Author's Note

I want to say just for the record:

1. The fact that I'm doing this in October is mostly coincidence though I'll gladly say the month inspired me.

2. I realize this story has many similarities to the before mentioned author, hence why I wanted to make sure this was an inspiration and not an attempt to steal his work, but it also has many differences as well, which you'll find out in due time.

Close Encounters

Tonight should’ve been one of those nights that Sunset Shimmer could just sit in her apartment and do her homework in peace. Tonight however was not one of those nights. Despite it being spring, a warm front had just rolled in, making it more than unbearable and with her A/C unit not able to keep it cool, Sunset had no choice but to open her window.

As she was reading one of her textbooks, she could hear something rustling near the dumpster below her window. She was on the second floor so she didn’t have to deal with the smell but still close enough to hear if anything was going on below. The rustling continued and got louder, making Sunset realize it apparently wasn’t some stray cat or dog.

Sunset tried her hardest to mentally block out the noise but it wasn’t enough as it kept going on and with a frustrated groan she quickly closed her book and went over to the window. She looked out but because it was already nightfall it was hard to see anything. Still, the alleged dumpster diver continued his or her work. “Hey asshole, I don’t know what you’re looking for down there but you’re disturbing the peace and driving me insane so if you don’t get out of here I’m calling the cops!”

For the next few moments it was quiet and Sunset thought either the person froze in place or actually took off. The resumed noise told her otherwise and Sunset felt her eye twitch. The fucker thinks I’m bluffing…well I’ll give him a surprise…

She grabbed her phone and put on some shoes before heading downstairs and going through the back exit. She walked towards where the dumpster was and now she could see someone was standing there, peering inside. “Alright listen dude, I’m giving you three seconds or I’m really gonna call the cops.” The figure seemed to ignore her and while she took a few steps closer, she kept a safe distance. Many people on the streets were either druggies or schizos and if they were armed she’d be in a horrible situation. After a considerable amount of seconds, Sunset could only say “Fuck this…” as she dialed 911.

Immediately, an operator on the other line picked up. “911, what’s your emergency?”

“Hi, there’s someone outside my apartment, rummaging through the dumpster and he…” She suddenly trailed off as she noticed the figure finally seemed to move and was turning towards her.

“Ma’am, are you still there? Is everything alright?”

“I…” Sunset all of a sudden felt rooted to the spot as the figure slowly moved towards her. As it did, she suddenly picked up a sound. It sounded like…growling? As the figure moved closer, the light started to shine on it and she could now see the figure was indeed a male, about two inches taller than her and-

Half of his face was missing skin completely.

At that moment, every signal inside Sunset’s brain told her to run, despite the fact it was trying to process what she was seeing. Surely it couldn’t be real. This has to be a nightmare…

The man suddenly lunged at her but she managed to move out of the way just in time before making a dash for the door. Oh who was she kidding? How could this be unbelievable considering what she’s seen or where she came from? But this wasn’t like the Fall Formal where her classmates fell under her spell. This man had been dead and now he was here, reanimated and ready to rip her throat out.

She closed the door behind her quickly, wishing she had something long enough but she didn’t have time. She only just realized she had dropped her phone outside and calling anyone inside for help would be futile. Locking herself inside her room was probably a bad idea since her door wouldn’t hold out forever. She had to get out of here and hope she can find a policeman or anyone who has a gun.

As Sunset ran down the hallway, the door behind her suddenly swung open as the zombie barreled in and upon seeing her, started giving chase. Okay, he’s not your typical slow zombie but one of those fast berserker ones. This is such bullshit…!

The entrance was just ahead, only having to go through two sets of doors. Perhaps in her moment of pure panic, she hadn’t notice someone was on the other side and as she was about to grab the handle, the door flew open, quick enough to hit her square in the forehead.

Sunset was suddenly dizzy and disoriented but she suddenly heard someone yell, “Get down!” and was able to flop onto the floor. Then, three gunshots rang out and she heard someone fall hard onto the ground. Sunset looked behind her and saw the zombie was on the ground, no longer moving.

“Are you alright?” It took a moment before Sunset realized she was being addressed and looked up, only to realize the person staring back at her was all too familiar.

“V-Vice Principal Luna!?” Sunset almost yelled. She wasn’t sure what was more surprising, that Luna was here in the first place or the fact that she was carrying a gun and just shot whatever had been chasing her.

“Hello Sunset Shimmer,” Luna said calmly. She eyed Sunset closely. “You are unharmed I assume?”

“Y-Yeah, I’m fine,” Sunset said shakily. She then looked behind her again. “What the hell is that?”

“You and I both know what that is,” Luna said. She paused for a moment. “Strange, I would’ve thought the sound of gunshots would’ve alarmed at least someone here.”

“Half the people here are either out somewhere or blasting their music, whether through speakers or headphones,” Sunset said. “Wait, that’s not even important, what are you doing here?”

“I happened to be in the neighborhood…” Luna said. “Good thing too since you were almost literally dead meat.”

“Oh come on that’s-” Sunset stopped and took a deep breath as she got to her feet. “Thank you, Luna. I appreciate the help but I know you’re not telling me something…”

Luna suddenly had a look of hesitation on her face and Sunset knew she was right. “I really wish you had just stayed in your room…”

“And you think I would’ve just ignored someone getting shot…regardless what state they were in?”

Luna shook her head as she holstered her gun. “We don’t have time for this. We need to get rid of the body.”

“Get rid of it? We need to call the police and-”

“Did you call them?” Luna had suddenly got in her face.

“Well technically I did but I guess I never gave them my address…that and I accidentally dropped my phone outside.”

Luna sighed in irritation. “Then we should be okay. Now go ahead and grab an arm or something, we need to get him out of here.” She pursed her lips. “Can’t get rid of the blood on the floor but it can’t be helped.”

“You have got to be kidding me…” Sunset obliged and grabbed one of this legs, thankful at least the zombie was wearing long sleeves and pants.

The two of them drug the body back outside near the dumpster. “Alright, so why don’t we want the police to know this? To avoid panic or is there some conspiracy going on?”

“Mostly to avoid panic but the populace can’t know what happened here, nor can anyone know you or I was involved.”

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying, Sunset, that there’s more than just Equestrian magic that poses a threat to our world.”

That managed to silence Sunset long enough before they had the body right in front of the dumpster. “Alright, now what do we do?” She noticed Luna had been carrying a small bag with her as she opened it, she pulled out a plastic bottle of a clear liquid before opening it and started to pour it all over the body. Sunset could smell what was inside right away. “Gasoline? Are you seriously-?”

“Right now it’s our only way of destroying the evidence,” Luna said as she flicked open a lighter and tossed it onto the dead man’s chest, lighting him up instantaneously. “Now we have to go. By the time anyone finds him, he’ll just be ashes.”

“So are you ever going to explain what’s going on here?” Sunset pressed.

“I will, but once we’re out of here and on the road,” Luna said as she made her way back towards the door.

Her response caught Sunset by surprise. “You mean…you’re letting me come with you?”

“Yes, protocol says I have to since unfortunately you witnessed all of this,” Luna said. “Or did you think I was gonna kill you and dispose of you as well?”

Luna’s lack of humor on her face made Sunset gulp. “You know, I’m perfectly fine tagging along actually…”

For all the strange encounters she’s had since coming to this world, tonight would go down as the strangest yet.