AMONG THE TROTTING DEAD

Rain poured across the high plains of the Mellow Valley alongside the Marshmallow Range. Twilight glared at the hills that stretched for miles from her perch under the redwood tree she hugged against. Seventy miles to her south was the Appaloosan basin. To the east about two-hundred miles was the coastal city of Baltamare. To the west about three hundred miles was the border of Stalliongrad. And to her north was the distant mountain range that was home to the capital of Equestria, Canterlot.

‘Former capital…’

Twilight shivered as old memories nipped the back of her mind. She shook her head to rid those thoughts. It lasted for a while until a new one came to the forefront, memories of Iron’s Ridge. ‘Three months...’ she stared at the wet ground, watching it struggling to absorb the water. ‘Three fucking months… wandering nowhere...’

Hearing the hissing of propane lanterns, she looked back at the six tents that surrounded the firepit that was being constantly fueled by Marley and Blaze. She grumbled as she turned her attention back to the hills that surrounded her.

At least the forest they were in provided some sort of comfort she thought. Comfort they needed. Holding her lever action rifle close to her, she rocked with it in some vain attempt to keep herself warm. “Need a break?” Rainbow Dash asked as she sat beside her. Her breath mixing with the cold night air.

“No.” Twilight said dully.

Rainbow Dash frowned at her tone of voice. “You need a break.” She flicked water off her wings. “We’re safe. We finally found a spot that we can actually relax for once.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “It’s not good enough.”

“Nothing is good enough for you.” Rainbow Dash grumbled. She quickly regretted was she had just said. “Twilight, I…”

“Just shut-up.” Twilight spat. “I’ll relax once we find the right spot.”

Rainbow Dash looked back at the camp and saw some lanterns turn off, darkening the camp. Looking past the tents she saw the dark silhouettes of the redwood trees. “It wasn’t your fault.”

Twilight recoiled and shut her eyes as she fought the hurt that tried to consume her mind. “I was in charge of keeping ponies safe…” She leaned against the tree she sat beside.

Rainbow Dash stared at her friend for some time. Her mind mulling over her defeated posture. “It was only a matter of time before they broke out.” She pawed at the ground. Twilight remained silent. With the sounds of rain being her only acknowledgement, Rainbow Dash sighed. “Goodnight Twilight.” Stepping away from her friend she headed to the firepit.

“How’s she doing?”

Rainbow Dash looked up and saw Blaze staring at her with dull eyes. “Still upset.”

“It’s been several months.” Iron Wing interrupted Blaze as he looked down at them from the large branch he sat on. “She needs to stop beating herself up.” He laid his rifle in his lap.

Blaze gave the stallion a flat stare before looking at Rainbow Dash. “She’ll heal in her own way.” He walked past her as he took off his coat.

“She’s not in the mood to talk.” Rainbow Dash watched as he made his way up to her.

“He ain’t going to listen to you.” Marley poked the logs in the fire. “He’s stubborn like her.” He laughed. “The perfect couple.” He tossed his stick into the fire. Iron Wing frowned at the stallion’s words. His gaze darted toward the two. His posture soured as he watched Blaze sit down beside her.

“Twilight?” Blaze stared at her defeated posture. He could see the hurt that consumed her within those expressive eyes of hers. “Here,” He laid his coat over her. “Stay warm.” He placed a hoof on her shoulder. Twilight let out a soft hum as she readjusted herself. Nodding, Blaze walked back to the firepit.

No longer feeling his prescience, Twilight looked down at the ground watching a millipede crawling over the mud searching for dry ground. A small smile worked its way onto her lips as she smelled the coat that held the scent of cigarettes and his natural odor.

“So?” Rainbow Dash tilted her head.

“She’ll be fine.” Blaze sat down by the fire and took out a cigarette. “Like I said she’ll heal in her own time.” He lit the stick of tobacco.

Rainbow Dash’s snout twitched at the smell as she looked at her friend. “I know.” She looked at the tents that surrounded them. “We can’t keep living like this.” She sat down by the fire. “We need to find a permanent place.”

“Every place we’ve been to has been over ran with trotters.” Iron Wing scoffed from his perch above them.

“But we can’t keep this up?” Rainbow Dash shot back, keeping her voice near a whisper as to not wake anyone up.

“I agree Dash.” Rarity replied as she tiredly walked over to the fire and sat beside Marley.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?” Marley asked as he gave her a side glance.

Rarity gave a sigh as she messed with her tattered mane. “Trouble sleeping.” She leaned against Marley, letting out a heavy yawn. Marley blushed at her touch and tensed up, his eyes staring wide eyed at the fire. Rainbow Dash tried to hide a smirk as she stared at them. Shaking her head she looked at Twilight once more and saw that she had fully laid on the ground, her head leaning against the tree. “I think she’s fallen asleep.” Rarity spoke softly as she stared at her as well.

“She needs it.” Blaze grunted as he laid down on his back, laying his right hoof over his eyes.

“We all need it.” Rarity adjusted herself and buried her face in Marley’s chest, ignoring the stallion’s embarrassment.

“You all get some shut eye,” Iron Wing checked to see if his rifle had a round in the chamber. “I’ll keep watch tonight.” They looked up at the stallion as he stared into the forest’s dark abyss. Letting out tired yawns and sighs, they slowly drifted off to sleep.

-Next Day-

Twilight stared at a mighty redwood tree. She slowly tilted her head as she studied its grandness as it towered over her like a giant. A gentle giant. Unaware of the hell that plagued the world. “Damn, never seen anything like it.” Blaze whistled as he eyed the same tree she was looking at. “Have you?”

“Once.” Twilight scanned the branches that were eighty feet in the air. “My parents took us to a costal redwood forest near Bellmane when I was a filly. It only had one tree that was mighty, about seventy hooves high or so.” She looked at him and smiled. “This forest though seems like it has taller trees.”

“Well, I don’t know about you two, but I feel safe. Surrounded by giants.” Iron Wing walked up to them and looked up at the same tree. Twilight and Blaze studied his contempt posture. “Reminds me of my home.” He gave them a toothy grin.

“Where would that be?” Blaze raised his brow, tilting his head to the side, his eyes dull and unamused.

“The northern territories.” Iron Wing noticed his lack of caring.

“The badlands?” Twilight raised her brow. “I didn’t know you came from there. I thought you said you grew up in the mountain city of Kurshki?”

“Moved there as a teenager.” Iron Wing waved a wing. “Born in the badlands.”

Blaze looked at the trees that surrounded them. “I guess they seem a little homey.”

“Yes, they’re homey, but the scenery is not going to aid our survival!” Derpy huffed as she stared at them with stressed out eyes.

“Derpy, calm down, we’ll be fine.” Rainbow Dash comforted her.

“Fine?” Derpy huffed. “My daughter is sick!” She pointed her head at her daughter that laid over her back. Dinky’s eyes were puffy and her noise stuffed up. “Cadance can barely walk in her condition!” She pointed at Cadance who sat beside a fallen log with a hoof over her protruding belly. “We are low on food! Medicine! I don’t know how long we can keep eating weeds and grass!”

“We are barely making a dent traveling through this forest!” Thunderlane added. Rainbow Dash placed her hooves on Derpy’s shoulders and hugged her. Dr. Hooves took out the last of their cold medicine and gave it to Dinky.

“Hey at least it beats traveling in the open valley.” Copper crossed his forelegs.

“We haven’t seen a town in a month!” Fletcher sighed. “I think it wasn’t such a good idea heading into the wilderness.”

“Every town we’ve came across was filled with trotters.” Poppy, a peach colored pegasus sighed.

“That’s just life now.” Marely growled. “You all don’t get it, do you?” He glared at the rest of the group.

“Hey, pal, just because you lost your brother, doesn’t mean you can get all pissy!” Soarin sighed. “We all lost ponies we cared for…” Applejack placed a hoof on his shoulder.

“Let’s all take it easy, we’re all under a lot of stress.” Applejack looked at her group with a dull smile. “We’ll find a place to call home. I know we will.” She looked at Derpy, “A place with medicine for your daughter.” She looked at Cadance. “A place where the foal can be born safely.” She eyed the group, trying to make herself look confidant. “A place to finally rest, eat, and feel safe once again.”

Twilight studied the groups’ reaction.

Shining, Cadance, as well as Macintosh, Soarin, and Zecora we’re in full agreement. Rainbow Dash, Thunderlane, Dr. Hooves, and Poppy, seemed like they were on the fence. Pinkie, Maud, Spitfire, Copper, Granite, Limestone, and Opal seemed indifferent. While Fletcher, Marley, and Iron Wing really didn’t show much emotion, keeping their thoughts close to the chest. Spike, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Rumble, Pound Cake, Pumkin Cake, Snowy, Dusk, and Hanzel on the other hand were just going with the flow.

Shivering from the humid breeze washing over her, Twilight looked over her shoulder, eyeing the endless mass of red wood trees that seemed to stretch on for miles.

“We’ll scout up a head.” Maud pointed at Spitfire. “All of you rest up, if we find anything we’ll let you know.” She jumped down from the boulder she stood on and walked further into the forest. Spitfire following after her.

“I’ll forage for some mushrooms.” Marley sighed as he walked into the forest.

“We’ll help.” Zecora spoke as she motioned Macintosh to follow.

Cadence let out a heavy sigh as she rested her head on the tree next to her. “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be.” Shining ran a hoof through her mane. “It’s a lot for you.” He leaned back against the same tree. “Hell, it’s a lot for all of us.”

“Hope we find a spot.” Fletcher sighed.

“I’m tired of all this hiking.” Dusk rubbed his hind hooves. His sister just kept her eyes on the ground as she rubbed her front hooves.

“We’ll find a spot.” Twilight let out a sigh as she walked up to her brother and sister-in-law.

“I hope so.” Shining looked at his wife’s enlarged belly.

“Just stay positive.” Rainbow Dash flew up into the air. “I’ll keep watch.”

“Same.” Iron Wing flew up to a branch. Twilight stared at him for some time before unholstering her axe and walking up to a fallen tree.

Maud slowly walked through the forest. The calming aura was an enjoyable sensation that was welcomed. After several months of hoping from one infested place to another, she didn’t know how much longer they could keep this up.

“You think we'll find something?” Spitfire asked as she walked alongside her, her wings twitching as the warm mid-day air hung heavy like fog.

“Maybe…” Maud scanned the forest. “We need a break.” She crawled up a boulder. Seeing that she was on the edge of a cliff, she looked down at the forest floor twenty-seven feet below.

“We will.” Spitfire stared in awe at the vastness of the red wood forest. Looking to her right, she stared at Maud, watching her eyes dart about, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Her eyes slowly followed her mane and how it hugged her muscular neck... She quickly looked forward to hide her blush, then laughed.

Maud looked over at her dumbfounded. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh just,” Spitfire looked up and smirked. “You’re just reminding me of when you would take watch on top of the courthouse’s belltower.”

Maud stared at her for some time before looking back over the forest. “Didn’t do us any good.” She let out a heavy sigh. “Still lost the town.”

Spitfire frowned. “The weather was to blame, not your eyes.” She stood close to her. “No pony could’ve seen that hoard in that blizzard.” She scooted a little closer. Maud felt a warm sensation from how close she was. She turned her head to the west, one to hide her embarrassment and secondly to keep searching, but her eyes slowly wandered to the treetops. Her mind drifting too past memories as she watched them sway with the wind.

“You’re right…” Maud sighed. “But if I had just seen that hoard then…” Spitfire rubbed her snout into her cheek.

“We can’t change the past, only the future.” Spitfire looked past her at the path the rocks created to the bottom of the gorge. “Race you to the bottom.” She skipped at a fast pace. “I promise not to use them.” She flapped her wings. Shaking her embarrassment away, a small smirk adored Maud’s lips as she gave chase.

Jumping over a fallen tree, Maud listened to the dried pine needles crunching under her hooves. She kept staring at the ground, her eyes dully scanning the dead flora. “What’s wrong?” Spitfire asked as she flew above her, the flapping of her wings drowning out the ambient sounds of the forest. Maud kept silent as she narrowed her eyes and ran a hoof across the ground, kicking up needles and dirt. “Is that pavement?” Spitfire gasped.

Maud glared at the dark asphalt. Looking down the covered road, she made out its path through the forest. “Let’s see where it leads.”

Carefully following the path for the next mile or so, they came upon a wrought-iron fence. Timidly stepping up to the gate, they peered through the bars and saw a two-story building about a yard from a cliff’s edge. “Is that a hotel?” Spitfire titled her head.

Maud scanned the building and saw a fence surrounded it as well. Looking to her right she saw two other buildings and a watchtower. Seeing an emblem painted on the side of the watchtower, she saw it was the symbol for the Equestrian National Park Service. Stepping back, she scanned the immediate area around the gate, seeing a sign she cleared the leaves that covered it and saw it read, ‘Poppies Gove National Park’. Muad looked at Spitfire “That building is a visitor center.”

“I take it that this is the place?” Spitfire smirked, admiring Maud’s happy demeanor. “You only smile when its good news.”

Muad shook her head. “Yeah, this has to be the place…” Spitfire kissed her on the lips. Time seemed to slow for her as she stared at the mare in front of her, so close, doing something so intimate.

Spitfire pulled away and looked at Maud’s flustered appearance. “We finally have a home!” She giggled as she hugged her and flew into the air.

The shock that consumed her, slowly faded as Maud just watched her dance in the air. A smile worked its way as she looked back at the two-story building… “Crap!” Maud jumped back; Spitfire dropped beside her as they both stared at a trotter pressing itself against the gate. They glared at the dead as it tried desperately to attack them.

“Shit!” Spitfire shook her head. “Of course!” Maud frowned at the trotter.

“How far is this place?” Applejack asked as she leaned against a redwood tree, her forelegs crossed across her chest.

“About five miles.” Spitfire kept up her smile.

“But?” Soarin who sat beside her with a rifle laying in his lap, tilted his head to the side. “Usually that tone you’re speaking in has a catch to it.”

“Trotters occupy it at the moment.” Maud stated flatly.

Upon hearing the news, Derpy pulled at her mane. “My daughter is going to die! Is she?” Dr. Hooves placed a hoof on her back and pulled her in to comfort her. Hanzel who sat beside his brother, stared at Dinky as she rested on a foam mat, her body covered in sweat. His ears laid flat as memories of Iron’s Ridge being overrun played in his mind, seeing so many friends die, he closed his eyes and looked away.

Pinkie was lost in thought, she looked around and saw the mixed emotions plaguing them all. “We can take it.” She said with a tone of authority. “We need this!” She stepped in the middle of the group. “We can’t keep wandering forever looking for a needle in a hay stack!”

“But what if ponies get bit while clearing it out?” Applebloom asked nervously.

“We’re dying either way!” Pinkie shot back.

The group shivered at her words, but deep down they all knew it was true. “I’m worried about the possibilities of it going wrong, but what other choice do we have.” Rarity spoke. “Dinky needs antibiotics and Cadance needs to give birth in a safe environment.”

“She’d ring the dinner bell if she gave birth in the wild.” Marley huffed as he fiddled with his crossbow.

Shining frowned at his words, but Cadance placed a hoof on his chest. “He’s right, Pinkie’s right.” She looked at the group. “We need to take this national park for ourselves.”

Twilight stared at the ground for a short while, before looking at Maud and Spitfire. “You said the visitor center was surrounded by a fence?”

“Yes, about ten hooves high.” Spitfire drew in the dirt with her hoof. “There is a park ranger watchtower about fifty or seventy hooves to the north on the VC and several more hooves further into the park are the cabins along the mountain side.”

“VC?” Scootaloo asked.

“Visitor Center.” Fletcher laughed. “Still a military pony through and through.” He gave her a smirk. “It will never leave us.” Spitfire shook her head as she held in a laugh.

“Then we go.” Macintosh stood up and walked over to one of their carts they had and hooked himself to it. “Let’s get to the park before sundown. I would like to scout the place out more.” He nodded to the group. Giving each other glances, all silently acknowledging that they were indeed going through with it, they stood up and picked up what little supplies they were carrying and followed him further into the forest.

Twilight peered through the bars of the fence, watching trotters mull about in a daze. Looking up she saw Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane flying back. “How’s it looking?”

“Perfect!” Rainbow Dash landed beside her. “Though there is a lot of trotters mulling about the main section of the park.”

“How many?” Opal asked.

“About fifty or so.” Thunderlane’s wings hug loosely to his sides. “Could be more… The fence goes on for hooves.”

“What about the visitor Center?” Rarity asked.

“Seven within the fence that surrounds it.” Rainbow Dash looked over at the building and saw one of the trotters walk through the opened gate. It growled and snapped its teeth as it wandered over to the park ranger’s watchtower. “Make that six.”

“That’s too many!” Pumpkin Cake began to cry. Pinkie picked her up and began rocking her trying to comfort her woes. Her brother Pound Cake leaned against Pinkie. Snowy who sat a few feet away just glared at them with hollowed eyes.

Limestone stared at the visitor center, eyeing the fence line, her lips puckered as she placed a hoof to her chin. “What are you thinking?” Granite asked.

“If we’re fast enough, we can lock that gate and keep the majority of them out of visitor center’s grounds.”

“Lock it with what?” Blaze raised his brow.

“This.” Macintosh held a cord of nylon rope in between his teeth.

“Yes, and then clear out the stragglers.” Limestone smiled as she tapped her hooves together. “We’ll have a barrier between us and the trotters mulling about the park.”

“That will work.” Soarin looked at the others with a smile on his face.

“Well then, what are we waiting for?” Derpy huffed. “Lets’ get going before the sun sets!”

“Hold on.” Applejack hissed as she held up her hooves. “We don’t have any idea how many trotters are in there!” She pointed at the visitor center.

“We won’t know until we get in there!” Pinkie stood up for Derpy. “If you want to pussy-hoof around this golden opportunity then be by guest!”

“Pinkie!” Maud shot back, “Applejack is right.” She looked at the pegasi of the group. “Pegasi and our resident bat pony.” Maud pointed at Iron Wing. “They’ll clear out the yard and once that’s done, we’ll move as one as we make our way to the gate. Once there a small group will enter the building and check it out.” She put her hooves up to her lips and let out a heavy sigh. “Either way once that’s gate is shut, we’ll be safe.”

“Sounds good to me.” Marley raised his crossbow at a trotter approaching the fence. Taking a shot, the bolt flew through the air and struck the trotter’s skull, sending it to the ground. Admiring his work, he spat out his tobacco chew.

Copper who was watching the dead, let out a sigh. “Somepony needs to stay behind to call them away from the gate when we make our move.”

“What?” Some of them looked at the earth pony.

“Keep us off our tail.” Spike looked at his siblings, before looking at Copper and giving him the biggest smirk he could muster. “That’s sounds like a good idea.”

“Less fighting.” Applebloom added.

The rest of the group nodded in agreement as they mulled over the how. “It will have to be a pony that has good teleportation skills or can run really fast.” Fletcher pointed out as he tapped his horn. “Still having trouble since I had to use that spell when we were at the grocery store a month ago.”

“I’ll do it.” Twilight looked at the trotters that had noticed them and were leaning against the wrought-iron fence, begging to sink their teeth into their flesh.

Before Shining could interject, Pinkie clapped her hooves. “Then its settled!” She smirked at Spitfire, Thunderlane, Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Poppy, and Iron Wing. “Twenty seconds flat?” She giggled as she took out her manchette. The others unholstered their melee weapons.

Rainbow Dash smirked. “Twenty seconds flat!”

“Twenty what?” Poppy raised her brow.

“Tell you later.” Thunderlane laughed as they took to the sky.

Watching them flying around the building, Twilight walked up to the fence. Staring at the dead she looked into the milky eyes of a female trotter. Her thoughts were dull as she watched it snap and snarl at her. Closing her eyes she placed her axe on the fence and began walking away from the visitor center. “FOLLOW ME!” She yelled as she smacked the fence with her axe. Metallic pings rang out drawing nearby trotters to follow the sound.

Seeing the number of trotters thinning out around the gate, Rainbow and her posse landed and swiftly killed the remaining trotters that remained. Watching the last trotter crumpling to the ground, Shining broke the lock on the fence and threw it open, “MOVE!” He commanded as he led them to the visitor center. They moved as one, keeping Cadance, Derpy, and the children in the middle. Seeing a trotter turning its attention from Twilight to them, Limestone growled as she struck it over the head with her mallet.

“Almost there!” Marley huffed as he fired a bolt killing another.

Getting to the visitor center’s gate, the group poured through the threshold, Quickly Macintosh tied the gate shut. But before he could finish the second knot, a trotter threw itself against the gate. Rarity activated her horn and finished the knot. “You okay, darling?”

Macintosh let out held breath, “Yeup.” He looked up searching for Twilight. Seeing that she was several yards from them, he looked over at Shining. “Tell your sister we’re good to go.” Shining nodded and casted a small ball of light onto the tip of his horn.

Seeing the light, Twilight stepped back from the fence. Concentrating her magic to the tip of her horn, she narrowed her eyes onto her brother and activated the spell. Appearing behind them, she tumbled across the ground. “Damn…” She huffed, summiting herself to her fate and lied on the ground, trying to rest the pain away.

“You alright?” Spike sat beside her, overlooking her to see if anything was broken.

“I’m fine…” She groaned out her discomfort. “That was harder than it should’ve been?”

“Maybe you need proper rest and food.” Shining offered her a hoof, which she accepted.

Applejack looked at the two-story building before them and smiled. “Let’s take a look.” She walked up to the building.

“Applejack, Soarin, Blaze, Marley, and I will go in.” Twilight spoke as she followed after Applejack. “The rest of you who are able, kill these freaks before they overwhelm the fence.” Pinkie and Maud nodded as they motioned the others to follow. Standing beside Applejack who was timidly testing the door, Twilight glared through the window beside the door. It was dark and hard to see anything or anypony within. “The door’s locked?”

“Nope.” Applejack gently guided the door open. Stepping inside, the musty smell of cigar smoke, old wood, whisky, and fireplace soot filled their nostrils as they slowly walked down the small hall into a large lounge area on their left and a reception desk and several doors on their right.

The lounge’s square footage was twenty-seven-hundred-feet. The ceiling was about two stories tall with grand support pillars carved out of the very same redwood that made up the forest the building resided in. The floor was a dark oak with a sesame seed oil finish, once with a polish that rivaled most mirrors, but now dull. The walls were made from oak and stained a deep rich crimson-brown that made it feel homey and rustic. Fitting of a western style.

In the center of the lounge was a circular cast-iron fireplace, with a metal chimney that hung from the ceiling. Two billiard tables were on either side of the fireplace, with dark green felt and black foe-leather trim. Eight round oak tables dotted the floor, their dark green tablecloth covered in dust. Couches hugged the walls along with side tables with ash trays, lamps, and or books on their surfaces.

Seeing a body of a stallion sitting in one of the couches and two more, both mares lying on the ground, the smell of death broke through the musty odor. Twilight held a hoof to her snout as they made their way over to the front desk. Seeing a sign by the end of the desk, she sauntered up to it. “Cafeteria, first floor. Lounge, first floor. VIP Lounge, second floor. Staff quarters, first floor. Museum, second floor.”

“We got a layout of the place.” Blaze smirked as he jammed his elbow into her side. “And a game plan.” His smirk left as his face returned to its dull self. “I’ll get more hooves to help us.”

Twilight felt her cheeks blush from his touch. “Sure…” She hid her emotions. “Let's take this slow.”

“Of course.” Blaze smirked once again as he placed his bat over his shoulder. “Slow and steady wins the race.”

-Five Hours Later-

Tossing the last rotting corpse over the fence, Twilight and Rarity huffed as they stepped back and stared at the large pile of corpses, they counted thirty-seven bodies nineteen of those bodies were in the building, seven of those being trotters they killed. Walking up to the front door to the building, Twilight pulled down the rag over her face and took a deep breath. “Sweet Luna, that’s gagging.” She leaned against the pillar holding up the awning they stood under.

“Let’s hope the other’s got most of it cleaned up by now.” Rarity messed with her tattered mane.

“They have better of used all that bleach we’ve found.” Twilight opened the door. “I’d rather smell that than rotting flesh!”

“Let’s not go and overdose on cleaning fumes.” Rarity giggled. Twilight smirked and shook her head as they walked past the receptionist desk.

“WELCOME!” Pinkie sung as she appeared behind the desk. “What can I do for you?” She moved some of her mane from her eyes as she rested her right foreleg on the desk’s countertop. Twilight and Rarity could hear the Cake twins laughing from the other side of the desk.

“We were wondering what is there to see around here?” Twilight played along for the twins’ sake.

Pinkie pulled out a pamphlet. “There is plentily to see, hiking trials galore, a beautiful river to see and cozy cabins, but…” She gave them a mocking pouty face.

“But what?” Rarity rolled her eyes playfully.

“Oh, there’s a bunch of freaks roaming the land.” Pinkie waved her hoof out in front of her dramatically, “Told the staff to take care of them, but they did a lousy job,” Her smile left slightly as she stared at the pile of dead bodies. “You’re going have to watch your backs.” She looked at them and gave a halfhearted smile.

“Will get to it when we cross that bridge.” Twilight returned the smile as they made their way toward the lounge.

Pinkie stared at them for some time. “Auntie?” Pumpkin looked up at her, her head tilted to the side.

“Yes?” Pinkie looked down at her.

“Are you alright?” Pound asked for his sister.

“Yes.” She smiled. “Why don’t you see what the others are up to.” The twins silently stood up and ran into the lounge. Pinkie watched them scurry over to Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Scootaloo, Rumble, Hanzel, Spike, Snowy, and Dusk who were playing a card game.

Smiling, she turned her gaze to the rest of the group.

She saw Shining tending to Cadance who was lying by the fireplace. Derpy was also sitting by the fireplace, tending to her daughter with Dr. Hooves who had found some cold medicine in a first-aid cabinet from the offices on the upper floor.

Twilight was laying her face on the table Applejack and Soarin sat at. Pinkie couldn’t make out what Applejack or Soarin were talking about. ‘Probably relationship stuff or what to do next?’ She mused as she turned her attention elsewhere.

To her left in the corner. Marley sat on the windowsill, fixing his crossbow. Fletcher and Iron Wing were playing a game of pool, while Opal watched.

Rarity sat beside Macintosh, and Poppy who were drinking tea that Zecora was making for everypony. She saw her older sister Maud and Spitfire standing by a window on her right, sipping tea and staring at nature. Pinkie smirked as she saw Spitfire was leaning into her sister. ‘You deserve it.’ She silently cheered her sister as she turned to finish her pony watching.

She saw Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane napping the day away on one of the couches by the wall. Blaze was also lying in the other couch on the opposite side. His left foreleg resting over his eyes and the tip of his tail sweeping the floor with each twitch of his tail.

Her eyes finally fell on Copper who was sitting next to Granite and Limestone. Copper noticed her staring and waved to her to join them. Pinkie smiled and waved back, but before she joined them, her peripheral vision picked up something that made her shiver.

Looking out the window on her left, she stared at the pile of dead bodies against the fence. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw her baby sister, Marble, lying on top of the pile. Her white milky eyes glared at her menacingly. Pinkie’s eyes trembled as she saw her sister pull out a pocket watch tapping it with a bloodied hoof.

“Pinkie?”

Pinkie whipped her head around and saw Copper standing on the other side of the counter. “Yes?” She darted her eyes over to the window and saw her sister was gone.

“You, okay?” He placed a hoof on her forehead. “Daydreaming again?” His lips frowned at how clammy she felt. “About her?”

Pinkie gently pushed his hoof away. “Yes…” She collected herself. “I’m fine.” She began to walk towards the group. “Don’t say anything to my sisters.”

“You know I won’t” Copper nuzzled her. She blushed at the affection and leaned into him.

“You, okay?” Limestone asked as she watched them sit next to the fireplace.

“Yes.” Pinkie placed her hooves close to the fire to warm them up. “Just worn out is all.” Limestone kept staring, but slowly nodded as she returned to the map of the park she found.

Maud stared at her sister for some time before looking back out the window. “Is she okay?” Spitfire asked as she finished her tea.

“She’s been like this since our sister died.” Maud looked at the branches of a nearby redwood sway with the winds. “She zones out once and awhile.”

“You ever wonder what she’s thinking?” Spitfire tapped her hoof against the cup. Maud kept silent as she stared at the trees. Spitfire took her silence as her answer and stared into her empty cup. ‘You’re the most challenging pony I’ve ever met…’ She smirked at herself. ‘I like a challenge.’

Twilight finally lifted her head from the table and stared at her group for some time. For once, she felt safe. Constantly being on the move was starting to wear her resolve. Hearing the pop of fire, she hummed a soft melody as she closed her eyes.

“This place will work.” Soarin told Applejack. “Once we clear out the dead and relock the main gate. We’ll have all this to ourselves.” He looked out the windows and stared at the cabins in the distance. “Our own place.” He booped Applejack’s snout.

Applejack gently pushed his hoof away. “We still need to clear out the trotters that sill remain.” She looked at the dead mulling about. “And find the gap in the fence.”

“Gap?” Soarin tilted his head.

“There is too many of them to just to have been campers.” She watched a trotter twist its head about as it walked past the watchtower.

Soarin sighed as he tapped the table. “You’re right.”

“Which is why we need to clear them out tomorrow.” Twilight’s voice was raspy as she smacked her lips. She pulled out her canteen of water and finished off what was left. “We have plenty of canned food and water for now.” She pointed at their pile of food on one of the tables. “Our medicine situation could be better.” She looked at the sad look leather bag that sat beside Dr. Hooves.

“I believe the watchtower will have more.” Dr. Hooves commented as he knew what she was thinking.

“Exactly.” Twilight nodded. “And who knows what the cabins hold.”

“Why don’t we wait for a few days.” Spike stated. “We’re in no rush.”

“We are.” Twilight huffed as she sat up and stood in the middle of the group. “We are not going to dilly-dally around wasting time we don’t have.” She pointed at the group. “We are going to make sure this place is secure.”

“We have fences.” Poppy rolled her eyes. “Better than what we had at Iron’s Ridge.”

“It’s not good enough.” Twilight huffed as she pointed at the pile of dead against the fence. “That’s why!” She gritted her teeth. “How long till the dead overwhelm it?” She glared at them. “We are going to fortify the fence that surrounds this building, start small and work our way out.” The group was silent as they looked amongst each other. “What’s wrong?” Twilight asked.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Shining stood up. “We’re just tired. You’re tired. We need to rest, gather our strength.” He placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Let's take a day to recover, then we’ll work.” He could see the gears in her head turning at a million miles a second. “We’ll have ponies keep watch, even sleep on the second story and barricade the doors just in case.”

“Listen to him.” Cadance gave Twilight a familiar motherly stare.

After staring at her for some time, Twilight tore her eyes from her and stared at the ground. Staring at its wooden fibers, her ears laid flat as her body loosened up. “Fine…” She rested her head against her brother’s chest. Shining laid his chin on her head and patted her on the back.