Diary of the Dead

Meanwhile, deep in the cell, Sunset and Fluttershy could only listen. They couldn’t even watch as their friends fought like hell to free them. It tore into them as they recognized each individual voice. They knew that a bullet had pierced that friend, and it created a previously unknown pain. This was different than anything they’d felt before, and they huddled into one another. They were desperate for relief, desperate for any kind of knowledge that their friends were alright. But with each passing second, and every grunt or groan from outside, they lost a sliver of hope.

They tried to comfort each other, but their wounds drove knives through their bodies. Even the simple act of rubbing and hugging was difficult. It came down to something like human origami as they attempted to get comfortable. Their normal interactions had become extremely abnormal as they wound around each other. Still, though, even through the pain, it was good to have a wonderful friend to experience it with. It helped replace the hope that had been lost and gave them a certain sense of courage. This was especially true for Sunset, who, in her first hours in the cell, had been beaten mercilessly by the Shy Clan and their gang.

So it was that, as the battle raged outside, Sunset ran a soothing hand through Fluttershy’s amazing pink mop. “Tell me,” she said, “what about…your lost love, Tidal Wave?”

The question caused a new set of pain to rage inside Fluttershy and she immediately began to cry. Memories of the boy she’d lost so long ago flooded her mind. The two had been inseparable, until her father and mother got involved. They didn’t want her to be happy, so they drove him away. It was just another way that they showed their undying contempt and spitting hatred for her. She remembered the cold, lonely nights when she’d wept bitterly into a pillow, questioning some imaginary force of just why her parents treated her so poorly. After all, weren’t a mother and a father supposed to provide shelter, warmth, care, and love? She figured they’d be ecstatic for her. But no…it was not to be.

“I don’t know where he is,” she said through a voice thickened by years of agony, “but…if I could hold him in my arms again…I would. I’d kiss him, and tell him how much I’ve missed him.”

Sunset smiled. Personally, she’d never felt true love before. Sure, she’d dated some boys back when she was evil, but that was just to advance an agenda. Now, seeing the absolute anguish in Fluttershy’s eyes, she understood what true love was. She knew that Fluttershy had held on to the memories of this person that she cared for more than life itself. It warmed Sunset’s heart to think of someone with such a deep seated commitment, and she swore up and down that, someday, she’d be that committed. She owed it to herself and to the beaten girl that lay in her grasp.

“Listen,” she said, cuddling Fluttershy even closer, “I don’t know if we’ll get out. But if we do, I’ll help you find him.”

“Really?” Fluttershy asked.

“Really,” Sunset responded, “and we’ll go to the police and tell them everything your parents and your family have done.”

“Yes,” Fluttershy said, “we must. My mother, father, and brother must be made to see the pain they’ve caused. But…if we do that…I’ll no longer have a place to live. I suppose a shelter would welcome me.”

“Nonsense,” Sunset said, “I have my own place. You can come stay with me. I swear, you’ll always have a place to call home as long as I’m around.”

Fluttershy managed a smile and buried her head into Sunset’s shoulder. For her part, Sunset resumed running her hand through Fluttershy’s hair. It was soft, soothing to the touch, and perhaps the only part that hadn’t been damaged. Sunset even offered a small kiss to Fluttershy’s forehead, as a big sister might do to a disturbed and frightened younger sibling. She nuzzled at Fluttershy’s face, trying desperately to revive a sense of hope within her friend. To her happy surprise, it seemed to be working. A certain light returned to Fluttershy’s being, and she slowly bent back away from Sunset’s touch.

“We will make it out,” she said with solemn optimism, “I’m sure of it.”

Suddenly, almost before Fluttershy had finished her statement, the huge iron door swung open. A pair of dead guards flopped down as Sunset and Fluttershy’s friends made their way inside. If they weren’t all in mortal danger, the reunion would have been more grand. But, suffice it to say that they were all beyond thrilled to see Fluttershy alive. They grabbed both her and Sunset and quickly made their way from the cell towards the complex exit.

“We need to head for the local precinct!” Sunset shouted.

“With what?!” Rainbow Dash asked as they ran along and tried to keep Fluttershy from being shot, “we have no evidence!”

“Um…aren’t two severely beaten girls evidence enough?” Twilight queried.

“True, darling,” Rarity said, “but Rainbow has a point. How are we going to prove this place exists?”

“With this,” Sunset said, revealing a revolver she grabbed from one of the dead guards, “it’s got a tracking number on it.”

“Oh, yeah!” Pinkie said, “we’re gonna catch us some bad guys!”

They felt on top of the world. Home free at last, they bounded towards the exit. But Fluttershy could barely move, and it was getting harder and harder to run. Both of her legs were horribly mangled, and it was somewhat miraculous that she was keeping up to begin with. But she pushed through the burning, horrible sensation because her friends were supporting her. The human body, however, can only withstand so much pain, and she finally collapsed.

“Flutter, we have to keep going!” Twilight urged, “the guards are almost on top of us!”

“Go on without me,” Fluttershy said weakly.

“No!” Sunset barked sharply, “we’re not leaving without you! Think of Tidal Wave, think of your friends, think of your animals! You’ll be giving up your life if you stay here!”

“Darling, please,” Rarity begged, “we need you!”

Fluttershy thought of everything Sunset spoke of and managed to pull herself up. The pain was terrible, and a lot of her body had simply gone numb. But Sunset and Twilight put her on their shoulders and they booked it towards the exit. However, one figure was not about to let them escape. As they arrived at their ticket to freedom, one more obstacle stood in their way: Mr. Shy himself.