Equestrian Infection

Equestrian Infection

Part 2: Recollection and Reunion

By: Twisted Ink

She plunged her claw like fingers into the throat of her frightened prey. He let out a final gargle as the air and life left through the newly sliced hole in his trachea. She leaned down, biting into his shoulder and ripping the flesh clean off, swallowing it almost whole. The infected part of her worked at instinct while she remained sane in her mind. She was a watcher to her own terror, unable to stop the blood-lusting beast she had quickly become.

What am I doing...? Why can't I fight this...? Is this how the others are, just trapped and forced to watch it all?

With another victim turned, she soared into the sky, letting out a primal cry as she scanned for her next. Around her the city was burning in some parts, blood-soaked and corpse-ridden in others but in an overall ruin. It had only been two days since the infection, one since she turned, but already things were hell-bound.

She let out another cry as she dove for her prey.

The previous night

The stranger looked at the group as they scooted away.

"You're one of them, aren't you?" The father asked, shielding his daughter.

He smirked, most of his face concealed by his hood, "No. If I was I wouldn't be here, or if I was you all would have died."

"Then who are you?" The widow asked.

The mysterious stranger threw back his hood, revealing his face, "Names don't really matter when death is trying to break down your door. But I'm a dragon to say the least," Spike told them, his face still charred from the train. "We're a resilient species, hence why I'm here. I could've survived two more of those in a row before actually feeling something. Hell, lying unconscious in that fireball was actually comfortable for me..."

"When did you wake up?" The little filly asked.

"Not too long ago... When I did I saw some Royal Guard near, but they had guns so I ran the other way and hid in here. Then you all showed up..."

"Did you encounter any of the infected?" The other stallion asked.

"One... Had to fight it off..." he explained, retracting his hands into his sleeves.

"What's in the bag?" She asked, pointing at the backpack on him, a handle sticking out.

"This? Honestly, if it weren't for my friend Twilight putting every enchantment she could onto our things, I wouldn't have my bag here. What's in it is a different story though," he told them, drawing a small sword from his bag. "Pretty neat huh? It was hung above the fireplace. Guess they thought it was decorative, you know? It's pretty sharp too, nice clean blade, everything. We dragons have an eye for metals and gems, so it was easy to tell this could be helpful."

"Then how did you fight off the infected?"

He showed them his claws, his purple scales stained red.

They all stared, shifting around awkwardly, "Look. It's not that I don't trust you," the dad began.

"Yeah, I get it. You have a daughter to protect, but I'm not some savage, thank you. I'll be fine here and so will you."

"I wasn't giving you a choice. Your hands are blood soaked and you were where this started. You've probably infected us all by just being here," he angrily continued, his daughter beginning to cry. The others stared on in surprise.

Spike let out a low growl, "You really wanna throw me out?"

"I've got a better solution if you try to stay..." he responded, pulling a gun from his pocket and aiming it at the dragon.

The widow scooted closer to the other stallion, "Is this necessary? He's not a threat! He could even help us!"

He turned and pointed the gun at her, "Would you like to go with him?"

Spike took his chance and stepped forward, the gun going back at him and firing without hesitation, the bullet embedding in his shoulder, "You're lucky I have scales..." He hissed as he reached up, pulling the bullet out and tossing it to the ground. "Good luck to the rest of you." Spike turned, smashing a window open with his fist and climbing out.

He walked the dead and dimly lit streets, keeping his eyes constantly going back and forth, watching all sides as he looked for another house with any sign of life. The castle he once called home towered over the town, standing high amidst it all. He almost stayed there initially, but the empty halls led him to assume the fate of his only true family and friends. From there, he decided to move through the town, doing his best to outlast the quarantine they were now in.

"Leave it to Spike to be where the trouble started... Still seems super fishy that it was your train, the one selected by the Princesses themselves," he whispered aloud to himself.

Off to his right he saw the dim glow of light inside of a small house. Making sure he was alone, he quickly knocked on the door. It creaked open under the force of his fist, showing him an empty room with nothing but a dying candle. He stepped in, looking around for anyone living or dead. The door shut behind him and he spun, claws at the ready and now faced with nothing but the darkness in front of him.

The flickering candlelight curved near the door, barely catching his eye. Spike reached his claw forward towards the void in front of him. The second it touched something solid, a dark grey hand emerged and closed around his wrist, followed by a set of wings throwing him back. He stayed on the ground in a daze, the mare staring down at him. He stared back, noticing how her long brown mane was accented by the silenced pistol aimed at his face.

"H-hey! I'm clean! I'm good!" He pleaded, staring into her hazel eyes.

"Stand," she commanded in a gentle voice, moving the gun away.

He did so, taking a step back from her, "Where did you come from?"

She looked back at the door, "Right there."

Not too much of a talker...

She wore jeans that had obviously been dyed black, as well as a grey jacket a few shades lighter than her coat. She unfurled her wings once more, the feathers black as night, wrapping them in front of her and shielding her from view.

"That's... kinda cool," he told her with a soft chuckle.

She nodded, opening the door, "Now leave."

He stared at her dumbfounded, "There's no way I could hide here, just for the night?"

She sighed and shut it again, "One night. Then you leave."

He sat on the ground, looking around, "Never seen you around town before... Got a name?"

She propped herself against the wall, the pistol still in her hand, "Silent."

"Oh. Ok..." he said in defeat, turning towards the candle.

"No, I'm Silent."

"Silent...? Anything more?"

"No."

"Ok. Mysterious name for the mysterious mare I suppose..."

She stood still, staring at him without blinking. He kept looking around, trying to ignore her gaze, feeling her eyes drilling into his scales. He finally turned, staring back at her.

"You've been shot," she told him.

He put his palm over the hole in his hoodie, "Yeah? So?"

"They don't shoot," she said pointing towards the door, "Uninfected do. Why were you shot?"

"The group I hid with thought I might have been infected... Well one did, but he was going mad," Spike nervously explained, "I uh... Might have been on the train that caused this."

She rushed up close, a blur to Spike until she was in his face, "You survived the explosion?"

"Yeah... Lucky me I guess..."

She stepped back to her initial spot, holstering the pistol, "Your kind are tough, right?"

"Born and raised!" He told her proudly.

She nodded, saying no more.

"So what about you? What's your story?"

"I'm Silent. No more," she told him.

Silent turned her head, staring at the door before diving towards Spike, blowing out the candle as she unfurled her wings. Spike peeked around, seeing the silhouettes of a small group of infected move by, their eyes glowing as they did. One looked in, locking eyes with Spike. It opened its mouth to cry, but before it could, Silent had shot it between the eyes before Spike could blink, leaving it dead and unnoticed by the others of the group. After a few more seconds, she folded her wings back up and sat in the darkness.

"How... How did you know they were coming?" Spike whispered.

"Eyes."

"Ok. I think I get the meaning..." he said, taking on a dumbfounded look. "But you're not afraid I could be infected too?"

She shook her head no, "Eyes," she whispered again.

"Yeah, I get it. You have good eyes," Spike said, rolling his.

"No. I don't see the infection in you. It's visible in the eyes," she explained.

He nodded, pretending to understand, "Whatever you say Silent. So... What exactly is your talent?"

"Hiding. Being silent."

"You'd win at hide and seek, that's for sure," he jested laughing audibly.

She flinched at the mention of the game and glared at him.

"Struck a nerve huh?" He asked, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry about that."

She nodded, rising to her feet, "Come this way." She made her way to the back of the house quickly, leaving Spike behind.

Spike stood, following her into the darkness, "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere safer," She pushed open the back door, moving into the night and spreading her wings.

Spike put his hand on her shoulder, "Hold on, haven't you seen the Fliers?" Spike asked, referring to the infected pegasi that patrolled the skies.

She nodded, shaking him off and speeding into the sky. Spike sighed, running and making sure not to lose sight of her. She flew from rooftop to rooftop and led him to a house just south of Sugarcube Corner, one with boarded up windows and what seemed like a reinforced door.

Silent banged on the door, waiting for the shifting of locks. When the door finally cracked open, still held by a small chain, a young stallion peeked out.

"Another survivor?" He asked, looking at the two of them. "Thank you Miss. Are you joining us this time?"

Silent shook her head, turning to walk away.

"Wait. Hold on, I'm not going to hold out with some random ponies... I'm sticking with you!" Spike said, following after her.

She spun, putting her hand on his chest and shaking her head.

He knocked it away, "I'm going with you. Like it or not."

"Please stay. Find acceptance in times like these," she whispered.

"What?" Spike asked seconds before she knocked him in the temple with her pistol, rendering him unconscious.

She lifted him, bringing him back to the waiting stallion. She set him at the doorstep, waiting until the periwinkle stallion opened the door, revealing a few others behind him. They looked at her, their eyes filled with gratitude and mouths agape in surprise.

"You!" One cried happily.

"Please... Speak to us... Your name... Anything..." Another begged.

The stallion at the door moved close to Silent, whispering to her, "Would it kill you to say one word to them? They've done nothing but ask about you since you dropped each of them off. At least your name, Silent?"

"They're not like us, Oddity..." she whispered back out of earshot of the others, scanning the area as she did. “Take Spike. Make him happy. He is one of us."

"An outcast within acceptance, I know. Same as always, since we were young. When you're sure there are no more, please come back. I can't bear knowing my big sister is at risk."

"It's not over yet, brother, but thank you," she whispered before spreading her wings, blending her form with the night as she took off back in the direction she came from.

We’re all going to die in this town... she thought to herself as she moved.

Oddity gazed down at the dragon, tugging him into the house slowly before locking the door once more. The others helped carry Spike into a backroom, laying him down on one of their makeshift cots, leaving him there.

"Alright. Let's all get some rest, dawn is approaching. Tomorrow night it's the same drill as tonight," Oddity told them all, shutting off the dim lights and moving into a vacant bedding, the others following.

My head... he thought to himself through the headache.

Spike rose up, shaking himself out of his grogginess. He stood quickly, immediately remembering the moments prior to him being knocked out.

"You're awake!" Oddity exclaimed, moving from his chair at the other end of the room. "I was starting to get worried Silent hit you too hard, haha!"

"Where is she?" Spike asked, taking in the new surroundings.

On either side of him, sheets and pillows adorned the ground. He saw a few lamps, he assumed magically powered, glowing in the sunset leaking through the curtains.

"I wish I could answer you..." Oddity replied with a frown, "But she's always been all over the place without telling anyone where exactly."

"You know her?" Spike asked, sitting on the ground.

"Yeah, she's actually my sister funny enough," he awkwardly chuckled, his horn sparking before he sighed in defeat. "Keep forgetting about that..."

Spike stared at Oddity as he dragged over a chair, expecting a punchline, "But..."

"Yeah, not much resemblance. I was always the odd one out when it came to the family though, or at least from what she told me."

"What about your parents?"

"They're no longer with us... Ever since I was a colt actually."

"What happened?"

"That's going to have to wait a bit. I want your story first off. Who are you?"

"I'm Spike, loyal assistant to Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Oddity immediately slammed the door and locked it, "She wasn't in on it was she?"

"In on what?" Spike asked, feeling worried.

"We have this outbreak, along with the train incident and the barricade around the town all together. It's obvious that the Princesses are behind it. Trust Silent and I over everyone else when we say royalty has a hand in this," he said, lowering his head.

"What do you mean by that?" Spike asked, scooting back a bit. He's not another one of those psycho skeptics right?

"What I mean is... This wouldn't be the first secret project gone wrong... First time they had to hurry and do a quick clean up... At least, this is to a scale they can't hide from the public. They're going to make up a lie though."

Spike smacked his thighs and stood, "Well, I have a peanut allergy so I'm going to leave this nuthouse! Thanks for keeping me during the day, and good luck!"

Oddity sighed and closed his eyes, letting Spike walk to the door and open it. Before he could make it through, it slammed and his chair pulled up behind him. Oddity opened his eyes again and took a deep breath.

"Sit back down and hear me out. I know what I'm saying is a bit crazy but I can tell you for sure Canterlot is a fucked up little place. You know they never cleaned up one project that went loose. They only managed to contain and execute half of those involved. A mare and a stallion, a married couple to be precise. Their two kids escaped though, safe from harms way in a small town. That was us. Now sit your scaley ass down before I tell the others you're trying to kill us all."

Spike sat down, staring at Oddity intently, "Go on then. Tell me what you can and bring some sense to this all."

"We were dubbed The Magic Within, another one of the Royal Black Projects..." Oddity began, telling Spike his tale.

A world away, during Spike's slumber

Rainbow and Applejack stood in the gymnasium of Canterlot high, glaring at one another, forehead to forehead.

"Ah won and you cheated," Applejack accused.

"As if! You're just mad that I'm better at basketball than you!" Rainbow retorted.

"More like better at fouling!"

"You want fouled? I'll show you a foul when I snap that arm of yours!"

"U-uhm... Can we not fight this time?" Fluttershy asked, fixing her referee shirt.

"Yeah, it's obviously Miss Doesn't-Make-A-Call-All-Game's fault!" Rainbow threw out.

"She does have a point sug', you were a bit quiet..." Applejack reminded her.

"Then don't ask me to referee... This happens every time!" She quietly told them.

"Can you all hush! Sunset over here is worried about Twilight and you're not doing anything to help that!" Rarity reprimanded the arguing trio.

"What about Pinkie? She up and ditched us all!" Rainbow yelled.

"She had a bake sale to get to. I really can't blame her honestly. Whenever you two challenge one another, I want to disappear too," Sunset told them with a blank expression. "Besides, last I heard things were getting a bit zombie-esque over there," she said, scanning over the last passage before shutting the book again. "How do you stay on your toes when you're not being told shit?"

"Have you tried writing to her?" Rarity asked, offering a pen.

"Only a dozen times. But I don't know... I'm worried something bad happened to her. It's been over a day since she last wrote to me..." Sunset said, pulling her jacket tighter around her.

"Ah say give it a few more hours, and then go through," AJ suggested.

"I guess you're right... I was a little homesick anyways. Might be fun to see the old place, ya know?" She said, a small smile appearing.

"Take pictures of the castle!!" Rarity squealed.

"Yeah, and tell me if I'm a chump over there so I can come whoop my own ass into shape!" Rainbow demanded.

"Tell me I said hi," Fluttershy whispered.

"Bring me an apple. Ah'm curious if they taste any different over there, or if there are any magic variations of 'em."

Off in the distance they heard a voice screaming, "TELL ME TO WRITE MORE!"

Sunset sighed and chuckles, "Fucking Pinkie Pie... But yeah, I'll even leave you all the book so that when I find Twilight and sort it all out, we can still touch base. Doubt these cross through the portal too," she said, holding her phone up."

"I'll even lend you a machete to take with you!" Fluttershy cheered.

They all stared at her in surprise, caught off guard by her offer.

"I-It's for gardening... Plus I might need one..." she explained.

"Well, whatever is on the other side, I know I'll be set!" Sunset told them happily, holding the book close to her.

As if waiting for the silence, it began vibrating.

"Looks like you'll be prepared for the chance any guys over there aren't interested in you too," Rainbow jested, Applejack laughing along.

Sunset blushed a bit, "Shut up! It's someone writing back!"

She waited for the vibrating to stop, the book pulsating purple to indicate the waiting message. Sunset opened it, ready for news from her friend, only to immediately drop it on the ground in horror.

Rarity looked over, holding a hand to her chest, "I-I..."

The other three ran over, looking at the book too, Fluttershy immediately fainting. On the two pages in front of them, red was splattered across. The same shade had been used to write kill and feast everywhere among it. In the center, as if a beacon in the darkness, one word stood out, help...

"Th-that's her writing... I recognize it... All of it is her... G-get Fluttershy up, I need that machete... I'm going in tonight," Sunset said, scribbling into onto the page and closing the book up.

"The Magic Within?" Spike asked.

"Our parents were unique. My mother was a pegasus with the speed you saw Silent have. Dad was a psychic, but also a unicorn, so he had both. Of course, the Royal Family discovered this and wanted to see what they could engineer out of them. See, their idea was if they could harness my father's psychic abilities and my mother's agility and keen sense of awareness, they could transfer those abilities to their entire guard. Think about it, earth guards have strength, pegasi guards have the skies, yet the unicorns have the magic. With those abilities, they could have an army with unstoppable abilities in any form," he explained calmly.

"So where do you and Silent come in?"

"I was just getting there. Their initial test was a generation pass out of curiosity of how the abilities would transfer if they could. Silent was messed with, her genes altered so she would be a female pegasus... Of course, somewhere along the line things went a little weird and she got the discolored wings. Our father saw what she could potentially do with her abilities, thanks to his powers, and named her Hide Seek, after the childhood game of course. She took on Silent after our escape, deeming Hide Seek too childish for her.

Me on the other hand... I was altered to the male unicorn you see now, two years after Silent. My name was a bit of a joke because our father saw me having no abilities... So I was the odd one out in a way. Most of my childhood was spent underneath the castle, held against our wills and constantly tested on. Then one day, we formed a plan. Mom and dad told Silent and I to hide behind her wings in the darkness the next time they came, then they would distract them while we escaped and we would all meet on the other side...

Of course... Silent being older knew what they meant. When the magic started flying, we ran out of there and escaped. Yet, instead of waiting, Silent and I continued on our way. I tried to stop her but she just kept going, dragging me along. I was only 13 at the time... I still realized what had happened though... Silent never spoke much after that day... Even then only to me until you came along. I lived a near normal life here with her since though..."

Spike sat silent, so many conflicting thoughts running through his mind, "Wait... but from what you said there's a chance Luna doesn't know what's going on..."

"It's possible since she was on the moon for a millennium she didn't, but now that she's back I feel like there was an accept it or go back scenario. Even a rumor or two floated around that the initial reason she rose up was due to a disagreement about the underground projects... Still... she hasn't done anything to stop it so she is as much at fault."

"How did they cover up your parents' death though?"

"I remember the headline clearly... Local Canterlot Couple Killed Trying to Assassinate Princess Celestia, all bullshit too."

"Where did your powers come from? Didn't your dad see you having none?"

"They say trauma can affect a child severely... And being my age, I guess something that bad unlocked what hid beneath..."

"Damn... So why did Silent talk to me?"

"You're like us in a way. We are weirdos hiding in society for fake acceptance... You're a dragon, a hated species mostly, finding acceptance with people not like you. She saw you as someone relatable..."

Spike sighed, standing and peeking behind a curtain, seeing the moon rising, "I should get going... I need to find Twilight, or her corpse..."

"Please stay... We have enough supplies for everyone for at least 2 weeks..."

"I'm going back out there... We all have someone we need to make sure is safe, don't we?"

"I know but I can't just abandon everyone here," Oddity explained, looking at the shut door behind him.

"Yeah, it's good of you to do this much anyways. You seem like the only safe house nearby," Spike admitted, moving towards the door. "And before I go, I'll tell you this. Twilight had nothing to do with this and is probably out there trying to stop it now," Spike said with a smile.

"I hope you're right Spike... Good luck finding her. If you see Silent, tell her Oddity misses her..." he said, a tear rolling down his cheek.

Spike nodded, turning and getting hit with the door flying open. One of the survivors stood there, panting rapidly.

"We... we saw something bad... It was... It was an alicorn... An infected one! She shredded a survivor right outside the window. She flew off to the north immediately but still, she's out there and it's bad!"

"That's where Silent is! Wait... Alicorn?" Oddity said as he made the connection.

Spike's heart sunk low as he heard the news, "N-no! I won't let her suffer like that!" He roared loudly, scrambling towards the door.

The others watched in silence as he bounded out into the darkness. He sprinted north, hopping over the corpse in the street as he followed what there was of a blood trail.

"TWILIGHT!" He screamed, hoping some part of her heard him.

He kept going blindly, hearing a mare scream off in the distance. He knew he was already too late to save whoever it was, but he hoped they'd stall Twilight long enough for him to get there.

She turned, her mouth dripping with fresh blood as she heard the scream. She narrowed her eyes and leapt to a roof, staring in the direction of her pursuer. She waited until the second he came into view to strike.

Spike looked up just in time, his reflexes kicking in as he spun out of her way. She landed and immediately did a 180 spin, preparing to pounce again. Spike balled his fists, ready this time. When she snarled and pounced, he sidestepped her and sent his fist into her jaw.

"Twilight!" He roared, watching her crumple into the ground. "Don't make me do this..."

She rolled onto her front, shaking her head from the blow. She soared back to the rooftops, moving across them while she watched Spike. Inside her, something was reawakened.

Where am I...? She asked, viewing through her feral eyes. Her body continued on its way, still out of her control.

"Come down here and face me!" Spike shouted again.

"Spike!" She squeaked out quietly, faltering in her movements and tripping, crashing down the rooftop.

Her feral form recovered when she hit the ground, immediately wrenching back control.

Did I...? She asked herself. No. I'm going to fight this... Now that I see there's hope, I'm not giving in again!

She dove again at Spike, expecting his dodge and turning into him. She flipped off him and immediately rose, facing him as he stood, still partially dazed. Twilight arched her claws, ready to tear into the dragon.

Spike began to reach back for his shortsword before deciding against it. I still have to try to pull her out of there...

Twilight shrieked and rushed forward, slashing at him. He quickly knocked her hand away. She swung again, beginning to rapidly slash and close in on him. He kept deflecting her blows, mirroring each swipe the best he could in an effort to protect himself. Finally he grabbed her right wrist and twisted her around, wrapping his other arm around her neck from behind.

"You've got to be in there somewhere! I don't want your blood on my hands dammit," he cried to her, tears forming in the corner of his eyes as the thought ran through his mind.

I'm here! I'm right here! She tried to force herself to scream, fighting for control of her body. She struggled against the animalistic desires increased exponentially by the infection that had driven her to the state she was in.

Her physical form reared its head back, drilling it into Spike's neck and forcing him to let go. He collapsed onto his rear, gasping for air as he clutched his throat, still keeping an eye on her. She stayed still, watching intently as he rose again.

I am taking back control whether or not you like it! I won't let you hurt Spike! She growled at herself, focusing all the will she had left into reclaiming herself.

Spike drew the sword slowly, standing in a readied position as he slowly regained his breathing, "If I can't have Twilight back... You're sure as hell not going to have her..." He took a look around the area, shivering at what he saw.

All around them a large ring of Ferals of all kinds had gathered and enclosed them, all seeming to watch the duel. Twilight stood still as he took in the surroundings, waiting. Finally, she snarled aloud, bearing her claws once more and unfurling her wings.

No... Spike... Please...

Spike rushed forward, Twilight sprinting with an ear piercing shriek as she met him halfway as he swung at her with the sword. She immediately put her hand in the way, the blade hitting her palm and stopping instantly. She gripped it tightly, twisting her wrist quick and snapping the blade in half, letting the part in her hand drop.

Spike stared at the broken sword in his hand in astonishment, "Not cool Twilight!" He growled, pocketing it and swinging at her.

She dodged, punching him in the stomach and dropping him onto his back with ease. She crouched down, straddling his chest as she stared down, toying with her prey.

Spike stared into the soulless abyss that were her eyes and accepted his fate and accepted his friend being gone for good.

She opened her mouth, revealing her blood-covered teeth in a horrifying grin as she raised her claw.

STOP! she screamed internally, doing all she could to hold the killing blow back.

Spike saw her hesitate, still tense in preparation for the final slash. "At least it's you killing me... The mare who raised me from an egg to today... Funny isn't it? Even now, I can't help but think of all the good times we had with our friends and just with each other, I wish you could recall them too..."

A tear rolled down Twilight's cheek as she forced her hand a few more inches forward.

I do remember them Spike... Please... Don't do this! she shrieked at herself, starting to sob.

Twilight's body swung her hand down, right into the ground next to his throat. She tucked her head, slamming her eyes shut before rearing up and screeching into the sky.

"NO!" She howled aloud, letting anyone within range hear her. She rolled off of him, curled up in a fetal position and shivering as she whispered quietly, "Don't hurt him... Please don't hurt him... Don't make me hurt him..."

Spike stood slowly, staring at his infected friend intently, "T-Twilight?" He croaked out quietly.

She raised her head and looked at him before looking back down, "Run away Spike... Please... I'm dangerous."

"No damnit! I came here to save you, not leave you to this. Even then, you're back, you're you... There's hope now!" Spike said, gazing at the ring of Ferals around them once more, making sure none tried anything.

"I may be me now, but for how long? Even if I get this under control, my body has been warped, my magics probably been fucked with... I taste blood for fuck's sake Spike! I... I ate ponies... you don't go back from that shit! Just look at me!" She lamented, standing and facing him

He looked at her, scanning over her form. Her jeans were shredded in various places, holes and rips up to the thigh were apparent. Her shirt was shredded down the middle, blood splattered over it on both sides as well as along what little was showing of her body. Her skin and grey bra were both visible and blood covered. Somehow she had managed to keep her satchel on and intact through it all.

"Personally, you're kinda hot. So maybe this is a good look for ya, you know?" Spike jested, fixing his bag on his back.

Twilight growled at him, stepping forward before stopping, her eyes beginning to water as she broke into a smile and hugged him tightly, "Thank you Spike... Even in the times like these you still know how to make me laugh... Now, tell me you have a plan?"

"I have a plan," Spike replied immediately.

"Really?!" Twilight asked excitedly.

"No. Not really. My initial thought was Zecora might know but she's in the Everfree, probably overran by them, and even then we are still surrounded," Spike reminded her, grabbing his broken sword.

Twilight reached towards her bag to grab her book, but decided against it as a new idea came to mind.

"Spike," she whispered.

"Yeah Twilight?" He whispered back, watching the unmoving horde.

"I'm going to try something, and if things go wrong, end me. Don't hesitate, just end me," she told him, readying her claws.

"Alright Twilight, but I doubt I'll have to... As for them, any idea why they're not moving?"

"They did this to the girls and I earlier... None of them did anything until we attacked them. It's weird. But even then they had us blocked in and basically forced us to, kinda like this. But even then, they were here when you and I were fighting so maybe there's something else."

"How many are there would you say?"

"Around 20, bit too much to fight off."

"Is it possible your princesshood transcended into zombiehood?" Spike asked with a chuckle.

"Funny. As if they care about titles. But then again, maybe me being an alicorn signifies some sort of power to them, hence them letting me have you..."

"If you're confident enough in that, shouldn't they let you walk right out?"

"Me? Maybe. You? There's no chance. You're food. Either I have you or they do is how they look at it. We have no choice but to fight our way through."

"Didn't you just say there were too many to fight?"

"Too many to fight and live... There's never too many to just fight..." Twilight said in a solemn tone, walking out towards the nearest Feral.

They spread apart, making a path for her. She nodded and waved Spike over, only to have them close it off instantly.

She chuckled quietly and grumbled to herself, "Why the fuck not..." She closed her eyes, focusing her mind on calling forth the Feral side of her.

In one swift motion, Twilight let out a shriek and grabbed the nearest Feral, clawing across it's throat and throwing it to the ground. The others reacted instantly, moving in on Spike and Twilight without a moment's hesitation. Spike swung his broken sword wildly, keeping them at bay as he and Twilight began shredding any of them she could get her claws on. As more approached, they both backed up against each other. She continued to claw at any that got close, noticing a few Pegasi Ferals had moved into the air.

Spike let out a roar of desperation, breathing fire at a few as he did and igniting them. They assaulted harder, keeping the two back to back. Twilight pushed back another one, angrily shouting as she did.

"Why don't you just kill us already?!" She screamed at the attacking Ferals, her own mind still balanced between Feral and sane.

"They're just fucking with us... They're watching their prey squirm before they savor the thrill of the kill... It's animalistic..." Spike told her quietly, still keeping them away.

"We saw this before... They've got a pack mentality," Twilight whispered back to him.

One charged forward, knocking the sword from his hands and screeching in his face. He closed his eyes, bracing for whatever was to come next. He felt blood splatter across his face and reopened them, seeing the Feral stagger in front of him, two new holes on either side of its head.

Spike knew what to do and spun, bringing both of them to the ground. He covered Twilight with his own form, ensuring her safety before his as he listened to the bodies around them dropping. He waited for a few seconds of silence before looking up, seeing no more standing or flying. He rose to his feet, pulling Twilight along. Before she could speak, a Pegasus had sped up to her, pressing a pistol to her forehead.

They stared at one another, each observing the other for the first move before Spike spoke up.

"Uh... Twilight, meet the mare who just saved us. Silent, meet Twilight, the Princess of Friendship if that still even applies."

"She's one of them," Silent said, keeping both her eyes and aim locked.

"I am... But I'm not. See? I'm not attacking you. I'm helping Spike. I killed them. Isn't that enough proof?" Twilight tried to reason.

"I heard your screech. You're infected and it still lies dormant, whether or not you've repressed it. It's affected you physically too."

Spike grabbed the pistol, pulling it away from Twilight's head with little resistance from Silent, "She's good. Trust me. She's better to us... uh... alive? Are you alive or dead? Or undead?" Spike asked, losing his train of thought.

"For fuck's sake Spike, of all the times to do this, now?"

"Sorry, I just wanna get my terms down for when we find the others."

"Others?" Silent asked.

"The other 5 friends of ours... Who should be at the castle. Speaking of which..." Twilight reached into her bag, pulling out the blood-soaked and vibrating book. She opened it and sighed at the words inside, "Looks like I did some writing while I was gone, and Sunset took that as her cue to come through..."

"So odds are they're at the castle, barricaded and safe?" Spike asked. "Because if that's the case we need to get you to Zecora. She'd probably understand this stuff better than you or I and be able to help with it."

"The forests should be clear of the Ferals, and we can clear what isn't," Silent informed them.

"Ferals aren't what I'm afraid of... I've got a story for you all, and I want a story from you about that train ride..." Twilight told them.

"Wait, you said we. You're coming with us?" Spike asked Silent, ignoring Twilight.

She nodded and looked around, "I'll be able to help more out here with you than hiding somewhere and waiting for what few survivors are left. Most don't make the run to my brother anyways..."

"Well... Ok... Can we head to your hideout one last time just to get situated before we head out? I kinda need to find something to replace this," he said, motioning towards the useless blade.

She smiled at Spike and nodded, moving away quickly and beckoning them to follow.

Twilight looked at Spike and smirked, "Aww."

"She's a friend I met out here, shut up. Let's go."

Sunset stood in front of the statue that housed her portal home, her five friends behind her. Night had fallen long ago and the air had turned cold, the moon high above them.

"Now are ya' sure about this?" Applejack asked her.

"Yes. They need help and I know the area... I'll come out wherever the portal is and work from there. You have the book and I will be in touch eventually," Sunset told them, attaching Fluttershy's machete and sheath to her belt. "Don't stay up all night worrying; you all have lives to worry about here. Just trust in me, ok?"

"If you need help, I'll definitely stay up, so call on me and I'll come through to kick some ass!" Rainbow told her.

"Could you um, clean off any b-blood that might get on it? I never really u-use it but still..." Fluttershy asked, shivering from the cold.

"And, not to sound like a savage, but any decent clothing you can scavenge... I wouldn't mind seeing their styles," Rarity asked, a faint blush appearing.

The others stared at her in confusion, "What? They don't need them if they're dead! Sorry for using logic here, hmph!"

Pinkie bounced forward and gave Sunset a tight hug. As Sunset hugged back, Pinkie's mane fell around her. She heard a new voice in her ear coming from Pinkie.

"If you go through, there is no return until you bring both the Sun and Moon crashing down to the Earth. Yours and everyone's salvation relies on it. If you fail, the same tragedy will fall here, but no survivors will remain. We will survive as long as you do so do not fear for us. Inform the others that the survival of two dimensions relies on the 9 of you. Farewell Sunset," Pinkie whispered.

Sunset let go as Pinkie pulled away, smiling cheerfully, "Bye Sunset!!"

She looked at the others in confusion, "Did anyone else...?"

They looked at one another and shook their head.

"Right... Well I'll be back everyone. Wish me luck!" She said, stepping through the portal.

On the other side, the other five sat around the table that housed their magic map, looking at one another.

"Are we fucked?" Rainbow asked.

"I've got no idea how we could get out. The only way to fight magic is with magic. Unfortunately, our strongest magician has gone to the dead side," Pinkamena told them, twirling the gun on her finger.

"At least we have the place barricaded. We literally turned a castle into a fortress," Applejack told them.

"It's more of a castle with locked windows and a few bookcases in front of the door..." Fluttershy countered, ducking beneath the table every time the gun pointed her way.

"Well, I could give it a shot but I'm maybe a fraction of the power Twilight has..." Rarity told them.

"It's alright Rare, thanks for the offer but I doubt even Twilight would have the power to combat it alone. Maybe two Twilight's would, but then again they'd be up against the magic of the Royal Guard and the Princesses..." Applejack informed them.

"If we still had a working Twilight, then maybe we could take her somewhere Pinkie knows about..." Pinkamena jested.

"As much fun as a hundred Twilights shouting about books would be... No thanks..." Rainbow told them, shivering at the memories.

"So, ah know you're aware of Pinkie but is she aware of you?" Applejack inquired.

"She is, but denies it and lies to herself about it. Kinda her coping mechanism for most things..."

"That's actually a bit fucked up..." Rarity commented.

Before any of them could continue, they heard a loud crash from an adjoining room. They exchanged glances and ran to the door, weapons at the ready, save for Fluttershy who hid under the table. Rainbow opened the door cautiously, moving in with her bat.

In the center of the room sat Sunset Shimmer, shattered glass surrounded her while the empty mirror frame still stood. Behind the mirror remnants, the device keeping the portal open had exhausted what was left in it and was now spewing smoke. Sunset looked up at the others, her horn back once more.

"How do I get home?" She asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

End Part 2