Chapters Day 1
“Thanks again for helping me,” Daisy said as the two ponies approached the hospital, “If you hadn’t come over when you did I don’t know how I would have delivered all these flowers.”
“Oh that’s alright,” Fluttershy responded modestly, “I’m glad to help.”
Fluttershy had run into Daisy earlier that morning in the market, it was a mild day and she’d finished her chores early, so she decided to take a walk. She had immediately seen Daisy was in a dilemma and offered her assistance. It turned out she had a huge order of flowers needing delivered to the Ponyville Hospital that day and Bon Bon hadn’t shown up to help her as she had promised.
So here they both were, entering the hospital laden with flowers. Fluttershy was surprised to see the staff in some distress and wondered what was going on.
“Hello Nurse Redheart,” she said approaching the nurse who was carrying stacks of charts, “what’s going on?”
“Oh Fluttershy, I’d like to talk but we have a bit of a crisis on our hooves,” she replied making to walk away, but Fluttershy made after her.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked, Daisy close behind her.
“Well, another couple of volunteers would be really helpful,” she admitted, “if you get washed up and head upstairs the Doctor can fill you in.”
Dropping their baskets of flowers in at reception they made their way into the wards where they were met by more distressed ponies running back and forth between rooms.
They made to continue but were stopped in their tracks by Doctor Hooves.
“I’m afraid I have to ask you both to leave, visiting hours have been cancelled today,” he informed them, but Fluttershy quickly explained hey had agreed to help. “In that case you’ll need to put on these masks and gloves.”
He handed them each some rubber gloves and surgical masks, they put them on as he filled them in.
“We’ve had a large number of patients coming in with similar symptoms,” he explained as they walked down the ward, “irritability, seizures, vomiting and a strong case of the munchies”
As they walked Fluttershy glanced through open doors and saw nurses holding down ponies who were flailing and screeching.
“We think it’s some kind delirium, perhaps caused by a water born disease,” he continued, “we can’t pin down anything as the patients are being incredibly difficult.”
They entered a ward full of ponies strapped to beds, struggling under their binds while nurses and doctors took blood samples and heart pressure.
“If you could just lend a hoof to some of the nurses here, it would be greatly appreciated,” he said leaving them there. They each looked at each other before making for one of the beds where a lone nurse was struggling to insert a line.
“We’ll help you with that,” Daisy said announcing their presence to the nurse, and together Daisy and Fluttershy held the pony still as the nurse inserted the needle and attached it to a drip. Fluttershy looked down at the struggling pony and was horrified to see how bloodshot their eyes were, how they foamed from the mouth, and how their breath stunk of rot.
They worked through most of that day, moving from bed to bed providing whatever aid they could. As the day went on Fluttershy noticed the number of ponies being brought in was increasing dramatically, but she recognised hardly any of them. One of the nurses mentioned most of the patients weren’t local to Ponyville but instead had just been found drifting by. It all passed by without incident until the end of the day when they were in a private room holding down yet another patient.
“Almost done,” the nurse who was taking a blood sample assured them, “you ladies have been really helpful today; once we’re done here you can both leave.”
However she didn’t finished that sentence as at that moment one of the straps gave way and the writhing pony sprang up. Fluttershy leapt back out of harms way, but Daisy wasn’t so quick. The pony sunk its teeth into her fore leg, but she managed to wrench it free as three doctors rushed in to subdue the patient. Fluttershy and Daisy left the room, Daisy cradling her leg.
“Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked, her heart still racing after the incident.
“I’m fine Fluttershy,” she assured her, “she barely broke through the skin.”
“Still, you should go get it treated while you’re here,” Fluttershy urged her.
“I guess,” she agreed, “I’ll see you tomorrow then, thanks again for helping me today, who’d have thought this is how we’d spend our day?”
Fluttershy laughed good naturedly but inside she was deeply shaken by the days events, she just wanted to get home, tend to the animals before curling up in bed.
“Hey Fluttershy,” a voice cried out from one of the rooms she passed on her way out. Sticking her head back she saw Pinkie Pie lying in a private room.
“Oh Pinkie, not you too,” Fluttershy said terrified.
“Not me what?” Pinkie asked confused, “I’m only here to get vaccinated.”
“So you’re not infected?” Fluttershy asked tentatively.
“Infected with what?” Pinkie asked sounding genuine.
“There’s a lot of ponies in the other wards with some disease that’s making them really violent,” Fluttershy told her.
“Really? Well I’m sure they’re just agitated, nothing a little Pinkie charm cant cure,” Pinkie said.
“No, you mustn’t,” Fluttershy exclaimed desperately, “it’s much too dangerous, just let the doctors handle it.”
“Okay,” Pinkie said grumpily, lying back. They exchanged a few more words before Fluttershy finally left the hospital.
It had been early afternoon when she’d arrived, but it was now dusk as she walked through Ponyville towards her cottage. It wasn’t unusual to find the streets deserted at this time, but being the middle of summer she usually encountered some ponies enjoying the dwindling heat of the setting sun. However on this occasion she encountered no other ponies, so she decided she’d take one last detour and visit Twilight, perhaps she would have some insight on all this.
Reaching the Ponyville library she was pleased to see lights on inside and upon knocking she heard the sound indicating Twilight was home. The door opened and Twilight Sparkle stood in the threshold looking tired.
“Oh hey Fluttershy, come on in,” Twilight said, her mood brightening. Fluttershy followed her in and noticed a stack of books piled on a desk and one lying open; she guessed Twilight was in the middle of studying.
Twilight served some tea and they sat together and Fluttershy listened as Twilight told her about her day, explaining that Spike had gone away to Canterlot that morning.
“so how was your day?” she said at last, Fluttershy began light hearted as she talked about the little things like caring for the critters and running into Daisy, but then became more serious as she began telling Twilight about the events at the hospital.
“Well that does sound awfully peculiar,” Twilight agreed when she finished, “but its probably just a little outbreak of something, they’ll vaccinate it and soon this will all blow over.”
“Are you sure Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, not convinced, “you don’t think it could be anything… worse?”
“I’m sure its just a small disease Fluttershy, you really have nothing to worry about,” Twilight assured her, but seeing Fluttershy wasn’t convinced she continued, “I think I’ve done enough studying for one day, how about I go over there and see for myself?”
“Oh I wouldn’t want you to go out of your way just to reassure me,” Fluttershy implored, but Twilight waved it aside.
“its not really out of my way, I can visit Pinkie while I’m there, and who knows, I might be able to help with whatever this is.”
“Well, if you’re sure,” Fluttershy said as they walked to the front door together. Once Twilight had extinguished all the lights and locked the door, they went their separate ways. It was now pitch black and Fluttershy was looking forward to getting to bed more than ever now.
Day 2
Fluttershy blinked slightly, she wasn’t sure what had woken her up, but now that she was awake she had an eerie feeling. Reluctantly she pulled herself out of her warm bed and dragged herself over to the window. Straining her eyes in the dark she struggled to make out anything, it was a cloudy night and there was no light to aid her, and yet she had the distinct feeling there was someone in her garden, or something.
Then a cloud shifted and for a brief second her garden was illuminated by the light of the moon, and there stood the silhouette of a pony. Fluttershy squealed and ducked out of sight, praying it hadn’t seen her. Her first thoughts were of a burglar, so she scrambled across the floor and buried herself under the covers again praying they’d just leave out of good intentions. She wasn’t sure if it was real or just her imagination, but she was convinced she heard them walking through the grass in her yard, and what sounded like moaning.
Fluttershy was trembling under the blanket, she hadn’t heard anything for a minute or two, whether it be real or imaginary. Then she heard a high pitched creaking and she felt her heart stop as she tried to remember if she locked the front door. She heard the low thuds as whoever the figure was began walking around downstairs; she was surprised that any burglar would make that much noise. Creeping from the bed, but carrying the covers over her, she edged across the landing and peered downstairs. She could just about make out the shadowy figure stumbling around, they didn’t seem to have a clue what they were doing.
They moaned again and Fluttershy suddenly relaxed, clearly they were injured and seeking some help. Removing the blanket she crept down the stairs, not waning to startle them.
“Um, excuse me,” she said quietly, the figure stopped shifting around and started looking about for the source of the noise.
“Excuse me,” she said louder, the figure turning to face her “are you alright? Do you need help?”
The pony began moving towards her, breathing heavily, they really didn’t sound too well.
Tentatively Fluttershy came down the last few steps and picked up a lantern. As she fiddled with it trying to get it lit, she couldn’t see the pony but could hear it moving. Finally getting the candle wick to catch light she raised her head to see the pony standing directly in front of her. Fluttershy screamed, dropping the lantern which smashed on the ground, the candle rolling across the floor. She leapt back as the pony lunged at her, opening its mouth, baring its teeth and snarling. Fluttershy kicked out and as it stumbled back she scrambled to her hooves and charged back up the stairs. Looking back she could see it limping towards her in the flickering light of the candle, it seemed to be dragging half itself behind it. It stared directly up at her and once again she saw the bloodshot eyes and rotten skin clinging to its face.
“What are you?” Fluttershy screamed as the thing began clambering up the stairs after her, rasping and screeching.
Running back up to her bedroom she searched desperately for something to defend herself with. Her heart was racing as she clutched the fire poker and cowered into the corner shaking with terror. After a minute of listening to the sound of her own terrified breathing and the ponies painful rattling breaths she began to hope it might not be able to get up the stairs, but then her heart sank as its head appeared, the body dragging itself up on its stomach. Fluttershy held the poker out in front of her, it shook uncontrollably as the pony picked itself up and made its horrifically slow across the room to her.
“Please, I don’t want to hurt you,” she begged, trying to push herself further into the corner, but it kept on coming, and when it was in arm’s length it threw itself forward. Fluttershy panicked, and in her terrified state she drove the poker forward, piercing the pony’s chest. She let go of it horrified as the pony fell back. She stood breathing heavily looking down at the still body, then she slumped to the floor and began sobbing, but then she heard something, a faint grunting. Looking back up she saw the body convulse, the limbs stretching out, steadily raising it back into a standing position.
Fluttershy opened her mouth, but no sound came out, she just stared in horror. The poker had gone right through its heart, what she was seeing now was impossible, but the thing that stood before her acted like it couldn’t even feel the metal rod sticking out of its ribcage, and struck again. Fluttershy barely reacted in time, rolling across the floor and charging back down the stairs. In her haste she tripped and fell into a heap in the living room which was considerably brighter than it had been a moment ago.
Looking around wildly she saw her sofa had caught fire, and a small blaze was spreading through the corner of the room. Critters and various animals fled the cottage, Angel rushing to her side and pulling her up; desperately signalling they had to go. Looking back one last time Fluttershy saw the creature at the top of the stairs stumbling down towards her, and with that she scooped Angel up and charged from the cottage.
Her front yard was now well lit by the fire spreading through her home, and she took advantage of this to rush around and quickly release the animals that were locked up like the chickens. Once she was satisfied every animal could look after itself she galloped away in the direction of Ponyville, Angel still clinging to her back. The fire had illuminated her garden, but the light hadn’t shone far enough for her to see the pony standing in the road. She was knocked back as she charged head long into it; ad quickly uttered an apology before hearing the familiar moaning and rasping noises coming from the pony.
Fluttershy threw herself back as it collapsed right where she had been a second ago, and began shuffling back trying to put as much distance between her and it as possible. Angel had fallen off her and now she couldn’t see him anywhere, but she couldn’t look as she was in enough trouble herself. She kicked out and threw loose stones her hooves knocked across as she clambered, but it kept on coming. She slide back as fast as she could until she felt something hard at her back, glancing over her shoulder she saw she was pressed up against a rock face, the creature was too close for her to try and escape any other way, she took a breath and waited for the end.
Then as the pony lunged one last time at her, something came falling from the air sending it to the ground. Fluttershy sat frozen, she looked down at the body which was totally still, its head cracked open and a large boulder lying next to it. She rushed to her hooves and ran a safe distance away, the other one got back up after being stabbed in the heart, this one might do the same. But as she watched it remained perfectly still, a rock to the head seemed to do the job. Then she saw Angel on top of the rock she had crawled up against, Angel must have pushed the boulder onto the pony’s head.
“Thank you Angel, you saved me,” Fluttershy said gratefully, Angel hopped down from the rock and returned to her back. Fluttershy looked around trying to orientate herself again, she quickly got back on the path to Ponyville and as she ran they began to hear noise coming from the town, it sounded like screaming. Trotting over the crest of the hill Fluttershy gasped as she saw Ponyville in a state of chaos that would make Discord gulp. The streets were swarming with a mixture of terrified ponies running for safety and more of the things that had attacked her. She watched one pony tripped and was immediately bore down upon by several of the things, that appeared to begin eating her alive.
Every one of her instincts was screaming at her to run away, to protect herself, but she couldn’t do it, she had to find her friends. Putting her fears to the back of her mind she rushed into the streets. It was madness in Ponyville, she called desperately to passing ponies but none of them acknowledged her, too focused on their own safety. Taking a gamble Fluttershy began running in the direction of Carousel Boutique, weaving through the stumbling hordes of monsters.
She had speed granted by her fear to her advantage, coupled with the sluggishness of the creatures movements she was able to evade them easily. However the shear number of them proved challenging, she was forced to keep on her toes at all times. As she ran past the town hall she heard her name being shouted over the commotion. Looking around she saw Applejack running towards her, her hat discarded and her mane flowing free.
“Fluttershy, have you seen Applebloom?” she asked desperately skidding to a halt beside Fluttershy who was ducked behind a hay cart.
“I haven’t found anypony yet,” she replied sadly.
“Applebloom was having a sleepover at Scootaloo’s, but they’re not there any more,” Applejack informed her in a panicked voice.
“Can we hide at your farm?” Fluttershy began to ask but Applejack shook her head.
“The farms over run, I got separated from the others.”
Together they sprinted from their cover as a group of creatures hobbled towards them. They dashed through the streets, Fluttershy looking all around them for signs of their friends, but it was impossible to make out anything in the havoc. They were still running in the direction of Rarity’s until they were forced to halt on account of the street being blocked by a collapsed house, flames rising from the ruin.
“What are we going to do?” Fluttershy begged, Applejack was breathing heavily looking all around for a possible solution.
“One thing’s for sure,” she said at last as they both noticed the horde encroaching upon them again, “we can’t stay here.”
Choosing a direction at random they charged away, it was almost impossible to get their bearings amidst all the confusion. As she glanced over her shoulder, Fluttershy felt something catch around her leg and she fell sprawling to the ground.
“Applejack,” she cried out.
Applejack hadn’t noticed her fall but heard her scream and turned back. Helping Fluttershy up they both dived for cover underneath a cart tipped on its side.
“This is insane,” Applejack commented. Fluttershy scanned the area, she could see Twilight’s house and beyond that the train station.
“Do you think we can reach the station?” she asked shakily. Applejack considered.
“It’s pretty far off, and that’s a lot of those things between here and there.”
Glancing back Fluttershy saw they were perched on the edge of the Everfree Forest; she quivered but knew if all was lost they could always hide in there.
“What do you think?” Applejack asked noticing where Fluttershy was looking. She was about to answer but then a train whistle broke through the air. “What ever you’re choosing you’d better do it quick.”
Fluttershy’s heart was racing as she saw a trickle of steam rise from the train, but she also saw the swarms of creatures gathered in the path.
“Fluttershy,” Applejack screamed, “you have to decide now!”
Do you:
a) Try for the train-
b) Flee to the forest-
Flee to the Forest
“We’ll never make it,” Fluttershy said tearing her eyes from the train. Applejack nodded in acceptance, and together they sprang to their hooves and ran into the Everfree Forest, leaving the Ponyville behind them. After the light of the town, they were thrown into absolute darkness upon passing the tree line.
“Stay close,” Applejack said quietly, Fluttershy obliged and edged in closer. They crept silently through the undergrowth, their ears pricked up to catch the slightest sounds, but everything was silent in here.
They continued walking until they reached a small stream where they stopped for a drink.
“We’re not getting anywhere in this dark,” Applejack said, “We need to buckle down and wait till morning.”
“What if more of those things come?” Fluttershy asked looking all around them.
“Don’t worry, you get some rest, I’ll keep a look out.”
Fluttershy curled up on a patch of grass, but she couldn’t sleep, she was terrified, both for herself and Applejack as well as her other friends whose fates were a mystery to her.
Just as she felt herself drifting into a stupor she was shaken urgently awake by Applejack who was on full alert. Springing to her hooves she peered through the darkness, Angel sat stock still, bracing himself to run. Then Fluttershy heard what had alerted Applejack, the rustling of grass and the snapping of twigs on the ground.
“Should we run?” she asked nervously, but Applejack didn’t answer, she didn’t look afraid either. Looking back up Fluttershy saw a faint blue light breaking through the darkness.
Then to their delight, Rarity stepped through the trees into the clearing.
“Rarity,” they exclaimed in unison, and they rushed forward and embraced their friend. Following Rarity was Sweetie Belle, Granny Smith, Cheerilee, Rose Luck and Zecora.
“We were afraid nobody else had made it out,” Rarity said as Applejack and Granny Smith embraced.
“But where’s Appleblom?” Applejack asked suddenly, grabbing Sweetie Belle by the shoulders and shaking her.
“I wasn’t with her,” she answered quickly, “Rarity wouldn’t let me go to the sleepover, I don’t know what happened to Applebloom and Scootaloo.”
Applejack fell to the ground and buried her face into the grass. Fluttershy leaned down and held her, but she could feel her shaking with tears.
“We can’t stay here,” Cheerilee said, “we were being chased by some of them before we entered the forest, they might be looking for us now.”
“Then we have to get moving,” Rarity said taking charge of the situation. Fluttershy scooped Angel onto her back while Granny Smith urged Applejack to move. Sweetie Belle ran close to her sister’s side and Zecora remained at the back of the group, not talking to any of them.
“Um Rarity,” Fluttershy began tentatively, moving up beside her, “what are those things.”
“Alas Fluttershy, I have no idea,” she admitted, remaining focused on the forest route.
“Zombies,” Sweetie Belle suggested.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Rarity scolded.
“They are,” Sweetie Belle insisted, “I saw one being eaten by worms.”
“Enough Sweetie Belle,” Rarity commanded shuddering, “there is no such thing as zombies.”
Fluttershy wasn’t sure however, fluttering around to the other side of Rarity she leaned down to Sweetie Belle.
“What do you know about zombies?” she asked, Rarity rolled her eyes but didn’t interrupt.
“They can’t be killed, except by destroying the brain,” Sweetie Belle said in a hushed voice. Fluttershy thought back to the two that attacked her, how it got right back up after she stabbed it with the fire poker and the other died after Angel dropped the rock on its head.
“What else?” she asked.
“If they bite you, you become one,” Sweetie Belle told her. Fluttershy remembered what the doctor had said about a ‘strong case of the munchies’ and then stopped dead still as she remembered Daisy.
“I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for all this that doesn’t involve…” Cheerilee said walking up behind them, but drifted off not wanting to say the Z word out loud.
“Fluttershy, be a dear and take a look out over the canopy for us,” Rarity requested, though Fluttershy had the distinct feeling she wasn’t being given a choice. Spreading her wings she raised up through the branches into the night sky, Angel clinging to her mane. She scanned the entire forest; they seemed to have made good progress through it.
Looking back she saw the orange glow of the blazing buildings in Ponyville, and felt a vast emptiness inside her.
“Do you believe this zombie idea?” she asked Angel who responded with a series of gestures which she understood to mean ‘we can’t rule it out’. She nodded and continued looking across the forest, it was getting lighter, dawn wasn’t far off. In the slight darkness she could make out a dark building not too far away, perhaps it was the temple they found the Elements of Harmony.
Drifting back down she relayed this information to Rarity.
“Then that’s where we’ll go,” she decided without consulting the others, and immediately set off, the rest off the group trailing behind. Fluttershy noticed Applejack was falling behind, and she hadn’t spoken since they set off from the stream. She wanted to say something to her, to comfort her, but she hadn’t a clue what could possibly make her feel better at a time like this.
Fluttershy was thankful that the journey passed by without incident, it seemed they had left the zombies behind, but still, the forest felt eerie. Reaching the crevice where Rainbow Dash had tied the rope bridge they saw the temple clearly in the dim glow beginning to appear over the horizon.
“We should be able to rest there,” Rarity said, the others were only too glad, they were exhausted. Crossing the bridge in single file they approached the temple, Rarity taking the lead and opening the old rotten doors.
“Alright, we can rest here,” Rarity informed them, to which Applejack finally had enough.
“And who put you in charge?” she demanded.
“Well nopony else seemed able to rise to the occasion,” she said dismissively. Applejack opened her mouth ready to retort but Fluttershy cut in.
“Girls, this is no time for arguing,” neither of them said anything, but they didn’t look like they were finished.
Reluctantly every pony tried to get some sleep, Fluttershy offered to take watch and Zecora said she would also stay up. They sat together perfectly silent, looking out the arched windows for any signs of approaching zombies. Angel lay next to Fluttershy, his leg twitching slightly as he snoozed, Zecora seemed intent to stare out and not acknowledge Fluttershy at all.
“So um,” Fluttershy began awkwardly after an unbearably long period of silence, “what were you doing in Ponyville?”
“My home was ransacked,” she explained, “I came to warn Ponyville, but I found it too had been attacked.”
Fluttershy nodded and went back to staring out the window.
Time passed by and eventually the sun hung high in the sky, the summer heat causing her to sweat and pant. Then she saw a figure shift at the edge the forest, and squinting her eyes she made out a zombie stumbling across the tree line. She tapped Zecora on the shoulder and pointed, they both starred intently, readying themselves to warn the others if it came to it. It didn’t look like it would come to that however as the zombie continued along the edge of the forest and vanished past the tree line after several minutes of ridiculously slow walking.
Fluttershy walked across the room to where the others lay sleeping and nudged Rarity awake.
“Rarity wake up,” she said, then added, “if you don’t mind.”
Rarity stirred and sat up, Fluttershy told her about the zombie that passed by.
“We can’t stay here for much longer,” she said once Fluttershy was finished, “we’re very exposed, and we need food.”
“We should head back,” Applejack said, they both jumped slightly, not realising she was awake.
“That would be suicide,” Rarity said disdainfully.
“So we should save ourselves, let our friends die,” Applejack challenged her.
“There’s no guarantee there’s still anypony back in Ponyville,” Rarity argued, “We have to look after the ones we can.”
“Easy for you to say,” Applejack snarled, “your sisters here and safe.”
“Please don’t fight,” Fluttershy begged, “I’m sure we can come up with a compromise.”
“We could always go to Dodge,” Rose Luck said shyly, again they hadn’t realised she was awake, “not too far from Ponyville so that others might find us there, but it might be safe, and it definitely has food.”
“That sounds agreeable for the time being,” Rarity conceded, Applejack didn’t argue, but she didn’t look completely convinced either. With that decision made they woke Granny Smith, Sweetie Belle, Cheerilee and Angel and filled them in on the plan. None of them had a problem with it, though Angel asked Fluttershy to the side if she really thought it was a good idea, Fluttershy wasn’t sure, but she accepted it couldn’t be any worse than staying here.
The afternoon was well underway when they finally set off, re entering the forest. Fluttershy observed the group, the tension was palpable. Applejack and Rarity were staring daggers at each other, Zecora seemed detached from them all, and Granny smith was lagging behind more than usual. Only Cheerilee, Rose Luck and Sweetie Belle seemed fine, well as fine as you could expect to be when you had been chased from your home by zombies and many of your friends were quite possibly dead.
None of them spoke to each other, just remained focused on getting through the forest and reaching Dodge. Fluttershy opened her mouth, wanting to say something that might relax the atmosphere when they all came to a stop. Fluttershy had heard it too, the sound of branches snapping and leaves rustling. Looking up she saw a figure fly through the trees and come smashing down to the ground in front of her. She quickly recognised the Pegasus Cloudchaser, but she also quickly noticed the way she lay trembling on the ground, her rear leg sticking out at an awkward angle.
Cheerilee and Fluttershy ran in to help her but she screamed and tried to crawl away from them. As she did she exposed her left flank and Fluttershy saw the gash in her side covered in dry blood. Holding her still they looked closer and it became apparent to them all that something had taken a bite out of Cloudchaser’s flank. Sweetie Belle backed away and Fluttershy knew why, she recognised the symptoms, the rasping breath, the bloodshot eyes, she really was turning right in front of them.
“I guess we’d better put her down,” Applejack stated in a neutral tone. Rarity looked up horrified.
“She has a small infection and you want to kill her,” she exclaimed.
“She’s bitten,” Applejacks announced, “you heard what Sweetie Belle said, in a minute she’s gonna be like them.”
“For the last time,” Rarity shouted furiously, “there is no such thing as zombies. Now would you mind removing your executioner hood and try helping me.”
Fluttershy looked at Applejack, she knew she was right, but she also knew she didn’t have it in her to do it. Standing up she pulled at Rarity trying to get her to back off while Applejack searched for a tool.
“Let go Fluttershy,” she ordered, “don’t tell me they’ve scared you into believing that old mare’s tale as well.”
“Rarity…” Fluttershy began, but Rarity shook her off.
“Rose, lend me a hoof will you,” she commanded. Rose Luck obliged and leaned over Cloudchaser; Cheerilee backed off and went to stand beside Zecora, Granny Smith and Sweetie Belle.
Fluttershy stood up and watched their feeble attempts to treat the bloody Pegasus; Applejack was standing nearby, a rock cradled in her fore leg. As they watched, Cloudchaser slowly slipped away, her breathing cutting off, her eyes closing. Rarity stood up and faced them, looking angry.
“You see, she’s not a zombie, she was just an injured filly who needed our help,” but no sooner had the words left her mouth than Cloudchaser sprang up sinking her teeth into Rose Luck’s neck.
Rose screamed as she tried to pull away, but Cloudchaser held fast. Fluttershy charged in and tried to pull Rose away while Applejack ran up and began hammering the rock down upon Cloudchaser’s head. After three hits she crumpled to the ground, her skull caved in, and Rose lay back shaking profusely.
“You see,” Applejack shouted at Rarity, “you see what happens, you can’t tell me those aren’t zombies.”
“I…” Rarity stuttered, heavily shaken by what had just taken place.
Cheerilee had vomited and Sweetie Belle was clutching Granny Smith and crying into her shoulder. Angel hopped across to Rose Luck and sniffed her; he looked up at Fluttershy who immediately knew what Angel was indicating. Rose couldn’t speak, she couldn’t even breath, she was fading fast, and both Fluttershy and Applejack knew what they had to do. Applejack leaned down and cradled Rose’s head in her forelegs and breathed heavily.
“I’m so sorry Rose Luck,” she said, before snapping her neck.
They waited there for only a few minutes, Sweetie Belle wanted to bury them, but Rarity explained they didn’t have the time, and so reluctantly they all moved off again, leaving the scene of death and the Everfree Forest behind them. The plains they emerged onto were scarce with life, small patches of grass littered their sights, but all too quickly it turned into a blank stretch of desert. The heat of the summer sun beginning its descent in the sky made them all feel heavy and tired. Fluttershy was finding it difficult to put one hoof in front of the other, her wings trailed out behind her and Angel lay slumped on her back.
Dodge City emerged mercifully quick, rippling in the heat like a mirage, Fluttershy dreaded for a moment that’s exactly what it was, but after what felt like a lifetime and hiking through the scorching desert they arrived at the edge of Dodge with the sun sitting low in the sky. It was a ghost town; the entire town was stripped of life. As they wandered the streets she felt a pang in her chest, this could very well be Ponyville.
“Alright y’all, keep your eyes open and follow me,” Applejack instructed in a whisper, “I reckon our best bet at food is the cherry orchard.”
None of them chose to argue, not even Rarity, although she didn’t look happy about having Applejack assume command. Fluttershy crept along behind Applejack, Angel sitting atop her head, his eyes swivelling across the empty streets. They seemed to be nearing their destination as Applejack was picking up the pace, her attention becoming increasingly more focused on a cluster of buildings directly in front of them. As Fluttershy trotted behind she glanced nervously over her shoulder and spotted what she guessed was the town hall. It reminded her of the one in Ponyville, except there was a tall clock tower on top rather than the large dome she was familiar with.
In the split second her eyes met the clock face her heart gave a sudden jolt, it read 5:59.
“Applejack,” she whispered urgently. The farm pony stopped mid stride and looked around, opening her mouth to question her, but before she could, the clock struck six. the entire party froze as the tolls began echoing out across the previously silent street, they stood stock still, their breaths caught in their throats as the clock chimed out and the street was once again left utterly silent, but not for long.
Fluttershy’s ears perked up as small sounds began emanating from all around them, the creaking of floor boards, the shifting of barrels, but most prominently, the low moaning. They came from every corner, every nook, and every cranny. They looked somehow more horrifying in the light of day, as their gruesome features were made painfully clear. Their pale skin hanging loosely and tattered from their exposed muscles, their twitching limbs, and the oh so familiar stench of death.
“Run now!” Applejack ordered, scooping Granny Smith onto her back and breaking into a gallop.
She didn’t need to tell the rest twice, as the dead began ambling towards them, Fluttershy, Cheerilee, Zecora and Rarity dashed after Applejack, the latter holding Sweetie Belle in her magical aura. Fluttershy panted as she fought to keep up with the others, she could feel Angel clinging to her skull and knew he must be terrified. The door to the Cheery house was so close, Fluttershy tried to fight her desire to look back, but after as the gap continued to decrease she knew she couldn’t fight it and glanced back.
The sight nearly made her trip in panic; it seemed the whole population of Dodge was after them, the street was filled with the infected.
“Fluttershy!” Rarity shouted, pulling her attention back in front of her. Applejack had reached the door and was hammering against it, to everyponies’ dismay, it appeared to be locked. Crossing the final steps the group came to be gathered at the closed door as the inhabitants of Dodge began closing around them.
“Can’t you buck it down?” Rarity demanded, her voice filled with fear.
“’Course I can, but then they can follow us in!” she shouted back still struggling against the door, as if hoping it would unlock itself.
“We don’t have time!” Cheerilee pleaded, “We can just barricade it but we have to get inside now!”
Applejack yelled in frustration setting Granny Smith down before rearing up and driving her forehooves down upon the wooden obstacle, smashing it to pieces.
“In, now!” she ordered, standing back to allow the rest to go in ahead of her. Fluttershy was the last to pass through the door frame before Applejack entered. Quickly she cast her eyes about the musky room, searching desperately for something to pin against the door way.
“Here!” Applejack called out, putting her weight to a large cabinet. Zecora ran forward and helped Applejack shift it in front of the door, it was large enough to do the job, but would it hold against the horde? Applejack was leaning against the cabinet as it began to tremble against the battering it was taking from the other side. The walls did little to block out the moaning filling the streets, all the ponies gathered panted, at a loss for what to do. Fluttershy noticed a dense clattering filling the room and realised the creatures were knocking against the windows on either side of the door.
“This is hopeless,” Applejack huffed, “Cheerilee, Rarity, put your weight against this.”
Rarity chose not to argue, setting Sweetie Belle down she hurried over to help Cheerilee push against the cabinet.
“Zecora ah need your help, but it’s gonna be dangerous,” Applejack said turning to the zebra.
“Whatever you need my friend, help I shall always lend,” Zecora responded with determination.
“Good, now follow me,” she said sprinting from the room out a back door, Zecora followed without question.
“Applejack!” Rarity screamed, “Where does she think she’s going?”
Fluttershy rushed over to Sweetie Belle who was sobbing quietly in the corner. Wrapping her hooves around the unicorns head she began cooing softly to her. The room was then filled with smashing as the windows began caving in under the assault. Angel hopped in front of Fluttershy and stood aggressively, ready to defend her until the death. Just as she was sure they were doomed another sound was mixed with those of the infected, it was somepony shouting from outside, and the clanging of metal.
The ponies struggling to get in began to cease their assault, seemingly distracted by whatever was going on in the street. Warily, Fluttershy crept forward toward one of the broken windows, the ponies outside having lost interest in breaking their way in and now moving away. Reaching the window she stood up and looked out into the street they had run through. There at the base of the town hall was Applejack and Zecora, each shouting as loud as they could and beating seemingly random pieces of junk together.
Fluttershy gasped as she realised what they were doing, they were using themselves as bait to lure the creatures away. As the infected began covering the distance towards them, Applejack nodded once at Zecora and the pair dropped their objects. Zecora began trotting away, not too fast for her pursuers to lose interest, but not slow enough for them to catch her either.
“Don’t worry about us!” Applejack called out to them, “we’ll shake ‘em and circle on back!”
With that she too dashed off down a different street from Zecora, the creatures splitting up to chase them down.
The group stood inside the building in utter silence for some time, catching their breath and not daring to hope that they were indeed in the clear. It was only when Rarity stood back from the cabinet she had been leaning against that the silence was broken.
“Alright, it seems we’re safe for now,” she announced, “but we’ll need to secure ourselves while waiting for them to come back.”
It wasn’t until night fall that they heard any movement in the streets. The remainder of the day had been spent boarding up the windows with materials they found in a store room out back, mostly at the guidance of Granny Smith, as Rarity who despite her attempts to take charge of the situation, had no idea how to fortify the building. Once they were secured inside the building they cracked open one of the food reserves they had discovered upon their search of the place, which Rarity rationed out, giving rather liberal amounts to Sweetie Belle, although nopony objected.
When they heard the light trotting in the street Fluttershy ran to the back door they surmised Applejack had left through with Zecora, to let them in. Applejack ran up, panting and clutching her hat to her head, Fluttershy quickly bundled her in, locking the door behind them before pulling Applejack into a tight embrace.
“You were so brave, we never would have made it out if not for you,” she said as she pulled back.
“Shucks, it was nothin’, ah jus’ did what ah had ta,” she replied modestly, “is Zecora back?”
Fluttershy shook her head with worry; Applejack nodded but then brightened up.
“Don’t worry Sugarcube,” she began, “ah’m sure she’ll be along soon enough. Now what say we go see the others.”
With that the pair entered the main room, where Applejack was fed and thanked, and they all sat awake, waiting for Zecora to return, but it quickly became apparent she never would.
Day 12
Dodge had become comfortable enough once they finished securing the cherry farm, a feat made all the easier by Applejack’s contributions. Along with that the farm perimeter was already fenced, so once inside they could wonder through safely, with full access to the cheery trees, which Applejack was more than capable of tending. When they needed something that wasn’t already in the farm they would travel out in pairs and scavenge through the other houses for supplies. Fluttershy had been nervous about doing this the first day, but quickly found she had a knack for moving quickly and quietly.
She would either travel out with Applejack or Rarity, the former normally when they knew heavy lifting was required, but on this day it was the latter she was travelling with. They moved through a side street after Fluttershy had checked to see if the coast was clear, Rarity seemed distracted, but Fluttershy didn’t want to talk while they were out in the open. Once they reached their destination, a building that was once a general store, Rarity stepped forward and began fiddling with the lock. While Fluttershy knew she’d never admit it, even Rarity wasn’t delicate enough to pick locks, instead she settled for systematically breaking them apart in the neatest way possible.
Once the door was unlocked the two crept forward and made their way into the dimly lit shop.
“Okay,” Rarity began, I previous visit to this shop earlier during their stay had proven there were no infected inside, so they were free to talk. “Let’s get to work, see what we missed.”
Fluttershy nodded and set about scouring the shelves for anything that might be useful. They had already been scarce upon their arrival, stripped down by the few survivors who had been lucky enough to get out alive, coupled with their earlier salvage trips, there was hardly anything worth claiming.
Still Fluttershy packed her saddlebags with assorted metal fittings, threads, and other seemingly useless items, perhaps they could find a use for them.
“So Fluttershy,” Rarity said at last, discarding a small gas cooker broken beyond repair. “Have you thought any more about leaving?”
Fluttershy gulped, she had been afraid of this, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to avoid it forever.
“I still don’t know,” she replied hesitantly, “we seem pretty well off where we are.”
She knew Rarity wouldn’t react well to hearing that, and she wasn’t disappointed.
“But surely darling, you’re not happy?” she enquired, sounding more like she was telling Fluttershy what she felt rather than asking her. “Don’t you hate having to sneak around, ration food and fear for your life?”
“Of course I do, but…” Fluttershy began only to be cut off.
“Exactly, we’re accomplishing nothing by hiding here,” she continued, “We should go now while we have food to manage travelling.”
“But, what if everywhere is the same?” Fluttershy pleaded, “What if this is the best we’re going to find.”
“I refuse to believe that,” Rarity said curtly, “it is my duty to find what’s best for my sister, surely you can appreciate that?”
Fluttershy didn’t answer; she didn’t know how she could possibly answer that. Instead she skulked away, heading for the counter to check for stuff that was missed.
She faintly heard Rarity give an annoyed groan at her departure, but shook her head to ignore the guilty feeling; she had to stay focused on the job, that’s what Applejack always said. As she continued to think she was barely aware of her own movements, until her hoof collided painfully with something jutting out of the floor. She gasped, flinching away and looking down. It appeared to be a loose floor board, bent awkwardly so it was raised higher than the rest of the floor. Sighing she placed her hoof back down, and immediately became aware of something cool against her shin, almost like a breeze.
Curiously she reached forward and shifted the floor board out of the way. The gap it created definitely revealed something beneath the floor, but it was too dark to see. Reaching into her saddlebags she pulled out a hammer, which she used to loosen the other boards on either side of the hole she had created. After several minutes of grunting and starting to break out into sweat the hole was now big enough to fit through.
“Still too dark,” she muttered to herself before raisin her head over the counter. “Rarity, I think I found something.”
The unicorn didn’t hesitate to come over, clearly finding nothing of use herself. Once she arrived she immediately saw the issue and lit her horn up, using the faint blue light to illuminate the hole in front of them. Fluttershy had assumed it was a basement, but instead it was just a single square hole, about three feet by three feet. Resting in the bottom was a small crate.
“Ohhh,” Rarity murmured, “well done Fluttershy.”
using her telekinesis she began to heave the box out of the hole, it was clearly heavier than anything she was used to lifting as she was visibly straining under the weight of it.
Soon enough however it was set down in front of them and the pair grinned widely, eager to see what treasures they had uncovered. Using the hammer again, Fluttershy eased the nails out holding the lid in place until it was ready to lift off. Depositing the hammer back in her bag she looked Rarity in the eye. She nodded and together they took a deep breath before Fluttershy slid the lid off.
“Jackpot!” they exclaimed in unison. Before them the crate was packed to the brim with small metal canisters, each bearing a label indicating their contents.
“Potatoes, carrots, beans…” Rarity read off, lifting can after can out of the box in her magical aura. “Fluttershy… this is perfect! There’s enough food here to see us to Manehattan.”
Fluttershy didn’t respond to that, instead she just emptied her saddle bags of the useless junk she had accumulated and began filling them instead with the tins of food. Her silence hadn’t gone unnoticed by Rarity; although she eyed Fluttershy suspiciously she didn’t comment but instead also began packing the food away. By the time the crate was empty they were both heavily laden with food, it wouldn’t be easy getting back to the farm.
Taking the lead, Rarity ambled towards the back door they had entered through. They probably weren’t going to find anything else, but if they did there was no way either of them could carry anything more. As she reached the door she reached out ready to swing it open, but was pulled back by Fluttershy. Rarity seemed to excited by their discovery to have noticed, but Fluttershy was constantly wary of her surroundings, and the faint moaning emanating from outside hadn’t escaped her notice. Rarity turned ready to question Fluttershy’s actions but was cut off by a yellow hoof pressed against her mouth.
Moving as silently as she could, Fluttershy inched the door open, allowing only a sliver of light to come in, but enough room for her to just about make out the alley they had entered from. There were at least half a dozen infected gathered there, seemingly oblivious to the potential meal mere feet away. Pulling back from the door just as silently, Fluttershy muttered a rare curse word before turning back to Rarity.
“How many?” she questioned in a whisper.
“Six, maybe more,” Fluttershy replied looking all around the main room of the shop for other possible exits.
“We can try the front door,” Rarity suggested as they crept away from the back exit.
“No good,” Fluttershy responded shaking her head, “too open, we’d never be able to sneak away with all this stuff.”
Rarity nodded reluctantly, giving Fluttershy an odd look.
“So what do you suggest?” Fluttershy thought it over for a moment, the alley was their best chance at getting back to the farm laden with all this salvage, but they couldn’t use it… could they?
“Follow me,” Fluttershy ordered, a moment of inspiration giving way to her more assertive side. Moving as quickly as she could without making too much noise, she circled the store, arriving at an employee only door, Rarity remaining a few steps behind. Swinging it open the pair discovered a staircase they already knew to be there from their previous visit. Ascending it swiftly, Fluttershy followed along the wall until she was crouched beneath a window overlooking the alleyway.
“Alright Rarity, I’ve got a plan,” she began turning to the unicorn.
Rarity listened intently as Fluttershy explained, it would be simple enough, and yet so long as there were no complications it would be perfect. Once she was sure what she had to do, she moved over to the window, her horn lighting up. Fluttershy gave her a nod and looking out the window her horn gave a surge of power. The back door was flung open, the sound ringing through the alley way, all of the infected spun around to find the source of the noise. Fluttershy watched as Rarity shut her eyes, picturing the shop below them. As she did, faint crashing noises could be heard beneath them.
Looking out the window, Fluttershy was pleased to see they were taking the bait and all of the infected were stumbling through the back door to investigate the source of the noise. Once all were safely inside and out of the way, Fluttershy gave Rarity a tap on the shoulder and she ceased her destruction of the room bellow, instead focusing her magic on the back door once again, closing it much more gently so as not to alert the infected of their sudden imprisonment. With that step cleared, Fluttershy unlatched the window and began angling herself out.
Once her legs and head were freed, she let herself free fall to the ground, spreading her wings to slow her descent. Once she was safely on the ground she looked back up at Rarity who was in the process of climbing through the window herself. She gave one noticeable gulp before letting her self fall down after, her horn flashing once and her body glowing with a pale blue light, causing her to fall at a similar speed of a feather caught in a light breeze. Once both were safely on the ground and satisfied their escape had gone unnoticed by the infected now rummaging through the general store, they set off the way they had come, their new found loot safely stored in their bags.
They arrived at the farm without encountering anymore infected, which was lucky considering neither were in any state for running away on account of the bags weighing them down. As the perimeter gate loomed into view, it was swung open by a familiar purple mare. Cheerilee eyed the street nervously as she let them both pass through, quickly slamming the gate behind them.
“Thank goodness you’re both safe,” she said, sounding relieved. While none of them had found themselves in any great peril beyond the first day in Dodge, this whole situation had the poor teacher down to her last nerves, panicking at the slightest thing.
“Yes, we’re safe, and we have wonderful news,” Rarity informed her, leading the way into the main building. as they walked across Fluttershy saw Applejack working the fields, upon meeting her eye she stopped what she was doing and trotted up to meet them, walking in pace with Fluttershy.
“hey there Sugarcube, everything alright out there?” she asked warmly, Fluttershy nodded giving a little gesture towards her heavy looking saddle bags which hadn’t escaped Applejack’s notice. upon entering the building she saw Granny Smith sitting as she normally did on the rocking chair Applejack had fixed up for her, being fed some soup by Angel.
Fluttershy smiled at the sight, the little rabbit had taken a great fondness for the Apple family matriarch. Sweetie Belle ran over to them as they entered, eager to see what they had brought back. Once the general greetings and assurances of ell being were out of the way they all gathered around the table in the centre as Fluttershy and Rarity deposited the contents of their saddlebags.
“Oh my!” Cheerilee whispered as she gazed down at their amazing finds.
“Is that… food?” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, giving a little squeak o excitement as she realised what the tin cans contained.
“Nice goin’,” Applejack said, delighted, “with this we’ll really be able to stick it out here come winter, real good job you pair.”
“Winter!” Rarity exclaimed, all semblance of glee at their discovery forgotten, “you think we brought all this food back so you could keep us held up in here? These are the supplies we need to begin moving away from here!”
“This again,” Applejack muttered darkly, “we’ve been through this Rare, you can’t go draggin’ us along with you after some fantasy of a better life somewhere else.”
“We need to leave now while we have the supplies necessary!” Rarity snapped back, the others began shifting uncomfortably at the latest argument between their two fearless leaders. “I’m not about to let my sister live her life in some shack, in constant fear of those monsters.”
“There’s nothin’ to suggest it’s any better anywhere else,” Applejack insisted, “’sides, Granny Smith is too old for travellin’. We got a good deal set up here, and you’re about to throw that away for some dream of a better life that don’t exist.”
Rarity opened her mouth to argue but both mares were silenced by a surprisingly loud shout from none other than Granny Smith.
“That’s enough!” she exclaimed, the sheer volume the old mare managed was enough to silence them all simply out of surprise, “now you pair outta be ashamed of yourselves, fightin’ like a pair o’ school fillies. Now I want you both to apolo…”
Her scolding was cut off as she was overcome by a severe coughing fit, after she seemed to have yelled herself hoarse.
Angle rushed forward and began patting her on the back before leading her away to her chair. Applejack and Rarity made forward to see if she was alright but Angle began making aggressive gestures at them both.
“He thinks you should give her some space,” Fluttershy translated. Both mares looked like they wanted to continue their argument, but knew it was benefiting no one, so instead they chose to avert their gaze from one another and storm off in opposite directions.
As Applejack approached the back door she gestured towards Fluttershy, indicating she wanted to talk. Fluttershy obeyed and walked out into the cherry orchard with her.
“Can you believe the attitude of that one?” Applejack exclaimed once they were clear of the house, “We got a pretty good deal set up here, we got food, a well, security, and we’re only a journey away from home, and she wants to throw that all away for some pie in the sky dream of sunny skies and warm beaches.”
“She just wants what’s best for her sister,” Fluttershy began before cowering under the withering glare Applejack gave her.
“And I don’t,” she said, tears forming in the corner of her eyes, “shucks, I don’t even know where my sister is, she could be back in Ponyville, she could have escaped or she could be… she could be…”
Fluttershy moved forward and embraced her friend.
“All ah know is that if we set off in the opposite direction, we’re letting go of whatever hope we still have of ever seeing our friends or family again.” Fluttershy brushed her mane as Applejack’s body was wracked with quiet sobs.
“Tell me the truth Fluttershy,” she whispered into her shoulder, “your honest opinion, am ah right to hold out hope that one day we can go back… or am ah just denying what’s in front of my eyes?”
Fluttershy gulped as everything rushed through her mind, her conversations with Rarity and Applejack, Rarity’s hopes for giving Sweetie Belle a better life, Applejack’s hopes of returning home and finding their friends, Granny Smith’s inability to travel, the chance that if they did return to Ponyville… it wouldn’t be good news.
She opened her mouth, ready to give her answer, but at that moment something caught her eye. The perimeter fence, lying wide open.
“Applejack!” she began, Applejack’s head snapping up in response to her terrified voice. Following her gaze, she too saw the open gate.
“Shit!” she exclaimed, just as a shriek rent through the air.
“Cheerilee!” Fluttershy squealed, Applejack galloped off, making for the house.
Regaining control of her senses, Fluttershy sped off to the gate, slamming it shut and being sure to lock it before anything else could get in. once she was sure it was secured she followed after Applejack to the back door of the main building. Passing over the threshold she became wary, there was very little noise coming from within. As she neared the main room where they had laid the food out she began to hear the unmistakable sound of crying. Crossing the last steps into the room, she felt as if her heart had been encased in ice, but once she saw what awaited them inside, it felt as if her heart stopped beating altogether.
Sweetie Belle was curled up against her sister, bawling her eyes out as Rarity held her close, barely able to control her own shaking. Cheerilee leaned against the far wall, her own body wracked with sobs. A single infected lay in a crumpled heap in the centre of the room, its head a bloody pulp. Not far behind that, Applejack sat, cradling the trembling body of Granny Smith. Edging forward, Fluttershy saw exactly what she feared; Granny Smith was cradling one of her hooves, the unmistakable bite marks visible.
Angel hopped over to her and looked up at her sadly, she knew he realised what was going n and nodded, confirming his fears of what had to happen. Rarity stepped forward, taking up a lead pipe that had been discarded next to the dead infected in her magic.
“Applejack,” she began stiffly, “please step back, you know what has to happen.”
Applejack starred up at her, the tears in her eyes failing to disguise her fury.
“No, ah won’t let you take her from me!” she bellowed as tears flowed freely from her eyes.
“Applejack you’ve seen what happens, you know how quickly they turn, we have to…” Rarity began, edging forward, the pipe held aloft.
“No, I won’t let you!”
“Applejack…” Fluttershy whispered sadly, reaching out to touch her shoulder, but Applejack snapped away, clutching the aging mare tightly to her chest.
“Apple… Applejack,” Granny Smith whispered, her voice quivering with weakness.
Applejack leaned in and the pair whispered together, Fluttershy couldn’t make out what they were saying, but she could tell Applejack was objecting, and a sinking feeling in her gut told her what Granny Smith was saying. After a minute or two, Applejack finally pulled away from the other mare, who seemed to have slipped in unconsciousness, at least Fluttershy liked to think that’s what had happened.
“Alright,” Applejack said standing up, but as Rarity moved forward she spoke again, “but not you! ah’ll do this mah self.”
Rarity nodded and held the pipe out, which Applejack clutched in her mouth after a moment of hesitation. Everyone in the room held a collective breath as Applejack stood over her granny, readying herself. Then as she raised the pipe, Fluttershy turned away, clenching her eyes shut and folding her ears, but it did little to block out the sickening crunch that echoed through the room, followed by the clattering of metal on wood. Reluctantly she turned back, trying to avert her gaze from the lime green corpse, instead looking at Applejack who was shaking violently, unable to tear her eyes away from her granny.
“I’m… terribly sorry Applejack,” Rarity said after an unpleasant moment of silence, stepping forward, “I know that wasn’t easy, but you did what you had to…”
But she was cut off as Applejack snapped around, her hoof swinging up and connecting violently with the side of her face. Sweetie Belle screamed as her sister was sent packing to the floor, Cheerilee gasped and Fluttershy rushed forward, placing herself between the two mares.
“You didn’t lock the gate!” Applejack screamed trying to fight past Fluttershy to get at Rarity, “mah granny is dead because of you!”
“I wasn’t responsible for the gate!” Rarity spat back, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth, “it wasn’t my fault!”
“I… I left it unlocked,” Cheerilee stammered. Applejack turned on her, but Fluttershy cut off her tantrum.
“No! This is nopony’s fault!” she shouted, her voice threatening to give way, “this is a terrible thing that should never have happened, but we can’t turn on each other now.”
All the anger seemed to drain from Applejack as she collapsed to her knees, crying freely. Fluttershy leaned down and embraced her once more. Angel sat looking mournfully down at Granny Smith, while Sweetie Belle rushed to her sister’s side, Cheerilee ran from the room, nopony tried to stop her.
“We should bury her,” Applejack stated after an awfully long silence, filled only with the sound of crying. Fluttershy nodded and helped Applejack to her hooves, and together they set about digging a grave. Cheerilee was already outside, and was eager to assist when she realised what they were doing. Angel scraped away an impressive amount of dirt with only his paws; even Sweetie Belle had a hoof at shovelling. Only Rarity refused to help, instead shutting herself away in the sleeping quarters.
Day 13
Fluttershy wasn’t surprised to see Applejack still sitting next to the fresh grave when she woke up that morning. What she was surprised to see when she turned away from the window and entered the main room was Rarity packing her bags with the cans of food.
“Rarity, what are you doing?” she said, though she knew full well.
“Ah good, you’re up, give me a hoof won’t you?” she asked, as if this was a perfectly normal thing to be doing.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Rarity tensed up at the question before answering.
“Yes, we are,” she stated, “yesterday made it clear that we simply can’t stay here, for Sweetie, I have to move on. You’ll come too won’t you?”
Fluttershy hesitated, her answer had seemed so clear when Applejack had asked her yesterday, now she wasn’t sure, but she was saved from answering by another voice joining the conversation.
“So that’s it huh? You’re flying the coop.” they both looked around to see Applejack standing in the doorway, she didn’t look angry, or sad, or anything, just empty.
“Yes Applejack I am, and you would be a fool not to come,” Rarity replied matter of factly.
“Then ah guess ah’m a fool,” Applejack replied bitterly.
“I… I think I want to leave too,” another voice said, Fluttershy saw it was Cheerilee who was standing in the doorway with Sweetie Belle. Applejack nodded, accepting her decision before looking to Fluttershy.
“How ‘bout you Shy?” she asked, Fluttershy felt all eyes on her and her heart rate double. She looked down to Angel who gave her a look which made it clear he would stick with her no matter what.
“Well…” she began at last, giving one gulp before continuing, “I want to…”
Do you:
a) Stay-
b) Leave-
Canterlot
“I want to go to Canterlot,” Fluttershy said. Twilight and Rainbow both smiled, clearly they were hoping she would choose that.
“Alright, well in that case,” Twilight said turning to Big Mac and the Cakes, “I wish you the best of luck and hope we see each other again someday.”
The last hour of darkness passed by in an uncomfortable silence, Fluttershy was confident she had made the right decision staying with her friends, although she would be sad to see the others leave, she knew it was for the best.
When at last the sun began to crest the horizon, Rainbow took a quick peek outside and confirmed the coast appeared to be clear. Twilight removed her cloaking spell and one by one they ascended from the crevice and stood awkwardly in the deserted plains.
“I guess this is it,” Twilight said, breaking the silence.
“Ponyville is that way,” Rainbow informed them, pointing away from the rising sun.
“We hope you find what you’re look for,” Mrs Cake said embracing each of them individually. Fluttershy accepted the gesture, unable to find any appropriate words for what was quite possibly the last time they would see each other again.
Lastly they waited for Big Mac and Applebloom to say their farewells, which once they were complete, the pair of groups split apart, heading in their own direction. Once some distance had been put between them, Applebloom addressed the group.
“So, how far is Canterlot?” she asked, suddenly concerned. She could see the mountain in the distance, but gauging how long it would take to reach it was another matter entirely.
“Two days maybe,” Dash replied, “less if we’re lucky.”
“What do we do when we reach there?” Fluttershy asked.
“The plan is to head straight to the castle to find the princess,” Twilight replied, her voice sounding confident. Angel tapped Fluttershy’s head urgently and she quick communicated with him.
“Oh my, you’re right,” she said to him, “won’t we have to pass by the train? Those creatures were hanging around it.”
“We’ll get close and see if it’s worth the risk,” Twilight replied, “if need be, we’ll go around.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” the mayor said curtly, Fluttershy had almost forgotten she was there. The train hadn’t been far from where they were hiding, and so after a short walk Rainbow gestured for them to sink low.
“I’ll head in and see if it’s safe enough to pass through,” she said. As she was preparing to take off, Angel quickly began communicating to Fluttershy.
“Oh, well if you really think so,” she replied before turning back to Rainbow, “Rainbow Dash wait, Angel says he’ll scout ahead.”
“Um, seriously?” Dash asked, clearly unsure if it was the best thing.
“He thinks since he’s smaller he won’t be noticed as easily.” Dash looked to Twilight for guidance.
“It’s reasonable thinking,” she agreed, “if he’s really up for it, I don’t see why not.”
Setting the rabbit down she asked him if he was sure he wanted to do this, he didn’t reply, merely hopped away with the train wreckage in his sights. Fluttershy sat back down between Twilight and Applebloom, saying a silent prayer for her faithful companion’s safe return.
“Hey, don’t worry,” Twilight assured her, putting an arm over her shoulder, “he’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, that’s one rascally rabbit,” Applebloom agreed. Fluttershy smiled back at them both.
“He’d better come back,” the mayor said bitterly, “I don’t feel comfortable just sitting out in the open like this.”
“He will come back,” Rainbow insisted, never taking her eyes away from the distant wreckage. The group continued to wait, and wait. Minutes quickly began to fold together until they could easily have been sitting there for at least an hour. Fluttershy was beginning to panic, and Rainbow was in the middle of assuring her if Angel didn’t come back in another ten minutes she’d go in after him herself, when a light scampering cut her off, and they both looked around to see the white blur darting across the grass.
“Oh Angel, you’re okay,” Fluttershy said, scooping him up, “I was starting to get worried.”
After quickly assuring her of his safety he began to relay the information he had gathered.
“So what does he say?” Rainbow asked, unable to make heads or tails of the rabbit’s gestures.
“He says there are still some monsters hanging around, but there are few enough of them that we could probably sneak through unnoticed.”
“Well that’s good,” the mayor cut in, “at least now we won’t have to lose any more time than we already have waiting for it to get back here.”
Angel shot the mayor a stone cold glare and Fluttershy resisted the urge to do so herself, instead whispering into Angel’s ear that he should just ignore her.
Rainbow quickly explained the situation to Twilight and Applebloom, and they readied themselves to enter the wreckage. it was indeed fairly deserted, they did have to stop and hunker down as the occasional infected drifted by in the distance, but they were lucky in that none got too close and they were able to keep moving without great delay.
“They must have moved on,” Twilight suggested in a whisper, “to find a new food source.”
The thought made Fluttershy cringe but she was glad they weren’t here instead.
As they walked, Rainbow took the occasional look inside. Before Fluttershy had arrived, Dash had scavenged some supplies from one of the deserted train carts she searched, when the group went their separate ways, the food was divided amongst them, the majority going to the others as they had the greater need for what with the foals, much to the displeasure of the mayor. However Dash’s current searches yielded a few new finds, including a little precious food and water, as well as some fire lighters. It hadn’t been a lot, but in their current climate, every little bit extra was a blessing.
Midday had passed them by and the sun was now at the beginning of its descent as they reached the final section of the train, it had taken them a reasonable while to pass through what with having to keep a constant lookout for infected, but now that they were entering relatively flat lands, their journey would pass by much quicker. As they followed the track they reached the final carriage, and what they saw caused them all to freeze mid step. The train had collided head on with what appeared to be, a constructed barricade, right in the middle of the track.
“What?” Twilight whispered, walking up to it, “who would put this here? And why?”
“You don’t think,” Dash began gesturing at the Canterlot Mountain, “They put this up, to keep us out?”
“No! I mean, why would they? It doesn’t make any sense,” Twilight said shaking her head. Fluttershy examined it herself; it seemed to be made mainly of boulders, something like that didn’t just find its way onto a train track by accident.
“Now that I think about it,” Fluttershy began thoughtfully, “how long do you think this has been happening, before we were affected?”
The other fell into silent contemplation, but their concentration was broken by the mayor giving a disgruntled cough.
“As interesting as all this is,” she said in a tone which suggested she didn’t think it was interesting at all, “could we maybe hurry this up a bit?”
Twilight gave a sharp look at Dash as she opened her mouth to retort; instead she just grunted and continued forward. The group continued walking, leaving the crash site behind them, as they did Applebloom began to drop back, and it wasn’t until Fluttershy took notice that the group stopped altogether.
“Maybe we ought to take a quick break before going any further,” Twilight suggested, it was easy to forget they weren’t all adults. Nodding Dash opened one of the packs and passed out some food and water to the group. Applebloom ate greedily, nearly choking, it was only then that Fluttershy realised they were so focused on their mission they weren’t paying her much attention.
“How are you holding up?” Fluttershy ask holding the filly close. Applebloom muttered something indistinguishable, Fluttershy didn’t ask her to repeat herself, instead just stroked her mane.
Rainbow Dash paced around the group, her eyes peeled for any signs of movement. Twilight barely touched her own food, seemingly too lost in her own thoughts, while the mayor scoffed down her own. Angel sat on Fluttershy’s lap, his gaze fixed on Canterlot sitting high in the mountain. After several minutes Rainbow asked if Applebloom was fit to travel again, and when she confirmed she was the group set off once more.
“If we keep walking until night fall,” Dash announced, “we should make pretty decent progress.”
Fluttershy nodded but didn’t say anything, just focused on putting one hoof in front of the other.
Day 4
Twilight was weak; she had volunteered to hold a protection spell throughout the night so the others could get some sleep since they found no shelter. Dash had objected but Twilight put her hoof down, however now she was paying the price for her nobility as she stumbled along, half resting on Fluttershy. Applebloom was lying on Rainbow’s back, she had insisted she could walk fine on her own but Rainbow wasn’t hearing any arguments, Fluttershy knew it was because Applebloom was slowing the group down, but none of them wanted to say it to her.
Well the mayor had wanted to tell her, but when she tried, Rainbow gave her a discrete punch in the ribs which kept her silent. She had remained bitter and distant since then. The group was generally silent as the mountain drew ever nearer. They had been very lucky, not having run into a single infected since leaving the train behind, but Fluttershy was afraid their luck would soon run out as they approached Canterlot. The second night was well upon them when they reached the foot of the mountain.
The group stopped at the mouth of the train tunnel, staring into the deep, dark abyss.
“We have to go in there?” Applebloom asked, fear evident in her voice.
“’Fraid so,” Dash replied solemnly, “there’s no way we’re scaling this thing, much too steep.”
“Couldn’t you fly us up?” the mayor asked impatiently.
“That would take too long, even for me,” Dash replied trying to keep her voice level, “it would take a couple trips up and down to get each of us and the supplies all the way up, and besides, do you want to be the one hanging onto me as I fall out of the sky at a couple hundred feet from exhaustion?”
The mayor didn’t answer, just rolled her eyes and walked away a few metres muttering something about pegasi.
“It looks like we don’t have a choice,” Twilight confirmed, “but… could we wait until morning, I don’t think I have it in me to create a light spell.”
“Of course,” Dash replied, sounding shocked that Twilight could think otherwise. “And this time, you’re sleeping, I’ll keep lookout.”
“I can help,” Fluttershy offered, Rainbow looked at her uncertainly, “I’m not tired or anything.”
Rainbow gave her a sceptical look.
“Well I am a bit,” she admitted, “but if we take it in shifts each of us can get some rest.”
Rainbow mulled that idea over; she liked the sound of it and so agreed to take the first three hours, promising she would wake Fluttershy up when it was her turn. Twilight went out like a light to nopony’s surprise; it had taken a severe amount of energy to make it this far following last night. Applebloom too drifted off relatively quickly, and before long Fluttershy too found herself drifting into blissful sleep.
Day 5
It was screaming that woke Fluttershy, her eyes snapped open just in time to see a gruesomely disfigured form throwing itself upon her. Giving a squeal she rolled over the ground just as the infected fell onto where she had been sleeping seconds before. shuffling as far back as she could she looked wildly around her, Dash was several metres away pinned on the ground trying desperately to hold an infected off her, it’s jaws snapping wildly mere inches from her face. Applebloom was draped over Twilight’s back who was backed up to the mountain side, firing spells off at the approaching infected.
Angel bounced over to her and began gesturing at her to get up. Snapping out of her daze she sprung to her hooves, Angel leaping into her mane. Running forward she tackled the infected trying to take a chomp out of Dash, sending it flying into a heap further away.
“Thanks,” Dash said accepting Fluttershy’s helping hoof. They looked around in time to see Twilight fleeing into the tunnel, her horn alight. The pegasi made to follow them but a number of infected beat them into the tunnel entrance.
Dash pulled Fluttershy back.
“We can’t go into the dark knowing those things are in there,” she reasoned, Fluttershy nodded reluctantly, but they looked behind them to see the remaining infected were now making for them. “Come on.”
Dash spread her wings and took off, Fluttershy didn’t need to be told twice, quickly ascending into the air and fling alongside her friend along the mountain.
“Ha! They can run,” Dash shouted over the wind, “but they can’t… fly…”
Fluttershy followed Rainbow’s gaze and looked over her shoulder, one of the infected was making its way after them, its wings spread. Dash quickly got over her shock and turned in mid-air, flying straight at the oncoming infected.
“I can take this one,” she shouted as she passed Fluttershy, “you go ahead, I’ll catch up.”
Fluttershy was about to argue but Dash was already spiralling into the infected sending them both careening out of the sky. Feeling Angel tug on her ears she focused her attention forward in time to avoid crashing into the mountain face.
She continued flying for a few minutes, looking around for where the tunnel broke out of the mountain, there should be a number of stone shelves she could land on. As she spotted one and began making her descent she heard flapping behind her and looked around panicked, only to be greeted by the confident smirk of Rainbow Dash.
“Piece of cake,” she assured Fluttershy as the pair of them touched down. They didn’t have to wait long before the purple glow in the tunnel exit signalled the arrival of Twilight and Applebloom.
“We managed to lose them,” she said out of breath, the filly clinging trembling to her back, “but we shouldn’t wait for them to catch up.”
Dash nodded and began walking, it was only now Fluttershy realised their group was a member short.
“Hey, where’s the mayor?” she asked. Dash spat on the ground at the mention of her.
“That bitch? She ran off,” she snarled, “she was awake when we were attacked; while I was trying to fight them off, she grabbed our bags and ran off.”
“Yeah, we found her in the tunnel,” Twilight added, “she’s dead. She used those firelighters to find her way and it must have attracted more hiding inside.”
“Serves her right,” Dash said without a hint of remorse.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t get the supplies,” Twilight apologised as they walked, “but we were still being chased at that point and we couldn’t stop and…”
“It’s okay Twi,” Dash assured her, “there was nothing any of us could do. Here I’ll take Applebloom for a bit.”
Twilight levitated the tired filly over to the Pegasus, once she was settled they moved on, entering the next tunnel, their way lit by Twilight’s illumination spell.
The uphill journey was easily the hardest part of their trek so far, with the mares often tripping on railway sleepers in the dim light cats by Twilight’s horn. By the time they reached the second shelf the sun was only beginning to rise and they still had a vast distance to climb.
“Um Rainbow,” Fluttershy began as they all looked in dismay at the rest of the journey that awaited them, “since there’s only us four now, and we have no bags, maybe we could fly Applebloom and Twilight up.”
“Well…” Rainbow hesitated, “I guess, but I’ll have to carry Twilight.”
“No it’s alright, I’ll manage,” Fluttershy insisted, putting her head underneath Twilight’s torso to her great surprise and placing her onto her back. She then looked over to Rainbow who was staring at her with shock. “Well I do have to do some heavy lifting occasionally.”
Once Twilight was positioned comfortably, both pegasi spread their wings and took off; their ascent much slower than their previous flight had been what with the new loads they were carrying. Angel sat atop Fluttershy’s head helping to navigate her as the two rose ever higher. They passed numerous shelves in considerably less time than if they had walked, but soon enough they both began to tire and were forced to land.
“Sorry,” Fluttershy said to the others panting.
“Sorry for what?” Twilight said looking up at the remaining distance they had to climb. They were now well beyond half way and it was only midday. Fluttershy looked up in surprise, she hadn’t realised just how much progress they had made while she was flying. Then without warning she felt herself being thrust into the air, she gave a frightened squeal but looked down to see that Twilight had thrown her onto her own back. “This time, I’ll carry you, you’ve earned a break.”
With that the group once again began walking through the train tunnels, their path lit by Twilight.
Rainbow was also exhausted by the flight, but she tried not to let it show, insistent that she was still capable of carrying Applebloom. They were lucky again as they walked through the tunnel, there were infected, but they were all dead, perhaps Canterlot was holding up against the outbreak. with new found hope Twilight and Dash doubled their pace, although Fluttershy insisted before long that she could walk on her own, though she appreciated the chance to rest after the arduous flight. It wasn’t until late evening that the group passed beyond the final tunnel exit into orange glow of the setting sun, the city of Canterlot standing before them.
“We made it,” Twilight said relieved, Applebloom who was now on her own feet looked mournfully out over Equestria, Fluttershy guessed she was thinking about her brother. She was going to say something encouraging when a high pitched whistling caused her to snap her gaze back to Canterlot in time to see an ethereal bolt of magic spiralling straight towards them. The group divided in various directions, avoiding the magical missile. Rainbow was the first to her hooves and was shouting at the city walls.
“Hey! we’re not infected!” whether her shout had been heard or they realised infected wouldn’t leap out of the way of an attack like that, they didn’t fire anymore shots, and slowly the group decided it was safe enough to make their way forward.
As they reached the city Fluttershy began to realise Canterlot was very different from the last time they had been here for the wedding of Twilight’s brother. The walls were higher, made mostly of wood and scaffolding as opposed to the usual smooth white brick. Guards lined the walls, glaring down at them with deep mistrust. Arriving at where the railway once entered the city, they found a tall wooden gate erected, blocking its path.
“Halt!” one guard shouted, “Canterlot isn’t taking any more survivors, turn back now.”
“Hey we didn’t walk all this way just to be turned away by some stuck up guard,” Dash shouted back, clearly upset by this poor reception.
“Please, I’m Princess Celestia’s student and these are my friends,” Twilight cut in before Rainbow could do anymore damage, “I’m sure if you let her know we’re here she’ll insist we be allowed in.”
“Nice try, do you have any idea how many nomads come here spouting garbage about friends in high places just trying to get inside these walls?” he asked rhetorically. Twilight opened her mouth to protest when she was cut off by someone shouting on the other side of the wall, followed by a loud commotion. The guard who had addressed them looked down kin surprise as apparently someone made their way up the tower he was perched on.
Confused Fluttershy continued to watch as a small purple dragon pulled himself up so he could see over the wall.
“Twilight!” Spike exclaimed recognising them instantly.
“Spike, you’re okay!” Twilight shouted back, forgetting about the guard.
“I was so worried you didn’t make it out of Ponyville,” Spike replied, tears brimming in his eyes. “Open this gate this instant!”
The soldier who had refused them entry looked furious at being ordered around by a baby dragon, but apparently decided against refusing, and instead gave the signal for the gate to be open.
it took a few minutes to heave what turned out to be a surprisingly thick door open, as soon as the gap was wide enough, the four ponies rushed into the safety of the city where Twilight was immediately tackled by the her faithful assistant.
“I told them to send help, I really did,” Spike sobbed into her chest, “Celestia too, but they wouldn’t spare the guards.”
“It’s okay Spike,” Twilight whispered, holding him close, “we’re here now, that’s all that matters.”
Spike finally let go of his surrogate sister and looked around at the others.
“Is this… all that made it?” Spike asked, his jaw falling slack.
“We’ll explain everything on the way,” Twilight promised sadly, “but we have to see Celestia.”
“I’ll take you to the castle, you can eat and sleep, but you won’t see the princess,” Spike informed them, beginning to walk down the street. “She and Luna are both out of Canterlot, not sure where they are, but they’re due back in the morning.”
“It must have taken weeks to fortify this place,” Fluttershy said in wonder, staring around at the heavily altered Canterlot city. “How long was this going on?”
“Nopony’s really sure when it began,” Spike admitted, “I can tell you Ponyville got lucky through the most of it, but as for everything else, it might be better to wait and hear it all from the princess.”
“That guard back there was kind of an ass,” Dash commented gliding alongside them, “what was his deal? I thought all the guards knew Twilight.”
“That wasn’t a guard,” Spike pointed out, “he was militia, most of the royal guard are protecting the palace or being sent around Equestria by the princesses. So the city of Canterlot established its own defence force, there are a lot of them but they’re nowhere near the royal guard standard as you saw.”
“It feels like we’ve missed so much,” Twilight said wistfully, “I didn’t even realise I had been out of contact with the princess for as long as I was, maybe if I hadn’t we would have seen this coming, maybe Applejack and all the others would still be alive.”
“What?” Spike shouted coming to a complete stop. Twilight sighed and the others looked down at their own hooves.
“I’ll explain everything from the start,” Twilight said.
As they reached the palace gates Twilight finished her account of everything that had happened to them since Fluttershy coming to her library the night of the outbreak.
“So Applejack is gone,” Spike whispered, Twilight nodded sadly, “and you don’t know where Rarity or Pinkie is?”
“No, maybe if we had gone back to Ponyville we might have found out who survived,” Dash explained, “but we had to come here.”
As they passed into the castle courtyard, the change from the militia to the actual royal guards was obvious, the stallions standing guard here were far more disciplined, and even recognised the mares walking past them, some whispering excitedly to one another.
“Celestia has been really worried about you all,” Spike told them as they entered the castle, “we all have, we wanted to send help, but we were ignored.”
“Who would ignore the princess?” Twilight asked in disbelief.
“A lot of the royals are using their influence to bolster the security for Canterlot, at the expense of the rest of Equestria; it’s been difficult for Celestia to do anything with their constant interference.”
Fluttershy was surprised by the maturity with the way Spike reported the events, clearly these events had taken a profound effect on him.
“But like I said, you’ll hear about all this from Celestia herself,” Spike repeated, “right now we’ll get you all something to eat.”
As he said that they entered what was once the royal banqueting hall, which now resembled a common mess hall. Ponies from all walks of life were packed into the room, making it feel a lot smaller than it actually was. There were mostly off duty guards, but many were also civilians, mares, colts and fillies who Fluttershy presumed couldn’t be housed anywhere in the city. Spike led them across the packed room to what could be considered one of the emptier spots. Once they were seated he dashed away, returning moments later with four packs.
“It’s not a lot, but rationing is a big thing here,” he explained, Fluttershy didn’t care; it had been too long since they last ate, and she was ravenous. However before she settled in herself she picked out some items she knew Angel would appreciate and offered them to the rabbit. He accepted grateful and began munching, allowing Fluttershy to tuck in. as they ate Taillight continued to fill Spike in on some of the finer points of their journey. They were only there for a few minutes when Fluttershy began to notice they were getting quite a few stares from nearby ponies, including one in particular she vaguely recognised. Spike noticed who she was looking to just as the stallion left the room hurriedly.
“You remember Blueblood right?” Spike asked bitterly, “no doubt he’ll kick up a shit storm at your arrival; anyone who supports the princess and not the other royals is a threat to him.”
Angel told Fluttershy not to worry about him, and soon they exited the mess hall and made their way down some emptier sections of the castle to one of the tower rooms.
“This is where I’ve been staying,” Spike explained, gesturing around the room. “Technically anypony could just come in and grab a bed if they need it, but I’m mostly on my own.”
The room was indeed filled with camp beds including the large four-poster bed that originally occupied the room on its own.
They all looked at it, clearly wondering who would get it. Fluttershy’s first instinct was to offer it to somepony else, but then Applebloom spoke up.
“Ah think that bed is big enough for all of us,” she said hopefully. Fluttershy glanced over at Rainbow and Twilight, they all realised what she was getting at and why, and they weren’t about to tell her no. it was a tight squeeze, but none of them complained. Soon all five of them were huddled together under the covers, Twilight on the far left side, then Spike, Applebloom, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, with Angel resting on Fluttershy’s head.
Fluttershy felt Applebloom snuggle up against her and began stroking her hair as she gently drifted off to sleep in her embrace. They all fell asleep at different times, but just before Fluttershy sunk into sleep; she felt a pair of hooves wrap around her waist. She had been friends with Rainbow Dash since they were just fillies, she knew that although she was putting on a strong face during this, inside she was struggling, so she inched back on the mattress further into her embrace, before allowing herself to drift off.
Day 6
Fluttershy was awoken by a curious noise, it sounded like thunder, as well as that the bedroom seemed to be shaking. One by one her friends began to stir from their slumber and look around in fear and confusion.
“Is it zombies?” Applebloom asked clutching to Fluttershy.
“Maybe it’s an earthquake,” Dash suggested only to be interrupted by Spike who was standing over by the window.
“Or it’s the sound of an alicorn who just found out her faithful student is still alive and in Canterlot, and is about to burst through the door right about…”
The door was smashed off its hinges at the force it was swung open; the four ponies still clinging together in bed stared wide eyed at the figure in the doorway.
“Twilight!” Celestia exclaimed rushing forward, all sense of dignity forgotten she leapt onto the bed and tackled Twilight. “I was so worried about you.”
Dash couldn’t help but start laughing at the sight before her, and Fluttershy couldn’t help but join in. it was a strange feeling, it felt like forever since they had reason to laugh.
The sound of hooves clattering could be heard and Fluttershy looked around to see Luna enter the room, a smile blooming on her face at the sight of them all.
“This is truly turning out to be a glorious day,” she said approaching the bed just as Celestia released Twilight. “I see Tia has finally gotten all the worry out of her system, tell me Twilight Sparkle, she didn’t break any ribs did she?”
Twilight laughed, although Luna continued to stare at her, clearly expecting an answer.
“No she didn’t,” Twilight said as soon as she realised this.
“Twilight, you must tell me everything,” Celestia said, “How did you get here?”
“Aright, but we want to know everything we’ve missed as well,” Twilight said, Celestia nodded gravely.
“Of course, you deserve no less than the complete truth.” with that Twilight explained once again everything they had been through to the two princesses. It was beginning to feel harrowing for everypony involved, but Twilight saw it through to the end. When she was finally done, the room hung in an awkward silence, eventually broken by Celestia.
“I am so sorry about Applejack,” he said to them all, though she was mainly focusing her attention on Applebloom, “she was a good mare. It seems everypony has suffered loss through this crisis.”
“But please, tell us what’s happening,” Twilight begged, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Applebloom all slid forward, eager for an explanation.
“Of course,” Celestia relied solemnly, “nopony know exactly how this all began or where it originated from, but it first came to my attention little over a month ago. Of course I would always receive the occasional paranoid pony in court, claiming some new disaster was sweeping over Equestria.
“I admit, when the word zombie was mentioned I dismissed it,” she said ashamed, “but as the reports kept coming in, steadily becoming more concerning, I was forced to look into it, by the time I did, it was everywhere, seeping into the cracks of every major city in Equestria.”
“obviously we attempted to investigate the source,” Luna continued, “to treat the scenario as one of your experiments, but things quickly spiralled out of control, and by the time we were sure the danger was both real and imminent, we could do little but attempt a mass evacuation, bring in as many Equestrian citizens to Canterlot, fortify it and keep it protected until we could find a solution.”
“But why didn’t Ponyville hear about this?” Dash asked incredulously, “we didn’t have a clue what was going on until those thongs were swarming our streets, we brought them into our hospitals for pony’s sake.”
“I know, and I am so sorry for everything that’s befallen you,” Celestia said desperately, “we tried to make Ponyville a priority, but stuck up pr… Royals, did everything in their power to undermine us at every turn. Since Spike was here in Canterlot it was nearly impossible for me to get word out to any of you without directly traveling there myself.”
“And no doubt you cannot begin to fathom the chaos this city became during the outbreak,” Luna added, “if either of us had left, all Tartarus could have broken loose.”
“But you were gone yesterday when we arrived,” Rainbow retorted, clearly unhappy with their explanation so far.
“Yes, we were,” Celestia said, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth, “you see, in recent days, we have been making some major breakthroughs in understanding this infection, and are, we believe, very close to developing a cure.”
“Yes! I knew you would!” Twilight screamed, jumping up and down in excitement.
“Yes, well with this new development, we have been forced to drop everything and focus our efforts, hoping that all the work we’ve done in the past few weeks is enough to keep everything together.”
“So where are you working on the cure?” Twilight asked, “is there anything I can do to help?”
“Actually I was hoping you would say that,” Celestia admitted, “we’ve been dancing around a problem for a while now, but I think you could easily deal with it.”
Leading the way out of the room, Twilight and Rainbow hurried after Celestia and Luna, Fluttershy on the other hoof took her time getting out of bed. She looked over at Spike who hadn’t moved from the window.
“You go on ahead, I’ve already seen it and I have some work I need to take care of.” Fluttershy nodded before looking to Applebloom.
“Are you coming?” she asked, the filly didn’t look positive.
“Actually, ah’m still pretty tired,” she admitted, “would it be okay if ah stayed and snoozed a little while longer?”
“Of course, we’ll come get you when we’re done,” Fluttershy said leaving the room, Angel hoping out after her. She trotted down the tower to catch up with the others; she hadn’t missed much apparently as Celestia was just explaining some of the in-depth science involved with the cure. She and Rainbow stuck to the back of the group, following them in silence as they were led further into the castle.
“So what do you think?” Rainbow asked quietly, “about a cure I mean?”
“It sounds great,” Fluttershy answered happily before remembering, “but it won’t bring back those who are already gone.”
Rainbow nodded sadly, before looking back up, fiery determination shining in her eyes.
“But we can still save those still with us.” Fluttershy grinned back and nodded, things were finally starting to look up for the group as they entered a room Fluttershy had never seen before. it was completely below ground level and so was being entirely lit by torches on sconces, lining the wall. The underground chamber reminded Fluttershy of Twilight’s basement back in Ponyville, with its various machines that she could never hope to understand, and it’s many flasks and burners and other various science related equipment.
The princesses led them around the room explaining as they went. Fluttershy wasn’t sure what they expected to find when they followed the princess, perhaps a large vat conveniently labelled ‘cure’? In hindsight it was a ridiculous notion, there would obviously be more to it than that, so Fluttershy and Rainbow were forced to hang back and hope the others knew what they were doing.
“So you see the problem we’ve been having,” Celestia said turning to Twilight, “if we could just deal with that we might have a serious chance at making a breakthrough.”
Twilight pondered the problem for a few minutes, clearly running over possible solutions in her mind, carefully analysing everything Celestia had told her.
“Princess,” she said at last, grinning, “I believe I can solve this.”
Twilight opened her mouth, ready to explain, which is when all Tartarus broke loose.
“Princess! Princess!” a guard screamed running down the stairs into the lab. They all spun around to face him. “The quarantine has been breached, the city is overrun.”
“What?” Celestia exclaimed, her eyes stretching wide, “how?”
We don’t know,” he admitted frantically, “please we need your guidance out here.”
Celestia didn’t hesitate, charging from the room, Luna close at her heel. Fluttershy looked over at her friends who shared her panic stricken look before running out as well. They followed the princesses to the castle courtyard, as they reached the surface the sounds of screaming became deafening.
“What is the situation?” Luna demanded of one of the officers amidst all the chaos.
“Your highness they’re pouring through the city, the militia are fighting back but they’re overwhelmed,” he explained. Fluttershy glanced out through the portcullis of the castle; the city was swarming with ponies running in every direction.
“We need to divert Royal Guards from the palace to aid the defence of the town,” Celestia said, the officer was about to salute and carry out the order when another voice cut through.
“Are you mad?” Blueblood demanded storming forward, “we’ll be left defenceless, we could all lose our lives and for what? The common pony? Seal off the castle while we can, we can still live.”
“I will not sit in an ivory tower while my little ponies are slaughtered!” Celestia shouted back.
“Sister hold on,” Luna said and a nervous voice, “if we do lose the castle, we lose any hope we have of a cure.”
Celestia froze, she hadn’t considered that.
“Whoa whoa hold on everypony,” Dash cut in, “what good is a cure if we let everypony die? We shouldn’t abandon them.”
“But we’ll help nopony if the cure is lost,” Twilight pleaded.
“Princess I need you to make a decision,” the officer requested, his voice shaking. Celestia looked wildly between all the ponies gathered around her.
“I…I don’t know,” she admitted weakly.
“Seal off the castle!” Blueblood demanded, “Even your sister agrees.”
“But those are your subjects,” Spike insisted, appearing at Fluttershy’s side, “they need our help.”
“I can’t make this decision,” Celestia insisted, clutching her head.
“What about Fluttershy,” Luna said suddenly. Fluttershy squeaked at suddenly being thrust into the limelight. “While I would trust all your judgements, except maybe you Blueblood… but we need a decision, somepony has to tip the scales; I think it should be Fluttershy.”
They all looked towards said Pegasus, who gulped. They were expecting her to make this decision; she wasn’t a princess, hay! She wasn’t even the princess’s student.
Fluttershy realised they needed an answer, and at this rate another pony saying they didn’t know would not be met with a great deal of support. She quickly ran over the steaks in her head, on the one hoof they could seal off the castle, effectively signing a death warrant for everypony still in the city, but the cure would be safe, Twilight would finish it and maybe, just maybe they could end this nightmare. Or they could try and save the city, endangering the castle and cure, but potentially saving thousands of lives. She nodded slowly to herself, she made her decision.
“I believe,” she began slowly, “we should…”
Do you:
a) Protect the castle-
b) Protect the city-
Ponyville
“I want to go to Ponyville,” Fluttershy informed them, Twilight nodded in sad acceptance. “I’m sorry, but I really want to home… or at least, what’s left of home.”
“No no, we understand,” Twilight said hurriedly, though Fluttershy could tell a part of Twilight was hoping she would go with them. “I… I wish you all the best of luck, and hope… hope we see each other again someday.”
The last hour of darkness passed by in an uncomfortable silence, a part of Fluttershy wandered if she could change her mind, but as she sat next to Big Mac and the Cakes clutching their foals, she decided she made the right choice.
When at last the sun began to crest the horizon, Rainbow took a quick peek outside and confirmed the coast appeared to be clear. Twilight removed her cloaking spell and one by one they ascended from the crevice and stood awkwardly in the deserted plains.
“I guess this is it,” Twilight said, breaking the silence.
“Ponyville is that way,” Rainbow informed them, pointing away from the rising sun. “I’ll see you Fluttershy… when we find a cure.”
Fluttershy embraced her friend one last time, unable to find any appropriate words.
“You look after her Angel,” Rainbow said letting Fluttershy go.
Angel gave a salute from where he sat perched on Fluttershy’s head. Lastly they waited for Big Mac and Applebloom to say their farewells, which once they were complete, the pair of groups split apart, heading in their own direction. Once some distance had been put between them, Mr Cake addressed the group.
“So, um, Ponyville is how far away again?” he asked, he already knew the answer but was probably just desperate for something to break the silence.
“’Bout a day’s walk,” Big Mac replied, “which is a couple days less than it woulda’ been to Canterlot.”
“Where shall we go when we reach Ponyville?” Fluttershy asked, “Applejack said the farm was overrun, my house was destroyed.”
“Hmm,” Big Mac tapped his chin thoughtfully, “reckon we’ll have ta do some scoutin’ once we’re close.”
Angel tapped Fluttershy’s head urgently and she quick communicated with him.
“Well if you’re sure,” she then addressed Big Mac, “Angel thinks he could scout Ponyville, he says he’s small and fats enough not to be noticed.”
Big Mac nodded in acceptance but remained quiet. The journey along the plains proved uneventful, clearly the infected didn’t wander here as there was no obvious food sources, this was lucky considering Pound and Pumpkin broke out into fresh waves of wails every few moments regardless of how much Fluttershy and Mrs Cake tried desperately to comfort them. a few paces ahead of them Big Mac and Mr Cake were having a whispered argument, while Fluttershy didn’t want to intrude she could guess it had something to do with the foals screaming.
By the time the sun was positioned high in the sky, Mrs Cake was thoroughly exhausted and they decided it would be best to take a breather and get something to eat. Before Fluttershy had arrived, Dash had scavenged some supplies from one of the deserted train carts she searched, when the group went their separate ways, the food was divided amongst them, the majority going to their group as the foals meant they had the greater need for it. Once the pair were fed they quickly settled to sleep, they would be able to carry on with them harnessed to their parents without the fear of them giving away their presence.
“I always used to pride myself on knowing what my little ones needed,” Mrs Cake said to Fluttershy as she nursed Pumpkin, “but what with everything that’s happening, I don’t know if I have what it takes to look after them.”
“Don’t say that,” Fluttershy scolded, “you’re a wonderful mother, and we’ll find a safe place for them, you’ll see.”
“Thank you dearie,” she replied giving Fluttershy a kiss on the forehead, “I’m glad you came with us, heaven knows I need a kind soul like you to keep me going.”
Fluttershy blushed but didn’t reply, simply took a liberal gulp of water from the bottle in her hooves before offering it too the other mare. After another few minutes Mrs Cake informed the group she was ready to move on, and so they harnessed the babies separately to their parents and continued on their journey. The trip remained uneventful, but as it progressed, Big Mac would occasionally signal for them to sink low to the ground whenever an infected would stray into the distance. None of them ever came close, and thanks to Big Mac’s keen senses, they were never caught unawares.
“There becoming more common, aren’t they?” Fluttershy asked, trotting up alongside Big Mac.
“Euyup,” he replied in his usual manner before continuing, “Ah figured they would, closer we got to Ponyville and all. Ah guess ah’d hoped they would’ve vacated the place.”
“What if… what if Ponyville is still as bad as it was when we left? It’s only been a day or so,” Fluttershy asked glancing back nervously at the Cakes dawdling behind.
“We can’t really afford to find somewhere else,” he admitted, “but, if that is the case… we can always make for Appleloosa or Dodge. Except…”
“Except that would defeat the purpose of not heading to Canterlot in the first place,” Fluttershy finished, Big Mac gave a solemn nod. it was only now Fluttershy realised how much of their hopes were resting on the small chance of Ponyville being safe, the Cakes didn’t have a choice, Big Mac probably realised but was never going to let them go on their own, and Fluttershy… would she have been better off going with her friends? Most likely, but it was too late to head back now. If Ponyville did work out, and that was a pretty big if, then everything might work out.
Whitetail Woods emerged in the distance as they walked; the sun was now dipping low in the sky.
“Not far to go now,” Big Mac assured the older couple, “but this close to town we’re likely to run into more those things, so we need to establish some rules.”
The Cakes looked nervously at one another before allowing him to continue.
“Those kids can’t make a lot of noise if we’re to have any hope of getting through,” he explained, “ah no it’s tough, but you gotta do whatever you can to keep ‘em quiet. secondly if things turn south and ah tell you to scram, you do it, no arguin’ no heroics, each of you take responsibility for a foal and get the hay out of harm’s way. Understand?”
The Cakes nodded in acceptance, then Big Mac turned to Fluttershy.
“Same goes for you Miss Shy,” he added, “if ah tell ya to, you flap those wings as fast as you can, just worry about yourself you hear?”
Fluttershy nodded briefly, praying it wouldn’t come to that. With that out of the way, Big Mac led the way into Whitetail Woods. Fluttershy was amazed at how the world could come collapsing all around them and some aspects would remain perpetually unchanged. The forest was still as serene and tranquil as Fluttershy had always remembered it, ever since the day she dropped out of Cloudsdale and earned her cutie mark.
Big Mac on the other hoof didn’t stop to admire the scenery, his eyes were steely, his ears perked, his strides slow and measured. As they walked Fluttershy began to hear some small whining, and turning around she froze seeing that Pound Cake was waking up from his nap, and he was more than a little agitated. Springing forward without making a noise, Fluttershy crept alongside Mr Cake who was visibly sweating, and began whispering a soft lullaby into the foal’s ears. Quickly enough, a contented smile spread over his face and his eyes began to sink. Shortly after that he was snoring lightly from where he hung on his father’s chest.
Mr Cake mouthed a silent thank you to Fluttershy which she responded to with a polite smile before turning her attention back to the path, just as things went south. The infected dove from undergrowth it had been laying in moments before, it’s rasping breath loud in the previously still forest. Throwing itself at Big Mac it tried desperately to sink its teeth into his neck, its jaws snapping like a wild animal, but one infected against Big Mac hadn’t a hope. He kept it at bay with his powerful forehooves, before bucking it into a tree trunk. Before it had time to recover he reared up and came crashing down, shattering it’s skull into oblivion.
Mr Cake shook violently and his wife vomited at her feet, both foals were now awake and screaming. Fluttershy looked at Big Mac who met her eyes, clearly thinking the same thing. One infected was simple to deal with, but all this sound was going to attract more. Without so much as a word, Big Mac jumped forward and picked Mrs Cake up like she was nothing more than a bag of feathers, and draped her over his back, foal and all. Then giving Mr Cake and Fluttershy a shout of urgency he ran off the path, heading into the forest depths. Mr Cake followed after immediately, but Fluttershy stood frozen for a second, looking all around her.
The infected were coming; they were looming out of the darkness. Their retching breaths and stiff walking gave Fluttershy chills, but what disturbed her most was she was sure she recognised some of them. She knew she should run, gallop as fast as she could in the direction Big Mac had run, but instead fear gave way to previously unknown purpose, and a plan began to unfold in her mind. The infected had their eyes set on her; there were roughly a dozen of them, all hobbling towards her. Picking a trembling angel off her head, she whispered a quick instruction in his ear before setting him down.
She watched him dart away after Big Mac for a second before returning her attention to the creatures surrounding her. They now seemed to be in a frenzy, sniffing the air they seemed to have figured she wasn’t one of hem and were now picking up the pace, that’s when Fluttershy acted.
“Hey zombies!” she shouted as loud as she could, the slight tremble gave away her fear but she carried on. “Come and get me!”
With that she began to trot away, into the forest the opposite direction of where the others had gone. Sure enough, the horde began stumbling after her, furious at the prospect of their prey escaping them.
Fluttershy ran slowly, never getting too far ahead, always stopping occasionally to allow them to catch up, all the while shouting as loud as she could into the night air. There were even more of the now, coming from all sides. She couldn’t keep baiting them forever; she would have to escape soon. Turning on her heels she continued to run, hearing the evidence that they were still close at hoof. a quick glance over her shoulder told her she must have a few dozen chasing her, that was good, it was a lot the others would have potentially run into, she hoped they had found safety and this wasn’t all for nothing.
She kept running until she broke the tree line and charged out into a wide meadow. The direction she had chosen ended up taking her in the opposite direction of Ponyville, that gave her a lot of ground to cover if she wanted to get back to the group, but she had a plan for that. Slowing down she came to a stop several metres beyond the forest and watched as the infected poured out of the trees, even more than she had previously estimated. She gulped realising that Ponyville was definitely not a safe place if there were this many infected just sitting in its outskirts. The infected were close now, moving as fast as they could on half rotting legs.
Just before they reached her however, Fluttershy gave a spiteful grin, spread her wings and took off into the air, flying right over their heads as she flew back into the forest. She couldn’t help but give a little whoop of victory as she flew back over the canopy, but it was cut short by a screeching noise an uncomfortably short distance away. Looking back over her shoulder her jaw dropped open, three infected were flying after her. Going into panic mode she dived into the trees, hoping to lose them in them in the dense forest. She heard the snapping of branches behind her as they attempted to follow her.
She could no longer risk looking back if she wanted to avoid crashing and subsequently dying, so instead she began weaving awkwardly in and out of trees, hoping to shake them loose. After several minutes of anxious flying she heard the sound of their breathing and flapping fade into the distance and finally relaxed in the belief that she was safe. it had been a dangerous plan from the start, she knew that, but she had been so confident it would work, and her friends would benefit because of it. however as she reflected she realised she did do pretty well, even taking into account the few infected Pegasus who were able to take flight after her, she still came out in one piece.
Amidst her thoughts she began to hear the rusting of grass and the snapping of twigs a short distance away. Peering down through the trees she was delighted to recognise a heavy set crimson stallion marching through the forest floor. Descending down, Fluttershy dropped out of the sky in front of him, causing him to leap back in surprise.
“Hey, sorry I worried you,” she began but was quickly cut off when a pair of bone crushingly strong hooves were wrapped around.
“Don’t go scaring me like that again,” Big Mac said, his voice shaking slightly, nothing like his usual calm demeanour, “ah thought ah’d… we’d lost you.”
Fluttershy then noticed Angel sitting atop Big Mac’s head who gave her a little wink before jumping down and cosying up in her mane.
“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again,” Fluttershy assured him. He pulled back giving a sigh of relief.
“alright, come on this way, we found a pretty secluded spot, should be safe.” with that he led the way back through the forest, Fluttershy matching his pace, although it wasn’t hard, he seemed to be walking slower than he normally did.
“Thank you for worrying about me,” Fluttershy said after a long stretch of silence. Big Mac gave an awkward smile, keeping his eyes focused ahead
Day 4
It didn’t take long for Fluttershy and Big Mac to arrive at the pond where the Cakes sat huddled beneath a rocky overhang, safely out of sight of any passing infected. From where they now sat Fluttershy had a clear line of sight of Carousel Boutique, this was probably as close as they should go before Angel scouted the place out. Setting the rabbit down she asked him if he was sure he wanted to do this, he didn’t reply, merely hopped away with Ponyville in his sights. Fluttershy sat back down between Big Mac and Mrs Cake, saying a silent prayer for her faithful companion’s safe return.
“He’ll be okay,” Big Mac assured her, sensing her discomfort. Fluttershy smiled up at him appreciatively. “Ah never did say, it was mighty brave of you to lure those things away.”
“That’s what you were doing,” Mr Cake exclaimed, “Fluttershy we thought you had gotten lost, but that… was an incredibly selfless thing to do.”
Fluttershy scratched the back of her head in embarrassment.
“It was nothing,” she replied modestly, “I knew if weaved about they’d never catch me in amongst the trees. It would have been perfect if they couldn’t fly.”
Mrs Cake spluttered her mouth full of water she had just drunk, and both stallions’ heads snapped around to Fluttershy, their eyes wide with shock.
“Th-they can fly?” Mr Cake stammered.
“I’m afraid so,” Fluttershy confirmed, “but I don’t think they fly unless the pony they’re chasing does.”
“Well that’s comforting,” Mrs Cake said, Fluttershy could tell if she was being sarcastic or not. “It wouldn’t do much good to have them swooping down on us.”
“Nope,” Big Mac agreed, and the group once again fell into silence, except for the gurgling of the infants who had at last settled down after a feeding and quick bath in the lake. Big Mac went for a walk occasionally, making sure there was nothing straying too close. At one point he returned covered in blood and assured them he had dealt with it without actually going into any detail. The foals quickly became impatient again and started squirming as minutes began to turn to hours. The sun was well on its way into the sky when at last Fluttershy heard the near silent scampering indicating Angel’s return.
Running up to meet him she was relieved to see he was perfectly healthy.
“I’m so glad you’re alright Angel,” she said holding him close, “did you find anything?”
He then made his report, it was surprisingly extensive, and Fluttershy made a mental note to reward him as soon as food was no longer an issue.
“So what’s he say?” Big Mac asked. Fluttershy returned to the group carrying Angel to relay his findings.
“There are quite a few infected in Ponyville,” she began, “but they seem focused around areas like the train station and hospital, everywhere else is relatively deserted.”
“How ‘bout the farm?” Big Mac asked.
“He never made it that far, I’m sorry,” Big Mac nodded and Fluttershy continued, “Rarity’s is empty, but it’s picked clean.”
“That’s good,” Mr Cake said, “that’s really close.”
“The main shopping district is also pretty safe looking at a glance,” she continued, “Angel thinks there might be survivors hiding out around there, but he couldn’t be sure.”
“That’s hopeful,” Big Mac said nodding, “ah think the next move is to head for the dress shop. Even if there’s nothin’ to claim we can still fortify it and use it as a base. We can plan our next move from there.”
satisfied with that plan, the group gathered what few things they still had and left their campsite behind, making their way through the last of the forest to the Carousel Boutique. Fluttershy was glad Angel’s reports appeared to be trustworthy, they encountered no infected during the short trip, and thus were able to trot without fear of sound drawing any unwanted attention.
Arriving at the store, Big Mac ventured in first, to verify it was indeed empty, after a few agonisingly long minutes of glancing around in panic he returned to assure them all was well. Once inside, Fluttershy could see what Angel had meant by stripped clean. The shop looked as if it had been ransacked; anything of the slightest value removed leaving only hangers and discarded material. Once they were all inside, Big Mac went about securing the door; they would be able to use the back door for any travelling in and out as it was less conspicuous. While he set about barricading any point of entry and the Cakes began properly tending to their foals, Fluttershy journeyed upstairs, to see if anything had been left.
Whoever had gone through the downstairs, hadn’t spared Rarity’s bedroom, everything from the curtains to the bed sheets were gone. Really the only things that remained were fixtures like the desk and bedframe, although the latter was missing its mattress. It was only now Fluttershy began to wonder what had happened to Rarity, had she made it out in time? Where was she now? Walking over to the window Fluttershy peered out over the rest of Ponyville, it was a ghost town, she wasn’t sure whether she should look on that as a good thing or a bad thing.
Returning back downstairs she found Big Mac had made short work of securing the front room and was now in the kitchen doing the same. Following after him she offered a hoof which he accepted gratefully. Together they boarded up the windows and erected a makeshift barricade at the back door that could easily be dismantled to allow them to leave. Satisfied they had the shop as well secured as it was going to be without more materials and better tools, they returned to where the Cakes were seated to discuss their next move.
“So what do y’all think?” Big Mac asked as they walked over.
“I think we made the right choice coming back here,” Mr Cake replied steadily, “but I also know we never would have made it this far if it weren’t for you both.”
“We gotta look out for one another, ‘specially now a days,” Big Mac replied before moving on to the point at hoof. “We gotta bit of food, but it ain’t wise to wait until we’re out before looking for more. I’m gonna head out here, see if I can find anywhere that’s still got some stuff inside while you…”
“Um, actually,” Fluttershy interrupted quietly, “I think I should go look for food, if you don’t mind, it’s just, well, you’re not exactly built for sneaking.”
Big Mac looked at her surprises and Fluttershy suddenly became very worried she had offended him, she was about to apologise but then he spoke.
“No, you’re right, ah’m not,” he admitted, “if you’re up for it, then ah won’t stop you.”
Fluttershy nodded confidently, and walked to the back door followed by Big Mac and Angel.
“Angel you should stay here,” Fluttershy told the rabbit as Big Mac began opening the back door, Angel looked like he wanted to argue but Fluttershy stopped him in his tracks. “I’ll be fine, but those foals need everyone they can looking out for them, that includes you.”
Angel sighed before nodding and hoping back to the main room. Once the door was open Fluttershy stepped out into Rarity’s backyard, there were still some clothes hanging on the line, clearly who ever had searched this place had missed those.
“You be careful now,” Big Mac said, Fluttershy nodded, but she couldn’t help but notice Big Mac sounded a little off. Before she could think about it however he closed the door gently, his displeasure at the situation clear on his face.
Taking a breath Fluttershy turned back to Ponyville, it was still early afternoon, as long as she got back before it got dark the others wouldn’t worry. With that she set off, darting out from the Boutique and rushing across the street until she could find cover at one of the nearby houses. Somepony had looted Rarity’s house, Angel believed there were survivors in the business district, then that’s where she would go. With an objective in mind, Fluttershy began scampering along the walls of the houses, her eyes constantly peeled for any signs of movement. This was really turning out to be her lucky day as she encountered no trouble on her path.
However as she rounded one corner in particular she was forced to dart back before she was seen by three infected ambling around. Fluttershy glanced around the corner again; they were between her and Sugarcube Corner, that seemed to Fluttershy like a good a place as any to start. Darting forward, using her wings to give her a little more kick, she ran from corner to corner, alley to alley, anywhere she could be obscure from the sight of the infected. As she did, she began to realise they were quite easy to out manoeuvre, whatever it was ailing them, it must have stripped them of most of their mental faculties.
Reaching the bakery without so much a eliciting a sniff from the creatures still hovering around the street, she tested the front door. Locked, no surprise there, but she found there was no view through the windows either. Running around the building before she was seen, she made for the back door and was disheartened to find it locked as well. Stepping back she surveyed the building looking for an opening, the chink in the armour was obvious, almost stupidly so, the window to what was once Pinkie Pie’s room lying a mere inch open.
Looking around her to make sure she wouldn’t be seen, she spread her wings and fluttered up to the open window. Hovering outside it she eased it open, just enough that she could squeeze through. Satisfied she climbed through, angling one limb in at a time. The room was eerily silent, absent of the joyful atmosphere its old inhabitant once brought to it. The door to the hall was open, so creeping forward lest there was an infected lurking about; she made her way through the upstairs of the building, navigating the familiar house until she descended the stairs to the main shop.
The room was deserted, but unlike the boutique nothing had been taken, apart from the food in the glass counter, everything was as Fluttershy remembered it. walking across to the kitchen door, not bothering to keep quiet anymore, sure she was alone, Fluttershy pushed the saloon style door apart, striding in. her eyes stretched to the size of dinner plates at what she saw in the kitchen. Leaning against the counters at the opposite end of the room, sat a bubble gum pink pony, with a long, straight mane and tail, and three balloons emblazoned on her flanks.
But what shocked Fluttershy most wasn’t the sight of her friend, but the fact that Pinkie Pie… was looking back at her, alive.
“Pinkie!” she exclaimed. Pinkie’s eyes were equally wide seeing her, it was only then Fluttershy noticed what she had missed before, the large kitchen knife being held out by Pinkie in her direction. Recognising Fluttershy, Pinkie let the knife clatter to the floor, a wide grin appearing over her face.
“Fluttershy, you came ba…” she began to say but was cut off by a sudden fit of wracking coughs. Fluttershy unfroze from where she stood at the door and rushed over to her friend.
As she held Pinkie in her hooves she began to notice everything wasn’t as well as she had previously thought. Pinkie was covered in a cold sweat, her forehead was burning up, and her breathing was nothing more than a mere rasping.
“Pinkie, are you…” Fluttershy began afraid she was infected, but Pinkie cut her off quickly.
“No I swear!” she insisted, before coughing again. “They never touched me; I escaped the hospital and came straight here. They haven’t been able to get in, I’m not infected, you have to believe me!”
“But you’re sick, what’s happening to you?” Fluttershy asked still clutching the trembling body of Pinkie Pie to her chest.
“Whatever treatment I was receiving,” Pinkie began giving a weak laugh, “shouldn’t have ended so abruptly.”
“We need to get you out of here,” Fluttershy said trying to pick her up, “we’re hiding at Rarity’s shop, we’ll get you help.”
“No wait,” Pinkie said, “all this foods here.”
Fluttershy looked around her, the kitchen was indeed fully stocked, there might even be more in the basement.
“Alright, I’ll bring the others here,” Fluttershy proposed. Pinkie mulled this over, she didn’t object but nor did she look happy.
Heaving Pinkie to her hooves, Fluttershy dragged her across the kitchen, and made her slow journey upstairs. After what seemed like forever they made it to Pinkie’s bedroom where Fluttershy laid her on the bed, making sure to wrap her up. Once she was made comfortable, Fluttershy ran downstairs and gathered a few things. Re-entering the bedroom she approached the bed.
“Drink plenty of water,” she said setting two bottles filled from the still running tap on the bedside table. “And here’s some food, I promise we won’t be long but just in case…”
Setting the snacks alongside the water she held out the last item, the kitchen knife.
“Stay safe Pinkie,” she said placing it down, “I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
“Be careful out there Fluttershy,” Pinkie whispered in a weak voice. Fluttershy nodded and hurried down the stairs. Once in the kitchen she found the backdoor key, releasing herself she stepped out into Ponyville once more, locking the door behind her. it was getting late, she hadn’t realised how long she had already been away. No doubt the other would be beginning to panic; she had to get back as fast as possible.
Descending to the ground, Fluttershy trotted the last several feet to the back door of the boutique whish was swung open by a concerned looking Big Mac; he had probably been looking out one of the upstairs windows for her approaching. He hurried her inside and began to close the door again.
“Don’t barricade that, we’re heading out soon,” Fluttershy said, dashing into the main room ignoring the stallion’s look of surprise.
“Oh dearie your back,” Mrs Cake said from where she hadn’t moved since Fluttershy left. “How did it go?”
“Good and bad,” Fluttershy said as Big Mac entered the room behind her. “I got inside Sugarcube Corner, and it is full of food.”
The Cakes exchanged ecstatic glances at this news.
“and to make matters better, Pinkie Pie is hiding there.” that did it, the Cakes were now jumping for joy, even the foals were squealing with delight, only Big Mac hadn’t forgotten that Fluttershy had mentioned bad news.
“And the other news?” he asked causing the Cakes to cease their celebrations.
“Pinkie is sick,” Fluttershy said bowing her head, “she needs our help right away, I don’t… I don’t know if she’ll make it without us.”
“Well of course we’ll head over there right away,” Mr Cake said scooping up the foals.
“Hold on now,” Big Mac said, “ah’m all for hunkerin’ down somewhere better stocked than here and helpin’ a friend in one go, but how in the hay are we all going to get across town without bein’ seen.”
“There were some infected along the way,” Fluttershy admitted, “we’d never be able to get us all snuck past them.”
“So you’ll come up with a plan,” Mrs Cake said hopefully, “you kids are good at that.”
Fluttershy and Big Mac exchanged a look before assuming thoughtful poses. She could always lure them away again, like in the forest. No that wouldn’t do, she would only end up bringing more onto the streets.
“Ah could always take them out one at a time,” Big Mac suggested, Fluttershy shook her head.
“They’re too close together; you’d never be able to take one out without alerting the others.”
Fluttershy was stumped, they had no way of getting past the infected, but Pinkie was depending on them. Then it hit her.
“Um, I think I have a plan,” she announced, still somewhat unsure, “but it might not work.”
“This is not going to work,” Big Mac reminded her as they peered around the corner at the bakery, the street they needed to cross now occupied by five infected.
“I’ll go first,” Fluttershy assured him, “if it doesn’t work I’ll settle for luring them away then you can all run for it, in fact, you’d better take the key.”
Big mac still looked unconvinced as the key was shoved into his hoof.
“This is suicide,” he insisted.
“We don’t have a choice,” Fluttershy stated flatly, then looking past him to where the Cakes were pressed up against the wall. “Be ready to act however this should turn out.”
When they nodded, Fluttershy turned her attention back to the street, took one deep breath, and stepped out onto it.
She made no attempt to hide herself, the closest infected noticed her instantly, cocking its head curiously at her. Fluttershy didn’t stop however, slowly, ever so slowly she began making her way forward, giving the occasional limp or shuffle. More of the infected were taking an interest in her now, wondering if she was prey. It was time to see if her plan worked.
“Ugggghhhhh…” Fluttershy droned in a low voice, twitching her head slightly and let her jaw hang slack. The infected stared at her as she continued to stumble forward.
She could fail trickles of sweat running down her brow, but fought the urge to wipe them away, too intent on keeping up her act. She was now standing in the midst of the infected, all of which were now staring at her. She didn’t make eye contact, didn’t quicken her pace, just continued to shuffle forward, giving low moans. Eventually, one by one, the infected lost interest in her and continued their own mindless ambling around. Fluttershy had to suppress the desire to punch the air in victory, but instead kept moving, now changing her trajectory so she was moving around the edge of Sugarcube Corner, out of sight of the infected that were now ignoring her.
Taking the last couple steps at a frantic run, she pressed herself up against the wall and breathed a huge sigh of relief. a large portion of her brain was sure that wouldn’t work, but it hadn’t escaped her notice that they must have some method of recognising one another, much like animals adapt certain features to advertise their gender like a peacock’s plumage. Glancing back around the corner she saw the others were now repeating her attempt. She mentally facehooved seeing they were all walking over at the same time.
however as she continued to watch the infected yet again lost interest in the newcomers accepting them as being more infected. Once all four were safely around the corner, Big Mac hurriedly unlocked the door and they dog piled through into the kitchen. The Cakes were the first up, opening their packs and pulling out their foals, removing the gags they had placed. Fluttershy and Big Mac lay heaped together on the ground for a few seconds, almost as if neither wanted to tell the other to get off, until finally the stallion stumbled up, turning away to hide his blush.
It was only then Fluttershy remembered why they had come and rushed up the stairs, praying Pinkie would be okay. Angel darted ahead of her, already aware of the situation, when she entered the bedroom she found him perched on her chest, and was relieved to see her smiling down at him.
“Oh Angel,” she cooed weakly, “have I missed you?”
“Thank goodness you’re okay,” Fluttershy said taking a quick glance out the window as she approached the bed, it was late evening. “How are you feeling?”
Pinkie winced at the question but did her best to smile none the less.
“Not great,” she admitted, “but I’m already feeling better knowing you’re here.”
At that moment the door swung open and the Cakes rushed in, foals in arms, collapsing at Pinkie’s bedside. Fluttershy decided to give them some peace and left the room, Angle following in her wake. Entering the kitchen once more she found Big Mac examining the contents of the cupboard.
“You’re really something Fluttershy,” he said as she entered, she noticed he didn’t call her Miss that time. “You put yourself in harm’s way to get those things away from us, you volunteer to search the town, and you get us here safely, perhaps saving us and Pinkie in the long run.”
“You make me sound a lot better than I am,” Fluttershy said hiding behind her mane.
“Ah’m serious, you’re an amazing mare.” Fluttershy stared at him, their eyes were locked and the world seemed to fall silent around them, she didn’t even notice Angel making gaging gestures next to her. Then the moment was broken by Mr Cake running into the kitchen.
“You two might want to get up here.”
Charging up the stair they all entered the room where Mrs Cake was pacing anxiously while Pinkie played with the foals.
“Has something happened?” Fluttershy asked, panic stricken.
“Not exactly,” Mrs Cake replied, “it’s just… well Pinkie’s not in a good state, and well…”
“Don’t sugar coat it Mrs Cake,” Pinkie said, her smile faltering, “I’m not going to make it.”
“What? No!” Fluttershy exclaimed, rushing to Pinkie’s side and grasping her hoof between her own. “There has to be something we can do, I won’t lose you too.”
Pinkie stared back at her, clearly confused by her use of the word ‘too’. Of course she didn’t know about Applejack yet, and Fluttershy didn’t have the heart to tell her.
“We might be able to help her,” Mr Cake interrupted, “but we’d need medicine…”
“And the only place where we could find what we need,” Mrs Cake continued, “is the hospital.”
Angel looked up at Fluttershy; she hadn’t forgotten what he said about the hospital being overrun. Pinkie seemed to guess what the problem was from their faces.
“It’s okay Flutters,” she said, although she could only hide her fear so much. “I don’t mind going, I could never let you do anything dangerous for my sake.”
“I won’t stand here and let you die,” Fluttershy said with shaking determination. She then looked to the others, but it was Big Mac who spoke.
“It’s your decision,” he told her, “if you want to, ah’ll break down those hospital doors and anything else that gets between us and what she needs.”
“Fluttershy,” Pinkie said her voice trembling, “don’t, just let me go, I couldn’t live with myself if you got hurt there.”
“But…” Fluttershy began.
“Please, I’m begging you, leave me and look after yourself.”
“What’s it gonna be Fluttershy?” Big Mac asked after a drawn out silence. Fluttershy looked Pinkie in the eyes, the pleading stare, then back at Big Mac, who stared back with steadfast loyalty.
“We’ll…”
Do you:
a) Get the medicine-
b) Let you go-
Stay
“I want to stay,” she said nervously. Rarity nodded stiffly, clearly unhappy by her decision. Fluttershy looked to Applejack who wasn’t trying to hide her surprise.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised,” Rarity said, “it’s a big step for anyone to leave behind all they’ve ever known. Regardless, I wish you both the very best of luck.”
“You too, I hope you find… whatever it is you’re looking for,” Fluttershy replied giving her friend an awkward hug. They then turned back to the food.
“Well, we both brought this back,” Rarity reminded her, “it’s only fair you keep some of it.”
Fluttershy nodded, if not for herself, but for Applejack. Once the food was divided according to need, giving Rarity, Cheerilee and Sweetie Belle the majority, and leaving a small fraction with Applejack and Fluttershy, the trio left through the back gate of the orchard. Fluttershy and Applejack followed, although Fluttershy was sure Applejack wanted to be sure the gate was closed properly this time. Sure enough she barely spoke as the final farewells were exchanged, and soon enough the pair were left alone, watching as their friends faded into the distance.
Applejack sighed and closed the gate, locking it.
“Thank you for staying Shy,” she said after a moment of uncomfortable silence, “Celestia knows I needed the company.”
Fluttershy hugged her last remaining friend.
“I would never leave you behind,” she assured her. They stood like that for a long time, neither wanting to end the embrace, but eventually Applejack did, although with great reluctance.
“I better start work,” she said straightening her hat and making for the trees. Fluttershy ran after her.
“I’ll help you.”
Day 31
Fluttershy stared wistfully out the window, watching as the rain trickled down. It had been one month, one month since this began, and here she was, still held up in the same farm in the same town.
“Bout time we got a shower like that, ah was beginning to think we were ‘bout to have a drought.” but at least she wasn’t alone. Having been cooped up together alone, the two had grown much closer than they ever had at Ponyville, while Fluttershy missed all her other friends, she was glad she had Applejack.
“You should eat something,” she said as Applejack made to lie down.
“alright Sugarcube,” she agreed, she had long since learned that she couldn’t win arguments against the once so shy Pegasus, and found it was easier just to agree. Turning back to the table she began putting together a small snack where Angel was already munching happily on a carrot. Fluttershy would normally have told him to slow down, but the carrot weren’t doing well this season, and getting a good one like that was becoming a rarity, she didn’t want to spoil the moment for him by putting him down.
“So hun,” Applejack said from the table, “ah’ve been thinking, we got a pretty good set up here, maybe we ought’a head back to Ponyville, see how things are holding up.”
Fluttershy glanced back in surprise; Applejack hadn’t mentioned the possibility of returning home since Rarity left, Fluttershy was beginning to think she had lost interest in it. Seeming to read her thoughts, Applejack spoke again.
“Ah’ve been meanin’ to bring it up for a while now,” she explained, “but ah guess a part of me was just afraid we wouldn’t find anything good. But ah’ve decided ah can’t hide here dreaming about it, so what do you think?”
“I think it’s a great idea,” she replied, “what’s the plan?”
“well we know the way, and we got plenty of food to keep us goin’,” she began, “ah’d say we bolster this place up, grab ourselves a couple of packs, sneak out the town at dark and head on over to Ponyville straight ‘til morning.”
“Alright, shall we leave tomorrow?” Fluttershy asked, they would obviously need time before hoof to prepare.
“Tomorrow sounds perfect,” she said finishing her meal and standing up, “ah’m gonna hit the hay for a bit then get started on preparations.
“Alright, I’ll stay up and keep look out,” she replied returning to her vigil. Applejack left the room and Fluttershy noticed Angel had dozed off on the table; he probably tired himself out gardening today. That left Fluttershy alone with her thoughts, and her only thoughts were of home.
Day 32
The sun was low in the sky as Fluttershy surveyed the streets surrounding the farm. Everything seemed peaceful, but she had long since learned that was just reason to display more caution. Fluttering down from the roof she found Applejack exactly where she expected her to be, staring down a patch of earth, marked by makeshift headstone. Approaching her friend she stood in silence as she said goodbye, of course they may very well come back, but just in case things took a turn, it was best to get it out of the way.
Both mares had their saddlebags on, they had spent the morning sorting through all their supplies, trying to decide what best to carry with them before checking the farm’s fortifications. Applejack also made sure to tend to all the cherry trees, while Fluttershy had become more active recently in helping with the farming, there was still a great deal of it that went over her head, in this case all she knew was that her friend was making sure the trees would still be in reasonable condition should they return.
Angel paced the rear gate as they approached seeing them he scampered forward and leapt into Fluttershy’s mane. the pair then waited by the gate for the last rays of sunlight to fade before setting off, there had been a small drizzle earlier in the day, but for the most part it was relatively dry. Satisfied it was dark enough, Applejack unlocked the gate and they both moved out. Once outside they moved in military fashion, covering the gate with all manner of junk they had moved there that morning, if they were lucky they would still find it empty when they returned.
Day 34
It was a chilling moment for Fluttershy, walking out of the Everfree Forest in the earliest hours of the morning, at the exact spot the pair had entered through all those days ago to see the very upturned cart they had once hidden behind as Fluttershy made her decision to abandon the train and flee. Sensing her discomfort, Applejack put a comforting arm over her shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile before the two set off. They moved hesitantly, while Fluttershy had become familiar with Dodge, even the habits of the infected there, Ponyville was a collection of unknown variables, and until they knew more about its current climate, they had to be wary of everything.
Ponyville was a ghost town for the most part, as they snuck through, giving themselves a feel for the place, they found the infected had remained, but were more scarce here than they had been in Dodge. For the most part, they only saw one or two stumbling down the occasional street, but the train station on the other hoof was a different matter entirely. It was swarming by comparison to everywhere else they had been to, although that still only meant a couple dozen. Mentally they both made note to avoid going down that section of Ponyville.
As the sun began to rise the pair found themselves getting pretty worn out, they had travelled almost nonstop to get here, having to take a large detour after discovering the old castle in the Everfree forest was overrun. After a brief discussion they made their way back to Twilight’s library, they had already taken a quick look inside on their initial search and discovered it to be empty and so decided it made as good a place as any to set up camp for a while. Once inside Applejack set about securing the library while Fluttershy took time to conduct a more thorough investigation.
The library had been stripped down, the kitchen suffering the most, all the cabinets raided. Fluttershy guessed that meant somepony had come through here looking for supplies since the initial outbreak. Judging from the state of the books, most of which looked as if they had been used as fire fuel, she guessed it hadn’t been Twilight, sure that even in this day and age she wouldn’t desecrate books. There was next to nothing of value in the tree house, making Fluttershy believe that there were indeed survivors who had raided it, perhaps they were hiding out elsewhere in Ponyville. The notion gave her a new sense of hope, that they might not be alone in all this.
Applejack finished boarding up the downstairs windows and doors and the two sat down to a quick meal along with Angel while Fluttershy filled them in on her assumptions.
“Ah reckon you may be on to somethin’ there Sugarcube,” Applejack agreed, “certainly would be nice to think our friends were still out there survivin’.”
Finishing their meal the three of them retired up stairs to take a long overdue sleep, Applejack offered to take the first watch and Fluttershy wasn’t in any position to argue, as soon as she hit Twilight’s old mattress she was out like a light.
Day 35
Fluttershy leafed through the first book she found that wasn’t roasted. While she had never had an interest in ‘advanced magical theory’ she was willing to do anything to occupy her mind. rain lashed down outside, it had forced her to cancel what would have been her second scouting mission into Ponyville, and after the disaster of the first one she had been looking forward to it. After both her and Applejack had received a decent few hours’ sleep, Fluttershy left the library through one of the upstairs windows.
However it turned out the infected of Ponyville were considerably more active than those she was used to dealing with, and so they had all moved around in the space of a few hours cutting off most of the streets further into town. As a result she had been unable to get more than a few houses away, and those she did manage to get into showed similar signs of being raided as the library had. Angel had been able to travel a little further but was only able to report several of the shops in the business district were blocked up. Fluttershy wondered if this was more proof of survivors hiding out, but without a safe way of getting to and back she couldn’t be sure, and so retired back to the library.
Applejack had assured her it wasn’t a problem, and she could try again tomorrow, however when tomorrow came it brought with it the rain Fluttershy was now listening to, and they had both agreed it would do nopony any good heading out in that weather. Thus they were forced to sit and wait for the weather to clear up before Fluttershy could do anything of use other than checklist their supplies yet again. As she glanced over the words in front of her, barely taking anything in, her mind a blank haze, her ears pricked up to some unusual sounds carrying down from upstairs. Looking up she saw Applejack and Angel were both sitting stalk still, having heard the noises as well.
It only took Fluttershy a few seconds to identify the noise as that of hooves clopping across floorboards, something was upstairs, Fluttershy didn’t even think about how it got in, she just set her book down and crept across the floor towards the stairs. Applejack did likewise and quickly enough the pair of them stood pressed against the wall at either side of the staircase as the sound of hoofsteps drew closer. Applejack held a chair leg in her hoof; she had it raised over her head, ready to bring it down.
The figure stumbled down the stairs so quickly that neither mare could take the time to identify them before reacting instinctively. Applejack swung the chair leg, connecting loudly with the figure’s skull, causing a loud crack to echo through the room. As it fell Fluttershy leapt on it from the back, pinning it down, being sure to press its face against the floor so it couldn’t lash out at her. In the corner of her eye she barely made out Angel slapping a tiny paw to his face, clearly embarrassed at what they had just done, just as the figure began to swear profusely.
Fluttershy leapt off, horrified at having just assaulted another pony, Applejack chucked the chair leg aside and quickly dropped down, flipping the dark grey Pegasus over.
“Thunderlane?” Fluttershy said shocked as she recognised the weather pony.
“F-Fluttershy? Applejack?” he said, equally confused. There was a trickle of blood running down the side of his head.
“Ah shit,” Applejack whispered, applying pressure to the wound. “Sorry ‘bout that Thunderlane, but you kinda startled us.”
“No no, I get it,” he assured her, surprisingly he didn’t sound to upset by the whole thing. “You can’t afford to be too careful these days. But where have you two been? We didn’t know there was anypony left.”
“We just got back,” Fluttershy explained, “are you saying there are others?”
“Just a few,” he admitted as Applejack began wrapping a strip of cloth around his head, “there were more, but most got out when everything kicked off, others left later, hoping to find somewhere better to settle down, and some… didn’t make it.”
“Sounds like what we went through,” Applejack commented, finishing treating Thunderlane and leaning back. “So where are you folk held up.”
“Sofas and quills,” he replied, so Angel was right about survivors in the business district. “We were in Sugarcube Corner for a bit, but I got overrun after an accident.”
“Sugarcube Corner,” Fluttershy repeated, suddenly hopeful, “is Pinkie Pie with you?”
Thunderlane flinched, not meeting Fluttershy’s eye.
“I’m sorry, when we arrived there we found her in the kitchen,” he informed them, Fluttershy felt her heart stop for a minute, “we don’t know what got her, could have been sick, but she looked like she had been gone for a few days when we arrived.”
Applejack too off her hat and bowed her head, this was exactly what they feared discovering upon returning.
“Who else is there?” Fluttershy asked, her voice catching in her throat.
“besides me, there’s currently Nurse Redheart, Lotus and Scootaloo,” he replied, “like I said, there were more, but some left looking for somewhere better.”
“Was my sister or brother among ‘em?” Applejack asked desperately.
“They… weren’t ever with us,” he informed her, then seeing the look of despair on her face he added quickly, “but for what it’s worth I’ve been doing runs all over Ponyville and they certainly aren’t… two of those things, they might have gotten out when this all began.”
Fluttershy knew he had hoped to make Applejack feel better, but disheartened expression never changed, she knew Applejack’s main reason for coming back was the hope of being reunited with her family, and now that seemed just as far off as ever.
“So I take it you were the ones who took everything out of here?” Fluttershy asked breaking the uncomfortable silence.
“Yeah, this is actually where we hid out before Sugarcube Corner,” he explained, “places around Ponyville were running out of stuff for taking, so I decided to come back and see if we had left anything behind.”
“Well I can tell you there’s nothing left here but fire fuel,” Fluttershy informed, gesturing around at the books. “What will you do now?”
“Head back I guess, no reason to stay,” he said thoughtfully, “of course, you’re both welcome to come along; it would be great to have another couple of friends around.”
“That sounds ideal,” Applejack said at last, though she didn’t sound enthusiastic. “Ah reckon you flew here?”
“Yeah, I only risk flying kin the rain since they can’t see me and take chase.”
“Yeah well what can they do while you’re safely in the sky?” Applejack asked almost laughing; Thunderlane just stared back at her.
“You do know they can fly don’t you?” he asked, both mares froze and stared at him in shock. “Some of the Pegasus whose wings aren’t, um, decayed too much can still fly.”
Applejack let out low whistle, Fluttershy just fidgeted awkwardly as images of being chased by infected through the sky flooded into her mind.
“Ah did not know that,” Applejack replied slowly.
“For what it’s worth they only do it when a pony they’re chasing starts flying,” he explained, “otherwise they seem to forget how to do it.”
“So when shall we leave?” Fluttershy asked.
“We can wait until this dies down if you prefer, but I don’t mind either way,” Thunderlane assured them.
“This doesn’t look like it’ll let up for some time,” Applejack guessed staring out a window, “and your group might get worried if you stay away for too long.”
“So we leave now then?”
“Yeah,” Applejack confirmed turning from the window, “just give us a minute to gather our things. Angel, could you get that door open?”
Applejack gestured violently at the barricaded door to emphasise her point, the rabbit got the message and began shifting the crates piled up against it. Once Fluttershy and Applejack had the few supplies they still had packed into their saddlebags which were once again secured on their backs, the three ponies and rabbit gathered around the door. Fluttershy opened it slowly; a nervous glance around the street told her it was empty, although it was difficult to tell with the rain lashing down. Stepping out she edged around the tree trunk to make sure there weren’t any infected standing just out of sight. Applejack went around the other side, and when they confirmed the area was deserted the group made their way through Ponyville.
While they all knew the way to Sofas and Quills, Thunderlane insisted on leading the way. whenever Fluttershy had gone out scouting the town in Dodge, she had always taken it slowly, but Thunderlane seemed to be perfectly content to rush down the street, barely aware of the noise he was creating by splashing through the puddles. within minutes the group was soaked, even Angel hiding under Fluttershy’s mane, but they were lucky to not run into any infected on their way, at least until they arrived at their destination to see a single one standing inconveniently just outside the shop.
“Dammit,” Thunderlane muttered ducking behind a barrel.
“It’s okay, ah got this one,” Applejack said, and before either pony could argue, she slipped forward and ran up to the infected. She didn’t try to remain hidden and it spotted her quickly enough, but it barely had a moment to react before receiving a blow from Applejack’s powerful forelegs straight to the face. Once on the ground she continued to trample it, making sure it wouldn’t get back up, she then gestured for the other two.
Thunderlane lead them to the back door seeing as the front of the shop was entirely boarded up, once there he rapped quickly on the door and stood fidgeting, waiting for somepony to open it.
“Hey Thunderlane, what took you so…” the voice died as the orange Pegasus filly saw who was standing behind him. “Oh my…”
Thunderlane shoved a hoof into her mouth, cutting off her excited scream, quickly pushing forward. Applejack and Fluttershy rushed in after and heard the door shut behind them. Once inside they were greeted by two very surprised mares, one excited filly and the exhausted and drenched stallion they had travelled with.
“Applejack?” Nurse Redheart said in surprise.
“Fluttershy?” Lotus said happily.
“Hey guys, sorry to drop in unannounced like this,” Applejack said giving an awkward smile.
“No, it’s fine, we just didn’t know anypony else was in Ponyville,” Redheart explained, Lotus hurried over offering each of them towels, Angel accepted the one she gave to Fluttershy gratefully.
“Applejack, is Applebloom with you guys?” Scootaloo asked quickly bouncing up and down, Applejack sighed.
“Sorry Scoots, ah don’t know where she is…” she began when suddenly her eyes snapped wide open as something dawned on her. “Wait a sec, she was supposed to be with you! When all this started she was sleepin’ over at your house! What the hay happened?”
Scootaloo shrunk back at the sudden shouting.
“I don’t know, I’m sorry,” she said terrified, “we heard the shouting and went to investigate, everypony was running and screaming so we ran too. Then Big /mac found us and told us we had to come with him, we did but… I got separated.”
Applejack was silent for a very long time, Fluttershy was worried she was going to start shouting again, and from the look on Scootaloo’s face, she thought so too.
However in the end, Applejack gave a relieved sigh and grinned.
“So she was with Big Mac,” she whispered, “that’s good, ah know if anypony can keep her safe it’s him.”
“So, um, what now?” Fluttershy asked, glad the situation was diffused but now suddenly unsure as to where they went now they had found survivors.
“Well you’re welcome to stay here as long as you want,” Redheart said, although Fluttershy sensed a ‘but’ was coming. “But I’ll be honest, we don’t have a lot of food, and Ponyville’s been cleaned out.”
“That ain’t no problem,” Applejack said confidently, “see we’ve been holdin’ out in Dodge since this started, we got ourselves a farm, well defended, plenty of food.”
The whole room brightened up hearing that.
“That sounds great,” Lotus said, “but, um, how far is Dodge?”
“It took us roughly a day to get here,” Applejack informed them, “but we ran into a complication in the Everfree Forest, so it shouldn’t take as long to get back, knowin’ how to avoid it.”
“With the last of our supplies we could easily make the journey,” Thunderlane said to his own group.
“But we’d have to leave soon,” Redheart added, Thunderlane nodded.
“Yeah but not right now, we’re not heading anywhere until we get a chance to rest,” he said gesturing to himself and the newcomers.
“Plus this rain isn’t great for travelling in,” Fluttershy noted, ringing out her mane into the sink.
“Alright then you can all get some sleep,” Redheart agreed, “we’ll get the supplies packed and ready to set off in the morning.”
Thunderlane nodded in acknowledgement and led the other two to the upstairs of the shop where camp beds were set out.
Fluttershy picked one and lay down after making sure to thoroughly dry herself off, however she quickly found she wasn’t tired enough to fall asleep, even as the rhythmic breathing indicating the other two had drifted off filled the room, Fluttershy just lay staring at the ceiling. She was about ready to give up and go back downstairs when she heard somepony walking quietly towards her. She looked around to see Scootaloo frozen mid step, clearly surprised at having been noticed.
“Oh hey Scootaloo,” she said sitting up, “how are you?”
“I’m okay,” she said hesitantly, “well, I miss my friends.”
“Yeah, so do I,” Fluttershy agreed, thinking of Pinkie. She wondered if they had buried her, was there somewhere she could pay her respects?
“I miss Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo whispered Fluttershy looked back at her. “She had just started teaching me to fly before this began, I’m not that good, but I was getting better, because of her…”
Fluttershy didn’t interrupt; she wondered where the filly was going with this line of conversation.
“There was this place, just outside Ponyville,” she continued, a shadow of a smile on her face. “She’d fly me there on her back after school, and we’d practice there.
“Ever since this began,” she continued, Fluttershy guessed they were nearing the point of the conversation. “I’ve wanted to go back there. I don’t know why, but Rainbow always said if things ever got really bad, just to go to our secret place and everything would be okay.”
Fluttershy pulled herself off the bed ad walked over to the filly and leaned down in front of her.
“Why are telling me this Scootaloo?” the filly took a deep breath before continuing.
“If we’re leaving tomorrow, I might never get another chance,” she explained, “is there any way, you could… take me there?”
Fluttershy blinked in surprise, she glanced up at the window. The rain was staring to let up, and it wasn’t yet night. She looked back down at the filly who was staring back up at her hopefully. A quick flight outside Ponyville, they’d be back in no time. Of course, being this close to leaving for good, could they really risk something? Was Scootaloo’s vague wish really worth it?
“Well?” Scootaloo asked hopefully. Fluttershy ran it over her mind once more before coming to a decision.
“We…”
Fluttershy was saved from making a decision by a loud clanging downstairs causing Applejack and Thunderlane to sit bolt upright in bed
“What in tarnation?” Applejack exclaimed, rushing from the room followed swiftly by Thunderlane. Fluttershy and Scootaloo glanced nervously at one another before leaving to join the others. Back downstairs Fluttershy found Angel glaring at Lotus who appeared to have walked into a stack of cans, causing them to spill onto the floor.
“Dammit Lotus!” Thunderlane gave off, “you’ll bring the walkers down on our heads!”
‘Walkers’? Fluttershy hadn’t heard them referred to as that before. Lotus looked like she was ready to burst into tears at being shouted at, but Fluttershy stepped forward and rubbed her back.
“It’s okay, we all make mistakes.” Lotus smiled at her and together they began packing up the cans. After that Fluttershy offered to help arrange their supplies, after all she wasn’t likely to get to sleep anytime soon.
Day 36
The trek back to Dodge did take less time as Applejack had predicted after cutting around the old castle in the first place, saving them the time otherwise spent backtracking. Once they passed over the short stretch of desert, night had descended over the group, and they arrived to find the town seemingly deserted. Thunderlane made to move forward but Applejack stopped him with an outstretched hoof.
“Whoa there pardner,” she said, “we’ve been jumped in these streets ‘nough times to know when everything ain’t as it seems.”
“Come on,” Fluttershy said, leading the group away from the main street and down a longer route she knew the infected rarely traversed. They followed without argument and they managed to get through Dodge only being forced to stop twice to wait for infected to move on their way. Once they got closer Applejack broke out into a quick run to the final corner where she would see the farm clearly. As Fluttershy approached her friend, she noticed she was still as a statue. Reaching her shoulder she followed her gaze, and her jaw dropped.
The junk they had piled up around the back gate was scattered around the street, the gate itself knocked from its hinges.
“Consarnit!” Applejack swore, throwing her hat to the ground.
“What’s the matter?” Redheart asked worried as the other caught up.
“Some daft pony has broken into the farm,” she exclaimed, “the gate’s lying open and ah can bet that place is swarmin’ with infected.”
“Can you see any?” Lotus asked, straining to see past Applejack.
“Well, no,” she admitted picking up her hat again. Fluttershy stared intently at the perimeter fence; it was far too dark to make anything out. She felt a tapping on her head and glanced up to see Angel leaning over her. She got his meaning quickly enough and addressed Applejack.
“Angel can take a look,” she informed her, “she’ll be in and out as quick as can be.”
Applejack nodded in approval and the rabbit hoped off Fluttershy’s head and dashed for the farm. The group didn’t have to wait long for him to return, and when he did he quickly relayed his information to Fluttershy.
“There’s good news and bad news,” she said to the others.
“Let me guess,” Applejack began sarcastically, “the bad news is the farm is chalk full of infected?”
“Well, um, yes,” Fluttershy admitted hiding from Applejack’s glare behind her mane. “Angel thinks some ponies tried to escape them by running into the farm, as he found some bodies about the place.”
“So what’s the good news?” Scootaloo asked impatiently.
“Well Angel managed to get inside and found all our supplies are exactly where we left them,” Fluttershy informed them happily.
“How many, roughly?” Applejack asked, pondering the situation.
“Angel counted little under a dozen, but there may be more he didn’t see.”
“Alright,” Applejack replied pondering.
“Well we can’t exactly leave,” Thunderlane said, “the supplies we have now won’t last, we need those.”
“But it sounds like there’s a lot of walkers in there,” Redheart countered, “It might be safer just leaving now and finding somewhere else.”
“Where else is there?” Thunderlane shot back, “I assume you cleaned this town out?”
“Yes,” Fluttershy admitted, “everything in Dodge is currently in that farm.”
“Now hold on,” Applejack said, “assumin’ we don’t go for it, we can always head to Appleoosa.”
“That’s another couple days journey,” Lotus said, checking around the others that she wasn’t mistaken. “Can we make it without more supplies?”
“Ah don’t rightly know,” Applejack said scratching her head, “but it might be our best bet. What do you think Shy?”
Fluttershy looked again at the farm, it was a lot of food to go to waste, but if what Angel said was true, it could be suicidal. Appleoosa sounded like a safe bet, small towns had done them all well so far, but could they make it without the supplies.
“Come on Fluttershy we need a decision,” Applejack pressured her, “ah trust your judgement, so whatever you decide ah’m with you on it.”
Fluttershy nodded, appreciating the vote of confidence.
“Alright, I think we should…”
Do you:
a) Leave the supplies-
b) Get the supplies-
Leave
“I want to leave,” Fluttershy said, Rarity smiled widely, Applejack on the other hoof merely snorted and stormed from the room.
“I knew you would darling,” Rarity said placing a comforting hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder, “now come, help me pack this food.”
As they sorted through the food, Fluttershy waited until she was sure Rarity wasn’t looking and placed a few cans under the table out of sight, she wouldn’t leave Applejack with nothing.
Looking over her shoulder she saw Applejack standing in the doorway as Fluttershy had known, looking at her with awe. Fluttershy simply smiled before continuing to pack. Once all the supplies were dealt with, Rarity unaware of Fluttershy’s small act of charity, the four ponies approached the back gate, Angel hoping over and jumping on Fluttershy’s back, she guessed he had been paying some final respects to Granny Smith. Applejack followed them out, though Fluttershy guessed it was only to make sure the gate was locked this time.
“Well,” rarity said, breaking the uncomfortable silence, “I guess this is it.”
“Yeah ah guess so,” Applejack replied, not meeting her eye. Then after another moment of intense silence she spoke again, “ah hope y’all find what you’re lookin’ for.”
“Why thank you Applejack,” Rarity said sincerely, though looking a little taken aback, “and I wish you the very best as well.”
Fluttershy didn’t say anything, just stepped forward and pulled Applejack into a final hug. She accepted it graciously, but let go all too soon for Fluttershy’s liking.
With no further words spoken, the mare tipped her hat and turned back into the farm, closing the gate behind herself.
“Come on darling,” Rarity said, pulling Fluttershy away from staring at the closed gate. “It’s time to get moving.”
Nodding absent minded, Fluttershy turned and began following the others as they began walking north east, what Rarity hoped to find there, Fluttershy didn’t know. With Dodge behind them they were once again at the mercy of the scorching desert, but only for the briefest of times as it quickly changed into fields of lush grass.
It reminded Fluttershy of a time when they weren’t running from infected, when it was just her ad the girls relaxing and playing in Ponyville. She inwardly sighed wishing she could have those days back. all day Rarity issued instructions, voiced her thoughts about where they might go and what they might do, the most prominent idea which resurfaced repeatedly, was that they would make for Manehattan which Rarity was sure, being the industrious city it is, that it would have survived. it was convenient they were heading in the right direction since leaving Dodge, but of course Rarity wouldn’t have made any group decisions before consulting them.
Fluttershy shook her head, ridding herself of the treasonous thoughts. Everything Rarity was doing was in her sister’s best interests; it was only natural for her to be a bit controlling. Cheerilee interacted with Rarity as much as possible, seeming all too eager to prove her usefulness to the new unelected leader of the group; Fluttershy just nodded and went along with whatever was decided. She was barely aware that Rarity had called to stop and make camp until she felt a hoof tugging on her shoulder, bringing her to a grinding halt.
“I said darling, ‘we should stop here for the night’.” Rarity repeated, looking at Fluttershy concerned. “Are you alright dear?”
“Oh yes, I’m fine,” Fluttershy said quickly trying to change the subject. “Isn’t this spot a bit open for a camp?”
Indeed it was quite simple a large stretch f meadow with the occasional rock dotted about.
“Nonsense, why we haven’t seen a single one of those blasted creatures since we left the farm,” Rarity reminded her, “why I’d say we’re well on our way to finding a new home already.”
With that inspiring footnote, Rarity left to check on her sister, and Fluttershy sat down on her own, still lost in her thoughts. Angel looked up at her concerned and began conversing with her.
“I’m fine Angel, really I am… well, I may feel a little guilty about leaving Applejack behind… well of course I respect her decision… of course she’s one of the most capable mares I know, oh, I guess you’re right, I shouldn’t worry about her so much… good point, me being distracted won’t do anypony any good, I’ll keep more focused from now on.”
“Hey Fluttershy,” Cheerilee said approaching her and Angel, “you know you really should eat something.”
Fluttershy nodded and began rummaging through her pack.
“So Cheerilee, how long do you think it will take to get to Manehattan?” she said as she shuffled through her belongings.
“Well it took us roughly a day to travel between Ponyville and Dodge,” Cheerilee began thoughtfully, “Dodge to Manehattan is almost five times that distance, that would, in theory be almost a week.
“But,” she said much cheerier, “if the rest of the journey is as easy as today was we’ll be laughing.”
Fluttershy nodded re-latching her back and settling down with her evening rations, splitting them with Angel who gobbled them up greedily. Rarity stayed over by her sister, watching over her as she slept. Cheerilee lay down where she had sat near Fluttershy and drifted off quickly enough. Fluttershy lay back, but found sleep harder to come by. She couldn’t help but think about what Cheerilee said, ‘if the rest of the journey is as easy today’, why did Fluttershy have the bad feeling things were about to come crashing down on their heads?
Day 14
Fluttershy was awake earlier than any of the other the next morning; frankly she didn’t know how they could sleep so peacefully with the rising sun glaring light into their eyes. Separating herself from the group she began walking a few metres away, humming a distantly familiar tune to herself. today they would be continuing on their journey to Manehattan, they had been lucky yesterday to have encountered no infected, and the idea that they all slept through the night with nopony on lookout was insane in hindsight, they were lucky they hadn’t been killed.
No, from now on they would be far more cautious, Rarity and Cheerilee were content to believe everything was looking up, that just left it to Fluttershy to be the one who looked out for the others safety. With ideas in motion she walked back and rather unceremoniously woke the group, they all began to stir groggily from their slumbers looking like they wanted to lie in, but Fluttershy wasn’t having any of it.
“Alright everypony it’s time to get moving,” she ordered, “yesterday was easy but we can’t afford to get lazy now. From now on we make travelling our secondary priority, instead I want each of us to be on the lookout for anything that might do us harm.”
The three mares all stared at each other in shock and awe of Fluttershy’s new assertive attitude.
“Whenever we stop for rest, one of us must be designated to take watch,” she continued, “it was stupid of us not to have a lookout last night, we won’t make that mistake twice.”
“Fluttershy, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but don’t you think you’re taking this a bit too seriously?” Rarity asked a little condescending.
“no I don’t, somepony here needs to, it might as well be me,” she replied curtly, “now let’s get moving, we have a lot of ground to cover.”
The three mares remained frozen for only a few seconds before beginning to gather their things. Fluttershy looked around Angel who was smirking at her, clearly impressed by her newfound attitude.
“Get used to it buster,” she said playfully inviting him onto her back. Once he was settled and the others were ready to go, they set off, Fluttershy now walking side by side with Rarity at the front of the pack. They could all feel the dynamic of the group shift; Fluttershy could tell Rarity didn’t like it.
Leaving the grassland behind they moved into scattered clumps of trees, to Rarity it was shade from the midday sun, to Fluttershy it was possible hiding spots for infected. Had Rarity really learned so little from their days in Dodge? Fluttershy ‘s gaze swept all around them, taking in every detail, this was one of the few occasions in her life she was glad to have been born a Pegasus, as they had evolved to have more precise vision to help them in picking out details while in flight. Rarity was saying something to Cheerilee, Fluttershy was barely paying attention, her eyes were focused on a large stretch of forest ahead of them, in particular, a narrow gap between two trees.
“Get down,” she ordered, dropping down to her haunches. The others followed suit curiously while Fluttershy continued to stare straight ahead, daring whatever it was to make another move.
“Fluttershy, what on earth are we hiding from now? I can’t see anything,” Rarity asked in an irritated tone.
“I saw something move among those trees,” she informed her, still not looking away.
“So,” Rarity replied dismissively, “it’s probably just a wild animal.”
Fluttershy didn’t answer; it hadn’t escaped her notice that ever since this began, animals had become a rare sight. No, this was something else.
“I think we should back track and move around the forest,” Fluttershy suggested. Rarity almost chocked on nothing at that suggestion.
“Are you mad?” she demanded, “that could take hours, we’d lose so much progress.”
“It’s not…” Fluttershy began but was cut off.
“Not what? Safe?” Rarity demanded, now thoroughly angry, “look Fluttershy, I appreciate what you’ve been trying to do, but this new attitude of yours is unbecoming and unnecessary. I’m putting my hoof down this instant.”
“But…” Fluttershy tried to reason before being cut off again.
“No buts! Now come on, I want to make as much progress before nightfall.” Rarity stomped forward, Sweetie Belle hurrying to keep up. Cheerilee followed after a brief moment of hesitation, leaving Fluttershy staring in disbelief after her friends. Angel sat beside her, glaring after them, at least someone agreed with her. Sighing she picked him up, deposited him on her back once more, and took chase after her party.
They entered the forest in single file, at the exact spot Fluttershy had seen movement. It was almost as if Rarity was trying to spite her. They walked ever deeper into the trees and undergrowth, Fluttershy keeping a constant lookout. There were admittedly no signs of life (or unlife) anywhere around them, but it did little to shake the uneasy feeling Fluttershy had in her gut. After a few more minutes of relentless walking Rarity finally came to a stop and turned to face them, specifically Fluttershy.
“What did I tell you?” she said her voice full of self-satisfaction, “there was nothing to be afraid of.”
Fluttershy gritted her teeth together, swallowing her retort, she couldn’t start fighting now or they would be doomed.
“I think,” Rarity continued, “that this incident proves beyond a doubt, that I sole leader of this…”
That was as far as she got before she was cut off by a high pitched whistling noise causing all their ears to prick up. Fluttershy having the keenest senses of the group, realised all too late what was happening, as the arrow sped through the trees, impaling itself in Cheerilee’s eye.
Sweetie Belle screamed as her teacher collapsed, blood spouting profusely from the wound. Rarity was frozen in horror, only Fluttershy managed to regain control of her body in time to dive forward and knock Rarity to the ground as another arrow buried itself in the tree trunk where her head had been seconds before. As they lay on the ground, they heard shouting coming from all directions, the sound of hooves rushing through grass and fallen leaves, their attackers were coming for them, and worse, they weren’t infected.
Fluttershy hadn’t considered that other ponies could pose a threat to them, but now it seemed glaringly obvious. With food becoming a rare commodity, it was only natural some would resort to violence to obtain it. They couldn’t stay here, shouting orders at the paralysed Rarity; Fluttershy dragged her behind her, staying low to the ground as they rushed further into the forest, Sweetie Belle running at her side. Fluttershy could hear her pursuers catching up, she was begging Rarity to come back to the present and start running on her own, but the unicorn was completely out of it.
It was only Sweetie’s scream that brought Rarity back, and both mares looked up to see the filly cowering before a heavy set stallion who had emerged before them. He looked as gruff as ponies came, a bandanna wrapped around his forehead, a knife in his mouth.
“Sweetie, run!” Fluttershy ordered, the filly didn’t need telling twice, jumping away from the stallion’s attack and dashing away into the forest. Fluttershy and Rarity made to chase after her but the stallion instead focused his attention on them.
Rarity stared terrified at the spot her sister had disappeared into, but Fluttershy knew they couldn’t risk trying to get around the knife wielder, and with his friends almost upon them they had to act. Dragging Rarity by the ear, Fluttershy turned tail and fled in the opposite direction of where Sweetie Belle had run. Rarity was screaming objections but Fluttershy didn’t let go. Their pursuers had taken chase once more and the pair were running out of places to flee to with the metaphorical net closing around them. At last Rarity returned to the present and began running without the aid of Fluttershy, the pair were easily faster than the stallions chasing them, even with the packs on their backs.
They quickly managed to put enough distance between them, Fluttershy was sure they had given them the slip for the time being, but they could afford to stop or else…
“Ahhhh!” Rarity gave an agonised scream, as Fluttershy heard a loud, metallic snap. she spun around and her heart sank as she saw Rarity collapsed on the forest floor, a bear trap closed around her leg. Fluttershy rushed over and dropped to her side where Rarity was breathing heavily and sobbing uncontrollably. The trap was an awful contraption, lined with sharp metal spikes so it digs into the flesh of the unfortunate creature who strays into it, Fluttershy loathed animal traps.
“Don’t worry Rarity, I’ll get you out,” Fluttershy assured her, any animosity accumulated over the last day forgotten as she was overwhelmed by the desire to help her friend. However her hopes were quickly crushed by two things: the first, the approaching sound of the hunters, clearly drawn by Rarity’s scream. The second, another scream in the distance, one clearly belonging to Sweetie Belle.
“F-F-Fluttershy,” Rarity stammered, she sounded to be in agony, “p-please, just go. Find Sweetie Belle…”
“I can get you out of this,” Fluttershy said trying to force the metal jaws apart, even Angel was pulling desperately at them.
“Please, just stop!” Rarity begged, “There’s no time.”
Indeed the hunters could find them any second.
“Just go and find Sweetie Belle,” she requested, tears streaming down her face. Fluttershy stared at her friend, the decision heavy on her heart. If she did as Rarity asked and left, the hunters would kill her, after witnessing their lack of mercy on Cheerilee, Fluttershy was sure of it. however if she tried to save Rarity there was no guarantee either of them would escape in time, let alone be able to find Sweetie Belle before something else did. But she needed to make a decision, and she needed to make it now.
“I’ll…”
Do you:
a) Get you free-
b) Save Sweetie Belle-
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-
