We managed to lock the mansion down within a few days. The fences were supported with the spare materials we had from fortifying Sweet Apple, which was pointless since AJ wasn't there...

Chrysalis seems decent, we gave her a room, kept a guard on her. It's shocking how fast these butlers adapted to impromptu soldiers.

Rin and Len are nice, too. Once they start talking, that is. According to Rich, Spoiled would abuse them and keep them locked in some dark room for not being her children. I understood their silence after hearing that...

As for Mom, she's practically the same, as if this is something she's used to. I still don't know about her "war-times", but I never wanted to ask, knowing what it'd lead into.

I'm starting to understand why long-distance relationships don't work out. I managed to get a hold of Applejack shortly before the lines went out. She was safe, in Canterlot High which was turning into a community, but no-one was allowed in or out due to the guards stationed by the school. They had shoot-on-sight orders, and they weren't showing any signs of disobeying.

"Fascist scumbags... Figures the only ones that follow orders..." Mom muttered to herself as we heard gunshots from far out.

Filthy was in a panic at first, desperately trying to buy our way into CHS, but failing to sway the soldiers. After finding out that everyone from Camp Everfree was brought to CHS and safe, Rich calmed down slightly.

I decided to go check on the gates, checking them for stragglers. The Runners don't seem to know how to climb, or at least don't show any sign of doing so. Small ledges and steps, they can climb, but not large fences or walls.

I was lost in my thoughts as I heard the ferocious roar of a fresh Runner, ramming into the fences. I had a knife from the kitchen that Mom let me use. I grabbed a piece of dry wood, lined it up just right, took a hammer, and drove the knife through the wood and into the zombie's head. The wood idea was something I learned from me and Sunset's readings of The Walking Dead. I just had to get a large enough piece for bar fences.

"Morning, Jason." I heard Len call out.

"Morning, man." I said as I wiped the knife clean.

"When I heard that zombies were on the rise, I was hoping for Walkers." Len said in a sophisticated voice.

From what I gathered, Spoiled treated Rin and Len both like trash, or "commoners" as Diamond once told me. The physical damage had long since stopped, but we're all worried about the psychological damage...

"Yeah, me too. It would've been much cooler. Not that the end of the world was cool, anyway." I said.

"Too true."

I gave Len benefit of the doubt with a chuckle to his attempt of a joke.

"So, this 'Applejack', how did you two come to meet?" Len asked.

"We, um... I honestly can't remember when we've met, it was so long ago. I pretty much knew her my whole life. I used to be close to her sister, Apple Bloom. But then... She changed." I said, trying not to think about her and what happened.

"Well, I'm sorry. I wish I got to feel about somebody like that..." Len said.

"Yeah, it has it's cons. You have to help them stay on the right track, and in return, they do the same for you. Back when my first girlfriend dumped me, she was there for me. Sure, Apple Bloom was too, but..." I started.

I never talked about Trixie to anyone before until today. Sure, Applejack met her, but this was different-- going into detail on our "breakup". I knew the relationship wasn't going to work, right from the start. But I thought that was what I needed to be happy there, something to boost my reputation. But... The things they had me do... The damage was done, and there was no going back.

"Um, Jason? Are you..." Len started.

"Oh? Y- Yeah, I'm fine. Just got a little lost in my thoughts, that's all." I responded.

I heard the sizzling of the skillet as one of the chefs was cooking breakfast.

"I should get Jason and Len. It's almost time." I said.

"Jess, they'll be alright for now. I must say, you did an excellent job, raising that boy. You helped him set a strict moral compass. If anyone else tried to raise him as you have..." Rich started.

"Please, don't." I dismissed.

That seemed to have silenced him for a moment, but I wanted to keep talking.

"I didn't give him the compass, he made it. It took a while, but he did it. I still remember back when he was here, with Diamond. The two of them..." I started.

"We should've raised them together... You should've stayed, screw what Spoiled thought, if I knew what she would have done to my daughter... I would've chosen you." Rich said.

He brought it up again...

"Rich, please. That night... my life reached it's lowest point. You... You started making it better. But, that was the future that would never be. It's in the past, and we need to move on, learn from it, and make the best of it." I said, pouring a cup of coffee.

"I understand. I just... I thought I loved her more than I would've loved you."

We were silent for a few moments. By the time we heard the ringing of the kettle, we were only inches apart.

"Hey, mom. Smelled the food from outside." I heard Jason call.

We quickly disbanded and went back to our original positions.

"Yeah, the chefs here were always good." I complemented.

"Yes, yes they were..." Rich said, obviously rattled over what happened.

"You alright?" Jason asked.

Rich was silent.

"Filthy was just... worried about Diamond. We were trying to think of a way in." I lied.

He either seemed to believe it or didn't want to ask, as he entered the kitchen and took a seat.

We all took a seat and got served some stored food from the pantry.

"So, you stored enough food to last this place a decade?" Jason asked.

"Yes, we built up for an apocalypse ever since... what happened." Rich said, switching quick glances with me.

I knew what he meant, and hoped that Jason wouldn't ask.

He could never know...

Author's Note

NEXT ON DAWN OF THE ZOMBIE WAR: Sonata and the others at CHS attempt to maintain their lives in desperate circumstances; a beggar incites some of the residents to an uprising.