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

Chapter 26: Wheels Up or Die Trying

Earth – Orlando International Airport

The B-52 Stratofortress loomed over them, its massive frame silhouetted against the burning Florida sky.

The gang had seconds before the horde reached them.

Sam grabbed crates of supplies to add to the RV and cargo container that were already on the plane, shoving them up the plane’s ramp. “MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!”

Trixie and Starlight used their magic to lift as much gear as they could, hurling it inside.

Dan was already in the cockpit, flipping switches randomly, muttering, “Okay, uh—yup, that does something—nope, not that—damn it—”

Sam ran inside. “DAN, DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW TO FLY THIS?!”

Dan turned, smirking.

“I flew a crop duster once.”

Trixie’s eyes widened. “THAT’S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE SAME THING!”

Dan shrugged. “How hard can it be?”

Then—he found it.

A pilot’s manual.

Tucked under the co-pilot’s seat, yellowed with age.

He snatched it up, flipping pages at record speed. “Oh, hell yeah. We got a cheat sheet.”

Sam exhaled. “You’re gonna crash us.”

Dan grinned. “Not if I read really fast.”

Outside, Pops was still fueling the plane, standing between the horde and their escape.

Trixie gasped. “WE’RE OUT OF TIME!”

Final Stand – Hold the Line

The horde poured onto the runway, sprinting toward them like a tidal wave of death.

Sam and Pops opened fire, mowing them down with precise headshots.

Dan, still flipping through the manual, called out, “Uh, Starlight? Trixie? You guys ever use a machine gun?”

Trixie blinked. “WHY?!”

Dan pointed to the B-52’s mounted turret.

“Oh,” Starlight murmured. “That could be useful.”

Seconds later, the two unicorns were blasting away, ripping into the horde with .50 caliber rounds.

Pops yanked the fuel hose from the plane, making sure the tank was sealed.

“WE’RE CLEAR!” he shouted.

Sam grabbed him, yanking him up the ramp.

“DAN, GO! GO! GO!”

Dan didn’t need to be told twice.

Wheels Up – The Great Escape

Dan slammed the throttle forward, the B-52’s engines roaring to life.

The plane lurched forward, picking up speed—

Zombies swarmed onto the wing, clawing at the metal—

Sam rushed to the back, hitting the emergency close switch—

The cargo hatch slammed shut, severing zombies in half as the plane lifted off.

Dan gritted his teeth, yanking the landing gear lever—

With a final clunk, the B-52 ascended into the sky, leaving the horde screaming below.

Pops, still catching his breath, muttered, “Holy shit.”

Dan, wiping sweat off his face, exhaled.

Then—he grinned.

He grabbed the radio, flicking it on.

“We’re coming, Tsunami.”

He looked over the endless blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the nightmare of Florida finally behind them.

Dan leaned back, smirking.

“Next stop is motherfucking Mexico City.”

He cracked his knuckles.

“And I will shove a taco down the throat of the first Mexican zombie we see, dammit.”

Meanwhile, in Equestria…

The enchanted mirror flickered, showing the B-52 soaring across the ocean.

Twilight dropped her quill. “THEY’RE FLYING A BOMBER?!”

Rainbow Dash laughed. “I LOVE THESE GUYS.”

Rarity fainted dramatically. “They’re barbarians!”

Applejack grinned. “They ain’t quittin’.”

Celestia, watching silently, muttered, “They are finally free.”

Pinkie Pie bounced excitedly. “MEXICO TIME!”

The mirror flickered—showing Mexico City in the distance.

And something waiting for them.

To Be Continued