The Rifts: Volume One (Misfortune in the City)

Chapters

Prologue: A Visit from Beyond the Worlds
Chapter One: 3 Days
Chapter Two: What's the Scoop?
Chapter Three: Alliances and Defiances
Chapter Four: Psychotic Episode
Chapter Five: Smells Like Burning Pumpkins
Chapter Six: Dreams Dared to Dream
Chapter Seven: Blood
Chaper Eight: Undead Kitchen
Chapter Nine: Find the Light
Chapter Ten: Fight the Night

Prologue: A Visit from Beyond the Worlds

Undisclosed Location

“Six,” Said a voice. “Six separate occurrences in six separate worlds.” The room was darkened, with a starry domed roof only accompanied by a desk turned towards a blazing fireplace. Sitting in a chair was a black suited figure clutching a file, his face bore a very stern and serious look. “Are you absolutely certain about this?”

“Exactly sir,” said another voice, speaking through an intercom. “The Watchers and Officials did recon in those six worlds and they need to be taken care of posthaste.”

“I can’t do that, my friend.” The man in the chair said. “I’ve got to meet with Lord Death, the Goddess Kormir, and the Greybeards today. I can’t handle them today.”

“The Watchers and Officials can’t handle universal repair like you can, and the Force is incomplete until all the chosen members are gathered,” said the intercom. “And after what happened to and Seeker….”

“Don’t mention that name to me!” The man pounded on his desk. The slight quake from the man’s fist knocked a large book of an adjacent bookshelf, flipping to a page filled with several pictures. The man walked over and picked it up, smiling to himself about the memories of several old friends. What caught his eye were two photos, one of a white Alicorn with a flowing colorful mane like the sun, and another Alicorn with a blue coat and a star filled mane.

“Sir? Is there something wrong?”

“I’ve got an answer to our problems.” The man flipped several switches and pulled a lever. “Six to be exact.” A large door opened in front of the man, opening to a blue vortex. The man stepped through and vanished, entering to a world he never thought he would ever see so soon.

Ponyville, the Grand Oaks Library

“Steady…” Twilight said, charging up her magic. “Just keep calm and hold still.” Spike was standing up against a wall, an orange atop his head. The baby dragon was shaking with unbelievable fear. However, it would all be worth it. Twilight's horn sparked with purple energy, emitting a glow around it. "Ready... aim... FIRE!" A bolt of light fired from her horn, striking the orange dead center, only leaving a tiny scorch mark. Spike nervously looked at the orange on his head, waiting for the spell to take effect.

"Wasn't it supposed to..." Spike began, but the sudden splatter and explosion over his head shut him up. Twilight clapped her hooves on the ground in joy.

"The spell worked!" She said. "It took so much time, but the Explosive Spell worked!" After the newly anointed Princess Twilight was given her wings and crown, she was special access to different spell books from Celestia to further improve in her studies. One of which was a book from a forgotten branch of magic: Destruction. Only Celestia and Luna knew of these spells, but Twilight felt she could master these spells like her Princesses did. So far, she could freeze things, create small flames, and now she could detonate objects with a single blast of magic.

"Next time, can we do this on a table or a tree stump?" Spike groaned, wiping the orange chunks off his head and the walls.

"Sure Spike, we will next time." Twilight giggled. A short knocking came from the door. With Spike busy doing his cleaning, Twilight felt she should answer. She opened the door, and standing in her way was a blur of pink.

"TWILIGHT, YOU HAVE TO COME OUTSIDE!" Pinkie Pie shouted, a wide smile spread across her face.

"What is it?" Twilight asked. "Rainbow Dash preforming tricks again?"

"Better! There's a new Alicorn in town!" Twilight's eyes widened. A new Alicorn? According to personal encounters, there were only four Alicorns in Equestria, including herself.

"An Alicorn? Are you absolutely sure?"

"C'mon! He said he wanted to speak to all of us! Rarity, Fluttershy, Dashie, and Applejack are waiting!"

Outside Town Hall

Four of the Mane Six were staring at the formidable figure staring at them from atop the steps. He was an Alicorn, very tall and imposing, with a pure black coat with an ash mane and tail flowing in the wind. The front half of him was adorned in a stylish black suit (which made Rarity faint at first sight), and atop his head a large wide-brimmed black hat. What really set him apart from the Princesses was the eye-patch over his left eye and his cutie mark. What looked like a strange arch, almost like a gate with a small black dot in the center, and behind it was a large blue shield, which normally represents protection. For the most part, the Alicorn was quiet, drinking a mug of cider given by the Apple Family upon arrival. He hardly said a word to the mares other than 'Gather your friends at the Town Hall, and then we'll talk.'

"Alright, now I'm getting impatient." He said, in a distinct Canterlot accent, but with a stern and bored tone. "Where is the pink Earth Pony and the Student of Celestia?" With the distant trotting of hooves, the Alicorn looked onward and saw two silhouettes off in the distance. Pinkie and Twilight trotted up to the Town Hall alongside their friends, where Twilight could see the dark Alicorn in all his grandeur.

"Are you the Alicorn?" Pinkie asked. The Alicorn merely snorted. Clearly, he was in no mood for dumb questions.

"Do the eagle-like wings and sharpened horn tip you off?" Rainbow Dash took on a face of anger. Nopony was allowed to insult her friends, even if they have godly stature.

"Back off, buddy." She said, looking the Alicorn stallion in the single eye. "Don't mess around with my friends, or else you have to deal with me." A red glow encircled the Alicorn's horn, conjuring up a large glove, poised in a flicking motion.

"Shove off." He said, and the glove promptly flicked the young flier to the ground. The girls gasped at the way this visitor addressed Rainbow Dash's outburst. Whereas Celestia would have promptly apologized, he downright hurt her!

"That's meaner than a skunk told to take a bath!" Applejack shouted. "Why'd y'all do that for?!"

"For one, I'm upset because now I'm running late for a meeting with the Greybeards before the new Dragonborn arrived." He said. "So thanks a lot." The Mane Six looked at this strange Alicorn with confusion. Was he talking about delegates from a foreign country?

"While I'll admit, it's not enjoyable to be late for a meeting," Rarity said. "It's no reason for somepony to do something so brash." The Alicorn looked onward, ignoring Rarity's statement.

"Secondly, every second we dally, other worlds will fall to destruction if nothing happens!" The Alicorn's eye widened, sweat dripping from his brow. "And there I go giving away the punch line." Everypony looked at the Alicorn, now banging his head against a wall, repeatedly calling himself an idiot. Was this pony just plain crazy, talking about other worlds and such? Those places only exist in mythical locations.

"Other worlds?" Fluttershy asked, barely above a whisper. "There are other worlds?"

"Wait," Twilight said. "Remember when Sunset Shimmer stole my crown? I went into another world with those human things, so he must make sense." The Alicorn stopped banging his head and turned towards Twilight.

"You've been to another world?" He said. "How and when?"

"A few months ago, and through a magic mirror from the Crystal Empire." The Alicorn turned his back to the Mane Six, and begun to enter a thought.

"So that would explain the dimensional displacement from that one girl, and how she stood out. I should have followed the Watcher's hunch."

"Dimensional displacement?" Rarity asked. The Alicorn turned and stood before Twilight, towering over her and her friends.

"So then I know you will end up in the intended universe unscathed."

"What the hay are you talking about, mister?" Applejack asked. This pony's rambling was starting to get on her nerves.

"Let me clarify things for you." He said. "I go by many names, but for now, you shall only know me as the Guardian. I am not from Equestria or any region on this planet. I come from one of the many different universes that appear throughout time and space. The Alicorn form I have taken is the embodiment of my demi-god powers. However, the last time I had to take this form was exactly one thousand years ago in this world's time." The look on his face looked sullen. "The day Nightmare Moon was banished." Everypony stood quiet, even Pinkie didn't utter a word

"You were there?" Twilight asked. Guardian nodded his head, his face in a grim mood.

"It was a sordid affair, and I could have done something to help, but I was called to another world at the same time. I left the sisters be, but I also failed to protect that world at the same time." Twilight's eyes felt heavy with sorrow, as if she could feel the pain of what happened for Guardian. "A land burned to a desolate wasteland, and another sank to the depths of the seas. I vowed to prevent another catastrophe like that from happening again." He looked up and sighed. "Alas, I am but one immortal being. And that is why I have come to you six."

"To help you protect these worlds?" Twilight asked.

"Almost. In six separate universes, six major events are happening all at the same time." Guardian said. "Normally, I would handle them, or a few of my associates, but our numbers are few, and I think your specialties will suit for these challenges."

"You really want us to save worlds we've never been to?" Rainbow Dash said, her tone skeptical.

"You'll be informed by one of my agents when you enter the world on everything that has happened in that world and what you are to do." Guardian said. "I always take necessary precautions. The important question is," A large scroll appeared in the air with a quill beside it. Only three words adorned the top: Do you accept? Twilight looked at her friends, unsure of what to do. Should she sign the contract, that might end up endangering her and her friends lives? She took a deep sigh, and took the quill with her magic.

"I'll do it." She said, scribbling her name on the contract. One by one, the rest of the Mane Six took the quill and signed their names on the contract. One the final letter was written, the scroll rolled up and vanished in a cloud of smoke.

"Okay, now I want everypony to stand back so I can create a Gate." Guardian said. Everypony walked backwards as blue magic erupted from Guardian's horn. A blast struck the ground from the sky, forming a strange circular rune on the floor. A large black protrusion erupted from the ground, creating a large arch exactly like the rune on Guardian's flank. Within the Gate, as Guardian called it, a blue vortex opened up into an endless abyss. "All of you at once, hop in. I guarantee you will be safe!" The Mane Six stood side by side, no longer with looks of fear in their eyes, but only bravery in their souls. In unison, they lifted their hooves and kicked off the ground, leaping into the portal. Not returning until the job is done.

To Be Continued in Rainbow Dash's story....

Chapter One: 3 Days

Royal Flush Plaza, Fortune City: 68 Hours Until Military Arrives

The mall was buzzing with commotion. There was movement everywhere, but not the everyday people enjoying the adult playground movement. The worst zombie outbreak occurred, toppling the Willamette and Vegas outbreaks by a mile. The risen dead were shuffling around the Royal Flush Plaza, searching for the next living being to wander in and become their next meal. Inside one of the bathrooms, however, the place was empty, and nobody was in sight. Not even one of those zombies that thinks it's funny to hide in the toilet. On the furthest stall, there was a blinding blue light coming from within. After the light faded, the door slowly fell open, and out stumbled a girl, possibly around the age of 18. She was wearing a cyan blue t-shirt, a white and blue skirt, red tennis shoes, and a yellow backpack. The image on her t-shirt was a cloud with a rainbow colored lightening bolt, which complimented her rainbow colored hair.

"That Guardian guy didn't say anything about that portal hurting!" Rainbow Dash said. The portal she jumped through from Ponyville gave her a monster headache, but also made her feel weird all over her body. Almost as if it felt different. She put a hoof to her head, only to not feel a hoof. She opened her eyes and looked at her surroundings. It looked much like the bathrooms back in Equestria, complete with stalls and a mirror. But what she saw in the mirror surprised her. She put her arms on the counter and saw her new form... a human girl. This transformation from a pegasus to this hairless, bipedal ape frightened her, she wanted to scream.

"No." Said a man. "Whatever you do, do not scream." Dash turned and saw another human standing by the doorway. He was wearing a red and black plaid shirt, blue jeans, and a black hood pulled over his eyes. The only thing she could make out was the fact the man had sharp teeth and pale skin.

"Who are you supposed to be?" Dash asked. "And what the hay happened to me?"

"The mastermind said you would be confused, so that is why I arrived." The man walked over and helped Dash onto her new feet. "You have been transformed into a human due to pegasi not existing in this world. As for me, I am a Watcher, one of the many servants of my master."

"You work for Guardian?"

"So that's the name my master has given you. There are so many, it's hard to keep track of. Anyway, I've been told to explain to you the events of this world, and your mission." Before either could say anything more, a low growling was heard in one of the bathroom stalls.

"What the buck was that?" Dash asked, shakily. Watcher turned to a nearby stall and knocked on it.

"Company." He continued to knock on all the stalls, until coming to the one right behind Dash. Before his gloved hand could touch the door, it flung open and this creature leaped out and wrapped it's hands around Watcher's throat! It looked like a human, except it's skin was grey, almost rotting, it's eyes were red, and it had a blood lust sense around it. Before the freakish being could bite, Watcher vanished in a puff of smoke, then reappeared behind the zombie and punched through it's chest, holding a grey heart in his hands. Watcher crushed the heart between his fingers and the zombie fell to the ground. Dash stood there, staring at the carnage, terrified.

"What was that?"

"That was a zombie. Once a normal human that was infected by either another zombie or an insect parasite. This plague has been tearing this world apart for a long time now, and you are in the middle of the worst outbreak of them all, Fortune City."

"You mean I'm in the middle of a place that's got more of those things?!"

"Yes. You're in the middle of a walking graveyard. Luckily, there is a Safe House nearby where you should go...."

"On it!" Dash said before sprinting towards the door. Not five seconds later did she run back into the room, shaking and sweating. "There's thousands of them!"

"You didn't even give me a chance to explain your mission and who you're supposed to meet with." He shook his head and wiped the blood off his sleeves. "Typical human stupidity." Watcher turned his head and sneered. "Oh wait, you just turned into a human from a winged pony. My apologies."

"Not cool." Dash said, giving off an angry look to the pale man.

"Sorry, I don't usually get to poke fun on the job. Anyway, your mission does not involve these zombies."

"Then what?"

"A ghost." Dash began to laugh hysterically.

"Ghosts aren't real! They're just an old pony's tale!"

"They're real in different universes. This one is particularly dangerous. Once a king from the land of Tyria, the Mad King Thorn was a demented lunatic who nearly destroyed his kingdom. He was executed and became the spirit of Halloween in his world. However, due to dimensional collapse in this universe and his world's Underworld, Thorn has broken loose before Halloween and will enter this world in three days. We can't let that happen."

"Why? 'Cause he'll destroy it and turn these zombies into slaves?"

"No, because he's an ass and he'll turn this city into a living nightmare. It will take a lot to clean up if he succeeds."

"Sounds like you guys have dealt with this guy a lot."

"You have no idea. So your mission is to wait three days in Fortune City, on the third day, shoot the Mad King with this," Watcher said, giving Dash a small laser gun. "And another Watcher will take you home." He reached into his pocket and pulled out two photos, one of a man with black hair in a suit with a camera, and another man with blonde hair in a yellow bike suit. "I'd recommend finding these two men, Frank West and Chuck Greene, both of which are expert zombie hunters. They'll keep you safe for the time being." And from behind his back, Watcher pulled out a large machete and handed it to Dash. "And this will be for protection. If you get bit by a zombie, you'll turn into one."

Dash gave the man a nod, and steadily walking on her new two legs, she heard footsteps rapidly approaching. She turned to say something else to the Watcher, but he was gone without a trace. She turned back to the doorway, the footsteps approaching closer, clutching the blade between her hands. As the footsteps loomed in closer, she raised the machete over her head and swung.

Three Minutes Earlier

Things were manic after the zombies broke free. People died, others went insane, and now there's a bunker full of survivors cut off from the rest of the city. Those who were still inside the Safe House felt to stay that way, but two men wanted to help others and learn the truth. Chuck Greene was a Terror is Reality Champion, framed for starting the outbreak, now trying to clear his name and save his daughter. Frank West reported the initial zombie attacks from Willamette, now trying to find the truth behind the current outbreak. The two met in person after dealing with an angry Tiger Tamer named Ted and his tiger, Snowflake. The two agreed to help each other out, if only to help themselves and others.

At the moment, Chuck and Frank were guiding a small group of survivors, the Dawkins couple, the pharmacist Denyce, an assistant named Larry, and the now tame Snowflake the Tiger. Everyone was holed up in the Man's Sports Wear store while Chuck and Frank cleared the way. Actually, Frank wanted to take photos of some zombies wearing Servbot masks while Chuck made some weapons.

"Front cover material for sure." Frank said, snapping another photo. Chuck emerged from the Maintenance Room, holding a Spiked Bat in one hand and Knife Gloves in the other.

"You got you're pictures?" Chuck asked. He didn't really care for Frank's reporter nature, it just got in the way. Frank slung the camera around his neck and nodded.

"I call the gloves." Frank said, slipping the wolverine-like boxing gloves on his hands.

"Did Stacey call at all? Or does Katey need her Zombrex yet?"

"Relax, big guy. I've got two Zombrex shots right here. One for me, and one for your daughter." Chuck gave a relieved sigh. He cared for his daughter so much, even if it mean risking his life to try and save hers. "Actually, I heard something from the Ladies Bathroom nearby. Two people talking. Could be the guys who framed you or some more survivors." Chuck nodded and the two embarked for the bathroom (no weird jokes about that). As the two approached the room, they could hear a man's voice talking.

"And this will be for protection. If you get bit by a zombie, you'll turn into one." He said. Frank and Chuck crept forward, and could also hear the sounds of steady footsteps. Frank stuck his head through the doorway, and saw a girl in a blue t-shirt and rainbow colored hair holding a machete over her head poised to strike. Frank quickly leaped out of the way before the girl could strike.

"Hey, take it easy!" Frank shouted. "I'm not infected!" The girl put down her machete and looked at Frank, as if she had never seen another human being before. Chuck popped up from behind Frank and walked over to the frightened girl.

"Relax, and just tell us what's wrong." Chuck said, putting his hand on the girl's shoulder. The girl dropped the machete and got on her knees.

"I don't know." She said. "Things have been weird lately, and with these zombie things... I just don't know."

"Well, we can take you to a Safe House, and things will sort themselves out." Frank said. He held out his hand, helping the girl onto her feet.

"Thanks, misters." She said. "What're your names?"

"Name's Frank West," Frank said. "That's Chuck Greene over there. We're here to set things right." The girl's eyes widened.

"Just like that Watcher dude said...." She said.

"Who?" Chuck asked. The girl shook her head and smiled.

"Never mind. I'm Dash, Rainbow Dash." Frank and Chuck gave confused looks.

That would explain the hair color, I guess. Frank thought.

"So let's get going!" Chuck said. Frank and Chuck started out the door, but heard Dash stumble from behind.

"Umm... this kinda sounds uncool, but I'm not used to these legs yet." She started blushing. "Could one of you carry me?" Chuck rolled his eyes, another girl needed to be carried by a 'strong man'. He looked at Frank, hoping to pass the torch to him.

"I've got Knife Gloves on, and I need to have free hands for my camera." Chuck rolled his eyes again, and had the girl climb on his back. He hadn't done this since Katey was younger.

"You get the other survivors to the Safe House, I'll escort this girl along shortly." Frank nodded and ran out the door. Chuck soon followed, meeting up with the other survivors, and then to the vent access. After a little bit of climbing around the small vents, everyone ended up in the Safe House, where everyone was waiting. A security officer stepped up and talked to Frank.

"It must've been risky trying to save them," Sullivan said. "I bet they're grateful."

"Hey, I've done this before, pal." Frank said. "It's nothing to hard."

"Did Stacey pick up anything?" Chuck asked.

"Yeah, she want's to talk to you, the outbreak's on the news." Frank and Chuck nodded and ran off to the Security Room, whereas the mysterious girl, Rainbow Dash, was hiding out in a storage room, trying to learn how her new body would function. This was going to be a LONG three days....

Chapter Two: What's the Scoop?

Safe House, Fortune City. 64 Hours Until Military Arrives

After those two guys, Frank and Chuck, dropped Rainbow Dash and the other humans off in the Safe House, she decided to get information that the Watcher was too vague on. She decided to talk to the security officer she met on the way in, Sullivan.

"You don't know what happened here? Really?" Sullivan asked. Dash had come up with a cover up by saying she showed up yesterday, but she forgot how she got into the bathroom and the whole zombie outbreak.

"Yeah, it's weird. So what's up with the zombies anyway?" Dash asked.

"Well, it started a few hours ago, after the last Terror is Reality show."

"Yeah, I've heard everypo-" She was about to say 'everypony', but realized the humans were addressed differently. "Everybody talk about it. What is that?"

"It's a show where people compete in different challenges to kill large hordes of zombies for lots of cash." Dash made a face of disgust. Killing zombies for money? That's wrong! "You're not the only one who hates it. There's this zombie activist group called C.U.R.E, who's been protesting zombie cruelty since the Vegas outbreak."

"But why protect zombies? Aren't they... dead?"

"Sort of. C.U.R.E sees it as desecration of the deceased, and we should care for them. Nothing but trouble makers. Who knows, maybe they caused the outbreak, not Chuck." Dash's eyes widened. That guy in the yellow jacket caused the outbreak? Then why did he and Frank save her?

"But Chuck saved my life! How could he release those things and kill everyone?!"

"That's what I thought, and I also have thoughts about Frank. He's infected you know."

"You mean he's one of them?!" Dash frantically jumped. Sullivan motioned for her to calm down.

"He apparently got bit during the Willamette Outbreak, the place where zombies first showed up. Now he's taking an infection suppressant called Zombrex. Just like Chuck's little girl, Katey."

"Okay... that makes things cooler. So what happened with the zombies here?"

"Video footage of Chuck, or at least someone wearing his TiR uniform, was shown blowing up the zombie pens, and now Fortune City's infested."

"And people think it's really Chuck?"

"Yeah, but then Frank shows up with photos of TK, the host of Terror is Reality, giving explosives, bait, and money to some C.U.R.E guy. Now the two are trying to clear Chuck's name, and find out the truth behind it all."

"Wow... That's awesome."

"I think we should just wait until the military rolls in and cleans everything up." After Sullivan sat back into his seat, Chuck and Frank walked by. "Speak of the devils, how'd it go with Stacey." Frank and Chuck looked nervous for a moment, but then regained focus.

"There's a news reporter, Rebecca Chang, stuck at the Fortune City Hotel." Chuck said. "Frank's gonna go get her, while I go and round up survivors." Chuck looked and saw Dash standing next to Sullivan. "Hi there."

"'Sup?" Dash asked. She was doing pretty good getting ahold of her new body, and she was pretty good with a fire axe she found near the door. She didn't like sitting around, like Sullivan suggested. An idea popped in her head. "Do you guys need any help out there? There's, like, a ton of zombies out there." Frank and Chuck looked at each other, then huddled together, talking between themselves. After a few minutes, the two zombie hunters turned back to Dash, Frank smiling and Chuck with his typical frown.

"I hope you're good in a fight, girl." Frank said. "Welcome aboard." Dash smiled and jumped up and down like a giddy school girl.

"Thanks! I'll do my best, or die trying!"

"Don't let that be the case." Chuck said. "Grab something to splatter brains with and you'll go with Frank." Dash grabbed a nearby fire axe and ran towards the vents where Frank and Chuck were waiting.

Finally, some action! Let's do this! Dash thought. After traversing the winding shafts, the trio emptied out into a work room, and the official three days began.

Fortune City Park, Fortune City. 62 Hours until Military Arrives

"Fore!" Frank shouted, taking a golf club and knocking a zombie's head clean off it's shoulders. He and Dash were outside, trying to make their way to the hotel, but there were just as many, if not more, zombies outside than in. Dash was trying to hold off zombies with a spiked bat Frank made for her, and they were getting some help from a pair of survivors, Chad and Doris Elchart, who were blasting away at the zombies with shotguns.

"Nice shot, Doris!" Chad whooped. They had been separated near the Platinum Strip, but Frank help the two find each other, and agreed to stick around until they got to the Safe House. The zombies were piling up, but the group finally managed to make it to the doors of the Hotel. After pushing and shoving, Frank pried the doors open and allowed for everyone to enter. The lobby was deserted, with only a few zombie corpses lying around. Chad and Doris were standing near the doorway to the construction zone, while Dash sat and stretched her legs.

"That was one heck of a workout." She said. Frank shot her a look of annoyance.

"Don't treat this like a game, kid." Frank said.

"Funny, because that's what it looked like you were doing a moment ago with the golf club." Dash retorted.

"Those were once people, like you and me, and I don't enjoy killing them, but I have to." Frank was about to speak more, but something caught his eye: An ID tag in a puddle of blood. Frank walked over and inspected it, realizing it belonged to the reporter he and Chuck saw on the news earlier, Rebecca Chang. Dash's head hung in sorrow, the reporter they were looking for was dead. "Amateur, look's like you're zombie chow now."

Frank turned around, and saw a zombie standing right behind him, ready to strike. Dash got up and grabbed her spiked bat, ready to defend, but the zombie slumped to the floor after the prompt sound of a gunshot. Frank and Dash looked towards the sound of the shooter, and saw her. A woman in a white shirt and black skirt, holding a small pistol in her hand. Rebecca Chang was indeed alive.

"You need to pay attention out here, people." She said, walking over to Frank.

"Uh... Thanks." He said.

"Rebecca Chang," Rebecca promptly swiped her press card away from Frank hands and put it back on her person. "Channel Six Action News."

"Frank West." Frank stuck his hand out to shake Rebecca's, whom the latter stepped back.

"Oh, I know you! You used to be a kind of a hero of mine." A snide look entered the reporter's eyes. "Before you got washed up. Dash looked in annoyance, thinking about how they were going to save her life, but instead she's insulting Frank. "You homesick for zombies? What are you doing here?"

"He came to help with your story." Dash said, blowing her hair out of the way. "Name's Rainbow Dash, by the way."

"Cute." Rebecca said.

"Like the kid said. I think C.U.R.E is being set up." Frank said.

"My exclusive tape says otherwise." Dash looked up.

Was she talking about the footage with "Chuck" blowing the pens? Dash thought.

"And I don't need your help." Rebecca retorted.

"It doesn't have to be a contest, lady! I help you, you help me and my friend. Simple." Another thought entered Frank's head. "Where'd you get that tape from?"

"Reporters don't reveal their sources, Frank." Rebecca stated. "Not real ones, anyway." Ouch, right in the ego.

"I wouldn't underestimate Frank West, sweetheart. I've got some pictures you might be interested in." Rebecca's ears perked up.

"Okay, let's see what you've got."

"Not so fast! You've got to throw an old dog a bone before he does any tricks." Rebecca gave an annoyed sigh.

"Fine, maybe I'll let you tag along for a while."

"Finally, we're getting somewhere!" Dash said, sarcastically.

"I can't tell you my source, but, there is a central security room." Rebecca said. "There'll be footage of everything that happens everywhere. I can show you where it is."

"So you show me yours, I show you mine." Dash wanted to throw up at that statement. Rebecca merely rolled her eyes. "Where's your crew?" Rebecca let out an annoyed sighed.

"They ran off. Zombies can do that to them. I guess they didn't want it bad enough."

She's totally hitting on Frank. Dash thought. They better not do this too much. I'm getting a headache. Rebecca started walking towards the doorway into the construction site, Frank motioned Chad, Doris, and Dash to follow. Wandering throughout the halls, zombies fell prey to bullets, blades, and blunt trauma. After making it to the far end of the South Plaza, the group of survivors entered the Arena lobby, where Frank and Chuck saw the outbreak start. Finally, after clearing the cluster of zombies to the maintenance area, they finally made it to the security room, only to find it locked.

"Gonna have to break it down." Frank grunted.

"Here," Rebecca said, shoving Frank aside. "Let me try." Rebecca pulled out a hairpin, bent over, and began to pick the lock.

"Damn, they didn't tech me that in journalism school." Dash looked from Rebecca, to Frank, who was... well let's just say he wasn't looking her 'cutie mark' per se. Dash walked up to Frank and slapped him on the back of the head.

"What the hell?!" Frank shouted.

"Not cool, dude." Dash said. The lock clicked, and Rebecca opened the door. Dash popped her head in and saw that it was empty, save for two dead security guards. She gasped at the sight, while Frank only shook his head.

"It just keeps getting better and better." Frank said, sarcastically.

"Looks like somebody didn't like the show much." Rebecca added. Frank examined the photos on the desk, merely sighing at the distortion.

"Looks like somebody didn't want to show what really went down."

"Frank," Rebecca called. Frank walked over to the guards that Rebecca was taking pictures of. "Take a look at this." He noticed that they didn't have any bite marks, so whoever killed them wasn't a zombie. "C.U.R.E might not be involved, but somebody is trying hard to cover up their tracks. And now would be a time to show me those pictures you promised." A small beeping was heard, that made Dash jump and Chad slip off the post he was leaning on. Frank pulled out a small earpiece, and the voice of Stacey, the woman who was monitoring everything from the Safe House, answered.

"Frank, you and Chuck need to get back to the Safe House." Stacey said.

"What is it Stacey?" Frank asked.

"It's Sullivan, he saw the report. He's threatening to kick me out. Please get back."

"On it." Frank turned off the communicator and turned to the survivors. "Alright everyone, load up and move out. We need to get you to safety."

"Wait, who was that?" Rebecca asked.

"Just a friend." Frank said. Rebecca put two and two together, and figured out the answer.

"Stacey, the leader of C.U.R.E?"

"She's the leader of what?!" Dash shouted.

"No time to explain." Frank said. He, Chad, Doris, and Dash ran out the door to the Arena, leaving behind Rebecca.

"He can't escape me for long." Rebecca said, holding her camera. As fate would have it, the two would meet again....

Chapter Three: Alliances and Defiances

Safe House, Fortune City. 65 Hours until the Military Arrives

Frank and Dash met up with Chuck, who had already gotten several survivors back to the Safe House, in the Americana Casino. The group took the remaining survivors back to the Safe House and Frank told about his encounter with Rebecca and of the covered up footage. Their conversation was cut short, however, when Sullivan was heard shouting in the Security Room.

"I should have known you two were in cahoots in the first place!" He said. "You've caused nothing but trouble." Chuck furrowed his brow, while he and Frank entered the room.

"C.U.R.E is innocent!" Stacey said. "This is a setup!"

"After you put this whole bunker at risk, you expect me to believe that." Frank and Chuck entered the room, but Rainbow Dash was still curious on what was going on, so she pressed an ear to the window and overheard the entire conversation.

"Hey!" Chuck shouted.

"Lay off her." Frank added.

"Oh, lookie here. If it isn't the Man of the Hour, Chuck Greene, and his paparazzi!" Sullivan sarcastically replied.

"The paparazzi wished they had my skills." Frank snorted.

"I should've listened to my gut and kicked you both outta here!" Sullivan said, his hand against the holster of his gun.

"Sullivan, I have nothing to do with this!"

"I saw it on the TV! Saw you, buddy. Explain how that little trick works!"

"It wasn't him on the tape," Frank said. "It was a guy in his suit! I showed you those photos."

"I don't care whether you believe me or not," Chuck shouted. "But I've got three days until the military gets here to prove I'm innocent. I'll hand myself over if we haven't got any proof by then."

"We have proof!" Frank said. "Does anyone pay attention to the camera guy?" Dash was paying attention to every word, but realized she was being watched.

"You've got an eye for trouble, don't you?" Rebecca said, standing near the door. Dash's expression went to one of hidden nervousness, accompanied by a chuckle. Rebecca rolled her eyes and opened the door. "You could have told me the front door was locked." Frank palmed his forehead, and Chuck let out a sigh.

"You're that TV lady!" Sullivan said, pointing to Rebecca. He turned to Frank and Chuck, giving them a look of distrust. "Tell you what, I'll make you a deal. You keep rounding up folks, you can keep coming and going. You die out there, we'll leave it to the devil to sort you out."

The who? Dash thought.

"But ain't no one gonna cover your ass when the military arrives." Sullivan barked. "You pull anything- ANYTHING -and I'll do what I have to do." Sullivan then stormed out of the room, taking his guard place by the vents.

"What was that about?" Rebecca asked.

"He watches too much TV." Chuck said.

"Frank, tell me you found something." Stacey asked.

"Well, Dash and I...." Frank started, but Stacey interrupted.

"Hold up, who's Dash?" Stacey asked.

"The rainbow hair girl peeping behind the window." Frank said. Everyone looked out, and sure enough, Dash was still there. "Yes, I know you've been there the entire time."

"Come in if you have to," Rebecca said. "After all, you were there." Dash shrugged her shoulders and walked in, and the conversation continued.

"Anyway, Dash and I met with Rebecca and went to Central Security," Frank continued. "But somebody got there before us."

"Stuff was trashed all over the place, the monitors were wiped clean of memory, and there were two dead guards not killed by zombies, but by somepo- somebody else." Dash said. Chuck gave Rebecca an upset glance as he saw her recording the room with her camera.

"Hey, no footage of my daughter." Chuck said. Dash had forgotten Chuck had a daughter, a little girl named Katey who was also infected, but Chuck was going what he could to prevent it. Katey was sitting on a bench in the hall, playing away on her gamepad. Rebecca closed her camera and turned towards Stacey.

"Stacey, I'm Rebecca Chang. Channel Six Action News." Rebecca said. "I'm here to help."

"Oh. You'll forgive me if I don't think it's very helpful that you accused my organization of a crime we didn't commit." Stacey said.

"Look, I don't know what's going on here," Rebecca said. "But clearly things are not as they seem. I put out the information I had at the time."

"From an unreliable source, I might add." Frank joked.

"Remember, you can have all the exclusives you want," Chuck said. "If you help us figure out what's going on here."

"Works for me." Rebecca said. "Whether you're innocent, or guilty, I just want the truth."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Stacey sarcastically added. "But okay, we'll work together." Stacey took her seat in front of the monitors and continued what she was doing earlier.

"I'm going back out there to see what I can find out." Rebecca said, slamming the door behind her.

"Chuck, Frank, I'll let you know if I see anything." The two zombie hunters nodded and exited. Dash was about to leave too, but Stacey stopped her on the way out. "And as for you, Dash."

"It's Rainbow Dash, lady." Dash replied.

"Whatever, kid. I'm Stacey, Frank and Chuck's eyes in the sky and also the leader of C.U.R.E. I know you're going out there again with those two again, so I'm just warning you to be careful. And take this too." She reached into a drawer in the desk and pulled out a small earpiece, similar to the one Frank was using back at central security.

"Thanks, I'll talk to you later." Dash ran out the door to join Frank and Chuck by the vents. "So what now?"

"Well, it's probably going to be a while until we get some more information," Frank said. "So let's go and save some survivors."

"And I'll have to show you a way to make special weapons, kid." Chuck said. "Just like I did with Frank."

"Awesome." Dash said, pumping her fist into the air. "And Stacey gave me an earpiece to talk to her, just like you guys. So if anything comes up, and you guys are to busy doing whatever it is you do, I'll give you a heads up.

"Alright, with that settled," Frank said, opening the vents. "The vent people need me." He climbed into the vents with a grin on his face. Chuck simply rolled his eyes and followed through, and lastly, so did Dash. It was going to be a long day....

Canterlot Royal Palace, Canterlot, Equestria.

The beauty of Canterlot was stunning, especially in comparison to the destruction of the day Nightmare Moon was born a thousand years ago. The black alicorn, Guardian, felt relaxed at the time. He felt it necessary to be in a peaceful setting, especially after where he was recently. Visiting the ghostly kingdom of Ascalon will do that to most people. Although other things were on his mind, Guardian knew he still had to inform the Princesses about the whereabouts of the Mane Six. Luckily, thanks to his gift of foresight, he knew nothing would befall Equestria for a while, so there would be no repercussions to him ripping six ponies out of their homes and sending them to other worlds to do the work he was unable to do in the meantime.

Flying on his blackened wings, Guardian flew to the entrance to Canterlot Royal Palace, where he was stopped by two white unicorn guards.

"State your business, sir." One of the guards said.

"I come bearing an important message to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna about the Elements of Harmony." Guardian said. "I'm also an old friend of theirs." The guards looked at each other, and then opened the door for the visitor to walk through. The elegant halls shone bright in the sunlight, gleaming off the walls and ceiling. It almost made the black alicorn look like an odd black spot compared to the rest of the castle. Guardian wandered the halls for a moment, before coming across the throne room, accompanied by two thrones. One throne was slightly smaller than the one to the center, colored by both light and dark shades of blue, like the moonlight upon a lake. The larger throne was white and yellow, glowing like the early sunlight. Sitting on the thrones were the Royal Pony Sisters, Celestia and Luna. Guardian took off his hat, and bowed to the Princesses.

"Another alicorn?" Luna asked. "Hadn't Twilight Sparkle been crowned princess a few months ago?"

"Forgive me if you don't remember me, Luna." Guardian said. He raised his head and put his hat back on. "It has been one thousand years." Celestia's eyes widened, occurring with great realization and remembrance.

"Could it be?" Celestia said. "You've returned?" Guardian nodded and smiled.

"The Guardian of Worlds has returned to Equestria." Celestia felt her eyes watering. She remembered the powerful alicorn who warned Celestia about Luna's fall, but still treated the two of them like family, and cared for them. She walked from her throne, and nuzzled Guardian on the shoulder, in which Luna soon followed. Guardian replied by gently hugging the two of them, like family reunited.

"I never thought I'd see the day you'd return." Celestia said, between tears.

"Well, things have been busy at the office lately." Guardian said. "What with the fact that I hold the fate of almost every single universe and all." Luna backed away, remembering something.

"Wait, in the stories you've told of your adventures," Luna said. "You always arrive in times of crisis." Celestia stood back as well.

"Is that true?" She asked. "Is there a universal threat ready to attack our world?" Guardian stood back, waving his hooves frantically.

"No! Not at all! I'm here on a visit...." Guardian rubbed the back of his head nervously. "And to run an errand. You see, there are five different problems in five different universes, and granted how busy I am at the moment, I couldn't handle them all. So I came here because I knew of... six solutions."

"You sent the Elements of Harmony into alternate universes?!" Celestia said, her voice toned with shock. "What if Equestria is attacked while they are gone?"

"Don't forget. I CAN SEE THE FUTURE!" Guardian said, in a simpletons voice. "Nothing's going to happen to this world. And don't worry, they're in safe... hooves? Your race's vocabulary confuses me." Celestia and Luna gave each other nervous glances. They'd known Guardian for at least five hundred years, and knew to never doubt his judgement

"Alright, we understand." Celestia said. "If you have no more reason to be here, you can be on your way."

"Who's to say I can't wait a few hours longer?" Guardian said. "It has been a thousand years since we last spoke. That and I need to recharge my magic in order to summon another Gate. Last time I tried passing a Gate without using my own magic, that little jerk Truth made like the Kracken and almost took my leg!" Guardian turned to the regal sisters again and put on an embarrassed grin. "And there I go rambling again."

"Just like old times," Celestia sighed. "You remind me so much of the old groundskeeper."

"Hey, I'm old enough to be your great-grandfather's grandfather." Celestia and Guardian walked down the halls, talking and laughing, but Luna remained behind and began contemplating.

He may still be the same as he was one thousand years ago on the outside, Luna thought. But I can feel that there is something dark hiding within his heart. Maybe within time, I'll visit his dreams and see what he has seen.

Chapter Four: Psychotic Episode

Platinum District, Fortune City. 62 Hours until the Military Arrives

Frank, Chuck, and Rainbow Dash put together a pretty decent group of survivors. They found Stuart Holmes and Brittany Beck in Americana Casino trying to steal money (Dash convinced them it was wrong before Chuck could demonstrate with his fist) and Kristin Harris drunk in the security room of the same place (she vomited all over Frank's shoes which caused Dash to go into a laughing riot). Now they were heading outside to check out the reports of a guy on a green motorcycle out in the Park. Frank was carrying Kristin on his back (due to her drunken state), Dash was holding an electric prod while backing up Stuart and Brittany, while Chuck was examining the bike on the pedestal.

"I wish I kept my keys for these things." Chuck groaned. He motioned to the survivors to move to the stairs since most of the zombies were already dead.

"I didn't know you rode bikes." Dash said.

"What do you think he was doing in Terror is Reality?" Frank joked. As soon as the group took to the stairs, Chuck overheard the sound of a motorcycle running. He leaped off the platform, scanning for the motorcycle. Hearing the sound approach closer, Chuck ducked before having his head taken off by a chainsaw. Chuck stood up and saw a man in a green jumpsuit sitting on a green motorcycle with mounted chainsaws jutting out of the front.

Leon Bell.... Chuck thought. I was wondering if that guy made it out.

"Aw, well lookie here." Leon said, with a teasing tone. "If it ain't widdle Chuckie Greene." Chuck got to his feet and walked towards Leon. "Didn't get enough of me yet? You come back for my autograph?" Leon then proceeded to make a humping motion on the bike. "Oh, I bet you just get rock hard at night thinking about me, don't you, Chuckie?" On the side, Frank was holding Dash by her shirt collar to keep her from beating Leon to a pulp.

"He can't insult Chuck like that!" She shouted. "Let me at 'em!"

"Don't bother." Frank said. "I recognize his type from my experiences at Willamette. He's gone off the deep end."

"You come to throw your panties at me?" Leon chided, driving circles around Chuck.

"Whatever buddy." Chuck said, attempting to reason with the Terror is Reality competitor. "Look, I can take you to a bunker where it's safe...." Leon slowed to a stop in front of Chuck.

"Bunker?" He asked. "Where it's safe? Man, you are a pussy, aren't you?" Just from looking, you could tell Dash was ready to kill him. "I used to follow you when you did motocross. But look at you now, you're a broken man. You just don't got it anymore, do you?"

"What's your problem?" Chuck asked. He knew there was no reason in arguing, but it couldn't help to try.

"You're such a chump, Chuck." Leon's voice was getting tense. Both Leon and Chuck turned to see another survivor waving for help on the sides. Chuck was ready to run and help, but Leon started his engines again. "I'll race you for him." Leon sped his bike up, and the poor survivor started to run. He wasn't fast enough before the chainsaws cut the poor man in two. Dash gasped at the sight while Frank only shook his head.

"I knew it." Frank said. "He's gone insane. That's what happens during outbreaks. People either become zombies, die, or go insane." Leon began laughing maniacally, while Chuck could only look onward in horror as Leon turned and drove towards him. He stopped with the chainsaws only inches away from his stomach.

"What are you doing?!" Chuck demanded. "That wasn't a zombie!"

"Yeah, no shit Chuck!" Leon said. "Twice the points. They're harder to his 'cause they move around so much, bastards."

"You're crazy! This isn't a game!" Leon turned his head and gave Chuck a look of maddened murder.

"You're right about that. That was just practice." He continued driving circles around Chuck again, all while laughing crazily. "Now it's a game! Terror is Reality, baby, for real! Live in Fortune City!" Leon's voice turned malicious again. "I've always wanted to take you down, chump." He reached into his jumpsuit and pulled out some bike keys. "But you need some wheels, Chuckie." Chuck walked over and picked up the keys. At least he had a fair battleground to fight him on. "Don't keep me waiting." Leon smirked and drove north. Chuck looked at the keys and then started walking towards the bike.

"Woah, woah, woah!" Dash said. "You can't fight him! He's gone bonkers! We're coming with you."

"Not a chance, kid." Chuck said. "There's only one bike and this guy has a thing out for me. Get Kristin, Stuart, and Brittany to the bunker and I'll meet you in the Silver Strip afterwards." Chuck started the bike and drove off the ramp waving and signaling to leave.

"Well, at least I'm not doing it." Frank said. "Alright, come on! It's going to get dark soon and the zombies get real ravenous when that happens." Dash looked onward, hoping that Chuck would be alright, and then she followed Frank and the others to the Royal Flush Plaza.

"Good luck, Chuck." Dash wished.

30 Minutes Later....

"So we should head to the South Plaza to go and pick up these guys huddled around something?" Dash asked. She and Frank got the survivors back to the Safe House and they were discussing their next move with Stacey.

"I'd recommend it. Then I suggest that you go and help Chuck with that Leon guy." Stacey said. "I've been watching the monitors and Chuck's motorbike is totaled, but Leon's bleeding pretty bad."

"Which way were they heading?" Frank asked.

"Last I saw, it was towards the Silver Strip. Get the guys in South Plaza, then go and help Chuck." Stacey turned back to her computer screens while Frank and Dash left the room. After they climbed through the vents and entered the Royal Flush Plaza, Dash wanted a couple questions answered.

"Chuck told me you were at Willamette." She said. "Was that a bad outbreak?"

"Not just that." Frank said. "The first outbreak. I was investigating the town after the government put up a blockade. It wasn't really legal to enter, so I snuck in on a helicopter. I was stuck in a mall in the center of town for three days until the helicopter came back. In that time, the zombies broke in, people died, others went crazy, and to make matters worse, I got bit. Now I have to stick a goddam needle in my wrist every 24-hours to keep myself from turning." Dash could tell this guy had a rough time after Willamette.

"But I exposed what happened, now we can prepare for when another outbreaks happen. Most buildings are equipped with Safe Houses and pharmacies are selling Zombrex to prevent people from turning. I became a legend. I shook hands with the president, I had interviews, store openings, fans waiting for autographs, and I even had a TV show lined up. But then...."

"The fame went to your head?" Dash asked. Frank looked at the rainbow-haired girl and gave her a confused grin. "Something happened like that with me back in my hometown."

"Well, you know it, kid. There was a huge scandal when people found out I was infected. My show got cancelled, I lost most of my money, and I hit an all new low. Then I saw it, a way to get back into the game." He said that just as the two walked past a Terror is Reality poster. Unlike the ones with Chuck on them, this one had Frank in a wrestler's outfit.

"You were on Terror is Reality? Aren't you, like, sixty or something?"

"Hey, I'm forty-one! Anyway, I was on the show. They gave me a special deal to, instead of riding motorcycles like Chuck, wrestle with zombies in an arena. I knew things were a little fishy about the show, so I decided to poke around. That's when I saw the show's host, TK, pay this guy to blow the zombie pens, took pictures, but then the outbreak happened before I could warn everyone."

"So how did you and Chuck meet?"

"Yucatan Casino. There was this big guy named Ted, who was a little slow mind you, that was feeding survivors to a big show tiger named Snowflake. He knocked me and Chuck out, and when he lost his cool, we teamed up and killed the guy. The tiger, however, we tamed. I believe you may have seen her when we rescued you." Dash remembered seeing a big tiger with the other survivors when she met Frank and Chuck. It didn't bother her at all because Fluttershy would sometimes be taking care of a tiger. The conversation ended when they came across the South Plaza, the construction site filled to the brim with zombies. Dash grabbed a wrench, while Frank brandished a chainsaw. The two could see an Ultimate Playground store boarded off up ahead, marking their destination. Dash ran up to a fat zombie and knocked its head clean off with the wrench while Frank mowed through hordes of zombies. One by one, the zombies fell to the ground, headless or lacking an upper torso. After making a clear path to the room, Frank peered into the window and got a good look at the four men. A guy in a green sweater-vest, a black guy in a blue sweater with red suspenders and a blue tie, a guy in a lab coat, and a fat guy in a... Japanese schoolgirl outfit. Those four looked like the biggest nerds on the planet.

"What's the situation in there?" Dash asked, gasping between exhausted breaths. Frank turned towards Dash and put on a really annoyed look.

"Nerds." Frank said. "We've got nerds in this room." Frank looked into the window again, and back at Dash again. "And they're playing a board game." Dash face-palmed herself. Stacey sent them to save freakin' nerds.

"What next? An old lady?"

"Chuck took care of that one while we were with Rebecca." Frank and Dash pushed some of the barricades out of the way so to get into the room, then placing them back so no zombies could get in.

"I roll for a Cone of Cold!" The sweater-vest guy said, rolling some dice in his hand.

"Cone of Cold cast on the Flame Construct," Lab coat guy said. "Critical failure." Frank wanted to throw himself into the zombies for doing this, but he had no choice. He walked towards the nerds and stomped his foot.

"Hey, guys." Frank said through gritted teeth. "Playin' a game in here?" The four men got up, frantically looking around.

"Jeepers, mister." Said the black guy. "You scared us. I thought you were one of those undead necrotic beings out there."

"Well, I'm not. I'm Frank West, here to get you out of here."

"I'm John," said lab coat. "This is Curtis," pointing to the fat guy. "Brian" pointing to the black guy. "And Kevin." Pointing to the guy in the sweater-vest.

"Now that we've been formally introduced, let's get the hell out of here."

"Not until we finish our game, Mr. West." Said Kevin. Dash had been looking out of the window for zombies, but when she heard the nerd troop being stubborn, she lost her cool.

"Look, buddies." Dash said. "Frank and I busted our flanks out there trying to get to you guys, and we're not going to take your load of rotten apples about your game. Get your butts in gear and move out!" The four nerds stood up, and began to quake in their shoes.

"Well go!" Curtis said. "Not only because you yelled at us. You're pretty cute."

"We never talk to girls a lot before." Brian said, sheepishly. Dash began to blush, and Frank began to chuckle.

"Can it, camera guy." Dash aimed her wrench towards the door. "March!" The nerds grabbed what weapons they could before piling out of the door. Dash took lead while Frank held up the back behind the nerds, all of which were afraid more of the girl with rainbow hair than the actual zombies. Just as soon as they came up to the door, Dash stopped.

"Why are you stopping?" Frank called from the back. "We've got to go and find Chuck." Frank ran up to the front and saw what Dash was gaping at. At the end of the corridor stood a very skinny man. He was wearing this briar-like outfit that looked a lot like full body armor. However, the oddest thing about him was that on his head he was wearing a jack 'o lantern. He turned towards the group and made a very low, almost echoing cackle.

"Hello there, Miss Rainbow Dash." Said the pumpkin head. The carving for his mouth actually moved when he spoke. Creepy....

"Who are you and how do you know my name?" Dash demanded.

"I'm Keeper Briar. A servant of the ghostly king that you've been sent to exterminate." Frank had a strange vibe from this guy. Dash's eyes widened, and began clutching her wrench firmly between her hand.

"Are you one of Mad King Thorn's goons?" The pumpkin head, Briar, nodded. "So that means you're a ghost?"

"Do you want me to prove it?" Briar walked through the wall to his left, then reappeared next to Curtis, tapping him on the shoulder. The poor guy panicked so badly, he swung the 2x4 he was carrying and knocked Briar's head clean off. The pumpkin rolled away on the floor, while the headless briar body shambled to the head and reattached it on his shoulders with a sickening crack.

"That is the scariest f***ing thing I have ever seen in my entire life." Frank said, flatly.

"So now you know who and what I am," Briar said. He grabbed Rainbow Dash by the throat and held her three feet in the air. "You're coming with me!" Dash could only shout Frank's name before the two materialized into the floor. Frank pounded on the floor where Dash and Briar once stood, and the nerds could only look onward in fear.

I'm not letting this happen again. Frank said. Not like with Isabella. He stood up and turned on his earpiece.

"Stacey, I need your help." He said.

"What's wrong, Frank? Is Chuck okay?" Stacey's voice replied.

"Some guy with a pumpkin for a head just kidnapped Rainbow Dash, that kid. I need you to keep an eye out for either of them."

"Go and find Chuck, first. I'll see what I can do." Frank switched off his communicator and turned towards the nerds.

"What are you waiting for? Move it, nerds!"

Chapter Five: Smells Like Burning Pumpkins

Silver Strip, Fortune City. 60 Hours until the Military Arrives

Chuck had fought with Leon for a good hour now. After Leon smashed his bike, Chuck resorted to ranged weapons and timed dodges whenever those chainsaws came near. After a while, Leon was bloody, and nearly dead. He rode up to his trailer, clutching his side. The motorcycle was leaking gasoline heavily, so it didn't look like it would go anywhere. Chuck stood in front of the ramp, while Leon only looked onward and let out a hearty chuckle.

"Oh, you think it's that easy, Chuck?" Leon said, clutching his side. He began hobbling towards the bike, mounting himself on it. "You think you're the man? You'll NEVER beat me!" He began revving up the engines. "Yeah, that's right... quadruple points, Chuckie. Let's see you top this!" Leon began driving in small circles atop the puddle of leaked gas. That was when the sparks hit. The sparks from the chainsaws ignited the gas, setting Leon on fire. "On top! All the way to the end!" The burning form of Leon got off the bike and walked towards Chuck, his index finger pointed upwards the entire time. "But never forget, chump." Leon's legs then gave away as he let out a triumphant shout. "I'm number one!" After giving a dying cackle, Leon gave into his wounds and fell to the ground in a smoldering heap.

"Yeah, you're on fire." Chuck said. Just as he was about to use his walkie-talkie to call Frank, he heard the familiar sound of a camera click.

"I've got to write that one down." Frank said. He was taking photos of Leon's corpse from all angles. If you didn't know he was a reporter, anyone else would've thought this weird. Chuck gave a slight chuckle and looked at the group. There were four of the most obvious nerds on the entire planet standing behind Frank, but there clearly was a lack of a certain rainbow-haired girl.

"Where's the kid, Rainbow Dash?" Chuck asked. Frank's look changed from amused to panicked. He ran up to Chuck, grabbed his shoulders, and began shaking him frantically.

"We got these nerds in South Plaza," Frank said. "But this weird guy with a pumpkin head showed up and kidnapped her! It was insane! He fazed through walls and the pumpkin was actually his head, and not a mask! We've got to go and find her!" Chuck had a furious look on the reporter, and answered it with a prompt slap to the face.

"Get ahold of yourself, West!" Chuck said.

"I needed that." Frank replied, rubbing the slap mark on his cheek.

"All we know is that there's a teenage girl out there, who volunteered to help us out, and now some nut in a Halloween costume kidnapped her."

"I already asked Stacey to keep an eye out for her, so we'll get the heads up if she found anything." As if right on queue, Frank and Chuck's transceivers rang. Frank activated his earpiece and heard Stacey's voice rapidly reply.

"I found Rainbow Dash. Someone was dragging her and another woman unconscious into a restroom in the Uranus Zone!" She said. "Get moving! This guy might be dangerous!"

30 Minutes Earlier....

After that Briar guy kidnapped her, Rainbow Dash had a sack tied over her head to prevent her from knowing where her captor had taken her. Eventually, Dash had her cover removed, finding herself in a dimly lit room, tied to a chair. She struggled to loosen the knot, but instead she was greeted by a cold laughter.

"It's not use, child." Keeper Briar said, coldly. He stepped from the shadows and gave a very eerie grin. "I used iron wire and tied it in a troll knot. Only the one who made the knot can untie it."

"Just wait until I get out of here!" Dash said. "I'll make pumpkin pie out of your head!"

"Please, I'm only doing what my master has told me to do."

"Would that be Mad King Thorn? You are one of his goons, aren't you?"

"He is a member of the Mad Court," said another voice. "But he gets his orders from me." A new man stepped from the shadows. He was very tall, around 9 feet to shoulder length, and wore a dusty black robe. His face was mostly covered by a mask, so the only thing that could be seen were dark yellow eyes. His voice had a very mechanical effect to it, as if he was speaking through a computer.

"And who the hay are you?" Dash demanded.

"I am the Seeker." The cloaked man said. "I was once in service to the Wanderer of Worlds, but his work was to restore order to all worlds. It was too dull and mundane, so I decided to take a new horizon and do what I was born to do." He pulled back a sleeve, revealing a completely mechanical hand. The fingers looked like sharpened blades and the palm was cylinder shaped. "To cause death, destruction, and chaos."

"You've got metal limbs?" Dash asked. "I don't know whether to say that's awesome or sucks."

"70% of my body is metallic. Oil and wires run through my body instead of blood and veins. Born in the fires of war, forged in a conflict of epic proportions, and molded into an ultimate weapon." A zombie shambled into the light, and it gave a glare at Seeker. It lunged towards him, but Seeker grabbed the zombie's head, holding it firmly in place. With his other hand, the blade-like fingers rotated around into a sharp pick-like position. Releasing one hand on the zombie, Seeker went to work by inserting his transformed hand into the zombie's forehead. It began rotating like a dentist drill, tearing what was left of the zombie's brain, face, and head all together off and into a bloody pool of torn tissue. Dash could only stare in horror as Seeker slowly removed the drill and gave a sniffing motion.

"I praise that my sense of smell still remains intact after I became a cyborg." Seeker sighed, giving a tone of ecstasy. "The scent of fresh blood is... intoxicating."

"True, sir." Briar said. For some reason, Dash could detect a hint of reluctant praise in Briar's voice, much like that of a butler to Prince Blueblood.

"You're a monster." Dash snarled. Seeker turned towards Dash, casually walked towards her, and transformed his mechanical hand into a rotating buzz-saw. Holding the bloodstained blade close to her face, Seeker's eyes were maddened with the intensity of bloodshed.

"Monsters are the images of things we find unsettling and give a sense of distrust and fear to." Seeker said, looming ever closer. "I am no monster. I am an abomination." He took his non-transformed hand and ran a single blade-finger alongside her cheek, leaving a small bleeding cut.

"Sir, we need her alive, remember." Briar said. Seeker looked behind him and gave a snarl to Briar, withdrawing from Dash.

"We'll let you live, for now." Seeker said. "But for now, I need you to stay out of trouble." Seeker transformed his hand into a metal rod, and hit Dash in the back of the head. She fell out of the chair, unconscious and unmoving. The last things she ever heard were of a man with a voice like a true madman.

"A new patron for the cause? Perfect."

Uranus Zone, Fortune City. 59 Hours until the Military Arrived

The lights glowed brighter than any skyscraper, the hums and groans of the machines accompanied the moans of the undead shambling around. The Uranus Zone theme park was lively (the term 'lively' loosely used), as Frank and Chuck entered. They had taken the nerds back to the Safe House as to not risk anyone else getting hurt or killed.

"Never really was one for the science stuff." Frank said. "For some reason, the kids go wild for it." Chuck looked at his friend and laughed.

"Look at you, Frank." Chuck said. "You sound like an old man."

"I'm forty-one! Why does everyone treat me like a grandpa?" Although it was amusing to see two grown men fight over such little things, they still had to go and find Rainbow Dash. Stacey said that a man in a green sweater was carrying two unconscious women into a nearby restroom, and one of them had rainbow colored hair. The two had constructed some makeshift weapons to prepare for the fight. Frank brandished a sledgehammer with axe heads stuck to the sides, known as the Defiler. On his hands were a pair of MMA Gloves with nails sticking through, and slung to his side was a small handgun. Chuck, on the other hand, found a flashlight and some gemstones, and created a focused Laser Sword. On his back sat a fully loaded shotgun and a butcher's knife in a holster to his side. After running amok trying to find the bathroom, and Frank using several amusement park rides to kill off the zombies, they came across a bloodied hallway near the bank. Frank and Chuck entered the bathroom, seeing the bloodstained walls and the broken lights. Within the men's room, they could distinctly hear a man talking.

"The movement is growing..." He said. "Soon we will all be part of the change." Frank and Chuck looked in and saw a man wearing a green sweater and brown jeans. His hair was braided much like a hippie, matching up with his speech pattern.

"For some reason..." Frank said. "This guy looks familiar." The two walked in, stepping on the broken glass littering the floor. "Hey, you uh... alright?" The man turned towards the two zombie hunters, revealing a disgusting sight. His hands and shirt were stained with blood, and a maddened look consumed his face. Chuck saw a different kind of madness in him than in Leon's. That's when it hit Frank. He recognized this man as Brandon Whittaker, a C.U.R.E member who was last seen talking with TK before the outbreak.

"It wasn't supposed to go down like that...." Brandon said. "But now, I see how radical it is. Now, my life has meaning again." His hands quaked and shook with insanity every time he spoke. It's perfect this way. So I'm on board now. It's the only way, man."

"What about TK?" Frank asked. Chuck gave the journalist a confused look, unsure of why he was asking this nut about TK.

"I'm a soldier for the cause, man." Frank remembered those exact words when TK gave the guy money, bait, and explosives. This was the guy who framed Chuck for the outbreak!

"So it was you that started the outbreak." Frank said.

"That's him?!" Chuck said. He was about to strangle the guy, but Frank held him back. "He's made my life a living hell again, and killed hundreds of people! Let me at him!" Frank gave Chuck a signal to back off, and clearly Brandon was unaffected by Chuck's violence.

"First, it was horrible," Brandon's voice hung with sorrow and fear. "The zombies, the zombies we've been trying to save. Killing people... eating people...." Brandon snapped his head back up and his voice turned sour. "But then I saw how brilliant the plan is... it's the best way to end the oppression." He turned towards Chuck and Frank, glaring at them with an insane gaze. "It's so radical... it's beautiful, man!" As Brandon put his red hands on Frank's coat, Chuck saw the captives behind him, both tied to chairs. One was wearing a blue dress and a pink undershirt with blonde hair, but it was easy to recognize the girl with rainbow streaked hair.

"Please help me." The blonde girl whispered. Chuck looked at Dash, but see looked unconscious. Chuck started to help them, but Brandon was standing in front of a bathroom stall adjacent to the captives.

"So I'm helping now. I'm a soldier for the cause, man." With that last word, he pushed open the stall and revealed a red eyed zombie standing within. Night had fallen, and now the zombies thirst for more blood. It started shambling towards the girls, but Frank ran in the way and slammed the door shut.

"No! This isn't the way to help anyone!" Frank shouted.

"Oh, I see. You're losing the courage to do what needs to be done. Well, I have the guts!" Brandon bent down and picked up a large shard of glass, and held it over the blonde girl's throat. "And I'm taking this thing all the way!" Just as he was about to sever her throat, Brandon fell to the ground thanks to a well delivered punch to the face.

"That's for making me a wanted man, you son of a bitch." Chuck said. The two pulled out their weapons and prepared for battle with the deranged C.U.R.E activist.

Rainbow Dash had regained her consciousness after Brandon had dragged her and the girl tied to her back into the bathroom. She pretended to still be out, but she didn't know how long to wait. After a while, she heard voices, Frank and Chuck's. She was relieved to hear them, but she didn't want to give away her presence. She turned towards a mirror, mostly shattered to bits, and saw Chuck attack Brandon. After Brandon fell, a familiar pumpkin head appeared in the reflection of the mirror.

"Only you can see or hear me for now." Briar's voice echoed through Dash's head. "I'm here to just bring a little entertainment." In the reflection, Briar held up a beat box, put in a CD and pressed a button. That's when the music was heard by everyone in the room, and it influenced the battle if it would last for eons.

"We're all part of the change!" Brandon shouted. He leaped towards Chuck, glass shard in hand, and tried to stab him, but was met with a spiked uppercut, courtesy of Frank West. Neither of them wanted to question how and where the intense music was coming from, but they were more worried about Brandon. After he stood up, spitting up a dribble of blood, he made a throat slicing motion and pounced on Frank, leaving a gash on his right arm. Chuck retaliated with a chop from his butcher's knife to the shoulder. Brandon yowled in pain, leaping off Frank and treating his wound. Realizing his disadvantage, Brandon took off and leaped into one of the bathroom stalls.

"Go and join the cause!" He cackled. Several stall doors flung open, and seven ravenous zombies joined the fray. Chuck used his Laser Sword to cut them in two, flinging it around like a flyswatter. Frank knocked several heads clean off with his Defiler, swinging it madly like a blunt weapon, but dealing enough trauma like a blade. After the zombies lay in shredded heaps, Brandon jumped from a different stall than the one he vanished in before.

"He's probably using the vents to get around." Frank said. "I fought a crazed Vietnam veteran back in the Willamette Mall who did the same thing." Brandon unleashed a fury of wild stabs at Frank, but thanks to his martial arts training, he dodged every lunge. Chuck used this to his advantage, and ran up to the captives and cut them loose.

"Dash, you and this girl get the hell out of here." Chuck said. "Run to one of the empty stores and stay there until we get you." Dash looked at her hands and clenched her fists. She helped the blonde girl onto her feet and gave Chuck an understanding nod.

"Yes sir!" The blonde girl said. "And my name's Vikki."

"Chuck Greene, pleasure to meet you. Now move!" Vikki gave a panicked nod as the two ran out the room. Chuck wanted to give himself a pat on the back, but Brandon nearly gave it for him in the shape of a shard of glass. Chuck dodged out of the way, cutting a zombie in half as well. He rolled to Frank, who was suffering from a few minor cuts, and joined him on the side. Brandon was bleeding heavily, and it didn't look like he'd last any longer. The man stumbled to keep himself balanced, and fell into a nearby stall. Brandon's scream and a loud chomp was heard thereafter. Brandon fell out of the stall, bearing a fresh bit mark on his neck. That was when is sanity returned, if only for a brief moment.

"No...." Brandon said. He knew that it wasn't the right way to die, and realized what he had done unto others was happening to him. Looking at his bloodstained hand, he held the bloody shard to his throat, and severed an artery. Brandon ended his life as to not end up as a zombie. The soldier has succumbed to his cause.

"Well, that's it then." Frank said. Chuck shook his head.

"You said he was involved in the outbreak," Chuck said. "But we didn't get any information out of him. It was a bust." Frank walked to his upset partner and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, at least we saved Dash and that girl, Vikki." Chuck smiled and flexed his muscles.

"Let's go find them, then." The two started towards the door.

"I've got to have a word with Stacey when we get back."

Chapter Six: Dreams Dared to Dream

Canterlot Castle, Equestria

After Guardian admitted to him needing to stay somewhere until his magic recharges, Celestia insisted that he stay at the Castle for dinner. The dinner hall, usually filled with servants, guards, nobles, and on some occasions royalty, the only ponies in the room were the Royal Sisters and Guardian. Celestia and Luna were enjoying specially prepared salads, but Guardian wasn't even touching his plate.

"Is there something wrong, my friend?" Celestia asked. "You haven't touched your salad."

"I would if I could," Guardian said, giving a nervous smile. "But for my people, vegetables don't agree with me. I know it's against your people's belief to eat meat, but I would be pleased if I could bring my own food."

"But I thought you said you weren't able to use rifts to return to wherever it is you live?" Luna said. Guardian sounded a bit rude, but granted she knew that the poor soul might have been through a lot.

"That's for teleporting living beings." Guardian answered. And here he goes with the science/magic explanations.... "You see, it requires a large amount of magical energy and focus to send a body and soul through the rifts on time and space, because you have no idea what happens to those who fail and something gets royally screwed up." He looked onward, drifting off into thought again. "That poor boy... his body between the Gate and his soul bound to a suit of armor." He returned his gaze to the princesses and smiled. "It's easier to bring things like objects that only have a physical form and no soul required." Guardian's horn glowed a translucent blue, firing a bolt into the roof. "A demonstration if you will."

A small blue vortex appeared to the side of Guardian, and out popped a bronze knife, a brick, and a red rose. "It would've taken me significantly longer to bring a physical being into this world from another." A small beeping was heard, so Guardian pulled out a small device and clicked a button on it. He put it away and gave an annoyed sputter. "Speaking of, I've got a client I have to meet with now."

"You're leaving?" Celestia asked. Guardian merely shook his head and stepped back.

"No, he's coming here. I hope you don't mind, but I have to change." A black mist enveloped Guardian, consuming the black alicorn in a cloud of darkness. The cloud appeared to change posture and position, much like an artist molding his clay, taking the form of a smaller figure. As soon as the mist cleared away, a new figure was standing before the princesses. He was a human male, wearing a black suit, a black cape, wide-brimmed black hat, and an eye-patch over his left eye. Celestia and Luna stood in awe at Guardian's human form, for this was the first they ever had seen of it.

"Is this your true form?" Luna asked. Guardian merely let out a chuckle.

"No, but this is close." He said. "You should probably pull the tables and chairs back, because this is the kind of meeting you're not used to." Guardian snapped his fingers, and a purple rift opened across the tables. Out stepped an incredibly muscular human, wearing red grieves and leather straps across his chest. On his head sat a samurai helm with a skull covering most of his face, save for his jaw and reptilian eyes.

"Savior of Worlds." The muscular man said, in a gruff and booming voice.

"Shao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld." Guardian said. He was wondering how long it would take for someone to address him by his one of professional titles. "We both know why you're here."

"Indeed." Shao Kahn raised his hand into the air, and in a flash of green light, a very large hammer sat in the overlord's hands. "I have come to take your head and gain control of all worlds, in Mortal Kombat!" Guardian looked to the princesses, who both sat in fear at the sight on this gigantic other worldly being.

"Your Highnesses," He said. "I would suggest moving away. Shao Kahn and I are going to wrestle for a bit, and I don't want to destroy anything." With a prompt nod, Celestia and Luna pulled the tables away, and flew to a nearby balcony to witness the battle.

"Fight!" Shao Kahn roared. The Outworld Emperor charged headfirst at Guardian, hammer in the air and roaring a tone that would make any dragon shake with fear. Guardian stood still, no matter how close Shao Kahn came close. There he stood, unflinching and unmoving, like a statue frozen in time. When Shao Kahn finally swung his mighty hammer, it made in impact on... nothing. Guardian had vanished, faster than lightening, and reappeared behind Shao Kahn. With snake-like reflexes, Guardian kicked Shao Kahn's knees in, leaped seven feet into the air, and brought his feet down upon the Emperor's head, creating a head shaped dent in the linoleum floor. After delivering a lethal blow, Guardian put Shao Kahn in a strong headlock, and would not release him.

"That's an all new record for you." Guardian joked. "Thirty seconds. Have you been working out?" Shao Kahn got up on his feet, trying to swat at the suited man on his throat.

"Get off! I am Shao Kahn! I can never be defeated!"

"You've tried to kill me... eight times so far? And to add to that, your attempts at Mortal Kombat against your Earthrealm have been futile." The 'mighty' emperor got on his knees after Guardian's powerful grip on his neck began to suffocate him. "Now, do you surrender, or am I going to have to play golf with your head again?"

"On the blood of Shinnok, I surrender!" Guardian shrugged his shoulders and sighed. He released his grip on Shao Kahn and began to pose for the non-existent audience. Celestia and Luna could only look at this display in awe. He toppled that giant of a man in less than half a minute! Before the Royal Sisters could descend to congratulate their friend, Shao Kahn picked himself up, grabbed his hammer, and raised it behind Guardian's head.

"Behind you!" Luna shouted. At that mark, an even larger green hammer appeared in Guardian's hand, and smashed Shao Kahn's stomach in in a single blow. The defeated Emperor sailed through the air and was knocked into a recently opened rift.

"That's the third time he tried that tactic." Guardian said. "He either needs to be less sneaky, or get a bigger hammer." With the notion of his victory, Guardian tossed his hammer behind him, and it vanished in a puff of green smoke. Celestia and Luna descended from the balcony and gave praise to Guardian.

"That was an incredible battle!" Luna said. "We wish to know what it was about, though."

"As the Guardian of Worlds, it's my duty to make sure all universes remain whole and intact. However, there are others who wish to gain control of said universes and challenge me for control. Shao Kahn is just one of them."

"So this happens often, then?" Celestia pondered.

"At least once every week. Just be glad I wasn't dealing with a Void being. Those monstrosities make a big mess." The trio chuckled as Guardian transformed back into his Alicorn form. After Guardian used his magic to reset the dinning room, Celestia realized the time and embarked to lower the sun and allow Luna to bring up the moon.

"You are welcome to the guest room, my friend." Celestia said. Guardian merely bowed his head and his horn glowed green.

"No need," Guardian said. "I just built myself a temporary house outside." Celestia and Luna looked outside, and sure enough, there was a floating temple-like structure suspended several feet in the air. "It's based on the ancient Mayan dwellings from one of the Earth Universes. Quite a people they were." The Alicorns did their duties and went to their rooms. All except for the curious Princess Luna. She knew that Guardian was hiding something within his mind, heart, and soul, so she intended to find out through his dreams. She flew to the window opening where Guardian sat in his human form, sleeping in a meditative pose.

Now to see what lurks in thy mind.... Luna thought. She closed her eyes and felt her subconscious enter the mind of the Wanderer of Worlds. There she stood in an empty white room. In front of her stood a large stone gate, designed with a tree featuring different names on the branches. Sitting in front of the large gate was a completely white figure, save for the dark, smoky outline around it. It was of the exact same build as Guardian's human form, but completely devoid of any color.

"Who are you?" Luna asked the being. A wide smile spread across the blank face of the being.

"I am referred to by many names." The being said in a calm, echoing voice. "I am the Truth, God, the All, the One. I am Him, but more importantly..." The being stood up, and it's form changed to the shape and exact build of Luna. "I am you." Luna was taken aback by this unnatural creature.

"Why are you in the dreams of my friend, the Guardian?" Luna demanded.

"I am the Keeper of the Gate of Truth. All of the knowledge of the worlds lies beyond. The Guardian, as you call him, was the only being to ever walk through the Gate and learn everything. You came here to learn his secrets, and this is what he chose." Truth vanished into the blinding whiteness as the gate slowly opened to a black abyss. A horizontal eye opened up, and a flurry of small arms burst from within. They grabbed at Luna, and dragged her into the awaiting darkness. She frantically dug at the ground to escape, and began calling out for help.

"No! This is not what I desired!" Luna continued to scream as she saw the darkness pull her apart and into the Gate. Truth floated towards Luna's face and gave a monstrous grin.

"You wished to learn the Truth about the Guardian?" Luna's eyes gaped with fear as she saw herself become merged with Truth. "Wish granted." Those were the last words the Princess of the Night heard before completely vanishing the Gate of Truth, and it closing behind the smiling keeper.

The Following Morning...

Celestia awoke in the morning, at least, that's what she presumed. It was six in the morning, but Luna hadn't brought the moon down for herself to raise the moon. She felt this peculiar. Celestia wandered the castle, in search of her sister. It wasn't like her to shirk royal duties. After arriving to the outside courtyard, she saw Guardian's makeshift home floating above, but a frightening sight below. Luna was collapsed on the ground, completely unconscious, but there was blood on the ground. Celestia ran up to her injured sister, turning Luna on her side, but found an even worse sight. Her entire right eye was gone, ripped completely out of her skull. She was bleeding heavily, but Celestia had no idea what to do.

"What's all the noise about?" Guardian asked, sticking his head out through a window. He looked down and saw Celestia standing over a heavily injured Luna. "Oh no." Guardian flew out the window and landed to his injured friend.

"What's wrong with her?" Celestia frantically asked. "Who stole her eye?!"

"I have a failsafe in case someone tries to enter my mind without permission." Guardian said, attempting to treat the wound. "Anyone who tries is mentally sent to the Gate of Truth, and physically loses a part of the body Truth chooses. She must've wanted to see what lay in my dreams, so Truth took half her sight away." Guardian's horn glowed a deep blue and a small briefcase appeared behind him.

"You know all of the healing spells!" Celestia stated, through stifled sobs. "Can't you do anything for her?"

"Whatever Truth takes, he keeps. However, I'm the only being in existence he will ever bow to." Guardian opened the briefcase with his magic, and levitated a small spherical device resembling that of an eye. After carefully inserting the device, it began to expand until it filled the place where Luna's eye once was, finally creating a completely accurate hologram of her eye. "I'll pay Truth a little visit, but for now, I'm going to give her a temporary eye." He looked towards Celestia with a dead serious eye. "Keep her as calm as possible, make sure nopony knows she's missing an eye because of a foreign friend, and whatever you do...." His voice turned ominous enough to scare even the strongest of dragons. "Don't attempt to use your magic yourself." Celestia gave a grave nod, and levitated her sister onto her back. Guardian opened a Gate and entered, and when he would come out on the other end, Truth would wish he was able to die.

Chapter Seven: Blood

Uranus Zone, Fortune City. 58 Hours Until Military Arrives

To say things were hectic after Rainbow Dash and Vikki escaped from that lunatic, Brandon, would be an understatement. Now that night had fallen, the zombies had grown even more ravenous than usual, and Dash didn't have the skill to make herself weapons like Frank and Chuck could. The two were running to try and find safe cover until the zombie hunters finished with the psychopathic C.U.R.E member. Finally, they came across the employee locker room, which was conveniently unlocked. Once entering, the two frightened women stopped to catch their breaths. Vikki sat down on a bench, staring at the linoleum floor, tears welling up in her eyes and her body shaking uncontrollably.

"He was going to kill me..." Vikki stammered. "That piece of glass... he was going to make me one of those things...." The poor gal started to cry. "Then he wanted to cut my neck...." Right then, she burst into tears. Dash, remembering the time she saw Fluttershy cry because of a traumatic experience, felt her big sister instincts kick in. She may not be able to help anyone the way the Element of Kindness could, but she still could help those in need. The rainbow-haired girl sat down on the bench and wrapped an arm around Vikki.

"Don't worry," Dash said, giving off a warm smile. "Things will be fine. Me and my friends, we're going to take you to a Safe House, and you'll be fine." Vikki raised her tear stained face, returning the smile.

"You really think so?"

"Chuck and Frank even saved my flank a few hours ago. They were so awesome fighting with that crazy guy!" Curiosity entered the young lady's eyes.

"The man in the yellow jumpsuit, he said his name was Chuck Greene." Vikki stood up and eased her nervous breathing. "Didn't he cause the outbreak? Isn't he the reason all these people died?" Dash stood up like a board, a determined glare transfixed on her face, ready to defend her friend.

"Didn't you hear that guy in the bathroom or what Frank said? The psycho who kidnapped us started the outbreak!" Vikki's frightened appearance was quickly replaced with one of confusion.

"But... it was his track suit on the TV."

"That C.U.R.E guy was wearing it to cover his tracks! Chuck's got a daughter here, and what would he gain from causing those freaks to run loose?" At the last word, Dash pointed to the shut doorway, leading to the zombie infested amusement park. "Chuck is trying to save survivors, and most of them are afraid he caused this chaos in the first place!" Dash walked over to some bathroom stalls and leaned against a shut door. "He's a good man, and he has a little girl here. He didn't do it. Heck, with him and Frank trying to help people out here, things are gonna go back to being awesome in no time."

Vikki's nervous demeanor faded as Dash brought her words to an end. This teenage girl, who probably saw a lot of people die when the outbreak started, was so loyal to her savior and friends, it was inspiring. However, the door where Dash was leaning against violently flung open, and a fat zombie leaped out, swiping madly at Dash. In a spurring moment of panic, Dash kicked the undead man in the stomach, but it had no effect. A returning blow to the head brought the spunky girl to the ground with a thud. Vikki was too petrified and scared to do anything as the zombie slowly climbed atop Dash. The rainbow haired girl pushed all she could to keep the zombie from biting her, but to no avail. It almost seemed like it was over....

*BANG*

Red liquid splattered the walls, lockers, and the unfortunate girl underneath the now headless zombie. In the doorway stood Chuck Greene, a shotgun with smoke drifting off the barrel sitting in his hands. The stoic zombie hunter walked in and kicked the bloody mess off Rainbow Dash. However, with her new look, the colors of the rainbow run red.

"You gotta look out for the ones that hide in stalls." Frank quipped, emerging out of nowhere to take photos. "Also the ones that play dead." One quick glance was all it took before Frank could burst out into snickers. "You got a little something on your face." Dash quickly ran to a mirror, gazing at the bloody form of herself in the mirror. Eyes widened, jaw dropped, hands shook, and the taste of vomit entered her tongue.

"There's a stall right there." Chuck groaned, pointing to the said stall. In a matter of seconds, the door slammed shut, and the sound of puke hitting the toilet was followed. On the outside, Chuck was pinching the bridge of his nose, Frank was howling in laughter, and Vikki could only stare.

"I should've taken pictures! Priceless!" Frank laughed, wiping away a non-existent tear. Chuck shot the journalist an irritated glance, then gave a worried look to Vikki.

"Are you alright?" Chuck asked, putting a hand on the woman's shoulder.

"I'm fine," Vikki muttered, still shaken up by the zombie attack. "Thanks for saving me back there. I was so scared."

"Just doing what's gotta be done." With a loud flush, Dash stumbled out of the bathroom stall, her clothes splattered with blood and vomit dribbling down her chin.

"Geez, you're a mess." Frank said. "I saw you killing zombies earlier and it didn't faze you at all. What happened with the one Chuck got?"

"Blood..." Dash mumbled. "Head exploded... all over my...." Once again turning green, Dash held in another urge to vomit. "But it's all cool now."

"Let's get you a change of clothes," Chuck said, helping Dash onto her feet. "Sullivan will have a cow if he sees you like this."

"And I've got the perfect solution!" Chuck whipped his head around and saw Frank holding a scantily clad Space Girl outfit. The large smirk accompanying it, Frank must still be in the mood for laughs. Chuck gave an annoyed glare, but began rummaging through the lockers to find some clothes. Eventually, he pulled out a cyan t-shirt and red pants, including a baseball cap with a lightening bolt running across the forehead. Frank, Chuck, and Vikki stepped out of the room to give the girl some privacy, sitting in an adjacent office.

Whilst slipping on her new clothes, Dash noticed that Chuck, Frank, and Vikki's voices had died down. Once placing the baseball cap on her head, Dash walked to the door where her friends had entered. Knocking once, no reply came. She reached down at the door handle, but to her astonishment, there was no handle. That's when she started hearing the sounds of a nightmare. She couldn't tell where it was coming from, but the haunting voices growling within her head scared her. Dash began frantically pounding on the door, attempting to escape the sounds. Finally, she broke the door down, but not into the office that once was there. Instead was a dark corridor, dimly lit by a few lights, that seemed to stretch onward forever. The walls were painted over a dull red and rusted over. On the right side of Dash in the corridor, Dash could see a rusted chain-link fence peering into a black abyss. At the far end, a white door stood, untouched by the darkness of the room. Dash steadily wandered into the corridor, just as the sounds grew louder and more ominous. She could hear a steady heartbeat echo off the halls, and a muffled voice growling something. One opening the door, Dash gazed into another hallway that looked eerily like the one she just was in, only the walls seemed to... move. In addition, a dim red light emitted from the fence. Upon examining the walls, Dash felt it move with the same pulse of her own veins. On the other side of the fence was a bloody figure, chained upside down on the wall, and a large fleshy bulb was suspended by meat hooks beside it. Dash wanted to run, escape as the sounds of the growling and noises grew more frequent and louder. Dash sprinted down the hall, opening a second door, but it lead to another identical hallway. This time, the walls were oozing a red ichor, and the bulbous shape behind the fence opened up to a giant, bloodshot eye. Sweat dribbled down the frightened girl's forehead, and ran as fast as her heart could keep up with her. She opened the door, and again the same corridor, but the eye was looking around the room frantically and the body twitched with every step she took. She covered her ears, screaming bloody murder as to escape this nightmarish hell and the now shouting voices. Finally, the door opened to a black abyss, the sounds stopped, and Dash fell into nothingness. The only sound that echoed her mind was the haunting voice of Keeper Briar, and the horrendous pumpkin carving burned into her mind.

Rise and shine... Rainbow Dash

Upon thrusting upward, sweating a typhoon over her head, she looked around and saw her surroundings. She was no longer in an employee locker room, but lying down on a medical bed. She looked around, and saw Chuck and Frank sitting in chairs by a door.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Dashie." Frank warmly greeted. "You gave us quiet a scare." Dash wanted to get up and thrust her arms around the two, but felt a cold ring around her wrist. She looked and saw her arm was handcuffed to the railing of the bed.

"What happened to me?" Dash asked. Chuck got up and put his hand on Dash's shoulder.

"You went quiet after we left the room." Chuck began. "I walked out the check on you, but you were lying on the ground, shaking and screaming. We tried to wake you, but you were having some sort of panic attack."

"The weird part was that you were screaming about gummy bears for some reason." Frank added.

"We took you and Vikki back to the safe house. You went berserk, trying to attack people, so Sullivan had to cuff you to keep you from hurting anyone. You were out for five hours, we only just got back from getting survivors." Dash looked downward, sweat dripping from her brow. It seemed so real to her. Was it all just a bad dream? Frank stood up and began to stretch his legs.

"Well, I'm gonna go empty the fuel tank. Drank a whole carton of orange juice a few minutes ago." Frank smiled and casually waltzed out the door. Chuck bent down and unlocked Dash's restraint and gave her a warm smile.

"You did good out there, but for now, I think you should stay here. Keep Stacey company, play with my daughter, mess with Sullivan, socialize, just don't head out until you feel better, okay?" Dash felt reluctant to stay while Frank and Chuck risked their lives outside. She never did like getting all cooped up like a hen, all bored and fidgety. But, Chuck was genuinely serious about this, and she did feel a little sick. A confirming smirk flew on Dash's face and a nod soon followed. Chuck returned a grin and opened the door.

"Tell Frank not to break his hip!" Dash joked.

"I heard that," Frank shouted. "And I'm forty-one!" Chuck gave a relaxed sigh and headed out the door. Dash put her hands on her hips and stood watching at the grizzled motorcyclist. Those two were almost complete opposites, but they're made for each other, just like true friends.

"Just like my friends." Dash quietly said to herself.

"Speaking of, another Watcher told me they're doing fine." Said a familiar voice. Dash turned around and saw Watcher sitting in a chair, reading a magazine. The hooded man lifted his head and gave a sharp-toothed smile to the rainbow-haired girl.

"You again?" Dash irritably asked. "What do you want?" Watcher put his magazine aside and gave Dash a stern look, mostly concealed by his hood over his eyes.

"You're showing remarkable progress, especially encountering Keeper Briar." At the name, Dash gave a shudder. "He's a special one. One of the few members of the Mad King's Court that have similar powers of nightmare alteration like Thorn. Briar can't change the world, but he can change what a single person sees." Dash's eyes widened, remembering her nightmare. At the end, Briar's carved face appeared and his voice spoke to her. Was he responsible for the dream?

"So that explains the nightmare I had."

"The only way you can beat it is to realize it's a dream, or have someone else bring you out of it. Just like Freddy Krueger." Watcher stood up, glancing at his stop watch. "Well, I've got to run. Meeting at the Black Lodge. The Master will ask me to accompany him." Before Watcher could leave, Dash stopped him so she could ask one question.

"There was someone else with Briar. He had metal body parts and knife like fingers. I think he called himself 'Seeker'." At that name, Watcher's face turned even paler than usual.

"Seeker? The Seeker?!"

"He said he used to work for the Wanderer of Worlds. Do you know him?"

"My master's primary title is the Wanderer of Worlds, but you know him as Guardian. As for Seeker...." Sorrow entered the voice of Watcher, just as he slumped back down into the chair. "He used to be my Master's most powerful warrior ally, almost as strong as the Wanderer. Seeker, like myself, is from a now extinct universe that thrived on war. I deserted these wars and focused on my special abilities of being able to duplicate myself."

"You can make more of you? That's awesome!"

"Indeed, hell this Watcher you're speaking to isn't even the original. Anyway, Seeker is a living weapon, a cyborg war machine. He lived for the thrill of battle. After a few years of servitude to my Master, Seeker grew bored of his job of stabilizing universes and defected. He now is the leader of a separatist group known as the Shard, causing mayhem across many universes. If he is here... only bad things are in store." Watcher stood up and gave a white crystal to Dash. "If you see Seeker again, throw this crystal on the ground and we'll send a powerful ally to help you. Now if you excuse me." With a prompt spin, Watcher vanished in a green glow. "I LEAVE!"

Dash stared at the crystal in her hand, wondering what Seeker was up to, and what did it mean for her and her friends.

Chaper Eight: Undead Kitchen

Safe House Bunker, Fortune City. 51 Hours until the Military Arrives

Things were generally quiet around the Safe House. Most of the survivors were too scared or traumatized to talk after the hardships they went through. Seeing zombies killing and infecting people can do that to you. However, some were still open to idle conversation. Most talked to friends, or even amongst the others, but it was still quiet throughout the halls.

*CRASH*

"Who spilled on the floor?!" Shouted Rainbow Dash. Once being unchained by Chuck, Dash decided to stretch her legs and do something while she was waiting for Frank and Chuck to come back. She decided to get something to eat, because she hadn't eaten since she got to this world thanks to Guardian. However, someone decided to spill a carton of milk on the floor, and Dash was unlucky enough to slip atop it and fall on her back. She was sprawled out on the floor, groaning as pain spread throughout her back. The door swung open, Sullivan, Elrod (a survivor Chuck had rescued while she and Frank were with Rebecca), and Chuck's daughter Katey ran in.

"What happened?" Sullivan barked.

"Down here." Dash groaned, raising a bruised arm. Elrod began laughing like the redneck bumpkin like he is.

"That's a knee slapper righ' thar." Elrod hooted. He was shut up by prompt smack to the head by Sullivan's baton. "The hell, officah? I'd dun nothin' wrong!" While the two were fighting, Katey reached a hand out to Dash and offered her a hand up.

"Need a hand?" Katey asked, her face lighting up in a smile so warm it could melt butter. Dash sheepishly grinned, but then shook her head, quickly stood back up, and dusted herself off.

"Thanks, kid," Dash said. "But I don't need any help. I'm too awesome to let slip ups hurt me." Katey let off a simple giggle. "Hey, you're Chuck's daughter, right?"

"Yep! I'm his little angel." Katey said. "He's the best dad ever! He races motorcycles and helps people who need it. He and that old guy with the camera brought most of the people stuck outside here."

"I know, he saved me out there, too." Dash said. "If he's as awesome as you call him, I bet your mom's a goddess or something." Katey's face sank, and she looked to the ground. Dash realized she must've struck a nerve, or brought up a bad memory. She got down to face level with the little girl and put a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?

"My mom died when the zombies attacked Las Vegas." Katey said, her voice shaky. "But then she came back... and bit me."

So that's how she became infected, like Sullivan and Frank said. Dash thought. This poor kid went through a lot.

"Dad's been working really hard to pay for Zombrex. I don't like getting shots, but dad says I have to. Every day from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM." Dash glanced at the clock on the wall, reading it said 2:15 AM. Chuck should be back to give his daughter.... whatever that Zombrex thing is. An injection, maybe? Dash's thoughts were interrupted by Stacey knocking on the window. She had a worried look painted on her face, causing Dash to draw her attention away from Katey for a moment.

"Whaddaya need, Stace?" Dash asked.

"There's something really important that Frank and Chuck need to see," Stacey said. "But they're not answering their transceivers. Last I saw, they were heading to the Food Court to investigate someone cooking in one of the restaurants." She looked over to the side, checking to see if Sullivan was listening in. Instead, he was busy field-stripping his pistol. Stacey motioned Dash closer, her voice dropping to whisper level. "I need you to go and find Frank and Chuck, check if they're okay, bring them back, and make sure Sullivan doesn't see you. He'll shit a chicken if you went out there after that whole breakdown a few hours ago."

Don't remind me about that whole nightmare thing. Dash thought. I'm gonna make pie outta Briar's head for that.

"I know I'm asking much, but can you do this for me?" Dash thought about this for a while. She knew Chuck had told her to stay in the Safe House until she was better, but she was definitely feeling better, albeit a little dizzy from time to time. But, then again, Chuck and Frank could be in danger. Zombies are dangerous in groups, and there are also those crazed psychopaths. It was about time the good ole element of Loyalty kicked in.

"I'll go after them. Give me something to defend myself, a transceiver, and a map. I'll bring 'em back before you could say 'Daring Doo and the Dragon's Drought'!" Stacey gave the rainbow-haired girl a quizzical gaze, complimented by raised eye-brows. Stacey reached into her green jacket pocket and gave a yellow ear-piece and a small city-map to Dash. After placing the two item on her person, she saw a small brown object fall onto the floor. Curiosity taking over, Dash picked up the object, made out of wood, and noticed a silver button on the side. Upon pressing the button, a short silver-lined blade shot out from the top. Written in golden words was a simple phrase.

The Fate of One, is the Fate of All

"I don't get it." Dash looked up, wanting to ask Stacey where she got the knife from, but she was gone. She shrugged her shoulders and tucked the knife in her pocket, sneaking carefully past Sullivan before slipping into the vents.

Chuck and Frank, here come you're friendly neighborhood Rainbow Dash! Dash confidently thought as she crawled through the vent.

Food Plaza, Fortune City. 49 Hours Until the Military Arrives

"Dinner is served!" Came an angry voice from the Cuccina Donnacci. A butcher's knife flew through the air and struck into the head of a zombie, which began a domino effect of the zombie hitting a table, causing it to flip and send several plates flying into the air, one of them knocking a security camera over and falling on top of a radio, turning on and tuning to a rock and roll radio station. Chuck and Frank were ducking behind a kitchen counter as Antoine Thomas, the now psychopathic owner of the Antoine's restaurant chain, angrily yelled at them and threw plates.

"Frank," Chuck said to his partner. "When a crazy cook asks if you're a food critic and is holding someone hostage, you say YES!"

"Well, how was I supposed to know he'd fly off the pot handle like this?!" Frank shouted. Antoine hurdled himself over the counter, his chef's apron coated in grease and blood, brandishing a meat cleaver in one hand and a frying pan in the other.

"Time to carve the meat!" Antoine screamed, raising his cleaver over his head. Chuck quickly kicked Antoine in the stomach, giving him and Frank enough time to run and get their weapons. Frank dislodged his broadsword that was lodged in a table, and Chuck slipped his spiked MMA Gloves on. The crazed cook spun around, wiping the blood away from his mouth.

"Look out, he's got a frying pan." Frank sarcastically yelled.

"I never liked tough meat... too chewy." Antoine snarled.

"Personally, I think you should lay off the meat." Chuck joked. "Or do your menus not include a vegan diet?" Antoine roared and swung his pan at Chuck, narrowly side sweeping to dodge the attack. Chuck swung a fist into Antoine's back, puncturing the skin and leaving a bloodied bruise. Antoine hollered in pain, bending over and clutching the bruise. Frank ran over, shoving the cook onto a table and holding the sword at neck's length.

"You ready to quit?" Frank chided. Antoine smirked, then punched Frank's side and swapped places with him, holding a butcher's knife to his stomach.

"Are you ready to squeal, piggy?" Antoine crazily giggled. As sweat dripped from his brow, Frank looked for a way out, and found his escape plan on a silver platter. He reached over and slid his hand under the plate, not once breaking eye contact.

"How about I serve you," Frank replied. "An appetizer!" He lifted his arm, shoving a plate of cold pasta into Antoine's face. As the chef rubbed the pesto sauce out of his eyes, Frank took a chair and smashed it over Antoine's head and ran back to Chuck. "You see what I did there? Appetizer?"

"Yeah, but save the wisecracks for me or later." Chuck said, rolling his eyes. Antoine got to his feet again, stumbling towards a table where a large plate of pizza sat. He reached for a piece as hunger took over him (being beaten and cut does that to you), but saw one of the slices being lifted up. Antoine glanced and saw a rainbow haired girl chewing on his food, a food filled smirk on her face.

"This stuff's really good," Dash said, chewing another bite. "My compliments to the chef."

A compliment? For me? Antoine thought. She must be the critic! Looks a little young, but who cares! Antoine quickly stood upright and took his best business pose.

"That would be me, miss!" Antoine answered in a prideful tone. "The great Chef Antoine Thomas, they call me the King of Cuisine! I've been waiting for you to show up!" Dash raised her eyebrows as she saw this portly cook gleefully skip into the kitchen. She looked at Frank and Chuck, whom both were clutching the bridges of their noses. Shrugging her shoulders, she followed the cook into the kitchen, standing over a pot of food.

"So... what's up?" Dash asked. Antoine turned towards Dash, his face a mixture of insanity and nervousness.

"I've been preparing this meal that I've been preparing for you." Antoine gleefully said, stirring the pot. He took a sip of the broth(?) inside, smacking his lips and pondering. "I said it before, still needs buttah and tastes like chicken." While trying to hold in the disgust that humans ate chickens, Dash looked into the pot while Antoine ran to get some butter. Peering in, she wanted the vomit at seeing the fried limbs and fingers, either from zombies or survivors she'd never know. "It's made from fresh ingredients I'm sure you and your readers will find worthy of three, maybe four stars!"

"You actually would expect people to eat this stuff?" Dash shrieked. "It's disgusting!" Antoine's head snapped up, his face turning to an angry snarl as he faced Dash.

"How. Dare. You." Antoine quietly growled.

"What was that?" Dash said, cupping an ear to further mock the cook. On the sides, Chuck and Frank were frantically waving to call Dash off before Antoine decided she'd make a great main course.

"HOW DARE YOU!" He shouted. "First those two hooligans show up and pretend to be the critics, and then attack me and destroy my restaurant. Now you show up and have the gall to insult me, Antoine, the King of f***cking Cuisine, by denying my masterpiece! I'll kill you!" Antoine reached to the side, and pulled up a frying pan, which had been sitting on an open flame the entire time, and brandished the searing red end towards Dash's face. As Dash was panicking, she noticed that an image of a very familiar carved face appeared in the pan's reflection. Keeper Briar appeared again, pointing at Dash and smirking with his pumpkin face.

Ha! You really screwed up now. Briar laughed in Dash's head. She ignored the voice when Antoine leaped and swung his pan at Dash. She dodged when the pan hit the arm of a dismembered zombie, releasing a hissing noise on contact. When the heated metal was pulled away, the arm was little more than a charred stump, and Antoine was thirsty for blood.

"Dinner time!" Antoine bellowed, swinging his pan midair. Dash quickly opened her pocket knife, shielded her eyes, and pointed it at the cook. With a sickening squish, Dash felt something splatter against her hand. Pulling her arm away, she saw her knife, stained in blood. Glancing upward, she saw Antoine, sputtering and gagging, and saw where the knife impacted: Deep in between his ribs. Dash fell backwards, and stared at the blood on her hand, while Antoine stumbled into the kitchen. Frank and Chuck followed the cook, standing near the a counter which conjoined a knife rack and the deep fryer. Antoine turned around, his arm attempting to grab a knife. However, wet floors can cause people to slip. The crazed chef slipped on water, causing him to turn over and impact face first into the deep fryer. Gurgled screams of pain erupted from the grease as Antoine both was drowning and being roasted alive. Eventually, Antoine fell limp, head still deep in burning grease, and stood unmoving.

"That did not taste like chicken." Frank joked, lifting his camera to take a few snapshots. Chuck simply rolled his eyes, and was glad that the bastard was dead. He looked over to Dash, sitting at a booth and still staring at her hand, feeling sorry for her. She'd killed zombies before, but she never killed a living being.

"I'll go and check on the kid," Chuck said. "You go and get the hostage out of the freezer."

"Yeah, but after a few more pictures." Frank said, taking another photo. Chuck again rolled his eyes and walked to Dash, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Thanks for saving our asses out there." Chuck said, with a warm grin on his face.

"No... problem...." Dash shakily mumbled.

"Are you alright?"

"I stabbed a man... and he wasn't a zombie...." Dash looked up at Chuck with frightened eyes. "Does that make me a murderer?"

"No, it doesn't. Antoine was insane, and in this zombie apocalypse scenario, there is no such thing as murder." Chuck sat down beside Dash, attempting to explain how the world now works. "As much as I hate it, whenever shit like this happens, it's kill or be killed. If we grieved the loss of someone every time we had to kill, we'd all be like Antoine, Brandon, and even Leon Bell. Killing is wrong, and I absolutely hate the world we live in because of it, but sometimes we have to do what must be done." Dash looked up, breaking her traumatic psyche for an instant, and smiled.

"Thanks, I needed that." She said. "Oh! I just remembered! Stacey said you weren't answering your transceivers, so she sent me to get you guys. She's got something important to show you two."

"Alright, then let's move up." Chuck and Dash got up, walking over to the entrance to the Cuccina Donnacci, where Frank and two survivors, a man and a woman both dressed in bartender's clothing, and promptly left for through the Slot Ranch Casino. Little did they know that the entire time, a shadowy figure was watching the entire ordeal.

"Blast!" Briar whispered. "They'll be going to the Underground. If they discover my master's plans, all will be lost." Briar quickly stepped back into the shadows, completely vanishing in the darkness.

Underground, Fortune City. 48 Hours Until the Military Arrives

Most of the halls and corridors of the Underground transportation system were swarmed with zombies, however, near the entrance from the Palisades Mall, there were little walking corpses. Men, heavily armored with rifles and equipped with gasmasks, were stationed near a cargo train, where several other men were transporting heavy equipment. At the caboose, there sat two men, TK and Seeker, shrouded in darkness, blade-like fingers clinking against a wine glass filled with thick red wine, talking about events to come.

"So, you can promise me that when this pumpkin ghost king comes around," TK said. "I get myself a slice of power pie and won't be attacked?"

"Indeed, so much as if you make sure the motorcyclist, the photographer, and the rainbow haired girl do not interfere." Seeker said through his metallic voice. "You will be given a grand reward."

"I like the sound of that!" TK laughed, pouring himself some more wine and raising it to toast. "To grand rewards."

"To eternal benefaction." Seeker replied, pouring himself some more.

"To Fortune City."

"To the Shard." The two glasses clinked against each other, and TK greedily drank his, while Seeker quietly poured his onto the floor. In a flash of black smoke, Keeper Briar burst from the shadows, his normally chipper pumpkin carving turned to a worried frown. TK fell backwards in his seat, frightened by the sudden appearance of the ghostly servant, but Seeker's blood red eyes became bemused.

"My lord Seeker!" Briar shouted. "I have news from the surface."

"Out with it." Seeker growled.

"The security footage caught some of Tyrone King's men in the Underground," Briar explained. "And the three interlopers are coming down here! We could be exposed if they find the summoning room!" Briar began to shake, showing proof that even the undead can feel fear. Seeker sat cold and unmoving, like a machine calculating an equation. After a while of silence, Seeker rose from his chair and lifted TK to eye level (which is about four feet in the air).

"TK, I'm ordering a change of guard... to my men." Seeker said, waving towards the shadows. The shadows then started to move, taking strange human-like forms. The shadows then leaped off the walls and surfaces themselves, and began to shape into actual bodies! Limbs formed, ending in small point without hands, bat-like wings jutted out of their backs, oval-shaped heads sprung up with wildly spiked hair splaying all over, gleaming star-like red eyes burst from within, and an insane smile consumed their face. Voices echoed throughout the room, like children, giggling and singing in eerie tones.

"Dear little mortals, don't you see?

Darkness rises for an eternity.

There's no chance to try and flee,

The Shard will destroy all reality."

Chapter Nine: Find the Light

Void

The Gate of Truth

Silence. That's all that ever was heard in the Void. Aside from the different areas of the Void, the one that housed the most powerful source of all knowledge was always quiet, that is until someone arrived. Truth appeared, guarding his gate as usual, taking on the form of a man with slender build, when Guardian arrived. He stood in his human form, his face bearing a very irritated snarl.

"Hello there, All-Seer." Truth echoed throughout the emptiness. Guardian merely scoffed at the title, simply being it one of his least favorites.

"Just because I'm the only being in existence who completely passed through the Gate and learned everything," Guardian groaned. "You don't have to call me All-Seer." Truth simply chuckled.

"Whatever you say, but you can't change the will of a God." Truth giggled.

"Try me." Guardian said, stern and forceful. "I've done it before, and given the circumstances, I've killed Gods before."

"Very well," Truth sighed, levitating towards the angry man. "Why is it you are here? Forget your keys at home and can't use your Rifts and Gates to get back?"

"Har-ditty-har." Guardian sarcastically laugh. "You should damn well know why I'm here!" Truth raised a finger to his chin, mockingly pondering.

"It's that Alicorn, isn't it?" Truth chuckled, snapping his fingers. In a ball of light, Truth levitated a perfectly preserved eye with a blue iris. "You've come for her eye?"

"Exactly," Guardian answered. "She mistakenly tried to read my dreams without permission, and thusly came to you. If you value your well being, and not being flung so far into the Void, not even your god-like prowess could save you, then fork over the eye." Truth floated above the ground, yet again pondering.

"What is so important about this Alicorn, I wonder?" Truth queried. "Does the All-Seer of Worlds finally have an eye out for this pony?" The ethereal keeper giggled at his own pun. "Has he found true love yet again?" A gloved hand shot around Truth's neck suspending him high off the ground.

"Do not talk about love." Guardian growled, a dark aura resonating from his body. "You know nothing of true love."

"Look's like I've *cough* struck a nerve." Truth choked out. Guardian released his grip and threw the spirit to the floor.

"And no, Princess Luna and her sister are old friends. I'm simply doing the right thing and returning her stolen eye before the world falls apart." Truth floated off the ground, a wide grin appearing across his face.

"You really want this eye back?" Truth chided. Guardian responded with a swift nod. "Then you know that anything I give is not free. You remember that in exchange for the eternal knowledge, I severed your ability to transform to your true identity."

"Truth, you son of a bitch, I don't have time for your games!" Guardian shouted.

"In exchange for this eye, I need something of equal value. Equivalent exchange is the first rule of Alchemy after all. As an alchemist of high caliber yourself, you should know this." The black-suited man groaned loudly and clenched his fists.

"Fine, what do you want?"

"For the eye of the Princess of the Night, I desire a fragment of the greatest strength of light. Bring this to me, and the bargain shall be complete." Truth and the eye vanished, leaving Guardian standing before the Gate of Truth.

"Damn you and your riddles!" Guardian shouted to into the Void. Now with some idea on what Truth would want, he opened a Rift back to Equestria and stepped through, hopefully to figure out what the greatest strength of light is.

Canterlot Castle

Canterlot, Equestria

Once Guardian left to go and deal with whatever stole her sister's eye, Celestia rose the sun and had her schedule cleared. She needed to be by her sister's side, especially when she would awake. Sitting in the Lunar Princess' bedchambers, Celestia made it very clear that she and her sister were not to be disturbed. She sat waiting for Luna to awaken, hopefully not to shock.

"GIVE IT BACK!" Luna shouted, springing out of the bed, wings fully extended and her natural eye glowing a bright white.

"Luna!" Celestia said, startled. "You're awake!" The dark blue alicorn managed to calm down, realizing she could see out of two eyes, despite that being, Truth, taking one of them.

"Tia, I had a horrible dream," Luna softly said. "I was in an empty white area, but there was this large stone door and a white ethereal creature named Truth, and it...." She raised a forehoof to her holographic eye. "Stole my eye." Then, she blinked. The rub against her eyelids felt different, as if against a warm metal object. She stared in front of a mirror, then noticed an odd appearance. Her eye shimmered.

"I'm sorry, Luna," Celestia solemnly stated. "Guardian told me it was a spell meant to keep people out of his mind, but it backfired on you. A god-like being known as Truth claimed your eye." Silently sitting in the room, the two royal sisters never broke gaze. Then, Luna's horn began to glow.

"I will not accept this!" She shouted. "I shall recover my eye, the magic of the night shall not fail me!" Magic aura glowed around the holographic eye, as Luna tugged at it with her magic. Tia, remembering Guardian's warning about using magic to heal the wound, quickly sprung up and tried using her magic to counter, but the anger of the Lunar Princess was too great. Soon, another battle would spring up, and bring a greater catastrophe than the destruction of the Castle Everfree.

*BANG*

Both the Princess' magic fizzled out, their focus broken by the sudden sound of a loud gunshot. They turned to the doorway and saw an incredibly muscular human standing in the doorway. Dressed in a white t-shirt and ragged blue jeans, the man had messy black hair, a pair of sunglasses resting over his eyes, and his entire body was covered in scars, ranging from cuts, burns, bruises, and even healed holes (presumably from gunshots). The man twirled the small pistol in his hand and blew smoke off the barrel.

"Oh, I'm sorry," The man sarcastically apologized. "Did I break your concentration?" The man slid his gun into a holster on his side and bowed to the princesses.

"And, who exactly are you?" Tia queried.

"Your Highnesses, I am Sam Zeal." The man introduced. "More commonly known as the Agent of Dimensions and the right hand man to the 'Whatever-His-Title-Is' of Worlds. He sent me to tell you he made progress with Truth." Luna leapt upward, a wide grin on her face.

"Out with it! Can he really get my eye back?!" Luna excitedly asked. Sam gently pushed Luna's muzzle back, for invading his personal space.

"Well, it goes like this: Truth is a godly con-artist and indeed has your eye, Princess Luna. However, since the world he comes from follows the law of equivalent exchange, my best friend and your trusted universal ally has to trade him something of equal value." Both Luna and Celestia visibly shrunk at the news, upset at this turn of events.

"But there's more!" Sam continued. "Like the snot he is, Truth told my pal what he wanted in riddle form! After that trip to Gotham City, I absolutely HATE riddles now."

"That's not important right now." Luna sternly said. "We need to know how I can get my eye back." Sam removed his sunglasses, revealing two golden irises, and loomed his face to Luna.

"Well, excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess." Sam snidely said, slowly drawing back with the word 'excuse'. "But riddles aren't my forte. He sent me to see if you know how to answer it."

"Out with it then." Celestia groaned, her patience wearing thin.

"'For the Eye of the Princess of the Night, I desire a fragment of the greatest strength of light.'" Sam recited. "Unless Truth wants a sun, then I've got nothing." All three people sat in the room, each pondering this difficult riddle. Celestia was the first to break the silence.

"Before we continue, why are you a human, not in pony form like the Guardian?" The Sun Princess asked.

"I'm not a magic expert like the boss," Sam explained. "So I have to use a special machine to change form. I kinda rushed here when Guardian called me from a special ops mission in one of the alternate Earth Universes, so I kinda forgot the Transmogrification Badge. And now, here I am! A muscular and nigh invincible human, covered in scars, standing here with a 10mm Pistol with two magical alicorn ponies."

"What about your mission?" Luna asked.

"Whatever, it's no big deal."

Elsewhere, in an Alternate Earth Universe

Venture Industries Compound

They had overrun the entire building, Headcrabs latched onto released clones covered in body-plating, and had pinned Brock Samson, Dr. Venture and his two sons in the laboratory. Brock held his bowie knife at arms length, unable to fight the parasitic head-humpers, while his employers and close family stood behind him.

"When is your friend going to get here?!" Dr. Venture shouted, amidst the screams and growls of the zombies.

"Relax, Doc," Brock causally reassured. "Zeal's a great help, he'll get here when he does." Just then, a note materialized in midair, floating inches away from Brock's face.

Hey, Brock old buddy. I know you sent out a request for special assistance, but the C.O. had a different idea and now I'm elsewhere. Good luck with the headcrabs, and here's a tip: Kill the brain, kill the ghoul.

~Sam Zeal, the Agent of Dimensions

O.S.I for Hire

"God dammit, Sam." Brock groaned.

Back in Equestria

"So yeah, nothing important." Sam said, completely ignorant of whatever was going on. No soon after, a letter appeared in front of Sam's face, and he quickly read it over.

I figured out the riddle. I'm going off to that one Alternate Earth that was nuked into the Wasteland. I know exactly what that prick Truth wants. Tell the Princesses I'll be back in a few hours.

~The 'You-Know-Who' of Worlds

Sam smiled and crumpled up the paper. He turned to the royal sisters and gave a hearty laugh.

"Guardian's figured out what he needs," Sam stated. "So he'll be back with your eye, Luna, in a few hours or so." Sam then tapped his belt buckle, and a blue rift shot out. "Now if you'll excuse me," The man then pulled out a shotgun from seemingly nowhere, and an insane grin took hold of his face. "It's hunting season!" Sam gave a joyous laugh and ran through the rift, closing right behind him. The two sisters turned to each other, unsure what to make of the situation, but simply were relieved that the madness will be over.

Chapter Ten: Fight the Night

Safe House, Fortune City. 48 Hours Until the Military Arrives

One day behind them, and now two more remain. For Frank and Chuck, it was a looming deadline to prove the motorcyclist's innocence and find the truth behind the Fortune City attack. For Rainbow Dash, it was a countdown timer, ticking down until Mad King Thorn arrived, and would cause havoc amongst the mortal realm. However, all three of them were more focus on whatever news Stacey had for them.

"Alright, Stace," Frank said, with an upbeat tone. "What's so important that you called us from a dinner date and sent the kid to get us?"

"This." Stacey stated, pointing at the monitor. Frank, Chuck, and Dash all loomed in on the screen, gazing at the live camera footage. The camera tag read Underground, Palisades Maintenance Tunnel, with images of a parked train, dim lights, and pillars backing it up. However, the important sight was that there were men in orange and black suits, wearing yellow hard hats and gas masks, armed with Assault Rifles, patrolling the area.

"It looks like something's going down in the Maintenance Tunnel." Stacey said. "Can't tell for sure, but it looks like someone is moving equipment or something. Looks pretty organized."

"Yeah, some of those guys are loading up on the train," Dash pointed out. "Boxes, barrels, and weapons too."

"Might be survivors?" Frank suggested.

"Might be TK." Chuck added, still furious about not being able to get any real into out of Brandon before he berserked. "I say we check it out."

"Then I say we find out," Frank grunted. "Right now. I say you stay here, Dash." Chuck and Frank withdrew from the monitor, while Dash remained glued, observing everything with keen detail. While looking at the pillars, she saw something peer out from behind. The feed was bad, but she could see that it was black, it had red eyes, a wide smile, and was not all natural. One thought immediately came to her mind.

Briar.... Dash thought. That pumpkin headed freak and his boss might be in cahoots with this TK guy. Dash quickly stood in front of the door, getting the Zombie killer's attentions.

"I'm going with you again." Dash bluntly stated. "There's more than armed people down there." Chuck and Frank both traded glances.

"Look, kid," Chuck said. "It was great of you to go and get us from Cuccina Donnaci, but they've got guns and we don't know if they're good or not."

"We can't afford to lose you again." Frank said. "After that pumpkin head guy kidnapped you in South Plaza...."

"That's it!" Dash shouted. "There's more than you think going on here! Keeper Briar might be involved with whatever's going on down there, and I know he's up to no good." Chuck and Frank glanced down at the rainbow-haired girl with unsure eyes. Dash countered with a pleading gaze Rarity had used to get what she wanted from others, making the two men fall victim.

"Alright, come along." Chuck groaned. Dash smiled and cheered with glee. "But try not to get into trouble this time." Dash nodded, and the trio headed out. Stacey looked back onto the monitor, noticing something odd near the train tracks. She could have sworn she saw something that looked like a giant robot climbing onto the caboose. The CURE leader merely shrugged and dismissed it as a piece of moved equipment, then went back to her duties.

Underground Tunnels, Palisades Entrance. 47 Hours Until Military Arrives

After a brief bit of traversing the crowded mall of zombies, Chuck, Frank, and Dash had made it to the Underground where they saw those armed men loading up. Luckily, the Underground had been clean of zombies, otherwise the enemy might've heard them coming. Frank and Chuck took up positions behind a giant crate, while Dash hid behind an overturned plastic table, all three peering at the goons at work. Near the train were five armed workers, three of them carrying large luggage while the other two took watch.

"Come on, slackers!" One of the Mercenaries said. "The Boss is going to be pissed if things don't go as planned."

"It's not the Boss I'd be worried about, #1." The other mercenary said. "You've seen that big guy in the metal armor, and that creepy guy with the pumpkin head, right?" Frank and Chuck's curious faces became confused, wondering more about this conversation than whatever they were loading up.

"Yeah, I've seen those guys, #2." The first merc said. "I heard #4 said something to piss off the metal guy, and then he tore him to shreds with his fingers!"

"Jeez, those guys are real freaks," Mercenary #2 shivered. "I wonder how and why they are working for TK." The two mercenaries were so wrapped up in their conversation, they hadn't noticed the shadowy creature lurk up behind them. A wide, fanged grin spread across the dark face, and the shadowy monster, known as a Child of Darkness, shrieked an ear-bleeding sound. The two men panicked, nearly dropping their rifles in shock. Frank and Chuck both stood staring at the living darkness before them, but Dash knew he was one of Keeper Briar's minions.

"What in the name of all that is holy is that?" Chuck whispered. The two guards glared through their gas-masks at the lithe monster before them.

"Damn it, you little freak!" #1 said. "Don't scare us like that!"

"Everyone's on edge here!" #2 said. "This is very sensitive equipment and we can't let anything happen to it." The Child of Darkness giggled in a ghostly, yet childlike voice.

"Frightful little humans, so easy to scare." The dark being said. "You'd best not wish ill upon us, or well you will not fare." The Child continued to laugh, but it was disrupted when a bright light flashed from the back. The mercenaries turned to the source, while the Child was doubled over in pain, looking right at Frank and Chuck, the former holding his camera.

"Crap, I did I turn the flash on?" Frank muttered. No sooner than that did the mercenaries gather several others, each with guns trained on them. "Yep, I turned the flash on." Both Chuck and Dash palmed their faces in annoyance. Several quick clicks of assault rifles and angry hisses of the shadowy creatures signaled that the trio had been surrounded. Before they could be riddled with bullets or torn to ribbons by the curved blades of the Children, a slow and soft clapping echoed throughout the Underground. Chuck, Frank, and Dash's eyes drifted towards the center of the area, where slowly walking was a man in briar-like armor with a grinning jack-o'-lantern for a head.

"Very amusing, Mr. Greene, Mr. West, and Ms. Rainbow Dash." Keeper Briar chuckled. "That was a mistake worthy of a few laughs."

"Up yours, pumpkin-head!" Frank shouted. Chuck pulled the photographer down before he could do something rash. "I've covered wars, you know."

"Yes, we know." Briar said. He turned his carved eyes to Chuck, smiling coldly at him. "I forgot, we haven't met. I am Keeper Tangelous Briar, high member of my King's Mad Court, and your worst nightmare." His eyes moved to Dash, who returned with magenta eyes that burned with anger. "I can see the anger in your eyes, not befitting for an Element of Harmony, but I can feel it." A vine, acting like a tongue, sprouted from Briar's carved mouth and licked his teeth. "The feeling of raw hate is... delicious. Oh, if only the Bloody Prince were with us, he'd have himself a ball."

"Shut up, you stupid ghost." Dash growled. Briar floated to the rainbow-haired girl and pinched her cheek.

"Aw, is this about that widdle nightmare from back in the Uranus Zone?" Briar chided in a mock-worrying tone. Dash slapped the branch-like hand away, still glaring at the ghost. "Well, that answers my question." Out of the back of the caboose on the cargo train, TK shoved a pair of his mercenaries out of the way, glancing at Briar staring down the three interlopers.

"Briar, you pumpkin-headed sumbitch," TK shouted. "We gotta get this train moving! Steel-fingers said you could have your fun later!" The Keeper's carved mouth formed to a small frown. Grunting, he turned back to Rainbow Dash and smiled.

"Listen to me, young flier. There's something you should know," Briar whispered. Dash looked surprised. Here was Keeper Briar, evil pumpkin-head nightmare ghost, who planted nightmares into her head and kidnapped her, offering her information. He loomed closer until his mouth was parallel to Dash's left ear. "I am not as loyal as I seem."

"What?" Dash only had an instant to ask before the ghost drifted upward.

"Mortal mercenaries and Children of Darkness, I leave these three to you." He cackled. The mercenaries readied their rifles, and the Children poised their blades. "And, Chuckie-boy?" Chuck glanced at Briar, staring daggers at the ghost. Briar opened one of his clenched fists, revealing small pile of glowing dust. "Here's a gift." Briar blew the dust in his hand, forming a small cloud. In almost inhumane speeds, the dust cloud flew across the room and struck Chuck's face! He breathed in the dust, and in an instant, the former TiR competitor collapsed. Briar waved his hand good-bye, and vanished into shadows.

Gunshots rang across the entire room, accompanied by the manic laughs of the Children. Dash dragged Chuck's limp body to cover, while Frank took off to the now moving train.

"I gotta catch TK!" He shouted, quickly jumping onto the train cart, vanishing from the fray of battle as the vehicle pulled out of sight. The mercenaries and shadowy creatures closed in, nearing Dash's location with every step. She tried her hardest to wake Chuck up, but whatever dust he inhaled, it knocked him out. It seemed like all would be over soon.

Wait a moment! Dash thought, her eyes lighting up. She reached into her backpack and pulled out a small crystal. A gift from Watcher to be used in emergencies. Well, now was qualified as an emergency. Dash clutched the crystal in her right hand, bent her arm back, and with all her might, threw the stone against the ground. It exploded into tiny fragments, but inside was a small metal object. A blue metallic eye opened on the top, glowing brightly. Out from the center shot a blue light, forming into a gaping portal, no, a Rift. The mercenaries and Children stopped their attacking, pondering at the sight before them. After a moment of silence, everyone could hear a faint sound coming from within the portal.

"Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-HAW!"

Bursting out of the Rift, fast as lightening, was a peculiar humanoid figure, driving a boot into the face of an unfortunate mercenary who was too close to the Rift. He was wearing ragged blue overalls, an equally ragged red plaid shirt, a dirty Stetson, and (odd enough) a cracked Guy Fawkes Mask with a cigarette taped to the mouth. Although his face was covered, those around could notice that his hands and bits of flesh around his head looked like they were rotted. Slung to his sides were two futuristic looking pistols, each with glowing canisters attached to them. The masked person turned to Dash, and looked at her with unusually yellow eyes.

"Howdy," The person said in a Southern accent, his voice incredibly raspy. "Ah reckon y'all are the gal that Watcher gave the Rift-Crystal to?" Dash merely nodded, dumbstruck at the bizarre sight before her (and frankly, so were the enemies). Two more figures stepped out of the Rift, one dressed in a dirty business suit and a top hat (which displayed three bullet holes punched through), clutching a long dress cane, and another wearing a large Mexican poncho that draped down to his knees, an equally large sombrero, and a large sleeved shirt underneath. Both of these newcomers, like the Sounthern one, wore Guy Fawkes Masks (but the well-dressed one's had a crack running across the right eye, and the Mexican outfitted one's displayed a thick mustache instead of the pencil-thin one) and their skin appeared to be rotted.

The well-dressed man looked at his Southern companion and shook his head. "Damn it, Roger." He said in a more refined tone, but still raspy. "I told you ten bloody times, wait for us before the Rift opens."

"Si, mi amigo." The sombrero wearer said, also sharing the raspy voice. "Is poor team behavior." The first man turned and stomped up to the well-dress member.

"Like y'all do it any better, Gerard!" He shouted. "'Proper et-ee-ket' this and 'behave nicely' that! It's gettin' frustraitin' when Ah can't shoot things randomly like back when Ah lived in Texas before the bombs!" The well-dressed one, Gerard, looked to his friend and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Roger, we can talk about this later." Gerard said, patting his friend on the back. "I'll take you to New Vegas after this, your favorite casino!" Roger looked down for a moment, then looked up and (probably) smiled.

"Alright, pardner. Y'all got yourself a deal." The two shook hands and Gerard turned to the dumbstruck mercenaries and confused Children of Darkness.

"Hello there," Gerard greeted. "I am Gentleman Gerard, the Hispanic ghoul beside me is Luchador el Matadore, and the Southerner you just met is Off-Rocker Roger. We are the Guised Ghouls, a heroic ghoul team from the Mojave Desert in an alternate Earth in the year 2381, and we've been summoned here by superior individuals to kill you all." The whole room fell silent, nobody moving an inch. It was until after about five minutes did one of the mercenaries step forward and dare to talk.

"What?" He asked. It was all he said before he was shot by Off-Rocker Roger, and a green blast from his pistol reduced him to a pile of glowing goop.

"Wrong answer, pardner." Roger growled. Gerard lifted up his cane, pressing a button on the head, revealing the custom cane-gun inside. Luchadore pulled his sleeves back, showing several dynamite sticks being clutched in each hand. Roger lifted his guns to eye level and took aim. Once the ghouls got in position, the mercenaries and shadowy monsters readied themselves as well.

"Let the blood-letting begin!" Gerard shouted. And all hell broke loose.