Outbreakby TheKing2001ChaptersChapter IChapter IIChapter IIIChapter IVChapter VChapter VIChapter II rubbed some sleep out of my eyes as I rolled up my sleeping bag and tent, shoving them both into my bag I was carrying that held my cape and hat, along with Starlight’s saddlebags. I forced the thoughts of my marefriend out of my head. I’d personally rather think about better times with Starlight, preferably when she was alive and not buried six feet under in a hastily made grave in the Everfree with a makeshift casket and a head stone from a piece of wood I found. I gave a sigh and warily climbing down from my tree I had chosen to sleep in. I credited Starlight for teaching me how to use my tent as a makeshift hammock to avoid sleeping on the ground. Last thing I wanted was to turn into one of them and yet, it had managed to happen to Starlight somehow. Probably when we were in Ponyville searching for at least one of the elements of harmony or any survivors. We did find a dead Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle in sweet apple acres. No Applejack, Big Mac or Granny Smith but I assumed they were dead else where. Those three wouldn’t have abandoned Apple Bloom even if she was one of them or Granny Smith. I shifted onto my hooves, adjusting my rifle I had found in the Apples house on my flank along with a smaller gun Starlight had been using. Not like the Apples needed them anymore so might as well. I had filled Starlight’s saddlebags with ammo we had managed to find. It took us a long time to get used to how to use them but practice makes perfect. Mainly by shooting as many of those damned zombies as we could. It had sorta became a game in a sick way I suppose, seeing who could kill as many zombies as possible. It was a bit hard at first, knowing the ponies I once knew and called friends were dead and trying to kill me. Don’t even get me started on killing them. We buried as many as we could but we got ran out pretty fast. Let’s just say if even the royal guard couldn’t push them back, what chance did we have? And now that I’m alone for the past few months, I only expect it’s a few weeks at least till I get killed. I gave a sigh as I continued trudging slowly up the hill overlooking this small town I had came across. A bent over sign had read Dodge Junction and I tried hard to not think what the red stains on it were. “Stupid zombies,” I grumbled and levitated a bottle of water to my lips, taking a small sip. I had to ration my food and water. Probably would go scavenge some stores in the town. I glanced over to the north where a thick cloud of smoke rose into the sky. The smoke was what had lead me to the town and it was from a derailed train on it’s side. I didn’t bother putting out the fire because it wasn’t a big threat to me. “Hey!” I called out to a sky blue earth colt trotting with his back turned to me, his head moving oddly. “Are you okay?” He paused and slowly turned as I froze in fear, staring at his dead eyes as I gulped nervously, watching slowly start shuffling to me. His head was damn near cut off at the throat to my disgust and I pushed down the urge to vomit. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered and wiped my eyes as I levitated my gun up, squeezing the trigger and I watched his head explode, his body collapsing in a pile. “I’m sorry.” I shoved my gun back into it’s holster as I levitated a shovel out of my bag, levitating what remained of the colt and turning back to the woods. Least I could do was give him a proper burial. I like to think Starlight would be proud of me for it. I slumped over next to a tree, taking another small sip of water. I’d spent the last three hours digging a grave for the unnamed colt before burying him. I didn’t really have a name or birth year or anything so I just put unnamed colt and his death date as today on a makeshift head stone. I stood up, tossing my bottle into my bag and started trotting away, pausing to toss a look back at the grave before continuing on my way. If you had told me three years ago I’d be burying dead bodies of ponies I’d killed, I’d have laughed in your face. And then never talk to you again because that’s a weird thing to say to somepony. Don’t even get me started on how creepy that would be. I paused and listened to a loud cracking sound in the distance that I recognized idly as a gunshot and I stared warily to the south. I didn’t really like coming across survivors anymore. The last group tried to sacrifice me in Trottingham till they got overran by a horde of zombies and I fled. Karma is a bitch, after all. I stood on the hill, levitating my rifle off, leaning against a rock for support as I looked down the sight curiously at a pegasus with a filly flying above a few colts and an earth pony mare shuffling after them. I normally wouldn’t help out a stranger, especially not knowing how they’d react but if Starlight was still here, she’d be helping that mare and the filly in a heart beat. I inhaled and squeezed the trigger, listening to the loud gunshot as I watched the mare snap her head back before collapsing and the pegasus whipped her head to look up at me and I gulped. Her cutie mark did seem familiar from somewhere but I didn’t necessarily remember. Probably from one of my many magic shows I used to do but that was a past life now. I hid behind my rock, idly listening the flapping wings get closer and the sound of hooves nearby followed by panting. “Don’t move,” I warned quietly and pointed my handgun I had levitated out, pointing it at the mare and the filly. “Not another hoof step closer.” “Woah!” The pegasus and the filly raised their hooves. “Trixie?” “Uh huh. Now who the hell are you?” I demanded as she inhaled. “Cloudkicker, from Ponyville? Remember? I helped make it a clear night for your magic show months ago,” Cloudkicker gestured behind her. “This is my sister. Alula.” I paused and examined her, before nodding in satisfaction, sliding my handgun in it’s holster. Why they were called handguns, I’ll never know but I faintly remembered watching Applejack use it before the outbreak. “You’re pretty good with that,” Cloudkicker noted and nodded to my rifle. “You’re not infected or anything?” “No. I should be asking you two that,” I answered flatly as I stood up. I levitated my rifle back into it’s spot and took a step away. “I gotta get a move on before more zombies come. I hope we see each other again. I want to go bury those bodies at least too.” “Wait!” Alula jumped in front of me and I paused. “Why don’t you come back with us?” “The last group I was with tried to sacrifice me and Starlight. I’ll pass,” I said and went to move around her. “Where is Starlight at?” Cloudkicker asked hopefully and I looked down at my hooves as her face fell. “Oh. I’m sorry.” “Been about a month and a half since Starlight died. I don’t do groups anymore after that incident in Ponyville. I prefer to work alone now.” “We have more than enough water, food and resources,” Cloudkicker chimed in, my eyes flicking over to her hopeful expression. “We need some good news. It’s been a long time since we last found a survivor and I can guarantee you, our leader won’t sacrifice you. None of us would. We gotta stick together, after all.” I stared at the two giving me hopeful expressions before I looked back out at the town. I suppose I could stay if I really wanted and leave at the first sign of trouble. It would nice to be able to eat actual warm food for once. “Lead the way,” I gestured with a hoof as Cloudkicker nodded, stepping closer than I would like and hugging me. “Air please.” “Right! Follow us!” I followed the two to a large fence with towers on the inside, faintly making out shadows of ponies inside and a gun leaning against the wall. From what I could tell, it was a fairly large outpost. “Is she infected?” A white earth pony with a first aid symbol demanded as the gate opened and I gulped at two guns pointed at us by a mint green unicorn and a earth pony with a blue and pink mane. “She isn’t Redheart. We checked,” Alula reassured her as Redheart nodded. “She was more worried about us being infected.” “Alright. At least let Lyra check her out with her spell,” Redheart stepped aside and Lyra eyed me warily before her horn flashed green before she nodded. “She’s all good to go,” Lyra announced and flashed me a smile. “Welcome Trixie. We’re like this with everypony we come across. It’s your girls turn now.” I watched Cloudkicker and Alula get the same treatment before Cloudkicker led me forward, the earth pony closing the gate behind us all. I stared with wide eyes in stunned silence at the large interior. There was shops everywhere, a bar and what looked like a meeting area. There was ponies everywhere and I recognized a good few from Ponyville. Berry Punch and Ruby, Derpy and her daughters, Minuette, Golden Harvest, Thunderlane, Caramel, Flitter and Cloudchaser to name a few. I recognized a few other Ponyville ponies mixed in what some ponies clearly from bigger cities. “Who exactly is your leader again?” I asked suspiciously and Cloudkicker smiled. “She’s a friend of yours,” Cloudkicker reassured me as she stopped at a modest looking house, knocking on the door. I tensed up nervously in case of a fight as the door opened. My eyes widened as the alicorn stepped out fully, her eyes examining me with a warm smile as her face lit up. “Trixie?” “Twilight Sparkle?” Chapter IITwilight and I stared at each other in stunned silence before she took a step toward me and I gulped nervously as she took several more. I closed my eyes and prepared for whatever in Equestria she was about to do to me. We didn’t entirely get along in the past, after all. I won’t apologize for the Ursa Minor incident because I didn’t bring it to town. Those two stupid kids did that one. I wonder if they’re still alive. Getting off track. I will apologize for that Alicorn Amulet incident though. That was my fault. My eyes shot up as I felt Twilight’s warm wings wrapped around me along with her hooves, her feather slightly tickling me as I stared with a dropped jaw. “Are you hugging me?” I demanded as Twilight nodded, tightening her hug. “Yes,” Twilight answered quietly. “It’s nice to see you’re alive.” I bit back a sigh and nodded, hugging her back. It’s been a long time since I’d been hugged. The last time was with Starlight. “Likewise,” I admitted and we finally separated. “How did you survive?” “I could ask you the same thing. You look like you’ve lost thirty pounds. Come on, let’s go get something to eat and I’ll answer all your questions,” Twilight placed a wing on my back and I tensed up a bit at the contact. I looked down at myself and I realized I was thinner than I was when this first started. I didn’t really eat much in general. It was a bit hard to eat after everything and constantly killing made food hard to eat. Especially having to ration for two ponies at one point in my life. “This way,” Twilight shook me from my musing and I nodded, following her with Cloudkicker to my left. “Berry Punch has a bar or well, that’s what we call it. It isn’t much but it does resemble some sort of normalcy. It does help out a bit around.” “Not that the Princess let’s me serve hard alcohol,” Berry grumbled as she trotted up slowly as Twilight sat me down at a table. “Hey Trixie. Long time no see.” “Hello.” I nodded at her as she sat down a bowl of something that I sniffed before giving her a curious loon. “It’s tomato soup with beans and some other herbs,” Berry explained and I gave her a grateful look. “It’s not the best thing I could make but well, I tried. I’ll be around if you need me.” The three of us fell silent as she went and stopped at a table with a light blue pegasus talking quietly with another pegasus. “Fleetfoot and Soarin,” Cloudkicker said as she followed my gaze. “Spitfire is here too but she hardly leaves her room after Blaze died. Misty Fly and Surprise are here too with Wave Chill. High Winds and the others all died to my knowledge, with the exception of Cloudchaser, me and Thunderlane.” “What about Raindrops?” I asked curiously as she looked down. That pretty much told me everything. “Gone. Almost all my friends are gone. Sprinkle Medley, White Lightning, Sassaflash, Dizzy, Parasol, Raindrops. Damn near everypony I went to the Wonderbolts Academy with is dead or missing,” Cloudkicker answered as she sighed sadly. “I don’t know what happened to Bulk Biceps or Sea Swirl. I like to think they’re alive. Hell, Raindrops might even be alive but I don’t remember. Last time I saw her was in Ponyville. Lightning Dust is still alive but she isn’t as energetic as she used to be.” I tried to remember if I had seen a pegasus that had looked like Raindrops around in Ponyville but I couldn’t exactly recall. I did remember Sassaflash but that was it. That time was a blur. “Where is Starlight?” Twilight asked and I paused with a spoon in my magic as her ears flattened against her head, resting a hoof ontop of mine. “I’m sorry.” “Me too.” “How did it happen?” Twilight asked so quietly I barely heard her as Cloudkicker stood up and excused herself quietly with a nod. “I happened,” I answered and wet my lips as she recoiled. “Not like that! That one gamer colt-” “Button Mash?” Twilight chimed in and I nodded slowly. “Yeah, him. He apparently bit her at one point and well, she killed him obviously. We buried him in the school yard with some others. It was the only spot we could find at the time that wasn’t swarmed. Anyway, we tried to find you in Ponyville to help her but well, you weren’t there. We both assumed you had died or something else had happened. Starlight asked me to finish it after about five days and yeah. I buried her in the Everfree Forest near Zecora’s. She’s dead too by the way. Found her corpse in her house.” “Damn,” Twilight whispered and she wrapped a wing around me again. “At least she had somepony there for her. You heard Cloudkicker, after her sister died Spitfire only leaves to eat and use the bathroom.” That sounded far from the proud pegasus I’ve seen perform hundreds of times. “You seem different,” Twilight noted as she eyed me and I continued to force myself to eat. At least it was warm but that gave me little comfort. I had thought it would give me more. “I can’t describe it.” “I think this whole thing has changed us all in some way,” I answered finally. “Most hide it well, some don’t. Me, I’ve stopped caring. Have you found anypony else?” “No. My parents are dead along with my brother. I only found Lyra and Bon Bon along with some others in Canterlot when I went searching for my family. No Twinkleshine, no Lemon Hearts, no Moondancer. I only hope they got out of the town in time.” Berry appeared next to me and silently took my bowl, placing a glass of water in front us along with a box of tissues before she disappeared again. I fell silent as I looked around, Twilight sitting there and letting me get used to my surroundings as my eyes fell on a small playground in the corner. “For the kids. It was Soarin and Derpy’s idea,” Twilight said suddenly. “Golden Harvest just throws herself into her work. Her daughter Noi and her roommate Shoeshine both died so she’s pretty quiet these days. She and Daisy grow a lot of our food along with all the other earth ponies we got. We try to keep a certain weather schedule here.” I faintly remembered Noi and Shoeshine. Shoeshine didn’t entirely like me all that much but Noi was a nice enough filly. I secretly suspected Golden and Shoeshine had something going on behind closed doors but it wasn’t my business. “Where are the rest of the elements?” I asked finally as her eyes drifted to a shed with a lock. “Rainbow is dead. Rarity is here working with Suri to help patch up stuff. Those two don’t entirely like each other but they put their differences aside to survive. Applejack is who knows where. I presume dead along with her brother and Granny Smith. I’ve been experimenting on Rainbow, trying to find a way to reverse the disease but nothing so far. We keep her chained up in the shed with a muzzle away from the colts and fillies. They are scared enough as is.” I nodded slowly as we made eye contact again. “Thank you,” I said quietly. “For letting me stay. I know we didn’t necessarily like each other and I suppose you’re pretty damn justified in hating me.” “I never hated you,” Twilight answered and shook her head as I gave her a stunned look. “I always felt pity I suppose. I did my research on you after you left. Your dad doesn’t know you exist, mother died years ago. You did magic shows for free to entertain ponies and you only got the Alicorn Amulet to prove to me you were just as good as me. I should have been a better friend to you. I realized that before this started. You had a depressing life and I didn’t help much. You were homeless, wagon destroyed and your new one got vandalized when you came to town the third time. It takes a strong pony to keep going after a life like that.” I stared down the smooth wooden surface as she levitated a tissue to me. I didn’t even realize I had started crying until she had placed it in front of me. “You know, the fillies and colts might enjoy a magic show,” Twilight said casually with a small smile. “I think us adults would too.” “I don’t do magic shows anymore,” I said and wiped my eyes. “That was the old me. And besides, I don’t have my wagon anymore. Starlight and I abandoned it in Manehatten when the outbreak first started. It was only slowing us down.” I levitated out Starlight’s saddlebags along with a picture of her and Twilight, sliding it across to Twilight. “She’d want you to have that,” I nodded at it. “She told me to give you it if I ever saw you again. Hey, what happened to your pen pal from another world by the way?” “Sunset?” Twilight asked with a startled look and I nodded. “I didn’t know Starlight told you about her. Sunset knows what has happened here. It was her idea actually but I destroyed the mirror. She didn’t want to risk anypony infected coming over. She knew the risk and that she would never be able to come home. She made a sacrifice and I admire her for it. The book still works a bit.” “How if you use the book to open it?” I asked and she laughed for a moment. I had remembered searching the castle for Twilight and finding a shattered mirror along with Mayor Mare, Noteworthy and some other stallions about the place. “It opens naturally every thirty moons. Even without the book to open it, there was always a small chance a zombie could cross over. We both knew that risk and well, Sunset refused to let what happened here happen in that world. She saved an entire world again. She’s doing okay last I spoke to her.” I nodded as I sat there silently and I took a sip of my water, making eyes with Soarin and we both nodded at each other before he looked away to keep talking to Fleetfoot. “I should probably go tell Fluttershy, Spike and Pinkie about Starlight,” Twilight said and stood up. “Those three are still alive?” “Of course. Discord took Fluttershy to his realm along some with fillies and colts because we begged hard enough. I wasn’t about to leave Spike or Pinkie behind. She sends letters often to Starlight’s village because that’s where Cheese Sandwich is at with those survivors. We trade with them often. Double Diamond and Sugar Belle are in charge over there,” Twilight explained and I rubbed a hoof against my chin. I’d only met those two once briefly in passing when Starlight asked me to go get some stuff she had left in her house. Naturally, she had refused to come with me but the Great and Powerful Trixie isn’t afraid of socializing. “You can stay with me in my house. We are working on building more once we get more wood and ponies who need housing. You’re the first we’ve found in two months,” Twilight continued with a small smile. “You know where it is. There’s a spare room and a shower. Help yourself. You uh smell kinda fresh and you really need a shower Trixie.” I sniffed my mane and grimaced, gagging slightly. The closest thing I had to a shower recently was a stream I had dove into to wash off a bit. Soap wasn’t something I had because I opted to leave it behind to carry more essential stuff, like food and water. “Thank you Twilight,” I bowed my head slightly as I stood up too. “I assume there’s something I have to do stay here?” “No. We don’t force ponies to work to stay here. This place is for everypony we come across. Cloudkicker and the Wonderbolts have helped keep order. My status as a princess still carries some weight at least,” Twilight said and rested her hoof on my back. “But if you feel the need, we always need ponies to help in the field or work the perimeter. I’m usually out in the fields harvesting food.” That almost blew my mind honestly. A princess out doing menial labor such as pulling a plow? That was damn near unheard of. You sure as hell wouldn’t see Celestia or Cadence taking off their horse shoes to do something like that. While I may have not liked Twilight much, I did always respect how much she cared for her subjects. More so than than the other princesses seemed to. “At least Celestia and Luna are alive still,” I commented as the sun started to set. Twilight pointed sheepishly at her glowing horn as my eyes widened. “No way.” “They gave me their ability to raise the sun and moon. They said they were going to find some long lost alicorn civilization in the clouds to hopefully find a cure.” “Oh.” We both turned away as I prepared to go find her house as she tapped a wing on my side. I turned to look back at her as she smiled warmly again at me. “I’m really happy you’re alive Trixie.” “Me too.” She held out her hooves hopefully and I stared warily. I hesitated before I accepted another hug. Chapter IIII flung a towel on the rack next to the shower as I stepped inside, pulling the curtain closed as I examined how it worked. I was right about her house being the smallest in the town she had created. It was very Twilight, books lining the floors that I had a feeling she stole from the Canterlot library and the castle. Papers littered a desk in her room that were just a bunch of hypothesis’? Hypotheses? I’m not entirely sure how to say that word but you get my meaning. I closed my eyes and turned the water on, accidentally letting out a loud content moan as I felt the water run over me. How they had actual warm water was beyond me but I was damn grateful. I’m sure one of the many pegasi were responsible with using probably lightning or thunder clouds to warm up the water but I didn’t care at the moment. I levitated a bottle of conditioner up to my nose, taking a sniff before pouring some into my coat. Smelling like lilies wasn’t my favorite scent but I’m not picky anymore. Conditioner is conditioner after all. I continued rubbing it into my mane and sighed happily as I sat down, allowing the water to run over my face and mane. If I could, I’d sit in here forever and act like my entire world hadn’t fallen apart around me in, what almost a year now? It wasn’t two years, I know that much. It was hard to keep track after a while. I turned the water off and shook my body to get the excess water off before I stepped out fully, levitating the towel around me. Twilight had allowed me to store my firearms in the spare room thankfully. I didn’t think anypony would steal them but can’t be too sure after all. I paused in front of the mirror and looked at my reflection for the first time in a long time, my jaw slowly dropping. I looked exhausted, Sweet Celestia. My purple eyes looked more tired than before and I had bags under my eyes. My makeup had long since faded off and I looked thinner than I ever have. The last time I looked this thin was at the orphanage as a filly that tended to under feed us. “Where is my hat and cape?” I muttered as I looked around for the clothing, levitating a note that was taped to the door. “Trixie, we’ve taken your cape and hat to do some minor repairs along with your saddlebags. I left a makeup kit under the sink for you. Sincerely, Rarity.” I crumpled up the note and tossed it in the trash can. I hadn’t even heard the door open but I was a bit more focused on getting clean. I opened the sink cupboards and examined the makeup closer. With a shrug, I went to work on applying it how I used to do it. I stood in the makeshift street, feeling more like myself than I have recently as I looked around closer, idly counting each stallion and mare I saw. There was a lot more than what I originally saw when Twilight had first shown me to her place along with a decent amount of kids. “I’m looking for Rarity,” I said and Thunderlane stopped along with Cloudchaser and Flitter. “She’s the third house next to the gate. She shares a living quarters with Suri. Those two are always fighting, especially late at night,” Cloudchaser pointed a hoof to another small house painted purple. “Thank you,” I said and gave a grateful nod as I started to trot in that direction. “Hey wait,” Thunderlane said as I looked back and he scuffed a hoof against the dirt. “You were in Ponyville recently, right?” “That’s correct.” “Did you see my brother, Rumble at all?” “What did he look like?” I asked and shifted on my hooves. “Gray pegasus, blackish gray mane, purple eyes, blank flank,” Flitter answered helpfully and she tightened her bow in her mane with her wing. I paused and bit my lower lip as I tried to remember who all I had seen. The faces and names honestly started to blend together after a bit. “Yes,” I said finally. “I’m sorry.” Thunderlane slumped over the ground with Flitter and Cloudchaser on either side of him as they all looked at me. “So he’s dead then,” Thunderlane sighed and shook his mane. “If it makes you feel any better, I buried him in the school yard next to Button Mash and Sweetie Belle.” “How in Equestria is that supposed to make us feel better?” Thunderlane snapped and I recoiled with my ears pressed against my skull. “He’s still dead. Burying him doesn’t do jack shit to any of us. It certainly doesn’t bring him back, so just go to Rarity and get on your way.” I watched silently as the three started crying and I inhaled nervously. “I’m very sorry for your loss,” I repeated quietly. Sorry for your loss was always a weird phrase to me. Loss usually meant you’d find what was missing. Death is a bit more permanent than just losing something for a few days or weeks. I turned to leave and slammed muzzle first into a white unicorn giving me a small smile before she frowned slightly. “There’s no need for that. Trixie did you a favor by at least giving your brother a proper burial along with my sister and I’m grateful to her for that,” Rarity chided and she narrowed her eyes angrily. “We may have not always seen eye to eye on matters, but I won’t tolerate that disrespect to her. I lost my dear Sweetie so you aren’t the only ponies in Equestria to have somepony you love die. Now we will leave you three to grieve in peace.” I stared in stunned silence as Rarity turned around and starting trotting off, pulling me behind with her magic. “I can walk,” I grumbled and I quit glowing blue as I turned to follow her. “Thank you for that back there.” “Anytime darling. And I suppose a thanks is in order to you as well for how you handled my Sweeetie Belle,” Rarity mused as I watched her wipe her eyes with a tissue. “I would have done it myself but the idea of killing my sister, dead or not was a difficult thing to do.” I didn’t entirely think of that. I didn’t have any siblings of my own but I suppose that made some sense. It was always a bit more difficult when it came to the kids compared to the adults if I’m being honest. I’m just internally glad there was no foals. Trixie isn’t that heartless, after all. “I had to get out of that house. Suri was driving me up the wall and no amount of Coco trying to calm us down would have worked. Not even Fancy Pants was helpful,” Rarity scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Why Coco even agreed to date Suri is beyond me. At least Spikey got them to give me space.” “Hm. An angry dragon would do that. Is he still short?” I asked with a smirk and Rarity matched it. “Not really. He’s about your height now, give or take. Maybe a few inches shorter but I remember when he was only coming up to my chest,” Rarity snickered behind a hoof and I snorted. “Do you have any good gossip? There’s not much to gossip about her except Soarin and Fleetfoot sleeping together.” “Those two?” I asked incredulously as I glanced down the street at the two walking together. I had heard a long time ago about the whole replacing him with Rainbow Dash incident. That had been all over the papers for a solid three weeks straight. Newspapers come up with the most wild titles ever. Wonderbolts split in two camps were one of the titles I remember seeing. “Huh. I don’t really have much gossip. Do you know how Rainbow died? She’s the faster thing in Equestria.” Rarity scowled and I gulped nervously as she glanced at me for a moment before she sighed. “Her damn loyalty is what got her killed,” Rarity growled and I raised an eyebrow. Rarity cursing was the last thing I’d ever imagined hearing. “I loved that mare like family but her loyalty, admirable as it was, was her greatest weakness. She refused to leave the rest of the Wonderbolts and Scootaloo behind, even the ponies that were dying. She even went back for Zephyr. I know Fluttershy was grateful for that but it got Rainbow killed. Apparently some pony got it stuck inside her head he could heal the dead ones.” I could believe that. Rainbow Dash did preach loyalty like a religion almost. I could almost see her in a suit and tie, knocking on doors with a pamphlet asking to come inside and talk for five minutes. I didn’t really do religion but I knew a lot of ponies did. Mainly the ones were viewed the Princesses like goddesses or something. I faintly remember there being a whole secret group specifically dedicated to Celestia that I heard her hating with a burning passion. Knowing the Princess of Friendship has it’s perks. “I’m certain you’re eager to get your cape and hat back.” “A bit yeah. I didn’t even hear you come in to the bathroom,” I commented and Rarity blushed slightly. “Yes well, I knocked and said I was coming in but once I heard you moaning, I decided to just get your belongings and quickly leave you to your activities,” Rarity answered and looked away as I felt my face get hot. “I wasn’t doing that!” I said hastily and shifted on my hooves. “I haven’t done that in months.” “I see. Anyway, come inside,” Rarity opened a door and gestured me to follow her as she disappeared through the doorway and I faintly made out two ponies talking upstairs. “Fluttershy and Pinkie are dropping by Twilight’s later. All of Fluttershy’s animals were eaten so she’s been pretty upset by it but finding more ponies that aren’t dead always makes her happy.” I nodded and quietly shut the door behind me, pausing to glance in the bed room at Spike snoring quietly in the bed with purple sheets and three diamonds stitched into it as I raised an eyebrow at Rarity. Spike did seem a bit bigger than I had last seen him. “You and Spike, huh?” I tossed Rarity a smug grin. I had known about Spike being into her for months. Damn near sure the whole town had known about it. He was pretty much less than subtle about it. “This ordeal made me think about a lot of things and well, Spike has always been there for me. He’s a nice dragon and a pretty decent lay,” Rarity admitted as I turned brighter red. “I never thought I’d tell anypony about that but he is. It took a bit to teach him but especially with him on top-” “Okay, that’s enough down there, mkay?” Suri shouted down the stairs. Or well, a pony who I guessed was Suri based on the accent. Rarity did say she was a bit cultured sounding. “We don’t need to know the details of your sex life!” I chuckled as Rarity scowled up the stairs. “What Suri means is isolation is making you more explicit!” Another mare shouted as I raised an eyebrow. “My roommates,” Rarity said flatly and rolled her eyes. “Suri and Coco Pommel. They’re a hoofful at times. Especially Suri.” “I heard that!” Rarity gave a frustrated groan as I bit back a laugh as some fillies and a colt ran past laughing. Hearing that noise was so foreign now. I never thought I’d say that. I used to laugh damn near all the time. I feel way too serious now. I need a drink of something hard. “Ignore them,” Rarity told me as she led me to a bench. My face lit up at my hat and cape sitting on it. “Holy shit,” I breathed out in awe. “It’s so clean and you fixed all the holes and tears.” “Don’t let the fake posh act fool you! She screamed fuck for a solid thirty minutes last night!” Suri shouted and Rarity glared at the stairs. “I really hate that mare some days. Anyway, your cape and hat. I took some liberties of adding some extra designs,” Rarity levitated my cape up and my jaw slowly dropped. “I hope you don’t mind but I added Starlight’s cutie mark onto it next to yours.” I stayed silent as I gently ran a hoof over the cutie mark slowly and Rarity shifted nervously. “Darling?” “I love it,” I answered finally and I hugged the cape. “Thanks Rarity.” “It was an honor darling. The three of us jumped on it pretty fast for you. Starlight was my friend too and you have my condolences,” Rarity smiled faintly and levitated my hat on my head. “Now you look a lot like the Trixie I used to know.” I smiled and I placed my cape on. She had even shined the gem on the clasp as I reared back on my hind legs and hugged her. If I had bits for how many times I’d been hugged by an Element of Harmony, I’d have two bits. It’s not a lot but I’ll admit, it’s nice to be hugged again. You don’t know how much you miss something until it’s gone. Rarity gave me a surprised look before she hugged me back. Author's Note I'm not gonna lie, it's 2:36 am and I'm writing this, the nose piece of my glasses broke off and fell on my eye, I fucking freaked and thought it was a bug, flinging it across my room. Shit was awful and I feel so stupid now😂😂. I honestly didn't really think think this story would get as much attention. I don't really do horror much but if this does well I might do it more. Chapter IVI rolled over in my bed in slight frustration and cursed under my breath. I had been tossing and turning all night trying to get at least something that resembled sleep. Sleeping in an actual bed was surprisingly hard to get used to. For over half my life, all I’ve had was a hammock in my wagon. An actual bed was a luxury I couldn’t afford at the time nor fit in my wagon. I was more accustomed to sleeping on the floor or in hammocks as previously stated. Plus, it was a bit harder to focus on sleep with all the noise around the house. Ponies outside walking around quietly, muffled conversations and the occasional laughter from some ponies in one of the many watch towers littered around the camp fence. At least Twilight didn’t snore. I had heard stories from others that Luna and Cadence both snored like crazy so I had assumed it was am alicorn thing. And don’t even ask me why I thought that because I have no clue. “Can’t thleep?” I jumped slightly and rolled over in frustration, staring at a white filly with a red mane and glasses with a cutie mark of two candy canes overlapping staring up at me. I hadn’t even heard her open the door. Maybe I’m going deaf. I should see Redheart. “Uh yeah, you could say that. Who are you exactly?” “Thorry. I’m Twist. Twilight is isth letting me thleep in here too. Thaid it would be good for you,” she answered. “Isth that okay with you?” “Yeah it’s fine. Uh, how old are you?” I asked as she climbed up into the bed next to me. “Ten.” Oh by Celestia’s cake loving flanks. Ten was a annoying time in my life. Trying to sort out school work, colts and fillies and more importantly, trying to not wet the bed. I don’t really like kids if they wet the bed. “You uh don’t do the whole bed wetting thing, do you?” I asked hopefully and Twist gave me a confused look. I really hoped I didn’t have to explain further what I meant. “Only when I have a nightmare.” Oh sweet Celestia, I’m stuck with a filly that has nightmares and wets the bed during. I really don’t want to have my coat covered in urine. “And thith whole thing hath pretty much been a nightmare,” Twist continued with a shudder and my expression softened. She was pretty damn accurate in that regard. I still hoped it was just a bad dream at times and Starlight would be waking me up any minute. “How did you thurvive?” “Straight to the point, aren’t you? Luck I suppose. You?” “Bon Bon, Mith Lyra and Caramel kept me safe till Princeth Twilight found us. Bon Bon isth my older thister and she was uh, pretty violent to keep me safe,” Twist continued as she slipped under the sheets next to me. “I’ve never seen her like that.” “I see. I’m going to try to get some sleep, I agreed to do guard duty tomorrow after noon and relieve the overnight ponies. Wait. Why aren’t you at Bon Bons house then? I walked past it earlier.” “She agreed to let me stay here for a bit.” Oh. I suppose that made sense. I think she was more so convinced by Twilight than anything else or the kindness of her heart. I didn’t like Bon Bon and she didn’t like me and we were both happy with it that way. She had been one of the ponies who laughed me out of town alongside Berry, Daisy and Golden Harvest. I only really got along with Berry and Daisy to be honest. Berry and I both enjoyed our alcohol, especially our bourbon. And Daisy grew some pretty delicious flowers. Though I learned the hard way she and her sisters were a bit dramatic. A bit would be an understatement though to be honest. I thought only Fluttershy acted like that. “Night Mith Trixie!” Twist announced and she rolled over, turning off the light on her side. “Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” I hummed in response and tried to force myself to sleep. I yawned as I brushed my mane idly and continued trotting up to a tower with a four written in bright red on the side. “Oh thanks Celestia!” A stallion called out as I started to climb the ladder. “I thought our reliefs were never coming. I’m ready for a nap.” “Felt that,” another stallion agreed as they both looked down at me. “It’s been clear all night. Have a good shift.” “Yeah thanks,” I grumbled as I rested my rifle against the wall, watching the two fly away. I had woken up on the floor next to Twist in my hooves. How she ended up there with me, I’ll never know but Twilight had been pretty insistent on knowing why we slept on the floor. “Oh there you are,” Thunderlane said and he dropped down next to me. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you.” “And why is that?” I asked with a bored expression as I continued scanning the town. It was pretty just desert for miles and miles to my annoyance. I’d have liked something pretty to look at, like a bench or something. Anything that put a drink next to me. “To apologize. I was way out of line yesterday evening and I’m sorry,” Thunderlane scuffed a hoof on the wood sheepishly. “Plus, I volunteered to work with you today for the next twelve hours. I brought coffee that Flitter made. It’s admittedly not great but coffee is coffee, right?” He held out a thermos of coffee hopefully as I examined it before smiling slightly. “Forgiven. Thanks for the coffee,” I said as I levitated it to my lips and took a sip. I gagged a bit and forced myself to swallow the bitter liquid. How anypony could drink coffee black was beyond me. That was disgusting as hell. Whenever invented that idea was a criminal and deserved the depths of Tartarus. “Yeah it was bad,” Thunderlane admitted. “But it’s the thought that counts, right?” “Got that right,” I answered and turned to continue watching. “Thought you’d be with Soarin in tower nine.” “Eh, we’re always partnered up. Figured I’d do a change of pace. Besides, Surprise wanted to be on that tower today. We also got Bon Bon and Star Tracker joining us today. Star is a good comedian.” Oh joy. Being paired up with Bon Bon sounds like a dream come true. “Huh. I heard Lightning Dust is here but I haven’t seen anypony that Rainbow had described to me. What’s she like?” I asked curiously and he scowled. “She’s a jerk, that’s for sure. She’s our delivery mare. Last time I checked, she should be back in a few days or so from Las Pegasus and then Starlight’s village. She’s been delivering letters for us to other camps.” “Isn’t that Derpy’s job?” I asked and jerked my head down at the gray pegasus trotting into a building with Dinky and some other fillies and colts. “Normally yes but Twilight forbade her from going out because she has kids. Same reason why Twilight doesn’t allow Berry Punch or Silverspeed to be on guard duty. Because their daughters are here and Twilight isn’t fond of sending parents into danger. So Derpy assists Cheerilee in teaching the kids at the school house.” I could believe that. Other than being a delivery mare, I could see Derpy being a teachers assistant. She certainly had the personality for it. “Silverspeed mainly just trained a few ponies on how to aim a gun properly. Outside of Cloudkicker and the Wonderbolts, she’s the only other pony to have experience in military training. And you along with the rare Royal Guards we have here,” Thunderlane continued. “She does the weather now mainly. Berry runs the town bar if it can be called that but you already knew that part.” “Ah. I have no military experience. I only know how to shoot a gun because of Applejack.” “Oh. I forgot that mare damn near had an arsenal under her house.” I nodded my agreement, idly watching Bon Bon quietly join us along with a pegasus in a Wonderbolt uniform. I assumed he was Star Tracker but I didn’t expect see him in a uniform. “So how’s the-” Star Tracker started and I held up a hoof. “Hold on,” I said and levitated my rifle in front of me, staring down the sight and I sighed as I slightly adjusted it and everypony fell silent around me. I faintly made out Bon Bon pulling out binoculars next to me and looking in the same direction as me. I inhaled again and squeezed the trigger with my magic, watching in satisfaction as the zombie dropped. “Woah,” Star Tracker whispered as I set my rifle down again. “That was insane dude. How far was that?” “Two miles,” Bon Bon answered and she set down her binoculars. “Clean shot.” “Thanks,” I said and gave a smug grin. It always felt nice getting compliments, especially from ponies who didn’t like you. “Since when does a candy maker carry a gun?” I gestured to the handgun on Bon Bons foreleg. “When the candy maker is also a secret agent,” Bon Bon answered flatly and glanced at me. “So don’t fuck with me. And don’t even think about trying to jump scare me. Last pony to do so got pistol whipped and spent a week in the hospital with Redheart.” I gave Thunderlane a confused look and resisted the urge to laugh. Bon Bon honestly seemed like the last pony to be a secret agent. “And Lyra is too so don’t mess with her either. Though she’s more than likely to laugh,” Bon Bon scoffed and rolled her eyes. “It’s a Glock twenty two by the way. Standard issue for SMILE agents. SMILE agents are taught in all types of firearm practice. I prefer the Glock, Lyra likes the Ruger brand best.” I almost made a joke comment about two lesbians with guns but I figured that wouldn’t go well with Bon Bon. I knew Lyra more and she would have died laughing knowing her. “Uh huh,” I said and shifted away from her. I didn’t entirely know what else to say to this. “Normally there’s law against me telling you because we’d all be executed for treason but well, there’s no more laws anymore. Only law now is do what it takes to survive,” Bon Bon mused and she stretched slightly. “I pulled night duty for Siren. Wake me up if anything interesting happens. And shoot Cement if he tries to fuck with me.” We all gulped nervously and Bon Bon grinned slightly at me. Being executed is personally not on my list of things to do. I’d prefer to survive, thank you. She leaned against the wall and placed a nearby hat over her face followed by quiet breathing. “That was certainly something. What did you do to piss her off?” Star Tracker asked as he shrugged his flight suit off and I shrugged. “Other than exist, nothing.” Author's Note Thinking about doing a side story from Suri's POV about how she survived and reconnected with Coco and coming to Twilight's sanctuary. LMK if that's something you all would like. Chapter VI yawned and leaned against the wall of the tower, idly listening to Misty Fly and Thunderlane talking about the weather. It had been a week since I’ve arrived here and I’ve pretty fallen into a pretty decent pattern. Guard duty during Monday through Thursday, helping out in the fields Friday and Saturday, resting on Sunday, have daily breakfast with Twilight and the other elements along with Cloudkicker, Thunderlane and Spike. Flitter and Cloudchaser occasionally joined us. I have a whole new respect for earth ponies. Plowing land is hard. Golden Harvest had thought seeing me slip face first into the dirt multiple times was hilarious. Stupid pony. She should know by now the strong and powerful Trixie doesn’t back down from anything. “Hey Trixie,” Cloudkicker landed next to me with a smirk. “Whatcha up to?” “Not jack shit. You?” “Same. Twilight told me ask if you were down for a group dinner tonight again,” Cloudkicker kicked a hoof against the wood and leaned closer to my ear. More closely than I would have liked. “There’s gonna be alcohol.” Now that was a surefire way of getting my attention. “I see. I’ll be there after I’m done here. We got about six more hours till our reliefs come,” I said and stretched. “I’ll nap till it’s time.” “Bet!” We watched her fly away and I took another sip of my coffee, grimacing slightly. I had gotten more used to the awful taste of black coffee. “So what’s being a Wonderbolt like?” I asked Misty curiously as she shrugged. “It was nice. I became a Wonderbolt to make the fillies and colts happy, not to be rich or set records like some who have came and gone like Wind Rider. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve set a few records in my time but they all got beaten by Dash,” Misty said as she and Thunderlane shot a sad look at the shed where the rainbow maned pegasus was locked up. Or well, what remained of her. I’d been in there once and it was enough to make me have nightmares. Half her coat was falling off and bloody. “It was the best feeling ever. Being a fellow performer yourself, you must understand where I’m coming from.” “I do.” “Excuse me,” a voice said and we all looked down at a colt with a multi colored coat staring up at us with a yellow filly next to him. “Miss Trixie?” “Yes?” I asked curiously and he shifted on his hooves, the yellow filly next to him nudging him forward. “My birthday is next month. Could you show me some magic tricks please?” The colt asked and I tensed up, feeling the two Wonderbolts burning holes in my back with their eyes. “I’m sorry but no. I don’t do magic shows anymore. I don’t have an assistant or any of my supplies. I had to leave my wagon behind,” I explained before leaning close to Thunderlane’s ear whisper in it. “Who in Equestria is this?” ”Pipsqueak,” Thunderlane whispered back. ”Was friends with Rumble and Button Mash. The filly is Sunny Daze. Normally runs around with Dinky.” ”Oh,” I mumbled before I sized the colt up. “We will see. I’m sure I can come up with something maybe. Times are difficult shall we say.” “I understand,” Pipsqueak kicked a rock aside and I sighed. “Sorry to bother you, Trixie.” “I’ll do it, okay? Just give me time to figure something out.” I didn’t necessarily know what I would do. Magic supplies and fireworks were a bit lacking these days but I guess I could throw together a batch of homemade explosives. “Thank you,” Pipsqueak reared back on his hind legs before he and Sunny Daze ran off to whatever it is kids do these days. “That was nice of you,” Thunderlane commented as I sighed and shrugged. “What’s wrong?” “This will be the first show I’ve done without my assistant.” “How’s life here so far?” Spike asked me as I shifted on my chair in Twilight’s living room. Cloudchaser and Flitter sat across from me with Thunderlane and Twilight on either side of me. “It’s okay I guess.” I stared down silently as the others talked quietly. I wasn’t really feeling like conversating too much, if I’m being honest. I get these mood swings occasionally. Some days I love to see others and other days I don’t want to be disturbed. Today, I’m a mix of both. “Are you feeling okay?” Thunderlane asked me quietly and nudged me. “I’m fine, I guess. I just get these moods where I’m not really happy,” I answered and looked away. “Plus, depression and all is a bitch.” “When did you get diagnosed?” Twilight asked and I sneered at Cloudchaser. “After I got ran out of Ponyville and lost everything. But it’s okay. Haven’t had my medication in months because of well, you can put two and two together,” I relaxed my angry expression and looked away. “It’s hard to fight against the thoughts without it. And I always used to think medication was for the weak. Guess I’m one of them, huh?” “That doesn’t make you weak. It just makes you one of us,” Twilight rested a wing on my back. “Depression isn’t anything you can control. There is nothing wrong with having issues. Cloudchaser?” “Yeah Twilight?” The pegasus asked and set down her beer. “Go to the pharmacy next to Berry’s. See if you can find Trixie some anti depressants please. I don’t want to risk losing anypony, especially to something as preventable as suicide,” Twilight glanced at her and Cloudchaser nodded. “After you’re done eating, of course.” “As you wish. Maybe Flitter and Trixie can hang out? Flitter has anxiety. Might be good for the two to spend time together,” Cloudchaser suggested and Twilight nodded thoughtfully before looking to me. “Up to Trixie and Flitter, of course. I’m not about to force decisions upon two grown mares.” Flitter and I looked at each other. Neither of us really knew each other. But if they were even willing to go this far to help with something as simple as medication, I suppose I should give it a shot, right? She gave me a small smile and I returned it. “Yeah, sure. And thanks. For everything.” Twilight rubbed my back with a wing and I shuddered slightly at the touch. “Anytime.” Chapter VII gave a yawn as my eyes finally adjusted to the darkness of my room, a candle being the only source of light as I felt the empty spot next to me. I hate to admit it, but I kinda got used to Twist sleeping next to me. It was nice to have somepony there, kinda how it was with Starlight with how often she snuck me into her room in the castle. “I miss you,” I sighed and my eyes landed on a picture of me and Starlight smiling in front of a Hearths Warming tree. Twilight had insisted I decorate my room with the few belongs I had. I had to leave most of it behind when we abandoned my wagon to flee an infested Manehatten. And naturally Starlight had to leave her stuff behind too. Sucked. We had a lot of stuff together from our travels in there. “Trixie?” Speak of the devil and she appears. Or well, Princess in this case. Twilight stood in the doorway and I took a breath. “Yeah Twilight?” I asked and she trotted closer. “I heard you crying,” Twilight answered and I rubbed my eyes with a hoof. I didn’t even realize I had started crying. If she could hear it and woke up, I hope to Tartarus nopony else did. “Are you okay?” I stayed silent but shook my head as her eyes fell on the picture I stared at still. “Oh.” Twilight sat down and I inched away to quit taking up the whole bed. I liked to splay out when I slept. Was way more comfortable. Starlight absolutely hated that about me. We fought over it occasionally. She preferred to either sleep in a ball or cuddle. “I miss her too, you know? She was my first ever student I took on. She was also the first to thoroughly beat me in a duel. I had to talk her down instead of fighting. She was a really good mare,” Twilight commented and I nodded. I had heard that story a dozen times from Spike, Starlight and Twilight herself even. “Of course, our relationship was different than yours was for the obvious reasons. There was no hoof holding or the more well, adult actions like when she snuck you into the castle.” “You knew?” My cheeks turned red as Twilight gave me a flat, unimpressed look. “Trixie, I had spells set on my castle to tell me whenever somepony entered to let me know. I knew every time she snuck you in for some alone time. And well, you two weren’t necessarily quiet.” Oh, fuck my life. I could have sworn we had cast a sound proofing spell for this exact reason. Just knowing that the princess of friendship knew about the other secret aspects of my relationship with Starlight was well, horrifying to say the least. I felt Twilight wrap her hooves around me and I hesitated before leaning into her hug. Hugging another mare in bed almost felt like betraying Starlight in a way. “You know, when you told me what happened I cried myself to sleep for an entire week. It’s natural to be sad,” Twilight nuzzled my cheek. “Rarity too. You don’t wanna know how sad Fluttershy and Pinkie were. Even Suri supported Rarity.” I didn’t necessarily know how to react to that. I always thought Rarity and Suri hated each other with a burning passion. I had heard all about their problems in Manehatten with each other. I hugged her finally and we both cried. Felt nice to at least cry with somepony else. Crying alone is always awful and I have a lot of experience in that field. I trotted out of Twilight’s house or well, our house I suppose I should say now. Twilight was next to me and we both gazed curiously at a large crowd at the center of our small village. We had accidentally fallen asleep last night together. Talk about freaking embarrassing as fuck. “What’s going on over there?” I asked and pointed as we both started approaching. Bon Bon was kneeling with her gun pointed at a very familiar looking purple wagon with blue. “My wagon!” “Don’t get close,” Bon Bon warned and I froze with Twilight. “Lightning Dust found it when she was sent to Manehatten. She brought it back for some reason. There’s something inside.” I watched anxiously as Cheerilee and Derpy started moving the fillies and colts back inside some makeshift school. Probably for the best honestly. Killing is always messy. There’s the blood getting everywhere and of course, the body. “Open it,” Bon Bon ordered and Lyra nodded as she yanked open the doors with her magic and jumped back. “Hey woah!” A mare shouted inside and we all stared inside in confusion at the few kids inside with a stallion. The yellow pegasus mare stood protectively in front of the scared looking foals with a glare and her wings spread as far as they could be. “Raindrops?” Soarin raised an eyebrow as Bon Bon hastily lowered her gun. “Dropsi?” Cloudkicker gave her a confused look and Raindrops hesitantly stepped out. “We thought you were dead. How the hell did you get to Trixie’s wagon?” “Long story. I heard something about survivors in Manehatten but well, they were all dead when I got there. Ponyville got too overran for my liking. Found these kids hiding in a store. Found him with a broken leg,” Raindrops nodded to the stallion. “And well, found the wagon. Figured it’d be a nice place to lay low for a bit. Then Lightning Dust found it without knowing we were inside. Here we are.” “They’re all clear,” a tan stallion with a red cross on his flanks announced. “Broken leg, with me. I’ll take a better look at it.” I watched as Cloudkicker and Raindrops hugged as Bon Bon looked away. “Are you okay?” I asked curiously and she scowled at me before shaking her head. “I almost killed a kid just now. Four kids, in fact. What kind of fucking pony am I?” Bon Bon sniffed and I stared with wide eyes. She doesn’t really show emotion other than anger really. “I’m going home. Come on Lyra. I don’t wanna be alone.” I watched briefly before I trotted up to my wagon and sniffed. It smelled just like how it used to. Random perfumes everywhere, a first aid kit. I turned to the trunk as it rattled and I stared at it. “The hell?” I muttered and opened it slowly, falling backwards with a horrified expression as a colt tumbled out with his jaw hanging open. “Gah!” Some ponies turned to look after my scream and I continued scrambling backwards as he walked to me shakily. He had a broken leg and his jaw snapped a few times. Well, I’m dying now it seems. At least I’ll see my marefriend and friends wherever I end up. If I don’t go to hell, that is. “Trixie!” I faintly heard somepony shout and I heard two loud gunshots and the colts head exploded as I closed my eyes instinctively, feeling a warm liquid splatter on my coat and face. “Are you okay?” Twilight asked and I stared in stunned silence as she dropped a gun. In all my life, seeing Twilight kill wasn’t something I anticipated. Or seeing Bon Bon standing next to her with a smoking gun. Apparently she and Lyra didn’t get too far before I screamed. “Y-yeah. Just shook up is all. Thanks for that.” “Anytime,” Bon Bon nodded and wheeled to glare at Raindrops. “Just what the hell was that? You almost got her killed! Dead bodies just don’t end up in trunks like that so start talking before I put two rounds in your chest.” “I-I had no clue! Honest!” Raindrops begged as Bon Bon pressed the gun to her head. “Please don’t. Don’t kill me. Please.” I wiped my face off with a rag and gulped. Watching an execution isn’t something I’ve ever wanted and I turned away. “Don’t,” Twilight warned and yanked the gun with her magic. “Who cares how it got there. We are not going to kill living ponies. I made this as a sanctuary to all survivors, not to pick and choose who gets to live and who gets to die. We don’t execute anypony here, we’re better than that. If anypony has an issue with that, they are free to leave.” Nopony said anything as I gave her an approving look. “Then go about your business. Raindrops, go with Cloudkicker. Bon Bon?” Twilight glanced at the cream mare who kicked the dirt as Raindrops trotted away with Cloudkicker. “Yes Princess?” “Don’t ever fucking do that again,” Twilight snapped and I flinched. I’ve never once heard her swear. No damn, no hell, nothing. “Am I clear?” “Yes.” “Excellent. Now go home. Follow Raindrops when you’re calm. Just because I’m not going to execute her doesn’t mean I don’t want to be cautious. We wait a week and if nothing happens, we will leave her be. And somepony take the kids to Cheerilee. I’m sure she and Derpy will be happy to have more foals to teach.” Bon Bon hung her head and trotted away with Lyra talking quietly to her. “Let’s go home and clean you up,” Twilight nudged me and I nodded numbly as she smiled slightly. “Somepony bury the body please. And clean up the mess.” Like I said, killing was messy.
Chapter II rubbed some sleep out of my eyes as I rolled up my sleeping bag and tent, shoving them both into my bag I was carrying that held my cape and hat, along with Starlight’s saddlebags. I forced the thoughts of my marefriend out of my head. I’d personally rather think about better times with Starlight, preferably when she was alive and not buried six feet under in a hastily made grave in the Everfree with a makeshift casket and a head stone from a piece of wood I found. I gave a sigh and warily climbing down from my tree I had chosen to sleep in. I credited Starlight for teaching me how to use my tent as a makeshift hammock to avoid sleeping on the ground. Last thing I wanted was to turn into one of them and yet, it had managed to happen to Starlight somehow. Probably when we were in Ponyville searching for at least one of the elements of harmony or any survivors. We did find a dead Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle in sweet apple acres. No Applejack, Big Mac or Granny Smith but I assumed they were dead else where. Those three wouldn’t have abandoned Apple Bloom even if she was one of them or Granny Smith. I shifted onto my hooves, adjusting my rifle I had found in the Apples house on my flank along with a smaller gun Starlight had been using. Not like the Apples needed them anymore so might as well. I had filled Starlight’s saddlebags with ammo we had managed to find. It took us a long time to get used to how to use them but practice makes perfect. Mainly by shooting as many of those damned zombies as we could. It had sorta became a game in a sick way I suppose, seeing who could kill as many zombies as possible. It was a bit hard at first, knowing the ponies I once knew and called friends were dead and trying to kill me. Don’t even get me started on killing them. We buried as many as we could but we got ran out pretty fast. Let’s just say if even the royal guard couldn’t push them back, what chance did we have? And now that I’m alone for the past few months, I only expect it’s a few weeks at least till I get killed. I gave a sigh as I continued trudging slowly up the hill overlooking this small town I had came across. A bent over sign had read Dodge Junction and I tried hard to not think what the red stains on it were. “Stupid zombies,” I grumbled and levitated a bottle of water to my lips, taking a small sip. I had to ration my food and water. Probably would go scavenge some stores in the town. I glanced over to the north where a thick cloud of smoke rose into the sky. The smoke was what had lead me to the town and it was from a derailed train on it’s side. I didn’t bother putting out the fire because it wasn’t a big threat to me. “Hey!” I called out to a sky blue earth colt trotting with his back turned to me, his head moving oddly. “Are you okay?” He paused and slowly turned as I froze in fear, staring at his dead eyes as I gulped nervously, watching slowly start shuffling to me. His head was damn near cut off at the throat to my disgust and I pushed down the urge to vomit. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered and wiped my eyes as I levitated my gun up, squeezing the trigger and I watched his head explode, his body collapsing in a pile. “I’m sorry.” I shoved my gun back into it’s holster as I levitated a shovel out of my bag, levitating what remained of the colt and turning back to the woods. Least I could do was give him a proper burial. I like to think Starlight would be proud of me for it. I slumped over next to a tree, taking another small sip of water. I’d spent the last three hours digging a grave for the unnamed colt before burying him. I didn’t really have a name or birth year or anything so I just put unnamed colt and his death date as today on a makeshift head stone. I stood up, tossing my bottle into my bag and started trotting away, pausing to toss a look back at the grave before continuing on my way. If you had told me three years ago I’d be burying dead bodies of ponies I’d killed, I’d have laughed in your face. And then never talk to you again because that’s a weird thing to say to somepony. Don’t even get me started on how creepy that would be. I paused and listened to a loud cracking sound in the distance that I recognized idly as a gunshot and I stared warily to the south. I didn’t really like coming across survivors anymore. The last group tried to sacrifice me in Trottingham till they got overran by a horde of zombies and I fled. Karma is a bitch, after all. I stood on the hill, levitating my rifle off, leaning against a rock for support as I looked down the sight curiously at a pegasus with a filly flying above a few colts and an earth pony mare shuffling after them. I normally wouldn’t help out a stranger, especially not knowing how they’d react but if Starlight was still here, she’d be helping that mare and the filly in a heart beat. I inhaled and squeezed the trigger, listening to the loud gunshot as I watched the mare snap her head back before collapsing and the pegasus whipped her head to look up at me and I gulped. Her cutie mark did seem familiar from somewhere but I didn’t necessarily remember. Probably from one of my many magic shows I used to do but that was a past life now. I hid behind my rock, idly listening the flapping wings get closer and the sound of hooves nearby followed by panting. “Don’t move,” I warned quietly and pointed my handgun I had levitated out, pointing it at the mare and the filly. “Not another hoof step closer.” “Woah!” The pegasus and the filly raised their hooves. “Trixie?” “Uh huh. Now who the hell are you?” I demanded as she inhaled. “Cloudkicker, from Ponyville? Remember? I helped make it a clear night for your magic show months ago,” Cloudkicker gestured behind her. “This is my sister. Alula.” I paused and examined her, before nodding in satisfaction, sliding my handgun in it’s holster. Why they were called handguns, I’ll never know but I faintly remembered watching Applejack use it before the outbreak. “You’re pretty good with that,” Cloudkicker noted and nodded to my rifle. “You’re not infected or anything?” “No. I should be asking you two that,” I answered flatly as I stood up. I levitated my rifle back into it’s spot and took a step away. “I gotta get a move on before more zombies come. I hope we see each other again. I want to go bury those bodies at least too.” “Wait!” Alula jumped in front of me and I paused. “Why don’t you come back with us?” “The last group I was with tried to sacrifice me and Starlight. I’ll pass,” I said and went to move around her. “Where is Starlight at?” Cloudkicker asked hopefully and I looked down at my hooves as her face fell. “Oh. I’m sorry.” “Been about a month and a half since Starlight died. I don’t do groups anymore after that incident in Ponyville. I prefer to work alone now.” “We have more than enough water, food and resources,” Cloudkicker chimed in, my eyes flicking over to her hopeful expression. “We need some good news. It’s been a long time since we last found a survivor and I can guarantee you, our leader won’t sacrifice you. None of us would. We gotta stick together, after all.” I stared at the two giving me hopeful expressions before I looked back out at the town. I suppose I could stay if I really wanted and leave at the first sign of trouble. It would nice to be able to eat actual warm food for once. “Lead the way,” I gestured with a hoof as Cloudkicker nodded, stepping closer than I would like and hugging me. “Air please.” “Right! Follow us!” I followed the two to a large fence with towers on the inside, faintly making out shadows of ponies inside and a gun leaning against the wall. From what I could tell, it was a fairly large outpost. “Is she infected?” A white earth pony with a first aid symbol demanded as the gate opened and I gulped at two guns pointed at us by a mint green unicorn and a earth pony with a blue and pink mane. “She isn’t Redheart. We checked,” Alula reassured her as Redheart nodded. “She was more worried about us being infected.” “Alright. At least let Lyra check her out with her spell,” Redheart stepped aside and Lyra eyed me warily before her horn flashed green before she nodded. “She’s all good to go,” Lyra announced and flashed me a smile. “Welcome Trixie. We’re like this with everypony we come across. It’s your girls turn now.” I watched Cloudkicker and Alula get the same treatment before Cloudkicker led me forward, the earth pony closing the gate behind us all. I stared with wide eyes in stunned silence at the large interior. There was shops everywhere, a bar and what looked like a meeting area. There was ponies everywhere and I recognized a good few from Ponyville. Berry Punch and Ruby, Derpy and her daughters, Minuette, Golden Harvest, Thunderlane, Caramel, Flitter and Cloudchaser to name a few. I recognized a few other Ponyville ponies mixed in what some ponies clearly from bigger cities. “Who exactly is your leader again?” I asked suspiciously and Cloudkicker smiled. “She’s a friend of yours,” Cloudkicker reassured me as she stopped at a modest looking house, knocking on the door. I tensed up nervously in case of a fight as the door opened. My eyes widened as the alicorn stepped out fully, her eyes examining me with a warm smile as her face lit up. “Trixie?” “Twilight Sparkle?”
Chapter IITwilight and I stared at each other in stunned silence before she took a step toward me and I gulped nervously as she took several more. I closed my eyes and prepared for whatever in Equestria she was about to do to me. We didn’t entirely get along in the past, after all. I won’t apologize for the Ursa Minor incident because I didn’t bring it to town. Those two stupid kids did that one. I wonder if they’re still alive. Getting off track. I will apologize for that Alicorn Amulet incident though. That was my fault. My eyes shot up as I felt Twilight’s warm wings wrapped around me along with her hooves, her feather slightly tickling me as I stared with a dropped jaw. “Are you hugging me?” I demanded as Twilight nodded, tightening her hug. “Yes,” Twilight answered quietly. “It’s nice to see you’re alive.” I bit back a sigh and nodded, hugging her back. It’s been a long time since I’d been hugged. The last time was with Starlight. “Likewise,” I admitted and we finally separated. “How did you survive?” “I could ask you the same thing. You look like you’ve lost thirty pounds. Come on, let’s go get something to eat and I’ll answer all your questions,” Twilight placed a wing on my back and I tensed up a bit at the contact. I looked down at myself and I realized I was thinner than I was when this first started. I didn’t really eat much in general. It was a bit hard to eat after everything and constantly killing made food hard to eat. Especially having to ration for two ponies at one point in my life. “This way,” Twilight shook me from my musing and I nodded, following her with Cloudkicker to my left. “Berry Punch has a bar or well, that’s what we call it. It isn’t much but it does resemble some sort of normalcy. It does help out a bit around.” “Not that the Princess let’s me serve hard alcohol,” Berry grumbled as she trotted up slowly as Twilight sat me down at a table. “Hey Trixie. Long time no see.” “Hello.” I nodded at her as she sat down a bowl of something that I sniffed before giving her a curious loon. “It’s tomato soup with beans and some other herbs,” Berry explained and I gave her a grateful look. “It’s not the best thing I could make but well, I tried. I’ll be around if you need me.” The three of us fell silent as she went and stopped at a table with a light blue pegasus talking quietly with another pegasus. “Fleetfoot and Soarin,” Cloudkicker said as she followed my gaze. “Spitfire is here too but she hardly leaves her room after Blaze died. Misty Fly and Surprise are here too with Wave Chill. High Winds and the others all died to my knowledge, with the exception of Cloudchaser, me and Thunderlane.” “What about Raindrops?” I asked curiously as she looked down. That pretty much told me everything. “Gone. Almost all my friends are gone. Sprinkle Medley, White Lightning, Sassaflash, Dizzy, Parasol, Raindrops. Damn near everypony I went to the Wonderbolts Academy with is dead or missing,” Cloudkicker answered as she sighed sadly. “I don’t know what happened to Bulk Biceps or Sea Swirl. I like to think they’re alive. Hell, Raindrops might even be alive but I don’t remember. Last time I saw her was in Ponyville. Lightning Dust is still alive but she isn’t as energetic as she used to be.” I tried to remember if I had seen a pegasus that had looked like Raindrops around in Ponyville but I couldn’t exactly recall. I did remember Sassaflash but that was it. That time was a blur. “Where is Starlight?” Twilight asked and I paused with a spoon in my magic as her ears flattened against her head, resting a hoof ontop of mine. “I’m sorry.” “Me too.” “How did it happen?” Twilight asked so quietly I barely heard her as Cloudkicker stood up and excused herself quietly with a nod. “I happened,” I answered and wet my lips as she recoiled. “Not like that! That one gamer colt-” “Button Mash?” Twilight chimed in and I nodded slowly. “Yeah, him. He apparently bit her at one point and well, she killed him obviously. We buried him in the school yard with some others. It was the only spot we could find at the time that wasn’t swarmed. Anyway, we tried to find you in Ponyville to help her but well, you weren’t there. We both assumed you had died or something else had happened. Starlight asked me to finish it after about five days and yeah. I buried her in the Everfree Forest near Zecora’s. She’s dead too by the way. Found her corpse in her house.” “Damn,” Twilight whispered and she wrapped a wing around me again. “At least she had somepony there for her. You heard Cloudkicker, after her sister died Spitfire only leaves to eat and use the bathroom.” That sounded far from the proud pegasus I’ve seen perform hundreds of times. “You seem different,” Twilight noted as she eyed me and I continued to force myself to eat. At least it was warm but that gave me little comfort. I had thought it would give me more. “I can’t describe it.” “I think this whole thing has changed us all in some way,” I answered finally. “Most hide it well, some don’t. Me, I’ve stopped caring. Have you found anypony else?” “No. My parents are dead along with my brother. I only found Lyra and Bon Bon along with some others in Canterlot when I went searching for my family. No Twinkleshine, no Lemon Hearts, no Moondancer. I only hope they got out of the town in time.” Berry appeared next to me and silently took my bowl, placing a glass of water in front us along with a box of tissues before she disappeared again. I fell silent as I looked around, Twilight sitting there and letting me get used to my surroundings as my eyes fell on a small playground in the corner. “For the kids. It was Soarin and Derpy’s idea,” Twilight said suddenly. “Golden Harvest just throws herself into her work. Her daughter Noi and her roommate Shoeshine both died so she’s pretty quiet these days. She and Daisy grow a lot of our food along with all the other earth ponies we got. We try to keep a certain weather schedule here.” I faintly remembered Noi and Shoeshine. Shoeshine didn’t entirely like me all that much but Noi was a nice enough filly. I secretly suspected Golden and Shoeshine had something going on behind closed doors but it wasn’t my business. “Where are the rest of the elements?” I asked finally as her eyes drifted to a shed with a lock. “Rainbow is dead. Rarity is here working with Suri to help patch up stuff. Those two don’t entirely like each other but they put their differences aside to survive. Applejack is who knows where. I presume dead along with her brother and Granny Smith. I’ve been experimenting on Rainbow, trying to find a way to reverse the disease but nothing so far. We keep her chained up in the shed with a muzzle away from the colts and fillies. They are scared enough as is.” I nodded slowly as we made eye contact again. “Thank you,” I said quietly. “For letting me stay. I know we didn’t necessarily like each other and I suppose you’re pretty damn justified in hating me.” “I never hated you,” Twilight answered and shook her head as I gave her a stunned look. “I always felt pity I suppose. I did my research on you after you left. Your dad doesn’t know you exist, mother died years ago. You did magic shows for free to entertain ponies and you only got the Alicorn Amulet to prove to me you were just as good as me. I should have been a better friend to you. I realized that before this started. You had a depressing life and I didn’t help much. You were homeless, wagon destroyed and your new one got vandalized when you came to town the third time. It takes a strong pony to keep going after a life like that.” I stared down the smooth wooden surface as she levitated a tissue to me. I didn’t even realize I had started crying until she had placed it in front of me. “You know, the fillies and colts might enjoy a magic show,” Twilight said casually with a small smile. “I think us adults would too.” “I don’t do magic shows anymore,” I said and wiped my eyes. “That was the old me. And besides, I don’t have my wagon anymore. Starlight and I abandoned it in Manehatten when the outbreak first started. It was only slowing us down.” I levitated out Starlight’s saddlebags along with a picture of her and Twilight, sliding it across to Twilight. “She’d want you to have that,” I nodded at it. “She told me to give you it if I ever saw you again. Hey, what happened to your pen pal from another world by the way?” “Sunset?” Twilight asked with a startled look and I nodded. “I didn’t know Starlight told you about her. Sunset knows what has happened here. It was her idea actually but I destroyed the mirror. She didn’t want to risk anypony infected coming over. She knew the risk and that she would never be able to come home. She made a sacrifice and I admire her for it. The book still works a bit.” “How if you use the book to open it?” I asked and she laughed for a moment. I had remembered searching the castle for Twilight and finding a shattered mirror along with Mayor Mare, Noteworthy and some other stallions about the place. “It opens naturally every thirty moons. Even without the book to open it, there was always a small chance a zombie could cross over. We both knew that risk and well, Sunset refused to let what happened here happen in that world. She saved an entire world again. She’s doing okay last I spoke to her.” I nodded as I sat there silently and I took a sip of my water, making eyes with Soarin and we both nodded at each other before he looked away to keep talking to Fleetfoot. “I should probably go tell Fluttershy, Spike and Pinkie about Starlight,” Twilight said and stood up. “Those three are still alive?” “Of course. Discord took Fluttershy to his realm along some with fillies and colts because we begged hard enough. I wasn’t about to leave Spike or Pinkie behind. She sends letters often to Starlight’s village because that’s where Cheese Sandwich is at with those survivors. We trade with them often. Double Diamond and Sugar Belle are in charge over there,” Twilight explained and I rubbed a hoof against my chin. I’d only met those two once briefly in passing when Starlight asked me to go get some stuff she had left in her house. Naturally, she had refused to come with me but the Great and Powerful Trixie isn’t afraid of socializing. “You can stay with me in my house. We are working on building more once we get more wood and ponies who need housing. You’re the first we’ve found in two months,” Twilight continued with a small smile. “You know where it is. There’s a spare room and a shower. Help yourself. You uh smell kinda fresh and you really need a shower Trixie.” I sniffed my mane and grimaced, gagging slightly. The closest thing I had to a shower recently was a stream I had dove into to wash off a bit. Soap wasn’t something I had because I opted to leave it behind to carry more essential stuff, like food and water. “Thank you Twilight,” I bowed my head slightly as I stood up too. “I assume there’s something I have to do stay here?” “No. We don’t force ponies to work to stay here. This place is for everypony we come across. Cloudkicker and the Wonderbolts have helped keep order. My status as a princess still carries some weight at least,” Twilight said and rested her hoof on my back. “But if you feel the need, we always need ponies to help in the field or work the perimeter. I’m usually out in the fields harvesting food.” That almost blew my mind honestly. A princess out doing menial labor such as pulling a plow? That was damn near unheard of. You sure as hell wouldn’t see Celestia or Cadence taking off their horse shoes to do something like that. While I may have not liked Twilight much, I did always respect how much she cared for her subjects. More so than than the other princesses seemed to. “At least Celestia and Luna are alive still,” I commented as the sun started to set. Twilight pointed sheepishly at her glowing horn as my eyes widened. “No way.” “They gave me their ability to raise the sun and moon. They said they were going to find some long lost alicorn civilization in the clouds to hopefully find a cure.” “Oh.” We both turned away as I prepared to go find her house as she tapped a wing on my side. I turned to look back at her as she smiled warmly again at me. “I’m really happy you’re alive Trixie.” “Me too.” She held out her hooves hopefully and I stared warily. I hesitated before I accepted another hug.
Chapter IIII flung a towel on the rack next to the shower as I stepped inside, pulling the curtain closed as I examined how it worked. I was right about her house being the smallest in the town she had created. It was very Twilight, books lining the floors that I had a feeling she stole from the Canterlot library and the castle. Papers littered a desk in her room that were just a bunch of hypothesis’? Hypotheses? I’m not entirely sure how to say that word but you get my meaning. I closed my eyes and turned the water on, accidentally letting out a loud content moan as I felt the water run over me. How they had actual warm water was beyond me but I was damn grateful. I’m sure one of the many pegasi were responsible with using probably lightning or thunder clouds to warm up the water but I didn’t care at the moment. I levitated a bottle of conditioner up to my nose, taking a sniff before pouring some into my coat. Smelling like lilies wasn’t my favorite scent but I’m not picky anymore. Conditioner is conditioner after all. I continued rubbing it into my mane and sighed happily as I sat down, allowing the water to run over my face and mane. If I could, I’d sit in here forever and act like my entire world hadn’t fallen apart around me in, what almost a year now? It wasn’t two years, I know that much. It was hard to keep track after a while. I turned the water off and shook my body to get the excess water off before I stepped out fully, levitating the towel around me. Twilight had allowed me to store my firearms in the spare room thankfully. I didn’t think anypony would steal them but can’t be too sure after all. I paused in front of the mirror and looked at my reflection for the first time in a long time, my jaw slowly dropping. I looked exhausted, Sweet Celestia. My purple eyes looked more tired than before and I had bags under my eyes. My makeup had long since faded off and I looked thinner than I ever have. The last time I looked this thin was at the orphanage as a filly that tended to under feed us. “Where is my hat and cape?” I muttered as I looked around for the clothing, levitating a note that was taped to the door. “Trixie, we’ve taken your cape and hat to do some minor repairs along with your saddlebags. I left a makeup kit under the sink for you. Sincerely, Rarity.” I crumpled up the note and tossed it in the trash can. I hadn’t even heard the door open but I was a bit more focused on getting clean. I opened the sink cupboards and examined the makeup closer. With a shrug, I went to work on applying it how I used to do it. I stood in the makeshift street, feeling more like myself than I have recently as I looked around closer, idly counting each stallion and mare I saw. There was a lot more than what I originally saw when Twilight had first shown me to her place along with a decent amount of kids. “I’m looking for Rarity,” I said and Thunderlane stopped along with Cloudchaser and Flitter. “She’s the third house next to the gate. She shares a living quarters with Suri. Those two are always fighting, especially late at night,” Cloudchaser pointed a hoof to another small house painted purple. “Thank you,” I said and gave a grateful nod as I started to trot in that direction. “Hey wait,” Thunderlane said as I looked back and he scuffed a hoof against the dirt. “You were in Ponyville recently, right?” “That’s correct.” “Did you see my brother, Rumble at all?” “What did he look like?” I asked and shifted on my hooves. “Gray pegasus, blackish gray mane, purple eyes, blank flank,” Flitter answered helpfully and she tightened her bow in her mane with her wing. I paused and bit my lower lip as I tried to remember who all I had seen. The faces and names honestly started to blend together after a bit. “Yes,” I said finally. “I’m sorry.” Thunderlane slumped over the ground with Flitter and Cloudchaser on either side of him as they all looked at me. “So he’s dead then,” Thunderlane sighed and shook his mane. “If it makes you feel any better, I buried him in the school yard next to Button Mash and Sweetie Belle.” “How in Equestria is that supposed to make us feel better?” Thunderlane snapped and I recoiled with my ears pressed against my skull. “He’s still dead. Burying him doesn’t do jack shit to any of us. It certainly doesn’t bring him back, so just go to Rarity and get on your way.” I watched silently as the three started crying and I inhaled nervously. “I’m very sorry for your loss,” I repeated quietly. Sorry for your loss was always a weird phrase to me. Loss usually meant you’d find what was missing. Death is a bit more permanent than just losing something for a few days or weeks. I turned to leave and slammed muzzle first into a white unicorn giving me a small smile before she frowned slightly. “There’s no need for that. Trixie did you a favor by at least giving your brother a proper burial along with my sister and I’m grateful to her for that,” Rarity chided and she narrowed her eyes angrily. “We may have not always seen eye to eye on matters, but I won’t tolerate that disrespect to her. I lost my dear Sweetie so you aren’t the only ponies in Equestria to have somepony you love die. Now we will leave you three to grieve in peace.” I stared in stunned silence as Rarity turned around and starting trotting off, pulling me behind with her magic. “I can walk,” I grumbled and I quit glowing blue as I turned to follow her. “Thank you for that back there.” “Anytime darling. And I suppose a thanks is in order to you as well for how you handled my Sweeetie Belle,” Rarity mused as I watched her wipe her eyes with a tissue. “I would have done it myself but the idea of killing my sister, dead or not was a difficult thing to do.” I didn’t entirely think of that. I didn’t have any siblings of my own but I suppose that made some sense. It was always a bit more difficult when it came to the kids compared to the adults if I’m being honest. I’m just internally glad there was no foals. Trixie isn’t that heartless, after all. “I had to get out of that house. Suri was driving me up the wall and no amount of Coco trying to calm us down would have worked. Not even Fancy Pants was helpful,” Rarity scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Why Coco even agreed to date Suri is beyond me. At least Spikey got them to give me space.” “Hm. An angry dragon would do that. Is he still short?” I asked with a smirk and Rarity matched it. “Not really. He’s about your height now, give or take. Maybe a few inches shorter but I remember when he was only coming up to my chest,” Rarity snickered behind a hoof and I snorted. “Do you have any good gossip? There’s not much to gossip about her except Soarin and Fleetfoot sleeping together.” “Those two?” I asked incredulously as I glanced down the street at the two walking together. I had heard a long time ago about the whole replacing him with Rainbow Dash incident. That had been all over the papers for a solid three weeks straight. Newspapers come up with the most wild titles ever. Wonderbolts split in two camps were one of the titles I remember seeing. “Huh. I don’t really have much gossip. Do you know how Rainbow died? She’s the faster thing in Equestria.” Rarity scowled and I gulped nervously as she glanced at me for a moment before she sighed. “Her damn loyalty is what got her killed,” Rarity growled and I raised an eyebrow. Rarity cursing was the last thing I’d ever imagined hearing. “I loved that mare like family but her loyalty, admirable as it was, was her greatest weakness. She refused to leave the rest of the Wonderbolts and Scootaloo behind, even the ponies that were dying. She even went back for Zephyr. I know Fluttershy was grateful for that but it got Rainbow killed. Apparently some pony got it stuck inside her head he could heal the dead ones.” I could believe that. Rainbow Dash did preach loyalty like a religion almost. I could almost see her in a suit and tie, knocking on doors with a pamphlet asking to come inside and talk for five minutes. I didn’t really do religion but I knew a lot of ponies did. Mainly the ones were viewed the Princesses like goddesses or something. I faintly remember there being a whole secret group specifically dedicated to Celestia that I heard her hating with a burning passion. Knowing the Princess of Friendship has it’s perks. “I’m certain you’re eager to get your cape and hat back.” “A bit yeah. I didn’t even hear you come in to the bathroom,” I commented and Rarity blushed slightly. “Yes well, I knocked and said I was coming in but once I heard you moaning, I decided to just get your belongings and quickly leave you to your activities,” Rarity answered and looked away as I felt my face get hot. “I wasn’t doing that!” I said hastily and shifted on my hooves. “I haven’t done that in months.” “I see. Anyway, come inside,” Rarity opened a door and gestured me to follow her as she disappeared through the doorway and I faintly made out two ponies talking upstairs. “Fluttershy and Pinkie are dropping by Twilight’s later. All of Fluttershy’s animals were eaten so she’s been pretty upset by it but finding more ponies that aren’t dead always makes her happy.” I nodded and quietly shut the door behind me, pausing to glance in the bed room at Spike snoring quietly in the bed with purple sheets and three diamonds stitched into it as I raised an eyebrow at Rarity. Spike did seem a bit bigger than I had last seen him. “You and Spike, huh?” I tossed Rarity a smug grin. I had known about Spike being into her for months. Damn near sure the whole town had known about it. He was pretty much less than subtle about it. “This ordeal made me think about a lot of things and well, Spike has always been there for me. He’s a nice dragon and a pretty decent lay,” Rarity admitted as I turned brighter red. “I never thought I’d tell anypony about that but he is. It took a bit to teach him but especially with him on top-” “Okay, that’s enough down there, mkay?” Suri shouted down the stairs. Or well, a pony who I guessed was Suri based on the accent. Rarity did say she was a bit cultured sounding. “We don’t need to know the details of your sex life!” I chuckled as Rarity scowled up the stairs. “What Suri means is isolation is making you more explicit!” Another mare shouted as I raised an eyebrow. “My roommates,” Rarity said flatly and rolled her eyes. “Suri and Coco Pommel. They’re a hoofful at times. Especially Suri.” “I heard that!” Rarity gave a frustrated groan as I bit back a laugh as some fillies and a colt ran past laughing. Hearing that noise was so foreign now. I never thought I’d say that. I used to laugh damn near all the time. I feel way too serious now. I need a drink of something hard. “Ignore them,” Rarity told me as she led me to a bench. My face lit up at my hat and cape sitting on it. “Holy shit,” I breathed out in awe. “It’s so clean and you fixed all the holes and tears.” “Don’t let the fake posh act fool you! She screamed fuck for a solid thirty minutes last night!” Suri shouted and Rarity glared at the stairs. “I really hate that mare some days. Anyway, your cape and hat. I took some liberties of adding some extra designs,” Rarity levitated my cape up and my jaw slowly dropped. “I hope you don’t mind but I added Starlight’s cutie mark onto it next to yours.” I stayed silent as I gently ran a hoof over the cutie mark slowly and Rarity shifted nervously. “Darling?” “I love it,” I answered finally and I hugged the cape. “Thanks Rarity.” “It was an honor darling. The three of us jumped on it pretty fast for you. Starlight was my friend too and you have my condolences,” Rarity smiled faintly and levitated my hat on my head. “Now you look a lot like the Trixie I used to know.” I smiled and I placed my cape on. She had even shined the gem on the clasp as I reared back on my hind legs and hugged her. If I had bits for how many times I’d been hugged by an Element of Harmony, I’d have two bits. It’s not a lot but I’ll admit, it’s nice to be hugged again. You don’t know how much you miss something until it’s gone. Rarity gave me a surprised look before she hugged me back. Author's Note I'm not gonna lie, it's 2:36 am and I'm writing this, the nose piece of my glasses broke off and fell on my eye, I fucking freaked and thought it was a bug, flinging it across my room. Shit was awful and I feel so stupid now😂😂. I honestly didn't really think think this story would get as much attention. I don't really do horror much but if this does well I might do it more.
Chapter IVI rolled over in my bed in slight frustration and cursed under my breath. I had been tossing and turning all night trying to get at least something that resembled sleep. Sleeping in an actual bed was surprisingly hard to get used to. For over half my life, all I’ve had was a hammock in my wagon. An actual bed was a luxury I couldn’t afford at the time nor fit in my wagon. I was more accustomed to sleeping on the floor or in hammocks as previously stated. Plus, it was a bit harder to focus on sleep with all the noise around the house. Ponies outside walking around quietly, muffled conversations and the occasional laughter from some ponies in one of the many watch towers littered around the camp fence. At least Twilight didn’t snore. I had heard stories from others that Luna and Cadence both snored like crazy so I had assumed it was am alicorn thing. And don’t even ask me why I thought that because I have no clue. “Can’t thleep?” I jumped slightly and rolled over in frustration, staring at a white filly with a red mane and glasses with a cutie mark of two candy canes overlapping staring up at me. I hadn’t even heard her open the door. Maybe I’m going deaf. I should see Redheart. “Uh yeah, you could say that. Who are you exactly?” “Thorry. I’m Twist. Twilight is isth letting me thleep in here too. Thaid it would be good for you,” she answered. “Isth that okay with you?” “Yeah it’s fine. Uh, how old are you?” I asked as she climbed up into the bed next to me. “Ten.” Oh by Celestia’s cake loving flanks. Ten was a annoying time in my life. Trying to sort out school work, colts and fillies and more importantly, trying to not wet the bed. I don’t really like kids if they wet the bed. “You uh don’t do the whole bed wetting thing, do you?” I asked hopefully and Twist gave me a confused look. I really hoped I didn’t have to explain further what I meant. “Only when I have a nightmare.” Oh sweet Celestia, I’m stuck with a filly that has nightmares and wets the bed during. I really don’t want to have my coat covered in urine. “And thith whole thing hath pretty much been a nightmare,” Twist continued with a shudder and my expression softened. She was pretty damn accurate in that regard. I still hoped it was just a bad dream at times and Starlight would be waking me up any minute. “How did you thurvive?” “Straight to the point, aren’t you? Luck I suppose. You?” “Bon Bon, Mith Lyra and Caramel kept me safe till Princeth Twilight found us. Bon Bon isth my older thister and she was uh, pretty violent to keep me safe,” Twist continued as she slipped under the sheets next to me. “I’ve never seen her like that.” “I see. I’m going to try to get some sleep, I agreed to do guard duty tomorrow after noon and relieve the overnight ponies. Wait. Why aren’t you at Bon Bons house then? I walked past it earlier.” “She agreed to let me stay here for a bit.” Oh. I suppose that made sense. I think she was more so convinced by Twilight than anything else or the kindness of her heart. I didn’t like Bon Bon and she didn’t like me and we were both happy with it that way. She had been one of the ponies who laughed me out of town alongside Berry, Daisy and Golden Harvest. I only really got along with Berry and Daisy to be honest. Berry and I both enjoyed our alcohol, especially our bourbon. And Daisy grew some pretty delicious flowers. Though I learned the hard way she and her sisters were a bit dramatic. A bit would be an understatement though to be honest. I thought only Fluttershy acted like that. “Night Mith Trixie!” Twist announced and she rolled over, turning off the light on her side. “Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” I hummed in response and tried to force myself to sleep. I yawned as I brushed my mane idly and continued trotting up to a tower with a four written in bright red on the side. “Oh thanks Celestia!” A stallion called out as I started to climb the ladder. “I thought our reliefs were never coming. I’m ready for a nap.” “Felt that,” another stallion agreed as they both looked down at me. “It’s been clear all night. Have a good shift.” “Yeah thanks,” I grumbled as I rested my rifle against the wall, watching the two fly away. I had woken up on the floor next to Twist in my hooves. How she ended up there with me, I’ll never know but Twilight had been pretty insistent on knowing why we slept on the floor. “Oh there you are,” Thunderlane said and he dropped down next to me. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you.” “And why is that?” I asked with a bored expression as I continued scanning the town. It was pretty just desert for miles and miles to my annoyance. I’d have liked something pretty to look at, like a bench or something. Anything that put a drink next to me. “To apologize. I was way out of line yesterday evening and I’m sorry,” Thunderlane scuffed a hoof on the wood sheepishly. “Plus, I volunteered to work with you today for the next twelve hours. I brought coffee that Flitter made. It’s admittedly not great but coffee is coffee, right?” He held out a thermos of coffee hopefully as I examined it before smiling slightly. “Forgiven. Thanks for the coffee,” I said as I levitated it to my lips and took a sip. I gagged a bit and forced myself to swallow the bitter liquid. How anypony could drink coffee black was beyond me. That was disgusting as hell. Whenever invented that idea was a criminal and deserved the depths of Tartarus. “Yeah it was bad,” Thunderlane admitted. “But it’s the thought that counts, right?” “Got that right,” I answered and turned to continue watching. “Thought you’d be with Soarin in tower nine.” “Eh, we’re always partnered up. Figured I’d do a change of pace. Besides, Surprise wanted to be on that tower today. We also got Bon Bon and Star Tracker joining us today. Star is a good comedian.” Oh joy. Being paired up with Bon Bon sounds like a dream come true. “Huh. I heard Lightning Dust is here but I haven’t seen anypony that Rainbow had described to me. What’s she like?” I asked curiously and he scowled. “She’s a jerk, that’s for sure. She’s our delivery mare. Last time I checked, she should be back in a few days or so from Las Pegasus and then Starlight’s village. She’s been delivering letters for us to other camps.” “Isn’t that Derpy’s job?” I asked and jerked my head down at the gray pegasus trotting into a building with Dinky and some other fillies and colts. “Normally yes but Twilight forbade her from going out because she has kids. Same reason why Twilight doesn’t allow Berry Punch or Silverspeed to be on guard duty. Because their daughters are here and Twilight isn’t fond of sending parents into danger. So Derpy assists Cheerilee in teaching the kids at the school house.” I could believe that. Other than being a delivery mare, I could see Derpy being a teachers assistant. She certainly had the personality for it. “Silverspeed mainly just trained a few ponies on how to aim a gun properly. Outside of Cloudkicker and the Wonderbolts, she’s the only other pony to have experience in military training. And you along with the rare Royal Guards we have here,” Thunderlane continued. “She does the weather now mainly. Berry runs the town bar if it can be called that but you already knew that part.” “Ah. I have no military experience. I only know how to shoot a gun because of Applejack.” “Oh. I forgot that mare damn near had an arsenal under her house.” I nodded my agreement, idly watching Bon Bon quietly join us along with a pegasus in a Wonderbolt uniform. I assumed he was Star Tracker but I didn’t expect see him in a uniform. “So how’s the-” Star Tracker started and I held up a hoof. “Hold on,” I said and levitated my rifle in front of me, staring down the sight and I sighed as I slightly adjusted it and everypony fell silent around me. I faintly made out Bon Bon pulling out binoculars next to me and looking in the same direction as me. I inhaled again and squeezed the trigger with my magic, watching in satisfaction as the zombie dropped. “Woah,” Star Tracker whispered as I set my rifle down again. “That was insane dude. How far was that?” “Two miles,” Bon Bon answered and she set down her binoculars. “Clean shot.” “Thanks,” I said and gave a smug grin. It always felt nice getting compliments, especially from ponies who didn’t like you. “Since when does a candy maker carry a gun?” I gestured to the handgun on Bon Bons foreleg. “When the candy maker is also a secret agent,” Bon Bon answered flatly and glanced at me. “So don’t fuck with me. And don’t even think about trying to jump scare me. Last pony to do so got pistol whipped and spent a week in the hospital with Redheart.” I gave Thunderlane a confused look and resisted the urge to laugh. Bon Bon honestly seemed like the last pony to be a secret agent. “And Lyra is too so don’t mess with her either. Though she’s more than likely to laugh,” Bon Bon scoffed and rolled her eyes. “It’s a Glock twenty two by the way. Standard issue for SMILE agents. SMILE agents are taught in all types of firearm practice. I prefer the Glock, Lyra likes the Ruger brand best.” I almost made a joke comment about two lesbians with guns but I figured that wouldn’t go well with Bon Bon. I knew Lyra more and she would have died laughing knowing her. “Uh huh,” I said and shifted away from her. I didn’t entirely know what else to say to this. “Normally there’s law against me telling you because we’d all be executed for treason but well, there’s no more laws anymore. Only law now is do what it takes to survive,” Bon Bon mused and she stretched slightly. “I pulled night duty for Siren. Wake me up if anything interesting happens. And shoot Cement if he tries to fuck with me.” We all gulped nervously and Bon Bon grinned slightly at me. Being executed is personally not on my list of things to do. I’d prefer to survive, thank you. She leaned against the wall and placed a nearby hat over her face followed by quiet breathing. “That was certainly something. What did you do to piss her off?” Star Tracker asked as he shrugged his flight suit off and I shrugged. “Other than exist, nothing.” Author's Note Thinking about doing a side story from Suri's POV about how she survived and reconnected with Coco and coming to Twilight's sanctuary. LMK if that's something you all would like.
Chapter VI yawned and leaned against the wall of the tower, idly listening to Misty Fly and Thunderlane talking about the weather. It had been a week since I’ve arrived here and I’ve pretty fallen into a pretty decent pattern. Guard duty during Monday through Thursday, helping out in the fields Friday and Saturday, resting on Sunday, have daily breakfast with Twilight and the other elements along with Cloudkicker, Thunderlane and Spike. Flitter and Cloudchaser occasionally joined us. I have a whole new respect for earth ponies. Plowing land is hard. Golden Harvest had thought seeing me slip face first into the dirt multiple times was hilarious. Stupid pony. She should know by now the strong and powerful Trixie doesn’t back down from anything. “Hey Trixie,” Cloudkicker landed next to me with a smirk. “Whatcha up to?” “Not jack shit. You?” “Same. Twilight told me ask if you were down for a group dinner tonight again,” Cloudkicker kicked a hoof against the wood and leaned closer to my ear. More closely than I would have liked. “There’s gonna be alcohol.” Now that was a surefire way of getting my attention. “I see. I’ll be there after I’m done here. We got about six more hours till our reliefs come,” I said and stretched. “I’ll nap till it’s time.” “Bet!” We watched her fly away and I took another sip of my coffee, grimacing slightly. I had gotten more used to the awful taste of black coffee. “So what’s being a Wonderbolt like?” I asked Misty curiously as she shrugged. “It was nice. I became a Wonderbolt to make the fillies and colts happy, not to be rich or set records like some who have came and gone like Wind Rider. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve set a few records in my time but they all got beaten by Dash,” Misty said as she and Thunderlane shot a sad look at the shed where the rainbow maned pegasus was locked up. Or well, what remained of her. I’d been in there once and it was enough to make me have nightmares. Half her coat was falling off and bloody. “It was the best feeling ever. Being a fellow performer yourself, you must understand where I’m coming from.” “I do.” “Excuse me,” a voice said and we all looked down at a colt with a multi colored coat staring up at us with a yellow filly next to him. “Miss Trixie?” “Yes?” I asked curiously and he shifted on his hooves, the yellow filly next to him nudging him forward. “My birthday is next month. Could you show me some magic tricks please?” The colt asked and I tensed up, feeling the two Wonderbolts burning holes in my back with their eyes. “I’m sorry but no. I don’t do magic shows anymore. I don’t have an assistant or any of my supplies. I had to leave my wagon behind,” I explained before leaning close to Thunderlane’s ear whisper in it. “Who in Equestria is this?” ”Pipsqueak,” Thunderlane whispered back. ”Was friends with Rumble and Button Mash. The filly is Sunny Daze. Normally runs around with Dinky.” ”Oh,” I mumbled before I sized the colt up. “We will see. I’m sure I can come up with something maybe. Times are difficult shall we say.” “I understand,” Pipsqueak kicked a rock aside and I sighed. “Sorry to bother you, Trixie.” “I’ll do it, okay? Just give me time to figure something out.” I didn’t necessarily know what I would do. Magic supplies and fireworks were a bit lacking these days but I guess I could throw together a batch of homemade explosives. “Thank you,” Pipsqueak reared back on his hind legs before he and Sunny Daze ran off to whatever it is kids do these days. “That was nice of you,” Thunderlane commented as I sighed and shrugged. “What’s wrong?” “This will be the first show I’ve done without my assistant.” “How’s life here so far?” Spike asked me as I shifted on my chair in Twilight’s living room. Cloudchaser and Flitter sat across from me with Thunderlane and Twilight on either side of me. “It’s okay I guess.” I stared down silently as the others talked quietly. I wasn’t really feeling like conversating too much, if I’m being honest. I get these mood swings occasionally. Some days I love to see others and other days I don’t want to be disturbed. Today, I’m a mix of both. “Are you feeling okay?” Thunderlane asked me quietly and nudged me. “I’m fine, I guess. I just get these moods where I’m not really happy,” I answered and looked away. “Plus, depression and all is a bitch.” “When did you get diagnosed?” Twilight asked and I sneered at Cloudchaser. “After I got ran out of Ponyville and lost everything. But it’s okay. Haven’t had my medication in months because of well, you can put two and two together,” I relaxed my angry expression and looked away. “It’s hard to fight against the thoughts without it. And I always used to think medication was for the weak. Guess I’m one of them, huh?” “That doesn’t make you weak. It just makes you one of us,” Twilight rested a wing on my back. “Depression isn’t anything you can control. There is nothing wrong with having issues. Cloudchaser?” “Yeah Twilight?” The pegasus asked and set down her beer. “Go to the pharmacy next to Berry’s. See if you can find Trixie some anti depressants please. I don’t want to risk losing anypony, especially to something as preventable as suicide,” Twilight glanced at her and Cloudchaser nodded. “After you’re done eating, of course.” “As you wish. Maybe Flitter and Trixie can hang out? Flitter has anxiety. Might be good for the two to spend time together,” Cloudchaser suggested and Twilight nodded thoughtfully before looking to me. “Up to Trixie and Flitter, of course. I’m not about to force decisions upon two grown mares.” Flitter and I looked at each other. Neither of us really knew each other. But if they were even willing to go this far to help with something as simple as medication, I suppose I should give it a shot, right? She gave me a small smile and I returned it. “Yeah, sure. And thanks. For everything.” Twilight rubbed my back with a wing and I shuddered slightly at the touch. “Anytime.”
Chapter VII gave a yawn as my eyes finally adjusted to the darkness of my room, a candle being the only source of light as I felt the empty spot next to me. I hate to admit it, but I kinda got used to Twist sleeping next to me. It was nice to have somepony there, kinda how it was with Starlight with how often she snuck me into her room in the castle. “I miss you,” I sighed and my eyes landed on a picture of me and Starlight smiling in front of a Hearths Warming tree. Twilight had insisted I decorate my room with the few belongs I had. I had to leave most of it behind when we abandoned my wagon to flee an infested Manehatten. And naturally Starlight had to leave her stuff behind too. Sucked. We had a lot of stuff together from our travels in there. “Trixie?” Speak of the devil and she appears. Or well, Princess in this case. Twilight stood in the doorway and I took a breath. “Yeah Twilight?” I asked and she trotted closer. “I heard you crying,” Twilight answered and I rubbed my eyes with a hoof. I didn’t even realize I had started crying. If she could hear it and woke up, I hope to Tartarus nopony else did. “Are you okay?” I stayed silent but shook my head as her eyes fell on the picture I stared at still. “Oh.” Twilight sat down and I inched away to quit taking up the whole bed. I liked to splay out when I slept. Was way more comfortable. Starlight absolutely hated that about me. We fought over it occasionally. She preferred to either sleep in a ball or cuddle. “I miss her too, you know? She was my first ever student I took on. She was also the first to thoroughly beat me in a duel. I had to talk her down instead of fighting. She was a really good mare,” Twilight commented and I nodded. I had heard that story a dozen times from Spike, Starlight and Twilight herself even. “Of course, our relationship was different than yours was for the obvious reasons. There was no hoof holding or the more well, adult actions like when she snuck you into the castle.” “You knew?” My cheeks turned red as Twilight gave me a flat, unimpressed look. “Trixie, I had spells set on my castle to tell me whenever somepony entered to let me know. I knew every time she snuck you in for some alone time. And well, you two weren’t necessarily quiet.” Oh, fuck my life. I could have sworn we had cast a sound proofing spell for this exact reason. Just knowing that the princess of friendship knew about the other secret aspects of my relationship with Starlight was well, horrifying to say the least. I felt Twilight wrap her hooves around me and I hesitated before leaning into her hug. Hugging another mare in bed almost felt like betraying Starlight in a way. “You know, when you told me what happened I cried myself to sleep for an entire week. It’s natural to be sad,” Twilight nuzzled my cheek. “Rarity too. You don’t wanna know how sad Fluttershy and Pinkie were. Even Suri supported Rarity.” I didn’t necessarily know how to react to that. I always thought Rarity and Suri hated each other with a burning passion. I had heard all about their problems in Manehatten with each other. I hugged her finally and we both cried. Felt nice to at least cry with somepony else. Crying alone is always awful and I have a lot of experience in that field. I trotted out of Twilight’s house or well, our house I suppose I should say now. Twilight was next to me and we both gazed curiously at a large crowd at the center of our small village. We had accidentally fallen asleep last night together. Talk about freaking embarrassing as fuck. “What’s going on over there?” I asked and pointed as we both started approaching. Bon Bon was kneeling with her gun pointed at a very familiar looking purple wagon with blue. “My wagon!” “Don’t get close,” Bon Bon warned and I froze with Twilight. “Lightning Dust found it when she was sent to Manehatten. She brought it back for some reason. There’s something inside.” I watched anxiously as Cheerilee and Derpy started moving the fillies and colts back inside some makeshift school. Probably for the best honestly. Killing is always messy. There’s the blood getting everywhere and of course, the body. “Open it,” Bon Bon ordered and Lyra nodded as she yanked open the doors with her magic and jumped back. “Hey woah!” A mare shouted inside and we all stared inside in confusion at the few kids inside with a stallion. The yellow pegasus mare stood protectively in front of the scared looking foals with a glare and her wings spread as far as they could be. “Raindrops?” Soarin raised an eyebrow as Bon Bon hastily lowered her gun. “Dropsi?” Cloudkicker gave her a confused look and Raindrops hesitantly stepped out. “We thought you were dead. How the hell did you get to Trixie’s wagon?” “Long story. I heard something about survivors in Manehatten but well, they were all dead when I got there. Ponyville got too overran for my liking. Found these kids hiding in a store. Found him with a broken leg,” Raindrops nodded to the stallion. “And well, found the wagon. Figured it’d be a nice place to lay low for a bit. Then Lightning Dust found it without knowing we were inside. Here we are.” “They’re all clear,” a tan stallion with a red cross on his flanks announced. “Broken leg, with me. I’ll take a better look at it.” I watched as Cloudkicker and Raindrops hugged as Bon Bon looked away. “Are you okay?” I asked curiously and she scowled at me before shaking her head. “I almost killed a kid just now. Four kids, in fact. What kind of fucking pony am I?” Bon Bon sniffed and I stared with wide eyes. She doesn’t really show emotion other than anger really. “I’m going home. Come on Lyra. I don’t wanna be alone.” I watched briefly before I trotted up to my wagon and sniffed. It smelled just like how it used to. Random perfumes everywhere, a first aid kit. I turned to the trunk as it rattled and I stared at it. “The hell?” I muttered and opened it slowly, falling backwards with a horrified expression as a colt tumbled out with his jaw hanging open. “Gah!” Some ponies turned to look after my scream and I continued scrambling backwards as he walked to me shakily. He had a broken leg and his jaw snapped a few times. Well, I’m dying now it seems. At least I’ll see my marefriend and friends wherever I end up. If I don’t go to hell, that is. “Trixie!” I faintly heard somepony shout and I heard two loud gunshots and the colts head exploded as I closed my eyes instinctively, feeling a warm liquid splatter on my coat and face. “Are you okay?” Twilight asked and I stared in stunned silence as she dropped a gun. In all my life, seeing Twilight kill wasn’t something I anticipated. Or seeing Bon Bon standing next to her with a smoking gun. Apparently she and Lyra didn’t get too far before I screamed. “Y-yeah. Just shook up is all. Thanks for that.” “Anytime,” Bon Bon nodded and wheeled to glare at Raindrops. “Just what the hell was that? You almost got her killed! Dead bodies just don’t end up in trunks like that so start talking before I put two rounds in your chest.” “I-I had no clue! Honest!” Raindrops begged as Bon Bon pressed the gun to her head. “Please don’t. Don’t kill me. Please.” I wiped my face off with a rag and gulped. Watching an execution isn’t something I’ve ever wanted and I turned away. “Don’t,” Twilight warned and yanked the gun with her magic. “Who cares how it got there. We are not going to kill living ponies. I made this as a sanctuary to all survivors, not to pick and choose who gets to live and who gets to die. We don’t execute anypony here, we’re better than that. If anypony has an issue with that, they are free to leave.” Nopony said anything as I gave her an approving look. “Then go about your business. Raindrops, go with Cloudkicker. Bon Bon?” Twilight glanced at the cream mare who kicked the dirt as Raindrops trotted away with Cloudkicker. “Yes Princess?” “Don’t ever fucking do that again,” Twilight snapped and I flinched. I’ve never once heard her swear. No damn, no hell, nothing. “Am I clear?” “Yes.” “Excellent. Now go home. Follow Raindrops when you’re calm. Just because I’m not going to execute her doesn’t mean I don’t want to be cautious. We wait a week and if nothing happens, we will leave her be. And somepony take the kids to Cheerilee. I’m sure she and Derpy will be happy to have more foals to teach.” Bon Bon hung her head and trotted away with Lyra talking quietly to her. “Let’s go home and clean you up,” Twilight nudged me and I nodded numbly as she smiled slightly. “Somepony bury the body please. And clean up the mess.” Like I said, killing was messy.
