The Zombie Chronicles: Road to Sanctuary

In her bed, Sunset Shimmer tossed and turned, her mind transporting her to a time that felt like a lifetime ago for her. The winter right after the Fall Formal. She and a boy her age were walking down the sidewalk exiting the high school together, walking side-by-side.

“Dude, I’m telling you, they’re never gonna adapt that.” She laughed.

The boy beside her laughed back as he brushed black hair out of his face with his free hand, his other holding a binder.

“I wouldn’t be surprised—just look at what happened with the Governor stuff.”

Sunset scoffed.

“Yeah, but he was a full-on psycho, just some guy who was given way too much power. Whoever you’re talking about sounds more like a warlord... seems too... out there.”

The boy playfully pointed at her.

“Hey-- don’t be disrespecting Negan—he's the real deal. Makes the Governor look like a playground bully.”

That drew another laugh from the former bully.

“Jason, I’m telling you—this Negan guy sounds like too much for the show.”

Jason shrugged.

“Maybe-- but guess we’ll have to see.”

Sunset’s eyes snapped open as she heard yet another knock on her studio apartment door. Groaning, she all but rolled out of bed and shuffled to the door.

“Not a zombie! Just very tired...” She made sure to clarify as she opened her door.

To her absolute surprise, there were yet two more soldiers.

“Sunset Shimmer, you have an immediate summons to the barracks.”

Softly sighing, she waited for them to leave before shutting her door and getting ready for the day.

As she opened her apartment door again and made her way to her elevator, she noticed a familiar face walking out with her.

"Kyle?” Kyle turned at his name and saw Sunset.

“Sunset, hey!" He smiled as the two shared a brief hug.

"How’ve you been?” Sunset asked him.

“I’ve been good, getting by... you?”

Sunset shrugged.

“Same. So, what’s your job?” She asked as they made their way into the elevator.

Kyle chuckled.

“Mayor’s Assistant.”

Sunset’s eyes widened.

“Really?! Damn, how’s that been?”

“Mostly just coffee runs and some paper routes, nothing exciting... yet.” He spoke.

Sunset raised a brow.

“And what does that mean?”

Kyle immediately caught her tone and threw her a chuckle.

“Nothing like that... I’m hoping for some more information about this place, how it runs... might do us some good.”

Sunset’s eyes widened and thought for a moment before nodding her head.

“Are the other girls okay? How about everyone else on that bus with us?”

Sunset shrugged.

“I work with the girls for the military and I haven’t seen anyone else just yet. Hey, when do you get off?”

“Whenever I’m done with my duties, I guess.”

Sunset’s eyes lit up.

“That’s great—well, not really, depends on your hours, I guess... but not the point! The girls and I are off-duty at 5 sharp. That gives us an hour to meet up until curfew.”

Kyle nodded.

“Okay, I’m following... I’ll see what time I get out. Let’s say we meet at the coffee shop right down the road from Town Hall?”

Turning and spotting it, Sunset nods.

“That’ll work. We’ll wait for as long as we can.”

The elevator doors opened, and the two went their separate ways, with Kyle gunning it toward the coffee shop.

On the way there, he noticed the same fast-food place from yesterday. Feeling his stomach grumbling, he decided to make his way over. However, he saw a sign on the door...

Closed indefinitely. Out of stock.

His eyes widened as he shrugged and went to the coffee shop.

After putting in his order, Kyle stood by the counter, watching Buttercup prepare the two lattes. As he waited, he turned and saw the line of increasingly aggravated people waiting in line...

“Hey, so shouldn’t you have, like, a few other guys back here?” Kyle asked her, hoping to make conversation.

As Buttercup stirred the ingredients together, she sighed.

“Wouldn’t matter—Princess' orders are priority.”

Kyle’s eyes somewhat widened for a moment before he composed himself.

“Well... guess that makes sense... I think.” He shrugged to himself.

Buttercup chuckled at that.

“Don’t let any of them hear that—I'm pretty sure the one wants to rip your throat out.” She quipped.

She turned and handed the two cups to Kyle as well as a wrapped breakfast sandwich.

“Thanks, Buttercup.” He smiled at her.

“Anytime, Kyle. Next!”Her voice echoed inside the small café as he trekked out the door.

As Kyle walked down the street, he began memorizing the certain signs on buildings that surrounded him, remembering many of them from the day before. He smiled at the feeling of beginning to remember the routes to take without the help of a map.

Arriving inside the government building, Kyle greeted Bellum and reached Princess’ office. He noticed that she was facing the window in her office overseeing a majority of the walled city.

“Sorry for the hold-up. There was a little bit of a jam...” He set her coffee on her desk.

Princess turned to face Kyle, with a somewhat-forced smile on her face.

“Thanks, Kyle..."

Kyle’s reflexes kicked in as he took an oh-so-slight step back.

“Of course... so I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if I asked some questions about this place.”

Princess hummed and took a seat, drinking a sip of her coffee.

“Fire away.”

Nodding, Kyle took a second to compose himself.

“So, this city was secured by you? Your company, I mean?”

She nodded.

“What can I say? The Morbucks name still has power.”

Kyle chuckled.

“So, I assume you owned a good portion of the city, then... the apartment building, quite a lot of billboards in town. Was your dad the mayor before you?”

Princess let out a laugh.

“God no. This city’s mayor before me was an old buffoon who had no idea how to run this city. Crime was rampant. The only thing keeping Townsville from being uninhabitable was a trio of kindergarteners whose mommy and daddy were mad scientists.”

Kyle made a mental note to follow up on that when he had the time.

“Right-- the ‘Powerpuff Girls'. How about we change the subject?” Kyle then had an inkling of an idea.

“After all,” He leaned into the desk, barely breaking the personal space between them, “They didn’t do this, did they?”

Princess glanced Kyle up and down, studying him. Kyle desperately hid a nervous gulp as Princess’ face was inexpressive. She was simply taking a sip of her coffee, taking in his attempt at a compliment. After a tense moment, a visible smirk grew on her face.

“How true. Not everyone knows power when they see it... good to know that you do.”

Kyle smiled, moving back to his seat and ending the moment.

“So, how about education, here? I’ve seen some kids in the walls, I assume that they go to school...”

Princess nodded.

“The Morbucks Education Program is very much in motion—it works essentially like the old world, minus the shitty food and heavy focus on athletics.”

That earned her a genuine chuckle from Kyle, for a multitude of reasons.

“Good to know. So, let’s say the start of the school year comes around. What happens then?”

Princess raised a brow.

“Okay...?”

Kyle paused for a moment but finally shrugged.

“I mean, I’m gonna have to go to school, right?”

Princess kept silent...

Until she burst into laughter.

“Kyle, you’re fucking adorable. But that’s enough talk—we got work to do.”

Kyle opened his mouth to add something but sighed and submitted.

“Sure, lay it on me.”

Princess smiled. It wasn’t a friendly smile like before. If anything it made Kyle increasingly uncomfortable.

“I need you to find out why your friends want to meet up with you.”

Kyle froze, his eyes widening as he struggled to form a response.

“H-how did you--?”

Princess’ eyes briefly shone a bright red.

“Let’s just say I have ears everywhere. They want to meet with you, and I want to know why. Would that be a problem?”

Kyle hesitated, but sighed and shook his head.

“No. Not at all.”

With that, Princess smiled and gestured to the door.

“In that case, you’re free to leave for the day. Enjoy the day off, see some sights... and make sure you meet your friends.”

Sunset arrived outside the barracks, noticing the rest of the girls minus Scootaloo were already there standing at full attention before Brick. Along with them were two others, a blonde boy with bright blue eyes and another wearing a green hoodie with his arms crossed.

“Good morning, soldiers... you have some new recruits, today. They are enhanced, just like us, and have been selected to join Operation STRIKE.”

Pinkie slowly raised her hand.

“Yes, Pinkie?” Brick asked her.

“Uh, yeah, what exactly is an Operation STRIKE?”

Brick cracked a faint smile.

“Operation STRIKE is a Morbucks-funded mission of all Enhanced individuals to use our abilities to eliminate the zombie infection.”

There were several reactions from the group. Rainbow’s eyes lit up while Rarity and Fluttershy showed altering hints of reluctance. Sunset noticed their hesitance and chose to speak up for them.

“Not to pull away from the conversation, sir, but Fluttershy’s ability is to speak to animals...”

Brick nodded.

“I’m aware of Fluttershy’s abilities, which is why she will be assigned as our medic. I read her file and saw she worked at an animal shelter—I assume that includes medical experience?”

Fluttershy's eyes somewhat lit up as she nodded.

“Y-yes.”

“Then I believe that you would be our best choice... let my brothers tell you about the missions we’ve taken where a medic would be more than handy.”

Various of the group looked at the two boys who stayed silent, besides the blonde-haired brother, who faintly smiled.

“We have three nearby locations believed to be zombie infestations that need to be dealt with before those inside begin to roam toward home. They’ve been stationed for weeks now, it’s only a matter of time before they get bored or worse—hungry.”

Pinkie once again raised her hand.

“So, out of pure curiosity... why are we the ones up to this?”

One of the two brothers turned to face her.

“Because we have clearance to use our powers.” The blonde one answered her.

With that, her eyes lit up as the others showed various signs of joy or confusion, mainly Sunset.

“Right, because I’m just gonna read the zombies’ minds, right?”

That earned her a chuckle from the dark-haired one.

“Sunset, you will be assisting Fluttershy and will provide backup when needed. But that’s enough chatter—let’s move!”

Once again, the girls found themselves in the back of a vehicle on their way to an unknown destination. However, the two boys, sharing their names to be Boomer and Butch, made the ride somewhat endearing.

“Oh, man, it’s been a while since we had new Enhanced! Who was the last, the dude with the watch?”

Butch sighed.

“No, he snuck out after the first week—you're thinking of the French kids with the earrings and the ring. They abandoned the squad during that mission.”

Sunset stayed silent, observing the two boys.

“So how about y'all? How’re ya... ‘Enhanced’?” Applejack asked.

Butch chuckled.

“You’re gonna have to see it to believe it.”

Applejack sighed and leaned back into her seat. Sunset glanced at Rainbow who was also scanning the two over.

“So, what’s with the Powerpuff Girl cosplay?”

Butch clenched his fists and Boomer nervously smiled.

“That’s... a long story.” He said.

With a loud screech, the Humvee was suddenly braked to a stop, causing several of those inside to be tossed around, save for Applejack and the two brothers.

“Dude, what the hell?!” Rainbow shouted to the driver.

Brick suddenly opened the small window revealing himself to them.

“Okay, people, we’re close enough to make the rest on foot. Stay close, and keep your powers at the ready...”

The squad slowly made their way outside, immediately hearing the sounds of the infected.

“Damn, that sounds like a lot.” Rainbow said.

“Yeah-- we’ll scout ahead. The rest of you follow us.” Brick said as he and the other two began hovering in the air and flew in a particular direction.

The remaining six were nothing short of astounded.

“He could do that the whole time?!” Applejack asked.

“Apparently so...” Rarity added.

“Come on, girls, let’s play catch-up...” Sunset rolled her eyes marching behind the three brothers.

Rainbow took off after them, leaving a gust of wind behind the other five.

“I wish I had super speed...” Fluttershy said as she walked a tad behind the rest.

“That makes two of us!” Pinkie smiled, skipping along ahead of her.

Kyle reached his destination—the three windows on the otherwise all-white house bewildered him as he knocked on the door.

Opening the door was an older man with greying black hair who donned a lab coat matching the house’s shade of white.

“Can I help you?” He asked.

“Professor Utonium? My name is Kyle Williams, I’m one of the new refugees. I handed you those files yesterday... I was wondering if you could answer some questions?”

Pausing for a moment, the Professor gestured for Kyle to come inside.

Closing the door behind him, Kyle took a moment to admire the refurbished interior, with countless plaques on the wall with several keys to the city, awards of all kinds, and three medals of honor.

“So, how can I help you? It’s not every day we meet a fan...”

Kyle’s eyes widened for a bit and shook his head.

“No, no, nothing like that... I was, uh...” He immediately paused and gestured for a pen and paper.

Nodding, Utonium went to an adjacent room and handed Kyle a notebook and a pencil.

“I was curious about your family’s backstory, really... the influence of Chemical X is just fascinating.” He said as he wrote, showing Utonium what he wrote.

We need to talk. Privately. Where SHE can’t hear us.

Quickly reading, Utonium quickly nodded.

“You can say that... let’s talk in the lab.” Utonium made his way into the hall and gestured for Kyle to follow.

The two walked down the hall and towards a panel on the wall, where Utonium leaned in towards an adjacent panel and kept his eye open. As a red light formed and began scanning his eye, Kyle took a step back.

From the ceiling, a laser turret smaller yet similar to the ones on the walls came down and aimed toward Kyle. Kyle quickly reached to his side only to remember that his revolver was no longer there.

Utonium quickly typed into the panel as the turret began warming up. Once he was done, the turret quickly retreated into the ceiling and the panel in the wall opened.

“Right this way, Kyle...” He urged him to follow him into the unknown.

Pausing and collecting himself, Kyle walked towards him and into the hidden corridor as the panel closed behind them.

The girls all stared down at the immense rock quarry, unable to believe what they were seeing.

“That’s... a lot of zombies.” Pinkie said.

Down below was an ocean. Every figure began blending together and was almost indistinguishable from each other, beginning to make one form. What was worse, was more zombies in the distance were running toward the sounds and wound up falling down to the bottom with the other zombies breaking their fall.

Brick and his brothers looked to each other.

“This shouldn’t be possible...” Boomer said.

Brick nodded.

“Yeah-- I thought this project was abandoned.”

Sunset stepped forward at that.

“What project?”

Brick hesitated and let out a drawn-out sigh.

“Early on, the virus spread through Townsville like wildfire. After Princess rose to power, she gave the order to dump the bodies of the infected here... and we mined the way back out. I guess over time, some others made their way here and the bodies broke their fall?” He asked himself.

Sunset kept her gaze on the horde below and shrugged.

“No idea... I’m shocked they haven’t starved to death, by now.”

“We can talk about semantics later. How do we kill these things?” Butch asked.

Brick thought for a moment.

“Say, Applejack, you’re strong, right?”

To prove his point, she spotted a nearby chunk of rock, made her way over to it, and shattered it with a hefty punch. Chunks of rock shot out in various directions, one of them hitting Brick’s cheek and breaking as soon as it made contact.

“Not bad. The four of us can start launching some rocks down, the rest of you watch for any points they can wander out from. We destroyed any staircases leading out, but odds are they could climb their way out if they--”

Brick was cut off as he tilted his head, aiming his ear upward.

“Butch, Boomer, you guys hear that?”

The six watched in confusion as the other brothers listened for a moment and nodded.

“Yeah... sounds like of ours.” Boomer said.

Rarity stepped forward.

“Um... may I ask what exactly’s going on?”

Brick held the palm of his hand out towards her as his eyes quickly widened.

“Oh, no...”

Rainbow looked out to the distance and saw a Humvee approaching the quarry, but down the hill as opposed to the top where they were...

“What, did another squad get sent here?” Sunset asked.

Butch shrugged.

“Uh, there shouldn’t be. Brick, your thoughts? Should we scare them off?” He chuckled.

Brick’s fear was only amplified as he saw the Humvee make the turn down into the quarry...

“Oh, dear God...” He said as he instinctually hovered and raced his way down as fast as he could.

As the others followed in varying speeds, they saw as the Humvee raced past the sign that read:

ACTIVE MINEFIELD.

“Oh, shit...” Rainbow’s eyes widened.

BOOM!

A bright light flashed out as the girls quickly averted their eyes. As black smoke began to fill the air, varying forms of shock were visible on their faces.

“Brick?!” Boomer called out as he began to hover and slowly inch closer toward the explosion.

Moments passed, no one else daring to move a muscle as they heard the sounds of metal screeching, fire erupting, and sounds of zombies growing closer...

“Brick, are you--”

Brick quickly flew upward, holding a body in his arms...

The first thing Rainbow saw was the tattered hoodie, then the pink hair.

“Scootaloo!” Rainbow screeched as she sprinted at normal speed toward the two.

She took a step back once she saw Scootaloo’s condition. Her hoodie was burned to shreds, exposing burnt skin underneath. Pieces of shrapnel were lodged in her legs and left arm, and her hair was singed.

“Is- is- is she...?” Rainbow started, her breath accelerating.

Brick stared at the girl for a moment, studying her rising chest.

“I see a heartbeat, but it’s faint. Fluttershy, can you—?”

He turned and saw her hands over her mouth as her entire body shook in absolute horror. Brick nodded to himself and turned to his brothers.

“Boomer, you get her back to base, and you do it now!” Brick quickly spat out.

Quickly nodding, Boomer hovered over and carefully took the girl in his arms, speeding into the sky at super speeds.

“Everyone, get ready—they're coming...” Brick ordered as the growls of the infected only came closer...