AMONG THE TROTTING DEAD

Twilight let out a groan from the pain coursing through her body. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the broken window through the dim flickering light that illuminated the train car she was in. Confused she looked around and saw that she was laying against the wall in between a row of seats. Hearing electrical sparking and the groaning of metal and wood, she slowly sat up, hissing from the pain emanating from her shoulder. “Applejack? Rarity?” She looked down the train car and saw them sitting beside Aloe, Lotus, Marley, and Willy Pette.

“We’re fine darling!” Rarity replied with a defeated sigh. “Just a little worse for wear is all.”

“Marley’s hurt!” Applejack huffed.

“It’s just a broken leg!” Marley hissed as he leaned against Applejack.

Twilight groaned as she made her way towards her friends. “What happened? Are we still in the tunnel?” She stared through the window on her right, hoping the black she saw was the night sky.

“Not a clue.” Marley glared at the swollen state of his leg.

“I think so.” Willy stated his opinion.

Twilight sat beside them and held a hoof to her head. Memories came flooding back. Screams of the hoard in the tunnel. The train ripping through them… The debris blocking the tracks. Hearing electrical crackling, she looked at the others. Silence filled her mind. It was quiet… too quiet. “Anypony heard from the others… Damn it!” She cursed as she stood up. She held a hoof to her shoulder.

“Settle down and sit!” Applejack huffed. “We need to take this slow and steady.” She pointed at Marley. “We need to help him and her first.” She pointed at Aloe whose head was being cradled by Lotus while Willy Pette wrapped a bandage around it. “After we get them stable, we’ll look for the others.”

Lotus stared at her sister, watching her eyes dart back n’ forth. Blood coated her hooves as she desperately held her sister close to her. “Is she going to be, okay?” She asked, her voice dripping with dread.

“It’s bad, I’m not going to sugar coat it, but if we can get to Hooves, I can get it under control.” Willy stated with a sigh as he tightened the rag around Aloe’s head.

Marley stared at Willy and the twins. “If he still has his medical bag in all this mess.” Willy just stared at the stallion as he let his words sink in.

“We can’t think like that…” Twilight held back a growl as she readjusted herself and rested against the floor that was now the wall. “We need to gather the others before a herd of trotters shows up.” She stared out at the dark dingy tunnel through the window. “We don’t want to be trapped in here.

“We’ll go get them.” Rarity managed to take control of her shaking limbs. Seeing Applejack finishing with Marley’s impromptu sling, she stood up. “Applejack, stay here and watch over them.”

“Naw! Its not safe to go alone.” Marley huffed as he scooted closer to his bag and pulled out his crossbow. “You two go, I’ll take watch.” He looked at the mares. “But make it quick.” Rarity and Applejack nodded before making their way to the back of the train.

Watching the door close with a whiny groan, Twilight turned her attention to Marley and watched as he propped himself against on of the broken seats. Seeing her staring, he let out a huff. “We’ll be fine.” He smirked. Twilight blushed as she moved some of her mane to the side. Smirking at her mannerisms, he turned his attention to the twins. “How’s she holding up?”

“She’s alive…” Lotus replied softly and in a dull tone.

“It… Hurts…” Aloe struggled to say with a heavy breath.

“We need to leave this train as soon as we can.” Willy spoke, but stopped as he heard the train cars shifting. They braced themselves as their car slid into its final resting position.

Finally taking a breath, Twilight looked at the terrified faces of Lotus and Willy. “We’ll get out of this.” She reassured them.

“And where will we go?” Marley grumbled as he adjusted his broken leg’s position. “You know a herd of trotters had to of heard us?”

Twilight stared at her lap as she mulled through her wild mind. “We’ll figure it out.”

Derpy groaned out her discomfort as she opened her eyes. Slowly her blurry world came into focus. She felt that her sitting position was severely uncomfortable as she turned out to be correct as she found herself laying on her neck and upper shoulders. From her upside-down world, she saw her boyfriend and Carrot Top standing on the train car’s ceiling.

Hearing her daughter’s cries, she whipped her head around and saw Dinky cowering under Dawn. She saw Dawn’s left leg and neck were pinned against the back of a seat by the handles of another. Derpy’s eyes widened as she saw that he had turned into a trotter. “What the?” She spoke softly. “He wasn’t bit?” Her thoughts drifted to Jiminy and Sunny. Shaking her head of those thoughts she wormed her way out of her orientation to get to her daughter.

Dusk and Snowy stared at their zombified brother with terrified eyes. Their bodies frozen in absolute horror.

Seeing that Derpy was struggling, Hooves ran to Dinky and pulled her away from Dawn. “You alright?” He asked as she grabbed onto him for dear life. Feeling her shaking he slowly patted her on the back as he walked up to Snowy and Dusk. “Stay close to me.” Dusk acknowledged his command, but Snowy didn’t as she slowly walked up to her zombified brother. But she didn’t make it far as Derpy grabbed her and held her close.

“What the hell happened?” Carrot Top asked as she rubbed her left shoulder.

“The damn train derailed in the tunnel!” Shining spat as he entered the train car, with Zipper, Rumble, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Soarin not far behind. Seeing Dawn had turned into a trotter they stopped in their tracks and watched as he thrashed about, gnashing his teeth with bewildered eyes.

“What the hell is going on?” Soarin asked as he and the others slowly walked past him. Dawn growled as he tried to break free from the seat pinning his neck and right foreleg against another.

“I don’t know and I don’t care…” Shining hissed as he lifted his hoof and stared at the one inch cut just below the knee. “We need to gather the other’s and get out of this damned tunnel.”

“We shouldn’t’ve ’drove into the tunnel.” Scootaloo groaned.

“We had no choice.” Zipper stared at the filly with stern eyes.

“We did.” She grumbled under her breath.

“Mistakes were made, but now we deal with the hoof that’s been dealt.” Hooves spoke up, his voice heavy from the soreness radiating throughout his body.

“I agree, lets…” Before he could finish the gangway door opened. Seeing Applejack and Rarity the others breathed a sigh of relief.

Hearing unnerving growls, Applejack and Rarity turned their eyes to Dawn who was still trying to attack the group. “The hell?” Applejack managed say.

“No time, are the others, okay?” Shining waked up to the duo.

“Uh…” Breaking her thought of Dawn, she looked at Shining. “Sort of.” She looked at the group. “Aloe and Marley are hurt pretty bad. But Twilight, Willy Pette, and Lotus, they’re alright.”

“How bad?” Zipper frowned at Applejack.

“Just a broken leg.” Applejack took a defensive stance.

Soarin seeing the tension stepped between them. “No need to let our stress get to us!” He looked at Applejack. “And the others?”

“Not sure about Rainbow Dash, Thunderlane, Zecora, Spike or my siblings.” Applejack replied.

“Well let’s not waist time.” Shining began to leave the train car.

“What about Dawn?” Sweetie Belle asked, her voice cracking from the stress and fear plaguing her mind.

The group stared at Dawn as he glared at them with those milky white eyes of his. Shining closed his eyes and shook his head. “He’s gone.” Snowy burst into tears at those words. “We need to get out here!” He opened the door.

“Go…” Zipper waved at them. “I need to look for something.” He said as he pointed his head at Dawn. Shining and Applejack took the hint as well as the other adults. Returning his nod, Shining ushered the others out and left the door open. Zipper turned and looked at the colt as he tried to sink his teeth into uninfected flesh. Unholstering his knife, he smirked as he bit down on its handle. “One less mouth to feed.”

“Where’s my brother?” Marley asked as the group entered the train car.

“He’s taking care of something.” Applejack said softly.

Seeing Dawn wasn't with them, Marley only nodded. “You just missed Dash and Thunderlane. They’re getting Macintosh, Spike, Applebloom and Zecora.”

“Good. Once that’s taken care of, we can get out if this tunnel.” Shining sighed as he rested against a seat that was on its side.

“And go where?” Derpy asked.

“The train derailing surely drew more of them trotters.” Marley huffed.

“We’ll figure it out.” Twilight groaned as she held a hoof to her shoulder.

“We need answers now, Twily!” Shining stared at her with heavy eyes.

“Once I know where we’re at, then I can give you one!” She returned the look.

“You’re at it again?” Spike said with a heavy breath as he held his upper arm. Applebloom supported him as they walked up to the battered group of ponies. Seeing Snowy on the verge of insanity, he looked at the others. “What happened to Dawn?”

Twilight looked at her younger brother and shook her head. Spike only nodded as he looked through the shattered window. Seeing the brick façade of the tunnel wall, he groaned as he removed his hand from his arm and stared at the gash.

“It looks bad?” Shining studied the wound.

“I’ll be fine.” He studied the wound. “Dragons heal fast.” He looked at the others. “But I’m more worried about all of you.”

“We’ll be fine.” Rarity reassured him.

“We need to get going if we want to get a head start of them trotters and or bandits!” Applejack threw on a saddle bag.

“And go where?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Somewhere…” Twilight groaned as she sat up. “Anywhere is better than here?”

“Where are we anyway?” Willy asked.

“Let's find out.” Thunderlane spoke as he walked up to the side door of the train and pushed it open with Soarin. Peaking his head out, he saw to his right that the train was on fire in the back. The smoke pouring out from the fire was thick and tickled his throat. Coughing he looked to his left. The glow from the fires illuminated the tunnel slightly, but not enough, just a few feet of visibility. “Bro, flashlight!” His brother ran over and pulled out the flashlight from his saddlebag. “Thanks.” Turning it on he scanned with the light for anything unusual. Seeing a service door a few yards away, he smiled. “Found our way out.”

“Good, let’s get going.” Zipper huffed as he joined the group.

“Is it taken care of?” Shining asked. Some shivered at how cold his tone sounded. Even if Dawn turned, he was still a child, a pony deserving of a better rest than this.

“Yeah…” Zipper walked past the others and up to his brother. “You look like shit little brother.”

“I’ve had worse.” Marley grumbled.

Shining looked over the broken and battered group. A part of him was regretting entering the tunnel at full speed. He could tell some of the others were as well. He could see it on his sister’s face. He frowned and shook his head. “Gather your things we are leaving this tunnel…” Hearing the howls of the dead, their spines shivered. “NOW!”

Throwing open the large metal door, Shining and Soarin breathed fresh air. The sounds of rain filled their ears as they scanned the dark streets. Abandoned cars and wagons resting still like haunting statues. Several rotting bodies could be seen in poses of their last moments. “Where the hell are we?” Rainbow Dash asked as her and the others stepped out timidly, their minds on high alert.

“Not sure…” Hearing trotters’ screams at the bottom of the stairwell, the others quickly exited allowing Shining and Soarin to close the door. Hearing the muffled moans, some of the group stared at the door, while other scanned their surroundings.

“We're in Pippinition.” Twilight huffed as she found her balance.

“Pippin what now?” Marley questioned as he hung onto his brother.

“We’re on the outskirts of Canterlot.” Twilight moved her wet mane from her face.

“How far?” Lotus asked as she tended to her sister who was laying on Willy’s back.

“Only twenty-five miles.”

A flash of lightning caused them to jump. The roar of thunder rolled across the sky. Snowy, Dinky, and Sweetie began to moan in fear. “We need to find a place safe from trotters.” Derpy held Snowy and Dinky close to her.

“Where is safe?” Thunderlane grumbled.

“Not helping!” Rainbow Dash grumbled as she comforted Scootaloo and Rumble.

“Well, I don’t want to feed them sweet little lies.” He scanned the buildings. “I’m sure these buildings are filled with trotters.”

“Then we’ll keep looking.” Soarin said. “There has to be one that isn’t.”

Another flash of lighting filled the sky. Through the light, Twilight saw a street sign. Squinting her eyes, she walked up to the sign and activated her horn, illuminating her immediate surroundings. Seeing the sign’s words her eyes went wide. “I know this street.” She looked to her right and stared through the dark.

“What is it, Twilight?” Rarity asked.

“I recognize this street from my time in school when Celestia sent me and my friends, to…” Her body shivered. “The ECDC!”

“The what now?” Applejack tilted her head.

“The Equestrian Center for Diseases Control.” Twilight pointed a hoof towards the end of the street. “It’s that way.”

“Why would we go there?” Thunderlane stood next to Rainbow Dash.

“Because in a time of emergency it provides medical services. Underground shelters. It’s our best shot!”

“How do you know if its still functioning?” Shining stood over his sister. “For all we know it fell like the rest of the safe zones.”

“Just like Canterlot?” Twilight spat.

Before his siblings could go at it, Spike stood between them. “Don’t you start!”

“Spike's right, enough!” Macintosh joined Spike, looking at the two with stern eyes.

“Why not give it a shot?” Derpy pleaded her case. “It sounds safe.”

“But what if it’s a dead end?” Zipper spoke up. “Full of trotters or worse, not so nice ponies who thought the same thing?”

“Where else can we go!” Twilight huffed. “We need a place that has medical supplies, food, a place to rest our heads!” Her limbs gave out as the pain radiating from her shoulder was to much for her to bear.

Applejack stared at her friend as Spike and Shining help her stand up. “She’s right. We need to give it a try.”

“But what if Zipper is right?” Carrot Top spoke up.

“I agree with Twilight.” Marley grunted. “If you all want to take your chances in one of these buildings, be my guest.” He looked at his brother with a stern glare. Zipper returned the stare for a few seconds before he looked away.

Shining gave the group a once over. “Fine, we’ll go…”

Hearing trotters’ moans in the distance, their fur stood on end.

“Let’s us make haste!” Zecora shouted as they stumbled towards the ECDC.

Keplar stared at the screen. His eyes fixated on the mare staring right back. Those purple eyes of hers froze him in place. The fear they showed reminded him of his… “Please! We have children and wounded!” She pleaded. Keplar saw she was wounded as well. Shaking his head he sat down in swivel chair, his eyes never leaving the screen. “Twilight, it’s no use!” A stallion with white fur spoke in her ear. “There isn’t anypony here!”

“Where else can we go?” A mare with cream-orange fur cried out as a trotter fell in front of her.

“Them assholes are coming out of the woodwork like ants!” A black furred pegasus stallion growled.

Keplar lowered the volume and stared at the floor. He closed his eyes, tapping his hooves together. Sweat soaked his brow. “Damn it!” He looked at the screen. He thought he could ignore them, let them die, go through it once again… Scowling at the screen, he stood up and ran out of the main data center and down the hall toward the main elevator.

Pressing a button labeled ‘Main Lobby’, the doors shut. He listened to the soft humming sounds of the elevator ascending to the top floors. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he picked up a shotgun that rested in the corner beside the buttons and checked to see if it was loaded.

Hearing the bell, he watched the doors open.

Wasting no time, he rushed up to the lobby’s main central plaza. Seeing the heavy rollup doors, he walked behind a desk and opened a drawer. Seeing an array of controls he flipped a large black switch. A loud buzzer sounded off. Aiming his shotgun at the doors he swallowed his fear as he watched them slowly open.

As the doors fully receded into their housing, Keplar saw the shocked expressions on the ponies faces. “Grab your stuff, once these doors close, they stay shut!” They kept staring at him. Seeing the approaching hoard, he growled. “Grab your stuff!” The ponies finally broke from their haze and waisted no time as they piled into the lobby. With them inside, Keplar flipped the switch, closing the doors once more.

Hearing the muffled moans of the dead slamming against the metal doors, Keplar finally let out a breath as he turned his attention to his new guests. “Any pony infected?” He aimed his shotgun at them. Some aimed their weapons at him. While others held up their hooves.

“One…” A purple-colored unicorn spoke with her hooves in the air. She glanced over at Snowy and Dusk seeing their tear-stained faces. “But he didn’t make it.”

Keplar noticed the glance over and sighed. “Price of entry will be a blood test.”

“We can do that!” Applejack shook her head. Others agreed.

Keplar scanned the battered ponies. “Who has medical training?”

“I do.” Hooves spoke up, pointing at himself.

“Same, but only military first aid.” Soarin mentioned.

Keplar let out a sigh as he lowed his weapon. “Follow me.”

Getting to the first lower level, Keplar led the group out of the elevator. “Welcome to the command center. Level one and level two are available to use. I’ll take your blood samples in one of our general medical offices. I’ll take blood from the wounded first however, want to get them stable as fast as possible.” He looked at Hooves and Soarin. “You two will go first. The blood test will only take a few minutes.”

“Do the other ECDC staff know of our prescience…” Twilight’s words faded as they entered a glass hallway. Looking down at the lower floor she saw that it was empty. “We’re is everypony?” Keplar kept silent as they exited the hall and turned left.

The others looked at each other. Shining stared at his sister. Staring back, Twilight blushed and looked down at the floor. Letting out a sigh, Shining walked along side Keplar. “Where are they?”

Keplar stopped. Silence filled the air for a few seconds before he answered. “I’m the only one here.”

“But why are you the only one here?” Rarity pondered.

He turned around. “Look, I’m breaking every rule letting you in here. If you’re going to stay, you follow my rules. First, I want to get blood samples, then get the seriously wounded fixed. Then I’ll answer your questions, after the rest of you get food in your stomachs, showers and a goodnight rest!” He walked into the room.

The others looked at each other as the prospect of eating and showering filled their minds. “Hot showers?” Rarity asked mostly to herself as she followed the others into the room Keplar entered.

Twilight lazy stared at a book she had found after drunkenly digging through the nightstand drawer near her bed… No, not her bed. It was one of the staff’s beds. One of many in the dormitory wing of the ECDC. Rubbing her eyes, she groaned and laid her head back. Her body was still ridding itself of the drugs injected into her a few hours ago that numbed her enough so Keplar and Hooves could dig the pesky bullet from her shoulder.

Hearing a knock, she let out a drunken sigh. “Come in…”

The door cracked opened and she saw her brother poking his head in. “How are you feeling?” He asked as he limped into their room.

“Like garbage.” Her eyes followed him as he walked up to his bed. “How are you?”

“Better…” He sighed. “That shower was heavenly…”

She hummed in agreement. “Where’s Spike?”

“He’s with the other kids.” He laid down on his bed. “Playing some arcade games in the lounge.” He sighed as he closed his eyes, placing his right hoof behind his head. “Thank you.”

Twilight gave him a confused glare. “For what?”

“Because you mentioned this place.” He sighed as he looked at her. “And we’re safe.” He stared into her eyes. “And I judged you.”

Twilight sighed as she stared right back. “I could’ve been wrong.”

“But you weren’t.” Shining sighed as he turned his gaze to the ceiling.

“I know…” She put her book on the nightstand. “I hope I’m wrong about Canterlot.” Shining just hummed as he rested his left foreleg on his forehead. Twilight wanted to bring up Pinkie. She wondered where she was. If her and her sisters were okay. She was upset that they had just met and now they were separated once more. ‘She did steal our truck.’ Her brother’s words danced in her head. She closed her eyes. She would put those thoughts to the back of her mind. She didn’t want to ruin this moment of calm. “Having trouble getting to sleep?”

Shining sighed. “Yeah…” He looked at his sister. “Seem like you are too?”

“If you’ve forgotten, I just had a bullet pulled out of my shoulder.” Shining laughed at her tone of voice. She too, laughed. But it was short lived as her mind wandered like it always did. “This place, I’m glad we’re here…”

Shining let out a heavy sigh. “But?”

Twilight flinched at his tone. “Why is it so empty?” She looked at him. “Where is everypony?”

Shining rubbed his forehead. “Keplar said he’d explain everything in the morning.”

“I… I know, but…” Twilight mumbled.

“Just let it go.” Shining gave her a harsh glare. “Just for tonight.” His face softened. “For the group’s sake.” He activated his horn. His magical aura engulfed the light switch. “Let’s get some rest… It’s been a long day.”

The lights went out.

Twilight stared into the dark abyss that engulfed their room. A great sense of déjà vu came over her. Her first night at the farm, when her mind mulled over… ‘Fluttershy…’ She rubbed her head. So many things happened in just two and a half weeks. It was overwhelming. Letting out a sigh, she pulled the sheets closer to her and closed her eyes.

Lotus sat beside her sister on one of the two beds within their room. She stared at the bandages that were wrapped around her head. Listening to her soft breathing, Lotus let out a troubled sigh as she rubbed her tear-stained eyes. Finally, the weight of the day was too much to hold back. “I miss you mom…” She sobbed. “You’d know what to do…”

“You alright?” A muffled voice came through her door. “Could I come in?”

Lotus quickly wiped her eyes. “Yes…” She looked at her sleeping sister. “Come in.”

The door opened and Willy Pette walked up to them. “How is she holding up?”

Lotus looked down at Aloe and watched her chest rise and fall under the bed sheets. “Alright. Before she fell back to sleep, we were talking about our parents.”

Willy studied Lotus’s facial expression. Seeing the hurt that begged to boil over, he sat beside her on the bed. “How are they.” She looked at him with a raised brow. “Your parents?”

“Oh…” She blushed. She stared at the floor watching herself swing her hind hooves back n’ forth. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “They’re dead.” She let out a heavy sigh. “Father has been dead for six years. Mother has been dead for two.” She looked at Willy. “Feels like only yesterday you know.” Her eyes drifted to her sister.

Willy noticed her shifting gaze. “She’ll make it.”

“How can, you be sure?”

“Because, somepony needs to stay positive.” He sighed as he placed a hoof over her shoulder. “Somepony…” He looked at her. “Someponies need to think that way, even if most in our group are not thinking that.”

Her blushing became more noticeable, feeling hot, she gave a smile as she moved some of her mane from her face. “Thanks…”

Cold drafts washed into the room, from the gaps in the door. They washed over Rainbow Dash’s hot, sweat soaked fur. Her unbound, unbandage wing stretched out over the left side of the bed. She let out a shallow breath and burred her face in Thunderlane’s chest. Feeling every breath he took, she let out a pleased moan, as she wrapped her hooves around him.

“Damn…” Thunderlane let out a huff. “We needed that…”

“Yeah…” Rainbow Dash smirked as their session of love making replayed in her mind. How visceral, how passionate it was. Like it was going to be their last day on… She opened her eyes and stared off into space. ‘Last day…’ She repeated that word. It felt so wrong to think such a thing, but with their close call… with the friends they lost…

Sensing her changing mood, Thunderlane wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “You alright?” He asked, even though he knew the answer to his own question. Rainbow Dash shifted, turning her face to the side to hide her souring expression. “Dash?”

“I’m just worried is all.”

He laughed a little. “So, unlike you.”

“Thunderlane!” She scoffed. “I’m serious!”

“I know.” He let out a sigh. “We got lucky. Didn’t we?” He placed his right hoof in between where her wings connected to her spine, just below the shoulder blades and ran his hoof down her back. She shivered from the touch, and in return, rubbed her face into his chest. “I don’t know when our luck will end?” He spoke as he rubbed her rump, causing her tail to lift up slightly.

She pondered his words. They were lucky. They’ve could’ve died on that train. Shining did say to go full speed ahead. She was disappointed in Twilight just giving into her brother’s command. “Our luck will last…” She turned her attention to Thunderlane. “As long as we stay together.” She placed a hoof to his lips. She saw his gears turning, knowing exactly what he was thinking. “Not just us… Everypony sticking together, pitching in all of our ideas.” He nodded and gently pushed her hoof away and pulled her into a kiss.

Spike listened to Carrot Top reading from a book she found in one of the drawers. Thankfully, it was a sci-fi book, one of his favorites and one that would hold his attention, blocking the need for sleep a little longer. He sighed as he found a more comfortable position on the couch he laid on. Slowly however his mind began wandering into thoughts about the train. The loud screeching and moaning of the train as it collided against the tunnel walls. The close call of him falling out off the engine onto the tracks. He shivered and shook his head as the memories replayed in his mind.

“You alright?” Applebloom, who sat beside him asked.

Spike let out a sigh as he pulled a blanket over him. “Yeah, just a bad memory.”

Applebloom stared for a few more seconds, before turning her attention to Snowy who was being comforted by her brother Dusk and Derpy. Even Dinky was trying her best to comfort the filly.

“You think she will be, okay?” Scootaloo asked, leaning in closer to her friends.

“No…” Sweetie Belle sighed. “I think none of us will be…” She shivered. “Are we going to turn like Dawn?” She looked at her friends. “I mean he wasn’t bit!” She said in a low hissing whisper.

Applebloom frowned as memories from when she eavesdropped on her sister and brother taking about Jiminy and Sunny turning into trotters without a bite. She shivered at that thought. What if it was true… “We don’t know, we shouldn’t worry ourselves into a conniption fit.”

Sweetie Belle hung her head as she pushed her hooves into the couch repeatedly. Scootaloo only nodded. “Makes sense… Take one day at a time.” Scootaloo hummed a response as she turned her attention to Rumble who was half asleep and rolled her eyes.

“I agree…” Spike added as he fought to keep his heavy eyes open.

Hearing a soft sob, the four of them looked at Snowy who had buried her face into the floor, covering her head with her hooves.

“Where’s Pinkie when you need her.” Derpy sighed as she stood up, stretching her wings. Her eyes never leaving Snowy. “She’d know what to do.”

Carrot Top stopped reading. “You’re just as good as her.”

Derpy looked at her childhood friend and sighed. “I know…” She saw her daughter had managed to stop Snowy’s frantic rocking back and forth. “It’s just a little overwhelming.”

“Want to switch places?” Hooves commented. “Maybe I can give it ‘the old doctors try’”.

Derpy shook her head. “It’s alright, you were so busy patching up the wounded.” She kissed him on the cheek. “You need rest.”

“We all do.” Carrot Top sighed. “Any of you want me to read off another chapter or call it a night?”

Applebloom, Spike, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle looked at one another, while Rumble stared at the ceiling his head resting in his hooves and his mouth slightly agape. “Maybe, just one more.” Applebloom spoke for the group. Though her tone was dripping with unsureness.

Carrot Top rolled her eyes, but before she could start the chapter, the door to the recreation room, opened. “Rarity, what are you doing up?”

“Couldn’t sleep.” She saw her sister and gave her a small smile. “Decided to check up on everypony. “Twilight, Shining, Rainbow Dash, and Thunderlane are asleep. And now you ponies are on my next stop.” She saw Snowy and noticed her somewhat calm demeanor. “How’s she holding up?”

“She has a long road ahead of her.” Derpy sighed, but she quickly smiled as she laid a wing over Dinky. “But I believe with her help, we can get her back to her happy self.” She rustled her daughters head, much to her dismay.

Rarity laughed. “Well, good luck you two.” She eyed the rest. “You should try to get some sleep.” Her smile left. “Who knows how long we’ll be allowed to stay here.”

“You think Keplar will kick us out?” Sweetie Belle looked at her sister with wide eyes.

Rarity bit her lower lip. “With what we’ve been though, I’m not sure. Just stay on your tippy hooves, just in case.” She waved to the group. “Goodnight.” She shut the door. Letting out a sigh, Rarity walked down the hall toward the other side of the dormitory. The ceilings lights humming melody filled her mind sending a cascade of shivers dancing across her body. She stopped and stood still as her mind wandered the thoughts that plagued her mind.

‘Your dreams are gone.’ She stared at the bluish tiled floor. ‘Now you live on the edge of life and death.’ She shivered and shook her head. “Stop thinking of the worse.” She scolded herself. She continued walking, but her mind still wandered until thoughts of her parents came to the forefront. ‘Please be safe.’ She remembered the broken tone of her mother’s voice. ‘We’ll be in the safe zone in Manehattan. Come see us when this all blows over…’ She stopped. ‘When will this be all over?’ She frowned as she scanned the empty hall… no, this empty building.

“Sis?”

Rarity turned around and saw her sister. “Why aren’t you with your friends?”

Sweetie Belle rubbed her left foreleg with her right hoof. “I want to be with you tonight.”

Rarity smiled. “Well, keep up.” She smirked as she continued down the hall. Sweetie Belle smiled as she walked alongside her.

Before they neared the second to last door, Sweetie Belle spoke up. “Rarity?” Rarity responded with a hum. “Do you think mom and dad are okay?”

Raity stopped and looked at her sister. “I do.” She saw the gears in her sister’s head turning. She placed a hoof to her lips. “I do,” She lifted her sister's chin. “Because it keeps me going.” She kissed her on the forehead. “It should as well.”

Sweetie Belle gave a small smile. “Okay.”

Rarity smiled as she knocked on the door. Hearing a muffled reply, she opened the door and peaked her head in. Seeing Marley and Zipper playing a game of poker she smiled and stepped into the room. “How are you gentlecolts doing?”

Zipper’s only reply was an upset grumble as he laid down a pair of cards and picked up two more. Marley on the other hand, looked up and smiled at the two. “We’re doing alright.”

Rarity smiled as she walked up to the stallions. “How’s your leg?”

Marley looked at it. “It’s sore…” He looked back at Rarity. “But all is well.

“How long will it take to heal?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Marley smirked at her facial expression. “Who knows.” He adjusted its sling. “A couple of days.”

“Faster than how long we’ll be couped up in here.” Zipper huffed.

“You’re claustrophobic, darling?” Rarity asked with a playful smirk on her face.

“No… I just don’t like the fact that there are no windows in this damn place.” He frowned as he threw down his hand. “I feel like I’m in a coffin.”

“I feel the same way, but it’s better than being out there.” His brother struggled to shuffle the cards. Rarity noticed and picked up the cards and shuffled with them with her magic. He watched her work. Memorized my her magic's soft light-blue glow. “Thanks.” Rarity gave him a flirty smile and a wink.

Zipper watched as the cards danced in the air. “I guess.”

Rarity hummed as she handed the cards back to Marley. “All will be fine,” She messed with Marley’s mane and shivered at how rough it felt. “You defiantly need your mane done.” She giggled. “You surely need to allow me to tame this.” Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes at her sister’s flirtiness.

Marley rolled his eyes. “I’ll think about it.” He kept his eyes on his cards. Hiding his subtle embarrassment. Rarity hummed as she and her sister walked out of the room. With their door closed, Zipper stared at his brother with harsh eyes. “What?” Marley asked, feeling uncomfortable by his gaze.

“Don’t you think about it!” Zipper spat. Marley just gave him a raised brow. “Don’t give me that look, you know why. She’s thinks too highly of herself.” Marley shook his head, his eyes never leaving his cards. Zipper frowned while he messed with his cards. “And she’s a horny.”

“And there is the real reason.” Marley rolled his eyes.

“You know we earth ponies are not to mix them other races.” Zipper huffed.

“And yet we are with them.”

Zipper rolled his eyes. “I know, but once the situation is not in our favor.” He smirked. “We’re bouncing, little brother.” He frowned once more. “Play nice, but not too nice. It's making me nauseous playing second-hoof stallion to Shining.” He stuck out his tongue, mocking a vomiting action. Marley just rolled his eyes.

Within the ECDC’s cafeteria, Applejack sat at one of the ten circular tables. Her face rested in her hooves. Her ears laid flat. Ceiling lights above her buzzed a melody that drowned out her thoughts. Letting out a groan, she grabbed a bottle of red wine and took a large gulp. Wiping her lips, she stared out the glass windows that surrounded her at the workspaces below. She scanned the multitude of empty desks and silent math-computers waiting for someone to activate them once more.

“What are you doing up?”

Applejack looked up and saw her boyfriend, Soarin. “I could ask you the same thing.”

“Well, it’s hard to sleep, when you’re up and about.” Soarin sat beside her. He noticed the bottle of wine and saw it was half empty. “Wine?” He picked up the bottle. “Never took you for a wine pony.” He took a sip and puckered his lips at its rich flavor.

“Desperate times.” Applejack grumbled drunkenly as she took the bottle from his hoof and took a sip herself. “After what happened, I need a drink.” She stared longly at the bottle. “You’ve seen mah brother?”

Soarin nodded as he took the bottle and finished it off. “Yeah,” He hummed a laugh. “He and Zecora are just down the hall talking to one another.”

Applejack eyes widened. “Well shit…” She smirked, but just as fast as it came, it left.

Seeing her souring mood, Soarin sighed as he walked up to the bar and mulled over the bottles. Picking up two bottles of wine, he sat beside her and opened them up. “Well let’s enjoy this night.”

“Letting mister alcohol take our sorrows away?” Applejack hummed.

“Oh, hell yes…” He cheered her, both chugging their bottles.

Keplar walked slowly out of his room and down the hall. Rubbing his eyes, he huffed out his tiredness and frustrations. This night was something else he thought as he listened to the soft humming of electricity pouring through the lightbulbs overhead. It felt strange having an influx of ponies in the ECDC, but deep down he felt a sense of pride, being able to help them. ‘Trying to atone for your sins…’ He shook his head. “I need a drink…” ‘Another drink.’ His conscious scolded. “Shut up…” He groaned.

Seeing two figures walking down the same hall, he saw it was Macintosh and Zecora. Seeing how close they seemed to be, his mind wandered to happier thoughts. ‘Reminds me of my…' Those thoughts faded when she crept to the surface. “Heading off to bed?” He put on a smile.

Macintosh and Zecora’s attention turned to him. “Oh, yes we are.” Zecora stated.

“Walking her to her room.” Macintosh hummed softly.

Keplar kept putting on his smile. “Very chivalrous of you.”

“Though I am fine, I do not mind him escorting me.” Zecora hummed.

“Well get some rest.” Keplar waved as he walked away. They nodded and continued on their way.

Exiting the hall and turning left at the T-section, he entered the cafeteria wing of the ECDC. Hearing laughter, he went to the lounge area and saw, Applejack and Soarin sitting on a couch, obviously drunk, by their body postures, tone of voice, and the two empty bottles of wine and opened bottle of hard liquor that surrounded them. “Having fun?” He asked after collecting his nerves.

Applejack and Soarin drunkenly looked over at him. “You bet your bottom bit!” Applejack slurred as she leaned against Soarin, giggling all the while. Keplar just nodded as he walked up to the bar.

“Why don’t you join us!” Soarin gave Applejack a sloppy kiss on the head. “Drown your sorrows with us!” He held up his glass of bourbon.

Keplar stopped. His magical aura just kissing a bottle of port. “You’re not joyful?” He picked up the bottle, popping the cork out.

“No…” Applejack’s drunkenly happy mood left as she lifted herself off of Soarin. “We are… We’re grateful…” She rubbed her brow as she placed a hoof on the lips on one of the empty bottles of wine. “But you don’t know what its like.” She laughed. “How bad it is out there. You may think you do but you don’t.” She tilted the bottle side to side. “We would’ve died out there.” She looked at him. “We came close. Close to dieing from those things, them trotters.” Keplar looked down at her bottle. “Other ponies…”

“That thought came across my mind after removing a bullet from Twilight’s shoulder.” Keplar added.

“But that’s the thing!” Applejack slurred her laughter. “We couldn’t’ve made it to Canterlot.” She laid against Soarin once more. “It was only matter of time.”

Keplar stared at the two, unsure of what to say.

“I guess we’re finally letting out how we actually feel.” Soarin said softly as he finished his glass. “This world has gone to shit.” He stared the glass with heavy eyes.

Keplar took a sip of his port wine while he kept his eyes on the drunken couple. “Everything will be okay.” He said softly. Their only reaction to his words were gentle nods of their heads. “See you in a few hours.” He said as he left the cafeteria. Stepping back into the T-way intersection of the hall, he stopped as a red light caught his eye. Turning around he stared out the large glass window that overlooked the office floor below. Seeing a large timer above the main conference screen he glared at the red colored numbers it displayed. Ten hours. Twenty-five minutes. Three seconds.