Equestrian Infection

Equestrian Infection

Part 3: The Feral Forest

By: Twisted Ink

Sunset told her tale to the other 5, sitting around the table that doubled as a map of Equestria. With hell outside, they'd managed to barricade themselves in for two days so far, waiting for an end or a solution to what was going on. When she finished, they all told their tale in return, leaving off at the end with leaving Twilight.

"So both Twilight and Spike?" Sunset asked, still in shock about both the news and the shattered portal she had come from.

Rarity nodded, "Unfortunately so. There's no way out either."

"Have you tried digging underneath it?" Sunset asked with a shrug.

Rainbow gave her a dumbfounded look, "Yeah, we totally had time to dig a tunnel under a magical dome with all these undead fuckers running around."

"No need to be h-harsh Rainbow, she's just trying to help," Fluttershy told her, the corrupted rabbit Angel nodded in agreement from his cage.

Sunset set her purse and machete sheathe on the table, the butterfly adorned handle noticeably catching Fluttershy's eye, "Yeah, your counterpart lent it to me just in case one of us needed it. If you want it, I could always grab one of the books scattered around until I find something else."

Rainbow glared at her, memories of Twilight flashing through her mind and causing her eyes to water, "Use the fucking machete and leave her books alone, I mean it."

Sunset lowered herself a bit in her seat, "S-sorry?"

"It's fine sug', it's just that's what Twi' used when she... Was... You know..." Applejack told her, looking away.

"I get that and I'm deeply sorry... What's her deal though?" She asked, pointing across from her.

Across the table, Pinkamena remained silent, her boots propped up on the table. She stared expression-less at Sunset, as if looking for something. Sunset met her eyes, feeling the cold gaze pierce her soul. They stayed like that for a few seconds before Sunset forced herself away.

"Wh-what the hell do you want?" She demanded from the silent mare.

Pinkamena took in a sharp breath and looked away suddenly, "Sorry, I'm not sure what happened there... Nothing against you... I just shut down I guess."

"That's a first..." Rainbow muttered under her breath.

Pinkamena glared at her and sighed quietly.

"Wait... That voice... Pinkie had it right before I left... She told me something really weird..."

"What was it sug'?" Applejack asked.

"Something about the 9 of us... Things happening over there like here... We have to bring the Sun and Moon crashing down..."

The others looked to Pinkamena who shrugged, "Hell if I know... I mean, I'd like to point out there are only 6 of us now... Even then, the Sun and Moon are obviously Celestia and Luna... Well, guess I did know a tiny bit. Whoops!"

"Bits of Pinkie seem to still leak through, hmm?" Rarity asked.

"Well, time to time. They're mainly easy to repress. But either way, that doesn't matter. What matters is whatever Sunset here was told seems very weird. Even if the other two were still around, we would only have 8, so where the hell would we get a ninth?"

"If anyone would know it would have to be Zecora," Fluttershy told them.

"Why haven't we gone to see her yet exactly? Knowing her, she could've made a cure within the first hour!" Rainbow told them.

"Now don't go overestimatin' what she does. I'm sure if a cure were that easy this wouldn't be a problem in the first place. Besides, she lives in the Everfree Forest, there's no telling what could be in there now, dead or alive!" Applejack warned.

"Then it's settled. We go see Zecora tomorrow at dusk," Sunset told them.

"And why exactly do you think you're calling the shots?" Pinkamena growled.

"Not like you were anyways, so back off!" Rainbow retorted.

"I mean, she is the first person to make a decision... All we've seem to do is bicker anyways..." Fluttershy told Pinkamena quietly.

"Well, fine," she said in defeat, "We'll go see her tomorrow at... sunset, right Sunset?" She said with a giggle. After a few seconds she shook her head, "What the hell is wrong with me? I'm receding for a bit..."

As Pinkie took control once more, the others glanced over at Sunset, "So what's the plan then?" Applejack asked.

"Well, we go at dusk since they're in larger numbers in the city at night from what you've said. That way, we won't have to deal with them getting to the forest, or while we're in it," She said with an obvious lack of confidence.

Luckily, it went unnoticed as the others stayed silent, nothing to disagree with in the matter.

"So did Pinkamena shoot anyone this time?" Pinkie asked cheerfully.

A quick jog took the trio back to the empty house where Spike and Silent had met. Once there, they relaxed in a back room, Spike now with a large carving knife scavenged from the kitchen. He stared his undead friend in the eyes, as if prompting her to speak.

Twilight tried to avoid his eye contact but gave after a few seconds, "What?! Take a fucking picture already!" She yelled at him.

Spike blinked a few times before looking around, "Sorry, I spaced out for a bit. Long day, you know?"

Twilight gave Spike a look of disbelief and raised her arms questioningly, "I wouldn't know because you haven't told me!"

"Oh..."

"I'm quite curious as well," Silent spoke up.

"I was actually waiting for Twilight to tell me her story but fine then. It started out simple for me, Twilight rushed me out, fuck you for that because look where we are now, and I got on the train. Everything was fine at the start as we waited to depart, but the air was a bit heavier than usual. Otherwise, I tried to take a nap to pass the time.

The reason I say tried is because the person next to me starts this coughing fit as the train starts going, and it was bad! It quickly got worse when I saw blood in their hands. After I moved a row up, others on board had the same thing start up. Patient zero behind me lets out this massive screech and lunges at someone else.

Within two minutes of leaving the station, all hell had broken loose. I cowere- I mean, bravely hid a few rows up as they all went at it. Then, over the intercom comes Celestia's voice. Containment procedure 42686 and next thing I knew there was an explosion. I woke up later that night nearly a mile from the crater. Eventually found my way to this place and met up with her. Not much else there."

"That's all that happened?" Twilight asked to be sure.

"Well, one observation I had was that I'd never seen the train so dead before!" He added with a goofy smile.

Silent let out a slight giggle as Twilight held up a middle finger, "I'm being serious Spike..."

"And I'm being Spike, Serious. But really, I'm done. Your turn!"

After a few minutes her side had been shared, leaving Spike with a confused look on his face, "So they think you're dead, Sunset is probably here, and Angel hasn't changed a bit?"

"Sounds about right," Twilight agreed.

"Still, makes more sense than when I heard Celestia say that though..."

Twilight nodded sadly, so Spike reached over and rubbed her shoulder compassionately. She tried to force a smile but turned away instead.

Silent looked around awkwardly, not wanting to hinder or advance the situation for fear of worsening it, "So, when shall we see the zebra?"

Spike checked out the window, seeing the moon still approaching its peak, "I say we go now while we can, it should be easy enough to get there from here."

"Alright, then lead the way Spike," Twilight told him, beckoning towards the door.

"Me? Why can't you? They won't attack you on sight!" He countered.

"Well... Fine, just don't fall behind," she said with a huff.

Spike looked over at Silent who simply shrugged, not offering anything more on the matter.

Twilight crept across the street slowly, checking in either direction for any Ferals close enough to spot them through the darkness. She beckoned them over, moving further along once they had gotten to her safely. As she peeked past the next house, she saw a unicorn Feral creeping towards her. She motioned for Spike and Silent to hide and turned to face it. It glared into her eyes, keeping them locked as it moved in close, sniffing her horn and the sides of her face. Finally, the light-brown inspector turned to walk off.

Huh, I guess Spike was right...

Twilight took another step forward, the Feral instantly snapping its gaze towards her and screeching. She acted quick and side-stepped the creatures sudden lunge. She turned as it went by and rammed into it with her shoulder, causing it to crumple to the ground.

Wow, where did that come from...?

She spread her claws and lunged at it, quickly slicing through its throat and decapitating it. She looked at her bloody hands and wiped them on her jeans, turning back towards her hidden friends, "We're good! Let's go quick though just in case."

As they jogged the last bit of distance to the forest, Spike put his hand on Twilight's shoulder, "That was badass Twilight! Who would've thought you'd be worth more dead than alive?"

She sighed in disapproval, "You really know how to make someone feel good about their situation, you know that right?"

He chuckled softly, "Really though, where did those moves come from?"

"They were instinct really... I'm not too sure though. Anyways, here we are. From this point on, we can't split up or we will get lost. I think I know the general direction to get us on the path to her hut, so let's go," She commanded, moving into the forest.

"Is it really as bad as she says?" Silent asked Spike as she stared at the ominous tree-line ahead of her.

"Eh, depends on if you know what you're doing. Deadly plants, sea monsters with good senses of style, manticores, and even timberwolves... Along with probably a few surprises! So just stay close and we should be fine," Spike assured her.

She nodded and they stepped forward, moving through the foliage to catch up to Twilight.

After about an hour of navigating through, Spike threw his hands up, "Twilight, do you even know where we're going?!"

"Yes I do thank you! As to why we haven't gotten there yet is beyond me. It feels as if we're walking in circles..."

Silent pulled out her pistol and shot it to her left. The bullet whizzed through the forest, coming back from the other side and grazing her arm before embedding itself in a tree. "We are going in circles... Literally."

"What the hell is causing it? It can't be another unicorn... Right?" Spike asked her.

"Well, there might be one thing... But even then it's just a legend, so I doubt it really exists," she said, setting her palm on her chin in thought.

"Look at yourself Twilight, are you really doubting something exists?" Spike reminded her, pointing at her faded and blood-stained body.

"It's called a Relapse, for obvious reasons, and it entraps anything it can in an endless loop until they die... Then it feeds. No-one knows what it looks like, but some tales say it has to stay in the area it's affecting or else it won't work."

"So we're looking for something that might not even be here, and we don't even know what it looks like? Right... Well..." Spike trailed off with a lack of ideas.

"One last thing I recall is that apparently it hates light, hence it living in here, and if anyone has a light source it'll get rid of it somehow..."

"Well, if we had a light source then we wouldn't be standing in the dark talking about this, would we?"

"Well, smartass, I'd like to remind you that YOU ARE A DRAGON!" She yelled into his face.

He looked at the ground and kicked his foot, "Right... I kinda forgot about that..."

"Do you two always fight as such?" Silent asked them.

"We live together, it happens a lot more than we care to admit," Twilight explained, now holding a large stick. "Burn this for me Spike."

He let out a small flame, igniting the end Twilight held. Within milliseconds a grey mass flew past their eyes, knocking the stick to the ground and putting it out. She picked up another stick and nodded, handing it to Spike. He lit this one too, but this time when the mass flew by, Twilight lunged instantly and tackled it to the ground, holding it in her arms.

"I got it! Get over here quick and help," she said, signs of struggle apparent in her voice.

Spike took his makeshift torch over to her, watching her struggle with the grey blob that was no bigger than Twilight's head. Spike simply stared at the two as they wrestled, putting his arm out as Silent tried to intervene, "Look at it, it looks harmless."

She got a good look at it while Twilight held it still. The small grey blob had nothing but two small, black eyes that resembled dots as well as a mouth that lacked teeth of any kind. It moved to Twilight's arm, gnawing on it the best it could. She stared at it, watching it bite in vain, "A little help please?"

"Well, maybe it's hungry?" Spike wondered, pulling half of a bar of chocolate from his backpack, "I was savin' this for later, but maybe you want it, little guy?"

It let go of Twilight's arm, bouncing nervously towards the outstretched treat. It looked up at Spike, seeing the light in his hand and cowering back a bit. He looked up at it then back down at the blob with an idea. He reached back into his bag and pulled a pair of sunglasses from it, handing Silent the torch as he crept closer. The Relapse hesitated long enough for Spike to slip the sunglasses onto it, the arms sinking into the goo-like structure of its face but the lenses covering its eyes perfectly. He stepped back, offering the chocolate once more. It bounced happily, moving closer to the light and taking it from Spike's hand, swallowing it whole.

"This is weird..." Silent said aloud.

Twilight nodded in agreement, "It really is, but at least we found what's causing this I hope..."

"Are you the one making this place a maze?" Spike asked, the Relapse bouncing in response. "Ok, is there any way we can go through?"

It wiggled for a moment, frowning as if in thought before leaping over Spike and into his backpack, peeking out through the top and letting out a small squeak.

"So, I'm going to guess that's a yes and that it wants to come with us?" Twilight asked.

The Relapse squeaked once more, affirming Twilight's idea. They exchanged glances and began moving forward once more, accepting what just happened. Silent gave a confused look and moved close to Twilight.

"Why are we taking it with us?" She whispered.

"Well, knowing what it can do, it might be helpful... Plus if we upset it there's a chance it might not let us go forward anymore. How's your arm by the way?" Twilight whispered back.

Silent gazed at the small wound, a bit of blood traveling down her arm, "Just a graze, so I will be fine. I've dealt with a lot worse."

"If you're sure... Zecora might have something to dress it with so that way it doesn't get worse," she informed her, receiving a nod in return.

They moved forward, the Relapse quickly falling asleep in Spike's bag. After a few minutes of walking, they reached the path leading to the zebra's hut. Twilight looked at Spike and took point, leading them along the path in the right direction.

"How far back do you think that barrier goes?" Spike asked, shattering the silence.

"Hopefully far enough... It's really strange that we haven't run into anything else aside from that thing in your bag too. After what happened with Fluttershy though, I wouldn't be surprised if all the animals started acting weird," she explained with worry in her voice.

Her worry was quickly replaced with excitement when the hut came into view. She began to sprint up to it, immediately feeling Spike's claw on her shoulder.

"Wait a sec Twilight, let us go first so that way Zecora doesn't bust your head in on sight," he told her, stepping ahead and motioning for Silent to follow.

Spike looked back and made sure Twilight had listened before pushing open the door and making his way in.

"Zecora?" Spike called out, his eyes adjusting to the drastic change in lighting. He stepped back against Silent, who had yet to take in the severity of the situation.

Scattered around them were corpses of earth ponies hung everywhere, nearly all of them showing signs of the infection. Silent gripped his arm tightly, terror striking her barely a second later. Blood-red had become the natural color of the floor, as well as the color splattered across the walls, with claw marks complimenting it here and there. In the center sat her signature cauldron, the fire underneath it in its last embers before death. The witchdoctor was nowhere to be seen amidst it all.

"I think I'm gonna be sick..." Spike said, gripping his stomach.

Silent stepped past him, looking over the bodies in an effort to find out what happened. "Spike... Come here and look at this."

"I don't think I want to," he said as he reluctantly shuffled forward, gazing at the body before Silent.

"Here," she said, moving her hand along the cadavers back, "There are nubs where the wings used to be... As if they were removed. Same over here," she said, moving quickly to another, "This one had its horn removed..."

"So she's been dismembering unicorns and pegasi? Talk about racism," he tried to jest in an effort to calm himself.

"Unfortunately no, there seem to be lacerations where major muscles in the arms and legs are, as if they were removed in part as well," Silent explained, turning a corpse and looking at the horrified gaze upon its face.

"I was dismembering them for reasons well, they are not much but beasts from hell," they heard from the back, a curtain shuffling as Zecora stepped forward from behind it.

Silent stepped back to Spike and put a hand on her pistol, "Is... Is she rhyming?"

"It's her thing... Really fucking annoying at times but whatever, she can be very helpful," Spike whispered back, drawing his knife.

"Please, no need for force, unless you are infected of course. Take a seat and hear my story, one of much glory," she said, grabbing a stool and sitting.

Spike nodded to Silent and put away his knife, "Fine, but unless it's about a cure or something I won't pay much attention."

"A cure of sorts indeed, taken from the monsters who can no longer feed," she said with a smirk, stirring her cauldron and pouring its contents into four small bowls.

"That's great! Maybe you can help Twilight then!" Silent said excitedly.

Zecora dropped her ladle into the pot, stumbling back, "Twilight is... oh dear... This is something Celestia should fear..."

"Did you say Celestia?" Spike asked, reaching back for his knife once more.

"It was merely a-an expression Spike, so tell your fears to take a hike," she quickly shot back, passing them two of the four bowls. "Now is she with you? Or is she out there in this city-zoo?"

"With us... Right outside actually," Spike told her, taking a sip from his bowl.

"Then please have her come in, she is always welcome in my den," Zecora said, setting her bowl aside.

Spike nodded and walked off, returning quickly, "Just, try not to freak out... Come on Twilight."

Twilight walked in slowly, standing before Zecora who merely nodded, "I see you have retained your normal sense, now take a seat and don't be so tense," she held out a fourth bowl to Twilight who immediately took a drink.

"You took that well..." Twilight said cautiously. "But seeing the state of your home, I'm guessing you've been trying to find a cure?"

Zecora chuckled softly, "I simply took the areas most infected, brewed them together and into myself injected."

Silent choked on her soup in surprise, "I-injected? You injected the infection?!"

"No, no, you do not understand. What I did was carefully planned. Through my special brew I took away the sick, and took the concoction to give myself a little kick!" She explained as she stood, appearing behind them in a blur. "It gave me the speed of their wings, muscles and horn, only one of which I adorn." Zecora finished by appearing on the other side once more in the sickly green flash they'd seen many times prior.

"You harvested them to give yourself powers?!" Twilight asked in astonishment. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Well, I did get permission from the Princess if I must confess," Zecora said, a devious smirk appearing on her face as she held up a bottle containing a clear liquid with a rainbow shimmer. "Using a simple potion this plan was set in motion. With this through the barrier I can pass, as well as take anything attached to my mass."

"You're working with them...?" Silent asked, climbing to her feet quickly, only to fall back down with a hand to her head.

"You ok?" Spike asked, putting an arm around her before feeling himself start to weaken. "T-Twilight... I just realized, she had your bowl ready before she knew you were here... The little things are k-kinda funny, ya know?" He choked out before collapsing atop Silent.

Twilight moved towards Zecora, only to collapse seconds later as well, everything around her going dark.

Within seconds she opened her eyes once more, finding herself in the center of town. Ahead of her stood her pristine castle, shining in the moonlight; behind her stood the rest of Ponyville, untouched by the hell that had consumed it only moments prior. Twilight shook her head, trying to rid herself of the grogginess that was consuming her. She gazed down, seeing her attire the same as before, ripped and blood-stained. Her coat was still the faint remnants of what had once been beautiful purple, her hair taking on a similar color.

"Right... A dream... But why does it feel so weird?" She asked aloud.

"Because I took the first opportunity I could to speak with you," came a voice from behind the castle's front door.

"Is that... Princess Luna?" Twilight asked aloud, taking on a fighting stance.

The door opened slowly, Luna walking through the darkness that dwelled within. She had a gentle look upon her, her starry dress seeming to sway even in the absence of wind. Her dark blue coat was nearly matched by the absence of light still behind her. Once the door closed, she took a few steps closer to Twilight.

"Calm yourself Sparkle, I come not to fight you but to strike a deal with you," she cooed, taking another step forward.

"Tough shit," Twilight growled, firing a blast of magic at the Lunar Goddess.

Luna dissipated into the night, reassembling a few inches closer, "Here in the dream realm you can't harm me and I can't harm you, so we stand on equal ground."

"Equal ground my ass! You better be coming here to beg for mercy! After all you and Celestia have done-"

"THAT'S WHERE THOUEST IS MOST WRONG!" Luna bellowed in anger, stepping forward and seizing Twilight by the throat. "If you dare think I had anything to do with any of this you should think again! I was trapped on the moon for a thousand years. When I returned she had already begun these projects and told me to either accept them or be executed on the grounds of treason. I want her dead just as much as you... Once I saw what she tried to use your dragon-friend Spike for, the friend of her most idolized pupil, I knew something had to be done. Seeing what's happened to you now, I only wish I had acted quicker."

"F-fine... What's your deal then?" Twilight asked, hesitantly accepting her words as truth as she was let go.

"I will aid you in slaying my sister as well as cure you of what has happened... In exchange, I wish for the kingdom to become my own," Luna explained, crossing her arms. "Even now, she prepares to cover everything up with a Solar Flare... As for what that is, I have no idea... I've only heard it in passing but maybe someone else who was once close to her would know more. But for now. You need to get your friends and escape the town, at best you have maybe a few hours."

"At worst?" Twilight asked, fear slowly consuming her.

"I'll be the last face you ever see... Now go, get the potion Zecora holds and find your friends. Only one of you need to consume it while the others need to lock hands. Then, you will be able to cross the barrier. From there, I will aid you in entering the castle and finishing the deed."

"If it sees my friends and I survive, then a deal it is," she said, extending her hand.

Luna pushed her hand away and pulled her into a hug, "Thank you so much dear Twilight... Now, be gone from here."

Twilight snapped awake suddenly, finding herself lying on the ground. Across from her was Silent, still unconscious with a glowing metal collar around her neck, holding her to the wall. Twilight tried to crawl forward, immediately finding out she was in a similar position. She tugged on it hard, unable to make it budge from the dirt wall it extended into.

"Awake already my dear?" She heard from above her.

Zecora stood above, looking into the pit at them. "What are you doing this for?!" Twilight cried out.

"Everything I have harvested prior has been common ponies... But you three are special... I figure I'll let you pass the infection to her, then to your friend Spike. From there, I kill all three of you and see myself grow stronger!"

"You're insane..." And not rhyming for once...

"Insane? Please, what I'm doing would allow me to tear down anyone in my way..."

Twilight tried to teleport up to the zebra, immediately receiving a shock to her throat, forcing her to the ground once more. Spreading her wings resulted in the same consequence, leaving her on the ground helpless.

Zecora appeared in front of her, pressing the neck of a bottle to her open mouth and forcing her to drink from it, "This brew will release you from your civilized inhibitions and allow the virus to consume you once more. You will watch helplessly as you kill the very people you care for!"

Twilight coughed and sputtered as she regained control of her body, "N-no... I fought it off once... I can do it again and again..."

Zecora teleported back to the top once more, "I guess we will see if that rings true..."

Twilight felt panic settling in, looking over at Silent, "Please wake up..." she whispered loudly. "Silent, please!!"

Silent stirred a bit, her wings starting to flutter in her sleep, immediately delivering a shock to her, "Ahh!" She cried out in pain, stirred from her forced slumber.

"Silent, please listen!"

"T-Twilight?" She muttered weakly.

"I'm about to go out of it again... Do whatever you can to survive and stop her. I should be able to regain control again but it may take a while. She has Spike as well as that barrier crossing potion, both of which we need," Twilight continue, closing her eyes tightly.

"As you say Twilight," Silent said, watching the alicorn struggle to contain herself. "Where is she keeping Spike?"

Twilight kept her gaze low for a few more seconds before reacting and lunging at Silent, stopping just short due to her restraint. Silent instinctively reached for her gun, finding the holster empty. Twilight lunged again, the chains keeping her held starting to creak. Zecora sat on the edge, her legs dangling as she watched in amusement. Twilight finally broke her restraints, immediately diving at her pray with a screech. Silent dodged with ease, keeping her eyes locked on the red gaze of her attacker. She slashed at Silent, now only inches away but hit the chain holding her, rendering them both finally free of all but their collars.

She had confidence she could outlast Twilight for hours but knew she only had minutes until Zecora intervened. She quickly examined the steep dirt walls, seeing them a little more than double her height. Twilight knocked her from her thought as she brought her to the ground. Silent struggled against the sharp claws, sending her fist into Twilight's throat, causing her to let go and roll off her.

"Sorry..." she whispered, standing underneath Zecora and staying prepared as Twilight rose once more.

Once Twilight stood, Silent sprinted at her and leapt into the air. She landed one foot on her head, immediately pushing off for another leap and nearly clearing the wall of the pit cleanly. As she pulled herself the rest of the way out, Zecora scrambled to her feet and ran into the woods, dropping something as she did. Silent rushed over, finding a small key lying in the grass. As she looked back at the snarling princess, she reached around her own collar, finding a small lock. She stuck the key in and felt it release, falling off her neck and onto the ground. Snatching it and pocketing the key, she spread her wings and flew into the same direction as their captor had, intent on capturing her.

Zecora sprinted quickly, weaving through the trees and brush with ease as she tried to find her way back home. Silent closed in quick, flying cautiously to avoid a head-on collision, the collar open in one hand as the other outstretched towards the zebra. In one final burst of effort, Silent closed the distance and tackled her to the ground, slapping the collar around her neck and locking it.

Zecora struggled against her, trying to teleport away but being zapped in response. Silent gripped the collar and pulled Zecora as she flew high into the air above the Everfree Forest. Zecora watched as the city she once called home lie in panic and ruin, smiling as she was forced to look.

"What part of this is funny to you?" Silent asked angrily.

"The part where you think I give a fuck," Zecora mused.

"You're lucky I don't drop you now..."

"Oh? Then why don't you? Still some use for me I see?"

"Cut the rhyming shit now and tell me where Spike and our stuff is..."

"Such harsh words that were undeserved, but why would I tell you anything?"

"Maybe because we'll spare you that way instead of parading you around as a snack for the undead," Silent threatened, another hand moving around Zecora's throat and gripping. "Are we on even terms?"

Zecora pondered for a moment before reluctantly nodding, "Fine. Everything is in my hut, as anypony with sense would guess. Seeing as you've interest in going after Celestia I can only assume you'll want the potion as well, which sits behind my pot."

"Smart zebra," Silent mused back, releasing her grip on her throat and holding the collar tighter.

"Now, take me back down and let me go."

"Nah."

"Excuse me?!" Zecora said, starting to thrash a bit. "We had an agreement!"

"See... Now this is what I find funny..."

"Wh-what do you mean?"

Silent leaned down, pressing her lips to Zecora's ear and whispering, "Oh, just that you thought I gave a fuck..." Then she let go of her entirely, watching as Zecora wailed out her last breath before plummeting to her death.

After a few seconds, Silent flew down slowly, her fight finally over. Retracing her steps, she came back to Twilight who was now unconscious in the bit, vomit covering the ground next to her. Silent unlatched her collar and hoisted her over her shoulder, moving in the direction Zecora had fled. After a few minutes she came across the hut where her prizes were supposed to be.

She stepped through the door, finding Spike still asleep where he had initially sat. She set Twilight down before looking around, recovering her guns and Twilight's bag. She grabbed the potion from where Zecora had said, setting it with their things before going back to Spike and crouching next to him.

"You're kinda cute when you're asleep..." she whispered, receiving a loud snore in response.

She lightly tapped his face with her hand, doing her best to wake him, "H-huh?" He said, immediately going for where he'd kept his knife. "There goes my second weapon of the apocalypse..." he groaned softly.

"Thought you'd be happy to be alive, " she told him.

He looked around and shook his head, "I can't remember much... Was Zecora dealt with?"

"Obviously. Are you ok?"

"Slight headache, missing weapon, and two cute mares around me. So I'd say I'm better than normal," he said with a chuckle, blushing softly.

"And our little friend?" Silent asked, a slight blush fading as quickly as it appeared.

"H-hey, I was drugged, of course it wa- oh. Right. Lapse... Uh, ignore that last comment please," he said, his face rose-red now as he checked his backpack. "Still sound asleep."

"A-alright," Silent said, suppressing a giggle. "And she had some interesting knives over there if you're still on that blade kick," she pointed over by the back wall.

Spike went over quickly, coming back with a medium sized bowie knife as well as a sheathe for it, closing his hand in the grip, "This will do perfectly."

"Can you carry her?" Silent asked, lifting Twilight.

"I suppose, if you take Lapse instead," repeating the name he'd chosen for the small creature.

"Good. Then let's get going. I guess we should head by the castle where she said the others were..." Silent told him, putting her arms in the backpack.

"You lead the way," Spike told her, motioning towards the door with Twilight.

Silent stepped out into the woods once more, feeling as if things had finally taken a turn for the better. As they followed the path, she saw Ponyville come into view, only a few more minutes away. She turned to tell Spike, an arrow whizzing by the side of her face and embedding itself in a nearby tree.

She pulled Spike to the ground in an instant, "What the hell was that?!" He asked frantically.

She held a finger to her lips trying to look around them. Another arrow flew above them, hitting next to the first. Silent took off the backpack and opened it, Lapse stirring from its sleep.

"Do your thing," she whispered, receiving a cheerful smile as it wiggled, its body darkening.

She passed it off to Spike, wrapping her wings around herself to help hide as she leapt into the nearest tree. Another arrow hit below her as she went up, causing her to immediately retaliate with two rounds in the direction.

The foliage rustled around them, a sinister laugh echoing through the trees, "Did you really think a simple fall could kill me?" Her voice was distorted, a cruel mix of Feral and normal, as if the two were vying for dominance. "I have their strength, their speed, and their magic... I am unstoppable..." Zecora appeared in front of Silent in the tree, her arrow pulled back to fire, "But you can be stopped."

She had been damaged badly from the fall, her legs malformed and obviously broken with bone jutting out at the knees. A branch had gone through her right arm and out the other side, still in place through the teleporting. One of her eyes had been gouged out, the empty cavity now inches from Silent's own eye, profusely bleeding down her face. The collar around her neck was continuously sparking, sending jolts of electricity through her body.

Silent shoved forward, the arrow flying above her right shoulder as she took them both to the ground, Zecora teleporting them elsewhere as they fell. When they landed she swung, each punch quickly dodged and countered. Their endless dodging continued until Zecora teleported behind her, hitting her in the back of the head. Silent fell, rolling to her back and staring up at the zebra. She moved her gun up, only to have the arm pinned to the ground by a black and white striped foot.

"Last words?" Zecora asked, her head twitching gently.

One shot at this...

Silent immediately fired away from Zecora, the bullet traveling through the looped forest and lodging into the back of the shoulder.

"Hmm, fair enough. An unusual shot but not a lot to be remembered by though."

Zecora suddenly staggered and let go, the arrow weakly leaving the bow and landing harmlessly on Silent's body. Then she noticed the purple claw that forced its way through Zecora's chest, holding remnants of her heart in it, the blood spraying down onto Silent who turned away and covered her face.

"I have their power too... But at least I don't use it like you," Twilight whispered, pulling her arm from inside her and kicking her to the ground.

"Y-you..." Zecora stammered, staring up at her assailant.

"Jeez, still kickin'... Whatever I've got must be pretty damn good then?" Twilight said, locking eyes with her prey.

Twilight, with a Feral blood-lust in her eyes, put her foot on Zecora's throat. She continued applying more and more pressure until she had completely separated the two, finally killing the determined zebra for good.

She extended her clean arm to Silent, helping her up. "She teleported you two a bit away... You're lucky I woke up because Spike was barely able to keep up with you."

Spike sprinted up to them, panting softly, "C-can we just go? I get it, I suck. Now let's leave this dumb forest."

Silent opened the backpack, Lapse already back asleep, "We should be good... Let's hurry though."

"When we find them, I'll tell you all about my meeting with Luna as well," Twilight mentioned, quickly walking towards town, the glow of the moon nearing its peak in the sky, barely seen through the clouds. "Stay close though, I can barely see two feet ahead of me."

Silent and Spike exchanged horrified glances before rushing after her.

With the sun finally out of view and the moon beginning in its ascent, the six refugees sat on a balcony overlooking the town. They gazed over the destruction, seeing Ferals roaming and people trying to either fight or flee. Far outside the city they could see the occasional guard walking around the barrier, shooting at anypony that got remotely close to the edge.

"Never imagined homecoming would be this bad..." Sunset whispered, gripping on the railing around them.

"I never imagined this is where we'd end up, so I know how you feel," Rarity told her.

Sunset looked over at her, "That's not..." Not worth it; tensions are high here, don't let them get to you.

A small cardinal landed near Fluttershy, chirping rapidly to her. She listened intently, the others watching in confusion as they waited for an explanation or translation.

After a few moments, Fluttershy looked at the others, "Tweeters here says there's a clear path to Zecora's if we leave soon..."

"Didn't we agree on tomorrow?" Rainbow asked, looking out towards the forest.

"We did, but still, wouldn't it be better to see her now rather than later? After all, you saw what happened to me not long after this started," Fluttershy reminded her, patting Angel's cage on her bag.

Rarity spoke up, setting a hand on Rainbow's shoulder, "I think she has a point. Let's gather up what we can and go. Worst case scenario, we have to come back and try again, right?"

Rainbow shrugged her off, "Or we all die... or turn... So I'd say it could be a lot worse than coming back."

"Buck up sug', we'll make it outta here with Zecora's help for sure. Besides, sittin' around here all day isn't doin' much for us anyways," Applejack tried.

Rainbow sighed and turned towards them, "Well, what did the bird say? Which way do we go?"

The bird chirped a few times, Fluttershy chirped as well, "She said for us to follow her, she has a bird's-eye view," she said with a giggle.

"Fuck off..." Rainbow told her, pushing past and going back inside.

The others followed, leaving Pinkamena and Sunset behind.

Sunset leaned on the edge of the balcony, sighing quietly, "So, it seems like you're more dominant than Pinkie..."

Pinkamena leaned on the railing next to her, "Yeah... Especially with Twilight gone... She's trying not to give up but it's rough on her. She's all about her friends and everyone having a good time. With a friend dead and noone happy, what's she to do?"

"Moral support?" Sunset chuckled sarcastically.

"Don't tempt her... Last thing we need is to lose our only competent person with a gun," Pinkamena laughed back. "You should've seen when she burnt down a house..."

"Do you think she's still out there somewhere or do you think she's been taken care of?" Sunset asked, getting quieter as she spoke more.

"I hope the latter, for her sake..."

"I want to find her... Just for closure, ya know?"

"Yeah kid, I hear ya. A bit of closure would do us all good, but even then it'd do a lot of damage before then."

"I guess that's true... I feel bad for not coming through sooner. I might've been able to help," Sunset choked out her words, wiping a tear.

Pinkamena rolled her eyes and put an arm around her, "A lot of things a lot of people could've done differently... Why did you come through anyways? Was it when she stopped responding?"

"No... She wrote in the book in blood... Kill, die, etc. Just everywhere... But there was one word apart from the rest."

"Which was...?"

"Help."

Pinkamena gripped both the railing and Sunset tighter, "You came through because you think there's a chance didn't you?"

"Wouldn't you?"

"I... Yeah, I guess. I try to be a hardass to everyone but I really do care regardless of what they think... And don't tell anyone about that or I'll accidentally fire your way next time, got it?"

Sunset nodded with a smirk, "Yeah, I hear ya..."

"If you want though, after we go see Zecora, how about we try to find her just to see? If not, we can at least get our closure..."

"You think the others would agree?"

"Even if they don't, you and I can go. You're a smart girl, and I'm good with a gun, what better team is there?"

Sunset turned and hugged her tightly, keeping her in her hold as she rested her head on Pinkamena's shoulder, "Thank you..."

"Yeah, sure, now let go..."

Rainbow walked out onto the balcony, seeing the two embracing, "So, uh, you two a thing or...?" Her attitude changed when Pinkamena pointed her gun at her, still in the embrace. "I-I mean, let's get going... The night's about half over now," she explained, looking up at the rising moon.

Sunset let go, going past Rainbow and down the stairs, Pinkamena close at her heels.

They followed Tweeters through various homes and alleyways, moving across half the city in safety as they made their way towards the forest. Once they reached the edge of the city, Tweeters flew off to let them go the rest of the way alone. Fluttershy took point, knowing the area better than any of the others, leading them towards the path that barely stuck out of the treeline.

Fluttershy stopped, seeing a faint red glow in the darkness, “There’s one right in front of us," she whispered to the others.

"Where? All I can see are..." Rainbow began. Their eyes. Just their eyes.

"They're comin' closer, what do we do?" Applejack whispered, readying her axe.

"What do we normally do?" Rarity asked with a hidden smirk.

"We fucking fight!" Pinkamena roared as she fired at the eyes, drowning her voice out.

A black blur flew in front of them, small flashes coming as it shot back, popping each firework before it could reach them.

Sunset drew the machete, charging forward towards the mass and swinging. Something else swung back, deflecting each swipe before kicking her back. She sat on the ground winded, struggling to her feet as she saw the shapes back away.

"G-get them," she choked out to the others.

Pinkamena helped her up as Rarity moved in towards the eyes, drawing her knife. It backstepped each swipe, countering with a few of its own before Rainbow joined, swinging her bat in a fit of rage.

Twilight watched the silhouettes attack her, doing all she could to protect herself. Spike and Silent stood apart, Spike dodging a heavy blade that was effortlessly swung. Silent was struggling in her fight, but managed to stay standing.

Fluttershy tapped Angel's cage, "Let's do our thing Angel," she whispered softly, feeling his energy enter her once more.

She felt braver, stronger, and much more agile as she charged at the pegasus' silhouette, dodging each shot fired and swinging her fists rapidly. She landed a few punches, doing nothing more than stunning it and staggering the shots.

Silent reloaded quickly in a panic, suddenly getting knocked to the ground. Spike watched her fall, immediately seizing the weapon that was being swung at him and throwing it behind his assailant. As they ran to retrieve it, he lunged towards Silent, letting out a roar and sending a green flame between the two. Silent saw the yellow pegasus with the red glow in her eyes for a brief second before the fire went out. She immediately flew into the sky, leaving her pistols behind, the Feral pegasus on her tail.

Spike watched, almost recognizing the attacker. His thoughts were interrupted by something nearly taking off his head.

Pinkamena watched the air battle, firing rounds into the sky at the two, hoping to bring them back down. Sunset ran to the one Applejack had been on, slicing at the top of him but missing. She saw it let out another blast of fire, moving out of the way. Her machete took it all, glowing red hot and dimly illuminating her face.

"Sunset...?" She heard it whisper.

"S-Spike?!" She choked out, astonished.

"Oh shit... IT'S US! STOP FIGHTING!" He cried out to the war going on around them.

"Spike?!" He heard Rainbow call out.

"Rainbow?!" Twilight cried, dodging another swing.

Silent and Fluttershy stopped, the latter regaining control as they lowered to the ground. They awkwardly avoided eye contact.

"S-sorry..." Fluttershy whispered.

"Me too..." Silent whispered back before walking back to Spike and Twilight.

The two groups reformed, facing one another where the battle began. Spike let out a flame on the ground nearby, illuminating the area enough for everyone to see one another. The six couldn't tear their eyes off Twilight while Twilight and Spike stared at Sunset. Silent looked at them all awkwardly, unsure how to react.

"I missed you all so much..." Twilight whispered, taking a step forward.

The other six stepped back instantly, keeping watch on her.

"You died...," Rainbow whispered, "You both died..."

"She died, I just got knocked out," Spike said with a cocky smile.

Applejack cut him off, "I don't give a damn what happened to y'all... This is still weird."

Fluttershy swallowed, stepping closer to Twilight, "Y-you're still you right?"

"Yeah, maybe a bit stronger and faster... But as far as anyone's concerned, I'm me," Twilight said with confidence.

Fluttershy lunged forward, hugging her tightly, "Then that's all that matters."

The others joined in, Spike as well, holding on for a few seconds before pulling away.

Pinkamena shot a smirk towards Twilight, "You should've just let me shoot ya... With as pale as you are I'll have trouble telling you apart from Rarity."

"Hmph, I daresay I'm a fine shade of white thank you!" Rarity scoffed, turning away.

After a few minutes of story sharing, from Spike and Twilight's adventure to Sunset coming through the portal, they finally settled down. The moon was about tree-fourths of the way across the sky, dawn only hours away.

"Hey, Twilight..." Spike began as they finished bringing everyone up to speed. "You mentioned meeting Luna?"

Silent perked up quickly, "What was said?! Does she know we're coming for them?"

"She expected it actually... Even made a deal with her..."

"YOU WHAT?!" She heard from all directions.

"A-after everything her and her sister did over the years?" Silent stammered, Spike putting his arm around her in comfort.

"After they caused this?!" Sunset held an arm out behind her. "I haven't been to Ponyville in a long time, but even I know this isn't normal."

"There's one thing you're all forgetting, she's only been back a few years at most... She told me it was either accept what was happening or be executed... But she wants to help us take down Celestia in exchange for one thing, " Twilight rushed out to ease the crowd's anger.

"Just what the fuck could she want?" Rainbow demanded.

"The kingdom... To start to make things right and to fix the damage Celestia has caused. She warned me about something Celestia said about calling in a Solar Flare though. Would you know anything about that Sunset?"

Sunset fell to her knees, her face turning white as she struggled to breathe, "S-Solar Flare? We have until dawn to get out of the barrier Twilight..."

"What?! Why?" Silent demanded, "What the hell is this? You traded her the kingdom of Equestria?"

"Shut the fuck up and listen," Sunset told her, regaining her composure. "We'll deal with Luna later but for now we need to find a way out... Celestia plans to wipe this town out at dawn. In one brief moment, everything and everyone inside the magic around the town will be turned to ash. Everyone you knew and loved will be dead, and so will we. "

End Part 3