The Dark World

“Twilight. I think. We’re. At a. Safe distance.” Fluttershy huffed as she collapsed to the ground. The two mares had escaped from Ponyville which was teaming with undead abominations and took shelter under a downed chariot.

“I don’t know. Spike. Always. Made sure. He was. Done with his work.” Twilight huffed back as she remembered how she nearly had a bite taken out of her from an undead abomination that was once her little brother.

“Well. Can you. Check?” Fluttershy asked. Twilight simply nodded as she peered through a wooden plank that had a small hole big enough to peer out of. She watched as many undead ponies, husks of the friends she once knew and loved, as they limped, crawled, and lurked through the street. She nearly gagged when she saw three undead devouring the corpse of a colt.

“Well he’s not out there but… oh Celestia that’s so wrong.”

“What?”

“T-they’re eating a colt’s body.”

“I’ve seen that plenty of times so that’s not surprising to be honest.” Fluttershy said flatly. Twilight just stared at her friend for a few moments when something occurred to her.

“Why didn’t you grab me and fly out? I mean my wings are broken but yours-”

“I can’t. One of them tore a muscle in my wing. All I can do is hover. So flying is out of the question.” Fluttershy said.

“Oh. I’m sorry. Well… did you run into anypony that wasn’t a walking corpse?” Twilight asked.

“No. I saw a colt but… he was turned by a group of them. I don’t know if our friends are still alive.” Fluttershy replied.

Fleeeeesssssssh! They heard one of them groan. Fluttershy pulled out one of her knives as the sound of shuffling hooves got closer. Twilight just pulled out her own sword and edged away from the hole. The hooves got closer to the chariot but then a new sound broke through. The sound of an arrow whistling through the air. The sound was quick as it made a “thump” sound meaning it just struck an undead through the head. Twilight, curious about who shot the arrow, she looked through the hole and gasped in happiness to see their savior.

“It’s Applejack!” She said happily. She noticed a familiar orange mare with a dirtied blonde mane and tail. She had bright green eyes and wore a torn plaid shirt and jeans along with bloodied cowstallion boots. She was not, however, wearing her trademark stetson. She was also wearing a bandanna over her muzzle and even that was covered in blood. In her hands was a bow with an arrow already nocked into it.

“Are you sure she hasn't been-”

“I’m sure Fluttershy! Applejack is too smart to let these things turn her! Come on!” Twilight exclaimed as she dragged Fluttershy out into the open. They ran a good ways before Applejack noticed them and aimed an arrow at them.

“Whoa! Applejack-”

“Are ya’ bit?”

“No we’re not-”

“Let meh see.” She ordered as she lowered her bow and approached the mares. She checked their arms, legs, hands, hooves, necks, faces, and even their backs and chests and found no marks.

“Alright. Now, come ‘ere!” She said with a smile as she death hugged the two.

“Applejack. Can’t. Breathe.” Fluttershy said in a strained voice. Applejack soon let go of her and giggled nervously at this.

“Eh heh sorry sugarcube. Ah’m just glad ya’ll aint’ bit or anythin’.” She told them as she lowered her bandanna.

“It’s fine. We just got away from Spike-”

“They got Spike?”

“H-he was one of the first I saw that was infected.” Twilight said.

“Oh mah… Ah’m so sorry Twi’. But this ain't the place to talk. C’mon. We’ll chit-chat at Sweet Apple Acres. Well… what’s left of it anyway.” Applejack told the two as she turned and ran off with Twilight and Fluttershy behind her.

Meanwhile in Canterlot Grogar was basking in his seat of power enjoying his rule. The curved twisted smile on his face had never faded.

“Aah. Now this is the life that a king should live. Equestria is nothing but walking corpses who serve me until they rot. Especially that dragon. I am surprised the spell worked on him and had better results than I expected. But what is a necromancer supposed to do when he is bored? I’ve killed the entire population, brought them back as my slaves, and have made them do things to entertain me. Now there’s nothing. Maybe incinerating a slave or two might cheer me up.” He said as he snapped his fingers, making two undead lurch up to him. They both bowed to him as he got up from his throne and summoned a scythe.

“What do you require of us our liege?” One of the zomponies asked him. Grogar had an expressionless glare in his eyes.

“Simple… die.” He said as his clawed fingers snapped and the two zomponies suddenly ignited into flames. The undead shrieked as they slowly turned into nothing but piles of ashes. But when they were soot, Grogar simply yawned.

“Not even that shall make me happy. What-”

“My king.” A voice said, gaining his attention. He turned and saw a hooded undead pony quickly walk up to him.

“What is it?”

“Your dragon, he sent us word about Ponyville. There’s… survivors.” The pony replied, making Grogar snort in anger.

“Survivors? How did they survive unless…. she is among them. Oh this is going to be interesting.” Grogar said as he walked forward to the double doors. The hooded pony was about to follow him when he held up a claw. “Not you my Mi Amore. I will return but you must wait.” He said as he was consumed by green fire and then vanished.

“So how’ve ya’ll been?”

“Good as the conditions have been. How about you?”

“Ah’ve been fine. But Ah’m worried ‘bout Applebloom.” The farm mare said with a frown.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Twilight asked.

“She’s gettin’ sick. She’s got a fever, nausea, a serious cough, and she can barely stand. Ah’m out of medicine and Ah don’t know what to do. Ah’ve already lost mah Granny, mah dog and brother girls. A-Ah don’t wanna lose m-mah little sis’.” Applejack said as she started to cry.

“Shh shh. It’s okay Applejack. We won’t let you lose her either.” Twilight said soothingly.

“If she does turn I will put a knife in her though. Make no mistake about that Applejack.” Fluttershy said cooly.

“She wasn’t bitten Fluttershy! Ah made sure that she wasn’t bitten! Now talk like that again and Ah’ll make sure that Spike has a chew toy!” Applejack threatened.

“Oh really? Maybe she covered-” She started until Applejack landed a punch square in her jaw.

“SHUT UP! Ah’d know if ‘Bloom was bit. She would’ve told meh! She was taught not to lie to meh. Now keep yer mouth shut.” Applejack growled. Fluttershy secretly pulled out a knife but both mares were grabbed by Twilight’s telekinetic magic.

“S-stop it. Stop f-fighting. T-this is not w-what friends d-do.” Twilight stammered a little as tears started to appear slowly.

“Right now, Ah highly doubt that this bitch is mah friend.”

“Same here.”

“Look, Applejack, I’ll take a look at Applebloom and tell you if she was infected or not and if she isn’t, we’ll get her medicine. But if she is… you’ll do it.”

“Understood.”

“Fluttershy, you are to stay away from Applebloom until we know what’s wrong with her.”

“Whatever.”

“Alright. I’m going to let you go and please, for the love of Celestia, don’t kill each other.” Twilight said as she lessened her magic grip and caused the two mares to land on their hooves. The three mares walked to the farm and soon arrived at the once lively acres. “Wow… I got a lot of good memories from being here. What do you think girls?”

“Yeah. It’s-” Fluttershy started until she heard the sound of heavy coughing.

“Oh no. Not again!” Applejack said in a scared voice as she ran to her house. Twilight and Fluttershy ran also… only to have a door slam on their faces.

“It sounds like Applebloom really isn’t doing good. I hope I can help.” Twilight said.

“Yeah. And if you can’t-”

“Don’t.” Twilight interrupted. After a few minutes, Applejack walked back out.

“Well Twi’, can ya’ help?”

“I think so. Just give me a few minutes.” She said as she walked into the house. She walked in and saw that Applebloom was lying in a little bed that had her name on it. She looked awful as she was pale looking and her eyes were blood shot. She was coughing in horrible hacks and saw that she also coughed up some nearly solid flem.

“Hey Applebloom.” She said, getting the filly’s attention, also making her smile.

“H-Howdy Twilight.” She said in a raspy voice.

“You don’t sound so good. How long have you been sick?” Twilight asked as she sat down on the foot of the filly’s bed.

“Two weeks. Ah can’t stand up without havin’ to puke.” The filly said as she coughed.

“Oh my. Don’t worry. I’m going to make you feel better so just lay down and relax.” She said to Applebloom.

“Alright.” Applebloom said as she laid her head on her pillow. Twilight ignited her horn and looked over Applebloom. She allowed her magic to pass over several times and sighed in relief.

“She’s not infected. She’s going to be okay Applejack.” Twilight said with a smile. Applejack held a hand to her mouth before she ran up and wrapped Twilight in a bear hug.

“Thank ya’ so much Twi’!” She cried.

“No.. problem. But.. she’s got the flu. And without medicine, it’s only going to get worse.” She said as Applejack loosened her grip.

“Then we need to get medicine.”

“No. You and Fluttershy need to get medicine. I’ll keep an eye on her in case she has a coughing fit or-” Twilight started until she heard a familiar sound. She turned and saw Applebloom… vomiting. “Pukes.” Applejack merely laughed a little at this.

“Feels like she just got back from a crusade.” Applejack said as she walked out to talk with Fluttershy.