My Little Fortress: Night of the Living Dead

Ponyville, October 31st, 10:15 PM

"Got some news." Scout said as he hopped down from the second floor loft. not even bothering with the stairs. "Sniper says that there's a clear path to the station. Bad news is, there seems to be a horde developing at the town hall nearby. Could possibly move across our path while we're out there." he says, walking up to Spy. Spy lightly scratched his chin as he took this news into consideration.

"Is there any other routes?" Spy asks.

"Nada. Every other street is choked with brain eaters." Scout says with a small shake of his head.

"Hmmm...if there be no other choice, looks like we gotta take it." Engineer spoke up.

"I agree. Scout, tell the others to regroup here. We're going to go over the plan." Spy ordered. Scout nodded and bounded up the wooden staircase in two strides. As Scout left, Twilight entered from the kitchen.

"I heard you had a plan?" she asked Spy.

"Oui. I require of you and your friends to be in attendance also." Spy said.

"Okay, I'll go tell them." Twilight said with a small smile as she trotted down a conjoined hallway. A couple of minutes later, Twilight re-entered the library with her group in tow. Pinkie Pie was being carried cradle-style in Medic's arms, still looking a bit weak. Medic approached a chair and put Pinkie in it, turning to rejoin his team.

"Thank you Mister Medic!" Pinkie said with a small cheer, trying to return to her old self. Medic gave a smile and a nod and joined the other at Twilight's desk.

"So, vhat iz zhe plan?" he asked.

"It's simple really, nothing special. Miss Sparkle, if you would please find us a map of your town?" Spy asked.

"Oh, sure! I have one around here somewhere..." Twilight said as she began to search through drawers and cabinets. By this time, Soldier, Sniper, Scout, Heavy, and Demoman all entered the room and joined at the desk on one side, while the ponies all stood on the opposite side of the desk. Twilight gave a small cheer of discovery and trotted over to her desk with the map in a field of telekinesis. Using her magic, she unfolded the map and spread it out over her desk.

"Thank you. Now gentlemen, we are here," Spy said, pointing to the area labeled 'Golden Oaks Library'. "The station is here." he continued, taking his finger and pointing to the area labeled 'Train Station'. "Between us and our goal is the entire undead population of this town. What I had in mind was this: Demoman, Sniper, Heavy, Soldier, and Scout. You are the Advanced Team. You are to attack and wipe out the undead on our way there." Spy said, connecting the Library and the Train Station with his finger to show the path. "Pyro, Engineer, Medic and myself will be the Rear Team. We shall escort Miss Sparkle and her companions through the path the Advanced Team cleared." Spy continued, repeating the precious motion of action. "Once the Advanced Team is there, you shall clear the station. Miss Sparkle, how long until the train arrives?" Spy asked, looking to her.

"This late? About ten forty-five. After that, the train doesn't arrive until seven in the morning to start a new round." she says.

"Uhm, may Ah say somethin'?" Applejack asks.

"Go ahead." Spy permitted.

"Ah'd like ta' go with tha' Advance Team. Help clear tha' way." she said.

"Yeah, me too! I can help keep the skies clear. There's bound to be zombie pegasus." Rainbow Dash said, putting her hooves on the tabletop.

"Advance Team. Are you alright with this?" Spy asked.

"Aye, it'd be nice to 'ave someone cover us from above." Demo said with a nod.

"Alright then. Applejack and Rainbow Dash, you're part of the advanced team." Spy said with a nod. Applejack and Rainbow Dash gave a nod and small smirk.

"Are we agreed on the plan?" Spy asked.

"W-what if we c-come across survivors...?" Fluttershy asked quietly.

"We'll be the first to see 'em, so we'll tag 'em along with us." Scout said.

"O-Oh good! I'd hate to leave somepony behind." Fluttershy said with a small smile.

"So, we are agreed?" Spy asked again.

"What about provisions?" Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah have a device that gives supplies." Engineer said, hefting up his dispenser kit. "Ah can modify it to accommodate all ya'll needs. Set it up once we're all on the train to tha' capital."

"I'll ask again. Are we-"

"WE NEED A NAME!" Soldier barked suddenly, making everyone jump as he slammed an open palm down on the table. "Everyone knows a good mission need a good name!"

Spy pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "And what is it you had in mind, Soldier?"

"Operation: 'Choo Choo'." Soldier said with a grin under his helmet.

"I like that name!" chirped Pinkie Pie from her chair. Her features had seemed to brighten up, her mane and tail somewhere between flat and frizzed out.

"See? The pink one agrees with me!" Soldier said.

"Ugh, fine. We'll call it Operation: Choo Choo! Now, are we all agreed on the plan!?" Spy said, his temper starting to rise.

"Agreed." chorused everyone together.

"Good. Now let's get this impending disaster under way..." Spy grumbled under his breath as everyone left to get ready to leave.

* * *

All was silent in the Golden Oaks Library. Engineer's dispenser hummed as it spat out extra weapons and ammo for the Advanced Team. Twilight was speaking to Engineer about how he designed his machines and how they operate; greatly interested in what he had to say. The Advanced Team were loading ammo into their weapons while standing by the door. Soldier was fitting on a pair of Gunboats to the bottoms of his boots by the staircase. Once he was ready, he ran up the stairs with a Direct Hit slung over his shoulder along with his Buff Banner.

"Once Soldier gives the signal, Advanced Team will storm out and begin clearing. When Soldier gives the second signal, we'll be right behind you." Spy said to the mercs by the door. They all nodded and turned, to the door. Scout took a grip on the door knob and waiting for the bugle. Heavy gave a small grumble as he switched the safety off on his minigun. Demoman took a swig of scrumpy, singing a small drinking song. Sniper was busy sharpening his Tribalman's Shiv with a small whet stone. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were preoccupied with stretching their limbs and popping their necks, ready for the fight ahead. As for the other ponies, they were all grouped up together, being counted by Medic as he took down a list.

Silence lingered in the air as they all waited for the first bugle call.

Soldier stepped out onto the highest balcony of Golden Oaks and scanned the ground below. He watched as the undead milled about in the streets below. Taking off his Buff Banner, he flipped the satchel flap and removed a dented bugle from with in. Wetting his lips, he brought the instrument up...

...And blew a mighty call to battle.

"CHARGE!"