Beating an Undead Pony

“Well that was a complete waste of our time.” Spike said to no pony in particular. He and the Mane Six had returned to the council chambers, though they didn’t sit back in their thrones. After what Discord did, the thrones seemed hollow. Rainbow Dash hovered over the rest of the group as a thought entered her mind.

“You know there are probably still ponies out there.” She mentioned. Twilight let out a sigh. When she was outside she had noticed far more zombie ponies than living ones. Still, Rainbow Dash had a point. Applejack headed for the door.

“Well I reckon we check Sweet Apple Acres first. For all we know mah family is still thar and can’t get out.” Pinkie bounced to her side.

“Count me in. No pony should be stuck in a scary old farm surrounded by zombies.” Pinkie said. Applejack hardly considered Sweet Apple Acres scary but she assumed Pinkie didn’t mean it in such a harsh way.

“Right. There is enough room for survivors here in the castle? Twilight?” Rarity asked. Twilight was still lost in thought.

The castle has plenty of room. But what about beyond Ponyville? “Maybe we can make Ponyville into a kind of safe zone.” Twilight tapped on a crystal protruding out of the floor, which projected an image of Equestria on the ground. The others, including the Cake Twins, gathered around. Twilight motioned to the south of Ponyville. “Appleoosa is closest. If we could get the train running we can start bringing survivors here.” Twilight suggested. Rainbow Dash pointed to Cloudsdale.

“Now hold up, how is Appleloosa closer? It’s a day’s trip. And we don’t even need the train to get to Cloudsdale.” She argued. “Just use that walking on clouds spell for the others and we can get there no problem.” Applejack elbowed Rainbow Dash in the ribs. “What was that for?”

“Rainbow Dash, the Cloudsdale residents can skedaddle away from trouble a lot easier than the Appleloosans.” Applejack argued. Twilight could see where this discussion was going. Cloudsdale was where Rainbow Dash had grown up, while Applejack’s cousin Braeburn lived in Appleloosa.

“Right now the train should be pointed in Appleloosa’s direction, and we can’t switch tracks here in Ponyville.” She put a hoof on Rainbow Dash’s shoulder. “But we’ll go to Cloudsdale too. I promise.” Twilight said. Rainbow Dash let out a small whiney.

“Ok. You made your point.” She relented.

“Good. Now, Rainbow Dash, you and Spike help Fluttershy get the train running.” Fluttershy blushed in shame. The reason why she specifically knew how to run the train was not something she liked being reminded of. “Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, you make any last run through the town to find any survivors.” Applejack and Rarity looked at each other before looking back at Twilight.

“Um, Sugarcube, where are you going exactly?” Applejack asked. Twilight’s face darkened as she looked away from her friends.

“I’m going to follow a hunch. But that means going to…” Twilight stopped in her tracks. Pinkie finally lost her patience, pulling Twilight by the wings so she was facing the group.

“Come on! Don’t leave us in suspense.” Pinkie said, her voice cracking with each word. The others looked on in anticipation.

“Tartarus.” Twilight finally admitted. The others gasped. Rainbow Dash flew right into Twilight’s face.

“Now wait a minute! You’re not seriously thinking of talking to him are you?” Twilight gently pushed Rainbow Dash out of her personal space. “We put him there for a reason!” Rainbow Dash cried. Twilight face hoofed.

“I know that. But I need to know why all of this is happening.” Twilight explained. Spike stepped forward.

“You can’t go to Tartarus alone. I’m going with you.” Spike said, stomping his feet. “And your not talking me out of it.” Twilight wanted to argue against it, but Spike was stubborn.

“We’ll meet at the train in an hour. And please be careful.” Twilight ordered.

“Pinkie Pie Swear!” Pinkie quickly chimed in. Seeing hesitation in the others eyes, Pinkie stretched her neck out moving past each of her friends. “Everypony.” The others had no intention of seeing Pinkie angry so they all spoke up in unison.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“Heart!” Fly!”

“Cupcake! Eye!”

Pinkie looked back at her throne. Pound and Pumpkin were leaping up and down in excitement. Pinkie held the two in her hooves and slid them into her saddlebags. “Ready.” Pinkie squeaked. Fluttershy’s eyes widened.

“You’re not bringing the twins with, are you? It’s too dangerous for them.” Fluttershy muttered. Even though her own history with watching over foals was minimal she had this linger feeling bringing babies along on a dangerous scouting mission was an unnecessary risk on Pinkie’s part.

“Maybe. But it’s up to me to watch out for Pound and Pumpkin.” Pinkie pulled her saddlebags onto her back and looked at the twins. “You hear that? Auntie Pinkie Pie is going to be your mommy and daddy now.” Twilight, Applejack and Rarity exchanged nervous glances before turning back to Pinkie. A realization had started to occur to all three of them. Twilight was the first to step forward.

“Um, Pinkie…” Twilight wanted to keep going, but a glare from Pinkie shut her up.

“I said I am going to be their mommy and daddy now.” The look in Pinkie’s eyes sent chills down Twilight’s spine. Her voice shivered as she finally responded.

“Ok then. Lets. Lets go.”

Sweet Apple Acres had always been Applejack’s home. She never saw it as anything more or less. True it was where much of Ponyville’s food supply came from but that was always secondary to her. This ain’t Sweet Apple Acres. Not any more. The rotting undead ponies were slowly shifting around the apple orchard. She was so engrossed in the zombie ponies she didn’t even notice when Rarity put a hoof on her shoulder.

“Applejack, darling, are you ok?” Rarity asked. Applejack looked at a zombie earth pony as its side scrapped against a tree, cutting its side open, spilling its guts onto the tree. Applejack’s eyes shifted towards the zombie, her rage boiling to the surface. Loosing her patience, Applejack finally galloped towards the zombie pony, kicking it in the face. Rarity and Pinkie’s jaws dropped as Applejack started slamming her hooves against the zombie pony’s face.

“Watch out!” Pinkie cried. Without turning around, Applejack bucked an approaching zombie pony, kicking its already loose head off its neck.

“This. Ain’t. Sweet Apple Acres! Sweet Apple Acres was home!” Applejack bucked the tree in mid rant, pelting another approaching zombie with apples. “It doesn’t belong to a bunch of trotters! It belongs to the Apple Family!” Applejack picked up one of the fallen apples with her hoof. “These apples are food! Thar not meant to be used like this!” She tossed the apple as fast as she could, smashing into the face of another zombie pony.

“Applejack! Please! We all have lost something!” Rarity stammered. “Pinkie, what do we do?” Pinkie took a breath before speeding towards Applejack and hugged her. The tension that had been building inside her slowly dissipate. She felt a small tug on her fore legs. Applejack looked down to see Pound and Pumpkin had climbed out of Pinkie’s saddlebags, and were hugging her legs.

“Apple.”

“Jack.”

Pinkie looked into Applejack’s eyes. The warmth coming from Pinkie was welcoming. “You’ll get your home back! Your family is still out there!” Pinkie jabbed her hoof against Applejack’s heart. “And here.” Pinkie slowly moved her hoof to her own heart. “And here.” Rarity smiled, suddenly very happy Pinkie came with. It would seem Pinkie was good at making ponies smile, even without a single party decoration.

“Thank ya, Pinkie. Ya’re right. We ain’t finding out what happened to Applebloom and the others dawdling around ‘ere. Lets check the barn and the house.” Determination had finally returned to Applejack’s voice.

The barn doors felt heavier than usual. As Applejack pushed it open, her stomach turned, partially expecting to find more zombies. Instead there wasn’t a single being inside, alive or undead. Rarity poked her head into the barn, felt woozy at the sight of the blood beginning to stain the hay scattered around the barn floor.

“Applejack? Do you need a moment?” Rarity asked. Applejack shook her head. Though she wasn’t ready to answer, she stepped into the barn. The hay shifting around as she stepped through didn’t feel familiar. Not like she had known before. The blood on the walls however looked familiar. Applejack looked down at the hay, and pushed it aside. A pile of brown dog hair was lying in a pool of blood.

“Winona.” Applejack remembered when she first got her loyal canine companion. It wasn’t long after Applebloom was born, so she knew Winona didn’t have many more years left, since dogs lived much shorter lives than ponies. “Ah don’t know if its kinder to hope if she’s alive or not.” Once again Rarity was at a loss for words. Part of her was hoping Pinkie would appear behind her and comfort Applejack again. But she was no doubt still searching the house. Rarity approached Applejack feeling a knot in her stomach.

“It is never easy.” She finally said. Applejack didn’t look at her.

“Nope. If any than’ it only gets harder the more we see.” Applejack replied. Rarity started to sweat. If Applejack was referring to what she thought she was…

“I’m so sorry, Applejack.” Rarity hugged Applejack trying to comfort her, but she was no Pinkie.

“Ah haven’t blamed ya for it in years.” Applejack put her chin on Rarity’s head. “And that’s why we are never talking about it again. Understand?” Rarity pulled her head back.

She’s repressing her feelings. “Not talking about it isn’t healthy.”

Applejack scoffed. “Ya think this is the time and place?” Rarity stepped back. “That’s what Ah thought.” Applejack walked past Rarity towards the barn entrance.

Pinkie often bounced when she walked and she instinctively wanted to do so as she headed down the corridors of the Apple Family’s house. But she remembered what Fluttershy had said and decided against it for the sake of the twins, still in her saddlebags.

“No need to shake you up too much.” Pinkie patted Pumpkin on the head. “Oh I almost forgot.” Pinkie set the Twins down and reached into her saddlebags, pulling out a bottle of milk. However as she turned back to face the twins, they were gone. “Pound Cake! Pumpkin Cake!” Pinkie called out.

“Pinkie.”

“Pie.”

The twin’s voices made Pinkie’s ears perk up. She trotted back down the stairs to the kitchen below. Pumpkin was using her magic to levitate herself towards the fridge before phasing through the door.

“Oh no you don’t, young lady.” Pinkie said, opening the door. And despite having only been in the fridge for about a few seconds, Pumpkin had already buried herself in an apple pie. Pinkie reached in and picked out the pie, while Pumpkin continued eating. As Pinkie walked towards the table in the center of the kitchen, she couldn’t help but hear a second set of hooves walking along the floor. Pumpkin started crying, which was followed by a horrible groan. Pinkie spun around in time to see a zombie unicorn pony dragging itself towards her from the open door. Here we go. Pinkie thought to herself, but before she could react further, she felt her tail twitch.

“NO!”

With a loud thud, the fridge came tumbling down on the zombie pony, crushing it flat. And sitting on the fallen fridge was Pound. That’s my boy. Pinkie smiled as Pound giggled. My boy? Yes. My Boy. She looked back at Pumpkin finishing her pie. And my girl. Mine. Pinkie heard a loud gallop coming from outside. But Pinkie knew the zombie ponies couldn’t run, so she felt safe. Surely enough it was Applejack and Rarity who appeared before her.

“What the hay is goin’ on in here?” Applejack asked. Pinkie held Pound in her forelegs.

“Nothing. Just looking after my kids.” Pinkie reassured. Applejack and Rarity looked at each other. If Pinkie had gone so far as to call the Cake twins her own children, neither one of them had high hopes for Pinkie’s state of mind.

Twilight felt her heart beating faster than she had felt before. Traveling down the stone stairwell leading down to the entrance to Tartarus filled her with dread, which seemed to get darker and darker the further down the two traveled. The torches were still lit, but their flames weren’t providing much light. Spike looked up at Twilight expecting her to say something, anything.

“You, um, want me to light the way? Twilight? Twilight?” Spike waved his claw in front of Twilight’s face but got no reaction. “Ok I’ll do it then.” Spike noticed an unlit torch on the wall. He reached for it but Twilight held his shoulder.

“We will not be needing that in a little bit.” Twilight explained. Spike wasn’t sure if he was ready to response, expecting the answer to appear right in front of him, making the need to ask unnecessary. And it turned out he was completely right as the second Twilight finished; a wave of fire blinded his vision.

“Gah! What is that?” Spike was tempted to stumble back but again, expected that wouldn’t turn out well in his favor. Twilight shut her eyes tight as the light from the fire grew brighter.

Well at least I know we are in the right direction. She thought to herself. Perhaps a darkness spell could help out…. no! That’s what it wants me to do! “Spike we need to wait out the flames. Then we can pass.”

“Your sure?”

“Yes! I think it wants us to go back. If we stay the flames will go away!” Twilight reasoned. Of course it was just a guess on her part and if she was wrong they could always just leave and find another way into Tartarus. However when she opened her eyes, the wall of flame was gone, and in its place was a cloaked figure waiting at the entrance to another cavern. She and Spike looked at each other before approaching the figure. The figure lifted its head, revealing he had no flesh or skin, only bones.

“The Olden Pony!” Spike exclaimed, breathing fire at the figure. The Skeletal Pony’s cloak caught fire but the pony itself showed no reaction. After the cloak burned away, a new one materialized over its withered bones.

“I am no Olden Pony. I am just here to keep good hearted souls from being trapped in this eternal torment.” The Skeletal Pony turned to Twilight. “What brings one of the Princesses and a young dragon to Tartarus?” He asked. Twilight looked ahead of the Skeletal Pony. Surely enough the giant three-headed dog Cerberus was sleeping peacefully further down the tunnel. “Your majesty?” The Skeletal Pony asked again. Twilight shook her head to regain her composure.

“Something has happened to Equestria. And I believe a prisoner here is responsible.” Twilight explained. The Skeletal Pony tilted its head.

“A prisoner? Not a deceased soul? There is only one living soul held in Tartarus.” The Skeletal Pony reached into his cloak, taking out a whistle. Despite having no lips he still put it in his mouth and was somehow able to use it. Cerberus awoke with a jolt before stepping out of Twilight’s way.

“So where will I find him?” She asked. The Skeletal Pony turned its head away from Twilight.

“Only one path is available. The one you seek. Follow it and you will get your answers, your majesty.” It turned attention to Spike.

“Its ok, Spike is with me.” Twilight chimed in. The Skeletal Pony folded its fore hooves.

“I have already explained to you that good hearted souls are not permitted in Tartarus for their own protection. Only Princesses or individuals on their orders are permitted to pass.”

“I am with a princess. You might have noticed.” Spike noted. The Skeletal Pony looked back at Twilight.

“Very well, but you will be watched. Good day your majesty.” Spike ran back up to Twilight and the two headed past Cerberus and into the cavern.

“Well look who it is. The Princess of Friendship has come to visit me.”

Twilight didn’t know what to say. There in a stone cage was Tirek, the most dangerous foe she had ever faced. His lack of power had had reduced him to a state where he was only slightly taller than Twilight, his muscles having shrunken down to the point his arms and legs were just skin and bones. The power his eye was gone, and his voice was no longer booming and loud, instead raspy with random coughs coming through as Tirek spoke. But the demonic centaur was still creeping Twilight out.

“Answer me!” Tirek coughed. Spike spoke up first.

“You can’t talk to her like that!” He snapped. Tirek rolled his eyes.

“I’m disappointed, little dragon. Being the servant of a pony princess. Your species….”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard this before. Not listening.” Spike interrupted. Tirek turned his attention to Twilight. The glint in his eyes was just as unnerving as Twilight remembered it being a week before.

“There are zombies wandering Equestria! Several ponies have already died!” Twilight exclaimed. Tirek folded his arms.

“Is that so? Perhaps it is what you deserve.” Tirek replied.

Don’t loose your cool. That’s what he wants you to do. Twilight thought to herself. Though her frustration was starting to get to the surface. “I want to know what you did.” She said. Tirek coughed again for at least a minute.

“You presume I am responsible for the undead hordes.” Tirek laid down on the floor of his cage. “With all my great power and ability to strike out against Equestria from Tartarus itself.” Twilight bit her lip.

Well when it’s put that way it does sound like implausi…NO! I will not doubt my judgment. And he’s not going to make me! Twilight started to wonder if Discord had similar doubts running through his head when he met Tirek for the first time. It’s not going to happen to me. It’s not.

“You’re troubled, princess.” Tirek mentioned. Spike stepped in front of Twilight.

“Just answer her question! What did you do!” Spike ordered, slamming his fists against Tirek’s cage. The demonic centaur’s eyes glew bright, encouraging Spike to back away.

“I have done nothing to your precious Equestria. As much as I may enjoy the prospect of your suffering, it pains me to admit I have nothing do with the undead devouring your living.” Tirek cleared his throat before continuing. “Perhaps you should consider recent events for your answers. Perhaps the true cause is closer than you might think.” Tirek suggested. Twilight gulped in worry. Tirek’s words made sense. Even if he wasn’t imprisoned, Tirek’s powers didn’t consist of creating zombies. Theoretically only extremely powerful magic could possibly do that.

“Twilight! I think we should go!” Spike cried.

“Hold on, Spike.” Twilight turned back at Tirek. “What are you suggesting?” Spike thought for a moment before speaking up.

“Don’t listen to him, Twilight! You didn’t cause this. That doesn’t even make sense.” He rationalized. Tirek’s eyes narrowed.

“Doesn’t it, young dragon? Who is it that holds great power? Who is the one who comes into contact with a new ability through the study of magic? I don’t know about you, but that sounds like your precious Twilight Sparkle.” Tirek continued to speak, but his words felt drowned out to Twilight. She started snorting in rage, and her horn was glowing. Eventually the magical aura around her horn engulfed her entire body. Finally Twilight screamed, releasing a purple energy pulse burst from her body. Spike was flung backwards by the energy burst; Tirek stood his ground, the grin on his face expressed almost pride in Twilight’s outburst. Finally she spoke, Twilight’s voice now resembling the booming, royal Canterlot voice.

“I am not a monster! I would never use magic to create undead, not even as an accident! And you, Tirek, have no right to insinuate such a thing!” Twilight roared. Spike managed to get his feet. He had seen Twilight freak out before, and had even seen her undergo magical freak-outs. But this was the first time she scared him.

“Twilight! Twilight!” Spike called out. Tirek feel to his knees.

“Your friend cannot hear you. And you know why.” He muttered. Spike defiantly looked up at Twilight before hugging her. Slowly the magical aura around Twilight dissipated. Her breathing started becoming more labored, and her eyes stopped glowing.

“Spike? What did I do?” She asked. Spike held Twilight tighter.

“Nothing, Twilight. Lets just go.” Twilight put her foreleg around the young dragon, feeling glad he was there. Tirek started laughing, but had to stop as he found himself coughing again.

“You think your friendship will help you.” Tirek turned away from Twilight and Spike. “You are no protector of Equestria. Keep my words in your mind. And you will see the truth.” Twilight rubbed her hoof against her face before facing away from Tirek’s cage.

“Spike, we’re leaving.” Twilight uttered. She and Spike trotted back down the cavern without looking back. But Twilight felt a knot in her chest as Tirek’s chuckling started ringing out throughout Tartarus. Spike wanted to say something but found himself at a loss of words.

You killed me. Spike looked back. It wasn’t Tirek’s voice he was hearing. You’re life will be far worse than my death. The voice said again. Spike started breathing heavily. But he remained lost in thought, deciding not to bring it up with Twilight.

Rainbow Dash looked into the burning coal box. Something about it disturbed her, probably the fact that Fluttershy of all ponies was able to set it.

“Did you get all of that Rainbow?” Fluttershy asked. Remembering that Fluttershy was event talking to her, Rainbow Dash regained her composure.

“Of course, how hard can it be?” She uttered. Rainbow Dash pulled down on the middle of three levers and heard a wheezing sound coming from the train’s wheels. Quickly Fluttershy pushed Rainbow Dash’s hoof away and slammed the lever back into its original position.

“Please, be more careful. We don’t want to leave before the others arrive.” Fluttershy uttered. However her face softened when she noticed Rainbow Dash blushing in embarrassment. “Don’t worry. We’ll work on it.” Rainbow Dash scratched her mane trying to keep up a calm appearance.

“Right. I’ll be on the look out for the others.” She said before flying out of the cab of the train and looked over at Ponyville. She was expecting zombie ponies to be swarming the streets but in the last few hours’ things had quieted down. There were perhaps only three or four out there at the moment. Now Rainbow Dash couldn’t be caught by surprise very easily, except perhaps by Pinkie, so when she felt a tug at her fore leg from out of nowhere she let out a little scream before spinning around and ramming the perpetrator the ground. It turned out it was just Fluttershy trying to get her attention, and now Rainbow Dash found her self on top of her, having tackled Fluttershy onto her back.

“Oh my.” Fluttershy’s face was redder than all the apples in Sweet Apple Acres during Applebuck Season. Rainbow Dash found herself stammering trying to think of a response.

“Y-you shouldn’t sneak up on a pony like that. They might think it’s a zombie.” Rainbow Dash finally said. Fluttershy held her fore hooves over her chest.

“Well, I just wanted to show you something.” Fluttershy pointed upwards. Rainbow Dash looked out at the horizon. Slowly but surely the sun was rising. “It’s pretty. I mean, with everything we’ve been through. Its good to see. Isn’t it?” she asked. Rainbow Dash tilted her head up as the warm rays of the sun reached her face.

“I guess it is. Better a few hours late than never.”

“You bet.”

Rainbow Dash lept off Fluttershy in surprise again. For what seemed like the millionth time Pinkie had snuck up on her. “What did I just say!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. Pinkie turned her eyes at the sun and started playing with her mane.

“Opsie.” Applejack and Rarity trotted by Rainbow Dash’s side, Rarity helping Fluttershy onto her haunches.

“I hope this means our luck improving.” Rarity said at the sight of the sun. “Have Twilight and Spike returned?” However the lack of a response from Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy was really all Rarity needed.

“Well I reckon they’ll be here. They still got a few minutes before we have to go looking for em.” Applejack suggested. Knowing Twi she’d freakin out about being late. That’ll stop her and Spike from gettin’ behind schedule. The group gathered on the station platform for the next few minutes. Eventually Fluttershy noticed Rarity wasn’t even looking out at the town, but down at her hooves.

“I’m worried about Sweetie Belle too.” Fluttershy calmly said. Rarity smiled back, feeling thankful for her support.

“Thank you, darling. I just hope Sweetie isn’t alone out there. Going away from Ponyville when she is still out there isn’t right.” Rarity brought up. Applejack let out a little sigh.

“Ah know what ya mean. Though knowin’ mah sister and Scootaloo thar probably together by now. They have to be. Ah hope.” Applejack suggested. Rainbow Dash flew overhead to get a better look at the town. She looked in the direction the town’s hot air balloon was kept, but found it was gone.

“Well that figures.” She looked back at the others. “Oh, just noticing the way for you to get to Cloudsdale is going to be harder.” Rainbow Dash tapped her hooves togther. “Still, I guess Cloudsdale is probably a ghost town by now.” Pinkie stood up, having another idea.

“Oh! I know! All the zombie ponies fell through the clouds.” She suggested. Applejack raised an eyebrow.

“Pegasus trotters can still fly.” She reminded. Pinkie shrugged.

“Well that doesn’t mean they can stand on clouds anymore.” True this was all based on a hunch but Pinkie thought it was the most likely thing to expect. “Hey look its Twilight and Spike!” She noticed. Surely enough Twilight flew down from the sky, landing in the middle of the group. She started panting as Spike lept off her back.

“Sorry I’m late. We didn’t make you worried did you? Because it is only by a few seconds but I am the one who suggested….” Twilight stammered, but found her mouth stuffed with Applejack’s hoof.

“Relax, Twi. We aren’t goin’ to notice a few seconds.” She reassured. Pinkie’s eyes shifted away, since she did notice.

“Well, perhaps we should get moving.” Twilight replied. However Pinkie noticed somepony heading towards the train station.

“Some pony’s coming!” she mentioned. The others turned towards the approaching ponies, which turned out to be Trixie and Thunderlane. Twilight gulped before addressing the two.

“What are you doing out of the castle? It’s not safe in the town just yet.” Twilight asked. Trixie stomped her hoof.

“So you’re just going to leave? How is Trixie supposed to keep herself safe from the undead?” Trixie brought up. “Perhaps Trixie has been away from Ponyville for too long, but a town needs leadership.” She explained. Rainbow Dash folded her fore legs and looked at Thunderlane.

“Do you have a problem too?” Rainbow Dash asked. Thunderlane stammered nervously, having hoping he wouldn’t have to talk to her directly.

“Its just having the entire Council of Friendship away from the town during a crisis doesn’t seem right.” He finally stated. Twilight found that hard to argue with. But then she remembered when having a similar discussion with her friends before, and ultimately came to the conclusion that they needed each other.

“I understand you’re worried. But please, we have every intention of watching over the town. But we need to get other survivors. That’s why we’re going.” Twilight explained. Thunderlane turned to Trixie.

“See everything’s fine lets go.” He said as fast as he could. However Trixie put her hoof on his chest to stop him from going anywhere.

“Now hold up. What about what happens while your gone? Trixie cannot defend herself against large numbers of undead. Trixie cannot live among townsponies and expect to survive.” She argued. Twilight had to tilt her head, having not expected that response of all things.

“Trixie. Staying together is exactly what will keep you alive. You have to trust me on this.” Twilight looked back at her friends. “I used to think otherwise. But I was wrong.” Trixie sighed, taking off her wizard’s hat.

“Very well. I’ll listen.” Trixie said. Thunderlane breathed a sigh of relief.

“Then we won’t keep you. Good luck out there.” He chimed in. Fluttershy stuck her head out.

“You too.” Fluttershy replied. Thunderlane smiled. A groan caught the group’s attention. A pair of zombie ponies was trotting towards the train station. Twilight looked at Trixie, who nodded back.

The train started moving. Twilight and Pinkie looked out the window of their passenger car. The zombie pony horde was trotting after the train, though were barely able to keep up with the train as it gained speed. However the sight of Mrs. Cake in the horde made Pinkie retreat back into the passenger car. Twilight sighed as she heard Pinkie talking to the Cake Twins.

“It’s ok. Don’t cry. Pinkie Pie will take care of you. I’ll be your mommy and daddy.” Twilight put her fore legs against the window. Some princess I turned out to be. Twilight’s stomach turned. Last she checked there were around four thousand inhabitants of Ponyville, and now there was less than twenty. Twilight was about to turn away from the window when she noticed something stuck in the ground. It was a zombified filly with a golden coat. Twilight cringed as she remembered something this very filly said on the previous Nightmare Night.

But I wanted to be a zombie next year!