The Trotting Dead

In the skies of the border from Zebica and Equestria, Twilight’s hot air balloon was flying through the air at high speeds as Rainbow Dash pulled the balloon with her body. The mare's determination shone in her eyes as she continued to flap her wings against the air. The rest of the elements of harmony within the basket held onto the basket for dear life. Applejack biting onto her hat as Rarity threw up over the edge of the basket due to motion sickness. “Rainbow, you need to slow down! We are getting closer to trees and we might crash!” Twilight shouted to her cyan friend.

Fluttershy held onto Pinkie as Pinkie gripped onto the side of the basket not even thinking of letting go. “No way Twilight! The wonder bolts need me right now! You read the message! This is an emergency!” Was all Rainbow shouted back as the Pegasus kept flapping her wings.

Twilight aimed her horn at the fire as she gave it more oxygen to burn more, trying to get it to keep the balloon above tree level. Though it worked at first it soon started to take a toll on Twilight. The mane 6 flew from the south, around the Macintosh Hills and toward Canterlot. Rainbow only slows down to dodge trees and even cliffs. Rarity wiped her mouth clean as she looked at the distance, from this height Rarity could see the area around them. Desert dunes of San Palomino Desert to the right, the forested trees of Macintosh Hills, and under them the river that leads from the heart of Equestria to all sides of equestria. A small city laid on the side of the river, the city of Palm Dessert. The city released smoke into the air as it burned, ponies fought one another on the streets as the yells of many echoed throughout the city.

Rarity could barely see the ponies of the city moving about. Many had been in the streets, running toward the exits of the city. Others had been in carts. Those that stuck to the roads caught the traffic of other ponies that had similar ideas.

Past the traffic of carts and ponies Some went to the north, presumably to Canterlot as some went south. The city was put under chaos as they soon left it behind. “Twilight, what did the message say about this so-called sickness?” Rarity asked as she turned to her friend.

Twilight had been looking at the scroll reading it over and over again, putting it to the side she looked at Rarity. “I don't know, Princess Celestia said there was a new sickness spreading around. The hospitals were hit badly and Ponyville...” Twilight stopped as she thought of the next words she would say.

“Ponyville what Twi? Did something happen to Ponyville?” Applejack asked through gritted teeth. Her hat flapped in the wind freely as Twilight looked at the letter and then to the group.

“Ponyville is in chaos but that's all she said in the letter. Celestia might inform us as we get to Canterlot.” Twilight said, her voice shaking a bit at the end. The ponies were quiet as Rainbow felt a new urge to keep pushing her wings.

Fluttershy looked up at Twilight, “What are we going to do?” Fluttershy asked, her voice barely audible from the wind pushing against the ponies. Twilight looked at her and then toward the ground.

Twilight looked at Fluttershy with a determined expression, “We will cure this, what ever it is we will figure it out. Then everything will be like it used to.” Twilight said with confidence.

Fluttershy looked from Twilight toward the outskirts, the words Twilight said ringing in her ears as she watched the traveling scenery. “Could this be a attack from Sombra? Or Tirek?” Applejack asked, almost losing her hat.

Twilight thought about the odds of Sombra, or Tirek starting something this cruel. Before Twilight could speak Pinkie gasped and shouted. “Rainbow stop the balloon!” The sudden yell caught everyone off guard as Rainbow stuttered on her movement. The pink pony looked over the basket as the group followed suit.

Below them the group could see a small town near mountains and old mines. The area surrounded by forest and mountains was familiar to two ponies in particular. “Pinkie, I won't slow down! We need to get to Princess Celestia and the others like yesterday ago! If i slow down we-“ Rainbow was interrupted as Pinkie turned her attention to Rainbow.

“Rainbow, my home town is under us and they are freaking out! I need to help them!” Pinkie shouted back to Rainbow. The Pegasus looked down for a second, seeing the ponies of Rockypoint running left and right in screams, some moving out of their homes and heading to the outskirts, others barricading windows and doors, and even some ponies robbing supplies from both neighbors and stores.

Rainbow focused her eyes forward, “Pinkie I am not stopping. Those ponies will be fine, we will help them when we need to right now they are… freaking out. It will pass, you will see.” Rainbow responded back to Pinkie.

The group of friends were quiet as they watched, Twilight could see a mare bucking at a stallion away as she ran, the stallion stumbled and walked after her. As the mare turned the corner the stallion followed behind one hoof up as he entered the alley with a stumble.

Looking away from the alleyway not wishing to imagine the events that would transpire in the alley. Twilight looked back at her friends. “Rainbow, my family is there! Please!” Pinkie begged Rainbow as she moved closer to Rainbow's side.

Rainbow only faced forward, she couldn’t face forward. Pinkie’s face became that of anger as she looked at Rainbow’s tail, with a second Pinkie bit down. Rainbow turned her head confused at the sudden weight on her tail. “Pinkie no!” Twilight shouted to her friend but it was to no use. Pinkie pulled back as Rainbow yelled in pain.

Pulling up instinctively Rainbow pushed away trying to get Pinkie off of her tail. The hot air balloon leaned back as the group of mares within the basket fell back. Pinkie barely floated a bit as she held the tail in her mouth. Twilight opened her wings as she went into free fall. Flapping her wings Twilight soared back to her friends using her magic to level the basket as she flew closer to Pinkie. “Pinkie stop! We are going to fall and then there will be no hope for anypony!” Twilight said trying not to freak her friends out.

Pinkie through a mouthful of tail spoke, “I need to help my family, I need to go!” Twilight leveled Rainbow down carefully as to not make the Pegasus or the balloon flip.

“Rainbow just let her down! I am sure she will be fine and we can return to pick her up later once we know what we are up against!” Applejack shouted at the group. Her legs shaking from the sudden movement of the balloon.

“If we let her off here then we waste more time in the future to come back and pick her up! We have to stick together!” Rainbow shouted back at Applejack and then looked at Pinkie, “We might be Equestrias last hope, Pinkie! Are you willing to risk everything!”

Pinkie didnt even take a second to respond as she shook her head and shouted though mouthful of tail. “Yes, Rainbow they are my family, i want to be with them and make sure they are safe.” Pinkie shouted back still holding onto the tail.

Rarity walked next to Pinkie, trying to get her to let go of Rainbow’s tail Rarity bought a idea up. “When we deal with the problem at hoof we can return here Pinkie it will only take a few days i am sure we will fix this by then right Twilight?” Rarity asked the Princess.

Twilight was about to speak but Pinkie shouted, “I dont care. When you all figure something out to fix this sickness then send Rainbow or Twilight to find me. They are both fast and we will be finished with the problem! But as of now my family is down there alone and scared and I will not abandon them again!” Pinkie had finally let go of Rainbows tail as she shouted to her friends.

Twilight looked at the group as Rainbow shouted, “If we spend more time to find you and bring you back we will be wasting more time to cure this thing. You are going to come with us and-“ Rainbow started but was soon interrupted by Fluttershys weeping. The group turned to her as she had wrapped herself with her wings as if to protect herself from an attack.

Rarity walked over to Fluttershy and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Fluttershy, Darling are you okay?” Rarity asked as Fluttershy revealed her face, her crying eyes looking at Rarity. “Oh… its alright Fluttershy.”

Applejack turned to Twilight who was still flying in the sky, soft whistle Applejack got Twilights attention, nodding her head to Pinkie and Rainbow, Applejack gave Twilight a worried look.

Twilight looked at the group of friends, seeing that they were all quite due to Fluttershy's cries Twilight took this chance to speak up. “Pinkie, are you sure you want to do this?” Twilight asked, the pink mare only shook her head. “Okay, Rainbow you continue to fly to Canterlot, I will guide Pinkie down to her farm and catch up.” Twilight explained,

Rainbow opened her mouth to speak but Twilight put her hoof up. “Pinkie is right, you and I will find her faster when we need her, right now she has the right to go with her family.” Twilight explained. Rainbow stayed silent as Pinkie smiled at Twilight.

“Fine but you better be fast. Pinkie you stay safe.” Rainbow said, staying still Rainbow hovered in place.

Pinkie had turned around to her friends, “Thank you for understanding.” Pinkie said quietly as she hugged Applejack.

Applejack nodded in the embrace and smiled back, “No problem Sugarcube… Please be safe alright?” Applejack asked as Pinkie let go of the embrace.

Turning to Rarity and Fluttershy, Pinkie hugged them both at the same time. “Be safe you two alright and after all of this we can have a huge party. Got it?” Pinkie asked the two.

Rarity cleared her voice as she wiped a tear away, for some reason she felt that this may be the last time they ever see each other. “Of course darling. We will have a grand party. Just don’t celebrate without us.” Rarity managed to keep the tremble back.

Fluttershy nodded as Pinkie spoke, “I wouldn't ever dream of partying without you all. “Pinkie had let go of the two, walking toward the Princess of Friendship Pinkie turned to Rainbow. “I’m sorry…” was all Pinkie said.

Rainbow expression became one of hurt for a second but then masked by determination, “You're fine Pinkie, just be ready when we need you.” Rainbow spoke carefully.

Pinkie nodded, “I’m ready.” Pinkie said ass she looked up to Twilight. Twilight looked at Pinkie as she focused the levitation spell. Pinkie started to hover above the floor of the basket.

“Rainbow, go take the girls, I will be right behind you. Rarity you will have to keep lighting the fire to burn stronger. Can you do that?” Twilight ordered. With a single nod from Rainbow and an unsure from Rarity, Twilight kept Pinkie in the air. The group took off leaving Twilight and Pinkie alone.

“Okay let’s get you to your farm.” Twilight told Pinkie as she slowly lowered the two of them down. “Before I get down to the ground level I want you to promise me something.” Twilight said to Pinkie, the pink pony was looking down at the town.

Pinkie turned to Twilight her expression worried, “A promise? What would you want me to promise?” Pinkie asked Twilight.

Looking at the ponies on the ground Twilight didn’t look away as she spoke. “I want you to quarantine from the world. Get masks and don’t have any contact with others spit, blood, or other bodily fluids…” Twilight first explained as she guided them to the outskirts of the town, the yells of the town being left behind.

Pinkie watched the town getting distant, “Does that mean family too?” Pinkie asked as Twilight nodded.

“We don’t know what the sickness does, and it seems to be spreading fast if it was at the corners of equestria by day three…” Twilight started as the two past woods and trees. The trees are tall enough to almost reach the two mares. “But that's not all, when you are with your family, get them to defend the farm. Ponies are going crazy and some are even taking violence first. Your farm might have supplies for the town and will most likely be a target for every pony.” Twilight kept looking around the area in case anything jumped up at them.

Pinkie’s expression became one of worry. “Do you think that will happen to us? What if they need help?” Pinkie asked Twilight.

Stopping mid flight Twilight looked forward, slowly turning around Twilight shook her head. “Pinkie… right now we are in a dangerous situation…”Twilight stopped mid sentence as she saw Pinkie's face. “If- If you wish to help others just make sure of these things, are they sick, do they seem hostile, are they going to bring attention to you and will they help with any given situation. If they are safe to keep then it might be a good idea to help them but you should not trust them right away.” Twilight explained to her friend, Pinkie was quiet as Twilight hovered near her. “Pinkie, do you understand? You need to stay safe and if that means to not trust anyone please do it.” Twilight said as Pinkie looked to the trees under them. “Pinkie… do you understand?”

With a silent nod Pinkie accepted the rules. Twilight turned around and continued to fly toward the rock farm. “Please Pinkie, don’t risk your own life…”. Twilight thought to herself as they got closer to the farm. Finally leaving the forest area of the outskirts. With the farm ahead Twilight slowed down.

Finally landing on the ground, Twilight let go of Pinkie. The pink pony landed on her hooves as she looked at her childhood home. “Twilight, do you think we will find a cure to this virus?” Pinkie asked Twilight.

Twilight looked at her friend, with a nod Twilight smiled. “Of course, we will figure it out and this will only be like a nightmare.” Twilight said to her friend.

“If it doesn’t?” Pinkie asked, the question sending Twilight a shiver. The pink ponies' eyes widened as she chuckled. “Sorry, just saw some things on the way here… I am sure you will figure something out.” Pinkie said, her voice a bit colder than before. Pinkie's tail deflated for a second but Twilight didn’t notice.

Twilight nodded as she walked to her friend and gave a quick hug. Pinkie returned the hug but within seconds the two let go. “It will be better, trust me Pinkie.” Twilight said. Pinkie had already started to walk to her farm as she stopped.

Pinkie only turned her head to look at Twilight. “Thank you for bringing me here…” Was all Pinkie said as she started to walk away. Twilight felt as if she needed to say something. Before she could, Pinkie ran off to her home.

Twilight watched Pinkie running toward her home, running down the street and up to the front door. Twilight saw Pinkie about to walk in but turned to her. Waving her hoof at Twilight, Twilight only waved back.

Pinkie entered the farm door as it shut behind her. Now alone Twilight slowly turned around. Looking back at the farm one last time, Twilight couldn't get the feeling of dread. Facing forward at the forest Twilight flapped her wings to prepare to fly.

Tense and a warmed up Twilight mentally prepared for the long trip to Canterlot. Hovering over the ground Twilight flew through the woods. The woods made the usual noises, birds chirping, insects buzzing and even the rare animal skittering away from Twilight as she flew.

Twilight had taken the flight a little slower as she was already tired from the trip to Pinkie's farm. As she flew, Twilight's mind couldn't help but to think of the events that happened on the trips. From the border of Equestria to Pinkie's farm, Twilight saw how the sickness was affecting everypony differently.

Twilight flew over the main road of the forest. Thinking about the events and what is to come Twilight soon became distracted with her thoughts. Looking at the ground Twilight would see a cart tipped over with various items under it. “Wait… what?” Twilight thought to herself as she stopped mid flight. Turning around Twilight saw the cart a bit back.

Flying to the kart Twilight looked around. Looking at the harness where the driver is suppose to be strapped in, Twilight only saw a empty harness. A red substance dripping from it. Twilight made a quick scan around the area as she didnt see anypony nearby. Hovering over the ground Twilight flew closer to the tipped over cart. As she got closer she could see clothing scattered around the place, a toy on the ground stained by dirt, and nearby that a knife. Bloodied and dried “H-hello?” Twilight spoke into the forest around her. “Is anypony there? Are- are you hurt?”

The forest was quiet, all except the sounds of the birds chirping. Twilight landed onto the ground, looking at the items and clothes, Twilight kept her distance from the cart as she looked at the items. The clothes of a mare, a filly and a stallion layed on the dirt. What seemed to be an old wrapping was covered in dried blood. “What in Celestia is going on?” Twilight whispered.

As she said this her ears picked up a small sound. The sound almost covered by the forest's ambience. Turing to her right Twilight readied her magic. “H - Hello? Please if somepony is there just say something!” Twilight ordered. The groans continued slowly, they sounded heavy and pained.

Twilight looked at the area around her, two thoughts grew in her head. “I need to get out of here. It could be a trap…” Was what Twilight first thought, as she was about to turn around and fly off again another thought creeped into her mind. “What if its somepony that needs help?”

Looking at the area the sound was made Twilight trotted toward it. Though she walked toward it she couldn't tell if this was out of good nature to help a wounded pony or just sheer curiosity.

Walking to the harness Twilight saw the red substance was on the ground. “Blood…” Was all Twilight thought as she took another step forward. The road ended behind her as she went down into a small ditch. A blood trail leading her as she prepared her magic.

Going toward the sounds of the groaning Twilight felt the same dread that she did when Pinkie left for her house. The afternoon sky is bright enough for Twilight to see without the aid of spells over lanterns. The blood trail got thicker and thicker as it painted the grass and fallen leaves behind it. Until Twilight came to an edge.

The groaning now clearer than before Twilight looked at the bottom of the edge. Rocks and roots covered the edge of the ground. Looking at the lower level of the edge Twilight could see the blood trail lead to a single figure. The groans grew louder as Twilight looked at the stallion. “Oh Celestia. H-hey stay still! I- I am going to help you.” Twilight found herself saying as she looked around the area.

Seeing that there was nothing to go down and pull the stallion up safely Twilight knew what she had to do. Turning around and running to the cart Twilight went to the clothing that was scattered around the ground. After looking in the pile Twilight soon found a clean blue shirt. Ripping it with her magic Twilight wrapped it around her mouth and nose. Her magic aiding her to tie it behind her head.

Running back to the edge Twilight looked at the area below. Seeing the stallion still laying on the ground Twilight opened her wings and descended to the lower level. Landing nearby the stallion, Twilight made sure her makeshift mask was strapped on. “Sir, sir are you alright?” Twilight asked the stallion. Upon closer inspection Twilight saw it was a yellow coated Pegasus. The pegasus only moaned at Twilight as she got closer.

From just looking at the stallion Twilight could see the stallions leg was broken. Multiple bite marks and chunks of missing flesh covered the stallion. Twilight gagged at the smell that penetrated her nose from under the mask. “Sir, please say something.” Twilight spoke again. The stallion's wings twitched for a second as Twilight instinctively took a step back. “What in Equestria happened to you?” Twilight asked.

The stallion only groaned as it slowly turned its head to Twilight. From where Twilight was standing she could originally see the right side of the pegasus. Upon the Pegasus turning its head Twilight could clearly see more. The stallion's eye popped as it dangled on by the optic nerve. Most of the right side was missing its flesh as Twilight gagged. Taking a step back Twilight could hear it roar at Twilight. This roar was primal and guttural as the Stallions jaw could be seen through. The stallions one good eye was milky white but watched Twilight. “What the hell…” was all Twilight said as she couldn't move. She watched in fear as the stallion slowly stumbled up.

The stallion got to all four for only a second until its back right hinleg cracked. The leg already broken from the fall was only made worst as the bone ripped through the muscle and skin, poking out like a jagged knife. Twilight couldn’t handle it anymore as she had moved her mask in time as the breakfast she had was hacked out. Wiping her mouth clean Twilight turned back to the stallion, unsure of what to see next. What she wasn’t expecting was to see nothing there.

Twilight looked around her frantically as she looked for the stallion, through the rustle of the leaves and the distant chirping of the birds, Twilight heard the groans nearby. It was at the last second Twilight could hear it. Flapping, the wings of a pegasus flapping were nearby. “Move!” Was all Twilight heard in her head, without hesitating Twilight jumped out of the way. The stallion crashed right where Twilight was once as it turned its head to Twilight.

The stallion growled as Twilight summoned a magical shield around her. The stallion slammed onto it without hesitation as Twilight jumped back at the sudden charge. “S-stop! What are you doing!” Twilight tried talking to her attacker but the only thing she got as a response was groans and more slamming. Twilight flapped her wings to prepare to get away from this thing but as she started to hover Twilight suddenly felt a force pulling her back to the ground. It squeezed at her back leg as she looked down at it.

A pink magical aura was wrapped around her back leg. Twilight quickly looked around the area to see who had tried to pin her only to see a unicorn pink mare walking out of the shadows. The mares mouth a dark red as she stumbled to Twilight’s forcefield. Twilight used her strength to pull her foreleg out of the magical grasp. The mare slammed onto the wall as she used another spell to grab at Twilight. Now closer Twilight looked at the mare. The mares emotionless expression looked back at her. The mare's nose was caved in as if she had fallen face first to the rocks near the edge. A root stuck through her stomach as it slammed onto the force fields with the stallion.

This time Twilight could feel the magical grasp grabbing at her wing and slowly but forcefully pulling her to the edge of the portal. “What is wrong with you two!” Twilight shouted as she pulled away from the mare's grasp, once again breaking the magical pull.

Twilight looked at the two monsters infront of her. The rotting ponies only attack as the mare tries again at another levitation spell. Twilight then saw the pegasus flapping his wings. It hovered over the ground for a second as it then flew over Twilight, right above Twilight the stallion dove down at her. The shield stopped the stallion from getting to Twilight but left a crack on the area he landed in. “They are trying to spread the virus?” Twilight asked herself as she looked at the two sick ponies.

Twilight could then feel a pained throbbing at her head, the stallion slid down the shield but resumed to flap its wings. “No, it's something else. I don't know what but its something primal!” Twilight could then feel the mares grasping spell grab at her neck, quickly trying to get her neck free the spell became tighter. Twilight gagged in pain as she didnt expect the sudden force of the spell.

The stallion landed on Twilight's shield, a bigger crack being left behind. The stallion flew to the sky again as Twilight could feel the shield only having a few more hits on it, but due to her slowly losing oxygen Twilight knew the shield would weaken faster. Twilight looked at the mare as she slammed onto the shield as well. A crack formed as the two monsters seemed to be determined to get to her. “They're going to get through!” Twilight flapped her wings to pull herself out of the grasp but to no avail as the mare only pulled Twilight to the ground. Twilight thought of what she could do to get herself out of this situation, the idea of shooting the mare and stallion with a magic beam popped into her mind but she didn't want to kill a pony that was sick

The stallion landed one more time on top of the Shield, “I need to fight!” Twilight thought to herself, as she looked around. The mare slammed her hooves at the walls of the shield as the cracks from both the stallion and mare met. The stallion slammed onto the top again as Twilight felt part of the shield break. “If i get sick then equestria is doomed!” Twilight shouted to herself.

The mare broke through the shield as the stallion was still flying up. “My friends are counting on me!” Twilight thought, with that last thought going through her head Twilight stopped the shield. Using her magic and what little time she had to focus, Twilight teleported behind the mare. The mare had bitten down on air as Twilight barely teleported away. With the teleportation done the magical force that was once on Twilight's throat was gone.

Taking a gasp of fresh air Twilight turned around to see the mare lunge at her. Grabbing the mare with her magic she threw the mare back to the wall. Looking up, Twilight was about to jump to fly but the pegasus was already above her. The dirty and bloody teeth being shown to Twilight. Before he could bite down on Twilight, Twilight managed to use her magic to grab the stallions jaw. Pushing back from the bite Twilight could see the muscles from the jaw rip.

Looking around the ground nearby Twilight grabbed one of the rocks at the bottom of the edge. Levitating it she prepared to strike the stallion off of her, throwing the rock with all the force she could muster, the stallions face was hit to the side. Twilight took this chance to push the stallion off of her with her magic. The throbbing pain in her head was worse as she kept using magical spell after magical spell.

Taking a second to breath Twilightlooked at the mare and stallion. The mare had already trotted toward her and was only a few feet away, as for the stallion, he had just gotten up. Twilight shook her head as she started to charge a magic beam the throbbing pain forcing her to back away. “I will shoot it! I swear!” Twilight threatened the mare and stallion. Wanting them to listen to her. Neither seemed to care as they continued to walk to her.

Charging her magic beam Twilight aimed at the mare. “Back off! I mean it!” Twilight shouted from under her mask, her voice still clear enough to understand. The mare was now infront of her. With a lunge the mare jumped at Twilight. Twilight had shot her magical spell hitting the mare in the stomach. The mare flew back from the blast as the stallion flapped his wings. Twilight’s head spinned as she fell to one hoof, “I got to charge another one!” Twilight thought to herself.

Before Twilight could aim her horn at the stallion, Twilight saw the mare getting up again. The hole perfectly cut through the mare's body. Even breaking the spine, but the mare, with only her two front legs functioning. Forced itself up as it started to crawl to Twilight. “That’s not possible… you should be…. What…” Twilight said in shock as the mare's intestines were dragged under her. The growl and moans coming from the two being too much for Twilight to bear.

Charging her horn Twilight aimed at the mare and blasted it one last time. The magic beam hit its target as the mare fell limp, her head sending out little parts of smoke as Twilight couldn't help but to feel disgusted, guilty and scared.

The stallion didn't even seem to mind the mare's death as it still flew at Twilight. Twilight tried to summon any reserve of magic to the stallion but with the amount of magic she had used Twilight was running low. “I can't beat him in a fight not without magic… I have to run.” Twilight thought to herself. Flapping her wings Twilight started to hover. Though she stumbled at first Twilight managed to push herself off the ground and just in time as the stallion jumped for her at the last second.

With the stallion on the floor Twilight started to flap her wings harder, heading to the top of the edge. Though slow and tired Twilight kept pushing herself to get out of this situation. Looking back, Twilight could see the stallion slowly gaining. His hungry expression looked straight at Twilight as the two flew out of the dip in the forest.

Twilight landed first as she turned around looking into the dip. The stallion had just gotten to the edge as it leaped for Twilight again. Before Twilight could think of what to do the stallion tackled her to the ground. Twilight barely had enough time to put her hooves up, pushing the stallion back as the stallion bit at the air in front of Twilight.

Looking around the area frantically Twilight saw nothing she could use to get him off. The stallion's face inched closer and closer with every bite attempt. With Twilight's brain not coming up with anything and there being nothing around to help, Twilight headbutted the stallion. Twilight yelled in pain as she felt her horn hit the stallion's face.

The stallion stumbled back, its back leg finally snapping in half as it fell to the side. Twilight saw her opportunity, with what little strength she could muster Twilight threw a hoof at the stallion. Landing a clean strike to the stallions temple the force of the punch was enough to throw it down the edge again.

The body tumbled and crashed with the roots and rocks at the bottom of the dip. A wet crack was all Twilight heard, shivering at the thoughts that popped into her mind as she looked over the edge. The stallion's lifeless body was on a rock right on the lower level. A pool of blood, leaking out of the stallion, it didn't move, didn't groan, didn’t even twitch.

Twilight breathed heavily as she watched the body on the ground, falling onto her flank. Twilight looked at her hooves. Twilight shook violently as she thought about what she just did. Falling onto her back Twilight looked to the trees above her. The sun shines down to Twilight through the leaves and branches of the forest. Twilight felt her tired mind start to take over, her eyes becoming heavier as the sun was the last thing she saw. “Celestia…” Was all Twilight thought before falling into unconsciousness.