Chapters Twilight was doing her usual getting ready for bed check list. even after she finish the list and got into bed she still felt that something was off. "Spike." she whispered not really wanting to bother the sleeping dragon. A few minutes passed when she spoke again "Spike do you fell as if something is different tonight?"
There was a low mumble in response " Well I'm up at midnight that's pretty rare." He sat up scratching his scales. Watching twilight get out of her bed start walking over to the door. "Whats wrong Twilight are you felling okay?" Twilight stopped and walked over to spike.
"What's that scroll there?" she pointed to a scroll that was barley showing from under spike's blanket.
"I don't know the princess probably sent it while I was sleeping." He cleared his throat "Twilight sparkle I'm sure that my sisters prized pupil is familiar with the old mares tale about zombies correct. Well it's not a mares tale. It's true." spike stopped and skimmed the rest of the scroll."This doesn't seem right twilight."
"Just keep reading it spike."
"Unknowingly I released a small specimen of the Zombie virus and it infected my dearest sister. Before anything could be done about the situation she had already spread the virus to many of the other Royal guards.I arrived just in time to see your brother, Shining armor, give his life to save some of his men."
Twilight fell down it was obvious she was going to cry but she wanted to hear what was going on and managed to choke out "continue."
"I ask that you and the elements of harmony come and meet me in the griffin nation, it's safe. but I don't know for how long sadly. I have intrusted a member of the Queens archers to keep watch over you and your friends he is trust worthy.Very mysterious. But one who will give his life to protect the elements." spike stopped and carefully mumbled the rest almost to himself.
Twilight stomped her hoof "Get on with it," she snapped.
"Along with this scroll I have sent several devices. Give one to each of the bearers of harmony. These are a type of gun that is of my own design.They wrap around ones hooves so that even a earth pony can use them.Be careful however they have a little kick to them several night guards broke things testing them. It is off great importance that You get to the Grand griffin aisle for a meeting on how to dispel this catastrophe.Leave as soon as you get this." spike rolled the scroll up indicating the end of the letter.
"Shining armor.." her voice was muffled by sobs."I'll miss you brother." she stood herself up, tears still rolled down her face as she headed over to spike's bed. she lifted off the blanket and under it was a medium sized box of a golden design. She hesitated for a moment her thoughts still on the news Luna had brought to her.
"Twilight what are we going to do? I mean there can't obviously be Zombies can there?"
Twilight made no attempt to respond her vision focused only on the box she held in her magic. "Were going to go to the griffin aisle, in the Griffon nation. Like the letter said Spike."
"But you really can't believe in a letter written by..." he hesitated. "Nightmare moon."
"It's Princess Luna, Spike. There is no need for you to go about calling her by that name. You don't think that she feels bad enough about what she did? It was a long time ago ponies change!"
"Ponies don't change. They only change there way of going about things. You don't think I just sit in this library all day without picking up a few things about the species who adopted me do?!
They stared at each other for a moment, breaking eye contact at the sound of steady hooves approaching the door. *Knock *Knock *Knock
Twilight put her hoof to her mouth, "Shhhhh" she quietly went to the door without making a sound.."Who is it?"
"Twilight sparkle bearer of the element of magic, I am Sir Novel and her with me is my young protege Velric. We are of the Queens archers. A special task force that deals with threats made against Equestria from other lands. I am here to make sure your travels go safely.
Twilight unlocked the door a clocked pony half her sized stood next to another taller pony."Hello, Sir Novel." she held out her hoof it still trembling at the news she received. The lager pony backed away from her shaking her head.
"I'm, Sir Novel!" The smaller pony held out his hoof and twilight shook it, "It's an honor to be in your presence Miss Sparkle ."
"Well." Twilight hesitated, not used the royal treatment. "Well. when do we get moving?"
The small figure appeared distorted for a moment. "I can't see why is would make a difference as of when we leave as much as I would say how fast we actually move."
"What the hay is that supposed to mean?" Spike asked stepping out from behind twilight.
The archer uninformed about the young dragon, took out his bow. He quickly loaded a arrow and fired. He was so fast in doing so Spike had no time to move and flew backward as the arrow impacted into his chest.
"spike!" Twilight screamed running to his side "are you okay Spike?"
The dragon gasped unable to reply the arrow didn't go deep but it carried force and drew blood, "a thousand pardons miss Sparkle I had no idea that beast was with you!" Novel apologized,"If I had known I assure no harm would have come of him."
Spike heaved deeply a rasping noise of a dying animal."Twilight?" He grabbed onto the arrow's shaft and pulled it out. The arrow itself didn't go deep but the force behind it was extraordinary to say the least.
"Ah. now I see why we lost many men during the great dragon rebellion.If i can't kill a little one with a single arrow I can only imagine the horrors that my father must have gone threw."
"Your father was in the great dragon rebellion!?" Twilight's mood lifted a little.
"So was I but I didn't see much fighting.Dragons yes. But not claw or fang of the fighting."
A few moment's passed before anypony spoke. and a few more passed before Velric spoke up "Master, Sir Novel, its getting late shall I set up camp?"
He nodded. "I'm going to use my tarp as a blanket please leave it out for me."
"Why don't you just come inside Sir Novel?"
"Because..It's only allowed when the danger is extremely close. With it still being barley contained in canterlot I see no reason for me to go inside your lovely home."
Twilight backed up and unintentionally slammed, "He is a weird one isn't he Spike?"
"That Guy shot me!" Spike started "He pulled an arrow and shot me." He shot an accusing glare toward Twilight, "How could you just invite him in like that?"
"He didn't know about you spike. Besides you barely got hurt anyway." Twilight walked passed spike and up the stairs.
"Your seriously just going to believe what Princess Luna said? Not only that but your trusting some random pony fro something called the queens archers.I've never heard of them."
"But I have." She looked down at Spike who was still by the door."Their those weird ponies in the tress you pointed out to me in canterlot."
"Oh..That doesn't mean you should be so quick to trust him."
"Quit being such a baby Spike."
"I am a baby dragon." he said sarcastically
"That doesn't mean you have to act like one." There was a brief silence as Spike headed up the stairs as well.Twilight watched as he grabbed his blanket and went to his bed.
"Goodnight Twilight."
"Goodnight Spike"
After spike went to sleep Twilight continued examining the weapons that Princess Luna had sent.They were thin bracelets and had a button on the inside she could barely even feel it , but knew was there. They didn't slide of or pinch into her.Light weight and almost unnoticeable. "Miss Sparkle you really must get some sleep." Twilight spun around and saw Sir Novel standing behind her
"How did you get in?" He motioned toward the window,Which was open."Just because the windows open doesn't mean you can just come in."
"Whose to say that I'm actually in the window divides one side from the other. When a window is open isn't it all just one place within itself?"
Her horn lit up, "NO! It's not." she fired a warning shot at Novel.It was only a paralyzing spell she learned, completely harmless.
"Well I can tell when a lady wishes to be alone but I have news for you, From your brother."
"My brothers dead. Princess Luna said so herself."
"No. He almost died but I saved him just after Princess Luna teleported off somewhere with Princess Celestia."
"Isn't Celestia infected?"
He nodded "Sadly yes. She is however able to fight still. She probably sent herself to the moon to keep every pony safe from her."
"But this doesn't make any sense. Whats going on out there?"
"Just like the old tales Zombie apocalypse and no matter how safe you think you are, you're not at all." He distorted into the background and appeared as a blur by the window "You're brother says to aim for the head and keep safe. He'll see you soon Twily."
After he left twilight herself went to bed "Hes okay" That alone was enough to relax her enough to get to sleep.
Summer is soooo boring :(
Also the Queens archers are in no relation to an actual queen its more of a group name.
Twilight awoke to the welcoming smell of pancakes.Something she loved but never really had time for."Miss sparkle you're awake.Good." Sir Novel bowed as she walked into the main part of the library. "I was beginning to think that you'll sleep the whole morning away." He fashioned a table out of books and he along with Spike and Velric.
"We do have a table you know.Spike how come you didn't show them to the kitchen?" The dragon shrugged." Well anyway you guys are putting those books back when you're done.
"Don't worry twilight I got it. Always end up picking up your books anyway." Spike walked out the room and returned with a plate of pancakes."Do you have time to eat today or are you going to just pick something up like always?"
She went to the makeshift table where spike had sat the plate,Pulling the chair from her desk, she sat down. "I think I can squeeze some breakfast time in today." before she could began eating the door to the library flew open.
"Twilight somethings happening in Clouds dale!" A panicked Rainbow dash flew over to twilight,blocking her from eating."Pegasus ponies are falling out of the sky like their dead.I went to check it out but couldn't find anypony there."
"These are, are escorts." Twilight pointed to the smaller pony in a dark blue cloak "Sir Novel of the queens guard and this is his student miss Velric."
"I did't order an escort."she flew in a small circle around Novel. "At least not that I know of. Why would I need an escort?"
"Miss Rainbow dash bearer of the element of loyalty it is an honor to meet you.You've done a great deal of work to protect Equestia where the archers have failed and for that I thank you."
"huh? Whats he talking about twilight?" Twilight shrugged "Well anyway." She directed her attention back at twilight "I need you to help me get Fluttershy out her house again."
"Again? How often does the element of kindness lock herself up?" Novel stood and flung his bow over his shoulder."We need to gather the rest of the elements before they lock themselves up inside."
Rainbow dash was confused but didn't question him."Alright,It's only Fluttershy she does this more than a normal pony should."
They arrived at Fluttershy's house a horrid smell was coming from inside.one that Novel knew all to well."Shes seen them" he mumbled.
"Seen what?" Rainbow dash asked. "Why does it stink so bad out here?"
Novel took off his bow and laid his arrows by the door. "I need to get in.Miss Fluttershy if you can hear me stand away from the door." He took a silver rectangle from under his cloak and shoved it into the door.Leaning against it the door popped open.
A stomach wrenching smell came from inside Twilight and Rainbow dash vomited where they stood. Pained noises came out as if a group of ponies were slowly being tormented."Whats that smell," Rainbow dash chocked out. Smells worse than Applejack's manure silo."
"Excuse me I'm sorry but you all simply can't be here these ponies are terribly sick and I would hate for any of you to get as sick as they are."
"Sorry to inform you of this miss Fluttershy but those ponies you have in there are not sick, there dead.Call them Zombies if you must but there not sick."
"That's a lie there is no such thing as Zombies It's just something made up to scare younger ponies." She pulled out a ragged and bitten up pony look at him and tell me he isn't sick."
The mares behind Novel backed up at the sight of the pony."You look miss Fluttershy tell me his eyes aren't soulless orbs that have no emotion what so ever.Tell me that all it would take for him to get better is a long rest and good food.Which if you haven't figured out yet is , flesh of another pony."
"No hell eat anything I give him.he doesn't chew but at least it's something." Novel levitated his bow and loaded it outside of fluttershy's field of vision.
"I'm sorry for this miss I hope you can forgive me" he quickly moved his bow into position and fired. Fluttershy saw the movement and took the Zombies place having the arrow tear into her right eye. Soon after the pony she let go off turned on her and started to rip huge chunks of flesh from her body.
"Fluttershy!" The mares ran passed him and pushed the Zombie off of Fluttershy, pulling her out the building."Look at what you did!" the mares both shot an accusing glare at Novel.
She made her choice! I'll give my life to protect the elements but I'm not going to put my life on the line for a crazy mare who can't see whats right in front of her.Lets get moving,we have to get the rest of the elements."
"You can't just expect us to leave her here."
"That's not only what I expect but it's what must be done.Miss Sparkle"
"What makes you think well just leave her here like this?" Rainbow dash went and sized up the smaller pony who grinned slyly.
"That wasn't the only one in there,I have a job to do and thats to get the elements of harmony to the Griffin aisle."
"Well you're doing a good job seeing the Fluttershy is dead and we haven't even left Ponyville." Twilight said sarcastically
Fine if you don't need my help then fine meet me at the library after you've gathered your friends.Sorry about Fluttershy but the element of kindness is expendable."
Novel walked forward away for a few feet before his body became a blur and he quickly vanished
I wish two certain people would help me with this but it seems I'm alone with this thing :/
AND I LIKE TO KILL FLUTTERSHY IT'S FUN FOR ME.TO SEE SOMTHING SO BEAUTIFUL TORN FROM THE WORLD BEFORE IT'S TIME :P
.
"Twilight are you sure about this Sir velric? we hardly even know the pony and hes trying to drag us all the way across equestria."Rarity complained as she and sweetie belle gathered the last of their things.
"No.I'm not.In fact I hate everything about Velric.He killed fluttershy for helping the sick."
Rarity paused and pushed Sweetie belle out the room with her magic before slamming the door."He didn't!"
"Oh but he did Rarity.He said that thoes ponies we're dead but they seemed perfectly fine...From a distance anyway."
Oh no.If what you say is true Then me and Sweetie belle need to get as far away from Equestria as possible.No telling what would happen if I we're to leave her."
Twilight nodded opening the door to Rarity's boutique. "We need to leave in ten minutes.I guess she shut the door and Rarity sighed.
"Sweetie belle. come on lets get moving." The filly didn't answer instead there where Thud."Sweetie belle?" Rarity approached the door.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS ZOMBIE SLAYERS!" Sweetie belle, busted the door open.She cutie mark crusader talent show outfit.
"Sweetie belle!" Rarity fell on her flank and Sweetie belle started running around the boutique.Rarity shook out her mane pulling a brush from her saddle "Sweetie belle just cause were in a crisis dosn't mean that you can wear your mane any type of way"
"But, Rarity." Sweetie belle whined.
"No buts."
There was a snicker from the corner of the room and they turned to see Sir novel."Sorry.You said buts, that's hilarious."
Rarity stomped her hoof down, "And just who are you?"
He bowed "My apologies, Madam Rarity. That was no way to act in front of any mare let me start over.Ahem, My name is Sir Novel of The queens archers.Pleasure to meet you miss Rarity." he lifted his head back up, as well as you Sweetie belle."
"How did you get in here anyway" Rarity asked easing up a bit.
"I came in when miss sparkle left sorry if I didn't make myself known sooner.But." He snickered slightly, "We really should get moving the others would be waiting for us by now.Are you ready?"
"Yea.Wheres opal?"
"Opal?" Novel asked scraching his mane with his hoof."If Opal is a white cat Then you needn't to worry about her."
"And why not!?" Rarity shouted.
Novel forced a smile on his face "I kinda...ate, your cat."
"You what!" Rarity exploded and started to throw random things at Novel, "You ate Opal. How could anypony be capible of such a thing!"
Sir Novel held his bleeding nose something, had hit it. "Simple, I'm no pony."
Rarity stopped, "whats that supposed to mean"
"It means I'm not a pony.I'm the Ultapony indisputably the the most powerful being in all of existence." He put his hooves to his side and looked to the ceiling.
"Get out!" Rarity shouted throwing another book at his into his face.
"My apologies!" he became a blur as he walked toward the door. It never opened but it was clear he had left out of the room.
Alright fillies and foals are you ready to get going? any last minute pleasantries that need to be taken care of?"
"Yea!" Rainbow dash said angrily "If you don't tell me everything about you I'm not going."
"But you must come. Loyalty is hard to come by well never find anyone to take your place." His voiced cracked slightly and he covered his mouth.
"Did his voice just crack?" Rainbow dash almost started laughing when Velric, Stomped his hoof.
"Enough of this charade Velric, I am Sir novel of the queens archers. This is my feather brained apprentice who has lost his use to me. Not to mention critically njuring the element of kindness." his voice was disembodied but boomed all around the ponies
"But she was infected." Velric pleaded '
"Feather brain!" Novel snapped, Harmony cant be infected and it's because of that it can't cure"
All the ponies eyes snapped to velric.He shrugged, "accident."
"If you wish to punish him for harming your friend then go ahead and kill him." Novel grabbed hold of Velrics cloak and pulled it off. With it went the small amount of facial hair and the sense that he was vanishing.
"But hes no bigger than applebloom." Applejack said eyeing the small pony in front of them.
"Recite it, Velric!" Novel's voice boomed once more Velric had tears filling his eyes as he motioned his nouth to the words he was supposed to e saying. "Now!" Novel shouted
"I Pledge my allegiance to the queen, she is the ruler, the protector of the land.I am her protecter and happily give my life to serve her.If the queen commands it I will happily lay my head in on a chopping block for her to.." He paused looking to Novel with pleading eyes
"Get on with it!" He snapped
"For her to behead" he bowed to the five ponies, "you are my queens please do with me as you wish. I give you my blade."
"Here is your chance. You can kill him now and no punishment will ever come to you, any of you."Novel replaced the hood over his head.
Sweat and tears poured down Velric's face but he never once looked up at any of the ponies."I.." None of the ponies knew what to say here was a small pony who was ready to give his life.
"Stop." A very faint voice came to the ponies ears.It was Fluttershy all wounds gone from her body only sign that she had been through anything was the dot on her forehead."I forgive him."
"Fluttershy!" everyone looked at the pony who was said to be dead."What happened to you?"
"Well Si-"
"I saved her." Sir Novel said cutting her off.
"Yes he took the injuries onto himself.?" Velric's eyes widened as her turned to Novel.
twilight walked up to Novel and removed the hood from his face. A large hole spread across his forehead it was only slightly bandaged."Doesn't that mean your infected?"
Novel nodded, "I didn't turn into a zombie if that's what you want to know.but I carry the virus."
There was a sharp crying noise and they all turned to rainbow dash who now held Velrics dagger blood fell from the edgeof the blade but Velric stayed in a bowing position."I'm sorry my queen!" he screamed out in pain.Rainbow dash, had sliced open the bottom of his hooves.
"I dismiss his oath." Velric carefully put his hooves down.then snatched his blade back from rainbow dash and his cloak off the ground.
"I'm going for a walk" Velric pulled his hood over his head and disappeared into the thin air.
"How does he do that?" Twilight asked curiously
"It's the cloak.."Novels voice had dropped to one lower than fluttershy's.
"What?"
Novel backed up away from twilight in an attempt to get away "are cloaks were made from fabric enchanted by star swirl the bearded himself their one of a kind.They make us look older also give us, well me, a scary voice."
He disappeared for a moment then reappeared with Velric
"Apparently hes scared of you girls and needs me to talk to you for him again." he glared daggers at rainbow dash, then snorted "I apologize for my brash behavior .Is their anything else you all need before we leave?
They shook their heads.