The Last of Equestria

“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Ivory! Happy Birthday to you!” The other partygoers and I chant in unison inside of Pizza Palace.

“Blow out your candles and make a wish,” I tell my daughter endearingly.

Excitedly, she blows out seven of the candles decorating her rainbow shaped cake.

“My baby girl's growing up so fast,” I say sweetly, hugging my daughter, Ivory Rain.

“Momma, I love you so much. You're the best!” Ivory says happily as she hugs me back.

“I love you too, baby,” I say, kissing Ivory's nose.

My daughter giggles and hops down from her chair. She and her friends run off to go play in the kid’s section of Pizza Palace.

“Hey, have you seen the news lately?” My older brother, Apple Cake, questions as he and our younger sister, Star Cake, approach.
“There have been outbreaks of a really infectious disease that makes ponies go crazy in all the major cities,” Star Cake says.

“Yeah, I heard. Things are starting to get nasty,” I say “hope the ECDC can do something about it soon.”

“Somepony told me it's just a city thing,” Apple Cake says.

“What do you mean?” I question.

“Like, it's only happening in the cities. Big ones like Manehattan and Canterlot. There haven't been any outbreaks in any small rural or country towns,” Apple Cake explains “at least, none that have been reported. So, for right now at least, we're safe here in Ponyville.”

“Yeesh. I wonder what the cause of it all is,” I say “things sound like they're getting to be really frightening.”

“Yeah. I hope none of us catch it,” Star Cake says.

“I doubt it'll affect you,” Apple Cake says to Star.

“What do you mean?” Star Cake questions.

“You said it makes ponies go crazy. You're almost close to Pinkie Pie levels of craziness,” Apple Cake says with a laugh.

“I am not,” Star Cake protests with a laugh.

I shake my head and laugh at my siblings.

“Oh, before I forget, this is for you,” Star Cake says, producing a small package wrapped in red paper and yellow ribbon topped with a sparkly gold bow.

“Sorry I couldn't make it to your birthday party last week,” Star Cake says with a smile.

“It's alright. It was mainly just me and Ivory to start with, but you know Pinkie Pie, she just had to help us celebrate,” I say as I open the package.

Inside is a charm necklace. The chain is gold and sparkles a bit in the light. Attached to the chain are six charms. From left to right, the charms are a gold star, a green apple, a black and gold bee, a blue rain drop, a red heart and a green four leaf clover.

“The star represents me and the apple represents, well, Apple. The bee represents you because bees make honey, and your name is Honey, so you know,” Star Cake explains with a small laugh “the raindrop represents Ivory Rain. The heart represents our love as a family and the four leaf clover was thrown in for good luck.”

Tears of happiness well up in my eyes.

“Thank you so much! I'll treasure it forever!” I exclaim happily.

“You're welcome, Honey Cake,” Star Cake says with a laugh “my favorite- and only- niece helped me pick out the charms.”

“Ah, so that's what that 'top secret mission’ was, huh?” I question with a laugh.

“Ivory is such a sweet and precious filly,” Apply Cake says lovingly “she's going to grow up into a fine mare someday.”

“I couldn't agree more,” I say with a smile.

We hear the unmistakable sound of glass shattering followed by the screams of frightened foals.

My daughter and her friends come running into the main room of the pizza place. Into the room pores multiple ponies drooling, growling and snarling with looks of hunger in their glazed over, empty eyes.

I immediately snatch my daughter up and put her on my back. My siblings and I make a run for it to the front door, but frightened and panicked parents and employees block the way.

“This way! Follow me!” Apple Cake exclaims.
Star Cake and I follow closely after our brother.

“Oh, God! It's happening!” Star Cake exclaims as we gallop “what do we do?!”

“Stay calm, first of all,” Apple Cake says “panicking won't get us anywhere. Just keep running, stay level-headed and close to me.”

“Where are we even going??” I question.

“To the train station. Hopefully it isn't overrun or crowded,” Apple Cake answers.

“How are holding up, sweetheart?” Star Cake asks Ivory Rain.

“I'm scared, Aunt Star,” Ivory replies.

“It's gonna be okay, sweetie,” I say in the most reassuring tone I can muster “we’re gonna be okay. Just hold on tight to mommy, okay?”

Ivory clings onto me tightly and buries her face into my neck as she whimpers quietly. The four of us make our way through Ponyville all the while avoiding deranged ponies and panicked citizens. Apple Cake leads us off the crowded streets and down a dark alleyway.

As we turn the next corner of the alleyway, a deranged unicorn mare comes out of nowhere and tackles me to the ground. Ivory is sent flying off my back. I hear her land with a hard thud somewhere behind me. I hold the mare back as she attempts bite at my face and neck, growling and snarling as she does so. Her lips and teeth are stained with a red substance, one that I assume to be blood. Her eyes are glazed over and look like those of a dead fish.

With a resounding bang, the mare stops biting and becomes completely still before slowly falling over and off of me. Star Cake quickly helps me to hooves.

“Ivory, are you okay, baby??” I question my daughter frantically

“My leg hurts really badly, mommy,” She answers.

“I think it might be broken,” Star Cake says quietly.

“The faster we get to the train station, the faster we can find a doctor for her leg,” Apple Cake says he holds a smoking pistol in his mouth.

“You had a fucking gun?!” I exclaim as we start to gallop off.

“Yes, and you're welcome,” Apple Cake says.

“Nevermind that, are you okay, sis?” Star Cake asks.

“Other than a little shaken, I'm fine. She didn't bite me or anything like that,” I reply.

My siblings and I make it out of the alleyway and find ourselves a few feet from the train station. Much to our dismay, the train and the station are both on fire and overrun with more deranged ponies.

“Quick, hide behind that cart over there,” Apple Cake says.

The four of us gallop to and duck behind an abandoned apple cart.

“What are we going to do now?” Star Cake asks in a hushed tone.

“The train was our fastest way to safety,” Apple Cake replies “where could we go that would be safe and easy to reach by foot?”

“Canterlot is the closest place, but without the train, it’d be hard to reach and probably not the safest place to go, all things considered,” Star Cake says “Dodge City and Apple Loosa aren't exactly close, but it would be easy to reach if we follow the tracks I think. They're safe right? Being so remote like that.”

“Perhaps. Seems like that might be our best- and safest- bet for now,” Apple Cake says “but we're gonna need supplies. Let's find you two something to protect yourselves and Ivory with and food, water and ammo if possible.”

“Thank Celestia you're on the Royal Guard,” Star Cake says “I dunno what'd we'd do without you.”

“I'm glad I was off for the week,” Apple Cake says “I dunno what I'd do if I was unable to protect my little sisters and my niece.”

“Mommy, my leg still hurts,” Ivory whines softly.

“I know, baby, I know,” I say quietly “your leg’ll be right as rain in no time, I promise.”

Ivory nods her head and snuggles her face into Star Cakes mane. My sister affectionately ruffles Ivory's mane with a warm smile on her face.

“Honey, how many ponies can you teleport at once?” Apple Cake questions.

“The most I've done is three,” I answer “why?”

“And how far?” He asks.

“I teleported Ivory, myself and my ex-husband from our home to the Ghastly Gorge to have a picnic once. Our picnic was not far past the bridge the train crosses over,” I reply “so a pretty far distance. Once again, though, why?”

“It would be safer for us if we teleported to wherever,” Apple Cake says “the less we expose ourselves to those… zombies… the safer we’ll be.”

“Good point,” I say “I think I can manage all four of us. Ivory is small and if she stays on Star’s back, it should work. But keep in mind, that spell really fatigues the caster after excessive use.”

“I'll be sure to remember that,” Apple Cake says “just let us know when you get tired.”

“I will,” I say.

“Now that we've got that established, can you teleport us to your home?” Apple Cake questions “we’ll take what we can and go to the store if possible. If not, we'll take from another house and you can take us to the Ghastly Gorge.”

I nod as my magic envelopes my horn with a bright orange glow. With a flash of light, we find ourselves inside of my small, two story home not far from Sugarcube Corner. The house is dark and unnervingly silent. Apple Cake blocks the front door and trots into the kitchen. Star Cake gently lays Ivory Rain on the couch and leaves to go help Apple in the kitchen while I trot upstairs and start the process of packing our precious belongings and basic necessities.

I'm in the middle of packing a bag for my daughter when I hear her scream, my siblings shout and three gun shots. I gallop down the stairs as fast as I can. As I come around the stairs and enter the living room, I see the body of a pony laying motionless on the ground in a pool of blood in front of the couch.

“Ivory!!” I exclaim as I step over the body and approach the couch.
A large chunk of flesh is missing from her tiny neck and her shoulder. There are smaller chunks missing from her nose, cheek and chin. Blood gurgles and spills from the wounds. Tears instantly begin to form and spill from eyes as a sob wells up in my throat. I flop onto my haunches next to the couch and pull Ivory into a hug and hold her close. Her warm, crimson blood gets all over my left cheek and forelegs. Small, choked sobs and whines escape Ivory’s lips as her body shakes.

“No… no…” I sob “stay with me, baby. Everything's gonna be okay, mommy promises!”

“Honey Cake…” Star Cake trails off quietly.

“Stay with me, baby girl. Don't go, please. Don't die on mommy,” I sob, gently rocking the two of us back and forth “you were supposed to grow up and take care of mommy in her old age. Oh, please, please… don't die, baby girl, don't leave me.”

The whines and sobs coming from Ivory suddenly stop as her body becomes motionless. I look down at my daughter and sob loudly. Her lifeless eyes stare blankly at nothing, her mouth slightly agape as blood trickles from the corners. I squeeze my eyes tightly shut, throw my head back and scream in anguish at the top of my lungs.

***

My eyes fly open as I jerk upright in my bed, panting heavily and my cheeks wet with tears. I wipe my face and sigh.

“Every time,” I mumble to myself “every time on her birthday. I'm sorry, baby girl…”

A loud pounding at the door pulls me from my thoughts. With a small groan, I get out of bed and sulk over to the door. I turn the handle and yank it open. On the other side of the threshold stands a familiar- and very angry- earth pony mare. Her livid coat is covered in minor scrapes and bruises. Her royal blue and tyrian purple mane and tail- which are usually styled into messy curls- are messier than usual and are ruffled, like she had previously been in a fight.

“What the fuck, Honey?!” The mare shouts angrily “you were supposed to meet me down at the wharf TWO hours ago so we could meet with our client. But do you show up?? FUCK. NO. You leave me to deal with that client all by myself, and before you ask- the deal went without a single hitch and now we have enough ration cards to last us, I don't know, like five months? In addition, we got some fucking ammunition and firearms.”

“If the deal was successful why are you so fucking pissed off and look like you've been jumped?” I question.

“Because, dickhead, after I left the wharf and was making my way back, two assholes decided to jump me,” The mare answers angrily “I'm pissed off at you because you weren't there to help me kick their asses. They got a few good licks in, but I made sure they wouldn't see the light of day again.”

I step aside and let the mare enter my room. With a huff, she storms into the room and looks around. Her gaze settles on the table littered with empty bottles of beer and whiskey.

“Holy fuck, were you trying to put yourself into a drunken coma??” The mare questions in utter bewilderment.

“Sapphire, you've been with me long enough to know the only time of the year I decide to get that drunk,” I say in annoyed tone.

“Oh, fuck, that's today?” She questions, looking at me “jeez, if I had remembered, I wouldn't have been mad. I wouldn't have even told you about the meet with that client at all. Sorry, Honey Cake.”

I simply shrug and walk over to the refrigerator.

“Would you like something to drink?” I ask.

“You got any whiskey?” Sapphire questions.

“I'm afraid I drank it all last night,” I answer “I have water, three lagers, a case of vodka, a case of grape soda, a case of hard lemonade and apple cider. There is also some mayonnaise, hay and relish if you'd like to drink that.”

Sapphire gives me a bewildered look.

“How in the hell do you drink mayonnaise, hay and relish?” She questions.

“Uh, you blend it obviously,” I say, suppressing every urge to laugh.

“But you don't have a blender,” Sapphire says “and ew, why would you drink a fucking sandwich?”

I shrug my shoulders and pull out the case of grape soda.

“You're drinking grape soda with me,” I say flatly as I sit the case down on the counter.

“Aw, no beer for me?” Sapphire pouts in a joking manner.

“If I drink another thing of beer, I swear I'm going to pass out again and this headache is going to go from an annoying but dull pain to somepony skullfucking the shit out of my head,” I say as I open the case and pull out two cans of cold soda.

Sapphire bursts into a fit of loud laughter. A small smile creeps onto my face as I shake my head in a joking disapproval.

“How would you know what skullfucking your head feels like?” Sapphire teases.

“I dunno, but I can show you if you'd like,” I say as I playfully punch her shoulder.

“Maybe some other time,” Sapphire says jokingly “first I've got to gulp down this soda and share some news with you.”

I pop the tab on my can of soda and it opens with a soft hiss. Sapphire copies my actions and then begins to chug down the soda. I sip casually on my soda as I watch. In an impressive eight seconds, the entire can of soda is emptied and tossed into the trash.

“You beat your record of eleven seconds,” I say.

“I know,” Sapphire says, burping loudly “excuse me.”

“So what's that news you had to share with me?” I ask.

“Oh, you're gonna love this,” Sapphire replies “the two assholes who jumped me? Cobalt sent them. OUR Cobalt, Honey Cake. He thinks he's smart and that he's gonna get us first, but- oooo~!- is he ever fucking wrong.”

“Sending those two after you was a big mistake,” I say “I wish I knew where that sonovabitch was hiding. I need to give him piece or two of my mind.”

“That's where the 'oh, you're gonna love this’ part comes in,” Sapphire says with a proud grin on her face “a little birdie told me where our rat made his new nest.”

“And where would that be?” I question.

“Down at Warehouse 2-B in Eastown,” Sapphire answers.

“Let me guess, crawling with his jackass lackeys?” I ask.

“You know it,” She answers “but he isn't expecting us to come after him this soon. I know he thinks we're gonna take a couple of days so I can 'recover’, but I'm fine now and ready to kick some ass.”

“Then let's go kick some ass,” I say, finishing the last of my grape soda.

Together, Sapphire and I exit my small apartment and leave the building. Outside, I'm greeted with the usual hustle and bustle of the Quarantine Zone. The fresh air eases my dull headache a bit.

“Let's take the easy route through the east gate,” Sapphire says “I got Barron to give us brand new identification cards, so we shouldn't have any trouble.”

“So what's my name this time?” I ask.

“Whimsy Hearts,” Sapphire replies “mine is Blue Rose.”

“You think they'd catch on by now,” I say with a sly grin.

“Tch. 'Emergency Royal Military Reserve’? More like 'Extremely Retarded Military Reserve’,” Sapphire says “they're stupid as hell.”

“That was lame,” I say bluntly.

“Yeah, I wasn't really trying,” Sapphire says with a laugh “but in all seriousness, I'm genuinely surprised they're managing to retain power and 'keep the peace’.”

We laugh as we pass through an iron gate and step onto the main street of the Canterlot Quarantine Zone.

Citizens of the Zone mill about the street, chatting and stopping at the various shops and ration stations. ERMR soldiers patrol the area in pairs of two. As we pass an old theater the ERMR soldiers converted into a makeshift warehouse, Sapphire and I watch four ERMR soldiers force five citizens- three mares, a stallion and a female griffon- out of the building and onto their stomachs with their hooves- and claws- above their heads. Two of the soldiers pull out scanning devices and put it against each of their necks to check for infection. The mares pass the scanning, as the devices don't beep like they do when they find a trace of infection. The soldiers scan the stallion and griffon and the devices emit beeps that seem to echo around the street. Everypony seems to stop and watch on with bated breaths at the scene unfolding.

The two soldiers who had been standing by draw their rifles and put them against the heads of the stallion and griffon. The infected citizens let out pleads and protests that are swiftly silenced with two synced, resounding shots. The three mares begin to scream and cry as they're dragged away by the soldiers, presumably to the prison for leaving the Zone limits. With low murmurs and whispers, everypony resumes with their daily lives.

“That's the fourth execution to happen in the past two weeks,” Sapphire says “seems like more and more ponies are sneaking out of the Zone limits these days.”

“Mostly bored teens it seems,” I say “it always risky when you leave the Zone, no matter what age you are, and there's always that chance you won't come back, but you can't just waltz out there and expect things to go all hunky dory. You've got to prepare and plan for these things. Kids these days just don't understand.”

“I couldn't have said it any better myself,” Sapphire says, looking at two closed ration stations to our right.

“Seems like the Zone is starting to have another food shortage,” I say “the last one was bad. I've never seen ponies fight over a loaf of bread like that.”

“Well, if the ponies keep sneaking out and getting infected, at the rate they're going, we won't have to worry about there being enough mouths to feed,” Sapphire says.

“That's true,” I say with a nod “and maybe if they executed those in prison, we wouldn't have to worry about a shortage either.”

“Tch, yeah. It's not like they're going to ever release them or anything,” Sapphire says “just a waste of food feeding the prisoners if you ask me.”

As we approach the east gate checkpoint, Sapphire gives me our new identification cards. A soldier guarding the checkpoint walks up to us.

“State your business,” He instructs monotonically.

“We have the day off and we wanted to visit our friend in Eastown,” I explain.

“Your ID cards, please,” The soldier says , holding out a hoof.

Wordlessly, I hand him our cards and watch as he checks them. He gives them back and allows us to proceed through the gate. Just as we're passing through, a large explosion a good forty feet away suddenly rocks the area. Somepony yells out 'Fireflies' and bullets begin to fly. Sapphire and I quickly duck and back away as the soldiers instruct us to leave the area immediately. We quickly gallop away from the gate and stop in front of the closed ration stations.

“Well, fuck,” Sapphire growls “so much for the easy way. Now we've got to go the long way.”

“Our gear should still be in the tunnel,” I say “assuming it's clear, we could go through there to get to the warehouse.”

“Right,” Sapphire says “we'll just have to check with Teddy. He's supposed to be watching the tunnel this week.”

“Then let's go see good ol’ Teddy,” I say.

Sapphire and I make our way down Main Street and turn onto a smaller side street. Trash cans and dumpsters filled to the brim with bags of trash line the walls. Rats and small cockroaches skitter around the area.

We make our way past the filth and take the side street to Park View Avenue, the sister street of Main. From there, Sapphire and I travel to another apartment building. A couple of mares, three stallions and two griffons loiter around the steps chatting and playing a game of poker. One of the stallions looks up from his cards and greets us.

“Hey, hey, hey! It’s the Boss, guys!” The stallion proclaims.

“Hey, Boss. What brings you to our shitty little corner?” One of the mares ask.

“Cobalt’s double crossed us. Cakester and I were gonna go and show him the consequences of his actions,” Sapphire answers “is Teddy inside?”

“Call me 'Cakester’ one more time and I swear you're going to be walking around with a pole up your ass,” I sneer.

“That's what you said last time, but it didn't happen. You know what DID hap-” I put my hoof over her mouth and cut her off.

“Shut. Up. Now isn't the time to be bringing that up,” I say coldly.

She laughs behind my hoof and softly punches my shoulder. I remove hoof, shake my head and sigh.

“Teddy’s at home, Boss. Had to watch his daughter while the wifey went to help tend the wounded at the Outskirts,” the mare says after our small banter ends.

“If Teddy isn’t watching the tunnels, then who is?” Sapphire asks.

“I believe Jacks is watching it,” The mare replies.

Sapphire nods her head and begins to trot into the building. I follow closely behind her, keeping silent as I do so.

“Oh, Boss, wait,” One of the griffons call out.

Sapphire stops and looks her.

“What is it, Guffy?” Sapphire questions.

“I saw Ocean Breeze earlier, Boss. She was talking to Jacks,” The griffon answers “I asked Jacks what it was all about and he said she was looking for Cobalt Blue.”

“What did he tell her?” Sapphire asks.

“He said that he told Ocean Breeze the truth, that he didn't know where Cobalt Blue was and that she better beat it before you and Honey Cake showed up,” Guffy answers “told her that the Underground didn't appreciate them coming into our territory, especially after last time.”

“Alright, we gotta hurry and get to Cobalt before Ocean does,” Sapphire says to me.

I simply nod my head and follow her inside. We canter down the halls of the first floor until we reach the cafe. Sapphire opens the door and trots inside with me right behind her. An older, rough looking unicorn stallion stands up to greet us.

“Where ya heading, Boss? Got a job to do in the Outskirts?” He questions.

“We're heading off to give Cobalt a surprise visit. We've got a gift we'd like to give him,” Sapphire answers.

“And what would that be?” The stallion asks.

“A bullet to the brain,” Sapphire replies “he thought it would be wise to betray the Underground and try to snuff out their leader.”

“Holy shit, he tried to kill you?!” The stallion exclaims.

“Yeah, and wasn't very successful,” Sapphire says “is the tunnel clear Jacks?”

“Yes ma'am,” Jacks says “just finished my rounds five minutes ago. Your gear is still in that little side room.”

“Thanks, Jacks,” Sapphire says.

“No problem,” Jacks says “I had Dove and her boys restock your ammo because I noticed you were very low on it from your last mission, so you might run into them but there shouldn't be anypony else.”

Sapphire simply nods her head and trots over to an entertainment center mostly hiding the hole in the wall behind it. With Jacks’ help, we move the center out of the way and pass through the hole, which leads to an old kitchen stripped of most of its appliances. In the center of the kitchen, a heavy wooden door covers a good portion of a large hole. Using my magic, I manage to lift the door high enough for Sapphire to slip under it. Sapphire holds the door up for me as I slip under it as well. Together, we gently set it down and slip further down into the hole until we enter the tunnel below.

Sapphire slips off into the darkness to find the generator. After a few moments, the lights flicker on and illuminate the entirety of the tunnel. I trot down the small pathway until I reach a small side room. A single lamp in the corner between our workbenches lights up the room. I trot up to my workbench and start the process of getting my gear ready. Sapphire trots into the room and begins to do the same.

Like Jacks told us, our ammunition has been replenished. Dove even provided us with extra boxes of ammunition and new weapons. In addition to a new and modified handgun, I now have a long double-barrell shotgun.

“Can't wait to show Cobalt our new toys,” Sapphire snickers as she fastens her saddlebags around her waist.

“Tch, I know right,” I say, fastening my own saddlebags around my waist.

Sapphire looks at me and, with a big smirk on her face, says, “Ready to go kick some ass?”