A glimmer in a world of zombies [act 1][earth chapter]

Chapter 10: Philadelphia and Killer Birds

Earth – Entering Philadelphia

The RV rumbled across the cracked highway as Sam, Pops, Starlight, Trixie, and Kenny finally reached the outskirts of Philadelphia. The city was eerily quiet—too quiet. The usual distant moans of the undead were absent, replaced by the occasional flutter of wings and the soft rustling of debris in the wind.

Sam kept his hands steady on the wheel, scanning the streets. “Stay sharp. Big cities mean big trouble.”

Pops grunted. “Yeah, but big cities also mean big loot.”

Starlight leaned over, looking out the windshield. “Are we stopping for supplies?”

Sam nodded. “If we find something good, yeah. We need to restock before pushing south.”

They weaved through the ruins, carefully avoiding blocked roads and collapsed buildings. Then—

“Wait,” Trixie pointed out the window. “What’s that?”

Sam squinted. Up ahead was an overturned Lays delivery truck, its cargo door busted open, revealing dozens of bags of potato chips, somehow still intact.

Pops grinned. “Jackpot.”

As they pulled up, they noticed something even better—a still-working cooling trailer attached to another nearby truck. The logo on the side?

“Mtn Dew – Baja Blast”

Sam actually smiled. “Holy shit. Now that’s a find.”

Looting the Snack Trucks

Pops was the first to hop out of the RV, quickly making his way to the overturned Lays truck.

He tore open a bag of chips, popping a handful into his mouth. “Still crispy,” he said through a full mouth. “That’s a good sign.”

Sam, meanwhile, climbed up onto the cooling trailer and pried open the doors. A blast of cold air hit him, revealing rows upon rows of sealed Baja Blast bottles, kept perfectly chilled.

Trixie tilted her head. “Why does he look so happy? It’s just a drink.”

Starlight chuckled. “Trust me. I think this means a lot to him.”

Sam whistled. “Pops, get the cargo container ready. We’re taking all of this.”

Pops laughed. “Damn right we are!”

Working together, they packed everything up—loading as many bags of chips as they could into the RV while stacking crates of Baja Blast into the cargo container. Sam made sure to leave enough room for their actual survival supplies, but no way in hell was he leaving behind a lifetime supply of his favorite soda.

“Alright,” Sam said, dusting off his hands. “That’s enough for now. Let’s find somewhere to crash for the night.”

Rest and Recovery

They found shelter in a reinforced pawn shop. The security gate had held firm against the apocalypse, making it the safest spot they could find.

For the first time in days, they relaxed

Sam sat on an old couch, cracking open a bottle of Baja Blast. He took a long sip, sighing in contentment. “Oh yeah… That’s the stuff.”

Pops sat nearby, stacking cans of beef and potato dog food like they were some fine luxury meal. “This world may be hell, but at least we eat good.”

Kenny, now happily munching on proper dog food, wagged his tail.

Trixie lay curled up on a pile of blankets, still overwhelmed by everything, while Starlight sat next to her, sipping a can of fruit juice Sam had given her earlier.

“This isn’t so bad,” Starlight admitted. “A little terrifying… but not bad.”

Sam smirked. “Enjoy the peace while it lasts.”

He wasn’t wrong.

The Infected Birds Attack

The next morning, just as they were preparing to leave, a deafening screech echoed through the streets.

Sam immediately grabbed his rifle. “What the hell was that?”

Kenny started barking furiously, his ears pinned back.

Then—they saw them.

A massive swarm of infected birds came swooping down from the rooftops, their bodies twisted and grotesque, red-glowing eyes locked onto the group.

“MOVE!” Sam shouted, firing into the sky.

The birds dove at them, razor-sharp talons slashing wildly.

Starlight and Trixie threw up magical shields, deflecting as many as they could, while Pops grabbed an old pump-action shotgun from the pawn shop and blasted several out of the air.

Sam ran toward the RV, shoving the doors open. “GET IN, NOW!”

Pops fired one last shot before jumping inside. Trixie practically teleported into the vehicle, screaming the whole way.

Kenny leaped in last, his massive jaws snapping at any bird that got too close.

Starlight was the last to run for the RV—one of the birds almost catching her before Sam grabbed her by the hoof and yanked her inside.

*SLAM!*

The doors shut, and Sam floored it.

The RV roared down the street, plowing through debris as the infected birds swarmed overhead, slamming into the vehicle in a crazed frenzy.

Pops peeked out a window. “Damn things won’t let up!”

Sam gritted his teeth. “Then let’s give ‘em something to chase.”

He swerved onto an open highway, picking up speed, then suddenly jerked the wheel—sending the RV crashing through a construction site’s scaffolding.

The sudden impact sent tons of metal beams and debris collapsing behind them—crushing the majority of the swarm.

The remaining birds, now leaderless and disoriented, screeched and scattered.

The RV kept going, speeding out of Philadelphia and back onto the open road.

Inside, everyone sat in stunned silence for a moment.

Then—

Pops laughed. “Well, that was a helluva way to wake up!”

Sam exhaled, gripping the wheel. “Y’know… I hate this city.”

Starlight groaned. “No more birds. Ever.”

Trixie just whimpered from under a blanket.

Sam smirked, glancing at the rearview mirror as the ruined city faded into the distance. “Next stop: Washington DC.”

The journey continued.

Meanwhile, in Equestria…

The enchanted mirror flickered as the ponies gawked at what they had just witnessed.

Twilight, still furiously scribbling notes, finally spoke.

“They just fought off an entire flock of infected birds, escaped an apocalyptic city, and… they stole an entire truck’s worth of potato chips and soda.”

Celestia, completely straight-faced, simply nodded. “Impressive.”

Rainbow Dash grinned. “I love these guys.”

Rarity, meanwhile, dramatically fainted onto a couch. “Ugh, birds! First the dog food, now this? I don’t know how much more I can take!”

Fluttershy shuddered. “I don’t think I’ll ever look at birds the same way again…”

Applejack smirked. “Gotta admit… these fellas know how to survive.”

Twilight turned back to the mirror. “We have to find a way to reach them.”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes. Before it’s too late.”

The journey pressed on—on both sides of reality.

To Be Continued