AMONG THE TROTTING DEAD

Silence hung around the campfire. Many in the group stared at the fire as it consumed the small bundle of sticks within its domain. With her mind no longer clouded by emotions of anger, happiness, despair, and confusion, Pinkie finally let it all out with a heavy sigh. Listening to the soft melody of cracking fire, Pinkie glanced to her sides and saw the twins were sound asleep. The events of the night and the last two hours had finally caught up to them.

She glanced around and saw the other children had or were about to retire for the night. She saw Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Spike trying desperately to keep their heavy eyes open. But it was only a matter of time before they gave into the sweet embrace of sleep.

“Sweet heavens…” Rarity broke the silence as she put a hoof to her mouth. “I’m so sorry, Pinkie.” She said as her mind replayed what her friend had told her.

Pinkie tightened her grip on her cup of tea. “I could say the same for you…” She sipped it, enjoying its smooth flavors.

Copper stared at Pinkie, watching her eyes tremble. “Looks like we’ve all been through hell and back these past two months.” Pinkie looked up at the stallion. Those forest-green eyes of his dug deep into her soul. It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, but a warm one. She felt her cheeks blush as she remembered their first interaction back at Sugar Cube Corner… Blissfully unaware times…

“Yeah…” Limestone spoke as she poked the fire. “Looks like all of our plans have been royally fucked.”

“You were hoping to get to the farm?” Derpy asked as she sat beside Dr. Hooves.

Limestone stared at the fire. “Yep…” She sighed as she laid down and leaned into Granite. “But we didn’t expect the town to be completely overrun by so many freaks.”

“Is that what you call them?” Twilight pondered as she laid on her sleeping bag.

“Yes…” Maud stated dully. “What are you calling them?”

“Trotters.” Twilight softly replied.

“How did so many ‘trotters’ show up?” Granite asked to the group. “I know Ponyville is a large town, but I can’t believe a majority of its population turned.”

“They did.” Applejack bluntly stated, keeping her eyes on the fire as she laid her head over Soarin’s shoulders. “But most wandered into the nearby forest like the Everfree and Lilly Meadows.”

“So why were they all around the train station when we arrived.” Pinkie tilted her head.

“The group I told you about, they rung the damned dinner bell!” Applejack huffed.

“Didn’t they know that would happen?” Pinkie rubbed her forehead.

“Yes, but their leader didn’t care.” Rainbow Dash huffed as she leaned against Thunderlane.

Maud who was silently listening in had turned her gaze over to Blaze who was resting his eyes, leaning up against the back tire of the putter-truck. “And why is he here with you, if his group attacked you?”

“He saved us.” Spike stated as he pointed at Applebloom and himself. Maud looked at the two before she looked back at Blaze. “It’s complicated.” Maud just nodded, as she looked at her sister Pinkie and saw she was looking at Copper with blushed cheeks. A small smile worked its way onto her lips.

Shining mulled over what Pinkie and her sisters had told them an hour ago. Rubbing the base of his horn, he looked at his hoof-watch on left foreleg. Seeing that the time read, one-thirty in the morning, he grumbled as he poked the fire. “Know why the safe zone fell, in Nickelrite?”

“Probably same reason why the safe zone in Ponyville fell,” Granite laughed. “The military’s incompetence and the dead overwhelming the town.” He opened his saddle bag and pulled out a military pin. Shining saw that its insignia showed that it denoted the rank of private. Granite stared at it for a few more seconds before tossing it into the fire. “It was a shit show…”

Shining stared at the pin glowing red hot within the bowels of the fire. “Yeah… A shitshow.” He looked at Granite once again. “What division were you in?”

Granite sighed as he laid against Limestone. “16th Division.” He smiled as Limestone buried her face into his neck. “My division was sent to Nickelrite to secure it and turn it into a safe zone.” His smile left as he remembered his friend. “As you can see that didn’t pan out like the government had hoped.” He looked at Shining. “Let me guess, you’re Royal Guard?”

“How did you know?” Shining raised his brow.

“The way you talk and show yourself.” Granite laughed. “The stoic bunch you are.”

Shining laughed along with Twilight and several of her friends. “Yeah, I guess it is… Captain, Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard.”

“Well, you’re a long way from the capital?” Granite raised a brow, eyeing the stallion skeptically.

“Was stationed here.” Shining looked at his sister. “Had to watch out for my sister.”

Granite looked at Twilight. “Pinkie did mention that you were in the hospital, in a coma, correct?” Twilight nodded. He shook his head. “It’s amazing that you survived, well everything!”

Twilight tapped her hooves together as she thought back to that time. “Yeah…” She let out a sigh. “I still can’t believe it sometimes.”

Blaze listened in on her words. He couldn’t believe that she was stuck in a hospital during beginning of the outbreak. And to have survived all that… ‘She’s one special pony’ or just dumb luck…

“Let me guess?” Granite had turned his attention to Soarin. “Wonderbolt?”

Soarin shook his head as he laughed. “Damn you’re good!” He let out a yawn. “Do you read minds with your magic or something?”

“No…” Granite laughed. “I suck at it to be honest.” He fought of a yawn. “Amazed I was able to teleport the twins such a distance.”

“You did what you had to do.” Limestone said lazily.

Granite hummed in agreement as he scanned over the group before turning his gaze towards Copper. “And, you…” His eyes squinted. “Army?”

Copper almost choked on his drink. “Um… No…” Pinkie raised her brow at him. But before she could speak, he spoke up. “I worked at a pizza joint in the next town over. I was in Ponyville when everything went to shit.”

Granite kept his eyes on the stallion, “Well I guess you can’t win them all.” He shrugged his shoulders. Some of the group laughed as his facial expression as he said those words.

Shaking her head, Rarity looked at the watch around her neck, seeing the time, she left off a yawn. “If we all want to get some rest before the sun rises, I suggest we get some shut eye.” She laid her head down on her sleeping bag’s pillow and pulled her sister close to her.

The others nodded as they all got settled, each slowly succumbing to sleep as atmospheric sounds of nature and crackling of fire filled their minds… All except for Pinkie who sat on her sleeping bag keeping her eyes on the fire, on Copper, then on the putter-truck.

Copper felt a chill as a cold breeze washed over him. Groaning he turned over to find better comfort but he only succeeded it killing his slumber as sleep left him. He grumbled as he opened his eyes to a star filled sky. He rubbed his eyes wondering what time it was. ‘Probably five or six in the morning…’ His ears swiveled toward the parked vehicles. Confused he sat up and looked through the dim moonlight and saw a figure rummaging through the driver side door. ‘Blaze?’ He stood up and quietly walked up to the putter-truck. Seeing Blaze was still tied to the back passenger wheel and seeing he was sound asleep, he slowly approached the driver side door. “Pink…?” He spoke, but a pink hoof found itself in his mouth.

“What are you doing up?” Pinkie wondered as she gave a raised brow.

“I could ask you the same thing?” He whispered as he swatted her hoof away. “What are you doing?” Pinkie ignored him as she ducked her head back into the truck’s cab. “Pinkie?”

“Looking for keys, mister pizza colt!” She snapped.

He bit his cheek as he saw the hurt in her eyes. To be honest her whole appearance was strange to look at. She was no longer the bubbly pink mare with overly curly mane and tail he first laid eyes on, she was… sorrowful and stern. Her straight mane and tail reflecting the personality to a ‘T’. “Pinkie… I…”

“Why did you lie to my friends?” Pinkie poked her head out of the cab and stared into his soul with those bright eyes of hers.

Cooper sighed. “You know why, do I have to explain myself?”

Pinkie bit her lower lip as she stared at the ground. “They would’ve understood.”

Copper shook his head. “Yeah! Say to them, oh hey could I ride out the shitshow with you, just ignore the fact my division was shooting up the hospital!” He said in a hissed whisper.

Pinkie went silent as she stared at his stiff body posture. She let out a sigh as she looked at the driver seat and stared at its worn fabric. “I get it…” Pinkie rubbed her forehead. “You were scared.”

Copper just let out a sigh as he looked up at the sky, seeing a sliver of light cresting at the horizon to the east he looked back at her. “You never did answer my question.”

Pinkie tapped her hooves together as she scanned the cab. “Looking for its keys.”

Copper smirked as he stood next to her and flipped the visor down. A pair of keys fell onto his hoof. “They’re right here.” He smirked. Pinkie’s eyes lit up as she went for them. “Woah!” He held her back. “Why do you need them?”

“Just give them!” Pinkie hissed.

“Now you’re the one who’s keeping secrets.” Copper frowned.

Pinkie let out a huff as she tried to fight off the blush on her face. “I need to go back.” She kept reaching for the keys. “I need to know!” She gave it one more go, but he kept them just out of reach. She let out a frustrated grunt as she collapsed onto him. “Please…” Tears welled around her eyes. “I need to know…” She buried her face into his chest. “I need to see him one last time…”

Copper blushed at the feeling of her body against his. It pained him to see her so broken. “Pinkie…” He looked back and saw the others were still asleep. “Okay…” He lowered his left hoof.

Pinkie lifted her face and looked into his eyes. “Thanks.” She took the keys and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. Copper blushed at her affection. She just laughed at as she climbed into the truck.

“Uh…” Copper broke from his haze and stopped her from starting up the truck.

“Hey?” Pinkie frowned.

“We’re going to need to untie him, before we go.” Copper stated as he looked over his shoulders at said stallion.

Pinkie blushed at the realization. “Yes… silly me… Wait, we go?” Pinkie tilted her head.

“We’ll yeah.” Copper smiled. “I wouldn’t feel right with myself if I let you go by yourself.”

She smiled as she looked through the windshield and saw the others were sleeping. “He’s coming with.” She hummed as she put the keys into the ignition, but Copper stopped her. “What?

“Don’t start it, put it in neutral. We’ll push it down the hill and then start it once we’re far enough from camp.” He stared at her with a stern gaze. She blushed and gave him a small nod. He smiled as he walked up to Blaze and begun untying him. “Wake up.” He whispered as he shook him awake.

Blaze groaned as he slowly opened his heavy eyes. “What?” Seeing the others were asleep his confusion rose as he looked over his shoulders and saw Copper. “What are you doing?” He felt his hooves were now free. “Why did you untie me?”

“I need your help pushing this truck.” Copper stood up and placed his hooves on the tailgate.

“Push? Why?”

“Just help him!” Pinkie hissed as she leaned out the window.

Blaze saw her stern glare as more of a command than an offer. Slowly nodding he placed his hooves on the back of the truck and help Copper push it down the hill. Pinkie kept her hooves on the steering wheel, guiding the truck as it slowly crept along the gravel road back to Ponyville.

Seeing the whole ordeal, Maud sat up at watched the dark silhouette of the truck fade behind the hills. She felt a shiver dance across her back as she looked around at the others. Taking a deep breath, she laid back down and stared at the horizon watching as the sun slowly rose into the sky.

Twilight was in a state of sleep that was heavenly. She felt light as a feather and cozy. Subconsciously she knew that it would soon end, but she fought it off, wanting a few more minutes of sweet bliss… “Twilight wake up!” Twilight jerked awake. Her head spun as she sat up trying to get her bearings. “Twilight, Pinkie’s gone!”

“What?” Twilight finally broke from her haze and stared at Rainbow Dash with wide eyes. “What? Why?”

“I don’t know?” Rainbow Dash pulled her mane.

“And she took the damned truck!” Shining growled as he stared at the spot where the truck once was.

“Copper and Blaze are missing too?” Aloe stated.

Shining let out a huff as he looked over at Maud, Limestone and Granite. “Did you know?” He stormed up to them. “Did you?”

Twilight stood in front of her brother. “Brother, don’t start this!”

“Start what?” Shining glared at his sister. “Their sister started it by stealing one of our vehicles!” He glared at Maud. “Did you know?”

Maud kept her composure as she stared back at the stallion. “I saw her leaving if that’s what you’re asking?”

Shining growled as he got in her face. “Where did she go?”

Limestone pushed Shining back. “Watch your tone pal!”

“Enough!” Macintosh shouted as he got in-between them. “We are not going to do this!” He looked at Shining and gave him a frown. “Understood?”

Shining shook his head. “So, now we are going to let complete strangers take our stuff? After fighting for it back on the farm?”

“Strangers?” Twilight tilted her head. “Pinkie and her family are our friends?” She poked a hoof at her brother.

“They’re strangers now, Twily!” He got in her face. She cowered from the cold aura he gave off. Those eyes of his cut through her resolve. She lowered her head and stepped aside.

“Shining!” Rarity spoke up. “Pinkie is our friend and for whatever reason she took the truck I know it’s nothing malicious.” She placed at hoof on his shoulder. “Let’s all calm down…”

“Calm down?” Shining shook is head as he pushed her hoof away. “Am I the only sane one here?” He looked at the others. “Am I the only one here who understand the severity of our situation?”

“We understand the situation?” Soarin spoke up.

“Do you really?” Shining growled. “The world is changing, and your friend,” He stared at Twilight. “Who knows what her and her family had to do to survive? They could be lying to us for we know!” Shining activated his horn and unholstered the knife strapped to his side. “You may have been friends in the past, but now… I’m not sure.” He held the knife to Maud’s throat. “Now, why did Pinkie take our truck?” Hearing a click, Shining turned around and saw his sister aiming a pistol at him. “Twily?”

“Enough!” Twilight shivered, “Stop this!” She fought back her emotions. “This is not us! We’re not like Ratchet!” She quickly looked to her left and saw Spike staring at her with wide terrified eyes. She felt a wave of shame as she realized what she was doing.

“We’re not!” Zipper stood between Shining and Twilight. “But, he’s right. This is our group!” He looked at Maud and her family. “They are not.” He looked at the others. “We have to stop being so trusting and assuming the best intentions of others.”

“I say being too aggressive is just as harmful!” Rainbow Dash spat.

“But we can’t!” Carrot Top stated. “Our group is already big as it is and our supplies are low. We can’t be too trusting.” Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Derpy look away from her.

“But they are our friends!” Applejack huffed.

“So!” Zipper huffed.

“Brother stop this!” Marley stepped up closer to his brother.

“She wanted to go back!” Maud yelled over the group. The group quieted down. She scanned their faces studying the multitude of emotions they gave off. “She wanted to say her goodbyes to our Pa.” She walked up to Shining. “And we’ll wait here until they get back.”

Shining stared at Maud for some time. “No, we’re not!

“No?” Twilight tilted her head. The others gasped.

He looked at his sister. “For all we know they’re dead! Also, if by some miracle they’re not, it will take them at least a day and a half to get back here!” He pointed a hoof towards Canterlot. “We need to get going if we’re going to get to Canterlot in a reasonable amount of time!”

“But what about Copper and Blaze?” Applebloom wondered.

“Copper chose his fate, and as for Blaze, good riddance!” Zipper huffed.

“We can’t all fit in the RV.” Derpy held her daughter trying to calm her down.

“We’ll take the train.” Thunderlane stated.

“And we’ll wait for them.” Twilight huffed.

“We are not!” Shining rolled his eyes. “We are going now!”

“I’m waiting for my sister.” Limestone spat.

“Good, one less pony to look out for!” Shining huffed.

“I’m not going!” Twilight frowned at her brother.

Shining returned the expression. “You are!” She shook her head. “Really?” He walked up to her. “What will I say to our parents when I get to Canterlot?” Twilight couldn’t hold her gaze and looked else where as she mulled over his words. “You know I’m right.”

“Guys! Stop this!” Spike stood next to his siblings. “You’re acting like morons!”

“Spike I’m trying to do what’s…” Shining struck Twilight in the back of the head, with his pistol’s mouth handle. She went limp and fell to the ground.

The group gasped as they stared at Shining.

Shining frowned as he looked at the others. “Anypony wanting to go to Canterlot raise your hoof!”

Applejack swallowed her fear. “W-Who put you in charge?”

“I did!” Shining growled. “Somepony needs to guide this group!” He eyed them, scowling at their fearful expressions. “If we’re going to survive, I’m going to need to lay down some ground rules.”

“What kind?” Soarin stared at Shining with harsh eyes.

“Ones that will keep our little merry band of misfits together.” Zipper smirked as he stood by his side. “I’m all for going?” He looked at his brother. “Bro?” Marley looked around getting a feel for the situation. Letting out a sigh he stood next to his brother. “Anypony else?” Zipper looked at the others.

The rest of the group looked at one another. One by one they reluctantly raised their hooves in the air.

“Good…” Shining huffed. “Load up! The ones who can fly do so.” He looked at the non-pegasi. “Everypony else, get cozy. The ride to the train will take couple of minutes.”

“You’re just going to leave us!” Limestone growled. “You’re going along with this!” She looked at Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

“This isn’t a republic sweetheart!” Zipper aimed his rifle at her. “You and your sister stay right there.”

“Hey this isn’t right and you know it!” Soarin got in Shining’s face.

“If you want to stay, then stay!” He huffed as he picked up his sister with his magic and placed her on his back. “Let’s get going!”

Limestone frowned as she watched the others packed up their stuff and piled into the RV. Turning her gaze towards Pinkie’s friends, she gave them harsh eyes. “Cowards…” She hissed. Hearing her, they looked at her. Their ears fell flat as they got into the RV.

“Don’t make any sudden movements.” Zipper hummed as he made his way towards the RV.

Limestone huffed. “We’re not the bad guys!”

“Can’t take the chance!” He shot back. “Not after your sister stole our truck. Who knows what she’ll do next.” He got into the RV and shut the door.

Limestone, Maud, Granite, and the cake twins watched as the RV roared down the hill towards the train. “What are we going to do?” Pumpkin and Pound Cake cried. Maud let out a sigh as she comforted them.

“Are we going after her?” Limestone sighed.

“No… We’ll wait here.” Muad looked around. “Look for something to eat and gather some firewood.” She walked up to the firepit.

“Why would Pinkie do this?” Granite ran a hoof through his mane.

“Hey, don’t you side with them!” Limestone huffed.

“This wouldn’t’ve happened if she didn’t steal their truck!” Granite threw his hooves into the air.

“She did and there is nothing we can do about it.” Maud threw some leftover sticks into the firepit. She felt her throat tighten as she thought of her parents. “She couldn’t move on… She, she needed to see him… Make it final.” She rummaged through her saddlebag and took out a box of matches and lit the pile of sticks.

Limestone and Granite looked at the ground as they mulled over her words. Limestone let out a tired sigh. “I’ll look for some berries.”

“And I’ll get some more firewood.” Granite sighed as they went their separate ways.

Pound and Pumpkin who stood beside Maud, looked up at her with wondering eyes. “What do you want us to do?” Pumpkin asked.

Maud watched the slowly growing fire. “Sit with me.” The twins nodded and leaned against her as they watched the fire dance about.

The putter-truck’s motor sputtered a soft melody as Pinkie drove it across the dusty gravel road back into Ponyville. Seeing the train station in the distance, she stopped the truck and threw it into park. “Why did we stop?” Blaze tiredly asked from the backseat. Pinkie didn’t reply as she picked up the pair of binoculars that were in the driver side door’s pocket and looked through them.

“What do you see?” Copper asked.

Pinkie pulled the binoculars from her tired eyes and rubbed them. “I see the station.” She looked over at the stallion. “The number of freaks is few and far between.”

Copper nodded. “Sounds safe enough.”

“Not if we drive up to the station.” Blaze sighed. “Trotters will hear us driving before we even get there.”

Pinkie frowned, he was right. Tapping her hooves on the steering wheel, she scanned the landscape. “We’re walking.” She stepped out of the truck. “Its not far, a few minutes at most.”

Copper studied her determined gaze. “Okay…” He slipped out of the truck and grabbed his ax from his saddlebag. Blaze sighed and picked up a bat and joined them.

They trotted at a brisk pace and only took them a few minutes to reach the tracks. Looking down the tracks to her right she squinted her eyes. She gasped when saw the track diverter’s lever. In a panic she galloped to it. Granite and Blaze followed her trying to match her speed.

Getting to the lever, Pinkie’s heart sunk as she saw a pool of blood. Her eyes scanned her surroundings in a panic. She started to hyperventilate as she saw nothing… no sign of her father. “Where is he?” Her voice cracked as she felt her limbs starting to shake.

Copper quickly stood beside her. “Hey, calm down.” He laid a hoof over her shoulders. “We’ll find him.”

Blaze stared at the two. He found it strange that Pinkie would go back to find her dead father, but deep down he understood, but would he have done the same… Of course, he wouldn’t… ‘You let them down…’ He frowned at his inner thoughts. Hearing a moan, he looked over at a trotter a few yards in front of them. “Let’s make it quick, we might have company real soon.”

“We aren’t leaving until we find him!” Pinkie shot back.

“Hey, if I knew this was a suicide mission I would’ve stayed behind.” Blazed grumbled.

“Many in the group wanted to leave you behind!” Pinkie huffed.

“I deserved it.” Blaze looked away.

Pinkie frowned as she studied the stallion. “Well, I don’t.” She sighed. “Everypony deserves a second chance.” She placed a hoof on his shoulder. “That’s my outlook on life and if my friends don’t want to think that way, I still will.” She smiled.

Blaze looked into her blue eyes. “Just what Twilight said.”

Pinkie nodded and looked at the ground but seeing a trail of blood blending in with the dirt, a chill ran down her spine. She followed it and saw a figure on the ground through the haze of the warming ground. “Pa?” She followed the trail. She gasped as the figure came into focus. “Pa!” Her father’s lower half was torn to shreds. Blood soaked his fur from the bites and scratches that adored his body. She slowly approached him, but stopped when his body moved. Tears swelled around her eyes as she saw him slowly turn around. His milky eyes looked up at her staring at her with a haunting gaze that froze her to the core.

Copper’s and Blaze’s fur stood up on the back of their necks. “Shit…” Blaze said under his breath as he watched her zombified father crawl towards her.

Pinkie hissed out a sob as she stepped back. She moaned as she unholstered her pistol that was strapped to her side. Her jaw tightened around its grip as she aimed at her father. She fought her emotions as she placed the sight directly over her father’s skull. Seeing a figure behind her father, she glanced at it and saw that it was her baby sister Marble, glaring at her with hollowed white eyes. A cold chill washed over her and her grip lessened as she watched Marble point at her and moved her other hoof across her neck like a knife.

Seeing that she was struggling to pull the trigger, Copper stood by her side and lowered his head to be at eye level with her. “Pinkie…” He looked into her trembling eyes. “Its okay…” He sat beside her and rubbed his snout against her cheek. “Give me the gun.” He placed a hoof under her chin. She finally broke and dropped the gun, collapsing on the ground, letting her emotions finally take over.

Copper picked up the gun and stared at her father. He glared at him as he reached out with his hooves. Copper shivered as his moans filled the air. “Hello, sir.” He looked at the pistol in his hooves. “My name’s Copper. I’ve met your daughter back in Ponyville…” He looked at the town in the distance. “Before all this,” He watched a herd of trotters moving about in the distance. “Happened.” Seeing her father reaching out, he sighed as he looked at Pinkie who had buried her face into the dirt. Her muffled cries filling the air.

“Guys…” Seeing nearby trotters turn their gaze toward her cries, Blaze walked up to Copper. “We need to get going!” He whispered.

Seeing them as well, Copper nodded and looked at Pinkie’s father. “I just want to tell you. I’ll take care of her.” He held the pistol close to his mouth. “I promise.” He placed the pistol’s handle in his mouth and aimed it. Her father’s only response was a growl as he desperately tried to swipe at them. Copper frowned as his togue pressed down on the trigger.

Twilight groaned from the mind-numbing headache assaulting her skull. Her eyes opened as she fought the urge to puke. “The hell?” Looking around, she found herself in a train car. Hearing the dull clunky thuds of the train rolling across the tracks, her memories came flooding back as she rolled out of her seat.

“Woah there.” Spike spoke up as he held her up. “How are you feeling?”

“Like shit…” Twilight hissed. “Where’s our brother?” She held onto the seat.

“He’s in the second train car towards the engine.” Spike replied. “He’s setting down the ground rules.” She groaned as she stood up. “He wanted you to stay here.”

“I don’t care what he wants!” Twilight huffed. “He’s acting foolish!” She stumbled towards to gangway door. She fell against it. Her shoulder screamed at her. Her head felt like it would explode. “Is Pinkie with us?”

Spike felt clammy as he helped her up. “No…”

“WHAT?” She looked at him with wide eyes.

“After he hit you, he took over leadership. Zipper, Marley, Carrot Top and several others took his side.” He sighed. “Says he’s doing it for our safety.”

“The others just let it happen?” Twilight caught her breath.

“Yeah…” Spike shivered. “Everypony is worried. I know he’s just trying to look out for us… Twilight! Slow down!” Twilight let out a sigh as she turned the handle and threw open the door. Getting to the other door, she looked through the window and saw her brother talking to the group. She saw their submissive postures. With a huff she pushed the door open and stumbled into the train car.

Shining and the others turned their gaze to her. Shining seeing his sister sighed as he watched her approach. “Twily, I know you’re mad but…” She punched him across the face. Spike jumped back and stared at his siblings with trembling eyes. Shining held a hoof to his jaw and let out a groan. “Yeah, You’re mad.”

“Mad?” Twilight huffed. “You knocked out your own sister!” She jabbed a hoof into his chest. “And what happened to Pinkie and her sisters?”

“I don’t know.” He said flatly.

“You don’t know?” Twilight glared at him.

“We all don’t know…” Applejack spoke up with a heavy sigh.

“What?” Twilight stared at her friends.

“We left before she got back.” Rarity couldn’t look at her friend.

Twilight stared at the group in confusion as she scanned them. Not seeing Copper nor Blaze, her head began to spin.

Seeing his sister losing her balance, Shining caught her. “Sis, I did this for all of us.” He helped her on her hooves. “Somepony needed to lead this group until we get to Canterlot. We can’t make this journey all willy-nilly. This world is unsafe and we can’t just trust everypony we come across, we know that now, you know that now… Pinkie she may have been your friend, but who knows what she had to do. You saw her covered in blood.” He shook his head. “Hell, she went to find her dead father, for what?”

Twilight groaned as she pushed him away. “She had her reasons!” She glared at him. “And this!” She pointed at all of them. “This is not us!” She looked at her brother once more. “We need to all agree before we make a decision!”

“We can’t do that if we want to survive!” Shining retorted.

“I just don’t want to survive!” Twilight shot back. The group and her brothers looked at her with wide eyes. “I want to live!” She continued, “I want to live with my mind free of regrets!”

“Do you regret what happened on the farm?” Marley looked at her with a raised brow.

Twilight stared at the stallion. “Yes… Yes, I do…” She shivered. “It was too easy slipping into that mindset…”

“But we had to…” Shining sighed. “Its just nature taking over.”

Twilight shook her head as she backed away from the others. “I don’t want to lose what makes me a good pony…” She wandered back towards the gangway and stepped back into the train car she had come from. The others stared at one another as they mulled over her words, with varying degrees of agreement. Shining on the other hand stared at the gangway door. His eyes narrowed and he left out a heavy sigh.