The Trotting Dead

“Wait, what?” Twilight said, “Princess Celestia told you this?”

“Yeah,” Applejack said, “While I was stuffing my face, she came in with Luna, and they told me what I told you, after I told them about Discord.”

“Alright,” Spitfire said, “Soarin’, we have a chance of living and restoring harmony now. Alright, Applejack, tell the Princesses, Spitfire’ll tell you when we’re leaving, so they’ll authorize the mobilization of everypony else.” Applejack nodded, and went off to tell them.

“Yay,” Derpy said, “We’re bringing friends! I like friends, do you like friends, Rainbow Dash?”

“Yeah, Derpy,” Rainbow Dash said, “That’s why I have them. Else I would’ve been one of them or in the middle of nowhere, flying for my life. Now, go to sleep, I can sleep for a week.”

Everypony shut their tired eyes, and slept through the blizzard. Applejack eventually came into the room, and fell asleep right by the door after walking in.

Once they were awake, they all went for food while Spitfire, Derpy, Applejack and Soarin’ went to get ammo and a new gun for Twilight and Rainbow Dash, after she threw her G36C into the horde back at the courthouse.

They went to the local gun store, which was giving out free ammo and guns. The line went forever, but when the group of ponies came walking by, everypony let them come through, knowing what they did.

“Why are we budging?” Derpy said, “Why are they letting us budge? Are we cool, what did we do?”

“They just know us as Wonderbolts,” Spitfire said, tugging at her torn uniform, “They know what we do, so, yeah, we are cool, Derpy.”

They walked into the store, where one of Applejack’s relatives helped them out. Spitfire and Derpy looked through the store for the new guns for Rainbow Dash and Twilight.

Spitfire was walking, but backtracked as she saw a gun she liked. A worker came up and said, “This is the L85A2, a reliable bullpup rifle. 775 rounds a minute, few jams, you like it?”

“Yeah,” Spitfire said, “I’ll take it. Now, I need a sniper rifle for my friend, she liked the Barrett, but…”

“She lost it, and now she needs a better rifle.” He said, “I have one, here, behold the M14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle, or EBR for short. An older rifle than the Barrett, but has stayed in service with the military for over fifty years. You think she’ll like this?”

“Yeah,” Spitfire said, “Now, we need ammo for a whole rainbow of guns.”

“Oh boy,” the worker sighed, “What do you need?”

While Spitfire and the worker were exchanging conversation, Derpy looked and saw a box of muffins. Thinking it was for her, she walked over, but was saddened when she found it was empty. She saw the owner of the shop, and asked where the muffins went.

“Oh,” he said, laughing, “There’s one in there, if you want it. It’s blueberry.”

“Blueberry, for me, really,” Derpy said, overly excited, “I love blueberry, thank you, thank you, thank you!” She
picked up the muffin, and put down four bits for the one muffin, and walked away happily. She loved muffins; she hadn’t been able to have one in a while. She hoped there were muffins when she was going to eat breakfast. That and chocolate muffins, she would be in muffin heaven.

Spitfire handed everypony a box of ammo to take over to the others, and they went over to the hotel, put them in the room, and went over to the saloon for a much needed breakfast. Derpy walked up to the bar, and ordered six blueberry and chocolate muffins with orange juice.

While Derpy started eating her muffins, Spitfire and Soarin’ discussed what to do now that the army was following them into Canterlot. Derpy, oblivious to their conference, asked if they were going to eat their muffins. They shook their heads, and Derpy took their muffins, and began to chew on one.

“What are we going to do now?” She asked, “Are we living here? Who was that dragon thing?”

“He was the bad guy.” Spitfire said, “We’re going back to Canterlot to stop him. Are you coming?”

“Yeah,” she said, “If there are more muffins, I’ll come.” She then continued to eat her muffins, and began to drink her orange juice. Spitfire turned to Soarin’ who talked to her about something.

“I don’t know when he’s coming; rumor has it it’s going to be today.” Spitfire said.

“I hope so,” Soarin’ said, “It’s about time the army had some structure.”

“Who’s coming?” Derpy asked, “What’s going on with the army?”

“Shining Armor,” Spitfire said, “The Supreme Commander of the Equestrian Army is coming today. He’s going to lead the army to help us stop Discord.”

“Oh,” she said, nibbling on another muffin, “Okay. I never joined the army, my eyes kept me out. That’s why I’m the Post-mare!”

Derpy smiled, and walked out. Spitfire and Soarin’ finished their breakfast and walked over to the train station to wait for Shining Armor.

They were walking to the train station, when Princess Celestia made an announcement that was heard across Appeloosa.

“Ponies and Stallions of Appeloosa,” she said, “The Supreme Leader of the Equestrian Army, Shining Armor, will arrive in the next hour along with several hundred soldiers. All are welcome to come to the station to welcome him.”

Soarin’ looked to Spitfire, and said, “Well, the rumors were right.” She nodded, and they walked to the train station.

When they arrived, the Mane 6 and Derpy were there, along with the Princesses when a train arrived. Ponies across Appeloosa were cheering as the train stopped. Flower petals fell on the train station.

As the train came to a stop, Spitfire, Soarin’, Derpy, the Princesses and the Mane 6 came to the opening. Trumpets blared and birds sang as now Prince and Supreme General Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadence walked out onto the depot. Ponies everywhere cheered Shining Armor and his bride as they waved to the crowd as they walked over to Luna and Celestia.

“Princesses,” he said, bringing his hand in salute, “I’ll be brief. I will need a private room as my office, one for my room with Cadence, and rooms for my staff. I will need to be alone; I have a lot on my mind right now.”

He turned to walk away, and found Twilight looking at him.

“Twilli,” He exclaimed, a look of joy on his face, “What are you doing here?”

“Resting with my friends,” she said, a frown on her face, “Apparently you forgot to tell me something important. Again, in like two months.” Twilight had forgiven Shining Armor for not telling her about his engagement, but this was the last straw for her.

“Oh,” he said, scratching his head nervously then regaining his composure. “Well, there’s been a lot going on. I needed to focus on the task at hand. I promise this will be the last time I don’t tell you something.”

“Wow,” Derpy said, “You ponies really need to talk more often. Come on, Twilight, aren’t we leaving for Canterlot?”

“Canterlot?” Shining Armor said, walking along with them through Appleloosa, “No, you’re not going yet. I need to consolidate strength from Baltimare and Fillydelphia to make a sizable force to besiege and take back Canterlot.”

“We’re not going there to retake Canterlot,” Rainbow Dash said, “We’re going there to take back Equestria, sir.” She threw the last remark with sarcasm.

“What could you possibly mean,” Cadence said, “I understand Canterlot is symbolic with Equestria, but how can it take back Las Pegasus and Trot-Along?”

“Because,” Twilight said, with more kindness than Rainbow Dash, “We know who’s behind this all.”

“Well,” Shining Armor said, motioning for an aide to take notes, “Spit it out, Twilli, I can use this.”

“It’s Discord,” she said, “He’s come back. He’s using Canterlot as his capital of a new anarchic nation, Discordia. We’re going to Canterlot because we think the Elements of Harmony are there.”

“How did you come to that deduction?” Shining Armor asked. He desperately wanted to know, anything to make his job easier. The easier his job is, the quicker he can go back to Canterlot and living with his beautiful bride.

“Well,” Twilight said, looking at him like he was an idiot, “What better place to put the Elements of Harmony than in a city full of Zombie Ponies?”

“By Equestria,” he said, “You’re right! All we need to do now is just get a force large enough to storm Canterlot Castle and get to the Elements of Harmony.” He sighed, and said, “Only, I can’t really get a force mustered within the week. Great, what are we going to do?”

“Well,” Twilight said, “Have you thought of using non-military ponies to take back Canterlot? We can surely go with you, and many other ponies will volunteer to go.”

“Yeah,” Shining Armor said, “But how are we going to pay them? We’re kind of short on bits right now.”

“General,” Celestia said, walking up to him, “As long as I am Princess, money will not be an issue for you. Now, how long until we can head to Canterlot?”

“With the information Twilight has given me,” he said, “About a few days. I’m sorry, but that’s all I can do.” He winced in pain as a migraine set in, and Cadence went over to him and used her magic to help with the pain.

He then walked off, with Cadence at his side. Celestia looked on, and walked off with Luna. Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash, who shrugged and walked away. Soon, Twilight was left alone on the platform. She stood there, thinking about what Shining Armor had said. She was ready to leave Appleloosa, but she had to wait for her brother to secure enough reinforcements to head for Canterlot.

She felt frustrated. Twilight just couldn’t figure out what to do. She wanted to go to Canterlot, but she knew that they would all die if they went without Shining Armor and the Army. She stomped her foot down in frustration, and walked off to the firing range.

When she got to the firing range, she wasn’t the only pony there. A lot of other ponies were there, getting their accuracy better before they went off for Canterlot.

Twilight grabbed her sniper rifle, and aimed at the longest target, over a mile away. She focused her sights, accounted for all variables, and pulled the trigger. The rifle seemed to sing as it sent its instrument of death into the center of the bull’s eye. She smirked, and she went on shooting for hours, venting her frustration with Shining Armor on the square targets.

Once she was done, it had begun to rain. She came back into the saloon, and saw Shining Amor and Cadence waiting for her.

“Twilli,” Shining said, “I’m sorry for not telling you. Here, let me get you a drink, you look thirsty.”

“I’ll take cider,” Twilight said, “I’m sorry I acted like that. I didn’t mean to, I was just shocked, and it just came out.”

“Don’t worry,” Cadence said, “Do you know how many times I’ve done that? A lot, I can tell you. I’ll have what she’s having.” The bartender smiled, and brought two glasses of cider to Cadence and Twilight.

“When are we leaving for Canterlot?” Twilight said.

“A few days at most,” Shining Armor, “The division from Baltimare is coming here as we speak.” He stopped talking as an aide came up to him, and handed him a phone.

“Yes,” he said, “This is the Supreme Commander. Yes, I am. No, I am not outside, why?” He walked over to the window, and tipped one of the shades, “Dear Celestia!” He hung up the phone, and said, “Everyone, get your weapons! They’re here!”

Please leave me a review and tell me what you think! So, the pieces are in place, but who will come out the victor? Will it be Discord, and his Zombie Army of Discordia, or the Mane 6 and their friends, with the Royal Equestrian Army backing them? Find out in the next and final chapter of The Trotting Dead!