The Trotting Dead

Not a sound melted into the library from the outside world as Twilight Sparkle slept quietly in her bed.

Not a peep made its way through the boarded up windows and doors as Twilight Sparkle groaned in her sleep from a nightmare.

Not a cry or a shriek of terror and death found itself past the magical barrier that surrounded the Ponyville Central Library as it began to flicker out.

And an oblivious Twilight Sparkle shivered from her nightmare once more.

"Twilight Sparkle." Princess Celestia said firmly.

"I'm so sorry, I-" Twilight started as she turned to face the alicorn ruler. But it wasn't the fact that Celestia began speaking again that made Twilight stop.

Instead, it was the fact that Princess Celestia's entire body was riddled with gashes, cuts, bruises, and missing chunks of flesh.

Twilight suppressed a terrified scream when she noticed Celestia's coat had patches of fresh blood on it as well as missing a portion of her cheek.

"You have a very special gift." Princess Celestia continued as if her current appearance did not impede her in any way. "I don't think I've ever come across a unicorn with your raw abilities. But you need to learn to tame these abilities through focused study."

"Twilight Sparkle," the horrifying undead alicorn continued, her voice darkening and a hunger flashing in her eyes. "I'd like to make you my own personal meal here at the school..."