The Trotting Dead: Friendship Is Survival

It was a just another normal, beautiful day in Ponyville. Twilight was sitting at the train station with her friends as they waited for their trains. “Are you sure you don’t wanna come with one of us sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“You’re more then welcome to come with me darling” Rarity said, “I’m sure Princess Celestia would love to see you again and introduce you to the new stallion in her life”.

“I’ll be fine guys and I’m sure Prince Shadow Hoof is a nice stallion and I’m sure I’ll meet him when I get the chance on Sunday” Twilight said as a familiar colorful train pulled up and a pony dressed in a vest and hat stepped out. “All ponies heading to Cantorlot, Las Pegasus, and Dodge Junction all aboard!” he called out blowing his whistle.

“That’s us” Rainbow Dash said looking at Rarity and Applejack.

“I do hope Celestia likes this dress* she said pointing to a dress bag hanging on a pull rack.

“I know she will * Twilight said trotting over to Rarity, “just like I know Rainbow will blow away the other ponies in the golden wings race and Applejack will have an amazing time with her family in Dodge Junction”. The girls hugged and Rainbow Dash followed by Scootaloo, Rarity followed by Sweetie Belle, and Applejack followed by Apple Bloom boarded the train. The girls waved to each other as the train made a loud gasp sound and pulled off. “He’s here!” Pinkie Pie said hopping up and down as a yellow pony in a poncho with a rubber chicken on his back walked toward them. “Hello Pinkie Pie!” Cheese greeted as they hugged.

“Hello” she said back, “ready for a super duper weekend in Manehatten?!”

“You bet I am!” Cheese said with a big smile.

“If you don’t mind me saying you two make a cute couple” Fluttershy said.

“Well of course we do silly” Pinkie Pie giggled.

“When is the next train coming already!” Spike called.

“Somepony’s in a hurry” Twilight teased.

Oh don’t mind him. He’s just excited to see the museum of rare gemstones I’m taking him to in Fillydelphia” Fluttershy said.

“So many yummy jewels to stare it” Spike said drooling. The girls giggled as another train pulled up. This time a mare jumped out. “Calling all ponies heading for Manehatten and Fillydelphia. All aboard!” she yelled blowing her whistle. Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie hugged as Pinkie, Cheese, and Fluttershy with Spike boarded the train. Twilight waved as they drove off. She sighed. “I’ll miss them, but atleast I have all weekend to study, before I head to Cantorlot myself for the wedding”. As she trotted home she noticed the sky was a weird grayish green color. “Odd” she said as she entered her library.

Meanwhile in the everfree forest Forest Song just arrived home from collecting some rare plants in the forest. “Z, I’m home!” she called as she walked in. “I’m sure my eyes do not deceive, have you brought new herbs for me?” Zecora asked.

“I might have, I just need to check the books” she said as they kissed like they always did when one returned home. “The scent of cherries I do smell. I think I may have cooked our dinner well” Zecora said walking into the little kitchen area of her hut. “I’m gonna fetch some water to boil, I’ll be right back” Forest Song said as she trotted outside. She and Zecora met five months ago when she first moved to Ponyville and she was instantly smitten with her. As she was collecting jars of water from a close by stream a loud clap of thunder that shook the ground hit and a bolt green lightning could be seen. “What the hay?!” she screamed. She hated thunderstorms. Though this one seemed a little too strong. She figured it was maybe the work of a over dramatic pegasus and trotted back inside.

At the Cantorlot castle Celestia was sitting in her room. She was deep in thought brushing her mane as Luna walked in, “Big sister, is everything ok?”

“I do not know Luna” Celestia said putting her brush down and trotting to the window, “I feel as though something is amiss some how”.

“Are we not sure that it is not just prewedding jitters my sister?” Luna asked hoping to ease the worry in her older sister.

“I hope so my dear sister” she said turning to face her, “Sunday is a big day for me and my love Shadow Hoof. I want nothing to ruin it”.

“I will have Prince Shadow Hoof and the shadow guards prowl the castle one last time for the night” Luna said as a guard entered the room. “Your highnesses” he said as he bowed, “Lady Rarity from Ponyville has arrived”.

“I will go order the shadow guards big sister, you go greet our guest” Luna said as she exited the room. Rarity was in the ballroom of the castle where the wedding was to take place. She was in shock at all the decorating that had been done so far. The color theme was black and white. They had a black arch with white roses clipped around it, a big buffet table with a white blanket over it, and matching silver ware, white chairs at each table, and black and white balloons hung up everywhere. “Rarity, so lovely to see you” Celestia greeted as Rarity bowed, “like wise princess, I hope you love the dress” Just before she unzipped the dress bag a big clap of thunder shook the castle followed by bright green flashes of light. Ponies started screaming. “Your highness!” a guard called galloping in, “we think we are being invaded!”

“By who?” Celestia said, her voice taking on authority.

“We are not sure” The guard said. Suddenly blood curdling screams could be heard. Celestia flew to the balcony and looked out over it. Ponies were slowly trotting around. Their fur was gray, and their eyes pale green and lifeless. Some had chunks of fur and skin ripped or peeled off. Some has missing body parts, and some where even biting into living ponies. “What in Equestria is going on?!” she asked herself out loud. Suddenly the lights all went out and a huge green flash overtook the entire room.

Shadow-hoof then dives toward the balcony where he, Midnight, and Dawnstar gallop towards the room his fiance is in. The two Shadow guards go towards the door to help the royal guards fend off the intruders while Prince Shadow-hoof gallops to his love. "Sweetheart are you okay???" he says as he goes as fast as his long legs can carry him as he sees a green shimmering light glow around Celestia and Luna. Celestia looks downwards to see the light then to Shadow-hoof and says " I love you." As Shadow's hoof reached to Celestia’s and touched with a slight grasp Celestia and Luna both disappeared. Shadow-hoof then pounded at the ground where his love disappeared screaming " Give her back! Give her back!" tears started forming in his eyes as he yelled while Rarity and other ponies hid behind the throne. Shadow-hoof eyes turned from a sapphire blue to complete shadowy darkness as shadows shimmered around him. Prince Shadow-hoof slowly approached the door where the guards were trying to seal it shut to keep the intruders out. "Let them in." he said as he is consumed by anger and shadows around his body. The guards obeyed and fell back behind Shadow-hoof to help fend them off. But as soon as the doors opened Shadow-hoof opened his mouth and a ball made of complete pure shadow energy formed and was released to the horde sending a group of them flying not ever to come back. "We must get this filth out of this castle!" he exclaimed as he charged head first with the guards into battle. The momentum of the pony guards and the prince were powerful enough to send the infection packing from the castle. But who was to say Canterlot was the start point of infection. "Seal the gates, we are in lock down. " said Shadow-hoof after the battle as he calmed down and meditated on the throne grieving over his lost fiance. The guards do as he commands and seal the gates to the castle.