The dusty road was still, and the wind blew a stray tumbleweed across the ground. Flies fed on a dead deer, and the heat just made the stench worse. The city nearby was crumbling, decaying from years of neglect and punishment. The plains of Equestria were still, save the few infected or occasional wildlife. A few deer were grazing by a dirty pond, and they pricked their ears up. Something was coming. The undead men rose to their feet, sniffing the air. The smell of blood and flesh made them hunger, and they gazed in the direction of the aroma. Dust rose up from the road, and the rumbling noise got louder. Then it disappeared behind the dip in the road. After a few seconds, a car appeared over the dip, and a gunshot sounded. An infected dropped, his head rolling to the side, his neck severed. The other infected on the road stood still, and in result got run over. A Chevrolet Suburban flew down the road, and the passengers cheered.

"Nice one AJ!" Rainbow Dash looked at her friend with new found respect.

"Well," said Applejack. "it's nothin' much. I learned since Ah was old enough ta walk."

Twilight rolled her eyes, and Rarity stifled a giggle. The girls had been traveling for two years, since the outbreak started. Their homes and families had either been killed in the bombing, executed by gangs, or infected. Nothing was left for them there now. They had taken Applejack's car, scavenged guns from around the town, and left their pasts behind. Survival was the main objective now, and the threat of death was higher than ever. They had been driving for hours, searching for the EDAU base, and hadn't found any sign. The name had been a kind of joke, as the first title was Equestrian Infected Individuals Containment Facility, but that quickly changed with the amount of infected. Now, the EDAU was the largest military force in Equestrian history.

Twilight polished her M4 carbine, until every inch shone in the fading sunlight. Her reflection stared back at her, and she fixed her hair, regardless of her situation. Rainbow Dash was driving the car, and Spike was huddled up next to Rarity, sleeping. Fluttershy was inspecting a .45 semi-automatic, a present from her parents in case an emergency occurred. Pinkie had a pink and white colored M16, and confetti was stuck to the stock. Rainbow Dash's Vector .45 ACP was on a rack attached to the ceiling. Another infected was on the road ahead, and Applejack leaned out the window. She held her Colt Diamondback out the window and fired, dropping the infected with a shot to the head.

"Ah got 'em again!" said Applajack. "Ah think all that trainin' with Dash paid off in the long run."

"Yeah, just make sure ya don't aim that thing towards me." Rainbow glanced at the weapon, and Applejack suddenly realized she let her wrist move. She blushed, putting the gun down.

"Well," said Rarity. "I simply don't see the entertainment in killing. It's bad enough they're infected, but they were also someone's mother or father..." Rarity's eyes dropped to the floor, remembering her family, killed by the bombs. A tear fell on the floor of the car, and Rarity shut her eyes. Applejack and Twilight understood, and spoke quietly now. They needed to go over the plan again.

"So, first stop is the EDAU base, over here. We should be able to find food, shelter, and protection for a few days, maybe a few weeks. From what I gathered, their base is almost impenetrable. They should have ammunition there, and if we're sneaky enough, we can... borrow some without them noticing. Then, we head to Cloudsdale, Rainbow wants to see if her home survived. She also wants to try and find Spitfire, but it may prove difficult. There are gangs in Cloudsdale, and it's a big target for thieves and other survivors because of the city's walls. They were built so that exiled residents couldn't return, but there is an entry point... here, by the pipe. And then we should go to Ponyville, see what we can find there. And finally, I want to go to Canterlot. I have something personal to do..."

"Hey Twi, coming up on the EDAU base. Better wrap it up."

They looked out the window, and saw she was right. A massive concrete structure, lined with barbed wire, rose into the sky, and towers overlooked the surrounding area. A dozen guards or so could be seen running to their posts, weapons ready to fire. As they drove up the dirt path, they saw the emblem of Equestria above the entrance. A unicorn, a pegasus, and a horse. They symbolized the races of the lands, though in equine form. Rumors had stated this was because there was an alternate Equestria, one where pastel colored horses lived in harmony with one another. The car stopped, and a soldier came to the window.

"State your business."

Twilight sat up, looking at the guard. "Hello, I'm Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends. We're here to seek supplies, and lodgings if you can offer them."

"How many are there in your vehicle?"

"Seven," said Twilight. "including the sleeping boy."

The guard wrote something on his clipboard, and looked to the other guards. They nodded, and he went around the vehicle, looking for any hidden weapons or illegal objects. Finding none, he returned to the window. "Alright, step out of the car slowly, and put your backs to the wall. Mandatory search. Can't have anyone sabotaging our base."

They understood, and got out. Spike had woken up from the noise, and followed their lead. Once lined up, the guards searched them, and found their handguns. "Were you aware that we could have you questioned for this? You need to take more care. But you'll slip by this once, as the princess appears to know you."

Twilight's eyes brightened. "The princess is here? Princess Celestia?"

"Yes," said the guard. "Come inside, you need to go through the decontamination chamber, then you will be escorted to her office."

Once inside, the guard led them through several long hallways, each appearing the same as the last. Concrete and steel walls surrounded them, and small windows allowed them to look outside. The floor was made of concrete as well, making their feet ache. But they soon arrived at the chamber. The guard stepped to the side, almost hurriedly, and instructed the to enter. Once they'd been scrubbed, he led them through several more hallways, past a chemical facility, and finally to a big hall. The walls were lined with pictures of Equestria before the bombs, and it filled their eyes with tears. They didn't drop, but they were there. They finally reached a set of doors at the end of the room, and pushed open the doors, revealing a lovely office. The walls here were white painted oak instead of concrete, and a waterfall sat in the corner, specially built into the wall. The seats were yellow velvet, and the floor was a soft yellow and white carpet, a picture of a sun crossed with a moon on it. It must be her, though Twilight. The door at the other side of the room was heavy, and made of steel. They swung open, revealing a room similar to the one they were just in. They stepped into the room, unsure of what awaited, and looked about. A picture of Celestia, gun over her head and sun at her back, stood on the wall. She looked older than they remembered, and the guard saluted.

"Visitors, Your Highness. It seems to be Princess Twilight."

The chair at the back swung around, and Twilight gasped. Sitting, in white and yellow armor, was Princess Celestia. She looked at the visitors, and her eyes lit up like stars. She stood up, rubbing her eyes in disbelief, and said. "It's really you then, Twilight?"

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The two women embraced, and tears ran down their cheeks. The others stepped back to give them space, and Celestia looked in Twilight's eyes. "I thought you would be alive. One of my students could survive hell and high water. Speaking of hell, you need to tell me of your journey, and we can do this over food. Guard, please tell the kitchen staff to prepare a meal, then you and the rest of the soldiers can eat as well."

The guard bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."

They walked to the mess hall in silence, not wanting to speak until seats were available, as their stories were sure to be long. The cafeteria was the normal gray concrete, and the floors squeaked under their shoes. The food was hot, and smelled of the past, making their eyes water more. They talked of the events leading up to now, and shockingly Celestia began to shed tears.

"You girls must have been exhausted, and you too, Spike."

The boy hardly talked these days, but found a few words to speak. "Yeah, it's been rough. I feel so tired these days, like sleep just wants to hold me forever." He put his head on his hands again, closing his eyes. Celestia looked at him, slightly worried.

"Do you know if he's infected?" said Celestia. "Has he been bitten, scratched, or otherwise put in contact with an infected individual?"

Twilight shook her head. "No, we travel most of the time. And now, princess, could we please stay here for a while? Rest would help quite a bit."

Celestia nodded, and led them to a set of chambers, each furnished with bunks and drawers. Small windows let the last rays of sunlight in the rooms, and the six women thanked the princess. Spike was already sleeping heavily, and Celestia closed the doors.

As she walked away, she thought of the past, when she and Twilight would sit together, studying. She missed those times, and felt she'd give anything in the world to have those days back again. She remembered how Twilight helped her defeat their past enemies, and longed for one day where she could just sit with her student and a glass of tea, reading a good book. All in faded days. She found herself at the front gates, and looked at the last light of day sink below the horizon. Thinking of Luna was a bad idea. Her sister was alive, she knew that, but where exactly was she? Only time could tell. She saw, in the sky, one lonely star. It reminded of herself during her time as sole ruler of Equestria. One thought crossed her mind. If this epidemic wasn't stopped, if there really was no cure, or end to it all, what would happen to the country? Would it just simply cease to exist? One could only wonder, and right now, wondering seemed to be the only thin g she did these days. It would be a welcome respite if it would all just end, they found a cure, and civilization could rebuild itself.

But that seemed far off, even impossible, as she looked around at the desolate landscape. How could one possibly hope to construct such a ruined land? It would take years, even decades or centuries, to be close to what it was. And all she could do for now was wait, and try to figure everything out. She took one last look at the horizon, thinking of the future, and headed to her chambers. The light faded after that, and then the lights came on. The night had started, and the infected would roam. No one was safe tonight, and she slept in a troubled, yet deep, sleep.

Author's Note

First chapter for this story, expect many more. This shall be my biggest project yet, and many trials lay in store for our selection of surviving sausages. I hope to one day have this little pile of cradoobadadack into a series, if all goes well.
And expect some random moments also.