Chapters The Trotting Dead 2 : Neon Nights
Part 1 : Less Than Expected
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
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.
The Trotting Dead 2 : Neon Nights
“I don’t trust this Vinyl” Flitter chimed in, a piece of wheat in her teeth, her hatchet in her right front hoof, and her spear at her side, as it was her turn on guard duty next.
“There’s not really a whole lot to go on. Nopony took him up on his offer after all.” Derpy added, not looking away from her stitching as she put the last touches on Dinky’s new dress.
“Are you saying that we just ignore the threat altogether?” Vinyl huffed slightly, her sunglasses resting on top of her low hanging bangs, which had only just begun to creep over her eyes.
A torn map of Equestria was spread out across the back hatch of Flitter and Derpy’s caravan, which Shining Armor had given to them 5 weeks ago once they’d proven their worth and he’d realized that Dinky was sharing a bed with Silver Spoon. Rocks held each corner of the map in place, while everything past Ghastly Gorge was missing from the map with moths have eaten away the edges near the Badlands even more.
“A days walk east of here would put somepony at the edge of Foal Mountains. We passed them on the Rambling Rock Ridge side while we were heading to Fillydelphia, and I guarantee I neither saw nor sensed anypony else for 120 meters in any direction, including up the mountains.” Rarity spoke up, shifting her katana more comfortably onto her haunches as she did, still never feeling safe enough to go anywhere without her salvage from the Diamond Dogs.
“You said this yourself Rare; There could’ve been somepony on the other side of the mountains just outside your sensing range. Neon’s parting words are the best clue we have to finding that bastard and making him pay for what he did.” Vinyl retorted, her eyes widening with hope as she did.
Fluttershy sat to the side, her helmet shifted low over her eyes, as she sat whittling more arrows out of the cut down Plunder Roots that now littered across Equestria. After carefully attaching 4 arrowheads to her black arrows, she removed her helmet and trotted over to the others, placing her hoof on the marker of Hollow Shades.
“I’ve scouted to just outside Baltimare and Manehattan a few times, but I actually made it into Hollow Shades twice. Both times I could swear I wasn’t alone, and that feeling doesn’t come from Trotters. If Neon really does send out Scouts to look for new recruits for his ‘community’, he’d likely have them camp there at night for the safety the un-collapsed buildings there offer. It’s not a whole lot more to go on than we already have, but I have to think it’s something.” Fluttershy sighed as she saw Vinyl’s eyes narrow in anticipation.
“That’s another clue in our favor.” Vinyl smiled as she stared intensely at Hollow Shades on their map, as though willing herself to travel there by thought alone.
“It’s a guess at best Vinyl. In any case, we need a proper team if we really want to undertake this. We could just go and ask Shining Arm-“ Flitter began, only to have Vinyl look up at her with unspeakable pain in eyes.
“I can’t involve Shining Armor in this. He’d tell everypony, and Octy and Silver would find out. They’ve dealt with the issue of Neon enough. This is our job.” Vinyl firmly said, leaving no room for debate.
Rarity closed her eyes and breathed heavily for a moment, while Derpy simply kept her focus on sewing. Fluttershy loaded all two dozen of her new arrows into her quiver, and trotted up next to Vinyl, swishing her mane back as she did.
“We still can’t do this with just us Vinyl. I don’t want Derpy and Flitter leaving Dinky behind. We can’t ask Candy Twirl either since she’s too involved here. It would all raise more questions than it would alleviate. I’ll talk to Millie, Turf, Promontory, Lemon Hearts, and Hayseed Turnip Truck. Promontory and Hayseed are our best Trackers, and Turf and Lemon each got a more detailed offer from Neon. Millie has personal stakes in this, and she’s better to bring with us than Ace. He’s more use here and if we leave one of the ponies Neon hurt behind, it can keep Shining and Candy from finding us out too quickly. “ Fluttershy smiled at Vinyl as she trotted away, seeing her smile mirrored on Vinyl’s face before she turned away to go hunting for the group yet again.
***
“Alright everypony. The time has come for our monthly foray into Fillydelphia. The herds have grown larger since the last time we dared to go into the city, but we need supplies, and the lack of looting in the Trotter heavy areas is our best bet. Myself and Fluttershy will lead this mission. We need 5 more ponies. Who’s going to volunteer?” Shining Armor called out over the crowd of gathered ponies in the Lakefront.
Candy Twirl, Vinyl, Rarity, Concerto, Ace, Hay Fever, Apple Cobbler, Hazel Harvest and Ginger Gold all raised hooves, and looked at each other in turn. Fluttershy looked happy at the number of volunteers, but Shining Armor sighed and shook his head side to side.
“I’m glad everypony is so willing, but we can’t leave the Lakefront that empty. Rarity, Cobbler, Candy, and Ginger. You stay behind. I need a medic, good fighters, and a leader in case things go south in Fillydelphia or a situation arises here and you’re left without, so I trust you won’t let me down in either eventuality.” Shining Armor solemnly told everypony, eliciting disappointed nods and relieved sighs all about the camp.
“You have 1 hour to prepare. We leave then, no matter what.” Fluttershy stared at each volunteer in turn, making sure they understood the danger and importance of the mission they were about to embark on.
Vinyl turned to Octavia and smiled at her wife, who returned it with interest. Nuzzling her shortly after, Octavia guided Vinyl back to their tent, while Silver Spoon, who had grown over a foot taller in the year since the outbreak, galloped behind her mothers, intent to stay with them both as long as she could.
“Good thing Fluttershy gave us an hour. I can trim those ghastly bangs of yours before they prevent you from seeing a Trotter right in front of you.” Octavia giggled while Vinyl huffed as she took a seat on her haunches on the bed, with Silver Spoon jumping up to join her mom a moment later.
“You’re right Octy. I let em get too long already. I just wanted you to like the punk rocker look.” Vinyl winked at Octavia, who swished her tail in response with a smile.
“I like your bangs Mom.” Silver Spoon chided in, nuzzling her mom as well.
Vinyl held her daughter and enjoyed her warmth, as her stomach silently held the fear that she’d never hold her daughter again. Octavia solemnly looked at the two most important mares in the whole of Equestria to her. Holding back tears, Octavia steadied herself as she plopped a stool in front of Vinyl, scissors in hoof.
“I know that you’re looking into Neon Vinyl.” Octavia hastily blurted out, hoping to soften the blow some.
Silver Spoon held her mom tighter in responses and Vinyl’s eyes widened in shock for a second.
“I have to find him Octy. I have to settle this. Nopony threatens you, Silver, or the camp and gets away with it.” Vinyl tensed her muscles, making Silver Spoon groan slightly, which made Vinyl instantly relax herself again.
“But why should it have to be you? Neon was your friend before all this.” Octavia silently pleaded her mate to avoid hunting the one whose lust was never ending.
Vinyl sat silent for a moment, as did everypony else, the only noise being the scissors snipping as Vinyl’s bangs disappeared entirely. As the last of her bangs fell loose of her mane, Vinyl looked Ocvtavia directly in the eyes, hardened determination in every inch of them.
“It has to be me Octavia. My death is what caused him to become this way, and it’s my return that has to end it.” Vinyl lifted Octavia’s chin as she looked to the ground in response, embracing her in a passionate kiss a moment later, knowing this was all the explanation Octavia would ever need.
As her mother’s shared a kiss, Silver Spoon hugged them both, tears in her eyes for the bravery of them both, and constant fear that neither would be there to hold her again in a few minutes.
***
“You can count on me to track that bastard Fluttershy. If there’s any trace of him out in that rotting world, I’ll find it. And I’ll break one of his bones for every day he’s taken Chip from me.” Promontory nodded at Fluttershy as he trotted away, back to his large and empty cart, anger the clearest emotion on his face.
Fluttershy looked over her should to see Rarity watching her from a meditative stance. Nodding at her, Rarity nudged her head slightly and closed her eyes, creating the illusion they’d never seen each other at all just then.
As Fluttershy took to the air to head to the agreed meeting place for the outing to Fillydelphia, she dropped a green apple down to Turf, Hayseed, and Millie, their agreed signal that another would join their mission. For safe measure, Fluttershy also gave Apples to Ginger, Ol’ Salt, and Apple Cobbler to make it look like just a stroke of good supplies she shared with those she met first.
Landing a minute or so later, Fluttershy bumped into Vinyl intentionally to whisper in her ear.
“We just have a Lemon left to grab and we’re set for produce.” Fluttershy whispered in code, just in case anypony ever overheard.
Vinyl twitched her ears twice in response to let her know she understood. Vinyl’s eyes minutely narrowed and she clenched her hooves as she imagined riding out to hunt Neon in less than a month.
Shining Armor surveyed his group one last time, then covered his face in his forgotten mask and flared his horn, which had the added bonus of placing a shield spell around all of them that would hide their presence as the headed towards the City of Faint Hooves.
***
Fluttershy stood atop the tallest building in Fillydelphia, the Alicorn’s Horn, with her bow and arrows primed to snipe the most dangerous Trotters as the rest of her group slid through the abandoned streets in their blood drenched cloaks.
Looking a ways ahead, Fluttershy saw a herd of at least 400, and knew she needed to direct it away. Flapping from roof to roof, Fluttershy spied an abandoned water tower a dozen blocks from where the group needed to go. Notching two arrows at once, Fluttershy aimed a couple feet below its lid and let her bow snap the arrows ahead. A minute later, a resounding clang sounded through the latter half of Fillydelphia, easily attracting the Herd’s attention. As a few of them turned their heads towards the noise, Fluttershy loosed three more arrows a minute apart from each other, causing the whole herd to turn and investigate its source. Fluttershy knew her group would understand the clangs as well, and prayed to the once living Celestia that they’d have enough time because of this.
Shining Armor and Vinyl lead the charge as both had killing spells primed in their horns at a seconds notice. Concerto and Ace held ranks at the back of the group, bandoliers primed with hatchets and two knives a piece, with one spear each in hoof. Hay Fever and Hazel Harvest stayed in the center of their formation, for they knew the most about medicine and produce in their group, and it was integral to the mission that they survive. They were not unprotected though. Hay Fever carried an axe that was larger or wider than any spear, and Hazel wore a suit of Biohazard gear that she had procured from Ponyville General before it had burned down.
Just after the group’s sixteenth abandoned block, Vinyl halted them. Quickly spreading about to agreed vantage points, Vinyl gestured ahead at a group of 5 Trotters. One dragged himself about with his front hooves, and one loosely tried to flap his stiffened wings. The others were once unicorns, two with smashed horns and one with half his face missing, but all were still able to move, even though they were all slow as ever.
Shining Armor snuck around the nearest corner and encased the head of the Pegasus Trotter in his shield spell, quickly shrinking it to miniscule proportions and splattering the Trotter’s skulls and eyes about, exposing the bloody grey brain stem just before it collapsed on its left side. Ace and Concerto galloped forward a moment later and impaled the two Broken Horns into the nearest wall, one through the roof of his mouth and the other through an already existing gash on his forehead, leaving two black splatters on the alley.
Vinyl galloped forward and stomped the Crawler to death before it could sound any more to them, while Hay Fever cleaved the rest of the Trotter with the missing face’s side off his body. Hazel galloped ahead of them all a moment later, signalling it was time to move.
3 streets over, the group finally rested for a moment as the herd a group of no less than 8 dissipate two streets over. Looking up, the group realized that they’d arrived at Okra Corp., their intended destination. Vinyl quickly blew a hole through the chained front door, and they all galloped inside, holding the door open for Fluttershy for only a full minute after the initial breach as was agreed.
***
The group quickly galloped up two floors and surveyed a room only long enough to confirm it was Trotter free before charging in and securing the entrance with a nearby oak desk. As nearly everypony caught their breath and Hay Fever heaved in an empty corner, Hazel Harvest took survey of the cabinets and shelves around them.
“We chose a good room from the start. This is the Foal Medicine Lab. True, they’re not strong enough as is for a full grown pony, but if we take enough, they’ll work just as good.” Hazel whispered as she opened her bag and shoveled in as much Foal’s All Cure as she could carry.
“Can you see if there’s any equipment we can use here Hay? We shouldn’t be here more than an hour tops.” Shining Armor asked, finally catching his breath.
“No problem Shining. But I’ll limit what we take to necessities since we still have to climb a few floors before coming back down and leaving.” Hay Fever told his leader, wiping sweat off his brow as he did.
Fluttershy took inventory of her arrows as Vinyl and Shining tuned their horns. Ace stood behind the barred door with his spear ready while Concerto looked out the only window to the streets below.
“We’ll want to get going now. There’ve been at least 7 Trotters that just trickled in on this side of the building since I’ve been watching, and they’ll only bring more down on us.” Concerto called over to his group just as a falling body whizzed past him, causing Concerto to jump away from the window as everypony heard a squelch below.
“They’re on the ceiling, or possibly just a higher floor with open windows. In any case, Concerto’s right. We go now.” Fluttershy hastily voiced her concerns as she readied an arrow and Ace shifted the desk off of the door.
As everypony entered the hallway, they were shocked to see over two dozen Trotters in the formerly empty halls. As the door swung shut behind them, all their empty eyes turned towards the group.
“Run! Only take down the ones we have to!” Ace cried out, spinning his spear to stab the nearest Trotter through the ear, where black blood poured out a few seconds later as he already galloped the spear out of it.
Vinyl wove through the Trotters as she made for the jarred open door to the stairwell, bucking three Trotter’s down as she did. Shining Armor leapt over another two sloppily, landing only inches from one that clacked its jaws at his ankle above its head, a sickening sound that sounded entirely too famished for the dead. Shining Armor flinched as he bucked at the same Trotter, toppling it into two others. Concerto cleaved a Trotters head off inches from the stairwell with his hatchet, pausing only to reef it out of the wall. Ace ran through the gaps between the Trotters, even sliding a couple times through their spilled blood, with Hazel following his example.
Just before Ace slammed shut the door to the stairwell, he heard a horrifying noise back where the group had just run from.
“AGHHHHH!!” Hay Fever screamed as a Trotter collapsed onto his back and bit off a large portion of his left shoulder down to the bone, making him stare after his own torn flesh in horror.
“HAY!!!” Ace screamed after his friend, who could only cry and scream as another two Trotter’s devoured him, one tearing off his back left stifle entirely, and another a chunk of his neck from the right, which proceeded to slick the floor anew with dark red blood.
Hay looked at Ace with tears in his eyes and blood on his muzzle as he hastily shifted his saddle bags off and used the last of his remaining muscles in his left front hoof to heave it over the swarming, feeding crowd of Trotter’s about him.
“GO! Keep Hazel and Ginger alive! They’ll know what to do with what I foun--Rgh!” Hay’s slurred speech cut out as another Trotter slammed down onto his muzzle and took it into his own, a horrible squelching noise emerging a second later.
Ace let his tears stop for a moment as he bucked shut the door and heaved Hay’s bloody saddlebags over his own, screaming with rage a moment later at whatever God would allow this kind of cruel world to exist.
***
9 floors up, the group was just finishing clearing out the Flash Frozen Department of Okra Corp. with everypony’s saddlebags filled to the max when they all heard a noise more horrifying than any Trotters moan. Ace had begun to weep for Hay, dropping down onto his knees and throwing his weapons aside as he did.
“I forgot he was there! I could have saved him! All I could do was watch as those freaks ate my friend! Was this mission worth it Shining!? Because now it’s cost us lives!” Ace’s sorrow knew no bounds as he wailed, everypony feeling the same pain he did, but unable to voice it as well.
“I don’t make excuses Ace. It was me that allowed Hay on this mission. His death is my fault.” Shining Armor heaved through his breaths, his brow carrying more sweat than Hay Fever’s had before.
A second later, as a gentle smile creased his face, Shining Armor collapsed against the nearest wall, a groan echoing from him a moment later. Vinyl immediately galloped over and set about supporting Shining Armor’s head in her lap.
“Buck… I guess it’s time then…” Shining Armor tried to laugh off his state, but only a brutal cough came out instead as his body shakily tried to breathe.
“What do you mean Shining?! You weren’t bit!” Vinyl cried as the stallion who had led them this far lay dying in her hooves.
“But I was Vinyl… back when Hay went down…” Shining quietly explained, rolling his left back ankle to show the missing skin the Trotter had taken after his bad landing.
“Shining Armor… You gathered us… You led us… What are we supposed to do now?” Fluttershy sobbed as her Commander heaved blood in front of her, then hastily wiped it off on his once white coat.
“You all… already know. Vinyl’s the one… you’re meant to follow. But never forget… only… TOGETHER… do we survive at all in this Equestria… And Hazel… you make sure you and Ginger… carry on for Hay… you too Ace… Concerto…” Shining Armor coughed a fit again, this time blood bubbling up through his throat and onto his muzzle.
Everypony else sat silent as their leader lay dying before them, only nodding when he mentioned their name. Vinyl and Fluttershy cried the most by far.
“Buck… was there anything else I wanted to say?... Oh yeah. If you ever find Cadence… or Twily… tell them I’m sorry and that I love them… though I know how… unlikely that is… And everypony else back home… make sure… they… understand what they meant to me…” Shining Armor’s breath died off as his eyelids slid shut, a smile gently adhering itself onto his body one last time.
Everypony sat crying for a moment before Vinyl dared look up. As she looked at each pony in turn, they nodded to her, signalling their okay. Vinyl closed her eyes and breathed deep as she laid Shining Armor’s head gently on the floor.
As everypony stood back up, Vinyl stared one last time at the face of the stallion who had protected Octavia and Silver Spoon a she could not for over 7 months. As she flared her horn blue and tears clouded her vision again, Vinyl Scratch spoke what everypony though.
“Thank you for all you did Shining Armor, greatest of the Equestria Royal Guards Captains. Now, we say Goodbye.” Vinyl closed her eyes as she blew Shining’s head apart, ensuring that nopony would ever see him as anything less than the great unicorn, husband, brother, and leader he had been.
The Trotting Dead 2 : Neon Nights
Ace’s tears had long since run dry, but still he stood in the weeping crowd, in as much pain as any of them. Hayseed Turnip Truck, Ol’ Salt, Promontory, and Mr. Breezy stood silent at his sides, their eyes glazed over. Ahead of them, Peachy, Flitter, Derpy, and Fluttershy took to the air to watch over the camp and cry apart from the rest of the group. Ginger, Hazel, Millie, Concerto, and Turf wailed close to the front of the group, with Dinky and Silver Spoon in their midst, solemn understanding in the fillies eyes.
It was Octavia, Vinyl, Candy Twirl, Rarity, and Apple Cobbler who stood solemnly directly before the crude crosses that would now represent the lost bodies of their Leader and their best Scavenger, having been unable to give them any better of a grave marker than this nowadays. Vinyl slid her sunglasses up once more to rest on her mane, revealing heavily bloodshot eyes and dark bags underneath them as Octavia and Rarity each rubbed away the last of their tears.
Turning around, Candy Twirl raised a hoof and pointed towards Shining Armor’s caravan, indicating that would be where they discussed the issues that so heavily permeated everypony’s thoughts simultaneously; who would lead them now?
***
Once Dinky and Silver Spoon had been sent off to play in Vinyl and Octavia’s tent, and everypony had regained some composure from the funeral, everypony gathered as a group of survivors dedicated to do just what they were named for.
“I know that everypony has had some thoughts of the new leadership in the Lakefront after Shining Armor’s… departure. We now hold an open meeting to move forward on this issue and choose a new Leader.” Candy Twirl called out to everypony, eliciting a few huffs and more sighs from the group.
Rarity trotted up next to Candy and removed her hood, showing run mascara across her face, a statement she had chosen for herself to show her grief from her salvaged makeup.
“Before he died in Fillydelphia, Shining Armor expressed his view that it should be Vinyl Scratch who carries us forward from here.” Rarity solemnly spoke, surveying everypony as she did.
“And does everypony think we should trust one of our newest members to lead? Not that Vinyl isn’t a strong Fighter or Scavenger, but it takes absolute strength and a focused mind to lead anypony these days, and I don’t think she’s settled into our lifestyle completely yet.” Mr. Breezy challenged everypony to side with or against him.
Vinyl herself trotted up now in response to Breezy’s statement, causing immediate silence as everypony waited to hear what she would say to this.
“Despite what Shining said, Breezy is right. I’m not ready to lead us yet. Not in every aspect at least. I’ll take leadership over Scavenging trips if you want me to, but I’m not going to lead day to day activities here. And I’m terrible at inventory and job distribution, so that’s another point against me.” Vinyl spoke her mind, easing her conscience a slight bit.
“We need a decisive leader. Even if we don’t like this sort of ponicratic Monarchy, we need someone who can represent us as a whole if we need that.” Lemon Hearts reared up on her back legs to be heard.
Apple Cobbler touched Vinyl’s haunches at this point, smiling at her as well, before trotting ahead of her, and pivoting to the group.
“I was Shining Armor’s protégé back in the Old Days. I can handle inventory and job rotation. But that’s about it.” Apple Cobbler swung her mane over her eyes as she sat back on her haunches, her part said.
Candy Twirl looked above the murmuring group, towards the skyline of Fillydelphia, her eyes narrowing slightly as she saw Shining Armor flash through her eyes yet again.
“I will lead our day to day activities. It was most of what I did before, and I know you all can trust me. And in time, we’ll have another true Leader. So let’s get to work.” Candy Twirl steadily told the group, who all saluted her for a moment before scattering towards their last assigned jobs and areas.
***
Vinyl tapped her hoof loudly against the wind chime Candy Twirl had put up outside her tent shortly after she retreated into her tent to organize everypony without distraction well over 2 months ago. Apple Cobbler nodded to her as she did, as she once again set about patrolling the camp in Shining Armor’s old chest plate as was her remembrance of him, a darker look in her eyes than any Trotter’s she saw.
Derpy stood at Vinyl’s left, her mane held up on top of her head with thread in a loose bun to keep it out of her muzzle, her wings nicely preened. Rarity to her right had cut off most of her mane last month after she was nearly bitten by a Trotter her mane had blocked her from seeing immediately. Her once flowing locks of indigo now naturally spiked in a pattern reminiscent of a crashing wave around Rarity’s stark white horn, her cloak ever more frayed around her form as she refused to remove it.
There was a pained groan from within as the left flap of Candy Twirl’s tent swung outwards to view her visitors. Candy Twirl now wore Rarity’s unused glasses at all times and the pink of her mane had been long ago faded out to be replaced with a shimmery gray. Upon looking up at the centre parted blue mane of Vinyl, she sighed again and waved her inside with haste.
“Are we here yet again Vinyl?” Candy Twirl exhaustedly teased as she sat back on her haunches against the wall of pillows that littered a nearby bench, or bed as Candy Twirl would tell you.
Rarity and Derpy bowed to Candy Twirl, then laid at either side of Vinyl as the unicorn mare removed her sunglasses, to show once more red and strained magenta eyes.
“We can’t avoid this any longer Candy. I’ve been fair to you and Cobbler as we agreed at Shining’s burial, but I am still the pony he wanted to take command of the camp, and that time has come.” Vinyl narrowed her eyes as disappointment creased Candy Twirl’s lips.
“You think I don’t remember what was said then? It’s all I think about now Vinyl. It’s what helps me and Cobbler keep us alive, something you seem eager to abandon. Have you already forgotten Turf and Peachy?” Candy saw Vinyl shiver as she mentioned the names of the last 2 lost comrades.
“I haven’t forgotten. Peachy saved Silver after all. That’s on me. I never should have let Silver come along. And Turf is especially my fault. I asked her to help me find Neon, and we lost her to that damn sand pit on the Rambling Ridge. But they believed in the same cause most of us here do; We need to leave the Lakefront and, eventually, we have to deal with Neon. We’re too exposed here Candy.” Vinyl dropped to her back knees and clasped her front hooves, now begging Candy.
As Candy massaged her temples, a few tears slid down her muzzle. As she re-opened her eyes, she sighed, a sad smile on her lips.
“Even Cobbler told me this yesterday. I always thought we’d leave here, back before we lost Shining. Ever since he hasn’t been at my side though… I guess I just wanted to pretend I could keep the Lakefront alive in his memory.” Candy whimpered as her tears began to flow too.
Just as Vinyl prepared to speak again, Candy launched herself to her hooves and the sound of heaving reached Vinyl’s ears a few seconds later. Staggering back, Candy seemed strangely happier as she wiped her vomit off onto her right front hoof.
“Are you okay Twirl? Have you been malnourishing yourself?” Derpy spoke up, worry heavier in her eyes than the others.
“I’m fine Derpy. Really fine. In any case, that’s not the issue at hoof. I made a promise to myself that when I admitted to Vinyl that the Lakefront was just a Memoriam sham that I’d hoof over my control to her. So… I’ll keep true to that promise.” Candy smiled at Vinyl, as a smile also lit up the younger mare’s face.
***
“So you won her over did you dear?” Octavia teased as she gently slid her scissors through Millie’s mane.
“It seems like it. I was ready to believe Candy would never concede. Plus, Cobbler told me yesterday I’ve got her vote too. Looks like this is really about to happen.” Vinyl called over from her place at what was commonly now called the Neon Round Table.
Maps, ripped photos, and roughly hewn sketches lay across nearly all the wood of the Table, with Vinyl situated at the head of the Table. Rarity, Hayseed, Derpy, and Flitter stood to her left, while Promontory, Ace, Lemon Hearts and a currently empty place for Millie adorned her right side, with Fluttershy opposite Vinyl, her mane teased through one of Shining Armor’s spare helmets to keep her eyes free.
“I still say the Foal Mountains aren’t any sort of option til we root out Neon and check them peak to base.” Promontory spoke up, gesturing to the mountain range on the map as he did.
“Hollow Shades’d be ur best bet, but Fluttershy his said she dun’t feel its safe fer anypony til Neon’s dead too.” Hayseed added, stomping his hoof at the last picture of Hollow Shades from well over 8 months ago.
“Well where else is there for us that’s not open like here, but not too close to Neon?” Lemon asked, thoroughly exhausted from continually trying to plan where to move their camp.
“Vinyl, Derpy, Flitter and I happened across a well hidden farm ahead of where the tracks divide between Baltimare and Fillydelphia on our way here. It wasn’t cared for at the time, and we didn’t have the numbers to defend it back then, but I’d say it’s our best bet for a new camp until we deal with all nearby threats.” Rarity quickly sketched what she remembered of the farm with coal onto a blank piece of parchment for everypony else to see.
“I remember it. Dinky and Silver would be well off there in the Farmhouse, and there’s plenty of vantage points for archers there and in the Silo too. Plus, with cultivatable ground and ponies like Derpy and Hayseed who know their stuff, we have no fear for food right away.” Flitter chimed in her agreement.
“I’m not seeing any better options, and another herd from Fillydelphia could blow through any day now. The last one was small and we still nearly lost Ace to that. We won’t be so lucky next time I suspect. No offense Ace.” Millie called over as she shook her new mane free from the Lakefront’s only barber, happy she could run without her mane bouncing over her eyes anymore.
“None taken Millie. If Breezy and Ginger hadn’t come by, I’d be scrap meat by now. I know it’s Vinyl’s call in the end, but I’m all for this.” Ace called out, now sporting a lumberjack’s beard rather than just his old handlebar, nodding to Vinyl as he finished.
“All in favor of Crease Farm as our moving point?” Vinyl called out, raising her own hoof as she did so.
Everypony present, including a tiny hoof under Derpy’s from Dinky, a “two” hoofed one from Octavia and Silver, and both hoofs from Promontory for him and Chip were counted, and it was unponimous as everypony stood and prepared to call the rest of the Lakeside to vote with them now that they had a location in mind.
***
“Argchk!” Ol’ Salt choked as he heaved off his saddlebags onto a nearby stump, his energy spent, and his hooves creaking like an old rocking chair.
Hayseed trotted over to help his senior, while Derpy and Flitter flew down from above, Dinky and Silver Spoon on their backs. Octavia galloped forward to kiss her daughter just as Flitter and Derpy embraced Dinky.
Ace slid his cart carefully off of his back as Rarity flipped back her hood to once more examine Crease Farm. As Promontory too dropped his cart to the ground and slid free from the harness, Ginger, Hazel, and Concerto began carefully unloading everypony’s supplies from both carts, before keelhauling them to the pony whom they belonged too, or close to the Farmhouse’s front door.
Millie, Mr. Breezy, and Lemon Hearts then took the unclaimed luggage into the Farmhouse just as Vinyl and Apple Cobbler exited the building, Candy Twirl just a few trots behind them, all of their manes coated in black blood, and Vinyl’s sunglasses in need of a polish.
“Five were inside. Two Crawlers, a Broken Wing, and two Broken Horns. I took Crawlers, Candy handled the Wing, and Cobbler smashed up the Horns great. Other than that, the place is still clear as last time we rolled through.” Vinyl called over to Octavia and Rarity as she wiped her lenses clean, both of whom were trotting towards her as she then shook some caked blood out of her mane and lowered her sunglasses once more.
“Derpy and Hazel are off investigating the soil and planting any seeds that’ll take right away. Hayseed and Promontory are off scouting the forest, and Ol’ Salt and Breezy elected to head to the base of Mt. Baltimare. Anything we missed, other than the ponies that we can see are unloading?” Rarity twitched her eyebrow knowingly at Vinyl, enticing a nervous smile from Vinyl.
“Silver and Dinky?” Vinyl looked to her wife for an answer.
“Ginger’s watching them while Flitter moves her equipment off to the barn. She says Flitter’s the only pony that would know what goes where aside from her.” Octavia grimaced as she put weight wrong on her back hoof, which had been sprained 2 weeks back after a rockslide by Rambling Rock Ridge.
Just as Vinyl prepared to offer her opinion on Flitter’s skill as well, the Pegasus in question flew over in alarm and landed hard enough to leave dirt skids, a look of fear on her face.
“Vinyl! We have a big problem with the Barn!” Flitter heaved, folding her wings to her side as she did.
“What is it? Trotter?! Is anypony bit?!?” Vinyl panicked as Flitter shook her head in denial.
“Could be worse than any of that. There’s somepony already in there.” Flitter almost whispered as Vinyl whipped her glasses off her head and galloped at full speed toward the barn, Rarity drawing her blade right behind her, and Derpy flying in behind them.
***
“Ragghugh!” A harnessed Trotter with a slowly dissolving back leg and an over swollen tongue growled at Flitter and Derpy as they stood a bit back from it, each grasping a spear and ready to use it.
“I would not worry about him you two. He can no longer even eat food. Much experimentation he did take. Anypony for cake?” Zecora piped up from stirring a nearby cauldron, into which she dropped a few peach shaded leaves a moment later, which sizzled away instantly.
“I can’t believe you’re still alive Zecora. How did you make it out of the Everfree Forest? Even Fluttershy’s animals didn’t make it out.” Rarity sat with her back legs crossed, a tea cup set in front of her for the inevitable drink Zecora would offer, parlay still a part of their exchanges.
“The answer is simple. At the beginning, I stayed within the Forest, to taunt them from within, much like a pimple.” Zecora called back as she ladled her concoction into a tea pot and brought it over to where Rarity sat, setting it lightly on the piece of roofing she had fashioned into a table.
“You mean you fought all the Trotters in the Forest on your own until you came here? Without anypony else?” Vinyl asked her hooves folded in deep thought as she studied Zecora.
Zecora had done away with all but her golden neck bands, and now wore what from afar appeared to be a thick silk scarf around her. Up close though, it was in actuality the spine of some foreign creature Zecora had fashioned into her own personal bandolier for various herbs, with the occasional tribal looking weapon, ending in a vary frayed tail that Zecora seemed fully able to direct away from knocking anything of hers over.
“That is very true Vinyl Scratch. It was only in the past 9 months that I made haste without heed for my past. The forest is still my first home, but had I stayed, it would also be the end to my tome.” Zecora took a long draw from her potion, seeming to relax instantly as the liquid passed her lips.
“And we’re the first ones to find you here? That I doubt very much.” Flitter asked aloud, at last moving away from the Racked Trotter, Derpy right after her, almost on her stifles it looked.
“No, you are the second to come round. A pony of much hate did pass, and it is with him I still do find myself most confound.” Zecora spat as she remembered the pony who also hid his eyes with glasses, though these had been mirrored pegasustiors.
“Wait. Him? You don’t think… I mean this place is a day east from the Lakefront. There’s a good chance-” Derpy began, only for Vinyl to gallop over and stare deep into Zecora’s eyes, immense longing for the answer she needed clear in her features.
“His name Zecora. Did he tell you it? Or did he make you an offer of any kind?” Vinyl demanded, shaking from horn to hoof as she waited.
“He was quite a sight, and did inspire much fright. His name he said was Neon of Lights. An offer he did make to join his camp, but he had less guidance than a dying lamp.” Zecora looked between each of the ponies as their expressions flitted between shock, happiness, and anger at her answer.
The Trotting Dead 2 : Neon Nights
Part 4 : Enemies From Afar
“How the hell do we proceed from this? Neon already bucking knows about this place. And drunk on mares as he is, it’s only a matter of time before he comes back to make Zecora another offer only to find all of us.” Promontory stared down at his folded hooves, despair clear in all of his features.
“It’s in no way a positive thing that he knows about Crease Farm, but it’s not the worst news we’ve had either” Flitter chimed in from off to the side as she stroked Dinky’s mane, the filly fast asleep from the journey.
“How exactly is this good for us eh? The whole point ta leaving the Lakefront was ta distance urselves from Neon. Now we’re closern eva.” Hayseed threw his hooves up as he threw his opinion to the wind.
“As much as we’d all like to discuss the pro’s and con’s, it is none of us that will make the final decision. It’s up to Vinyl.” Rarity gently spoke as she slid her recently sharpened blade back into its weathered sheath from the far left corner of the Living Room, Zecora by her side with closed eyes.
Everypony nodded and fell silent in turn, each casting a look towards Vinyl as they did. Vinyl had stared off into the fireplace of the Farmhouse, which now housed a roaring fire, ever since she had called together everypony to discuss the news Zecora had shared with them.
Vinyl slowly heaved herself back down to all four hooves, sliding her sunglasses above her eyes as she did.
“No matter what else comes of this, Zecora has single hoofedly provided us with the best clue we have to tracking down Neon and his community. Now I know not everypony has been onboard with this idea ever since I formed my Hunting Team four months ago, but we can’t avoid or contradict it anymore. This is our best chance at fully securing the Farm, and I intend to take it. Now, I ask you all to go home and consider whether you’ll accompany me to kill Neon. And I say kill because that is the only thing to do about him. There may be others in the community who are disillusioned, or might join us in fear, or whatever, but we deal with them only as we need to once Neon is removed. Not everypony is going. We need to leave a strong enough force here to protect the Farm from herds and maintain the modifications we began today, as well as protect those too weak or young or old to come with us. We leave in 3 days. That is final.” Vinyl slammed her right front hoof down onto their table, right onto the last picture she and Neon had taken together, blotting Neon out entirely.
***
“But why not?” Silver called up to her mom with tears in her eyes.
“Because Vinyl and I say so. And that is final young mare. You won’t be coming with, following, or be involved in protecting the Neon Hunters. The last time we agreed to let them take you on a mission, we lost Peachy. I’m not accusing or blaming you sweetie, but you need to be trained in combat more before you come on any more missions. I already asked Rarity, and she promised she’d teach you swordsponship when they get back. And for now, that’ll have to be enough.” Octavia held a stern look in her face until Silver shuffled off, her muzzle staring towards only the ground.
Once Silver had closed the door to her room, Octavia sighed, and a look of immense relief took over her features. A white hoof touched her haunches a moment later, and turning, Octavia looked into the stark magenta eyes of her lover.
“Thanks Octy. She never would have listened to me, and I can’t gurantee we won’t lose anypony in any way this tim-“ Vinyl was cut off as Octavia came in for a deep kiss.
Closing her eyes, Vinyl and Octavia held each other barrel to barrel, expressing all their love and worry in this one passionate kiss. As Octavia pulled back and ended the embrace, a deep crimson shade adorned Vinyl.
“Just make sure I get you back in exchange for keeping Silver back. And this time, I want to see red blood in your mane when you come back.” Octavia shook from fetlock to forehead as she held back tears from Vinyl.
Vinyl held up Octavia’s chin, stared deep into her eyes, an understanding beyond words passing between them, and gave her a last quick kiss, before nodding vigorously and galloping away to meet up with everypony else.
***
Rarity tightened leather bracers to her front hooves with her teeth just as she heard the sound of Vinyl’s galloping approaching. Quickly taking stride, she reached galloping speed just as Vinyl met up with her.
“You and me again eh coz?” Vinyl jokingly asked, winking at Rarity as she lowered her shades.
“Always seems to be that way, but we always come back too.” Rarity added, a sinister smile adhering itself to her muzzle.
“Let’s keep it that way this time too.” Vinyl stoicly said, increasing her galloping speed as they peaked the second hilltop behind Crease Farm.
As Vinyl and Rarity slowed back down to a trot, the rest of the group came into focus. They had mustered quite a force, though it had been hard not to allow everypony to come as well.
Hayseed Turnip Truck had adorned himself in one of Big Mac’s old leather smocks for sharpening the blades to their Cider Blender, and had Hay Fever’s old ax strapped across his back.
Ace had used the iron stove on the farm to rework what weights he had left into giant steel boots that ran up to his canons, which he currently keep punching and kicking the air with.
Promontory had spent 2 months learning the art of archery from Fluttershy, and had worked an old apple tree branch into his bow and several Everfree branches into arrows. He also had his 4 knives along his stifle thanks to 2 tight fitting bandoliers.
Fluttershy would be remaining behind, but she had accompanied them to see them off and begin her perimeter patrol. She currently wore her old Crystal Lancing armor, with many black arrows sticking out from her quiver.
Ginger was borrowing Hazel’s biohazard suit, as well as Derpy’s old baseball bat. With a few chemical grenades hanging off of a bandolier, she was well prepared to deal with small groups of Trotters silently, or ambush a few ponies.
Flitter wore a suit of rafters woven together with Plunder Roots that Zecora had adjusted for her as she hugged Dinky goodbye, two curved and spiked tribal swords now accompanying her two spears. Her mane was pulled back into a long ponytail, and the occasional strand tossled free to give her a properly frizzled look.
Derpy hovered a short distance away, love and fear in her eyes as she took Dinky away from her other mom when their embrace ended. She had over a dozen knives bandoliered around her, as she would be Fluttershy’s primary assistant in defending Crease Farm in their absence.
Millie wore an old Guard’s helmet, fashioned to expose her mane rather than hide it, with the handle of a katana borrowed from Rarity’s stockpile gently scraping it if she looked too far ahead. She also had a multitude of shuriken on a leather belt around her loin as a distance weapon.
Lemon Hearts stood at Millie’s side for the moment, but upon hearing the hooffalls of Vinyl, she galloped at her instead, a stitched together leather suit stretching the entirety of her body excluding only her crest and dock, where a knife or two lay hidden and easily accessible.
“What the buck is this Vinyl?! You ask me to join your Neon Hunt months ago, and now that we’re actually going, I’m hanging behind like the fillies?!” Lemon held outrage in her voice, but still managed to prevent herself from screaming and bringing any Trotters out.
“I’m sorry Lemon, but after losing Turf, we need somepony else acting as additional backup to Derpy and Fluttershy. And nopony would be better than you for that. I know how bad you wanna see Neon’s body, but trust us. He’s not getting out of this. And we all need you to stay here.” Vinyl carefully begged Lemon, only to hear her scoff a moment later.
“You better not end up regretting this choice Vinyl. Or you’ll only have yourself to blame” Lemon swished her tail as she galloped off back to the Farm, following Derpy’s form in the horizon.
Flaring her horn bright red for a second as their agreed signal, Vinyl called everypony to her side to prepare to march.
“Okay everypony. I don’t need to tell you why we’re here anymore. This is the beginning of our endgame. Rarity and Ginger are gonna bring up the front since they can best deal with surprise groups the quietest. Hayseed, Ace, and Flitter will follow in line next as they’re the most versatile. Promontory, Millie, and Me will round us out at the end. We’re the far distance specialists, as well as being able to fight at close range if one of you needs help.” Vinyl calmly yet decisively laid down their formation, with each pony nodding in silence in turn.
“Neighagra Falls is our best chance to find Neon’s camps based on the information we have. That’s an easy 2 days from here, so we go til pitch black, make camp, and ambush it when we’re rested and ready the next day.” Rarity chimed in as lieutenant, and everypony stayed stock still, ready to move at the first signal.
“Operation Neon Rain begins. Trot Out!” Vinyl called, speeding to a gallop easily, Rarity speeding ahead of her momentarily, with Flitter shadowing everypony from above, as the formation reached peak and the ponies entered the forest that edged the Foal Mountains.
***
Ginger waved her hooves gently in the current direction of the lookout they had stumbled upon just barely before they would have had to abandon their ambush. Vinyl nearly slid along the ground as she raised her shades and levelled the stallion in her sights, as her horn began to faintly glow, a hoof pressed down firmly on her withers, only for Promontory to shake his head at her.
“If there are any more, you’ll send them off back to the camp. I’ve got him. But I need Ginger’s help.” Promontory gently whispered, Ginger following his lead as she shifted a clorophilin grenade off her bandolier after Promontory pointed at it.
Narrowing the pony with the odd metal tube in his hands in his sights, Promontory notched an off blue arrow and aimed it towards his exposed ergot. As he nodded, Ginger lobbed her grenade towards the cracked window of the two story lookout, eliciting only a dull thud against the wood, and a slight twitch of the stallions ear before Promontory’s arrow entered his hoof and he fell over the side of the railing like Smarty Pants.
As a gray cloud exploded over the building, a loud thud and a cough were heard by Vinyl’s group, as Vinyl and Millie gently notched their swords out and Vinyl squinted about, careful of any Trotters who might appear or backup for these ponies.
Hayseed waved his left hoof three times at the group to signal the All Clear from that point on. Ace appeared back into their group and pawed the ground twice, his version of all clear from behind them.
Vinyl whistled Flitter to survey the building as the gray cloud faded away about it at this cue, and Millie and Ace galloped forward for ground assistance in her survey. Flitter looped the building twice and peered through every opening with the help of her spears, and landed between Ace and Millie a few moments later.
“There were 2 others inside but they’re passed out from the clorophilin. And the colt Promontory got is just limp off at the side.” Flitter explained at a low volume to Vinyl and Rarity as they galloped over to her.
“What did you hit him with Promontory?” Ginger curiously asked, leaping down from retrieving her grenade’s broken shell.
“An arrow I made from the gas spewing plant in the Everfree. Causes you to pass out and go limp immediately if you hit the right spot. Fluttershy gave me a couple extra just in case. Now we can use him as leverage when we get to the camp.” Promontory briefly smiled, but wiped it from his features just as fast.
“What about the other two? Do we kill them?” Millie asked, her sword still unsecured from its sheath.
“No. These ponies may have joined Neon for now, but that doesn’t make them bad. We leave them for now.” Rarity took control of the group, causing Millie to re-sheath her sword in response.
“Ungurded? That’d be plum ol’ sterpid in case they git up and hed fer Neon.” Hayseed chimed in as he rejoined them to discuss this.
Vinyl closed her eyes in concentration for a moment before looking up into the faces of her team, with a look that commanded respect and focus instantly.
“Ace. We need you to guard these two here. We’ll take the stunned one with us as a bargaining chip. But we can’t afford to leave these two as wild cards, and you’re the best at close range subduing if they wake up before all is done.” Vinyl knew she was asking a lot of Ace to give up his chance at personally giving Neon revenge for what he had done, but Hayseed was too weak and Promontory couldn’t be asked to stay behind from this.
“Alright Vinyl. I’ll try not to rough em up too bad in case they do wanna join us later. Just don’t keep me waiting.” Ace held his hoof up to Vinyl, causing the mare to laugh and bump it in turn.
“We won’t Ace. Promise.” Vinyl whispered as she leaned into Ace for a moment before turning to face everypony else.
“No more stealth. With that colt there, we can gallop through no fear. If this was their lookout, that means there’s no Trotters beyond this point, and Ace can handle any that will follow. We end this within 2 hours. Move out.” Vinyl spoke with a military like command, and as she galloped away, Ace, Rarity, Millie, Ginger, and Promontory all saw a shadow of Shining Armor blend into her form for but the span of a blink.
***
“Ooooooh. That was a rough one eh foalies?” Film Reel almost cooned after resting her metal tube on the ground. As she rubbed her hoof over the very noticeable lump in her belly, she again thought of it as a gurantee for permanent protection from Neon as well as a sign of her position amongst the community.
Just as Film moved to grab her tube though, an odd spiked blade came under her throat latch and punctured just enough to bring tiny droplets of blood onto her coat.
“I’m guessing you’re the one called Film Reel eh? Millie said you’d be the one furthest along in her pregnancy after all.” Flitter whispered as she pressed her tribal blade gently closer.
“I don’t know who you are, but I can tell where you’re from. If you stop this now, I can convince Neon to let you join us. You don’t even have to join his Ponem first.” Film felt sweat in her fur, even more so as she was slowly moved back towards the tree line.
“Relax. You’re just a bit more personal of protection than Sure Shot is all.” Flitter quickly said, before bending her pasterns, and quickly pivoting to fly and throw Film to Rarity who emerged from the shadows just in time to secure Film in them as Flitter flew past them and her wingbeats went silent.
“You should sleep more. It’s good for the foal.” Rarity mocked as she swung the bunt of her blade around and knocked Film Reel unconscious, enveloping her in magic before she could hit the ground.
***
“You dogs will never get away wit-“ Sure Shot began to say before he had a rag with excelagin stuffed into his muzzle, causing his tongue to swell to the point he could make more than muffled sounds anymore.
Film Reel whimpered a distance away, her hooves bound to a certain distance apart by leather straps. Promontory stepped up beside her at her reaction to Sure Shot’s restraints.
“I couldn’t paralyze his mouth, and he happens to have a big one. That’s the only reason for that treatment. For now, you have nothing to fear from us. If you’ve done anything to Chip though… I can’t make any promises.” Promontory gravely said as he trotted away and notched three arrows for the upcoming march.
“You’re carrying his foal? I never thought you’d sink so far Film.” Millie whispered through holding Film’s leash in her mouth.
“He’s a much better leader than Shining Armor could ever be. He wasn’t afraid to go to Baltimare. He commands respect. Speaking of Shining..-“ Film began, only to hear heavy hooffalls a moment later.
“You don’t get to say his name.” Vinyl leered down at Film, causing her to flinch.
“Wait… Blue mane, sunglasses, magenta eyes… You couldn’t be Vinyl Scratch could you?” Film’s face lit up with shock as Vinyl’s merely took on a darker gleam.
“When we’re done here today, you have a choice to make. And looking at you now, you’d better think good and hard about it. You can scatter to the winds of Equestria and take your chances on another community taking you in, or you can come with us. It’s your choice. We won’t force you.” Vinyl spoke calmly and as a strange light of epiphany overtook Film, she turned about, lit her horn in a bright blue glow and marched towards the edge of Marevia.
“Let’s end this.” Vinyl gravely spoke, her eyes narrowing as Millie moved in place behind her with Film Reel, Rarity and Flitter behind them with blades twirling about, Promontory leading Sure Shot with arrows easily moving between a multitude of imagined targets. Hayseed trotted behind him, his axe blade easily carving a line in the ground, and Ginger followed him, her bat still on her back, but several grenades tucked into her now unzipped sleeves.
***
“NEON!!!! Get out here now!” Vinyl screamed, as she let a spell fly at the biggest building in the crude town, which shook from the force of the spell.
Three dozen ponies descended from all sides, all of them carrying the strange tubes that Film and Sure Shot had when they’d been captured. As the ponies pointed them down on the group, Vinyl felt as though the carried a far greater power than they seemed to.
Ginger clenched her hooves, and Hayseed swung his ax over his shoulders in prep. Promontory took aim at the closest ponies, while Rarity and Flitter steadied their blades in their grips. Vinyl merely continued to stare at the largest building, from which only mares had emerged thus far.
There were quite a collection of ponies in Marevia. More unicorns and earth ponies than Pegasi, but there were a couple. Most of the stallions were about the same age as or younger than Hayseed, while the mares seemed to be aged similar to Vinyl and Millie. No colts or fillies were seen, but from the concerned looks and shifting stances of certain ponies, Vinyl guessed they were being kept in side as a precaution.
“Neon, you know who this is. You may not believe it, but it’s true. I survived, and I found the Lakefront. Shining Armor took me in and guided me, before he died and bequeathed leadership to me. I heard about what you did from many ponies in the community, including Promontory and Millie, who are here with me now. Turf and Ace can’t be here to confront you, but I assure you they’d be here if they could be. I don’t intend to destroy your community or your citizens. Even Ambrosia and Film Reel only did what they did after you led them to darkness. But you have committed crimes against the Lakefront, and you must be brought to justice. You have Chip Mint, son of Promontory among your numbers. He is the only one we demand you return. We do not come empty hooved though. We have a colt named Sure Shot who we brought with us from your lookout and one of your first concubines who is pregnant with your foal, Film Reel, among our numbers. As a sign of fairness, we will release Sure Shot now.” Vinyl spoke clear without pause at a great volume, her magic magnifying her speech.
Promontory removed the gag on Sure Shot and shoved him aside to the nearest ponies, who immediately rushed forward and brought him back behind their lines. As everypony grew still again, Vinyl continued.
”Now we offer you a trade. Chip Mint for Film Reel. My soldiers will remain here in the street as a sign of what we are prepared to do, but Film will accompany me as we meet to trade and discuss how you will attone for what you have done. I possess no weapons, but my soldiers will not drop or relax theirs until Chip is in our custody and we march out of this place Sure Shot told us is called Marevia. That is all. Be prepared Neon. I am coming.” Vinyl ended her speech as she trotted forward and took Film’s leash from Millie in her magic, which gave Millie the freedom to draw three shuriken a hoof and take her katana in her mouth.
As Vinyl began to walk under the company, a slow trotting sound met her ears, and she narrowed her eyes in anticipation.
The door in front of her swung open in a blinding white flash, revealing the withered, tired form of Neon, his black and white eye each bloodshot beyond belief yet also showing anticipation.
“I’ve been praying and waiting for this for a long time. Come on in.” Vinyl swung his hoof inward at Vinyl, a mysterious smile on his muzzle.
The Trotting Dead 2 : Neon Nights
Vinyl sat with her back hooves crossed at one end of a table which was clearly just an entire tree cut in half and prepared by magic. Neon sat with his front hooves on the table on the other side.
Silence permeated between the pair for a time. When it passed more than 5 minutes, Neon sighed and leaned back, folding his front hooves in disgust.
“It’s been so long Vinyl. Can’t we at least have small talk? Or have you become all business just like Shining?” Neon raised one eyebrow as Vinyl’s back hooves twitched at the name.
“You heard why I’m here Neon. If you want to talk, meet my terms first. Send Chip Mint out to Rarity and you get Film Reel back.” Vinyl twitched the mare in her magic, now enveloping all of her leather braces.
Neon squinted at Vinyl for a moment, but then swung his right front hoof back and wiggled it in his direction. Ambrosia came from the deck outside, Chip on her back.
“Chip son. I need you to go visit the ponies in the street. There’s one with a purple mane and a sword. Don’t worry. Dad won’t be long.” Neon toothily grinned at Neon, causing an even greater scowl on her.
Chip nodded and quickly galloped out of the room, causing Vinyl to hear the door slam open and then shut a few seconds later. A moment later, a purple snail erupted in the sky, signalling that Rarity had indeed taken Chip amongst their numbers. Vinyl easily undid the restraints and launched Film beside Ambrosia.
“NOW we talk Neon.” Vinyl removed her glasses entirely and placed them on the table.
Neon smiled and licked his lips, before turning to the two other mares still present.
“Ambrosia, take Film to see Redheart. I’ll be along.” Neon calmly spoke, though the mares immediately galloped away like Chip had.
“Film said you inspire respect. To me, it looks like you inspire fear more than anything.” Vinyl spoke up, taking care not to shift her stance at all.
“Me and Shining’s definition of respect always did differ. Seems you learned the mistake too.” Neon chortled, carefully uncrossing his hooves and clinking one on something metal below the table.
Vinyl closed her eyes in focus for a moment, then re-opened them as she took to all four hooves again.
“I was hoping that in our first few exchanges, I could see some of the old you in your answers, or that you would show remorse or something remotely like the normal pony you were before all this. But now I see this. And maybe this is what you always were Neon.” Vinyl coldly called out her old friend, causing him to raise himself on four hooves again too.
“And I was hoping for an offer of you and all those other fine mares you’re safeguarding to come here permanently. Seems you’re as prudish as most of those whore though. If that’s the case, we can only do one thing to settle today.” Neon spoke with a cold anger as his magic raised up a tube the same as everypony else present in Marevia had.
“See these? Cool huh? They’re a weapon called a Gun from the Griffon homeland. I raid a whole container of them in Baltimare. They were initially designed for talons, but some extra metal and magic makes em good for hooves too.” Neon twirled the gun about, while Vinyl kept it perfectly level in her sights.
“What are you suggesting Neon?” Vinyl carefully spread her hooves lightly, while Neon smiled like a madpony.
“I saw the spell you used on my Fortress. It’s about the power one of these packs. So you load up that spell, and I cock a shot. We fire at the same time, and the one who walks away is the one that’s right. Deal?” Neon asked as he already cocked a shot and wiped the grin from his muzzle.
Vinyl felt tears bead in her eyes as her horn began to pulsate the spell she was all too familiar with once again.
“Deal.” Vinyl gently whispered as tears blinded her vision and she sent the spell at Neon’s head.
A deafening sound rang forth from the tower as it swung on its foundation and light poured from every window and door. Promontory galloped forward and nodded to Rarity, who immediately galloped into the building, Ambrosia not far behind her.
***
“Damn… I guess you win…” Neon coughed as he gently cradled part of his brain stem and eyeball in a blue sphere around half his forehead.
Vinyl agonized through her breaths as she lay flush against the wall, a hole blown completely through her right shoulder, blood pouring out of the wound.
“It never had to be like this Neon… You just had to be the pony I knew…” Vinyl heaved as she vomited seconds later.
“Nah.. I was always this Vinyl… And just like before, you were better…” Neon paused as his magic faltered for a second.
Rarity and Ambrosia galloped upstairs at that moment and fell silent at the horror before them.
“If I really am gonna die… even with this spell I bucking copied from Shining Armor… then you need to know something Vinyl…” Neon coughed, his magic fading ever more
Vinyl silently stared at her once friend and business partner as he lay dying in front of her, like so many others had, those his death felt different.
“I’m not the worst there is… I’m the best of the worst… There are work camps… ponibals… and those that lye with the dead… I kept deals with them to keep everypony safe from them… With me and Marevia gone, they’ll be gunning for you… And you won’t trot away from that Vinyl..-“ Neon gently smiled as his eyes slid shut, and his sphere dissipated, leaving his brain chunks to splatter the wall and floor accordingly.
Vinyl slowly stood up with the support of Rarity, and Ambrosia slowly trotted beside them, a look of immense fear on her muzzle.
***
“So that’s that… You can come with us, or stay to meet the ponies he mentioned, or take your chances, but we’re offering you a chance to join us… Please… This is the real way ponies like us survive…” Vinyl panted as Flitter wrapped her shoulder in ever more gauze to help her gunshot wound.
Promontory carried Chip on his back as the colt had passed out when Neon’s memory spell disappeared on his death. Millie stood with him, smiling at Promontory almost as much as he did at her.
Hayseed was carrying a triple joined cart of guns and supplies out of the infirmary and weaponry tent, Nurse Redheart trotting beside him and Rarity pulling another two carts behind them.
Ginger was counting off and learning the names of everypony who was joining them and bringing all the supplies they could from their shelters. As the 26th pony joined them and she surveyed who was left, she nodded at Vinyl.
“We’ll have to move slow with this many ponies, so if anypony changes their mind, just follow our tracks and you’ll catch up. But in 3 hours, Rarity will remove them with magic to protect us from anypony else following us, so make your choices fast. Come on everypony. Let’s get Ace and get back to Crease Farm.” Vinyl called out and started trotting along with the convoy, Flitter helping to keep her upright.
****
“My my… this is truly heartbreaking…” A calm voice slowly spoke as it surveyed the carnage that remained of Marevia.
A Pegasus flew back to the owner of the voice, a salute on his hooves before he even landed.
“A count surveys 16 dead Princes-“ Cloud Chaser began, only to have a cold stare stop him.
“I told you that title is dead. It died with my sister. I am the Governess now Cloud Chaser.” Luna spoke with such authority that Cloud Chaser shivered in fear.
“I’m sorry Governess. Even if our count is correct, two-thirds or more of the Marevia ponies are gone. Much of the supplies are missing too, yet there are no tracks or indication that anypony was here at all.” Cloud Chaser added.
“Unicorns then. We must discover what transpired here.” The Governess spoke up, just as a sound of galloping hooves came up behind her.
Cheese Sandwich skidded to a stop and saluted the Governess as well.
“I found evidence of a struggle at a nearby building Governess. No ponies, but there are hints of two different tracks, one far more evident than the other.” Cheese Sandwich spoke, fear in his eyes.
“What evidence of a struggle do you offer that Marevia can no longer provide Cheese Sandwich?” The Governess directly questioned as Cheese Removed a hastily bundled pack from his haunches.
“This…” Cheese said as he undid the last fold of his bindle to reveal a graying severed hoof.
Cloud Chaser nearly vomited, while the Governess merely narrowed her eyes.
“We will find this mutilated pony, and something tells me that this mare or stallion will be all we need to find the other ponies who did this.” Luna smirked as she took to the air, Cloud Chaser behind her and Cheese Sandwich galloping behind on foot, leaving the hoof where it lay.