Ponyville

38 Hours After the Blasts

     The five friends had a look of terror on their face when they heard the scream. “Oh my god that was Fluttershy!” shouted Twilight. The group then ran as fast as they could to the origin of the sound. Even Rainbow Dash and Rarity tried to run, however it was more stumbling around quickly.

     Apple Jack looked around and saw that the basement door was open. “Over here guys,” she called. Twilight, who was near the bathroom, heard this and could feel her stomach twist into knots. “Wait!” she yelled, but it was too late Pinkie and Apple Jack had made their way into the basement.

     The look on their face said it all; they couldn’t believe what they were seeing. There were maps plastered all over the walls, each with thirteen distinct red pushpins in them. Apple Jack’s mouth was agape. “W-What is this?” she asked as she looked around. She then looked over to the back of the room and saw it; Fluttershy was lying on the ground. “Oh my god!” screamed Apple Jack as she ran over to her friend. “Is she dead!?” exclaimed Pinkie. Twilight flew down the steps, but it was too late; they’d seen everything, everything but the bomb. Twilight didn’t want to protest; fore she feared it would just further incriminate herself. She just stood, silent, in the back of the room.

     Apple Jack looked at Fluttershy to see she was still breathing. “I think she just fainted,” she answered. Apple Jack then crouched and reached a hoof out to a motionless Fluttershy, but when she did this Pinkie looked into the open crate and said, with a fearful stutter, “W-What is that?” Apple Jack slowly stood up and peered into the crate as well. Her and Pinkie stared into the large box and saw a six foot long device; it had a few fins on the edge along with a small hole in the middle. The silver cylinder looked like it would fit perfectly on the top of a missile.

     Twilight, along with everyone else, was shaking. They were all just so scared. Then Apple Jack and Pinkie turned to Twilight, half expecting her to kill them. Twilight just stood there with tears beginning to well up in her eyes. “Twi?” Apple Jack began, “What is that?” Twilight sniffled a little and replied “It was the bomb that was supposed to go off… in Ponyville.” No one in the basement knew it, especially not Twilight, but Rarity and Rainbow Dash were at the top of the steps listening to the whole conversation. And, needless to say, they were scared too.

     Pinkie and Apple Jack didn’t know what to say. They were just so afraid. How could their best friend be a terrorist? How could she have done this? Pinkie then turned and threw up next to the crate. “How could you do this?” Apple Jack asked. “No,” Twilight said as she stepped forward. When she did this Apple Jack took a step back. “Apple Jack, I’m not one of them. Princess Celestia assigned me to get the bomb the day before the attacks. I stopped them. I’m not the bad guy!” exclaimed Twilight as tears ran down her face.

     Spike was looking around Twilight’s desk trying to find the princesses letter. He lifted a book and there it was. Spike took the letter and hurried to the basement. When he reached it he could hear the end of Twilight’s plea. Spike stepped past Rarity and Rainbow Dash, and said “It’s true. I knew about it too.” He walked calmly down the steps and over to Apple Jack. Spike lifted the letter and handed it to her. “See for yourself,” he said as she took it.

     Apple Jack looked at the letter and began to read. Pinkie, unknown to Apple Jack, was reading it over her shoulder. The fear quickly left their faces as they read over it. After they’d finished reading Apple Jack lowered the letter to her side and slowly looked back to Twilight. “I-I believe you,” Apple Jack said as she looked into Twilight’s, still tear filled, eyes. “I do too,” Pinkie added.  Twilight smiled slightly and ran over to hug her friends.

     As they hugged a thought crossed Pinkie’s mind, “What about the bomb?” Once they had broken the embrace she immediately spoke up, “Twilight, we should help you keep the bomb safe.” Twilight looked over at Pinkie and said “No, you don’t want to get involved with this.” “The stakes are too high Twilight,” Apple Jack added, “If something happens to you or the bomb, it’ll affect us all. Twilight you must know we’re right.” Twilight nodded and Apple Jack continued, “Pinkie and I will take watch tonight. Everyone else should go home. They’ll be no good to us stone drunk.” Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash and Rarity, but before she spoke Apple Jack put a hoof on her shoulder and said “And you’re no good to us exhausted Twi. Go get some sleep. We’ll take care of things.” “Thank you,” replied Twilight. She then looked back up to them, again, and said “Ok guys, you heard her, head home.” The two ponies just turned away and did so.

     Around this time Fluttershy came to. “W-What’s happening?” she asked, still sounding incredibly drunk. Twilight walked over to her and called to Apple Jack “Come here. Help me lift her.” “No!” yelled Fluttershy, “I can do it myself.” The yellow pony then tried to stand, but fell down again. Apple Jack lifted Fluttershy’s hoof over her shoulder and said “No, ya can’t.” Twilight did the same and began to carry her up the stairs.

     As they laid her on the couch Apple Jack said “Ok, maybe almost everyone should go home.” Twilight smiled slightly and replied “Yeah, almost.” “Alright Twilight, go get some rest. Pinkie and I have it from here.” “Ok, thanks AJ,” Twilight said with a smile. And with that the Purple unicorn trotted off.

     As Twilight slipped into bed Spike walked into the room. “Where were you?” she asked. Spike sighed and replied “Pinkie. She would not shut up about us. You’d think she’d be more concerned with the bomb in the room.” Twilight smiled slightly and tried her best to hide a laugh. Spike saw this and shook his head, “It was not funny Twi,” She just tried even harder not to laugh and lifted the sheets, “Come here,” she kindly requested. Spike then walked over to the bed and slid under the sheets. Twilight leaned over the little dragon and kissed him, “I love you.” “I love you too,” replied Spike. Twilight rolled over and said “Good night Spike.” Spike did so as well and said “Good night, baby.” Twilight smiled a little and was soon asleep, but Spike wasn’t. He was thinking about what he’d just said. “Oh god!” he thought to himself, “Was it too soon! That just sounded weird when I said it! Baby? Really why did I say that? What have I done?!” As the little dragon played out the horrific scenarios in his mind, his eyes began to feel heavy and his thoughts started to slow. Within minutes he was asleep.

     Twilight was walking down the steps when she noticed something. There was a long streak of blood on the wall. It looked as if somepony was trying to hold onto it, but was being pulled away. As she followed it the amount of blood seemed to be increasing. Then it stopped at the basement door. Every bit of the door was clean, except for one thing; the handle. Twilight hesitated, but opened the door. The blood smeared onto her hoof and fur, but she didn’t care, fore what she saw next was much more horrifying. There before her were Apple Jack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy all mutilated. The smell emanating from the room caused her to gag and her stomach to feel sick. Twilight looked to her friends and saw blood gushing from their mouths, despite the fact that they were dead. You’d think she’d scream or be scared, but she didn’t care. Twilight stared at the sight and felt nothing.

     The blood had pooled in the middle of the room, as it poured from their entrails. Then one thing caught Twilight’s attention; their eyes were open and looking right at her. Twilight tried to ignore this and continued down the stairs. As she looked around she saw that the crate was open, and the bomb was gone. Then, suddenly, there was a bright flash from outside. The windows blew in and glass flew in every direction, but oddly none hit her. Then Twilight looked out of the small window to see a wall of fire rushing towards her. Her eyes widened as she was about to scream, but the flames choked her off as it singed away her fur and skin.

     Twilight awoke screaming and sobbing. Spike quickly sat up and yelled “What is it?! What’s wrong?!” Twilight reached over and pulled Spike in as close as she could. Tears were still streaming down her face when she said “Spike never leave me! Please!” He was a bit shocked by what she had said, but wrapped his arms around her and said “I’ll never do that Twilight. I promise.” Twilight pulled away from Spike and kissed him. “I just love you so much Spike,” she said with several emotions present in her voice. “I love you too,” he answered, “You’re the world to me Twi.” She had calmed down drastically after hearing Spike’s words, and started to feel slightly happy. Twilight and Spike then laid back down and stared into each other’s eyes for the next few hours, without saying a word. Twilight would occasionally sniffle, but was always smiling at the love of her life. After about two hours of this they, somehow, fell asleep again.

     Apple Jack was awoken by a beam of sunlight pouring through the basement window. “Oh, crap!” she exclaimed as she sat up. “It’s ok,” said Pinkie who was sitting by the crate, “I saw you fell asleep and I didn’t want to wake you. Trust me AJ, I’m a hyper pony, so I don’t nod off easily.” Apple Jack smiled due to her friend’s act of kindness and replied “Thank ya Pinkie. That was real nice of ya.”

     Then Twilight opened the basement door and descended into it. She couldn’t help but have a flash back of her dream. “Mornin’ Twi,” Apple Jack greeted. “Good morning Apple Jack,” she replied. Twilight looked over to Pinkie and said “Good morn…” She stopped talking when she realized she was asleep. Apple Jack looked over at Pinkie and laughed, “Yeah, real hyper,” she joked.  Twilight then looked over to Apple Jack and said “Hey you can go home if you’d like. Spike and I have it from here.” “Alright. I’ll go ahead and get Fluttershy out of your hair too,” answered Apple Jack as she walked over to Pinkie. She poked her a few times and she finally came to. “Hey Pink our shift is over,” Apple Jack said to a barely conches Pinkie. “Ok,” Pinkie replied as she stood. She stumbled around a little, but soon found her bearings and began towards the stairs.

     The two half asleep earth ponies passed Spike as he entered the basement. Neither said anything to him, probably because they were so tired. Spike quickly reached the bottom step and walked over to the radio; he didn’t even notice Twilight standing there, so she decided to take advantage of the situation. Twilight walked over to Spike and kissed him, as he put on the headset. He almost yelped he was so startled. She giggled slightly and said “Good morning honey.” Spike smiled at her and replied “Good morning beautiful.” Twilight blushed and asked “What are you doing?” Spike turned a few dials on the radio as he answered “Checking the news.” “Oh,” remarked Twilight, “I’ll leave you to it then,” “Ok,” he replied as he tried to fine tune a signal in the static. Twilight looked over at him as she began up the stairs and said “I love you.” Spike turned towards Twilight and said “I love you too.” She smiled, then kept walking up the stairs and closed the door behind her.

     Spike turned a dial and heard a voice become clear. “This is Trixi Lulamoon, is anyone out there? I’m broadcasting from Appeloosa. Can anyone hear me?” Spike quickly picked up the microphone and said, rather excitedly, “Trixi!?” “Oh thank god,” she replied, “I’ve been talking to myself for two hours. Who is this?” “It’s Spike,” he answered, “I’m Twilight’s friend… Well we’re more than friends now.” “Twilight!?” Trixi exclaimed. “As in Twilight Sparkle?” “Yes, that’s her alright.” Trixi’s voice seemed to become shaky. “Was she the one who saved Ponyville?” Spike’s eyes widened after hearing this and answered “W-Were you-“ Trixi then cut Spike off “Yes, I was assigned Appeloosa, I stopped it too. Now Spike listen to me very carefully. Tell her to look out. I keep hearing noises around here, I’m probably just paranoid, but I think-“ Suddenly there was a noise. It sounded as if someone had kicked in the door. It was soon followed by two gun shots. Spike covered his mouth and jumped in his chair when each shot rang out. “Trixi!” he yelled. There was no reply; just silence. “Trixi!” he called again, but there was still no answer. Then suddenly a loud hiss of static emanated from the radio’s headset.

     Twilight heard a knock at the door and walked over to it. She looked out the window to see it was rarity. Twilight opened the door and said “Hi Rarity.” “Hi Twilight,” she replied, “I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be taking my shift later tonight.” “Oh ok,” said Twilight. “I…” she stopped at the first word when she saw something in the distance. Her mouth was agape and a chill ran down her spine. “What is it?” Rarity asked. She then turned around to see a mushroom cloud rising over the mountains. Rarity covered her mouth and said “Oh my god.” Twilight moved out of the way and said “Get in here now!” “I thought it was ov-“ suddenly Rarity was cut off by a loud gunshot.

     Blood splattered all over Twilight’s face as Rarity dropped to her knees and then fell over. She screamed and jumped away from her friend. As she stared at the body she saw that there was a large hole in the back of Rarity’s head. There was so much blood gushing from it that it was already beginning to pool around her. Twilight was so scared that she fell onto her back, to see Rarity’s lifeless eyes staring at her. Twilight was too scared to scream or cry; all she was feeling, and could feel, was fear.

     Then suddenly a second shot rang out. The bullet hit the floor just behind her. This shot was soon followed by another and then another. Twilight ran as fast as she could to a sofa and hid behind it. She hoped that it would provide some sort of protection for her. This illusion was quickly dissolved when a bullet shot through it just inches from her head.

     Spike gave up on trying to reestablish a signal and took off the headphones. When he did this he heard something, something that gripped his very soul with terror. He heard several gunshots ringing out from just above him. Despite what Spike wanted to do, he ran up the stairs in a rush of bravery and burst through the door. He thought he could do something to help, but this was not the case. Twilight looked over to see him standing in front of the basement and thought “God no!” “Spike get down now!” she screamed. Spike began to do so, but when he did he saw Rarity. By now blood was everywhere. It just covered the once white unicorn.

     Spike couldn’t hide, he couldn’t run, he couldn’t do anything. He was just too scared. Twilight looked over to see this and knew what she had to do. Twilight leaped up and ran as fast as she could. Spike didn’t even notice this, he was just too fixated on Rarity. Twilight leaped forward and tackled Spike into the basement. The little dragon fell onto his back as Twilight landed on top of him, thankfully they hadn’t fallen down the staircase. “Are you ok?” she asked with fear still present in her voice. Before Spike could reply Twilight’s horn lit up and slammed the door behind them. Spike just looked into her eyes and said “Rarity.” Twilight looked down and said “I know.” That’s when Spike noticed the blood; It covered Twilight’s face. “Oh my god Twi! Are you ok!?” Spike screamed. Twilight lifted herself off of him and touched a hoof to her face. When she looked at the hoof again it was covered in blood, but it wasn’t hers. Twilight then looked back to Spike, who was now standing, and said “It’s not mine.” Spike turned around and puked. Just hearing that made his stomach do a backflip. All though he was happy to know Twilight was fine, he still found the whole matter extremely disturbing; as would anyone else in his place.

     The two then walked down the steps and sat down. Neither of them cried over the loss of Rarity. They both just sat there speechless. Then, as Spike thought, he realized Trixi’s words were more like a prophecy than a warning.

     Suddenly Spike and Twilight busted out crying. It took them a few minutes, but it finally hit them that they just saw their friend die. Rarity was gone, and she wasn’t coming back. They both looked over at each other and wrapped their arms around one another. The two just held each other and bawled for several minutes. They didn’t speak because there was nothing to say. Everything that needed to be said was already known by the both of them.

     As the couple embraced each other the basement door slowly opened. Neither saw it because they were blinded with tears and neither heard it because they were deafened with sobs. The pony stepped into the room and looked over at the two. They were close enough to be killed with a single shot. He then lifted a silver pistol and pointed it right at them.

A single, deafening shot rang out through the library.