off of the train and took out a pair of binoculars.

“What’s going on, why’d we stop suddenly?” Matt asked as he jumped down next to Pete.

“Looks like we were going to be a bit late getting to the Empire.” Pete said handling Matt the binoculars.

Matt took them and followed he rails down. “Is that another train?” Matt asked.

“Overturned and crashed yes.” Pete responded.

“Also surrounded by hordes of zombies.” Matt added on lowering the binoculars.

The others had made their way down standing next to the two. “Alright, we’re going to need a distraction, this rail only goes between Ponyville and the Empire, so if there’s another train here that means it came from there. Looks fresh too, so if the zombies are still outside of the cars, there may be some survivors.” Pete told them.

“So how do we get the infected away from the cars?” The head guard asked.

Pete turned to Matt. “Did the smiths complete that project we asked about?” He questioned. Matt smiled and pulled out a small cylinder. “Perfect.” Pete said smiling as well.

“What’s that?” Jay asked

“Something that makes our job a whole lot easier.” Pete told him.

“Now we just need to find a way to get it all the way over there while remaining a far distance away.

“Well, that’s easy silly. We can use this.” Pinkie said as she pulled a small very pink cannon off of the train.

Pete’s eye started to twitch. “You did not get on the train with that.” He stated.

“Of course not, but I have them stashed all over Equestria in case of emergency.” She told him.

Pete took a few breaths. “All right, aside from my building insanity, this is looking up.” He said rubbing his temples. “How accurate are you with that?”

“Pretty accurate.” Pinkie told him.

Pete extended his hand and Matt placed the cylinder in his hand. “Do you think you can get this passed the train car?”

Pinkie took the cylinder and tested its weight. “Easily.” She told him.

“Good, Then get ready to fire, we have limited time.” He told her.

Pinkie nodded and fiddled around with the cannon a little. “All ready to fire.”

Pete flipped a small red switch on the cylinder and a red light started to flash with a beep accompanying each flash. Pete used his finders to pull a small string out of the top of the cylinder, and taking a lighter started the string on fire. “Fire this quickly.” He said handing it to Pinkie who threw it into the barrel of the cannon and fired it quickly. The small cylinder flew through the air beeping loudly. The zombies around the train looked up as the cylinder flew over their head. They began to follow the sound of beeping as the cylinder landed a ways away from the train.

“Oh, so it’s made to distract the infected?” One of the guards asked.

“Well, that’s step one.” Pete answered.

“What’s the seco-”

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*

“Let’s go, I want that train car open yesterday.” Pete said running towards the train his armor clanking lightly as he did so.

> Chapter 13 - The Long Road Back
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Long Road Back

The small group approached the train. Pete, Matt, and the guards used their blades and killed any stragglers that didn’t chase after the bomb. Pete and Matt walked to the overturned train.

“Looks like it derailed from a broken track.” Matt said looking at the rails.

“Yeah, I guess it’s a good thing we stopped or this could have been us.” Pete responded.

“But then you have to look at it the other way.” Matt said.

“Yeah, this line only goes to two places, so who is on it and why?” Pete asked.

“Only one way to find out.” Matt answered as he took a grip on the side of the train car and pulled himself on top of it so he could reach the door. He reached down and pulled Pete up to the side.

“Looks jammed.” Pete said as he looked at the mangled door.

Matt gave it an experimental tug. “Yeah, that’s real twisted up.” He said.

Pete leaned over the side. “Pinkie, head back to the train and see if there are any tools in the supply boxes we could use. Jay, Liz go with her and keep her safe.” He told them. With a few nods they started back towards the train they came on.

“What about us sir?” One of the guards questioned.

“Keep your weapons at the ready, and keep a lookout for any zombies. If you see one don’t rush off and try to kill it though. Stay near the train and only kill the ones that have noticed you and are too close to the train.” He told them.

“Yes sir.” They responded with a salute forming a perimeter around train.

“Pete.” Jay called from the ground. Pete turned and saw Jay toss up a crowbar.

Pete caught it and gave a nod of thanks. He gave it to Matt who stuck it in the small opening of the door and started to pull. With a loud creak and a snap the door was pushed away from the opening. Tossing the crow bar back down Matt and Pete pulled the door open the rest of the way. They immediately covered their noses and gaged slightly.

“Hey Pinkie!” Pete called getting the attention of the mare. “This Princess Cadence, is she an alicorn as well.”

“That’s right.” She answered.

“Well I’ve got bad news, worse news, and good news.” Pete said. “First off, she’s in the train.”

“What’s the bad news?” Pinkie asked.

“That was the bad news.” He told her. “Worse news, the train has a lot of zombies in it.” Pinkie’s mane deflated. “Good news, she’s one of the few left in here that isn’t.” He finished looking into the train. Inside were a lot of guards most impaled on walls and the ceiling by scrap metal, most of them had already turned, but there were a few not impaled that luckily enough hadn’t been fatally injured and hadn’t turned. “Lower me down.” Pete said to Matt. Matt nodded and lowered Pete inside the train. As soon as he came into view the zombies inside started to trash about. Pete walked around observing the ponies that hadn’t turned yet. “Well, they don’t look like they have any fatal injuries so we don’t have to worry about them turning, but it doesn’t look like they’re going to be able to walk, or maybe even wake up.” Pete called up to Matt.

Matt nodded and turned to guards. “Head to the train car, collect as much cloth and wooden boards or sticks that you can find.” He told them. “How many?” Matt asked Pete.

“Looks like four guards and the princess.” Pete answered.  “The guards look like they’ve taken most of the damage, protecting the princess most likely. She may be able to move on her own when she wakes up, but the guards definitely won’t.”

Matt nodded in understanding. “Will we be able to get them out of there without hurting them further?” He asked.

“With enough time yes, we’re going to need to clear out this car first though. Get around four guards to help search it thoroughly.” Pete told him. Matt nodded and pulled up four guards dropping them down into the car with Pete. The five in the car began to clear out the car. Leaving only them and the five who were unconscious. “Matt!” Pete called up seeing the man appear over them through the hole he continued. “Let’s start moving the injured out of the car.”

“Alright you hand them up.” Matt responded setting his rifle next to him.

The process was slow going. Pete picked up a pony and had to reach up high so Matt was able to hold onto them without hurting them. Matt lowered them down to Liz and Jay who put the five down onto the makeshift stretchers they had made.

With Matt’s help Pete and the guards got out of the train car and back onto the ground. “Pinkie.” Pete said getting her attention. “How’s the train looking?” Pete asked.

“Not good.” Pinkie answered. “Since it’s been without the proper maintenance for a while the sudden stop threw the axles off center. We won’t be going anywhere in this anymore.” She said.

Pete sighed. “What does that mean?” Jay asked him.

“It means we’re walking back.” Pete answered.

“WHAT!?” Jay shouted.

“Quiet!” Pete scolded.

“What do you mean we’re walking back?!” Jay asked again a little quieter.

“The trains busted, I’m almost positive no one here has the training or tools to fix it, so either we wait here for a miracle or we start making our way back on foot. I think the choice is rather obvious.” Pete told him.

“But we’ve been traveling for what five-six hours?” Jay responded.

“Seven actually.” Pete told him

“Seven hours travel, by train. It’s probably going to be getting dark in eight or nine hours. How long will it take to make it back just walking and then we’ve got the added weight of the stretchers. We can only go maybe a tenth as fast as the train at best. That’s almost a three day walk if we never stop.” Jay ranted.

“JAY, calm down!” Pete told him. “It’s obviously not the best solution, but it’s the only one we’ve got. We start making our way back now. We’ll stop and make camp when it starts to get dark. Take turns on lookout then move at first light.” Pete said to the group. “Pinkie, Matt, you two will just be walking. Everyone else pair up and take a stretcher.” Pete told them. Pete and Jay walked over and took the stretcher with the princess on it. The others all picked up the guard’s stretchers and they started making their way back down the tracks the way they came.


~~~Seven Hours Later~~~


The group had been walking for a long time now and were beginning to get tired. Pete looked up to the sky. He got everyone’s attention with a whistle.

“We’re going to be setting up camp for the night. I want to get as much shelter as we can before night actually falls.” He told them all setting the princess’ stretcher onto the ground. “Matt do we have any portable tents?”

“I’ve got two on me.” Matt answered. “Enough room for one and a half people each.” He said.

“So around three ponies each?” Pete asked.

“About.” Matt answered.

“Alright get them set up, we’ll put the injured in them.” Pete told Matt. “Everybody else, try and find anything that can burn. We’re going to make a small fire.” The guards nodded and went off to search. “Jay you’ll take first watch, Liz your next, I’ll take next, Matt after me, and we’ll finish up with one of the guards right before sunrise. We’ll take two hour shifts each.” Pete told them. They nodded and each started to set up camp. The guards arrived with the wood and started to build a small fire pit, big enough for slight warmth, but small enough to not be too noticeable. The group sat around the small fire discussing the plan with the guards. One of the guards volunteered to take the final watch and the four explained to him how to be effective at it.

“-Now if you see or hear anything that’s getting to close you-” Pete was saying but he stopped himself. “…Do you hear that?” He asked the group. As they began to listen they heard a small moan coming from inside one of the tents they had set up. Pete drew his sword quietly and went over to the entrance of the tent. With a quick twist of his wrist he used the sword to open the flap of the tent.

Inside the tent the group saw the princess beginning to stir. Pete looked back to the group before reaching out and putting a hand on the princess’ shoulder. “Excuse me, are you okay?” He asked.

“I- I think so.” The princess said groggily moving sluggishly. “Where am-” She stopped speaking as she looked over and saw Pete. Her eyes grew wide and she was suddenly tried to stand up so she could run, but she fell onto the ground.

“Hey, hey. Take it easy.” Pete said helping her stand back up.

“You- I’ve seen your kind before.” She said fearfully.

“yes, yes, the initial infected we’ve heard.” Pete said rolling his eyes. “But tell me, do we look infected to you?” he asked.

“…no.” She answered.

“That’s right, now get some rest. We’re going to be getting up at dawn.” He said.

“Why are you here?” the princess asked still hesitant.

“Luna sent us. We’re here to rescue you.” Pete told her.

“Aunt Luna sent you?” She asked surprised.

“Yes, now get some sleep we need to-” Pete was suddenly cut off by the loud bang of a gunshot that echoed around the camp they had set up. Pete turned his head suddenly and saw a guard sitting on the ground after jumping back from surprise of the gunshot the smoking gun still next to him. 

Pete’s eyes shrunk to pin pricks in anger. “Pack up camp now!” he ordered. Matt, Jay, and Liz complied immediately. The guards and the princess still sat there stunned. The four pulled down the tents and packed them with practiced speed. “We need to move quickly before-” A loud moan was suddenly heard from just outside the camp. Pete turned and saw a zombie walking just outside the perimeter making its way inside. Another growl was heard and Pete turned around seeing another. “…Shit.”

“Pete what’s the call?” Matt said pumping his shotgun.

Pete turned. “Princess, can you run?” he asked.

“I-I don’t know. I-” She was cut off as Pete suddenly reached down and picked her up and put her on his shoulder.

“Now time for guessing.” Pete said. “Matt, Jay, Liz. Get the other injured. We need to leave now.” Each of them nodded and picked up an injured guard with Matt taking two. “Everyone run as fast as you can!” Pete shouted to the guards taking off running as he did. They complied immediately.

The group was sprinting down the train tracks staying just out of reach of the horde chasing them.

Pete suddenly skidded to a stop the group doing the same.

“What’s wrong why are we stopping?” The princess asked.

“Them.” Pete answered looking ahead on the tracks. The princess followed his gaze and saw another horde approaching.

“Shit.” Matt said seeing the horde.

“What do we do?” the princess asked.

“Fight and try not to die.” Pete said putting her onto the ground and drawing his sword.

“You don’t think you can take them all.” The princess said.

“Well it’s either fight or die. I think I like my odds better with the former.” Pete told her.

Pete turned and looked at the massive horde approaching. ‘There are too many of them to take at once.’ He looked to the side. ‘they’re all around us, nowhere to run.’ Pete readied his blade preparing for the first zombie to come within reach… but it never did. Pete was confused the zombies all seemed to be stopped just a few feet away. It was then that he noticed the slight shimmering surrounding the group. Pete looked behind him and saw the princess laying in the middle of the group her horn glowing with energy. ‘a shield spell… effective’ The shield around the group began to crack. ‘for a time.’

“Everyone gather as close as you can to the middle!” Pete shouted. The guards all gathered as close as they could to the center around the Princess. Pete stood at the edge of the shield. He put one of his hands on it. He felt a slight tingling sensation. ‘a wall of magic energy’ he heard a slight gasp behind him. Turning he saw the princess grab her head and her horn’s glow faded away. Pete’s eyes widened and he turned back seeing the shield start to vanish. He threw his hands forward and pressed his palms into the shield, they started to glow with their black aura as he did. The shield began to repair itself and once again formed into a complete shield.

Behind him the princess gasped at seeing the human use magic. Pete looked behind him and looked at the group within the shield. He could feel his energy draining from the shield. He couldn’t keep the shield up forever, he needed to do something. ‘what can I do? I can’t hold this shield forever, and if we’re here when they break through… but we don’t have to be.’ Pete’s mind began to race. Back at the castle Twilight had discussed some of the higher level magic unicorns we’re capable of doing, one came to Pete’s mind. He grimaced, he got migraines just from levitating a glass for too long. He looked around. Not really many choices left.

Pete closed his eyes and his hands began to glow brighter and brighter. “THIS IS GOING TO SUCK!”


~~~Canterlot Castle~~~


“They should’ve sent word by now.” Twilight said pacing around the throne room.

“Calm down Twilight, I’m sure that they are all doing fine.” Luna told her looking over the documents in front of her.

“But Princess I-”

“Come on Twily, you’ve just got to put some faith in them.” Shining said interrupting her. “I’m sure that they’ll all be back before you can say-”

Armor was interrupted by a loud pop and a bright flash blinding everyone in the room. The three blinked their eyes as their vision started to come back. In the center of the room stood the eleven that had left just that morning, an additional five ponies with them as well.

Pete stood in the middle his hands still slightly lit with his aura. Blood was dripping out of his eyes, nose, and ears. “Hey, what do you know?” Pete said coughing slightly, hacking up blood at the same time. “It worked.” He said before falling onto the floor, a slight puddle of blood forming around his head.

“PETE!”

> Chapter 14 - Overdone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overdone

Pete was laying down in the infirmary. In what had been dubbed his room considering it was one of the only with a bed long enough for him. He had multiple wires linked up to IVs giving him fluids while he was incapacitated. The group had returned around three hours earlier. Cadence and the guards had been transported to the hospital as well, but they didn’t have as severe cases as Pete’s. The guards had woken up and were just resting, Cadence had been up and about with Luna after they finished with her checkup. Shining Armor, Twilight, Luna, Cadence, and the other humans were all sitting in Pete’s room waiting for the doctor to return with news of his condition, but they didn’t really need it to know what was wrong with him.

“I don’t believe him!” Twilight ranted. “I told him using those types of spells were too dangerous, but did he listen?! No!”

“Twilight I’m sure he-” Cadence started.

“He what? Is a complete idiot? Well I have to agree with you there.” Twilight interrupted.

Matt stepped towards Twilight and towered over her, causing her to fall silent. “Let me explain something to you.” He said in an intimidating voice. “If Pete hadn’t done what he did, all of us would be dead right now. I don’t want to hear you complaining okay?” He finished telling her.

Twilight was shivering slightly in fear. She had never seen Matt angry like this.

“Matt I swear if you don’t start using your inside voice, I’m going to punch you in the throat. I’m trying to get some rest here.” Everyone in the room turned to face the voice and saw Pete sitting up on the bed. A hand on his head grimacing.

“Sorry Pete.” Matt apologized a slight smile on his face.

“Seriously I know you get angry when someone doesn’t understand what’s needed for surviving, but seriously.” Pete said rubbing his temple. “Oh my head is killing me!”

“That would be magical exhaustion.” Nurse Redheart said walking in.

“Magical what-now?” Pete asked.

“Magical exhaustion, it means you’ve used more of you internal magic than your body can handle.” Redheart explained.

“Like using a long range mass teleportation spell while you’ve still barely even learned how to use a basic levitation spell.” Twilight lectured.

“Not my fault, you’re the one that taught me about it.” Pete countered.

“Saying that I can barely even do it myself, so don’t try and shift the blame to me.” Twilight responded.

“Blah, blah, blah, details, details.” Pete said.

Twilight’s eye began to twitch.

“If you two are done squabbling, can I please give my follow up on Pete’s physical condition.” Jay said walking up beside the bed.

“Fine.” Twilight said walking away from the bed.

Jay took out a few tools and started his checkup.

“Well, pupil dilation is normal, heart rate is a bit high, but acceptable. All in all your physical body is fine, but magic wise I’m not the one to talk to.” Jay told him looking over at Twilight.

She sighed. “From what I can tell the only reason you got hurt in the first place is because you weren’t used to using that much magic at one time. You internal magic was enough for the spell, barely, so there’s no permanent damage to your magic reserves, but some rehabilitation will be necessary. Though I’m honestly surprised, and relieved, I didn’t think you had enough internal supply for the spell.” She said.

“What happens if you don’t have enough supply to cast a spell?” Pete asked.

Twilight grimaced slightly. “Well…the spell ends up working, but… typically the caster doesn’t make it.”

“Oh…well it’s a good thing I got my magic from the most magical unicorn.” Pete said.

Twilight blushed slightly. “I don’t know if I would go that far.” She said with a small chuckle.

“Anyway, I don’t suppose you know anybody who specializes in magic that can help me with that rehabilitation?” Pete joked.

“As a matter of fact yes I do. I already asked Luna.” Twilight told him.

“Good, we can- wait… Luna?!” Pete asked surprised.

“I’m joking.” Twilight said with a smile.

“…Okay you got me.” Pete said with a small laugh. Then he groaned. “Oh man it hurts to laugh!” He shouted grabbing his head.

“Oh my Celestia, I thought you said he was okay!” Twilight said suddenly to Jay.

“He is, he just likes to get even early.” Jay said with a smile.

“Wha-” Twilight started before turning and seeing the smirking Pete.

“Now we’re even.” He said with a smirk.

“That’s not funny.” She told him.

“I beg to differ.” Jay said with a chuckle.

Twilight just glared at him.

“Anyways.” Luna interrupted. “I think that since Pete is away we should discuss what has happened.” She continued.

Twilight nodded.

“So how long have I been out, and what happened since?” Pete asked.

“You’ve been unconscious for around three hours now. The guards as well as Cadence have recovered since they’ve arrived.” Luna told Pete indicating to Cadence who gave an appreciative nod.

“Any other news?” Pete asked.

“Well we’ve received reports from some scouts about a group of survivors hold up in Manehattan.” Luna said.

“…Did you say Manehattan?” Pete questioned

“Well yes why?” Luna answered.

Pete turned to look at the other three humans. “I’m not the only one seeing a pattern here am I?” He asked them.

“Yeah we see it.” Matt responded.

“See what? What connection?” Twilight asked.

“Well back where we’re from we have a city called Manhattan and an old story about a castle called Camelot. There’s obviously a connection.” Pete told them. “Are there any other big cities out there?” He asked.

“Well there’s Las Pegasus.” Twilight answered.

Pete’s eyes widened and he reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, as were Matt and Liz. “Oh god no, they have a Vegas here.”

“What’s a Vegas.” Luna asked.

“PACK YOUR BAGS EVERYBODY, WE’RE GOING GAMBLING!” Jay shouted into the air suddenly.

Everyone in the room except for the three other humans looked at him in surprise.

“Jay we are not going to go to any place that might end up like Vegas.” Pete scolded.

“Oh come on it wasn’t that bad.” Jay responded.

“You got three different gangs pissed at us.” Pete told him.

“It’s not my fault, they were the ones who didn’t check for whoopee cushions under their seats.” Jay countered.

“You put a live grenade their chairs.” Pete said

“Well if they had checked for whoopee cushions they would’ve found them and still have their legs.” Jay responded.

Pete’s eye began to twitch. “They chased us across the state for that.”

“Well they should’ve followed the rule ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.’” Jay argued.

“That’s just a saying.” Pete told him.

“So is ‘I’m so hungry I could eat a hor-ouse house’ and you remember what happened down in Texas.” Jay countered.

“Matt, since I am in recovery please slap Jay for me.” Pete said turning to the large man. Matt then hit Jay on the back of his head.

“Oh come on, why can’t we go to Las Pegasus?” Jay begged.

“One, because I am in recovery. Two, I don’t want to risk getting any more gangs mad at us. Three, whenever you gamble you always lose. And Four, no…just no.” Pete answered.

“You’re no fun.” Jay pouted.

“We are in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. You’ll have time for fun when you’re dead.” Pete told him.

“Can we at least have a poker night here?” Jay asked.

“…Go get a deck of cards.” Pete told him. Jay happily sprinted off in search of some cards.

“We’re not going to be getting any sleep tonight are we?” Matt asked.

“Knowing him, no, no we are not.” Pete responded. “Don’t suppose any of you feel like not sleeping tonight and playing some cards?” Pete asked.

“I am actually interested.” Luna said. “I have to normally stay up late into the night anyway, having something to do would be a nice change of pace.” She said.

“I’ll play too.” Twilight said. “I need to make sure you don’t do anything else stupid.” She told Pete.

“I got a deck from my pack!” Jay called coming back into the room.

“Alright.” Twilight said. “So what is poker?” She asked sheepishly.

Pete just rolled his eyes. “If you’re going to play a game at least know the rules first.”

The four humans explained the basics of the game to the two ponies playing with them. They got the idea down pretty quickly, and the six began to play, and they found some interesting surprises.

“Royal Flush.” Twilight said triumphantly laying her cards down on the table.

“How in the bloody hell!?” Pete shouted as Twilight pulled more of the makeshift chips over to her side of the table.

“Pete are we sure she’s not using magic or something?” Jay asked.

“Yes I’m sure.” Pete said putting his head into his hands. “This is why I didn’t want to go to Vegas!” Pete shouted as he started to indicate to the tiny piles of chips each of them had. “We. Never. Win.”

“I’m sure you’re overreacting.” Twilight told him.

“Says the mare that just got the best possible cards in the entire game.” He responded. “That’s it I’m done. I’m going to bed. Get out of my room.” He said laying down on the bed.

“Don’t be upset just because you lost Pete.” Twilight said jokingly.

“I can’t hear you I am asleep.” He responded.

> Chapter 15 - I Don't Even
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I Don’t Even

“No.”

“Oh come on Pete.”

“I said no.”

“Just one time.”

“I already told you, there’s no way in hell you’re getting me to do it Jay.”

“Come on just one line.” Jay begged.

“I will not reenact all your favorite scenes from House.” Pete told Jay sitting on the edge of his bed.

“Please it won’t hurt anything.”

“Only my pride.”

“Give me legitimate and well thought out reason why you shouldn’t.” Jay said.

“Because I’m this close to punching you in the gut.” Pete responded raising his fist.

“But-”

“Don’t ask again. Just because your favorite show isn’t here doesn’t mean I have to suffer for you.” Pete told him.

“Well then what am I supposed to do for fun?” Jay asked.

“How about you read a book for once in your life?” Pete told him.

“I’ll have you know I’ve read plenty of books.” Jay said.

“Were any of them not pop-up?”

“Oh ha ha, you do remember I am a doctor? Do you know how thick the textbooks are for medical students?” Jay asked.

“I don’t know, did you ever use them to actually study?” Pete countered.

“You know there are at least twenty-five chemicals in here that I can use to kill you?”

“JAY!” Twilight shouted from the doorway.

Pete just rolled his eyes. “Twilight it’s okay, Jay’s just joking.”

“You call that joking?” She asked with an angry glare.

“Trust me we’ve had far worse.” Pete told her.

“I don’t think you-”

Pete interrupted her by leaning down and whispering something to her.

Twilight eyes widened and she got a huge blush. “Now, imagine that but add in every swear word you know and some you don’t know.”

Twilight just sat down mouth hanging open. “That- that’s terrible.”

“Yeah, but consider where we’ve been living for the longest time that’s pretty tame.” Pete told her.

“That’s no excuse, that’s still terrible.” Twilight told him.

“Like telling someone’s biggest secret terrible.” Pete countered looking at her.

Twilight staggered slightly. “Pete I- I just-”

“Twilight it’s okay.” Pete interrupted. “I am still upset about that whole thing, but like I said. I’m willing to try and forgive you.” He told her, she got a small smile. “That and you’re one of the only unicorns here that I trust to teach me magic. I mean no offense, but I’m fairly certain your brother would just try to beat the knowledge into me.” He said.

“I’m sure he wouldn’t do that.” Twilight told him.

“I don’t know. I’ve seen how he trains the guard.” Pete said. “I didn’t know you could make macaroni art such torture.”

“What?” Twilight asked confused.

Pete shook slightly. “Please don’t ask about it.”

“Okay…so how’s the practice I told you coming along?” She asked.

“Yeah, about that.” Pete said skittishly rubbing the back of his head. “You remember that rock you told me to work on levitation with?”

“Yes, I do.” Twilight said before he eyes narrowed slightly. “And what do you mean by remember?” She questioned.

“Well it’s kind of- you see it’s- I mean… I really have no idea.” Pete told her.

“How can you have no idea?” Twilight asked.

“Well I was trying to levitate it, I couldn’t, I got angry, there was a flash a light and poof it was gone.” Pete explained.

“Magic doesn’t just go poof Pete!” Twilight said with a hint of anger.

“Well I was here.” Jay told her. “And I’m fairly certain that I actually did hear a poof.” He continued.

Twilight looked between them, halfway between anger and confusion. “Alright I’ll do a short magic scan to see what happened in here.” Twilight said as her horn started to glow. “And I’ll tell you exactly what-” Twilight stopped mid-sentence her face becoming more and more confused. “But, that’s not.” She stuttered. 

“What is it? What happened?” Pete asked.

“Honestly.” Twilight started. “It’s enchantment, not a spell.”

“…What do you mean not a spell? And what the heck is enchantment?” Jay asked her.

Twilight’s horn stopped glowing. “Well it’s complex spell laying where you imbue an object with magical properties.”

“So what does that mean?” Pete asked standing up as he started to walk around. “I don’t see what’s” *WHAM* Pete started to jump around on one foot. “What the hell was that!”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “That would be the rock.”

“What do you mean?!” Pete asked sitting down on the bed. “There’s no rock there.” He said pointing to the floor.

“That’s the enchantment.” Twilight said as her horn started to glow. A rock shape was suddenly outlined on the floor in a violet aura. “Here’s your rock.” She said levitating it over.

“…What?” Pete asked looking at the still glowing outline.

“Do to your stress you did more than a levitation spell and imbued the rock with some magic giving it the ability to distort the light around it.” Twilight explained, getting an even blanker look from Jay and Pete than they normally had. She sighed “The rock has an invisibility enchantment on it and now you can’t see it.”

“Oh.” They both responded nodding.

“So is it invisible forever now?” Pete asked.

“Well if left to on its own it the spell would eventually burn out and the rock would be visible again, but with an enchantment like this it would probably be years before that. Another magic user could dispel it pretty simply though. I’ll just go ahead and get on that.” Twilight said her horn glowing slightly brighter.

“Wait.” Jay said stopping her. He looked to Pete.

“No we are not going to put it under Matt or Liz’s pillow so they always get a bad night’s sleep and don’t know what’s causing it.” Pete told him.

“Dang am I really that obvious to read?” Jay asked slightly amazed.

“Only because of how long I’ve know you.” Pete answered.

“Alright fine.” Jay said with a sigh. “… What about Armor?”

“…I’m game.”

“You are not doing that to my brother.” Twilight told them with a slight glare.

“Twilight allow me to explain something.” Pete started. “How do you plan on stopping us?” He asked her.

“Well I’ll just dispel the enchantment on the rock.” She told him.

“Really, what rock is that?” Pete asked her.

“Well that’s easy the one right-” Twilight said starting to move her levitation field only to find nothing in it. She looked back at Pete.

“You see while you were distracted we managed to retrieve the rock and put it in a place you will never-” Pete started then Twilight levitated the rock out from behind Pete’s back. “…Well that didn’t go as planned.”

Twilight’s horn began glowing brighter and with a small flash the rock turned visible again. “Now that we’re done with that why don’t we-” She started before seeing Pete staring intently at one of his combat knives he had grabbed from the side of his bed. “What are you doing?” She asked him.

“Trying to give my knife some sort of elemental enchantment.” He told her still staring at the knife.

“That’s not how enchantments work you can’t just-” With a bright flash Twilight was cut off.

“…Did it work?” Pete asked looking at the knife. “I can still see it.”

“Well only one way to test it out.” Jay said picking up the knife and walking over to one of the windows. He gently pushed the knife through the curtain, which promptly caught fire. “Hey it works!” Jay exclaimed.

“I- but- you- what?!” Twilight stuttered. “How did you do that? You can’t just will up a fire enchantment like that!” She told the two of them.

“Well apparently I can.” Pete said with a small smirk. “All I did was try and force my magic into the knife while thinking fire a lot and then poof, instant fire knife.” He said with a laugh.

“I can’t believe that this actually worked for you.” Twilight said rubbing her temple. 

“Hey part of me still hasn’t completely accepted the whole magical talking pony thing, but you don’t see me complaining.” Pete told her.

“That’s because you have a fire knife.” Twilight told him.

“…Okay that helps.” Pete said as Jay tossed the knife and Pete caught it by the handle. “This knife just became so much more awesome.” He said with a smile.

“Just don’t go around being reckless with that.” Twilight told him. “I will take it away from you and dispel it.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Pete said twirling the nice around his finger before it slipped off and started falling towards the bed. “oops.” Pete said. Twilight gasped suddenly and started to panic as a hand grabbed the hilt of the knife an inch above the bed. Pete just looked at Twilight with a smug smile. “Really, you really think I would just drop this? I’m a knife expert.” He declared.

“That wasn’t funny.” Twilight said with annoyed.

“I beg to differ.” Jay told her with a laugh. He suddenly got a quizzical look on his face. “Oh dear.” He said.

“What is it Jay?” Pete questioned.

“You know what I just realized?”

“What?”

“We never put out the curtains.”

> Chapter 16 - Ponies, Humans, and...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ponies, Humans, and...

Pete was walking through the barracks inspecting the guards.

"Now listen up!" He shouted over the crowded training ground. "Because of my many recent injuries and other distractions I have not been able to continue with lessons. That means that now that I'm back we're going to have to make up for lost time, so I want laps!" Pete told them.

"How many laps, sir?" One of the guards asked.

"Did I give a number?" Pete questioned.

"...no, sir." The guard answered.

"Then you run until I say stop." Pete told him. With that the guards began to run around the barracks with Pete following behind blowing a whistle in random intervals that he had gotten from Luna.

that very same princess and a purple unicorn as well as five other ponies sat in a room just next to the barracks watching.

"Isn't this a bit crude and unorthodox?" Rarity asked watching the human train the guard.

"Maybe, but you can't deny that it's been effective." Luna responded. "I haven't seen the guards having training this hard since right after the rule of Discord." She told them. "And that brings me to the reason we're here." She continued. "As you well know since the first infected arrived here Discord has been missing from his prison in the garden, but we believe that we may have a lead to his whereabouts."

"That's right." Twilight spoke taking out a small map. "Some scouts have come back reporting some strange sightings. Animals acting strange, his trademark cotton candy clouds, as well as many other phenomena." She said.

"So what's the plan?" Rainbow asked. "Go there with the elements, trap him back in stone and return him to the garden?" She asked doing a few punches with her hooves in the air.

"Not quite, we're just going to talk to him." Twilight said.

"What?" Rainbow asked slightly faltering with her wings. "Why?!" she asked.

Twilight gave a small sigh. "Because as much as I would hate to admit it, Discord's chaos magic would be a great advantage for us." She answered.

"You think Discord would just decide to help us, just like that?" Rainbow asked.

"Maybe, I mean, he can't really do much chaos if there's not a world to do it in." Twilight told her.

"You can't think that he'll see reason." Rainbow said. "The only thing he understands is chaos, there's no way he'll help us."

"Well we have to give it a try don't we?" Twilight responded.

"It'll just be a waste of time." Rainbow said sitting back down.

Twilight sighed. Luna began to speak. "We're planning on sending a small contingent of guards with you to the city of Las Pegasus to try and make contact with Discord. Hopefully he will be in a talking mood." She said.

"Who did you plan on sending with the contingent?" Twilight asked.

"Just a few of the guard from Pete's training." Luna answered.

Twilight was surprised for a moment. "Not Pete, Matt, Jay, or Liz?" She asked.

"No, they have no experience dealing with Discord. I believe it would be better to send somepony with more experience than to send them who have never had any contact with anything like him before." Luna explained. "I'm not sure how well they would be able to deal with him anyways. Their experience is centered on the infected not a being of chaos." She continued.

Twilight pondered the thought. "I suppose it makes sense, but they do seem more experienced with adapting to situations" She said.

"Possibly, but truthfully I'm afraid how they will deal with the situation. This may not be the best way to put it, but those four seem to solve a lot of their problems the same way." Luna said.

"You mean-?" Twilight started.

"Yes, they solve many problems by killing." She said. "I simply want this excursion to be diplomatic not resulting in a fight."

"I'm sure they would understand that princess." Twilight responded.

"I know that they probably would Twilight, but I would simply prefer to remain on the cautious side." Luna responded.

"I understand." Twilight said. "But I think in that case we should keep this information from them until we leave. I don't think they'd be too pleased if they found out.

There was a soft knock on the door. Everypony turned and saw that Jay was standing in the open doorway.

"Now, I couldn't help but eavesdrop on you little conversation, but I've heard some stories about this Discord fellow and I would very much like to meet him. Also considering I'm not one to pass up an adventure I think I can speak for everybody in my group when I say we want in." He told the ponies with a small smirk.

"I'm sorry Jay but this has already been decided." Luna told him.

He sighed. "Fine, fine." He said waving a hand dismissively with a slight scowl. "But just so you know I'm going to tell Pete and the others. We don't like to be kept out of the loop, we'll respect your decision, but we still probably would've wanted to be informed about this." He said as he gave a small wave and left the room. The ponies let out a small sigh of relief they expected that to go a lot worse.

Just hours later the elements were sitting in one of the sky chariots waiting for the flight to Las Pegasus to begin. The humans had come to say farewell and good luck to the ponies before leaving to do their own things. The chariot took off not minutes later and the long flight to Las Pegasus was in the air.

The trip was slow going with the mares catching up with what they had been doing. Just talking and enjoying the time that they had in the air before they landed back on the apocalyptic ground. They girls were laughing at a joke Pinkie had just told when a sound caught their attention. They all turned their heads and saw a figure wrapped in a cloak leaning over the edge and emptying the contents of their stomach over the edge of the chariot. The figure reached up and rubbed his temples brushing back his hood as he did so.

“PETE!?” The mares asked in surprise.

He held up one finger telling them to wait a moment and emptied his stomach yet again. “Oh God, why do I keep getting on these things?” He asked himself.

A sigh emanated from the back of the chariot and the girls turned to see three more cloaked figures rising out of the pile of supply bags they had brought along.

“Great job Pete, you blew our cover early.” Jay said as he pulled back his hood.

Pete moved his hand behind him and raised his middle finger to Jay. “Hey I’ve been having to deal with this since we took off. You’re lucky I lasted as long as I did.” He said lowering his hand to the rail to support him.

“But- but- why are you hear? You said you weren’t going to come along.” Twilight said the surprise and annoyance clear in her voice.

“No, I said we would respect your decision, but I never said we we’re going to follow it.” Jay said with a smirk.

“But you-” she started again.

“Think back.” Jay interrupted her. “Back during your little secret meeting did I ever in any form say that we were going to do as you said? I simply said I was going to respect your decision, but respecting and following are two very different things. I can respect the thought process that went through making the decision and in turn respect the decision, but I still follow my heart and go for what seems fun.” Jay said fully smiling now.

Twilight’s eye began to twitch. She turned to look at the others. “And do you all agree with what he says?” she asked.

Pete responded first. “No, I personally disagree completely.” He said.

“Thank you, now-”

“Let me finish.” Pete interrupted. “I don’t even respect the decision. Sending four mares out with not fully trained troops, no offense but as your training officer I know where you’re at.” He said to the guards who all gave a small notice of agreement. “And as such I cannot respect such blatant ignoring of safety.” He finished.

Matt gave his answer next. “I’m with Pete, from what I’ve heard this Discord fellow is extremely dangerous. You don’t send the next best to deal with him.” He told her.

Twilight turned to look at Liz. “Don’t look at me like that.” Liz responded to her glare. “I’m just here because without me as the voice of reason there’s no telling what these three will do.” She said.

Twilight just put her head in her hoof and took a few deep breaths. “Well it’s too late to turn around now so we’re just going to have to go with it.” She said. “But I’m going to have some words for you when we get back to Canterlot.” She scolded.

Jay just smiled and then got a strange look on his face. “Hey, this Discord guy he wouldn’t happen to look like an awesome mismatch of a lot of different things would he?” Jay asked.

“Well I suppose so.” Twilight said. “But I wouldn’t exactly call it awesome.”

“I would.” Jay said looking over the mares’ heads and behind them.

“Oh I knew I felt some great chaos coming from over here. You do not disappoint.” A voice said from behind the mares. 

> Chapter 17 - The New Guy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The New Guy

Pete pulled out his sword and pointed it at the mismangled being that was floating in front of them.

"So... Hello, I'm Pete, it's interesting to meet you." Pete said introducing himself.

The being just chuckled in front of them. "I must say in all my time I have never had the pleasure of speaking to another as chaotic as you four. My name is Discord, Lord of Chaos.

"Lord of Chaos?" Jay asked looking over Discord while pointing his pistol. "Yeah that makes sense, from what I've heard you sound like a fun guy to hang around with." Jay said with a small smile.

"Fun!?" Twilight asked slightly irritated.

Discord simply ignored her. "What have you heard about me?" He asked Jay.

"Oh you know this and that, mainly the whole cotton candy cloud, chocolate rain, turning towns topsy turvey quite literally I've heard" He said with a small chuckle. "And what per say have you heard of us?" He asked.

Discord put a hand to his chin and pondered a moment. "Well for starters that you’re not from this world, you have a higher infected body count each compared to the entire population, and in general you've caused enough chaos to gain my interest." He told the four of them.

"Good interest or bad interest?" Matt asked.

"Just interest, whether it's good or bad has yet to be seen." Discord answered.

Pete stared intently at the Lord of Chaos. He slowly stood up from his fighting stance. He put his sword back in his belt. "Well now that introductions are over, I think you six have a bit of diplomacy that needs doing." He said turning to the mares.

"But-but I mean we-" She stuttered.

"Diplomacy?" Discord said rolling his eyes. "Such a boring thing. Tell you what, why don't we play a game?" He asked smiling.

"Depends on the rules and conditions." Pete told him.

"Easy, none and none." Discord told them all. With a snap of his talon and a bright flash they all found themselves sitting at a small circular table with Discord sitting at one spot a plastic divider separating himself and some assorted sheets of papers from the rest of them.

"Great!" Pete exclaimed putting his head into his hands. "We're playing Dungeons and Dragons or whatever variant is used here." He said with a sigh. "...Dibs on the rouge assassin build." He said quickly and Discord passed him a sheet.

"I'll take a barbarian tank." Matt told him getting a sheet of paper like Pete.

"And the rest of you?" Discord asked.

"Sorcerer" Jay told him.

"Bard." Liz responded.

They both got a sheet leaving the mares confused.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked.

"We're playing a game." Pete told her taking some dice from Discord and rolling them filling in his sheet as he did.

"I'm surprised you’re familiar with it." Discord said to the four.

"Well we came across some manuals scavenging one day, we were really bored so we decided to give it a try. It's a good time waster." Pete told him.

"So you already each have a character?" He asked.

"Well yeah, but a load of good it does us now." Pete told him.

"True, but I feel terrible, you really must have had a connection with them. I'm sure you bonded with them." Discord said.

"Not really, we made new characters every few weeks because Miss Fortune over there decided whenever she DMs that there are no survivors." Jay said indicating to Liz.

Discord just looked at her. "Well that's just cruel. A true game should last a long time with characters that eventually reach their true destinies." He told her.

"Well excuse me, but it's their fault for not being able to figure out how to get through my dungeons." She responded.

"Because your dungeons involve the first enemy we fight being five greater dragons. In every single freaking game!" Pete told her.

"Oh like yours are any better." She told him.

"At least their balanced." He told her.

"STOP!" Twilight shouted. "He's discording you we need to-"

"What the heck is discording?" Pete asked.

"He alters your mind and turns you against others." She told him.

The four humans were silent and looked at one another. They then proceeded to burst out laughing. "I hate to break this to you Twilight, but it isn't him. You may call this discording, but we just call it a Saturday game night." Pete told her still chuckling.

"Wha-what?" She asked.

"We get into this argument every time we try to play this game why do you think I was not interested in playing it? I love the game, I just knew it would end up in argument like always." He told them all.

"See, I'm not always so bad." Discord told them passing out sheets to the six. Now make a character so we can get started.” He told them.

“But we don’t-” Twilight started.

Discord gave a loud sigh and in a flash he poked each of the mares in the middle of their foreheads with a small flash coming from each touch. “There I’ve given you enough knowledge to start making a character. Hopefully you do some good with it.” He told them.

The mare reluctantly started filling in their sheets. Discord collected the sheets and started to look over them. “Hmm, I can see your experienced playing as an assassin.” He told Pete. “Not many know how to make a truly good setup for it.” He stared flipping through the pages. “I’m really liking the chaotic neutral alignment you all chose.” He told the four humans.

“Its how the world works, it gives us a wider range of possibilities.” Pete responded.

“I suppose it does.” Discord said flipping through again. Looking at Twilight “Wizard, Lawful Good. Makes sense.” He turned to Fluttershy. “Druid, Neutral Good. Of course.” Rarity “Artificer, Neutral Good. I suppose.” Applejack “Paladin, Lawful Good. Naturally.” Pinkie. “Psion, and finally a Chaotic Good.” Rainbow “Ranger, Lawful…Evil?” He said raising an eyebrow at her. Everybody looked and the colorful flier.

“What? I think it’s good to take some pride in being different.” She said trying to give a reason for her choice.

Discord just shrugged “Well it’s your character I can’t really tell you how to make it.” He told her. “Now allow me to give you a set up for you most amazing adventure that I shall create.” He cleared his throat. “Long ago in ancient times Equestria was ruled by a soul king. Many considered him cold hearted, manipulative, and inherently evil. Though after many years under his rule he was finally defeated. Equestria enjoyed a time of peace and prosperity, but soon the ground began to run dry and began to fall apart. Rumors of the old kings return spread through the lands. Though other rumors also spread, like talk of a few ancient artifacts that had been used to defeat the king before. They were said to have reappeared. As rumors of the king’s return spread the citizens became fearful and looking for any hope they could latch onto. The new rulers began to search for the artifacts hoping they would lead to peace in the kingdom, but they were not found easily. Soon the rulers sent out word that there was a reward for finding and bringing the artifacts to the kingdom. Asking anyone with an able body to try their hardest. This is where you dome in. Your party has decided to search for the artifacts in hopes of the rewards that lay and the end of your quest.”

Twilight raised a hoof. “This is a game not kindergarten, you can just ask.” Discord told her.

She showed a slight bit of annoyance but it passed. “Does this have anything to do with your own rule over Equestria?” She asked him.

“I won’t deny that it has some similarities.” Discord said with a smile. “Now where was I? Ah yes, your quest. You have chosen to seek the guidance of an ancient prophet that is rumored to be deep within the woods.” Discord finished.

“Alright, let’s go into the woods.” Pete declared with nods from the other humans.

“Wait.” Twilight told them. “We don’t know what’s there, we should go and do research over the forest and-” Twilight continued her rant but none of the humans were listen anymore they each shared a glance and gave a small nod. Pete tore off a piece of paper, wrote something down and passed it to Discord. Discord gave a small smile. “-Then we should look through any of the articles they have on-”

“The wizard soon found herself talking to air and the four others of her party made their way towards the woods.” Discord interrupted her. 

Twilight then looked confused before casting a glare towards the humans.

“Twilight relax.” Pete told her. “Liz isn’t GMing so we should run into anything super overpowered this early on.” He told her, earning a glare from Liz. The six ponies began debating amongst themselves. “So are we all in agreement to enter the forest?” Pete asked.

Everyone at the table gave a small nod.

“Excellent, your party enters the dark woods.” Discord said, and then his smile grew larger. “Now the adventure truly begins.” He snapped his claw and there was a blinding flash of light.

> Chapter 18 - Diplomacy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Diplomacy

“And your entire party has been killed by the bear…How did you suck this bad? Seriously it was only the first fight!” Discord commented looking at the group in front of him. “I even magiced up armor and robes for you to wear to fit your characters.” He told them.

Sitting around the table was the four humans and the six ponies each in a different costume that fit the character they had made.

“I’ll take this one.” Pete said. “Because a certain Ranger decided to shoot a crossbow at the back of our heads.”

“What?!” Rainbow responded. “I was supposed to be evil wasn’t I?” She asked.

“Not literally, it influences the way you act it doesn’t mean you just go and betray your party. We lost to a bear, not even a dire bear, a simple grizzly bear.” Pete told her.

“Well nopony told me the rules.” Rainbow countered.

“How does ‘not shooting your party in the back of their heads’ even require stating? It should be obvious” Pete responded.

“Well I’ve never played before.” Rainbow argued.

Pete sighed and looked up at Discord. “Perhaps we could continue this another time. I’m interested to see what someone like yourself could come up with as a DM. Perhaps without the ‘assistance’ of less experienced players” Pete said casting a glance towards Rainbow.

“We’ll have to continue some other time them.” Discord told him with a smirk. “Perhaps we could even make progress in restoring the characters you had before all this.” He added.

“That would be enjoyable, but now it isn’t really our turn to be speaking.” Pete told him. “I believe the mares wish to have a word with you.” He said casting a glance towards the mares.

Discord sighed. “Fine, I suppose I could lend my ear.” He said with a smile reaching up with a talon, and detached one of his ears tossing it onto the table in front of Twilight. She looked like she was slightly nauseous. The ear disappeared and was back on Discord’s head not a moment later. He rolled his eyes. “Does anypony here know how to take a joke?” He said with a sigh. “Tell you what, I’ll let you say your piece if you can tell me a good joke.” He told them.

“Ooh, Ooh. I have one.” Pinkie said jumping around. Discord waved his hand telling her to continue. “Did you hear about the fire at the circus? It was in tents.”

Discord as well as the humans put their heads in their hands and/or talons and shook their heads. “Pinkie, I expected more from you.” Pete told her.

“That was just a huge let down.” Discord agreed. “Next.” He said looking to the rest of the mares.

Applejack was the next contender. “Alright let’s see how you like this one. What's worse than finding a worm in your apple? Taking a bite and finding half a worm.”

That didn’t go over well either. “An apple joke really?” Discord asked. “I totally didn’t see that coming.”

“Anypony else have another terrible joke to add to the pile?” Pete asked.

“I have one.” Twilight said sheepishly. Everypony rolled their eyes, no one expected much from this. “A teacher is lecturing her students. She says that the tests were terrible and asks that anypony who thinks they don’t belong in this class to stand up. Of course nopony stands up. The teacher then say’s that with the grades some students obviously don’t belong here. A young stallion stands up. The teacher asks him why he thinks that he doesn’t belong in the class. He responds saying ‘Well ma’am I don’t, I just felt bad that you were standing alone.’” Everyone was staring at Twilight.

“…That… was actually pretty good.” Discord responded quite surprised.

“So… where’d you read it?” Pete asked.

She got sheepish again. “The History of Equestrian Comedy.” She answered.

Pete looked at Discord. “Well you didn’t say it had to be original.”

“That I didn’t. It seems that Celestia’s little student finally read something that had real practical value.”

“I read plenty of things that have practical value.” Twilight argued.

“Twilight before we left you were reading about the water levels of the oceans. How is that practical?” Pete asked her. 

“Well I-” She started.

“Exactly, it isn’t now.” Pete walked to the front of the chariot. “Can we go ahead and turn this thing back towards Canterlot. We’ve already made contact so there’s no need to go all the way there, and I want to spend as little time on here as I possibly can.” He told the guards. They nodded and changed their course turning back towards Canterlot. “Now, diplomacy. I’ll just go stand by the rail and lose my lunch yet again since I will be of no use in that department.” He told them making his way over to the ledge.

“It he going to be okay?” Discord asked. “I’d hate to lose a good player since there’s finally somepony to play with, such an old game, Celestia and Luna probably hardly remember it.” Discord babbled.

“Yeah, he’ll be fine. He just gets air sick easily.” Jay affirmed. “It’ll take more than that to finish us off.” He continued with a smile.

“Like hoards upon hoards of infected?” Discord asked with a smirk.

“Considering circumstances, I don’t think that will put a hamper on our day.” Jay answered with a smirk of his own.

“Will you two stop flirting already and just get to some real business?” Pete called over.

“He’s a bit of a spoil sport when he has an empty stomach.” Jay told Discord.

“Oh ha ha. That’s just the funniest thing I’ve heard all day.” Pete responded.

“Tofu.” Jay said and Pete’s stomach became even emptier.

“Dammit Jay!” Pete called out as he finished.

“He really hates tofu.” Jay said smiling. “Makes him nauseous, I figured up here it would push him over the edge.”

“You are a cruel, cruel person.” Discord said smiling.

“But I’m still a great guy to be around.” Jay responded.

Twilight coughed lightly to get their attention. “Could we please focus on the important matters here?” She asked.

Discord sighed. “Very well, let’s get this over with.” He said waving a talon.

“As representatives of the ponies of Equestria we are here to convince you to aid us in surviving this epidemic.” She said formally.

“Alright sure, you’ve got a deal, now can I get back to my conversation?” Discord asked.

“I thought that’s what you would say at first so I prepared…What?!” Twilight asked in surprise.

“I said I agreed, I’ll help out the ponies, blah, blah, blah, and all that jazz. Now tell me Jay, what other fun things are there to do in your world?” He asked.

“But- but- but. Why? It can’t be that easy.” Twilight said freaking slightly.

Discord rolled his eyes and sighed again. “Twilight tell me, why would I refuse? If I don’t help you it is inevitable that everypony will eventually fall. You managed to delay it for a while with the help of these four humans but the end is still inevitable without my assistance, and despite what you may believe I’m not evil, just chaotic. If the entire world was to die who would be left to share my chaos with. It would get so very boring.” Discord told her. 

“Great, mission complete, don’t suppose you have enough magic to just instantly teleport us back?” Pete asked Twilight who was just sitting there slack-jawed. Pete sighed. “Don’t suppose you could get us back to Canterlot?” He asked turning to Discord.

“Well why didn’t you just ask earlier?” Discord told his smiling as he held up a talon and snapped. The chariot was engulfed in a bright light and a moment later reappeared in the center of the Canterlot throne room. Much to the surprise of Luna and the guards pulling the chariot, who found their faces meeting the floor from the sudden stop. Discord just turned his attention to Luna and put on a large smile. “Honey I’m Home!” He called out with a smile.

Luna sat there surprised for a moment before recovering. “You managed to convince him?” She asked hopefully.

“No.” Pete told her bluntly, Luna’s hopeful expression dropped slightly. “Convincing means that we needed to change his mind.”

Luna put on a small smile then looked confused. “I thought you said you four weren’t going!” She said sternly looking at Jay. 

“No I said I would respect your decision. I never said I was going to obey it.” He countered. “Why do I have to keep explaining this?” He asked to no one in particular.

“So what’s there to eat around here, I’m starving?” Discord said as he casual strolled towards the exit to the throne room surprising the young maid outside the door as he burst through it. She froze and stared with fear at the Lord of Chaos. “Excuse me miss, which way to the dining hall?” He asked. She didn’t make any move. He sighed. “Must I do everything myself.” He said walking off down the hallway.

> Chapter 19 - Anarchy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anarchy

Pete was sitting at a table with Luna looking over maps and other charts.

"You say that the scouts saw the mass horde moving west?" Pete asked her.

"That's right, but what I'm trying to find out is why. It's not like a hoard to suddenly stray from the path they were taking." Luna answered.

"That's true, chances are they saw or heard a survivor or something of the sort." Pete told her.

"But the closest city in that dirrection is more than five hours away by chariot. What could they have found out in the middle of nowhere?" She questioned.

"Perhaps a shantytown. We ran across a few of them back home. People would take old materials and make homes with them. Making one out in the middle of nowhere reduces the chance of getting found by hoards. These towns don't have  the best living conditions, but their defenitly better than nothing." Pete told her.

"So you think there's some sort of makeshift town out there?" Luna asked.

"It's a possibility, either that or there's someone out there trying to get soomewhere safer. It's hard to say, the scouts have never reported a shantytown, but they can be pretty inconspicuous because of the materials used to make them." Pete told her. "Either way, I'm almost certain that there's someone in that area who's not a zombie, or at least there was."

"In any case we need to send somepony out to investigate." Luna responded.

Pete nodded. "I'd like to send Armor's squad, and I'd also like to tag along. They've advanced more so than the other guards and I'd like to see them in a real world situation."

"Is there any danger of them failing?" Luna asked.

"There's always a danger of failing and not coming back, but I'd say that they have the best chances to avoid that." Pete answered.

"Must you always be so blunt?" Luna responded.

"Come's with the life style." Pete told her.

"I'll send out the word and have them gather in the courtyard. You'll be leaving within the hour." Luna said to him.

"I'll get my gear." Pete said standing up and walking out of the room.

Pete got to his room and put on his armor, straping his sword and knives on as he did. When he had everything on but the helmet he started making his way to the courtyard. Along the way he ran into Twilight and her friends.

Twilight noticed him and his armor quickly. "Are you going on another mission already?" She asked.

"Yep, we think we've found an enclave of survivors and I'm heading out with the best guards to check it out." Pete answered.

"I take it that means my brother is going as well?" She questioned.

"That's right." He answered, Twilight frowned slightly. Pete stepped forward and used a hand to ruffle her mane. "Oh don't start getting all depressed on me, where just going to go and check it out." Twilight glared at him as she straightened out her mane.

She sighed. "Just try and be careful." She told him.

"I've survived this long, I think I can manage." He told her as he continued to walk.

Pete, Armor, and around fourteen other gaurds gathered in the courtyard and left in a chariot. On the edge of the courtyard three figures stood watching them leave.

"There goes the captain and Pete, now we just need to find a way to distract the big guy." One of them said.

"How do you expect to do that?" The second asked.

"I have an idea." The third answered.

The three figures backed away from the courtyard.

Meanwhile Matt was sitting in the dinning room cleaning his guns. Jay walked into the room and sat next to him. "I think you have an obsession with your guns." Jay told him.

"Sure you laugh now, but just wait till your gun jams on you. Then we'll see who's laughing." Matt responded.

"It's strange to think about all that's happened to us. I mean, first we have to get used to a zombie apocalypse in our own world and then as soon as we get close we get pulled away from it. Makes you wonder what might happen next." Jay said.

Matt stopped cleaning his gun and looked up at Jay. "...What are you planning, you only ever get philosphical when you're planning something." Matt responded reaching over and taking a drink of a glass of water next to him.

"What, I'm not planning anything...Well not anymore I already completed my plan.

"What do you-" Matt started before Jay pulled out a small bottle and showed it to Matt. He began to read aloud. "Sleeping pills, put two in a glass of water wait to disolve fully..." Matt's eyes widened as he head suddenly looked at the glass he had. He saw the slight fizzing coming from it before he slumped over on the table.

"I can't beleive that worked." Liz said stepping out from behind a pillar.

"How could it not work? It was my idea." Discord asked as he slithered out from under the table.

"Either way let's get him to his room." Jay said. "I'd say we've got a few hours before he wakes up."

Discord snapped a talon and the four of them vanished into the air.

Three of them reappeared in the courtyard while Matt was sound asleep in his room.

"So what's the first order of buisness?" Liz asked.

"Well first I think Lula needs to leard to relax a little." Discord said chuckling.

"Go with an old classic?" Jay questioned.

Discord held out his hand and in a flash he was holding a pie. "An old classic." the tree vanished yet again.


~~~Four Hours of Chaos Later~~~


The entire castle was in an uproar. The kitchen was housing one of the worlds greatest food fights. The courtyard was in utter disarray the statues were turned upside down and mismatched. The throne room had been painted like a reverse rainbow. In the main hall there was a massive battle going on between Discord and Luna. Liz and Jay were watching in awe as the fight raged on. While the six mares were watching fearfully.

"I'll put desserts for the week and Discord." Jay said. "His chaos is so much more versitile."

"No way, Luna's got so much more talent. She's totally got him beat." Liz answered.

Meanwhile Discord andd Luna were having their own little argument.

"YOU THREW A PIE IN MY FACE!!!" Luna shouted.

"Thank you for repeating the same thing over again. We've been over this multiple times. How many more times do I have to agree?" Discord said laughing as he dodged around Luna's magic blasts.

"I think she may be broken." Jay said.

"Looks like it." Liz responded.

Suddenly the main doors burst open. Everyone turned their head and saw Pete standing there his helmet on, and his armor bloodied.

Everything was silent for a moment as they all looked at him.

"What the hell is this?" Pete asked. His voice low and dark.

Jay was the one to answer and Pete started walking towards him as he spoke. "Well you were gone so we thought we could have sme fun, so we-" Jay was interupted as Pete punched him in the stomach gauntlet and all. Jay fell to his knees clutching his chest in pain.

"Well while you were having fun I was out following a hoard looking for a settlement. Do you know what I found out about what the horde was following?" Pete asked. "There was a cymble monkey with a note that said 'Love Discord'. Do you know what happened before we found that monkey? The hoard found us. We lost two guards, we didn't even have time to find their bodies so we could mourn them." Pete said. The room was silent. Pete had never acted this darkly before.

The rest of the guard came limping in their armor was bloodied and their faces were all dull and sad.

"Line up." Pete said quietly. "I want to see who and what we have left."

The guards lined up Shining Armor at one end lining up by rank. Two obvious gaps were left in the row.

Pete walked through the row taking note of who was left and what gear they had with them. He stopped at the last pony in the row. The guard was breathing heavy and had more blood on him than any of the other gaurds. Pete crouched down and took the helmet off the guard, pulling his guantlet off as well. He put his hand against the guard's head. He quickly reached down and grabbed the guards leg, it was forcefull but not painfully so. "...You've been bit." Pete told him.

The gaurd was taking deep breaths. "I know, during the fight the adrenaline was blocking the pain, but I can tell now. I-I'm sorry, I was careless, I hesitated strikeing an infected foal." The guard moaned out.

Pete put a hand on the guards shoulder. "Don't be sorry, none of this was your fault." Pete told him. "I can't offer you life, but I can take away the pain." Pete said. The guard was silent and still for a moment before he nodded once. Pete flicked his wrist suddenly and the guard was on the ground a moment later a knife already lodged in his brain. Pete reached down and pulled the knife out. All the others in the room were staring at him with wide eyes.

"Take down their names and alert their next of kin." Pete said as he walked away from the body.
> Chapter 20 - Turmoil
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turmoil


Princess Luna, Discord, the element bearers, and the humans stood in the hall outside Pete's room. With the exception of Jay who was sitting on the ground still clutching his stomach.

"Twilight, Luna calm down." Matt said standing between them and the door.

"Calm Down? CALM DOWN!?" Luna shouted angrily. "One of my subjects was just killed right in front of me."

"He was infected, he could've turned at any moment." Matt explained.

"How do you know?!" Luna asked. "For all we know something could've been done."

"You think we haven't tried?" Jay said looking up.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked looking at him.

"Well, let's just say we used to have a fifth member." He told them.

The hall was silent for a moment. Suddenly the door opened. Everyone turned suddenly as Pete walked out.

"We don't talk about those days, you should know better than to speak so freely Jay."  Pete said 

"You- you lost somepony before?" Fluttershy asked sheepishly.

Pete sighed. "And this is why we don't talk about it. Because people, and apparently ponies, love to ask questions." He said. "Yes we used to have a fifth member, his name was Artemis. He was good with technology and planning, but not with actual fighting. He got caught up in a bad situation and got bit."

"What happened to him?" Twilight asked.

"What do you think happened? He died." Pete responded. "That guard got as painless a death as someone in his place could get. Art... he wasn't so luck."

"What do you mean?" Luna asked.

"This was back near the beginning of the infections, barely a few months after we had all met up. We were still young and naïve. We thought maybe we could stop him from turning by cutting off the arm that got bit." Pete told her. "As a note, It didn't work."

The mares stood shocked. "You- you cut off his arm?" Twilight asked stuttering, Pete just nodded. "Did you at least do it properly and with precaution?" She asked.

"If by properly and with precaution you mean with a rusty bone saw and without anesthetics than yes we did do it properly and with precaution." Jay joked. 

"YOU WHAT?!" Twilight shouted.

Pete just held up a hand stopping her. "We used what we had, raided a hospital for whatever it had left. Basically all medicine was gone by the end of the first week. You learn to make due." He told her.

"Make do, you call that making do?" She asked irritated.. "Do you think cutting off somepony's arm counts as making do?" 

"Oh well I don't know, do you think being ignorant and naïve is make do? Do you think breaking people's trust is making do? Do you think running off on your own is making do?" Pete countered. "I don't want to hear you complain about making do, we've fought more than and survived more than anyone else in this whole goddamned place!"

Twilight flinched. "Pete... you know I'm sorry for all that." she said.

"Yeah, well sorry doesn't cut it. I'm sorry I fell for my brothers tricks, I'm sorry that guard got bit, I'm sorry that I invited Art on his first and his last scavenging run thinking it would be easy. Does being sorry change anything? Does it bring any of them back?!" Pete told her. "I've put up with more shit than you, any of you, and after all the things I've been through all I want to do is rest. Sadly that privilege has been taken from me because if you rest you die, and I'm not ready to go quite yet." He told everyone. "You've been at this for what a month or so? I don't need you questioning me over what I'm doing to keep as many people as I can alive. I save who I can, but I can't save everybody!" He shouted. Pete put one hand to his head and rubbed the sides of his head taking a few deep breaths. "I'm going to take a walk." He said starting down the hall. "-alone." He said as Twilight was about to take a step to follow him.

Pete left the others in the hall silent.

Matt reached over and slapped Jay in the back of the head. "You know he doesn't like talking about Art." He scolded him.

Jay looked downcast. "Yeah I know, it just kind of came out."

"Does Pete blame himself for Art's death?" Luna asked.

"Yeah, Art was killed on a scavenging missing. Pete told him to come along just so he had some idea of what to do. We had been going to this one little town for awhile now and it seemed clear so we thought it was safe, but the night before a hoard had roamed into the town. Art wasn't prepared." Liz answered.

"It sound's like it's more than that." Twilight said looking down.

"Well, from what I've heard, which is pretty little, I think that when someone die's Pete always thinks that there must've been something he could've done to stop it. He takes on a lot of responsibility and refuses to share it." Matt told them.

"He can't be responsible for everything." Twilight responded.

"Yeah, well good luck convincing him that." Matt said. Twilight lifted her head up and galloped off down the hall. "Wha- oh damn it, that wasn't supposed to be taken seriously."

Pete was out in the garden maze wandering through trying to clear his thoughts. A bright flash behind him snapped him out of his trance.

He sighed. "I thought I told you to leave me alone."

"Well, not me specifically." A deep voice said with a chuckle.

Pete turned around and found Discord sitting at a table sipping a cup of tea, a chair across from him on the other side of the table. He gestured to the chair. Pete reluctantly sat down. 

"How do you take your tea?" Discord asked reaching for the kettle.

"With alcohol." Pete told him.

Discord chuckled and a bottle of whiskey flashed into existence. Pete grabbed the bottle and took a small sip.

"You know you put on quite the show back there." Discord told him. "I'm pretty sure you scared some servants for life."

"If they weren't already then I'm just sad I didn't rectify it sooner." Pete told him.

"And there it is." Discord said. "You need to stop taking all these things so seriously. How can you expect to live if you're so uptight all the time?" Discord asked.

"I don't care for living. In this world there's only survival." Pete answered.

Discord sighed. "Is there really nothing in this world worth living for?" Discord asked. "Surely you made at least one friend since coming here."

"...I did." Pete answered. "And then she broke my trust and told one of my biggest secrets to everybody."

"Ah yes, the whole deal with your brother. Truly a sad thing, if you can't trust family who can you trust?" Discord responded. Pete gave him a glare. Discord sighed. "Sometimes you just have to let things go. You can't stay the same forever." Discord told him adopting a more serious tone.

"And why can't I? I've been doing good so far." Pete responded.

"You can't stay the same because if something remains the same it starts to stagnate, fester, and dull. Most consider my chaos evil, but without chaos and a little change everything would fester and grow dull. You'll just be throwing your life away." Discord told him.

"Life? you call this a life?" Pete responded. "This isn't a life, this is a prison."

"Then why not try to escape it?" Discord asked.

"Because this prison is ironclad, there is no escape." Pete answered.

Discord chuckled. "Nothing is ever truly ironclad. There's always some way out. I can give you a hint if you'd like." Discord told him.

"Fine, what's your hint to escaping the inescapable?" Pete questioned.

"Find a reason, Find a reason to fight, to be happy, to live." Discord answered.

"I have a reason, it's to keep my heart beating." Pete told him.

Discord shook his head. That's not a good enough reason. It's a reason to survive not live, a reason to breath not be happy, a reason to kill not fight. There's a real reason out there. You just have to find it." Discord told him. "Now if you'll excuse me, I believe your five o'clock is here." He said vanishing in a flash leaving Pete there sitting on a small rock. As the flash faded completely away Twilight came around the corner of one of the hedges.
> Chapter 21 - Unlicensed Therapy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unlicensed Therapy 

"Pete there you are." Twilight said as she started towards him.

Pete turned his back to her and she stopped. "What are you doing here? I told you I wanted to be alone." He said taking another sip of whiskey.

"Pete you can't keep pushing others away like this. You're just going to...Is that alcohol?" She asked seeing the bottle.

"Whiskey to be more precise." Pete answered raising the bottle only to have it taken away in a purple aura. "I was using that." He said calmly.

"Are you just trying to drink all your problems away?" Twilight asked irritated.

"That is one of the main uses of alcohol." Pete told her lowering his hand.

"Alcohol isn't meant for that." Twilight scolded.

"I never said it was meant for it, I just said it's one of it's uses." Pete countered. Twilight just glared at him. "Can I just have it back?" He asked.

"Where did you even get this?" Twilight asked.

"Found it with some tea." Pete told her.

"Who drinks tea with alcohol?" Twilight asked.

"Apparently me." Pete responded.

Twilight sighed. "Can you just talk to me for once?" she asked.

"I think I already did talk to you once and look how that turned out." Pete said with a hint of anger.

Twilight flinched slightly. After a second she just sighed. "Yes I know, that was my fault, and I know apologizing to you won't changed anything, but I am truly sorry." Pete just scoffed.

The two stood there in silence for a few moments. "It's not your fault you know, with Art." Twilight said. Pete turned suddenly and glared at Twilight, but she kept herself from flinching and continued. "You couldn't of seen ahead, you can't see the future so don't blame yourself for not seeing it."

"That's easy for you to say, but do you think that you would be able to think like that if you were in my situation?" Pete told her. "My brother, Art, they may as well been killed by my hand. Hell, Celestia and the guard were killed by my hand."

Twilight just looked to the ground in silence. "...you're wrong you know." she said quietly. Pete just raised an eyebrow. "I felt the same way about my parents." She continued. Pete's eyes widened slightly. "They were visiting me in Ponyville. I hoard wandered into town. Nopony knew what was happening at the time. We were using my library as a makeshift hospital since we nopony could get to the real one. A lot of ponies were bit, we didn't know." Twilight said tearing up slightly. "When they started to attack my parents told me to run, so I did. I haven't seen or heard from them since. I don't even know if their alive or dead." She said completely breaking down.

Pete sat there for a moment processing what Twilight had said. He stood up slowly and walked over to Twilight. He grabbed the bottle from her levitation field and held out the bottle. She looked at him confused. "Like I said, it's good for dealing with problems." He said.

Twilight sat there a moment sniffling before taking the bottle and tilting it and her head back. Pete quickly reached out and took the bottle, while Twilight started coughing loudly.

"What are you thinking? This is whiskey, you don't chug it." He said.

"It's disgusting." Twilight said still coughing.

"It's an acquired task, and normally drank in small quantities. Your luck you spit most of that out, I don't need to explain to Luna why there's a drunk Twilight in the garden." Pete told her. He sat down on the rock again taking a small sip. He started to look around then noticed two small shot glasses sitting next to the rock. "bastard." Pete whispered under his breath. He picked up the shot glasses and filled them. "Here start with this." Pete said offering the shot to her. Twilight hesitantly took the shot and drank it. She coughed once and cleared her throat a few times. "Better?" Pete asked drinking his own.

"Relatively." Twilight answered.

The sat silently for a few moments. "...So?" Pete started. "How did you take it?" He asked.

Twilight looked to the ground. "About as well as you'd expect. When I got to the castle explained what happen to Celestia and Luna as best I could, but I still didn't know about the bite. Celestia was bit the next day. I fell into a depression even deeper than I was already in. I didn't leave my room for the longest time. My friends were worried obviously, but they still think it was all about Celestia. I haven't told them about my parents. When you found me I was actually on my way back from Ponyville, I had left to see if maybe I could find them in town. I never did though, and almost got myself killed looking." Twilight said.

Pete took a drink of whiskey. "You don't feel the guilt anymore do you?" He asked. Twilight looked up at him. "When we first met I could tell something was off about you. Now I know, you felt guilt same as I still do. Your different now though, the guilt isn't really there anymore, you moved on." He finished.

Twilight thought for a moment. "I... I suppose I don't, not anymore. I guess I see now that back then I did the best I could. It wasn't enough, but I couldn't have done it any differently." Twilight said.

"What made you change your mind?" Pete asked bringing the bottle to his lips.

"Well...you, Matt, Liz, and Jay." Twilight said making Pete stop midsip.

He moved the bottle away after a moment. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"Well, when I started to learn about you all, where you had come from and what you had done. I started to see that sometimes things aren't always under your control. It made me think hard about my decisions and I realized that there really was nothing I could've done to change anything. I still feel the sadness, but the guilt... that's passed." She said. "You need to learn that too."

"It's not that simple with me." Pete said. "I've never had the stereotypical childhood. I spent my first night in jail when I was only five years old. Cop found me stealing bread. He decided to 'set me straight.' and put me in a cell. Around two A.M. I realized I didn't have to put up with it. Whined to the guard that I had to pee. When he opened the door I kicked him where it hurts and ran off. Knocked a kid unconscious at the age of eight, had it coming too but the authorities didn't see it that way. Got, and gave, my first stitches at twelve, kid pulled the knife on me I just reacted but of course given my record no one believed that. Ran away at thirteen, but you knew that already."

"So you had a rough childhood that's no reason to feel guilt like this constantly." Twilight said.

"Have you ever held a person when they take their last breath Twilight?" Pete asked.

"What?" Twilight asked surprised.

"Because I have, the look they have in their eyes when they realize their dying, the last little gasp they have trying to get just that little bit more air. In that final breath every single possible thing you could've done flashes in front of you. That last breath change s you.

"But Pete that's just-" Twilight started.

"Twilight I'm not saying you're wrong." Pete interrupted. "I'm not saying you're right either. I don't think either of us can really say who's right and who's wrong, or if anybody even is. All I can say is how I feel. And I feel that it's my fault, plain and simple." He finished.

"You can't keep dwelling on the past. It's going to fester and eat away." Twilight told him.

"Perhaps." Pete said taking a sip of whiskey. "But it's that guilt that's made me who I am today, without it I would still be like I was. I don't know about you, but I prefer myself like this, so if it's guilt that got me here I think I'll stick with it." He said taking a large drink of the bottle. When he finished he looked at what was left. "You want the last sip?" He asked.

Twilight looked at him sad for a moment, but took the bottle and finished it. Silence fell over the two as their pasts lingered on their minds. 
> Chapter 22 - The First One to Say-
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The First One to Say-

Twilight and Pete had returned from the garden, Twilight with some swurved walking.

"You are the lightest drinker I have ever seen." Pete said.

"Yeah well just how many have you even seen drink before me?" Twilight asked.

"Including Liz, Jay, Matt and myself. Four." He answered.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "I'm gonna go back to my room and go to sleep." She said trotting off.

"Drink plenty of water." Pete advised turning towards the throne room. He walked in and found Luna, Liz, Jay, and Matt all standing around a small map. The four looked up at him. Luna looked sligtly worried, but the other three just nodded in greeting.

"So, what's happening now?" Pete asked as he looked at the map. "Manehattan... of course it's called Manehattan."

"Yes, we've recieved reports of refugies there. We want to send out a contingent to see if we can't bring them here." Luna told him.

Pete got a pondering look. "How many ponies can the sky chariot hold?" He asked.

"Without counting the ponies pulling it around fifteen if it's packed." The princess answered.

"And how many survivors do you predict there are?" Pete continued to questoin.

We beleive somewhere from ten to thirteen, possibly more." Luna told him.

Pete gave a small nod of accnolegment. "Alright prepare two chariots. I'll go pick some guards to accompany us." Pete said starting towards the barracks.

"How many are you going to ask to come?" Luna asked with some hesitence.

"Four or five." Pete said walking off. "And just so you know, that's also the number I plan to come back with." He said over his shoulder as he left.

Within a few minutes Pete was in the courtyard with the five selected guards, six other guards, all pegasus, were getting hitched to the two chariots. The princess, Armor, Cadence, and the girls were all there to wish them luck. Pete was addressing the guards.

"Alright listen up, The pegasi will land near the outskirts of a town. You'll dehitch from the chariot and all but two of you will go with us and the rest of the guard. The two remaining will watch the chariots. If anything happens one will fly out and find us to give a report. The guards with us will be on escort duty. We find the survivors, get them moving as fast as possible, and leave before things start to go south. Understand?" He finished. A chorus of 'yes sir' answered him. "Good, we leave in fiftenn minutes collect any gear that you think you may need, but don't let it weigh you down." The guards saluted and went to fetch their gear.

Armor walked up next to Pete. "You're sure you were never in the military?" He asked.

"Matt asked the same thing the first few times I came up with plans. Granted there was a lot more shouting and more use of the word 'bullshit' involved." Pete said. Matt reached over and slapped him on the back of the head. "What it's true."

"I've only ever said the word 'bullshit' to you once, and it was to describe your cooking." Matt told him.

"I thought we were done with this. It's not my fault you found expired beans." Pete responded.

"Expired beans don't make someone bedridden for a week." Matt countered.

Jay just tapped Armor on the shoulder. "You probably aren't going to get to say much more to him. The bean story is a very touchy subject for those two." He said.

Armor just rolled his eyes. "How did you survive this long?" He asked chucking.

Jay just smiled. "Because no matter how crazy and silly we act, when our lives are on the line we're all we have left to trust." He said. Armor just stared at him. "Hey,  I can have my deep moments too."

"You're sure that he's okay to go?" Twilight asked walking up looking at Pete.

Jay sighed. "I can't really say, but I can say that if I was willing to put my life in anyones hands it would be his."

Twilight looked towards Matt and Pete arguing. "Does he really not consider anypony his friend?" She asked.

Jay chuckled. "He may never call someone his friend, but he can sure act like one. Pete's helped a lot of people, and many would call him their friend, but I don't think he calls anyone his friend." Jay answered.

"And what about you?" Twilight asked.

Jay was silent. "I know him well enough to call him friend. He wouldn' t feel comfortable about it, and friends don't try to make their friends uncomfortable." He said as he started smiling again.

"You realize that brings up more questions than answers." Twilight responded.

"That's because it's fun." Jay told her.

"Liz! Jay! We're leaving!" Pete called out, and the two made their way to the chariot.

The group left Canterlot and made thier way to Manehattan. When they landed they started to do what Pete had explained to them earlier. Two pegasi waited behind hidden watching the chariots, while the others started to make thier way into the town.

"Where were the survivors seen?" Pete asked one of the scouts they brought along. 

"Along the northern edge, just a few blocks away from where we landed." He answered.

"Alright, you're on point with me. Lead the way." Pete told him. The guard nodded and started to walk through the town. 

The group stuck to back alleys and shadows to avoid attention, making their way towards the northern edge.

"This was an industrial type town wasn't it?" Pete asked the guard.

"That's right, why?" He answered.

"Because I would expect a place with as much population as this city had before to have more zombies roaming the streets." Pete told him.

"Isn't that a good thing?" The guards asked.

"Maybe, just remember this, if the majority of the population isn't here, it's somewhere else." Pete told him.

The guard seemed to understand and didn't speak any more of it. The group walked out from one of the alleys the guard leading the pack.

"We saw them somewhere around this street." The guard said as he looked up and down the street for any signs of ponies.

Pete nodded and scanned the street. His gaze stopped on a house. "There." He said pointing to it. "Look at the windows, they've been intentionally covered by blankets. That's a good sight that someone's living there." Pete explained.

The guards nodded and made heir way towards the house. As they reahed the Pete jiggled the handle quietly. "Locked, Liz you're up." Pete said backing away from the door. 

Liz stepped forward pulling a pin out of her hair and crouching down to the lock's level. Within a few moments the small sound of a click was heard.

Liz backed away and Pete stepped up bring out his knife. "Living coming it." He said into the house. He opened the door and walked in. As he steped in he brought his knife up quickly and stopped a frying pan that was about to smack his head. There was a large earthpony grirpping it in his teeth on the other end.

Pete sighed. "What part of living coming in didn't you understand?" He asked as the rest of the guard filled into the building.

The ponies inside, fourteen adults and four children, were releaved to see the guard, but they were still apprehensive around the humans.

As the guards began expianing the situation to the survivors. Pete made his way to the door and watched the road. A few moments later he felt a small tapping on his leg. He looked down and one of the young colts was looking up at him.

"Um e-excuse me, but what are you?" He asked in a nervous voice.

Pete put on a small smile. "I'm the guy who's going to make sure you get out of here safe." He answered the small foal, who smiled as Pete answered.

Pete stood up suddenly and looked out the window. Some movement had caught his eye. He looked out and saw a lone pegasus guard flying above the street. Pete opened the door and reached out an arm until the guard notice it. The guard flew down quickly and came innside.

"What's going on?" Pete asked him, as the others inside gathered around to see what the commotion was.

"Sir," The guard started. "We have a problem."
> Chapter 23 - ...Goodbye
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

...Goodbye

"What exactly is the problem?" Pete asked the guard as he closed the door behind them.

"Infected sir, they found the chariots. They didn't notice me or the other guard, but they aren't leaving the area and it doesn't look like they're going to soon.

Pete started to pace in the entryway. "Matt, Liz, Jay!" He called into the house. The three humans walked into the entryway.

"What's going on?" Matt asked.

"Zombies found the chariots. No conflict, but they aren't leaving." Pete told them.

"So what's the plan?" Jay asked.

"Well, you and Liz are going to stay with the civilians. Matt and I, plus a few guards, are going to go the chariots and create a distraction. I'm not going to trust some random church bell with this one. We need to have someone there to make sure their attention isn't drawn to the chariots. After we lure them away you both will take  the civilians and get them on the chariot. Make sure they stay quiet." Pete told them all. "Can you get this information to the other guard without getting noticed yourself?" Pete asked the lookout.

"Yes sir." He responded.

"Then do it." Pete told him. The guard left making his way back towards the chariot.

"Matt I'll trust you're judgment on which guards we take with us. I want at least one, no more than three." Pete told Matt. "I'm going too do some quick scouting while everything gets set up."

Pete opened the door to the house and made his way outside walking down alleys, and climbing up fire escapes. He surveyed the area around the house, and the different paths leaving it. Taking notes of buildings, debris, and other objects left behind. He spent around five minutes scouting before he started to make his way back to the house. He walked in and found Matt and two guards, both unicorn, waiting in the entryway. "Get everyone into the living room." Pete instructed. It was easy enough since everyone else was already in there.

"Alright listen up." Pete said getting the attention of the room. "We're going to be starting the evacuation soon. The chariot is landed southeast of here. You all are going to start off by going directly east, it has the most buildings and the best cover for a large group. Stay behind those two and the rest of the guard, they know what they're doing." Pete said indicating to Liz and Jay. "Myself and the three behind me are going to be taking up a distraction mission to make sure you can all get on the chariots safely, we'll be taking a more direct route to the landing area. When we're done one of the chariots will come to pick the four of us up at a designated location." Pete explained. "If you have any questions, figure them out or just don't ask. Be prepared to leave in twenty five minutes." Pete finished with the crowd. Walking back into the entryway followed by the distraction team. "Get any gear you need, we leave as soon as we can." Pete told them.

"Already done." Matt responded.

"Good, we're going now then." Pete said as the four of them left the building.

The four made their way slowly through the neighborhood. They didn't want to attract too much attention to themselves yet. They killed a few zombies silently along the way. Taking short detours every-so-often to keep out of sight.

Pete looked down at his watch, it may not have an accurate time, but it still shows how much time has elapsed.

"It's been twenty minutes." Pete said to the group. "They civilians will be leaving in around ten minutes. I want the zombies away from the chariots by then." Pete told them. The group nodded and made their way across the street they were on and started up a hill right outside of town. As they neared the top they began to hear the telltale signs of zombie moaning coming from the top of the hill. Pete put his back against a fallen log and peaked over the top. The clearing wear they had landed the chariots was packed with zombies. Pete slowly crept back down to the other three. "Okay, here's the plan. Matt will draw their attention with the sound of his guns shooting. We're going to wait for them to see us. As soon as they do, their hunter instincts should take over and the hoard is going to begin to chase us. We're going to start running, but not so fast that they lose us we want to keep them distracted as long as we can otherwise they might just wander back here. We're going to start off taking the path we came, but we'll be changing quickly." Pete explained. He looked down at his watch. "We'll try to wait five more minutes before we start." Pete told the three of them. The group sat down with their backs against the side of the hill. Occasionally peeking over into the clearing to make sure no zombies were wandering towards them. Pete looked down at his watch and moved from his sitting position to a crouch. The other tree followed suit and Pete gave a small nod to Matt.

Matt lifted his assault rifle into the air and fired off a burst of three rounds. The four waited on the edge of the hill until the first infected stumbled over the hill. It made eye contact and let out a growl. What was left of it's decaying muscles tensed and it took off towards the four. Soon a sea of infected were charging. The four took off running down the mountain using some obstacles to keep their distance from the horde but stay in their sight. The order went Pete, guards, then Matt bringing up the rear. He occasionally fired off a few rounds into some of the zombies that strayed too close to the four of them.

"Left up ahead!" Pete called behind him turning from the alley and into a street. That had around five infected on it. "Right!" He called turning down the sidewalk. "Try and find a two story building that has roof access!" Pete told them.

"Five down, Far side!" One of the guards called out. "It's a Laundromat, it has an air dry rack on the roof!"

"Perfect!" Pete said taking a diagonal turn and moving across the street. He ran to Laundromat and slammed against the door flinging it open. The single zombie inside kept it's head for all of two seconds. Pete shut the door as the other three made it through. He took a broom and broke it against his leg shoving it in the handle of the door. The four backed up towards the stairs but stayed on the first level. Pete checked his watch. They had been running for around five minutes now. "The civilians should be arriving at the chariots in three or four more minutes. It will take about one to two minutes to take off. Wait down here for seven more minutes. They can see through the glass in the front so they should stay interested in us. After six or seven minutes well go up to the roof and shoot off a flare to get the chariot's attention." Pete told the other three. "Help me move some of these tables, we don't want to take any risks if they do manage to put enough force against that glass, which they almost certainly will." Pete said as some cracks already began to form on the glass from the zombies pressing against it. The four moved around some of the tables and formed a makeshift barricade, with some of the machines for support and weight. The glass shattered in around three minutes. The zombies pilled against the barricade, but it held. Matt would fire off a few rounds if it looked like some zombies were about to come over the barricade. Pete and the two guards would occasionally send a small blast of kinetic magic to knock some of the zombies back. Pete had to stop after two minutes, his reserves still recovering from his last magical escapade. The barricade held the zombies back for the next two minutes.

"Alright everybody to the roof." Pete said. The four turned and went up the stairs. They made it outside and Matt slammed the door pushing his back against the door to keep it from opening. "Pete!" He called out tossing a small object to him.

Pete grabbed the object and pointed it to the sky. He pulled the trigger and a bright red glow filled the air around them before making it's way into the sky. Pete tossed the flare gun to the ground and put his shoulder against the door as the heard splintering wood from the first floor. Within seconds the door the roof was being banged and scraped from the other side.

Not much time passed before the chariot came into view and landed on the roof. The two unicorn guards got on to the chariot.

"Do you got any magic to keep the door closed while we make a break for it?" Matt asked Pete.

Pete held up one hand and a black aura flickered before vanishing. "I got nothing left in the tank."

"Then we have a problem. We can only hold the door so long, and without us holding it the chariot will be overrun before it has time to take off." Matt said.

"Any ideas?" Pete asked.

"I do have one." Matt said unslinging this rifle and handing it to Pete. "I know you don't like guns, but you're going to need it for what I have planned." Matt said. He had a slight pause. "Actually I think you'd do better with a shotgun considering you like to be up close and personal." Matt said handing Pete his shotgun as well.

"Yeah, I guess." Pete responded extending the assault rifle for Matt to take back, but he didn't take it.

"That good care of them." Matt told him.

"Matt what are you-" Pete started, but Matt stopped him by putting a hand on Pete's back and giving him a strong push sending him stumbling towards the chariot. Pete hit the railing and two pairs of hooves reached down and pulled him in by his arms.

"We need to go now, if we don't we aren't getting out of here!" One of the pegasus attached to the chariot yelled.

"Then Go!" A voice on the roof called out. Pete stood up quickly and saw Matt still bracing the door. He was smiling, not the normal small smile he has to show he's content, but an actual full happy smile. The chariot began to move. Pete was at the railing shouting.

Matt looked on as the chariot started to hover off the roof. He spoke only a few more words softly, barely heard by the one person they were being spoken to.

"...Good-bye, my friend."
> Chapter 24 - In Memoriam
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Memoriam

Pete stood on the edge of the chariot. Matt's weapons hanging from the crook of one of his arms. The other arm outstretched off of the chariot. He stood frozen a look of pure terror and sadness stuck on his face. The civilians on the chariot gave him space taking to the opposite side. A few of the guards stood by Pete's side quietly. These guards had lost some of their own recently. They knew the pain, and knew that no words would make this any better. Jay and Liz were with the other chariot a few minutes ahead. Unaware of what even transpired on that rooftop.

As the chariot approached Canterlot Pete finally moved. He slung the weapons he held across his back. The tears that stained his face betraying his stoic expression. The chariot landed and Pete jumped over the railing and started to walk away before it had even come to a stop. Luna, Twilight, Jay, and Liz all started to walk to greet him, but the two humans froze as they saw the man approach. Even if his tears weren't visible yet, the weapons on his back were.

"Why does Pete have Matt's guns?" Jay asked. "Matt wouldn't give those to anybody, ever."

The two ponies with them stopped and looked at the two humans, confused, who had worried expressions.

"M-matt must be injured, that's it. Pete's just holding on to them for him." Liz suggested her voice hesitant.

"Why are you both acting in such a manner?" Luna asked. "Does Pete having Matt's weapons have that much significance?"

"Matt said no other man, women, child, pony, or anything would ever touch his guns unless it was the only way to survive, or-" Pete started his raspy voice catching in his throat. The four noticed the dried tears on his face.

"-or until the day he died." Jay finished, staring at Pete.

Twilight gasped and looked suddenly at Pete. "You-you don't mean he's-"

"He's gone." Pete said walking past the four.

"Pete where are you going?" Twilight asked worried.

"To give my final respects." He answered.

Twilight started to follow, but Jay stepped in front of her shaking his head. Both he and Liz followed after Pete. The normal liveliness in their step gone.

The three entered the castle and came out a few minutes later carrying the helmet that was made for Matt, he never wore it since he didn't like his vision being blocked.  The three made their way to the gardens and walked into the statue section. There they laid the helmet on the ground in an open spot. Pete unslung the assault rifle on his back. Reaching up  he gripped a set of dog tags that were hanging from the stock of the rifle. Pete placed them onto the ground leaning then against the helmet to support them.

Luna, Twilight, and many of the guard stood a ways off watching the three. Twilight was the only one openly crying, the guards and Luna keeping a stoic expression, but their eyes showing the sorrow they felt.

The three stood at the spot a few minutes longer just staring at the unofficial grave. They were talking softly to each other low enough that the ponies couldn't hear what they were saying.

Pete was the first to walk away. No longer able to look at the grave. From the direction he was walking, he was going to the wall. The place he always went when he didn't want others to see him. Twilight followed after him. The two remaining humans walked away a few moments later. Princess Luna ushered the guards away and them made her way towards the two humans.

"If you wish, I could commission the mason's to build a statue for him." She suggested to the two.

Liz just shook her head.

"Matt was never one for extravagance." Jay said a sad smile on his face. "I'm sure he wouldn't want anymore than what we already gave him." He said as he turned away from Luna walking towards the castle, Liz not far behind.

Pete was standing on the edge of the wall staring out into nothing. Twilight saw him standing there and made her way up on top of the wall.

"Pete?" She said hesitantly, approaching the man. "Pete are you-"

"It's my fault." Pete said interrupting her. 

"Wha-What?" She asked surprised.

"On the roof I could've saved us both. I could've held the door with magic. I- I just didn't dig deep enough. If I tried harder I could've found the power and held the door. It's my fault he's gone! I didn't try hard enough!" Pete shouted his stoic expression breaking.

Twilight's confused stare turned into a glare. "What do you think you're saying?!" She said as her horn lit up and Pete was lifted into the air by a levitation field. He flailed about in surprise. "I can feel you magic reserves, they're completely empty. No matter how deep you dug, or how hard you tried. You can't find something that isn't there!" She berated him. "You can't keep blaming yourself for things that were out of your control! You did the best you could."

"Yeah, well my best wasn't good enough!" Pete shouted. "And when you're not good enough people die! How, exactly, is it not my fault!? It was my plan, my weakness, my lack of preparation that caused him to get killed! What part of that sound's like it's not my fault?!" He asked with fury.

Twilight flinched back slightly. "The part where he wouldn't want you to think that." She said.

Pete's eyes shrunk to pinpricks. His lips parted showing grinding teeth. Suddenly Twilight's levitation field failed as Pete freed himself from it. He walked up to Twilight and wrapped a hand around her horn lifting her off the ground slightly. "YOU DO NOT GET TO SPEAK FOR HIM!!" He shouted at her. "Do you know his last words to me?! 'Goodbye, my friend'. Friend! FRIEND! How could he call me a friend I never considered anyone my friend, and I got him killed! What type of 'friend' does that?!" He shouted as he glared at Twilight in anger.

Twilight was grimacing in pain. "Your scared, I can see that, but you can't take it out on yourself. No one want's that." She said through her pain.

Pete dropped her to the ground and turned his back to her. "Me, Scared? Why would I be scared right now?!" He asked.

Twilight took a few breaths to steady herself. "...Because for the first time, you're admitting to yourself that Matt was always your friend and you feel like you failed him, but no friend would want to wish that fear and pain on another, so obviously Matt wouldn't want you to feel that way." Twilight told him.

Pete stared off away from her for some time. Then he turned around his teeth no longer bared, and tears flowing down the sides of his face. "Why?...Why was it him and not me?" He asked. "He's the one who deserved to live, not me." Pete said as his legs fell out from under him and he was resting on his knees.

Twilight walked up to him and wrapped her legs around him in an embrace. "Neither of you deserved to live more than the other, because that means somepony deserved to die, and no one deserves to die." She said calmly trying to comfort him.

"Then why did I live and not him?" Pete asked.

"...Because he was the first to admit to himself that he would be willing to give everything to let you live. If you had thought of it first, you probably would've done the same thing." She told him.

"So the reason is because I was too stubborn to accept it?" Pete asked with a sad chuckle. "He would've loved to make fun of me for that." Pete said as his eyes began to water again. He buried his head into Twilight's coat and didn't hold back his tears anymore. He was glad she was here. After all he couldn't be strong all the time, and she was the only one he was willing to show his weakness too.
> Chapter 25 - Reminiscent
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reminiscent

Pete was sitting in the dinning room eating his meal half-heartedly. His mind continually wandering to the rooftop.

He sighed. He had promised Twilight he would try not to dwell on it, but he just lost a comrade- no, not a comrade, a friend. How could he not dwell on it?

Pete groaned putting his head into his hands and pushed his food away. His eyes drifted to the two guns that were leaning on the chair next to him. They had been entrusted to him. He let out a sigh. What did I do to earn this trust?

He was trying to feel like it wasn't his fault, but he just couldn't. Every time he tried to consider the thought the rooftop came back to him. All his thoughts devoted to what he could've done.

Outside the dinning room two humans and two ponies stood there looking in through a cracked door.

"Should somepony talk to him?" Luna asked.

"I already did." Twilight responded.

"And what did he say?" Jay asked.

"I'm not going to reveal anymore secrets that he told me. One time was one too many." Twilight told him with a small glare. He expression softened a little. "But he's certainly doing much better than he was." She said.

"Isn't there anything we could do for him?" Luna asked.

Liz just shook her head. "I don't think there's anything more we can do for him. We just need to make sure that he knows we're here if he needs help." She said.

Luna sighed. "You're right, It just feels terrible not being able to do anything."

Twilight looked into the dinning room with sad eyes. "Just think how he feels." She said looking at the depressed Pete.

"He hasn't let those guns out of his sight since he got back." Luna said.

"Yeah, Matt treasured those guns." Jay said. He chuckled a little. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that he had been born with them in his hands."

"Why were those guns so important to him?" Twilight asked.

"He never said specifically, but he said before that if he didn't have them he would've died countless times over." Liz answered her.

"We don't even know if he was talking out zombies or when he was military." Jay added on.

"Probably both." Liz said.

"If he cared for them so, why did I see him taking them apart daily?" Twilight asked.

Jay just chuckled. "He took them apart to clean them. Dismantled down to the smallest part, so that you can get a complete refurbishing. I'm pretty sure he cleaned them more than he cleaned himself." Jay told them.

"Considering we had running water maybe once every two weeks it isn't that surprising." Liz responded.

"You know what I was trying to say." Jay said rolling his eyes.

The two put on bittersweet smiles. Remembering was a joyous yet painful experience.

"So what do you think of Pete?" Twilight asked.

"What do you mean?" Liz responded.

"Well, Matt called him a friend before he -well you know. I just wanted to know your opinion." Twilight answered.

Jay and Liz pondered for a moment. "Pete...well, Pete's Pete." Jay answered. Twilight just looked confused.

Liz rolled her eyes. "What he  means to say is that all of us have been through a lot together. We've saved each other's lives more times than we can count. If we didn't form some sort of bond over that then we aren't human. What that bond is though is hard to say." Liz explained.

"I for one would consider Pete my friend. Pulled my ass out of the fire many times, and I would probably do the same for him." Jay told them.

"Same for me." Liz agreed. "The real question is what does he thing of us?" She said.

"And the answer is I don't know." The  four jumped as the dinning room door opened and Pete looked at all of them. "If you're going to talk about me behind my back you should try being quieter." He told them. "But then again you two already knew this was going to happen didn't you?" He asked turning to face the two humans who had smiles, contrary to the two ponies who both had slight blushes of embarrassment.

"Guilty is charged." Jay answered with a smile.

Pete just sighed. He tightened the straps on the two weapons on his back and started to walk. "I'm going to head to the barracks to see if any of the troops are up for training. You're welcome to tag along if you want." He said as he walked by.

The two humans just turned away. "Nah, you seen one guard lose to you, you've seen them all." Jay said chuckling. "That's kind of true too. They do all look the same." He said as both he and Liz walked off.

Twilight fell into step behind Pete, Luna following as well.

"How are you holding up?" Twilight asked as she accelerated so she was walking beside him.

"Still have symptoms of depression, can't stop thinking it's my fault, haven't had a clear thought since." Pete told her. "But I'm not cowering in my room anymore, so that's improvement." He told her.

"Um..." A voice said behind them. They turned and looked at Luna. "Am I suppose to be hearing this?" She asked.

Twilight looked to Pete.

Pete just shrugged. "Truthfully I don't mind you knowing that much. As long as you don't go telling everyone you see what I've said like a certain mare." He told her.

"Hey!" Twilight said angrily. "I made a mistake okay, and I haven't told anypony." She told him.

"Ooh, that's good. Are you going for the record? Do you think you'll last more than a few hours this time?" He asked her.

Twilight just blushed and looked away.

"Okay..." Luna responded uneasily. "So... why me?" She asked.

Pete stopped in his stride. "Well...you've experience the same pain." He told her. She looked at him with confusion. "I didn't really see it at the time, but Matt...He was like a brother to me. The brother I wish I had. And I can't help but feel that his death is partially my fault." He told her. "And you understand what it's like to lose a sibling like that." He finished. Luna looked surprised for a moment, but it faded after a moment. "Do you think it was your fault?" He asked her.

She thought for a long time. "I-I don't know. I feel like I played a part in it, but I don't really know it I feel like it's my fault." She said.

Pete sighed. "Well, that's farther along then I've gotten so it looks like there's still some hope to be had." He said.

Luna came up and gave him a small smile. "Just keep remembering that they wouldn't want you thinking it's you fault. It helps." She told him.

Pete was silent for a moment, but managed to return the smile, it was weak but it was a smile. "Thank you, Luna." He said to her as he took up his stride again.

"Are you still going to spar with the guard to get you mind off of things?" Twilight asked with some annoyance.

"Well yes and no." He answered. "I'm still going to spar, but not to take my mind off things anymore." He told her. getting a confused look. "I learned to fight by instinct by being raised on the street, but I learned to fight by skill from a certain man." He explained.

Twilight and Luna both smiled slightly as he explained.

"I'm going to prove that those lesson's weren't for naught. I'm going to prove that I did deserve his friendship, and that he earned mine." Pete said with a stronger smile.


> Chapter 26 - Adapting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adapting

Pete stood at the end of one side of the training grounds a set of three targets sitting along the other side. He had in his hands an assault rifle and a shotgun strapped to  the back of his waist. He would fire three rounds then take out a pair of binoculars and look at the targets. He repeated this process many times over.

Princess Luna, the elements, and the two humans stood a small ways away from him watching. The ponies covering their ears as he was shooting.

"What does he think he's doing?" Luna asked complaining.

"Well he's trying to get back in the swing of shooting again." Jay told her.

"Back in the swing?" Twilight questioned.

"Yeah, this is the first time in who knows how long that he's even tried to fire a gun." Jay explained.

"Really?" Twilight responded surprised. "They seem so useful, so why doesn't hasn't he used one before now?"

"Pete had a bad experience with a gun at one point. It jammed on him and stopped firing while a hoard was closing in on him. He barely go out alive. He didn't really trust guns from then on. Choosing to use knives and blades instead." Liz told her. "As for why he's taken then up now... I think it's because Matt entrusted his guns to Pete, and Pete doesn't want to let that gift go to waste."

Twilight nodded her head in understanding. Pete began firing again and the ponies grimaced and covered their ears. "How can you just stand there so nonchalantly? That gunfire is painful." Twilight said to the two humans.

Jay chuckled. "Well for one I'm fairly certain you have more sensitive ears that us. Secondly, being accustomed to gunfire kind of comes in the job description of 'zombie slayer'." Jay joked.

Luna just rolled her eyes. "I can see why he asked us to put a sound dampening barrier around the training field. Any infected even in the general area of the castle would hear the shots." She said.

Pete took the assault rifle and slung in across his back. Reaching down he pulled the shotgun in front of him. He began to approach the targets.

Jay smiled. "Be prepared. The shotgun is a bit different from an assault rifle." He told the mares.

"Different how?" Twilight asked.

There was a sudden loud explosion like sound around them that caused most of them to jump. They turned and looked at the field. Pete stood some ways away from the targets. Two were exactly as they had been, but the third. Well, the third didn't really exist anymore.

The mares' eyes were wide as they looked at the completely obliterated target.

Jay gave a content sigh. Ah the shotgun, every zombie killers dream weapon." He said happily. "Too bad Matt never let me use it, I wonder if Pete would?"

"Pete doesn't trust you with a can opener, not after what happen last time." Liz said.

"Hey! We promised we would never speak of that again." Jay told here with an intense glare.

"Wait, what happened?" Twilight asked.

"Let's just say there's a reason only Pete and I cook for us." Liz told her.

"And that reason is?" Twilight questioned.

"Let's just say if you like your kitchen exploded, Jay is the person to talk to." Liz answered.

Jay just looked away trying to ignore the laughing mares.

Pete began to make his way over to the group. Holstering the shotgun behind him again. "Thanks for the barrier princess. I needed the practice." He said to her.

"It was not a problem." Luna said as her horn glowed faintly before going out. "But next time, I think some earplugs would be appreciated." 

Pete gave a soft smile.

"So what's the plan for the rest of today?" Jay asked.

Pete shrugged. "Is there any chaos or enclaves that need looking into?" He asked the princess.

She shook her head. "None, it's been unnaturally quiet. It's a welcome relief, but slightly troubling."

Pete nodded. "I know that feeling." He stretched his arms above his head. "Well baring a sudden attack I think I'm going to go explore the rest of the city. I haven't spent that much time outside the castle, so I think it would be a welcome change of scenery." He said.

"I'll go with you." Twilight said. "I grew up in the city, I could show you around if you'd like."

"That sounds good." Pete responded. "And what about you two?" He asked the two humans.

Jay yawned. "I think I'm going to catch up on my sleep. It's been forever since I've had a real bed, but I've hardly had a chance to really use it." He said.

"I'm more interested in the hot water." Liz said. "I'm going to go take a nice long bath. It'll feel nice to be clean for a change." She said.

Pete rolled his eyes. "You two are just love to be pampered don't you?" He asked.

"Hey, with the way we've been living for the past few however long I think we've earned ourselves a little pampering." Jay told him.

Pete waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, sure you do." He turned away as the two humans walked away. "So where to first Sparkles?" He asked as he stared towards the castle's exit.

"Sparkles? Really?" Twilight asked as she followed after him.

"Well it get's boring just calling you Twilight all the time." He told her.

She rolled her eyes. "I swear between you and Pinkie you're going to drive me insane."

"And where's the problem in being insane? I'm thoroughly enjoying it." Pete told her.

Twilight sighed. "Anyways, I'm thinking starting at the market would be a good place, you'll always find something that's useful when  you look through there." Twilight said.

"Very well then lead the way." He said as he followed behind her.

The two left the castle and weaved their way through the buildings and streets leading to the market. It helped that everypony was giving Pete a wide berth. He may have been staying in Canterlot, but not many ponies had seen him before.

Pete and Twilight arrived at the market in good time and began to browse through. They stopped at a few stands to examine what they had to offer. Pete had stopped at one of the stands and looked at a sword that was resting on the counter. He was currently in a discussion with the owner about the price.

"The sword is nice and all, but I don't think it's worth that much." Pete said.

"I assure you sir, it's worth every bit." The merchant said.

Pete picked up the sword and removed it from it's sheath. He shook his head slightly. "Well I don't really think so. The sword curves slightly making in a bit weaker. It's hilt if too heavy and makes the entire sword off balanced. The blade itself seems fragile. It's hardly worth anything as a weapon. The only real use for a weapon like this is collection, and there aren't that many out there who are still focused on collections nowadays." Pete said to the merchant.

The merchant bit his lip and began to sweat slightly. "...Alright, alright. We'll do it your way." He said as Pete handed over a bag of bits.

Pete looped the sword around his waist as he and Twilight began to head back towards the castle.

Twilight was just watching him with some amazement. "I didn't know you knew that much about swords." She said to Pete.

"Well they've been my weapon of choice for a long time, I know a good bit about them." He told her.

She nodded slightly in understanding. "So, why did you buy the sword then. You said it didn't have much use as a weapon, and I'm pretty sure you don't collect them." Twilight said.

"Well Sparkles, you see I know a lot about swords, so by extension I know when a seller isn't fully aware of the beauty he has in his possession." He told her, she just looked at him confused. "In short, Everything I said about the sword was a lie. It's one of the best weapons I've ever laid my eyes on." He told her smiling.

She just looked shocked. "That-that seems rather mean." Twilight said.

"Hey, growing up on the street if you see something that will help keep you alive, you try and get it for as cheap as you possibly can." He told her. "And I can assure you, this sword is definitely going to help me stay alive." He said happily as he patted the hilt.

"I don't think I'll ever understand you." Twilight said.

"Good, it makes it that much more fun." Pete told her. She stuck her tongue out at him. "Wow real mature."
> Chapter 27 - Madness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Madness

Pete was sitting at the dinning table polishing his helmet. He had just finished cleaning the weapons that rested next to him, and his armor that he now wore. Sitting across from him was Rainbow, who was explaining their recent scouting missions. She tending to focus on her 'awesome' stunts. Pete just smiled and listened.

"-And then while in the shop this infected suddenly jumps out and grabs me. He starts shouting and shaking me all about, so I punched him in the muzzle and did a backflip back onto my hooves. I got out of there, but I could've taken him." She said with confidence.

Pete's look hardened. "What did you say?" He asked.

"What? Weren't you listening. I said it grabbed me and started shouting so I-"

"Zombies don't shout." Pete stated. He stood up. "Get Luna to prepare a chariot. If what I think is happening is starting, we need to stop it here." He told her standing up.

"What? What's starting?" She asked looking at him worried.

"Just get a chariot, and tell the guards where to fly to." Pete told her walking out of the room.

A few minutes later a chariot was waiting in the courtyard. Rainbow talking to the guards pulling it. Luna stood to the side with Pete, Liz, and Jay who were all suited up.

"Pete will you tell me what's happening?" Luna asked. "Rainbow said you just asked for a chariot and gave a strange warning."

Pete sighed. "I'm not sure you want to hear it." He told her.

"If you think it's severe enough that none of the guards can handle it, then I want to know what's threatening my ponies." Luna told him.

Pete was silent. "Well... It's your own ponies threatening them." He told her.

"Wha-what?" She asked.

"Rainbow said you ran into a zombie that was shouting at her. Zombies don't do that. Living do. I can only see two options here. Either it's a pony who's disguised as a zombie hoping they will ignore him. I pray to god hoping that's what happening. Though, more than likely, reality is becoming to hard for them to bear."

What does that mean?" Luna responded.

"It mean's their beginning to give in to the insanity. I told you before about scavenging. Taking things left behind. Those that give in, they find looking for places to scavenge not efficient enough. They think it's easier to simply take what others already have, by force more than likely."

"You- you aren't saying that-" Luna started.

"Yep, they attack people to steal their supplies, many times just leaving their victim to die in the end...Or in the most severe cases, they attack only to get food, directly from their victim." Pete told her.

"But isn't that the exact same thing?" Luna asked.

"No, because when I say directly, I mean directly." Luna just stared at him still confused. Pete sighed and lifted up his index finger. He bit down on it lightly. That got the message across.

"But-but, that's just-" Luna stammered.

"Evil, inhumane, insane, despicable. All true, but do you know what those that have given in see it as?" Pete responded. "Efficient. They get food immediately, and get whatever supplies they had."

"How could that happen to somepony?" She asked gagging slightly.

"Like I said, they give in to the insanity. Back where we're from it has become so commonplace that there are multiple groups created for that sole principle. A man's gotta eat after all, and what's the most readily available thing in the apocalypse? Zombies, followed by survivors." Pete told her. "That's why I want to go out there now, to see if that's what starting. I severely hope not, but if it is. We need to stop it now."

"You- you seem to know a lot about this." Luna said.

Pete nodded. "I've dealt with a few individuals in the past. Truthfully, I understand how it happens. Hell, It truthfully has occurred to me that it's a pretty effective means of survival." He told her, causing her to stare at him. "Now don't think that means I'm going to start doing that. I still have a strong moral compass, but I can't deny that they are efficient."

"So... what are you going to do if you find them?" Luna asked.

"Well, hopefully we won't. Best case scenario if we do, We convince them to get help. Bring them here, get them to a therapist or something and kill the urges." Pete told her.

"And if they don't want help?" She asked hesitantly.

"...Then their no more than feral animals needing to be put down." Pete told her.

She gasped and covered her mouth. "That- that's a terrible-"

"This world is terrible. Hard choices need to be made. If they don't want to get help, then we can't help them. We can only try to keep them from harming others." Pete told her. "You may be older than me, but I'm more experienced in this world. Trust me when I say, there's no middle ground here. They either get help, or they get put down."

Luna turned away. She didn't want to agree with what he was saying, but there was logic and thought behind his words, as well as personal experience.

"We'll be back in three days tops to give our report. Keep the guards of alert, and don't allow any reckless behavior." Pete told her as he began to walk to the chariot, but stopped. "And this conversation stays between us. We don't need others panicking about all this." 

The three humans stepped onto the chariot and bid their farewells. The guards took off leaving behind the princess, deep in thought.

"Um, Princess." A voice said. Luna turned around and saw Twilight standing there. "I- I didn't mean to eavesdrop. It just happened." She said quietly. "Do- do you really think Pete meant everything he said?" She asked.

Luna sighed. "I truthfully believe he did. I'm sure that many have felt the stress. It wouldn't be surprising if there's some trauma from it all."

'But, do you think he'd actually...kill somepony? Just for being mentally unstable?" Twilight asked the words catching in her throat for a moment.

Luna looked away. "I don't know... I think he'll do what he thinks is right. If he thinks that it will be the most helpful... I think he would." Luna told her.

The days passed uneventful. On the third day a chariot was spotted on the horizon. Luna and Twilight rushed out to meet them. When the chariot landed the three human's stepped off. No pony else was on the chariot. When Luna asked Pete all he said was. 'It's been taken care of.' Then he left, followed by the other two.

Luna then confronted the guards who were pulling the chariot.

"You two, what happened out there? Surely you must've seen something." She said to the two of them, Twilight at her side.

The guards were silent for a moment. "Frankly princess, I'm not sure what we saw." One of the guards told her.

"One second we're fighting though infected, then when they were all stopped. From nowhere this pony jumps out in front of us." The other guard continued. "I don't know what he was covered in, but...but it wasn't just dirt and grime."

"Pete took the pony aside and started talking to him. Some time into the conversation the pony breaks out in this massive grin." The first guard said. "It wasn't natural, it sent chills up my spine."

"We watched the pony for some time more, but then...well one moment the pony's got his head up talking and the next...well the next his head was on the ground... he wasn't going to be talking anymore."

The Princess and Twilight, both sat there speechless at the story. They turned their head and looked at the castle that the humans had just walked into. Both wondering just what was said in that conversation, but neither really wanted to know.
> Chapter 28 - Losing Humanity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Losing Humanity

Pete sat in the dinning room sharpening his sword. Jay and Liz sat across from him eating some beans from a bowl.

Jay was scowling. "God Damnit, I'm tired of eating beans." He said staring at his bowl.

"Well it's all we brought with us, so you need to get over it. I don't want to start imposing of the princess and asking for meals. I'm not even sure we could eat their meals even if we wanted to." Pete told him.

"Yeah, yeah." Jay said dismissively, returning to his food.

There was a soft knock at the door.

The three humans looked up. "Twilight, Princess. What can we do for you?" Pete asked greeting the two ponies walking in.

"Well...we... we wanted to discuss the trip you went on yesterday." Twilight said.

"I suppose you would have some questions about it" Pete said laying his sword on the table. "Well, ask away."

"So...what exactly happened?" Luna asked.

"We arrived and fended off some zombies. Then this pony appeared. We talked to him. He was actually very polite, but...Well he was too far beyond any help. So I did what I had to do to keep the damages to a minimum." Pete told her.

"And by that you mean you-you killed him." Twilight said.

"Correct." Pete told her.

Twilight just looked away. "How could you kill a pony like that? He wasn't even infected." Twilight murmured.

"I could because if I didn't, too many would get hurt.." Pete told her.

"How could you know that?" Twilight questioned her voice almost breaking.

"Twilight...He offered me pony for a snack." Pete told her.

"Wha-what?" She responded with a gasp.

"When we started talking, he offered to give me some pony meat for the trip back home." Pete said bluntly.

"He-he truly offered you pony?" Luna asked.

"Yeah, like I said. He had gone beyond our help. He had given into his darker thoughts, and began to hurt others to ensure his survival." Pete said.

"Did-did you have to kill him though? Certainly you could've detained him and just brought him back. Locking him up so he wouldn't hurt anypony." Twilight said to him.

"Yes, I could've locked him away, but that wouldn't of kept his idea's from spreading." Pete explained. "Ponies would hear about him, at first they would wonder how someone could even begin to think like that, but as time goes on they would experience more and more tragedy. Soon they'll think back to him and wonder what it is like. A few may give in and try it, and that is what I'm trying to avoid." Pete told her.

"How could the ponies here even think about that? They would never turn to...to...to that." Twilight responded.

"I'm sure the same could be said of him, before he gave in." Pete said. "It's truly impossible to see into the soul of another and know who or what they might become."

Twilight was silent, staring at the floor.

"Is there anything you would like to add?" Pete asked Luna.

"There is one thing I would like to ask you." Luna answered. "You seem very knowledgeable about all this. You've had to deal with somepony like this before haven't you?"

Pete was silent for a moment. "...Back on Earth, we dealt with a lot of people." Pete began to explain. "We met our fair share of cannibals. Hell there were even a few that we liked, even after we found out the truth."

"So why did you like them, but not this pony?" Luna asked.

"Because they may have given in, but they hadn't let go of their morals." Pete told her.

"Could you elaborate?" Luna responded.

"Certainly, There was a cannibal we met. He wasn't a bad person. He understood that we didn't like the idea of eating another human. He respected in and never ate in front of us. And all the meat that he had, he got from hunting down people who truly deserved death. Men who had become raiders, bandits, murderers. They are who was on his menu." Pete said. "He never let go of his morals, and he wasn't a bad person...but, not everyone who's given in is like him." Pete said his tone shifting. "There was one man we met. A sick and twisted man. He believed the less time the meat had, the better it would taste."

"Meaning?" The princess asked.

"Meaning, he enjoyed young meat, he enjoyed eating children." Pete said. both Luna and Twilight gasped looking horrified. "He is one of the worst people imaginable, and yet there can be so much worse."

"What of the pony you met? What was his...favorite?" Twilight asked he word catching in her throat.

"Never got a chance to ask." Pete told her. He turned his head and looked at a clock on the wall. "If you'll excuse me, I have training to attend to." Pete said as he stood up. Taking his sword he sheathed it and began walking towards the training grounds. Twilight and Luna followed behind silently, while Jay and Liz were left to their meals that now didn't seem so appetizing.

Pete arrived at the training grounds and wasted no time in starting the training. He gave instruction and practices. Eventually he called for Shining Armor to spar him. The two squared off and began to fight. Pete took an early lead putting Armor on the defensive, but Armor didn't falter and retaliated. After two minutes straight of exchanging blows Armor's blade found itself resting against Pete's neck.

Pete gave a small smile. "You've improved." He said. "Good, then we can move on to a bit different training." He said. "Twilight!" Pete said calling over the mare.

She walked over slightly confused. "Yeah? What do you need?" She asked.

"Do you still remember the basic fighting techniques I taught you?" Pete questioned her.

"Oh course." She answered.

"Wait, you taught her fighting techniques?" Armor asked with some annoyance.

"Well she's a stubborn mare and probably going to get herself into trouble again eventually. I thought it best if she was prepared for it." Pete said to him.

"Hey!" Twilight said irritated.

Armor chuckled slightly.

"Anyway, Twilight you're going to help me with this next bit of training." Pete told her.

"Alright." Twilight said with a little hesitation.

"Armor get ready for your next match." Pete said.

Armor walked to one side and waited for his opponent. Twilight began to walk towards the outskirts of the ring.

"Where do you think you're going?" Pete asked.

Twilight was slightly surprised. "Um, to the ringside so I can get a good view. You said you wanted my help right?" She asked.

"Yes, I did. Now get in the circle. You're Armor's next match."

"WHAT?!" The siblings exclaimed at the same time.

"I'm not going to fight my sister." Armor said glaring intently at Pete.

"So what you're saying is, You're going to allow yourself to die?" Pete asked him.

"No, what does fighting my sister have to do with survival?" Armor asked.

"This is the next stage of your training. You must be prepared to fight anyone, because if someone you care about gets infected, they will not hesitate to kill you. You must be willing to do the same." Pete told him.

The two flinched back slightly. "I-I don't think I can do this." Armor said.

"It is not weakness of body that causes people to die, It is a weakness of their will." Pete told him. "If you are not willing to fight, you will certainly die no matter how strong you are." Pete told him.

"But my own sister?" Armor asked.

"Yes, you must be prepared to fight anyone. If you can't even spar your own sister, then I'm not sure you're cut out for this training." Pete told him. "I'll be kind and let you have until tomorrow. Either come back here ready to fight, or don't bother coming to training anymore."
> Chapter 29 - Gaining Infamy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gaining Infamy

Pete stood in the middle of the training ground. Standing next to him was Twilight. The two were in a heated argument.

"What were you thinking asking my brother to fight me?!" Twilight ranted.

"If he is incapable of going a single sparing match with his own sister do you think he'll be able to survive?" Pete responded calmly.

"He's proven time and time again that he can survive out there. I mean, he even saved your life!" Twilight said to him.

"Yes, in an incident that almost got him killed." Pete told her.

"But he didn't, he made it out, with you, and came back." Twilight said.

"Luck and Ideals can only carry one so far before they fall."

"That's why you have friends to help you. They pick you up when you fall." Twilight told him.

"And when your friends aren't there for you?" Pete questioned.

"My friends will always be there when I need them." Twilight claimed.

"And when their not?" Pete asked again.

"I told you, they-"

"Live in an imperfect world. They would always wish to help you as best they could, but sometimes they won't be able to. So I ask you again. What happens when their not there?" Pete told her.

Twilight was silent. She looked away from him with anger. "I can't believe you. You used to be much kinder, now...now your just being cold."

"It comes with the mourning." Pete told her. "Somebody has to be the serious one now, I'm the best suited."

"I would never think Matt would want you to do something like this!" Twilight accused.

"...I would appreciate it, if you would stop acting like you knew Matt better than me." Pete told her.

"I just find it hard to believe that Matt would want anything like this." Twilight said.

"Matt...would want all of you to be prepared to survive on your own." Pete told her.

"By making us fight each other?" Twilight questioned.

"Some tests go deeper than what they look like on the surface." Pete told her.

The doors to the barracks opened. Coming out from the building was Shinning Armor. He wasn't wearing his armor. He approached the two and stood in front of them. Not looking at either of them.

"So have you come to spar?" Pete asked him.

"...No." Armor answered.

"So you still refuse to fight your sister?" Pete asked.

"Yes." He replied without hesitation.

"You do understand what this means?" Pete said to him.

"It means that you will refuse to allow me to participate in the training courses anymore." Armor answered. By now more guards had come out of the barracks and were gathering around to watch the conversation. "But I don't need anymore of your training. I can keep others safe just fine with what I already know." He told Pete.

"Do you?" Pete responded. "Than prove it too me." Pete told him.

"What?" Armor questioned.

"It's a simple deal. You and I will fight. If you win then you have proven your strength and you'll be able to come back and be a part of the training sessions." Pete told him.

"And if I lose?" Armor asked.

"Well, then you're weak and would bring those around you down, endangering others. I could never allow that. If you lose, I will cast you out of Canterlot." Pete told him. Twilight gasped and the guards began to murmur.

"Brother you don't have to do this you can talk to Luna I'm sure-"

"No Twilight." Armor interrupted. "I will not refuse this challenge." He said as he began to walk over to the barrel of practice swords.

"Where do you think you're going?" Pete asked.

"To get a practice sword." Armor told him.

"Did I say this was a sparring match?" Pete asked. He lifted an item off of his back and tossed it to Armor who caught it in his magic. It was a real sword. "I said this was a fight." Pete told him as he drew his own sword from its sheath.

Twilight gasped and tried to rush forward, but her path was blocked by guards who had formed a small circle around the two.

"The rules are simple. We fight until one of us is unable to fight any longer. There will be no conceding mid-fight." Pete told him.

Armor was silent. He stared at his sword for a moment. He then drew the blade and tossed the scabbard away. "Agreed."

"Then we will begin now." Pete said as he rushed forward.

Luna was sitting in her chambers when she heard a small commotion outside. She walked to the window and looked out. It looked like a match was going on. She noticed the human standing in the middle of the circle. 'Huh, it seems like Pete's actually really trying. he's normally just instructing. I wonder what's going on?' She looked down at the  pile of papers on her desk. '...what's one break?' Luna stood up from her desk and walked to the door.

Luna walked out of her office and came down to the training field. As soon as she came into the area. She was suddenly stopped by Twilight who had tears in her eyes. "Princess, you need to stop them please!" She begged.

"Twilight, what's wrong, what's going on?!" Luna asked worried.

"It's Pete and my brother! They're- they're..." Twilight stopped speaking and began to cry.

Luna quickly rushed to the circle that was forming and made her way to  the interior. What she saw was not what she expected. Pete and Armor were fighting with real swords. Each had his own cuts along their body that were bleeding. Pete was standing over Armor, one foot pinning him to the ground. A blade placed at his throat.

"Do you still believe you are strong enough to defend those you hold close?" Pete asked Armor.

"Of course I do." Armor said trying to lift his own sword that was pinned beneath Pete's other foot.

"Then why are you pinned?" Pete responded.

Armor was silent and glared up at Pete.

"Pete! This fight is over! Release Captain Armor immediately!" Luna said forcefully to the human.

"You're wrong princess." Pete told her. "We agreed before the fight began, there would be no conceding. Until one of us is not longer able to fight, this is not over."

"Pete I swear to you! If you don't stop this I will-"

"Princess please." Armor interrupted, to everypony's surprise. "We agreed on those rules before the fight. I will not go back on my word and let others fight my battles for me." He told her.

"A sense of honor is good for you." Pete told him. "Now, this can end one of two ways. Either you agree to go a round with Twilight, or I make it so you can't fight again."

"Is that a death threat?" Armor asked with a cocky smile.

"Only if you choose the wrong option." Pete told him. Luna and Twilight's eyes widened. While the rest of the guard shifted uneasily.

"I already told you. I won't fight my sister." Armor told him.

"You would choose death, over fighting her for just one sparring match?" Pete asked.

"Every time." Armor answered.

"Please brother. It's just one fight. It's not even a real fight. Just take the offer." Twilight pleaded.

"I can't. I could never attack you. And I refuse to be forced to do any such thing." Armor told her

"Then you're fate is decided." Pete said. He lifted his sword into the air. He brought his arm down quickly.

"NO!!" Twilight shouted.

The field was silent. Multiple mouths hung open staring at the end of the fight.

Pete pulled his sword up and returned it to it's sheathe. "I told you Twilight. Luck and Ideals can only carry you so far." Pete said to her. 
.
.
.
"You need Conviction as well if you want to keep on going forever." Pete said with a smug smile as he looked down at Armor.

Armor was laying on the ground breathing deeply. "So you're saying this whole thing was just some elaborate ruse to see if I would change my mind or not?" He asked between breaths.

"Congratulations, you passed." Pete told him offering a hand. Armor took the hand and got helped back up to his hooves. "You have a good sense of morals. One that values others more than yourself. Without that belief you can't protect anyone. I needed to see just how far you were willing to go to keep that belief."

Armor stood there with a weak smile. "You know I'm pretty sure I'm beginning to hate you."

"Then you're learning." Pete told him.

Armor laughed weakly. "Oh, but there is one more thing." He looked around. "But it's not exactly for everypony's ears." He said motioning Pete to come closer. Pete leaned down to Armor's level and turned his ear towards him. "No conceding, and we're both still able to fight." Armor whispered to him.

He quickly spun around and gave Pete a swift buck to the head with his hind legs.

Pete fell to the ground a small smile on his face as he lost consciousness. 
> Chapter 30 - Making Peace
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Making Peace

"I can't believe you kicked him in the face!" Twilight ranted as she paced in Pete's most recent hospital room.

"You saw what he did Twily, he was asking for it." Armor told her sitting in a chair.

"For trying to teach you a lesson?" She asked him. Armor just looked at her. "Okay so it was a very unorthodox method, but it was still a lesson."

"Twilight, he was smiling when I kicked him. I'm pretty sure it's what he was expecting." He countered.

"Right, he was smiling about being kicked in the head. That makes perfect sense. Are you sure you weren't kicked in the head?" Twilight responded.

"You know I actually was smiling, but not about the kick mind you." The two in the room turned to look at Pete who was now sitting up rubbing his head. "It was more about the little quip before it." He explained.

"Oh thank goodness you're awake." Twilight said relieved.

"Come now Twilight, surely you've learned by now that I'm very hard headed." Pete said with a smile. He leaned back and rested the back of his head against the wall. "Though, an ice pack would be appreciated."

"I'll go and get one. And no more fighting between you two." Twilight said as she left the room.

"So...what was it you wanted to talk about?" Armor asked.

"You're getting very good at perceiving the situation." Pete said with a chuckle. "Well two things. First off I would like to give a small and not very heartfelt apology. I tricked you, but for good cause."

"I may as well accept, it's not like denying it will affect much." Armor said with a smile.

"You're learning, good for you. Second...I need to talk to you about zombies." Pete told him becoming serious. "Do you know why I originally asked you to fight Twilight?" He asked.

Armor was silent for some time. "...Because at anytime, any of us could turn." He answered.

"Exactly, now I already understand and very much respect your denial to fight Twilight, but what would you do if she was infected. Would you still refuse to fight her?" Pete asked.

Armor looked at  the ground in thought. "I...I can't say that I know. I'd like to think that I'd be able to control my emotions enough to protect others, but I don't know if I'd really be capable of doing it. Thinking about it prior to, and being in the moment are two very different things." Armor told him.

"A logical answer, but not necessarily the right one. You need to remember, an infected is not a pony anymore, it's a beast. If the time ever comes you must not hesitate. If you do it could result in someone else dying." Pete told him closing his eyes.

"You're speaking from experience aren't you?" Armor asked him.

"...You've heard what happened to Art no doubt?" Pete said and Armor nodded. "There was a bit more to that story than was told. The zombie that bit him...was my infected brother." Armor's eyes widened slightly. "I could've saved Art, but I hesitated on the trigger, all because of who the zombie looked like. When you're in a life of death situation, hesitation means death, and sometimes the death isn't your own." Pete told him.

Armor silently nodded. "I'm guessing this falls under the whole, secrets to never tell anypony else type thing?" Armor asked.

"Eeyup." Pete answered.

Soon after the door opened up, and Twilight entered carrying an ice-pack in her magic. Pete took it and put it against his head. "Ah that feels so much better." He said with a content sigh.

"Well it looks like you two didn't fight while I was away so I guess that's a good thing." Twilight said.

"Why in the world would I fight with him?" Pete asked. "With the exception of Liz and Jay he's probably the next person on my list in terms of respect." Pete told her.

"What?" Twilight asked surprised.

"Listen, when two guys fight. It normally ends with the two being closer than they were at the beginning of the fight. Considering the amount of time I've fought with this guy of course I like hm." Pete told her.

Twilight just rolled her eyes. "I swear you just can't do anything that would make sense can you?"

"You'll get used to it I'm sure." Pete told her.

"So any chance a medical professional has come by and given me I diagnosis?" Pete said.

"As a matter of a fact they did." Twilight said. "You've got some major bruising. a possible concussion. and you had a broken nose. That was fixed easily enough." Twilight said.

"And the estimated time until I can leave?" Pete asked.

"About two days." Twilight told him.

"Well I say in no days." Pete said as he slid over and stood up from the bed. Only to fall back down onto the bed clutching his head. "...Okay I think I'll stick with the professional opinion on this one." Pete said.

"Do you have a problem with authority?" Twilight asked.

"Well kind of. I was raised in an orphanage run by my government, and that sucked terribly. And after the infection started there wasn't really much authority left and any that was just misused it's powers." Pete told her. "So yeah, I actually do think I have a problem with authority." Pete told her.

Twilight just sighed and rolled her eyes. "Just one time, just once, I'd like to have a conversation where I don't end up wanting to hit you." She said.

"Wait so now you want to hit me? Must run in the family I guess." Pete told her.

Twilight's horn glowed and the ice-pack was lifted from Pete's head.

"No, give icy back!" Pete said turning to Twilight.

"Icy?" Twilight questioned.

"Yes, we've formed a bond these past few minutes and I gave him a name. He's very comforting." Pete said.

Twilight just facehoofed and 'Icy' fell from her magic field and back onto Pete's face.

"I'm going to get of painkillers for this headache your giving me, and then I'm going to go to sleep." Twilight said as she walked out of the room.

Pete just chuckled. "Has she always been like that?" Pete asked.

"Ever since she was a filly." Armor answered.

"Now I just have to find out what to do for the next two days." Pete said. The two sat there silently for a few moments. "Okay can't take the silence anymore. Could you go fetch Jay for me?" Pete asked.

"Well sure, but why?" Armor responded.

"Simple, I want something interesting to happen, so I'm thinking of letting Jay loose on a prank spree." Pete told him. "...I wonder if I could get Discord to help him." Pete pondered.

"Jay and Discord working together to prank the castle. That sounds borderline dangerous." Armor said.

"...So that's a yes then?" Pete asked.

"Of course it's a yes, it's about time something interesting happened in the castle." Armor told him.

"Then fetch me my pawns my knight. I'm going to show this castle a type of fun it's never seen the likes of before. Think of how astounding it's going to be. My brains, Discord's reality shaping, and Jay's insanity. It will be a glorious game." Pete stated.

"I swear you can be downright evil sometimes." Armor said.

"Does that mean you're not going to help me?" Pete asked.

"Hell no, of course I'm going to help. This is going to be amazing." Armor told him.

"I just hope we don't end up starting a second apocalypse." Pete told him.
> Chapter 31 - Making Chaos
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Making Chaos

Pete sat in the hospital bed the three others standing...well two standing,  one floating upside down above the bed. Pete had a sheet of paper rolled out and was pointing to different sections.

"Now you each have your individual duties, but this is the finale. We're going to need everyone working together to make this work." Pete said. He then pointed to the main courtyard on the map. "Armor, you'll be here. You're on distraction. I don't want the Princesses, or Twilight interrupting the set up. Tell them you want their opinion on the guards' training or something of the sort. After that you'll lead them to the castle entrance. When you get the signal, you'd better get out of the way."

"Well what's the signal?" Armor asked.

"You'll know it when you see it." Pete told him. He returned to the map. "Discord, you'll be up here on this overlook. I already gave you the blueprints and descriptions for the device. Are you sure you'll be able to make it?" Pete asked.

"Given the detail of your explanations of it and it's inner working it shouldn't be too hard. It might take some trial and error, but I'm sure I'll be able to whip it up in time." Discord said with a chuckle.

"Good. Jay you're going to be running supplies secretly. Did you bring the pack?" Pete asked.

"Yep, got it right here." Jay said holding up a small satchel.

"Alright, give me two." Pete told him. Jay reached in the bag and took out two black rectangular objects, and tossed them to Pete.

"What are those?" Armor asked.

"Something called a walkie-talkie. A device from our world, it allows for quick short range communication." Pete told him. He then tossed one of them to Discord. "Just press the big button on the side and talk into it. Both Jay and I will hear you. If you need more specifics over the device just ask me, and tell Jay if you need any supplies and he'll run them to you. In the meantime Jay, stay on reconnaissance, call back to me if there are any changes or problems that need to be accounted for. Keep your volume on low so you don't get caught." Pete said turning down the dial on top of his walkie-talkie. "These are pretty powerful so as long as we all stay near the castle we should be able to keep in contact." Pete told them.

"Ooh, what should I do?" A voice said as Pinkie suddenly was peaking out from behind Pete and looking at the map. The four silently stared at the newcomer.

Pete was the first to recover. "...We could always use an exploding cake." He said.

"I can do that!" Pinkie said cheerfully as she sped out of the room.

"Doesn't she need to know where she needs to bring the cake?" Armor asked staring after the crazed pink mare.

"Yes, yes she does...However, I don't know how, but she probably already knows." Pete answered. "Though this does change a few things. Armor same as before lead them to the main entrance where the cake will be, but say something about the cake being some thank you gift or something like that." Pete told him. "The cake exploding will be the cue to start up the device. I'll try to get my legs working long enough to make it up to the overlook with you guys, but if I'm not there when the cake goes off start without me. They certainly won't fall for this a second time." Pete said. "You have your assignments get to work." The three others left the room and Pete spun a little until his feet were hanging off the bed. He got off and started to pace around a little making sure his legs wouldn't give out on him.

Time passed and Pete began to hear servants gossip as they walked by the room about some strange pranks going on through the castle. As the day went on they began to start work on the finale. Discord and Jay called in a few times with information and questions.

"Twilight and the Princesses are getting word of the pranks and are growing suspicious. You may want to turn off your radio for a little while Pete. I think Twilight is going to be coming your way and interrogate you." Jay told him.

"Alright, I'm going radio-silent until further notice. Discord if you need advice talk to Jay, Jay don't do anything too risky." Pete told the two of them as he twisted the dial until the light on the front turned off. He put the walkie-talkie inside a drawer and sent and laid back down on the bed. Right on time too. As he did, Twilight opened the door to his room and walked in.

"We need to talk." Twilight said with sternness.

"I'm not sure I like where this is going. That sounds like a blaming voice. I don't like that." Pete said.

"There's been some pranks around the castle, you would happen to know anything about that would you?" She asked.

"Listen, Twilight I've been here ever since the fight with your brother ended. All I've heard was a little gossip about it from servants walking by." Pete answered.

"And you're sure that's all you know?" Twilight questioned.

"Twilight, I've told you nothing but the truth." Pete told her.

Twilight looked at him for a moment. "Pete I think you're-"

"Twilight there you are." Shining Armor said walking in.

"Brother, what are you doing here?" Twilight asked.

"I came to get you. Princess Luna and Cadence are both waiting at the training field." Armor explained.

"The training field why there?" Twilight responded.

"There's a small training exercise going on, and with Pete as he is we need some other ponies to help with training." Armor told her.

"Alright, I'll go with you. I wouldn't want to keep the Princesses waiting on me for longer than they have been already." Twilight said seemingly to forget about her suspicions of Pete. She left the room Armor following behind. Pete and Armor exchanged nods before they left.

Pete pulled out his radio again an turned it on.

"I'm back, what's the situation?" He asked.

"Device is operational." Discord answered.

"Eyes are on the targets." Jay told him.

"Cake is Baked." Pinkie said.

"Good, good...Is Pinkie with either of you two?" Pete asked as the thought dawned on him.

"No" He got simultaneously through the radio.

"...Alright then. I'm heading up to the ledge now. Pinkie, move the cake into position and go give Armor a signal to set the plan in motion in a few minutes." Pete told them.

"Okey Dokey Lokey."

Pete stood up and made his way to the door. Talking to himself as he walked. "Well, we're trading a few minutes of laughter for, probably, dungeon time...I think it's going to be worth it."

Pete made his way through the castle, and up onto the ledge. Jay and Discord both were already there sitting next of a very large mechanical device. Pinkie was sitting on top of it staring out towards the main entrance.

"Ah good you made it." Jay said as he saw Pete approach.

"Why would I miss this?" Pete responded.

"I see them!" Pinkie said excitedly. Pete, Discord and Jay all turned to face the main entrance. They could see Armor presenting the three mares with the cake. They looked very pleased as they watched it. They didn't seem to notice Armor back away from the pastry and move behind a pillar. They were able to make out the shimmering of a magic aura as one of the mares no doubt was about to cut the cake.

"Prepare to fire." Pete said as he stood next to the device.

Discord and Jay both took up positions on two different cranks.

"Wait for the explosion then start it up." Pete told them.

The two grinned happily.

*BWOOM*

At the main entrance now stood three mares covered in frosting with confetti raining down on them.

"FIRE THE GATLING PIE GUN!!" Pete shouted. And fire it did.
> Chapter 32 - Penance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Penance

Pete, Jay, Discord, Pinkie, and Shining Armor all sat in front of three mares, who were looking down on them annoyed.

"Just what in the world possessed you all to pull the stunt you just pulled?" Luna asked them.

"Boredom." Pete answered bluntly.

"That is not an excuse." Twilight told him.

"I believe we beg to differ." Pete said.

The four around him nodded.

"You five need to learn more restraint." Luna said. "You four I can understand, but even you Captain Armor? How did you get roped into this?" Luna asked.

Shining Armor was silent for a moment. "...Well, I suppose it's because I respect Pete enough to follow him on the plan of his?" He answered.

"Dear, is that really all it takes?" Cadance asked with some disappointment.

"What? He's good at what he does." Armor responded.

"You do realize that there's going to be some punishment in store for you now correct?" Luna asked.

"That implies that you can catch us." Pete told her.

Luna glared at him slightly. "Are you underestimating our ability?" She asked.

"More so overestimating our own more likely." Pete told her.

"And why would you be doing that?"

Pete just looked at her. "Have you seen our results? We built a working Pie Gatling Gun. Do we really need to do anything else to prove ourselves?" Pete asked her.

"Considering what you used it for yes." Twilight told him.

"I'd say it was a really nice cause." Discord responded.

"You can be quiet. Just to set the record straight, I still don't trust you." Twilight said to him.

"Oh, now that hurts Twilight." Discord said feigning sadness. "If only I had a true friend to comfort me, maybe my bad habit would just flow away."

"Right." Twilight said sarcastically.

"Oh, give him a break. I trust him." Pete said.

"How can you trust Discord?" Twilight asked.

"Well, he just likes to have some fun. If the world dies, then there's no more fun. He wouldn't let that happen." Pete told her.

"See, Petey here gets it." Discord said wrapping an arm around Pete's shoulder

"Don't call me Petey."

"I can't believe you. We're dealing with the most serious danger that Equestria has ever seen and you are going around playing pranks. Do you not see how dire the situation is?" Luna asked with some anger.

"Of course we do." Pete told her. "Which is exactly why we did it."

"W-what?" Luna asked.

"It's certainly obvious that Jay and I have more experience dealing with this type of world, so believe me when I say if you try to take this life too seriously, you're going to hurt yourself or those close to you." Pete told them. The mares sat there with a look of shock. "You remember the stallion I went and met with some time ago?" He asked.

"How could we forget?" Luna answered.

"He took his survival too seriously. You can't always stay in survival mode. Every once and a while you need to calm down and be creative. You need to have fun." Pete said to them. "...You need to forget some of the pain."

"I've never seen you act like this." Luna said. "You always seem so...well, cold and calculating."

"Only when I have to be. Outside these walls, death could be around every corner. I try to let myself relax as much as I can inside the walls, but with training and how long I've been conditioned to be vigilant it can be hard." Pete told them.

The room was silent for some time as everyone took in what was said.

Luna finally broke the silence with a sigh. "Though your reasoning is a bit more understandable now, I don't like being hit with pies so there's still going to be a punishment for all of you." She said.

"Which is?" Pete asked.

"To start you're going to clean up every mess you made throughout the castle." Luna told him.

"Simple enough." Pete responded.

"And you can't use magic to clean it up either." Luna added on. "That includes you, Discord."

"But that will-" Armor started.

"Accepted." Pete interrupted.

Everyone stared at him. Luna's gaze turned into a small glare. "You're planning something." She said.

"Not really." Pete said.

The princess looked at him for a few moments more. "You can't have Pinkie eat any of the messes either." She said.

Pete was silent for a moment. "...Get us out of here quickly!" He said turning to Discord.

With a snap the five were gone leaving the mares starting at the now empty floor in front of them.

"It's going to be hard to catch them isn't it?" Cadance asked.

"Nigh Impossible." Luna answered.

"So what are we going to do?" Twilight asked.

"We'll just have to lure them out." Luan told her. "Best case scenario we get either Pete or Discord. Is there anything we could get to bring them out?" She questioned.

"You mean like a hostage negotiation?" Cadance asked.

"In a sense." Luna told her. "So anything?"

"...Pete has a fire knife." Twilight said.

"A what?" Luna asked.

"Pete enchanted a knife to light fire to anything it cut. He's quite fond of it, but he keeps it in a drawer for safe keeping." Twilight explained.

"How did Pete enchant a knife? He's hardly been able to use anything beyond levitation." Luna responded.

"Don't ask me how, I still don't know." Twilight said rubbing her forehead with a hoof.

"Any way, It seems we have our bargaining chip." Luna said.


~~~Meanwhile~~~


"So your plan is to just hide?" Armor asked.

"Yes, it's a very good plan." Pete responded.

"Won't they find us?" Armor asked.

Pete looked to Discord.

"I've warded the area, they won't be able to scry on us." Discord told him.

"This is the best game of hide and seek I've ever played." Pinkie said happily.

"And no matter what happens, we are not leaving this place until the princesses decide to get the mess cleaned up." Pete said.

As he spoke a green smoke suddenly flew in front of his face and a scroll materialized there with a pop.

Pete jumped back slightly and stared at it. "What just happened?" He asked.

"It seems you've received a letter from little Miss Twilight. I've seen here letters before, sent by dragon fire." Discord said.

"Are they tracking us with it?" Pete questioned.

Discord leaned down and picked it up. "Hmm, no magic coming from the scroll. Looks like it's just a letter."

Pete took the letter and opened it. He read it slowly and his eyes widened. "We're going back and cleaning up the mess right now." He said.

"Wait, after all that you're just giving up? What does the letter say?" Armor asked.

"Not for you to know." Pete responded.

"Dear Pete." Discord started. Pete turned quickly and saw Discord holding the letter, his own hand now clutching a black napkin. Discord continued reading. "We have your fire knife. Now clean up your mess already. Sincerely Twilight."

"This is all about a knife?!" Armor asked annoyed.

"...It sets things on fire." Pete said quietly.

"That's not an excuse." Armor responded.

"I don't know, it's a pretty cool knife." Jay said.

"See." Pete added on.

"Well fine you can go, but I'm not wasting my time cleaning up that mess if it's just you they're bargaining with." Armor said.

Pete looked at him then turned to Discord. "You won't have to do any work. Just teleport us all back." He said.

"Don't you-" Armor started to say.

"Deal." With a snap the five were gone again.
> Chapter 33 - The Next Step
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Next Step

Pete walked into the throne room his sleeves rolled up and his back drenched in sweat. He walked up to a table that Twilight and Luna were sitting at "Okay, we're done. Knife now please." He said extending his hand.

"Really you're done already?" Twilight asked with some surprise.

"It has only been two days since you started. We saw how many pranks you pulled. Are you certain you cleaned them all?" Luna asked.

"Princess, I am a very thorough person. If I start something I will not stop until it is done, so believe me when I say it's done." Pete answered.

Twilight looked at him with some suspicion. "I know that we released Discord from his duty to help clean up because of the deal you made with him and us, but there's no way you cleaned it up that quickly without his help, I saw what you did yesterday you stood around and complained all day."

"Twilight, I made a deal with Discord that said he wouldn't have to work. I would never break a promise over such a trivial thing like this. I've kept true to my word and made sure he didn't do any work." Pete told her. "And now the messes are all cleaned up, I swear on my honor."

"Do you even have any honor?" Twilight asked.

"...Fine, I swear on Luna's honor. Better?"

Twilight was about to speak but Luna cut her off. "Twilight I understand your suspicion, I am quite surprised myself, but I do believe that Pete has been telling the truth." She said. "Now all is forgiven." She said levitating a blade out and laying it in Pete's waiting hand.

"Thank you. Now I'm going to need a clean shirt." Pete said.

"Very well, there are-" Luan started.

"Actually I got this covered." Pete told her. "If you would?" Pete said looking up.

"Oh certainly." A voice said from the ceiling and with a snap and a flash Pete's damp shirt was gone replaced by a dry one. Discord came slowly floating down from the ceiling resting on a large couch.

"Discord." Twilight said.

"Sparklebutt." Discord responded causing Twilight to blush.

"Gonna remember that one." Pete said to himself.

"Don't you dare!" Twilight told him.

"Fine, fine" Pete said turning around walking towards the door. "Still these clothes are pretty good. It sure would be easy being able to just do this with a snap." He said snapping for emphasis. "It isn't really even work." He said as he and Discord walked out of the throne room.

"I swear, those two just don't make sense to me." Twilight said rubbing her head.

"I agree, and their last conversation was so strange. Why would Pete-" Luna suddenly stopped her eyes widening slightly with a realization.

"What is it Princess?" Twilight asked.

"Pete said that snapping wasn't really working." Luna answered.

"Why is that interesting?" Twilight questioned.

"Discord mainly uses his magic by snapping, something that Pete doesn't consider work." Luna continued.

"And he said he didn't let Discord do any work." Twilight said beginning to understand.

"But I didn't say anything about what I did let him do!" Pete called out from down the hallway. A small laugh heard from Discord followed.

The two mares were silent for some time. "...You have to give him credit. He does know his way around a conversation." Luna finally said.

"No I don't." Twilight said irritated.

"Princess!" A guard shouted bursting into the room.

"What is it?" Luna asked concerned.

"You need to come to the Castle Wall immediately." The guard answered.

"Why, what's wrong?"

"Ma'am we killed an infected just outside the gate." The guard told her.

"If it was only one why is this serious enough to involve myself?" Luna questioned.

"The infected it's...well, it's different from all the rest."

"How so?"

"Ma'am it...the infected exploded upon death." The guard told her.

Luna's eyes widened slightly. "Fetch Pete and bring him to the wall as well. He may know something about this.


~~~At the Wall~~~


A few guards stood on top of the wall while they watched Twilight, Luna, and Pete walk towards the tree line with a small contingent of guards with them. Armor was waiting for them at the trees. As they approached they began to notice the destruction along the tree line. Laying on the ground with blood and organs strewn about was what remained of one of the infected. All that remained was his hind legs and part of his flank, the rest of him was all around the area. More noticeable though was the four broken tree trunks around the body.

Pete looked around the scene taking in what he could. Twilight stood some ways back avoiding the mess. "Explain everything that happened here." Pete told the guards.

"Sir, we saw the infected emerge from the trees. He seemed more bloated from the other's we had seen before. We took a short with a crossbow and caught him in the head. Death was immediate and then...well then he exploded." One of the guards answered.

"Any other traits about the infected that you could see?" Pete asked.

"Well, he was a unicorn." A different guard responded.

Pete looked around the area again. He turned back towards Twilight. "Is it possible to detect spells that have been used in an area?" He said to her.

"If it's recent or strong enough you could get a general idea." Twilight told him.

"Then start up your magic and tell me if any spells were used in this area." Pete said to her.

Twilight approached cautiously avoiding some of the debris. He horn lit up and began to shine on some of the surroundings. "I am getting something. It seems like a powerful levitation field was used here." Twilight said. "...You don't think somepony used a spell to kill the infected from the inside do you?" Twilight asked.

Pete put a hand to his chin and thought. "...No, it wasn't like that." Pete told her. "SHIT!" Pete exclaimed suddenly in anger.

Those around him jumped back in surprise. "Pete what's wrong?" Luna asked.

"I'll tell you what's wrong. The zombies are evolving, they're changing." Pete answered.

"What are you talking about?" Twilight asked.

"That zombie, he did that to himself." Pete said pointing to the corpse.

"But how? Infected unicorns can't use magic. Even infected pegasus can barely fly" Luna said.

"Maybe not consciously, but I think this zombie was a mutation. No doubt the first of many." Pete said.

"What do you mean?" Armor asked.

"The guard said this zombie was slightly bloated when compared to others. I think that a mutation occurred causing the magic inside the pony to expand, but it was still contained. When he died though, the magic control died with him and it all exploded outward." Pete explained. "They're evolving to kill in their new body. With humans all they had was our arms and our legs, but with you all there's something new they can incorporate. Magic."

"Your saying these things are becoming even more deadly than they already were before?" Armor asked.

"There's no doubt in my mind that we'll be seeing more like this one again." Pete said kicking the body.

A slight growl cause them all to freeze. They turned and saw an infected coming out of the forest. It wasn't looking at them though. It was...sniffing. Pete's eyes widened and he took the knife from his belt and flung it at the zombie embedding it in-between it's eyes that promptly burst into flames. He wasted no time retrieving the knife and began giving orders. "Contain this area in a shield, get some sort of clean up crew out here quickly and clean this mess up! If you got any of it's body or fluids on your gear wash it off immediately!"

"Pete, what's happening?" Luna asked.

"The smell." Pete answers. "Zombies are attracted to the smell of whatever it is this thing is made of." Pete told her. He turned to the guard. "Spread the word through the guard. If they see a bloated zombie avoid approaching or getting close to it. Kill from a distance and don't get any of it on you. If you see any other zombie that looks different in any way, shape, or form. Do not engage. Stay hidden and only fight if you've been found. Report to me immediately." Pete said to all the guards around. Many of them ran back to the wall to spread the word while Armor and a few others formed a dome around the area. Pete turned to a pair of guards. "Gather a small sample and bring in to the medical wing, don't touch it directly." He said to the first, then turned to the second. "Find Jay and tell him to get to the medical wing, I'll meet him there, I've got a project for him." Pete said as he turned away and started back towards the castle.
> Chapter 34 - Evolution
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evolution

Pete stood in the medical wing leaning against a wall. Jay stood next to him with a pondering look.

"We've run analysis after analysis and gotten the same results ever time. It's not caustic enough to actually hurt, but you say that other zombies are attracted to it?" Jay asked Pete.

"That's right, The zombie that found it's way to us seemed like it was smelling something." Pete answered.

"Well it makes sense. I don't know exactly what to call it, but I can tell you what that stuff is made up of. It's got a mixture of bile, mucus, and a few other bodily excrements. Basically if it smells it's in the mix." Jay told him.

Pete sighed and rubbed his head. "This is gonna be trouble. This entire time I've been training the guard to deal with close range fighting. I never expected to have a real need to teach them too many long range tactics since I had hoped the wouldn't be crazy enough to pick a fight with a huge horde, but now...That thing is countering everything I've been teaching." Pete rubbed his temple. "Any chance that this was the only one of it's kind?" Pete asked.

Jay shook his head. "This type of thing isn't something that would be specific to a single infected. Based on what we've learned and what you told us it looks like this is going to be something that's specific to unicorn infected. I don't expect all of the unicorns to turn into one of those, but it would be stupid to assume that was the only one." Jay answered.

Pete clenched his hand into a fist. "Great...any chance that the other subspecies will develop something like this?" Pete asked.

Jay shrugged. "I'm a doctor of the physical body, whatever those changes were they're caused by magic, not my field." Jay told him.

"And your best guess?" Pete responded.

"...I fully expect them to change somehow. I doubt changes that severe would be limited to only the unicorns, and that might not even be the only change they experience." Jay answered.

Pete pulled his fist back and punched the wall behind him. "So your saying were in the dark about what were up against?"

"Basically." Jay said.

Pete stood silently for a moment. "I'm going to retract the guards along the wall. I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to have to ask you and Liz to pull some guard duty with me until we get more information." He said eventually.

"I'm perfectly fine with it, but I don't think the three of us can cover that entire wall." Jay responded.

"Well get Armor and a few other of the advanced guards to take some positions. I trust them to know how to adapt more than the ones out there right now." Pete said.

"I'll go find Liz." Jay said starting to walk off.

"I hope you know if we find another different type you're going to have to do some experimentation on it too?" Pete told him.

"I know, I'm almost even looking forward to it." Jay responded.

Pete walked out after Jay, making his way towards the training ground.

As Pete approached the training ground he saw the guards training and Armor standing to the side talking with Luna.

Luna caught a glimpse of Pete as he approached and turned to face him. "Pete, good you're here. What did the tests say?" Luna asked him.

Pete crossed his arms slightly. "Basically, we can expect more of them, and others like it." Pete answered.

"Others like it?" Armor questioned.

"Zombies that are different from a normal infected." Pete clarified. "We expect at least one different type per sub-species probably more."

Luna and Armor's eyes widened slightly. "That's not good." Luna said.

"Exactly, and that's why I'm going to request that you retract all the current guards from the wall." Pete said to her.

"Retract the guards? But we need more protection at a time like this." Luna responded.

"I know, that's why Liz, Jay, and I are going out there personally." Pete told her.

"Just the three of you?" Armor asked.

"No, what's the smallest number of guards it would take to cover the whole wall?" Pete said.

Armor thought for a moment. "It would be difficult, but I think twenty would probably be able to cover the whole wall. They'd have to be spread pretty wide and look out at more." Armor told Pete.

"Alright, then get your gear and choose sixteen other guards to come with too. We're going to be the new wall guards." Pete said.

"We'll be putting some of our best guards on wall duty. What happens if there's something outside that needs to be taken care of?" Armor asked.

"What would you rather have happen. The scavenge crew has a little bit of a more difficult time, or all of Canterlot falls?" Pete responded.

"Seems slightly severe." Armor said.

"Not at all. We're up against an enemy that we know hardly anything at all about. You first have to secure your home before you can consider leaving it." Pete told him.

"I suppose." Armor said.

Luna thought for a moment. "I agree with your logic on this. As soon as the other guards are selected I'll call the other's in and you can take their place." She said.

"Alright. I'm going to get ready. Have the guards meet here fully suited. Tell them to pack things to keep them energized there's no telling how long we might be out there for." Pete told them.

Armor nodded and walked out onto the training field and started addressing the training guard. 

Pete went to the castle and gathered up his things. He came back out not long after and sat down against the wall of the barracks and fell asleep shortly after.

Pete was awoken be a harsh shaking. He looked up and saw Jay with one hand on his shoulder. "It's time to go." He said.

Pete nodded and stood up. He turned his attention to the guards with them. "Okay Liz, Jay, Armor, and I will be taking four separate sides. If you see a normal infected ignore it unless it tries to get in. If you see anything that isn't normal start heading towards whichever of us four is closest to you. When you run into another guard tell them a basic description of what you saw and where. We'll assign the different sections numbers to get a better idea. As soon as you inform another guard return to your post. Once the information reaches one of us we'll come to the spot and take a closer look at whatever it is. Understood?" Pete said to the group.

"Sir!" The guards said raising their hoof to their head in salute.

"Good, then get to a section and start watch." Pete said. The guards all hustled away to get to their posts.

Pete walked over to Armor, Liz, and Jay. Jay was holding four black boxes in his hands. He handed one out to each of it.

"Alright, keep in contact. If anything comes up report it." Pete said. He turned to Armor. "Do you know how to use a walkie?" He asked pointing to the device.

"Yeah, I've heard you explain it before during the incident." Armor answered.

"Alright then. Looks like we're all set." Pete said.

"Hey Pete, are there really more of those different types out there?" Armor asked.

"All signs point to that being the most likely answer." Pete answered. "I hope we're wrong though."

The other three gave small nods and the four walked off in different directions towards their selected spots. They all knew one thing.

This was going to be a long watch.
> Chapter 35 - The Watch
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Watch

Pete sat along the edge of the wall his feet hanging over the edge. He lifted up his radio to his face. "Call in, anything to report."

"Nothing on my end." Jay responded.

"Same." Armor answered.

"We found another bloated zombie, but not anything new." Liz said.

Pete sighed. "Alright, keep in touch. Hopefully the bloated zombies are the only ones we need to worry about."

Pete lowered the radio and looked out over the wall. He didn't know exactly how long he'd been out there for, but he did know when he came out the sun was high in the sky, now the moon was. Pete reached back and took a can out of his bag. He sighed as he looked at the torn label.

"You do have other options, you know?" A voice asked from down the wall. Pete turned his head and saw Twilight walking along the wall a tray levitating next to her. "I brought you something to eat. I figured you were probably hungry."

Pete looked from the can to the tray a few times before tossing the can back into the bag. "That is probably preferable to my option." He said with a small smile. Twilight returned the smile and walked next to his giving him the tray. Pete took the tray and began eating happily.

"So has anything turned up?" Twilight asked.

Pete sighed. "No, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

"How could it be a bad thing?" Twilight responded.

"Because we're almost positive that there are other types, but if we don't find out what they are early then we could lose a lot of people." Pete answered.

"Maybe there just aren't any others." Twilight said.

"I can hope, but I don't think that's what's going to happen." Pete told her with a sigh, setting the tray aside. "Probably a day, maybe two, a new one will pop up and we'll have to find a way to beat it. The bloated one is easy enough, we just need to keep our distance, but there's no telling what we'll have to do with a new one." He explained.

"I'm sure that you'll find a way." Twilight told him.

"I can wish." Pete responded.

"Sir!" A voice called out. Pete stood up and looked towards the voice. A guard was approaching from the side "I've found something you might want to look into." He said.

"Where are you stationed?" Pete asked.

"The next post over, sir." The guard answered.

"Take me there." Pete said as the guard turned around and started to run back down the wall. Pete and Twilight following behind. "This is Pete, possible variant along the east side. Moving to confirm."

"Understood, try to be careful." Liz responded back.

The three began to slow as they approached the guards assigned position. "What did you see?" Pete asked.

"Didn't get a good look at first. I know it was in the tree's over there though...Wait, yeah it's still there." The guard said pointing towards the trees.

Pete began to scan the edge of the forest. "I see the silhouette of an infected along the edge. What's special about it?" Pete asked.

"Wait for it to walk into a clearing." The guard told him.

Pete watched the edge of the forest. The silhouette moved slowly along the edge of the forest. As it approached the edge Pete took out a pair of binoculars and followed the figure, it passed the tree line and a light began to shimmer from it's sides. Pete lowered the binoculars with wide eyes, as the figure stepped out of the moonlight.

"What was that?" Twilight asked.

"Some sort of magic light?" The guard suggested.

"No...that was a reflection of light. There's some sort of metal on it's sides." Pete told them.

"That means what?" Twilight questioned.

"Hard to say. Could be clothing, could be impaled by something, Or..." Pete told them.

"Or what?" Twilight asked.

"Or it could be something new." Pete finished lifting the binoculars back up.

The figure continued to lumber through the forest. A sudden clattering took Pete's attention. The guard was standing near the edge a brick missing from where he was standing and a broken brick on the ground below the wall. The guard looked at Pete with some worry.

Pete shook his head. "It shouldn't be loud enough to-" Pete stopped as he looked back through the binoculars seeing the figure with two glowing red eyes staring at them. "That's not normal." Pete continued to watch the figure. Then it vanished.

"What's not nor-" The guard began to ask before stopping.

Something splashed on Pete's face. He lifted his hand and touched his face. He pulled his hand away and saw red. He turned quickly and looked at the guard. The guards body stood there, but his head was on the ground. Mouth still open. The body fell over leaving a puddle of blood on the ground. Twilight was staring at the body in shock while Pete looked around trying to find anything. His eyes locked on something hovering over the wall. It was in infected pegasus, but his eyes were drawn to it's wings. They were metallic, like knives lined in a row. Right above were it's eyes, glowing red. The glow began to fade until the empty sockets of the infected became obvious. The infected hovered there not even acknowledging Pete or Twilight. Pete slowly lifted the binoculars, no reaction. Pete tossed the binoculars towards a pillar on the wall. It clattered there and the infected turned suddenly it's eyes glowing again. The infected disappeared in a blur. Pete heard a smash and looked towards where he threw the binoculars. Part of the wall was on the ground a clean cut through the wall. Pete moved his hand to his neck a straight cut was there along the side. Pete looked back to the infected it hovered there it's eyes dimmed to nothing. Pete reached up and turned off his radio. He stepped silently next to Twilight and covered her mouth with his hand. Twilight looked at him her eyes showing fear. He moved one hand to his mouth telling her to stay quiet. Pete slowly lifted his gun to his side and took his aim. He pulled the trigger and the infected head exploded in blood, the body fell to the floor. Twilight and Pete were silent for a moment. Pete lifted his hand and turned his radio back on.

"-te! Pete respond! Pete you better answer me! I heard shots, what's happening?!" Liz was calling.

"I'm here." Pete told them. "Jay get on the line."

"What's up?" Jay asked.

"Get to the medical wing, I've got something new for you." Pete told him.

"On my way." Jay responded.

"Armor." Pete said.

"Yeah?" Armor answered

"...We've got a casualty." Pete told him.

"...Got it. I'll get some guards to come pick him up." Armor said. "...How bad?"

"He didn't suffer if that's what you want to know. He was gone in an instant." Pete answered. "I'm heading to the medical wing now." Pete said putting down his radio. Pete looked at the guard and said a short prayer. Pete turned away. "Let's go." He said to Twilight. "I'm going to need you to carry the body. I don't have enough skill with levitation and I can't carry it because of the blades."

Twilight gave a small nod and the infected corpse glowed purple as it was lifted into the air. The two of them left the wall and made their way towards the castle silently.
> Chapter 36 - Sound of Death
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sound of Death

Pete stood in the medical wing with Jay and Twilight. On the table in front of them was the corpse of the infected Pete had killed.

"So, what's your diagnosis?" Pete asked.

"Dead." Jay answered.

"This isn't the time to joke around." Pete scolded.

"Fine, fine. From what I can tell the feathers in its wings are the only physical changes I can see. The feathers themselves are metallic, and sharper than any blade I've seen before. What about how it acted? You saw it when it was still moving, what did it do?" Jay asked.

"Well...it flew. It moved almost faster than the eye can see. You can only really see it moving if your watching it carefully, and if you're in the path of it's wings when it's flying...you're not coming out of it uncut." Pete told him.

"How in the world did you kill this thing?" Jay asked with some disbelief.

"It's blind." Pete answered.

"What?" Jay responded.

"Yeah, its eyes glow and it looks in the direction of the noise it heard. In the next few seconds it will be at its target." Pete explained.

"This thing can kill you before you even know it's there." Jay said with some worry.

"The only way for it to not kill you is if you know it's there." Pete told him. "And in the middle of a fight you might not have a choice to be silent."

"I guess that these are going to be the top priority to kill first in a fight." Jay said.

"That's for sure, and we're in the most danger for it." Pete told him. "Guns aren't necessarily the quietist thing out there."

"Any weaknesses?" Jay asked.

"Well it doesn't seem like it has any turning ability. Once it chooses a direction it's going to go in that direction." Pete said.

"Anything it can't cut through?"

"It cut through a three foot wall. I don't think much can stop it." Pete answered.

"Well Shit...These Razorwings are even worst than the Bloaters." Jay said.

"Yeah they're...wait, what?" Pete asked turning to Jay.

"We'll in the time I've had sitting up on that wall I decided that it would make it easier in combat to be able to say what's coming. So I gave names to the special ones we've found." Jay responded.

"That's...actually not a bad idea." Pete said.

"Thought so." Jay smirked. "Well, we've got a unicorn and a pegasus now. All that's left is the earth-pony."

"I hope it's not as bad as this one." Pete responded.

"We can hope." Jay said as he rolled the body away into a quarantined section.

"Come on, we'd better get moving. There's still a full night ahead of us." Pete said to Jay. "And you should get back inside the castle. Armor would probably kill me if you got hurt." He added turning to Twilight.

"yeah." She said quietly. "That's probably a good idea."

The three left the building and started towards the main road.

"How long until we'll be able to lower the guard along the wall?" Jay asked.

"Well, we're going to keep it that way at least until we find a way to counter the specials we've found, and I'd like to confirm the earth-pony variant that no doubt is going to show up eventually." Pete answered.

"Well we have the basic idea for the two we do know. Kill Razorwings first, and move if you see red. And keep your distance from the Bloaters." Jay responded.

"It's still not a counter, just guidelines to follow." Pete told him.

"At least it's something. It's more than we normally have." Jay said.

"True, true." Pete nodded. "I just-"

A loud bang suddenly echoed around the three silencing Pete.

"What was that?" Twilight asked.

"Thunder?" Jay proposed.

Pete looked up. "I can see the stars, it's a clear sky." He told Jay.

"Then what?" Jay asked.

"PETE!" A voice shouted through the radio.

"Liz, what's wrong?!" Pete asked pulling out his radio.

"Get to the front gate now. We need-" A loud banging echoed around the three again and the same noise came from the radio. "Hurry!"

"Get inside the castle." Pete told Twilight as both he and Jay started to rush towards the main gate.

"You don't think-" Jay started.

"I hope to hell not." Pete told him.

The two made their way to the main gate. The thunderous sound continuing as hey ran. As they approached they saw Liz and a group of guards standing in front of the gate.

"Liz's what's going on?" Pete asked as he stopped next to her.

"Why is the gate cracked?" Jay asked hesitantly.

Pete looked up at the gate and saw the Jay was right. The gate had cracks al along the inside of the door. Wood was splintered. Suddenly the door bulged inward slightly being accompanied by a loud boom as it did.

"Liz! Tell me what's happening!" Pete called out.

"It's-" Liz started.

Suddenly the door was hit again and a loud cracking sound was heard. A loud boom followed shortly. Looking towards the gate Pete saw a large dust cloud, looking slightly lower he saw the gate laying on the ground torn from the wall.

Pete looked up to the now open hole in the wall. "It- it's a monster." Liz finally said as the dust began to clear.

Pete couldn't look away from the broken door. The dust cleared away revealing a disturbing sight. There was an infected standing in the door way. At least three times the size of a normal infected. It's body was torn in places by the large muscles unable to be contained by it's skin. As the monster moved inside the wall each hoof fell with a loud boom and shaking ground. Pete was frozen in place as he watch the beast. Then it roared, it charged at the closest guard and swung it's massive hooves down towards the guard. The ground shook and all that was left of the guard was a splatter of blood, and a few powdered bones.

"GET AWAY!!" Pete shouted to the rest of the guard as he raised his rifle and unloaded half a mag into the monster.

The beast shouted in pain and turned towards Pete. Pulling the trigger once more Pete emptied the rest of the mag into the beast's face. It shouted in pain and began bleeding from it's head, but then it charged Pete. Pete dived out of the way just barely dodging the infected swings.

"KEEP SHOOTING IT!!" Pete called out to Liz and Jay. Quickly switching to a full magazine Pete began to shoot the beast again. The monster didn't slow though. It kept coming after Pete.

Pete got to his feet and began to run. The infected chasing after him. Pete heard the hated sound of an empty mag and took out the shotgun. Shooting as he ran, Pete barely managed to stay out of the reach of the monster.  Then Pete's foot hit a broken piece of wood on  the ground and he faltered slightly, giving the beast enough time to catch up.

Pete screamed out in pain as he felt something connect with his back. He was suddenly lifted airborne and slammed into the wall with his left arm, forcing him to scream out again. Pete's vision slowly began to clear up, and returned just in time to see the behemoth standing over him hooves prepared to smash him into pulp. Pete threw up his good arm and a black dome shimmered into life around Pete. The beast's hooves slammed down, causing Pete to grown in pain as cracks spread along his barrier.

The monster didn't let up. He kept slamming down on the shield causing more and more cracks to form. Pete felt his nose begin to bleed as magical exhaustion started to set in. Pete's vision began to blur as the monster raised his hooves once again to strike. 

Suddenly Jay was on the creatures back using one arm around the monsters neck to stay put and holding his pistol the its head. The beast began to trash around trying to remove Jay, who fired a shot into the beasts head. But the monster kept trashing about. Jay fired six more shots into the beast before it fell to the ground. Pete let his arm fall the barrier disappearing with it.

Jay slowly lumbered over and sat down next to Pete. Both were breathing heavily and heavily bruised and bleeding.

"I...don't know what the hell we're going to call this one." Jay managed to say.

"...Thunderhoof." Pete responded.

"Damn that's good." Jay said before the two of them fell unconscious.
> Chapter 37 - Diagnosis
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Diagnosis

Pete's unconscious body was laying in a hospital bed. His entire left arm, from shoulder to hand, was wrapped in a stiff cast. His chest was surrounded by a multitude of bandages. Even so slowly his body began to stir. Pete opened his eyes and looked around. He tried to sit up, but groaned in pain moving his right arm over his chest.

"Well look who's finally awake." A voice said.

Pete turned his head and saw Jay standing a small ways off in the doorway, his arm in a sling.

"Your arm?" Pete asked laying his head back down.

"Yeah, turns out holding on to a thrashing monster's neck isn't the best thing you can do for your arm." Jay told him. "But then again, neither is using it to try to cushion the impact of being launched into a wall."

"Very funny." Pete told him turning his neck as Jay sat down next to the bed. "What's the damage?" He asked.

"Well...I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, you're in bad shape. Combining the hit from behind that you took, which luckily somehow didn't break your spine, and the impact with your arm. You might not be field ready for awhile." Jay told him.

"Give me the specifics." Pete told him.

Jay sighed. "When we got you here your shoulder was dislocated and the rest of your arm was broken in three places. The shoulder was a decently easy fix, but the breaks, your bone broke through the skin in two of the breaks. With my arm as it was I wasn't able to preform the surgery required to fix it so I had to talk a few of the doctors here through the procedure, considering they were operating on a different species I'd say they did pretty well." Jay told him.

"How long till I can take this thing off?" Pete asked looking at the large cast on his arm.

"Best case scenario, three weeks till the cast comes off and four months of physical therapy. That's the best case mind you." Jay told him.

Pete sighed. "Well that's not too bad I suppose. I'll aim for three months to be done with this." He said.

Jay looked at him with a sad expression. "Pete, there's one other thing." He said, getting Pete's attention. "You might not of broken your spine luckily, but you didn't come out unscathed." Jay paused for a moment. "The hit caused a lot of damage to the T9 and T10 segments of your spine."

"In English please." Pete told him.

"Well at least now that you're awake I can conduct the next part of the examination." Jay said to himself ignoring Pete's statement for a moment. "...Lift up your leg." Jay said to Pete.

"Fine." Pete said rolling his eyes. He looked down at his legs and started to lift the right one. It raised around two inches before Pete let out a small gasp and it fell back down onto the bed. "Why can't I lift it!?" Pete asked turning to Jay.

Jay let out a small sigh of relief. "Well good news first, you don't have a complete spinal injury. Bad news, you do have an incomplete spinal injury."

"What does that mean?!" Pete asked with some anger.

"It means that there is a chance you will be able to walk again." Jay answered him.

"chance to walk again?" Pete repeated quietly. He quickly turned his head back to his legs and got a strained look on his face as the leg lifted an inch off the bed again.

"LEG DOWN!" Jay ordered causing Pete's leg to fall onto the bed again. "I'm not risking you screwing yourself over for some feeling of pride or whatever it is you want!" Jay told him forcefully. "You were luck enough that hit didn't break your spine, you're luck that you can move your legs at all right now! You have a spine injury, you can't just power through that with pain tolerance. If you try and push yourself I can guarantee you will hurt yourself even more than you already are." Jay told him.

Pete took a few deep breaths trying to calm himself. "...I can't walk." He mumbled to himself.

"For the time being." Jay responded. "It's not a break so if your careful you should be able to recover. I'd say if your careful and follow a therapy schedule by around six months you should be able to walk with crutches. In a year you might be able to move without them, but if you insist on pushing yourself I can't guarantee any of that." Jay said.

Pete was silent for a few moments. "So what do I do until then?" He asked.

Jay gave a small smile and stood up from what he was sitting on.

"...A wheelchair...really?" Pete asked.

"It's either that or sitting on that bed the entire time and having to use a bedpan to-"

"I get the idea." Pete said cutting him off. He took a few deep breaths again. "Anything else I should know?" He asked.

"Well, I'm not the expert, but I'm told you are also going to be suffering from magical exhaustion." Jay answered.

Pete sighed. "Of course I am." He closed his eyes and was silent for a few moments. "Well, since there's nothing else for me to do. I don't suppose you'd be willing to take me to the expert."

Jay looked at his arm in the sling and back to Pete. "Oh this is going to be fun." He groaned.

After a few minutes Jay managed to lower Pete's body into the seat of the wheelchair using his good arm and get him situated.

"Well, I've got my left arm and you still have your right. If we want to get anywhere we're going to have to work together on this." Jay told Pete.

Pete let out a sigh. "This'll be fun." He said as he put his good arm onto one of the wheelchair's wheels.

The two managed to get into a slow rhythm as they wandered the halls of the castle. Pete rotated the wheel in time with Jay's pushes. It wasn't pretty but they were moving.

The two managed to make it to the main hall eventually. They had to get two guards to open the doors for them though. The two walked into the main hall and saw Luna, Cadance, Liz, Armor, Twilight, and the rest of her friends standing there. They turned to look as the doors opened. Everyone in the room let out a small gasp, save for Liz and Luna, when the two walked in.

"Damn Pete, what happened to you?" Armor asked walking up to Pete. The rest following behind him.

"You found the giant infected corpse along the doorstep I assume?" Pete responded.

"Yeah." Armor replied with a hint of fear.

"That happened." Pete told him.

"Pete are you...alright?" Luna asked hesitantly.

"Well I don't have control over three of my limbs, can't walk at all right now, am currently mentally scarred by the things I saw at that gate, nearly had a broken spine, and am suffering from magical exhaustion. If you consider that I was up against an enemy that could've pulverized me into dust, quite literally in fact, I think I'm relatively alright." Pete answered her.

The room was silent for a few moments. "That could've been put a bit more gently." Jay said as he stepped around the side of Pete's wheelchair.

"I don't particularly care." Pete told him. "Twilight." Pete said turning to face the mare.

She looked at him surprised by her name being said suddenly.

"I need a diagnosis on my magical exhaustion." He told her. "Hopefully it isn't as severe as my other injuries." He said. "I could really use some good news right about now."