My Little Walking Dead

Try For the Train

“We have to try,” Fluttershy said at last. Applejack nodded, and without any further hesitation she leapt from behind the cart and charged forward, Fluttershy following steps behind with Angel holding desperately onto her back. The street was absolute chaos, Fluttershy was beginning to have second thoughts about her decision, but it was too late to turn back now. Following in Applejack’s hoofsteps the pair weaved in and out of obstructions and creatures blocking their path.

Applejack halted at the door to the Golden Oaks Library to allow Fluttershy to catch up.

“Is there anypony home?” she asked in between pants when she arrived on the doorstep with Applejack.

“Nope, I reckon it’s deserted,” Applejack theorised before continuing on their path to the train station. “Come on, no time to waste!”

Fluttershy charged off after her, fuelled by adrenaline, otherwise she would have collapsed from exhaustion much earlier.

As they continued to near the train station it became apparent that fewer of the figures in the streets were living ponies. Fluttershy tried to call for Applejack to warn her of the dangers they had just run into, but Applejack was too focused on the train which was now moving slowly down the track. Ducking beneath another creature attempting to lunge itself upon her, Fluttershy picked up her pace, so she was almost running at equal pace as Applejack. The platform was so close now, she barely acknowledged the flames and screams surrounding them, but she did acknowledge the wave of creatures converging in on them.

“Applejack!” she screamed as a horde of the sickening creatures surrounded them, but she was too late. Applejack had been too focused, too intent on reaching their destination that she hadn’t been aware of her surroundings, and she was quickly overwhelmed by the creatures. Fluttershy screamed as they began clawing and tearing into her friend, she was still running, ignoring the anguish she must have been in and dragging the deranged ponies along behind her. Fluttershy had to admire her determination, even as her own eyes began to fill with tears upon seeing her best friend overwhelmed.

“Git goin’!” Applejack screamed at Fluttershy, slowing down as more of the things began latching onto her. “Save yourself!”

Applejack was now fully stopped in her tracks, giving up on escaping and instead using the last of her strength to begin pummelling the creatures attacking her into the dust. Fluttershy watched her friend’s vain struggle, aware more of the creatures were moving in on her, but she was frozen in place, she couldn’t leave her friend.

“Go! Now!” Applejack bellowed as the last of her strength gave out and she was fragged to the ground. Fluttershy tore her eyes away and began running. The train was now picking up speed, leaving Ponyville behind them.

With one final burst of energy Fluttershy spread her wings and took off into the air, speeding after the runaway locomotive. She didn’t have the strength or the speed to catch it, she was falling behind. It was all going to be for nothing, Applejack was gone, and now she and Angel were going to perish too. As she felt herself begin to slow, and her wings become heavy, her breathing laboured, she could feel Angel pulling on her neck in panic, feel herself sinking lower. then she felt her whole body get barrelled through the air, felt strong hooves wrapping around her and saw herself blast through the air towards the one of the open doors on the train where a familiar figure stood waiting for her.

It was all too much for the poor Pegasus, who lost consciousness at that moment, being carried to safety. Fluttershy didn’t know how long she had been out for, but the first thing she noticed when her eyes began to blink open, was the pale light of the rising sun through the window she was lying next to. The next thing she picked up on, was the view outside her window swishing past her at incredible speeds and the vibrating of the mattress she was lying on.

“The train…” she whispered to herself in a weak voice, “I made it.”

“Fluttershy!” a familiar voice exclaimed as she felt herself pulled into a back breaking embrace, “Twilight, she’s awake!”

Regaining control of her senses, she could make out a cerulean blue coat and an unmistakable rainbow coloured mane.

“Rainbow Dash,” she said quietly, then the moments before she passed out came back to her, the hooves that took hold of her, the speed she had been carried at. “You saved me.”

“’course Fluttershy, how could I live with myself if I didn’t,” she said with a small laugh which Fluttershy shared.

Looking up from Rainbow Dash she saw the other figure she had seen standing in the doorway of the train carriage.

“Hey Fluttershy,” Twilight Sparkle said, sounding relieved, “you had us worried for a moment.”

“How long was I out?” Fluttershy asked looking around the rest of the train compartment, recognising several faces among which included the mayor of Ponyville, Big McIntosh, Applebloom and the Cakes.

“Only a couple hours,” Twilight assured her, “you must have really exhausted yourself trying to get to the train.”

“Yeah it was…” Fluttershy began as the rest of her memories came flooding back, from the hospital, to the attack at her house, to her journey through the streets with…

“Fluttershy, what’s wrong,” Dash asked worried as Fluttershy began sobbing, “you’re okay.”

“S-she, d-dint make it,” Fluttershy wailed, putting her head into Rainbow Dash’s shoulder.

“What? Who didn’t?” Twilight asked nervously, Fluttershy looked up and Twilight followed her gaze to Big Mac and Applebloom, then gasped as realisation hit her.

“No,” she breathed, tears of her own forming, “please, go no!”

“What? What’s going on?” Dash asked bewildered, unsure she wanted to know.

“I-I’ll go tell Big Mac,” twilight said walking away making a vain attempt to wipe her eyes dry. As she did Fluttershy felt something familiar bush up against her side. She looked down and stopped crying when her eyes fell on Angel.

“Oh Angel, you’re okay,” she said, her voice choking. Angel hoped up to her shoulder and began wiping her tears away; Rainbow just continued to stare trying to piece what had happened together.

“How are you holding up?” she asked her faithful pet who was nuzzling her gently. Angel indicated he had been better, but so long as they stuck together everything would be okay.

“Fluttershy,” Dash began, getting her attention, “what happened out there?”

Fluttershy glanced away and stared out the window at the rolling landscapes, wondering how best to answer.

“It started yesterday,” she began at last, “or maybe it started even earlier, I don’t know. I saw it first at the hospital, ponies showing… disturbing symptoms.”

Dash grimaced, Fluttershy could tell she’d already seen the infected for herself and knew she could spare her the details.

“I thought it would blow over,” she continued, “but I was attacked at my house. Angel and I ran to Ponyville to find you and the girls, it was there I found Applejack…”

Dash stared blankly at her; Fluttershy could almost see the connections being made behind her eyes.

“Applejack…” she whispered, realisation dawning on her, “is gone?”

Fluttershy swallowed and nodded, shutting her eyes so she wouldn’t cry again. Dash had an empty look about, showing no emotional response to the news of one of her best friend’s deaths. Fluttershy looked away from her friend and over to Twilight in time to see Applebloom rush into Big Mac’s embrace, the older stallion struggling to keep his own emotions in check. Fluttershy looked away again; she could bear to face them just yet. Then she was pulled back to the present by the sound of Rainbow Dash punching the wall of the train compartment.

“Stupid Applejack!” she exclaimed, her eyes clenched, although her tears were still breaking through.

“Rainbow,” Fluttershy began, but the other Pegasus jumped up and stormed out of the carriage.

“Miss Shy,” a voice announced behind her, she looked around to see Big Mac towering over her. Glancing around him she saw Twilight was now holding Applebloom.

“Y-yes,” Fluttershy stammered, she was afraid of this, afraid they would blame her.

“Ah need to know,” he began, his voice surprisingly soft, “how did she… how did it happen?”

Fluttershy took a breath before explaining.

“we were running for the train, but we so focused, we didn’t see them coming,” she began, her voice trembling, “they surrounded us, she tried to fight them off, kept running, kept shouting me on, but…”

Fluttershy fell silent, Big Mac could figure out the rest.

“Was it quick?” he asked in a hollow voice. Fluttershy’s silence and apologetic stare was all the answer he needed, he nodded slowly in response. “Applebloom… she don’t need to know that.”

Fluttershy nodded, and the stallion made to turn away, but not before she could see the water welling in his eyes. Before she could stop herself she leapt up and threw her forelegs around Big Mac’s neck, who seemed taken aback.

“I’m so sorry,” she cried into his shoulder. For a second he just stood there, until finally he put one arm around her and whispered in her ear.

“It’s okay, it ain’t your fault,” he assured her, his own voice trembling, “ah’m just glad you’re safe.”

With that he pulled back, Fluttershy relenting her hold on him and he made back to his youngest sister. Fluttershy fell down onto her seat, where Angel hoped up next to her to ask if she was alight.

“No, no I’m not alright Angel,” she responded, “I can’t believe she’s gone.”

“Fluttershy, drink this,” Twilight ordered, sitting next to her and offering her a bottle of water, “You’re gonna need it.”

“What’s happening out there Twilight?” Fluttershy asked after take a long drink.

“I don’t know,” she admitted, looking away. “When I went to the hospital… it was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Some kind of pathogen that turns infected ponies into monsters.”

The three of them sat in silence, interrupted only by Rainbow Dash’s return.

“We should go back,” she announced, both Fluttershy and Twilight looked up in surprise. “I’ve been through this whole train, Pinkie and Rarity aren’t on board.”

“Rainbow listen, we can’t…” Twilight began to reason but was swiftly cut off.

“No you listen!” Rainbow shouted, getting more than just Twilight and Fluttershy’s attention. “We are not about to let more of our friends die.”

“That’s right, we’re not,” Twilight shot back, “but we won’t do them any favours by getting ourselves killed. We need to get to the princess; she’s the only one who can stop this. I promise Rainbow, we’ll get to Canterlot, we’ll get everypony here to safety, we’ll find a cure, we will stop this!”

Rainbow opened her mouth to argue, but Fluttershy cut her off.

“She’s right Rainbow, you saw what it was like back there, we can’t go back until we know better how to deal with it.” Twilight glanced at Fluttershy, seemingly surprised by her level of reasoning.

Rainbow fell to her haunches and stared at the ground; Fluttershy stepped forward and draped a wing over her.

“I just… hate sitting here, knowing they need our help,” she whispered to the ground.

“I know, so do we, but we have to make the best of the situation while we can,” Fluttershy responded, Rainbow nodded in acknowledgment, but didn’t speak as they were interrupted by someone clearing their throat over them. Fluttershy looked up to see Mayor Mare standing a few feet away.

“My apologies, but I couldn’t help but hear you were planning on seeing the princes about a cure.”

“It’s the plan,” Twilight admitted.

“And an excellent one at that,” the mayor schmoozed, “we’re all very lucky to have you girls here to save us from this zombie crisis.”

“Really mayor, they’re not zombies,” Twilight scolded, “his is just an epidemic of infected individuals.”

“Zombies, infected,” Mayor said like it didn’t matter, “same difference, the point is you’ll be sure to get us all safely into Canterlot, won’t you?”

Fluttershy could hear Rainbow’s teeth grinding, and looked at Twilight, who seemed exasperated by the mayor’s presence.

“Of course the safety of everypony is paramount,” she agreed, “but I would stress the moral implications of using a devastating situation like this one to further one’s own position.”

“Oh my, I wouldn’t dream of such a thing,” the mayor said with a nervous titter, seemingly aware of the withering glares she was receiving from everypony in the carriage. “Well, I’ll just leave you all to, um, rest.”

With that, she quickly scampered off. Rainbow spat onto the floor, causing Fluttershy to jump back in revulsion.

“Politicians,” she muttered darkly, “they act like they have everypony’s good intention, but all they care about is themselves.”

“I don’t like it either Rainbow, but now is not the time to turn on each other,” Twilight responded, sounding indifferent to the notion. Fluttershy and Rainbow proceeded to sit down next to Twilight, and were quickly joined by the two remaining Apples and the Cakes, all remained silent but seemed to enjoy the company of each other.

As they sat together, Fluttershy felt her eyelids become heavy once more, and quickly found herself drifting off, her head in Rainbow Dash’s lap, Angel curled up in the crook of her arm. The next thing she knew was a high pitched screeching noise, and that she was being sent flying across the train compartment. When she finally stopped getting tossed about and lay still on what felt uncomfortably like the window she strained her eyes desperately to look around her. Strange, she was still in the train, she could make out some of, but she could also see the orange sky of dusk. Her vision was blurry, her ears ringing. She was vaguely aware of figures moving around in the distance, before she once again lost consciousness.

Day 3

When Fluttershy at last regained consciousness, it was pitch black, and she was alone in the wreck that was the train compartment. Looking all around her she saw nopony in plain sight, but could make out faint shuffling of hooves some distance away. getting to her hooves she took in her surroundings, it appeared the carriage she had been riding in had fallen on its side, and considering how much she had tumbled around before blacking out, she’d say it rolled over a few times.

Taking slow steps she moved down the carriage, confirming it was indeed empty. It became clear the sky she had seen earlier had been through the opposite wall of the train, which had been ripped away. The door at the end of the aisle was lying ajar, so when she reached it she was able to see through a narrow gap between it and the frame. The entire train had been decimated; no cart had survived whatever crash had resulted in this. Further up the tracks, Fluttershy could see several other carriages lying in equal states, though varying states of ruin.

Then she heard the moaning. She only just pulled herself away from the gap in time, as the creature walked right past where she was looking through. The stench was unmistakable; it was taking all her self-control not to gag. After several minutes of silence had passed, she dared to stand up once more and steal another glance outside. The infected that had been so close before was definitely gone, but she could see other silhouettes stumbling around in the dark. There were dozens of them, where had they all come from?

Before she could ponder the mystery however she heard something from the rear end of the train, the end she had just walked up from. Looking back she saw the rear door was now wide open, and a familiar sky blue Pegasus, looking considerably worse for wear stood signally for her to come. without hesitating Fluttershy ran forward, forgetting all about keeping quiet until Rainbow Dash began waving her hooves frantically to silence her. She slowed down, but the damage was already done. Something began scraping on the door she had just run from, something breathing far too heavily too be a normal pony.

Moving as quickly as she could without drawing any further attention to herself she reached the rear door where she was immediately tugged out and sent sprawling by her friend.

“Rainbow what…” she began but felt a hoof pushed against her mouth to silence her. Rainbow didn’t say anything but instead helped her to her hooves before gesturing for her to follow. Again Fluttershy obeyed without argument, and together the pair began moving back along the track, keeping low so as not to draw any unwanted attention.

It only took a few minutes before Rainbow diverged from the tracks and began walking in a seemingly random direction out into the wide stretch of grassland. Fluttershy watched Rainbow carefully, never falling more than a few feet behind, she was beginning to wonder where her friend was taking her and was strongly considering asking, when Rainbow appeared to simply fall out of existence. Fluttershy gave a squeal of shock, quickly pressing a hoof to her mouth to stifle the noise.

Cocking her head she began edging forward. It quickly became apparent that Rainbow hadn’t just disappeared but had jumped into a crevice, almost invisible in the dark. Leaning over the edge she saw Rainbow looking up expectantly at her, and quickly fluttered down next to her. Once they were together, Rainbow turned to look into the seemingly empty crevice and spoke for the first time.

“Okay Twi,” she said simply, and before Fluttershy could question what was going on a dull purple light washed over her. Blinking in sudden confusion she looked around, and in place of the emptiness Rainbow had spoken to, stood Twilight, surrounded by Big Mac, Applebloom, Angel and the Cakes.

“Thank goodness you’re alright Fluttershy,” Twilight began as Fluttershy stared in confusion at everypony, “we were beginning to fear the worst.”

“What’s going on?” Fluttershy asked, looking to her unicorn friend, “why couldn’t I see you before?”

“I’m casting a perception disruption field,” she explained, “that way; any of those things that get too close won’t see or hear us.”

“It’s pretty helpful, but it costs too much energy for Twi to use all the time, also she has to stay in the one area to maintain it,” Dash continued to explain.

“Oh, well, what happened?” Fluttershy asked as she stroked Angel’s head.

“We’re still trying to figure that out,” Twilight admitted, “something made the train crash, though we don’t know what. When it did, I cast a mass teleport to get us out of the train, but… I guess you had fallen too far away, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, you came back for me, that’s all that matters,” Fluttershy assured Twilight, disappointed in herself for causing her friends to worry.

“Once we got the kids to safety,” Dash continued gesturing at the twins and Applebloom, “I started searching around for you. It wasn’t easy with all those things crawling over the place, and I couldn’t even tell which of the carriages was the one we were on.”

“So what do we do now?” Fluttershy asked, satisfied she was now caught up.

“We were just discussing that before you pair arrived back,” Twilight informed her, gesturing to Big Mac, “I reckon I can hold my spell until morning, it wouldn’t be wise to wander around in the dark, I think those things aren’t hindered by it which would put us at a disadvantage.”

“But where will we go? Canterlot?” Fluttershy asked, this caused Twilight to exchange a concerned look with the others.

“Well, we thought…” but she never finished, as at that moment Dash raised a hoof to silence her, her ears perked up.

They all fell deathly quiet, listening intently. Somepony was running, and panting, it didn’t sound like one of the infected. Dash exchanged a single look with Twilight before spreading her wings and hovering to the surface. Fluttershy stood with the others, waiting with bated breath for her to return. Seconds ticked away, turning to minutes, Fluttershy quickly lost track of time as they stood there. Pumpkin Cake began wailing, and Fluttershy was eternally thankful for Twilight’s spell. Finally they heard more noises approaching, it sounded like two ponies arguing with one another. Then she saw the familiar blue Pegasus swoop down, but she looked distorted, larger than she should be.

Once she touched down Fluttershy realised where the confusion had arisen from, upon her back was a dishevelled cream coloured mare, wearing cracked glasses. Recognising the mayor, Twilight gave a small groan before wrapping her cloaking spell around the newcomers. Dash immediately threw the mayor off her back, unceremoniously dropping her in the dirt.

“Idiot nearly got us both killed,” she spat walking back over to stand with the rest, “couldn’t keep her damn mouth shut.”

Mayor Mare let out a disgruntled snort, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face before addressing Twilight.

“Thank you for letting me come here Twilight,” she said in a sickly sweet voice, “I knew you wouldn’t have left little old me out there”

“What happened to you out there?” twilight asked, ignoring the mayor’s attempts at flattery.

“Well, as luck would have it, during the crash I was safely in the, um, little filly’s room,” she explained, blushing slightly. “I hid in my carriage for a few hours, I found some food to keep me going, but when I ran out and it started getting darker, I decided to try and make a break for it.”

“And nearly bring twenty of them to our front door while you were at it,” Dash retorted, the mayor narrowed her eyes at the Pegasus for a second before reapplying her usual smart smile.

“Yes, well, for that I am deeply sorry,” she said, convincing no one, “so tell me, what’s the plan?”

Even Angel was frowning at the mayor, clearly put off by her attitude. Twilight’s mouth twisted briefly, clearly swallowing some bitter retort before continuing.

“We were just about to discuss that,” she said looking back between Fluttershy and Big Mac, “obviously we have to get to Canterlot, however with the train… out of commission, we only have one option, and that’s to walk there. That creates one major problem.”

With that said she looked over to Mister Cake who took that as his cue to clear his throat and address the rest of the party.

“Well, we’ve discussed it, and while we know Canterlot is the best option,” he admitted, “there’s no way we can get there on hoof with two foals.”

Twilight nodded sadly before taking over.

“We’ve thought about it long and hard, but there’s no other option,” she explained, “It’s a much shorter trip back to Ponyville.”

“So you’re going to go back!” the mayor exclaimed, “we’re going to give up our only hope because of a couple of needy foals?”

If looks could kill, everypony gathered would have murdered the mayor several times over. Holding her temper in check, Twilight continued.

“I will be leading a group to Canterlot,” she stated, “while Big Mac escorts the Cakes back to Ponyville, after last night, they’re going to need protection.”

Fluttershy looked up at Big Mac, shocked by what she had just heard.

“It’s gotta be done,” he said, in his usual flat voice, “ah won’t let anything happen to these folk, and ah might be able to lend a hoof to anypony who didn’t get out in time.”

“Yeah, we gotta find Granny Smith,” Applebloom chipped in only to be cut off by Big Mac.

“Bloom, you’re goin’ with Miss Twilight.”

“What?” Applebloom exclaimed, horrified.

“Ponyville’s still dangerous, heck every where’s dangerous,” he admitted sadly, “but you can get to Canterlot, you’ll be safe there.”

“No!” Applebloom cried, rushing to clutch to Big Mac’s leg, “I won’t lose you too.”

“Don’t you fret, ain’t nothin’ gonna happen to me,” he assured her, leaning down and giving her a one armed hug, “ah’ll find Granny, ah’ll… ah’ll see to that Applejack’s treated with respect, but you gotta keep goin’. Understand?”

Applebloom nodded, wiping her eyes. Fluttershy looked away from the scene so she wouldn’t break down herself.

“Don’t worry Big Mac,” Twilight said softly, “I promise on my life, I won’t let any harm come to her.”

Big Mac nodded in appreciation before letting go of his last sister.

“Well, as much as I’d like to go back to Ponyville,” Dash began in dismay, “Twilight’s going to need my help getting to Canterlot, we have to get to the princess, otherwise this whole thing might never end.”

“Thanks Dash,” Twilight said, then all eyes turned to Fluttershy who gulped realising she was expected to make a decision.

“What do you want to do Fluttershy?” Twilight asked, Fluttershy just trembled in response. “Getting to Canterlot won’t be easy, and we don’t know what we’ll find when we get there. Nopony’s forcing you to go, you can head back if you want.”

“It might be safer,” Dash admitted, “but we wouldn’t leave without you if you wanted to stick together.”

“If you are comin’ back with us Miss Shy,” Big Mac chipped in, “I promise ah’ll look out for you.”

Fluttershy looked between all her friends. Big Mac standing stoically in front of the Cakes clutching their foals, bound for home, and the possibility of finding their missing friends. Twilight and Rainbow Dash standing shoulder to shoulder, Applebloom at their knees and the Mayor hovering in the background, their sights set on Canterlot, the hope of finding safety and perhaps even an end to this nightmare.

“I… I want to,” Fluttershy stammered before her mind became clear and her final decision was made, “I want to go to…”

Do you:

a) Canterlot-

b) Ponyville-