Among The Trotting Dead

Fluttershy runs around her room in a panic. Quickly packing her personal belongings and several snacks into her saddlebag, she stands up and scans over her room. Most of her knickknacks and pictures no longer embrace her desk or cupboards.

BOOM!!!

Her room shakes – the light fixture above her head flickers haphazardly. Trembling, she puts on her saddlebag and heads for her door.

BOOM!

Fluttershy stumbles – her body trembles in fear as she dashes to the window over by her nightstand. The glow of several fires raging out of control through her hometown of Ponyville fills her vision. Their hot flames consume the timber of the surrounding homes. Ponies of all ages run in a panic or cause chaos for the hell of it. Within the crowds she sees several dead stumbling about, pegging off ponies to drunk on fear to notice them.

“Angel Bunny… It’s time to go!” She looks over her shoulder, looking for the bunny rabbit. Not hearing a response, she stumbles out of her room and down the stairs.

Getting to the living room, she looks around the small space, eyeing the couch, the sofa and rocking chair. She looks into the kitchen eyeing the cupboards and kitchen table. Seeing a white cotton ball shaped tail poking out from under the coffee table, she slowly walks up to it. “Angel Bunny?” She bends down on shaking limbs. “It’s… It’s time to go!” The bunny looks at her with his black beady eyes. She can see the fear in them. Extending one of her wings, the rabbit quickly climbs onto her back and into her saddlebag.

Looking around her home, she studies the empty bird and animal cages dotting the living room. A heavy weight falls over her heart. She dwells on her past. Four long years she called this place home. She was seventeen when she bought this place, starting her career as a veterinarian in Ponyville. And now, she has to abandon it, run from it. A tear rolls down her cheek. “Let’s go…”

Stepping outside, the loud screams, roaring fires, and death fill Fluttershy’s ears. It's deafening. Folding her ears against her head, she timidly worms her way through the town trying to get to Applejack’s orchard. Hiding behind a building, she peaks down the main street.

The street is full of putter cars and putter wagons trying to make their escape through the crowds. Some of the vehicles are wrecked, crashed into buildings or each other. Dead stumble about or trot at a brisk pace towards their victims. Ponies run or fly to safety, some board up their homes, some cause havoc. Law and order wholly abandoned at this point.

“HELP!” A small colt calls out.

Fluttershy whips her head to the right and sees a brown colored earth pony colt next to his mother laying on the ground, holding a broken sharp stick in her mouth. A trotter slowly walks up to the duo, its maw drooling with infected saliva.

Feeling a chill run up her spine, she swallows a lump in her throat and runs to the family. Seeing her coming up to them the colt’s eyes light up with glee, but soon, fear quickly overwhelms him once again as he witnesses the trotter jump onto his mother. The sharp end of his mother’s stick jams itself into its chest. The slick wet sounds of its flesh and chest bones breaking send chills down their spines.

Seeing the mare struggling, Fluttershy thinks fast and picks up a broken two-by-four and whacks the trotter’s back. It doesn’t flinch, its attention remaining on the colt’s mother. Panicking that she will witness her first death so up close and personal, Fluttershy brings the two-by-four down hard on the trotter’s skull. The trotter goes limp for a split second allowing the mare to push it off and scoot away.

“Thank you…” The mare looks at the canary-colored pegasus. “Uh…?”

“Fluttershy! My name’s Fluttershy!” She replies offering the mare a hoof, but she panics as she sees a trotter stumbling out of the Everfree forest behind them. “Oh… no!” she quivers. The mare and son see it as well. Hearing the downed trotter, she hit lifting itself off the ground they panic and huddle up close to one another. “Oh no…”

The mare looks at Fluttershy with wide eyes. “Where do we go?!”

Fluttershy keeps her eyes on the dead, fear overwhelms her, causing her legs to tense up. Sweat rolls down her cheeks. Seeing his owner faltering, Angle Bunny gives her a solid smack on the back of her head. “WHA?!”

“Fluttershy! Where do we go?!” The mare asks again.

Finally snapped out of her haze, she looks at the mare. “I’m heading to my friend’s place… Follow me!” She leads the way, but before they can leave the alley, several more trotters stumble into the alleyway. The trio stares in horror at the once living ponies. Their skin and fur color are paler than usual, their eyes are a milky-yellow. They look recently turned from how fresh their wounds are. Fluttershy stares in horror – watching the blood oozing from their injuries.

“Fluttershy!”

The trio looks over their shoulders and sees a zebra mare standing at the edge of the forest with a traditional zebra whacking stick in her mouth. “Zecora!?” Fluttershy asks in wonder.

“Fluttershy the route out of the town is filled with danger, you and your company follow me!” She whacks at a trotter, sending it to the ground with a thud. Without hesitation they follow Zecora into the forest.

Zecora peers out her window, her right hoof supports one-half of its curtains. Fluttershy sits by the mare and her son in front of the fireplace. The colt shivers as he stares at the flames with his wide medium-vermillion eyes. His mother strokes his back as she messes with her scarf. Hearing the distant screams of fear and death, Zecora closes her window and shuts her curtains. “We must stay quite tonight, in case any of the dead or bandits come.” She walks over to the trio and sits next to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy gives the zebra a soft smile. “Thank you Zecora…” Zecora nods as she sits beside Fluttershy. “Why aren’t you at Applejack’s?”

“She offered, but I declined.” Zecora lays her head in her hooves as she sits close by the fire. “I feel safe in the Everfree forest.” She sighs. “And besides, this is my home.” She gives a smirk.

Fluttershy messes with her long pink mane. “Are you sure?” Zecora nods. “How long do you think we have to wait until we can leave for the orchard?” She sighs.

Zecora looks at the timid pegasus. “Not sure…” She eyes mother and son. “I say a week to be on the safe side.” She watches the colt shiver. “I can give him something to calm his nerves if you would like?”

The mare looks at the zebra. “Yes, that would be wonderful.”

As Zecora gets up and heads for the kitchen in her small abode, Fluttershy looks at mother and son. “Not to sound rude, but I never got your name?”

The mare giggles. “No need to feel like that. My name is Love Tap and this is my son Button Mash.” She scratches his ears, which calms him a little.

Fluttershy smiles at the two, but soon her smile fades. “Where is your husband?” She taps her hooves. “I mean I don’t want to intrude… if you are divorced… or um…”

Love Tap sighs and stares at the fire. “Don’t be ashamed…” She lays her son’s head against her chest, covering his ears. “I’m not divorced… My husband… He was… He gave us time to escape our home…” She kisses the top of her son’s head. Still being able to hear her words, Button Mash begins to cry, his hot tears wetting his mother’s fur. Love Tap tightens her embrace. “SHHH… It’s alright… Deep breaths.”

Hearing the colt’s cries, Zecora walks over to the group and sits by mother and son. Placing a cup on the floor, she removes the cork from a bottle and pours its contents into the container. “This will calm his fears.” She states, handing her the cup.

Love Tap takes the cup and eyes the blue liquid inside. With a heavy sigh, she offers it to her son. At first Button Mash shakes his head, but after some convincing from his mother, he takes a few sips. Within minutes of consuming the drink, his body goes numb and his mind slows, sleep overcoming him. As the colt sleeps soundly in his mother’s lap, the mares watch the child dream the night away.

“I want to thank you for saving us.” Love Tap states giving Fluttershy a loving smile.

Fluttershy nods her head and returns the smile. “I… I’m glad I helped.”

“So, your friend… Applejack was it?” Love Tap asks. Fluttershy nods. “Is her orchard a safe place?”

Fluttershy hugs Angle Bunny. “She lives about a mile outside out town… It has to be.” Fluttershy looks at the fire, watching its flames dance about. Zecora and Love Tap look at the fire as well.

ERRRAAHHHH!

They look at the window, their spines tingling from the horrendous sound echoing across the land. Looking at the bottle, Zecora sighs. “I was going to take some tonight, but I think it is not wise to do so.” The other mares nod. “I think we should try to get some sleep.” She gets up. “This week is going to be a trying season.”

Silence fills the humid air. Distant chips of crickets’ dance in her ears. Laying under the heavy sheets, Fluttershy stares up at the ceiling. The small rickety fan slowly spins. Across from her sleeps Love Tap and Button Mash. The small bed barely holds both of them.

Rubbing her forehead, she turns her gaze to the clock at reads the time through the darkness. Three in the morning – She groans and turns over, bring her pet rabbit closer to her. Her mind swims with the things she saw early in the night. Ponies killing ponies… She shivers. Feeling a tear roll down her cheek, she buries her head in her pillow to hide her woes form the sleeping ponies next to her.

Angle Bunny awakens form her cries. His whiskers twitch as he looks up watching his owner fight back her fears. Giving a small squeak he scoots up close to his owner and buries his head under her chin. Feeling his loving gesture Fluttershy gives him a hug. “Thank you, Angel…”

COUGH!!!

Sitting up she sees Love Tap sitting up, coughing into her inner elbow. Sucking in air violently, she rolls out of bed and stumbles to the bathroom.

BLERGH!!!

Hearing her vomit, Flutterhsy gets up and nervously makes her way to the bathroom. “What wrong with mom?” Buttom Mash timidly asks from the bed. Fluttershy looks back at the colt giving him a reasuring smile. Buttom Mash leans back and puts the covers closer to his face.

“Fluttershy, what is the matter?” Zecora asks stepping into the room.

“I… I think she’s sick,” Fluttershy replies looking at her friend with concern as she points to the bathroom. Both mares peak into the room and see Love Tap clutching the pony-styled-toilet. Her head buried in its oval shaped bowl. Sweat coats her fur – her eyes bloodshot. “Love Tap, are you alright?” Fluttershy asks as she steps up to her.

Love Tap lifts her head from the bowl and looks back at her with heavy eyes. “No…” She rests her head against the brim of the toilet. “I feel so hot…”

“Hot?” Zecora asks. Love Tap doesn’t answer. “You need to tell us, were you bit?”

She can feel their gazes. It feels like they’re piercing her skull. Breathing in deeply, Love Tap lays herself against the wall. With a grunt, she removes her scarf. Sizeable scratches scar her neck. The blood around it is dry, but the wounds are still moist. “Yes… I’ve been scratched by one of the trotters by its teeth.” She shivers. “It happened as my son and I fled our… home…”

“Oh no, what do we do?” Fluttershy eyes widen.

Zecora frowns and heads into her kitchen.

“Mom? What’s wrong?” Button Mash stands just outside the bathroom door. Fluttershy looks at his mother who gives her a nod and a tired sigh. With a nod of her own, Fluttershy steps to the side allowing the colt to enter. Seeing his mother on the floor is a disheveled state causes his body to tense up and go numb. “Mom…” He shivers. “Are… you?”

“Infected… Yes… I am…” Love Tap replies with a sigh as she sits up. She sees tears are rolling down her son’s cheeks. “Don’t you cry… Mommy needs you to be strong!” Button Mash swallows a lump forming in his throat and gives her a nod as he steps up closer to her. “NO!” She puts a hoof up. She sees the hurt in her son’s eyes. “I don’t want you to get sick… We have to be careful.”

Button Mash’s lips quiver. “But we were in the same bed!”

“I know…” She fights back her own tears. “And that was a foolish thing to do.” She bites her tongue. “You could’ve gotten sick.” Seeing the colt emotion boiling to the surface, Fluttershy lays a hoof over his shoulders and brings him into a hug. Love Tap smiles at Fluttershy and gives her a small smile.

“Here,” Zecora enters the room. “I have something that will dull the pain and help with the fever.” She bends down next to the mare and offers her a cup of the medicine.

“Will it cure her?” Button Mash asks as he eyes the bottle of medicine.

Zecora looks at the colt. “It will help her until we can safely get her to the hospital.” She looks at Fluttershy. “Or Applejack’s orchard.” Fluttershy nods running her hoof through his mane.

“We should get you to bed, let the medicine take effect.” Zecora helps the mare up and leads her back into the guest room.

Getting into her bed, Love Tap lays her head on the pillow. “Sweetie you sleep with Fluttershy.”

“Why?!” Button Mash asks in a panic.

“You know why…” She coughs. “You might get sick.” She looks at Fluttershy’s bed. “We will be in the same room…!” She feels something wrap around her left hind leg. The trio look at Zecora with mixed emotions.

Tying off the rope to the bedpost, she looks at the trio. “The corpses of the infected comeback to life...” She stares at her knot. “I’m sorry if this seems morbid, but we have to be safe, just in case you turn.” Love Tap nods her head in understanding. Fluttershy nods in reluctant agreement as she helps Button Mash into bed.

One Hour Later

Fluttershy keeps her eyes on Love Tap – watching the mare sleep her night in painfilled slumber. She wonders what is going to happen her, too her son, Zecora… herself. She thinks about the sickness, how it infects, how it kills… the dead. She shivers. The only thing she knows about it is from her friends’ knowledge and from the news. The sickness spread by a bite from an infected pony or another intelligent being – never an animal. Many in the press had theories as to how the illness kills, whether it was the fever, or the heart giving out that did the trick. But all knew, however the virus killed, the corpses of the infected come back to life.

Feeling hot tears on her chest, she looks down at Button Mash and sees that he’s crying in his sleep. ‘Probably a nightmare?’ She thinks to herself. ‘Of his father…’ She looks at Love Tap. ‘And his mother…’ She thinks about her how mother and father, her brother. She lets out a tired shutter. She remembers the last call before the phone lines went dead. They were heading to Canterlot.

Her thoughts of her family cause her to think about her friends.

She thinks of Applejack. She knows the stoic and humble earth pony is proud of her family. She wonders how she’s holding up not being able to know every fate of each of her family members.

She thinks of Rainbow Dash. Earlier in the day, before the chaos broke out, she had helped her get Scootaloo to Applejack’s orchard after Scootaloo’s parents got sick. She knows that Rainbow Dash wants to bring her parents to the farm. She breathes out a shallow sigh, whishing Rainbow Dash will be safe on her trip.

She thinks of Pinkie Pie. She hopes that her travel to her parent’s farm is a safe one. A lot can happen during a five-hour drive. The threat of danger is higher now than ever, with the given circumstances.

She thinks of Rarity. She knows Rarity and her sister Sweetie Belle are close to their parents. The panic caused the trains lines to shut down, trapping her parents in Canterlot. She just hopes that they’re alright.

Lastly, she thinks of Twilight. Twilight has been in a coma for over a week now. She remembers seeing the bandage on her neck. The glass beaker holding potion couldn’t retain the amount of force being released from the chemical reaction. The image of the glass fragments the doctor showed them, flashing back into her mind, sends chills down her spine. She just prays that Shining and Applejack can get her out the hospital in time.

Letting out another sigh, she holds Button Mash close to her and falls to sleep.

“I can hold the rag on my head…” Love Tap moans through her cough.

Fluttershy looks down at the sickly mare. “It’s alright, I use to do this for a living…” She smirks. “Granted it was animals… But it’s the same concept.” She giggles at her own thought. Love Tap joins in on the laughs until another wave of coughs silences her joy.

Button Mash sits on the other bed, eyeing them both as he periportally looks out the window eyeing the dense grove of trees in the dim forest. The occasional rays of light shining through, kissing the ground before fading away. “Sweetheart, why don’t you go play in the living room?” Love Tap states, eyeing the fear in her son’s eyes.

Button Mash lets out a groan. “But I want to be with you!”

“I’m right here, I won’t be going anywhere.” She retorts.

“Come, child, I need to forage for some roots around my home.” Zecora comes into the room looking at the colt with a smile. “Come let’s go.” Button Mash gives a sigh and follows after the zebra.

Watching the pair leave, eying the door as it shuts behind them, Fluttershy returns to taking care of Love Tap. Feeling her brow, she frowns, the fever that racks her body is still going strong. “Darn…”

“Fluttershy?” Love Tap asks.

“Yes?” Fluttershy dips the cloth in an ice-water residing in a metal bucket next to the bedside.

“Could you make me some cinnamon, nutmeg tea?”

“It’s going to have to be a cold tea.” Fluttershy states.

“I’m fine with that…” Love Tap buries her face covering her coughs. “My throat is so sore…”

Fluttershy nods and heads into the kitchen. Walking up to a cupboard she takes out a small pot and sets it on the metal grate in the fire place. Filling up a large cup with water from the sink, she pours the water into the pot and lights a fire. Sitting back, she watches the flames grow over the small amount of sticks. Seeing that it needs more fuel, she gets up. “I’ll be outside for a bit.”

“I’ll will be fine!” Love Tap responds with a weak shout.

Fluttershy giggles. “Don’t you go anywhere!”

“I can’t” Love Tap groans playfully through her coughing.

Exiting the home, cool humid air washes over her. Fluttershy flaps her wings and heads over to the side of the house. Seeing a large pile of logs, she walks over to them. Looking around the yard she finds a small old cart. Smiling, she picks up several small sticks and cut logs and throws them into it.

“The fire needs more fuel?” Zecora walks up to Fluttershy with a basket full of beats and spicy roots.

Fluttershy looks over her shoulder. “Um… yes.” She sees Button Mash has a basket full of berries. “It looks like you guys came back with a lot?”

Button Mash nods his head.

“Yes. Yes, we did.” Zecora smiles.

Fluttershy nods. “Well I think we should head inside.” She smiles at Button Mash. “You want to help me make your mother some tea?” Button Mash nods his head vigorously and runs inside. Giggling at the colt, they head inside. “Uh…?” Fluttershy stops in her tracks as she looks into the forest. She sees a dark silhouette far into the distance. “Do you see that?”

Zecora looks at where she’s pointing. “What do you see?”

Fluttershy feels her spine tingle. “I don’t know?”

Zecora scans the horizon, looking through the trees and their thick branches. “If its one of the dead, we must head inside and keep our voices low.” Fluttershy nods as she hulls the cart into the house.

The silhouette watching Fluttershy and Zecora ducks behind the tree. He shivers before peaking behind his cover once more. Seeing Fluttershy taking the cart back outside to the side of the house, he keeps his eyes on her studying her movements. ‘She’ll be perfect for Father…’ He takes notes on her bright blue eyes and the flirty way she walked.’ Slipping away he treks into the forest, towards the small meadow in the heart of the forest.

Dodging low hanging branches and protruding roots, he squeezes through the thicket and appears into the meadow. The sun above casts its warm glow upon the colorful flowers and the soft wispy grass. Enjoying the warmth, he makes his way over to a large tent in the center of the meadow by a stream.

“Moon Dust you’re back?” A stallion keeping watch by the tent states. “What did you see? Is the forest clear of demons?”

“Yes, but I have some news for Father.” Moon Dust smiles.

“What do you mean, news?” The stallion removes his hood from his head.

“Others are in the forest.”

“How many?” The stallion gives him a raised brow.

“Three.” Moon Dust smiles. “Two mares and a colt.”

The stallion nods and opens the tent’s door. “Father! Moon Dust is back!”

A stallion wearing a white robe who’s surrounded by several others, numbering twenty-five, turns around and looks at the stallions by the entrance. He waves to Moon Dust, who follows his commands. Nearing Father, Moon Dust bows. “Moon Dust, my child. Did you spot any demons?”

“No Father, but I did find others.”

The other ponies murmur among themselves.

“Who are these ponies?”

“I did not make contact, but from where I was, I could see two mares and a colt.”

The children talk among themselves.

“What do they look like?” Father smiles at the children.

Two mares, with flowers in their braided manes, dressed in similar white robes to his look at one another with flat expressions.

“Well the colt, is an earth pony, with brown fur and dark brown mane and one of the mares, well she’s a pegasus, with canary fur and a long straight pink colored mane.” Moon dancer looks at the mares wearing white robes. “I believe they’ll make a great addition to our family!”

Father smiles at his words but it soon fades. “What about the other mare?”

Moon Dust expressions sours. “She’s a zebra, Father…”

The group gasps.

“A witch?!” A stallion growls

“What if she finds us?!” A filly cries.

“Will she turn us into demons?!” A colt asks his mother.

“Why is one here in Equestria?!” A mare begins to panic.

Father’s face frowns at this news. He looks down at the ground and pulls out a torn and battered leather-bound notebook.

“That poor colt and mare! The zebra is controlling them!” A mare sobs.

One of the mares in white leans her head close to Father’s ears. “What do we do?”

Father looks at the mare. “We must save them from the wicked ways of the zebra, Blossom.” He kisses her on the forehead, before pulling away to address the group. “Moon Dust, Victor, Quill Wind, Muller and Ratchet!” The stallions stand up and bow. “Go and save the mare and the colt.”

“What do we do if the Zebra fights back?” Victor asks.

“Do to her what you wish.” Father hums. “I have foreseen and told you of the rise of the demons by their hooves. I trust that you can give a punishment worthy enough for such a crime.” He gives them a stern glare. “Now go!”

The stallions bow once more before running off into the forest.

“What do you want us to do my love?” Blossom asks.

Father looks at his flock. “Prepare camp for our new arrivals.”

……….

“Is she oaky?” Button Mash looks into the bedroom, eyeing his mother sleeping the day away.

Fluttershy stands next to him. Watching Love Tap shiver in her sleep, she sighs and lays a wing over him. “She’s oaky for now.” She guides him away from the bedroom and shuts the door.

Button Mash looks up at Fluttershy. “She’s not going to get better?” Fluttershy feels her body go numb at his tone of voice. She looks down at the colt trying to form words. Button Mash sighs as he sits by the fire. “I’m not dumb…” He watches the flames dance about with sad eyes.

Fluttershy sighs and sits down next to him.

They stay silent for a while, letting the soft sounds of the crackling fire and the sounds of Zecora cooking dance in their ears.

Angle bunny who sits on the couch watches his owner from afar, his wisker twitching all the while.

“We’ll do our best…” Fluttershy begins. “To make it as comfortable as we can.” She mumbles. Button Mash looks up at the timid mare, his young eyes staring into hers. She gives him a small smile before bringing him into a hug with her left wing. “Button, I have something I need to tell you…”

KNOCK!!!

KNCOK!!!

Fluttershy and Button Mash stare at the door with wide eyes.

Angel Bunny lifts his head and stands alert, his black beady eyes glaring at the door.

Zecora shivers and slowly steps out from the kitchen. “Fluttershy.” She whispers. Fluttershy looks over her shoulder while keeping Button Mash in a protective grip. Zecora puts a hoof to her lips and nods as she nears one of the windows. Fluttershy nod and slowly makes her way to a candle by dining area and puts it out.

By the window, Zecora puts out the candle and slowly opens the curtains. She peers out looking in the direction of her porch. Seeing nothing, she scans the surrounding area…

CRASH!!!

Glass fragments go flying as a rock flies into the home barely missing Zecora. She hisses as several fragments of glass pierce her skin. Fluttershy and Button Mash duck for cover as several more rocks break through the remaining windows. Button Mash cries as he scoots closer to Fluttershy, nearly dodging a rock as it skips past him.

A pegasus burst through one of the windows. His long brown leather robe flopping about as he nears the front door. Throwing it open several more ponies pour into the home. “Grab her and the little one!” One of them shouts. Three of the stallions rush up to them. Fluttershy panics and jumps out of the way of the first two but the third stallion pins her down before tying her limbs.

Seeing his owner in trouble, Angle Bunny leaps from under the couch and jumps onto the aggressor’s face. The pegasus panics and whips his head about, trying to pry off the rabbit.

“Hold still Quill!” One of the stallions’ huffs before he back kicks the rabbit off his comrade’s face

Angle Bunny goes flying, crashing into the wall by the door. “Angle!” Fluttershy cries. Anger boils in her as she squirms, kicking her limbs in each and every possible direction. The stallion on top of her grunts as he tries to keep her limbs still.

“MOMMY!” Button Mash cries as one of the stallions pins him to the ground.

“Quite the little one before his cries attract the demons!” One of the stallions, and blue furred unicorn huffs.

One of their captors an earth pony stallion takes out a rag and gags the colt. Throwing him over the back of one of the stallions, he steps up to his comrade and helps him finish tying up Fluttershy.

Zecora looks on helplessly as she watches them drag them out of her home. Glaring at the stallion above her, she moves her free hind hoof and kicks him in the nether region. The stallion crumples allowing her to stand up. “Unhand my friends!... !” Blue aura surrounds her and sends her face first against the hardwood floor.

The unicorn of the group smirks menacingly at her. “They will no longer be your slaves, zebra!” Zecora looks up at the stallion tears pouring form her eyes from her pain. Laughing the unicorn slams her face against the floor once more.

“Moon Dust! Victor and Quill Wind are heading back to Sanctuary.” Ratchet glares at the Zebra. “You should go with them.”

Moon Dust looks at his comrade. “Will you be able to handle her?”

Ratchet smirks. “Oh, I’ll be able to…” He places a hoof on her back and pins her hard to the ground. Zecora moans at the pressure on her spine and chest.

“What do you have in mind?” Moon Dust nods his head at Zecora.

“Oh, Muller and I have some ideas.” Ratchet runs his hoof along her back towards her hindquarters. Zecora feels her body go numb at she feels him close to her vagina.

“Just be careful, Father says they’re known to use dark magic.”

“Oh, we will.” Ratchet pins her head against the floor. “Now go, Father will be waiting for you.”

Moon Dust nods and leaves the home, running past Muller. Muller watches Moon Dust, Victor and Quill Wind disappear into the forest with Father’s prizes. “So, what do you want to do to her first?”

Ratchet leans and smells Zecora’s mane. “I say let’s take her for a spin…” Zecora looks up at the stallion with wide eyes.

Muller laughs. “Father did say do as we please.”

“Especially since Father put himself in charge of when we stallions can mate with the mares of our group… I have a lot of sexual tension.” He nibbles on Zecora’s ear. She groans as she tries to escape. “Tonight’s going to be fun...”

Zecora hangs her head as she stares into her cup of tea. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash stare at the mare. Their own minds swimming with their own thoughts on the story she told.

“Um…” Rainbow Dash swallows the lump in her throat. “What happened to your captors?”

Zecora looks up at the prism maned mare. “Button Mash’s mother is what…” She sips her tea. “Fluttershy had locked the door from the inside as she shut it. After a week into my… Punishment. One of the stallions forced the door open.” She lets a small giggle slip pass her lips. “Her corpse stuck her teeth into his neck.” She laughs at the memory.

Twilight and her friends look at one another.

“I had to fight off Love Tap… Had to kill her. I killed the one she bit…” Her body shakes. “It… It… Felt…”

“Good?” Rarity asks running a hoof through her Zecora’s mane. The zebra nods. Applejack, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash look at the two with wide eyes. Rarity sighs, “Zecora… Do you know where they took Fluttershy and Button Mash?”

Zecora stares at her tea.

Rainbow Dash feels her brow begin to perspire. “Zecora?” She rubs her friend’s shoulder, “Please?”

Zecora stares at her own reflection. She sees her own worn soulless eyes staring back at her. “Some place called Sanctuary…”