Dead Equestria

Thunderlane turned around “Okay, we're going back-” he was cut off by something tugging his tail. It was Amethyst, biting his tail with a desperate look.

“We are not going back just because of 'their' numbers” she told him, much to his dismay.

“Come on, Amethyst. Going to Sugarcube Corner is a suicide!” he told her. Loudly. He and Amethyst hid behind the wall of a house when one of 'them' look at their direction with a sanguine look on 'their' face.

“Quiet, they almost found us!” Amethyst told him in a hushed tone. She took a peek and to her relief, the member who almost found them decided to wander into the sea of bodies.

“So do you have any plans how can we walk pass that large crowd surrounding the bakery?”

“Not really, but I do have one” she look at a pouch laying behind them. It was enveloped in grayish mulberry aura of her magic.

“What are you doing?” she ignored Thunderlane's question, who was currently giving her a puzzled look. Seeing unicorn straying away from the group, she throw the pouch at his direction, narrowly hitting his cheek and instead hitting the wall behind him. The pouch hit the ground with the bits clinking. Thunderlane was looking at her in horror “What in the hay are you thinking!? You almost gave away our location!” he whispered at her with anger.

“Shh, this is actually my plan” she told him.

“What? By leading them to us!?”

“No, I'm trying to divert their attention”she told him “Remember the previous day when we went out in search for Rumble in your house?”

“...yes” Thunderlane felt uncomfortable when Amethyst mentioned his little brother.

“We come across somepony who got... eaten, but they didn't notice us” she said “they were all agroed on him because he was making loud noises. So, what if we divert their attention away by making noises that would attract them elsewhere and away from here?”

Thunderlane thought for a few seconds if he should agree with Amthyst's plan. Sure, that might work but that's a herd of 'them'! Its impossible for them to gain the whole attention of the crowd. Sure, they could make a half of the crowd go away, but even though they manage to go inside Sugarcube Corner, they would be trapped there with those 'ponies' banging on the door.

“I don't know if should agree or disagree, but I think it's good to try” he replied.

Amethyst opened her saddlebag. She rummaged through all the important stuffs before closing her bag “Next time, i will be bringing that magician's fireworks, or even Vinyl Scratch's mobile booth” she muttered to herself. She look back at Thunderlane, who had an eyebrow lifted at her “Changing plans. I can't find anything to distract them, but I still have another alternative way to divert their attention”

“Tell me that this alternative plan” Thunderlane said, curious of her plan.

“Well, we have to seperate. You will stay here-” Thunderlane tensed when he heard her saying about separating from each other “-while I'm going somewhere away from here and scream loudly so they would leave Sugarcube Corner empty of 'them'” she explained, then looked at her friend. Thunderlane's left eye was twitching and he was giving her a look of 'are you serious' expression.

“Are you insane?” he hissed “that's is beyond suicide- no, it's like walking through tartarus with danger surrounding you!” at this point, he's starting to think whether Amethyst hate her own life or needs to be taken to the Ponyville Hospital for mental check up (If the hospital is still operating).

“This is the only way. My plan might sound stupid, but I know this will work fine. Trust me” Amethyst gave him a pleading look. He sighed in defeat.

“Fine,” he said as Amethyst stood up and began to walk away from cover “But don't blame me in the afterlife if they tear you to pieces” she stopped, looking back at him with a look of determine which tells him she will fulfill her promise to com back, alive.

“I will, Thunderlane” she said. She toosed her saddlebag at the pegasus using her magic and immediately galloped away. Thunderlane manage to catch the purple saddlebag and watch as his friend go somewhere. He didn't say a word. She told him to stay.

He put down the saddlebag, inside, he could see two sandwiches which is for him and Amethyst. He decided to eat it later just in case he became hungry. He noticed a paper. He picked it up and was surprised that it was actually a checklist.

☑️ Take Dinky to a safe place
◽Find sane ponies
◽Gather food
◽Find the cause this mysterious attack and find the assailant
◽Take shelter inside the School of Friendship
◽Wait for rescue

He smiled. Amethyst was really an organizer. He looked to where Amethyst went. At this time, the unicorn was gone. He hoped for Amthyst's safety and they will soon reunite. He stayed in his hiding place approximately for 12 minutes before he heard a high pitched scream. He tensed, he knew it was Amethyst but he couldn't do anything, maybe that was her plan? To scream and attract the attention of the crowd. He heard a couple moans and growls. It looks like her plan is working. He peeked to see the crowd stagger to one direction like a herd. He waited, and waited for the crowd to leave.

Thunderlane was not the only pony who was witnessing the departing of the hostile crowd. A pegasus mare with vampire grey coat, rose red eyes, and pastel mane and tail was looking at the herd between two planks that blocked the view of the inside of the building she was in. Her eyes widened when she saw the crowd leaving “Kumiko, come here!” Kumiko arrived along with some curious members of the group “Do you see this?” Kumiko peeked through the barricade.

“Oya mā ̄” Kumiko gasped. She turn to everypony with a smile “They're leaving” the atmosphere inside the building went bright despite how dark it was in the building.

Seeing that the crowd had left, Thunderlane put the saddlebag on his back. He cautiously went out of his hiding place and trot towards Sugarcube Corner. He took note of the fortifications done to the bakery and some of the buildings albeit all of them had no signs of life inside.

As he was a few meters from the door of the bakery, he heard the familiar sound of moans and growls. He turned around to see one of those things shambling towards him. It seems Amethyst attracted more attention than she intended, her scream led some of 'them' towards his current location.

He slowly back away before turning into full gallop. He stop at the front door and tried to swing it open, but it didn't budge. He began to sweat as he tried to open it “No, no, no, no, no!” he began to panic as 'they' get closer to him. He was trying to forcefully pill open the door as if it was wrapped by strands of hair “Open!” fear gripped him and filled his mind with panic. He was trapped outside alone, cornered and was being approached by 'those' who wanted to kill him.

He heard a growl behind him, he turned around just in time for the 'pony' standing him to be hit by a plate that flew by him. He was then pulled inside the bakery. He saw a earth pony stallion close the door, which was revealed to have been barricade, hence why it didn't open.

“Are you okay, Thunderlane?” he open his eyes. Looking at him in concern was a earth pony stallion. He had a Persian bluish grey coat, brilliant amber eyes, and styled light grey mane and tail. On his flank is two straight white G-clefts. He was so surprised to see the stallion that he unconsciously step back. He yelped when he almost fell, but was caught by the stallion, who help him stood up.

“Royal Riff? Is that you?” he said without thinking about it, nor noticing that he said that as he already know the stallion. He just wanted to know that this isn't all a dream.

“I'm glad your okay, Thunderlane” Riff said solemnly “Me, and Caramel are very worried about you?”

“Caramel?” he looks pass the stallion to look at the ponies inside the bakery who had gathered to see him. He saw Caramel and Minuette next to each other along with a stallion, who was gazing at him intently without showing any emotion. A few meters away from him, to his right was a earth pony mare, who stood next to the barricaded front window, smiling softly at him. Behind her was a pegasus mare, and she eyed him with curiosity. He hadn't seen those mares before, they're probably tourists. There were other ponies, most of them are new faces to him, and only a few he could recognize including Filthy Rich, daughter, and his wife, who looked very grumpy.

“Why do you commoners let him in? He'll lead those monsters to us!” she shouted. Thunderlane could only guess she's talking to Riff since he was the nearest pony and that the latter stood infront of him.

Riff turn to glare at the upper class pony “Shut up, snob” he snapped at her.

“Did you just call me- Urgh! I had enough! I'm going to tell that to her about this!” she turned around and went upstairs.

“It's very risky outside. What were you doing out there?” the white earth pony mare with grayish mulberry eyes, grayish brown mane and tail approached him.

“I was planning to pay Sugarcube Corner a visit and get some food” he explained. He had no reason to lie, especially when he's talking to strangers.

“But still you should stay inside your home” added the dark grey pegasus with her. This mare had a brilliant raspberry eyes, and pastel mane and tail “It's not safe out there. Saw a poor stallion ripped to pieces when everything went down so quickly. This mare, Kumiko” she wrapped her wing around the mare's neck and pulled her closer, much to the mare's discomfort saved my sorry rump back at the marketplace” she turn to Kumiko, who looked away from her and Thunderlane “Come on, don't be shy”

“You aren't hurt, aren't you?” "Minuette approached him, eyeing his bandaged wing.

“I got bit during two nights ago” Thunderlane noticed everyone tensed. Kumiko, and the dark grey mare step back without even thinking.

Minette gasped “Do you feel sick? Is your temperature rising?”

“No, I'm not sick” Thunderlane put her hoof away from his forehead “Why are you asking?”

“We'll tell you when our leader arrives” one of the stallion stepped forward “I'm Rocky” Rocky offered his hoof for a hoofshake.

“I'm Thunderlane” the two shook hooves.

“Nice to meet you. I'm glad we have another survivor added to our group” Rocky said.

“Oh no, i'm are not here to join the group” Thunderlane said “I'm a member of another group that needs food and water”

“Then you picked the right group. We got plenty of food. Other than that, we also have the bearer of the element of laughter with us!”

“Really?” that shocked Thunderlane. He and Amethyst had their theory the element bearers were evacuated to Canterlot, but it seems they're wrong. If Pinkie was with them, then that means the other element bearers are still in Ponyville as well!

“Yeah. Our leader told us the element bearer and the owner of the bakery had holed up in the second floor when she arrived” Rocky stopped when he took notice of the look Thunderlane is giving him “Hey, are you okay?” this snapped Thunderlane out of his thoughts.

“Yeah, I'm okay” Thunderlane said “I was just thinking about something”

“Something?”

“Yeah... something” Thunderlane trailed off. He could hear Spoiled Rich once again and also another familiar voice.

“Spoiled, even if you give you a mansion after all this ended, I will still not let you stop my rescue operations”

“But if you continue your so-called rescue operations, we will have problems like shortage of food supply!” Spoiled protested.

“Tch, our leader is arguing with that snobby mare again” Rocky grumbled. Thunderlane to turn him with worry.

“Does they always argue?”

“Sometimes, when the snobby mare find something 'wrong' in her eyes” Rocky explained with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

“Then, we'll find food, get food from every stores we find!” Thunderlane glanced at the stairs to see Spoiled, followed by- “Geez, why are you always so nega-” the so-called 'leader' of the group froze upon spotting him. He froze as well, having a hard time believing that he would see her again.

Spoiled was saying something to her but, the leader ignored her. She quietly walked towards him with surprise “... Is that really you?” she gasped. Thunderlane didn't even have to say anything. Once she was infront of him, she pulled him into a hug.

“W-W-W-Windy?” he uttered the leader's name. The leader of the Sugarcube Survivor Group, was Windy Breeze, Blue Wings's instructor, a Wonderbolt, and one of his best friends still alive.

“I'm so worried about you” a tear ran down to Windy's cheek as she hugged him softly “I thought I lost you” she hurried her head into his chest, her flight goggles touching his coat. She was still wearing her Wonderbolt attire. Thunderlane look around and so the different reactions from ponies around them: Kumiko, was teary as she stood beside a smiling Paintheart, Rocky was giving him a normal look, the rest were smiling or just watching, except for a jet black stallion whom he swore he saw back at the Wonderbolts Academy, hiding his true emotions. Spoiled Rich, however only rolled her eyes as if his reunion with Windy was just nothing but nuisance.

Windy broke the hug, and was looking at him with concern “Are you okay, Thunderlane? Is Blue Wings and Rumble staying at your house?” that question hit him hard. He lost Blue to 'them' while Rumble is missing. Should he tell her what happened to them? He had no choice but to tell the truth. Lying would make matters worse.

“We were attacked in our home during the night two days ago. Rumble went missing after the attack but Blue... Blue's gone” he was hesitant revealing to Windy about Blue's death, but he really have to tell her.

“Our house was attacked at midnight 2 days ago. Rumble went missing, Blue... Blue is gone” he closed his eyes, unable to see Windy's face because of his failure.

He heard a small gasp from his friend. He was once again pulled into a hug as Windy started to sob quietly “N-Nopony ever deserve that. Why Blue? Why? S-She doesn't it”

“I'm so sorry. It's all my fault, Windy” he said. Now, he had to face her anger. He knew he deserve it. Blue Wings's granted wish to become a Wonderbolt was short-lived and died soon after she become one of the team members.

“Its not your fault” Windy told him “I knew you'll anything to save her from harm. Come on, I'll take you to Pinkie's bedroom” Thunderlane nodded, and they leave the lobby but not before passing Spoiled.

Windy Breeze lead Thunderlane into Pinkie's bedroom. They found Pinkie, who had her back facing them. The pink earth pony was staring at the window. She looked very sad even though he didn't see her face and the atmosphere in the room was cold and intense, her mane and tail isn't poofy anymore, instead they are now flat. The Cakes are nowhere to be found. Thunderlane assumed they're inside their own rooms as well.

“Pinkie, we have a guest here” Windy told Pinkie calmly. Thunderlane felt uncomfortable in the room for unknown reason, or probably because when Pinkie looked at them, she was giving them a gloomy look as if she haven't sleep for a long time.

“Hiiii Thunderlaaaane....” she spoke up with a broken sorrowful voice “I'm so, so surprised to see you”

“Are you okay, Pinkie?” Thunderlane was concerned of her. He hadn't seen the party pony become this gloomy in his entire life.

“She missed her friends” Windy spoke up as she approach Pinkie. She knelt down as she explain Pinkie's behavior “She told us that she couldn't find nor feel them. The Cakes were worried for her behavior and her health. They said she hadn't eat anything ever since yesterday” she then turn to Pinkie “Pinkie, your friends might have probably out there, alive, planning to get you out of here”

“B-But my Pinkie Sense couldn't sense them!” Pinkie yelled “Where did Twilight go? Is Rainbow still out there? Is Fluttershy still with her animal friends? Is Applejack still at Sweet Apple Acres. H-How about Rarity-!”

“Pinkie, they're all but safe like us. I'm sure of it” Windy calmly assures her while stroking her pink mane “Your insecurities will lead you to nothing but to downfall and despair” she then hugged Pinkie. Thunderlane couldn't help but find something suspicious of his fellow Wonderbolt. How was she able to gather a group of ponies all by herself? How was she able to not be mad at him for Blue's demise, and last of all, why is her right foreleg wrapped in bandage?

He decided to ask her about her bandaged leg while the others will wait for the right time. He approach her “Windy, did you hurt yourself?” he asked. Windy glanced at him with a yelp.

“What?” she then looked down at her wrapped up leg and her face was slowly filled with realization before looking up at him “Oh uh... I trip on something while rescuing somepony that i recently... rescued” she looked away from him “then i fell on a bunch of shards. Thank Celestia i only received one injury”

“No, you did not” Pinkie gloomy said. Windy look at her with a frown. Thunderlane ignored what the mare said. It's just Pinkie being Pinkie even though in a depressed state.

“Pinkie, can you leave the room for a minute, please”

“Sure” Pinkie nodded. She went out of the room but not before glancing at Windy, then at Thunderlane. Windy sighed.

“I hope she'll get better before something went wrong” she muttered before turning to Thunderlane “Thunderlane, I want you to tell something. Something that I did not tell everypony”

“What is it, Windy?” Thunderlane thought.

“Have you ever wondered why many ponies in town tried attacking us?” she asked him. She was looking at him expectantly.

“I have. I think it something to do with mind-control spells” he replied. Windy's reaction was not what he expected. Her expression melt into disappointment “What? Did I offend you?”

She blinked “Huh? Oh, oh no! I was just expecting something more” she walked pass him and stood in front of a window beside Pinkie's bedside table, staring at the ponies outside that started to gather “Besides, I don't think a mind-control spell can make ponies resort eat their own kind, not even an ancient enemy can force any creature to resort to eating their own blood”

“You do have a point” Thunderlane stood behind her with a solemn look, very similar to her. Since this discussion was very important, they were very serious.

“The outbreak in Maneponia and its neighboring cities and towns could have something to do with the behaviors of ponies here in Ponyville”

“So, what your saying there is a tyrant on the loose?” Thunderlane deadpanned. His friend was reminding him of Blossom Flower.

“No! A tyrant could have mind-control most of Equestria's population either for several hours or even a few days. The small outbreak took several days to reach our town” she explained before glancing sat glancing at Thunderlane with a look of recognition and horror “What if we're dealing an unknown virus that has yet to be known and studied by the experts and the princesses?”

“Now, now, that can't be true” Thunderlane tried to assure her but she refused to believe him.

“No. We there's a high chance we're dealing with ravenous infected. I can't let any of my friends, including you get infected by the unknown strain!” Thunderlane rolled his eyes. Now, she's starting to sound like Princess Twilight Sparkle.

“Calm down, Windy. You are starting to sound like Princess Egghead” he said, much to Windy's realization. She calmed down.

“I'm sorry. I was just worried about everypony, including you” she approached him with a sad look “We already lost most of our town's population, including Blue Wings. I can't let that happen to any of the members of the group I'm in and your group as well. I'm still looking for survivors and therefore protect them from harm's way and i'm not as smart as Princess Twilight nor Spitfire” she then looks back at the window “They're too many of them, and only Roswell and Rocky can fight back, Kumiko and Minuette are the only ones to volunteer for the search and rescue party, yet they don't know how to defend themselves. I'm just glad we haven't run out of food. How am I suppose to save this large group?” she took severe breath, then turn to her friend “Tomorrow, we will be going out to look for more survivors, maybe we can go to where your group resides and give them aid”

“Sure. I will be joining your party” since he saw his friend now calm, he didn't bother to question her if she's alright. In fact, she was already smiling at him.

“That would be great. And since your little brother is somewhere in town, we'll be searching for him as well” this gave Thunderlane energy that he hugged his fellow Wonderbolt in a blink of an eye.

“Thank you, Windy. Thank you” he said. Windy gave him a smile of happiness and hope.

“You're welcome”