AMONG THE TROTTING DEAD

“Well, that should be everything!” Zipper hummed as he stepped back and looked at their stockpile of food. “We have seven varieties of canned fruits and vegetables, as well as six large bags of dried fruits and a bag of oats.”

Marley stared at the food. “That’s all?” He asked his brother.

“Yes.” Zipper grumbled as he placed the items in a small crate.

“How’s the water?” Shining asked.

“Enough for three days if we ration it out.” Zipper looked at the large jugs.

Shining nodded as he looked at Marley. “Tell Applejack, we need everypony to be aware of our current situation. Hopefully we won’t have to worry once we get to Canterlot.” Marley nodded and left the train car they were in. Seeing the door close he let out a sigh and rubbed his forehead.

“Hey, don’t worry.” Zipper placed a hoof on Shining’s shoulder. “No matter what, my little brother and I got your back.”

Shining stared at the earth pony. “Why?”

“Why?” Zipper tilted his head.

“Why are you taking my side?” Shining frowned. “Ever since Pinkie showed up, you’ve agreed with everything I’ve said?”

“I saw the light.” Zipper held up his front hooves. “So did everypony else.” He shook his head. “I think the others would still be alive if we had left the farm once your baby sister showed up.”

Shining mulled over his words as he looked out the window at the twilight sun bathing the landscape in mild darkness through the windows on his left.

“Honestly, I not sure if Dawn is going to make it.” Zipper stated. “We’re going to have to do something when he dies.”

Shining shook his head. “Let’s cross that road when we get there.” Shining stared at Zipper seeing if he would interject, but all he did was nod and left the train car. Alone, Shining stared at the box of food. Listening to the glass jars clink and clank against one another as the train rolled across the landscape, soothing his already tensed nerves. Letting out a heavy sigh he thought of his parents, his wife… If Canterlot was truly safe or not.

‘What if it isn’t?’

Twilight’s words played out in his mind. He shook his head as he stood up. “Twily, why do you have to be so stubborn?” He stared at the floor listening to the sounds of the train’s wheels rolling over the tracks. “I have a plan…” He looked out the windows once more. “A better one than yours.”

Applejack stared at Twilight who sat in a seat at the back of the train they resided in. She felt a heaviness on her heart as she saw the despair in her friend’s eyes. “How long will she be like that?” Rarity asked solemnly.

Applejack let out a sigh. “Until we get to Canterlot I guess.”

Willy Pette who sat beside Lotus and Aloe playing a card game looked at the mares. “She can’t wait that long.” He sighed. “We need a counter balance to Shining sooner than later.”

“I could do it.” Applejack pointed at herself. “So can my brother.”

“I don’t doubt that.” Willy Pette sighed. “But I think it coming from her will be better for all of us.” Aloe nodded in agreement.

Rarity let out a soft sigh as she stood up from her seat and sat beside Twilight. “Twilight?”

Twilight shivered as she let out a heavy sigh. “What?”

Rarity winced at the tone, but she continued. “You need to get out of this stupor you’re in. It’s doing no pony any good.” She placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “We need you.”

“Like Pinkie needed us?” Twilight looked at her friends with heavy eyes.

Willy Pette winced while he took a puff of his cigar. “That’s a low blow.”

“Girl!” Applejack huffed. “Pinkie’s a smart mare, she’ll be safe out there.” Applejack sat beside her. “If I know her, she’ll probably be there before us.”

Twilight smiled a bit at Applejack’s cheerful tone. But her smile left as she looked out the window once more. “Why did my brother do this?” Applejack and Rarity looked at one another, unsure of what to say.

“He did this for our own good.” Carrot spoke up, interrupting Willy Pette as she entered the train car.

“For our own good?” Twilight questioned.

“Yeah, somepony needed to take charge.” Carrot huffed out a grumble. “The way you two were handling things have done us no good!”

Applejack frowned. “Sorry, there is no guide on how to survive a damned trotter apocalypse!” Rarity and Twilight placed a hoof on her shoulders to calm her down.

Carrot just frowned. “There are more ponies who agree with me, even if they don’t show it, they know Shining is the right stallion for the job.”

“He may be a leader, but his methods are not right.” Willey Pette grumbled. Carrot frowned and rolled her eyes as she left the train car.

Twilight stared at the door for some time, pondering Carrot’s words. “Maybe she’s right…” Twilight finally spoke up. “Maybe we need to be tougher, like we were with Ratchet and his stallions.”

“And when do we stop thinking everypony we come across will double cross us?” Applejack sighed. “Until there is no pony left?” Twilight stared at her friend unsure how to answer her. “Twilight, I know I gave in, gave in and kicked that fucker… That freak’s face, but it felt wrong…” She sighed. “That’s not how we rebuild, that’s not how we defeat the dead.”

“I… I agree AJ.” Twilight stared at her lap. “But of the others, I’m not so sure they do.”

Raity sighed as she ran a hoof through her mane, trying to fix its tattered appearance. “We might have to find a balance. Ponies like Ratchet will be out there, but there are ponies like us too. Ponies that can help.”

“I agree.” The ponies looked up and saw Marley walking up to them. “We can’t lose sight of who we are, but we can’t be naive at the same time.” He stared at Twilight and Applejack.

Applejack bit her cheek as she mulled over his words. A part of her knew that going back to the old ways of doing things was not an option. Or could it be… Maybe that’s why she stayed. Allowing Shining to take command of their group. Maybe Canterlot could be that little oasis from the world of the dead. “How’s our supplies?” She managed to look at the stallion.

“Low.” Marley sighed. “We’ll have to ration for the last two days of our trip.”

“Damn…” Willy Pette crossed his forelegs on the table. “That low?” He looked at Marely and he gave a small nod.

Twilight groaned as she rubbed her shoulder. “We’ll tell the others…”

Applejack nodded. “Thanks for the information.”

“Is there anything else you need me to do?” Marley asked.

“Come with us.” Rarity hummed. “I think your calming presence with help with breaking the ice.”

Marley raised his brow.” Missy, I’m not the softest of ponies.”

“So?” Rarity hummed as she got up and opened the gangway door. “You three coming?”

“You can’t be serious?” Rainbow Dash hissed as she glared at her boyfriend. “You agree with how Shining’s handling things?”

Thunderlane let out a sigh. “Dash, it’s been four days, let it go.”

“I’m not letting it go!” She growled. “And don’t get me started with Carrot, Marley, Zipper, Hooves, Lotus, and Aloe.” She shook her head. “Just going along with it?”

“Dash they just want to be safe.” He sighed. “Derpy has forgiven Hooves, can’t you do the same for me?”

Her cheeks felt hot as she looked away. “I…”

“Will you do it for Scootaloo and Rumble?”

“Don’t you bring them into this!” She snapped.

He frowned, holding back his anger. “I will bring them into this, because you’re the only ponies I care about!”

Rainbow Dash’s anger subsided as she saw his posture soften. “You… What?”

“I’m glad for our group of friends.” Thunderlane sighed. “But when push comes to shove, I’m looking out for my brother, Scootaloo, and you.” He held her head in his hooves and brought her closer. The affection caused her to blush. “I love you, Dash. I love you too much to lose you.” He kissed her.

Rainbow Dash fought the affection. She wasn’t put off by the kiss, she was just mad that he knew the right things to say to her. Applejack was right, he knew how to work her. She finally gave in and returned the kiss, their tongues fighting for dominance.

Breaking the kiss, Thunderlane rested his head against hers. “I need to keep you safe.” He sighed. “After what happened with Jet Cloud… I can’t…”

Rainbow Dash nuzzled his cheek. “I can handle myself.” She looked into his eyes. “But a little help can’t hurt…” She looked down at her front hooves. “I just hope Shining knows what he’s doing?”

“I’m sure he has every ponies interest in mind.” Thunderlane sighed. “Let’s go check on the others.”

Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom sat in one of the seats on the right-hand side of the train car. They looked at the comic book they were reading, but their eyes could barely keep focus on the words and pictures of the page they were on.

Hearing a groan, they looked up and saw Dawn laying on the floor, his head resting on a pillow. His twin brother Dusk and his sister Snowy looked on with tired eyes. The lack of sleep for the past four days taking its toll on them.

“How are you two doing?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Snowy kept staring at her brother, her eyes trembled as she stared at his bandaged wound. Dusk on the other hand, looked at the trio. “Okay…” He glanced at his siblings. “Y-You think Canterlot will be safe?”

Before any of them could answer, Snowy burst into tears. Her sobs caused her breathing to become erratic. Hearing her woes, Derpy sat up from her seat beside Dinky and Hooves and sat beside the filly laying a hoof over her. “You’re not alone.” She held her close. Snowy buried her face into the mare’s chest unloading the damn that held back her stress. “Why don’t you all go see what the others are up to.” She looked at Applebloom and her friends.

Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at one another, unsure if they should go, but a firm nod from Derpy convinced them otherwise. Slipping out of their seat, they exited the train car. Entering into another one, they looked upon the chaotic mess that was the first train car. Seeing dried caked blood staining the furniture and floor, they shivered as they walked to the other end.

“You think we’ll make it to Canterlot?”

Applebloom and Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle. “Why do you ask that?”

Sweetie Belle shook her head. “Are you serious?” She swallowed the lump in her throat.

“What do you mean, girl?” Applebloom raised her brow at her friend.

“What I’m asking is, are you sure we’ll make it through this?” Sweetie Belle sighed.

“You gotta think positive!” Scootaloo grumbled.

“How can you with all this crap going on?” Sweetie Belle huffed as she pointed at herself to emphasize her point.

Scootaloo bit her lower lip as she looked away and stared out the window. Applebloom on the other hand placed a hoof on Sweetie Belle’s shoulder. “We need to, if not then what’s the point.” She looked out one of the windows at the hilly landscape. “Once we get to Canterlot, everything will be fine.”

Sweetie Belle sighed as she looked down at her hooves. “I hope so…”

Hearing the gangway door open they looked up and saw Soarin and Rumble. Seeing the fillies, Soarin smiled. “How’s the trio doing?”

“Alright, just checking up on you.” Applebloom smirked.

“They’re worried already?” Soarin laughed.

“Naw, just bored.” Scootaloo let out a little huff.

“Want to help Soarin and I?” Rumble asked.

“What are you doing?” Scootaloo raised her brow at the colt.

“He’s teaching me how to clean some guns.” Rumble answered with a smirk. “Want to come along?”

Scootaloo returned the smirk. “Sure. Girls you coming?

Sweetie Belle nodded, but Applebloom shook her head. “Naw, I’m going to check on Spike and mah brother.”

“Oaky.” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle followed Soarin and Rumble. “Say hi for me!” Scootaloo teased, causing Sweetie Belle to laugh.

Applebloom frowned at the two, but she slowly laughed herself as she stepped out of the train car and up the steps to the cockpit of the engine. Opening the door, she saw Spike sitting in the railroad engineer seat, while her brother sat in the co-operator seat. Her brother was staring intently at the dials and gauges keeping track of the engine. A smirk came to her lips. He looked right at home, maybe in another life he would’ve worked the trains instead of the orchard… The thought of her home, lessened her mood. So, to remedy that she sat in the chair beside Spike who was staring at the landscape before them.

“Whatcha looking at?” She finally asked after a few short seconds of silence.

“Nothing much. Just the hillside.” Spike stated dully. "Or what I can see of it."

Applebloom watched the passing dark silhouetted trees that contrasted against the orangered colored. “I’ve always liked riding the train watching the landscapes roll on by.” She looked at him and gave him a playful smirk.

Spike returned her gesture with a roll of his eyes. Letting out a sigh he leaned back in his seat. “Colt, if I knew this is what it’s like to be a train operator, I would’ve learned this than learning to be a librarian.”

Mac just shook his head. “Its not all easy work.” He looked at some of the gauges. “Our uncle Balley worked for a train company.” He looked out the window eyeing the condition of the tracks with the help of the trains headlight’s. “He said its back breaking work.”

Spike let out a sigh. “I know… Nothing is never easy.”

Applebloom stared at Spike for sometime before looking at the gauges as she thought over her question. “Is everything okay between you and your siblings?”

Spike bit his inner cheek. “Yeah…”

Applebloom watched him tap the throttle handle. “You’re a bad liar like Applejack.”

Spike let out a drawn-out sigh as he laid back in his seat. “Seems like Twilight’s still upset about everything. And Shining seems distant.”

Applebloom stared at Spike, “Well,” She placed a hoof on his shoulder. “I’m sure everything will be alright.”

“I understand your brother’s mindset.” Macintosh stood up. “But I don’t agree with his methods. But he’s right we need to keep a level head and stay focused on what’s a head.” He stepped out onto the platform with a hiss. He looked at his bandaged flank and let out a sigh. Stepping up to the coalbox he shoveled a pile and tosses it into the boiler. “Just play along until we get to Canterlot. Then everypony can state their grievances…” Hearing the gangway door open, they looked over their shoulders and saw Zecora walking up to them carrying two cups of tea.

“Hello Zecora!” Applebloom waved.

“Hello Bloom. How are you?” Zecora hummed.

“Good.” The smells of tea entered her nostrils. “What kind of tea did you make?”

Zecora smiled as she sat down the tray and handed Applebloom a cup. “The train had some tea bags in the eatery-car. Its lemon tea.”

Applebloom took a sip. She closed her eyes and let out a hum as the flavored water ran down her throat. Looking at Spike she offered him the cup. Spike blushed as he looked at the cup. “You touched it already.” He pointed at the cup.

Applebloom rolled her eyes and shoved the cup in his face. “Sip!” Spike gave in and took a sip.

Macintosh and Zecora smirked at the two. Shaking her head, she offered Macintosh a cup. “Here.” He took a sip and let out a soft hum. Zecora smiled as she took a sip herself.

Macintosh blushed at the look she gave him, he quickly looked at the window to hide his flustered appearance. Seeing the large hill they were going around disappearing into the ground, his eyes squinted as he stared at a large concrete mass. “Tunnel…” He looked at Spike. “Spike! Slow down the train!”

Spike looked at away from Applebloom and out the windshield and saw what he was looking at. “Got it.” He grabbed the throttle and pulled it back.

“Hit the brakes Bloom.” Macintosh pointed at her. “Lightly.”

“Sure.” Applebloom pressed down on the break lever. The squeaking of the wheels filled the air as they made their approach towards the tunnel. “What do we do?”

“Get Twilight and Shining.” Macintosh sighed as the train slowed to a crawl.

A stallion walked up to a large bulky camera next to a rudimentary fax machine. Sitting down he pressed the on button. The tape begun to spin. Staring at the lens, he let out a heavy sigh as he pressed the record button.

“This is Dr. Keplar. Today is the 75th day of the Wildfire plague. And 52nd day since it went global… There is no clinical progress to report… But I managed to divert the power in section 4 to section 1 and 2. Wish I did that a month ago would’ve saved a ton of amps, but I guess that’s water under the bridge now…” He stared at the camera with puffy eyes. “I haven’t been sleeping well. Doesn’t help that I’m underground. Can’t tell whether its day or night. Wonder if Celestia or Luna are still raising the sun and moon?” He scoffed as he stared off into space. He shutoff the camera and stood up. “Back to it…”

Getting to the research room, Keplar slipped into his hazmat suit. Checking it once over, he stepped into the containment room. Plugging into an airline, he walked up a freezer and pulled out a petri dish of flesh and walked up to a table. Using his magic, he picked up some tweezers and tore off a piece of flesh and placed it in a test tube. Placing several drops of acid into the flesh filled tube he turned around in his chair and place it into a centrifuge.

Watching the centrifuge’s memorizing spin, Keplar felt the temptation of sleep slowly embracing him. He tried fighting it off several times, but his heavy eyes finally closed, and his head fell forward.

“AH!” The buzzing of the centrifuge woke him up. Shaking himself awake he jumped up and took out the tube with his magic. Walking back to the table he leaned over to grab several more glass containers when his bulky suit bumped the bottle of acid onto the petri dish of flesh. Hearing a hiss, he looked down and stared at the sizzling flesh, touching the dish with a hoof he stared at the acid eating away the glove.

“!ATTENTION, CONTAMINATION DETECTED!”

Realizing what was happening he ran out of the room and into the decontamination gangway. Ripping off his hazmat suit he spread out his legs and lifted his tail as a stream of warm soapy water washed over him from ceiling sprinkler heads.

“!DECONTAMINATION INPROGRESS!”

“Wait!” Keplar turned around and desperately pulled on the door. “NO!” He watched in horror and the air caught on fire, setting all organic material ablaze. Watching the roaring flames, tears came to his eyes as he pounded on the door.

Keplar sat in front of the camera. With a tired sigh he took a large swig from his bottle of twenty-year aged port. “Fuck…” He turned on the camera and stared at it with tired eyes. “TS-21 samples have been lost.” He took another swig of his liquor. “Can’t even comprehend what their loss means to our research. They were the freshest samples by far. None of the others we’ve collected came close…” He stared at his bottle for some time, before staring into the camera lens. “I don’t know why I’m even talking to you…” He leaned in. “I bet there isn’t a single son of a bitch listening is there?” He stared for some time.

“Good. Saves me the embarrassment…” He looked around at the empty meeting room. He stared at the fourteen empty chairs that surround the table his sat at. He looked out the windows that surround the room at the sea of empty desk that dotted the floor below. Standing up he walked over to the windows and opened one up.

Finishing off his port he looked over at the camera. “How far do you think I can chuck this?” He activated his magic and threw the bottle with all his might. He watched as it soared across the large hall and crashed into a computer on the other side. “And it's out of the stadium!” He drunkenly cheered.

Hearing a beep, Keplar raised his brow as he slowly turned around at the screen on the wall of the conference room. Quickly walking over, he flipped a switch on the wall. The screen flickered on revealing and array of security camera POV’s. One of them caught his attention. It was the entrance to the main lobby of the Equestria’s Center for Disease Control. He saw a group of ponies running up to the doors.

Confused he stepped up closer to the screen and stared longingly at the image of the ponies. Flipping another switched he isolated the screen. The sounds of their despair came through. “Please, we need help!” A unicorn mare with lavender fur cried out. “We need shelter from the trotters!” Hearing several gun shots, Keplar stepped back as he watched several in the group shooting at the approaching dead.

“No…” Keplar spoke under his breath as he shook his head. “Just go…”