Zompony Apocalypse

"Spiiiiiiiiiiiike! Hurry up or we're going to miss the train!" Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie were waiting at the entrance of the library for a certain dragon who had refused to pack his belongings the night before.

"Yeah Spike! Hurry! We don't wanna be later and miss that awesome party!" Pinkie had been looking forward to this trip all week and couldn't sit still as they waited. After a few minutes they heard a suitcase slam shut and Spike grunting as he tried to lug it down the stairs. Twilight trotted up the stairs and levitated the suitcase down to the ground floor. "Yay! We're all ready to go!" Pinkie Pie dashed out the door with her suitcase in tow before Spike even reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Pinkie, wait! Ugh...that pony sometimes...I guess we had better get going then. Haha. Let's go Spike!" Twilight hurried Spike out the door and locked the door to the library before dashing off to catch up with Pinkie Pie. At least she wants to be on time. I love a punctual pony.

The group reached the train station with a few minutes to spare and, before they knew it, they were on their way to Canterlot...unaware of the strange things that awaited them at their destination...

--

"Thank you so much for showing me around town Fluttershy! Everypony has made me feel so welcome and I haven't even been here that long." Ginger Melody and Fluttershy had stopped for lunch at SugarCube Corner after a long day of meeting new ponies.

"Oh, it was no problem at all. I really enjoyed introducing you to everypony and I hope that you'll like it here." She smiled and continued to eat as Ginger told her all about Checker County and her family back home.

--

Can't believe I actually agreed to spend a day at the spa with Rarity. I must have been half outta my mind when she asked me...At least I get to be pampered and waited on. Awh, it won't be that bad! Apple Jack was thinking to herself as she walked over to the boutique to meet Rarity. It was was nice of her though. Invitin' me, of all ponies. She chuckled silently and imagined how horrified her friend would be to see her in this state. She had been bucking apples and moving dirt all day. Her mane was a mess and her hooves were an even worse sight.

"Oh dear Celestia!" Rarity put one hoof to her heart and threw the other over her brow, acting as though she might have a heart attack after seeing A.J's state of being. "What in Equestria have you been doing?"

"Ummm...workin'! Same thing I do everyday. Buckin' apples and helpin' everypony. You should try it sometime...ya know...manual labor?" She chuckled gave Rarity a pat on the back.

Rarity swatted the dirty hoof away immediately and locked the boutique door behind her. "Well, it's a good thing we're going to the spa, my friend. You are in most definitely in need of a makeover."

Apple Jack chuckled again. "Sure thing Rarity."

--

"Thanks again for letting me stay with you until I find a place of my own. But, I feel like saying 'thank you' just isn't enough everything that you've done for me since I arrived in Ponyville. You've been so generous and kind, Fluttershy, I'm going to make it up to you as soon as I have the money! I promise!"

"It's really not a problem at all Ginger Melody. I'm always so busy helping the animals, that I rarely get to go into town or invite anypony over. It's my pleasure to have you here, for as long as you want." She placed a tray on the table and gave Ginger her tea. They had spent the entire day together and Ginger Melody was sure that she had found a good friend in Fluttershy. As soon as I get a job, I've got to do something super special for her. Nopony has ever been this nice to me...especially none of the townsfolk back home. I think I'll stay here forever. Nothing bad could happen in a place with so many ponies who are so nice.

--

Princess Celestia was waiting at the train station when they arrived. It was extremely unusual to see the Princess outside of the city, outside of the castle even. So one can imagine the shock and surprise that Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, and Spike experienced when they found out that she was waiting for them specifically. She approached them immediately with an expression of distress and confusion. She didn't even greet them, which was even more unusual.

"Quickly! Seal off the train station and do not let any more trains stop here. Keep guards posted at every entrance. Escort every passenger to their destination, then return to your posts at once. Twilight Sparkle, come with me. I have urgent news." She lead the trio back to her castle, guards surrounding them on all sides.

What in Equestira...? This thought went through all three of their heads as they followed the Princess back to the castle. As they made their way through the city they noticed how drastically it had changed. Most of the shops and buildings were boarded up and looked abandoned. There were even bars on some of the windows. The streets and sidewalks were completely empty. The once bustling Canterlot was now a ghost town. There wasn't a pony in sight. Though the sun was out and the skies cloudless and blue, the entire city seemed to be stuck under a dark cloud.

"Princess! What happened here? Is everything okay?" Twilight tried to question the condition of the city but was silenced by a gentle "Shhh" from Celestia. She's never done that to me before...this must be serious if she won't even talk to us outside of the castle...

I wonder where everypony is? It's a wonderful day out here in the sunshine but...nopony is out! OH! Maybe they're all just busy preparing for the ball! OR! Maybe they're all playing a city-wide game of Ghost Town! Yay! How exciting!

Spike's thoughts were silent as he followed. His mind had gone blank the minute the Princess had ordered that no more trains were to stop at the station.