Dead Rising: Hoof, Camera, Action!

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1: The Raw Reality
Chapter 2: A Day Full of Surprises
Chapter 3: The Apprentice
Chapter 4: Party Pooper
Chapter 5: Hard Feelings
Chapter 6: A Bitter Bite.
Chapter 7: The Hanging Lead.
Chapter 8: An Odd Case.

Prologue

Author's Note

This is my first Fanfic so please all I ask is for some emphaty and is inspired by zombiehunter4579's Dead Rising: Pony Psychos.
This story take place in Season 2 of MLP, some changes and subtitutes will be done to the game's original story like rooms, survivors and more. I am sorry for my grammar errors and if the story seems to advance slow, further changes will be more noticeable as the story advance. I am busy with some school work so updates can take long, all I ask is for your patience and comprension, thank you.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own MLP:FiM or Dead Rising, they are own by Hasbro and CAPCOM, please enjoy.

Prologue

Prologue.

Equestria, a magical land full of magical and mysterious creatures, but the ones that domain this land were the ponies, they came in three species, first is the earth ponies, strong and resistance capable to do physical work, next there are the pegasus, ponies with wings capable to stand and control the clouds, they are responsible for the management of the weather and last there is the unicorns, capable to use magic and cast spells but there is a rare fourth species called alicorn, the mix of all three and the current ruler of this land, Celestia Princess of the Sun, Luna Princess of the Moon and the sister of Celestia, and Cadence Princess of Love.

But now in Equestria after Celestia’s student and the carriers of the Elements of Harmony fight against a draconequus called Discord Lord of Chaos who bends and modified the space and time from a little village called Ponyville. The Elements win over him, transforming the twisted creature into a statue, everything went back to normality but after some days a few unusual events started to happen, from overgrowth plants and animals to portals appearing from thin air. The cause of all this unnatural behavior was Discord’s residual chaotic magic by which the princess, the elements of harmony and others ponies were taking the task to clean and dispose of the areas affected by Discord’s chaos. The pace of occurrence starts at a slow pace to later become something from every weekend (nobody knows why weekends) and when they occur, ponies are at risk of getting injured or sucked up by the vortex, this caused a long list of missing ponies and a quiet and worried Equestria.

September 19, 11:27 am, 2006.

The story begins in another world with a helicopter flying over a terrain fill with green hills, in the aircraft are two men, the pilot who wore a orange headset to talk to the passenger, black shirt with a khakis vest, blue pants, black shoes and black aviator sunglasses and the passenger who also wore a orange headset, white button shirt under a black leather jacket, green pants and brown shoes. While the ride was going on, the passenger was taking some photos of the landscape with his Nikon D100, after a couple of minutes the pilot decided to break the silence.

“Say, buddy…” the pilot said “you mention somethin’ about research for a story.”

“That’s right.” the passenger replied while looking at the surroundings. “I got a tip that something big is happening.”

“In a nowhere town like that?” the pilot asked while the passenger moved close to the pilot. “They sure didn’t mention anything about it on TV.”

“Yeah, well I’m freelance pal,” the passenger responded. “I don’t make my living waiting for the TV to tell me what to cover.”

The pilot laughed and the passenger took his seat.

Later the pilot announced to the freelance reporter about the proximity of their destination.

“Here she is!” he said while the passenger stuck out his head from the side of the helicopter to have a clear sight. “Willamette, Colorado. Population: 53,594, Distinguishing Characteristic: Jack shit! Hahaha! About the only thing to do in this town is kill time at the shopping mall.”

The reporter took out his camera to have a close up of what is on the bridge while taking a shot at the process, he had spotted some military forces making a barricade over the bridge.

The pilot looks where he was looking and immediately identifies the unit. “What was that? The army?”

“Looks like taking the helicopter was the way to go. I bet all the roads are blocked off by now.” the reporter said while getting close to the pilot. “Alright listen… I wanna get shots of the whole town before the National Guards finishes roping it off.” the pilot nods. “Take me over the main street.”
The pilot flew over the mainstreet while the reporter used his camera to take photos of everything that could give him a hint of what was happening, for his luck he found it but he didn’t like it.

His first sign was a pair of people in a corner of the steer surrounding what it looks like a body, the next clue was more clear, he zoom his lens to see a person with aqua blue shirt struggling with other persons to get on a car’s roof while fighting and making hand signals to the helicopter that the passenger was riding, but the group of people pulled the blue man over the street and kill him, What the hell is happening. Frank thought while feeling his guts moving for the gory scene.

After that more people were roaming the streets with cars in the middle of the road or crash between them or in the buildings, a group of people were surrounding a school bus for some reason, but later when the pilot hover next to a gas station, the structure instantly explode making the store burn fiercely “HOLY SHIT!” the pilot shouted while he flew away from the destroyed store.

In the distance the reporter saw something on the roof of a building so he asked the pilot to fly close to it, he witnessed how a woman was trying to escape and fight her attackers, only to fail and fall from the roof to her death with one of them holding her. What the fuck is happening to these people to act like that? Frank thought.

After that incident the reporter order to the pilot to fly them to the center of the town, further in their way the reporter notice some movement between the streets and the build going at the same destination as them, he try to have a better view of it but the number of trees and building have increase that they block his view, the reporter only could see different kinds of movement and some color spots by the little gap of sight that was allowed, Were those some kind of animals? Is there a zoo close from here? Maybe they are some group of people running away from the chaos that is happening in the border, those bright colors could not belong to any animal, at least the ones I know. Frank thought.

With no further details the reporter continued to look over the town trying to spot something that can lead him to the story behind this incident.

The reporter saw a mall whose entrance was surrounded by the revolters, when he was scanning the mall, on the roof he spotted an helipad where he could land and start his cover.

“Hey! Can you get me on the roof of that mall?” the reporter asked while pointing.

“You gotta be kiddin’ me!” the pilot replied upset as if the passenger has a proposed something stupid. “UGH. Man, you are nuts.” he replied doing what he was asked.

The reporter checked his box with his equipment to see if everything is prepared. “Alright, listen.” he said to the pilot while closing the box. “Don’t forget to come back for me!”

“As long as you’re not dead, Fred” the pilot said sarcastically.

“It’s Frank… Frank West,” the reporter answers him. “Remember that name, cause the whole world’s gonna know it in three days… when I get the scoop.”

“Alright. WHOA!” the pilot answer but at the same time a black Pave Hawk helicopter appear in front of them, blocking their way forcing the pilot to make a sharp turn causing Frank to hold tight in his seat and his equipment to slide on the floor of the helicopter and fall outside, later two more black helicopters came to escort them out of the town.

“Get us back to that rooftop!” Frank ordered the pilot and took off his headsets.

The pilot made another turn in the direction of the helipad. “I know I’m gonna get my butt chewed out of this one.” he said to himself, the pilot was now flying over the helipad by a couple of meters while Frank prepared to jump off. “We’re goin’ down.”

“WOOOO HOOOO!” Frank screams while jumping off the helicopter to Willamette mall’s roof, landing and rolling to reduce the impact of the fall, camera safe in his right hand.

After the fall Frank stood up, the adrenaline that he felt from the jump was fading, the pain thankfully wasn’t strong, he watched how the military helicopters went after the one he traveled on while shaking off the dust from his leather jacket.

“Hello, there,” someone said, capturing Frank’s attention. “You’re the reporter, aren't you?” Frank sees who is speaking to him, is a man in his first thirties, height 5’8”, for his way of speaking and tone of skin he could be spanish but his long hair make him look like Native American, his clothing consist in a long sleeve white button shirt with a pair of red and yellow like butterflies in the style of native drawings in each side of his chest and a big one in his back, white belt with black pants, black shoes and a round silver locket hanging in his neck.

“You came alone?” the man continued speaking, resting his back next to the entrance of the roof.

“Yeah… I’m freelance,” Frank answered. “You know… Go to the battlefield alone… No crew.” Frank changed the subject while looking around. “So, uh… What’s goin’ on around here anyways?”

“You came by helicopter, didn’t you?” the man asked while walking toward Frank “What did you see from the sky?”

Frank stepped back a little and answered. “Well… If it were just a riot, I doubt the military would quarantine the entire area. The moratorium on information getting out is a little… extreme, in my opinion.”

The man walks to the right while Frank turns to him continuing with his explanation.
“There’s a… something else I can’t put my finger on.” the man stops and Frank concludes with his theory. “It doesn’t sound like civil disobedience. It’s too quiet.”

The man chuckles a little and turns to face Frank. “Almost as if… everyone is already dead?” he said with a dark tone.

“Yeah… “ Frank was feeling uneasy about that statement so he tried to be more direct. “So why don’t you just tell me already. What is going on?”

The man looked away for a moment then to Frank and said. “I think you’d better see for yourself… This, my friend.” He moved close to Frank, stared into his eyes and said “Is hell.”

The man returned to rest his back next to the roof entrance’s wall while Frank was processing the warning that he gave him, he was thinking the worst of the scenarios that could happen compared with what had happened earlier, but still he was determined to get this story covered no matter what obstacles where in his way, no matter what more disasters could occur. Man, why does every story have to begin by being so complicated? Frank thought, if only he knew this story was going to be like no other.

Chapter 1: The Raw Reality

Chapter 1: The Raw Reality.

September 19, 12:00 pm, 2006.

Frank was in the roof of Willamette mall checking his watch marking 12:00 pm, he walk to the roof entrance door and entere, he walk to a stair that go down, reaching the floor he look what it was a storage room since it have many big rooms with some boxes with some food in them, tables and shelves, lockers were at one end of the hallway plus there was a comfy green sofa with a chart above it next to the bathrooms.

Frank walk to the end of the corridor to the door that has label Janitor’s room on its glass window, entering a set of monitors who were connected to the mall’s security camera was set on the sealing and in a table below, it show everything that is happening in the store, Frank examine them to see anything that can answer his questions or give him a hint, then one of the camera at the parking lot showed how a woman was trying to get in her car only to be pulled out and pin down by other three persons to later be what it looks eaten alive.

Frank could not believe what he just saw. “What in the world…” Is the only thing he could say and thought, he kept watching the monitors for a moment before encouraging himself and continued on his way out of the room, he saw a giant A/C that was working and in its right side was a door were Frank entered, it was another hallway and in the end of the hall was a door, once Frank entered the door he was now in the mall.

Frank was now standing in the second floor of the mall, seen many stores empty with no personnel in them, he then walked downstairs and spotted a group of people barricading the entrance of the mall, so he walked to the group to get some information out of them.

“Hey! Bring it over here.” a man with green shirt and brown shorts said to another man.

Frank is now on the ground floor looking at how an old man was moving a small propane tank while bumping and scolding an old woman who seems to be shaking and looking for something.

The same old lady bumps into Frank and in a hysterical tone she asks him “Have you seen my baby? I can’t live without my little sweetie doggie! Oh, where is my Madonna? Where is she? OH!,OH! My Madonna.” The old lady continued looking leaving Frank alone.

Frank was confused but motivated to reveal the mystery this town is hiding.

Continuing, Frank saw a beautiful girl with long black hair, tan skin, wearing black slim pants that only reach to her knees, a white blouse with some pink strings revealing the belly button and some jewelry. He wasn’t watching her for her beauty or for anything like that, the reason is because she looks more calm and in peace than anybody here.

But when she notices him and he makes his first step towards her an old man blocks his way. “Hey! This is not time to ogle pretty girls, son!” the man said while Frank tried to escape but the girl walked away. “You lookin’ to get yourself eaten alive by zombies?” that last statement captured Frank’s attention.

“What? Did you just say ‘zombies’? said Frank, surprised to hear that statement.

“Take a look out there!” the man said, pointing and walking towards the entrance. “If those ain’t zombies, what do you call ‘em?”

Frank looked at the glass doors of the entrance and indeed, there were zombies outside becoming more and more each minute, just when Frank thought he had seen everything, these zombies had proved him wrong. No way! Frank thought, surprised.

“There’s been more an’ more of ‘em since last night.” the old man continued explaining. “Now, they’re all that’s out there.” Frank tried to take a picture with his camera but the man slapped Frank in his stomach, interrupting him and capturing his attention. “EH! Look at the bright side, zombies are stupid and slow. We should be safe in here.”
Frank once again tried to take a picture but the old man seemed to have another idea in mind by once again blocking Frank’s shoot and giving him a task. “Alright, then. Feel like making’ yourself useful? Take a look around the mall and bring anything that we can use for the barricade back here.” Frank uses this moment to take any picture he can before the man in front of him decides to block his view again. “Andale! C’mon! Pronto!”

For much of his discomfort Frank has to help with the barricade, on his way down the mall hallway he notices that some survivors and Willamette’s employees had baseball bats, lead pipes and one of them had a shotgun, later he saw a pair of girls crying for the zombie outbreak while others were very upset or injured. Man, I really hope I get out alive. Frank thought. Once Frank was at the end of the hall he noticed that the security grilles were blocking the rest of the mall.

While looking for something useful, Frank saw a thin old man on the other side of the grilles wearing a red suit with a white button shirt, gray formal pants with a black belt and a cane, Frank then decided to take some pictures of him.

The man noticed him and walked towards him. “You! Stop right there!” the man ordered angrily while using his cane to stick it through the grill in an attempt to damage Frank or his camera. “Do you have any idea of what you've done? Why do you summon me to this place? First those meat eaters appeared and now rainbow horses!? WHAT’S NEXT? WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING!?”

“WILL YOU CALM DOWN!?” Frank shouted to the man. “I don’t even know what you are talking about!”

The man gets a little tired, he retrieves his cane and walks away angry and grunting.

“What the-” Frank wanted to stop him for more questions but the old man had left. What was happening here? Where do these zombies come from? And why does horse have to do with all this? Those were Frank’s thoughts about the situation but they were interrupted when he heard something breaking.

“Madonna! My Madonna is out there!” the old lady from before was screaming and pushing the barricade to get her French Poodle back from the zombies that were outside the mall.

One of the mall’s staff and another survivor tried to stop her but somehow she managed to push them off. The dog was barking but the zombies looked like they ignored the animal, but the old lady successfully opened the main door and jumped to retrieve her dog causing many zombies to enter and of course pin her and eat her and the employee who was stopping her.

Now Frank was analyzing the situation, it was bad, no, more than bad it was a catastrophe, now he need to think how to get out alive and not end like food for the undead, and if it was like fate a man on the second floor shouted to the remaining survivors makin Frank to enter to reality.

“What in the hell are you people doing!?” shouted a black man in a long sleeve yellow button shirt with a gray tie, gray pants with black belt and brown shoes. “RUN! Quick! Move! Get over here!” he ordered while gesturing to everyone where to go. “Everyone! Move this way! Quick! To the stairs! MOVE!”

Frank took a glance to the path he had to take in order to survive this outbreak, running to the pile of junk Frank quickly took a 2”x4” wood stick and a baseball bat, he opened a path between the zombies by using the bat and swinging at them, causing them to fall backwards and pushing others zombies, then he use the map display as a platform to check who else still alive.

Unfortunately one-by-one the survivors were overpowered by the crowd of zombies causing them to fall to the ground, been pinned and eaten alive by them, Frank was shocked of how fast a little mistake cost the lives of all the survivors, if Frank want to live he had to think quick, in that moment Frank saw how the left side of the entrance has less zombies that the right but it still a big number so he search for the employee from before that had a shotgun, when he spotted his body close to the sculpture in the small water source Frank jump of the display and begun swinging left to right until he reach the shotgun and with one shoot he kill a good number of zombies while running to the stair and shooting again, once in his way upstairs Frank look back at the display of more zombies coming in from the entrance and start running again.

But when he reached the second floor he saw that a small group of zombies were disperse in the hallway. Frank understood that he had to fight his way to the storage room so he put away the shotgun and took out the 2”x4” and started killing the few zombies that blocked his path, even knowing that they aren’t people any more, Frank felt sorry for those who couldn’t escape from these monsters.

But before Frank could reach the door something caught his attention, three zombies were entering a clothing store. Is there another survivor alive in the store? Frank thought. He wanted to leave but his photojournalist instinct told Frank to enter the store and see if the survivor was still alive. When he entered he saw the three zombies standing in the middle of the store looking away then Frank smash one zombie from behind in the head with his 2”x4” and went for the next one, but in the moment when he hit the zombie his piece of wood broke causing him to stagger for a bit, unfortunately it was enough time for the last zombie to lunge toward him causing the both to fall, “Shit!” Frank said while he was laying on the ground, back in the floor while his hands where around the zombie’s neck, the undead was on top trying to bite his face off, Frank was struggling, waiting for the right moment to strike him when the zombie move back to gather impulse Frank use that moment to kick him off and stand quickly, he put out his bat and prepared to make a homerun with the zombie’s head, the monster run toward Frank ready to bit him but Frank was faster then him and hit him so hard causing the zombie’s head to explode.

Frank took a time to catch some air, after a minute he watched at his surroundings to try and find any sign that tells him that someone is still living, he moves to the dressing rooms opening one-by-one. “Empty.” said Frank, opening one dressing room. “Empty.” he opened another one. “Empty, Pony, Empty.” Frank stop his pace, processing what he had just said, returning to the dressing room with the mentioned animal and for his surprise indeed there was a pony and was laying in the floor alive but unconscious since he saw how its barrel was moving indicating that it was breathing, Frank shake his head to get out from his shock, then he proceed to kneel down to see the little foal, it have cream color coat and have brown mane and a short tail that was also brown, nothing weird until Frank saw its back noticing now that the little pony have wings!?

Frank stood up and did a double take not believing what his eyes were showing him, There is no freaking way that it is real, it must be one of those plushies that work with batteries or something!. Frank thought, so he decided to kneel down and get closer, noticing some facial features making him look more expressive and two teeth that came out from its mouth with a gap between them, then he began to touch and grab its front and back hooves, chest, head and wings.

After a pair of minutes Frank was sitting in the floor not knowing what to think now, after examining the creature that is laying in front of him, Frank has learned three things from it, number one is a he, number two he was thin and young but not a pony, a pegasus to be specific, and number three he was real. “Just when I thought zombies were going to be hard to believe.” he said to himself knowing that if he included something so weird and cute to his bloody and gory story no one will believe him. “Well a pair of shots and taking you alive with me as proof could make my story more believable.” Frank states, later he proceeds to taking his camera out and took some photos of the unconscious pegasus. Maybe when he wakes up I could tame him so he doesn’t run and get himself eaten. Though Frank, believing it was the best idea ever, with a goofy smile. FANTASTIC!! OUTTAKE. After taking some shots he put the camera away, the reporter began to carry the pegasus foal which resulted to be more easy since the pony was lighter than Frank expected.

Now Frank was running in the hallway back to the storage room with an unconscious pegasus that barely surpassed the height of his knee while surviving a zombie invasion. What could happen next? An evil corporation? An alien invasion? Interdimensional traveling? Bigfoot dancing sensually at the rhythm of 50 cent’s ‘Candy Shop’?”. Thought Frank trying to forget that weird last one.

Frank arrive, opened the steel door and entered the room only to be met with the black guy from early and a blonde girl next to him in which she dress a complete ash gray suit and skirt with a white shirt that reveal a bit of her chest, black heels and glasses that make her look like a business worker.

Suddenly an employee of the mall locked the door where Frank came in, the employee was black and looking older, around sixty years, partially bald with white hair and beard, he wore the mall’s blue uniform with yellow letters, pale green pants and brown shoes.

The three people were looking at Frank and then at the pony that he was caring in his arms, the guy from early broke the silent and pointed at the pony. “What is that?”

Frank looked down and answered “Is a pegasus that I found in a store on my way here.” Everyone could not believe what he just said but there he was holding a pony with wings that look very naturally attached to its body.

Putting that aside, the man in the yellow shirt changes the subject by asking Frank about the survivors “Where are the others?”

Frank shakes his head. “I don’t know… I hope they got away.”

With this the man in the yellow shirt rubs his head and shows some distress for the news. Then he indicates with his head to the mall worker to proceed, the worker nods and pulls out a blowtorch and begins to seal the door where Frank came from.

“As long as those things are in the mall, we’d better not use this door.” the yellow shirt man said to Frank while inspecting the giant A/C’s air duct.

“Um, What are you doing?” Frank asked.

Looking at him the yellow shirt man turned to Frank and said. “The air ducts.” he pointed at it. “They’ll get us back into the mall. And apparently, those things aren’t smart enough to use the ducts.”- he put his hands in the handle of the air duct’s door and opened. -“So they won’t be a factor.”

“Wait a minute…” Frank said. “You wanna get back in there? What for?” The man didn’t answer Frank’s questions, he entered in the air duct and crawled his way out. “Hey! Hey!” Frank tried to get his attention and failed, frustrated he looked to his left and saw the blond girl.

“So are you a zoologist or a veterinarian? The blonde girl asked calmly but professionally.

Frank realized that her question came from the pegasus he was holding . “Actually I’m a photojournalist, don’t let the little guy distract you.” said Frank, looking at the pony in his arms, then he move the foal’s body in way were he use his left arm to hold the pony’s flank while his body rest in his chest and the head in Frank’s left shoulder freeing his right arm, “I’m Frank West” he said while extending his right arm to the girl for a hand shake.

The blonde girl ignored the gesture. “Can you show me some pictures, Frank?” she asked, Frank understood that she doesn’t want nothing to do with him, so Frank reluctantly handed over his camera to the girl.

Frank noticed how well she was using his camera’s features. “You really seem to know what you’re doing.” he said calmly to later ask. “Who are you guys, anyway? And what are you-” Frank stops his sentence when he notices how the girl reacts by the photo of the old man with a cane from early. “I took that one near the entrance.” the girl was now looking directly at him. “That guy do something?”

The blonde girl hesitated for a moment before answering him. “Nope. Thanks for showing me, though.” she said it in a cold and serene manner while offering his camera back.

Frank took his camera while seeing her in the eyes, not convinced of what she said, the girl was walking to the janitor’s room. “Hey, we’re not done talking yet. Just who are you guys?”

The girl stops in front of the door and turns around facing Frank. “I’m Jessie.” she answered. “The man you saw earlier is Brad.That’s all I'm authorized to tell you.” She finished and entered the room leaving Frank with more questions to ask and a pony to take care.

Chapter 2: A Day Full of Surprises

Chapter 2: A Day Full of Surprises.

TIME UNTIL HELICOPTER ARRIVAL

Hours Minutes

7 2 : 4 2

After the quick presentation were Frank couldn’t get a lick of detail information, he decide to enter to the janitor’s room where the girl known as Jessie was sitting in a chair watching the camera’s monitor, observing anything that could draw her attention, then he enters the storage room to put the pegasus on the comfy sofa and sitting next to him for awhile.

“This is going to be one hell of a story to cover, don’t you think?” Frank said to the still sleeping pony. I wonder, where do you come from? for as far as I know there wasn’t any zoo nearby and the farms are pretty far from the town when I fly here. He thought, then he placed a hand in the pony’s mane, petting his head gently.

So Frank stood up and decided to leave the pegasus rest in the sofa to go after the man named Brad and try to get some information out of him, if he can manage to stay alive around the zombies but first he needs to inform Jessie and the employee about his plan, partially.

When Frank entered the Janitor’s room and before he could get closer to Jessie, who was still looking at the monitors she said. “I told you, I can’t answer your question. Even if we rounded up everybody and arrested them, I’ve still got my hands full with-” before she could continue speaking, she was cut off by Frank.

“That’s not what I was going to ask you.” Jessie turned to see him in the face. “I was wondering if you can keep an eye on the little guy, he is resting on the green sofa between the stairs and the bathrooms.” he explained.

“Where are you going?” Jessie asks with curiosity.

“To do my job” Frank said.

“As much as I would like to babysit your pet I can’t leave my position until Brad comes back.” she answered. “But you can talk to Otis, he seems available to help you out.” Jessei makes a head gesture signaling Frank to the mall employee before turning back to the monitores.

Frank made his way to Otis who was standing next to the A/C’s door vent. “Hi there Otis. Jessie told me that you could help me, if isn’t much of a bother.”

“If it’s something I can do then I can help, I’m free.” Otis said to Frank. “What’s the job?”

“I need you to take care of the pegasus while I go back to the mall to cover this incident.” Frank explained to Otis.

Otis surprisingly said. “You are goin’ back down to the mall!? I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” said Otis, later he sigh knowing he wouldn’t change his mind. “But you folks never listen to me… Alright, I will take care of the little fella for you , but at least take this transceiver with you. And you better take this map too mister?”

“Frank, Frank West.” he said while extending his hand for a hand shake that Otis responded by shaking it back. “Well, I gotta go, the story is waiting.” with that Frank entered in the air duct crawling his way outside.

After a pair of minutes of crawling, Frank was now outside on the roof where the air duct divide into small ones to reach many parts of the mall, he then walk to a big step were the rest of the roof was divided by a long construction, to the right was an elevator that leads inside the mall and to the left was a more spaced area that ends with a gray door, Frank jump of the elevation towards the elevator but then a man with a golf club appeared yelling for anybody around.

The man notices Frank and approaches him asking him if he had seen his wife Natalie while introducing himself as Jeff Meyer, Frank said he didn’t see her but he will lend him a hand to find her. After that the two men walk to the other side of the roof, in the other side was a woman in the corner end of the hallway, much for Frank surprise that woman was Jeff’s wife who was also looking for him, when both look at each other they hug one to another making a scene which Frank took advantage and pictured while trying to understand how long this couple were trying to searching for the other, breaking the moment Frank took the couple back to the control room that is now named security room, after that Frank continue his why to the elevator who took him inside the warehouse that was filled with boxes on the metal shelves, he walking between them and reach an open space that lead a hallway were Frank entered.

Before reaching the exit door that will take him inside the mall, Frank heard some steps getting close to him. “Zombies huh… Had a feeling you’d show up.” Frank said, then he put his back against the wall of the hall and pick up a fire extinguisher, he backpace to the corner of the hall preparing to strike the zombie that was following him, In the moment when he turn the corner and swinging his weapon, Frank change the trajectory of his attack after realizing that who was stalking him wasn’t a zombie but Jessie.

Both scream from that little scare, “God is you,” said Frank in relief while approaching Jessie who was laying on the ground while holding a handgun towards Frank’s direction, he put his hand over the gun to avoid any accidental shoot. “Look, don't sneak up on me.” he said, then he helped Jessie to stand up.

“Brad was attacked.” Jessie responded. “I locate him on the monitors.” She finishes but when Jessie makes her first step she almost falls, her ankle hurt.

“It’s probably just a sprain.” Frank said.

“I’ve gotta help Brad”- she said while trying to walk towards the door by using the wall as support. “Or he’s done for!” she said in pain for her ankle.

“Alright, fine… Gimme your gun.” Frank said, making Jessie look to him. “ C’mon. I’m the reason you just got hurt. Let me help.”

“No! I can’t let a civilian do that.” Jessie said, trying to sound authoritarian. “That’s against regulations.”

Frank looked annoyed by this point. “Yeah… Well, I don’t think they had zombies infested malls in mind when they wrote those regulations, kid.” he said sarcastically while extending his hand for the gun.

Jessie wasn’t totally convinced but she had no choice “Do you know how to use this?” she asked.

“Kinda” Frank answered calmly. “I covered wars, you know.” Jessie then decided to trust Frank and lend him her gun in which Frank put the lock and put it in his pants. “Look. After I’m through helping you… You and I are gonna have a nice little chat.” With that Jessie slowly returned to the security room while Frank continued his way to the mall.

Meanwhile at the storage room, moments after Jessie went through the air duct, a certain pony was starting to wake up.

There he was, slowly opening his eyes, closing them for the sudden that the fluorescent tubes were producing over the ceilings, slowly but surely the pegasus focus his eyes on what it seam as a large room, he was in a hallway connected to other rooms and a stair that goes up, weakly he stood up from the green sofa that he was laying on and jump off of it, almost falling for not been fully recovered, he inspect the doors noticing that they were bigger for him to opened, then he run up the stairs but there was also a door, he return and went to the end of the hall where he was in front of the door label Janitor’s room, he tried to reach it using his back hoove to stretch, barely touching the handle but fall on his flanks, then he kick the door with his back hooves in hopes to opened it but he was too weak that after kicking it he fall forwards face first, rubbing his face he heard someone pulling the chain of a toilet then water running in signal of whoever creature was cleaning its hooves. Paralyzed by fear the pony was at the foot of the door shaking, breathing fast for whatever creature would appear from the corner that covers the bathroom doors.

Otis came out of the bathroom rubbing his hand against a tissue to later dispose of it to the bin next to the door, after that he notice that the pony wasn’t in the sofa anymore, Otis looked to left to right, then upstair and finally down the hallway where he spotted the little animal sitting there next to the door that leads to the monitors, He tried to get close to him but after taking two steps forward something happened that makes him stopped in his track.

“Stop! Please don’t eat me!” the pegasus said which made Otis speechless.

Otis was so surprised by what the pony did, he spoke and in English, not knowing what to do since in his experience pointing out the obvious wasn't going to help in this situation.

Seconds later a sound was echoing the hallway, it was the little pegasus belly growling, he was hungry, who knows how long he was in the mall without food, so acting fast Otis check the boxes that were on the shelves looking for something to give to the little hungry pony, between canned beans and chocolate milk Otis found some apples and took them.

Otis began to walk slowly towards the scared animal while gently speaking. “It’s okay little buddy. I am not going to hurt you.” he said while the pegasus was pressing his back at the corner of the wall trying to stay away from the strange creature. “Here, you seem like you haven't eaten in a while.” Otis said, placing one apple on the floor and pushing it slowly so the pony could reach for it.

The cream pegasus with one hoof reached for the apple and took it, smelling it and inspecting it before he began eating it.

Otis looked at how the small pony was devouring the apple, a clear sign that he was starving but he noticed the expression that the pegasus makes were similar to humans and he was intelligent enough to talk and use his hooves to take objects.

Then Otis placed another apple near him and asked. “Are you feeling better now kid?”

The pegasus took the apple and bit it, after swallowing he looked at Otis and replied. “I am not a kid, I’m a colt!” Then he looked at the apple he was holding, his ears laying flat in his head with sadness in his tone. “And yes I feel better.”

Otis noticed the sad look that the pony had and asked. “Is there something that is bothering you?” The pony looked up at Otis again.

“Is just that… I don’t know where I am, how did I get here or where my friends are.” Then the pony asked the creature in front of him. “Sir, can you tell me what you are… if isn’t any offense?”

Otis surprised but happy that the pegasus showed more trust, he began explaining. “Hehehe. Not at all, well my name is Otis Washington and I’m a human.” The pony put his attention to him. “And now you are inside Willamette’s mall.”

“So I’m in a different world? Aren't any other pegasus, unicorns or earth ponies in here by chance?” The pony asked.

Otis was speechless, there was a world full of fantastic creatures like him. Otis composed himself and asked. “Is there a world full of ponies like you!?”

“Well not just ponies also zebras, gryphons, dragons and many others.” the pony replied.

But before he could continue with his questions the sound of a door opening was heard by both of them.

From the air duct Jessie was coming out with his leg hurting, walking slowly towards the Janitor’s room so she could sit on the chair and put some lotion in her ankle, when she reached the room and sat down on the chair Otis entered the room with the pony behind him.

Otis noticed how she was massaging her foot “Did you get hurt?”

“I got a sprain thanks to Frank.” she replied. “I need some lotion, did you have some in here?”

“Yes, there should be, I’ll go get it” Otis replied leaving the room and the door opened.

When Jessie was going back to watch the monitores she noticed that the pegasus was now standing in front of the open door.

She leans down a bit and stretches her hand. “Common little buddy! TSK,TSK,TSK, common, let me give you a rub.” She said with a smile and tone of a little girl that went to a farm to pet the animals in it.

“No thanks, I’m okay for now.” replied the pony which in return made Jessie freeze in her spot.

Moments later she moved backwards and fell from her seat while screaming. “AAAAHHH!, YOU TALK! YOU TALK! THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN TALK! OTIIIIISSSS!” her scream made Otis run back at the room with the lotion in hand.

“What is going on! something happened!?” Otis replied not knowing why Jessie screamed.

“Did something happen!? Otis if you didn’t notice this creature just talk a second ago!” Said Jessie while pointing and using the seat to support herself.

Otis now with a relief expression, he understood the situation then he proceeded to explain to her what just had happened.

Back to Frank who was now in Paradise Plaza, he make his way between the zombies taken some photos while breaking some heads, using a bat Frank opened a path towards the second floor and entered to Colombian Roastmasters where he took a gallon of orange with him, then he jump off the second floor and landed in the tent balcony which on it have a katana for some unknown reason, then he proceed to jump off and go to the glass doors while smashing some zombies in his way, the door lead him outside to the Leisure Park, it was a field in middle of the mall so big that entire families could play and camp here, but Frank now needs to cross the zombie infested park to meet with Brad.

After some running and dead zombies later Frank was now at the Food Court, but sooner than he could expect, gunshots were heard and he felt that those were aiming at him, so he jumped behind the wooden walls that were surrounding one of the segments where people could sit, eat and watch their food being made. Deciding to move Frank spotted Brad who was returning the fire, he then looked at him shaking his head saying this isn't a safe place.

Frank decided to move close to him while avoiding the bullets that some hostile people were shooting at them. “Your, uh… girlfriend sent me to find you.” Frank said to Brad.

“Who? Jessie?” Brad was annoyed by the news since he didn’t want to involve civilians to his mission. “Dammit!” Another shot was shooted at them. “OK, We’ll have to talk about this later…” Brad assured him. “You know how to use that gun?”

“I’ve never fired at a person.” Frank said not wanting to take someone’s life and have it in his coincidence.

Brad knowing how difficult this could be to Frank but also knowing that if they don’t act quick they will be the ones death he told Frank. “Alright, I’ll cover you from here. You stick to the shadows… Try to get closer to the target, OK?” He orders it to Frank.

“And what am I supposed to do when I get close?” Frank replied.

“Well, the best solution would be to shoot the guy. But if you can’t do that,” Brad said, then he lent Frank a magazine for his gun. “Keep him busy dodging your bullets and stay out of trouble. Are you up to it?” He said, waiting for Frank's answer.

“I’m a lot better with the camera.” Frank replied. “But… Yeah I give it a shot.”
Brad now with a plan starts explaining it to Frank. “Alright, next time he reloads, I lay down a suppressive fire. I am counting on you. Make your way over there.” He points Frank to the left entrance to the Food Court’s dining tables and starts counting. “1… 2… 3!” Brad starts shooting at the hostile letting Frank to run towards the entrance of the dining tables.

Back at the security room, both Jessie and the pegasus receive an explanation, more for the pony understanding since he didn’t know about the zombie outbreak and the place he was now.

“And that’s what was going so far.” Otis ends his explanation making Jessie to think about it and the pony to ask a question.

“There wasn’t any other pony around where I was found?” the pegasus asked.

“I am not sure, you are the first one that I saw this far.” Otis replied.

“By the way,” Jessie interrupted. “You haven’t told us your name.” she pointed out.

The pony realized that it was true, he didn’t present himself all this time. “Sorry… I was scared for my life that I forgot.” He explains, then he calms down. “Hi, my name is Featherweight and I am a pegasus student from Poniville’s Schoolhouse.” he said it politely

Both Jessie and Otis were surprised by the form he introduced himself. “Nice to meet you Featherweight, I’m Jessica McCarney but you can calm me Jessie.” She said then with her hand she gestured to Otis. “And the man who took care of you is Otis Washington” She finished while Otis waved his hand.

Then Featherweight said to Otis. “So you save me from the zombies?” That made Otis turn his head in embarrassment.

“No, I wasn’t the one who saved you.” he answered, then he turned his head to Featherweight. “I was just watching you as a favor to the man who saved you.”

“Man? What man?” Featherweight said.

Then Jessie looks at the monitors and finds Brad and Frank fighting against someone that was shooting at them from the roof of the little restaurant. “That man” she said while placing her finger on Frank who was shooting his last round of his shotgun.

Featherweight got close to the monitors watching the man who was evading and cover himself with the walls to get closer to the other man to attack him, Featherweight was impressed in how the man was moving and enduring some of the hits that the other man land on him but when he look closer he notice what it looks like a camera hanging from his neck.

Featherweight was confused and looked at Jessie for answers. “That man’s name is Frank West and he is a photojournalist.” She said. The pegasus was impressed by that testament.

“Really!?” Featherweight said, “I don't believe it, he is fighting against an armed man! he is putting himself in danger.”

“Well for what he told me he had experience when it comes to dangerous events.” Jessie clarified. “He covered wars, you know” she quoted Frank.

Otis then asked. “Why did you get surprised that he was a reporter?” He gained Featherweight’s attention.

“Well… like I said, I am a student at Ponyville Schoolhouse.” Both Jessie and Otis nod. “But before I appeared here I became part of the school press since I like to document everything in hope to uhh… get my Cutie Mark for it.” he explains to the two humans.

“What is a Cutie Mark?” Jessie asked.

“Uhh… well a Cutie Mark is a symbol that appears on our flanks when we discover our special talents.” he answered, earning a confused look from Jessie and Otis, then both look at his flank making Featherweight sad since he had no Cutie Mark.

“Sorry, it wasn’t our intention to make you feel bad.” Otis said to the pegasus.

“It’s okay.” Featherweight replied. “I started at the school press three days ago, so my Cutie Mark could take time to appear.” he said, trying to motivate himself.

Then Jessie put a hand under her chin, thinking about something, later she snapped her fingers. “I got it!” she announced. “Featherweight, what will you think if I can make Frank teach you some photojournalist skills, maybe that can help you get your Cutie Mark more quickly!”

“Really! You think so?” said Featherweight, with hope in his eyes.

“Yes, in fact I can talk to him when he finishes his work.” Jessie said while smiling at Featherweight. “So, what did you say?”

Featherweight could hold his enthusiasm. “YES! Thank you so much.” he said while giving Jessie a hug to her legs. “ You don’t believe how much I want to get my Cutie Mark for photography!”

He was so happy for this new opportunity, but the real reason for Jessie to mention Frank and make the promise was to keep Frank out of Jessie and her partner’s investigation by making him occupied with the pegasus that he rescued and not reveal him any crucial information that can jeopardize the mission. This is the perfect plan! She thought.

Back to the Court Food, Frank has deliver some hits with his bat at the man who was shooting them who results to be the same man that give him the warning at the roof of the mall, after that the man aim his gun at Frank who receive two shoots and fall from the taco restaurant roof, Frank took cover feeling weak he proceed and drink the orange juice to get more energy, seconds later Frank saw the man moving from one roof to another, the he was aiming at Brad to shoot him, Frank then decide to took advantage of the situation, he pull out a handgun and start shooting at the man forcing him to run and leave the area since he was tired and at disadvantage by using a rope that was falling from the selling, later rope pull him up and disappeared from the Food Court.

Frank and Brad were aiming at him but he was no longer there. “He got away.” Frank said, annoyed he turned to Brad.” Who was that, anyway?” he asked.

Brad calmly and watching the surroundings said. “I don’t know.” After seeing that there was nobody else, Brad turns to Frank. “Well, thanks for your help. The name’s Brad.” he said while extending his hand to Frank for a shake which Frank ignored while looking directly to Brad’s eyes.

“I’m Frank West, photojournalist.” he said while pointing to himself. “And right now, i’d rather have an explanation than your thanks, Brad.” he said professionally as a reporter.

Brad looks bothered for the question. “Sorry, I’ve got nothing to tell you.” he said to later add more in his explanation. “Look, I don’t know what Jessie told you, but as far as i’m concerned, we’re through working together.” he states, to later add his final word. “So you cover you zombie story and leave the rest to us.” he finished while Frank was using his camera features.

Frank found what he needed and turned to Brad. “You, uh… You guys are looking for someone here aren’t ya?” he said while showing a picture of the old man with a red suit.

Brad was surprised that Frank knew the person that they were looking for, he approached him slowly and extended his right arm to the cameras. “Who is that? Where did you take it?”

Frank moves the camera away and interrupts him. “You help me, I help you.” Frank said, waiting for an answer while shaking the camera in an effort to convince him, which it worked.

“Damn!” Brad walked away, then he turned and pointed at Frank. “You’re one hell of a journalist, aren’t you Frank?” he said, angry at the situation, he continued. “A hot-headed, underhanded, hotshot paparazzi with nothing better to do than to invade people’s privacy.”

“I try… You got a point?” Frank answered back, not affected by the insult.

With nothing else to say or lose Brad had made a decision. “You win, Frank. Let’s work together.” Brad said, earning a nod from Frank but still no camera so he is forced to reveal more. “Jessie and I are DHS agents. And, yes, we’re looking for the man in that picture.” he finished.

Frank was impressed but upset about the situation. “You’re with Homeland Security? Is this guy a terrorist or something?” Frank almost shouted, wanting to have more information in which Brad only answered with a stern look.

Frank, understanding that he wouldn’t reveal more, handed him his camera and explained to him that that photo was taken at the Entrance Plaza. “The Entrance Plaza… are you sure.” Brad said and Frank nodded, he then returned his camera and fast walked towards that direction.

“Hey!” Frank yells, making Brad stop and turn to him. “So, do I have your permission to cover this story or not?” he asked, this made Brad to exhale in annoyance for his question and continued walking with Frank following him.

Back at the Safe place, at the monitores both Jessie and Featherweight were watching how Brad and Frank were heading to Entrance Plaza while shooting, bashing and slashing through the horde of zombies together (Mostly Frank), Jessie didn’t want the photojournalist to keep sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. But Featherweight in the other… Hoof was having a mix of feelings from fear to amazed, he could not believe how Frank was facing the zombies with a big hammer that he took from a tool store while taking some pictures, putting himself in danger for the shot. Is he crazy or incredibly brave? Featherweight thought while the two humans made it to the entrance to the plaza and entered.

Back with Frank, he watch how Brad opened a control panel to lift the security grill, allowing access to the Entrance Plaza, they both make their way in to find the man, Brad saw him inside a grilled closed bookstore and called him to talk, Frank was five meters away from them since Brad wanted to talk with the man alone. So far Brad tried to convince him to get out to be taken to the safe room but the man didn’t want to go, he was very stubborn, the man returned inside the store leaving Brad alone, from the conversation Frank could hear that his name was Dr. Barnaby.

Brad was walking away from the store. “Well, what happened?” Frank asked, capturing Brad’s attention. “You can’t just arrest him?”

Brad was very bothered with the situation. “He turned down my offer to protect him… ” he explains. “Said he isn’t going anywhere until I can guarantee a secure route out of here.”

Frank could not believe how stubborn the old man could be in a situation like this. Did he really think he can survive alone or is the age making him think like that? Frank thought.

“Jessie has a direct line to the HQ.” Brad continued speaking. “The first thing we need to do is call for backup.” he finished explaining and left for the security room.

Frank was now standing alone, he explore the Entrance Plaza and finds a group of zombies surrounding a clothing store, after knocking some zombies with his sledgehammer, when he entered he heard streaming for help coming from the storage room of the store, he knock some boxes that were making a wall, he find a chubby guy that was trapped for two days by the boxes but he was oblivious about the zombie invasion.

After explaining the situation to the man Frank receive a call from Otis informing him about a guy who was a reporter like him at Central Plaza, after the call and escorting the chubby guy at Al Fresca Plaza, he receive another call informing him that there are two young man trapped in the woman’s clothing store at the plaza where he was, when he arrive he wasn’t receive with opened arms, instead one of the guys attacked Frank calling him crazy, Frank calm the man by hitting him a couple of times and making him understand that he doesn’t want to kill them but to take them to a safe place, both men agrees and followed Frank.

At the safe place, Brad came out from the air duct and made his way to the janitor’s room to meet Jessie. What he didn’t expect when entering was to see the pony totally awake while Otis showed him the articles in the magazine about electronic devices like if he seems to understand it, a thing that he did.

After a second Jessie looked at Brad. “So what’s the news?” she said.

“Dr. Barnaby wouldn’t come out from the store after we could guarantee him protection.” Brad answered, then he pointed to the pegasus and said. “What’s the matter with Otis trying to teach it how to read.”

Offended Featherweight replied. “I know how to read! What I don’t know is how to use the things that you have in this world.” he finished making Brad double take what just happened.

“Uhh… Uhh… Augh” were the smart word that Brad used to describe his surprise.

Jessie with a smirk turned towards Brad and said. “His name is Featherweight, he is a pegasus from a place called Ponyville and he is from another world.” she finished while walking to her partner and patted his shoulder.

Brad was looking between Featherweight and Jessie, moments later he rubs his sides. “God, this day can’t go any weirder than it already is.” he said, trying to calm himself.

Back to Frank, he and the survivors were now at the Central Plaza going to the second floor so Frank could see who was the other reporter in the area. When he enters in the restaurant called Colombian Roastmasters, Frank found the reporter, he was young, spiky hair with bear on the chin, thin body, wearing a blue shirt with an orange vest on top, brown shirt, black shoes and he had three different cameras, one in his back with the tripod, another hanging from his neck and the last one hanging from his hip on the left side.

Frank thought he was another survivor that needs help, but instead he was acting like a prick, a very armed prick. His name was Kent and was claiming to be a ‘professional photographer’ and calling Frank a novice, Frank tried to cease the tension and make his way out but Kent stop him and offers Frank an opportunity to shine by taking photos of him performing poses between the zombies.

After some shots and insults later Kent was looking at Frank's work, he was satisfied then he showed his own shots to Frank one by one but when he showed his most violent picture Frank pushed him aside.

Felting insulted, Kent explained his next idea to Frank. “OK. Here’s the deal, Frankie… You gotta go out there an’ take even better pictures than the ones I just showed ya.” he said in a challenging manner. “Ya think you can handle that? Huh?”

Frank thought for a moment. “Yeah.” he replied unmotivated while gesturing his thumb up, he didn’t like the idea but if he is to stop this crazy competition he has to do it.

With that Kent slowly made his way out. Later Frank guide the rest of the survivors to the entrance of the warehouse, Frank looked that the before empty room was now filled with zombies, he then heard a buzzing sound going towards him rating just in time to avoid the sting of a wasp, the insect tried to stung Frank again only for him to knock it out on the floor letting him time to stomp the wasp three time, but what he didn’t expect was that the zombies that were in the room started to convulse at the same time after killing the insect so later they fall to the ground and their heads exploded one after another, leaving pools of blood on the floor.

“What in the hell is goin’ on around here?” Frank said, not knowing what just happened, seconds later it clicked in his head, removing his shoe from the death wasp he understood that the insect was somehow connected with the zombie outbreak, but with no more details he decided to take the survivors to the safe place and get more information out of the DHS agents.

After going to the elevator to the air duct Frank and the others made it to the safe place, the survivors walked to the storage room to rest while he made his way towards Jessie and Brad who were discussing the problem about the doctor’s demands. “The old coot’s not dumb.” Brad said. “He wants us to call for help first. We got a line out or what?”

Jessie proceeds to make a call to her department which results in the call failing. “The signal’s being blocked… I can’t even contact HQ on the emergency line.”

“So, if we want to get our hands on Dr. Barnaby, We’re gonna have to secure a way out of here ourselves.” Brad said bother with the situation. “Alright. We’ve gotta deal with the situation we’ve been handed. The boneheads back at HQ might be working on something, too…” he finished with little hope in his tone while making his way to the room with the A/C.

Before Brad could go out of the room Frank spoke. “There’s a helicopter coming.” he said while resting his back against the lockers and turning his head to Brad. “Three days from now… at noon. It’s my ride.”

“Is your ride reliable?” Brad asked, looking at Frank.

“Absolutely. That’s how I plan on gettin’ outta here.” Frank replied.

Now with a new opportunity Brad talks. “Alright, then. I’ll see to it that DHS picks up the charter fee. Can we take Dr. Barnaby as well?” he asked with hope.

“Sure… As long as you tell me what’s going on” Frank replied knowing that they have to cooperate to save that man’s life.

Both were upsted by Frank’s conditions, specialty Jessie but with no more options they have to accept. “OK.” answered Brad a bit angry. “I’ll tell you what you want to know… later.” he clarified. “We have more pressing business right now.” Brad said while turning to Jessie, she nods understanding that she has to help Frank with his story but not telling him all the details. Then he continues, looking at Frank “If we have to wait for three days we’ll need supplies”- he began to count with his hand what they will need. -”Water, blankets and the like. We’ll get Dr. Barnaby here tomorrow morning.” he said, indicating Jessie the plan. “I want you to keep an eye on the monitors” he finished and went out of the room to the air duct to continue with his mission.

Chapter 3: The Apprentice

Chapter 3: The Apprentice.

TIME UNTIL HELICOPTER ARRIVA

Hours Minutes

6 6 : 3 0

It is late noon and Frank has got himself a deal, he will get the information he needs for his story and all thanks to his ride out of here, Should I return to the mall and check what else could it be out there to add to my story? Frank though, Nah, later, first I will go and get some rest before returning to that zombie field. When he made his mind Frank had a feeling that he forgot something but he couldn’t point what that's until he opened the door to the storage room and saw the pegasus that he rescued now standing in front of him, looking directly into his eyes with an expression of admiration.

Then Frank moved close to him, kneel down and pet his head. “Hey little buddy, did uncle Otis treat you well when I was gone?” Frank said in a playful tone.

Jessie and Otis (who was now next to Jessie) put their attention on Frank waiting for the next scene to pass. “I’m fine thanks, my name is Featherweight and I just wanted to tell you that I’m very thankful that you came to save me, I own you my life.” The pony finished with a little bow and a smile, but Frank was frozen in place to notice, he was trying to process what just happened.

Did he just talk!? Frank thought. There is no way that he just did that! It is impossible! But then again he is a pegasus and I am in the middle of a zombie infested mall… What are the chances?

“Surprised, Mr. I cover wars?” Otis said while chuckling and heading to the A/C to make guard, Jessie was laughing too.

After that Frank stood up and presented himself. “Well… nice to meet you Featherweight, my name is Frank West, Photojournalist and soon a world star after covering this story!” he said while smiling and making a pose.

Jessie shook her head for that little remark and returned her attention to the monitors while Featherweight was impressed by Franks confidence. “Wow!… are you really a photojournalist?” he asked.

“But of course.” Frank replied. “I don’t have a camera just to pretend.”

“Can I see it Mr. West… if isn't much of a bother.” Featherweight asked.

Frank was going to protest but the little pony was making a pleading face wanting to see the camera. “Fine, but be careful since it is the only one that survived this trip.” Frank took off the band that held the camera from his neck and passed it to the pony’s hooves.

Featherweight was amazed by how the camera looked and weighed, it was a bit more heavy and different from his own camera but its features compensated that, he then turned it on and started checking its white balance, focus, brightness, resolution and the framing.

Frank was impressed by how Featherweight as young as he looked he was checking the camera like an expert. “Did you handle a camera before, kid?”

Featherweight was looking through the camera’s viewfinder at different parts of the storage. “Actually, It was for the magazine that Otis showed me, about electronics and this camera appeared on it.” He explained. “But I have my own camera at home, for that I joined the school press to test my photographic skills and earn my Cutie Mark!” he said happily.

“Cutie what now?” Frank said, confused.

“A Cutie Mark, is a symbol that appears in the ponies flank representing our special talent.” he explained.

Frank was processing the information while taking a quick look at Featherweight’s flank, noticing it was markless, so he changed the theme. “So, school press, did you learn how to handle a camera there or your parents teach you that?” He asked.

That question makes Featherweight sad. “I… I don’t have parents, I'm an orphan.” he said while lowering his head, ears flat against his head.

A shit! I touch a sensitive subject. Frank thought. Way to go Frank, that's why you can’t cover celebrity kid’s parties anymore. Now Frank has to do or say something to cheer Featherweight.

Then he said the first thing that came through his mind. “So, kid… Do you want me to teach you some techniques to take good photos?” He said it slowly, waiting to see if his offer had the effect he wanted.

“Really!?” Featherweight asked excitedly, forgetting why he was depressed at first.

“Yes, it will be fun to teach someone that likes photography as much as me” Frank said, relieved that his offer had the effect he was waiting for, or was more than he expected.

“Yes, yes, yes I accept!” Featherweight said very happily running and bouncing around the storage room, seconds later he stopped in front of Frank and extended his hoove in signal for a hand/hoof shake.

Frank understood the gesture and shook his hoof. “I like to see you excited to learn some of my photographic skills.” Frank said smiling at the little pony.

“Yes, you don’t know how eager I am to become your apprentice and earn my Cutie Mark at your side!” Said Featherweight cheerfully while displaying his full smile to Frank.

“Yeah kid, I will show you the best position to take a panoramic photo and how to choose the right le- wait WHAT!?” Frank cut what he was saying.

“That I can’t wait to be your partner and learn your skills closely!” Featherweight said.

Frank was confused and surprised. “Woah! woah! hold on buddy, who told you that I was taking students?”

“Jessie told me that after you finished your mission with Mr. Brad you and her will have a talk about my photographic learning.” Featherweight respond. “It wasn’t what you were talking about inside the room?”

This was the drop that spilled the cup, Frank looked at Jessie’s direction. “Stay here, I’ll come back.” he said while walking to the Janitor’s room where Jessie was watching the monitors.

Frank entered the room and slammed the door. “Explain! Now!” he said to Jessie with an annoyed expression.

“Explain what?” Jessie calmly said, still looking at the monitors.

“Well, I don’t know, Maybe the fact that the little pony believes that I am looking for a student!” Franks said, angry at the lie that Jessie told Featherweight.

Jessie turned to Frank on her seat. “Well, Featherweight was a student and a member of his school’s press and he is an’ orphaned.” She said with the same calm tone and neutral expression she has, Frank now knows she heard his conversation with the pegasus. “Aaand you are a professional photojournalist that has covered many cases, he needs a figure, someone to admire.” She said while standing up off her chair and gently pushed Frank towards the door of the room where Featherweight was in, looking through the glass to him. “So this can be a way to bring the little orphan some hope in this new world, this can't be any more dangerous than your previous experiences, only now you have someone that can help you take your shots, besides.” She walks back to her seat, turns to Frank and imitating his voice says. “You covered war, you know.”

After that chat, Frank went to the bathroom to clean his face, he was so pissed off that Jessie used the pony’s situation to her advantage. But he needs to admit that his extortion was as evil as Jessie’s, maybe a little less than hers. Okay Frank, keep your cool, don’t let her get over your emotions or they win. Frank thought, he started to inhale and exhaled slowly to calm himself. Aah! that's much better. Now I need some rules if I want Featherweight to learn and survive this nightmare. But first of all, I need to find a way for Featherweight to hold the camera while running through the mall, after all, he used his hooves to hold it, if there was a wa-” Frank stop his thought for a moment, realizing that Featherweight was a pegasus, he literary is a winged pony that can fly and took pictures. “Frank you smart devil.” he said while smiling and leaving the bathroom. (if he only knew a certain detail)

Featherweight was sitting on the green couch waiting for Frank to come out, after five minutes he saw Frank approaching him, “So, when do we start?” he said, jumping off the couch and smiling.

“Does now sound good?” said Frank.

Featherweight responded immediately. “Yes! Ooooh! I can’t wait any longer.”

Then Frank and Featherweight walked towards the Janitor’s room where Frank glanced at Jessie, making an expression that could translate as ‘I will teach this pony while getting the information that I need and there is nothing that you can do to stop me.’ Later Frank and Featherweight went with Otis who was next to the A/C’s air duct.

“Wait Frank! Do you really plan to take Featherweight with you to the mall!?” he was surprised that Frank would take the pegasus to a dangerous place.

“Yes, I think it is time for him to see what we are facing here,” he explains while rubbing Featherweight's mane. “Besides he will gain some experience from this to earn his pretty mark.”

“Is Cutie Mark Mr. West.” Featherweight correct Frank.

“And it’s master West for you my young pupil!” Frank said, trying to sound cool and covering his mistake.

“Yes Sir!” Featherweight replied while making a military salute with his wing.

Otis chuckles at the scene. “I can see that both of you are getting along already. Take care and return safe.”

With that said both the human and the pegasus went through the air duct to the roof of the mall, when Featherweight came out he watch the surrounding, he notice that it was evening, the outside was not as bright or colorful like in his world it felt very different, later he look the appearance and type of structure that the roof have, it was a combination of cement and metal, the walls have a brown and white colors and the floor was gray, it was like the buildings that were in Manehattan, there where some kind of machines that were stick to the floor some make noises some didn’t, he then looked at the right noticing a chain-link fence that reveal more of the outside world, he run to it and saw hills, trees and other buildings but the most notorious thing was the multitude of zombies that were surrounding the mall, growling and slowly walking towards the entrance, he felt like a mouse hiding in the only tree on an open space while been circled by owls, he later decide to go back with Frank.

They walk to the exterior elevator but before Frank would hand his camera to Featherweight, he needs to make sure that he wouldn’t faint or froze by terror, and what better way than killing some zombies in front of him.

“Well my student, before I give you my precious and only camera, I have to make sure you wouldn’t run away or get petrified by terror.” Frank explains while picking up a bat that was lying on the roof’s floor.

“Don’t worry Mr. West, I saw some of the footage of you killing those monsters before.” Featherweight smiled.

“I know you did.” Frank said while stopping in front of the elevator’s door. “But, watching it through the monitors isn’t the same as seeing it in person.” he said while standing in a fighting position. “Can you step back a little.”

After Featherweight backed up he put his attention to what Frank was planning to do, Frank then pushed the elevators button to call it and after a couple of seconds the elevator’s door opened and reveal that in it’s interior were zombies, Featherweight was surprise with the number of monsters that were in there and how Frank knew of it.

Later a zombie walked towards Frank which he smirked and swung his bat towards the zombies head making it explode. Featherweight was astonished by the action, seeing pieces of brain and bones splatter every way, later the rest of the zombies came out of the elevator towards Frank, he began to swing left to right killing some zombies and tripping over others. The quantity of blood coming out of the zombies was unreal and the growls they made was horrible, Featherweight tried his best to not to vomit at the bloody scene of Frank beating the zombies to death, getting his bat covered in blood more and more by every hit to the undeads in the back, chest or in the head while rising up only to been killed by Frank.

When Frank finished, Featherweight’s stomach was struggling not to empty its content either for the gory display or the aftermath smell of the corpses. “So, do you think you can handle it?” Frank asked, looking at his partner.

Featherweight shook his head composing himself and put on a brave face. “I am ready Mr. West!”

Frank smiled at that. “Okay then. Let's continue with the lessons.”

“Mr. Frank, I have one question,” Featherweight said. “How did you know there will be zombies inside the elevator?”

“That’s easy.” Frank said and began explaining. “When I first went inside the mall, there weren't any zombies at the warehouse, but when I returned from my journalist duty the warehouse now had zombies in it. It was only a matter of time for them to learn how to enter, but it seems that they can’t operate the elevator, only enter in it.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Featherweight have some doubts about the explanation but for now he accepts it. Then, both entered in the elevator that now has corpses on the floor, Featherweight tried his hardest to endure the stench of rotten flesh until the elevator took them to the warehouse.

Now inside the warehouse Frank begins to give Featherweight some last advice to take different kinds of photos and how to deal with zombies if they get close. “Okay Featherweight first you need to know which parts of a zombie you need to attack in order to kill them or run from it.” Frank said while breaking a box which had a sickle and took it. “First you need to know that a zombie's weak point is their heads.” A zombie walks towards Frank, he proceeds to use the sickle by putting it’s blade behind the zombie’s neck and using his foot to push the zombie’s head while at the same time pulling the sickle, cutting the zombie’s head clean and it’s body felt to the floor.

Featherweight was still uncomfortable by the violence but he understood that this is necessary to survive. Frank starts walking and the pony follows. “Now if you want to escape from them you have two options.” Frank said while another zombie ran at him. “You can either cripple them.” He said, while swinging the sickle towards the zombies legs, cutting them off and making the zombie fall but still moving by using its arms, Frank indicated Featherweight to follow him, another zombie appeared and Frank continued with his lesson without stopping running. “Or you can ‘push’ them really hard.” he said then while jumping and delivering the zombie a flying kick which makes the undead to fly backwards and push another zombie making them fall.”

“I thought you said push them.” Featherweight points out.

“That's how I push out!” he answered.

Now Frank and Featherweight were in the big space of the warehouse where more zombies were either standing, walking or eating a severed hand. “Okay, next lesson, how to identify a good shot.” Frank said while taking his camera and looking around. “There are different types of photos.” he was beginning to explain. “First there are the normals which are simple photos with some content but nothing remarkable on it. Secondly we have Horror which we have a bunch of, thanks to the zombies being themselves.” he said, looking at the zombies growling and walking around, Featherweight looks at them too. “Later the Brutality, which are photos showing graphic violence in them.” Frank said while pointing his student to a zombie eating a hand and proceeded to take a photo of it, GREAT!! BRUTALITY. to later show the picture to Featherweight. “Next there are the Outtakes, that are photos showing oddities or funny scenes.” he said while pointing to a zombie officer using his walkie-talkie like a normal person and taking NICE! OUTTAKE. and showing the photo to his student. “There is also Drama which describes the problems of certain events, and lastly there is Erotica which is something I will teach ya’ when you grow older.”

Featherweight didn’t understand why the last type was out of limits but he decided to not question it and keep putting attention. Frank then took off the camera and handed it to Featherweight. “Ready for your test kid?” Featherweight was confused, but before he could say something Frank was running toward the zombies who noticed him and started to surround him. Featherweight immediately understood that his job was to take photos of Frank’s performance against the zombies.

Frank used the sickle to cut some zombies head off to attract their attention, later he change the weapon for his sledgehammer to swing it to the zombies making them fall backwards in order to smash their heads with less problem but then his hammer broke and he was caught by a zombie that was trying to bite his head, Frank put his foot in the zombies chest to later kick him to off, Frank quickly took of his bat and start swinging at the zombies breaking their heads or killing them by the force of his attack and ending the little battle.

Featherweight took some photos of Frank's action GREAT!! BRUTALITY. Feeling that he did a good job, Frank later asked Featherweight for his camera to check the work of the little pegasus.

“Hmmmm…” Frank hummed while checking the photos one by one, Featherweight was nervous by each second, hoping that the photos he took were perfect enough for Frank to let him continue learning. “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, okay, hmm.” Frank was still checking the photos. “Okay Featherweight.” Frank said in a serious tone and expression. “After watching your work I have only one thing to say.” Featherweight was lowering his head, expecting Frank to be disappointed of him. “FANTASTIC!” he said with a smile and his thumb up.

“Wait, REALLY!?” Featherweight asked with an incredule expression.

“Yes, your shots were done at the perfect timing, you move to get better lighting, you capture an excellent balanced shot and your close ups are incredibly clear and steady.” Frank explained “if I were the public I would say that these photos were made by a professional. You passed the test.”

“YAY!” Featherweight jumped celebrating.

“Alright buddy, I officially name you a photojournalist student of West’s Academy!” Frank said and gave his camera back to Featherweight. “Just be careful with it and mind the battery, I lost the charger along with some replacement parts.” After that both walked in the direction of the mall. Man, he took very good photos, I still can't believe how lucky I’m to have a partner that likes and what to be a photograph, but why didn’t he take some aerial shoot, that could give him a more panoramic view. Frank thought for a moment, but brushed the idea for later.

After a quick trip to the camera store to recharge the batteries, Frank and Featherweight were now standing in the mall at Central Plaza in their search for the best story ever, Featherweight was amazed by the type of stores that were inside the mall and the zombies that roamed the place. “Okay kid, remember, we only want espectacular shots, we don’t want many of the same.” Frank said holding his bat.

“You got it Mr.West!” Featherweight respond while preparing the camera.

Then both student and teacher run through the crowd of zombies, Frank swinging his bat at the horde creating a path to pass between the monsters, killing some and capturing a wasp in the process. If what I saw was true, then this wasp can be useful against them. Frank thought.

Featherweight was following Frank, keeping his guard up if any zombie got close. “Whoa! Stay back!”he said while running and pushing the zombies away from him to get in a clear spot and taking some photos of Frank and the zombies that looked like they were worthy.

Frank threw his bat at the zombie horde knowing that his weapon was going to break soon, he was near at the entrance of an instrument store and had spotted Featherweight at the top of a platform that was in the middle of a pond for some reason, Frank had an idea. “Hey partner!” he yells to the pegasus, getting his attention. “Look at this!” Then Frank runs in the middle of the crowd of zombies. “Capture this!”

Frank then pulls out the jar with the queen wasp in it and smashes it to the floor, this provokes the zombies that were in a radius of 5 meters to shake until their heads explode leaving their headless body on the floor but also making some kind of huge worm come out from the corpses who jump a little to later die. Is this even professional? He seems to be having fun. Featherweight thought after taking the photos.

Why isn’t he flying around? He would be more safe there than being around zombies. Frank thought. Maybe he wants to have more courage? I hope he doesn’t have some kind of wing injury. (If only was that).

Frank and Featherweight make their way to the glass door and out to Leisure Park, they carefully walk through the park to reach the Food Court in order to explore the other side of the mall, Featherweight was impressed to see a park inside a mall but suddenly the sound of a car horn and laughter was becoming more and more strong and closer to them, when both turn their heads they notice a military vehicle driving towards them, quickly Frank tackle Featherweight away to avoid been flattened by the crazy conductors, After stopping rolling, for Frank’s surprise the responsible of operating the roofless Hummer where convicts, still dressed in their orange prisoner jumper.

They were three in total, one driving, the other in the copilot seat with a bat in hand and the last one standing in the back operating a mounted 50mm heavy machine gun. “You missed looser!” the convict on the back said while the others laughed. “Get your aim right, brother!”

The Convict driving looked away and spotted something, it was a pair of survivors who were walking away from the zombies, but he seems to have another plan in mind. Patting the copilot and pointing at the survivors while laughing, the convict with the bat understood what the driver had in mind. “Alright! Looks like we found our next contestants!” he shouted.

“I’m gonna take that dude an’ snach his old lady!” the convict with the machine gun added.

“Here we go!” said the driver convict, stepping on the gas and driving in the survivor pair’s direction.

After getting closer the survivors ran at the opposite way allowing the driver to put the copilot close to the old man allowing him to hit the other in the back of his head, killing him in the moment while passing the woman who was now screaming for the death of her beloved.

Frank could not believe witnessing something so twisted happen to an innocent people, he felt disgusted and furious at the convicts action, Featherweight was feeling the same, now worried for the fate of the woman Frank looked at his partner. “Featherweight I want you to take cover far from here. This might be more dangerous than facing zombies.”

Featherweight seems to struggle between protecting himself or helping Frank, but when he heard the woman screaming again he made a decision. “No! I want to help her too, she needs our help just like I need yours when you found me!” he replied with a look of determination on his face.

Frank wanted to protest but those lunatics were making some spins in the field while running over some zombies that were in their way, ready to return. “Okay, I might need your help in here more than ever!”Frank said.

“You got it boss!” Featherweight replied.

Frank looks at his surroundings to find a weapon or anything else that can help him. He spotted a police zombie holding a gun but not using it and a baseball bat laying on the ground. “Alright! Here is the plan.” Frank said. “I am going to get that gun that the zombie is holding and then go for the bat.” Featherweight nods. “Meanwhile you would fly and distract them to get their attention so I can deal with the convict that is operating the heavy machine gun and take the others down, got it!?”

“Yes Mr.West, you go for the gun and bat while I distraaa… flying?” Featherweight was now petrified, he didn’t tell Frank about his disability. “Umm, Mr. West…I-I… ” Before he could explain, the laughter of the convicts caught their attention, it seems that they had crashed with a tree but they seemed not to be bothered by it and were starting the vehicle again.

“There is no time! remember to fly, distract them and then fly away!” Franks said it while running away to get the weapons. “I will return soon!”

“Frank the thing is I can’t… fly” It was too late, Frank was far away from him. OH! Celestia! What am I gonna do now! He was frightened, he didn't know what to do, he is a pegasus but he can’t fly and now someone’s life is hanging in his hooves. He needs to think in something quick or everything will be over.

Chapter 4: Party Pooper

Chapter 4: Party Pooper.

TIME UNTIL HELICOPTER ARRIVA

Hours Minutes

6 5 : 5 7

Evening in the middle of the mall at Leisure Park, Frank was running on the field trying to reach a zombie with a gun in its hand while the convicts made their way towards Frank by flattening and shooting zombies with their stolen armed hummer, forgetting about the woman whose boyfriend they had killed in the first place. Featherweight in his part was trouble now that he was given the task to distract the convicts while Frank gathered the weapons he needed to face them, the only problem was that Featherweight had to fly, a thing that he can’t do since he didn’t have received his Cutie Mark. OH NO! Frank Mr. West doesn’t know that I can’t fly yet! Featherweight thought. What can I do now! I had to do something right now, anything!

Meanwhile Frank had delivered a flying kick to a zombie cop that was holding a gun, he took the weapon and begin searching for a bat, unfortunately the convicts were approaching Frank, ready to kill him to go after the other survivor but before they could reach for him a boomerang pass between their faces, the driver stop the vehicle to see who was responsible for the action, but a soccer ball was flying so fast that hit the copilot in the face making him grunt in pain. “UGH! Who tha’ fuck did that!?” the copilot convict said.

When they look at the responsibility for the ball they spot Featherweight looking back at them. The driver and gunner convicts laugh at the pony and their friend for being hurt by a small animal. “HAHAHAHA! Man! Did the wittle’ pony hurt ya!? HAHAHA!” said the gunner convict, only for later Featherweight kicked with his hind legs another soccer ball that flew to his face. “ARGH! Son of a bitch!!” Now the other convicts laugh at him.

“So What do ya think? the little shit worth extra points.” the driver said to his friends with a grim smile, the others nod and laugh maniacally to his suggestion. Then the driver stepped on the gas and turned the wheel, now chasing the little pegasus who was running for his life. “Not so tough now aren't ya!” the driver said.

For Luna! I didn’t think this through! Featherweight though, still running away from the convicts. “AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!” he screamed while dodging the vehicle when it got close.

The convicts laugh more at the pony’s torment. Meanwhile Frank got the baseball bat, now he is prepared to face the convicts, he turns and finds the psychopaths chasing Featherweight who was using the trees to evade them and make them crash on them. Why is he not flying? He is going to get himself killed! Frank thought. It doesn’t matter now, I have to save him.

“HUH HUH! Somepony! HUH HUH! Please HELP!” Featherweight yell while running away from the vehicle.

“Run pony! RUN!” said the copilot convict. “You are making this game more fun!”

“FEATHERWEIGHT!” Shouted Frank. “Over here! Come on!” Frank waves his hands to get the pegasus attention.

Featherweight spot Frank between some trees at the center of the park next to the lake. He realized what Frank's plan was so he ran as fast as he could to reach him, the convicts didn’t mind Frank since they wanted to kill the little pegasus first.

“Here come on!” Frank yells, while standing between three trees. “Now do as I said!” Featherweight stood next to Frank, both looking at the convicts getting closer, when they were in a fair distance he yelled. “Now!” Both jumped at opposite sides making the convicts crash in the tree maze, they were stuck letting Frank the chance to shoot his handgun at the gunner convict.

“Mother fucker!” yelled the gunner convict, pointing the hummer’s .50 Caliber Machine gun and fireback at Frank.

Frank had to move and cover constantly from the convict’s shots, the driver was trying to free the vehicle from the tree trap. “How the hell do you even get your hands on a thing like that!?” Frank yells at them while covering himself behind a tree.

Unfortunately the convict driver managed to free the hummer. Featherweight was out of his cover taking some photos of the fight PERFECT!!! BRUTALITY. But the driver noticed him and with a mad laugh he stepped on the gas and the chase continued.

Featherweight was again running and dodging the convicts, heading to a monument that had clocks on the top, Frank was running behind them trying his best to reach Featherweight. “Shit! I know I asked for photos but risking his own life!” Frank commented. “Great, now I sound like Otis”

After reaching the clock monument Featherweight was running around it to evade the psychopaths charge and shots towards him. I don’t wanna die! Not here! Please! Featherweight thought, scared with tears coming from his eyes. “FRANK HELP!!!” he screamed now standing in front of the convict’s vehicle.

Frank was now in reach shooting at the convicts but his handgun was empty, then he took out his bat. “AAAAAHHHHH!” Frank screamed, getting closer to the vehicle and delivering a flying kick to the driver, causing the driver to turn the wheel, the hummer went the opposite way and crashed into a tree. In that moment Frank used his bat to hit the guner before he could have time to aim at him.

Frank killed the gunner who’s body fell to the ground, the driver put the vehicle in reverse to continue with his chasing but not before Frank could unattach the .50 caliber machine gun.
“Why don’t you play with someone of your own size!” Frank said while opening fire at the convicts, killing them while the vehicle was still marching, making the hummer roll over and exploding in the process, emptying the weapon’s magazine and dropping it away.

Frank walked towards Featherweight who was laying in the ground, covering his head and crying. “Is okay kid, those guys are now history.” Frank said, kneel down and caressed the pegasus head.

“FRANK!” Featherweight yelled while jumping to him, hugging him tight and crying some more, burying his face on his shoulder.

“It's okay buddy, I am here, it's okay.” said Frank returning the hug and patting his back to calm the agitated pegasus.

After 5 minutes Featherweight finished his sobbing, he wiped his eyes, still a little shocked. “Feeling better now?” Frank asked.

“Yeah, I’m feeling better now” Featherweight said in a calm (a little sad) tone.

“Good, we need to escort the survivor out of here.” He said.

“Yes!” Featherweight replied, more relaxed and decided.

Both went with the survivor that fortunately wasn’t attacked by the zombies. When they reach her, they notice she has short brown hair, dressed in a gray with black striped sweater, black skirt and black shoes. Her name is Sophie. “OH! I can’t believe they killed my Francis, OH!” She was sobbing for the death of her loved one.

Frank tried to console her. “It wasn’t your fault, nobody could expect a riot in the middle of a zombie outbreak.” Then Frank remembered something. “By the way Featherweight I have something to asked you”

“Uh? What is it Mr. West?” Featherweight asked.

“Why didn’t you fly when I asked you?” Frank asked, wanting to know the reason for not using his wings.

He was depressed, he knew what to respond but felt bad for not clear it with Frank. “Mr.West I, I…” He felt embarrassed for admitting it and more for hiding it, it was difficult for him.”I can’t… fly.”

“What!?” He cannot believe it.

“I can’t fly!” Featherweight said it more loud and clear.

“But, you are a pegasus, isn’t supposed that flying is something you do naturally after being born?” Frank asked, not knowing how he can’t use his wing for its only purpose.

“Some pegasus can’t fly and if they do it is still difficult for them to do it.” Featherweight explains. “If a pegasus obtains its Cutie Mark then they can fly without problem, just like with a unicorn with magic, they can’t perform it well without the Cutie Mark, only after they get it.” Featherweight explained.

Frank was impressed with the new information. Wait, unicorns have magic? He thought. “How did you expect me to know that!?” he replied. “Why didn’t you tell me this before? You could die out here!”

Featherweight was feeling down and guilty for not telling Frank before. He was right, he could have died for being reckless and hiding his flight issue.

Frank was feeling bad, he didn’t want to be harsh with Featherweight but they were in a place where a simple mistake could cost them their life. “Look kid, I don’t wanna make you feel bad.” Frank said. “It's just that I don’t want to put you or anyone in a dangerous situation, and since you are the only pony from another world, it is my responsibility to take care of you and protect you.”

“Thank you Mr. West.” Featherweight said, lifting his head to meet Frank’s eyes. “And sorry for not telling you before.”

“Don’t worry kid, we are going to get out of this hell together.” Said Frank, petting the pegasus head.

“What do you mean by ‘the only pony’?” The woman known as Sophie said.

Both looked at her with a quizzical expression. “What do ‘you’ mean by that?” Frank asked her.

“I mean that, he isn’t the only pony here.” She said.

Now both of them were surprised by her answer. “Have you seen other ponies like me!?” Asked Featherweight with curiosity and hope. It can be that I am not alone in this world? He thought.

“Yes, me and Francis watch some of you running around the streets and in the mall,” Sophie said. “But they were multi-colored, is that even normal?” she asked.

“Yes it is.” Featherweight said. “Can you tell us where you see them?”

Sophie tried to remember. “Sorry, we didn’t put much attention since the zombies were threatening our lives.” She said, making Featherweight’s hopes go down. “But before we got here, me and Francis watched from a distance another pony, its coat was a light greyish amber with a light gray mane, it also wore glasses and a white collar with a green cloth on it.” She explained to both of them.

“Where was the last time you saw it?” Frank asked her

“It was at Wonderland Plaza, next to the Court Food.” Sophie said.

Frank put a hand under his chin, he was absorbed by this new information. Featherweight was looking at Frank, waiting for him to make a decision. “You said Wonderland Plaza right?” Frank asked, she nods. “Then let's head there, this pony may need some help.”

The group were now heading to the Food Court, Frank was making a path with his bat but it later broke and he need another weapon to deal with the zombies, he find a big garden scissors and start cutting zombies in half or cutting their heads off leaving the grass tainted in blood to later broke, they make it to the doors but a big group of zombies where surrounding the door, Frank spot a big mower with its blade expose. Frank told his company to go and wait in a clear spot while he headed to the mower, in his way he picked up a trash container and threw it toward some zombies leaving between the trash a baseball bat which he picked up and began to break some zombies head off. What was doing that in the container? Frank thought, one of the zombies was an officer and took his gun, Frank reached the big mower and started its engine, he was now chopping the zombies legs to later go to their full body, after letting a pool of blood and chopped rotten meat Frank called his companion to enter the building.

When they entered the Food Court, Frank’s transceiver was ringing, they went to the dinner level next to the door so no zombies would bother them while Frank answered the call. “Hi Frank it’s Otis, I wanted to tell you that the Space Rider machine in Wonderland Plaza looks like it’s outta control. Maybe there’s somebody out there. You wanna check out?”

“Actually, we were heading there.” Frank responded. “You are not going to believe this but, we find a survivor who claims that she saw other ponies like Featherweight.”

“Really!?” Otis said, surprised by the news.

“Eeyup! And that ponies is precisely in Wonderland Plaza, I contact you later, over.” Frank finished the call.

“Who called you?” Featherweight asked.

“It was Otis, it seems that the place we are heading is suffering from an attraction malfunction.” Frank replied. “And how things were going, it will be better to reach there fast. But before we go I need you to tell you something.”

“What is it Mr.West?” Featherweight asked.

Frank kneels and looks at Featherweight in the eyes. “I need you to know that if things get more dangerous like before, you would run and take cover far from danger, Alright?”

“But how would I take the photos if I am far? Or if you need help how could I aid you?” Featherweight asked. “Even if I can’t fly I can still use my wing for other things, after all I did distract those murderers.” He replied

Frank thought for a moment, he sighs. “UGH. Okay, but promise me that you will keep yourself away from unnecessary danger.” Frank said with a serious face. “Promise?”

Featherweight with a smile responded. “Promise Mr.West!”

With a nod from Frank, the tree began to run to the plaza while knocking some zombies, Frank picked a bottle of wine in his way.

Wonderland Plaza was not short in its name, entering there was a great playground in the middle of the hallway of the plaza and a space attraction at the center, in their right there was a giant pink bunny wearing a blue overall. Featherweight was amazed by the place, Frank would be too but the zombies were taking his attention.

“It’s so wonderful!” Featherweight said, forgetting that the place is infested of zombies and acting like a foal again.

“Well, that is why it's called Wonderland.” Frank said. “But we have things at matter, come on let's move.” With that the group took the stairs to the second floor to reach the controls of the attraction while Frank used the bat to knock a zombie holding a knife and took it.

When they reached the Space attraction they noticed that the space cars were running, nobody was operating them and there weren't any zombies nearby, Frank felt uneasy. “Go take cover inside the store, I don’t like this.” Frank told Sophie and Featherweight, they did as asked.

Frank went inside the attraction and spotted the control panel but before he could touch it a laugh was heard behind Frank. “HAHAHAHA! Stay away from there, gramps!” Like if it came from a cliche horror movie, there was a fat clown that speak in a high pitch tone, he have red hair bald on top, a tiny hat, white face with blue drawn eyelashes and smile, a circus coat half yellow and the other half green, puffy blue pants and big red clown shoes, he was juggling with two blue chainsaw while laughing in a crazy maniac way. He stopped the juggling to see Frank’s face who was perturbed by his act. “Uhh? Everyone used to laugh at me… Jejeje.” The clown said slowly approaching Frank. “I was a walking punchline. Hahaha….” Then he began to sob. “But not anymore… Waaa! Waaa!” The clown was close to Frank who was trying to get away from his chainsaw. “When the zombies came, everyone died! Waaa! Waaa! Wahahaha!” The clown passed from crying to laughing in seconds and resumed his juggling. “That’s why I decide to give all the happy people a lift on this fun ride besides with a little companion!” Frank took a glance at the cart that was arriving, he noticed that inside of it was a Willamette’s mall employee and sitting in front of him was the pony that the woman mentioned before, they were held hostage inside the cart. “I won’t let you stop the ride, gramps!” The clown said menacingly while getting close to Frank with the chainsaws close. “If the ride stops, the zombies come back, and that won’t be any fun at all! HAAAA! HAHAHAHAAA! WHOOOOO! AAAAHHH! HAHAHA!”

Frank knew this guy’s mind was far gone and that if he wanted to help the hostages he needed to take care of him first. So he moved away from the clown to prepare himself, what he didn’t expect is to see the clown spit fire from his mouth, he was away so the fire didn’t reach him. Frank then pulled out the handgun and fired at the clown, but he blocked Franks shots with his chainsaws, Frank then changed to his baseball bat to try hand to hand fighting.

Frank went to the hallway to have more space to face the clown, when both were now facing each other Frank decide to go first and struck the clown in the chest but he tried to spit fire at Frank again only to missed, Frank stepback a little but the clown start to blow up a balloon which Frank took advantage to shot at with his gun, stunning the clown. Frank delivers him a series of hits with his bat to the head and back but then the clown spins with his chainsaws and cuts Frank, launching him over the railing and falling to the ground floor where some zombies were roaming around. Defying the laws of gravity the clown makes a big jump and lands on the floor bedding a little but with no broken bones or any injury, Frank got up as fast as he could. Getting ready for the next round, the clown jumps towards him to later spin again in Frank’s direction, when he stops spinning Frank moves close to hit him some more with the bat before the clown cuts Frank in the back. “That’s not very nice!” the clown said, pulling out some knives and throwing them at Frank who roll to avoid them only to get two inserted in his left arm.

Frank pulled out the knives from his arm and switched his bat for his handgun and fired at the clown that was getting closer by the seconds even if the clown blocked his bullets. When the clown was close to Frank ready to strike him with the chainsaw he was interrupted by a trash can that felt on top of him, making him fall to the ground. Frank looked up and saw Featherweight and Sophie behind the railing. “Go get him Mr.West!” said Featherweight before preparing the camera for another shot GREAT!! DRAMA.

Frank looked at the broken garbage container and found a survival knife. Really? What else do those containers have in them? Frank thought. The clown got up and shook his head for the surprise attack “That's cheating!” The clown said, but before he could do anything else he receive a slash to his chest by Frank’s knife, angered the clown began to slash left to right laughing in a maniac way, trying to cut Frank into pieces, after a minute of no success he begun to blow up another balloon only this time Frank pull out his gun and shoot the balloon causing the clown a great deal of damage, then Frank finish him by pulling out the bat and charge to deliver a powerful swing, so strong that it could rip off the clowns head and make a homerun with it, then everything blackout for a moment.

Frank was tired but the clown was devastated, he dropped his chainsaws that were still running, fell on his knees to later drop his whole body on top of his chainsaw’s blades. “HEHAHAHAHEHE! OUH! AGH! AAHH! HAHAHA! HAHAHA! HAHAHA! HAHAHA! HAHAhahahaaa…”That was the clown’s last laugh. From the clown’s blood a keycard was slipping on the floor which Frank deduced was the key for the attraction’s control panel.

Frank took the small chainsaw and examined and kept it, later he picked up the card and headed to the stairs that were on the corner next to a store, he regrouped with Sophie and Featherweight. “Are you okay Mr. West?” asked Featherweight looking at the cut that Frank has in the chest.

“Yeah I’m fine, I just need a little sip of and I’ll be good as new.” said Frank to later take out the bottle of wine, he poured a little in the cut and drank the rest.

After that the little group run towards the space attraction, Frank get to the control panel, he use the keycard and press whatever button that seem to be an emergency stop for the machine, later the attraction’s alarm went off just in time and moment were the cart that held the clown’s hostages stop in front of the group.

After the cart stopped its motion the passengers made their way off the attraction feeling dizzy for god knows how long they were there. “Thanks, we were in some real trouble there.” the Mall’s employee said.

“You have my entire gratitud for saving us from that nightmerish clown.” said the gray mane pony. “Tell me to whom I owe my life.”

“My name is Frank West, freelance photojournalist.” he said while extending his arm towards his group. “And this is Sophie a survivor and this is Featherweight, a pegasus that I presume is from the same world as you.”

With that statement the gray mane pony was surprised that there is another pony survivor. “You are right Mr. West, my name is Mayor Mare, I am or I was incharge to taking Ponyville’s citizens' needs and demands.” She presents herself extending her hoove to Frank to later shake, he quickly glances at her flank while Featherweight to a picture of the scene NICE! OUTTAKE. And just like Featherweight said in her flank was her Cutie Mark, it was a scroll tied with a blue ribbon, the representation of her talent made sense since a Mayor had to approve or disapprove petitions from their citizens and deal with other political tasks.

“And I am Greg Simpson, employee of Willamette’s mall.” He said shaking Frank’s hand too. “By the way, are there other survivors around?” Greg asked, capturing everyone’s attention.

“Sure, there are in the security room but Featherweight is the first pony survivor so far and my apprentice.” Frank responded to both.

“Oh, so there is nopony else.” Mayor Mare said with sadness in her tone.

“Don’t worry Ms. Mayor, soon we will rescue more ponies in our way to reveal the truth!” Featherweight said. “Mr. West is strong and brave, he can deal with any zombies and psychopaths anytime!” he said with a tone of admiration towards Frank, making him embarrassed for the praise of the pegasus.

Mayor Mare looked at the human and at the foal. “Well, I can see that you already have the trust and respect of one of my citizens.” Mayor Mare said. “Okay Mr. West I follow you.”

“Me too Mister.” Said Greg.

“Okay then, Follow me!” Frank said while giving Greg his bat while he used the clown’s small chainsaw so both can open a path for the other survivors to their way to the security room. I have a feeling that I will begin to meet more ponies than humans around here! Frank thought. Oh well, nobody will say that being a journalist is the most boring job after this! Frank and his train of thought stopped to concentrate on his job of killing and push the crowd of zombies away to reach safely at the safe zone.

Chapter 5: Hard Feelings

Chapter 5:Hard Feelings.

TIME UNTIL HELICOPTER ARRIVA

Hours Minutes

6 2 : 4 0

It was midnight, Franks and his group were at Wonderland Plaza ready to go to the security room but there was something wrong, the zombies looked like they became more active, their eyes were glowing in red, it was clearly not a good sign.

Frank and Greg were now hitting and slashing every zombie that crossed in their way and as Frank predicted they became more aggressive making the trip more difficult but nothing that he and Greg couldn’t handle. After running for a while Otis called Frank, telling him that there was a pair of tourist trapped in that plaza at Sir Book-A-Lot store, the group head to that store and found the tourists who got scared when they saw Frank’s group, the tourists tried to maintain themselves away from them by climbing the bookshelves not knowing the survivor’s intentions, Frank tried to speak to them to later notice that the tourist didn’t speak English but Japanese, Sophie spot a book of English to Japanese laying behind the frontdesk, she pick it up and showed to Frank so he can try to talk with them.

Frank read the book and tried to form a sentence that can make his intentions clear with the tourists. “Matsu! Wa..watashi wa chi..chigau! Sore-ra no da..dare mo! (Wait! I different! No one of them!).” Said Frank in his try to speak Japanese.

The tourists understood what he said even if it was an amateur attempt, but the rest of the survivors, even Featherweight were trying not to laugh at Frank’s clumsy effort to speak Japanese but truth it was comical. After some more amateur Japanese and loud laughs later, Frank successfully convinces the Japanese tourists to go with him to the security room.

The group now resume their way to the security room but Greg told Frank about a shortcut to Central Plaza which was located on the ground floor in the ladies bathroom, Frank and Greg continued their job as bodyguard breaking so zombies skull by Greg’s bat or cutting them in half by Frank’s small chainsaw when they tried to caught them, leading the group towards the bathrooms Greg point to the air duct above the bathroom’s sinks, one by one entered the duct, the ponies had less trouble to move since they were small, the rest in the other hand not much.

They had arrive at the Central Plaza’s bathrooms, Frank lead the group again fortunately there wasn’t much zombies around so there was no need to fight them all, Frank took Featherweight to Cam’s Camera to show him how to recharge the camera since it was getting low in batteries, once the camera was fully charge the group entered to the warehouse passing and killing some zombies that were in their way, Frank told the group to stand far from the elevator, when he call the elevator the doors opened revealing a big crowd of zombies inside it, Frank was expecting them so pulling out his handgun he did some headshots before the gun ran out of bullets, he then opened a nearby box that contained a sledgehammer and start smashing the zombies in the head or by swinging the hammer towards their body until there wasn’t any sign of movement. Everyone was impressed by Frank’s fighting skills but Mayor Mare was impacted, this level of violence is almost inexistence in her world and the quantity of blood is unimaginable something that nopony could tolerate but they need to survive, they need to fight against these monsters if they want to live and see the daylight again.

The group entered in the elevator, going up to the roof to enter another air duct and finally reach the security room.

“Otis! You’re OK! Thank God!” Greg said.

“It's good to see you alive too Greg.” replied Otis while giving a quick hug to Greg.

“Well, this sure seems like a secure place.” said Mayor Mare looking around.

“There is more room inside and food, so you can go and get some rest.” Frank said to the group, the survivors went inside but Featherweight was still standing next to him. “You too little buddy, it's your bedtime.” he tapped his watch to Featherweight to justify his point.

“What are you going to do Mr. West?” said Featherweight, curious as to why Frank is not coming with them.

“I’m going to check out if there are any survivors left, maybe find somebody that can share more information of what happened here.” Frank said while kneeling. “So, I will need my camera back.” He extended his hand to Featherweight which in return moved the camera away from his hands.

“Please no Mr. West!” Featherweight replied. “I can still go! I don’t feel sleepy at all, I can still help you by taking shots or throwing stuff but please, if you go then I want to go too, please!” He was pleading to Frank while using his hooves to hold his leg and making sad puppy eyes.

Frank cannot believe how cute but shameless this pony was by using that kind of tactic against him, he wanted to say no, he was going to say it but, when he looked at his side he spotted Jessie standing up, watching at them with a small smile on the other side of the window.

Frank knew what that smile meant, she would use Featherweight personal life against him, so he didn’t have other options. “SIGH. Okay Featherweight, you can come along.” Frank said, making the little pegasus happy. “But after this trip I want you to go straight to bed, deal?”

“Yes Mr. West, I won’t disappoint you!” Featherweight said with determination and a full smile on his face.

Oh boy! I hope my ride came here in time if we want to get out of this one! Frank thought. “Okay, go get something to eat before we get going. I’m heading to the bathroom, I see you here in a moment.” Frank said, Featherweight nod and both went inside to the storage room.

Featherweight was sitting peacefully on the green couch with Frank’s camera besides him, eating a zucchini and drinking some orange juice. I must be more brave, I can’t put myself in danger again. Thought Featherweight, worried. Mr. West would need my help like before, but what else can I do besides throwing things? I don’t have my Cutie Mark yet. SIGH. If only I could fly. Featherweight was sad, he wanted to do more for Frank but he is more weak and thin then the average foal and that made him depressed.

“What is making you feel down my little pony?” said Mayor Mare, walking towards Featherweight.

“Oh, it’s nothing, its- it's just that… I… ” Featherweight was having problems to reply.

“Please, you can talk to me, after all it's still my job to take care of my citizens' problems.” Mayor Mare said in a calm and caring tone while getting close to Featherweight to comfort him.

Featherweight, feeling more calm he shared his problem. “I am currently helping Mr. West covering the story of what happened here by taking photos and helping survivors but…” Featherweight lowered his head. “I almost got myself killed for not telling him that I am unable to fly since I don’t have my Cutie Mark and… Mr. West was going to send me back here, fired me for not being prudent on my flying disability.” He raises his head and makes eye contact with Mayor Mare. “I want to learn from him, to get my Cutie Mark for helping Mr. West and any survivor that we can save, I just… I don't want to disappoint him.”

Mayor Mare was concerned about his feelings for getting a Cutie Mark and how he seemed to respect Frank. “Tell me Featherweight, did you arrive here alone or your parents are looking for you?” She asked, making Featherweight sad.

“I never met my parents.” He said, making Mayor Mare feel dumb for touching a sensitive subject.

“Oh! I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to be rude! Is just that…” she tried to finish her sentence but Featherweight interrupted her.

“It's Ok, I am used to it.” he said with a sad but calm expression. “I grew up in Ponyville’s orphanage together with others colts and fillies, when I was five years old I asked the caretakers about my parents, they told me that one night the janitor heard loud knocks on the hallway when he was mopping the floor, he went to the door entrance to answer it but when he opened the doors nopony was around but me inside a basket with a note with no name on it that said ‘Please take care of him, we were young and foolish, not able to rise him so please for Faust sake! Take care of him in our place.’ Later the janitor finished reading the note he took me in and called the other keepers, from there I was admitted to the orphanage by the name of Featherweight since I as a baby was thin and light then the average foal. After that I was raised by the caretakers, made friends with the other foals in the orphanage, entered school to study and waited to the day somepony would adopt me.” Mayor mare was feeling sorry for the colt’s tragedy, imagine all this pony had to experience all his foalhood. “But I don't let that bother me, after all not everypony has everything in life right?” Featherweight said with a small smile, trying to convince the mare that he is fine, but she knew that in reality it was difficult for a foal of his age to cope with it.

Then Mayor Mare returned him a smile. “You know, you are a very brave pony and very kind too for putting yourself in danger to help others. I don’t know what kind of parents could abandon a foal like you.” Featherweight was going to lower his head but Mayor Mare put her hoof under his chin and raised it. “But if I had a colt like you I would be the proudest Mare of all and I think Mr. West thinks the same about you, I can assure you that.” She finishes and gives Featherweight a warm smile.

Featherweight jumps off the couch and hugs her. “Thank you so much, I really am.” Mayor Mare returned the gesture by wrapping a hoof around him, seconds later they broke the hug. “Well, I better go and wait for Frank. After all we journalists have to bring the facts of the current events to the public, bye and thank you again.” Featherweight said while taking and putting the camera’s band on and running to the A/C.

Mayor Mare was happy to help one of her citizens, she later returned to her room but unknowing Frank was behind the bathroom’s door, he heard all the conversation and was now feeling bad for the little pegasus, He never had anybody by his side. Frank thought. Maybe after we get outta here I can take the kid to a fair or an aquarium or somethin’ he really deserves it. He then made his way out of the bathroom and towards the A/C.

When Frank entered the A/C room he noticed Brad holding a box from the vent with supplies in it, “Yo, Frank! Gimme a hand here.” said Brad.

Frank reaches Brad and grabs a can of soda from the box but Brad holds Frank's arm that holds the beverage. “Wh-What give?” Frank said while Brad took the soda from his hands.

“Consider the helicopter and all, we have to work together.” Brad explains while taking four steps away. “But that doesn’t mean we have to tell you everything. And everything we do tell you, can’t necessarily be printed.”

“But, Why not?” Featherweight said, not understanding the political background of the story.

“Because you can’t period.” Brad said dryly to the pony, then he turned to Frank. “I just want both of you to appreciate the situation.”

“Well, we’re up to our neck with zombies, and soon with ponies. So yeah, I think we appreciate the situation just fine.” Frank said in a mocking way, making Featherweight smile a little.

Brad was thoughtful for a moment. “Zombies… I still can’t believe all this, you know? And now with talking ponies… is like a weird dream.” Brad said in a calm tone, but still unable to believe that he is actually experiencing this weird problem.

Brad passed the can of soda to Frank, he opened it and drank from it while Brad carried the box to the Janitor's room. “You alright there?” Frank asked Brad.

“Yeah, I got it.” Brad replied, Frank made a thumbs up and finished his soda.

“Okay kid let's head back to the Mall.” Frank said.

“Yes, sir.” Featherweight replied while doing a salute with his wing, Frank chuckled a little and they went out to the Mall.

Frank and Featherweight were now standing on the mall’s roof. “Alright kid, like before I want you to stick with me when we travel through the mall and run if things turn ugly, understood?”

“Yes Mr. West, I will!” Featherweight replied with a smile on his face while adjusting the camera. “By the way Mr. West, where are we going?”

“Well, since we already explored Wonderland Plaza I was thinking that our next destination will be North Plaza.” Frank explains. “I expect that there will be more survivors.”

Frank grabs a baseball bat that was laying next to a shelf on the floor, Featherweight knows what he is going to do and waits. After a bloody elevator fight, Frank and Featherweight make their way through the Warehouse to Central Plaza, the mall was dark since the power was cut off by the automated electrical system that preserves the use of energy and somehow still works. Frank bashes some zombies whose eyes still glow in red while guiding Featherweight to the bathrooms to use the air duct as a safe traveling shortcut. Now standing in Wonderland Plaza’s bathroom Frank again was making a path to cross between the zombies, for some reason there was a big crowd of zombies around the entrance of the next plaza, fortunately there were railings surrounding a giant pink statue bunny, Frank grab Featherweight to cross the railings and avoiding to get grab by the zombies, thanks to Featherweight’s… weight it was easy to pass by them and entered the next plaza.

It was dark but Frank and Featherweight were able to see far enough the long hallway that was infested with zombies and a row of two pairs of moving walkway (for those lazy who preferred not to walk much) two on the left and the others on the right. The transceiver ring, Frank answered and was Otis telling him that there are some places that are still in maintenance and the only stores operating there were a Supermarket, a Gunshop, CD shop and Home Center. Otis hung out but Frank’s eyes went wide for hearing about the Gunshop. Now we are talking. Frank thought, putting a hand on his chin. We are going to need weapons if we want to survive this nightmare.

“What happened Mr. West? Did Otis find another survivor?” Featherweight asked, Frank then looked at him.

“No, but he mentioned some stores that can help us, and we are heading to one of them.” Frank said, with a smile on his face. “C’mon kid! Let's move, something tells me that we aren’t the only ones with the same idea.” Both start to run avoiding and killing zombies.

Frank need to go to the other side of the plaza if he want to reach the gunshop, he then saw the platforms standing outside the stores that were under constructions they were high enough to be away from the zombies reach it, without thinking twice he carry Featherweight and himself on the platforms and start marching to avoid the large crowd of undead, some zombies where standing on the platform but Frank deal with them easily.

“Why there are so many zombies Mr. West?” Featherweight asked, looking to the crow of zombies walking around the plaza under construction.

“They all came outside from the town.” said Frank. “On my way here I could see how all the residents became zombies and started chasing the people that were still human to eat them.”

Featherweight was shocked. “But how do they become monsters if they lived here like normal humans Mr.West?”

“I don’t know kid, the only lead that I have are Jessie, Brad and the old man that won’t come out from Entrance Plaza’s Book Store, from that I had nothing more.” Frank said, thinking in a way to obtain more information out of the agents. “

When they reach the end of the platform Frank finds a coffee creamer that was laying there and took it, they both jump off the platform and enter a small hall that leads them to the Gunshop but it was blocked by zombies that were standing and walking in there.

“Kid, I want you behind me.” Frank said, then he went with his bat in hand and started smashing all the zombies he could, left to right. The hall was so narrow that the zombies were practically next to each other, the only open spaces where the stores under construction ahead of them so there wasn’t enough space to escape in case they get surrounded, suddenly one zombie grab Frank, he was struggling with it maintaining its mouth away from his face, quickly Frank kick the zombie off of him making it fall, he take out the survival knife and start cutting every zombie in their way, some died others fall to the ground. “Let’s go kid while they are down!” Frank said to Featherweight. They run towards the gun store Featherweight making sure to avoid being grabbed by the zombies while reaching the store entrance with Frank.

When Frank and Featherweight entered the store they found a man with a black shirt arguing with what seem to be the owner of the store, a bearded elder fat man and obviously drunk, he have long hair with a ponytail, wearing a white opened button shirt and blue pants, he was acting crazy and was armed with a shotgun standing behind a L shaped counter.

The man with the black shirt turned for a moment to Frank and Featherweight but didn’t mind them much and put his attention to the owner. “Look mister, If we’re gonna fight these zombies, we need GUNS!”

The owner made a warning shot with his shotgun. “Stay back!” he shouted, he was angry “I trust those damn zombies as far as I can throw ‘em, but I trust people even less!” He was paranoid.

“Don’t shoot! Look… L-Let’s talk this over!” said the black shirt man in an attempt to control the situation while slowly walking towards the owner.

The owner wasn’t buying it. “You can talk to my 12-gauge! Don’t get no closer or I’ll blow y’all to kingdom come!” he warned, Frank and Featherweight were nervous, expecting the worst to happen.

Frank tried to stop the black shirt man but he brushed Frank’s hand away. “Hey, hang on.” he calmly said, making his way to the owner.

Grave mistake, the owner shot his shotgun at the man making him fly back to the doors and out of the store landing on the floor with a hole in his chest with blood bursting out of it, Frank and Featherweight were shocked by the scene and turned their attention to the owner, Frank was angry but Featherweight was scared.

“Now, goddamnit, I warned you…” the owner said while pumping his shotgun, he was now staring at Frank and Featherweight. “In a situation like this, I can’t afford to trust nobody!” he was pointing to both of them.

Featherweight quickly covered himself behind the wooden gun stand that was in the middle of the store while Frank used the accessory display, the owner started to shoot at Frank not minding the little pony, the display was a good cover but some of the shotgun pellets hit Frank causing him to flinch in pain. “AGH! SHIT!” he yelled.

The owner was laughing and coughing like a maniac, Frank decided to use the small chainsaw against the owner to end the battle fast. Frank was now close to the owner and began to slash him as much as he could, blood being splashed over the counter and the owner was screaming in pain, Featherweight poke his head out of the corner of the stand, watching the fight he pulled out the camera to take some shots of Frank against the mad owner PERFECT!!! BRUTALITY. But after cutting many zombies before this fight the small chainsaw broke, the owner used the opportunity to shoot Frank in the chest, sending him across the store and landing on the floor beside the wooden stand grunting in pain.

“MR.WEST!” Featherweight screamed for seen his teacher being sent across the store for the shoot.

“Dammit! I need to be careful or I will end dead sooner.” Frank said to himself. “Take cover kid! I handle this alone.” Featherweight obey him and hide behind the wooden stand.

The owner was celebrating by taking a sip of a bottle of wine, Featherweight took a picture of him while Frank painfully got up and took out his bat to smash the wooden stand’s glass which contain handgun in it, he took one from it and began to aim and shoot at the owner who return the fire at Frank that was trying to dodge most of the owner’s shots “You think you can take my guns away from me!?” said the owner. After four shots more he began recharging his shotgun, Frank took advantage and run towards him, he pull out the sledgehammer and jump over the counter to strike the owner by swingin the hammer at him, the owner was shouting in pain for the blows that landed in his chest, but against all odds the owner grab Frank to later lift him and throw him out of the counter. “This is as far as you can go son!” the owner said while shooting at Frank who was dodging the shots by jumping and rolling.

The owner was going to get another shot of wine but Frank quickly shot at him. How many bottles of wine does he have? Frank thought.

The owner was shooting like a maniac trying to kill Frank. “Zombie or not you ain’t getting my guns!” The owner said, but when he pumped the shotgun to shot again he realized that the weapon was empty, he tried to recharged it as fast as his drunk mind allow him to do, then Frank in a desperate attempt to finish the fight grabs one of the display and with all his strength throws it at the owner, he was hit in the face, the display broke with the impact and the owner began to groan heavily.

Again, everything turns black for a moment. Then the owner was breathing with difficulty, limping walking away from Frank in fear and dropping his weapon. “HUFF. Damn! Damn mister! HUFF. C’mon now!” he was crying while using the counter as support. “HUFF. Wh-What’re you, crazy? HUFF. You want… UGH!. You want guns so bad that y’all are willin’ to kill for ‘em?” The owner crawled under the counter and ran toward the entrance door. “Lemme go!” he was crying. Frank and Featherweight tried to stop him. “Pleaaase!”

“Hey! Wait!” “Mister watch out!” both Frank and Featherweight scream, but it was too late, a zombie tackle the owner and pin him on the ground, the owner scream and kicking in terror while the zombie start to eat his neck, making him drown in his own blood and cease his cry, Frank and Featherweight look away from the gory scene. This shouldn't have to end like this. Frank thought, upset of how all this tuned out.

After that scene, inside the store Frank took out the coffee creamer and drank it, then he went to the counter and grabbed some shotguns. Featherweight was standing inside the store next to the entrance with his head and ears down, after taking the shotguns Frank walked next to his partner. “Why?” Featherweight said, in a depressed tone. “Why did he kill that man? Why did he want to kill us? Why?” Featherweight couldn’t understand the reason for the owner’s behavior.

Frank feels empathy towards the pony, he looks at him and kneels. “It wasn’t his fault kid. This place, these zombies can change a person, it can bring the worst of anyone.” Frank explains, trying to comfort the pony. “Don’t let this situation affect you… or we are going to end like them.” Featherweight nods, still with his head down. “For now concentrate on saving as much life we can get, c’mon let's keep searching.” he stood up, pulled out the shotgun and waited for Featherweight to compose himself. I can see that Featherweight is experiencing more than he is used to. This is no place for someone like him. Frank thought. But I need to say, this kid’s determination reminds me of my own when it comes to reveal the truth, SIGH. I hope this does not traumatize him for life.

Chapter 6: A Bitter Bite.

TIME UNTIL HELICOPTER ARRIVA

Hours Minutes

6 0 : 3 2

Inside the gun store after the fight with the owner, Featherweight was having some troubles dealing with the owner’s death and what led him to act like that, Frank was feeling bad for the little pegasus since he had to experience all this horror at such a young age.

After 10 minutes Featherweight composes himself, ready to face the infestation of zombies. “I am ready Mr. West”

Frank was relieved to see that his partner was feeling well. “Alright, let's keep moving.”

Both were now out of the store, running through North Plaza’s hallway, Frank and Featherweight decided to use the platforms to avoid most of the zombies, there were a few on the platforms but Frank managed to kick them out.

They made it to the other side of the plaza, many zombies were gathered around some eating a dismembered hand others still acting like construction workers by pushing propane tanks or walking around with helmets on their heads when suddenly.

“Somepony please help us!” A female voice was calling inside of one of the stores under construction.

Somepony? Didn’t she mean someone? Frank thought.

“Mr.West there are ponies who need our help! Let’s go and help them!” Featherweight said.

“Right! I deal with the zombies, you assist them and convince them to follow us to the security room.” Frank said. So putting the word pony in some sentence is like us putting the word person or body? Ha! who would guess? Frank thought.

Decided, both Frank and Featherweight jump off the platform and run towards the store, Frank remain outside to kill any zombie that tried to walk inside the store with a shotgun, killing a big quantity with one shoot when they were together while Featherweight went inside the store to help the ponies in distress.

“AGH! My leg! I think it's a strain!” A white coat unicorn with a blue short mane in gold armor with spots of blood on it said. He had a Cutie Mark of a black silhouette of a diamond, next to him was a gold helmet, he was lying on the floor while holding his front leg in pain.

“Resist soldier! We are going to get out of this! we just need to wait for help.” A dark gray coat mare with fangs and bat wings with pale blue mane in dark blue armor also with some blood on it said. She had a Cutie Mark of a whirlpool of a light purple mist, she was beside the unicorn trying to comfort him, while holding her sword covered in dry blood making guard.

Gunshots and growls were heard outside the store, making the soldiers feel uneasy and nervous, the unicorn more than the bat pony.

“OH! For Celestia SOB, SOB, we are going to die here! I don’t want to die! WAAAAAH! The white unicorn began to cry.

SLAP! “Get a hold of yourself Private, we are going to live and period.” The gray mare said, slapping her partner to compose him. “Just have some faith soldier.”

“Faith!?” the unicorn said, annoyed. “How can I have faith surrounded by meat eating monsters!?” The mare was angry but calm at his breakdown.

“Now calm down soldier, the last thing we need is to lose our mind.” She said holding the unicorn’s shoulder made him see her in the eyes.

“Calm down!?” The unicorn said, still nervous. “I will calm down when I see a ray of hope!”

SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! PERFECT!!! DRAMA. At the entrance was Featherweight taking some photos of the royal guard’s scene with the flash on.

“Did you just take a picture of us arguing?” The unicorn said.

“Not just one.” Featherweight said innocently, walking to them. “Sorry to bother, my name is Featherweight nice to meet you.” he finished with a smile like if the zombies didn’t exist.

Both guards look at each other then at the colt. “HUH, hello Featherweight my name is Mist Glider, Commander of Princess Luna’s Lunar guard.” said the bat pony. “And this is Private Blank Diamond from Princess Celestia’s Royal guard.” The unicorn waves his hoove at Featherweight to later hold the other in pain. “Tell me little pony, are you on your own or somepony is with you?”

“No, I am not on my own but I am neither with a pony” he said a little timid with their reaction.

“What do you mean by that!?” Blank Diamond said.

Suddenly more gunshots were heard, later a trotting pace was getting more and more closer to them and revealing the responsable for those thundering sounds. What the royal guards didn’t expect was to see Frank holding a shotgun and cover in blood, walking towards them.

“Hey kid, are there any survivors alive?” said Frank looking around to later spot the royal guards. “OH! Do they come from the costume store or what with the outfits?”

“STAND BACK YOU MEAT EATER, OR YOU WILL MEET YOUR MAKER!!” yell Mist Glider swinging her sword at Frank while shielding Featherweight.

“WOAH! HEY! I am not one of them! I’m not gonna hurt you.” Frank said, evading the royal guard’s slashes.

“HA! Nice try, But I am not going to fall for that!” She continues with her assault and Frank with his dodging making sure to be away from the guard’s sword range.

“YEAH! Go Commander go! cut his nose off!” said Blank Diamond.

Both Frank and Mist stop their fight and look at Blank with confused expression for his comment, Blank lower his head in embarrassment. “Yeaaah.” Mist said slowly and uncomfortably “You're still going to die!” She pointed with her sword at Frank.

“WAAAAIIIIITT!!” scream Featherweight, running towards Frank and standing next to him. “Don’t hurt him! I am with him, he is my teacher.”

The royal guards couldn’t believe what they heard. “What do you mean by that!? He is one of those monsters that roams in this residence! he is EVIL!” said Blank in a horror storytelling tone.

“No! He is not!” Said Featherweight. “He saved me from those zombies when I was unconscious in this mall, if it wasn’t for him I would be dead by now.”

The two royal guards couldn’t believe it. “How do we know you don’t have any obscure intention?” said Blank.

“Well, we have another pony survivor at the security room.” said Frank. “And she is the mayor of a place called Ponyville, does it sound familiar?”

“Yes.” said Mist. “Blank’s family is from there, isn’t?”

“Yeah, and the pony incharge is Mayor Mare, where did you find her?” said Blank.

“She with another human survivor were held hostage in an attraction at Wonderland Plaza by a Psyclown that wielded two chainsaws, one in each hand and we freed them from the space cart that they were trapped on.” Frank explains but the royal guards find it hard to believe, squinting their eyes at his little story. “What!? It’s true!”

“ARG! My leg!” Blank grumble in pain, holding his leg.

“Look, staying here will not do any good for you or your friend.” said Frank. “If you really want to help him let me escort both of you to the Security room, in there you will be safe and you can treat your friend’s leg.

Mist Glider wanted to protest but his friend was in pain, the zombies were dangerous and more so if they gathered. “SIGH. alright, but if you do something fishy, I will personally make sure you can’t enjoy the pleasures of life! Deal.” she finished extending her hoof for a hand shake.

Frank got the message and decided to shake her hoof. “I won’t, my name is Frank West, Photojournalist.” They finished shaking hand/hoof.

“I am Mist Glider, Commander of Princess Luna’s Lunar guards.” she said.

“And I am Blank Diamond, Princess Celestia’s Royal guard.” Blank said.

“Wait… you two work for princesses?” Frank asked, then he look at both ponies, noticing that Mist have bat wings and fangs like a vampire while Blank was a normal unicorn. “Are you two from different kingdoms or somethin’?”

The two royal guards and Featherweight could not believe what Frank had just asked. “What!? No! both of us live and work in the Kingdom of Equestria, the difference is that I protect Luna’s crown and Blank protects Celestia’s.” Mist explains.

Frank was surprised. “Hold on a minute!... So you're telling me that two princesses are ruling the same Kingdom?” Frank was having some wild thoughts about that but before anyone or anypony could say something else the growl of the zombies were becoming more loud and close. “As much as I like to keep asking more questions we need to move, tell me, are your friend’s other legs hurt too?”

“No, just this one is hurt.” said Blank.

“Good, Mist, give Blank your support so he can lean on you.” Frank said. “I will keep the zombies away so we can move between them.” he pulls out his sledgehammer, ready to fight against the horde.

“Hey! Not because I have an injured leg means that I suffer cold fear!” said Blank.

“Well, I found both of you alone in the dark, so there is something you can do without one leg?” said Frank.

Suddenly Blank’s horn began to glow in a yellow aura, Mist’s sword was wrapped in the same energy to later levitate in the air and make some slashes. “I can’t walk well but I can still slice some monsters!” said Blank with a smirk on his face.

Frank smiled. “Okay, follow me.”

The group now conformed by Frank covering the front, Featherweight in the middle and the royal guards in the back, they were making their way through North Plaza to reach Wonderland Plaza, Frank swung his sledgehammer at a group of zombies launching them and killing some in the process so they can advance, when the zombies were getting up their heads were cut off by Blank’s sword so they don’t became a problem, Featherweight was taking pictures of the action.

Frank spot a zombie pushing a propane tank far from them, he put away the hammer and put out a shotgun, he shot some zombies that were getting close to them in their heads, making pieces of skull and brain fly away in a blood splatter, when he got a good sight of the propane tank he shoot it causing an explosion that kill and burning many zombies that were close to the tank. Featherweight got a good picture of Frank’s shot GREAT!! BRUTALITY and the royal guards were impress by Franks action but they weren’t behind in killing zombies, Blank skillfully use Mist’s sword to stab and slice zombies, but when they stop walking Mist release Blank and grab anything near as a weapon from lead pipes to shovel while flying, she used the lead pipe as a lance to impale a zombie in the chest to another zombie nearby, then she switch to the shovel to smash the zombies head and since she can fly it was easy for her to avoid getting grab and land killing blows to the monsters.

The group were now crossing and fighting in the hall with the now turn off moving walkway. “Come on! We are already close to the next plaza.” Frank said while shooting and killing some zombies that were in their way, emptying his shotgun and pulling out the sledgehammer.

Blank was slashing more zombies. “Commander, did you notice?”

Mist was flying and using a fire axe that she found to split a zombie’s head. “Notice what Private?” She pull the axe back to her and fly back to Blank to continue walking

Blank was now leaning on Mist and walking. “That we didn’t encounter the others so far.”

Mist eyes were big for the realization. “You are right, we only fought these kinds of zombies.”

Featherweight was close to the royal guard and heard their conversation. “Excuse me.” he said in a timid tone capturing their attention. “Um… did you say that there are other types of zombies?”

The royal guards were uncomfortable with the colt’s question. “Look Featherweight.” Said Blank in a low tone, trying to find a way to explain the situation to the colt. “Your friend Frank, whatever he is.”

“A human.” answered Featherweight.

“Human, right. Well… you see… the thing is that… uhh.” Blank was having trouble speaking fortunately Mist was getting tired and decided to intervene.

“SIGH. The thing is that humans are not the only ones that turned into monsters.” she said in a dark tone, but before Featherweight could ask more Frank was calling them.

“Come on! We are close to Wonderland Plaza, let's move!” he said waving his hand to the group.

Later the rest of the ponies reunite with Frank, they begin to walk to the next plaza. When they entered the plaza they noticed that there were less zombies than before, but what caught their attention was three ponies sitting on the floor with their back turn to them, looking at the big rabbit sculpture, they were a brown coat earth pony with black mane, a greyish purple coat pegasus with white mane and a dark green coat unicorn with gray mane but no Cutie Mark in sight.

Blank and Mist were trembling a bit while Featherweight was focusing the camera at the three ponies. “Hey there, are you lost? Do you need help? I can escort you and your friends to a safe place” Said Frank slowly walking towards the still turn ponies.

Suddenly Frank stopped his pace, he watched how the ponies were now slowly turning to look at him, but when their faces were revealed he could not believe what was in front of him. The face, neck and other parts of the ponies were covered in scratches and bites, they had become zombies only their eyes were glowing in green instead of red as the human zombies, they stood up and start growling at Frank, the earth pony’s leg were straight unlike the other ponies that were a little bend as a human zombie, the unicorn zombie tried to used it’s magic to pick up a severed human leg laying on the floor, it’s aura was a dark grotesque green color, it result difficult for the zombie unicorn to pick it up but eventually it manage to lift it only to later eat it, the pegasus was using its wings to fly but it was rather hovering weakly since some of its feathers had fall from its bitten wings, but it was enough altitud to be at level of Frank’s chest.

The group were getting tense for coming across this new treat, the royal guards were in a defensive stand, Frank was gripping tightly his sledgehammer and Featherweight in fear couldn’t separate his eye off the lens of the camera from the now zombie ponies, he accidentally press the camera button, taking a shot of the three zombie ponies in flash mode causing the zombies to howl, indicating to everyone that they were prepared to attack.

The zombie pegasus was the first to react, it flew towards Frank which in response swung his sledgehammer to smash it, but the zombie pegasus dodged the attack with good speed making Frank’s hammer to miss and hit the floor. Recovered from their stupor, Mist and Blank decide to lend Frank a hoof so they can deal with the ponies zombies quick, then the zombie unicorn spot them and ran to them while holding with it’s magic the severed leg, Mist quickly flew towards the zombie unicorn to cut off its head with her fire axe, but the zombie unicorn clumsily used the leg as a weapon, swinging it left to right with poor aiming. Blank was walking slowly with pain in his leg wanting to help, for his luck the earth zombie noticed him and ran towards him with its mouth open wanting to bite the royal guard’s face off.

Frank was having difficulties swinging the hammer at the zombie pegasus that keeps dodging his attack. “Man! How can you keep moving that fast? Aren't zombies supposed to be slow?” Frank said, swinging and evading the pegasus zombie’s assault.

Mist was trying to get close to the unicorn zombie who was flailing the severed leg, preventing her to advance. “Well, even if they are zombies, they still keep their traits as pegasus, unicorns and earth ponies!” Mist explains.

Blank was trying to cut the earth pony zombie with his sword but it resulted to be hard since his leg began to hurt with each step. “Less complain and more action or we aren’t gonna see another daylight!” Blank said only to be tackled down by the earth zombie pony, he was on the floor struggling with the zombie pony, using his sword to maintain its mouth away from his face. “ARG. MIST! FRANK! ANYPONY HELP!!” he yelled.

Featherweight was scared, facing human zombies was one thing but now seeing a pony turned into a zombie was another, he was having a conflict since the zombie was before a normal living pony, Featherweight was paralized, unable to do something.

Frank saw Blank pinned down by the zombie pony, so he quickly made a swing to push the pegasus zombie away and move close to Blank. “ARG. get off me!” said Blank having problems keeping the pony zombie away from his face, suddenly a flying sledgehammer hit the zombie pony in the head, breaking half of its face and falling on the floor. Blank stood up and looked for the responsible for the flying hammer, it was Frank who threw the weapon saving his life.

The pegasus pony was now chasing after Frank, he pulled out the survival knife to see if a more light and fast weapon could be more effective against it. Mist was trying to find a way to take down the unicorn zombie then she got an idea, she kicked a trash container and found a baguette in it. What is this doing here? Whatever, let's continue. She thought, resuming her fight, the unicorn zombie keep swinging the limp around then Mist throw with all her strength the long bread at the zombie, fortunately the bread hit the zombie’s face resulting in the zombie losing its concentration and dropping the leg, with this Mist flew fast towards the unicorn zombie and with the axe in hooves she swing it to the zombie’s head, breaking its horn and splitting its head producing a huge amount of blood to spill everywhere killing the zombie.

Frank was preparing himself to receive a charge from the zombie pegasus since that was the attack the pegasus was doing most of the time. “C’mon, I’m here!” Frank said, and as expected the zombie pegasus charged at Frank wanting to eat him but what it didn’t expect was to receive a flying kick from Frank making the pegasus fall back to the floor. Frank took advantage of the zombie’s astonishment and ran towards it, holding the survival knife Frank began to cut the pegasus’s chest, barrel and lastly stabbing it’s head leaving the corpse on the floor covered in blood and cuts.

After the commotion the ponies and Frank reunite. “Well, I have to admit it, I didn’t expect that to happen.” said Frank, still surprised by the new threat that the zombies create.

“I wouldn’t take it lightly if I were you Frank!” Said Mist, looking upset. “This was just a little sample of what is going to happen later on, as long as there are still ponies alive… if there are anypony left.” She was sad for that last statement, Blank was sad too but tried to not look like it.

“Please Commander, we can’t let this get over us.” Said Blank slowly walking to Mist side. “We have to survive if we want to return home.”

Mist nods. “Yeah, you’re right Private.” She composes herself. “It's just that I can’t stop thinking about who they could have been before their change.”

“Me neither Commander” said Blank.

Frank watched how difficult it was for the royal guards to kill the zombies that were once their people, even if they were no longer alive. He then turned and spotted Featherweight sitting still on the floor with the camera on his hooves, Frank got close to him and kneel. “Hey buddy, are you feeling alright?” he asked.

“Those were ponies.” Featherweight said in a depressed and slow tone. “Why Mr.West? Why do they have to become monsters, why?”

“Look kid, I am not sure why all of this is happening, why there is a zombie outbreak or why you and all the other ponies appear on this world.” Frank said, trying to comfort the little pegasus who had experienced all the horror. “But I can assure you something, whatever is the reason we will uncover it and reveal it to the world to make justice for those who died here.” He put his hand on Featherweight’s back

“Do you really think we can solve this?” Featherweight said, still sad.

“That's what I am trying to do kid.” Frank said, he stood up. “Are you ready to go?”

Featherweight composed himself and stood up. “Yes Mr. West.” he said calmly.

“Then let’s move.” After that Frank and Featherweight reunite with the royal guards. “So? How are you guys doing?” He asked.

Still a little upset but calm Mist replied. “We are good with no severe damage, now let's head to that secure place of yours.”

Frank nodded. “Alright then, follow me.” With that the group started marching towards the ladies bathroom, the few zombies that were in their way were cut off by Mist axe or Blank’s sword or flying away by Frank’s baseball bat. Once they reached the bathroom they entered the air duct and crawled their way to central plaza’s bathroom, they continue with their march now facing more zombies then before, fortunately Frank still have a pair of shotguns that he used to open a path, he blow the zombies heads off or simply deal great damage to their bodies and making them bleed a huge amount of blood.

They make it to the door of Warehouse and enter, by now Frank tosses away the shotgun since he ran out of shells and pulled out his bat preparing himself to deal with the last group of zombies that were inside. The group follow Frank who was bashing some zombies that were in the corridor that lead to the elevator, meanwhile Mist and Blank delivered slashes and stabs to the zombies that weren’t killed by Frank’s hit, ensuring they remain dead. Now in front of the elevator Frank warn to the group to stand back because zombies usually gets trap in the elevator and he will deal with them, but the royal guards offer to help Frank so they can take down the zombies more faster, Frank then called the elevator, when the doors opened it reveal the group of zombies that were inside, Frank and the royal guards proceed to killed the zombies, Frank took the right side using his bat, crushing the zombies head and splatter the walls with blood, Mist took the left side using the axe to chop the zombies heads in half and kicking off those who came close to her, Blank took the middle killing the zombies that weren’t killed by Frank or Mist, delivering the killing blow so the zombies won’t rise again.

Once the zombies were killed the group entered the elevator and reached the roof, from there Blank and Mist looked outside of the mall and watched the great horde of zombies that gathered on the parking lot, making them feel more tense now that they realize the severity of the situation they are in. “Commander, do you think we are going to survive? That we are going to return home?” Blank said, looking depressed.

“What are you saying Private? We ARE going to survive this! And we ARE going to return home! Just don’t lose hope soldier, that is the last thing we need to lose otherwise we are doomed.” said Mist, ensuring her friend to have faith if they want to return to their normal life.

The royal guards reunite and follow Frank towards the air duct and enter the Security Room. “Welcome back Frank.” said Otis who was guarding the vent entrance with Greg. “And it seems that you found more survivors.”

“Hi Otis.” said Frank “The kid and I found them at North Plaza in one of the empty stores.” he pointed to the royal guards that were looking around.

Mist and Blank looked at Otis and Greg for a moment. “Hello there, I am Mist Glider, Princess Luna’s Lunar Guard.” She said, making a bow in respect to the humans which they were surprised by the action.

“And I am Blank Diamond, Princess Celestia’s Royal Guard, OW!” Blank said, whimpering while holding his hurt leg for trying to make a bow.

“Oh my goodness! Are you ok body?” said Grag.

“My leg. Is injured ARGH!” Grunted Blank.

“Do you have any bandages and gauze that we can use?” asked Mist, lending her support to Blank.

“Yes we have, come follow me.” said Greg leading the royal guards inside the Security Room. Frank and Featherweight said goodnight to Otis and headed to the storage room to rest, it was a long night full of surprises that made Frank more and more curious about the origins of the zombies and how the magical and talking ponies arrive to his world.

Frank and Featherweight were now next to the green comfy sofa. “Okay kid, time to go to bed, you need to get some rest.” said Frank but he noticed that Featherweight was quite with his head down, in fact all the way here he didn’t say a thing after the zombie ponies incident. “Hey what's wrong buddy?” He asked.

Featherweight looking down in a sad and weak voice said. “I-I am sorry Frank… I couldn’t do anything when the zombie pinned Mr.Blank on the ground… I-I Freeze.” Featherweight said, remembering the feeling of impotence he had back then, he sat on the floor sobbing, covering his face with his hooves. “I think *SOB* I-I am not made to save lives Mr.West, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” He was crying, his body laying on the floor covering his face.

Frank remembered the expression that Featherweight had in Wonderland Plaza, he was feeling bad for the little pegasus, seeing him burst in tears, seeing him so frail. This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen to him. He thought.

Frank kneels and starts petting Featherweight’s head, not knowing what to say to his apprentice when suddenly Featherweight jumps towards Frank, hugging him and burying his face on Frank’s chest. “*SOB* Sorry… Please forgive me *SOB**SOB*.” Featherweight said muffled by Frank’s chest.

Frank returned the hug. “It's not your fault kid, don’t cry,” He said in a calm and kind tone. “no one could have predicted that to happen.” he was caressing Featherweight’s back. “Although it may not seem like it, I also have problems killing zombies.” Frank said, trying to ease Featherweight’s crying.

Featherweight slowly breaks the hug and makes eye contact with Frank, amazed by his confession. “Realy?” he said.

“Yes… as a matter of fact I feel pity for them,” Frank said in a serene tone. “not being able to control themselves and ending up killing others.” He made his right hand into a fist. “Is just that this is so hard to deal with, everything, not just surviving the zombie but also being a journalist kid,” Featherweight wiped his tears, giving his full attention to Frank. “You have to witness every event, good or bad and interview the people involved in it, but what you need to understand and learn is that you can’t let your feelings affect your job or there wouldn’t be a history to tell.” Frank said, looking to his side, trouble and stressed for all that has happened so far.

“Then… Why do you keep working as a journalist if it makes you feel bad Mr.West?” Featherweight asked, curious of what keeps Frank from quitting.

Frank looked at Featherweight in the eyes. “Because if I don’t bring the truth to the people then who will?” He said, then Frank stood up. “And I am not saying it just to sound brave kid, there are articles that can matter to someone like a new medicine for a rare illness, a trial against a criminal or a rescuer that saved people from a natural disaster.” Featherweight wasn’t feeling bad anymore instead he was inspired by Frank’s words. “That’s why I don’t quit Featherweight, these stories and the people involved can inspire others to become the best of themselves, and what is happening right now can change the world that I know forever.”

“But how can I become a journalist if I get scared Mr.West. I don’t think I am brave enough to do this.” Featherweight said, lowering his head.

“NONSENSE!” Frank yells, startling Featherweight, making him look at Frank. “You knew how dangerous this job would be! You watch me from the monitors how I dealt with the zombies and that crazy guy at the Food Court.” Featherweight was focused on Frank’s remarks. “Then you decide to follow me through the zombie infested mall to learn photojournalism, you help me rescue Sophie from those convicts at Leisure Park and most importantly you help me and the hostages from that clown at Wonderland Plaza, if that's not proof enough of your bravery then I don’t know what it is.”

Featherweight was surprised by how Frank wasn’t mad at him but cheering him, he felt more relaxed and happy to know that his mentor still supports him.

“So tell me Featherweight, are you still interested in helping me cover this story?” Frank asked, extending his hand to the little pegasus.

Featherweight’s eyes were watery again but this time it was for happiness. “YES I AM MR.WEST!” He yells while jumping towards Frank to hug him.

Frank catches Featherweight and returns him the hug. “I am glad to see you full of joy again.” he said, holding the little pegasus for a few minutes. Later Frank carries Featherweight to the green comfy sofa and prepares him to sleep. “Okay kid, time to rest we had an agitated day and tomorrow we continue with our work, sleep well.” Frank was ready to go to another room to rest, but before he could walk away, something grabbed the sleeves of his jacket, Frank turned his head and saw Featherweight holding his sleeves with his teeth. “Woah, what's wrong kid? Is something bothering you?” Frank asked.

Featherweight free Frank’s sleeves. “W-well Mr.West, what happens is that I… I was wondering i-if you umm… Is that I.” Featherweight was having difficulties in asking Frank.”

What is he trying to say now? Frank thought. He was looking at Featherweight who seemed embarrassed for something, the little pegasus was looking at his right to the empty space of the sofa who he was on, the sofa was very big compared to the colt, in fact it was big enough to allow one adult and pony to sleep without pro-. OOOOOOH! I see now. Frank’s brain made a click for the realization. The poor kid doesn’t want to sleep alone and with just cause, we are in a place surrounded by zombies and now with the addition of zombie ponies it is obvious that he is more scared than before.

“Alright kid, I will make you company tonight.” Frank said, while putting the camera aside on the sofa and finding a comfortable position to sleep and not hurting Featherweight’s wing “Now let’s get some sleep” he said, while laying on his side, putting his arm under his head and closing his eyes.

Featherweight was happy that Frank would make him company, making him feel more comfortable. “Thank you so much Mr.West, I really appreciated it.” he said, curling on Frank’s side, his back against the man’s chest, using his wing as a blanket.

I cannot imagine how you and your friends are taking all this kid. Frank thought, wondering before sleeping. I mean from your arrival to this world and now survive this catastrophe, maybe I can interview the other ponies while I find a way to obtain concrete information about the zombies infestation and that crazy doctor.Frank caresses Featherweight’s back for a bit. For now you don’t need to worry kid, soon a helicopter will come for us and we will be out of here, we just need to survive until that day comes. With that Frank decides to sleep to be prepared for tomorrow’s work.

Chapter 7: The Hanging Lead.

TIME UNTIL HELICOPTER ARRIVA

Hours Minutes

5 3 : 5 0

It was 6:00 am, the sun hadn’t risen yet and the mall was roaming with zombies and now the newly discovered pony zombies. Inside the Security room in the hall of the Storage room, there was a human and a pony, Frank West the photojournalist and Featherweight the pegasus colt from Ponyville, they were laying on a green comfy sofa, the little pegasus was peacefully sleeping, Frank in the other hand was fully awake since five, thanks to Featherweight’s snoring even for someone so small he was loud.

What does this kid have inside? An engine or somethin’? Frank thought while covering his ears, he then looked at his watch. Well it seems I won’t get any more rest. Frank gets up from the sofa, he took his jacket and his camera and put it on. Let’s see if our ponies survivors are awake too. Frank turns to Featherweight for a moment, then he caress the little pegasus’ head before heading to the other ponies.

Inside one of the Storage rooms there was Mayor Mare with Blank Diamond, Mist Glider and two young survivors Burt Thompson and Aaron Swoop, the last two were sleeping while the ponies were talking between them. Frank could see them by the glass window, he knocked on the door. “Good morning, may I come in?” he said in a polite manner.

The ponies were a little startled for Frank’s arrival but they calmed immediately. “S-sure, you can come in Mr.West.” said Mayor Mare.

Frank enters the room. “Hi, Uhh… did all of you have trouble sleeping?” He asked, looking at their faces, Mist looked pale and Blank had dark circles under his eyes.

“Nah! We are fine, what makes you think that?” Said Blank sarcastically.

“We have some problems sleeping, yes.” said Mist, getting Frank’s attention.

“Is it because you are in the same room with other humans or…?” Frank asked, trying to see the problem.

“No! no, is nothing like that,” Mist clarified. “it’s just that, we still can’t digest all that is happening, I mean, arriving in another world, fighting meat eater monsters and…” She was shaking, having difficulty finishing her sentence.

“Witnessing our ponies die.” Blank finished in a sad tone, Mist looked down remembering those incidents.

Frank was feeling bad for them. “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“It’s fine, is not your fault.” Mist said in a calm tone. “It was Discord’s fault that we ended up here!”

Frank’s curiosity went up to see the reaction of the bat pony when she mentioned that name. “Discord? Who is that and what does it have to do with your appearance in this world?” He asked, wanting to know the story behind their arrival.

“Mr.West, Discord is a draconequus that has control over chaos.” Mayor Mare said, getting close to Frank to tell the events that happened before. “Our presence here was caused by a disaster that Discord provoked when he tried to destroy Ponyville.”

“A dracon what now!?” Frank asked, confused by the name.

Blank interfere. “Imagine a large snake that has legs and other parts of different creatures, that is Discord.”

Frank wasn’t sure how to imagine something like that, but he decided to put it aside and continue with his questionnaire. “He wanted to destroy Ponyville? Why?” He asked.

“Because 2000 years ago he had control over a great part of Equestria, shaping it in his twisted vision, changing climate, animals and the environment into bizarre shapes.” Mist explained. “But thanks to the Elements of Harmony Princess Celestia and Princess Luna manage to stop Discord by turning him into a stone statue and turning everything back to normality.” Frank was absorbed by the story, more and more questions came into his head. “But after the passing of years, Discord returned and continue with his atrocity, our Princess couldn’t bear the Elements of Harmony anymore but fortunately the elements chose six new guardians that were worthy for them to bear and use against evil, one of them been the Celestia’s student, together the six using their Magic of Friendship they turned Discord once more into a statue, imprisoning him and stopping his misdeed.”

“But then, how does coming to this world has to do with any of that?” Frank was intrigued, knowing that there is a place where magic can be so powerful that can defy the laws of nature.

“Mr. West, after the battle, abnormal events had started happening,” Mayer Mare said. “From plants that walk with their roots to big chunks of a different biome appearing in another completely different,” Her voice was of a concern leader when explaining all the problems that have been reported. “The responsible for all these incidents is Discord.”

“But you said that he was turned into a stone, so how could he be causing all these problems?” Frank asked.

“Not directly Sir.” Now was the turn of Blank to speak. “After he was imprisoned the remains of his Chaotic magic were becoming to spread, to later affect anything that came in contact with it, but when the cause of all these incidents was discovered the Chaotic magic has already spread further away from Ponyville reaching Canterlot, Apple Loosa, Cloudsdale, and almost touching Baltimare and Filly Delphia.” Frank was focusing word by word to understand the severity of the problem. “Fortunately Princess Celestia organized a unit of special unicorns to clean and deal with the Chaotic magic, but…” Blank looked at the floor.

“But the magic became more unstable at the point that it started to work on it’s own, it even started to react on weekends.” Mist said, making Frank to raise an eyebrow for her explanation.

“Weekends? Really?” He asked, confused for her revelation.

“It's true!” She said.

“Why?” He said.

“Nopony knows!” She yells to later calm down. “But let's return to the point, after that magic became more unstable it became to start making portals at random locations in Equestria to Faust knows where! And as these portals appeared, ponies of all types, age and gender became to disappear, nopony knows where they are now since no one has returned.” Mist finished, she sat on the floor looking depressed.

“Aaand, can’t Blank use his magic and cast a spell to send you back to your world?” Frank asked, the ponies looked at each other with a confused expression, product of his question.

“My friend, if I was capable of doing such a thing, I can assure you that I would have done it long BEFORE!” Blank said with an annoyed face.

“Oh I am sorry, I didn’t know that magic was a real thing just as talking ponies!” Frank said angry, making eye contact with Blank.

“C’mon bro, even I wouldn’t think about that.” Aaron said, awake and sat on the floor with the other young survivor.

“Yeah bro, zombies appearing is one thing but making the little buddy create an interdimensional portal is a completely different thing.” said Burt, making everybody stare at them.

“Since when you two were awake?” asked Mayor Mare.

“Since you mention Discord return.” he said, making everybody dumbfounded for his answer.

“Well, the point is that we don’t have the necessary tools to cast a spell or a book to follow a procedure and neither the magic to perform it.” Mist said. “And for what we had seen so far, there is no magical power in this world to send us back home, right?” she asked Frank in hope.

But Frank knew that that is something impossible to find in his world, David Copperfield and Christ Angel are famous magicians but at the end is just tricks and cameras. “Sorry, but there isn’t anything like that in this world, I am sorry but you are stranded here.” He said, in the most compasive tone he could.

The ponies were devastated by the news, not being able to return to their world, to their home with their friends and family, all alone in an unknown universe far different from theirs. The mayor and the royal guards start to cry quietly, Frank was feeling bad for them, even the two survivors felt empathy for them, to hear such news.

I feel sorry for them but that is how this world works, the only magic that exists here is the hard work, neither miracles could be so big to help us in this situation. Frank thought.

“Damn, talking about bad news.” said Aaron to Burt.

“Yeah, it really sucks.” Burt added, making Frank upset for the unnecessary comment. “But if we find more ponies like them maybe they can start their society here.”

“Nah bro! She said that they came here by accident, so what they need to do is to integrate into this society.” Aaron said, both getting deep in their discussion, ignoring the angry glance that Frank was giving them.

“Are you high or somethin’? To do that they would need to get a trail to the Supreme Court to state their case and the ponies would need a representative.” Burt said.

“Dude! We have a Mayor in here! Who better to represent them then her?” Aaron said.

“Yeah but, does that count for something? And more since she is from another world? Besides, taking into account how our government works, it would be better if they…” Before he could finish his sentence Frank was now in front of them with a baseball bat in his hands.

“Will you two just shut up! Your stupid dicusion is not helping at all!” Frank yells at the young men, silencing them before calming down. But maybe that could work, after all I have everything documented to make their appeal to live here valid. He thought, but brushed the idea away. That's not what matters now, what matters is surviving this outbreak.

“Mr.West” Mayor Mare said now calm, capturing Frank’s attention. “Can you please promise us that we are going to get out of here alive.” she said in a low tone, all hope to return back was lost, their lives are now the only thing that they have.

Frank could see the sadness on her face and the royal guards too, not having the strength to face this reality, he knew that Featherweight would react in the same way if he heard the news. “I promise you that we are going to get out of this hell hole, all of us!” He said, making the ponies feel with new hope. It seems that for now my job would include to save as many survivors as I can, humans and ponies equally. He thought, knowing that that will be something harder than his normal journalist work.

“Thank you Frank, we really mean it.” Mayor Mare said with a smile on her face, the guards and the young men were smiling too at Frank’s promise.

“HEH, Don’t sweat it, besides like you said before, I need to be a model for the kid.” He said with a smile of his own. “Well, I have to go, I need to continue with my job after all this story wouldn’t cover itself.” Frank makes a quick hand wave and starts walking out of the room.

“Wait Frank.” said Mayor Mare, Frank stopped and turned to her. “Aren’t you taking Featherweight with you?”

“No, I am not, the kid needs to rest, he had been helping me so much and had to endure some scenes.” Frank looked at Featherweight’s direction for a moment. “Let the little buddy sleep, he needs it.”

Mayor Mare nods at Frank before he continues his way to the Security Room. When Frank enter he could see Brad sitting on a small green couch next to the lockers and Jessie sit on the same chair looking at the security monitors, so he decide to sit on the couch for a minute to check Featherweight’s work, opening the photo files Frank could see the pictures that the little pegasus took and he was amazed by the photos, the lighting, the white balance, the filling of the frames, short and long distance shots all was perfect, he could see every detail that the camera could capture and Featherweight’s work, in his hands were true quality photos. Kid, you don’t need a Cutie Mark to show me how talented you really are. Frank thought, feeling proud of the hard work of his little partner. But then Jessie stood up from the chair, looking up at one of the monitors.

Putting the camera aside, Frank stood up and got close to Jessie to see the monitor. “That can’t be good. What is goin’ on, anyways?” He asked Jessie.

“Before this whole thing started, someone called the professor and told him to come to this mall.” Jessie explained.

“Jacked the line, didn't ya?” Frank commented, making Jessie angry for a second to later continue watching one monitor that shows a man dragging Dr. Barnaby out of the book store. “So was this the caller? This guy here?” He asked, but received no answer. “They’ve got something to do with the zombies, don’t they?” he asked again, but this time Brad got with them and answered.

“They’re the reason we came here.” He said while pulling his gun out and checking it. And if he gets away with Dr.Barnaby, none of our questions will be answered.” He finished loading his gun and left the room, heading to the mall.

After a minute Frank headed to the mall to reach Brad, he was now alone on the roof with a camera in one hand and a bat in the othe. “Well, now is my turn to take some shots.” As routine Frank tossed away the bat he had since it was starting to weaken and took another from the foot of the metal stand, he called the elevator, killed the zombies in it and went down, killed the zombies in the warehouse but before entering in the mall Otis called Frank. “What happened, Otis?” he said.

“Frank… It looks like the shutter leading to the Entrance Plaza is open now. Maybe that guy dragging the old man around opened.” Otis said, then he changed the subject. “By the way Frank, why didn’t you bring Featherweight with you? He would want to come with you.” He was confused as to why Frank left the pegasus behind.

“The kid helped me yesterday after midnight, he will need to recover his energies to endure my pace.” Frank explained.

“Okay then, be careful. Something tells me that guy is very dangerous.” Otis said, finishing the call and Frank continued with his work, killing some zombies on his way and breaking some trash containers and taking some food from them.

Now on Entrance Plaza Frank walks casually on the mall, a few zombies on there but away from Frank, then suddenly something tackles him to one of the second floor’s columns, He looked up and it was Brad, suddenly gunshots were heard. “Don’t be daydreamin’ out here!” Brad said to Frank who got up from the floor and leaned on the column. “Someone’s shooting from the floor above…”

More shots were fired. A man wearing a white shirt with wasp designs, armed with a .50 Caliber sniper holds a silver locket and says. “Pachamama.” Before kissing it, it was the man from before at the mall roof Heliport.

Meanwhile Frank used his camera to see farther and spot Dr.Barnaby tied up and hanging from the bridge of the second floor a few feet away from the zombie’s reach. “Hey, It’s the professor!” Frank said, not noticing a pegasus zombie flying towards him.

“Look out!” Brad yelled while grabbing Frank from his shoulder and pulling him away, but a shot from the armed man hit the zombie’s head, shattering it.

“Now what was that!?” Asked Brad, surprised by the new zombie.

“A new challenger.” Said Frank while shaking off the zombie’s blood from his jacket, Brad was confused for a moment.

“Anyway, If we don’t do something, the professor’s gonna end zombie chow” he said, looking for some way to reach the armed man. “I’m going for it. You just worry about staying alive. Got it?” Frank makes a thumbs up, Brad runs towards the escalator and the second floor to get close to the suspect.

Frank does the same thing but he goes to the opposite side of Brad so they can surround the fugitive. On the second floor on the corner Frank checked his weapons, he had a bat, a survival knife, a shotgun with 10 rounds on it and two potato chips. Just my luck, I should have returned for a rifle. He thought, damning his bad habit of going for the story without checking the danger. Well let's see if there is something around here I can use.

Brad was on a corner at the other side of the floor taking cover while shooting at the armed man, Frank saw this and took the opportunity to get closer to the culprit but before that he pull out his camera to capture some photos of the armed man and the fight between him and Brad, fortunately the man was busy dealing with Brad that ignored Frank for the moment, unfortunately that moment pass and the armed man start shooting at him. “TAKE THIS!” The culprit said after shooting Frank who received a shot on the shoulder, it wasn’t fatal but the caliber of the weapon pushed Frank so hard that he was flying backward and fell on the floor, Frank put away his camera to take cover on a column, he pulled out his shotgun and started firing at the suspect.

It was an intense fight for the armed man since Frank was so close that the shotgun was fairly effective and adding Brad’s handgun and experience the armed man was practically vulnerable, so he decided to fall back to a better position.

Frank was running out of bullets so he decided to confront him with his bat, when he got close to the suspect Frank began to hit him in the back and in the head. “ARGH!” the man shouted, to later use his .50 Cal as shield and deliver a round kick to Frank.

Frank was hit but he recovered from the damage and switched for the survival knife, it was fast, making him cut on the culprit’s arms but the suspect held his .50 Cal by the stock and used it as a hammer. “UGH!” Frank was hit so hard that he fell to the floor, face first like a sack of potatoes, the man retreated to get a better position but Brad didn’t move from that corner and continued with his shots. After a pair of seconds Frank stood up and leaned behind a column to avoid getting shot.

“AGH! man! Give me a break! I couldn’t sleep well and now I am fighting against a psychopath who is better armed than us!” Frank complained.

“Focus on the game Frank!” Brad said, while getting close and entering the Special Gift shop for better aim.

“Easy for you to say, I am practically doing your job here!” He said while eating the bags chips that he brought.

“Then stop complaining and get yourself an upgrade.” Brad said while firing at the suspect.

Frank looked around to see what shop could have a useful weapon, there were many cloth and shoes shops around, nothing useful until he noticed Ned’s Knick Knackery. Maybe there is something useful there. Frank waits until the convict stops shooting to run towards the store.

Once inside Frank glaze at the swords that were displayed. “Come to papa.” He said after breaking the glass and taking two katanas, with one katana in hand Frank was ready to face the armed man.

Outside Brad was running out of bullets “Oh shit!” he decides to retreat to get more cover.

The suspect after seeing that decided to get closer, he was pointing at Brad's back, ready to kill him “I got you now” he said.

But suddenly the shop’s glass window was break by Frank’s flying kick and hitting the armed man at the same time who flinch for the pain before he tries to kicks Frank back, Frank saw that and manage to dodge the kick by rolling away from him, the suspect was going to shoot at Frank but the journalist used his katana and cut the armed man with two swift slash, the cuts were so strong and deep that the man was bleeding, with no more option the culprit retreat.

Everything went black for a moment, after a second Frank kneels to recover his breath but Brad passes him to chase the armed man, Frank gets up again and goes after Brad.

On the running before reaching the end of the corridor the suspect throws away his .50 Cal and pull out a handgun and turns to Brad and open fire, Brad returns the fire while running towards him, Brad shot the suspect in the right arm but the man also shot him in the left leg making him fall, Frank arrives and shoot the suspect with his shotgun but ran out of shells and the suspect jump over the railing of the second floor and disappeared.

“Brad!” Frank screamed, running towards the agent, he looked at his leg.

“I’ll be fine…” Brad said, grunting for the pain in his leg. “Just take care of the professor. Go!” whit that Frank runs towards the rope that holds Dr. Barnaby and pulls him up to the second floor.

Once Dr. Barnaby was safe, laying on the floor Frank checked him to see if he suffered from any injury or bite. Moments later Brad walked limping towards Frank. “He is unconscious… but alive.” Frank said to Brad who applied pressure to his leg to later shout in pain and kneel.

“AH! DAMN! ARG!” He screamed.

“You alright?” Frank asked.

“Yeah! But I’m not in any condition to carry him.” Brad said while using the railing to get up and lean on it. “Can you get him back to the Security Room?” he asked in pain and breathing heavily.

With no more options Frank decided to help him by carrying Dr Barnaby in his shoulder like a firefighter.

Meanwhile inside the Storage Room Featherweight was starting to wake up, he began by stretching his legs and wing while letting a big yawn out, now fully awake the little pegasus jumped off the sofa and went to the bathroom to relieve himself.

After letting the river flow Featherweight saw Blank Diamond talking with some human survivors in their rooms, sharing some anecdotes of life in Equestria, Mayor Mare and Mist were in another room talking about their experience here, but Frank was not in sight, worried that he had overslept Featherweight goes to Blank to ask for Frank’s whereabouts since he was close.

“And that’s how a Changeling steals love from a pony.” Blank said with a proud expression, the other survivors have their eyes widened and cheek blushing for the royal guard’s detailed and questionable explanation “Any questions?”

“I have one.” Bill asked, raising his hand. “If the changelings are only required to ‘suck’ the love from a pony and if the process is not fatal, then why not just give them a dose of love?” Everybody nodded at Bill’s question.

Blank was surprised at the question , he didn’t have an answer so he tried to come with something for the chubby survivor. “W-well yes but actually no.” This makes everyone confused, Blank receives stares that ask for an answer. “What I mean is that once the love extraction is over the ponies are left in a weak and tired state.”

“When it doesn’t?” Said the old married man Jeff in a humorous manner, making his wife fuss for the remark before she slaps his arm.

“Besides, if they depend on love to live and your princess wants to make peace with them, can’t she create a center to feed the changelings by paying her subjects to give some of their love?” Bill asked.

“And with that the princesses can establish a treaty of peace with Queen Chrysalis and her hive. Or is there something that keeps Princess Celestia on doing it?” Sophie continued, making everybody look at Blank for the solution that she and Bill brought.

Blank was shock at the humans’ revelation, that idea could actually work, but the thing that surprised him the most is how Princess Celestia couldn’t bring something like that up before the wedding’s fiasco, he felt so dumb he wish he could had apperar in a world that doesn’t questions things like this. Fortunately he saw Featherweight approaching them. “Oh hello there Featherweight, is there anything that I can help you with?” He said in an exaggerated manner, catching everyone’s attention to use him as an excuse to change the subject.

“Actually yes Mr. Diamond,” He said. “do you know where Mr.West is?”

“Yes, he went to the mall to do journalist things… don’t ask me what.” Blank responded.

Featherweight was now worried. “B-but why!? He couldn't leave without me. Why did he go alone Mr. Diamond?”

“Well it's because you need some rest kid, you overwork last night so Frank decided to let you recover from your tiredness.” Blank said.

“I am not a kid and I am not tired!” Featherweight said with an angry face, Blank was dumbfounded for the colt response. “I am awake and ready to assist Mr.West on covering this event! So can you please take me with Mr.West?”

Blank was speechless, he could have sworn when Frank called him kid he was fine with it, but when he called him kid he was mad about it. What does that human do to gain this colt’s respect? Blank thought, Featherweight and the survivors were staring at him waiting for a response. He was nervous and sweating in deciding whether or not to take the colt to Frank, but before he could say anything the sound of a door was heard along with some groans. Just in time. Blank felt relieved.

Featherweight wasted no time and ran towards the Security Room luckily the door was open, now inside he and Jessie could see Brad entering and walking limply with his leg injured in the room they were following by Frank who was carrying Dr.Barnaby on his back.

Jessie stood up from her seat and ran towards her partner to help him. “Brad! Oh my god!” Jessie helped Brad to reach the sofa in the room, he was breathing heavily and groaning for the pain in his leg. Frank entered with the doctor making eye contact with Jessie for a moment before continuing walking towards the Maintenance room next to the monitors.

Featherweight walks towards Frank. “Mr.West what happened?” he asked

Frank stops and looks at his apprentice. “We had a lead of who could be the culprit of this mess,” He explains. “He took the doctor and hung him from the second floor like a piñata for the zombies,” Featherweight was giving all his attention to Frank’s story and looking at the man behind his back. “We had to fight him, he was heavily armed, Brand and I had to surround him to be able to get close to him, Brad was shooting at him but I in the other hand face him bravely hand to hand,” Frank said in a heroic manner, Jessie roll her eyes at his exposition. “I landed him many blows but he was a tough guy and returned some punches too, while Brad supported me in the distance fearing to dirty his shoes.”

“I hear that! ARG!” Brad yells.

“In summary, the culprit escaped not before shooting Brad in the leg, we rescued Dr. Barnaby and now I am going to put him in that room to keep the doctor from running away. I took some photos of the action if you want to watch later.” Frank said, heading to the maintenance room to put the doctor in.

Featherweight was amazed by Frank’s story. “WOW, I should have been there,” he said with concern. “I need to get an alarm clock to wake up more early” he went to sit next to Brad to wait for Frank while Jessie headed to the Maintenance room where Frank put the doctor to check him.

Chapter 8: An Odd Case.

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