Second Year (Edited)

I was sitting on the rooftop looking at the view of Sanctuary. Honestly, this has been the golden age for us. Megaville's still doing the trade, even a whole year later. Also the walls were finally finished with two layers of cargo freights, rails for guards, and a burning pit for Walkers. We found a hydroelectric plant nearby and we had fun trying to operate it for almost 3 months before we got it to work.

"Ky! Are you up here?" Scootaloo asked.

"Yeah. I'll be down in a minute!" I called as I began walking down.

I walked into a dark room with all of the windows shut.

Wait a minute...

"SUPRISE!" About 9 voices called out as the lights flickered on.

"Happy birthday!" Scootaloo said as she walked out.

"Now Scoots, I told you not to go into any trouble for a once-a-year event." I said.

"Well, we figured you needed it. 15 is a big day, trust me." She said.

I giggled and we kissed.

"Well, thanks." I said.

"Then there's nothing stopping us from digging in!" Vinyl said coming out with a plastic knife and holding a cake with the other.

We laughed and shared stories on before the outbreak.

"I was the head of the party committee in CHS." Pinkie shared.

"I helped around the animal shelter in Canterlot." Fluttershy said louder than she talked back in the day.

"I was the school D.J. Man, those were the days. They had some sick beats too..." Vinyl said.

"Rarity... WAS the coustume designer, and Dash WAS the captain of literally EVERY team in CH." Sunset said.

"How about you?" I asked her.

"I just... survived. You know about Equestria and I'm surprised you STILL aren't convinced it exists." She said to me.

"How about you, Ky? What did you do?" Scootaloo asked.

"Well, I just survived, too. I was almost the weakest kid, my sister was always at work in another city, and I was the target for the bigger players." I said.

"As for me, Dash was practically my idol. I tried everything to be like her. Then I saw one of my only friends get torn apart... Then you came through those gates, then everything else happened and now we're here eating cake on your 15th birthday." Scootaloo said.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that." I said as we started to clean up.

"It was Diamond for you too, huh?" She asked suddenly.

"What?" I asked.

"I know Diamond was talking about you back at CHS. Honestly, she can get on anyone's nerves." She said.

"To be honest, I never met Diamond. But I heard a lot about her, and I bet she could buy anyone's silence... or approval." I said as I placed the plate in the Walker fire.

"Why not you?" Scootaloo asked.

"Because I knew."

"Knew what?" She asked me.

"I knew that she was like the people I lived with. That she was dead the second the crap hit the fan. Or at least, would have been. But the wall was built just in time. If CHS is gone and she's out there, she'll be doing her nails while Runners are tearing her little buddy apart, then it'll be her. But if CHS is still up and running, then things didn't change a bit." I answered.

"Yeah. Trust me, there're things about her that even I don't know." Scootaloo said.

We walked out to see the livestock from Megaville.

"How's it coming?" I asked Applejack.

"Well, Daisy's been runnin' dry, the chicken coop's been infested by mosquito, and the cattle have been gettin' sick. As for the crops, they're doin' better than last week." Applejack said.

"We need Fluttershy again. Where is she?" I asked.

"Out with Mac- again." Sunset said.

"What? Are you jealous?" I joked.

"What? No!" Sunset said.

We were interrupted by the sound of a horse galloping.

"They're here." Scootaloo said.

We ran to the gates to see our dealer on horseback.

"How'd it go?" I asked.

"Good. We have the antibiotics you need for the cattle." He said.

"How's it on infestations?" I asked him.

"So far, so good. Except for some scouts not coming back."

"Maybe it was Walkers." I told him.

"Yeah, but it's been happening for WEEKS now. Unless the Walker population suddenly boomed, we could have hunters."

"We'll send some armed people on lookout. Let us know know the SitRep." I said as I grabbed the medicine.

"Sure thing." He rode back to the road.

"What do you think this means? Hunters? It could be Dash." Scootaloo said.

"Maybe. Or we could have an enemy camp watching us. Be ready for anything. And I mean ANYTHING." I said as Fluttershy came for the medicine.

"Got it." Shining said as he walked out with Fluffy Heart.

"How's she doing?" I asked.

"So far, so good. No accidents." Shining confirmed.

"Hey, you're doing good. You guys will be back as soon as you're done negotiating with Megaville's new leader. Speaking of which, how's Megaville?" I asked him.

"It's good. You guys would like it there."

"You sure?" I asked.

"Yeah. Fluffy Heart's birthday's coming up soon. I think you should come then." Shining said.

"Yeah. When is it?" I asked.

"The 4th."

"Well then, we'll give Megaville a call." I said as I went for the C.B.

"Megaville, we have a party coming up and we could use a party room." We were answered by static.

"Megaville, please respond." Still silence.

I knew something was wrong.

"Shining, get the car, Sunset, you're in charge of the council until we get back. Fluttershy, you're coming with us." I said as we ran for the car.

"What's going on?" Fluttershy asked.

"I don't know. Maybe nothing but, rather safe than sorry." I said as Shining started the car.

We drove down the road to see the walls with a gaping hole where the gates were.

"No..." Shining said as he ran to the gates.

"Shining!" I ran towards him.

We ran to see corpses everywhere.

"No... No..." Shining saw a certain corpse.

"Shining, wait." I told him.

"No, no, no, no, no!" Shining started sobbing instantly.

"Shining! We have to go. Let's just... look for survivors and-" I was interrupted by Cadence getting up, slowly regaining her balance.

"Guys, I'm that last survivor."

"Cadence!" They hugged instantly.

"Jesus Christ, don't do that again..."

"I don't plan to." Cadence said.

"You're hurt." I noticed the gash on her head.

"I'll be fine. It's just from falling so hard."

"What happened?" I asked.

"You have to see it to believe it." Cadence said.