Left 4 Dead in Equestria

Chapters

I hate water...
Bloody sand
Welcome to the good life...?
Anything you can do, I can do better.
Celestia's wager
Well, that's unexpected...
Welcome to Hell. Here's your accordion
From pouting, comes progress
For one brief moment...
The odd man out
Storm the gate
It's a small world
Separate ways
For someone you love
A sense of normality
For all it's worth
Run or shoot?
Epilogue

I hate water...

Left 4 Dead in Equestria
Chapter 1: I hate water...

Louis smiled and wiped his brow. Packing the boat was hard work by himself, but he loved the peace the morning brought. He looked out over the ocean to see the sunrise against the still as glass water, creating a surreal sense of peace. But looking back into the small town, however, painted a different picture. The roads and sidewalks were littered with corpses upon corpses of infected. Louis sighed when he spotted the burnt out Tank husk, remembering how Bill sacrificed himself for the team. He shook his head and went back into the boat to think about the past two weeks, wanting to be rid of zombies once and for all...

"Heh heh. Hey Zoey?" Francis called out. Zoey finished tidying her hair and turned, to see that Francis had put two zombies on top of each other in a lewd manner. "They're doin' it. Hah! That's funny!" He laughed. She grunted in disgust and rolled her eyes.

"Francis, did you get Bill out of there?" Zoey asked sadly. Francis stopped cackling at the humping corpses and frowned. "Yeah... I got him. He's on the shore, ready to be brought on the boat... I miss that old bastard." He said, kicking the corpses of the Zombies. Zoey pulled out a Molotov and lit it, using one of Bill's cigarettes. He had offered her one before, which she downright refused, but something about smoking one of his just made her feel a little more comfortable.

"Stand back, Francis." She whispered. She threw the cocktail into the bar, lighting it up in a large explosion. The rest of the town would soon follow suit, so the duo quickly made their way to the shore.

"Hey, guys!" Louis called out cheerfully. "How was... cleanup duty?" He asked, trying to keep his demeanor. Francis shrugged and sighed. "I guess it was okay. I made two zombies look like they were humpin', so I at least got something out of it." Zoey rolled her eyes again and Louis slapped the top of his head. "Well, alright. I got the boat packed with supplies, and... Bill is on board as well. Let's just get going, huh? We got a new life to start out there, and I can't WAIT to start fishing. Just like when I was a boy!" He said happily.

"I hate sappy stories." Francis said with a huff, climbing into the boat. Zoey followed suit and Louis set up the sails, beginning their long journey into Florida Keys.

"Are we there yet?!" Francis yelled for the fiftieth time. They had been sailing for the better part of the day, and already tensions on board the small craft were already stretched thin. Zoey's eye twitched and she snaped. "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, FRANCIS! DO WE LOOK LIKE WE'RE AT THE ISLAND?!" She yelled, her voice echoing across the water. He sunk down and gulped, shaking his head. "I've had enough of this!" She yelled, taking another one of Bill's cigarettes. "I'm going up top. Don't bother me!" She stormed up the small flight of stairs and slammed the hatch shut behind her. Francis and Louis exchanged a glance to one another.

"Damn. What's eating her?" Francis asked, shaking off the tongue lashing he just got. Louis chuckled and folded his arms. "What's wrong, Francis. Can't handle a little fire?" He asked. Francis huffed and rolled his eyes. "I can handle more fire than you, pretty boy. In fact, let me just get out one of the Molotov's and show you." He chuckled. Louis rolled his eyes and looked out the window. He could see the storm clouds coming in over the horizon and frowned.

"Uh-oh. That isn't good." He said nervously. Francis, who had been digging for a cocktail, turned to him. "What ain't good?" He asked. Louis pointed out the window and Francis frowned. "I hate tropical storms..."

Zoey took another inhale, gazing at the lightning in the distance. She could only think about Bill. It was always on their minds since it happened, and she couldn't help but feel guilty about his death.

"It should have been me..." She said quietly, exhaling the smoke. "Why did it have to be you!?" She yelled to the empty sky. She sunk onto the side of the boat and felt the fresh tears on her cheeks. "It isn't fair that your gone! You were like a father to me... A cranky, old father." She laughed lightly, remembering some of the banters he and Francis got into. Those two were at each others throats since day one, yet still, they all had something that kept them together, that would never drive a wedge between them no matter what.

Hope.

They'd been fighting for two weeks, from Philadelphia, to Georgia. It was one hell of a ride, and got even worse at the end when she learned of Bills secret plan. "If only you told me from the beginning..." She said dryly. "Well, that shit doesn't matter anymore, since we're going through with it anyway..."

She tossed the butt of the cigarette into the ocean and watched it drift away. She stood to go back into the cabin, but she nearly fell into the ocean when the boat was struck by a wave. "Well, shit. This isn't good." She said. "Louis! We might need you up here!" She called out. Louis ran out of the cabin and looked at the rising ocean.

"Oh, SHIT!" He yelled. "We shouldn't be out here in this! Everyone, look for land! Somewhere, anywhere! We need to get the hell out of the ocean!" He ordered. Zoey nodded but Francis did nothing but fold his arm. "Who died and made you Captain?" He asked. Louis grunted and turned to the thick headed biker.

"Look, Francis. Do you want to die from drowning after surviving a million zombies?" He asked. Francis looked away and shook his head. "No... I hate logic." He muttered under his breath, scanning the horizon for any form of land they could take shelter on.

But it wasn't meant to be. The waves grew in height, and the search for land became more and more futile. The rain was pouring down and the trio clung to whatever they could fit their hands around. Louis fought frantically to keep the ship going, but it was becoming moot when he spotted it.

The rouge wave was probably seventy feet high, maybe more. Their boat began to lean back, lifting them off the deck. "HANG ON EVERYBODY! THIS IS IT!" Louis yelled. Zoey screamed in terror and Francis, as always...

"I HATE TIDAL-" His last word was cut off as the boat succumbed to the wave, taking the trio to the water grave bellow...

Bloody sand

Chapter 2: Bloody sand

Twilight levitated the checklist in front of her nose and scrutinized the items on the list, checking to make sure all the beach items were accounted for. "Umbrella: Check. Beach ball: Check. Towels: Check. Sun screen: Check. Snacks/water: Check... It seemed that everything was in order. She smiled and checked off the, 'Check the checklist to make sure everything is checked off' block and turned to her friends. They all sat impatiently around the library, waiting for the beach party.

Rarity wore a very stylish, and the way she put it, 'sensual' bathing suit, Spike gawked at her, Rainbow and Fluttershy talked in the corner, and Applejack and Pinkie Pie were playing tick tack toe. Twilight cleared her throat, getting every ponies attention. "Alright. Everything is good. Are you all ready to leave?" She asked. The room became warm with the eager smiles of the ponies, who nodded excitedly.

Pinkie squeed and cartwheeled out the door. "Weeee! Beach Party! Beach Party!" She yelled excitedly, rolling blindly into the streets.

"Geez. Somepony calm that mare down." Rainbow Dash chided, rolling her eyes. Rarity gave a tiny huff.

"Oh, come now, Rainbow Dash. It's not like she's harming anypony." She said with a giggle.

"HEY! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE CARTWHEELING!" An innocent bystander yelled, making the mistake of getting in the excited Earth ponies way. Rarity chuckled and lightly smiled at Rainbow. "Uh... well, she didn't kill any-" She cut herself off, not wanting to tempt fate. "Let's just go..."

The walk to the beach was long, tiring, and to Twilight, wasn't worth it. But, she had promised all her friends to do something special for their three years together as friends. "WEE! We're here!" Pinkie shouted running onto the sand, instantly flaying her things about in a swift motion. The others followed suit, albeit slower than the pink mare.

"Last one in the water is a rotten egg!" Rainbow yelled loudly, rushing the lapping waves, encircling herself in the cold surf. She took one deep breath and plunged into the ocean, using her wings to swim at blinding speed. Applejack smiled and rushed in after her, never one to back down from a challenge, especially one from Rainbow. Pinkie Pie giggled and hopped in after that, but Fluttershy, Rarity, Spike and Twilight were just as content catching some sun.

"Flip me over when I start to smolder." Spike yawned, placing his claws behind his head to get into a comfortable position. Twilight rolled her eyes and pulled out her book, while Rarity and Fluttershy had a quiet conversation.

"So, Fluttershy. You must tell me why you don't like the beach." Rarity began, taking a sip of soda pop. Fluttershy shifted on her towel and shrugged. "Uhm, It's just... there could be scary things in the water..." She gulped.

Rarity chuckled at that. Fluttershy loves all kinds of animals! How could the ones in the ocean be any worse than some of the ones on land? "Alright, Fluttershy. Let's hope you can get over this silly phobia. It's beautiful out at least, right?" She asked. Fluttershy nodded and smiled. "Yes... it is. Just... don't force me to go swimming..." She pleaded. Rarity nodded.

"Of course, darling. But I guarantee you, nothing scary will happen."

Louis could feel it more than anything else. His body was racked with pain, sore from head to toe. He couldn't move, he could barely breath, he could only let the current take him to whichever destination seemed fit. He drifted for what seemed like an eternity when his back finally scrapped against sand. He silently thanked God and tried to sit up, only to instantly fall back down. He took a deep inhale and looked at his surroundings, to see Zoey and Francis, lying face first in the dirt.

"Zo-Zoey? Franc-is." He coughed. Francis was the first to stir. He groggily got to his knees and looked over to his pals. "Hah! I told you we'd be okay!" He yelled triumphantly. He then began to pale and wobble. "Uh, Louis?" He said in a quiet voice.

"Yeah, buddy? What's up?" He answered back. Francis stared him in the eye for almost a solid minute before speaking again. "I hate the ocean." And with that, Francis fell into the sand, completely out cold.

Louis, feeling strength ebb into his muscles once again, slowly began to sit up. Once he was comfortable with that position, he managed to get himself into a standing position. "Come on, Louis. You've been hit far worse than this." He told himself, trying to will his legs forward. He fell to his knees and cursed himself. "No. You have to find something, anything to help the guys! You can't lose them, too. You've been puked on, you've been bitten, clawed and punched on every square inch of your body and your gonna let one measly tidal wave bring you down!? Hell no! GET UP!"

He yelled and got back to his feet, his body protesting the endeavor the whole time. He had a good feeling that there was someone here who could help. He knew they'd found something, but he just wasn't sure what...

He made his way down the beach, clutching his side. "I must have banged it on the side of the boat... He thought. But it didn't matter at this point. The only thing that mattered was the nagging feeling that someone was out there. He had a good feeling about it, and it was the only thing keeping him going at this point.

"Well... That looks like a problem..." He huffed, standing in front of the large boulder, separating the two halves of the beaches. He didn't want to risk going into the water, since if he fell, he'd most likely drown since he had very little strength to swim if he fell into the large waves. "Well, Louis, it looks like it's time to climb."

He began the arduous task of climbing the black mound, knowing that his friends were waiting. He wasn't going to let them down.

"Not like I did with Bill..."

"Alright, everypony!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "Whoever brings back the best seashell, wins! On your marks...getsetgo!" She bolted off across the beach, scanning everything and everything to win this pointless contest of hers. Once she was out of range, the others simply went back to relaxing. "Ah swear." Applejack began. "That Pegasus can't function without everything bein' a competition. Poor girl can't even enjoy herself at the beach!" She sighed and put her sunglasses on, laying back on her towel to catch some well deserved rays.

"What did she say that competition was for?" Twilight asked, looking up from her book. Everyone shrugged and that was a good enough answer for her. Now, she could probably read in peace.

Rainbow looked behind her to see empty beach. "Hah! Left them in the dust! I know where all the best shells are on this shore! They'll lose for sure!" She chuckled excitedly and made her way to a rocky outcropping, where seashells and smooth stones are so easily lodged. She began to dig at the bottom, then climbed her way to the top. A bright sparkle dazzled in the corner of her eye.

She smiled wide, seeing the pearl sitting atop the black stone. It was beautiful, and she'd be sure to win with this! She floated to the top eager and intent on claiming her prize. She greedily reached for it, the large jewel getting closer and closer to her hooves.

SLAP

She screamed and jumped back as something hit her hand from the other side. "H-hello?" She gasped. She heard the groan and, hearing that whoever it was was in trouble, flew over to help.

"Oh my gosh, are you okay? What happ...ened." She trailed off, seeing the creature in front of her. It was tall, had dark, brown skin, and no fur of mane. It looked up at her with wide, dark eyes.

"WHOA! WHAT THE-"

"JESUS CHRIST!"

Rainbow fell to the ground out of complete shock, her wings refusing to work. The two scuttled back from one another, completely dumbfounded as to what the other was. She saw the creature pull something from his hip. It was completely black and had a hole in the middle of the square tube.

Louis sat there, aiming at the creature. Was it a new zombie? Was it going to hurt him? "No... It wasn't ripping my face off, which it would have done by now. And I swear, I heard it talk.

"Hello?" He said, testing the theory. The blue, winged creature just sat there and gawked. He cleared his throat again. He thought he was crazy, but this was as real as it was going to get. "We... need help?" He questioned, seeing as how this creature looked more like a horse than a person, he didn't expect it to-

"MONSTER!" She yelled. Louis covered his ears and watched her zip away in a multicolored flash. He felt his wounds catch up with him and began to tunnel vision.

"Son of a....bitch." He crashed to the sand face first, finally succumbing to the shock.

"TWILIGHT!"

Everypony turned to see a very frantic Rainbow Dash burst onto the scene, stopping just in front of them, kicking up sand. They all spat and shook themselves off and glared daggers at the frantic looking Dash.

"Rainbow!" Twilight yelled, shaking the sand from between the pages of her book. "What in the wide world of Equestria is going on with you today?!" Rainbow Dash continued to hop from foot to foot, a look of shear panic etched on her face.

"M-monster! Scary! It can talk! Needs help... but, MONSTER!" She wailed again, diving under her towel. Twilight perked up when she heard it can talk.

"Wait! It can talk? Did it hurt you?" She asked. Rainbow peaked out and shook her head.

"N-no! I didn't give it a chance to."

Twilight bolted down the beach, leaving the others in the dust. "Twi!" Applejack called out, but it was too late. She turned back to the others and grabbed her stetson. "Well gals? Ah guess it's time for critter huntin'." She said with a smile. She ran after Twilight, followed by the others. (Although Fluttershy was a bit apprehensive...)

Louis could here the voices around him, but just barely. They sounded like they were right there, but so far away. He tried to move, but his body was spent.

"Get me a towel! it's bleeding everywhere!"

"What is it?!"

"I don't know, but it's hurt!"

"Oh, you poor, poor creature..."

"Fluttershy! Stay back! You don't know what it is!"

"HEY! There's two more over here!"

Louis couldn't stay conscious any longer. The world went dark and the voices cut out. All he could do now was helplessly wait for whatever the heck these were to help him and the others.

Or wait for the creatures to kill them...

Welcome to the good life...?

Chapter 3: Welcome to the good life...?

Twilight and the others rushed the monsters to the nearest hospital. Despite flabbergasted doctors and the apprehension they felt treating them, they did have a Hippocratic oath to fulfill. The darker one had severe internal bleeding and was the worse of the three, but the other two only had minor concussions and contusions. Twilight waited with the others, and hopefully, would be told what these creatures were.

"Twilight Sparkle?" A Doctor called out across the room. She turned and smiled, quickly trotting over, followed by her friends.

"Yes, Doctor? How are... they?" She asked. He whistled and looked over his clipboard.

"Well, all three of them are covered in scratches, scars, and what appear to be bite marks. Wherever they came from, sure wasn't friendly to them."

Twilight tilted her head. "Where did they come from, Doctor?" She asked. The Doctor chuckled and let out another whistle.

"You got me there. I have no idea what these creatures are, but they don't seem to be hostile, if that's what you want to know." He assured. The girls physically relaxed and looked to one another.

"Are they awake?" Rarity asked. The Doctor nodded and pointed down the hall.

"The bald one with the vest is. But, just be warned, he's a little... grumpy." He said with a chuckle. They girls looked to one another, uncertain about that, but made their way down the hall.

"Sir, I need you to put that down!" Redheart shouted, trying to reach the jar of sedatives that Francis now clutched. He laughed and tossed them from hand to hand.

"Or what? You're just my imagination playing tricks on me! Talking horses! HA! That's a good one brain!" He laughed. The nurse rolled her eyes and tried again.

"For the hundredth time, we're 'Ponies'! And we are just as real as you are, I can assure you!" She said. Francis glowered at her.

"Prove it, tiny!" He goaded. All at once, the impatient nurse turned and kicked him in the place Francis hated to be kicked in most. He yelled and fell to the ground, clutching his member.

"I... hate... hospitals..." He panted, rolling around on the ground. The nurse quickly got him onto her back and put him back into the bed, rolling her eyes as he continued to clutch his junk.

"Honestly! I barely tapped you. For someone so tall and tough looking, you're pretty weak." She goaded. Francis shot her a glare and frowned.

"I just went through two weeks of Zombie hell! Who's weak now?" He said, sticking out his tongue. The nurse was about to ask what he meant, but a knock at the door forced her to hold it for a while.

"Hello, Nurse Redheart. How are they doing?" Twilight asked from the door. Her other friends and Spike peering inside out of curiosity.

"Oh, they're okay." She confirmed with a smile. "They're all asleep right now, the bald one having to be sedated just now... So they're not up for talking."

"I am." A feminine voice came from the back corner. They all turned to see the, what they presumed, female, sitting up, a small device in her hands.

"O-oh. I didn't notice you were awake. How long have you been up?" Nurse Redheart asked. The girl smiled and shook her head.

"About the time you kicked Francis in the balls." She confirmed. Nurse Redheart blushed and nodded.

"Oh. You saw that, huh? I'm sorry." She said sadly. The girl laughed loudly and put a cylindrical paper slip in between her lips, lighting it with the silver thing in her hand.

"Don't be." She said, exhaling a stream of gray smoke. "I've been wanting to do that to him since we first met. Name's Zoey, by the way. You know Francis, and the other one is Louis. As you guessed, we aren't from around here."

"Ah, so you don't think this is a hallucination." Redheart said happily. The girl took another puff and smiled at them.

"Would it really matter at this point? At least you're not all trying to kill me. This is a nice change of pace." She chuckled.

"Amen to that..." Louis said, sitting up in his bed. "Ah, hell. Looks like I wasn't going crazy at that beach after all." He said, looking at the Rainbow haired pony in front of him. "Hi. I'm Louis." He said, extending a hand. Rainbow Dash eyed it carefully, then slowly shook it. Louis smiled and laid back down. "Ugh. My insides are killing me!" He groaned.

"You had the worst injuries." Nurse Redheart confirmed. "You're very lucky to be alive." Louis chuckled and looked over to her.

"I should have been dead two weeks ago. But, I ain't. And now? I'm in a world of colorful ponies! What the hell is wrong with this picture?" He asked himself.

Twilight stepped forward and went to his side. "What happened where you are from?" She asked.

"Zombies. Lots of fucking Zombies." Zoey said, looking out the window. Spike's eyes widened and a 'Whoa' escaped his lips. Twilight rolled her eyes.

"Oh, come on. You expect everypony to believe that you fought zombies? Really, what happened?" Twilight asked again.

"Exactly what we just fucking told you!" Zoey snapped. Twilight recoiled and backed away. The other mares looked to one another, then to Louis and Zoey.

"Don't mind her." Louis said quietly. "She... She hasn't been the same since we lost our friend Bill... None of us have." He said, shutting his eyes tight.

"I-I'm sorry." Twilight croaked. "I didn't mean to offend. So, how did you get here?" She asked. Zoey shrugged and flicked her cigarette butt out the window.

"Don't know. We were packing a boat on the shores of a river in Georgia, heading out to the Florida Keys. Our boat capsized in a storm, and now we're in a world of talking horses."

"Ponies." Nurse Redheart corrected. Zoey rolled her eyes.

"Anyways, before that, we all spent around two weeks trying to survive against the zombies, or infected as they're more commonly called. The four of us went through hell and rescue after rescue to be saved, only to be betrayed by our own military and forced to abandon everyone left alive. I still can't forgive Bill for that." She said angrily, but with a hint of sadness.

"So, why didn't you become infected?" Rainbow Dash asked. Louis shrugged.

"Some people are immune to the disease. We can get bitten, scratched, puked and spit on all we want, and still not turn into mindless freaks." He confirmed. "We met four others who were just like us just before we left for the Keys. Brave folk..."

"I still think we shoulda told them about the military." Francis said, sitting up and rubbing his genitals still.

"You're telling me." Louis said sadly. "I wonder how they're doing now?" He asked. Zoey spat and got out of her bed.

"Does it really matter now? They probably made it to New Orleans, and the military probably put a bullet between their eyes."

Applejack stepped forward. "Well, if'n you all would like, I got plenty ah room at mah farm for you. That is, if you're up ta it?" She offered. The three looked to one another and nodded.

"Anything is better than hospitals. I hate hospitals." Francis pouted, getting out of the bed. "Hey, where's my vest?" He asked panicked. The nurse pointed to the chair where all their belongings were. They checked the black devices first, pulling long metal clips out, then re-inserting them. then they put on their respective over clothing.

"What are those things?" Spike asked, pointing to the weapons at their sides.

"9mm handguns. Never go anywhere without them." Francis said, hefting the pistol.

"So, are they weapons?" Twilight asked cautiously.

"They'll put a hole clean through your head, if that's what you're wondering?" Zoey put in. Everypony froze and backed away. "Don't worry. Only to be used on Zombies, nothing more." She concluded, sliding the pistol into her holster.

"Okay, I guess that's fine then. You should all head over to the farm. Spike and I have a letter to write to Princess Celestia." She said, grabbing Spike and putting him on her back. Tomorrow, they'd get more answers, and hopefully, the Princess will have a solution to the predicament they all found themselves in.

Anything you can do, I can do better.

Chapter 3: Anything you can do, I can do better

It was now past three in the afternoon. Applejack and Rarity had offered to walk the three back to Sweet Apple Acres, while the rest of the girls went to do their own thing. The humans were to stay in the barn during their time, and they gave no objections. If anything, they seemed happy to finally be able to keep their guards down for once.

They didn't have to run, or shoot, or kill. They were able to just walk and admire the scenery. Francis plucked an apple from one of Applejack's trees by the side of the road and bit into it.

"Man, this is good! I definitely don't hate this!" He said, munching the apple, the juices sloppily flowing down his lips, onto his dirty vest. Rarity wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"Um, Francis? When was the last time that thing was cleaned?" She asked, leaning in. She gagged when she got a whiff of it. "Oh, sweet Celestia! It reeks!" She yelled, covering her nose. The three humans hadn't even thought about the condition of their clothes. Closer inspection revealed their horror as well.

Their clothes all had their share of dried blood, vomit, brains and guts. They hadn't noticed the smell, since everything else around them smelled ten times worse. They looked to each other and shrugged.

"I don't suppose you'd want me to... wash them for you?" Rarity asked. The humans, again, looked to one another and shrugged.

"Nah, Rarity. Ah'll do it. They're mah guests after all. Maybe you could make them some new clothes, hmm?" Applejack put in. Rarity beamed and nodded.

"Oh, you all will just love what I make! Don't worry, it will be stylish, and functional! I'll get you tomorrow for measurements!" She yelled, running off to her boutique.

"Uhh, what just happened?" Francis asked, scratching his head. Applejack chuckled and lightly kicked a tree, knocking down a single apple, which she caught with her tail. Francis smiled. "Nice catch."

"Thanks. And that was just Rarity bein' Rarity. You'll get used to it. Now, hurry up. Y'all can meet mah family and I'll show you where ya'll be stayin'."

Zoey took of her jacket and wrapped it around her waist, letting the warmth of the mid-day sun hit her bare arms. Louis took off his tie and belt, getting comfortable as well. Francis just munched his apple and looked at his friends with a grin.

"Getting comfortable, hmm? Keep on guard, 'cause you never know when-"

He was cut off when a pink blur tackled him to the ground. He almost reached for his pistol, but remembered there were no freaking zombies OR vampires here. He opened his eyes and was now nose to nose with the pink pony from earlier.

"HIYA! I'm Pinkie Pie! Do you remember me? Do ya, do ya? Huh, huh, HUH?!" She asked quickly. Francis smiled and turned to his pals.

"-Something could get you." He finished. He sat up, Pinkie Pie staying right in his face with a goofy grin. "Is there a reason you freaking tackled me to the ground?" He asked, kind of annoyed.

"Because! I missed you! I wanted to say hi to you all before, but I was so nervous since you're aliens! But now, I'm feeling braver. SO HI! Do you want a party! *gasp* I have to throw you a party!" She yelled, bolting off down the road.

"Ha! Hear that Louis? She missed me more than you!" Francis laughed. "In your face, Mr. Sunshine!" Louis simply rolled his eyes and helped the cocky biker to his feet.

"Honestly, Francis, you can keep her. She's right up your ally." He goaded. Zoey chuckled and shook her head. Francis wrinkled his noes and shook his head.

"You gotta sick mind, I.T guy." He said with a hint of disgust. "Besides, she's WAY to positive for me."

"Oh yeah, that's right," Zoey joined in. "You need to hate her, and she needs to hate you and then it'll be perfect!" She laughed.

Applejack rolled her eyes at the banter. It was good they were enjoying themselves, but did it have to be negative? "Alrighty, folks. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres!" The farm pony said happily. The three smiled at the paradise.

Apple trees grew across the many acres, coating the land in a red glow. The barn was beautiful, newly built, and the farm house was similar to the one they held out in once, but was quite a deal more peaceful, and spacious.

Zoey smiled when a small filly ran out the screen door to meet Applejack. She saw two others waiting, but couldn't make them out from the distance she was at.

"Applejack! You're back! You're... Whoa..." The filly gawked at the three creatures in front of her. "Are... we keepin' em?" She asked.

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack scolded. "These are guests, not pets. I want you to meet Francis, Zoey, and Louis. They'll be staying with us for a little while."

Apple Bloom looked at them carefully, then walked over to Zoey, looking her over curiously. "Umm. Hello?" Zoey started, bending down to a more comfortable level for the child.

"Howdy. Are you a girl?" She asked. Zoey smiled and nodded. "Yay! A girl to talk to!" She cheered, hopping back to the house. "I can't wait to tell the other Cutie Mark Crusaders!" She yelled.

"The Cutie Mark-y what now?" Francis asked.

"Her and her two friends call themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders, on account of them not having theirs yet." Applejack explained.

"Is a... Cutie Mark the thing you have on your rear?" Louis asked. Applejack smiled and looked at her mark, smiling the whole time.

"Yessir. I got this when I discovered my purpose in life is at the farm. That's how you earn a Cutie Mark. You have to discover your special talent." She said smiling. She looked at Francis and tilted her head. "Are those marks on your forelegs Cutie Marks?" She asked. Francis laughed and flashed his arms.

"Nah, these are tattoos! I don't think I'd handle something that girly sounding on me." He chuckled. "I hope it never happens."

They continued on to the farm house. Meeting Granny Smith and Big Macintosh. They ate diner, told a few stories, then went to the barn for their first real sleep in weeks.

"Sorry we don't have any spare rooms or beds. Hope you don't mind hay." Applejack said from the barn door. Francis flopped into one of the piles and smiled.

"This is the most comfortable thing I've slept on in over two weeks!" He said happily, nestling in more. Louis nodded to Applejack.

"This is just fine. Thank you for your hospitality." He said happily. Zoey nodded.

"Yeah, couldn't really ask for more right now." She admitted.

Applejack smiled and nodded. "Well, sleep tight and we'll see you bright and early. G'night." She said, closing the large door behind her.

"Ah, this is great!" Francis yelled. Zoey and Louis looked to one another in surprise.

"Really, Francis?" Louis asked. "I thought you'd be hating everything right now." He chuckled. Francis shook his head and turned to face his friends.

"Are you kidding? We went three hours without being mauled, maimed, or otherwise violated by some mutant freak! I couldn't be happier in a land of ponies!" He chuckled.

"No ladies here, Francis." Zoey reminded him. His features went from happy, to one of dread.

"GET ME OUT OF THIS HELL!" He shouted, bolting upright. Louis laughed hysterically, as did Zoey. "Why are you laughing, Louis?! You're a man, too! A man's gotta get some... relief, you know?!"

Louis smiled and shook his head. "Sorry, Francis. I don't live in the gutter. I don't need sex to survive, because, honestly? I didn't really get that much to begin with."

Francis was about to say something, but shook his head. "You know what? That's too sad to make fun of. I low ball, but not that hard." He chuckled.

Zoey smiled at Francis and wrapped herself in her jacket. "Don't worry, Francis. In about a week or so, those ponies will start looking pretty cute. That pink one seems to like you quite a bit."

Louis snorted and rolled on his side. "It's late guys. Let's save the banter for tomorrow and get some well deserved sleep. Our first real sleep since longer than I can remember. I gotta good feeling about tomorrow anyways."

Francis laid back down and adjusted in his pile, and soon, he and Louis were fast asleep. Zoey, however, was wide awake. She held up the silver Zippo and frowned.

"I miss you, Bill... I'll never forget you..."

"Francis? Louis? You stay on the bride, cover our retreat. Zoey? Up front, you're with me." Bill ordered. Zoey skipped forward, clutching an M-16 tightly in her hand.

"I'll cover you while you start that generator. I wont let anything get by me." He said. He suddenly got a look of sorrow on his face and looked into Zoey's eyes. "I'm... sorry about what happened at the military base. I was only looking after your safety. I should have told you what I had planned since the start."

Zoey pat Bill on the shoulder and smiled. "I... guess I can forgive you for it. After all, we're going to be living on that Island for eternity. That's a long time to be mad at somebody, huh?"

Bill chuckled and placed something cold in her hand. "I want you to hold onto this for me, alright kiddo?" He asked. Zoey opened her fingers and saw Bill's silver Zippo lighter in her palm. She rolled it over and smiled, then squinted her eyes when she saw the engraving on the side.

'To Grampy, Love, Stephie.'

Zoey frowned and turned to Bill, who was already making his way into the town. His rifle leveled on the buildings and alleys. Zoey made her way to his side and began to work on the generator.

"Come on, stupid piece of..." She pressed the ignition, sending the echos of the grinding and noisy generator across the city. The sound of angry zombies screeched through the night, causing Zoey to panic.

"Come on! Come on! Work you piece of shit!" She yelled. She turned to see Bill, leveling his rifle on the adjacent street. Zoey couldn't see anything, but she knew Bill's assumption would be right on the money.

Sure enough, a Boomer, always the first ones to mossy out, waddled around the corner, rushing Bill.

"Are you freaking kidding me, you fat son of a bitch?" Bill yelled, squeezing off a single shot. The bullet tore through the bloated monstrosity, causing the gasses inside to detonate the soft fleshy belly. The pieces fell to the pavement, and then the real horde showed up.

Zoey slammed the start button as Bill shot the incoming horde. "Anytime would be good, Sweetheart!" He yelled, tossing his last pipe bomb. The Zombies chased it, then launched into the air in a shower of flesh and pieces as it went off.

Suddenly, the generator began to groan rhythmically. "YES! Thank you, you hunk of shit!" She yelled. "Come on, Bill! We're home free!"

The two ran back to the bridge, Francis and Louis blasting anything that followed the others, which was every single crazy infected. Francis grabbed Zoey's arm, and Louis grabbed Bill's as the bridge lifted barely out of reach.

"Holy shit, this thing is loud!" Zoey yelled. The wall of Zombies became larger and larger as the bridge continued to slowly rise.

"This thing is calling every damn Zombie in the city!" Louis yelled.

Suddenly, silence. The loud groan of the bridge ceased and the growls and screams of the infected below was all that could be heard. The bridge collapsed on level, going back to the nearest lock. The zombies were now in reaching distance of the ledge and began climbing.

"SHIT! Generators out!" Francis yelled. The four began to shoot at the common surrounding and climbing. Bill stomped fingers and heads when they touched the platform.

"We'll clear this wave, then start it again!" He yelled. "Should be easy enou-"

A loud roar, which all four knew to well, echoed from the top of the street, then three more accompanied it. They were used to one tank at a time, but a herd of them? If anyone ever encountered that before, they were more than likely pulp on the sidewalk by now.

"Oh god... Oh god, this can't be it! This just can't be!" Zoey pleaded, backing onto the bridge.Louis reached out and grabbed her hand.

"I just want to let you all know I love you. You've all been my family and I...Oh, shit..."

The thumping of the Tanks grew louder and louder. Death was just seconds away and they all knew it.

"I hate dying..." Francis pouted.

*Vwoosh*

Zoey turned just in time to see Bill run past her, a Molotov in his hands. "Cover me, and I'll see you all in hell..." He called out, jumping off the bridge.

"BILL!?!" Zoey shouted, running after him. Francis and Louis held on to her for dear life.

"No, Zoey! NO!" Louis shouted, grabbing his rifle. They were almost bone dry on ammo, and needed to make the last of it count. He handed Zoey her weapon and frowned. "Cover him! You'll be no good down there without a gun.

Zoey nodded and hefted her gun. She had half a clip left, but she could snipe. She fired single shots, blowing off heads and chests. No freak would touch the closest thing she had to a father now.

"Ah, hell. This is it isn't it?" Bill asked himself, reaching for the button of the generator. He bashed a zombie with the butt of his rifle and made the last millimeter stretched. The generator restarted instantly, and he could hear the shouts of Zoey telling him to run.

"I'm done, Zoey. You're safe.." He whispered. He knew he couldn't make the run back and get there in time for them to help him up. This was a one way trip, but he was sure going to make it one for the infected now coming for him.

But four Tanks? This was Bills final symphony. He lightly tossed the Molotov in his hand up in the air, caught it, then whipped it at the hulks. The horde and three of the Tanks were now screaming and pounding on their bodies, trying to quell the flames. But the fourth Tank?

It made it through the flames unscathed and sent a fist flying, connecting with Bill's chest. The man gasped and sailed through a boarded door, crashing into a large generator on the other side.

"Gahh! Son of... son of a bitch!" He gasped. He felt his chest and pulled his hand away. The entire rib cage was crushed. He could feel his lungs fill with fluid and breathing become nearly impossible. The tank now stood in the doorway, seeming to size the old Vietnam vet up. Bill smiled and took one last puff of his cigarette and drew his pistol.

"Come on... you son of... a bitch. Let's... Let's see what you got!"

"BILL! NO, BILL!" Zoey yelled, trying to escape Francis' grasp. He turned her around and held both her arms firm.

"Zoey! STOP IT! He's gone! He's..." Francis choked on his own words and felt the lump forming in his throat. He didn't need to say anymore. Zoey hit him with a full force hug and sobbed into his chest. Francis held her tight and sighed.

"I hate this... I hate this so much."

Louis sat by the edge of the bridge, looking down at the shambling wall of Zombies. "We need to keep quiet, you guys. We'll wait for the horde to clear out and then we'll go." He limped over to the two and joined the hug.

"Goodbye, Bill... and thank you." He whispered.

Celestia's wager

Chapter 4: Celestia's Wager

It had been a normal day for the Princess. Spending some quality time with her sister, attending to nobles and lords across Canterlot, and just struggling with the daily activities.

Yes, it was just a normal day for Princess Celestia.

That is, until Twilight's letter came about three strange creatures. It was something that she was greatly taking an interest in. She walked across the courtyard to her awaiting carriage, Luna hot on her heels.

"Sister, do you think it is wise for you to be so close to creatures we know nothing about?" Luna asked with a nervous tone. Celestia smiled at her sister.

"They seem perfectly safe, Luna. Don't fret. Until I am back, you are in charge, as always." She said, stepping into her large carriage. Luna bowed and nodded.

"I eagerly await news, sister. Take care." Luna said warmly, rising to her hooves. Celestia nodded and her carriage took flight for her faithful students dwellings.

Twilight, being her usual, OCD self, had ushered all her friends to her dwellings, along with the new 'guests', to thoroughly prepare for the Princess' arrival.

Francis leaned over to Louis and chuckled. "Man, what do you suppose is eating her?" He asked. Louis shrugged and watched as the Unicorn cleaned every inch of her place, levitating dusters, rags, and anything else to get her home spotless. The group had already been briefed on what magic was, and didn't seem all to fazed by it.

Come on. If you were fighting freaking Zombies for over two weeks, nothing would really faze you much either.

"SPIKE! How's the upstairs look?" Twilight called out. Spike walked down the steps, a look of 'you're kidding' etched on his face.

"Really? It's not like she's going into your bedroom, Twilight."

Francis couldn't help but jump in. "The way she's acting, that's probably what she wants." He laughed. Rainbow Dash joined in and Pinkie Pie shoved a hoof in her mouth to stifle her giggle snorts. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy just stared at the man in shock of his lewd joke. Francis raised his arms and smiled.

"What? I was just kiddin'!" He said. Twilight rolled her eyes and jumped when she heard the horns of the guards blow, announcing their Princess' arrival. Twilight freaked and did a few last minute checks on the condition of her house.

A light knock came and Twilight quickly composed herself, trotting to the door and opening it to their benevolent ruler. The survivors covered their eyes, at it was like she brought the sun inside with her.

"Whoa! Turn down the lights, lady. Sheesh." Francis protested. She smiled and walked over to the three humans.

"So, I take it these are the creatures. Charming." She said sarcastically. Louis walked forward with a grin on his face.

"Don't mind Francis. He can be a pain in the rear sometimes, but he means well." He assured. "My name is Louis, and she's Zoey."

"Charmed." Zoey said sarcastically, playing with Bills old lighter. The Princess frowned at Zoey and Francis. They were impolite, inconsiderate, and just downright negative.

"Why do you act the way you do?" She asked the two. They looked to one another, then back to her.

"Look, lady," Francis began. "When you're fighting your way through two weeks of Zombie hell? Then you see how you come out of it."

Celestia furrowed her brow and stepped closer. "I have been alive for thousands of years! I've seen wars fought, many of my closest friends die. Yet, I still act with humility and understanding!"

Zoey snorted and shook her head. "Tell me, did you have to watch your mother get half her face eaten off? Did you watch her do the same to your father, then kill your father so he didn't come back to life and do the same to you?!" She shouted. Celestia stepped back and frowned.

"I... I can honestly say I have not." She considered this, but quickly went back to her attitude before. "That still doesn't give you the right to treat others the way you do."

"What are you gonna do about it? You think you're right, and we think we're right." Zoey began. Celestia smiled and contemplated a plan.

"Well, how about this. For two weeks, you will become ponies. In that time, you have to earn your cutie marks. I will become human, go to your world, and see for myself if your actions are justified."

Everyone in the room got a look of disbelief on their face. Louis stepped forward with pleading eyes.

"Princess, look. You don't know what we faced! You'll be dead before you take three steps!" Celestia took this argument as further testament to the challenge.

"Are you saying I can't handle myself? I can assure you, anything you faced, I can face just as well, if not better." She affirmed.

Francis joined in now. "Look, you don't know what kind of fresh hell we just got out of. Do you even know how to use a gun?" He asked, pulling out his side arm. Celestia studied the object and frowned.

"I do not. But, I have my magic, that should be enough." She said. Louis gave her a frown.

"Humans can't use magic, and if you're going to become human, then that's out of the question." He chuckled.

"Do we have a deal?" Celestia asked, not wanting to continue the argument. The humans looked to each other and shrugged.

"Well..." Louis began, but Zoey shot forward first.

"Deal. Let's see what you got, Princess." She said grinning. The princess held out a hoof, and the two women shook on it. Celestia went over to Twilight, who seemed too stunned for words.

"It'll be alright. If I am close to death, I'll be sent back here, alright?"

Twilight nodded, her mouth still ajar. "Alright, Princess. If you think this is wise..."

"Oh believe me," Celestia began. "It'll be more than worth it. Humans? Come forward! It's time to start our game!"

Francis, Louis and Zoey lifted off the ground, protesting the endeavor. They were quickly surrounded by a swirling vortex of yellow magic and, when it cleared, three earth ponies now stood where the humans once did.

Everypony in the room went slack jawed. Francis was now a grayish stallion. He still wore his vest, which he was thankful for. He had his goatee and his mane was neatly shaven. Pinkie Pie began to look him over a little more than she did with the others.

Louis was a dark brown stallion. He was completely bald and was still wearing his dress shirt and tie. He looked himself over and shrugged.

Zoey, took everyone in the room away. She was a light tan mare, her body curving in all the right places. She had light blue eyes that held a sultry, sensual tone. Her mane was still in a ponytail and she still had her pink sweater on. She was everyponies definition of, 'bucking hot as Tartarus'.

"Well?" Celestia began. "What do you think?" The three smiled and nodded, Zoey more so.

"Not bad..." She said. "Feels good, actually."

"Yeah! I kinda don't hate this, but still... Imma horse." Francis pouted.

"PONY!" They all corrected.

"Whatever!" He pouted. Celestia turned and got far away from the group.

"Now, I'll be going to their world now. Do not fret, I'll be back in two weeks." She said, and with that, she was gone in a flash. The mares looked over the bodies of their new friends.

"So," Twilight began. "What should we do first?" Francis smiled and rubbed his front hooves together.

"Something I know I'm good at..." He said trailing off. "Do you guys have any motorcycles here?" He asked happily.

"Motor-what?" Rainbow Dash asked. Francis' ears fell back and he sighed.

"I'm fucked..."

Celestia began to tumble in a rift. She felt herself leaving her realm, and entering a strange, exotic one. All at once, her magic left her and she fell from the portal onto the hard pavement of a city. She slowly sat up, rubbing the back of her head. Something didn't feel right...

She brought her hooves to her face and discovered pale hands instead. She looked over her entire body, which was devoid of fur, and full of curves.

Her breasts were large and supple, her thighs were somewhat meaty, but not fat by any terms, and her face, which she saw in a puddle, was absolutely stunning. If Zoey was anything compared to beauty, Celestia would have given her a run for her money.

She slowly, and shakily stood on her legs, trying to get a feel for the new gate. She took a few exploratory steps and, satisfied she could walk well enough, began to explore the baron city before her.

"Hello?" She called out. "Is anypony there? I require assistance!" No answer came. She walked farther down the streets, coming upon a gruesome scene.

A barricade stood in front of what looked like a guard outpost. The gates were leaning at an angle and bodies upon bodies were stacked in front of it, blown away by the human weapons, obviously, guns.

"H-Hello?!" She asked more frantically. She began to panic. Not only was she alone in an alien world, but she was also stark naked and had no way to defend herself. She was about to walk into a store, when a loud snort from behind her froze her in her tracks. "Hello...?" She called, slowly turning. She wished she just ran when she had the chance.

Standing a couple yards away was an impossibly large creature. Its muscles bulged through its skin, giving it an abnormally pink tone. It was covered in scars and craters, giving that much more of a menacing appearance. The creatures jaw was completely missing, or it was absorbed by the creatures chest muscles, she couldn't tell.

It took a thunderous step towards her, she took a step back. The two gauged each other, seeing who would move first. This creature was smart, and it knew how to play its hand well. Celestia's ankle caught the curb and she fell hard on her rear. The monster roared and charged forward. Celestia screamed and shielded her face, waiting for the end to an incredibly stupid bet she just started.

CRACK

Celestia opened her eyes to see the monster stumble. It turned, facing down the hooded figure. A large black weapon, which had smoke billowing out the end of it was held firmly. He tossed it to the ground and pulled out a tinier weapon. It was rectangular in shape, with a long, straight clip sticking out the hand grip.

The man charged forward, firing on the monster. It shielded its face and roared defiantly, pounding it's chest. "We gotcha covered, Loner! Get that psycho chick and go! We'll handle the tank" Called a man from the rooftops. Celestia covered her ears as more gunfire echoed through the empty streets.

She felt herself being swept up, as the 'Tank', confused as all hell, began to retreat into the city. It wouldn't have its kill today, and would plot for later. Celestia looked up at the person cradling her in his arms. He was very thin, probably from living on the lam for two weeks. He was also strangely quiet, never asking if she was okay, or what her name was.

"Thank you." She said, but got no response. That was troubling to her... She pushed the thoughts aside as a large horde of smaller creatures came streaming out of the buildings. She heard the man grunt, the only sound she'd heard him make so far, and pull out a long, cylindrical object.

He lit the rope with a cigarette that was in his mouth and lightly tossed it behind them. Celestia watched as the monsters swarmed around the beeping object, pummeling and maiming it with all their might, until it exploded, sending a thunderous roar and body parts every where.

Celestia gagged at the sight. How could he do that to so many lives? Were... were they even living? Zoey, Francis and Louis did say they were Zombies... Still, she wretched at the sight and threw up all over the mans shirt.

"Sorry..." She moaned. He didn't say a single word about it. He just held on to her tighter and kept running.

The running slowed to a brisk walk when they reached a large warehouse. The windows were boarded, save for little slits. The entrances were covered in some kind of shiny wire, protecting it from intruders. On the roofs, were long boards of wood, connecting each rooftop together for easy access across the city, without going onto the dangerous ground.

The two entered, the building, the man easily stepping over a patch of the metal. The interior was dark, and the former sun goddess strained to see her surroundings. The loud echos made her assume the space was vast.

That was confirmed when a low groan echoed lightly through the building, the lights flickering on in response, illuminating the vast storage space of the warehouse. Boxes labeled 'Wal-Mart were spread out everywhere. Some were overturned, spilling clothes, food, and other objects of value. Celestia craned her head as two more men came over to the two and smiled.

One of the men was dark skinned like Louis. His hair was worn in rows that were braided, held together in the back by a ponytail. His pants were worn past his buttocks and he hefted a large gun, the words, 'Black Betty' painted on the sides. He had a wicked grin on his face and a burning paper thing in his mouth. The smoke made Celestia a little loopy.

The other man had narrow eyes. His hair was flat and black and he was shorter than the other two by a head. He seemed jumpy, constantly looking from left to right. He wore a camouflaged jacket and a bandoleer across his chest, with an assortment of knives and other sharp objects.

"Well, looks like we found our first survivor in weeks!" The dark skinned one said happily. He looked over her naked body and whistled. "And, dayum! She's hot as shit! I call her in my bed tonight!" He said, reaching for her.

Celestia held on to the figure holding her as tight as she could. Sensing her distress, the man pulled out a tiny black gun, the same one the humans had. His face had a look of a killer etched into it as he placed the gun to the darker mans stomach. The man frowned and held up his hands.

"A'ight, Nigga! She's yours! Chill the fuck out!" He said desperately. The man holding her smiled and put the gun away, carrying Celestia over behind a stack of crates.

"Please! Don't... don't violate me!" She pleaded. The man gave her a surprised look and smiled, placing her down gently on a mat. It had a blanket and pillow on it, and was probably the only comfortable thing she'd feel in her stay here.

"Name." The man finally spoke. Celestia thought about giving him her full name, but it seemed humans didn't have her type of name here. She went with the short version.

"Tia... My name is Tia." She said shakily. The man wrapped a blanket around her naked body and lit a lantern. He stood over a small, portable stove of some sort, putting vegetables and beans into a pot.

"Hungry?" He asked. Celestia hadn't realized how hungry she actually was until he asked. She nodded enthusiastically and he continued cooking.

She looked around, what she assumed to be, his dwellings. They were fairly simple; a mattress and a blanket, which she was using, a lantern, cooking utensils, and weapons. Lots and lots of weapons.

He had guns ranging from tiny pistols, to guns the size of her. It was scary, yet somehow comforting seeing as what's out there. She looked over at another box to see sword after sword sticking out of the wood, arranged from smallest to largest. The smallest one, however, was a box cutter that was sitting at Celestia's feet. She picked it up and examined it. On the side, the words. 'Score Keeper' were etched into it. He took it from her quickly and placed it in his pocket. "Need that for later." He said, tending to the stew he cooked

"I... Thank you... for saving my life." She said gratefully. The man turned to her and gave a half smile. "What is your name?"

"Not important." He said simply. "Loner, is what I go by." Celestia gave him a quizzical stare.

"Why is your name not important. I would certainly like to thank you properly for what you did for me." She said happily. He frowned and shook his head.

"Names hold attachment. I'd rather not have someone become attached to a dead man walking." He chuckled.

"Dead man walking?" Tia asked confused. He frowned and turned away, filling a bowl with the slop from the pan.

"Eat. You'll need your strength." He said, grabbing a gun with an eye glass on it. He went to the opposite side of the room and, once there, climbed a ladder that led to a hatch on the ceiling. He climbed through and was gone from sight.

Celestia turned when the two men came over and joined her for supper. She was hesitant at first, but they just sat and ate. The dark skinned one looked to her with a frown.

"Sorry 'bout before. Haven't seen someone as hot as you in a damn long time. Name's Allan." He said, extending a hand.

"Tia." Celestia said, hesitantly shaking it. The man to her side smiled and extended his hand as well.

"Cho" He said in a heavy Asian accent. She smiled and shook his hand as well. "Where... are your clothes?" He asked finally.

Celestia blushed and shrugged. "I... woke up without them, I suppose." She stated simply.

"Yo, hold up a sec! You sayin' someone stole your clothes?! What's to say they didn't rape yo' ass?" He asked astonished. Celestia blushed deeper and shook her head.

"I... would have felt if my... 'ass' was being raped." She said awkwardly. Allan laughed, as did Cho.

"Nigga, I like you. You's funny as hell! Stick with us and we'll keep y'all safe." He chuckled. Celestia smiled and looked back up at the hatch on the roof.

"What's the problem with... Loner?" She asked. The two froze mid chew and put their bowls down, obviously ready to tell a story.

"Well, What I think," Allen began. "Was that he was trained as an assassin by the government. When we found him, he was fighting a tank single handed. With a fuckin' sword! That takes stones even I don't have!"

Cho was next to speak. "I think, the reason he's so quiet as well, was because he had to kill his family too." He said sadly. "I'm glad I didn't have to do that."

Celestia frowned and felt a lump in her throat. The others were right. This world is hell! "Do you know anything that isn't a rumor?" She asked. Allan frowned and leaned in.

"I saw him changing one time, and... damn, this is fucked up, but I could see markings in his skin, like a tally system. He took a razor and put a few more slashes into his skin. There were seven rows, for each of the seven special infected."

"Special infected?" Celestia asked curiously. Cho got out a notebook with drawings of the beasts on them. They were hideous. Celestia recognized the big one.

"That's the Tank." She said, pointing to the picture. What... are the others called?" She asked curiously. Cho pointed to each one, naming them off.

"That's a Charger, Hunter, Smoker, Boomer, Spitter, Jockey, and, the nasty of the nasty.. The Witch." He shuddered.

Celestia looked at the frail image of a female, who sat on the ground crying. "But... she's just a girl. How could she be so bad?"

"Damn, girl, you've been lost to the world for too damn long." Allan joked. "The Witch is one hell of a bitch. She lures you in with her crying, makin' you think there's someone in trouble nearby, but when you get close to her, she uses her dagger like nails to slice you to ribbons."

Celestia gulped and began to shake. She didn't want to be here anymore. She wanted to be home, back in her castle where it was safe. But, a bet was a bet. She'd have to stick it out for the full two weeks if she wanted to prove them wrong.

"So, did you get a good look at his markings?" She asked. Allan nodded and began to draw them out, pretty sloppily.

There were the initials of each Special infected, and underneath, were hashes that, she assumed, represented the number of...

"Kills?" She asked astonished. Allan and Cho nodded. "There are a lot of them." She said astonished. a grunt at her side made her jump. She turned to see Loner's head next to hers, staring at the accurate drawing. The other two men froze and said nothing. Loner smiled and put his box cutter on the floor, blood dripping from the blade.

"Add another tally to the 'T' column, would you, Allan?" He asked. The man instantly obeyed, drawing a slash in the Tank column. Celestia took the pad and counted them out.

14 Boomers, 12 Jockeys, 23 Hunters, 15 Smokers, 19 Spitters, 10 Chargers, 7 Tanks, and 9 Witches. It was an impressive number to be sure, seeing as how he was alone for most of the time. Celestia gulped and watched him sit in the corner, polishing his gun. She could see the blood staining through his shirt. She look away and shuddered.

"What an animal.." She thought. The two men beside her finished their meals and took their leave back to there dwellings. Celestia sat and stared at Loner as he disassembled his weapon, cleaned it, then reassembled it. He turned to her and she looked away quickly. He chuckled and got to work on his other weapons.

The two sat for around an hour in silence, Celestia staring, and Loner cleaning. He finally put his gun down and sighed, scratching his brow. "You have something you want to ask? Ask it." He said. Celestia shifted uneasily and cleared her throat.

"Why... Why do you act the way you do? You seem so... negative." She finished. He frowned and took out a pack that said 'Marlboro' on it. He took a thin piece of paper out and lit the end of it. He took a deep inhale, then exhaled a plume of white smoke. Celestia coughed when it reached her face.

"I act the way I do out of necessity. When you go from the top of the food chain one day, then right down to the bottom the next, you can't act all sunshine and flowers. You need to take a firm grip of reality and shove it down your throat. The infected out their don't listen to reason. What they do listen to, however," He took out his pistol and cocked it. "Is a little bit of led. If you don't like the way I do things, there's the door. But I doubt you'll want to leave, seeing as how you ain't from this world." He chuckled.

Celestia instantly froze. How did he know?! Who... Who in Tartarus was this man?!

She played innocent and smiled. "Oh? What makes you think I'm not from this world?" She asked. Loner leaned in closer to her and stared at every square inch of her body. She stiffened and covered herself with the blanket more.

"For one, your hair. No ones hair is blue, green and pink." He said, running his fingers through the unnaturally soft texture of her mane.

"I.. I could have dyed it this way." She put in. Loner shook his head and smiled.

"Please, you take me for a fool? Your roots are the same color as your hair. Face it, you're a terrible liar." He said, taking another scoot closer to her. "And, I saw you fall from a hole in the air. Some kind of portal or rift?" He asked.

"Portal." Celesta stated bluntly. She could still try and play innocent, but what's the point? He already knew. She frowned and looked at his face. It was hard, scared, and held little dignity, but something about it caught her attention, mainly his eyes. She shuddered looking into them.

They were nothing but hollow pits of death...

The man stretched and walked over to a box labeled 'fabric'. He tipped it over and opened it, spilling packing peanuts all over the place. He spread them out and jumped into them, getting as comfortable as possible.

"You can have my bed. Get a good nights sleep, 'cause tomorrow, I want some answers as to why you're here, and where you came from." She was about to protest when Loner held up a finger.

"It's not up for discussion. You're going to tell me everything, and in return, you get the best protection we can offer. Just, get some sleep right now. You need it." He said, turning onto his side.

Celestia was about to speak her mind, when his light snoring answered her. He was already out cold. She sighed and got as comfortable as she could on the small mattress. At this point, she could be sleeping on the pavement and she'd be content. This world was far different from hers, complete polar opposites. Zombies running amuck, people dying all around, and just the ever looming fear of death ate at her soul. She sighed and closed her eyes drifting off to sleep. She missed her heavenly world...

Now, she was in the very definition of Hell...

Well, that's unexpected...

Chapter 5: Well, that's unexpected...

The survivors turned ponies just sat awkwardly in front of the mane 6. Francis rubbed the back of his neck, Louis shuffled his feet, and Zoey rubbed her forelegs together. Sensing the tension had gone on long enough, Twilight took the initiative to break it.

"So... Each one of you should go with somepony else and try to earn your Cutie Marks. We'll decide who we want to help. I think I'll take Louis." Twilight finished standing beside the dark Stallion. He smiled warmly at her and shrugged.

"Works for me." He said happily. Twilight got the tinniest blush on her face and looked to the others.

"Who wants to take Zoey?" She asked. Applejack smiled and nodded.

"Ah will. It'd be good to have another mare on the farm to help with the apple buckin'." She affirmed. Zoey rolled her eyes and walked over to Applejack's side. Twilight smiled and looked at the rest of her friends.

"So, who wants Fran-" Before she could finish, however, Pinkie Pie shot her foreleg into the air.

"Oh, Oh, Oh! Me! ME! I do! I DO!" She shouted. Twilight looked to Francis, who had a look of sheer dread on his face. His ears flattened back and he began to back into a corner as Pinkie giggled and hopped towards him.

"D-Don't I get a say in this?!" He asked frantically. Louis and Zoey laughed and shook their heads.

"C'mon, buddy! Go out and earn your 'Cutie Mark' with Pinkie!" Louis goaded. Pinkie squeed and grabbed Francis' hoof, dragging him out the door.

"Come on! I'll bring you back to the bakery! We can make cupcakes!" She said happily. Francis gulped and his face turned bright red.

"Oh, Jesus! I hope that's not innuendo for something else." He freaked. Pinkie giggled and gave him a wink. Francis gave his pals one last pleading look as he passed the threshold of the exit, never to be seen again.

(well, for the rest of the day, at least.)

"Alright, everypony! Let's get them their Cutie Marks!" Twilight said happily.

Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash left, since they were too busy to take on the three. Applejack left with Zoey back to the farm, and it was now just Louis and Twilight alone in the Library. She watched as he looked over all her books, smiling brightly.

"Oh, man. You have a lot of books!" He beamed. Twilight smiled and walked up beside him.

"Thank you. So, what did you do back where you're from?" She asked. Louis frowned and picked up a book, surprised his hoof had that kind of dexterity.

"I was an I.T guy." He said with a hint of frustration in his voice. Twilight had no idea what the buck that meant.

"I.T?" She asked. Louis smiled and put the book back.

"Stands for Information Technology. Pretty much my job was morons calling me up, having computer problems, most of the time it was because they didn't know how to turn the damn thing on..." He muttered something else under his breath that Twilight didn't catch.

"Hated your job, huh?" She asked. He nodded and sighed.

"Oh well. Anything you got for work around here is better than what I did where I'm from. I think I'm gonna like it here a lot better." He said happily. Twilight smiled and gave him a hug.

"Whoa." He said with a chuckle. "What was that for?" She smiled and shrugged.

"Glad you're happy. That's all. I wonder how your friends are going to take their Cutie Mark quest." Louis laughed at how Francis was doing and shrugged.

"Zoey? No problem. Francis, however, is going to drive Pinkie up the wall." Twilight giggled and grabbed some books from the shelf.

"I think the reverse is true..."

Twilight and Louis couldn't have been more wrong. Not only were Pinkie and Francis getting along, they were actually having a fun time, telling jokes and cooking treats and sweets.

"Man, Pinkie. I can't believe I doubted you. You're pretty cool." He admitted, taking another tray from the oven. Pinkie continued to munch on his treats and smiled.

"Not as cool as your vest! I love vests!" She said happily. Francis' eyes went wide and his heart skipped a beat.

"You... you like my vest?" He asked happily. She giggled and nodded, eating more cupcakes.

"Mhmm. I think it looks good on you. And hey! Did you know, that ummm... YOU MAKE THE BEST CUPCAKES EVER?!" She squealed. Francis rubbed the back of his neck and smiled.

"I... took culinary in High School." He suddenly shot the pink mare a glare. "You tell Louis or Zoey that, I swear to god..." She giggled and began her Pinkie promise.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." She said sincerely, sticking an actual cupcake into her eye. Francis laughed hysterically and wiped a tear away.

"Damn, Pinkie. I... really like you. And I ain't fuckin' with you either. Last girl I liked, I met her from the top of a bridge, and she said she hated my vest!" Pinkie gasped and put a hoof to her mouth. "I know, right?" Francis said disbelievingly. Pinkie got a sultry look on her face and sauntered her way over to Francis.

"Well, I don't hate it... I think it's..." She put a hoof to her chin and leaned in close to his ear. "Sexy..." She whispered. Francis' heart began to beat out of his chest. Okay, so maybe liking a pony isn't so bad when you are one, right?

"Well, Pinkie. If you think it's sexy on me, I bet it'd be a hundred times sexier on your bedroom floor." He chuckled. Pinkie shrugged and walked out of the kitchen, lifting her tail to reveal a flash of pink.

"Well, we won't find that out in the kitchen, will we, silly?" She asked, walking up the stairs. Francis began to think furiously, but found himself involuntarily following her.

"Heh. Always did have it easy with the ladies." He said proudly.

The walk upstairs seemed to take an eternity. His eyes followed Pinkies curves as she danced them in his face, walking up the stairs with exaggerated slowness. They finally made it to her bedroom, which looked like a children's birthday party was going on.

"Uh. What's with all the balloons and shit?" He asked. Pinkie smiled and hopped over to her bed.

"Imma party pony!" She said happily. Francis shook his head and smiled.

"Well, works for me, I guess..." He said. He held back the temptation to tell her he hated balloons, knowing he'd turn his good luck into bad.

Pinkie laid down on her bed, eying him suggestively. "Well? You said it'd look better on my floor. Prove it."

Francis winked and threw the vest off. It drifted lazily to the floor, giving Pinkie a good look at his body. He was definitely in shape; his large forelegs showing he'd been through some serious action in the two weeks he'd been fighting Zombies. Pinkie giggled and pulled him on top of her.

"Haha! I knew I'd be gettin' laid!" He cheered. Pinkie rolled her eyes and planted a big, sloppy smooch on his lips. Francis finally got into it, kissing her back. After a minute the two pulled away and gasped for air.

"Groovy..." Francis said with a smirk. Pinkie giggled and wrapped her hooves around his neck. "Dammit. Everyone laughs whenever I say that." He pouted.

"That's because no pony says that anymore, silly." Pinkie put in. Francis shrugged.

"I still say it. So, where were-"

"Pinkie Pie, we're back!" Mr. Cake called out from downstairs. Pinkie got a look of dread on her face and quickly squirmed off her bed.

"Oh no! I'm not supposed to let stallions into my room! Quick! Climb out the window!" She shouted. Francis raised a brow and grabbed his vest as she pushed him towards the open window.

"Are you kidding mEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" He yelled as she pushed him out, falling two stories into a bush. "Goddamn it..." He muttered, spitting out a few leaves.

Today just wasn't his day...

Zoey remained quiet the entire trip back to the farm. She seemed to be preoccupied with something else, but Applejack didn't want to impose by asking to many questions. They entered the farm house to see Big Mac helping Apple Bloom with her homework, and Granny Smith cooking. Apple Bloom looked up and beamed.

"Oh, hiya Applejack! Who's your friend there?" She asked sweetly.

"It's still me. Zoey?" Zoey confirmed. "Your princess just turned me into a pony is all to settle a bet." Apple Bloom 'oo'd' and 'ah'd' at Zoey's new look.

"Whatcha think of her now, Big Mac?" Apple Bloom asked her bother. The stallion looked up and nearly spit out his cup of coffee.

Zoey was beautiful, incredibly so. He had never been stricken by a mare so hard in his life. He looked away and gave a wry smile.

"Eeyup." Was all he could say. Apple Bloom raised a brow.

"Ah... Didn't ask ah yes or no question, Big Mac." She stated. He blushed and looked away.

"Ah... uh... Gotta go plow tha fields." He said, standing to leave.

"It's 6:30 at night, Mac." Applejack shouted to him as he ran out the door. Zoey raised a brow and watched him run.

"What the hell was that about?" She asked. AJ shrugged and shook her head.

"Ah have no idea. He's jumpier than a rabbit on coffee!" Applejack pushed that incident out of her mind and went over to Granny Smith, planting a kiss on her old cheek.

"Oh! Now yew know better than ta sneak up on an old mare like that, deary." She said smiling, kissing AJ's forehead. She turned and studied the new mare quickly and smiled.

"Hello, Zoey. Hope yer hungry for some apple stew!" Granny Smith said happily. Zoey blinked a few times. How in the hell did she know who she was? She was in the other room cooking.

Applejack chuckled and sat at the table. "Oh that Granny Smith. Older than all the apple trees on this land, still as sharp as a tack." She mused.

"Alright, so what is this 'apple bucking', you call it?" Zoey asked. Applejack smiled and gave a long stretch.

"You just go up and kick that tree for all it's worth. Gotta get the apples to fall, put 'em in baskets, and bring 'em back to the barn. Easy as that."

"I have a feeling it won't be that easy." Zoey sighed.

"On your first day? You better be ready to feel tha burn." AJ said with a wink.

"Oh great... why'd I get stuck with you?"

Welcome to Hell. Here's your accordion

Chapter 6: Welcome to Hell. Here's your accordion

Celestia's eyes fluttered open as Loner shook her awake. She slowly sat up and stretched her arms, cracking the aching joints. He tossed her some clothing, which she looked over curiously.

"Put that on. You'll want to be dressed." Loner said, grabbing his UZI. Celestia looked over the strange garbs and frowned.

"I... must admit, I've never put on clothes like this before" She said with a blush. Loner stared her over and sighed, taking a seat next to her. He grabbed the bra, putting it over her large breasts. It was the second to largest size they had. It fit her perfectly. Next, was a shirt. He grabbed a t-shirt from one of the boxes, and a jacket to go over that for added protection from bites and the cold of October weather.

"What about these?" She asked, holding up the flower printed panties. Loner sighed and lifted her up. He knelt down with the panties in his hand.

"Alright, lift your left leg." He ordered. She did as instructed and he slid the panties over her first leg. He ordered her to do the same with the second and he slowly slid them up.

"Alright, I assume you can do the pants after watching that." He said.

"I suppose. Thank you very much." She beamed. Loner waved and walked over to his corner, studying the guns he'd be taking.

His UZI was his main weapon. It was small, powerful, and fast. He'd need it in a tight spot. Next weapon was a 50 cal. Desert Eagle. It shone brightly, reflecting his face back at him. He frowned and put it in a holster on his side. Third was a pair of his lucky machetes. One was black, the other white. He called them Yin and Yang. Even going so far as to paint the symbols on each one.

He frowned, knowing Tia would need a weapon as well. She wasn't of this world, he knew, so training her would be tough. He grabbed a Glock and a MAC-10. Hopefully these would be suited for her. He turned to see Tia come over, wearing the clothes he gave her pretty well.

"How do I look?" She asked, spinning to give him a full view.

"Lovely." He grunted. "Now, come on. I have to train you how to use these." He said, passing her the two weapons.

She held them in her hands and studied their features. One was a pistol, like Francis had. The other looked similar to Loner's, except it was a few inches smaller and had a large, cylindrical object covering the barrel.

"That's a silenced MAC-10. It'll keep the Zombies off ya, but still deadly enough to pack a punch. I call it, 'Tiny Death'." He chuckled, patting the gun. "Now, fire at that box. Show me what you got."

Celestia's eyes widened. "Um. Are you sure this is a wise idea? I mean... I could hurt somepony else, and I-" Loner held up a finger and stopped her cold.

"First, we say somebody, not somepony. Second, the only people you'll hurt are the ones trying to beat you to a bloody pulp. Now, let's start with the Glock." He said, taking the MAC-10 away from her.

She studied the weapon and looked over to the box with the hastily drawn bulls eye on it. She turned to Loner and frowned. "Alright. Here I go..." She said hesitantly. She aimed the gun at the target and squeezed the trigger, flying backwards from the force. Loner caught her and helped her back up.

"Well... You missed, but not bad for your first time." He assured. Celestia frowned and let out a sigh. She was never going to last for two weeks...

"Can... you demonstrate the proper way to fire one of these things?" She asked. Loner thought she'd never ask. He quickly grabbed a small box and went over to the large crates around the room. He stacked glass bottles, jugs, cups, and everything in between on them. When he finished, he stood next to Celestia with an eager grin.

"Duck."

Celestia threw herself to the floor as a hail of bullets left his gun. He sprayed the closest row of bottles with his UZI, sending bits of glass in all directions. He pulled out his pistol and shot the next row to the left. He finished off with his sniper, scoping in on the shot glasses on the far room, shattering them one by one.

Celestia uncovered her ears and looked up at Loner. He smiled at her and picked her up. "Any questions?" He asked. Celestia gulped and shook her head.

"N-no. I think I got it." She stuttered. Loner rolled his eyes and gave her back the MAC-10.

"Good. We're going into the city for supplies. Allan and Cho are one roof patrol, and YOU have the honor of being with me." He grabbed a few explosives and strapped them to his chest, as well as two health packs, passing one to Tia.

"It will also give us time for you to give me answers. I want to know who you are, why you're here, and... well, that's pretty much it."

Celestia geared up and smiled at him. "Of course. I think it would be best if we got off on the right foot. I'll tell you everything, but... please don't tell the other two. They'll probably think I'm crazy."

Loner chuckled. "Barely talk to them anyways. Let's go."

Loner and Celestia walked quietly through the city, passing bodies of Zombies and half eaten survivors. Celestia wretched again, but forced her food back down. She bumped into Loner with an 'oomph' as he stopped suddenly. Celestia looked down the road to see a few zombies shambling about.

"What are those kinds?" She asked. Loner took out his hunting rifle and smiled.

"Common infected. Easy to kill, dumber than dirt." He squeezed the trigger six times, and all six fell to the pavement, dead. Celestia frowned and tried to look away. Such a loss of life was depressing, but they were already dead.

"So, Tia, tell me about your home." Loner said, slowly sulking into a gas station. Celestia followed him in and smiled.

"Of course. I come from a land called Equestria. This... isn't my true form. I am an Alicorn."

Loner raised a brow. "What the fuck is an Alicorn?" He asked, rummaging through the cash register, grabbing money and other objects of value.

"An Alicorn is a pony with the blood of all three pony tribes. Earth, Pegasi, and Unicorn." She stated. Loner laughed hysterically and grabbed a Twinky.

"Lady, I heard some crazy shit. But that takes the cake. If I didn't see you fall through that portal, I woulda shot you to put you out of your insanity! So, you're a pony, is what you're telling me?" He asked, hoping he didn't scare her too much with the shooting her part. She nodded.

"Yes. I am the Princess of Equestria. I raise the sun, and my sister the moon. It has been that way for thousands of years."

Loner took this all in. She was a pony, a princess, raiser of the sun, and... wait, why was she here. "And you're here because..."

She sighed and looked out the window. "A group of three survivors ended up in our realm after a terrible storm. My student, Twilight, found them on the beach. When I met them, they were rude, brutish, and ill tempered. We had a falling out over why they were so disrespectful, and one thing led to another. I bet them I could do what they did, and come out none the worse for wear. Well, I think I'm in over my head here..." She admitted, slumping down the counter. Loner sat by her side and gave her a Twinky, which she took, biting into it curiously. She enjoyed it and scarfed it down.

"Well, I'm glad we got to you first. You're strangely enchanting." He admitted. Celestia smiled and a blush formed on her face. That was unexpected to hear from someone so... distant.

"You... think I'm enchanting?" She asked. He shrugged and nodded.

"I guess. You still have that innocence about you. I like that. But, this world will take it away from you pretty quick. I'll protect you as best I can, but if anything happens to me...?" He trailed off and sighed. "You should just go back home, Tia."

Celestia couldn't help but smile at the actual concern and care Loner was showing her. He wanted to protect her, keep her safe from the nightmares of this world. She scooted closer to him and gave him a warm smile.

"I'm... glad you found me. Even if you are... a little rough around the edges." She giggled. Loner smiled and shrugged.

"That the nice way of saying I'm a monster?" He asked.

Celestia put a finger to her chin. "More or less." She laughed. She noticed his sigh and put a hand on his leg. "But you're a monster with a heart. I never expected to find that here." She leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. She held back the giggle as his face turned bright red.

"Oh... um, lets just get back to scavenging." He said, quickly standing. He walked briskly into the back room, leaving Tia alone. She took a deep breath and calmed her quickening heart.

She jumped when she heard a loud, animalistic scream, followed by sniper fire. "Loner?" She yelled. When no answer came, she began to panic.

"LONER?!" She ran into the back room, pushing past boxes and car parts. She rounded the corned to see Loner, clutching his bleeding throat, a hooded creature lying on the floor with its head blown away.

"Gotta... Gotta add another dash to the 'H' column now." He chuckled dryly. Celestia ran to his side, grabbing the health kit off her back. She opened it and was met by medical supplies she wasn't used to.

"What do I do?!" She asked quickly. Loner shrugged and kept pressure on his throat.

"You tell me. You're patching me up." He said dryly. She grabbed a sheet of gauze and quickly pressed it to his wound. She paled at the amount of blood.

"What next?" She asked. Loner grabbed the wrappings from the kit and wrapped it around his neck. After that, he popped a few pills into his mouth and got back to his feet. He looked over to Tia, who was shaking uncontrollably.

"Hey. I'm okay. You gotta be strong, Tia." He said harshly. "Come on, get up." He extended a hand, which she shakily took. "You'll learn soon enough how much worse things can be." He warned. "This was just a scratch compared to what some of the other infected can do."

"How badly have you been injured?" She asked astonished. Loner shrugged and smiled.

"Lost my right kidney, and I got some scars in some places you probably don't want to see." He assured. Celestia turned away and blushed profusely.

"I... suppose not. Are we almost all set here?" She asked. Loner chuckled and handed her a large gas tank.

"Oh, no. We need to siphon gas for our generator. This gas station has a few thousand gallons beneath it, and we come here each week for a refill. You up for a work out?"

Celestia sighed. "Labor isn't my strong suit, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try." Loner frowned and walked outside.

"Gotta leave your title as princess behind. You listen to me, and you live. You listen to yourself, you'll be dead before you take a step. That's not me being commanding or cocky, that's me stating fact."

"I understand." She said, hefting the large orange jugs in her arms. She struggled and stumbled a few times before making her way back to him. He was lifting a large piece of metal of the ground, revealing a large hole. She peered inside and was assaulted by a smell that stung her nostrils.

"Ugh! What is that horrid stench?" She asked, plugging her nose. Loner inhaled deeply and smiled.

"That's the smell of pure gasoline. Nothing quite like it, is there?" He asked, putting a hose into the hole. She wrinkled her nose and walked away.

"I suppose not. If you don't need me, I'd like to take a look around..." She said. Loner shot her a glance and scowled.

"Oh no. You're staying right here. Don't know what's out there." He said, gesturing to the vast city before them. Celestia conceded the point sitting by his side.

"So, Princess. What's your full name?" He asked between sucks on a hose. Celestia smiled and pushed her hair out of her face. Seeing as how she possessed no magic, it didn't effortlessly blow. She'd have to find a fix for that later.

"My full name is Celestia." She said proudly.

"Huh. Kind of like celestial. Catchy name for the princess of the sun. Tell me, did you ever see yourself as a powerless human, completely at the whim of a complete psychopath?" He asked.

Celestia gave him a warm smile. "You aren't a psychopath. You... were dealt a cruel hand in life, yes, but you seem stable and trustworthy."

Loner finished sucking the hose as gas began to spew from it. "Aha! We got our power for tonight!" He said happily. There was a buzzing at Loner's side, which pipped Tia's interest. He pulled out a radio and Allan's voice came through.

"Yo, man. You got some serious shit comin' your way. Get you and your girl outta there fast!" He panicked. Loner turned to Tia and pointed for the gas station.

"Get inside. I got this." He assured. She didn't want to leave him. She wanted to stay by his side where it was safe. She heard the shrieks and growls down the road and didn't hesitate for another second. She liked being close to Loner...

But she wanted to be as far away from the Zombies as possible.

"Oh. What has this old mare gotten herself into now..?"

She looked out the window as a wall of undead came bolting towards Loner. He threw a cylindrical object, the same as last night, at the crowd. Celestia was ready this time and covered her ears as the detonation rocked the store. She picked her head back up to see a large creature barreling towards him. One of its arms was shriveled to nothing, whild the other one was fat and bulky, covered in scabs and callouses.

It was a Charger, and a fair sized one at that.

It burst forward, slamming into Loner's chest. The man grabbed two swords from his back and stabbed them into the creatures thick hide, again and again. It slammed him into a wall and slumped down, dead.

Loner pushed it off him and got back up, continuing with the horde. Celestia smiled at his stamina. He may be small but he sure was tough.

"You can do it Loner!" She said happily. "I know you ca-"

Something warm and wet wrapped itself around her throat, squeezing her windpipe shut. She tried desperately to pry off the moist appendage. She suddenly began to slide backwards, hacking and gasping for breath. She felt herself press against something soft and bumpy. She turned her head to see a tall, gangly creature with oozing soars and pustules across its body. It raised a fist and brought it down on her collar bone.

She silently screamed as the bone broke. Another fist came down on her right temple and she saw stars. She desperately reached for something, anything that could save her! Her hand found her pistol and she brought it to bare, firing it wildly in the air. The creature punched her again and she went out cold.

Loner heard the frantic gunfire in the store and panicked. "Celestia! Son of a bitch!" He yelled. He stabbed the last Zombie in the face and ran in the store, to see the beautiful woman being punched repeatedly by the Smoker that had her wrapped around the throat.

Loner didn't hesitate. He jumped over the counter and took out 'Score Keeper'. He cut the deformed monsters tongue clean off and Celestia fell to the floor. He then proceeded to stab the creatures face in. It thrashed on the floor, totally helpless to the onslaught the sociopathic man was unleashing.

"HOW DO YOU LIKE IT, FUCKER?!" He shouted. He slit the creatures spinal cord and it went limp. Loner quickly crawled over to Celestia's side. She wasn't breathing.

"Son of a bitch!"

He laid her straight out on the ground and began CPR. He pressed her chest ten times, then blew air into her lungs. "Come on, baby. Don't fucking do this to me." He pleaded.

He continued the life saving treatment again and again. "Come on. Come back to me. Don't leave me like this!" He pressed her chest one last time and she shot up, taking huge gulps of air. Loner smiled and wrapped himself around her.

"Tia! Holy shit! I'm fucking sorry! I... I shouldn't have left you alone." He said desperately. Tia stood and had a look of dread on her face.

"My spell didn't work!" She gasped. Loner was at a loss for what that meant.

"What spell? Why? What happened?" He asked.

Celestia coughed for a second and spit up a little bit of blood. "I... put a spell on myself before I came here. If I was close to death, I'd be instantly teleported home."

"It didn't work?" He asked. She shook her head and began to sob. Loner wrapped an arm around her and held her close. She was the only thing getting him to open up since this whole nightmare began. He cradled her head against his chest and rocked her back and forth, shushing her and telling her it'll be alright.

For Celestia, things couldn't be more wrong. She was now trapped in this realm. Her sister didn't know the spell, nor did Twilight. They couldn't bring her back. Not now, not ever.

"I'm stuck here forever!"

From pouting, comes progress

Chapter 7: From pouting, comes progress.

Francis sulked his way through the streets of Ponyville, ignoring the waves and greetings from others around him. His ears were flat against his head and he wore an angry expression.

"Stupid ponies, stupid slutty pink ponies... Stupid cupcakes." He mumbled to himself. He hated the fact the incident with Pinkie Pie was bothering him so much. It wasn't like he was a pony.

"Well, technically I am... Goddamn it. Keep it together, Francis." He told himself. He sighed and hung his head low. "Ah, fuck this. I'm going to see what the others are doing..."

He quickly picked up the pace to the Library, trying to remember exactly where it was. He chuckled lightly as he followed the drag marks he left in the dirt streets.

"Ah, my tracking abilities amaze even myself!" He chuckled. "Now to see if Louis got his ass tattoo. I bet it's for being stupid. HA!" With that thought in his head, he quickly ran through the streets, wanting to humiliate Mr. Sunshine with all his heart.

Twilight and Louis had been spending most of the day down in the cellar with all of Twilight's science kits, computers, and magical objects. Twilight hated to ask, but he seemed like the only pony to go to for computer issues. Louis lifted his head out of the hatch on the back of the large machine, covered in a layer of dust.

"Alright, Twilight. That should do it." Louis said happily. "Now, I'm not familiar with these kinds of computers, but it seemed that the cooling vent was covered with these little buggers." He said, holding a hoof out with dust bunnies in it. He chuckled and pat the things on the head, which cooed in response.

"It's funny. Back where we're from, dust bunnies are just piles of lint. Here? They're living beings." He gently placed them down and they hopped underneath a bookshelf. Twilight smiled at Louis' compassion for all things living.

"That was very sweet of you to let them go. They're considered pests here and no pony shows them that kind of kindness." She tolled him. He got a disbelieving look on his face.

"Those cute things? Man, I'd hate to meet the pony who can kill them."

The two shared a laugh together when a knock came at the front door.

"Hello? Hey Louis? Open the goddamn door, powder puff!" Francis yelled from outside. Louis rolled his eyes and followed Twilight back up the stairs. They got there as Spike opened the door and let him in.

"Hey Louis!" He chuckled. "Hows the hunt for your ass mark?" Francis craned his head to check, and seeing that Louis was still a blank flank, chuckled. "Well, still don't have it yet, huh?" He asked. Louis sighed and rubbed a hoof on his forehead.

"No, Francis, I don't. You don't have... yours... Oh my god." Louis' mouth fell open as Francis turned to walk away. Francis arched a brow and looked at Louis, who was barely able to hold back the laughter, Twilight seemed to be doing the same.

"What the hell is wrong with you two?" He asked. Spike came back in the room and, noticing what they all saw, began to laugh uncontrollably on the floor. Twilight and Louis followed a second later.

"Francis! You got your Cutie Mark!" Louis yelled between fits of laughter. Francis smiled and looked to his flank.

"Ha! Told you I'd get my ass tattoo first! I bet it's something cool, like a motorcycle, or a vest, or-" His eyes widened in fear and embarrassment when he saw his Cutie Mark.

There, on his flank for the whole world to see, was a Cutie Mark of a Cupcake tray filled with rainbow colored cupcakes. His face turned bright red and he spat on the ground.

"I knew cooking was a goddamn horrible idea." He pouted. Twilight walked over and placed a hoof on his shoulder.

"It's okay Francis. It's your special talent! You should be proud you earned yours in less than four hours. Applejack and Rarity's sisters have been trying to get theirs for over six months now."

"Well, I do get the job done quickly." He said happily, then frowned when Louis started laughing again. "Not like that, asshole!" He shot back. Twilight rolled her eyes and joined in the laughing. It seemed the former Zombie hunters were adjusting to their peaceful way of living. She wondered how Zoey was doing on the farm...

"Fuck this, fuck apples, and fuck you." Zoey spat, yanking the yoke off her neck. Applejack sighed and trotted after her.

"Look, Ah'm sorry if I over worked ya on yer first day, but ya can't quit that easily! You're a strong mare and you'll find yer grove in no time at all." She assured. Zoey exhaled explosively and turned to Applejack.

"I'm not a mare! I'm a girl, a human! This bet was stupid and pointless. Why is your Princess so cocky?" She asked, falling on her haunches. Applejack sat beside her and sighed.

"She's not the kinda pony to back down from a challenge. Ya gotta prove to her who the stronger mare is. I'm rootin' for ya, just so ya know. I don't think she'll last a week in yer realm." Applejack chuckled. Zoey joined in and soon the two were laughing hard. Zoey recovered first and sighed.

"Sorry about freaking out like that. It's just... been a hard few days." She sighed. AJ was curious and knew talking about things always made them better.

"Tell me, sugar cube. What's tha matter?" She asked. Zoey thought about just keeping the pain she felt from Bill's death all to herself. It was hard to come to terms with. He was there for her since their chance meeting in the city. He saved her ass more than once, and she returned the favor in kind on multiple occasions as well. Maybe talking about it with someone would help her out.

"Just... an old friend we had was killed a few days ago saving our lives." She said in a whisper. Applejack held a hoof to her mouth and choked on her words. She knew something was wrong, but didn't expect it to be that bad.

"A-Ah'm sorry, Zoey. But, he loved ya enough to sacrifice himself. That's gotta count fer somethin', right?" She asked. Zoey looked at Applejack and wrapped her in a hug.

"I guess you're right. It's good to have girl talk, since I've been stuck with nothing but men the past two weeks." She mused. AJ chuckled and nodded.

"That was mah life in high school. Ah hated being around girls. I was one of tha stallions." She rubbed the back of her neck and smiled sheepishly. "Although, ah guess you didn't have much of a choice, huh?"

Zoey shook her head. "Nope. But, I wouldn't trade those two idiots for anything in the world. We became family in those two weeks, and family always sticks together."

Applejack was surprised. It was like Zoey was some long lost Apple. She held their ideals to the 'T'. She smiled at Zoey and wrapped a foreleg around her neck.

"Far as ah'm concerned, y'all are an honorary member of the Apple family. Glad you're here." She said, breaking the embrace. She stood and stretched. "Ah gotta go bring the load to the barn. You coming?" She asked.

Zoey shook her head. "Nah. I think I'll just stay here for a bit, watch the sunset." She said. AJ tipped her hat and walked off. Zoey sighed and looked at the setting sun, watching for the first hint of stars.

"Mind if ah join yah?" A low southern drawl said from behind. Zoey turned to see the large, red stallion behind her, smiling. She shrugged and nodded.

"Go ahead." She said, gesturing to the grass. Big Mac sat on his haunches next to her and sighed, repositioning the wheat stalk in his mouth to the other side.

"Seems ya found mah thinkin' spot, little lady." He said with a chuckle. Zoey smiled at him and shrugged.

"It's a nice spot. Come here often?" She asked. He nodded and laid down beside her, looking up at the sky.

"Every night before ah go to bed. Soothes mah soul just watchin' the sun set. Celestia does a beautiful job..." He trailed off, remembering Applejack tell him about the bet and how Celestia was gone. "Who's setting the sun?" He asked.

Zoey had the answer. "Apparently, according to Twilight, Luna can lower and raise the sun as well. She just doesn't want anybody to know about it. Might cause an uproar or something. I don't know, I wasn't really listening." She admitted. Big Mac chuckled and sighed.

"So, how d'ya like bein' a mare?" He asked.

"Not bad. Kind of annoying at times, but it's okay." She said, wiggling her legs around in the air. Big Mac smiled and nodded.

"If... ya don't mind mah boldness, Ah think yer quite attractive." He admitted, blushing slightly. Zoey smiled and winked.

"You're not the first guy to tell me that. It get's kinda annoying hearing it non-stop..." She said. Big Mac sunk his head into his shoulders and his blush deepened.

"But, you genuinely meant it. I can tell. You aren't like the guys where I'm from, who only say I'm pretty or sexy just to get a piece of ass, you know? But, thank you, Big Mac."

He sighed and his cheeks returned to normal. "Ya know, we have extra room in tha house. Ya don't have ta sleep in that musty ol' barn." He told her. She raised a brow and frowned.

"That extra room wouldn't happen to be yours, would it?" She asked cautiously. His eyes widened and he shook his head.

"No! Ah'm a Stallion o' principles, missy. It's an extra room, yer own bed an' everythin'. So, how 'bout it? Ya interested?" He asked. She pat her chin and nodded.

"Sure. It beats hay, right?" He chuckled and nodded, standing and stretching his aching joints. The two walked back into the house without another word.

Loner continued the trudge back to the hide out completely overloaded. He had Celestia piggy backed, he now carried all their weapons, and he had the gas tanks in his arms. He was lucky Allan and Cho were up on the roofs covering him, otherwise he'd be dead.

Tia continued to sob into his neck, wetting his shirt. She had nearly died today and found out she could probably never go home. He'd probably be crying to if he was faced with that.

Well, he was facing that, except instead of crying, he killed everything in sight...

The bay doors were opened from the inside, allowing Loner entrance. Cho took the gas cans and Allan took his weapons. Loner kept Tia tight on his back and grabbed a few medical supplies.

"Tia needs surgery. Don't disturb us until it's done. Got it?" He ordered. Allan and Cho nodded and Loner walked to a CEDA medical tent they scavenged. He set Celestia down on one of the cots and gave her a warm smile.

She was banged up good. Her left orbit had nearly been shattered, and he could tell she had significant brain swelling. Her collar bone could be seen through her light skin, bent at an odd angle. That was the first thing that needed to be fixed.

"Tia? This is gonna hurt like a mother fucker, but you gotta try and stay still, alright?" He pleaded. She inhaled deeply with a quiver and nodded.

He took out 'Score Keeper' and sliced her shirt off. He took the thin bit of bone and counted down.

"Alright. 3, 2,-" He pushed it in on two and Celestia screamed in agony. The sun goddess would normally use magic to dull pain, or even heal herself. But this forsaken land had taken her very life line away. She was completely at the mercy of somepony she didn't even know. She never had to take commands before, or do laborious tasks. Or, get her face bashed in by a Zombie. Celestia's anger was now bubbling over the pot. She yelled in a voice she hadn't yelled in for over a thousand years.

"THOU SAYEST ON THREE, YOU WRETCH!" She yelled in the royal Canterlot voice. Her eyes seeped anger and hatred, which Loner matched with ease.

"Well excuse ME for helping some stuck up pony princess who thought it'd be a smart idea to get herself mixed up in the ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE!!" He matched her tone, the two were now face to face. It was a stand off the likes of which Celestia had not seen since the battle for Stalliongrad.

"Yo? Everything a'ight in there?" Allan yelled.

"GO THE FUCK AWAY ALLAN!" They yelled in unison. Allan raised his hands and quickly ran off. Celestia continued the stare down. No way was she backing down from this.

"How DARE you treat royalty in such a manner! If I had the mind to I'd behead you myself!" She hissed. Loner pulled out his pistol and pressed it to her forehead.

"Can't behead someone when you're dead, your Majesty." He goaded. She slapped him as hard as she could across the face.

"The nerve!" Tia growled. "You dare threaten my life AND mock my title?!" Loner held his hand to his face, then cracked a smile, then that smile became a full blown laugh.

"Why are you laughing?!" She demanded. He didn't answer, just continued to cackle in her face. Her face turned bright red and she turned away, folding her arms in a huff.

"Tia. I saved your life today! And, I'm offering to help you with your injuries! Could you just please, calm the fuck down and let me do my job? Hmm?" He asked, holding up the medical pack.

She finally relented. "Alright... Do what needs to be done." She sighed. Loner nodded and gestured to the table. She laid down on the cold slab and shivered.

"Alright. I need to repair your orbit. It was hit pretty good. I'm gonna have to knock you out for this one." He said. Tia gasped and shot up.

"You will not hit me!" She shrieked. Loner took out a bottle and shook it in his hands.

"Relax. I'm using chloroform. It'll make you sleepy, then you'll pass out. I promise you'll be okay. Trust me." He told her.

"Just one thing." She asked quickly. He turned to her as he doused a rag in the chemical. "How do you know how to preform surgery?"

He smiled and held the rag to her face. She began to fade in and out of consciousness, but before she blacked out, she heard him say, "That was another life, Tia... Another good life..."

For one brief moment...

Chapter 8: For one brief moment...

Luna exhaled deeply as she finally set the sun, then went right to work moving the moon to it's rightful, glorious place in the sky. Lowering and raising the sun, however, was exhausting the poor mare.

How does Tia do this every morn and eve?

She groggily walked to her bed and fell into its plushy embrace. "I wonder how Tia is doing over in the human realm..." She pondered. She sighed and shut her eyes, letting her magic seep into the foreign world. She came to the entrance, but was stopped by an invisible force. It was like a brick wall was plastered between the realms, magic not being able to get through.

She pushed past the barrier, which she had to strain to do. "Finally..." She muttered. "Alright, Tia, lets see how you're fairing." She followed the path of her sisters life essence. It wasn't a long trail from where she ended up. When Luna saw Tia, however....

Tia was lying on a metal gurney, a strange man operating on her. "WHAT IN EQUESTRIA IS THIS!? Tia, what has happened?!" She shrieked. She jumped off her bed and ran onto the balcony.

"I will seek the aid of Twilight Sparkle! She'll know what to do!" And with that, the moon goddess flew off towards Ponyville.

Loner continued the surgery of Celestia's eye. It was shattered pretty bad, but he managed to put it back together as best he could. Tia was tough, so this wouldn't slow her down. Next, came the surgery on her collar bone. Popping it back into place wasn't enough. If bone marrow were to seep through, it could poison her body. He had to make sure it was properly mended.

He completely removed her ripped shirt and cut at the skin on the bone, peeling it away to reveal the tiniest bit of muscle, and the cracked thing itself. He grabbed both the pieces of bone. As he thought, they weren't properly realigned with his brute force tactic. He leaned in and easily slid the bones back together like a disturbing jigsaw puzzle.

Finally, the swelling. Left unchecked, it could easily cause her to hemorrhage. He grabbed the cold packs and squished them, activating the chemicals inside to create the numbing cold. He placed them on either side of her head and sewed up her wounds. Loner sighed happily and wiped his hands of the blood.

"She'll be alright." He told himself happily, walking over to the IV he set up for himself. She lost plenty of blood during the attack and the surgery, so it was up to him to replenish it. He was the universal donor, so he had an obligation to help.

He wrapped his belt around his arm and shoved the large needle into his vein. His blood began to fill up the pint bag quickly. He laid next to her as she slept in her comatose state.

"Tia, why am I sticking my neck out for you like this?"

"Cuz you like her, nigga." Came Allan's voice at the entrance of the tent. Loner contemplated about telling the man off, but just sat and let his blood drain. Allan came in and sat next to him.

"Look, I know we don't see eye to eye, but, if ya like her, just tell her. Can't hurt, seein' as how we's all gonna die sooner rather than later."

Loner smiled and nodded. "Well, well. When did you become Mr. Philosophy?" Loner asked.

"'Bout the same time you became Mr. Chatter box. Which was when she showed up. Face it, she's changed yo ass. For the better, I might add." He said nicely. Loner looked up and sighed.

"Why don't you go wait with Cho. We'll be done in about an hour." Loner said, gesturing for the door. Allan got up, taking one last look at Celestia on the gurney. He muttered one last thing before he left under his breath, but Loner heard it all the same.

"Hopeless romantic..." And with that, he went off to his rounds of guard duty. Loner turned to Celestia, who began to stir slightly. It would still be an hour or so before she toke up, but he'd wait for her.

He looked down to his side to see the small bag engorged with blood. He took the needle out of his arm, then began the task of hooking her up. He poked her delicate skin and his blood began to flow into her perfect body.

"You are something else..." Loner lit a cigarette and laid back down. It had been hours since his last one. Usually he'd go through a pack in a couple of hours.

"Guess something else has been on my mind." He chuckled. Tia shouldn't be affecting him like this. Especially after... maybe he shouldn't be thinking about it.

"I'd like to know..." Tia said weekly, cracking her eyes open. Loner smiled and scooted closer to her. "Who was she?" She asked.

Loner was floored. "How did-" He began, but Tia raised her hand and stopped him.

"Please... I've been alive for over a thousand years. I think I can tell when somepony has dealt with a loss. What was her name?"

"E-Emily..."

"What did she do?"

"She was a Doctor... same as me."

Celestia frowned. This man went from saving lives, to taking them in the blink of an eye. His life had been turned completely upside down from this apocalyptic hell.

Celestia placed her hand in his. He hung his head low and she could... see tears? "Tell me, what happened?"

"Why should I?" He huffed. She sighed and sat up, looking at the needle in her arm and the packet of blood. She smiled, realizing he had given a piece of himself to her to save her life. Here, it probably meant nothing.

But in Equestria and to her? It meant somepony truly cared and would do anything to keep you safe. She felt a lump in her throat and she hugged him tight.

"Please, tell me what happened. Let me listen, as you listened to me." She pleaded. He looked away form her large, pink eyes, holding onto his last shred of dignity.

"Not yet... I-I'm just not ready. I'm sorry, Celestia. but your story wasn't as tragic as mine." He sighed. She frowned and nodded. She knew that reliving a fresh death was hard for somepony to deal with right away. She'd have to respect his wishes if she wanted to keep their shaky alliance together.

To do that, she'd have to apologize for their fight before.

"I want to say sorry for my behavior before. It wasn't my place to yell at somepo-body who was trying to help me. I never did thank you, by the way, which isn't the way I should treat my subj-... Friends."

Loner felt his mind race and kept his emotions under control. Allan was right, he did like her. But, he couldn't get attached to someone in this hell. Death was constant, loved ones died. Nothing would be certain in the future.

But why not live for the now?

"I'm sorry too, Tia. I shouldn't have said the things I did to somebody... somepony I care about... God that's just weird to say... But, I mean it. You're something special, and though... you may never return home, I want to make you as comfortable as possible here. The only reason I act the way I do is out of necessity. I didn't used to be a psychopath." He chuckled dryly. Celestia ran a nervous hand through her long hair. She hadn't realized that maybe the survivors she met back home had to act the way they did to survive. This was a dragon eat dragon world, and she didn't consider you had to live tough or die nice.

"Loner, I understand. I understand everything now. Maybe it's time I did some research of my own..." She mused. Loner gave her an odd look.

"What are you talking about?" He asked. She smiled as warmly as she could and scooched closer to Loner.

"My faithful student, Twilight is currently studying friendship in the town of Ponyville." Loner scoffed, but she ignored it and continued. "Every week, she'd send me a letter about what she learned about friendship and how she and her friends furthered their bonds. Maybe I should tell... somepony who I care about what I've learned?" She said, gazing at him. Loner humored her and nodded.

"What did you learn, Tia?"

Celestia gave another smile and nodded. "I learned If you judge someone based on the way they act at first, doesn't mean they're bad. It just means you need to go deeper than just the surface. Beneath a tough exterior could be a soft, tender soul. Maybe I shouldn't have judged the others and you so harshly at first. You're not a monster," She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. He hesitated and returned the gesture as warmly as he could. She sighed and continued.

"You're a friend. A true, pure friend. And I couldn't have asked to be stuck with anypony else. Thank you... for everything." She pulled her head back to face him. Loner gazed longingly into her pink eyes. He just wanted to kiss her right then and there, but she seemed to be reading his mind.

She pressed her forehead into his and giggled. "Not too fast, Loner. I know that look." Loner joined the laughter and released his grip from her.

"Lets... go eat. You need to build up your strength. I also think the freezer section has some produce. How about a nice salad, seeing as how you don't eat meat?" He asked. She nodded and shakily got to her feet. Loner slowly pulled the needle from her arm and they walked back to the group together. It had been a long two days for the both of them, and they were just glad that the bad was over.

But the worst? That was still to come...

"Luna! Calm down!" Twilight yelled, but the Moon goddess continued her frantic sputters.

"TIA! DANGER! TRAPPED! MUST HELP!" She yelled, rummaging through every magic book in Twilight's collection. Twilight just sighed and picked her up with her magic.

"Unhand me! This is urgent!" Luna yelled. Twilight leveled her to her eye's and spoke slowly.

"Luna? Calm. Down." Luna took a deep breath and steadied herself. She nodded and Twilight released her from her magical grasp.

"W-we saw Tia in distress. Some human was operating on her... or dissecting her!" She realized. She freaked again, but the stare Twilight gave her calmed her down. Twilight's expression went from stern, to worry. She needed to find the other survivors. Maybe they had answers to what the heck was going on. Louis was upstairs in the guest room sleeping, so he was the first to get.

"Huh.. wha?" Louis groaned, being shaken from his slumber. It felt like he'd only been asleep for five minutes. Looking at his wrist watch, that was exactly the case. He sighed and rolled over to see Twilight and a darker pony, a foot taller than her standing over him.

"What is it? Who's the new mare?" He asked. Luna rose into the air and smiled. She took a deep inhale and Twilight covered her ear. Louis couldn't help but wonder why she would-

'WE ARE THE GREAT PRINCESS LUNA! RULER OF THE NIGHT AND CO-RULER OF EQUESTRIA!" She boomed. Louis was shot back by the force of the voice. He rubbed his soar ears and frowned.

"Jesus! A little quieter next time, please?" Louis pleaded. Luna got a sheepish grin and giggled.

"Sorry..."

Louis stretched and frowned. "Any reason you two woke me up?" He asked. Luna cleared her throat and stepped forward.

"Celestia... Her magic doesn't work in your realm..." She said sadly. Louis chuckled, which upset Luna just a little bit. "What is so funny?!" She asked shocked.

"I told her we don't have magic in our world. She didn't believe me, but I told her. What can we do?" He asked, getting out of bed. Luna followed him as he walked back downstairs, as did Twilight.

"With a little force, I was able to get a seeing spell into your world. There's some sort of natural barrier separating our worlds. I saw... someone over her, hopefully operating on her. She was... injured badly."

Twilight shot forward. "You didn't tell me that!" She freaked. "Did she look okay?! What was he doing?! TELL ME!" She pleaded.

"She was pretty, how do you say, banged up? Her face was bruised, and she had... quite a bit of blood on her." Luna confirmed. Twilight felt the lump in her stomach grow and she fell on her haunches. Louis frowned and began to pace.

"Well, hopefully she fell in with the right crowd. It's kill or be killed there. So, what was he wearing?" He asked. Luna shut her eyes and tried to remember.

"He had a mask on, a small blade in his hand... and some kind of apron..." She trailed off, then, satisfied she was correct, nodded. "We are sure of it."

"She was being operated on. So, she must have found a doctor. Lucky break." He said happily. "But, what can I do?" Twilight and Luna looked to one another and shrugged.

"Want to help us find a book with the spell she used?" Twilight asked. "Maybe we'll find out how she got there, or open up a portal of our own so she could return."

Louis nodded. "Alright. Let's get searching!" He said enthusiastically. Twilight, Luna and Louis rummaged through the library, intent on getting their Princess home safe.

Francis continued his walk through the empty streets of Ponyville. He liked walking at night, especially when nobody was around. He rounded the corner to see one thing he never thought he'd see.

"Hoh-lee shit! A bar!" He shouted happily. He ran through the doors and was greeted by a couple of odd stares, but the patrons quickly went back to what their business.

"What'll ya have?" The bartender asked. Francis eagerly looked over all the booze. There was gin, beer, vodka, whiskey; pretty much anything and everything.

"Gimmie a shot of whiskey, please!" He said happily. The bartender nodded and slid a glass his way, using his magic to pour the drink. Francis grabbed the cup in his teeth and chugged it down.

"Damn, that's good stuff!" He chuckled. He heard someone sit by his side. He looked over to see a purple mare, clearly inebriated.

"Hey you! I've nev-hic-never seen you in town before! Who are ya?" She slurred. Francis signaled for another drink and chugged it down.

"Names Francis. What about you?" He asked. The mare smiled and put a hoof on his shoulder.

"Berry Punch. Say, I like that vest..." She said, eyeballing him up and down. "Looks good on a fine Stallion such as yourself."

Francis grinned and gestured the Stallion behind the counter to leave the bottle and shot glasses there. He poured himself and Berry Punch a drink and they chugged them down. Berry exhaled and smiled.

"How well can you hold your liquor, big boy?" She asked. Francis got a cocky grin and poured another shot.

"Well, you gotta good head start on me. Let's see what you got." He challenged. She grabbed the bottle and poured twice as much into hers, chugging it all in a second flat.

"You're on."

"Mr. And Mrs. Cake! I finished cleaning up! Is it okay if I go out?" Pinkie called out from the kitchen. Mr. Cake came in with a smile on his face.

"Very good job today, Pinkie Pie. Here's your pay." He said happily, passing a bag of bits to the pink mare. She caught it in her teeth and smiled.

"Thankies, Mr. Cake. I'm gonna go out for a bit. See you later!" She waved, happily hopping out the door. She smiled and let the cool air blow through her mane.

"Ah, such a nice night! I wonder what everyponies up to right now." She hummed. She made her way towards the Library to visit Twilight, and to see if Francis was there.

"Oh, Francis! I wish today happened... Curse bad timing." She pouted. She shrugged and took a right, taking her usual shortcut.

She stopped in front of the pub when she heard cheering and shouting from inside. Curious like always, she poked her head inside and saw many of the patrons surrounding the counter. She slowly scooted her way inside and pushed her way through the crowed, wanting to see what all the fuss was about.

Francis downed his tenth shot and grinned like an idiot at Berry Punch. "You-hic-wanna give up now, babe?" He asked. Berry shakily did the same and her eyes went cross.

"Nopenopenope! I'm still... still..." And with that, she fell out of her stool onto the floor, knocked unconscious. Francis spun his stool and wooed like an idiot. The crowed cheered and passed bits to one another. Pinkie got through the crowd and got to Francis' side.

"Francis? What's going on?" She asked confused. Francis turned to her and frowned. She gulped and sunk in her shoulders, knowing exactly what was coming. "Uh-oh..."

"Well, well, well! If it isn't Pinkie sky-"

"Pie..."

"WHATEVER! The pink pony who pushed me out a goddamn window!" He glared at her, then burst into laughter, falling onto her shoulder. "Hahaha! You should have seen the look on your face! Priceless!"

Pinkie eased up and giggled herself. "Francis! You scared the candy out of me! So, you're not mad at little old me?" She asked batting her eyes. Francis slammed his mouth onto hers, she let out a surprised 'oomph' and let the laughs and cheers of the patrons melt around her.

Francis pulled away and smiled. "Your folks home tonight?" Pinkie frowned and nodded.

"They're not my parents, and yeah, they're home... Sorry?" She hoped this didn't upset him. He just shrugged and downed one last shot before standing to leave. The bartender laid a hoof on his shoulder and glared at him.

"Gonna pay for all that, bub?" He asked. Francis chuckled and shook his head.

"Not today, pal. Just put it on my tab."

The bartender dug his hoof into Francis' shoulder tighter. "We don't do tabs here, kid. Now, pay up." He barked. Francis' eyes shifted around and his smile faded slightly.

"Don't have any money. Sorry, buddy." He pushed the bartenders hoof off his shoulder and tried to walk away, but was slammed against the wall, the bartender holding a small knife to his throat with his teeth.

"Better find shome bud." He said through the knife. Francis began to sweat and squirmed. Pinkie shot forward hopping to help out.

"W-wait! How much does he owe?" She asked quickly. The bar tender turned to her, his slack on Francis lessening.

"120 bits. Why?" He asked. Pinkie sighed and pulled her bag of bits out of her mane. That was her entire weeks pay and she relinquished it all. The bartender smiled and took the bag. He shoved Francis away and glared at him.

"Next time, how 'bout you come in with money, bub!" He yelled. Pinkie picked Francis up off the floor and he violently turned to face the bartender.

"Next time, how bout you stop being so damn ugly! HA!"

Francis let Pinkie guide him through town. He smiled at her and chuckled. "You didn't have to do that, Pinkie. I would 'ave just bashed him in the balls." Pinkie giggled and shook her head.

"No, you wouldn't have. Red Rum is kind of a bad pony. It took me a while for me to get him as a friend." She chuckled at the memories. Francis grinned and kissed her on the forehead.

"Well, thanks. I owe you big." He chuckled. Pinkie stopped walking and kissed him hard on the lips. Francis felt her tongue graze his lips and returned in kind. She pulled away and gave him half lidded eyes.

"Well... Maybe I can think of something..." She said suggestively, trotting off to the Library. Francis chuckled to himself and followed after her. Maybe he could teach Pinkie the magic of making Louis feel like crap.

"Wait up!" He called out after her. She kept on trotting, forcing him to keep up. They walked up to the Library and Pinkie gave a few solid raps on the door.

"Come on in!" Twilight called out. The door opened and in walked Pinkie and Francis. They looked somewhat happy to see him. Francis looked over the ponies, especially the moon goddess.

"Who's the black chick?" He asked.

"That sounded pretty racist." Louis chuckled. Princess Luna cleared her throat and the girls and Louis covered their ears. Francis raised a brow.

"Why are you guys-"

"WE ARE PRINCESS LUNA! RULER OF THE NIGHT AND CO-RULER OF EQUESTRIA!" She bellowed. Francis flew through the front door and skidded to a halt in the street.

"Holy shit!" He yelled, getting to his hooves.

Everypony looked to the door, then to Luna. "Perhaps We should work on our introductions..." She said sheepishly. They all nodded as Francis shakily made his way back into the room.

"Okay. So, what's going on? Why is Princess Looma-"

"Luna." She quickly corrected.

"Moonpie!" He said sarcastically. "Doing here?"

Twilight stepped forward now and stared over everypony in the room. "Princess Celestia is... trapped in their realm." She said, gesturing to Louis and Francis. Pinkie gasped and placed her hooves to her mouth.

"OH NO! THAT'S TERRIBLE!" She shrieked. She turned to Francis and gave him a pleading look. "PLEASE! You have to help her! DO IT FOR ME, CUPCAKE BUTT!" She pleaded hugging his neck.

Louis began to tear and his cheeks inflated, trying to hold back the laughter caught in his throat. Francis glared at him and made a slicing motion across his throat. Louis shook his head and smashed his face into the wall, trying to push the laughter away. Francis rolled his eyes and looked down at Pinkie.

"Cupcake butt? Really?" He asked. She giggled and nodded.

"Mhmm. I think it's super cute for a super cutie like you!" She gushed. Twilight's jaw unhinged and swung freely.

"Pinkie? Are you and Francis-" She was cut off as Louis literally exploded with laughter, rolling on the floor like a psychopath. Francis let out a loud grunt and ran at the former IT guy, pinning him to the wall. Louis just wiped a tear away and smiled.

"Hi, buddy! Trying to be a tough guy in front of your girlfriend?" He taunted. Francis pressed his grip tighter and his eyes furrowed.

"Shut. The. Fuck. Up... NOW!" He yelled. Louis just rolled his eyes and smiled.

"You don't scare me, Francis. How many times have you threatened me and had a weapon at the time? Now, you're a Pony and you want to rip me a new one when you have nothing? Smart." He pressed further. Francis dropped Louis and walked back over to Pinkie Pie, who gave them both an odd stare.

"What was that about?" She asked hesitantly. Francis snorted and grinned.

"He's just jealous, Pinks. Don't mind Mr. Sunshine ass."

Pinkie shrugged and walked over to Louis. "You okay?" She asked. He smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm good. How do you put up with him?" He asked. She shrugged and giggled.

"I dunno... He's just so sweet!"

Louis rolled his eyes. "Yeah. So sweet." He murmured, rubbing his throat. Twilight clopped her front hooves on the ground and loudly cleared her throat.

"Alright, can we focus on Celestia?" She asked. Louis and Francis shrugged and nodded.

"Alright. First things first... How do you feel about a rescue mission?"

The odd man out

Chapter 9: The odd man out

The Everfree echoed as the thunderous beats of the creature, stomping aimlessly, with no purpose, no function, ran through. He was nothing like himself anymore; perverted and twisted, and mangled by the infection taking his body. He didn't feel sadness, remorse, happiness.

He only felt pain.

He grabbed the sides of his tiny head and let out a thunderous roar, then beat the dirt with his mighty hands. He smelled food, and it was close.

There. By that log. A rabbit.

The monster closed the distance in seconds, grabbing the rabbit and smashing it into the side of a tree, causing it to explode with the force of the blow. The monster shoved the creature into his mouth, swallowing it whole, bits of bone and blood dribbling out of his mouth like a waterfall. He roared as the hunger returned. He would always need to feed.

He would always be in pain.

He smashed through a tree and continued his quest for food, losing his beret on the forest floor... The last of his dignity, his humanity, now lay in the blood soaked earth.

Zoey woke up the next morning, more tired than ever. She stretched as much as she could and her joints cracked aloud. She heard a knock at the door and sighed.

'Ain't no rest for the wicked' She thought to herself.

"Come in." She said as cheery as possible. The door opened and Big Mac strolled in with a tray of breakfast in his mouth. He gave her a warm smile and set it down on the table beside her bed.

"Mornin', Zoey." He said in his low drawl. Zoey smiled and wave.

"Morning Big Mac. Is this... for me?" She asked hesitantly. He nodded and smiled.

"Eeyup. Made it specially for you." He said proudly. Zoey got a half smile on her face and rolled her eyes. Big Mac shrunk a little and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, this is really nice of you. Thanks. You wanna stay and chat for a while?" She asked. He frowned and shook his head.

"Eenope. Gotta work on the west field today. Thank ya' kindly for the offer, Miss. Zoey. " He said happily, walking out of the room.

Zoey looked at the delicious looking breakfast in front of her. Eggs, toast, juice, and, of course, apple slices with cinnamon. She blushed slightly at the meal in front of her and looked out her window just as Big Mac walked past, lugging a large wagon full of baskets.

"He's trying... and kinda winning." She chuckled dryly. She ate her breakfast and thanked God these ponies knew how to cook a good meal.

The walk to Sweet Apple Acres was beginning to wear thin. Between Louis and Francis arguing, Princess Luna's constant worrying, and Pinkies constant nicknames for Francis, the lavender Unicorn wanted to bash her face into a tree by the time they could see the barn.

"Alright. Let's just get Zoey and see if we can get you three back home." She said annoyed. She ran ahead and quickly knocked on the door.

A few seconds later, a sleepy Applejack answered. "Oh. Mornin', Twi. What brings you by?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.

"An emergency, like always." She mused. Applejack nodded and let her and the others in. They sat at the table and waited. Applejack cleared her throat and leaned in.

"So, what's tha emergency, sugar cube?" She asked. Twilight rubbed her temples and frowned.

"Princess Celestia is trapped in their world. No magic, no way home."

Applejack nearly choked on her apple slices. "What?! How are we gonna-"

Luna raised a hand and cut her off. "Fear not. We shall scour the archives, and my sisters personal collection of books, to find the spell she used. Hopefully we can organize a rescue mission with the other survivors." She assured. Twilight couldn't tell if she was saying that for Applejack's benefit or for her own.

"Alright, well. When should we leave, Princess?" She asked. Princess Luna smiled and nodded.

"We leave now, fair Applejack. Go fetch Zoey and I'll transport us to the castle."

Applejack nodded and walked up the stairs. She couldn't believe things had gotten like this! Their all powerful ruler, completely helpless and lost in a strange world full of Zombies?! It didn't seem possible!

AJ reached the bedroom door. She was about to knock when the door slowly opened. Zoey stood there as Applejack lightly bopped her on the nose. She pulled her hoof away and chuckled awkwardly.

"Hey, Zoey? We gotta emergency. Ya need to come with us right away, alright?" She said softly. Zoey walked out of the room with a tray on her back, brushing past Applejack.

"What kind of emergency?" She asked, her tone calm and relaxed. Applejack rolled her eyes and walked next to her.

"The princess is trapped in yer world and can't escape. We need you, Francis an' Louis to save 'er." She said hastily. Zoey walked down the stairs chuckling. She was met with the others and a dark mare staring at her curiously.

"Hey Louis. Francis." She said, grabbing the tray off her back and putting it in the sink. Francis stared at it curiously. He and Louis shared a glance.

"Who made you breakfast in bed?" Francis asked. Zoey turned and smiled.

"Big Mac. Why?" She asked quickly. Louis made an 'ooh' and Francis smiled wider. "Come on, assholes. It isn't like that." She corrected.

"Aw, what would poor little Ellis think?" Francis teased. He cleared his throat and made a mock southern accent. "Ah, Zoey! That wuz ah nyce shot! Ah think Ah'm in luv!"

Applejack shot him a glare and shook her head. "Can y'all please focus on the situation at hoof please?" She asked annoyed. Francis shrugged and nodded, as did Louis. Zoey, however shook her head.

"Hell no. I am not going back there to die for your Princess over her stupid bet." She protested, going to leave the house. Francis and Louis ran in front of her, blocking her path.

"Zoey. We're a team! C'mon, you can't leave us hanging!" Louis pleaded. Francis nodded and put a hoof on her shoulder.

"If you don't come, I'll be stuck alone with Louis! Come with us! I'm begging you! For my sake!" He begged. Zoey shook her head and frowned.

"Bill died keeping us safe. Remember? He wouldn't want us blindly throwing our lives away, just to save one... 'person'." She sighed and looked them both in the eyes. "We look after our own."

Francis and Louis shared a glance and sighed. She was right, as always. Those were Bills words to them all. Look after our own, don't look back, and live. That was the important thing. To live and have lives in hell on Earth.

Francis shook his head. "Well, fuck it! I've been bored as hell for the past few days here! I want to kill some freaks and do this! I'll go alone if you pansies don't want to do it. I cared about Bill, too. Doesn't mean I won't save someone who is in trouble, let alone a Princess. Who knows; maybe we'll get a huge payday for doing it!" He chuckled.

Luna stepped forward and gazed the three over. "You shall all be compensated most handsomely for saving my sisters life!" Francis grinned and nudged Louis.

"You want to save her?" He asked. Louis shrugged and nodded.

"Hell yeah! C'mon, Zoey! Do this not just for the princess," He put a hoof on her shoulder and smiled brightly. Zoey smiled and thought she'd see a side of Francis she never thought she would. "Do it for the loads of freaking cash!" He shouted. Zoey groaned loudly. Apparently Francis would always be a fucking idiot.

"Alright! If it'll get you off my ass! I'll do it." She said, looking over to Luna, who smiled eagerly.

"Splendid! Let us leave!" She yelled, and with that, they were all enveloped in a bright flash.

2 weeks later

Loner smiled as he got up that morning. He was feeling better than he ever had since this started. It was now mid November and the snow had started falling. He looked over to Tia, who slept a few feet away. The two had gotten closer in the past few weeks, and they both had rubbed off on each other quite a bit.

Loner, where he used to be quiet, secluded, angry, and calculating; was now looking at the positives in life. He was alive, he had friends, and he didn't have to do things alone. And just how did he effect the innocent Princess Celestia?

She was now quite deadly with a weapon. She had an impressive kill count of her own now. She faced down some of the nasty mutated infected without falter. She also had requested him to cut her hair, which now bobbed at shoulder length, giving her a youthful, lively look. Tia was now accepting life in hell, and couldn't be happier with the company.

She smiled at him as he got up and stretched. "Good morning." She said groggily, sitting up from her spot on the floor. "How did you sleep?"

He shrugged and looked in a box for clean clothes. "Honestly, it's getting colder and colder, and I don't know how we can survive the winter. Sure, it's cozy under the blankets, but we need something other than barrel fires."

Celesita rolled her eyes and grinned. "It'd help if you wore warm clothing while you sleep. You're in nothing but boxers!" She laughed again and walked over to him, giving him a hug. He returned it and grabbed a pair of jeans from the box.

"Let me get dressed and we'll see what the others are up to." He chuckled. She grinned and planted a small kiss on his cheek.

"I'll be waiting." She walked away briskly and joined the others across the room. Loner laughed and walked to the other end of the warehouse, walking into the storage area. There were no more fresh fruits and vegetables, but there were canned ones, which was the best he could do.

He tilted his head slightly as a roar came from overhead. It sounded like a chopper... Nah, there weren't people still in the city. They all cleared out even before it became overrun.

CRASH

The yells of his friends caused him to run back out in a sheer panic. He wouldn't let anything happen to Tia on his watch.

He planted himself behind a box when he heard the shouts of people. But they were organized, calculating... This definitely wasn't other survivors organizing a raid. He'd dealt with people like that before. Needless to say, he took care of them with ease. This wasn't them.

The military was now in play.

Loner snuck low back to his spot, grabbing his UZI and about ten clips of ammo. He slunk back towards the main area, watching the masked men bound his friends with zip ties.

"Is that all the carriers?" The leader called out. A private came up to his side and nodded.

"Yes, Sir. This was all we found." He confirmed. "We also found plenty of arms and ammo for our weapons."

"Good. Get them to the helicopter. We'll put down the pests later." He said, brushing Tia's face. She tried to squirm away, and got slapped in the face for it.

"Leave her the fuck alone, Bitch!" Allan spat, glaring at the soldier. He walked over and placed his gun to Allan's head, pulling the trigger. Tia screamed, Cho winced, and Loner got angrier. Allan slumped to the floor, missing the back of his head. The soldier kicked the body aside and smirked.

"Fucking Carriers.. Lets MOVE!"

Loner watched as they left and tailed close, diving underneath one of the trucks. He wasn't one for thinking things through, and this was one of those times he seriously doubted that this would work.

He clung to the undercarriage as the truck roared to life, taking them to the one place he never wanted to go.

"Fucking concentration camps... America is fucked up..." He muttered, hugging the frame with all his might. He wouldn't let them hurt Tia. Not now, not ever.

This was going to be a long, long ride...

Storm the gate

Chapter 11: Storm the gate

Twilight, the rest of the elements, and Princess Luna had been working on a portal spell for two weeks. So far, none of Celestia's books yielded any possibilities. The girls fell to the ground, exhausted after their thousandth spell combination. Twilight turned to Luna, sweat trenching her coat.

"Luna... I don't... I don't think we can keep this up." She panted. Luna turned to Twilight and frowned. She looked over to the others and saw them in various states of exhaustion. She relented, nodding for them to take a break. They all sighed explosively and fell to the ground.

The survivors walked over with some food and water that some servants had left, offering it to the girls. Francis went over to Pinkie's side and pat her shoulder. She looked up at him and gave a weak smile. "Oh. Hey Francy-poo. When did you get here?"

Francis chuckled and helped her to her hooves, guiding her to the plush sofa that was placed at the far end of Celestia's room. She plopped down and Francis sat beside her. "How you feeling, cockblock?" He asked. She smiled and let her head fall against his shoulder.

"Still grumpy about that, huh?" She giggled. Francis sighed and rubbed his chin. Yeah, he was kind of still pissed about it, but Pinkie... goddamn, no matter what he did, he just couldn't hate her. He hated plenty of things, but Pinkie Pie just wasn't one of them.

"Kinda, but hell, you're cute enough to forgive." He planted a kiss on her forehead and she lifted her head to his, planting a big, sloppy kiss on his lips. Louis happened to look up at that moment. He tapped Zoey and pointed towards the two. She snorted as she held back the laughter, but Louis' chuckling got Francis' ears to perk up. He turned to Louis and snorted, breaking the kiss with Pinkie, who looked a little disappointed.

"What, you jealous, Louie?" He goaded. Louis smiled and shook his head.

"Sorry buddy. Not into the whole Pony fad just yet. You and Pinkie have all the fun in the world." He laughed. Pinkie gasped and smiled back up at Francis.

"He said to have fun! Let's go have fun!" She yelped, dragging Francis off to another part of the castle. Princess Luna watched as they left and sighed heavily.

"Well, I suppose we could try this with only five elements. Come, girls. I have another spell for us to try."

Pinkie Pie bounded through the halls with Francis, looking for somewhere to have fun. She let out a groan of frustration when every room she found was either locked or a broom closet. Francis chuckled nervously as the pink pony slammed on the ground in frustration. "Heh. What's wrong there, Pinks?"

She looked up at him in defeat. "Well, I wanted to make it up to you, but there's nowhere we can have a party..." She pouted. Francis sat next to her and began to laugh.

"Wow, Pinkie. You're kinda... uh, how can I say this without sounding mean..." He pondered, but Pinkie knew what the words were. She didn't care what she was called.

"A whore..?" She pouted. "My ex-coltfriend said that about me... I'm sorry." She said with a sniffle. Francis grunted and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Wait, nah, it's not that. I mean, you just can't resist the lure of Francis, can you?" He chuckled. Pinkie giggled and gave Francis a squeeze of his hoof.

"I guess. I mean, to me? Sex is like, the best party ever! Never had much of it, but when I did? Oh, wow!" She sighed, falling back into Francis' lap.

Francis looked down at her, she looked up at him. There eyes met and they gleamed from within. Francis ran a hoof through her poofy mane. She blushed and pulled her forelegs up to her face, giggling lightly. Francis gave her a kiss and looked around the hall, smiling at the emptiness.

"You know... We don't have to be in a room to have a party..." He mused. Pinkie looked around as well and smiled deviously.

"Oh, your bad, Francy!" She whispered. Nothing was going to stop the two of them this time...

Loner hung onto the undercarriage of the jeep for dear life. He'd been hanging there for around ten hours now as the vehicle drove south. It began to get warmer as the truck drove further and further out of the state. Where they were heading, Loner had no idea; but all he could do was focus on holding on and staying alive.

For Tia's sake.

Tia stayed as close to Cho as possible. After witnessing the death of Allan... well, let's just say she was a little to shaken for words. Cho held her close, glaring daggers at the soldiers. One of them clacked his gun and scoffed.

"What are you looking at slanty?"

Cho frowned and shook his head. "You had honor once, as soldiers for your country. Tell me, where did that honor go?" He asked. The soldier lifted his mask and spit on Cho, then went back to looking out the window. "That answers that..." He whispered.

Celestia grabbed onto his shoulder. He turned to look at her and she shook her head. "Please, Cho." She whispered. "Do not upset them. We may be alright if we play our cards right."

Cho nodded and looked out the window again. He noticed the large, fenced off area that was coming up over the road. The gates were thirty feet high and topped with razor wire. Inside the compound, soldiers ran every which way; cleaning weapons and checking on gas masks,

Burning bodies...

Celestia held her nose and gagged as the smell of burnt flesh wafted into the car. It was horrible, horrifying. She put her head between her knees and threw up all over the jeeps floor. The soldiers drifted as far away from it as they could. Carrier germs means you'll be infected fast. No one wanted that.

"Are you alright, Tia?" Cho asked, helping her back up. Tia nodded as the jeep came to a halt. The two were shoved out violently, being led into the building.

"Move it, you freaks!" The Sergeant yelled, pushing them into the threshold of the complex.

Loner watched from under the jeep as they were led off. The door they took was shut and locked, making Loner curse under his breath. "There's gotta be another way in..." He thought.

"Alright! Bring the jeep to the garage! She's been clunkin' the entire time back." One of the soldiers yelled as the jeep lurched forward again, making Loner scamper for purchase. The jeep rolled into the garage and was finally switched off. Loner waited for the thunking of boots to disappear and he took his chance.

He rolled out from under the jeep, UZI in hand. He scanned the garage and saw one lone tech in the back, fumbling around with parts. Loner slowly crept over, knife in hand. He grabbed the soldier by the mouth and jammed the knife between his Adams apple and artery. Blood sprayed across the wall as the soldier bled out in seconds.

Loner grabbed what ammo he could and pushed on deeper into the complex. The place looked like an office building. It smelled like an office building. Obviously the Military had to set up shot wherever they could. Loner continued down the tight halls, ducking into a room as the same Sergeant who took Tia and Cho walked by with someone definitely higher up on the military food chain. They were both flanked by a group of heavily armored guards. Loner wasn't going to risk taking them out, so he stayed out of sight, slowly following them at a good enough distance not to be spotted, but close enough so he could hear their conversation.

"So the north is completely overrun?" Colonel Hall asked. Sergeant Grissom nodded.

"Yes sir. We found one of our strongholds taken by a small group of survivors. I'm guessing that our men were already dead when they took over."

Colonel Hall nodded somberly. "I see... What did you bring back?"

The Sergeant grabbed his notepad. "Let's see... We got about three cases worth of ammo, forty M-16's, a few tactical shotguns... about two dozen pistols, and enough food to last us half of winter."

The Colonel smiled. "Any carriers?"

The Sarge nodded. "Yes, sir. Three, well, two now. We brought them to the holding cells in section 5-B with the others we picked up from New Orleans."

The colonel furrowed his brows. "That's two more mouths to feed, idiot... Whatever, we'll dispose of them all tomorrow. Organize a firing squad and make sure to make the shots count. Don't want to waste ammo on the unimportant."

The Sergeant nodded. "Yes sir. I'll get right on itl" The two groups turned down separate halls. Loner frowned and looked up at the section he was currently in. There, on the door frame, was painted 2-D. He needed to go two levels down. "Must be the basement."

Tia was led into a heavily guarded sub-level of the complex. It was cold, musty, and it felt like one of the old dungeons back in her castle. The guard escorting them pushed her along when she slowed her pace. She stared at him bitterly and spat on his boot, which gave her a smack across the face with the butt of his gun.

Tia fell hard to the cement, hitting her head. Cho bent down quickly and picked her up. "Tia, are you alright?" He asked. Celestia waved him off and continued walking, a large bruise forming on her cheek.

"If I get out of here, I'm going to kill that sonofabit-"

Celestia barely caught that thought. She never would have thought that bitterly towards somepony else. She couldn't help but think this was all Loner's doing. He had changed her into a monster over the past two weeks. She killed, she swore, she bled.

But he taught her how to survive.

She had no magic to rely on. No wings to fly away. All she had was her wits, her legs, and a gun to keep her safe. But, she also remembered she had Loner. He may have been somewhat of a hard ass, but he was sweet, kind... She cared for him so deeply, because he cared for her.

"No... I can't be."

"Alright, freaks. Welcome home!" The guard sneered, shoving Tia and Cho through the door to the cell. Tia watched as he shut it and locked it tight. All hope of escape left her as the guard walked away, leaving them to their fates. Tia looked around the cell. It was pretty dark, but her eyes were able to adjust well enough to make out four figures staring at them from the back. One of them stepped forward and knelt down. He gave her a smile as he helped her to her feet.

"Well, all be. Yer about as perty as my friend Zoey. Hi. Name's Ellis. Pleasure makin' yer acquaintance."

Author's Note

This may be short, despite the time it took, but I decided to end it with Ellis' and the other survivors entrance. Next chapter should be fairly easy to wright, seeing as how I know what to do.
And as for Bill Tank? We'll get to that in the most important of ways. LEARNING LESSONS!
On this note, I'm going through something really, really trying and wrenching for me in my life. I made a huge mistake years ago and now it's caught up with me. Needless to say, my life is pretty much destroyed. But, writing will be all I have left, so... yeah, enjoy. And I'll see you when I see you, guys. I love you all.
-Pegasi

It's a small world

Tia accepted the help up, smiling at the young man who was being so gracious. But something he said peeked her curiosity... Zoey?

"Tell me, Ellis? What does Zoey look like?" She asked. Ellis' face got a dreamy look and he looked back to Tia.

"Oh, she's just about the purdiest thing this side of the Mississippi..."

Tia facepalmed. "No, I mean what does she physically look like?" Another one of the survivors came forward. A man with slicked back hair and a very dirty white suit.

"Don't listen to that idiot. Name's Nick. And what might your name be, pretty thing?" He asked with a wink. Tia blushed and looked away.

"My name is Pr- Tia... My name is Tia."

Nick quirked a brow and nodded slowly. "Right... To answer your question, Zoey is about 5' 4'', brown hair up in a pony tail, wore a pink jacket. Pretty quirky, too."

Tia smiled. "I know Zoey. Did she have two companions, Francis and Louis with her?" Another survivor chuckled and walked forward. This man was a very large, dark man. His shirt was stained with sweat and his light stubble was becoming a full fledged beard.

"Haha! What a small world it is! Friends call me Coach. You can, too. This, over here's Rochelle." The girl in question came into the light and waved.

Tia smiled and walked towards them. "Well, I'm Tia, and this is Cho. We were... taken by these men and... did they treat you just as bad?" She asked curiously.

Nick shuddered and leaned against the wall. "Yeah, but just wait till you see the doctors. Never have I been poked and prodded so much in my fucking life. They're trying to see if they can get some kind of cure out of us."

Coach nodded. "It's all a bunch of bullshit. Things ain't never gonna get back to normal, and those of us that are immune are being herded up like cattle for the slaughter. You see all those bodies on the way in?" Tia nodded somberly. "Those weren't all Zombies. Military is executing the 'carriers'."

Tia paled and shook her head. "That's... no they can't do that! What gives them the right?!"

Ellis rubbed his chin and shrugged. "Well, there ain't no government anymore, and the soldiers are the ones with guns... I'm thinkin they don't care about what's right or wrong anymore. Damn, this reminds me of the time Keith-"

"Ellis, I swear to God, if a Keith story comes out of your mouth again, I'll shove my loafer so far up your ass, you'll be sneezing tassels." Nick threatened.

"Okay, okay! Geez... Thought I'd entertain our guests seein as how they ain't got nothin' else to look forward to." Ellis muttered. Tia grabbed Ellis by the shirt.

"Please. We need to get out of here. I have a friend who can help us if we escape." She pleaded. Cho finally stepped forward.

"We don't know where he is, Tia. For all we know, he took off the first chance he got. He isn't called 'Loner' for a reason." Cho crossed his arms and sat cross legged on the floor. "He does what he has to for him to survive. No one else."

Tia crossed her arms. "I know he'll come for us. Just wait. He'll find me..." She muttered, trying to force the tears away. Ellis pat her back and gave her a soft smile.

"Hey, girl. It's okay. I'm sure your boyfriend will come get ya." He soothed. Tia blushed and looked away.

"H-He's not my... It's not like that." She rationalized. Nick chuckled.

"Why the hell are you lying to us for? You don't know us so you can say you shagged the ever living shit out of him and call it a day." Everyone shot Nick a few varying glances before ultimately letting his statement go unopposed. "Look, we all lost loved ones in this shit storm. Find happiness wherever you can. Too late to do that now."

Tia was about to answer, when alarms began to blare throughout the building. "Intruder in the compound! Red alert, Everyone at your stations!"

Tia smiled and looked to the four survivors, who were now in ultimate freak out mode. "W-What's wrong?" She asked. "We're going to be saved!"

Nick and Ellis began to kick at the door frantically. Rochelle grabbed Tia's arms and gave a fearful look. "Noise brings them in! Every infected within fifty miles is probably hearing this alarm! The army's ringing the dinner bell!"

"We are NOT going to be their desert!" Nick shouted, kicking the door. "C'mon, people! Let's go! We got an escape to attempt!"

Everyone flew to the ground as an explosion rocked the room just outside the cell door. The flash of the explosive nearly blinded Tia. Her ears were ringing and her eyes were watering as she tried to blink the spots away.

"Tia!? Tia where are you!?"

She could barely here the voice. Could it be...?

"Tia! It's me! Are you in here!?"

Yes! Yes it was him! It was Loner! "Yes, Loner!" Tia yelled, running to the door. "We're in here! We're okay!" She began to sob as he held her hand through the bars.

"Tia..." He kissed her hand and squeezed it tight. "I promised you nothing would happen to you on my watch, didn't I?" He smiled. She wiped her tears away as Loner let her hands go. He grabbed the keys off the corpse of the guard and undid the lock. He hesitated when he saw the four other survivors.

"Um... And you are?" He asked, clutching his weapon tight. Tia grabbed his arm and gestured to the four.

"This is Couch, Ellis, Nick and Rochelle. They're in the same situation we were in. They're okay, don't worry." She assured. Everyone ran out of the cell and grabbed whatever weapons were available. Loner gave Tia her silenced MAC-10 he brought down with him and passed Cho his pistol.

The other four grabbed the dead guards weapons. Coach hefted a shotgun, Nick grabbed the assault rifle, and Ellis and Rochelle were left with the sidearms. It'd have to do till they got real weapons.

"Come on." Loner said running for the threshold of the door. "I passed a weapons locker on the way here. We'll get everyone something good to use."

Loner turned to see a group of soldiers running and screaming down the hall. A thunderous roar erupted behind them as a Tank skid around the corner, trying to find purchase on the smooth cement.

"Oh, SHIT! It's a Tank!" Ellis shouted. The Tank grabbed one of the soldier and ripped him in half, showering the adjacent hall in blood. It turned it's tiny head to the seven survivors in the hall. Loner locked his eyes with it and pulled out his knife.

"Right down this hall, another right, then a left. Weapons and ammo. Once you get those, head for the garage, the hummer that brought us here is there waiting. I'll buy you time and meet up with you."

Another tank joined it's undead comrade and was now staring at Loner as well. "Fucking shit... Just go!" He yelled, charging down the hall, yelling at the beasts. The three met head on, and Loner was lost to Tia's sight as he rolled behind the mass of rippling flesh.

"Loner!" She screamed as Ellis and Cho dragged her away.

"Come on, missy! He doesn't want you to get hurt! Let's move!" Ellis demanded, forcing Tia to fall into step. She took one last look back and saw the flashes of fire on the wall, outlining the battle Loner raged in quick flashes. She shut her eyes and pressed forward, hoping that Loner wasn't lying when he said he'd meet back up with them...

"Come on you fucking pansies!" Loner yelled, rolling out of the way of another punch. The first Tank roared in agony as the man shoved his knife deep into it's eye socket. The beast rolled on the floor, clutching its tiny head before it's movements slowed, then finally ceased.

"You're going to have to do better than him!" Loner shouted as he backpedaled from the second tank, firing his UZI all the while. The Tank flinched with the impacts, but didn't slow in the slightest. Loner fumbled and tripped on the leg of a soldier and fell to the cold floor. The Tank seized its chance and let it's fist fly straight and true.

It smashed down on Loner's right shin, shattering the bone beneath. Loner cried out in agony as he rolled out of the second bash, reloading and firing again. The Tank roared in defiance, bringing down the walls and everything around them. Loner pulled the trigger again, but only a click resonated from the weapon.

Loner tried to stand, but his leg was completely destroyed. He leaned against the wall, bloody and mangled as the beast took its time circling him.

"Playing with your fucking food?!" Loner shouted. "You can't play with something that can still fight back!" He goaded, pulling out a vile from his backpack. The Tank sniffed the air and entered a complete frenzy.

"Yeah, I think this'll work." Loner laughed as he charged headlong into the beast, ignoring the crippling pain in his leg. This was the biggest long shot he'd ever faced, but it had to work. He wound his arm back, and-

"We got soldiers!" Coach yelled, ducking behind a wall as they opened fire. The others hid and fired as best they could. Celestia hid behind the wall, clutching her weapon tight.

"Hey, missy?" Ellis asked. Tia looked up with tears in her eyes. "Mind if I borrow that weapon?" Celestia stared at the boy, his voice so calm and soothing, even as he was being shot at by a bunch of thugs.

"S-Sure." Tia choked, passing her MAC-10 to Ellis. The boy smiled deviously as he rolled into the middle of the floor, firing on the soldiers.

"Eat shit and dieeee!" And he shouted, laughing like a madman as the soldiers dropped. Nick began to laugh as well and pat the boy on the back.

"Well ho-lee shit, Ellis! I didn't think you had it in you!" He complimented. Ellis helped Tia to her feet and gave her his pistol.

"Hope you don't mind, but, I think I'll put this to better use." He chuckled. Tia nodded and looked back, hoping to see Loner coming up behind them.

Nothing.

She wiped away the tears and fell back into step with the others. "He promised." She reasoned. "He'll be okay, he'll be okay..."

The seven survivors managed to make it back to the garage, facing minimal soldiers and infected inside. Outside, however, was a different story. Soldiers ran every which way, either being chased by zombies or their positions were being overrun with the buggers, which forced them out. It was utter mayhem, and the survivors wanted nothing to do with it.

"Okay, I say we take this jeep and get the hell out of here." Nick said, backing away from the garage door and opened the back door up. He shut the door again and pressed himself against it. "On second thought, fuck the jeep!"

Celestia covered her ears as a shriek emanated from inside the vehicle. Whatever was inside was shaking the jeep like a leaf, desperately trying to get out.

"How in thee hell did a witch get in a closed jeep?!" Ellis shouted. "Either they're getting smarter or the armies pickin' up hitchhikers now!"

The witch burst through the top hatch of the jeep, glowering at the group. Everyone backed up, but Celestia stayed frozen in fear. She had never encountered a creature so innocent looking, but more frightening than the other infected combined. The witch shrieked like a bat and dove onto Tia, tumbling across the garage with her.

Tia screamed back at the witch, pulling out her knife. "I will not let you of all creatures end my life!" She shouted, plunging her knife into the witches neck. It did little to stop it from cutting deep into her chest.

"Tia! Hang on!" Coach shouted, tackling the Witch off of Celestia. The large man rolled across the floor with her, but the Witch gained the upper hand. It brought it's large daggers down with a shriek and plunged them into Coaches neck. Time seemed to freeze for everyone as Coach let out a struggled breath, blood pouring from his throat.

"COACH!" Ellis shouted. "Get that bitch! Someone git her!" He hollered. Tia grabbed her knife off the floor and dove into the fray stabbing the Witch square in the eye. It went limp, leaving Tia gasping heavily over its body.

The others ran over to Coach's side as they picked him off the cold floor. "Somebody get me something to stop the bleeding!" Nick yelled. Rochelle came over with a few rags as Coach gasped for air. Nick pat him on the back and pressed the cloth to his wounds. "Hey, don't move big guy. We'll get you patched up."

Coach looked to Tia and beckoned her to him. She gave him a weak smile as she sat by his side. "Thank you, Coach... You save my life."

He smiled, blood caking his teeth. "Promise... me you'll... live. Live, Tia. For me... and for him..." He rasped. Tia wiped her tears away and nodded. "I'm finally free..." He smiled as his body went limp, the blood flowing from his neck ceasing. Nick began shaking Coach, trying to coax him back.

"Coach?! COACH! No! Don't do this big guy! After all the bullshit we've been through! Don't you dare fucking do this!" Nick may have been the lone wolf of their group. He may have been the one who wanted to bail the first chance he got, but that was because he didn't want to get attached. He didn't want to grow fond of dead men walking, and this was why. He tried to force the pain down, but it was no good. Tears pooled his eyes as he shook the body of their most positive friend, the one who would put a smile on their faces with his attitude. Everything seemed so much more bleak looking at his blank stare and cold body.

Ellis squeezed Nick's shoulder. "We can't do anything for him, Nick... He's gone..." Nick just stared with a glazed expression. "Hey, Nick! Come on! We have to keep moving!"

Nick stared at Ellis, then back at the others. He finally relented and let go of Coach's body. "R-Rest in peace, big guy... You're finally free."

Nick climbed into the drivers seat of the jeep. He turned to the others, a look of determination on his face. "Now it's our turn... Let's finally be free."

Author's Note

Well, The story is soon going to be coming to a close. I'm thinking two or three more chapters to go, then it'll be all over. And this chapter? Oh, man the feels writing it. Someone had to die, and I felt it had to be coach, seeing as how he seems to be the leader of the group.
Rest in Peace, big guy.
I still wonder if Coach was his first or last name... :'(

Separate ways

Separate Ways

"Now, remember," Luna began, going over the plan once more. "You are going to need to get creative with no weapons. How well are you at hoof to hoof, er, hand to hand combat?"

Francis smiled and cracked his freshly reacquired knuckles. "Don't worry, lady. I think we can handle a few walking idiots without weapons for a while."

"How far away from her position are we going to land?" Louis asked curiously as he adjusted his tie straighter. Luna smiled.

"Only half a mile, if I got the portal right. I do hope you're okay hoofing it to the destination." She said coyly.

"Well, let's just hope she's in a safe place. You idiots ready?" Zoey asked, taking a step towards the portal. The others joined her. Francis took one look back at Pinkie Pie who gave him a small wave. Francis gave her a salute and was the first to step through the portal.

"We'll be back with your princess. Don't you worry!" Louis shouted as he jumped through. Zoey looked back at all the ponies staring at her, then back to portal.

"I can't believe I'm going back there... When this is over, I'm retiring and no one is aloud to bother me. You got that?" She asked pointing to each of the ponies. They nodded vigorously as she turned back around. "Game on." And with that, she jumped through the portal.

"One beat, two beats, three beats..." He counted his heartbeats. They were slow, but they were there. "Just stay hidden, and they'll go away eventually. They'll leave"

He watched them as they continued gnawing on the carcass of the Tank, frenzied by the Boomer bile covering its body. "If I'm quiet enough, I can slip away... I can escape."

He fell off the wall, feeling like he'd vomit if there was anything in his stomach to throw up. He crawled as silently as he could, making his way to the door on the far end of the room. He brushed the handle and slowly pulled the door open, only to have another wave of zombies join the current in their feeding.

He held his breath, then crawled into the stairwell, climbing up the stairs, trailing blood the entire way up. He fought the cold that was taking his body as he climbed, one floor, then two, then three.

"Loner?! Oh, no, Loner!"

Loner looked up, seeing Celestia standing over him. "T-Tia! What the fuck are you doing here!?" He whispered harshly. The woman put her rifle down and knelt by his side.

"I didn't go with them. They left to start their lives elsewhere. I believe they said, 'the planes of the southwest'? Either way, I couldn't leave without you." She squeezed his hand and helped him against the wall.

"Tia, you don't owe me anything... You should have left." He rasped.

"I can't leave you. You're too important to me..."

"You owe me nothing!" He hissed.

"Loner, you pig headed idiot! It's not because I feel I owe you... It's... It's..."

"What?!" Loner yelled, only to have Tia kiss him, deeply, passionately. She pulled away, a look of disbelief on her face. "Oh..."

Celestia smacked him across the face and kissed him again. "You're such an idiot... Do you know now?! It's because I love you!"

Loner smiled and shook his head. "Love isn't going to save us, Tia. We're now stuck in an overrun military complex, we have no way of escape, and I can't walk."

Tia smiled and draped his arm across her shoulder. "That is what you do for somepony you love, isn't it? Now, we should move. What do you say? I carry your sorry flank, and you shoot?" She asked, handing him her rifle.

Loner picked up the M-16 and racked a round into the chamber. "Let's go, Tia..."

Francis, Louis and Zoey fell out of the portal onto the soft, plush floor of the woods. Zoey looked back up to see Luna leaning a head out, smiling impishly.

"Sorry, I should have warned you it'd be quite a drop." She chuckled awkwardly. Francis groaned and flipped her off.

"Yeah, whatever. Which way?" He asked. Luna pointed a hoof out in the direction they needed to go.

"That way. Now remember, the portal will only stay open for an hour. After that, I don't know if we'll have the power to open it up for a long, long time."

Louis nodded. "Don't worry. An hour is nothing. We'll get Celestia and be back in time for dinner."

"And we better get a stake for this!" Francis shouted as Luna went back into the portal. The trio stood and began their trek through the forest.

"Hey, Zoey? What's with you and that big red guy?" Francis asked after about ten minutes of silence. Zoey rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Seriously, Francis? Nothing. What's going on with you and Pinkie? I know what you two did when you ran off." She growled, wiping sweat from her eyes.

Francis snorted. "Yeah? Well at least I'm man enough to admit it. Come on, do you like him?"

"Kinda. He's nice. Why do you care?" She asked.

Francis smiled. "Because, we're a family, kid. You may not think I care about you guys, but you're the closest people I can call home. So shut up, ask that red guy out, and stop beating around the bush. Not like we're going to stay like this forever." He said, gesturing to his body. "I kinda like being a pony. Feels cool."

"I see nothing wrong with it." Louis put in. "I mean, If the human race is gone, might as well adapt to the one world that'll take us."

"Alright, ladies. Shut up and get a load of this." Francis yelled, looking down at the overrun courtyard beneath them. It was an utter disaster zone! Infected were consuming the bodies of soldiers, as the special infected roamed around aimlessly, planting themselves as watches all over the compound. "Three of us, hundreds of them, and we have no guns." Francis chuckled.

"I feel sorry for the poor bastards." Zoey smiled, cracking her knuckles. She slid down the embankment and ran low to the ground. Louis and Francis followed a second later, following her lead.

"Okay, I see a few bodies over there." Louis pointed out the half devoured corpses. "If we can reach them and get their weapons, we should be okay."

"What about those super freaks?" Francis asked, pointing out a few Smokers running along the rooftops. Louis shrugged.

"Well, we just have to hope we get to the weapons first. Don't tell me you're scared." He shot back, chuckling at the tough biker.

"Louis, you're an idiot. Do you know who you're talking to?" He asked proudly.

"Cupcake making champion?" Zoey snickered, making Francis' eye twitch uncontrollably.

"Fuck. You. Both! I need to hit something." He grunted running into the courtyard. An infected saw him walking over and snarled, taking fast strides towards him. "Hey, you ugly piece of shit! Do you know who you're messing with?!" He yelled, punching the zombie in the face. It fumbled and fell to the ground, where it quickly met the heal of Francis' boot.

The three ran to the bodies of the soldiers as fast as they could. Lucky for them, a few M-16's were strewn about. They plucked them up in time to see every zombie on the field running towards them.

"Well," Francis smirked, racking a round into the chamber. "I bet I can kill more before I die!"

Zoey smiled and picked off a Smoker who got a little too cocky. "I'm already ahead of both your asses."

The woods trembled, creatures fled, and nothing but death was left in the horrible beasts wake. It needed to eat again, seconds after its last meal. It hurt like no pain it could imagine. It let out a thunderous roar as it came towards the end of the long woods.

There. Lights. A town!

The tank roared to the night, thumping its massive hands against its bulky chest. It thundered down the path as fast as it could, the town slowly approaching.

Then it heard the screams of terror. It's food was scared. Scared food always tastes better. He ran through the town, coming upon a pony that had fallen. His meal.

He brought his massive fists down, smashing the stallion in front of him. The snapping of bones echoed through the cold of the night. Citizens ran as fast as they could, fleeing the town for their lives. The Tank gobbled up what bits it could fit in its mouth, then carried on.

The town was quiet, still. The monster roared angrily, realizing its food had left. It had to find them, it had to feed! He thundered down the path after his pray. He could still smell them, and they were still close...

Tia gasped and fell to the floor just outside the stairwell, dropping Loner against the wall. He grunted in pain and rubbed his leg, which was now blackened with bruises.

"Oh... Come on, Loner... You can carve your kill count into your body, but you can't take a broken leg?!" Tia gasped angrily.

"Come on, Tia... You're strong. I know, I helped you get this way." He smiled. Celestia punched him in the arm and sat by his side.

"How did you turn a peaceful Princess into a coldblooded killer?" She asked, kissing his arm in the spot she hit him. Loner put his finger under her chin and kissed her gently on the lips.

"How did you turn a coldblooded killer into a caring man?" He shot back, chuckling.

"Hmm... I guess we'll never know. Now, let's get up. I don't think we should stay in one place for too long." She pointed out, hefting the man up.

"Hold on... I got an idea." He said, entering the door labeled 'garage' across the way. Tia followed him curiously. He was rummaging through draws and part piles. He came out with a wide metal pole and a roll of duct tape.

"I'm making a peg leg." He chuckled when he saw her curious expression.

"A... peg leg? That's your brilliant idea? Really, I don't mind carrying you." She said, a little peeved.

Loner noticed the tinge in her voice and arched a brow. "Oh, you don't need an excuse to touch me, Princess." He said with a wink. Tia blushed and looked away.

"T-That's not what I meant. You're such a pig, Loner." She huffed, crossing her arms under her breasts. He noticed the slight push up she gave them and the flash of her eyes in his direction. He smiled deviously and hobbled over to her on his new peg leg.

"It seems someone is a little... wanting?" He asked. Tia blushed further, but didn't shy away as he got closer.

"T-This is hardly the place!" She gasped as he grabbed one of her large breasts. Her breathing becoming heavy.

"You're right." He whispered, letting go and walking away. "This is hardly for the here or now. We'll save it for later."

Tia began to sputter as she calmed herself down. "W-Why you... You're such a tease!"

Before Loner could answer, the crack of rifle fire echoed from outside. He quickly limped over to the door and smiled. "Well, looks like we got a couple of idiots trying to raid the place. Fools." He chuckled.

Tia sprinted over to the window and looked outside. "Wait... I know them! Those are the survivors who made it to my world! They found out how to get here!" She cheered her smile threatening to split her face. She turned to Loner and gave him a hug. "You're going to come with me, right?"

Loner looked around and shrugged. "Nothing left for me here." He chuckled, pulling out a cigarette. "Man, I haven't had one in hours." He sighed, taking a puff, only to be met by a disapproving stare from Tia. "What? My body."

She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Come on. Let's just go home. I want to make sure you're comfortable for the rest of your life."

Loner opened the garage door and sent off two rounds into the air. The survivors turned towards them and waved. "Alright, Tia. Let's go home."

Zoey reeled around at the cracks of rifle fire from across the way. Two figures were standing in the doorway, waving over to the trio. "Hey! I think I see her!" Zoey shouted, shooting a hunter mid-pounce. "And... Someone's with her!"

"She meet a friend?" Louis asked, smashing the butt of his rifle into a common's face. He looked over to see her holding his hand. "Oh, looks like he's more than a friend."

Francis smiled and fried two shots back. "HEY! GET YER SORRY ASSES OVER HERE! WE GOTTA GET YOU HOME!"

The two slowly made their way over, fighting off the infected that tried to bring them down. Although the person with Celestia was hurt beyond reason, he was the one protecting her.

"Huh, guess he is more than a friend." Francis chuckled. The two hobbled over, Celestia embracing the three in a hug.

"How did you get here!?" She asked, clearly surprised by their arrival. Francis pushed her off and coughed awkwardly.

"Your sister helped out with that one. Now, we have... twenty minutes until the portal closes? So why don't you move your sorry asses before-"

The five turned as the building behind them burst open. The same Tank that Loner left for the Infected roared as it flung an infected off of its bloody hide.

"Uh..." Loner stuttered as the creature locked its eyes with him. "I think he remembers me..."

Zoey wrapped the strangers other arm around her neck and opened fire on the hulk. "Come on! I want to get back so I never have to deal with one of these bastards again!"

The five ran, and ran; the Tank hot on their heels. Not only that, the sound of gunfire and the Tanks roars of defiance had drawn in a horde, who were coming in at all angles.

"The portal! We're home free!" Francis yelled. The portal, however, began crackling with light, shrinking ever so slightly. They all saw the Princess and the Elements, frantically waving them forward. Francis and Louis could easily make it, but Zoey and Tia, who had to lug Loner's sorry ass?

They wouldn't...

"Girls? Go."

Tia looked to her side as Loner shrugged both them off. Zoey eagerly ran through the portal as it shrank even smaller. Tia, however, stood her ground.

"No! We can make it, Loner! Just-" Loner cut her off with a kiss. There was no time for arguments, no time for it. He let her go and smiled.

"I love you..." He smiled, pushing her. She stumbled backwards and fell straight through the portal as it shut behind her forever.

Loner smiled and fell to the ground. The horde and tank intending on claiming their prize. The man smiled and reached into his bag, pulling out two makeshift explosives. He took one last puff of his cigarette and lit the fuses with the ember.

"Alright... I've redeemed myself, I think." He sighed, watching the fuses grow smaller and smaller. "How about you?"

Tia tumbled through and fell flat on the floor. Before anypony could even greet her or welcome her back, she tried furiously to run back through, but the portal had become the size of a bit, then, an instant later, disappeared forever. She fell to her battered knees, trembling, choking for air.

No one said a word, no one had to. They knew what had happened, they had watched it happen. The man, that brave man. He had kissed her, told her something, then gave up his life to save her. Twilight was the only pony who dared go up to her.

"P-Princess?" She stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Tia continued to stare blankly at the spot the portal used to occupy. Nothing escaped her lips other than the squeaks of someone whose voice had long since escaped them.

It was hell. It was hell. She lived in it, breathed its horrible air. And the one angel she had found to guide her through the depths of pain and anguish had given up his life for her. "Because that's what you do when you love somepony..." She whispered, balling her hand into a fist, then smashing it on the cold, wood floor.

Twilight recoiled and took a tentative step back. "P-Princess... Please, talk to us." She begged. Celestia turned quickly to the others, then back to her student.

"Please... Don't call me 'Princess'... I-I don't want to be called Princess." She rasped, trying to reclaim her voice. Twilight took a seat by her side, hoping to show her some form of comfort, no matter how useless it might be.

"What do you want me to call you? You are the Princess and you can never forget that." She said, holding her teacher.

Celestia sighed. "I have realized how insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things... How utterly useless I can truly be... I was nothing when I got there. He could have left me, he could have let me die on the road that night... But he didn't. I was at the mercy of deranged thugs, animals who slaughtered others just to survive another day... Do you want to know what I learned?" Twilight nodded. "I learned that life can take a lot from you, but it can also give... And that's what Loner did. He gave by taking his own away." She sobbed out the last part as she crumpled to the floor.

Before anyone could say anything else, a lone guard bolted through the door of Celestia's chambers. "My Princess! Something dreadful has happened!" He shouted, his voice tinged with the presence of fear.

"Dear guard, calm yourself! What is thy problem?" Luna asked, approaching the fear riddled stallion.

"M-My Princess... A monster! A horrible monster! I-It's killed, destroyed everything in its path!"

Francis' eyes widened. "A monster? What did it look like?"

The stallion tried furiously to recompose himself. "I-It looked... kind of like you."

Author's Note

And here's where I pick my sorry flank up off the floor and finish this goddamn story. I need time for the others, and lets face it, this thing has collected dust long enough. Hopefully will be finished by the end of the week, who knows, we'll see. Anyways, enjoy the feels this chapter brings, and just remember...
Anything can happen.

For someone you love

"W-Wait a second..." Zoey stammered. "It looked like us?" The guard shifted a little and nodded.

"Y-Yeah! Except it was, like, fifty feet tall! A-And it ate a poor innocent pony!" He shouted, turning a pale green. Everyone looked to each other, then to Tia as she stood up with her rifle in hand.

"Which way did it go?" She asked. The guard squinted at her, then realized who she was. He flew to the ground, bowing before his Princess.

"P-P-Princess Celestia! Forgive me for being so rude." He said. "The creature was last seen on the road to Manehatten. We're evacuating now."

"What about our weapons?" She asked, checking over her rifle for damage. The guard shook his head.

"The beast is smart. It knows not to get too close to our swords and our spears just bounce right off... This creature is indestructible!"

Celestia racked a round into her rifles chamber. "No it isn't. I'll deal with the Tank myself."

Everypony went silent, either they were too stunned to say anything or their mouths were too busy being unhinged. The guard was the first to recover, sputtering his defiance.

"Princess, as one of your personal guards, I have to protest to this-"

"Will you just shut up?!" She yelled, her nostrils flaring in pure rage. The pony sunk in on himself and nodded sheepishly, pursing his lips together tight. "Get a carriage ready. Take me to Manehatten. NOW!"

The guard bolted straight out of the door, the frantic patter of his hooves echoing off the empty castle halls. Celestia turned to the others.

"Girls? Find some fireworks and some metal pluming pipes. Luna? I need you to get me some lamp oil, some rags, and a couple of bottles. Alright?"

Everypony nodded, but stayed right where they were. "Well, GO!" She yelled. The ponies frantically sped off in search of the required tools. The survivors, however, looked to one another nervously.

"So... Prin-" Zoey began, but Celestia cut her off.

"Don't you dare utter the word Princess to me... Don't you dare!" She hissed. Francis shot forward, and got right in her face.

"Oh, look who became queen of the bitches! Guess you lost this bet of yours huh?" He chuckled. Celestia sneered and slammed him full force in the wall behind him, taking the other two completely off guard and by surprise.

"I could care less about that stupid fucking bet! I lost something more precious to me than any of you will ever know! For over a thousand years, I was nothing but a lonely soul, no companionship, no love! And when I do finally find it, you know what happens?" Francis gulped and shook his head as Celestia dug her nails into his throat. "Death spits in my face and takes it away from me!"

She released Francis, who fell to the floor gasping for breath. Louis and Zoey ran over and helped him up. "So, go. Live your lives here, make friends, have families. I don't give two shits... Just know you'll always have something that I will never have again..."

She left her chambers and slammed the door behind her, crumpling to the floor. She silently cried to herself as the emptiness of the Castle engulfed her. She should have been glad to be back in the safety of her home, but instead she wanted nothing more than to just burn it to the ground. She didn't want any of this.

She just wanted him...

"Um... Celestia?" Twilight hesitantly addressed her teacher. The woman looked up to see them back with the supplies. "We got everything you asked for... So, what are you going to do with it?"

Celestia smiled lightly and hefted both the boxes under her stronger arms. "I'm going to make a little something special for that monster. If I learned anything, it's, one, never underestimate your enemy..."

"And two?" Twilight asked. Celestia smiled.

"And two? If they're stronger than you, blow their ass out of the water." She chuckled, going back into her room. Francis was still rubbing his throat, which made Tia scoff.

"You're such a pussy, Francis." She chided, placing the objects on the table.Francis flipped her off, which she gracefully returned. "Louis? I need you to help me with these."

Louis came over and took the chair by her side. He scanned the supplies and smiled. "Oh ho! We're making explosives, aren't we?" He asked, rubbing his hands together. Tia nodded and began making Molotov's, while Louis began making pipe bombs.

Celestia took in the scent of the lamp oil. It smelled surprisingly like gasoline when in a concentrated state like that. She noticed Twilight waving a hoof in front of her nose, trying to get the smell out of her head. Tia chuckled at her student.

"There really isn't a smell quite like it, is there, Twilight?" She asked. Twilight grinned awkwardly and moved farther back.

"I-If you say so."

An hour passed. So far, Tia had four Molotov cocktails and three pipe bombs. She grabbed Twilight's saddle bag that was resting on a chair in the corner and placed them inside. "Alright, everyone. I'm off to finally end this, once and for all."

The three survivors came forward. "We want to help." Louis stated, smiling proudly. "We figured out how a Tank got in here."

Tia turned to them completely and put her gun across her shoulders. "Oh? Do tell, please." She said, rolling her eyes. Louis sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

"We think it might be our old friend, Bill. His body was on the boat with us, and it isn't a stretch to think the dead can be converted, even if they were immune."

"Oh? And do you think you can handle putting down your precious friend?" She asked, putting her leg on her chair. Zoey stepped forward, her temper flaring.

"Listen, you class A cuntbag! We spent just as much time as you have in psycho town, and even we don't act like a whiny teen on her period. Your boytoy's dead! Suck it up! Being an asshole isn't going to bring him back!"

Tia pulled out her pistol and placed it to Zoey's head. The girl didn't back down an inch; she just stared into Celestia's hollow, pink eyes. "You... little... bitch! At least I didn't boohoo over some old fucking man! Oh, look! I'm old and gonna die anyway! Least he did something useful!"

Zoey lost it. The two tumbled end over end, punching, scratching, kicking and maiming one another. Francis woo'd and Louis just looked away. "YEAH! RIP HER TOP OFF, ZOEY!" Francis hollered.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!"

The two women looked over to see, not Luna who shouted, but Twilight Sparkle. "I'VE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH THIS BULL CRAP! YOU BOTH LOST SOMEPONY YOU LOVE, BUT KICKING EACH OTHERS BITCHY FLANKS ISN'T GOING TO BRING THEM BACK!"

Twilight was panting, her face completely red with rage. Tia frowned and let go of Zoey's throat. "Zoey, I'm-" Zoey stood and marched out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Celestia looked to Louis and Francis, who just shook their heads.

"You, ma'am, are a bitch." Francis said before following Zoey out. Louis shook his head and did the same. Celestia sat on the floor, looking over the mares, her sister. They were all giving her strange looks. Celestia didn't realize what she was doing to all of them. They eyed her as if she were an animal, a monster. Even her own student barely looked her in the eyes.

"E-Everypony... I'm so sorry... Please, I-I just can't-" Her eyes began to pool with tears. "I just can't live with myself!" She leaned against her rifle for support against her shaking body. Luna quickly galloped over and embraced her sister tight.

"Oh, Tia. Sh, sh, sh, sh. We know how thou feels... Remember when I lost my first love?" She asked. Tia nodded and nuzzled into Luna's coat. "Oh, we were so lost for years! It never get's easier, we knowst. But, thou hast thine friends and little sister to aid thee in this dark time... So, stop those tears and let's go save our subjects." She grabbed Tia's cheeks in her hooves and put her nose to hers. "Make him proud of the mare you are... Show him you're still you, even after he's gone."

Tia smiled and nodded. She remembered when Loner said he loved the innocence about her. He was right, about how quickly it could be taken away? She thought she'd be all 'sunshine and rainbows', as he put it? Not a cold chance in hell.

"I love you, Luna... Please, don't ever leave me..." Tia begged. Luna smiled and held her close. She looked to the other mares and gestured them over. They slowly came over and embraced her in a group hug, showing her she was still loved and would always have them, even if she was acting like a cold hearted bitch.

"I don't deserve you all... I really, really don't." She sighed, rubbing the tears out of her eyes. "If this experience has taught me anything, it's to never take anything you have for granted... You don't know how fast it can be taken from you."

Twilight smiled and put her hooves on her teachers shoulders. "We aren't going anywhere for a while, Celestia. And," She said, tapping Tia's bobbing, short hair. "I really like the new do. It suits you." She chuckled. Tia giggled and ran her fingers through her hair.

"Thanks... It was rather hard to shoot with hip length hair everywhere."

Everyone giggled as the survivors, minus Zoey, came back in. Tia gave them both an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry for the way I acted towards you all. Can you forgive this old, foolish mare?"

Francis smiled and held out a hand. "Well, I guess I can forgive and forget. Zoey, however, just wants to go back to the farm."

Tia arched a brow. "And, I bet she wants to be turned back into a pony?" She asked. Francis nodded. "Okay, Luna? Change her back and get her a carriage back to Sweet Apple Acres, please."

Luna smiled and walked into the hall, shutting the door behind her. The door opened a second later and the guard from before stepped in.

"My Princess? You chariot is ready." He shuffled awkwardly and avoided eye contact with her, that is until she walked over and turned his face towards her.

"Thank you, my little pony. And, I'm sorry for yelling at you before. You are doing your job, and I respect you for that. Can you forgive me?" She asked hopefully. The guard smiled and nodded, stiffening as Tia wrapped him in a hug. "Thank you... I really needed that."

The guard coughed awkwardly and pat her back. "I-It's no problem, ma'am. Really." He assured.

Tia let him go and walked out the door in time to see Zoey come back down from the air as her old pony self. She shot Celestia a glare and turned away. Tia sighed and stepped forward.

"Zoey, I just need to apologize for the way I acted. I know Bill must have been so dear to your heart, just as Loner was to mine. I shouldn't have said those things, and I regret the way I acted. Please... I'm so sorry."

Zoey flashed a grin and sighed. "In all honesty, I probably acted the same way to those two idiots in there after Bill died. It hurts... It really, really hurts. That's why I can't go with you on this one... I-I can't face Bill, especially when he's trying to kill me. I'd rather remember him the way he was."

Tia smiled. "I understand. I have a chariot awaiting you to take you back to the Apple Acres. Promise me one thing though."

"Oh yeah? What's that?" She asked, smiling smugly.

"Live your life. A life I can never have." She leaned in and hugged Zoey, taking her completely off guard. She tensed, but relaxed when the princess let her go.

"I promise... I'll see you around. And just remember, just because Loner is dead, doesn't mean he's gone. He'll always be with you, one way or another." Tia watched Zoey walk away with Luna and smiled.

"Yes... One way or another..."

Author's Note

I am hauling dicks on this now! Go, go, go! Never stop, never sleep! Want to finally finish this so other things can free up! :P
I hope you'll like where this goes, because I am literally mind raping myself to get this done! Enjoy the next events of cluster fuck! :3

A sense of normality

Zoey smiled from her vantage point in the carriage as the farm came into view. But, that wasn't the only reason she was smiling.

She was smiling because she was finally free from everything, able to start a life without the fear of something gnawing her face off in the middle of the night. That, and she was flying on a chariot, pulled by Pegasi like some kind of Goddess.

She kept the smile as the chariot landed outside the front of the farm house. Granny Smith and Apple Bloom came out with faces mixed with confusion and wonder. Zoey waved the guards away and briskly trotted over to the front porch.

"Hey. So, I'm back." She said smiled awkwardly. Granny Smith smiled and slapped her on the back in greeting.

"Well, welcome back, deary! Say, now where's Applejack? We need her sorry flank back here to help her brother! Poor dear can barely wake up in the mornin'."

Zoey half smiled. "Applejack's still at the Castle. Where is the red oaf anyway? I'll go help him out." Apple Bloom smiled and hopped onto the dirt trail that led to the east orchard.

"Come on, I'll bring ya to him!" She beamed, running down the path. Zoey smiled and nodded to Granny Smith and followed, but the old mare stopped her. Zoey turned to see her giving a knowing smile.

"Big Mac may not be perfect, but he's a stallion of principle, and sweeter than molasses. You have ma blessin'." She winked, slowly walking back inside. Zoey snorted a laugh and quickly ran down the path after Apple Bloom.

"Hey, Big Macintosh!" The small voice called. The exhausted stallion lifted his head, panting as his little sister came trotting up to him. "Whoa, easy there, big brother! Yer gonna keel over from just breathin'!"

"A-Ah'm alright, sis... Ah just need ta get back ta work." He panted, adjusting his yoke. A sudden hoof lifted the yoke off his back swiftly. It felt like a ton was taken off him. He turned to see Zoey, smiling sweetly.

"She's right. Come on, you stubborn oaf. Thinking spot?" She asked, gesturing to the hill and large apple tree. Big Mac smiled and nodded, sighing in relief. Zoey looked to Apple Bloom and gestured her back to the house. The filly winked back and giggled, quickly running home.

Zoey guided Big Mac to the spot. The stallion stumbled along the way, clearly overworked. "My god, Big Mac! Are you sure you're gonna be alright?"

Big Mac chuckled and plopped down under the shade of the large apple tree. "Ah reckon. Dang, Ah could really use an apple..." He mused.

Zoey kicked the tree behind her and two apples fell in front of them. Big Mac smiled and rolled one to her, then picked the other one up in his hooves, chomping into it and smiling when the juices entered his mouth. "Whoa Nelly... Ah needed that."

Zoey smiled and delicately bit into hers. "No problem, man... So, what's up?" She asked, trying to start a conversation. Big Mac just stared at her, a small smile taking his lips. "What?"

Big Mac chuckled. "Ya ain't one for small talk, Zoey, and neither am Ah. You can cut the chitchat and just tell me why yah wanted ta talk alone."

Zoey nodded her head. "Smarter than you look, Mac. I like that. Well, I've finally realized something..." She trailed off, fiddling with the apple in her hooves. Big Mac raised a brow, keeping his smile.

"Oh? What might that be?" He asked. Zoey leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, lingering it there for a little longer than she needed to. She pulled back and sighed.

"Well, the Princess said that I should just live my life for all it's worth... A life she could never live. I respect that about her... No matter what, she wants to see others happy, even when her life is in the shitter..."

Big Mac scooted close to Zoey, nuzzling her neck. "Well, ah think it's a mighty fine lesson to live by... Mah pa tolled me somethin' like that once. He said that, no matter what curve ball life may throw at ya, just remember you're not expected to catch it alone. You'll always have friends, loved ones to help you through the tough times. Nopony's alone... Ah wish he was still around." Big Mac sighed, looking up at the large tree. "Me, Pa and Ma planted this tree when Ah was just a colt... My Ma was still pregnant with Applejack at the time. Mah father told me that this'll be a lucky tree for me." Big Mac snorted. "It wasn't really... A few years after Applejack was born, they died when our old house caught fire..."

Zoey blinked for a minute. "Wait... But, Apple Bloom is your sister, right? How can she be so young if both your parents are-" Zoey looked to Big Mac, who seemed more pained beyond measure. "She's... She's your daughter, isn't she?"

Big Mac let out a snort. "Ah was troubled after mah folks passed. Hangin' with the wrong crowds, drinkin' and doin' drugs... Ah was only twelve years old... I remember one night, Ah met a mare, at least ten years older than Ah after a night of hard drinkin and drug usin'... I bucked her brains out, but Ah didn't know she was in heat... She showed up eleven months later, just a month after Ah got clean, and left the foal with me. She was too much of a bad seed ta raise tha foal, and she barely had any money ta do so anyhow." Big Mac paused and cast a glance down at the farm to see Apple Bloom running around with Winona. "A-Ah just didn't know what to do... What I should tell her when she came to that age when she could start thinkin'? Ah was way too young ta have a foal, so I told Granny Smith ta tell her she was mah sister... And she'd be Applejack's sister... Ah lied to her my entire life, and Ah can barely stand ta look at myself in the mirror."

Zoey took everything he had just said in. Nothing about this guy said troublemaker, or degenerate. He certainly didn't seem like the kind of stallion to sire a child in that way. She held his hoof and sighed. "Wow... And you said you weren't one for small talk." She said, hoping to lighten his spirits. The chuckle she got seemed to confirm she succeeded. "Look, we all make mistakes, and no matter how hard you try to hide things, those mistakes will come out, one way or another."

Big Mac plucked a blade of wheat from the ground and placed it in his mouth, switching it from the left to the right, then back to the left. "What do ya reckon then, Miss Zoey?" He asked, continuing to watch his 'sister' play. Zoey leaned against him, ruffling his mane with her free hoof.

"I'm saying, maybe you should tell her the truth. It can't hurt things between you two, and who knows? It might even make things even better." She pointed out. Big Mac looked into Zoey's light green eyes. He just stared for what seemed like an eternity.

"You have pretty eyes, Miss Zoey." He murmured. Zoey smiled, leaning in. Big Mac did the same and their lips met, slowly and sweetly. The kiss lingered for seconds, then a minute, neither side wanting to break it. It was only broken when the sound of tiny giggling came from in front of them. They turned to see Apple Bloom with Winona right next her, panting with a ball in her mouth.

"Awww!" Apple Bloom said, smiling wide. "You tow are so dern cute! Congrats, big brother!" She cheered, hugging him tight. He tensed up and looked to Zoey, then back to his child.

"Hey, Zoey? Ya mind givin me a minute to talk to Apple Bloom?" He asked. Zoey smiled and kissed his cheek, then began trotting slowly down the hill. Big Mac watched her go, then turned to the filly, who seemed a little concerned.

"Ah'm not in trouble, am Ah, big brother?" She asked innocently. Big Mac found himself tearing up, then wrapped his daughter in a hug.

"No, no, hun... Ah have to tell ya somethin'... Somethin' I should have told ya from the beginnin'." He sighed and looked at the curious expression on her face.

"What is it?" She asked, taking a seat in front of him. The work stallion shifted his wheat stalk and gulped. This was probably going to be the hardest thing he'd ever have to do, but it needed to get done... Better to come from him directly than have somepony who really knew let it slip, like her mother if she ever came back...

"What Ah'm about to tell you is somethin' Ah should have told ya a long, long time ago... Apple Bloom? Ma and Pa... Well, they aren't your Ma and Pa..."

Apple Bloom's eyes began to well with tears. "Y-Ya mean Ah'm adopted!? T-That Ah'm not part of tha Apple family?! Are ya kickin' me out?!" She began to hyperventilate, but Big Mac placed a large hoof on her back, steadying her.

"Oh, no... You're an Apple alright. Yer Apple family to the core." He assured. She just gave him an odd, tear filled stare. "Apple Bloom? Yer... Yer mah daughter..." Big Mac shut his eyes tight as the words passed his lips, expecting to hear her wailing and crying over the revelation.

Silence.

He cracked his right eye to see Apple Bloom staring at him, a soft smile on her lips as tears rolled down her soft, tiny cheeks. "Y-Ya mean... Yer not mah big brother, but mah... pa?" She asked. Big Mac nodded, then was instantly tackled to the ground. "AH HAVE A DADDY!" She sobbed, wrapping around his neck. She nuzzled into his soft fur as he held her close, sobbing along with her.

"Apple Bloom... Ah love ya so much... Ah always wanted to tell ya! By Celestia, Ah really did! Ah just didn't know how! Ah love yah, Apple Bloom... Mah child!" He continued to sob as she hugged him tighter.

Zoey watched the scene from the front porch of the house. There was hesitation, then nothing, then a shit ton of hugging. She smiled at the scene as she continued to run Bill's old lighter in her hooves. "That's what family does... They love you, no matter what."

Zoey turned when Granny Smith came outside and sat next to her. "So, where's Big Mac?" She asked, continuing to knit. Zoey gestured up to the hill.

"He's up there with Apple Bloom... He told her the truth." She said, still smiling. Granny Smith halted for a few seconds, then let a smile creep on her lips.

"Well, Ah guess it was time she knew... Big Mac made a mistake so long ago, but that mistake turned into a little miracle. We all love Apple Bloom, and no matter what, she's always part of the family. Whether it's sister, daughter, niece, granddaughter, or great-granddaughter... Nothing's going to change between us."

Zoey nodded. "Well, I'm glad I can be a part of it." She said sincerely. She stood and stretch, casting one last look out at the two on the hill. "I'm gonna take a nap. You can tell Big Mac to wake me if he wants to talk."

Granny Smith nodded and Zoey slowly climbed the stairs up to her room. She sunk into the bed and sighed placing Bill's lighter back in her pocket. She curled up under the covers and closed her eyes, regretting that she wasn't going to be there when they put Bill out of his misery.

Celestia walked through the carriage courtyard, running off her checklist of everything that her and the two survivors accompanying her were bringing.

"Weapons?"

"Swords for each of us, our rifles, four extra clips all around." Louis confirmed.

"Explosives?"

"Just the Molotovs and pipe bombs you made, lady." Francis huffed, hefting the saddle bag awkwardly on his back.

"Alcohol?" Celestia asked. The survivors looked to one another as she bulled a bottle of hard cider out of her bag and took a pretty big swig. "Check." She wheezed, sighing happily.

Louis frowned and quickly caught up with the Princess. "Look, Celestia. I'm speaking as an... acquaintance here. I know you lost someone you love, but risking your life is something he probably wouldn't want you to do."

Tia didn't slow or show any sign the question had phased her in the slightest. "I appreciate the concern, Louis. But right now my subjects are in danger and it's my duty to protect them, no matter what."

"Wouldn't it be easier when you're a flying horse that shoots lasers out her horn?" Francis snorted. Celestia smiled.

"Well, apparently magic doesn't effect the beast. So, I'm going to take what I learned and teach it a lesson. And, I know he was once your friend, and I'm sorry. You two are brave for coming along."

Louis frowned. "It's not that we're brave, we just have a duty to Bill. He wouldn't want to live like this. He even said so himself." Louis recalled the moment in the elevator at the hospital.

"If I start to turn, promise you'll shoot me"

"What if just your beard starts to turn, can I shoot that?"

"Cut the horseshit, Francis."

Louis chuckled and turned to Francis, who remembered that as well. "I really wanted to shoot that beard..." He mused. Louis smiled and shook his head.

"Hey!" Celestia shouted from the door of her carriage. "Are you coming, or am I going to have to leave your stupid asses behind?" She asked. The two sprinted for the carriage as it began to take off, just making it inside.

"Just like Zoey?" Francis asked.

Louis nodded. "Just like Zoey."

Author's Note

Heart wrench! Pure heart wrench! If you don't like what I did with Big Mac and Apple Bloom, then you can shove it up your pee holes, because I needed a family moment for Zoey to think about! CAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
So, anywho, just a few more chapters. Maybe two or three? Idk, we'll see. Enjoy the climax.

hehe I said climax...

For all it's worth

Chapter 15: For all it's worth

"Hey, Zoey?" Big Mac whispered, rousing the mare from her slumber. Zoey mumbled something incoherent and rolled over, wiggling into a comfortable position. Big Mac chuckled and shook her again. "C'mon now, Miss Zoey. It's supper time."

Zoey hummed a yawn and rolled over, opening her beautiful eyes and gazing sleepily up at Big Mac. She smiled and wrapped her forelegs around his neck, pulling him into the bed. "Hmmm... Can't dinner wait?" She mumbled.

Big Mac stroked her mane and smiled. "Well, Ah suppose it can wait fer now... Say, where are yer pals?" He asked curiously. Zoey inhaled sharply and frowned.

"They're... off with Princess Celestia, dealing with... an old friend." She sighed. Big Mac raised a curious brow.

"Dealin' with an old friend? What's that mean?" He asked. Zoey snuggled closer to Big Mac. It seems this conversation was hurting her a bit.

"When we came here, we had a... fourth person with us. But, he wasn't of... the lively type. He was dead." She said bluntly. Big Mac nodded in understanding. "We were heading to the islands in the Florida Keys. We were gonna give him a proper burial there, but that rogue wave put a hindrance on our escape. I thought the boat was lost when we washed up on shore, but I guess it, and Bill, made it to Equestria. And apparently he changed."

"Changed how? Ah thought he was dead." Big Mac seemed a little confused. Zoey just sighed and hugged him tight. Big, loveable, and a little slow. Just the way she liked it.

"Zombies, Big Mac. That's what our world was full of. Undead freaks, ready to tear your arm out of its socket and feast on your entrails." Big Mac looked disturbed to say the least. "All four of us were immune. But, apparently when an immune dies, they can come back. And Bill came back in a big way..."

Big Mac's eyes widened. "Is that tha monster that's rampagin' in the east?!" He asked, shocked. Zoey shrugged.

"I don't know. I couldn't bring myself to find out... It has to be him, but... I can't face my friend like that... The man who became a father to me..."

Big Mac brought her face up. "Zoey. Yer a strong mare. Yer family is out there now, facing a friend who became a monster. How can ya let them do that by themselves? Ah'm sure they want the whole family together ta say goodbye ta one of their own."

Zoey sniffled and looked away. "I-I don't know... I couldn't do it! I just can't face Bill like that! He's like my goddamn father! I can't see him like this!"

Big Mac gave her a stern look. "Zoey, Ah was never able to say goodbye to mah father. Or mah mother for that matter... Ah would have given anything ta say goodbye to them, one last time..." Zoey could hear the sadness in his voice. She huddled closer to him, hoping to ease his pain. "Zoey... Ya have the chance to say goodbye one last time... Even if he is a monster now, ya can still tell him all the things you never were able to."

Zoey looked up into Big Mac's eyes and moved forward slowly. Their lips met in a kiss to help ease both of their pains. Zoey knew Big Mac was right. But, how could she catch up with them? Did they already do the job? Was Bill already dead... again?

"How do we catch up to them?" Zoey asked, pulling away. Big Mac smiled.

"Ah know a mare who can help us with that..."

Celestia stared out the window, her hand under her chin in thought. All the familiar sights of her kingdom felt so alien to her. She was used to nothing but silence, tall buildings, and...

"Why did you have to stay behind?"

The chariot jostled again in the turbulent winds. Celestia barely flinched; just continued to look out the window, still lost in thought.

"Don't you realize what you meant to me? Where could our lives have brought us?"

"Princess?" One of the Pegasi pulling the chariot called out. "We're approaching Manehatten. We'll set down by the woods just outside."

Celestia didn't reply. "I loved you... I wanted to spend my life with you... Why did you have to die?"

The chariot set down just outside of the forest a few miles from Manehatten. The guards quickly flew away once the three were out. Francis and Louis scanned the woods, while Celestia just walked right in. Francis looked to Louis and grinned.

"Well, she certainly has some balls." He said, following. Louis joined a second later, making sure his rifle was ready to go.

"Francis, we gotta make sure she doesn't do anything to crazy. She lost someone she really loved. And if she ends up getting herself killed out here, then the whole kingdom could be in an uproar. It'd be chaos!"

Francis nodded. "We'd be leaving one crazy world and tradin' it for another. Boy, that'd suck."

"Hey! You idiots better keep up!" Celestia called out through the forest. "You don't want to miss the fun, do you?"

Francis and Louis sprinted towards her, coming into a light clearing. The moonlight making the space glow in a slight light. The illumination adding an eery feeling to the situation. Celestia was on the ground, investigating a pool of blood.

"It's been here. and recently" She said, raising back up. She looked through the woods, as if she could see through the flora. She raised her rifle in the air and fired a single shot.

The crack echoed through the forest and the surrounding area. Francis and Louis were on edge, while Celestia stood stoic. She'd been in countless battles and wars in history, but nothing was more personal than this fight. This was the most emotional, trying experience she'd ever encountered. And she'd never been more ready for the unknown that lay ahead.

"Did you hear that?" Louis whispered, leveling his rifle. Francis followed suit, followed by Celestia. Indeed, a distant thumping could be heard in the distance, drawing closer and closer to the trio. "This is it..." Louis sighed. "I can't believe we're taking down Bill."

The thumps drew closer.

"Hell, it isn't Bill anymore." Francis chimed in. "Still, it's gonna suck."

Closer...

"You two, don't hold anything back. He isn't the person you once knew. This is a monster; a monster that already killed one of my subjects. Get ready."

The hulk roared and burst through the foliage. It thumped its fists on its gigantic chest and glared at the three humans staring it down. It reared back and let out a mighty roar.

"ZOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYY!!"

The hulk charged forward. Francis and Louis got out of the way, while Celestia stood her ground. "Your kind destroyed an entire world,"

Closer...

"-hurt my friends,"

Closer...

"-and killed the man I loved!"

Fist raised, ready to strike...

Celestia rolled as the fists came down, placing a crater in the earth where she once stood. "But, you will not. Take. ME!"

Author's Note

Eh, this on is a little short, but I wanted to leave it that way for the action that is to come! :D So, it's one more chapter after this one.... or maybe two. We'll see. And keep your eyes open for the Epilogue. It'll hold a nice little story. ;3 See you all next time. Hopefully a few days. Been real busy with school and whatnot. So, see you soon!

Run or shoot?

Chapter 17: Run or shoot?

"Come on you overgrown puss ball!" Celestia shouted, dodging another massive fist as she rolled her elegant body off to the right. The Tank's fists came down in the spot she once occupied, leaving two massive craters in the dirt. Celestia reared around with her rifle in hand and let loose a few shots before dodging another vicious blow.

"Hey! Bitch lady!" Francis yelled. "We don't have a clear shot with your ass dancing around him!" The Tank turned and let out a thunderous roar when it saw Francis. "Ah shit!"

"Now you do!" Celestia shouted back, digging in her bag for a Molotov while she had a free moment. She cursed to herself when she saw the entire contents of the bottles had spilled all over the place, filling the inside of the bag in oil. Well, that wasn't going to work now.

Or was it?

Celestia quickly pulled out a match, striking it against her thigh. the match went up in a whoosh, which Celestia threw into the oil filled bag. "Hey, ugly! Catch!" She shouted, tossing the bag at the tank.

The monster roared mightily as the bag of oil flew threw the air in a flaming comet, trailing oil in its wake, which fell to the ground, lighting up the area in flames.

The Tank, however, easily dodged the burning mess of fuel, jumping out of the way. The Tank remained unscathed, while the forest around around Celestia, Louis and Francis began to burn.

"Great idea, lady!" Francis shouted, slapping his last mag into the rifle. "You've managed to set everything else on fire except the Tank!"

Celestia rolled her eyes and fired the last few rounds in her mag, throwing the rifle to the dirt when it finally went click. She pulled out the pistol Loner had given her and began to fire that, barely leaving a scratch in its hide. Celestia turned to Louis, who threw his weapons to the ground, pulling out a small knife he had in his back pocket. Francis fired his last shots as well, opting to use the butt of the rifle as a club.

"Well, we're shit out of luck now." Francis grunted, turning to Louis. "Hey, did you ever think Bill would be the one to kill us?" He asked. Louis continued to back up as their former friend stared them down with pure white eyes of hate.

"I thought he'd be the one to kill you. A man can only take so many beard jokes without snapping." Louis pointed out, making Francis smile.

"You know, I'd be laughing if we weren't about to die. So, any ideas left, mega-bitch?" Francis inquired as the Tank began to slowly approach the three.

"Well, I do have my backups." She smiled, pulling out the pipebomb she made from her belt. "I'm gonna have to thank Loner for this when I see him. Look, I'm not asking you two to stay. You may leave if you wish and let me kill this thing. You don't have to die here."

Francis and Louis looked to one another, nodding in confirmation. The two began to back into the woods as the Tank's eyes lingered on Celestia, never shifting from her.

"Best of luck, sunbutt!" Francis yelled, running back through the woods. Louis took one fleeting look back and sighed, torn between his good nature, and his fight for survival. He couldn't just leave the Princess alone out here with what once was Bill! She didn't deserve this kind of death! Louis turned to Francis running back the way they came, then back to Celestia as she lit the pipe bomb on the ground. His answer was simple, and it was one he knew he would make.

"Alright, you ugly piece of flesh." Celestia smiled, lighting the pipe bomb on the flames licking at her pale legs. "It's you and me now. You die here, now, and I get revenge for what your kind took from me!" Celestia charged forward, the Tank meeting her halfway. She let the pipe bomb fly from her hands towards the Tank.

The bomb landed on the ground just in front of the tank, detonating when the Tank walked over it. But, to Celestia's horror, the Tank simply charged through the flames, bringing a mighty fist to bare. Celestia backed up hastily as she watched with wide eyes how her thousands of years of life were about to end.

What she didn't expect to happen next, however, was Louis diving through the smoke, knife poised up as he let out a cry of anger. "THIS IS FOR YOU!" He shouted, plunging the blade down into the Tanks eye.

Celestia watched as the two struggled for supremacy in the fighting. The Tank's mighty arms couldn't reach over its head, so it opted to thrash about, hoping to shake Louis off. Louis, however, held onto the Tanks head tight as he continued to plunge the small blade down into its head and eyes.

Louis turned to Celestia. "Use another pipe bomb! Do it!"

Celestia froze. If she did that, then Louis would be killed! No, she couldn't loose another person; not now, not ever. Louis saw her hesitation and yelled again. "We don't have time to wussy out! Just throw it!"

Celestia relented, lighting another pipe bomb, letting it fly straight and true. Louis saw it coming and reached out, wedging it in between Bill's belt. "So long, old guy..." Louis said quietly as the pipe bomb exploded, sending him sailing through the air in a smoking heap.

"LOUIS!" Celestia yelled, trying to see through the smoke. She waited for a reply, but none came. At least none she wanted.

All she could hear was a ragged breathing. Thinking it was Louis' at first, she rushed forward through the smoke. "Louis?! Louis are you al-" Celestia was suddenly launched backwards, her chest cracking from the force of the blow. She flew straight into a bush, groaning in pain as she dizzily tried to get to her feet.

The smoke finally cleared, revealing a sickening sight. The Tanks entire left side was blown away. It was missing its arm and half of its midsection from the blast, but the bastard refused to die. And it was through playing around.

It roared, rushing forward to pound Celestia into meat, trailing half its organs behind it. Celestia couldn't do it anymore. She had no strength left to fight this incredible beast. She just laid in the bush, smiling up at the beautifully blue sky as she waited for the end. "Here I come, Loner... my love..." She whispered as the Tanks fist came down.

But not on her.

Just when she thought she was out of 'get out of jail free' cards, another one seemed to rear its head, preventing the former mare from dying in peace. Holding up the sheer weight of the blow with his bare forelegs was a red stallion with an orange mane and tail. Celestia recognized him as the elder brother of Applejack.

Big Macintosh Apple had just saved her life!

"Good going, Big Mac!" A familiar female voice shouted, jumping from the forest. Clenched in her teeth was a bottle with a burning rag stuffed in it. The mare was none other than Zoey herself.

Big Mac grunted as the fist began to lower, ebbing his strength. He turned around and smiled at the woman in the bushes. "Um, ya mind gettin' out of tha way so Ah kin put this feller down?" He asked. Celestia smiled and rolled out of the way as Big Mac did the same in the opposite direction. The Tank's fist slammed down on the bush, turning it into nothing but mulch.

Big Mac quickly got to his hooves and bucked the Tank in the face. "Ah got 'im distracted! Throw that molly-jacallit!" He yelled as the Tank began chasing him in a fit of pure, blinding rage.

Zoey smiled and spun, whipping the molotov with all her might. It found its mark, slamming into Bill's head. The Tank did not slow in the slightest as it slammed a fist into Big Mac's side, launching him into the forest with a sickening crack.

"BIG MAC!" Zoey shrieked.

"Ah'm Okay..." Came the pained voice from the forest. With Big Mac now out of visual range, the Tank turned to the mare and the woman, directing all its rage on them.

Zoey tossed Celestia something, which she barely caught. "It's my pistol. Use it!" She said, standing her ground with Zoey.

The mare sighed and looked to the ground as Celestia took aim. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, Bill..." Zoey said somberly. "You were like a father to me... I love you and always will..."

"Goodbye..."

With that, Celestia fired. That's all it took; one measly bullet between the eyes. The Tank let out a struggled gurgle as it fell to its knees, staring at the mare just a few feet away, reaching a tired arm towards her.

"Z-Zeeroooorrryy..."

The Tank finally died, falling backwards into the dying flames on the forest floor. It was over; the horrible nightmare was finally out of her world, gone forever to never bother her or her subjects again. It was strange to think about to Celestia. After fighting these creatures non-stop for two weeks with her love by her side, going back to her normal routine would be impossible. She'd never be able to readjust that quickly.

But, all that had to wait for later. Celestia looked over to the edge of the clearing, spotting Louis' prone form. She quickly ran over, kneeling by his side.

Zoey turned and watched Celestia running. What she was running to chilled Zoey right to the core. "Oh, God not Louis!" She cried, galloping over to her happy-go-lucky friend.

Celestia pressed two fingers to his neck, checking for a pulse. There was none. Louis had given up his life to help take out the Tank and save her and her peoples. She would never forget that, or what these humans have done for her land, her friends, and her.

Zoey cried as she tried to shake Louis awake, Big Mac trotting over and kneeling by her side, offering her a shoulder to cry on. Zoey fell into the stallions red coat as he slowly rocked her back and fourth. "Shh... He's in a better place along with Bill, hun... It's gonna be alright..." He soothed.

Celestia sighed, getting to her feet. Today had cost her and her friends much. Too much for one lifetime, that was to be sure. Francis and Zoey had just lost another one of their friends, and Celestia knew how the mares would react to the loss. He was a friend, a loyal, true friend.

The trip back to Canterlot was going to be a rough one...

The four hero's arrived back at the Carriage waiting them in Ponyville, where Francis was eagerly waiting. "Hey-y!" He smiled, clapping his hands. "Didn't think you'd show up, Zoey, you little pony!" He teased. "And Louis, I can't believe you stayed-" Francis halted mid sentence when he didn't see the man he loathed. "Louis? Hey, sunshine beams! Where the hell are ya!"

"Francis..." Zoey whispered, leaning into his leg. Francis saw the look on her face and a look of pure dread came over his.

"No... N-No, not Louis... Please, tell me this is a joke! Tell me you're kidding!" Francis shouted, grabbing Zoey and hefting her into the air. "TELL ME YOU'RE FUCKING KIDDING WITH ME!"

Zoey sniffled and shook her head. "Francis... he's gone... Louis died to save all of us... I-I-" Zoey trailed off, erupting into a fit of tears as Francis dropped her to the ground, falling against the carriage in shock.

How? How could Louis be dead?! How could that arrogant asshole just up and die when Francis had so many jokes to make, so many insults now left unsaid because he had to be a baby and die from a Tank! Francis punched the ground as his eyes silently welled with tears. He never wanted to admit it, not to himself or anyone in the group, but he liked Louis. In fact, he considered Louis his truest friend; someone who can take banter and dish it back without smacking you with a pool cue. Now, he'd never see Louis again, here the sunshine in his voice.

Now Francis saw the Zombie apocalypse for what it really was. It wasn't fun, it wasn't a game. Real people died, people he cared about, people he should have died fighting. If he didn't pussy out at the end, Louis would still be here. Francis hated himself more than anything at that moment. All he could do was stare at nothing in utter shock.

Celestia opened the door to the carriage, ushering all inside. "Come... We have to go to Canterlot... I'll have somepony collect the bodies. Right now, we should go tell the others. They'll want to know..."

It was one of the saddest moments Celestia had ever witnessed. Everyone huddled around each other for comfort as they cried for their friends. Zoey and Francis lost two friends in such a short time span. Friends that were near impossible to come by in their world. There was nobody left there, and it would be that way forever.

Twilight was a complete wreck about Louis; the Stallion she had come to know and care for over the past two weeks. He was so kind and gentle and smart... He was somepony she could share anything with and hold an intelligent conversation with. Never again would she hear his voice, or hold him... or tell him the things she wished she had before he left...

Pinkie Pie let Francis cry against her, rocking him as she kissed his head repeatedly to try and cheer him up. Her mane and tail were deflated, laying flat against her body. Anyone dying was horrible news, and it rocked the party pony to the very core. She felt like never partying again...

It was a very emotional day, one Celestia wished never had to happen. But, life throws massive curve balls, and in the end, you just have to learn to accept them, no matter how hard that may be. Sometimes we lose friends, and sometimes we gain them. But there's always one constant in life. Friends. They would always have friends, no matter the circumstances. They'd be there for support, for fun, for good and bad. For Celestia, there is one friendship that's really hard to get back once you loose it.

Love.

Being the eternal being she was, she never even considered it; outliving your spouse was something she never wanted to go through. But, living in a world where each day could have been your last was something Celestia didn't see happening in her life, and she also didn't see surviving it either. So, naturally she held onto the one thing that she knew if she lost, she'd be lost, too. It was foolish, but her heart sang for Loner, the mysterious man who had saved her life countless times, she returning the favor occasionally. He had made the ultimate sacrifice for her, as Louis did for those he cared for, and Coach, and Allan... So many lost, dying for something they believed in. To her, they would be hero's, honored for centuries to come. Honored because she wanted the descendants of all to know the wounds of their world, the wounds the war with the undead opened. Everyone would know for time immemorial, because as long as they all remembered them, they would never truly die.

Celestia stared out the window of her country, smiling slightly, finally able to relish in the feeling of being home. Before, it was something she didn't want without Loner by her side. But, after all that happened today, she needed to consider how precious life is, how easily it's taken for granted. Loner would want her to be happy, she knew that much. Celestia exhaled a deep sigh as she crossed her arms behind her back, whispering so softly, she barely even heard it herself.

"We remember, so you can live... And we'll never forget..."

Author's Note

Well, this was certainly long overdue. Well, here it is; the end to our glorious journey. I hope I've thrown you through enough emotional loops for one story. But, don't quit on me now, because there's an epilogue coming out right now! Let's see how this really ends, shall we?
ALLONS-Y!

Epilogue

(Two months after current events...}

Celestia walked down the impossibly white halls, her hoof steps echoing off the nothingness. Where she was was a painful place, a place where the past haunts you tirelessly.

She was in the afterlife.

No, she wasn't dead. Being a goddess like figure like she was, she had many... very unnatural powers. One, being able to cross over into the next life.

Beside her walked a cloaked figure, his robe ending in nothing but smoke and shadows. Her companion in this world was death, and he was not to pleased with the current arrangement thrust upon him.

"I do not think this is wise, Celestia." Death spoke, his teeth clanking together with each word. "You are meddling with powers you don't comprehend."

Celestia smiled as she blew a strand of her short cropped hair out of her eyes. She liked this style and was considering keeping it permanently. She had been told it looked quite good on her figure.

"As I remember it," Celestia began, flashing her smile at Death. "a long time ago, you said, 'I owe you a debt'. Well, I am here to collect." She stated matter of fact like, prancing ahead.

Death sighed, leading her to a pair of large, black doors, contrasting the long, white hall drastically. "Indeed I did. Come then, they're waiting in here."

Celestia followed death through the door. The first person she saw was Louis, standing there in a pure white suit. "Well, if it isn't Princess Celestia herself." He chuckled, bowing lightly. "It's good to see you again."

Celestia smiled and wrapped the man in a hug. "It's really good to see you again, too. You've missed so much while you were away." She let Louis go, going back to Death's side.

"Oh, really?" Louis asked curiously. "What did the gang get themselves into now?"

Celestia smiled warmly. "Zoey is a month along with foal, as are Francis and Pinkie Pie." She said coolly, giggling when Louis' jaw seemed to unhinge.

"What?! No... they can't- No!" He rationalized, smiling nonetheless. "Oh, man that's great! I wish I could ream into Francis about this one!"

Celestia kept her smile. "You can, Louis. Death owed me a favor, and I'm collecting. You're free to return home." She stood aside, allowing Louis to pass.

"R-Really?! I can come back, just like that?!" He asked excitedly, wrapping himself around Celestia's neck. "Oh, you don't know how much this means to me! I can't wait to see the guys!"

Celestia returned the hug. "You have no idea how much I thanked you that day... You saved so many lives with that sacrifice. You weren't forgotten, and I made sure you never will be."

Louis smiled. "Thank you... for everything you've given my friends and I." He said, letting go of Celestia. Celestia turned to Death, keeping her smile on this glorious day.

"Death? Why don't you bring him home. I have someone I want to see by myself." She turned to the next pair of doors, her heart beating like a drum in her chest in excitement and anticipation.

"As you wish. Come, Louis. You have a second chance at life. Don't waste it this time?" Death suggested, making Louis laugh.

"Wouldn't dream of it, but I make no promises." He stated, disappearing in a flash of light, leaving Celestia alone for the reunion she waited for for so long.

She slowly approached the door, her heart beating faster and faster, her breath quivering in her throat as she pressed a hoof to it, slowly opening the door with a creek.

There, sitting on what seemed like air was Loner; smoking a cigarette like she had always seen him do. He didn't notice her yet, which she rectified quickly.

"L-Loner? It's me..." She said, barely above a whisper.

Loner perked up, his eyes widening. "I know that voice..." He smiled, turning to see the large, white pony standing in the doorway. He almost didn't recognize who it was until he saw the hair; blue, green, pink and cropped short. It had to be Tia.

His Tia!

Loner smiled and stood, flicking the cigarette away. "Well, I could say you've changed a bit, but that would be an understatement." He whistled, eying over her impressive, sleek form. "So this is the real you, is it?"

Celestia had forgotten he had never seen her like this. "O-Oh... well, yes, it is... What do you think?" She asked worriedly, turning her gaze away slightly.

Loner chuckled, bringing her face back to his tenderly. "What do I think? I think I fell in love with you for you. And if that doesn't answer that, then this will..." Loner pulled her head down to his, planting a kiss on her lips. They tasted just like he remembered they did so long ago. The taste of her lips was all the better the second time around.

The kiss ended, Loner pulling away, leaving Celestia's lips still puckered in the air in shock. He really meant it! He really did love her, now and always, no matter what form she was in! She smiled like a little school filly as she hopped in place, giggling madly to herself.

"Someone's happy." He chuckled, stroking her cheek. She nodded excitedly, nuzzling into his hand. "You know, I never really did open up to you... I wish I could have from the start, but I was too afraid..."

"You have that chance again..." Celestia whispered, rubbing his face with her own. "Death owed me. You can come back to Equestria with me, where we can be together with no zombies. Just us, the castle... maybe something more if you're interested..." She said suggestively, winking at the end.

Loner smiled and nodded. "Yeah... that does sound nice. Start anew, bloom this budding relationship." Loner sighed and looked out into the vast nothingness of his afterlife. "Man, I'm gonna be glad to get away from here. Nothing but white. It could've at least had a titty bar or something..." He mused.

Celestia giggled. "I missed your charm, Loner. You were never short on that." She brought him in for another kiss, which he pulled away from, causing a bit of fear to rise in Celestia. "W-What is it? Did I do something wrong?"

Loner shook his head. "No, you didn't. It's just- Loner... that name was for a man who had nothing left... I'm starting again now... Maybe it's time to retire that dark depressing thing."

Celestia arched a brow. "Oh? And what will I call you then?" She asked curiously. Loner smiled and backed up pulling out another cigarette and lighting it with nothing. He took a deep inhale, then exhaled the smoke through his nose.

"Call my by my name." He smiled, extending his hand. "Princess Celestia? We haven't been properly introduced. My name is William, but you can call me Bill."

Author's Note

I like the way I ended this. :3 it sent chills up my spine when I first thought of it, then wrote it down and read it. OH! That fucking full circle thing is just itching at my no-no square. ;3 hehehe!

Wait... did I just make feature box?
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?! :O OH MY GOD MY LIFE IS COMPLETE! I CAN DIE HAPPY!! :D