Beating an Undead Pony

“Why did I follow the others!”

A lone neighsayer unicorn bolted towards the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. Her heart was pounding so hard she was having trouble moving. “This town was a terrible idea! Regular zombies are bad enough. Knew I should have just made a B-line for Las Pegasus.” The neighsayer stammered out. Losing her balance, she finally collapsed to the ground.

SNAP!

“Where are you? Show yourself!” She exclaimed, forcing herself to her forehooves, her hindlegs still dragging along the ground. You’re loosing it. It’s nothing. The Neighsayer put her weight onto her forelegs, causing her hooves to dig into the ground. But rather than feeling just dirt, she felt something soft.

“What is this?” The Neighsayer began digging into the dirt, until she saw a pony’s flank. “No.” She dug faster and faster, pushing past the dirt. More and more of the pony seemed familiar. The pony was wearing the same dungeon outfit she was wearing. Her eyes widened as she finally fully dug out the pony, revealing he had no head.

“Sweet Celestia. T-they lied! I got to get out of here!” The Neighsayer fell onto her back in panic. She rolled over to her stomach as quickly as she could, scampering away from the dead pony, but in her desperation, failed to notice a steep drop. Her body ached like crazy as she rolled down the hill, the muscles in her legs twisting and tearing. Landing on her neck, the neighsayer let out a loud wail. No. Not here. Not now. The Neighsayer tried to get back up, but the pain in her legs was too much for her. Her ears perked up as she heard snarling. She squinted her eyes to get a better look. A bipedal dog was making its way towards her. “Hey! You there! I need help!” Fear filled The Neighsayer’s body as the dog drew closer, revealing bits of flesh had fallen off its face, no flesh remained on either of its claws, and its rib cage was exposed.

“GAH! SOMEPONY! PLEASE!” The Neighsayer looked back and forth from the dog and the cliff above. A smile appeared on her face as she saw a pony standing in the shadows above her. “Please! Help me up! I won’t tell anypony! I swear!” The pony didn’t respond. The Neighsayer looked at the approaching zombie.

“No. You won’t.”

“Pppppllllleeeeeeaaaaasssseeee!” The Neighsayer begged in vain, as the zombie dog chomped on her back. Her screams continued as the pony remorselessly trotted away.

Rainbow Dash put a hoof against the door to Fluttershy’s room. She could tell it wasn’t locked, but something was stopping her from going inside. “Fluttershy. Please don’t be mad at Rainbow Dad. He didn’t mean to…” Rainbow Dash began to say, but felt a pang of guilt running through her. Who am I kidding? Yes he did.

“Any luck?”

Rainbow Dash turned her attention to Applejack approaching from further down the hall. “Psh. She hasn’t come out for days. What am I supposed to say?”

Applejack tilted her had upwards. She briefly hesitated before speaking her mind. “Well, Ah’m thinkin’ we let her stay behind for the next trip outta town” Applejack suggested. As much sense as that made to Rainbow Dash, she didn’t want to leave Fluttershy all by herself.

“It doesn’t seem right.”

“Ah know. But neither does sittin’ idle.” Applejack replied. She pressed her ear against Fluttershy’s door. “Ya’ll ok about stayin’ ere, Fluttershy? Give ya some time?”

“That’s a terrible idea.” Rainbow Dash pushed Applejack back. She felt bad about it almost immediately after Applejack started wincing. “Sorry. But Fluttershy needs us. Sulking about her parents won’t do anything. Not by herself.”

Applejack wanted to respond, she really did. But it would involve talking about her parents. Nope. Rarity’s already brought that up when she shouldn’t. Ah certainly won’t.

Rainbow Dash turned her attention back to Fluttershy. “Fluttershy. Come out. I’m the one who told Rainbow Dad what your parents were like. Be mad at me.”

“That ain’t gonna help. If anythang it will be worse.”

“Just let me talk!” Rainbow Dash pushed the door slightly, leaving it ajar. Just enough to see an empty bed. “Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash pushed the door open further. Fluttershy was sitting in a corner, her face was still damp, no doubt from crying. “Talk to me. Please. I don’t want you to be mad….”

Fluttershy muttered under her breath. Confused, Rainbow Dash glanced back at Applejack before entering the room.

“Come again?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I-I said I’m not….” Fluttershy tried to say, but found it hard to get the words out. She took a deep breath, feeling Rainbow Dash’s hoof on her shoulder. Fluttershy opened her eyes to see Applejack and Rainbow Dash sitting on both sides of her.

“Ya’ll can tell us anythang.” Applejack said. Rainbow Dash swirled her tongue around in her mouth, unsure about how willing Applejack would be to talk if their positions were reversed.

“I’m not mad. I’m happy. And I shouldn’t be.” Fluttershy uttered, covering her face again. “They were horrible ponies. They wanted me to be something I wasn’t. The pushed me, they wanted the best flyer in Equestria. But instead they got me."

“Hey! Listen to me.” Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy’s face with her forehooves, turning Fluttershy’s neck so she could look her friend in the eyes. “You didn’t need them. You deserved better than those things.”

“They were still my parents!” Fluttershy squealed. “Rainbow Dad may have helped me. But that doesn’t make it right. I’m supposed to love them.”

Rainbow Dash pulled her closer into a full embrace. “Not if they’re like that.” She muttered.

Applejack reached over to put her fore leg around Fluttershy, but stopped just short, feeling an uncomfortable tingle go down her back. “Er, Flutters, family don’t abuse each other.”

“But they did.” Fluttershy started shaking. “When the died I was…. and now I’m….” Fluttershy’s tone was becoming softer and softer, until she just stopped talking entirely. Applejack trotted over to the window. She could see a trio of zombie ponies at the outskirts of Ponyville being fended off by Cloud Kicker and Blossomforth.

“It’s these dang trotters. Makin’ everypony unnerved.” Applejack put her hoof against the window frame, feeling the diction in her voice getting intense. “Makin’ us all think about death all the time. That’s not somethin’ we should be doin’. We should be thinkin’ of our normal lives. An honest day’s work, hot meals, family bonding. That sort of thang.”

“Don’t forget about having fun!”

Rainbow Dash took a breath. “You just can’t help yourself can you, Pinkie? Always got to take me by surprise.” Think I’d be used to it by now. Pinkie walked over to her friends, both Cake Twins asleep in her saddlebags.

“Sure ya want to have those two with ya for this Pinkie? Could wake up any second.” Applejack asked. Pinkie simply twirled her left foreleg.

“Don’t you worry about that. I’ve got them all taken care of. Bottles on standby, filled with yummy chocolate milk. Pound here really likes it. Me too really.” Pinkie explained, reaching into the saddlebags, careful not to wake the Twins, and taking a sip of chocolate milk out of one of the baby bottles. “Hmm. Could use a little frosting.”

“Pinkie. Ah really don’t think now’s the time.” Applejack noted. Pinkie’s face darkened.

“It’s never a bad time for chocolate milk.” She argued. Pinkie held the bottle out to Fluttershy. The sensitive pegasus lifted her head away from Rainbow Dash’s chest to get a better look. “Here you go, Fluttershy. It will make you feel better.” All eyes were on Fluttershy, who simply stared at the bottle. A minute passed before she finally took it. After another minute, she took a sip.

“Thank you, Pinkie.” Fluttershy muttered, wiping her lips. Feeling proud of herself, a big smile appeared on her face. The scar on her neck started to sting, but she didn’t care.

“Remember what happened on the train.” Pinkie said in a squeaky voice. Fluttershy mustered enough strength to stand on all fours. “My work here is done.” Pinkie gave a little salute before making her way back to the hallway outside. Rainbow Dash grabbed her hoof.

“Hold it. What did you mean? What happened that day? I want to know.” Rainbow Dash ordered. Pinkie let out a little giggle.

“I can’t tell you that, Dashie. We Pinkie Promised.” Pinkie replied. Though her expression didn’t change, she never the less glanced over at Applejack, who looked away in return.

Rainbow Dash lowered her head. Some days I really hate the Pinkie Promise. She thought to herself.

A little smile appeared on Fluttershy’s face. The sight of the sleeping Cake Twins was always something that made her feel better. Just then she remembered something. “Oh no. I almost forgot! Rarity scheduled a day at the spa for us.”

“You got to be kidding me.” Rainbow Dash groaned, holding a hoof against her cheek.

Bearing the exact same expression, Rainbow Dash finally lowered her hoof so Aloe could apply her face cream.

“Why did I let you talk me into this?” Rainbow Dash asked. Rarity, who was lying down on a table with a hot towel over her back, arched her neck in Rainbow Dash’s direction.

“Because this is the best way to relieve tension.” Rarity argued. Spike emerged from the sauna, steam billowing out from behind him.

“Won’t argue with that.” Spike agreed. Pinkie poked her head out of the tub she, Fluttershy, Applejack, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were soaking in.

“Its just a shame Twilight didn’t want to join us.” Pinkie noted.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah well, Rainbow Dad’s using his brand of tension relief for her.”

Rarity quickly looked over at her little sister. “Rainbow, please, must you talk about that of all things in front of fillies?” She whispered, trying not to catch the three fillies attention. Applebloom however, heard everything.

“Whatcha talkin’ about?” Applebloom asked. Applejack shook her head.

“Ah’ll tell ya when yer older.” Applejack promised. Scootaloo climbed out of the tub, with Lotus already waiting with a towel for the young pegasus.

“Thanks.” Scootaloo wrapped herself in the towel, leaving only her face uncovered. “Are you talking about a ‘pony ride’ Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo asked. Rarity held her forehooves to her mouth. Fluttershy’s eyes widened with surprise.

“Oh my.” Fluttershy muttered.

Rarity stood up, trotting over to Rainbow Dash’s seat. “Goodness gracious, Rainbow. You had…. ‘The talk’ with Scootaloo? Isn’t she a bit young for that?”

“I’m out.” Spike chimed in, not wanting any part of their conversation. “Need me, I’ll be in the sauna.”

“Mr. Spike!” Lotus called out. “You shouldn’t be in there for longer than three hours. You could suffer some serious damage.”

“Dragon, remember? I’ve swum in lava before. I’ll be fine.” Spike reassured, closing the sauna door behind him. Rainbow Dash turned her attention back to Rarity.

“Why not? You’d prefer it if Scoots heard it on the streets?”

Rarity facehoofed. Knowing Scootaloo wasn’t much older than Sweetie Belle, she felt such topics were inappropriate for fillies her age. She glanced over at Scootaloo, who seemed to not be paying attention to the conversation.

“What are they talking about?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Well, Rainbow Dash told me when a mare and a stallion love each other very much, or are just looking to have a fun Saturday evening….”

“Scootaloo! Don’t you dare finish that sentence, young lady! I will not have my sister hear such vulgar material until she’s ready!” Rarity snapped. Sweetie Belle groaned.

“How can I be ready for it if I don’t know what you’re talking about?” Sweetie Belle pulled herself out of the tub, trotting towards her older sister, Aloe wrapping her in a towel as she headed towards Rarity. “You’re my sister. Not Mom.”

“Well Mother and Father are not here right now. And that makes me your legal guardian for the time being.” Rarity reminded.

Pinkie put a hoof to her chin. “Hm. Where have Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles been this whole time anyway?” She asked seemingly no pony. Applebloom raised an eyebrow at Applejack.

“What are ya’ll staring at me fer?” Applejack folded her forehooves. Applebloom didn’t respond, not that she needed to.

At least yer not actin’ like that. Again. Applebloom thought to herself. All eyes turned to Spike as he emerged from the sauna once more, holding a piece of parchment.

“Eh, sorry to say this but, I got a message from Princess Luna.” Spike said. Pinkie lept out of the tub, lying on the ground with her hooves on her cheeks, anticipation radiating from her. Spike looked at the others before reading the letter out loud.

Dearest Council of Friendship,

I fear we may have a disaster brewing on the coastal cities of Manehattan, Fillydelphia, and Baltimare. However I am not comfortable putting this into words. Go to sleep immediately so that I may speak to you face to face.

You’re Princess of the Night, Luna

Spike rolled the letter up, expecting a reaction from his friends. Instead Applebloom was the one who broke the silence. “Ya’ll think Babs is in danger?”

Applejack reached over to the hat rack, putting her hat back on. “Welp. Only one way to find out. Come on everypony. Time for bed, Ah guess.”

“Oh, you can use the lobby. There should be plenty of room for all of you.” Aloe suggested. She then turned her attention to the three fillies. “The three of you of course can use our facilities for as long as you want.” As Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinke left the bathing room Rarity approaching her saddlebags in the corner of the room.

“You’re a darling. Let me just give you your payment and we should all be good to go.” Rarity said. Lotus put a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder.

“That’s not necessary, Miss Rarity.”

“I beg your pardon?” Rarity stopped digging into her bag. “You are still making good use of your services even as undead swarm Equestria. You deserve payment.”

Aloe stood next to her sister. “Yes, but we have talked about it. And we are not sure how much bits are worth anymore.”

“Its ok, Miss Rarity. You have always been a good customer. Consider this visit on the house.” Lotus added. Reluctantly, Rarity zipped up her bag, putting them on her back.

“Very well. But I am going to pay you next time. Taking advantage of another pony’s generosity is a horrible thing to do. Come Spikey.” Rarity motioned to the young dragon.

“Actually, someone has to go tell Twilight. Might as well be me.” Spike said, his voice filled with dread. This isn’t going to be easy to see.

Spike stood outside Twilight’s room. The door wasn’t locked, but the muffled noises coming from within were enough to make Spike hesitate. I can't believe I'm about to do this.

Spike knocked on the door. After a few seconds, he could hear Twilight’s voice, consisting mostly of heavy gasps. “Just a minute, Spike. Almost done.” Spike leaned his back against the wall, sliding down to the ground. After exactly one minute passed, Spike heard a sound come from Twilight’s room. It was definitely her voice, and it was certainly a sound Spike had never heard Twilight make before. Though Twilight was definitely enjoyed making it.

“Are you done? It’s urgent.” Spike said through the door.

“Sure. Come on in. It’s open.” Twilight called back. Taking a huge gulp, Spike opened the door. Twilight and Rainbow Dad were lying together on Twilight’s bed; their manes were messier than the worst case of bed mane Spike had ever seen, with a light sheen coming off both their coats.

“Spike! How’s it going?” Rainbow Dad asked nonchalantly. Resisting the urge to vomit, Spike walked over Twilight’s side of the bed. His stomach turned as the smell coming from Twilight and Rainbow Dad’s bodies filled his nostrils.

“It’s Princess Luna. She wants to talk to us. You know, in our dreams. Something’s happened.” Spike reported, doing his best to avoid eye contact. Rainbow Dad shifted his position so he was sitting up.

“I can go, if you want.”

Yes please go. Spike thought to himself.

“That would probably be for the best. I will see you later.” Twilight replied. Spike hoped he was just hearing things, as Rainbow Dad climbed out of Twilight’s bed, with what he thought was a sloshing sound.

“Ok. I should probably check on my crew. Somepony didn’t report in last night. Better make sure everything's alright. If you need anything else, your majesty, let me know. I’ll talk to you then.” Rainbow Dad planted a gentle kiss on Twilight’s forehead before leaving. Noticing Spike was shivering, Twilight was quick to console him.

“I’m sorry you had to see that, Spike.” Twilight’s face scrunched up, a lump forming in her throat.

Spike rubbed his eyes as hard as he could. “It’s ok. I’m fine. Really. But if it’s all the same to you, I’ll be sleeping in my room for this meeting.” As far as Spike was concerned, he couldn’t get out of Twilight’s room fast enough. Twilight reached out with her magic, pulling her covers up to her chin, and closed her eyes.

Twilight opened her eyes. She found herself in Celestia’s throne room, where the other members of the Mane Six were already waiting. “Sorry I’m late.” She trotted over to the others, just in time for Spike to materialize by her side.

“Yer out like a light when it comes to sleep ain’t ya?” Applejack asked. Spike simply shrugged. Twilight then looked at Rainbow Dash, who had a blank expression on her face.

“Don’t say anything, Twilight. I’m used to it.” She reassured. Pinkie looked over Twilight’s shoulder and waved.

“Hiya Cadance! Hiya Shining Armor!”

Twilight spun around, and surely enough, Cadance and Shining Armor were making their way towards the group. Shining Armor was the first to speak up. “Twily!”

“Shining Armor! Cadance!” Twilight bolted over to her brother and sister in law. Twilight and Cadance proceeded to do their special chant and hoofshake.

Sunshine, sunshine,

ladybugs awake!

Clap your hooves and

do a little shake!

Rarity tilted her head, feeling a warm feeling in her chest. “That always was sweet.” Rarity pointed out. Fluttershy nodded in agreement. A blue aura appeared in the center of the room, blinding everypony and Spike. After a moment, the blue light faded away, and the Princess of the Night stood in its place.

“Good you are all here.” Luna trotted past Twilight, Shining Armor and Cadance, and looked at one of the stain glass windows. The others trotted over to her side as the image on the glass changed from a depiction of Discord’s defeat the previous year, into a Manehatten street in ruin.

“Why are you showing us this?” Fluttershy asked, shrinking back. Luna spared a single glance at Fluttershy before looking back at the window.

“Because somepony is on a misguided mission. The surviving ponies of the urban enviorment are scared. Undead swarm the streets and now a pony of great influence plans to remove them. By destroying the three cities.” As Luna finshed her speech, she let out a nasty cough.

Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and hovered of the ground up until she reached eye level with Luna. “You ok, Princess?” Now with a better look, Rainbow Dash could see the color in Luna’s eyes was fading. “Eh, Princess Luna?”

“I am fine, Miss Dash. But I appreciate your concern.” Luna cleared her throat before continuing. “As much as I wish I could deal with this matter personally, I do not wish to leave my sister alone. Or leave Canterlot undefended. It is why I ask you, the Council of Friendship, to save the coastal cities.”

Cadance lowered her head. “I wish I could be send on a mission once in a while.” She looked around at the others present. “Did I just say that out loud?”

“Yes. Any internal thoughts you may have become external in dreams.” Luna clarified.

“Princess Luna…” Shining Armor took a step forward. “Who is this pony?”

Luna held a hoof forward. A unicorn holding a knife in his mouth appeared on the ajoining window. His white fur was caked in blood, but it wasn’t enough to cover his cutie mark, a trio of crowns.

“T-that’s Fancy Pants! No. That can’t be right!” Rarity stammered out. Luna closed her eyes.

“I’m afraid this is true. Mr. Pants believes he can save the cities by destroying them. As of now he is gathering survivors he believes ‘can’ still be saved. Unforunately, that is not all of them.” Luna explained.

Rarity paced back and forth. She respected Fancy Pants, as the first high class pony to notice her during a trip to Canterlot, she never saw him as the kind of pony who would loose their mind to the madness going on. “This can’t be true. There has to be more to this. I need to know.”

“I am sure there is. But there is something else I must say to you. It concerns the nature of these undead.” The throne room around the group speed away from them, making Fluttershy feel dizzy. As their surroundings stopped, they found themselves in the courtyard of the Crystal Empire. Spike felt his mouth water at the sight of the Crystal Heart.

“We know they want the heart.” Shining Armor blurted out. Twilight tilted her head in confusion.

“What do you mean?” She asked. Cadance walked over to the Heart, placing a hoof against it.

“The zombies are drawn to love. We’ve put a shield around the Empire, but more appear every day.” Cadance explained in a defeated tone.

“And that is why you must get rid of the Crystal Heart.” Luna replied.

Applejack tipped her hat. “Pardon me for sayin’ this Princess, but after all the trouble we went through to find you want us to just toss it away?”

Luna took a breath. She didn’t answer right away. Her pause was long enough for Twilight and Fluttershy to notice the lines under her eyes.

“Um, Princess Luna….” Fluttershy began to say, but Luna stomped her hoof against the ground.

“My well being is not something you need to concern your self with, Fluttershy. Now I realize the Heart means a lot to the Crystal Ponies, but we must do what is best for all of Equestria.”

Spike felt his spine shiver. “You killed me.” A dark voice rang out through the pony’s ears.

“Sorry. That was me.” Spike bit his lip. “When we went to Tartarus I thought I heard…. you know what it doesn’t matter.”

“I know Sombra haunts you Spike, but he is long dead. The Heart does not need to ward him off any longer. And the threat of the undead is why the Heart needs to be removed. Take it away from Equestria, as far away as possible.” Luna explained.

Pinkie looked around at her friends. She realized she would have to be the one to speak up. “Okie, dokie, lokie. Save the cities from Fancy Pants for us, go hide the Crystal Heart for Cadance. We can do that.”

“Pinkie, I don’t think it will be that easy….” Twilight began to say, but was interrupted by Rarity pushing her way past Twilight.

“I agree with Pinkie. We have our duties. I suggest we do them.” Rarity held a hoof to her chest. “We will do as you command, Princess.”

“That’s all I can ask. Well, there is one more thing I want you to do.” Luna said with a smile on her face.

“What’s that?” Pinkie asked.

“I want you to wake up.”

Pinkie sat up straight in surprise. She looked over at Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were stiring awake as well. Rarity however, was already up and brushing her mane, looking at the mirror behind the counter.

“Ah, good, your awake. It’s time.” Rarity blurted out as quickly as she can.

“Alright, alright, Im getting up. Hold your horses.” Rainbow Dash groaned. Fluttershy pushed her mane out of her eyes. As determined as Rarity might have been, Fluttershy was not so confident.