> Dead on Your Hooves
>  by AppleBucker22
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: The Undead Rising
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Fillydelphia, it was a calm morning. Chris looked out through the window, and saw the sun. Sun rays gently stroked his mane, and the cool wind touched his warm face. A morning like any other.

Chris went on in the bathroom, taking a shower. The water was colder. His neighbor must’ve used it all up. He’ll have to consult with the landlord again. After taking the shower he went on to brush his teeth. He was low on toothpaste and had left himself a reminder to buy more toothpaste. 

Chris had planned to take a walk,  straighten his mind a bit. But before that, he took a note, scribbled something on it, and stuck a knife with the note stuck on it, to the landlords gate. The note said: “Bitch used up all the hot water again, solve it!”

In some way, Chris was the landlord. He did pay rent and everything, but he was the one who supervised everyone in his building. He has always been that way. Ever since his parents left him at flight camp, he had learned to take care of himself. He was the “main dog” at flight camp as well. His early talents helped him progress far, and finish flight school early. But other than that he hasn’t progressed far. He always had a temper. You could say that it was always his way, or the high way.

Chris went outside, his hooves touching the cold cement that covered the ground, and the smell of a nearby factory, crawling up his nostrils, the same homeless ponies asking him for a few bits, but him rejecting them, as it always is. Fillydelphia was cold this time of year, but it was nothing to him. He fought Lunar wars on Equestria’s Northern Poles. 

He arrived at the market, the smell of fresh fruits was enchanting and he simply had to get some.

“Can I help you sir?” The vendor asked

“Yeah, I’ll take two oranges and 2 bananas”

“That’ll be 4 bits sir!”

Chris pulled out a small linen bag out of his pouch, and took out four bits.

“Thank you kindly sir!” The vendor said

The market was the nicest place in Fillydelphia, colorful flowers could always be seen in the corner of your eye, and the smell of fresh bread was astonishing. I guess you could call it a swapmeet. 

Stopping at the flower store, Chris saw the most beautiful rose he had ever seen. A white rose, white as an angel’s wings, white as Princess Celestia. He simply had to have one.
“Hey sir, could I get that rose over there? Specially wrapped?”

“Why of course sir! What is the occasion, if I may ask?”

“Well, there’s this girl I’m kinda sweet on, her name’s Rose. She’s only in town for a few days..”

“Here you go sir, twelve bits!”

“Yeah, here’s the money.”

“Good luck with the lady sir!” The flowerpony gave him a little smile and Chris went on

Chris was going back home. Even if it was a small walk, it sure tired him. He has been suffering from insomnia lately, memories from the Lunar War kept piling up. He was Major-General in the Lunar war, commanding thousands of battalions over the northern part of Equestria. He got into battles often, and had always been victorious with his trademark weapon, the Dragon Knife.

His Dragon Knife was carved from a Dragon’s Tooth. The dragon being Discord himself. It was enchanted, and legend has it that every pony killed with that knife is stored inside it, further boosting it’s potential.

Chris got home, checked his door. There was a note on it, saying: 

Took care of the water problem,
Brae

Chris chuckled, and went inside his apartment. There wasn’t much to do. His apartment was nothing so special. A TV, sofa, kitchen and a small balcony. But lunch had not been prepared. Chris really wasn’t in the mood for cooking something, so he pulled out the nearest box he could find in his cupboard.

“Applejacks, eh? Must be a new brand.... ‘Apple flavoured!’ You don’t say?”

He sat on the sofa, turning on his TV. There was nothing special on it, but there was always the news.

“The situation on the Northern Front has been neutralised, and Discord’s forces no longer pose a threat, as he has been turned to stone, and is put on display at the Canterlot gardens”

Chris rolled his eyes. The Lunar War was the last thing he wanted to hear, although the next thing caught his attention.

“Las Pegasus crisis, a series of riots have broken out in the city, authorities can’t handle it, and the city is currently closed off to all visitors. Reports from within the city say that the local ponies have turned to cannibalism and the local forces are doing everything they can to contain it”
Seeing screenshots from the city was disturbing. Ponies feasting on one another, and killing the policeponies. Things were mad in that city.

“Well, I’ll be...” Chris muttered to himself. He then thought it was time to call Rose to arrange a date!

As Chris put his hoof out to type on the phone he typed in her number: 353-7673-332
Oddly enough, the middle numbers spelled Rose.

“Hello?”

“Hi Rose, Chris here.”

“Hi Chris! How are you?”

“Good. I just wanted to ask if you’re up for a date tonight. We could maybe grab some dinner...?”

“I’d love to! Pick me up from my place at 8 o’ clock!”

“Awesome, i’ll be there.”

Chris hung up the phone, it was time to get dressed.

Carefully putting on mane gel on his mane and dressing up in his finest leather jacket. It was his father’s, carefully hoof-stitched. And as always, he brought his knife, in case of emergency. Or cutlary loss....

He went to wash his hooves from the mane gel, but he noticed the water was out. There was only one pony to blame for this!

“That bitch....”

Chris angrily marched down the stairs and scribbled a note: “Listen up Lyra! If you switch off the water again, you’ll have more to worry about than gaining head injuries trying to walk on two hooves!” He sealed the note, with a knife.

It was the time. Chris went out. Something was not right. The streets were empty, and screams could be heard here and there. Although this was nothing unusual for Fillydelphia, the screams were more consistent. Chris arrived at Rose’s apartment, and knocked on her door. Nopony answered.

“Rose? Are you in there?”

After some time, Chris gave up. Thinking he was stood up, he put his white rose back in the jacket, and headed out to the nearby backstreet for a smoke. 

The backstreet was dark, lights must’ve gone out for the city. Strange noises could be heard from the very end of the backstreet.

“I-is someone there?”

The noises suddenly went out.

“If you’re here to mug me, you should know I have no money on me!”

Slight shuffling could be heard.

“Alright, I’m tired of this!”

Chris tossed his lighter at the very back of the street only to see Rose.

“Rose! Oh there you are! I’ve been looking for you, I thought you stood me up!”

As Chris reached to put a hoof on her shoulder she quickly turned around and looked him in the eyes, with pony flesh sticking out of her mouth.

“Rose? W-what the hell?!”

Rose slowly turned around and started shuffling towards Chris.

“Rose, what the hell are you doing? Answer me!”

But Rose remained quiet. After some time she let out a terrifying growl, and leaped forward. In the heat of the moment, Chris pulled out his knife, and stabbed her in the face.

“Rose.... Rose? ROSEEEEEEEE!”

Chris stood over her dead body, but soon after that, the corpse she was eating came to life. Chris was prepared for this one too, but as he looked back, he could see a whole horde behind him.

Chris was cornered, he had nowhere to go, or he would end up like one of...THOSE . So he quickly flew up on the building, but it was not over yet. Buildings were flooded with those creatures, emerging from emergency escapes, and giving chase to other ponies.

“Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!”
A pony could be seen falling off a ledge, screaming as he fell to his doom. One pony was on top of a car, being pulled down by those things, and then chewed to his death.

Chaos reigned. You could see smoke in the city, cars crashing everywhere.

Creatures came out from the roof exit, giving chase to Chris. That elevation hurt his wing pretty badly, so he couldn’t fly anymore. In the crowd of the creatures he noticed a unicorn. After a few seconds the unicorn filled up with excess magic, and just exploded. Guts were flying everywhere!

Chris kept jumping up and down on buildings, trying to escape the creatures, more coming every second.

In the distance, Chris spotted a hardware shop. It was quite small, and it looked like it could sustain those creatures.

Chris jumped off the building, quickly opening the door. In there were a few creatures, one of those being an earth pony who’s name tag said: Hi! My name is Joe!

“Hi Joe!” Chris stabbed him in the heart, and the zombie quickly fell down.

“Sweet Luna... How did this happen? Rose....”

Creatures came knocking on his door, trying to break it down, but Chris supported it with a wooden beam. Creatures howled at Chris, looking at him like he is fresh food.

As Chris relaxed, strange noises could be heard. That creature was alive.

“You don’t die easily, do ya Joe?” Chris gave him a few stabs in his hooves, and stabbed him once in his stomach.

“Why don’t you die?!”

And then, like a flash, a gunshot was heard. A dark figure looking through the ceiling hatch.

“Come with me, if you want to live”

Chris had no choice, as the creatures were already breaching the gates of the store.

“Always.... Aim for the head...” The mysterious pony said.

“Who are you?” Chris asked

“No time. You wanna live, we go, now! Hollow, you ready or what?!”

“Yeah yeah, I’m on it.” Another voice said, as a cloaked figure jumped down and forced Chris through, before jumping back up themselves and shutting it behind them. “Damn, you’re heavy, you know that?”

“Don’t comment on my weight now! We’re about to be swarmed, where do we go!?”

“Simple. We go up, and out!”

“But, I can’t fly, my wing’s hurt bad!” Chris said, pointing at his wing.

“You don’t need to, just hang on to me or Hollow.” The pony said, placing a hoof on Chris, who watched with a mix of amazement and horror as the pony suddenly grew wings, while their horn retracted into their head. “So, you wanna live or die?”

“What the hell are you?!”

“Simple answer, I don’t know anymore.” The pony replied sadly. “Now hold on!” he commanded, lifting Chris onto his companion’s back.

“Get me out of here, and the pies are on me!”

“I’ll hold you to that.” he joked, kicking a hole in the wall nearby and diving through it, followed by the cloaked figure, whose wings made a distinct buzzing sound.

“Holy crap... You’re a changeling? I fought against your kind in the Lunar War... Your kind killed thousand of my men.... Give me one good reason, why I shouldn’t cut you down where you stand!”

“Because if you so much as harm a single hair on my sister’s head, I’ll make you beg for death.” The pony replied darkly. “She’s the only family I’ve got, and I’ll be damned if I let your stupid prejudices get her killed.”

Chris was humiliated by that comment. His face turned red as he held on to the hooded pony. “Just... Fly....”

“No worries. Besides, neither of us were involved in the war.” he said almost too quietly to hear.

“Oh god damn... It’s a horned one-hit wonder! It’s gonna blow this place up!”

“A what?” The still unnamed pony asked confusedly, looking to the ground below.

“Well, see that unicorn right over there? That sumbitch is gonna blow up. Probably from all the unused magic. I suggest you fly unless you wanna be.... Whatever the hell you are, peices.”

“You got it. One ticket out of here, air Knight style!” He laughed, picking up the pace considerably, the changeling, Hollow, keeping up with him easily.

As they all looked down, the only thing they could see is a massive explosion. But it wasn’t a regular explosion, instead it sent out deadly shockwaves that would cripple anyone near them.

“What did I tell you?” Chris looked at the mysterious pony.

They all noticed a magic barrier around the city.

“Oh crap, how are you gonna fly through that?! You’ll get bounced off! You got some ground vehicles?”

“Like I said, no worries. Hollow, ready?” the pony asked.

“Anytime, Knight. Hey, whatsyourname. Wanna know what it’s like to teleport through shadows?” Hollow asked with a grin, showing off her fangs.

“Is this the part where you turn cannibal like all those others?” Chris asked with a worried face.

“Ha. Good one. Changelings are immune to this thing for some reason, at least I think so. I got bit by one of these years ago and I haven’t changed a bit.” She replied, suddenly taking a nose dive in response to the one she called Knight, who had already descended and was heading straight towards a wall.

“Oh crap! Oh no, no, no, no, no!” At this point, Chris passed out.

As Chris slowly came to, he noticed his knife was missing, as instinct, that is the first thing he reached for.

He slowly look around, still shaken up from the nosedive. That is the last thing he remembers. He wanted answers.

“Hello? Is anypony there?” Chris asked, looking around, still a little dizzy.

“Yeah, we’re here. You’re safe, for the time being.” A familiar voice said.

“You.... Ungh.... What happened?”

“Shadow-walking. One of Knight’s more interesting abilities. It’s one of the few he’s been able to use since he was a colt. Before everything he and I went through” The voice continued, as a now uncloaked changeling emerged from the shadow under a nearby tree.

“Wait... I know you... You were in Las Pegasus... I saw you on the video!” Chris muttered.

“What video? And what do you mean I was in Las Pegasus?” She asked in confusion.

“The Las Pegasus outbreak... That’s what they’re calling it right? Where the cannibalism started? I saw you there, flying over the city.... Agh... Celestia, the pain...”

“First, don’t curse in front of a lady. Two, that pain was a lot worse than it is now. I had to absorb most of it to keep you from dying on us.”

“Heh... Never thought I’d be saying this to a changeling but... Thanks...Ugh...So... What’s your story?” Chris asked.

“That’s for Knight to tell, not me.” Hollow replied sternly. “And you’re welcome. Now, our first stop is Canterlot. Knight keeps saying that something is drawing him there. Unless of course, you have a better idea of where we should go first.”

“Canterlot? Ugh... Sure, we can go there... If we pass through Ponyville first.... I have family and friends there, we could see if they’re alive...”

“I have friends there too...” Another voice said as Knight appeared, literally out of nowhere. “Let me ask, who do you have back there?”

“My mother.... She’s.... A strong pony... Runs a farm up there, called Sweet Apple Acres, I think...”

“Wait...your mom? Who’s your mom?” Knight asked curiously.

“Last, I heard, down there they were callin’ her Granny Smith..” Chris said with a worried face.

“So, you’re Applejack’s father?” Knight inquired.

“Yeah... That would be her....” Chris pulled out a small medallion with a picture of a young filly and stallion in it. “That’s them...”

“AJ sure looked cute back then, huh. So did Mac.” Knight said with a smile on his face. “And if I know those two as well as I think I do, they’re just fine, and no worries, I’m sure Applebloom is fine too.”

“If you don’t mind, I got some questions...” Chris said.

“Ask away. But if I say drop it, you drop it until I say otherwise, alright.” Knight sternly replied.

“Alright... Agh.... What were those things?! Why were they feasting on each other?”

“They were ponies infected with a virus created by Discord’s Research and Development Division.” Knight said. “He had his scientists try to create living weapons through various experiments, and those are one of the results.”

“Discord, huh? Last I heard, he was turned to stone and shipped off to Canterlot gardens.... World is mysterious that way eh?”

“How long has it been since he was sealed away again?” Knight asked.

“I saw it on TV this morning... How can this be?!” Chris looked horrified.

“What? What did you see?!”

“Discord being sealed away in stone after.... Agh.... Sweet Celestia.... After the Lunar War situation was defused... Ceremony was this morning..” Chris replied.

“So...it was recent...guess that was why riots started in the facility, huh Hollow?” Knight mused, before turning wide-eyed upon realizing what he had said.

“What facility?” Chris asked.

“That’s one of those things, I suggest you forget about it.” Knight replied, almost sadly.

“How about... Hnng.... A trade..? For information?”

“What kind of trade?” Hollow asked suspiciously, almost startling Chris, who had forgotten about her.

“This... Is the Dragon Knife...” Chris pulled out a knife from his sheath, “It is made from... Discord’s tooth... See this gem right here?” Chris asked, pointing to an amethyst engraved in the blade. “I killed seven hundred and fifty thousand changelings with this knife in the war... Legend has it that Changelings can look inside the stone to talk with their fallen comrades... How about it Hollow?”

“That’s....that’s a soul gem...” She said in almost a whisper. “So, it’s true...but...using it...it’s taboo...”

“Is that what you think?.. Heh... Let me ask you something... Were your family members in this war? Father? Mother? Brother? You can talk to them right here, free of charge. All I want, is information...”

“My family were all killed a long time ago, by Discord’s forces...the day I was....” She trailed off, shedding a tear.

“I’m sorry if this is a sore topic... Look, if you want, I can give you the soul gem as a memento... Something to remember your people by...After all, i’m done collecting souls...”

She stared at Chris, shocked. “A-are you sure? You really mean it?”

“Yeah, it’s yours to keep....Just, take good care of it... This is... Discord’s eye....”

Chris popped the gem out with a swift strike and handed it to Hollow, who took it with a shaky hoof. “Thank you...”

“Maybe this will finally relieve me of the nightmares.... Now, care to share this facility business?”

Knight looked to Hollow, who nodded slowly. “Alright. But, understand, it’s...painful, to talk about.”

“I understand... I’m just interested in this because my family’s life could be in danger... You understand, right?”

“I understand.” He said. “Ok, the first thing you need to know is that I grew up in the Everfree Forest, in a small cabin. I lived there since I was five. Six years ago, there was an incident, and my parents and younger sister were killed. And I was taken by two cloaked ponies to some facility outside Las Pegasus.” He started to take deep breaths. “They locked me in a cell with Hollow here, and every once in a while they’d take one of us for their sick experiments, trying to turn us into living weapons. After each one, they’d...they’d...”

“It’s alright.. You don’t have to tell me everything now....” 

In the distance, growls could be heard, bushes were being shaken.

“You hear that? We gotta go, get to Ponyville...”

Chris reached to the pocket of his leather jacket to find a note that said: 

Chris, don’t forget to purchase more toothpaste,
Past Chris

Chris gave a little chuckle, remembering this morning.

“We gonna go?” Chris asked.

“Y-yeah.” Knight said, a little shaky. “And by the way, we never told you our whole names, did we? I’m Rising Knight, and this is Hollow Armour.” He gestured to Hollow, who smiled weakly and went back to staring at the gem.

“I’m Chris... A pleasure... Agh... Say, could we get some medicine? My wing’s hurtin’ bad...”

And so the three of them departed on their way to Canterlot, unaware of the dangers....

THAT LURK AHEAD.
> Chapter 2: Starved for Help
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hurry up Chris, or do you want to end up like food?” Knight said impatiently.

“J-just give me a moment... These legs ain’t what they used to be. Besides, I’d be much faster if my wings were workin’!” 

As the little gang departed from their campsite, they headed off to Ponyville.

They all slowly stepped into the forest, weapons by their side, carefully watching their surroundings.

“Something’s lurking in here....” Chris said to Knight.

“Yeah...I know.” Knight said in a bored tone. “Mostly just regular inhabitants. Manticores, Hydras, Timberwolves, that sort of thing. A few infected here and there, but not enough that we should be worried. Well, unless they’re Featherbrains.”

“Unless they’re what?” Chris asked.

“Featherbrains, the nicknames used for infected pegasi. We...subjects, came up with it. Sounds a lot better than ‘weapon type 97’, don’t ya think?”

“What’s so special about them?”

“For one, unlike infected unicorns, or Horny Ones, sweet Chrysalis, who came up with that name anyway.” Hollow muttered. “Sorry, anyway, unlike Horny Ones, who can’t use their magic, which causes the build-up and eventual magical overload you saw that one from Fillydelphia undergo, Featherbrains can sometimes still use their passive pegasi magic, meaning they can still fly.”

“Well, ain’t that wonderful? How are we supposed to take them down?” Chris asked Hollow.

“Simple. Same as any other infected. Destroy the brain, and the body ceases to function. That or you sever their spinal cord, which just paralyzes them.” She explained.

“I meant, how are we gonna take ‘em down if they keep flying around ya? If I could fly, I could probably do something, but other than that, we’re probably gonna need ranged weapons” Chris said.

From the air, loud shouts could be heard. A Featherbrain has spotted the three adventurers, and divebombed into them. 

“You’re about to find out...” Hollow said to Chris. “Just stay back and watch Knight work.”

Chris was about to object, but his jaw dropped as Knight grew wings again, this time without touching him, and took to the air, slamming straight into the Featherbrain and forcing them both to crash to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust that obscured the two combatants from view. Chris and Hollow could hear the sounds of them fighting, the low moans of the Featherbrain, and the grunts of Knight as they fought. Eventually, a sound similar to a stun grenade was heard, and a sudden slicing sound. Then silence.

“Woah, woah, is he alright? We gotta help him!” Chris shouted to Hollow.

“No, we don’t.” She replied simply, pointing to the dust cloud where a figure was emerging. It was the Featherbrain, but something was different. Chris almost vomited when he realised what had happened.

“Oh man, that stinks like a Zebra fart! What the hell did you do?” Chris asked with a disgusted look on his face.

Knight walked out of the cloud, with his wings gone and his horn back on his head, glowing silver, with a similar aura wrapped around the two blades which hovered beside him. “I won, that’s what. Now he’s a Featherheadless.”

Somewhere in the back of the forests, shuffling and growls could be heard, moving towards the three.

“Oh, great. Hoofers. We gotta run!” Chris said, packing up the supplies, “It would seem that your little fight was the center of attention, we gotta get out of this forest, to the highway!”

“Are you insane, there’s even more of them there. Why do you think Hollow and I came here in the first place?!” Knight said. “It’s a death-sentence, even if we fly. Our best bet is to lose them in the trees.”

“Listen up! We’re gonna go out to that Highway! I’m not gonna die in this forest like a victim of an ambush by an undead who doesn’t appear to own a brain? I don’t care what you think! At least out there we’ll be able to see them!” Chris yelled at Knight.

“And in here there are more shadows, meaning Shadow-Walking is easier...” Knight replied calmly. “And I just told you, the highway is a death-sentence no matter what we do. It’s completely overrun.”

“Then where will we find medicine? Where will we find food? We’re starving as it is!”

“Zecora.” Knight stated.

“Who?!” Chris looked at Knight.

“She’s a zebra, lives in the Everfree forest. She makes natural medicines, and her hut is near Ponyville. It should only take us an hour at most to get there if Hollow or I carry you.”

“I don’t need carrying...” Shuffles and groans were becoming much louder, “What do you think Knight, fight or flight?” Chris asked.

“With the number on their way here, I pick flight. No sense going up against twenty at once unless we can separate them into groups of no more than three, and they have a tendency of sticking together.”

“Alright then! Vamanos! Err... Hollow, you coming?” Chris asked.

“...Uh, yeah...sorry.” She replied, pocketing the soul gem she had been staring at.

The group started running, the forest was dense, and hoofers were gonna have a hard time getting through the brush. 

“Knight, on your left!” Chris pointed at the featherbrain, just about to take a bite at Knight. He simply sidestepped it and drove one of his blades through its eye socket.

“Thanks, I guess.” He said with a small smile.

As the group kept running, it was eventually going to happen. A small branch was found on the way, and Chris tripped over it.

“Ah, guys! Help!” Chris yelled at Hollow and Knight, who seemed far away from him. Knight looked back at him, and said something to Hollow, who nodded and kept going. Knight doubled back and picked Chris up off the ground, pushing him forward.

“Keep going, we’re almost there. And no matter what you see, or hear, do not look back.”

Having no choice, Chris followed Knight’s orders and continued running. In the background, loud grunts and screams could be heard, but he was told not to look back, so he didn’t.

After five minutes of running, the group seemed to have shaken of the hoofers, and had some time to rest.

“What happened?! Where’s Hollow?!” Chris asked Knight.

“Sent her...on ahead...to warn Zecora...we were coming.” Knight panted. “Dammit...six years of being...a lab-rat...really leaves you...out of shape.”

“Why’d you tell me not to look back?” Chris asked Knight.

“Because it’s when you look back while running that you fall, and it’s when you fall that you die. By keeping your eyes forward, you noticed potential hazards before it was too late to avoid them. And if you had seen how many there were, you would have not only frozen, you’d have pissed yourself, and shat yourself, and I am not gonna be carrying you if you do.” He said with a chuckle.

“Hey, I was Major-General in the Lunar War! I would not have shat myself!... Only pissed myself....” Chris said with a grin.

“You sound like my step-father.” Knight said, his grin suddenly disappearing.

“Who was your step-father? I’m not intending to pry, but, you never did finish the facility story...” Chris said.

“He was a Celestial Assassin, as was my step-mother. You ever heard of them?” Knight asked.

“Yeah, they were a special division in the Lunar War, brought in as reinforcements from Celestia.. They were sent out to kill Discord’s High Value Targets, such as Generals.”

“That’s only the recent history. The Celestial Assassins go back to the origins of the Princesses Rule. They used to be two separate groups, the Solar Assassins, who answered only to Princess Celestia, and the Lunar Assassins, who answered to Luna. After a few centuries of ruling, they decided they didn’t need two separate groups and merged them into one, the Celestial Assassins. Their job was simple, to protect the citizens of Equestria from any threat to their safety, even if the princesses themselves became a threat. That was their oath. They taught me and my step-sister the same way that they learned, though the blades I have, even I don’t know why I have them.” He explained, pointing to the two swords, which were now magically restrained to his sides.

“That’s what your mark is, right? Those two swords?”

“Yeah. I had it when they found me in those woods, along with this.” He summoned a small bracelet with his name on one side and an engraving of the moon on the other. “That’s the only clue I have as to who I am. I want to go to Canterlot to find out if the Princesses can help.”

“Help find out who you are, or help stop the infection?” Chris asked Knight, while keeping his poker face.

“Find out who I am. The ponies who made this thing, they made it to be incurable. I don’t know if there is a way to do so, but it’s unlikely.”

Chris’ stomach growled uncontrollably, he was hungry, and unless Knight wanted him to pass out, he needed some food.

“Hey, what’s left in the backpack?” Chris asked.

“I’ve got a couple of daisy sandwiches.” Knight replied, hoofing two of them over to him.

“Thanks.” Saying that, Chris just dug his face into the sandwich, eating like he hadn’t eaten in months, “Hey, these are good.... Just one question.... Is there jelly in them...?”

“There is. Why?” Knight asked curiously.

“I-I’m allergic to jelly....” Chris’ face had swollen up.

“Shit! We have to get to Zecora’s now, before your throat closes up!” Knight yelled, forcing Chris onto his back, being careful to make sure he wasn’t accidentally impaled on the blades, and galloping in the direction he believed Zecora’s hut to be in. “Chris, you ok? Chris....CHRIS?!”

Chris blacked out. Several moments later, he could barely open his eyes, only to overhear some strange talking, what looked like Knight, and some Zebra. To Chris, this was all like a dream.

“...help him?”

“Allergies?....”

“....this should help...”

“...hope so...”

Chris’ head was spinning like a wheel. He was slowly coming to, the pictures in his eyes becoming clearer.

“K-knight? I-is that you?” Chris slowly asked.

“Yeah, it’s me. And Hollow. And Zecora.” He replied, stepping aside to reveal a familiar changeling and a zebra standing behind him.

“H-hi, my name’s Chris....” Chris noticed that the pain in his wing had went away, and was free to move his wings, “Did... Did you fix up my wings?”

“Ah yes, a wing breaking had occurred. I found medicine for you, so you wouldn’t stay moored.”

Chris leaned over to Knight: “Is she supposed to speak like this?”

“Just go with it Chris. It’s traditional.” He replied. “Anyway, you owe Zecora big-time. She made allergy medication with what she scrounged up. Good thing too, or you wouldn’t be here right now.”

“Indeed. Allergy has made itself into your system, making you spin out of control, like a piston!”  Zecora replied with a big smile.

“Umm, sure... Err... Anyways... We need to get to Ponyville! Are there any safe paths?” Chris asked.

Right that moment, someone knocked on the window. It was a hoofer.

“Again these ponies come on my doors shut, I had better peace, when I was still in my hut!”

It seemed like Zecora didn’t know that these ponies, were not ponies at all, but they were infected.

“Is she serious?” Chris asked Knight.

“We...kinda didn’t tell her yet.” Knight admitted. “We were a little preoccupied with saving your life.”

“Perhaps you should tell her now, unless you want that Hoofer to break her window! I don’t like Zebra zombies, they’re even more agressive than normal ones!” Chris told Knight, “Perhaps we should bring her along to Ponyville? She could be useful for our little group...”

“That’s the plan anyway...and don’t be racist! Just because she’s a zebra does not mean she’d be more aggressive if she were a zompony!”

“Kinda does... You see, when I was back in Fillydelphia, I saw a few zebra zombies... They weren’t like regular ones, instead they grew huge muscles, and were just tearing apart anyone who stood in their way.” Chris said, pointing to the Hoofer who was still knocking on Zecora’s window.

“Away, away you foul beast! I already told you, I am all out of yeast!” She then picked up a broom and tried to scare the Hoofer away, but it seemed to aggravate him even more. Knight didn’t hesitate, grabbing his dark blue blade and shoving it through the window, and the Hoofer’s skull, right in one of its eyes.

“Hooray for eye-gouging eh, Knight?” Chris said jokingly.

“I guess.” He replied. “Zecora, you ok?”

“I am puzzled, why you killed this colt, for he would have run away, like a bolt!” Zecora said.

“No. He wouldn’t. He was infected, Zecora, with a virus that, for lack of a better explanation, turns the victims into mindless, flesh-eating monsters.” Knight explained with a frown.

“If it is truly what you say, I must begin working on a cure right away!”

“As unlikely as it is that a cure can be found, if anypony can do it, it’s you, right Zecora?”

“You should pack up whatever you can, we’re leaving for Ponyville... That is, if you want to come with us...?” Chris said.

“Ponyville is what you seek? I have planned to go there next week!”

“You did? Was there anything suspicious out there?” Chris asked Zecora. Zecora shook her head, everything seemed normal in Ponyville, as there were not many travellers coming in and out.

“Well then, looks like we may have a chance to save some ponies, huh Hollow?” Knight said, turning to face the changeling, who was once again staring at the soul gem intently.

“She’s really into that thing huh?” Chris asked Knight.

“Yeah, a little too into it, I think.” Knight said worriedly.

“Well, since we’re safe here for a while, you could finish the facility story.....” Chris said.

“Yeah...sure. Where did I leave off?” Knight asked, turning his attention back to Chris.

“What they would do to you after the tests.” Chris replied.

“Oh...” Knight shook his head a little. “Ok. After each test, they’d take the two they’d experimented on, and they’d force the two into a deathmatch with each other. They didn’t allow us to leave our opponents at unconsciousness. Either one dies, or the other.”

“Sweet Luna.... Who was in charge of that facility?” Chris asked.

“I don’t know his name, but I know he was an alicorn.” Knight whispered.

Knocks could be heard on the hut. Hoofers were closing in. Knocking on the back of the hut, and on the sides. 

“I think we should go guys! Zecora, grab what you can, we’re leaving!”

Zecora quickly packed a few herbs, some food and a couple of alchemy sets.

“Knight, let’s go out there and kill ‘em!” Chris looked at Knight.

“On it.” He muttered, his demeanour once again that of a cold-blooded killer. He drew his blades and threw one out the window, impaling one of the Hoofers through its throat, and severing it spinal cord.

Chris quickly pulled out his knife and rushed through the door, slicing up a few zomponies as he went, his blade making clean cuts through their heads. Brains flew all over the place, and in no time, the Hoofers have been cleared out.

“Alright, everypony out of the hut! Zecora, lead to Ponyville!” Chris said.

Several moments later, they were on a small hill just north of Ponyville. Fluttershy’s hut and Twilight’s library could be seen from here.

“What do you think we’ll find there?” Chris asked Knight.

“Hopefully we’ll find the others safe and sound.”

“You think AJ and Mac are okay?” Chris gently stroked his medallion.

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t have a scratch on ‘em. But why didn’t you ask about Applebloom?”

“Yeah... Thing is, I don’t know who Applebloom is! Since you mentioned her, I just pretended to know, ‘cuz it would be rude not to...”

Knight stopped and stared at  Chris in disbelief. “...You don’t know her?”

“N-no...” Chris replied.

Knight walked up to him, and raised a hoof as if he was going to strike him. “How can you not know your daughter? Applebloom is AJ and Mac’s little sister.” He said angrily, his hoof unmoving.

“H-how old is she?” Chris asked nervously.

“She’s around 7.” Knight replied.

“Heh... Makes sense... I left my wife when I went to the Lunar war nine years ago...I didn’t 
want to return to that kind of life... So, I stayed in Fillydelphia...” Chris stated.

“So you abandoned your family? When they needed you most, you abandoned them?” Knight was on the verge of yelling.

“I was a different pony back then! I drank heavily, and it was all because of that cursed soul gem!” Chris yelled.

“The soul gem?” Knight asked, turning instinctively to Hollow, who was staring at it again.

“The souls of the dead.... They wouldn’t stop! Wouldn’t let me dream, or sleep! Haunted me every day! I could barely eat! I’m just glad I got rid of it. Doesn’t seem to affect her though....”

“Doesn’t seem to affect her? Have you not noticed she’s been staring at it non-stop?!”

“Doesn’t seem to affect her... Like it did me.... She didn’t abandon us! She still sleeps! She eats! I don’t see nothing on her. Must be because she’s a changeling...”

“I see.” Knight lowered his hoof again. “This time, don’t you dare leave them behind. They already lost their mother, they don’t need to lose their father again.”

“I’ve left that life behind me, Knight....”

“Don’t you dare say that!” Knight screamed. “You are not abandoning them this time. This time, you’re going to be a stallion, you’re going to be there for them. Or so help me, I will end you myself.”

“Alright... But just tell me one thing...” His face turned to an angry expression as he looked at Knight, “What do they mean to you, for you to react that strongly?”

“They’re my friends. Everypony else avoided me, thought I was a weirdo. Except for AJ, Mac, Applebloom, and her friends, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. Besides my step-family and Zecora, they were the first ponies who actually gave a damn about me.”

“I don’t know if this means anything... But hell, I give a damn about you. You saved my life many a times. I feel like I’m not doing enough for you...”

“I didn’t save you for any particular reason you know. It was just the right thing to do. As far as I’m concerned, you look after your family, and we’re even.”

“Deal...” Chris smiled at Knight, “Besides, I left all my cider at home” He gave Knight a little chuckle.

They slowly moved towards Ponyville, and strangely, they encountered no trouble. Finally arriving at Ponyville, Chris’ eyes glittered at the thought that he will meet his daughter again.

But things were not so peachy in Ponyville. Hoofers have already invaded the place, and the local ponies running frantic.

“Knight, uhh.. We should split up!” Chris said, “Try to save the town!”

“On it!” Knight smirked, charging into the fray, hacking and slashing infected ponies to bits and trying to avoid being bitten himself.

Chris took the eastern side of town, clearing the market. There were only a few hoofers there, and they weren’t much of a problem.

“That does it. We gotta get to the library!” Chris told Knight.

They all galloped to the Library, while Knight busted through the door he could see Twilight Sparkle, hiding in a corner.

As the ponies entered the library Twilight almost passed out, because they alerted the enemy that was in there. Spike.

“The hell, is that a...a dragon?” Knight asked confusedly, raising his blades slowly.

“Aaah! Help meee!! He’s gonna eaaat meee!!” Twilight shouted. Spike turned towards her and leapt, claws outstretched and his gaping maw ready to tear her to shreds, only to find himself restrained as Knight held him face-down on the ground with magical chains.

“I can’t do it...even if he is infected, I can’t kill a kid...” He muttered.

Just as Chris was about to ram his knife into Spike’s skull he was interrupted by Twilight.

“NO! DON’T!” She cried. “Please...he’s...he’s family...please don’t...”

“Then what do you propose I do? He’s infected, we can’t throw him out there, or he might spread the infection!”

“Then let’s trust Zecora to find a cure. If she can, then we can save him. We can save others too.” Knight said calmly, still restraining Spike, though it was getting harder with each passing moment.

Chris let out a sigh. He trusted Knight, and if he said that Zecora could do it, then he believed him. “Fine.. Keep him restrained...I don’t want him biting my neck when i’m turned around...”

“Alright...Ms...um, what’s your name?” Knight asked Twilight.

“My name’s Twilight... Twilight Sparkle..” Twilight said with a sheepish smile, and looked at Spike, her eye tearing up a little.

“Do not worry Twilight Sparkle, about your dragon, because I will fix up a whole flagon of the curing brew!”

“Thanks Zecora...” Twilight then realised about her friends, “Oh. My. Celestia... We gotta go save the others!”

“Yeah, we do. Who’s the closest?” Chris asked.

“That would be Pinkie Pie.. Down at Sugarcube Corner, near the market.” Twilight responded.

“Then let’s go. Can’t let anything happen to Ponyville’s Premier Party Planner, can we?”

The group galloped towards Sugarcube Corner, busting in through the door, only to find Pinkie Pie, sitting at the table with infected Mr. and Ms. Cake, sharing a meal.

“What the....?” Chris asked Knight.

“It’s Pinkie Pie. Don’t question it.” Knight said, walking towards the table calmly. “Pinkie? That you?”

“Oh yeah! Me and the Cakes were just having a tea party here! Ain’t that right Mr. Cake, you handsome devil?” Pinkie Pie said enthusiastically.

“Ookaaay. Zecora, how long do you think it’ll take to figure out a cure?”

“She does not appear to be sick, therefore there is no point in being so ‘ick’.”

“It’s not her I’m worried about.” Knight said, pointing a hoof at Mr. and Mrs. Cake, who were looking up from their meal with lifeless eyes.

“If the Cakes you wish to cure, I’m going to need more time, to form the lure. Dragon’s tongue, is what I need, we should search for it or the Cakes will bleed.”

“Okay there Pinkie... Time to go now... We gotta search for...” Chris leaned over to Twilight who whispered something in his ear, “Fluttershy! That’s right, we gotta look for your pal Fluttershy!”

“Okie Dokie Lokie! Just let me tie these handsome devils on a leash, and we’ll be good!” Pinkie Pie took a chain and tied it around the Cakes’ necks, who for now, seemed docile.

“Oh just one more thing!” Pinkie Pie brought out a giant cake from her room, it was very heavy. She pushed a button, the cake reformed into a weapon tray. 

“There’s my Party Katana! Who’s sharp? Who’s sharp? You are! That’s right you are!”

“Oooookay, moving on...Twi, could you lead us to Fluttershy’s?” Chris asked.

“Y-y-yes. It’s quite close.” She said, shaking a little. “Come on.”

She led them through the ruined streets of Ponyville towards the cottage, avoiding the infected ponies as best she could, though they still ran into one or two. Knowing Zecora had a possible cure made it harder for them, but Knight, Chris, and Hollow put their personal feelings aside for the sake of the group, and ended the lives of those few they encountered as quickly as they could.

“We’re here...” Chris said, pointing at the cottage. The cottage seemed peaceful, no screams could be heard, no pleas for help... But then again, it was Fluttershy.

“Knight, take point, Hollow, on me. We’re going through the back” Chris said.

Knight simply nodded and crept towards the cottage, raising his blades above his head in preparation to attack if the need arose. He opened the door slowly and crept inside, still unsure of what he would find, given the silence. Walking through the seemingly empty cottage towards the stairs, he saw something. A corpse. albeit one that was too small to be a pony. A hoof placed itself on its shoulder, and Knight whirled around to see it was only Chris.

“Is that.... A bunny?” Chris looked with curiosity, “Don’t go near it, might still be alive...Knight... Poke it with something...”  

Knight lowered his blade towards the corpse and gave it a nudge. It didn’t move. He pushed it just enough to leave a shallow cut. Still nothing.

“Alright. It’s either dead, or it’s an ambusher.” Knight whispered.

“I don’t wanna take any chances... Should we... Decapitate it?” Chris asked

“No don’t!” A quiet voice came from the upstairs of the cottage.

Chris and the group turned to see Fluttershy, standing at the top of the stairs with a look of sheer terror on her face.

“Fluttershy...” Knight whispered.

Fluttershy immediately hid in her cabinet and yelled out: “NOPONY’S HOME!”

Knight jumped over the rabbit’s body onto the stairs and walked towards the cabinet. “Shy, it’s Knight...you remember, right?”

“K-Knight...? Y-yeah, I remember....” Fluttershy said quietly.

“Shy, we’re here because we need your help. Chris, get Zecora.”

A few seconds passed and Chris came back with Zecora.

“Fluttershy my dear, there is no need to hide, we’re here to help, but only if you abide.”

“Shy, Zecora might be able to make a cure for this thing.” Knight said. “But she needs a dragon tongue...”

“I-I have some in m-my shed... I’ll come out... I-if Pinkie puts away that katana....” Fluttershy said.

Pinkie just nodded happily and stashed the katana in her mane.

“A-alright... F-follow me...” Fluttershy led them to a shed at the back of her cottage.

“J-just let me turn on the lights..” With a single flicker of her hoof the lights came on. It was unbelievable! Fluttershy had massive chainsaws, guns and gatling guns in her shed! And at the very end of the heavy machinery, was a tiny little flower.

“Oh, feel free to help yourself to the weapons...” Fluttershy smiled sheepishly, while Twilight could only look in horror.

“That’s..... Quite an arsenal...” Chris said.

“Shy...why do you have so many of these things?” Knight asked with wide eyes as he looked over the various items.

“Oh, I keep these items in case of angry bear emergencies... ‘The Stare’ doesn’t appear to work anymore, so these will do...” 

“Why don’t we just grab the flower...? And maybe high-tail outta here?” Chris asked.

“Agreed.” Knight said. “You sure it’ll work though, Zecora?”

Zecora simply nodded, as she was too busy studying her book of ancient diseases to respond.

“Why don’t we.... Head over to Rarity’s?” Twilight almost fainted at the sight of all that heavy machinery.

“Alright, why don’t we get over to there, so Twi doesn’t faint?” Chris said.

“Alright then.” Knight nodded as he walked out of the shed with Hollow, who had a faraway look in her eyes. The rest of the group followed soon after, with Pinkie and the Cakes bringing up the rear.

As the group arrived to the Carousel Boutique, there were several screams inside.

“Rarity!” Twilight screamed.

“Come on Knight, let’s go in!” Chris said.

Knight was way ahead of Chris, already bucking the door off its hinges and casting an illumination spell, allowing the group to see what was going on inside.Inside was Rarity, Sweetie Belle who hid in the corner and a infected stallion, chewing on the dresses.

“Uh, you uncouth barbarian! Stop chewing this priceless piece of fashion, right now!”

“Rarity, get back! He’s gonna eat you!” Sweetie Belle shouted

“Well, it would be better for him to eat ME than the dresses!” Rarity replied.

“NOT GONNA HAPPEN RARITY!” Knight yelled, throwing both blades at the stallion, the first impaling him in the chest and the other going between his eyes. “Ok, seriously, I seem to be throwing these things more than I am just using them the normal way.”

“Rarity come on, we gotta get out of here!” Chris shouted.

“Can I atleast pack some dresses?”  Rarity winced.

“NO” They all shouted in unison.

“Oh fine! Take me and my sister away then!”

“Seriously Rarity, you haven’t changed a bit.” Knight said with a chuckle. “Not in six years.”

“Six years? Oh my! You’re that Knight fellow! Oh my, you’re handsome!”

Knight blushed and turned away. “Uh...thanks?”

“Enough flirting you two! We gotta get to...” Chris leaned over to Twilight who again, whispered something in his ear, “ Rainbow Dash! Yeah, we gotta get Rainbow!”

“I think she already found us.” Knight said, pointing to the sky where a polychromatic blur was speeding towards us. “Let’s just hope she’s not a Featherbrain, huh?”

Rainbow Dash flew at an amazing speed, right towards the Carousel Boutique, landing just in front of the group. ”Guys, guys! Hurry, something’s going on at Sweet Apple Acres!” 

“Shit! AJ!” Knight yelled, taking off and leaving everypony else behind.

“Ah, Knight, wait up you stubborn fool!” Chris flew up right behind him “Hollow, get them to Sweet Apple Acres safely!”

Chris and Knight both landed at Sweet Apple Acres where AJ and Mac were fighting off a buffed Zebra pony.

“Ha, told you they exist!” Chris said to Knight.

“Not the time.” Knight growled, charging the zompony and ramming it away from the siblings, before being slammed off it violently and crashing through several trees which collapsed on top of him. The infected zebra started towards the debris where Knight lay unconscious and raised its hooves to crush him.

“Hey asswipe! Get off ‘em!” Chris raged.

Chris flew at an amazing speed, pulling out his knife in the very second, landing on the back of the enormous Zebra. As Chris slashed his knife into his skull, a lightning bolt flew from the sky, electrocuting the zebra.

“That took care of it...” Chris’ knife was glowing red, probably hot from the lightning bolt that hit it... How’d that happen anyways? Chris helped Knight up.

“You okay buddy?” Chris asked.

“...don’t wanna go to school...”

Chris gave him a firm slap across the face, “Wake up! It’s not schooltime!”

“The buck! What happene-OW!” Knight groaned and clutched his chest in pain. “Bastard broke some of my ribs.”

“You know what happened? Irony. Hehe... Get up you lazy-flank.”

“Who you callin’ lazy...” Knight muttered as he stood up shakily. “Go look after your kids...I’ll be fine.”

Chris quickly flew off, and landed in front of Applejack and Big Mac.

“Thank ya mister! If y’all hadn’t came in we’d be half-way to dead by now!”

“Eeeyup!”

“So, who are you mister?”

As soon as he turned to the side, Applejack noticed his cutie mark. A knife, slicing through an apple.

“You... Dad?”

“Yeah...” Chris replied.

“Why.... Why show up now?! Out of all the times to show up, you show up now?! Where were you when Applebloom was born?! Where were you during Applebucking season?! Where were you when MOM DIED?!”

“I-I’m sorry, I just...” Chris was cut off by Knight, who came in.

“He was saving my life, that’s what, AJ.”

Chris looked at Knight with a look that just said: What?

“I got in trouble a few years ago, as you could probably tell when I went missing. Your dad is the reason I’m still alive. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here.”

“Is that true, dad? What he’s saying?” Applejack asked.

Chris looked to Knight, who nodded slowly.

“Y-yeah, it’s true... I’m sorry I wasn’t there those times... I’m a different pony now...I’ll....” Chris got lost in his words, but soon before that, Applejack hugged him as hard as she could.

“It’s okay.. AJ... Daddy’s home...”
> Chapter 3: A Hasty Defense
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Knight watched the two embrace for a moment and walked away quietly, back towards the rest of the group, who had caught up during the conversation but had remained silent.

“U-um... Knight? W-why are they hugging?” Fluttershy asked meekly. 

“Chris is AJ’s father...” he replied.

The group gasped. Unable to comprehend the situation, they ran over to her friend to give her ‘the third degree’.

“Knight says that he’s your father? Is that true?” Twilight asked, pointing at Chris.

“Eeeyup!” Big Mac responded, instead of his sister.

“B-but I thought you father was.....dead?” Fluttershy said very quietly.

“Ah guess he must’ve survived the war....” Applejack said.

“He did more than that.” Knight replied. “He saved my flank. And no, I won’t tell the story. That’s between me, him, and Hollow, and we’d rather keep it to ourselves.”

Chris had been looking at Applejack, non-stop. After some time, he finally got the nerve to ask her the question.

“Can I see her?” Chris asked.

Applejack just quietly nodded and went inside the barn, to get her little sister.

“But sis, you said to stay inside no matter what!”

“Ah know Applebloom, but it’s safe now, so why dontcha come out?” Applejack had to drag the little filly by her tail.

“But ah saw what they did! They tried tah eat other ponies! Yer sayin’ they’re gone?”

“Yes, they’re gone.” Chris said, while looking down at Applebloom.

For a while, they just looked at each other. Applebloom puzzled, unaware that this was her father. It took some time for her to notice, his green eyes and his cutie mark.

“Mister, who are you?”

“I can’t believe you wouldn’t recognize your own father!” Chris gave her a little smile.

“....what? Yer mah...father?” Applebloom said, looking from him to her siblings, who both nodded in unison, and back to him.

“Eeeeyup!” Chris said, almost exactly like Big Mac.

“Hey, ain’t that mah line?” Big Mac told Chris.

“I’m the one who invented it!” Chris told Mac, “Anyways, Applebloom. Have this... It’s a locket, of your sister and your brother... It’s been all over Equestria, lost and found again. Keep it safe, yeah?”

Applebloom looked at the locket and lowered her head as Chris placed the locket around her neck, before jumping up and wrapping her forelegs around his neck tightly and crying into his shoulder.

“Oh, there, there... You’re gonna break daddy’s neck....” Applebloom wouldn’t let go, “Okay, seriously now kiddo.... Errr, Mac? Assistance?”

“Eeenope.” Big Mac said with a chuckle as he and Applejack watched Chris struggle to pry Applebloom of his neck with barely concealed laughter.

“Ok, time to go.” Knight almost shouted, grabbing everypony’s attention. “We’re heading for Canterlot, though with the way things are going, trains are out of the question, so we’re hoofing it.”

Chris pulled Knight aside, “Sidebar, Knight?”

“Listen, I think we should stay here for a day or two. Before you say anything, I know we gotta get to Canterlot n’ all, but our food supplies are scarce and applebucking season is here, and Zecora needs time to work on her cure. This place is also fairly defendable...” Chris looked at Knight with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“I...Alright. We’ll stay.” Knight replied.

“Really I expected more--” Chris was cut off by loud growls from outside the farm.

“Talk later, survive now.” Knight said, walking towards the barn, and tripping over a loose piece of debris. “Dammit. Damn ribs!”

“Applebloom, go inside, Applejack, take care of her!” Chris yelled.

“But, Ah wanna---!” Applejack complained.

“No ‘buts’, I’m not intending to lose you!” Chris yelled, “Knight, Horny Ones, on our six!”

“Great.” Knight muttered sarcastically, forcing himself up and gasping in pain. “Shit, can’t even concentrate enough to use magic.”

“Ah crap.... Twilight, could you help him out?” Chris asked.

“Y-yes, I think so.” Twilight replied, running over to Knight and pointing her horn towards him. “Knight, this will hurt. A lot. But it should fix your ribs and whatever other injuries you have.” she explained.

“Fine...Do it.” He said, closing his eyes and relaxing his body as best he could as Twilight cast the spell. The second it hit him however, his eyes shot open and he fell to the ground, writhing in agony as his ribs were forcibly put back together and his cuts were knitted back together. It only lasted a few seconds, but to Knight it felt like hours.

“Dammit...that was...almost as bad...as the experiments...” He wheezed, getting up and testing to make sure he was really healed.

“Mac, can you take Spike and the Cakes over to the barn? Just make sure not to get bitten..” Chris told Mac, “Oh and Pinkie... Guess what time it is?”

“Hmm, I don’t know? Four Thirty?” Pinkie answered.

“Nope! It’s killin’ time!” Pinkie took out her Party katana, and went out to the front lines. Everypony was amazed as she just cut down wave after wave.

In the air, you could hear flying sounds, and faint eagle noises.

“Twi... Think you could whip up a barrier..? Fast?!” Chris asked.

“Yes.....why?” She asked.

“One word...FEATHERBRAINS!”

Twilight’s horn quickly became enveloped in magic, and a light barrier was formed around Sweet Apple Acres. The Featherbrains were quickly chipping away at the barrier, causing a few to get inside.

“Oh damn! Rainbow Dash! You and me will take care of those! Just ram ‘em as hard as ya can!” Chris said.

“Got it!” Rainbow confirmed.

At the main gate of the Acres, a small horde of the undead came shuffling towards the group.

“Oh, whatever shall we do?! Out of all the possible things that could HAPPEN! THIS! IS! THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING!” Rarity levitated a sofa near herself and began crying on it.

“Dammit. Everypony else, into the barn! NOW!” Knight yelled, stepping to the front of the group. “Chris, that includes you. What I’m about to do, is something I’d prefer to keep a secret.”

“You and your Celestia-danged secrets! Fine, Rainbow, let’s go to the barn!” You could only feel a slight ‘aww’ coming from Rainbow, as she was looking forward to ram a Featherbrain.

Once everypony got into the barn, Knight went outside. “Ok.....Shadow, you’re up.”

Knight took a deep breath as his body started to change. His coat became pitch-black, and his mane and tail became white as snow. His eyes turned to slits like a dragon’s. He cracked his neck a few times and spoke in a much deeper, more menacing voice. “Ok you undead bastards..I hope you made your peace with God...CAUSE YOU’RE ABOUT TO MEET YOUR MAKER!” he yelled as he charged them, his horn glowing with a pure-white aura surrounding it. Several hoofers simply turned to ash, while any featherbrains that got close found themselves slammed into the ground so fast they were smashed apart on impact. The horny ones were simply encased in small barriers that contained the explosion caused by their magical build-up and absorbed the energy created into ‘Knight’.

“Huh...expected more. Guess they don’t make ‘em like they used to.” He chuckled as he surveyed the carnage he had wrought. “Alright Knight, I’m done. Time to take the wheel again.”

“Knight? Who the hell you talkin’ to?” The group started to go near Knight, who appeared to have different fur and mane.

“Uh....crap, you weren’t supposed to see this.” ‘Knight’ replied in his still deep voice.

“You.... You’re not Knight?” Chris immediatley pulled his knife out, in his battle stance, “If you’re not Knight... Who are you?

“That’s none of your business. Who I am is between me and Knight. Nopony else.” He replied.

“...Shadow?” a voice near the back called. Everypony turned to see Hollow, who had seemingly overcome her obsession with the Soul Gem, and had placed it within a small pack. “Shadow, what are you doing?”

“Hollow, it’s nothing. Knight needed some extra help, that’s all. Just like you need to stop staring at that Soul Gem all the time.” The pony called Shadow replied.

“You know something about that gem?” Chris asked, pulling away his knife.

“Yes...giving it to Hollow was a bad idea. There’s a reason it’s taboo for a changeling to use one.” Shadow said angrily.

“Clarify...” Chris said angrily.

“They become obsessed with it to the point that they either die due to lack of nourishment, or their own soul figuratively gets sucked into it.” He stated. “Hollow, give me the gem.”

“NO!” She yelled, ripping it out of the bag, jumping back and taking off.

“Ah for Celestia’s sake, I’m going after her...” Chris stated, “Wake up Knight, we need his sorry flank in the air as well.”

Chris flew up, giving chase to Hollow. She was really fast, gripping onto the gem as if she was gripping for her dear life. She flew high, then she flew low. As Applejack was coming out of the house she noticed Hollow flying low, right next to her. She grabbed a shovel, and quickly bashed her on the face with it, causing her to crash.

“I should’ve never given you this...” Chris said gripping the gem, “I’ll end, what I started...” Chris took the gem, and smashed it on the ground. Millions of souls, flying out of it, all being absorbed into him. Tattoos formed on his hoof, they were blue and black, spreading over his right hoof.

“That’s new...haven’t seen that happen to a non-changeling since I last fought Celestia and Luna...uhhhhh...” Shadow trailed off at the glares being shot at him.

“You fought the princesses?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah...that was a really long time ago...”

Twilight simply nodded, and looked upon Shadow with a look that spells: ‘Sweet Celestia, you’re awesome!’.

“Uhhhhh....why are you looking at me like that?” Shadow asked, taking a precautionary step backwards.

“Umm guys?” Chris said, “These tattoos are spreading.....”

“Oh, don’t worry about those...they’re just a side-effect of the gem giving you the knowledge that all the changeling souls inside it had. In other words...you’re about to get a whole lot smarter, and a whole lot wiser.” Shadow explained.

“Well, I think it’d be wise for all of us to hit the hay.. I’m plum tuckered.” Chris said.

“Same...I’m gonna rest...And none of you are to bother Knight about what happened. Am I clear. That goes double for you Ms. Sparkle. I can see the curiosity in your eyes. The kind a scientist would get when exploring a new field. Let it go.” Shadow warned, ignoring Twilight’s ears drooping and her head lowering in sadness as he started to change back.

“Dad, come over here!” Applebloom shouted. Chris came over only to see an elderly pony with a pie as her cutie mark, “Dad, dad, this is your....!”

“Mom....” Chris whispered.

“Don’t you mom me, sonny...” Granny Smith retorted, staring at Chris with anger. “You got a lot of nerve showin’ up after leavin’ like that.”

“I’m... I was..... I had to....” Chris muttered, unsure what to say.

“Enough!” Knight stated. “Granny Smith, that’s enough. Your son did what he had to do to protect his family. If it wasn’t for what happened to me, he would’ve been home a lot sooner. Cut him some slack.”

“Momma, I’m awfully sorry I never came back. But I’m here now, and you guys need me.” Chris said, “Now how’s about we all retire to bed? Get workin’ on a fence for tommorow. We’re gonna need this place to hold.”

“I’ll take care of that. I don’t sleep after all.” Knight offered. “All I need is as much spare materials as you have.”

The ponies retired to sleep. The apple family stayed in their usual house. Pinkie Pie was in charge of looking after the Cakes and Spike. The rest shacked in a barn, usually intended for storing hay and other necessities. Zecora was working the whole night.

Morning had dawned, and Chris had went outside to see Knight’s progress. As Chris slowly stretched out his neck and wings,  he could feel a familiar cracking sound that always happens when he does that. The tattoos on his leg didn’t stop growing, they were up to half of his hoof now.

“Knight, mornin’! How’s the fence?” Chris asked.

“See for yourself.” Knight replied, stepping back to admire his handiwork.

“Impressive. What kinds of zomponies does it hold off?” Chris asked. 

“Well, it’ll definitely hold off Hoofers, and Shadow reinforced it magically so it’ll hold against Horny Ones. All we need is somepony to take down Featherbrains, and we’re set.”

“I’ll see what I can do. I’ll also post Rainbow as the lookout. Let’s get to the house, Granny’s makin’ breakfast.” Chris said, pointing to the house.

“Thanks...” Knight smiled, following Chris.

When they arrived at the house, everypony was already there, sitting at a big dinner table. Granny Smith rolled out the red carpet, and presented her famous: Zap Apple Jam! Everypony grabbed a piece of bread and started scarfin’ it down. Except Rarity, who was eating like a lady!

“We should grabs some weapons from Fluttershy’s” Chris said, “What do you think Knight?”

“Hmmm...I think you’re right...and I think you’re all safer here than anywhere else, which is why when I leave for Canterlot, I won’t be asking any of you to follow me.”

“What do you mean, ‘I’ leave? There’s no way I’m abandoning you man. We’re in this to the end, like it or not!” Chris said.

“No. there’s even more out there than there are in Ponyville. I won’t be putting you or anypony else at risk by having you follow me on a journey that would probably be suicide for the rest of you!” Knight retorted.

“Cool off, I’d like to know who’s behind this as much as you do. And.... I’m not gonna let a friend go into the fray alone... Not without some help, at least!” Chris responded.

“Chris, you’ve got your family here. You promised me you’d look after them, remember.”

“.....I know.... But... Give it some thought... Okay?...” Chris asked.

Knight didn’t answer, simply excusing himself from the table and walking out of the house.

Before Knight could exit the house, Zecora ran in with a few tubes of juice in her hooves.

“I did it, I did it!” Zecora shouted.

“Did what Zecora?” Chris asked.

“If a cure is what you seek,  do not be so meek, as the cure is finished, ready to drink, so let’s head over, you big ball of pink!” Pinkie Pie immediately stood up and galloped toward the barn in which Spike and the Cakes were held.

“Come on, let’s go! Knight.... You coming?” Chris asked.

“Sure...why not?” Knight replied.

As everypony moved to the barn, you could see baby spike wiggling around in his magic chains, trying to break free, and Mr and Ms. Cake, standing idly as they always did.

“Which one do I cure first?” Zecora asked.

“Cure Spike, please...” Twilight looked upon Spike who, the day before tried to chew her face off.

As the yellow brew slowly rolled down the baby dragon’s throat, he slowly came to. His eyes no longer white, regaining their colour. His fangs were  retracted, and thank Celestia, he wasn’t trying to eat anypony.

“Wahh.... What’s going on....? Twilight....?” Spike said confusingly, before being swept up in a tearful embrace by the purple unicorn.

“Oh Spike...You’re back...” She cried as she tightened her grip on the little dragon.

“Wow...nice work Zecora...” Knight said, staring intently at Spike just in case something had gone wrong.

“Now how about the Cakes?” Chris asked.

Pinkie Pie took Zecora’s cure, and slowly poured it down the Cakes’ throat. 

“Ohhh maaaan... My head.... “ Mr. Cake groaned.

“Not so loud sweetie, you’re making my head ring....” Ms. Cake said.

“Impressive Zecora, you’ve outdone yourself” Chris said. 

“Well, looks like we have a chance, huh?” Knight said with a smile, before turning towards the barn. “If you need me, I’ll be preparing my gear.”

Chris let out a loud sigh. Applejack came to talk to him: “What’s the matter dad?” She asked.

“I don’t know sweetie... I just.... These tattoos... They’re giving me some kind of visions... Things are not looking up for that pony... I’ve gotta help him out...” Chris said.

“He doesn’t want you to come with him. Thinks you’ll abandon us again.” Applejack said with a little frown.

“Well... Perhaps you don’t need to leave them!” Twilight said.

“What?” Chris asked.

“We could come with you! That way, you won’t leave Applejack, and you can still take care of Knight!” Twilight said with a gleeful smile.

“I dunno... I’m gonna ask him..” Chris said.

“Oh and dad?” Applejack said, “Lose the Fillydelphia accent... Go back to your old accent!”

Chris simply gave a chuckle and proceeded on to Knight.

“Hey Knight...” Chris said with a little smile, offering a helping hoof to Knight.

“Hey...” Knight replied, ignoring his hoof as he went through his saddlebags. “I know what you’re gonna ask. I’m going alone. I’m not gonna put anypony else at risk.”

“Like hell you will. There’s a solution that will benefit us both!” Chris said with a sheepish smile.

“Is that right?” Knight muttered as he closed the bags again and placed them on his sides, securing the straps with magic and adjusting them so that his swords didn’t poke them when he placed them in their sheaths.

“Eeeyup.. Girls offered to come along, if you’d have them. Me included. Look, I know you don’t need help, but if something happened to you, and something will, I couldn’t stand to watch it.” Chris said.

“If, something were to happen, Shadow would be able to take care of things. After all, he did fight the princesses during Discord’s first reign.” Knight replied.

“I’ll fight you for it.” Chris bluntly said.

“Oh really...” Knight said with a chuckle. “You’re willing to get the living crap beaten out of you, just so that I’ll agree to let you and your family risk their lives on a journey I’m taking solely to find out about my birth family, something which doesn’t concern any of you?”

“Yes... Because, as much as you wanna find out who the heck you are, I wanna find out who did this and maybe cut him up into tiny little pieces for ruining lives of thousands of ponies out there!” Chris yelled at Knight.

“I already know who was responsible. And trust me, neither you, nor anypony other than the princesses could ever stand a chance against him, or his lackey.” Knight retorted.

When Knight was turned around, putting supplies into his saddlebag, Chris came up behind him,  turned him around and planted a hoof in his face, sending him to the ground, “If I can take you, I can certainly take that bastard who did this!”

“No...you can’t...” Knight replied sadly, spitting blood from his mouth. “I couldn’t beat him, my parents couldn’t beat him. Hell, I have doubts as to whether Discord himself could beat him. And if they couldn’t, what makes you think you could.”

“Because, I got the only weapon that can defeat him!” Chris yelled at Knight.

“You mean that knife of yours?” Knight spat. “Let me tell you something. That knife, it’s nothing, compared to the horrors he’s created in the facility.”

“It’s not the knife....” Chris said with a sad expression, “It’s me... I’m the weapon...”

“A weapon is a tool to be used until it is no longer necessary or sufficient, upon which time it is simply thrown away by those who use it. If you’re a weapon, then who threw you away?”

“Time...” Chris said, slightly whimpering, “The changelings... They came into my dreams last night... Said they control me... Said that, I’m a walking time bomb... See, once these tattoos reach the end of my body, I’ll become a weapon of mass murder. Neither friend, nor foe... I’ll just kill everything in my sight... Before all that happens.. I’d like to visit the bastard who created this... And give him a piece of my mind... Before you have to put me down.... Else, I’ll kill everyone...Cursed Soul Gem...” Chris said looking at his tattoos, “Is that good enough of a reason to come along?”

“You know what Shadow said...all those tattoos mean is that their knowledge is becoming yours. Their souls have passed on. There’s no way in tartarus that you’re gonna become a monster of any kind...” Knight replied.

Suddenly Chris collapsed. He was lying on the ground for a few seconds, when an unknown voice came from him.

“Perhaps you would like a little demonstration of our vengeful power, Rising Knight?” The pony began laughing manically, “And the whole world shall beckon... Ahahahaha!” Suddenly Chris’ tattoos spread all over his body, and he began to twitch like crazy.

“K-Knight.... Help....” Chris yelled out before he was turned into an abomination.

His whole body turned blue and black, his mane turned fully black and his eyes were as dark as the lowest pits of tartarus. His tattoos were glowing non-stop.

“Foolish half-bred unicorn!” Rising Knight was knocked down with a powerful force of magic, and went flying through the wall of the barn.

“We know more than you think!” He was then lifted upwards to the skies, only to be dropped down.

“And what are these precious swords of yours eh? Oh, they seem to be gifts from your PARENTS. How a lab rat like yourself could have parents is beyond US!” The pony mocked.

“My parents? What do you mean these blades were gifts from my parents?” Knight asked in confusion as he tried several times to get up, but fell flat on his face with each attempt.

“Oh you mean they didn’t tell you? Oh you poor boy, we almost feel sorry for you! Seems like being a lab rat for a bunch of worthless alicorns isn’t paying out at all, isn’t that right.... Shadow Knight...?”  The pony smiled manically.

“Damn...Shadow...Limit Removal...” Knight muttered, passing out as Shadow took over again. However, his changes were hidden by a massive flash, temporarily blinding the pony.

“Welcome back Rising Shadow.... Son!”

“I’m nobody’s son.” Shadow yelled as the light faded, revealing a tall bipedal creature wearing a black shirt, black pants, black shoes, and a white t-shirt. “I am a Dark Guardian...and you...are GOING DOWN!”

“You’re welcome to try... You take down one of us, another one fills the place!” The pony said, “I can’t imagine how a simple little lab rat, weak and pathetic, could take US down.”

“You already know how...So, may I ask why you call me son when I’m not even of this universe?” Shadow asked curiously.

“Oh, before the soul gem wound up in that whelp’s hands, it was, as you know, Discord’s. Discord had seen everything, and all dimensions. Once in a century, he’d go on and wreak havoc in the universe he arrived in to. Your father, was one of the victims. See, in these million souls that are in here, you father is one of them. Just another one of the slaves, that form the great pyramid.” The pony said.

“...I see.” Shadow said calmly. “So, it was Discord..he’s the reason? My friend was telling the truth about being controlled that day? And one thing,” Shadow drew the two blades strapped to his back and took a kendo stance. “You may know who Knight’s parents are, but he has to hear it from them himself. DON’T YOU DARE TRY TO TEMPT FATE!”

“Oh, we’re not tempting fate... We’re weaving it!”  The pony’s horn suddenly glowed and that sudden burst of magic went straight into Rising Shadow, smashing him into the barn wall. 

“Nice hit...but you’ll have to do a lot better than that!” Shadow yelled. “TWO HEAVENS TORNADO!” he cried, jumping to the top of the barn and leaping towards the pony, blades facing outwards and spinning so fast he created a miniature tornado.

The pony still left standing, unscratched, spoke up to Rising Shadow.

“You want us to do better? Deal...”  The pony suddenly was enveloped in Dark Magic, swirling all around him. “You think you’ll remember your old friend, The Horseman!" The pony came back, a dark figure, like a Centaur. In his hands he held a dark long Scythe while his hooves released death wherever they stepped. Beside him were a couple of Hoofers and Horny Ones, all ready to attack on their master’s command.

“Seriously, that’s it? Fine then...No more holding back.” Shadow muttered, before being covered in a glittering black aura. It kept shifting in shape and as he started to walk towards the group, he burned his footprints into the ground.

The Horseman quickly pulled out his hand, and grabbed Rising Shadow with some unknown force. Rising Shadow looked into his eyes, which were black as the deepest levels or Tartarus. “I am Death. The last thing you will see. Although. You may be too important to kill. You still have a destiny.” The horseman let go, put his scythe back on his back and released the Zomponies on Rising Shadow.

“Typical. Never like to get your hands dirty, huh Death.” Shadow said, sheathing his blades and slamming his fist into the ground. At first, nothing happened, and the undead continued to advance on him until two massive shapes burst upwards and devoured several of the creatures.

“Chaos art. Twin dragons of shadow. Have I got your attention yet?”

The Horseman got quickly annoyed. He pulled out his Scythe, slammed it into Rising Shadow’s chest. “Never call me, unless you have a death wish MORTAL.”

“Heh, just what I was hoping for Death. Your final mistake.” Shadow grinned. “Chaos art, position substitution.”

Death’s eyes widened in surprise as the two switched places. Shadow now stood where Death once did, while Death himself was now impaled by his own scythe.

The Horseman growled: “Listen Mortal, your time is short. You’re to get rid of this plague. But be warned. The horsemen are on their way, and unless you want your friends to suffer, you’d oughta get moving. I sense a foreign presence inside you...” The Horseman quickly turned around. Dark magic enveloped him again, as he turned back to the original pony we all know and love, Chris!

“Wha.... What’s going on....? Knight...?” Chris muttered.

“Not exactly...” Shadow said in a slightly amused tone. “Welcome back, Chris.”

“Whaaaaa-?” Chris had passed out.


SEVERAL MOMENTS LATER


Chris had woken up after he passed out. He was surrounded by his family, and his friends, including Knight.

“Knight... What’s going on...?” Chris asked.

“Well...long story short...All the souls from the gem came back from wherever they went, took over your body, and tried to kill me, or rather, they tried to kill Shadow. Then they summoned Death and he fought Shadow. And then Death said something, and now you’re back to normal.”

“What drugs have you been taking man?” Chris asked with a huge grin on his face.

“None. You’re just an idiot.” Knight retorted. “Seriously, you may be doomed...”

“Well...... Anypony got any apples?” Chris asked jokingly.

“THIS ISN’T A TIME FOR GAMES, CHRISTOPHER!” A voice boomed from everywhere at once.

“Alright! Jeez! What’s the plan?” Chris asked.

“Same as before. We get to Canterlot. Simple as that.” Knight said with a shrug. “And Shadow, seriously, the mega voice?”

Chris had nothing but say, so he simply smiled at Knight, and everyone near him. Tomorrow, they would have left for Canterlot.
> Chapter 4: A Safe Haven
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The group had left Sweet Apple Acres. Big Mac, Granny Smith, The Cakes, and Spike stayed behind. The acres were fenced up, they had a steady supply of food. They should be safe for a while. As Chris constantly kept staring at his tattoos, always wondering when they are going to spread.

“How far is Canterlot?” Chris asked the group.

“Not far from here, just up on that hill. We’ll have to get by a few tunnels. Best thing we could do is get a train, but I don’t think there are any around.” Twilight responded, “I wonder how Shining Armor and Cadence are....”

“Ah’m sure they’re just fine sugarcube, now stop worrying your little head” Applejack gave Twilight a little stroke.

“Yeah, I’m sure they’re just fine! I’m sure Shining made a spell that blocks those thingies!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Pinkie, not so loud. You wanna be facing off against those creatures?” Chris warned her.

“Sowwy....” Pinkie replied.

“Knight, what do you think we’ll find there?” Chris asked.

“With any luck, answers...for everything.”

“Survivors? What about the princesses?” Chris asked.

“The princesses, they’re practically immortal. I doubt this plague will harm them. And Canterlot is pretty much a fortress. The only ways in and out are the train and the air. The trains will be so heavily guarded there’s no way that the infected will get on, and the air defense around Canterlot is impenetrable, so Featherbrains won’t have a chance.”

“Are you positively sure it’s a fortress?” Chris asked.  

“I’m positive Chris.”

“Right.... Then what’s that?” Chris said, pointing his hoof to Canterlot, a burning ruin with pegasi flying in, and out, and some colliding. The royal tower was protected with what seemed to be a yellow barrier.

“.....No....that’s....that’s not...”

“I guess it is.... I guess the princesses must be fine, see the barrier?”

“I see it...Barriers are the first thing you learn as a Celestial Assassin, after invisibility, that is. We learn how to make them, and how to break them. What most ponies don’t know is that no matter how powerful the barrier, they have a sweet spot. Find it, and the barrier goes down in one hit. This one though, even from here I can feel the magic radiating from it. Only alicorns are capable of such a barrier...”

“We should keep on moving. The girls are tired, we have to find a resting spot for the day. We’ll leave out tommorow. Perhaps we should find a train station? Might be our best bet for Canterlot...” Chris said.

“No. You saw what I saw. Canterlot is a death-sentence unless we can find the source of all this. So answers will probably have to wait.” Knight muttered, keeping his gaze to the floor.

“And you also saw what I saw. If anyone’s gonna have answers to all of this, it’s gonna be the Princesses. And besides, they’re also OUR best bet for protection!” Chris told Knight.

In the far distance of the forest, loud screams could be heard

“Aaaaaaaaaaah! Help me!! Heeeeelp!” A strange voice shouted.

The group looked to the forest, they saw nothing but blackness.

“Fight or flight, Knight?” Chris asked.

“...you seriously need to ask?” Knight shot with a smirk, charging forward into the darkness towards the screams.

“Girls, follow me” Chris said as he proceeded to the darkness. When he arrived, he saw a brown pony with an auburn mane and and blue eyes, his foot stuck in a bear trap, and a hoofer horde marching toward him.

“Help! Get me out of these chains! Please!!” The pony begged.

“Knight, hand me your sword!” Chris said.

“On it.” He yelled, tossing his red blade to Chris and charging towards the horde with his other sword held high, it’s blue surface seemingly absorbing the light around it.

Chris took the red sword, and smashed a few times against the bear trap, but nothing seemed to work. Chris inspected it closer, and noticed there wasn’t any closing mechanism.

“Knight, this thing can’t open!” Chris yelled out,”I’m gonna have to amputate!”
“No, no no! Please, just try it one more time, I’m sure that it will---” The pony was desperately trying to convince Chris not to do it.

“I’m sorry man.. Hoof’s gotta go....” Chris held the red blade tightly, and took a swing at the pony’s hoof. 

As he screamed out in anguish, more hoofers were attracted. The cut didn’t sever the hoof completely, you could still see the blood gushing from the cut, and a piece of his bone. With each swing his shouts grew more and more violent. Eventually, with the last cut, his hoof was cut off, stuck in the bear trap.

“We gotta get outta here! Now!” Chris yelled.

“I’ll cover you, get him out of here.” Knight ordered. “And Chris, if I don’t come back, I’m ordering you to look after Hollow for me.”

“Shut up, and get running!” Chris yelled at Knight, “We’re all making it out of here alive!”

“Yeah, yeah...” Knight muttered, firing a few bolts of magic at the hoofers, his eyes widening as he shot the last one. “Oh...buck...Chris, we should start running...right now...”

“You’re tellin’ me! This dude is gonna lose too much blood! We gotta get him someplace safe!” Chris ordered.

“No, this is WORSE! Shadow added chaos energy to the last blast I used. Remember what happened to that Horny One? Imagine that, but a hundred times stronger!” Knight yelled back fearfully.

“Ahh... Fine! Meet us two hundred steps east of here!” Chris yelled back, “Just don’t die, I need your sorry ass!”

“Yeah yeah.” Knight shot back, creating a wall between himself and the group, and another between himself and the Horny One. Both were a transparent black colour and gave off a pair of conflicting auras. One seemed calm and soothing, while the other was malevolent and destructive.

As Chris was running to the designated location, the pony had lost consciousness. A few miles north, you could see a group of military pegasi flying at a dangerous speed, almost as if they were crashing. 

“Adjust the right wing!” The orange pegasi said.

“I’m trying, I’m trying! Fly straight.... Come on....!” The green pegasus yelled out as he struggled to fix his and his comrade’s wing.

“Oh crap! We’re going down! Mayday!” The blue pegasi shouted.

Chris looked up at the pegasi, seeing as they crashed in a small clearing, which was the designated spot for rendezvous , he and the girls decided to take cover in a small brush and see what is going on.

“Shh.. What’s going on?” Chris asked.

“Well.... It seems they’re.... Dead, all except one... “ Twilight stated.

In the distant road, the patting of a chariot could be heard. The chariot was speeding through the road, eager to get to the crash site. Out of the chariot came 6 ponies. One of them, was in a suit, had a nice black mane. His cutie mark, was a cloak and a dagger. 

The other pony of interest was a beige pony, with a prosthetic hoof. He had a knife attached to it. His mane was light blue and he had cuts all over his face. You could see he’s been through a lot. His cutie mark, was a middle finger.

“Hey, over there!” The tall suited pony said.

“I see it.” The pony with a prosthetic arm said.

“Put ‘em out of their misery. Find whatever supplies you can get.” The suited pony said.

The beige pony then took out the knife from his prosthetic arm, and began shoving it up the pegasi’s skulls. They didn’t seem alive though, they resembled hoofers. After several stabs the beige pony noticed something moving in the ground.

“Boss, we got a live one!” The beige pony said.

“Pack him up, we’ll take him there” The suited pony said,” Oh and Merle... Check the surroundings.”

“Yes sir!” The beige pony called “Merle” stated.

The group could do nothing but keep silent. Watching as the beige pony started looking around in the brushes. Suddenly, a few hoofers appeared behind the group, but Pinkie Pie quickly reacted and sliced their heads off, which caused Fluttershy to release a loud: “Eeeep!” 

Something else came out of the brush. It was the beige pony, pointing a gun at all of them with. He was holding the gun with his magic, and kept it pointed directly at Chris.
“Well, well, what have we here?” ‘Merle’ said.

“You have exactly three seconds to put the gun down, or I’ll slit your throat.” A voice growled from behind the stallion.

“I don’t think you’d want to do that” A voice from behind Knight came out, revealed itself to be the suited pony.

Knight turned to face him, and scoffed, still levitating his blades to Merle’s throat. “And why is that? I think I could take you down if necessary, or do you underestimate me? Or maybe you overestimate yourself...”

“I don’t have to prove anything to you. Oscar, Alex?” The suited pony simply nodded in the direction of Knight.

Knight soon found himself getting hit in the head by a baseball bat. The only thing he could see was the rest of the group being knocked out as well.


SEVERAL MOMENTS LATER


Chris was the first one to wake up. Taking a look around, he could notice that he is in a medical facility, although, there didn’t seem to be any infected around, else he’d be munched. Chris looked over to see Rising Knight, and that mysterious pony on a medical table next to him.

“Knight..... Knight?” Chris muttered, “Wake up, dumbass, we’ve been captured.”

“....shut up....bastard took my swords, didn’t he?” Knight muttered. “Idiot...”

“Well, that, and the fact that you----agh-- Got manhandled by two squirts! Haha!” Chris chuckled.

“They weren’t kids...they were ‘subjects 73 and 28.” Knight muttered. “Or at least I think they are. If not, they’ve got one hell of a likeness.”

“Sheesh, I hate it when you’re speakin’ fancy... Say.... Why are we tied up?” Chris asked.

“Why do you think? Merle was gonna kill you, I threatened his life. Therefore, they deemed us both a threat. Where are the others though? And why did that stallion in the suit remind me of ‘him’?”

“Cuz all sons o’ bitches look like that...” Chris smiled at Knight, “Whaddya say we get outta here?”

“Already on it. Idiots must never have met a shadow walker.” Knight chuckled, sinking into his shadow.

“That’s mighty useful.... Say could you---” Chris was going to finish his sentence, but the suited pony, ‘Merle’, and a stallion in a lab coat arrived into the room.

“The tattoos on this one are remarkable, I shall have to study---” He was cut off as he saw Knight standing around, like nothing happened.

“Crud...I think we need to speed this up...TSUKI NO ME!” He yelled.

“If you’re referring to your sword, it’s locked up in a magical barrier, good luck shoutin’ your fancy words”  The suited stallion said.

“Then it’s a good thing the blade isn’t summoned using traditional magic...” Knight said smugly as a flash of light blinded everypony in the room.

“Is this guy serious?” Merle asked, “Listen guy, this whole area is immune to magic. No casting, no channeling, no nothing.”

Knight laughed, and the light faded, no, was absorbed, by something floating next to him. “...you were saying? Now, I’m gonna say this once. My friends and I are leaving, and you’re not gonna get in our way.” He declared, brandishing Tsuki no me.

“You do realise those swords, are transparent? Just your imagination?”  The suited pony said,” They’re actually stored in a vault. Not that it’s any of your business. We gave you shelter, we gave you food, water, medicine for that sick pony... And this is how you repay us? It’s funny how manners die off in an apocalypse.” 

“Tell that to 73 and 28. I’ve seen what they’ve done for myself. And I also know those pegasi would’ve made it if you hadn’t killed them off. So don’t go lecturing me about manners you sick fuck. Killing the injured just because there’s a chance they could slow you down or some sick reason like that? I’ve only got one word for that. Monster. And I’ve seen plenty, so I know what I’m talking about. And as for the swords...nopony ever gets away with separating them from me.” Knight growled furiously.

“You mean, you don’t know? It doesn’t matter, if you’re bitten or not. No matter how you die, you come back as one of those. What you thought was manslaughter, was actually mercy killing. We put them out of their misery... They already turned...” The suited pony said, “If you want to leave now, we can pack you up some food and give you a chariot. But I’d recommend you stay,seeing as that pony is still in a comatosed state.”

“What you call mercy, I call foolishness. I call it robbing them off a chance to be cured, not that you’d care...” Knight spat, clearly dead set on seeing the suited pony and his allies as enemies.

“Knight, calm the buck down, they offered us help. Try to be just a little nicer?” Chris stated.

“You should listen to your friend. We can give you a tour of the place. Ain’t much to it, but it is what it is.” The suited pony said.

“I’ve got two words. ‘Fuck’, and ‘You’.” Knight said, trotting past the suited pony with a disgusted look on his face, completely ignoring Chris calling him back.

“He’s quite the charmer isn’t he?” The suited pony asked.

“Yeah... Just give him some time, he’s not very adaptable...” Chris stated. “I’d like the tour though!”

“Come on then, friend, follow me!” The suited pony said.

“What’s your name, by the way?” Chris asked.

“Well, I never give people my real name. So people ‘round here call the The Governor.”

As they went outside, it was dark. Several walls of tires surrounding  the perimeter. And a few abandoned shops here and there.

“Is... That it?” Chris asked.

“Oh, no, no, no! This isn’t barely half of it.” The Governor stated, “Let’s get to the center.”

They proceeded on to the center of town. In the center of town was a large bonfire, surrounded by many ponies. Some of them familiar, like....

“Lyra!” Chris growled.

“Her? Oh yeah, arrived about a couple of days ago. Seems nice.” The Governor said.

Chris noticed the girls around the fire, and Rising Knight with them. The people were sharing campfire stories.

“I still don’t see it.” Chris said.

“MERLE! LIGHTS!” The Governor shouted.

Suddenly an array of beams were flashed upon the city, revealing a utopia. It was a fairly small town, with a couple of parks, and regular houses everywhere. Elderly, kids and adults are all over the place. They were regularly having parties. They had electricity, because of the numerous amounts of generators that they have. 

“Wow....” Chris stated.

“Yeah... Welcome, to Buckbury!” The Governor said, “I’ll show you and your ‘charming friend’ to your room. It’s got some beds, and a shower. And we’ll let you know how the wounded pony’s progress is.” 

“....” Knight just glared at the Governor and walked away, leaving Chris and the girls alone.

“Eheheh.... Err... Don’t mind him... He’s just.... Menopausal?” Chris said with a chuckle.

“More like he’s reminded of the one who put him in the facility in the first place, when he looks at the Governor.” Hollow retorted, and suddenly shivering when she glanced at the suited stallion..

“He can think all he likes, but the people here, see me as a leader, as their role model. I’m not going to let one stallion ruin that opinion.” The Governor stated.

“Let’s just get to our room, Hollow. It’s been a long day..” Chris stated.

“Yeah, right...” She replied with a yawn, stealing one last look at the governor before trotting off.

When they all arrived in their rooms, Hollow was the first one to dunk her head in the pillow. It was a quite large, had several beds and windows, with a shower. Chris sat on his bed and looked over to Knight, who seemed a bit down.

“What’s the matter,sugarcube?” Chris asked.

“Nothing...” Hollow said flatly, before leaning in and whispering, “Not here. Later, when we’re not being watched...”

Chris leaned in closer, “What? We’re being watched? By who?” He asked.

Hollow said nothing, merely motioning behind her, and trotting out and back in the direction Knight had went.

“Well, ain’t that nice....” Chris stated to himself, “I’m dead... I’m gonna retire...Oh wait, nopony’s listening?” He simply rolled his eyes and stuffed his head in the pillow.


THE NEXT MORNING


It was already morning, and the light was shining particularly brightly today. Right beside Chris was the shower, which was currently on.

“Who’s in the shower? Are you decent?” Chris asked.

“Seriously? What kind of stupid question is that?!” A familiar female voice shot back.

“Hollow?” Chris asked again, “That you? Where’s Knight?”

“Gone to train. After what happened with you, being caught with his metaphorical pants down like that, he’s become pretty determined to make sure you don’t get taken over again. Figures the first time a pony ever breaks a soul-gem they get taken over by the spirits inside. When changelings do it, they’re executed as dictated by our beliefs.”

“Well ain’t that a bitch?” Chris stated, “You said you’d tell me something when Knight was out. What was it?”

“I told you when we weren’t being watched. And it’s concerning the Governor. He’s hiding something.”

“Is he now? Dude seems like the nicest person we’ve met during the apocalypse..” Chris stated.

“Seems being the key word. You can’t sense emotions. I can. He’s hiding a massive amount of anger and hatred behind those false smiles of his. Eventually it’s gonna get to him, and he’ll go on a rampage.”

“Alright, alright. Say he is ‘mad’ , he still offered us exit. We can take that bargain. But you’re probably just paranoid. Let’s go outside, get some breakfast, yeah?” Chris said.

“Chris, you ever call Hollow paranoid again, I will skin you alive.” A voice declared from the doorway. “When Hollow says something, you’d do damn well to listen.”

“Well, look, we’ve been out of food for a day or two now, and hunger is playing stuff on our mind! We just gotta get something to eat, and we’ll be fine!” Chris said.

“I’m not starving at all.” Hollow stated smugly. “Or did you forget, changelings feed on love. And Knight is family to me. He keeps me fed. Sibling love. Not the most filling, but it’s better than nothing.”

“Well, you should try a Daisy Sandwich sometimes... They’re brilliant... Unless there’s jelly in them... Damn, now I’m hungry...”

“Can’t...they wrecked my non-vital organs in all their experiments. I can’t digest pony food anymore...” Hollow whispered.

“Just ‘cause you can’t doesn’t mean Knight and I can’t! What do you say Knight, food?” Chris asked.

“Nah, I already ate when I finished training.” Knight said with a shrug. “Besides, I wanna find out what that Governor’s hiding. See ya later.” And then he was gone, sinking into the shadows again.

Chris went outside. Outside was beautiful. The sun was shining on the magic barrier that surrounded the city. Ponies walked all over the place, flower shops were still standing, music shops and dairy farms. Somewhere near the local kitchen, ponies were handing out sandwiches and milk to the local citizens. Chris stood in line, but a pony came up behind him, wearing a prosthetic hoof.

“Hey, it’s the new-blood. Welcome to Buckbury, buttwipe!” Merle stated.

“Well, ain’t you all mighty friendly?” Chris asked.

“One of the things the wasteland teaches ya. Before all this, I was actually staying on a farm with my brother. His name’s Daryl, and he’s usually the pretty one.” Merle replied.

“What happened to the farm?” Chris asked.

“A herd of hoofers just rammed their way through, we tried to make a break for it, but this one bastard cuffed me to the roof. Asswipe forgot to unlock me when the herd came. The Governor here, eventually found me, but because he couldn’t get my hoof out of the cuffs, he had to cut it off. That’s where this baby came from” He said pointing to his prosthetic hoof.

“Damn. What can you tell me about The Governor?” Chris asked.

“The Governor’s a nice man. Wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him, and there wouldn’t be a Buckbury if it weren’t for him. All in all, the governor is a nice man, and should be treated like one.”

Chris quickly grabbed a daisy sandwich and started eating it. 

“Oh, Knight! There you are! Merle, this is Rising Knight... I believe you..err.. Pointed a gun at him?”

“No, he pointed a gun at you. I held my swords to his throat.” Knight corrected.

Chris pulled Knight aside and spoke to him. 

“Look, just try to make nice.. These ponies SEEM nice, and they could be if you’re not such an asshole all the time, so cool off please...” Chris said.

“Chris...if you can’t see it, you’re blind...” Knight replied coolly, walking off yet again.

Chris turned back to Merle.

“Ehehe.... He says it’s a pleasure to meet you...” Chris said with a sheepish smile.

“Governor needs you all to come to the clinic, that wounded pony has awakened, and we put a prosthetic on him.” Merle said.

“Alright, I’ll gather the crew.”


MOMENTS LATER

The crew had arrived to the hospital. Knight, Hollow and the girls were there. 

“Hello?” Chris asked the pony.

“Hi?” The pony replied.

“A-are you okay?” Chris asked.

“Just fine, thank you.” The pony replied.

“What’s your name?” Chris asked.

“Well... People usually call me JD” He replied, “I remember you... You cut off my hoof!”

“You were stuck, in a bear trap...” Chris replied.

“And what were those things chasing me?” JD asked.

“Well... Let’s say they’re infected. Some virus is in the air, and we’re basically all infected. We die in any way, other than the head, and we return as one of them.” Chris said.

“Nasty.” JD said.

“Chris...it’s not in the air...I told you before, some of the subjects must have escaped the facility...” Knight said in an annoyed tone.

“What facility?” JD asked.

“It’s where I spent 6 years of my life. ‘nuff said.” Knight replied calmly.

“More than you told me first time we met...” Chris stated.

“Umm... I’m still here.” JD said.

“Oh yes.. Umm... Welcome to the group, I suppose.. My name’s Chris, and this is Rising Knight and his friend Hollow.” Chris said, “Then these are the girls, the purple one is Twilight Sparkle, the yellow one is Fluttershy, the ‘fabolous’ one is Rarity, the pink one is Pinkie Pie, and this here’s my daughter Applejack. Oh and that over there is Rainbow Dash.”

JD could only stare at Applejack with a glee in his eyes. To him, she was the most beautiful mare he’s ever seen.

“Boy, what’s wrong with ya? You’re sweating heavier than a pig farmer.” Applejack said.

“I knoooooow...” Hollow said in a sing-song voice. “He has a crush on you AJ...”

“Nah, I’ve seen stallions when they have a crush. This right here. Is the ‘I have to pee’ face” Applejack retorted.

“I really... Do gotta pee..” JD said.

“Oooookaaaaay, I’m gonna go.” Hollow said. “Oh, and Chris...Knight is my brother, not just a friend. Get it right next time...” And she was gone.

“She seems nice...” JD said.

“Knight, can I... Speak to you?” Chris said.

“Fine. But make it quick.” Knight replied.

Chris and Knight moved over to the corner and began speaking.

“I believe your theory.” Chris stated.

“What theory? About the plague?” Knight asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No, about the Governor.” Chris said, “After I was done talking with Merle, I snuck into his apartment. I saw your swords there, protected by a magic barrier. I flipped through some pages of his diary, and he has a lot of names written down. And one underlined... Penny..”

“I see...alright then. I’ll be back in a minute.” Knight said, turning to walk out the door.

“Wait! You can’t go without me!” Chris said, “I know the combination to his safe, and the disspell to his magic barrier.”

“Alright then, but you know the second either of us is seen the entire group becomes a target. Therefore, stealth is vital. If stealth is impossible, witness elimination is the only option, and I’d rather not resort to that. You think you can stay undiscovered long enough?” Knight asked in a stern tone.

“Don’t worry, Chris has the cure.” Chris stated. He then walked over to JD and asked him: “Can you keep The Governor distracted long enough?” 

“Yeah, leave it to me” JD said.

JD then began to twitch, and grasped his stomach, faking stomach pains. Chris quickly walked over to the medicine cabinet and grabbed two bottles.

“Drink it, fast” Chris ordered Knight.

Knight gave him a skeptical look, but took the bottle and drank it as quickly as he could. “Ok, Now what...”

“Look at your body silly.” Chris pointed a hoof to his body, which was apparently, transparent. Chris also took his bottle, and took a swig out of it. The ponies were now permanently invisible. That’s at least, what the bottle said.

“Now, let’s get to that office. Through the window, over there!” Chris pointed at the window.

They both went out through the window, and quietly made their way to The Governor’s apartment. Once they arrived at the gates, Chris skillfully picked the lock on the gate.

“Let’s go..” Chris said.

As they arrived inside, they saw The Governor’s room. It was a fairly large room, with liquor stands, a writing desk and a couch. In one cabinet, were Knight’s swords, protected by a magic barrier.

“There they are. Your swords.” Chris said to Knight.

“Ok, now we just need to get through the barrier.” Knight whispered.

“His spellbook is right on that counter, go grab it. I’ll try to find his notebook.” Chris whispered back.

Knight nodded, not that Chris or anypony else could see him do so, and walked over to the desk, flipping through the books until he found one with a list of spells. “Ok, let’s see what we’ve.....no. NO!”

“Shhh! Keep quiet, you want the whole of Equestria to find out we’re in here? What’s the matter?!” Chris whispered.

“The spellbook...I knew that barrier seemed familiar. This book belongs to the Celestial Assassins. My parents said it was stolen well over 15 years ago...”

“What’s the big deal about it? Is there a spell that can disable this barrier?” Chris asked.

“Yes, and no. There is a spell, but the caster...they have to give up something...” Knight whispered.

Chris looked at the picture of his wife that he had with him. 

“W-Will this do?” Chris said, giving the picture to Knight.

“No...it has to be a sacrifice of either body, or soul, depending on the barrier. And this one, is a soul barrier. The spell to undo the barrier requires one to give up a piece of their soul. Do that, and the barrier is gone, but whatever piece you give up is gone for good, and any memories that piece held along with it.”

Chris suddenly started to twitch, and his tattoos grew all over his body.

“Hello again, Rising Knight.” A familiar voice said.

“Hello again. What do you want this time?” Knight spat.

“As much as we hate to admit it, we come in peace this time.” 

“If you mean that, then let Chris go...and I’ll consider diplomacy.”

“We cannot let him go, as we are permanently bound to him. The spirit you encountered before, was the spirit of Vengeance and Disbelief. I am the spirit of Trust, and Honesty, here to do my end of the bargain. I offer, my soul so Chris does not have to waste his. His destiny is bigger than any of you can believe.” The spirit said.

“No. I’ve got a part I can let go. I have enough control of this spell that I can choose the piece I lose. I’ll give up the part with the memories of my step-parents.” Knight replied. “You, if you are telling the truth, you can help him. More than I can.”

“No. We shall sacrifice, for it is our purpose. I have  met your parents once. Celestial Assassins they were. Fine people. If you give up their memories, you would suffer even greater consequences, and maybe even change the course of history. We beg you Rising Knight, allow us to do this.”

“Then what happens when Vengeance tries to take him over again? Who’ll keep him from losing to him again. It was you that kept him from using all his power, wasn’t it?”

“Not only me, Rising Knight. The spirit of Peace, Khrilla, maintains the peace, but she cannot go on forever. That is why, Chris was chosen, to be the one to stop the plague. This plague, is what keeps Vengeance alive, and with every moment, he grows stronger.”

“Then why can’t you offer Vengeance up instead? Why does it have to be you?”

“Because, I offered, Rising Knight. Vengeance will not come to sacrifice his souls, when he still has evil plans boiling. Khrilla will maintain the peace, but not for long. Rising Knight, we have to do it. Stand back.”

“Dammit...alright...but don’t expect me to just let you stay gone...that’s one of the only things that’s useful about chaos magic. I can bend the rules, and in some cases, break them.”

The spirit walked up to the barrier, his horn began to glow and a bright flash of magic stunned Rising Knight. When he could see again, he saw Chris, holding his swords up to him.

“Here, take ‘em.” Chris said. On his left  hoof, you could see some more tattoos. And they already spread to his neck.

“Thanks....shame about Trust, though I think Shadow’s already planning something for her...” Knight said, taking his blades and teleporting them to parts unknown to all but him.

“What are you blabbering about? Who’s Trust?” Chris asked, “But nevermind that now, we gotta look for The Governor’s journal.”

“Fine. And turns out there’s 3 or more spirits in your body, not the thousands we originally assumed.” Knight muttered, levitating several books in front of himself and scanning them quickly.

“Waaait a moment! There it is!” Chris pointed to a small book that was located right by Rising Knight’s shoulder, “Open it up, I wanna show you.”

Knight quickly used his magic to open the notebook. Inside were scribbled the names of the group:

Twilight Sparkle
Rising Knight
Christian Appleknife
Hollowpoint Swift
Applejack
Pinkie Pie
Fluttershy
Rarity
Rainbow Dash
Jonathan Dam
PENNY


“What the hell...it’s a watchlist...he’s marked us as potential threats to be monitored at all times...the last name though...I’ve never heard of her...who is she?”

“I’m... I’m not sure... Maybe we should---” Chris was interrupted as he heard chatter coming up the stairs, and it sounded like the Governor, “Crap, take cover!”

As they closed the diary behind them and looked up at the Governor, who had apparently come alone.  He left his jacket on the table, and proceeded to pour himself a drink. After drinking it down, he grabbed his gloves and went for his closed. Strange noises rumbled from the closet and The Governor opened it, it revealed a small pony. But not just any kind of pony. An infected pony. The Governor had put a muzzle over her and seated himself behind her. He then took out a hair brush and gently stroked her hair.

“There, there Penny, that’s nice isn’t it?” The Governor asked Penny, who didn’t seem to respond.

“A foal...Penny is, a foal?” Knight whispered.

“Well, it seems like it...” Chris whispered, “What’s this?” Chris picked up a family picture, which included the Governor, his wife and a daughter. Signed ‘Artemia and Penny with love, to Phillip.’

“...she’s his daughter...”

The Governor was still stroking her hair gently, but he seemed to have tore off a piece of her scalp. Penny went into a fit of rage, screaming loudly and kicking around. 

“Easy Penny, easy! I think it’s nap time!” The Governor said as he was struggling with Penny.

He then grabbed a bag and tried to put it over her head, but the filly was kicking and screaming all over. He eventually put the bag over her head, which made her calm down a little.

“There... That’s nice Penny, ain’t it?” The Governor asked Penny, who was now calmer.

“We gotta get outta here... Out the window, go!” Chris said.

“Ok, let’s go. And then we get Zecora. It looks like we’re gonna need more of her cure.”

As they jumped through the window, they arrived at what seemed a facility. Sand surrounded them, as they saw a few cages up in the distance.

“Check the cages, I’ll keep an eye out” Chris said.

“Got it.” Knight whispered, still on-edge.

When he got to the cages, he saw they were full of hoofers. Looking around, figuring there was nopony there, Knight decided to practice a bit. He took out his swords and broke the lock on the hoofer’s cages.

“Showtime..” Knight said with a large grin.

He then quickly charged into the Hoofer crowd, Chris still looking at what the buck is he doing. With a quick strike of his sword, he cut the first hoofer’s head off. The blood was spewing onto the next hoofer, rendering it blind for a few moments, which allowed Knight to get up close and bash his brains. The next hoofer, he took his sword and jammed it up his throat, killing it permanently. Soon, the crowd was cleared.

Chris was still puzzled at what was going on, coming over to the pile of corpses and looking at them strangely. They appeared to have syringe marks over their necks.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a stallion arrived with a bucket of meat. Looking up at the stallion the guys realised it was The Governor.

“Oh crap....”
___________________________________________________________

A/N: Yes, yes I know I've left you in a cliffhanger, but don't worry, this shall be solved in a matter of time. If you are wondering "Gee, what takes these dudes so long to write this?" The answer is simple. We somewhat lack inspiration, and my partner is very often absent-minded. But, we still get it done, and we hope that you guys out there enjoy it. AppleBucker22 out!





> Chapter 5: The Grand Escape
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Well, isn’t this a nice surprise?” Knight spat, glaring at The Governor.

“This was kinda your fault...” Chris looked at Knight, but instantly lowering his view.

“I can live with that.”

The Governor trotted over to their table, and placed Chris’ knife, and Knight’s blades on the table.

“I’m assuming these are yours?” The Governor asked, looking at Chris, then looking at Knight.

“That they are. Now, we’ll be taking them and leaving.” Knight replied, stepping forward to grab the items.

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.” He replied, grabbing the weapons with his magic. “Now I’d ask you kindly to sit down.”

“Dude, let’s hear him out..” Chris placed a hoof on Knight’s shoulder, forcing him to sit down.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m gonna regret this?” Knight muttered.

The Governor simply neglected this, and began trotting back and forth.

“So let’s get at it, shall we? You came from the outside. I want to know, where you’re going, and where’d you come from. Simple as that.”

“Why should we tell you?” Chris spat.

“Because if you don’t, I can have your friends executed in a manner of seconds without even raising suspicion.” The Governor replied.

“Ok, here’s the line, you just crossed it.” Knight stated, his horn and eyes glowing black.

“I don’t think so.” The Governor replied, his magic hitting Knight, making him fade in colour. “A drain life spell. If your friend doesn’t fess up, your life essence is going to be used to protect us from those creatures.” 

“I’m afraid... that is far from... true.”

“Silence!” He yelled out, his magic again hitting his mouth, creating a magical lock. “Now, Christopher. Let’s get on it, shall we?”

The Governor’s horn began to glow, as Chris was lifted up, and put into a chair, then bound.

“Now, where did you come from, and where are you going?” The Governor asked calmly.

“Buck off...” Chris spat.

“I don’t like your tone. I’ll ask again.. Where did you come from, and where are you going?” 

Chris looked around, Knight still sitting on his chair, suspended in the drain life spell. Chris then spat on the Governor’s face. After he wiped it off, the Governor’s horn began to glow, and 220 volts of electricity began coursing through Chris’ veins.

“AaaaaaaaaAAAAAAah!”

“Strong, isn’t it? It’ll all be over, as soon as you tell me what I want to know.”

“Stop! Stop! I’ll tell you!”

“Speak then.”

“We’re going to Canterlot! We came from Ponyville! Me and Knight found each other in Fillydelphia! Just stop!”

As the Governor released Knight from his drain life spell, and stopped electrocuting Chris, he walked out, and slammed the door behind him.



“D-do you...Smell barbecue?”

“That’s what happens when your flesh is burnt dumbflank. Or have you never seen an electrocution victim before?”

“We didn’t use electrocution in the war. We used incineration, and freezing.” Chris replied. “But nevermind that. I think I can get out of these binds. Try to think of a plan before we bust outta here.”

“Plan? My plan is to let Shadow rip the Celestia damn Governor to shreds.” Knight stated angrily.

“How about we keep the kill-count low this time? Less of them, more of.... THEM.” Chris said, slowly wiggling his way out of the binds.

“I’m gonna say this. I’m seriously considering killing that zompony filly, just to spite that fucker. But as much as I want to, that wouldn’t be fair to her.”

“She’s a hoofer, why’d she- ah- care?” Chris said, releasing one hoof from his binds.

“Did you already forget what Zecora did? The cure?”

“Can’t possibly cure everyone. Just not enough of it.” 

“But, if we can get it to the princesses, they may be able to devise a spell with the same ability. I mean, they’re the princesses for buck’s sake.”

“First we gotta get out of here. Sheesh, this bind is tough... Huh...Moron left the weapons here... Pass me my knife..”

Knight levitated the knife over to Chris, and the swords over to himself. “Seriously, I didn’t expect that to work. You’d think someone like him would be smart enough to have put a magic inhibitor on my horn.”

As Chris received the knife, he quickly began to cut the second bind, quickly freeing himself.

“Well, that did it. Let’s get you freed.” Chris said, trotting over to Knight, and cutting the binds on him.

“We gotta get outta here, and get the gang. Ideas?”

“Two words; Big. Explosion.” Knight said with a grin.

“Dude! I told you! Low kill-count!”

“Dumbflank, I mean blow this room up. Smoke will attract attention, hopefully from our group, and we’ll get out quickly. Since this room is empty, except for the filly, and we could take her with us, there’s no risk of casualties.”

“Smoke won’t just attract attention from our friends. Blast will probably draw hoofers over here. Any alternatives?”

“Hmmm... Bell-tower?” Knight suggested.

“Genius! We blow this room, it attracts hoofers, we ring the bell-tower and make our escape!”

“Alright then. Let’s get to it!” Knight yelled, running out the door.

“Right behind ya!” Chris said, taking out his knife, and galloping right behind Knight.

Just as they both exited, the guards that stood at the entrance tried to stop them, but were knocked back  by the blast of the explosion, courtesy of Rising Knight.


THE GANG’S ROOM

The explosion sure was heard, and the whole group shook at the sound of it. They all rushed to the window, and everyone wondering what the buck is going on.

“Should we check it out?” Twilight asked.

“No need. I already have a sneaking suspicion what’s going on.” Hollow replied irritatedly.

“Oh, and what would that be, Miss Smartypants?” Rainbow Dash said smugly.

“My brother. He’s probably done something stupid and gotten himself into trouble with the bad guys again.” Hollow retorted, shooting the pegasus a glare.

“Well, alright, but where’s Chris?” Twilight asked, looking around the room.

“Take a wild guess.” Hollow said, looking to the outside.

“Sweet Celestia! We gotta help them!” Pinkie yelled out, drawing out her katana and galloping through the door, but quickly coming back and asking: “Are you coming or what?”

“Thought you’d never ask.” Hollow said with a sadistic grin, rushing out the door and into the sky.


BACK ON THE STREET


Chris and Knight were galloping down the street, the smoke still behind them, rising into the air. Quickly after they got out, a group of armed earth ponies awaited them, and began shooting at them.

“Bitch!” Chris shouted as a bullet hit near his hoof, “Knight, we gotta go!”

“Yeah yeah.” Knight replied disinterestedly, stabbing one of their assailants in the spine. “You get the others, I want the Governor. I’m gonna rip his head off and shove it down his throat.” He growled.

“Try to keep a low kill-count! Well, that one was a bastard.... But still! I’ll go get the gang and we’ll open the gate for the escape!” Chris said, galloping off to their house.

“... Hmph, low kill-count... seriously Shadow, the mood swing thing is annoying at best...” Knight muttered, becoming irritated at the lack of reply from his demonic counterpart.


THE GOVERNOR’S HOUSE


“Ok, now where are you, ya bastard?” Knight muttered, searching every nook and cranny

Knight then heard voices from the stairway leading to the Governor’s house, and quickly took cover behind a couch.

“Are you sure he said Ponyville? That’s in the Red Zone, and from the looks of that guy, I doubt he could’ve survived there.” Merle exclaimed

“And they’re heading to Canterlot... They’re going to get the Princesses, and they can manufacture a cure for this. Too bad they’re ‘incapacitated’ right now, hehe.” The Governor chuckled.

“But why was he in Fillydelphia? Isn’t that where your old facility used to be?” Merle asked.

“Yeah, we studied various mutations and viruses. One of them, being the zompony virus. If the word got around that me and my company are responsible for this, the boss would kill me, and then all of Equestria..”

Knight froze completely upon hearing this, his anger surging higher than ever before. That bastard’s the one... he’s the reason all this happened...

“I’m heading outside to deal with the situation, you find yourself a hiding spot. If those crazies get to ya....Well, just don’t let them do that.” Merle said, leaving the apartment and walking outside.

The Governor then levitated a bottle of his favorite scotch, and poured it into a solid diamond glass, relaxing in his chair at the same time.

Knight took a deep breath and drew one of his swords as silently as possible. Ok... 3... 2... 1... NOW! He jumped out from behind the couch and threw his sword at the governor’s foreleg.

The Governor screamed as the sword punctured his flesh and shattered his bone.

“Son of a bitch! Agh!” He screamed out, as he reached for his diamond glass and went to hit Knight on the head with it.

“FUCK YOU!” Knight screamed back, swinging his other sword and embedding it in the Governor’s other leg.

“You fucker...I’ll... Kill you....” The Governor spat.

“Shut up.” Knight ordered coldly. “Now, I’m going to ask you some questions, and you’re going to answer them truthfully. If I suspect for even an instant that you’re lying... well...” He forced one of his blades a little further into the Governor’s leg, smirking when he barely suppressed a scream of pain. “So, ready to start?”

“Fuck....You...” He responded. 

“No thanks, I don’t swing that way.” Knight retorted, taking the glass the governor had dropped, breaking it apart magically and shoving a shard into the governor’s throat, mere millimetres away from an artery.

“Fine, fine!” He screamed out, “Just stop!”

“There, was that so hard?” Knight asked with a sadistic smile working its way onto his face. “Now, question 1: Were you behind the experiments in the Fillydelphia facility?”

“I wasn’t the one controlling them, but yes, I saw to their completion..”

Knight’s grin dropped and was replaced with an angry scowl. “And were you involved in project: ‘Discordian Sword?’”

“Fuck, you” He replied.

“Ah, ah, ah.” Knight said, forcing the glass shard just a little closer to a vital spot.

“Fucker! YES, YES I WAS INVOLVED!” He replied angrily.

“Alright... but aren’t you curious as to how I even knew of that project? After all, information was limited to only 3 individuals besides the one behind the facility’s creation: The head scientist, the lead guard, and of course, Subject One.” Knight stated coldly.

“I don’t give two fucks about you and your problems. Let me go!” He shouted.

“Really? Did you know that there was a breakout, and that several subjects escaped from the facility, including subjects twenty-five and one-hundred?”

“THEY WHAT?! They... AAARGH!” He yelled.

“Yes... now, for my final question. Who was subject one-hundred? Why did you choose him? WHAT THE HELL MADE HIM SO DAMNED NECESSARY FOR YOU TO MURDER HIS FAMILY AND TURN HIM INTO A LIVING WEAPON?!” Knight screamed, digging his swords further into the Governor’s legs, to the point that the tips of the blades started to protrude from the other side.

“The Boss chose him, not me! Boss said something about him being from a special bloodline, or some shit! Do you think I listen to his banter?! NO!”

“That’s funny, I’d expect the former head of security and the brother of Subject One to pay attention to experiments that may put his little brother at risk...”

“I was just in it for the money!” He screamed, quickly grabbing a lamp with his magic and striking Knight over the head with it. 

Knight staggered, his magic fading and releasing the blades impaling the Governor.

The Governor quickly retaliated, pulling the blades out with his magic, and quickly flinging them towards Knight, while screaming in agony. Knight simply sidestepped the blades and recaptured them in his own magical grip, thrusting one to the Governor’s throat and the other to his chest, it’s tip lined up with his heart.

“You know, I believe that common courtesy dictates that when you kill someone, you have to identify yourself so they know who ended their life.” Knight said calmly. 

“Phillip....” He replied.

“Rising Knight, though you may know me by another name. Subject One-Hundred, at your service.” Knight stated, smirking at the widening of the Governor’s eyes. 

“You son of a---” The Governor shouted, trying to get up, but impaling himself on Knight’s blades.



“You....You have the inborn ability to....Resist the virus.... If one side of you is....infected...The other, will keep on living....You...Will never turn....” He spoke weakly.

“I see. But that’s not what I want to know. Who. Are. MY PARENTS?!”

“Your mother.... was a whore, before she met your father..... When she gave birth to you....She was in need of money, so....She sold you to us.... As an experiment....After that, the father went under the protection of the Solar guards, eventually rising up to the rank of a Celestial Assassin...Then, our Boss sent assassins after both of them. Your father died in the Great Fire of Canterlot...And your mother....Well, she turned out to be the Princess of the Night... and of course, no assassin has ever been able to so much as touch her...” The Governor’s breathing started to slow as he started to bleed out.

“... you’re lying, you have to be. Somepony like me, royalty? That’s a laugh. What’s the next joke, Sombra is my father?”

“We....Also....Uhh.........” He muttered, before uttering his last words, and his last breath.

“Pff, pathetic bastard.” Knight muttered, pulling his blades out of the Governor’s unmoving corpse and strapping them to his sides. As he turned to leave, however, the sound of breaking glass reached his ears, causing him to turn and walk towards a shaking bookcase. “The fuck...”

Before he could react, the bookcase pitched forward and fell, trapping Knight under it and cracking his horn, causing him to cry out in pain. “Fuck it... what was that...”

“Graaaauhh...” Something moaned near Knight, but his vision was blurry, so he couldn’t make it out. 

After a couple of seconds he regained his vision, but had felt great pain in his hoof, which hasn’t been trapped by the bookshelf. After looking around he realised that the pain from his leg, was actually a filly hoofer, biting on his hoof. Ironically.

“AAH! BUCK! WHAT IS...?!” He managed to scream out before kicking her out of the way. When he looked at his hoof, it was bitten to the bone, and was bleeding severely. He used his magic to lift the bookcase, before his horn gave out. Luckily, he rolled out of the way, while the zompony filly was kicked back, and still recoiling from the kick.

“Oh buck, oh buck, oh buck!” He screamed out, “I can’t be bitten...Ahhh ponyfeathers! Shadow, you’ve gotta take over...”

Knight’s mane turned white, and his fur turned black. His voice deepened, and his eyes gained a cat-like appearance.

“You know that’s just gonna buy you a little time, right Knight? Boy, you stepped in it alright...” He mused to himself, then looked over to the little hoofer who was getting ready for another charge.

“Not so fast kid!” He said, releasing a pulse from his horn that knocked the filly to the wall. He then picked up his sword and impaled her with it, leaving her hanging on the wall.

“You’re the one who caused this trouble...Don’t got a choice kid...” He said, as he took his other sword, and with a swift motion cut of the filly’s head.

“Nasty business...I gotta get outside...” He mumbled.


BACK ON THE STREETS OF BUCKBURY

“Dad!” Applejack screamed out as she saw Chris under fire by five ponies.
“Crap! Applejack, take cover!” He screamed out, tossing a knife which impaled one of the guards shooting at him.

“Pinkie, you gotta help ‘im!” Applejack turned to Pinkie who had a death stare, while holding her beloved katana.

“This party’s gonna get bloody....” She said slowly, and going into gallop as quick as lightning. Fluttershy, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and JD took cover behind some boxes.

As Pinkie Pie rushed in, she quickly sliced in her direction, cutting the shooting pony in half with one quick motion. She then picked up his gun, and tossed it over to Chris who quickly reloaded it with spare ammo he found on the floor. He then began shooting as Pinkie Pie quickly dodged every one of his bullet with amazing acrobatic moves. After emptying his clip, Pinkie Pie stopped jumping around, and began slashing some more. They both worked in perfect harmony. While Chris would shoot, Pinkie would go acrobatic, letting the enemies eat lead, and when he was reloading, she’d be slashing, leaving several very headless bodies in her wake.

After they were all dead, Pinkie took a breather, and soon returned to her normal, cheery state.

“Boy, that was some party! We should do it again!” She exclaimed cheerily, while Chris, flabergasted, just watched her hop away. Suddenly a figure began walking down the boulevard, and it looked like Knight.

“What was....Knight! It’s you....! Wait....” As he got neared he noticed his body changes. Mostly the chewed hoof.

“It’s...not you!” He continued, “Where’s Knight?”

“Dumbass got bit. The guy’s daughter had turned, and he’d kept her chained in a hidden room. In other news, he was the former head of security in the Fillydelphia facility... meaning he was one of the bastards responsible for all this shit...”

“Well...that explains the smells....Oh, well, I guess, one down, unknown number to go?” He stumbled on his words, when he remembered. He reached into his jacket, and pulled out a key.

“This, will get us out of here. Hollow snatched it from Merle... Then he called her a ‘ho’, and slapped her flank....”

“I hope he’s at least nutless... And one more thing I think you should know... Phillip, that’s his name, said he knew who Knight’s parents were.”

“We’d all really like to know,” Twilight interrupted, “But, there are at least ten more guys coming here. We can keep them distracted while you open the gate..”

“I’d like to make a simple suggestion... Go berserk... and rip everything in our way apart...”

“Out of the bloody question Shadow. You may be Knight’s alter ego, but I know he or you would never do that.... Now shut the buck up, and help me open this gate! Twilight, hold them off for as long as you can!” He yelled, making everyone disperse, and making Shadow grumble to himself. “... could’ve at least just played along for a few seconds...”

Chris and Shadow got to the main gate, several hoofers outside, while the rest of the group took cover behind a couple of barrels, and were using them as cover, while trying to pick off the guards from a distance.

“Put your back into it Shadow!” Chris yelled over to Shadow as he struggled with the gate.

“Shut up! It’s not as easy as you think doing this manually... Dammit, why the fuck can’t I use chaos magic again?”

“You’ll blast your nuts off! The magic barrier here repels everything! Just, push a little harder, I need to get to the lock!” He replied, while pushing, making the gate crack a bit.

As they both kept pushing the gate, Chris’ hoof finally reached the keyhole. He inserted the key, and the gate opened wide. Chris and Shadow took care of the first few hoofers by themselves, while the gang who had repelled the assaulters followed behind them. Shadow, however, stayed behind to kill some more hoofers.

“Shadow, quit pissing around, we gotta go!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

“Not really much point... I’m a liability now, it’s only a matter of time before the virus spreads to me too...” Shadow replied.

“Shut up! We’ll get to Canterlot before that happens, the Princesses can help you!” Chris yelled out, making a head motion saying ‘we gotta go!’

“Wait a minute Chris, what happened to Knight?!” Twilight asked.

“.... He got bitten by the Governor’s daughter... she was a hoofer... now both he and I are infected, and if I’m right, Zecora’s cure won’t have any affect on us... regular magic tends to react violently with chaos magic...”

“Oh....Wait! There is something! The Princesses green room!” She replied.

“Green room? The fuck...” Shadow asked bewilderedly.

“The Green Room was invented by the Princesses favored magician. You may know him as Starswirl the Bearded. He invented a device which could cure any ailment, but was only restricted to royalty. See, the alicorn bloodline is slowly disappearing from Equestria, and this machine is used to resurrect or heal..” Twilight exclaimed.

“In other words, the princesses have something that can literally save millions of lives, but they keep it reserved for those of royal blood... that sounds like a dick move... though the royalty thing shouldn’t be a problem if what Philip said is true...”

“Well, it is unknown what kind of effect the machine would have on regular ponies... It’s worth a try, Shadow. Since we have to make our way to Canterlot..”

“Knight is anything but regular... and I’m surprised at your lack of curiosity regarding the Governor’s last words, Twilight... did this whole thing really destroy your love of knowledge already?”

She didn’t reply, but simply turned away, and began trotting in the direction of Canterlot, with her friends following her. Chris came up to Knight and spoke to him:

“Dude, that was harsh... This outbreak did shit to our minds... No need to put salt on the wound... Let’s just go, we have a long way to Canterlot, and our food supplies are low... Let’s just hope Sweet Apple Acres is holding up..” he said, trotting away, following Twilight. 

“... Well, sorry for the lack of social grace due to spending several goddamn millenia trapped in a fucking medallion...”

‘This is going to be a loooong trip...’ Chris thought to himself, and began trotting towards Canterlot, it’s white tower losing it’s white shine....

Things are not how they used to be...