The Trotting Dead 2 : Neon Nights

Silver Spoon openly wailed and let tears cloud her glasses as she held onto Vinyl, determined as she was to never let her Mom go again. Octavia too held her wife, though her tears ran silent instead. Everypony else stood content to the side, knowing all too well by now how family news could make or break a survivor nowadays.

Vinyl stroked the manes of Octavia and Silver, her own tears falling into them as she did, for at least thirty minutes before she allowed herself to try and push them off a small bit. Once they acknowledged her movement, Octavia and Silver each released her and stood back a bit to simply revel in the fact that she really was standing before them, alive.

“I don’t think I’ll ever have the proper words to tell you both how I feel right now. To see you both alive after everything I’ve seen out there… I don’t think I realized how much I was really relying on you being here until right now.” Vinyl smiled at her wife and daughter, glad to see that joy really could still exist here at the end.

“We thought you were long dead Vinyl. I… It feels like a dream to see you and hear your voice again. I’d already resigned myself to it weeks before now. I’m so sorry Vinyl. I’m so sorry…” Octavia stifled her own voice as she galloped forward and held Vinyl again, her tears renewed.

“Mom… I didn’t wanna see you again because I thought you’d be a Trotter. I didn’t want Mommy or Fluttershy or Ne-… or Anypony else to see that. But now they can see how great you are themselves without my old boring stories.” Silver Spoon earnestly grinned at anypony nearby, though more tears still sat at the edges of her eyes, showing the true depth of her feelings.

At this point, Octavia released Vinyl and trotted over to give Silver a hug instead. This hug was far shorter than the one she had just given Vinyl, but everypony present knew that it had just as useful a cause. Once Octavia finished her embrace with Silver, Rarity trotted back over to the crowd, with Fluttershy and the stallion they’d been coercing with on either side.

Vinyl steadied her eyes as she prepared to meet some of the group of ponies who had been forced to so immediately allow her and her friends into their haven not even an hour ago. Rarity jutted her chin up at Derpy and Flitter, both of whom flew over and stood on Vinyl’s left as Rarity pivoted around to stand at Vinyl’s right.

The stallion with the black face mask trotted up to stand directly in front of Vinyl, with Fluttershy touching back down on the ground to his left and another mare, one who had a bright red and twirled mane, trotting up next to him on his right. The stallion slowly raised a hoof and shifted back his face mask, so he could speak clearly.

“I must say I’m only partially surprised at your sudden appearance here. Fluttershy always manages to bring back at least one thing we thought was lost to the Trotters long ago. That includes other ponies that she deems trustworthy. One of our rules is that if she trusted you enough to bring you here, then we trust you well enough to keep our weapons sheathed around you without good reason. And judging from that moment you just had with Octavia and Silver Spoon, you’ve clearly got pre-established relationships here. I’d be a monster to throw you all out, especially after I saw your filly and the blade Rarity there carries.” The stallion explained, a smile on his face as his cerulean eyes observed each of the new ponies in turn.

Vinyl stayed silent, intent to make sure this stallion was finished before she chimed in her two bits, even if it meant having to limit her time with Octy and Silver for the time being. A short moment of silence later, the stallion smiled wider and lifted his right front hoof up to offer it to Vinyl.

“I’m Shining Armor. You’ve already met Fluttershy, and the other beauty here is Candy Twirl. Welcome to the Lakefront, the last remnant of Fillydelphia.” Shining Armor gestured about with his other hoof as Vinyl steadily took his hoof in hers, ready and willing to trust this stallion with the lives of her friends and her family.

***

“And that massive bus over there belongs to Mr. Breezy, Ms. Peachbottom, Hayseed Turnip Truck, and Lemon Daze. All of them lost their families, so they find comfort living together in a small area. That about covers the Lakefront. Any questions?” Candy Twirl perked her ears up in preparation as she finished showing Rarity, Flitter, and Vinyl around the camp. Derpy and Octavia had taken Silver and Dinky off to play and sleep, as they hadn’t done either much in the past few months.

“So you have… 17 ponies here total excluding us?” Flitter chimed in, mentally re-checking everypony’s names.

“Yep. Me, Shining, Flutters, Breezy, Peachy, Hayseed, Lemon, Cobbler, Ace, Concerto, Ginger, Hazel, Hay Fever, Millie, Salt, Turf and Promontory. Only Ace, Concerto, Millie, and Peachy were living in Fillydelphia beforehand. Fluttershy, Breezy, myself, and Shining trickled in from the Empire, while Hayseed, Lemon, Cobbler, and Salt came from Appleloosa. Concerto, Ginger, Hazel, and Hay are Manehattan. Turf and Promontory came alone, with Turf from Las Pegasus and Promontory from the Smokey Mountains.” Candy explained, waving to ponies in turn as she did.

“Wait… I didn’t hear Neon’s name. Where’s Neon?” Vinyl hastily asked Candy, causing her to stumble in her step and come to an abrupt stop a short distance ahead.

Rarity shifted the weight of her sword about as she stopped on Vinyl’s right side, while Flitter narrowed her eyes as she stopped on Vinyl’s left.

Almost shaking, Candy slowly turned herself around until she was looking directly at Vinyl, fear and anger in her eyes.

“Neon Lights you mean? ... He’s gone. Almost 4 months ago now. “ Candy almost spit Neon’s name out of her lips, taking a deep breath a moment later.

Vinyl lifted her sunglasses to rest atop her mane, confusion the clearest readable expression on her. Rarity pawed the ground for a moment, while Flitter flapped her wings.

“…Gone? You mean…he became a Trotter?” Vinyl almost begged Candy for an answer, Neon’s sullen face appearing in her mind as she did.

“No. Gone. He left the Lakefront. Took two mares, Ambrosia and Film Reel, and a colt, Chip Mint, with him. Good riddance to him. The end… changed him.” Candy explained, shivering at the end and turning her head away from Vinyl.

Vinyl felt anger boil up in her, but just as she opened her mouth to retort, Flitter placed a hoof on her haunches and shook her head. Calming down minutely, Vinyl composed herself for one last question to Candy Twirl.

“I… see. I can tell this is hard to talk about for you, so do you know somepony else who might give me all the details?” Vinyl intensely stared down Candy for a moment, before the mare faced her with a dead look in her eyes.

“Try Shining, Ace, Promontory, or Millie. But for the love of Celestia, don’t ask Octavia.” Candy Twirl hastily whispered to Vinyl, before galloping off, leaving Vinyl with more questions than she’d ever had on her mind before.

***

Vinyl and Rarity trotted alone over to a small teepee that stood a distance away from the rest of the camp and more into the forest, with a small trench in the ground around it and clothes strung about it on branches that nearly enveloped the teepee itself. A purple mare stood in the center, currently sectioning apples with a knife held delicately in her mouth.

Vinyl knew her whole group ought to know the fate of her friend Neon, but she figured she’d best find out all the details herself first. Taking Derpy and Flitter away after finally giving Dinky a day to be a filly again would be cruel too. Having Rarity at her side helped Vinyl as she knew she could count on the mare for support whether the news was gruesome or hopeful.

“You’re Millie right? I’m Vinyl Scratch. My group came in yesterday. The quiet one here is Rarity. She’s one of mine.” Vinyl called out somewhat cheerily towards the mare she was about to question.

Millie calmly twitched her ears in response, and hastily stabbed the knife down onto the board she was using to reply. Swishing her mane back, Millie turned around, showing a gentle smile on her face as well as a scar that ran diagonally across her face from the top left of her forehead to the right base of her neck.

“Like I didn’t pay attention to the newbies arriving. Welcome to my home. If this was still the old world, I’d ask if you needed anything of me, but the way we live now, we all need everything out of everypony. I’ll still ask just what you’re needing though.” Millie sweetly said, though Vinyl and Rarity both detected an element of exhaustion in her voice, and it sounded slightly strained, as though she didn’t speak often.

Vinyl lifted her sunglasses up and looked to Rarity who nodded in turn, a look of melancholy and expectation on her face.

“I need to know what happened to Neon Lights. He was my friend before all this, and Candy Twirl told me I could ask you.” Vinyl deliberately got her point across, as time was of the essence if Neon was out in the world.

Millie swallowed uneasily and a look of hatred adorned her muzzle. Breathing in deeply and exhaling, she looked Vinyl square in the eyes to answer.

“Didn’t want to bug Shining Armor eh? I don’t blame you. He’s stretched to the limit with this group and wondering about his wife and sister. Telling this tale again might just make him lose it. Ace is still pretty mad too, and Promontory just doesn’t like to speak, so I guess I’m the last sensible option.” Millie began, walking over to a small tub and shoving her head in so she could wake herself up properly.

“What do you mean? What could Neon do to make him a poniriah like this?” Vinyl cautiously asked as Millie slicked her wet mane off of her muzzle.

“How’s stealing and attempted rape for you?” Millie narrowed her eyes as she answered Vinyl, seeing her and Rarity’s eyes widen with shock.

“….what?” Vinyl quietly asked, barely above a whisper, a look of horror on her face.

“It’s a long story Vinyl, and I only know the worst parts. I guarantee you don’t want to know it all though, and the only pony who could share won’t. You both ought to choose a comfy seat. I’ll have to break on occasion because of my throat. This’ll explain that too.” Millie swallowed as she laid down on her bed just as Vinyl took a seat on her one chair and Rarity sat back on her haunches, looks of fascination on both their faces.

***

“I don’t know why you put up with this whole ‘One-Leader-for-us-All’ thing Octavia. Shining Armor was only Royalty by marriage. He’s got no real right to lead us now.” Neon angrily spit at the ground as he peeled potatoes for their dinner.

“He was also Captain of the Royal Guard if you’ll remember Neon. Besides, he cares about all of us. He’s a good leader. Vinyl would support him.” Octavia cast her eyes down as she thought of her wife again, tears bubbling up for only a second as she cleaned Silver Spoon’s spare glasses.

Neon opened his muzzle to retort, but bit his tongue as he saw Octavia look heartbroken yet again over the fate of her hospitalized honey.

“You’re right. Sorry for that Octavia. I don’t know why this stuff gets to me sometimes. I guess after a month or so more here I’ll be fully adapted to this group.” Neon exhaled weakly as he saw Octavia raise her head up again and nod at him, a smile on her features now.

Neon smiled in turn and quickly levitated all his now peeled potatoes before him, directing a nearby knife through them to dice them into slices for an easier meal than a whole potato.

“I’m heading out to grab more water for the group. It’s my turn. I’ll tell Silver that supper’s ready though on my way.” Neon called out as he waved one hoof behind him after placing the last peeled and diced slice potato onto a large plate on Octavia’s crude table.

**

“I-I jus’ don’ git why Octy… I mean it’s been 2 and a half months since she d-died…” Neon hiccupped at Octavia on his back from beside her bed, drunk off stolen cider rations.

“Because it’s wrong Neon! I’m not going to sleep with you just because you think it’ll clear you conscience about Vinyl and your place in the camp! She will always be my only lover, and Silver Spoon doesn’t need this either. I think you’d better go.” Octavia glared at Neon, tears in her eyes as she held a sheet over her form.

Neon looked heartbroken for a moment, but a few seconds later, a dark smile appeared on his lips as he whipped his sunglasses off, thumping them against the ground as his magic faltered. Neon revealed heavily bloodshot eyes, one with a chalky white pupil and another with a pupil that looked pure black in the night, and only slightly more visible in the day.

Continuing to smile, Neon trotted out of Octavia and Silver Spoon’s tent, crushing his own glasses as he did. Octavia stared after him for a few moments, then began to cry openly, keeping all her lamps lit in case Neon dared try again.

**

“Ungh!” Ambrosia cried as Neon continued to pound into her from behind, again and again, each thrust more powerful than the last.

Film Reel sat a distance away, rubbing herself in earnest, hoping Neon would choose her to receive his next load of cum, as he had already promised this one to Ambrosia.

Neon’s anger at Octavia’s rebuff constantly hardened him and provided him with even more stamina and power to continuously fill his two mares full of his seed. Reaching forward with one hoof, Neon began to choke Ambrosia as his magic reefed on her mane.

Film Reel rubbed herself ever harder as Ambrosia’s pussy juices began to squelch at Neon’s thrusting, indicating climax was near for them both.

“Take it bitch!” Neon yelled as he buried his dick deep into Ambrosia, expelling his semen directly into her uterus not a moment later.

“Guah!” Ambrosia came as Neon coated her insides, her eyes rolling back and drool dripping earnestly from her mouth as she did.

Film Reel smiled in ecstasy as Neon removed his dick from Ambrosia and loosed his hoof and magic’s grip on her, causing her to fall flat on the ground where she had stood seconds before, heaving in ecstasy as her pussy slowly let drip their combined fluids.

“Let’s get onto Round 2 Film Reel.” Neon commanded as he shoved his dick into her mouth, where she earnestly began to suck it and rub herself ever harder.

Neon’s dark smile showed anew as Film Reel spit out his dick and presented herself to him, her lips spread wide to receive him and his seed.

**

“You son of a Changeling. I’ll have your head for this.” Ace sneered through his teeth as he felt the cool edge of the hatchets at his throat press closer.

“Go ahead and try. I’ll have yours first you filthy mule. But at least you’re a hoarder, so some good can come of you.” Neon calmly called back as he rummaged through Ace’s belonging, taking anything he saw as useful or valuable.

Film Reel and Ambrosia both felt their knees weakened as Neon showed his dominance yet again after their previous two nights. They kept the grip on their hatchets steady all the same though.

10 minutes later, after Neon had collected all of Ace’s food and water, his various weights and clothes, as well as any jewellery he had kept from his wife and sisters, Neon bound him in rope and gagged him with his own apple.

Film Reel and Ambrosia adorned themselves in some of the stolen jewellery, and trotted out behind Neon, giggling at what they had just done to Ace’s life.

**

“Daddy!” Chip Mint cried out for a moment before Film Reel clamped his muzzle shut, tears welling up in the colt’s eyes as he saw his father beaten in front of him.

“You have a fine colt Promontory. That’s why I’m taking him with me.” Neon smirked as Promontory glared at him again, right before Neon bucked his face yet again.

Ambrosia filtered through all of Promontory’s belongings as Neon cut him along each rib with his sharpest knife. As Ambrosia grabbed the last valuable thing Promontory had, a set of iron work shoes, and trotted back to join Film Reel and Chip Mint, Neon stabbed Promontory in the haunch with his knife and seared it in with his magic.

Turning to Chip Mint a minute later and wiping any memory of his true mother and father, Neon smiled again at his handiwork as his new ‘son’ looked at him for the first time.

**

“Ahh!” Millie cried out in pain as the knife slid across her face and neck, providing the easy foundation for a lifelong scar.

Neon stood above the mare, two bandoliers of black leather across his chest, a dozen blades in each bandolier. His eyes appeared glazed over, but they also showed immense focus on the task at hand. Neon licked his lips as he spun the now blood covered knife in his magic.

“I gave you a chance to join me Millie. Now you can tell the other whores here what happens when they say ‘No’. But… maybe stay quiet for now bitch.” Neon smiled maniacally as he stomped down one hoof on Millie’s throat.

Millie felt all the air in her lungs flood out of her immediately after Neon’s hoof left her throat. Seconds later, she coughed up a puddle of blood a few feet away as Neon left her tent at last, laughing and throwing down the knife he had cut Millie with.

**

“What did you say Neon?” Shining Armor barely held his temper as Neon stood before him, with Ambrosia and Film Reel beside him, and the colt Chip Mint hidden behind him.

“I said I’m leaving Shining, because you’re such a bucking incompetent leader. And I’m taking all the supplies me and my ladies have on us, if that’s no issue.” Neon taunted Shining Armor as he drew six knives and placed them all against Shining’s throat.

Shining Armor glared at Neon with bloodthirsty eyes, while Neon merely licked his lips in anticipation, a maniacal smile on his face.

“If you leave like this Neon, you’re never coming back. And if you even try, we’ll kill you.” Shining Armor promised Neon, his days as Captain of the Guard reminding him how to frighten a lesser soldier into listening.

“Oh I’ll never come back to this dump. And you’re not welcome at MY new camp either buddy. If any of the curvaceous mares here want to come though, you can tell em to walk for a day east, and I’ll have one of mine meet them and take em all. The. Way.” Neon winked at
Shining, laughing maniacally a moment later as he pivoted and trotted towards the closest path through the forest, his twisted followers three trots behind him.

As Shining Armor nodded to the current Guards to let them pass, the knives at his neck retracted and flew after their master, the aura about them shifting from aqua-marine to a blinding white as they did.

**

“And that’s Neon’s twisted tale. You can see why nopony likes to talk about him now.” Millie finished, breathing a little heavy from speaking so much.

A look of incredulity adorned Rarity’s face clearly. Rarity turned to see what her cousin thought of this, only to see her bowed head. When Vinyl at last looked up, immense anger and immeasurable pain was plastered across her face.

“Everypony was right. The end changed Neon. He’s not the stallion I could call my friend anymore. I promise you this Millie. I’ll make him pay. For you. For Octavia. For Ace. For Promontory and Chip. For everypony, Neon has to suffer. And to have closure… Neon has to die.” Vinyl spoke with absolute certainty, scaring and inspiring both Rarity and Millie greatly.