Author's Note

Hello! I'm not dead, I'm very much alive. I just had to deal with life, because it sucks, then you die. But enough about my personal life, here's the next chapter, after about 4 days.

Chapter 8: The Gun Store

The Streets of Manehattan, Day One, 2:00pm.

The occupants of the Wonderbolts van shifted in their seats with each swerve and evasive maneuver that Spitfire had to make to avoid the infected wandering the streets aimlessly. They were heading for a gun store that Soarin had identified on the map from Spitfire's locker.

Eventually, Spitfire slowed down as they reached the storefront. There were dozens of bodies around the front door of the gun shop. The reactions among the ponies in the van ranged from simple gasps of shock to Fluttershy, who cowered with her hooves over her eyes.

Spitfire pulled the van into an alley next to the gun store and shut it off.

"Okay, who's gonna stay and watch the van while we go in?" Spitfire said as she turned to the rest of the vans occupants.

"I guess I'll stay." Thunderlane said from the very back seat.

"Okay, Fleetfoot, give Thunderlane your gun just in case." Spitfire said to Fleetfoot. She nodded and gave the gun to Thunderlane.

"Anypony else gonna stay?" Thunderlane asked.

"I'll stay here too." Fluttershy said. Spitfire nodded.

"Okay, we shouldn't be to long, we'll go in, grab the guns, and get out." Spitfire explained. The others beside Fluttershy and Thunderlane nodded and started to get out of the van.

"Be careful." Fluttershy said to Rainbow Dash as she got out of the van.

"Don't worry, we'll be back in no time." Rainbow Dash reassured Fluttershy before shutting the door.

After the rest of the group left the van and went to enter the gun store through the back way, Fluttershy and Thunderland sat in awkward silence in the back of the van. Fluttershy simply stared down at the floor, with all kinds of thoughts running through her head, thinking back to all the bodies she saw, the dead looks in the eyes of those infected ponies, it was starting to get to her.

She then thought about the rest of her friends, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie, Starlight, Applejack, Spike. They were probably still in the city, trapped like she was, or, maybe even worse.

"Are you okay Fluttershy?" Thunderlane asked sitting up, noticing that Fluttershy had a tear running down her cheek. Fluttershy looked over to Thunderlane, who had a concerned look on his face.

"No, no I'm not, I'm so scared." Fluttershy said in a soft, shaky voice.

"I'm scared too." Thunderlane said. This made Fluttershy look up at him again. Fluttershy knew Thunderlane since he lived in Ponyville, but she knew that he was like Rainbow Dash in a few ways, he acted fearless, tough and full of himself, so Fluttershy had a hard time believing him now.

"You're Scared?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah, I'm a pegasus who's trapped on the ground, I have a sprained hoof so I'm a liability to the group, and I just can't stop thinking about what's going on outside of the city. If Manehattan is the only city affected, or if all of Equestria is being attacked by the infected now." Thunderlane said as he looked out of the van's back window.

Fluttershy hadn't thought of that until now. Were the zombies only in Manehattan, or if Equestria was now in danger. Fluttershy started to think about Ponyville now. What if it was also overrun? What if they got to Sweet Feathers Sanctuary? These thoughts began to cloud Fluttershy's mind even further, making more tears pool in her eyes. Thunderlane noticed how Fluttershy looked even more distraught than before and felt guilty.

"I'm not helping am I? I sorry Fluttershy." He said. Fluttershy wiped the tears from her eyes.

"No, it's fine Thunderlane, I was just thinking about Ponyville. I hope everyone there is okay." she said softly, calming down a bit. Thunderlane nodded.

"The thing I'm worried about most is my brother Rumble. I hope he's okay." Thunderlane said. This made Fluttershy think of her own little brother Zephyr. Though he was often irritating and slightly narcissistic, he was still her brother, and she knew that neither her nor the rest of her family would make it far in a world like the one currently absorbing Manehattan.

"Don't worry Thunderlane, you're a strong Pegasus, just like the rest of the Wonderbolts, I'm sure you'll get back to Ponyville to see Rumble again." Fluttershy said. Thunderlane smiled at the compliment.

"Thanks Fluttershy." Thunderlane said.

"I know I probably won't make it out of this city." Fluttershy said glumly. This caught Thunderlane slightly off guard with how she said it, like she was considering giving up.

"Don't say that Fluttershy, you'll make it, we'll all make it." Thunderlane said trying to lift her spirits.

"It's nice of you to say, but I just can't, I can hardly comprehend what's happening now. I've never even held a gun, I've never intentionally hurt another creature, even one that looked mean, and after seeing all the infected ponies, I don't think I'll be able to just talk them down. And even though I don't have an injury, I'm more of a liability than you because at least you have the will and determination to carry on. I'll be gone within a few days." Fluttershy said, getting more and more sad and depressed as she continued. She suddenly felt Thunderlane place a hoof on her shoulder.

"That's not what I think of you Fluttershy, I think you're a very strong Pegasus." He said reassuringly.

"Yeah right." Fluttershy said dismissively.

"Remember when Ponyville had to create the waterspout to send water up to Cloudsdale? And a bunch of Pegasi including me came down with the Feather Flu?" Thunderlane asked.

"Yes." Fluttershy responded softly, remembering that day she tried her hardest and nearly got over her stage fright.

"Well, when I heard that you were one of the Pegasi that stepped up and got us enough wing power to get the water up to Cloudsdale, I thought that was very cool and strong of you." Thunderlane said. This made Fluttershy slightly grin.

"So, I think you can make it through with the rest of us, and remember that you're not alone, you have us." Thunderlane said. Fluttershy then smiled and hugged Thunderlane.

"Thank You." she said.

"No problem." Thunderlane said as he hugged her back.

Their hug was suddenly cut short when the sound of a gunshot came from inside the gun store. They both looked at eachother for a second before moving to get out of the car and check on the others.

A Few Minutes Earlier.....

Spitfire, Soarin, Rainbow Dash, Misty Fly, and Fleetfoot walked toward the rear door to the gun store from the van. Spitfire reached the door first and tried to open the door, but it was locked.

"Shit, how do we get in?" Spitfire asked, turning to the others behind her. Fleetfoot stepped forward.

"I got this." she said before taking a bobby pin out of her mane and kneeling down to pick the lock.

"You can lockpick?" Rainbow asked.

"Yep, I spent my teenage years here in Manehattan, so I picked up an a few nasty habits." Fleetfoot explained.

"Does that explain the gun?" Misty asked. The lock on the door then made a click noise and Fleetfoot opened up the door before turning to the others.

"Yep." she said before gesturing the others inside like an usher at a theater.

"Nice job Flatflip." Spifire complemented as she walked in, followed by the rest.

The group entered into an office first, that led into the main part of the store. It was disheveled. The front of the store was boarded up and there were two more bodies laying inside on the floor by the door. They all had bullet wounds in their heads. On the other side of the office was another locked door.

"Alright, One gun per pony, and don't forget holsters and ammo." Spitfire said as she immediately walked over to the counter where the glass case was shattered. Spitfire picked up a Magnum .44 Revolver, a box of .44 ammo and a holster of the wall almost instantly .

"I'll be waiting just outside." Spitfire said before walking back through the office.

The others began to browse through the selection of firearms. A large number of guns were still in the store despite several display places being devoid of guns, probably taken when the infected first started showing up.

"This rifle is mine." Fleetfoot said as she took a bolt action sniper rifle of the wall behind the counter.

"I didn't think you were a long range type of pony Fleet." Rainbow said as she browsed the small number of shotguns still available.

"Are you kidding, I'm the best sharpshooter in the Wonderbolts! A few years ago we went to a firing range, and I got a bulls eye from 100 Meters." Fleetfoot bragged.

"Really?" Dash asked as she picked up a pump action shotgun.

"She's telling the truth.....unfortunately." Misty Fly said as she browsed the pistols that sat in a display case by the door to the office. Fleetfoot snickered at Misty's tone.

"What's wrong Misty? Still salty that I made more bulls eyes that you?" Fleetfoot said in a cocky tone. Misty simply groaned in response.

"I can't decide." Soarin said referring to the two pistols he held by the opposite wall. Fleetfoot and Rainbow Dash walked over to help. Soarin held an M9 Pistol and a 1911 Pistol.

"I think you should take the 1911, it looks neat." Fleetfoot suggested.

"But the M9 looks more badass." Dash argued. Soarin looked between the two guns before ultimately choosing the M9.

"Good choice." Dash complemented. They were about to finish up everything when a noise rang through the store that none of them were ready for.

*Slam*

Fleetfoot, Soarin and Rainbow Dash turned to where the noise emanated from. Over by the office door, stood an earth pony stallion with a shotgun. Lying on the ground behind the counter was Misty, who must have been hit with the stock of the shotgun that the earth pony held. He aimed the gun at the three.

"Put The Guns Down NOW!" the pony shouted. The three complied and dropped the guns to the floor.

"We're sorry sir, we jus-" Rainbow Dash started.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" the stallion shouted. Rainbow Dash slightly flinched from the sudden scream. Misty started to stir and tried to get up, only for the stallion to kick her down.

"Stop that you bastard!" Fleetfoot shouted.

"What did I FUCKING SAY!" the stallion shouted back before stepping over Misty and towards the others.

"You think you can just come in here and steal my SHIT? You Fuckers are just like the ones out there, you think that I'm just going to roll over and give you my guns!?" The stallion shouted as he stepped closer to the three.

The three were now stunned silent, either this pony was severely mentally unstable, or very angry at what was happening in the city. The stallion then pumped the shotgun and aimed it dead-centered at Soarin.

"I'm going to kill you, you fu-" *Bang*

The stallion didn't finish his sentence before suddenly the sound of a gun firing was heard and a spray of blood coated the three cornered ponies. The stallion fell to the ground dead, a bullet wound in the back of his head. And standing by the door to the office was Spitfire with the magnum she took.

"Are you guys okay?" Spitfire asked as she knelt down next to Misty to check on her. The three nodded as they picked up their guns.

"Is Misty okay?" Fleetfoot asked, rushing over. Before Spitfire could respond, from the office, came Fluttershy and a limping Thunderlane.

"Is everything okay?" Thunderlane asked.

"We just ran into a crazy guy, but Misty's hurt." Spitfire explained as she and Fleetfoot lifted up the unconscious Misty Fly.

"Okay, we have guns, what now?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"There's a police station nearby, maybe we can get actual help there." Soarin suggested, remembering the map.

"Well, looks like Misty could use some, let's go." Spitfire said. With that, they all exited the gun store through the office and back into the alley where the van was parked. They all got back in and Spitfire drove back into the street with Soarin navigating.