Beating an Undead Pony

“It’s Fluttershy.”

“Fluttershy wasn’t the one who became a princess.”

“That doesn’t mean anything!”

Gah! Can’t a pony try to sleep! Bon Bon opened her eyes. She looked out the balloon basket. Lyra, Minuette and Derpy were sitting around a dying campfire arguing amongst each other. The Doctor was sitting on a rock looking out into the night sky. “What are you you three doing?” Bon Bon asked.

“We’re trying to decide who is best pony.” Lyra replied with a shrug. Bon Bon couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Come on, Bonnie, back me up here. Tell Minuette here that Twilight is best pony.”

“Fluttershy is best pony and you know it.” Minuette argued, getting right into Lyra’s face. Derpy pushed her forehooves between the two, forcing them apart.

“You got to be kidding me. You want the zombies to find our camp?” Bon Bon stepped out of the basket. “Because your arguing will certainly catch their attention. You can’t possibly approve of this, Doctor?”

The Doctor looked back at the group. “Well personally I was always partial to Pinkie Pie.” He turned his attention to Derpy. “Let me guess, you think it’s Applejack, don’t you Derpy?” Derpy nodded with a huge smile. “Yes, that makes sense.”

Bon Bon facehoofed. Sweet Celestia it’s like talking to a bunch of foals.

“I’m just saying…” Minuette waved a hoof. “If you’re so adorable that you can get a god of chaos to change their ways, it’s hard to argue that anypony else is best pony.” She explained.

Lyra raised an eyebrow. “Oh so Twilight being a princess doesn’t help her cred, but Fluttershy being cute is?” Derpy poked the fire with a stick. “And you’re not going to explain your decision, are ya?” Derpy just shrugged. Bon Bon trotted up to the Doctor as Lyra and Minuette continued to argue.

“Are you going to just let them act like that?”

The Doctor reached into his fur, taking out a pocket watch. “Why not?”

Is he serious? “Doctor, if they were loud enough to wake me up than they will certainly catch any zombie’s attention.” Bon Bon locked her jaw. When The Doctor noticed he put a hoof around the stressed earth pony.

“The way I see it, we all could use a distraction from time to time. Let them have this moment.” The Doctor felt Bon Bon’s back tense up. “Feels like you could use it yourself.”

Bon Bon snapped her head back, stepping out of The Doctor’s grip. “I’m fine. Really.”

The Doctor took a deep breath. He recognized her tone, one that made it clear she was hiding something. “Can you promise me something, Bon Bon?” He asked. Bon Bon scratched her neck. “Bon Bon?”

“I heard you.”

“Well you didn’t answer my question.”

Bon Bon rolled her eyes. She had a pretty good idea as to what The Doctor was trying to do; it was something Lyra had done many times before. Of course “What?”

“When we reach the Crystal Empire, will you relax?” The Doctor held Bon Bon’s face with his forehooves. She reached up to stop him, but the glare in his eyes made her stop. “Bon Bon. This tension isn’t helping.” The Doctor let go of Bon Bon. “Just because we live in a bad Equestria, doesn’t mean we have to let that affect us.”

Please… give me a chance…. Bon Bon don’t do this! Bon Bon shivered, remembering the look on Redheart’s bloody face. Blood there because she herself was kicking her. “How? How are we supposed to look at all of this and be the same pony we were before?”

“Has something changed, Bon Bon?”

Bon Bon blinked. “Has something changed? I’m sleeping in a cramped hot air balloon with four other ponies instead of my bed. There are dead ponies wandering around….” Bon Bon stopped her rant as she finally noticed The Doctor’s hoof on her mouth.

“Not Equestria, that goes without saying. I was asking if you have changed. Because you don’t have to.”

Bon Bon had to really process The Doctor’s words. Well I certainly have never killed anypony before. “I suppose not.” She lied. “Lyra has been telling me I need to lighten up for years.”

“Exactly. I’m not saying don’t be careful, just don’t let all of this hurt you.” The Doctor retorted. Bon Bon felt a shiver go down her back, wondering if that was even possible. Derpy scooted past her and tapped The Doctor on the shoulder. “Ah of course, it’s your turn on watch. Sure thing.”

“Um, are you sure you want….” Bon Bon began to say but The Doctor was quick to respond.

“I watch from afar when she’s on point.” He whispered. “In case she misses anything.” Derpy held a hoof over her forehead as she looked out over the horizon.

“I’m going back to sleep.” Bon Bon trotted back towards the basket. Naturally she couldn’t help but roll her eyes when she saw Lyra and Minuette’s discussion was still going on.

“You sleep with a Twilight plushie don’t you?” Minuette asked. Lyra’s face grew beet red.

“N-no.” She snapped.

Bon Bon crawled back into the basket. Yes you do. She thought to herself.

The group had gotten the balloon up in the air within a few hours and was continuing towards the Crystal Empire as planned. Derpy tied the rope around herself so she could pull the balloon while the others rode inside.

“Remember Derpy, its north, not south.” The Doctor was quick to remind. Derpy giggled as she turned to face the correct direction. The silly pegasus took off into the air, pulling the balloon along with her.

“Well at least you remembered to tell her this time.” Minuette noted. The Doctor just strugged.

“What can I say? We didn’t have a plan before.” The Doctor rationalized. “Why not just go where ever we felt like.”

Bon Bon leaned against the basket, her forehooves dangling out. “Sometimes I feel like I’m the only pony who’s even paying attention to what’s happening around us.”

Lyra laid down against Bon Bon’s back, her forelegs wrapped around Bon Bon’s neck. “More like the only pony here who has a stick up their tail.” Bon Bon rested her chin against the basket. In response, Lyra nuzzled her friend. “Bonnie. We’ll be safe soon. Doesn’t that mean anything?”

“Safe. There’s a word I wouldn’t describe any place with any more.” Bon Bon muttered under her breath.

Minuette rubbed her jaw, trying to imagine the glistening infrastructure of the Crystal Empire. The last time she was there she only really seen the arena the Equestria Games were being held, not getting the chance to see any other part of the empire. “Soooo, Anypony been to the Crystal Empire before? Besides for the games of course.” She asked.

“A couple of times.” The Doctor said. “Never stayed for too long though. Not a whole lot happens there. Friendly ponies though.”

“Betcha they aren’t.”

The Doctor and Minuette’s attention was drawn to Lyra, who was pointing to the ground below. An isolated building made from stone was in ruin. Flames were engulfing the grassy plains around, the fence surrounding the structure was broken, and zombie ponies were wandering around.

“Any ideas?” Lyra asked.

Bon Bon sat back down on her haunches. “It’s a dungeon, who do you think it could it be?”

“All I see are zombies.” The Doctor noted. “Assuming any of the neighsayers inside is a bit much.”

“Some of them probably are neighsayers.” Minuette suggested.

“Well here’s hoping they didn’t get out.” Bon Bon muttered. The Doctor and Minuette shared the same expression for disbelief.

“I wouldn’t wish being turned into a zombie on my worst enemy.” The Doctor replied.

Lyra raised an eyebrow. “Do you even have a greatest enemy?’” She asked. The Doctor didn’t answer right away. He seemed to be mulling the question around in his head a bit.

“Not in a while.”

Before Lyra could respond, the sound of Derpy grunting rang out through her ears. The others attention turned to Derpy, who was trying to push a zombie pegasus away from her.

“Hold on Derpy!” The Doctor cried. “Lyra, use your magic!”

“M-me? What do I do?” She stuttered. Derpy backed herself up against the basket. The zombie pegasus snarled loudly as it flew closer. “D-Derpy get back here!”

“Oh I’ll get it!” Minuette’s horn began glowing. The same blue aura her horn gave off appeared over the wings of the zombie pegasus. “Come on!”

“What are you doing?” Lyra cried. The Doctor put a hoof on Lyra’s shoulder.

“Trust her. I think I know what Minuette is trying to do.”

Minuette started to groan. The zombie pegasus’ wings began to spred out, the sound of cracking bone emerging from the undead pony. Finally its wings popped off, leaving the rest of zombie pegasus’ body to tumble down hundreds of feet below. The Doctor helped Derpy climb back into the basket.

“It’s ok. I got you.” He reassured. Derpy’s shaking stopped as he stroked her mane. Bon Bon looked out of the basket, watching the zombie pony fall. Bon Bon cringed, remembering Redheart falling to her death as well.

"I-I’m sorry.” Lyra muttered. The others looked back at her. “I panicked. Those things are just…”

Bon Bon’s heart sank. She wanted to confort her friend, but all she could think about was Redheart. How can I make her feel better when I can’t even do that for myself?

The rest of the trip was mostly quiet. Which was fine as far as Bon Bon was concerned. Minuette really didn’t have much to say. Lyra on the other hand, couldn’t sit idle. Her twitching had been gradually becoming more and more intense.

“Lyra, will you please knock it off?” Bon Bon groaned.

“I can’t! We almost er…we kind of…I didn’t…”

Derpy reached over and patted Lyra’s shoulder. Her warm smile convinced Lyra to at the very least smile back.

“It doesn’t seem like Derpy holds it against you.” Minuette noted. Bon Bon couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt.

I should be the one comforting my friend. MY friend. She thought to herself. “Doctor, are we there yet?” She snapped.

The Doctor looked out over the mountains that dotted the horizon. Off in the distance, was a magical dome on the ground. “Yes, I do say we are almost there.” He recognized the magical barrier as the same one that had briefly been used to keep Canterlot safe. I should have expected Captain Armor would use that shielding spell.

The four mares gathered by the Doctor’s side to get a better view. Gradually the Crystal Empire was getting easier to see through the shield. The glimmer from the crystalline structures within was enough to make a big smile appear on Derpy and Lyra’s faces.

“So shiny.” Lyra said with great enthusiasm. “Seems just as pretty every time I see it.”

Minuette couldn’t help but nod in agreement. “Nothing quite like it in Equestria.”

“Well, with the acception of the new castle back in Pony….” The Doctor stopped himself. No, better not mention Ponyville. Not now. This is a good moment.

Derpy’s rubbed her eyes and gulped.

“What is it, Derpy? You see something?” Minuette asked. The cross-eyed Pegasus pointed to the ground around the shield. Minuette’s jaw dropped. Zombie ponies were swarming around the Crystal Empire, their faces pressed against the shield, pushing against it with all their strength.

“There must be thousands.” Lyra shrank back into the balloon and resumed twitching. Derpy began pointing at one zombie pony at a time. The Doctor simply shook his head.

“I don’t believe counting is necessary, Derpy.” He noted.

The balloon was getting closer and closer. Lyra’s face was wet with sweat. “It’s ok. They don’t see us. They won’t see us.”

“We’re going to be ok. Somepony has to be on watch. They’ll see us. They have to.” Minuette stated. They better.

Derpy drew her attention back to the horde. Some of the zombie ponies slid their faces off the shield and drew their attention to the balloon. She slammed her forehoof against her mouth to keep herself from screaming. Lyra however, didn’t feel the same compusion.

“LET US IN! PLEASE!”

Bon Bon pulled Lyra back, holding both forehooves over Lyra’s mouth. But she reacted too late. Dozens of zombie pegasi started fly up towards the balloon. Lyra tried to scream again, though Bon Bon tightened her grip. “Shut up, your going to get us all killed.”

“No pony is going to die. Just stay calm.” The Doctor said. He turned his attention back to the shield. A small hole opened up a few feet higher than the balloon. “There! Somepony must have seen us.”

A group of pegasi in crystal armor covered in blood emerged from the hole. “Oh no, more of them!” Lyra lost her composure. “Don’t eat us!” One of the pegasi put his orange hooves against the basket. He had to do a double take at the sight of Lyra.

“Mint…. Er, It’s ok ma’am. We are here to rescue you.” The pegasus noted. Each of the crystal pegasi guards picked up one of the group members, while the sole pegasus that wasn’t a crystal pony picked up Lyra, carrying her through the hole in the shield, which quickly closed behind him.

“What about the balloon?” Minuette asked.

“Can’t risk it. Now come on. The Princess and Prince are going to be glad to finally see other survivors.” The guard holding her explained. She looked back one last time as the hot air balloon started drifting away from the shield and out of sight.

A crowd of Crystal Ponies had gathered around the Crystal Heart in the center of the empire. The Doctor’s group was quickly dropped off not far from the Heart itself. The crowd began to talk amongst themselves.

“Where are you from!”

“What is going on out there!”

“What happened to the ponies out there!”

Derpy had to hover in the air to avoid the crowd. The others were not so lucky, as they were swarmed by the questioning crystal ponies in seconds. The regular pegasus guard had to push through the crowd to get closer to The Doctor’s group.

“Please, give them some breathing room. Please, we won’t get answers by just attacking Minty and her friends like this.” He explained.

“Minty?” Lyra asked. Bon Bon turned her head.

“I think he’s talking about you.”

The pegasus guard coughed. “Oh, um. Sorry ma’am. You just…well I used to know somepony who….well…” He stopped talking out of embarrassment. “Captain!”

Shining Armor, a white unicorn stallion in purple armor emerged from the crowd, all of whom graciously backed away so he could approach unapposed.

“Oh, good to see you. This all of them, Flash?” He asked. The pegasus nodded back. “Good. I’ll take it from here. You get yourselves cleaned off. You’re a mess.” Shining Armor ordered. Flash took his leave with the four crystal guard ponies.

“You’re majesty, I don’t mean to be blunt…” Minuette wiped off some of the blood on her back left behind by the guards. “But why are your men look like they’ve been sprayed with a hose? But with blood instead of water?” She asked.

Shining Armor scratched his neck. “Well, it helps them blend in with the horde. Come on, this isn’t a good place to talk. I’ll take you inside. Princess Cadence will want to know about what’s going on out there.” And so will I.

As Shining Armor led the group into the castle above, The Doctor glanced at the Crystal Heart. It was glowing brightly, more so than the crystal ponies even. He started to wonder what part it had to play in the thousands of zombie ponies outside.

Princess Cadence was pacing back and forth in her throne room. She adjusted her regalia. While she preferred more casual outings, it helped if she at least looked presentable for the survivors.

“Shining, where are you?”

Right on cue her husband arrived with The Doctor’s group. “Oh thank goodness. When we heard no word from the rest of Equestria we started to fear the worst.” Cadence noted.

The Doctor pulled on his collar. “Well it is certainly good that you care.”

“Of course I care. That’s why we sent an envoy to find more survivors.” Cadence replied.

Shining Armor trotted over to Cadence. “Honey, I’m afraid this group wasn’t with the envoy.” He explained.

“What? Then how did you know to come here?” She asked.

“We thought it would be the safest place to be.” Minuette answered. “Ponyville’s a bust so…”

“PONYVILLE!” Shining Armor and Cadence exclaimed simultaneously.

Bon Bon bit her lip. “I suppose we have come quite far…”

Lyra tapped on Bon Bon’s shoulder. “Bon Bon. Princess Twilight is Captain Shining Armor’s sister and Princess Cadence’s Sister-in-law.” She whispered.

Oh ponyfeathers.

The Doctor pushed his way past Minutte and Lyra to address Shining Armor and Cadence directly. “Your majesties.” He took a deep breath. “What Bon Bon meant to say is Ponyville was not in the best condition when we escaped.” Oh bugger, I'm just digging a deeper hole. “B-but I’m sure Twilight and her friends made it out as well.” The Doctor had to cover his mouth to hide his twitching mouth.

“I mean…if random noponies like us can make it out heroes like them certainly can.” Lyra added, though she wasn’t sure how much it was going to help.

Shining Armor and Cadence turned away from the group and held each other close. “We can’t give up.” Cadence whispered.

“I know. Twily’s still alive. She has to be. If she wasn’t I would know. I just…I just know she’s ok.” Shining Armor whispered back. The two took a deep breath in unison before turning back to the group.

“W-we thank you for letting us know what you do. We’ll find a place for you to stay. The Crystal Empire has plenty of room.” Cadence uttered. Derpy, Lyra and Bon Bon felt most of their built up tension ease up.

“That’s the first good thing I’ve heard in days.” Bon Bon regretted saying that when Shining Armor took a gulp. For whatever it’s worth.

The Doctor put a hoof to his chin. “Your majesties, do you mind if I ask you something? If that’s ok with you?”

“Certainly. We are trying to be as welcoming as we can after all.” Shining Armor replied.

Er. Maybe it would have been easier if I were told no. The Doctor thought to himself. “Well, there is the horde outside. They wouldn’t’ happen to be attracted to the Crystal Empire would it?”

“Doctor!” Minuette snapped. “You can’t just assume something like that. Not to their faces.”

“I’m afraid it’s true.” Shining Armor sighed. Derpy tilted her head in confusion.

“Your majesty, surely the Crystal Heart would keep them away. Shouldn’t it?” Minuette asked.

Cadence shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid that isn’t so. The Crystal Heart is meant to bring love and joy throughout the land. Unfortunately, it seems the undead are drawn to love.” The Princess of Love closed her eyes. She didn’t want to see their reaction. Her own feelings of guilt at being unable to do anything about it was enough.

The evening air felt nice against Lyra’s mane. She and Bon Bon were having a nice walk along the crystal streets. Most of the crystal ponies also wandering the around were no longer watching them.

“Finally, no weird looks.” Bon Bon intentionally said out loud.

“Well that’s not very nice.”

“Neither is staring.”

The two friends were about to walk past a pub. They probably would have just kept walking if they hadn’t noticed the two ponies inside. Two crystal stallions in guard armor probably didn’t notice Lyra or Bon Bon. They were too lost in a deep kiss.

“Hm. I guess this place has that affect on ponies.” Lyra whispered. Bon Bon didn’t answer. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to. “Hey. Everypony needs to find happiness somewhere? Right?” Lyra held her friend’s hoof. Bon Bon closed her eyes and thought about it for a moment. “Bon Bon?”

Bon Bon smiled for the first time since the outbreak began. “You’re right.”