AMONG THE TROTTING DEAD

-Four Days Later-

“Are we ready?” Limestone asked as she peaked over the railing, the wood creaking under her weight as she placed her hooves on it. She looked down at Opal standing over Shining and Granite who were underneath the waterwheel’s gear box, unclogging its gears.

“Almost!” Opal held up a hoof, as the flashlight consumed by his magic floated over Shining and Granite illuminating the tight space.

The musty smell of wet wood and rusty metal filled Shining’s nostrils as he laid on his side using a small shovel to agitate the debris around the main power gear. Scoping out the last bit of debris, Shining crawled out from the cramped space. “Granite, are you finished?”

“Yeah!” His muffled voice replied. He popped his head out from where he was working and took several large gasps of fresh air. “Ready?”

“Ready.” Shining looked up at Limestone. “Let her rip!”

Limestone smiled as she placed her left hind leg on the latch keeping the water wheel locked. Giving it a sold kick, the latch swung into its opened position with a dull click. The wheel let out a groan as the water was allowed to push against its fins, slowly the wheel began to rotate in a clockwise orientation.

Opal picked up the walkie-talkie. “Do we have power?”

Static filled their ears as Dr. Hooves replied. “Yes, we do!” He chuckled a pleased sign. “So good to see the glow of a lightbulb!”

“We’ll need to find more tools if we want to keep it running, but it should last us for a while.” Opal replied.

“We’ll let Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane know next time they’re out on patrol.” He replied.

“Copy.” Opal looked at Shining. “So, what’s next on the to do list?”

“We spotted some trotters on the other side of the river yesterday.” He looked across the river and saw a trotter walking along its banks.

“We shouldn’t kill them by the river.” Granite watched it throw its head about. “Don’t want to take the risk, somepony might gather water from the wrong part of the river.”

“Wait for them to cross or get swept away.” Limestone huffed as she walked down the steps and kissed Granite on the cheeks. “Come let’s help Blaze and Marley with gathering the ones we killed yesterday.” She picked up her saddlebag. “Getting tired of the smell.”

Sloshing of watered down bleach filled Applejack’s ears as she dunked the mop into a bucket. Pulling it out she ran the mop over the floor trying her best to remove a dark stain. Her mind drifted to yesterday, when Twilight, Soarin, Thunderlane, Rainbow Dash, Granite, Limestone, and her removed the bodies that were within the cabins.

Reminders of her and Limestone stepping up to the very cabin she’s cleaning and seeing scratch marks on the door. The faint odor of death within.

She stopped moping and looked out the window and saw the large pile of trotters on the other side of the fence. She recognized a trotter in the pile. It was a filly. It wasn’t hard to pick her out in the mass of bodies. Her starved fragile form made her stand out like a sore hoof. She remembered her when they opened the cabin’s door and saw her struggling to stand on her hooves. Her sunken eyes glaring at them.

Letting out a sigh she pushed the mop across the floor.

Soarin stood by the firepit that was in the center of a gravel circle flanked by all eight cabins. He looked into the one Applejack was in and watched her work. “Mah sister got you distracted?” Soarin jumped and looked over his shoulders and saw Applebloom and her friends.

“Um, no…” He could see she wasn’t buying his excuse. “Anyways,” He changed the subject. “Did you fillies finish your cabins?”

Applebloom rolled her eyes. “Yes, cabin one and cabin two are done.” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle held in their laughter.

Soarin shook his head. “Are Spike, Fletcher, and Rumble finished?”

“Almost.” Sweetie Belle pointed at Cabins seven and six. “We have two more left to go.”

Soarin turned his eyes toward the sky and saw the sun looked to be about two hours past noon. “Let’s get to it then, I would like to sleep on an actual bed tonight.” The fillies shook their heads as they picked up their dwindling cleaning supplies and sauntered over to the cabins with Soarin.

Poppy’s wings flapped in a rhythmic flow as she held a hammer in her hooves. Eying her target she lifted the hammer and struck the rusty nail into the wood. Satisfied with her work she flew up and looked down at the fence and saw the nail had cleanly dug through and lodged itself into the other planks of wood that were crafted into a ‘C’ shape to grasp one of the fence’s posts.

“I can see it now,” Spitfire smiled as she held out her hooves. “A perfect fortification around the visitor center!” She ran her hoof along the planks. “All it needs now is a metal skin!”

Maud looked at the pile of wood and metal sheets that were once a part of the park ranger watchtower along the river, that had collapsed. “Maybe we can find another building in this park to scrap?”

Spitfire looked at the pile of building material. “We’re going to have to if we want the fence fully fortified.” She glared at the fence that surrounded the building.

“We’ll talk with Twilight about it.” Poppy commented as she looked at the main fence and saw Twilight and Rarity walking along it. Spitfire nodded as she hovered over the pile and picked up another plank of wood.

“How’s it going over there?” Derpy asked through clinched teeth as she held a crudely crafted hoe in her mouth.

“Alright!” Spitfire waved. “If we keep this pace, we’ll have a strong fence by the end of this week!”

“Sounds wonderful!” Derpy smiled.

“How’s our mini garden coming along?” Spitfire grunted out her question as she placed the piece of wood in place for Poopy and Maud.

Derpy looked at their small ten-foot by ten-foot garden they were making a few yards from the visitor center. “Coming along.” She watched her daughter and Hanzel placing carrot seeds in the soil. Seeing the seeds falling into their shallow craters, her mind drifted to her friend. The panic in her friend’s eyes as they tried out running the dead that swarmed Iron’s Ridge. She remembered them pounding on the door… She wished she didn’t have a broken wing that day. She could’ve prevented her from sacrificing herself… Saved her from being torn limb from limb as she glided ungracefully out the window with her daughter in her arms.

“Derpy?”

Derpy broke from her haze and felt a hoof on her shoulder. Seeing a black and white stripped fur pattern, she looked up and saw Zecora giving her a concerned look. “Yes?” She saw her daughter’s youthful eyes looking at her.

“Is she okay?” Maud asked.

“Yes, I’m fine,” She saw Snowy and Dusk giving her a look too. “A thought just crossed my mind.” Dinky’s shoulders slummed as she gently patted the ground, sealing the seeds from the outside world. Hanzel watched with curious eyes. He knew what she was feeling. His cheeks became flushed with red as he remembered Dinky hugging him as she let out her sorrows after they fled Iron’s Ridge.

“Let us not dwell on the past, there is enough for us in the present to focus on.” Zecora smiled as she patted Derpy on the back. Snowy raised a brow as she mulled over the zebra’s words. Dusk felt a shiver as he saw her sister’s brows morph into a scowl.

“You think it’s a little too early to be focusing our attention on this fence than the one around the visitor center?” Rarity asked as she walked alongside Twilight, all the while taking notes in her notepad. “We’ve already sealed off the gap and what we’ve seen so far is in relativity good shape.”

“Most of us will be sleeping in the cabins.” Twilight glared at one of the posts and noticed a large patch of rust at the top. “Having a solid line of defense is crucial.” She prodded with her hoof. The post snapped at the top and then bent slightly forward.

Rarity glared at the post. “Another one added to the list...” She hummed dully as she made a mark in her notepad. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Marley and Blaze throwing dead trotters, that were killed the prior days into a pile. Blaze was looking at them, his eyes locked onto Twilight. His gaze was brief as he returned back to task. She shook her head as she watched Twilight glaring at a section of the fence. ‘Clueless mare.’ She laughed internally.

Twilight frowned as she stepped forward slightly. “How long do you think this place will last?”

“What?” Rarity tilted her head. Taken back by her question.

“We only had Iron’s Ridge for four months.” Twilight poked several posts, satisfied with their condition.

Rarity slipped the pen through the notepad’s looped rings. “We were not prepared for that winter.” She looked up from her notes and eyed the ponies that mulled about the land around them. She noticed Blaze’s enamored expression in those fiery orange eyes of his as he gave Twilight another glance. However, he quickly turned his eyes elsewhere when he noticed Rarity looking at him. Shaking her head she looked at Twilight who was oblivious of her secret admirer. “Looks like we’ll need to add another thing to the fixing list.” She hummed.

“What?” Twilight looked at her with a raised brow.

“You.” Rarity laughed.

“Me?” Twilight pointed at herself.

“Yes, you.” Rarity nodded her head at Blaze. “You have an admirer.”

Twilight blushed as she quickly looked at said stallion who was tossing his finished cigarette onto the pile of dead trotters. She quickly looked away and glared at Rarity. “We’re just friends,” She pointed a hoof at her friend. “Don’t you dare play matchmaker!”

Rarity laughed. “Oh, I can tell you like him.” She scanned the faux leather jacket she was wearing with sly eyes. “You’re still wearing his jacket.”

Twilight blushed. “He said he didn’t need it.” She stared at the bottom of the fence to keep her mind distracted from Rarity’s charades.

“He doesn’t need it?” Rarity mocked as she shook her head. “Keep telling yourself you don’t.” She leaned in. “But you know you do.” She whispered seductively. Frowning, Twilight used her magic and rustled Rarity’s mane.

“Twilight!” She cried. “Why you!” She playfully returned the gesture and rustled up her mane.

Marley stared at the two as they giggled at each other. “What’s gotten them all worked up?” He asked as he moved his cigarette to the other side of his mouth.

Blaze stared at Twilight watching her move her bangs from her eyes. “Not sure?” He felt his chest tighten up as she looked at him. Only briefly as she quickly turned around, dragging Rarity towards the visitor center. Marley shook his head as he watched the fire consume the trotters.

Iron Wing watched Twilight and Rarity walk up to the visitor center with dull eyes. Tapping a hoof on his rifle, he turned his attention to Blaze, watching him shoveling up a dirt to create a ring around the burning mass of bodies. Groaning at the smell of burning flesh, he pulled out a rag from his saddlebag and held it up to his snout. Quickly turning his attention back to Twilight, he watched her hips swaying side to side as she walked up the porch’s steps. “Admiring my friends?”

Iron Wing jumped, his heart slamming against his chest. He braced himself against the tree he sat on, looking around for the source of the sound. Seeing Rainbow Dash hovering over him, he let out a heavy sigh. “You scared me…” He gave her sheepish smirk.

Rainbow Dash raised her brow as she lifted her bandana around her neck over her snout to block out the smell. “You didn’t answer my question.” She looked over her shoulders and saw Rarity and Twilight walk into the building. “So,” She gave him and sly smirk. “Which one?”

Iron Wing blushed as he looked everywhere that wasn’t in her direction. “I…” He could see he wasn’t going to get out of this… “Twilight.” He rolled his eyes as he stared at Rainbow Dash, seeing if his answer was to her satisfaction.

Her smile grew as she held in a laugh. “Figured.” She sat on a branch that was above him. “So, how long have you known her for?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I’ve known her ever since I joined the Lunar Guard.” He smirked, “I ran into her one night while patrolling the castle grounds.”

She smirked. “How old were you?”

“I was nineteen.” He relaxed himself and rested against the tree. “She was seventeen.” He smiled, his fangs poking out. “We clicked, helped that we both had a love for history.” He laughed. “Luna must’ve gotten word, or it was just luck, but she made me her escort.” He placed his hooves behind his head. “Which I was for three years until she moved to Ponyville.” His smile left and his bat like wings drooped slightly.

She tilted her head as she studied him. “Missed her?”

“Yeah.” He looked up at her and watched her prism mane and tail flap with the breeze that washed over them. “Wrote her letters when I had the chance, and she did the same.”

“She did have many pen pals.” She shook her head. “Twilight had many friends in Canterlot.”

“Yeah.” His smile faded. “I knew something was wrong when she didn’t write back. When I heard that she was hurt, I wanted to visit, but my duties were elsewhere.” He sighed as he saw Shining, Opal, Limestone, and Grante talking to Marley and Blaze. “And you know the rest…”

Rainbow Dash watched as Shining lead them over to the cabins to help Applejack. “Well, now you have all the time in the world.” She smiled as she stood up and flapped her wings. “Well, don’t let my friend distract you too much, we got a park to watch!” She took to the sky, laughing as she flew over toward the west side of the park. Iron Wing blushed as he fiddled with his rifle.

Pinkie timidly turned the dial to the gas stove. It clicked several times before the propane erupted into blue flames. She smirked as she grabbed one of the pots and placed it in the sink. “Please work.” She turned the knob. The faucet groaned for several seconds before a stream of water poured out.

“That’s the benefit of running on well water.” Copper laughed as he watched the water from his seat at the island in the center of the kitchen. “No city plumping required.”

“Tell me about it.” Pinkie quickly rinsed the pot of dust and filled it up. “My parents’ farm ran on well water…” She stared at the pot as it filled up. “Well water always tasted better than city water.” She said softly in a monotone voice, her ears drooping.

Pumpkin and Pound cake who sat beside Copper, eyed Pinkie with concern clearly on their faces. They looked at Copper, silently asking him to help. Copper stopped opening a can of baked beans and stood by her side. “I’m sure they’d be proud of you.” He placed a hoof under her chin, making her look at him. He kissed her. Pinkie gave in and allowed his tongue to explore her mouth. He allowed her to explore his in return. Pumpkin and Pound Cake rolled their eyes and stuck out their tongues.

“Don’t be wasting water.”

Pinkie and Copper jumped and whipped their heads around and saw Candance standing under the archway that connected the kitchen to the hall that led to the lounge area. She was laughing at her handywork. Her laughter caused the twins to start laughing as well. With blushed cheeks, Pinkie pushed Copper away and turned off the faucet. “I won’t!” She giggled as she placed the pot of the stove. Copper just stood still as a rock as he kept staring at Cadance with blushed cheeks.

Cadance just shook her head as she stepped out of the kitchen and into the lounge. Walking over to the fireplace, she glanced over at Twilight and Rarity who were standing in front of a corkboard with a map of the park pinned to its surface. “How’s it going?” She picked up a poker and agitated the hot coals around.

“Going well.” Twilight answered as she marked out the broken sections of the fence on the map.

“How’s the rest of the fence?” Cadance tossed a few more logs into the fireplace.

“Could be better, but its fixable.” Twilight studied the map. “Whish the park ranger watchtower by the waterwheel was still standing.”

“We’ll get by with the other two…” Cadance hummed. “How are the others doing?”

“They’re doing well.” Rarity hummed. Cabins are coming along. Rainbow Dash, Thunderlane, and Iron Wing are watching the park. The trotters we dispatched yesterday are burning.” She shivered as those words left her. She watched Twilight staring at her notebook. A small smile crept onto her lips as she looked over at Cadance. “Oh princess?” The fur on Twilight’s back stood up as she eyed her friend skeptically.

“Just call me Cadance, dear.” She looked at Rarity and gave her a smile.

“Oh, there was something that was discovered.” She gave Twilight a sly smile. Twilight’s cheeks turned beet red.

Cadance looked between the two. Her cheeks blushed. “Oh…” She smiled. “Congratulations, I didn’t know you two were dating?”

Rarity’s eyes went wide. “WHAT!” Twilight laughed. “That’s not what I meant!” She pushed Twilight as she ran her left hoof over her face.

Cadance held a hoof to her lips as she laughed. “Then what did you mean?”

Rarity took a breath to calm herself. “Oh, I just found out Twilight has a secret admirer.” She put on her most devilish smug grin she could muster. Twilight’s demeanor quickly turned to one of embarrassment.

Cadance looked at her sister-in-law and smiled. “She does?”

“It’s nothing.” Twilight combed her long bangs over her eyes to hide herself.

“Who?” Cadance sat on the couch, laying on her side to avoid putting pressure on her protruding belly.

“Blaze.” Rarity sang. Twilight grumbled as she kept working on the map, making several marks in the northern section. Shaking her head, Rarity patted her friend on the back. “Oh, I’m just teasing.” She giggled as she left the lounge. “Going to check see how supper is coming along.” She exited the lounge.

Cadance watched Rarity walk through the archway. Turning her attention to the fire, she placed a hoof on her belly. Feeling her foal kick, she smiled as she looked over at Twilight watching her intently staring at the map. All be it with an aura of embarrassment. “Tell me more about this Blaze.”

Twilight flinched at her question. “Didn’t Shining tell you already?” She really didn’t what to talk about it.

“He did.” Cadance said flatly. “But I want to hear what you think of him?”

Twilight placed a hoof on her… no, his jacket. The mild scent of cigarette smoke tickled her nostrils. “I… Don’t know how I feel.” She moved her bangs from her eyes. “It’s complicated. I mean he helped the cause that led us to lose the orchard, but?”

“But you feel like he’s proven himself?” Cadance raised a brow at her knowingly.

“Yeah…” Her mind drifted to a memory of her and Blaze sitting in the attic of a building, whose roof partially collapsed. Sipping tea and watching snowfall upon Iron’s Ridge as they sat intimately close to one another. Though she didn’t think much of it. It was just two friends hanging out with one another. ‘That’s all it was...’ She felt her head pulse from a forming headache. ‘You’re sure about that?’ She looked at her sister-in-law and saw her giving her that smirk she’s seen before, when Cadance would use her magic to bridge that gap between two love struck ponies. “Oh, no you don’t!” Twilight shook her head as she turned her attention back to the map.

Cadance rolled her eyes. “How mean of you to think I would do such a thing.” She giggled which elicited a groan from Twilight. Cadance slyly smirked as she activated her horn, sending an invisible echo, searching if Blaze felt the same for Twilight. “?” Her eyes went wide at the information she received. “Oh dear?”

“Mmm?” Twilight looked over her shoulder.

Cadance cleared her throat. “Nothing, just the foal is all.” She rubbed her belly. “Thought I was keeping my voice to a whisper.” She smiled at her. Twilight gave Canance a once over before continuing marking up the south-eastern portion of the map.

Applejack’s eyes scanned the interior of the one bedroom, one bathroom cabin. The faint smell of bleach tickled her snout as she stared at the simi bare décor. “How’s our new home coming along?” Soarin asked as he stood beside her, laying a wing over her.

Applejack leaned into him. “I can’t wait to finally sleep in a bed.” She walked over to the queen-sized bed and laid down on it. The bed springs squeaked form her body weight. She hummed out a happy sigh at the softness. She stared at the ceiling her eyes lazily scanning over its planks. Soarin laughed as he joined her. They laid in silence. The sounds of the forest and the nearby river filled their ears. They could hear Shining congratulating the others on a job well done. “We done a lot in four days.”

Soarin hummed. “Yeah.” He looked at his girlfriend. “I feel this place is going to last for a long time.”

Applejack looked over at him. “You really think so?”

“If we focus on the fence, get a better understanding of the wild weather, make sure ponies know what jobs they’ll be doing,” He ran a hoof through her mane. “The rest will fall into place.”

She smiled as she stared into those vibrant eyes of his. She moved in and gave him a kiss. He accepted her affection. Quickly their kissing turned into passionate kissing as they explored one another with their tongues. Effortlessly, Soarin rolled on top of her, holding her head in his hooves as he worked his way down her neck.

Unbeknownst to them, Applebloom, with blushed cheeks had shut the door to their cabin. Hearing the door softly latched close, she leaned against the it, her eyes staring off into space. She had seen them kiss before, but never like that…

“You alright?”

She jumped and looked to her right and found Spike standing at the bottom of the steps. Out of all the ponies, no dragons to break her from her embarrassment, it was him. “Yeah?” Her voice broke as her cheeks felt even hotter.

“Are they coming?” He asked. “Pinkie said she’s almost done with supper.”

Her mind finally snapped back to reality. “Oh, yes.” She looked at the door. “That…” She gave a sheepish smile. “They’re taking a ‘nap’.” She lifted her hooves up to her head and wiggled them.

He quickly got the hint, his cheeks feeling hot as he rubbed the back of his head. “Well, I guess we’ll save them a plate.” He laughed. She joined him as they headed toward the visitor center.

“What’s so funny?” Hanzel asked as he walked up with Dinky.

“Oh, nothing much.” Spike smirked. Hanzel and Dinky gave each other looks. “So, how’s our garden coming along?” Spike asked, before they could rephrase their question.

“Alright.” Dinky commented.

“If you want to eat nothing but carrots and eggplant.” Hanzel huffed. Dinky rolled her eyes at the colt’s exasperated sigh.

“Maybe, we can tag along with Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane next time they go on a scouting mission.” Scootaloo called out as her, Rumble, and Sweetie Belle walked up to them.

“Damn, you got good hearing.” Applebloom giggled.

“It’s a pegasus thing.” Scootaloo jabbed Rumble in his side, eliciting a nod from him. “Right Hanzel?” She looked over at the younger pegasus colt with a smirk.

“Right!” He returned her gesture.

“So?” Sweetie Belle looked at their small posse. “What should we do after we eat?”

“Not sure?” Applebloom saw Snowy and Dusk walking up to them. She saw Dusk had a large smile on his face, while Snowy’s was dull, but she could see a hint of joy through those blue eyes of hers. “What do you two want to do after we eat?”

Snowy seemed to retreat behind her brother. “Not sure?” Dusk gave his sister a sympathetic glance. “I would like to explore that shack down by the river.”

“That does sound like fun.” Rumble tapped his chin. “We’ll play it by ear, not sure what the adults want to do.” He sighed.

“What if they don’t want us to?” Dinky asked as her mother came across her mind.

“We’ll make something up.” Hanzel gave her a sly smirk. She blushed and quickly looked elsewhere.

“We do have a fence protecting us.” Spike eyed the wrought iron fence.

“So, we’re doing this?” Scootaloo asked.

Applebloom eyed the visitor center’s double doors as they neared the porch. “Yeah.” Her lips morphed into a smirk.

-Seven Hours Later-

The fire within the firepit roared with calm fury, filling their ears with soothing pops and crackles, and filling the air with small embers that joined the stars in the midnight black.

Applejack who rested her head on Soarin’s chest stared at Twilight whose head was turned to the left, staring at the watchtower. Her eyes glossed over and mind elsewhere. Applejack turned around and saw the soft orange-yellow glow of the light pouring out from the watchtower windows. “They’re fine.” She turned her eyes back to the fire. “I’m worried too, but they want to do their own thing.”

Twilight sighed as she looked at the fire. “I’m shocked you’re okay with it?”

“Like I said.” Applejack rubbed Soarin’s chest with the back of her head. “I rather not deal with an angry filly.” She laughed. “Besides they’re close by.” Macintosh nodded as he tossed another log into the fire.

“Where are you going?” Limestone saw Marley throwing his crossbow over his back.

“For a walk.” He made sure it was strapped tightly.

“Don’t want to relax?” Shining asked.

“Walking is relaxing for me.” He wandered further into the park.

Silence fell over the group as each turned to their own entertainment, whether that be watching the fire, talking to the pony next to them or sipping on their cider.

Seeing Twilight’s mood was still downcast, Pinkie sighed as she picked up her cup of warmed cider, which they found within the kitchen’s pantry. “I claim victory!” She shouted as she held her cup in the air. “Who else agrees?” The others quickly held up their cups and or glassware as they joined, cheering along with her.

“Almost full victory.” Twilight added. “It’s going to be a never-ending battle to keep this place safe.” If to give her words credibility, a trotter about fourteen yards from where they sat growled as it reached through the fence’s bars.

Pinkie glared at the trotter. “It will, but tonight we’re celebrating.” She pointed at the cabins. “Tonight, we sleep like queens and kings!”

“I drink to that!” Granite laughed as he finished his drink before taking the pot off the hot coals and pouring himself another cup of hot cider.

Shaking her head, Rainbow sighed as she looked over at Pound and Pumpkin who were enamored with a story Thunderlane was telling them. Picking up bits and pieces of it, she blushed a little. He was telling them about the time him and her messed up a weather order and accidently released a snow tornado that made way too much snow. Feeling a cold breeze, she looked up at the star filled sky. Deep down, it felt wrong to be at the mercy of wild weather. Even with it being almost a year living through it, it still felt wrong.

“What are you thinking about?”

Rainbow Dash tore her eyes from the sky. “Thinking about the weather.” She looked at Rarity who was combing her mane.

“Thinking about it how, exactly?” Rarity hummed as she felt her work.

Rainbow Dash looked up and watched a cloud float on by. “Just find it strange that I can no longer move a cloud around as easily as before.”

Rarity sighed as she found that her effort was fruitless. “Twilight had trouble teleporting a few days ago.” She placed her comb in her saddlebag. “I tried teleporting an object yesterday and found it rather difficult.”

Rainbow Dash looked at Fletcher, Granite, Opal, Shining, and Candance. “I wonder if they’re feeling the same?”

“I assume they are.” Rarity hummed as she saw Blaze laying down, resting his head on a log. Her eyes darted over to Twilight who was talking to Shining and Cadance.

Rainbow Dash noticed Rarity’s smug smile. “What’s gotten you feeling gitty?” She eyed her friend with a skeptical eye.

“Oh, I just found out something rather exciting.” Rarity scooted closer to her prism maned friend. “Blaze likes Twilight.” She held a hoof to her lips.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes went wide as she glanced over at Blaze sleeping the evening away. “Oh…” She looked over at Iron Wing, who was hoof wrestling with Spitfire. “No…”

Rarity was taken back by her shocked expression. “What?” She leaned over in a non-conspectus manner. “What’s wrong?”

“We might have a problem.” Rainbow Dash nodded her head at Iron Wing.

Rarity’s eyes went wide as the realization took hold. She looked over a Twilight. Feeling eyes were on her, Twilight looked up and saw Rarity and Rainbow Dash looking at her. Her cheeks went red as she narrowed her eyes. Rainbow Dash nodded her head at Iron Wing and Rarity held her hoof to her chest and subtlety pointed it at Blaze. Looking at said stallions, Twilight felt her stomach twist and her face felt hot. She quickly lowered her head and stared into her cup, staring at her embarrassed reflection.

Spike stared at the dark silhouettes of the adults sitting around the firepit. His claws dug into the bark of the tree as he saw one starting at the watchtower. Seeing its head turning away, he let out a held breath. Hearing faint flapping, he looked up and saw Rumble flying over to them, he smiled. “Can’t believe that worked!”

Rumble shivered as he squinted his eyes. “How did you see me?”

“Dragon eyes.” Applebloom laughed.

“We’ll get more light once we get to the river,” Dinky looked up at the dark mass around them and saw small gaps that showed them the star filled sky. “Less trees blocking the full moon.”

“How long do we have until they notice?” Dusk asked.

“Until they head to bed.” Hanzel replied as he stood up. “Which could be awhile.” The adults’ cheering reached their ears.

“Well let’s not dilly-dally!” Scootaloo huffed.

“I’ll lead the way.” Spike walked out in front of the group as they made their way to the abandoned shack down by the river.

-One Hour Later-

Spike sat on a rock along the river’s edge. He was at ease as he watched the moonlight shimmer off the river as it flowed down the mountain toward its destination. Letting out a sigh, he looked to his left and saw Dinky and Hanzel standing on a large flat boulder, throwing pebbles into the river. Looking to his right. He saw Dusk and Snowy playing in the sand. Past them was Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Rumble exploring the exterior of the shack, since its roof was collapsed.

His calm demeanor faded as he couldn't see where Applebloom was. Quickly scanning the river’s shoreline, his heart rate started to increase, until his breath was taken away when a pair of hooves covered his eyes. “Bloom?”

He heard the country twang in her laugh. “Did I scare, yea?”

“A little.” He could see the moonlit landscape once more. Looking over his shoulders he saw her giving him the goofiest of smirks. “You’re happy.”

“Yeah!” She sat beside him. “Finally doing something fun for once.” The sounds of gently flowing water were like music to her ears.

“We needed to get the camp prepared, though.” He retorted.

“You know what I meant.” She said dully. “I felt like we were getting choked with how much they tried keeping us in their sights.”

“They’re just trying to keep us safe.” Dusk replied as him and his sister joined Dinky and Hanzel, throwing a pebble across the river. Applebloom and Spike watched the pebble skip several times before sinking.

“They’re doing a terrible job at doing so.” Snowy growled as she threw her stone which instantly broke through and sunk.

Spike just frowned at her. Applebloom let out a sigh as she looked at the trees across the river, watching their tops sway with the winds. ‘They’re doing their best.’ She thought. Her mind drifted to her sister. Her lips frowned as she remembered the stress that overwhelmed Applejack. The fights it caused during the early days of their exile from Iron Ridge.

“You alright?”

She looked at Spike who was giving her a concerned look. Her mind drifted to the memory of her sister and Soarin kissing. Her cheeks blushed as she imagined her and Spike kissing. She was only twelve, was it too young to kiss… But she liked Spike, and well, he like her…

“Applebloom are you…” Spike’s eyes went wide as he felt Applebloom’s lips on his. Though the feeling was brief as she quickly pulled away. Applebloom smirked at his dumbfound expression and rested her head on his shoulder. Shaking the shock from his mind, he settled himself down and rested his head on hers.

Hanzel and Dinky looked at the two and shook their heads.

Scootaloo stared at the two love birds with a shit eating grin.

“Finally.” Sweetie Belle shook her head. “Took you two long enough!” She shouted with a laugh. Applebloom frowned at her friend and hid behind Spike. Spike finding himself in the middle, just shook his head and rested his head in his hand.

Hanzel and Dinky giggled at the situation, which caused Applebloom to groan out her embarrassment. Distracted by their laughter, they didn’t hear a trotter walking through the water, bypassing the fence. It slowly made its way toward Rumble, its mouth open drooling out infected saliva.

“Uh?” Hearing a twig breaking, Rumble turned around to see the trotter a few feet from him. He screamed as he backed away from the dead. The others’ fear heightened as the trotter lunged for the colt. Luckly, he jumped out of the way as its teeth snapped where he was.

The trotter glared at the children, its milky eyes uncaring as it picked up its pace and ran after the one it thought was an easy meal, being Scootaloo. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the trotter near, but her limbs were frozen in fear. Time seemed to slow as it lunged for her, but before it could sink its teeth into her, Spike tackled the monster to the ground.

Groaning from the hard fall, Spike lifted himself off the ground. A shiver danced across his back as he felt something wet and sticky. With his enhanced eyesight he saw his hand was coated in the monster’s blood. “Ew…” He looked down and saw the weight of the impact allowed his left hand to break through its rotting chest.

Feeling cold breath, Spike slowly turned his head and saw the trotter glaring at him. “Oh crap!” He jumped away from the monster as it stood up and shook its head about in anger. Applebloom and Dusk started throwing stones at the dead in hopes it would kill or slow it down.

Snowy stared at the trotter as it chased her friends, her eyes watered as the trotter’s appearance morphed into the healthy pony it once was.

“Get back!” Hanzel growled as he hit the trotter with a large stick.

The trotter growled as it whipped its head around, turning its ire towards.him. Hanzel panicked and fell to the ground. Throwing up his hooves, he prepared for the worst, when a whooshing sound and a meaty thump filled the air. Slowly lowering his hooves from his face, he saw the trotter on the ground with a bolt through its right eye. Timidly he looked to his left and saw Marley glaring at the dead or him he didn’t know.

Spike worked up enough courage to speak. “Marley we can explain.”

“Shut it!” Marley huffed as he walked up to the trotter and carefully pulled out the bolt with his hooves. “So, how’s the sleepover in the watchtower going?” He took out the rag in his saddle-pouch and wiped off the trotter’s blood.

Spike and his friends looked at one another, trying to come up with an excuse. “Well, its… uh…” Scootaloo tried to say.

“A little too much excitement?” Marley laughed. He looked at the children. “I won’t say a word about your escapades, but.” He pointed a hoof at Spike. “Might want to wash up.” Spike looked at his hand and slowly nodded.

Applebloom looked at the trotter. “I guess there is more gaps in the fence to fix?” she looked up and down the river.

“It appears so.” Marley placed the bolt back in his crossbow’s quiver.