Author's Note

Thank you guys for all of the comments! I appreciate it. I liked this so much that I updated today!

Hope you all enjoy!

The Store

I planned our exit very carefully.

I alternated between Pegasi and non-pegasi in our formation. I was furthest to the left. Then Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Twilight, Applejack, and finally Rainbow Dash. I did this so we could all link wings and have them rest against the non-pegasi’s backs. We can keep track of everypony that way. Pinkie helped to take down the boards on the door, and as she did, I felt my heart sink as the safety I worked so hard to gain was stripped away, one nail, and one board at a time. Then, finally, it was done. The door was unsealed.

“Everypony, put your blindfolds on. Do not take them off. Whatever you think you hear, do not take it off.” I say, authoritatively.

They all nod. I make sure theirs are on before I put on my own. “Do not take them off.” I say again. Then, I speak. “Into formation.”

They all get into the line I commanded from them. Then, I take in a breath, slowly let it out, and do the thing that I fear most. I open the door.

We exit together, very carefully. We do not lose touch with one another. Then when we are out the door, I wait for the line to form again.

I know we need to stock up on supplies, and I know where to go. Rich’s Barnyard Bargains. The fresh produce from the land may have died, but they have jarred foods, blankets, everything we will need.

I asked for instructions on how to get there before we left. Dashie gave them to me. And our trek begins. I stay just a bit further forward than the rest, to try and guide them around obstacles. There is an overturned cart near Sugarcube Corner. I guide them around it. It is our first obstacle but most definitely not our last.

I don’t think everything we were risking really hit me until my hoof touched something soft when we were making our way down the street. I didn’t have to look to realize that it was another pony. I took a giant step over, then cautioned the girls of doing the same. I thought it might have been a stallion, judging by how high I had to lift my hoof to step over. I didn’t dwell on that long. I just helped them step over, and moved on.

The possible stallion was our first body, but not our last. Everypony came into contact with at least one, despite my attempts to guide them. I imagine they wondered if it was some pony they knew. I know I did. I took them through the streets, around corners and alleyways, until, if my memory served me well, we made it. I felt around for a handle, and found it, and guided everypony inside. Despite my blindfold, I could tell the difference in lighting. It grew darker. When everypony was in, I made sure the door was shut, and I took off my blindfold, daring a glance.

The windows were covered. I could tell right away. I exhaled. “You can take off your blindfolds now.” I say.

They all do so, and look around, at a treasure trove of supplies. It was like winning the lottery. Food, blankets, clothing, equipment. Everything we could need.

“Everypony stock up. Blankets, clothing, supplies for being outside, and weapons. Nonperishable foods only. We don’t know how long this journey will take and we need to be set for a while.” I say. They all nod, and split up.

I grab As much food as I can. Thankfully, they sold saddlebags here. I grabbed two more and put them on my back, filling them up. I grab a few blankets and scarves in the next one, and first aid supplies in the last. As I go, I also grab some food to eat now. The sweet taste of Zap Apple Jam hits my tongue. It is sweeter than anything I have eaten in months, and I savor it, and eat until the jar is empty. I go through two more jars, until I am finally replete.

I look around to see what every pony has gathered. Rarity has gathered clothing for the journey, along with food. Pinkie has gathered all food, and is chowing down on some crackers. Fluttershy has stocked up on blankets and whatever water she could find. Twilight has gathered food, water, and a book on survival. Rainbow Dash has gotten food, but is the most stocked up on weapons. A trowel, a rake, a shovel, a hoe. And some more deadly ones, like shears, an axe, and a weeding fork. She passes one thing to everypony. I get the rake. She gets the shears. Fluttershy gets a trowel. Pinkie gets the hoe. Twilight gets a weeding fork. Applejack gets an axe. Rarity gets a shovel. For the ones with pointed edges, I work to sharpen them, until one touch can make you bleed.

And then, I spy Applejack after the weapons passing. She is staring at the jars of Zap Apple Jam, looking tearful. I go over to her, wrap a hoof around her.

“Ya think my family is still alive?” She asks me.

As the element of honesty, I cannot lie to her. I wouldn’t anyway, with this situation. Now was the time for brutal honesty. “I think we are the last ponies alive in this town. If my husband didn’t make it out, I don’t think anypony else could. I’m sorry.” I say, and hug her.

She starts to cry. “It ain’t fair! First Ma and Pa, now Granny Smith and Big Mac and… Apple Bloom.” She breaks down sobbing. “I’m sorry, sis! I’m sorry I didn’t protect you!” She collapses to the floor.

Rainbow Dash and Rarity come over to her, put their heads with hers. They have all lost their sisters. They understand. They help her up, and we all gather together, in a ring of loss, until she calms down.

When that is done, I speak. “We need to get moving. The more time we spend here is a risk to us. I don’t know if the creatures can get through non-barricaded doors. We need to move on. Keep your weapons out, your ears open, and your minds sharp. I will find us a place to rest for the night when the time comes. Now that we are stocked up, we need to go. There is nothing more that this place can give us that we can carry. As much as I would like to stay here, we would be in the middle of the infestation. We cannot risk that. We must get somewhere safe. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” They all said together.

I nod. “Everypony put your blindfolds on and let’s go.”