The Galloping Dead

I look back. It’s Shining Heart. Why would she want to join me? After all that had happened, I would expect her to be the least likely to ever come to liking me.

“Why do you want to go?” I said, sternly.

“I’m giving you a second chance. We were engaged, so I gave my life to you, and you gave me yours. If you die, I want to be there and die with you.” She said.

“I don’t want you to die with me. I know I’m practically committing suicide. Don’t do the same.”

“You can’t stop me. I’m going with you.” She chuckled.

I laughed. There’s no point in trying to stop her. Looks like I won’t die alone.

“Well, this way to Canterlot.” I said, marching off onto the path.

I’m not going to explain the whole trip to Canterlot. Honestly, it was boring, and literally no Remnants. It was a strange trip. Not a single undead.

“Is that it?” Asked Heart.

“It seems a bit… Quiet.” I responded.

“Look, the gates are torn down!” She ran over to the gates. Not only were they torn down, they were destroyed. The metal was all twisted in a way that was obviously the work of a Unicorn.

“What happened here? It’s completely destroyed!” I said, motioning my hoof forward into the large, empty, quiet, city.

“Sweet Celestia… What monstrosity could have done this?” She said with her mouth in a gasp.

“I have no clue. But the buildings, it looks like they’ve been melted down from the top. Oh, and the ground… it’s stained in red…” I responded.

“Could it be blood?” Asked Heart.

“The only ones with power this strong would be the Alicorns. Why would they do this?” It was disgusting to think about, a blood stained city with melted walls. For all we know they could have been clean Ponies. Uninfected.

“This is giving me the chills. We should turn back…” She said, but I quickly interrupted her.

“You agreed with coming with me. I’m going in, and you should, too.” I said.

“Okay…” She said, with a nervous gulp.

We came across a small house on a street, it was the safest looking one, so we entered to see if there were any hints on what happened.

“Run when the night comes…” I read out loud from the wall. It was written in blood on the wall.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Asked Heart.

“I don’t know… Lemme read you some more.” I said. “The night will kill. It hides in the shadows. It rises at night.”

“Sounds like something killed them.” Said Heart.

“Seems so. It’s almost sundown. We should check out the murderer.” I responded.

“Are you crazy? It’ll kill us! You read the walls!” She shouted in fear.

"I want to know what’s in the night.” I protested.

“But we’ll die!” She said.

“Only if you give up.” I said.

“But… Argh!” She gave up. Just like I told her NOT to do. Oh well.

We waited silently until night. The wind started to pick up.

“Is it part of the night time murders?” She asked with a trembling tone in her voice.

“It’s just wind. Calm down.” I assured.

The wind suddenly stopped. The air was motionless and eerie, almost as if it knew we were there.

“What was that!?” Worried Heart.

“What was what?” I asked.

“Listen…” I was listening. Something was happening, alright. But what?

Swoosh! The wind pushed us in one sudden burst.

Ahh.. Ha ha ha ha ha!

“It’s laughing at us!” Said Heart. Suddenly a green cloud exploded in town square. A figure walked out of the smoke. It was some sort of Alicorn… But the air around it was so distorted. I can’t tell what it is…

“Our house! Leave our house? I think not!” It said, or they said… I can’t tell. It sounds like millions of voices all at once.

“Here it comes!” Shouted Heart, as it flew towards us.

It tackled me to the ground. I checked it’s cutie mark for identification.

“No… It can’t be…” I said.

"Who is it!?” Shouted Heart, who was trying to pry it off me.

“It’s Luna…” I said, breaking free from her hoof.

“THAT’S Luna!?” She said in surprise. She looks so different.

“No one leaves without saying good-bye!” Said the distorted Luna. She’s not going to…

“Good-bye, Mister Fireman!” She said in a tone that was too happy. Suddenly she raised her head and lowered it almost as soon as she raised it, I thought she was going to stab me, but instead she places her horn on my head.

“What’s this!?” I said as she used a spell on me. I was starting to fade out.

“What!? No! I… Can’t…” I said struggling.

“Fireburst.. What’s happening!? Why are you see through!?” Shouted Heart.

“It’s an old… spell… Only the royal members… knew it… I’m going to fade… out of existence…” I said.

“You can’t die! No!” She yelled.

“I’m not dying… I’m… disappearing…” I said. I felt heavier.

“No… Don’t leave me!” Cried Heart. Tears rolled down her face.

“I… Want your last thoughts to be this… I love you…” I said, for I knew she had the same fate. There was no escaping Luna. I thought I would die of a Remnant… But this is just so different… I’m not dying… I’m…