Beneath the Rotting Sky.

by Victor blake

Rating: mature
Tags: Sad, Main 6, Princess Luna, Gore, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Thriller, Suicide / Self Harm, Tragedy, Profanity, Violence, Princess Celestia, Death, Alternate Universe, Human
Length: 11190

The end of the world. Dead people biting the living ones. Everything I cared about is gone. My life can't get any worse... right? Not like some ponies, who don't have a clue what's going on are randomly going to appear into this world... ...shit.

The end of the world. It's something no one should wish for. Unfortunately for Sebastian Ramírez it's exactly what he got. For a while now he has done nothing more than survive and suffer. His life doesn't exactly get any better when a group of colorful ponies suddenly appear infront of his doorstep with absolutely no clue what has happened to this damned world. Is he able to protect the girls (...mares?) from the horrors of this world? Is he able to convince them to accept what has to be done in order to survive?

MLP belongs to it's rightful owner Hasbro.

Any similarities with events, names or text is based on pure coincidence.

Published 2024-09-18 19:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-10-08 23:31:41 UTC

Chapter 1 - The living, the dead and... colorful ponies?

Author's Note

Hi everyone!!!

This is my first fanfic and I'm very excited to be doing this. English isn't my first languange so I apologize in advance if some of the lines in the story aren't written correctly. You can correct, criticize and give me tips anytime.

Anyway, enjoy the first chapter!

Maldita seas = Damn you.
Mosoca = Brat.
Podridos = Rotters

Chapter 1 - The living, the dead and... colorful ponies?

Running. Running is all the woman can do. No weapons, no food and the undead is slowly catching up to her. She trips and falls hard on the ground. Blood drips down her nose and she drags herself against the wall. She looks up and all she sees is the undead.

"Stay away! You monsters! No! Please no! NOOOO!!"

The woman has been cornered and has no chance to escape. The undead begin to take bites out of her legs, arms and neck. All she can do is cry and scream in agony.

"Why god wh– *ZAP* –think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that? Well you're wrong! Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here!..."

I give my little sister an annoyed , who had suddenly changed the channel of the TV. Can't she see that I'm enjoying a epic movie?

"Hey! I was watching that show! maldita seas Eleonor!" I give her an angry look. There isn't a single time where she isn't annoying.

My sister just sticks out her tongue and returns to watch TV, apparently not giving a shit that she just interrupted the best part of the movie.

"Mama said I could watch some TV. Besides, you're supposed to do your homework." She takes a bag of chips from the table and opens it. I know for a fact that those chips are mine! My name is written on it!

"That's mine! You mocosa! Don't just take what you want!" Just as I manage to grab it she spits in the bag, making me recoil in disgust.

"Seriously? Is that how you're going to claim my chips?" I fucking hate you Eleonor. It's effective, I'll give her that. I look at the TV and see 6 ponies blast a big dark pony with wings and a horn with a powerful rainbow beam. "Aren't you a little too old for my little pony now? You watched it three times already."

My sister shrugs and continues to watch the show. "It's pretty fun to see! Seeing those friends going on amazing adventures together." She smirks and turns around to face me. "Unlike you. No amigos to go on adventure with." Rodger, our golden retriever,walks into the room and barks happily towards us.

Low blow sis, really low blow. It's not like you have any friends. I haven't seen one at least.

"I don't need to go on ridiculous, stupid adventures! And friends is..." I look slightly away from my sister, knowing damn well she is lauging at me. "...something in progress."

All my sister does is shaking her head before returning her attention to the TV. Rodger jumps onto the couch and Eleonor starts patting him on the head.

"Didn't you enjoy watching the show too? It really looked like you enjoyed it."

"That was one time and that's because I had nothing else to do!" I say in with embarrasment. "I would rather watch Paw Patrol than that stupid show." I storm upstairs to make my homework.

"Damn you..." I walk into my room and grab my notebook. "If it was up to me I would rather be alone for the rest of my life..."

KABOOOM!

...

I have been surviving in my own home all this time. It's been 6 months since that damn outbreak day and I have been alone ever since. It all happened so fast that it feels like it's just one big nightmare. Fuck... I wish it was a nightmare... The only time I come out is for food and medical supplies. The water supply hasn't been cut out ...yet.

I hate this. It's nothing like the movies. I liked seeing it, not experience it!

There is no group that saves you, no friendly people you can feel safe with. There is only suffering, betrayal, psychopaths who enjoy killing eachother and the undead, who for some reason decided that being dead isn't cool and came back to show their anger. There is no fun in killing zombies, trust me. There isn't a single kick you get out of it. It's just something you have to do. They are terrifying to see, especially brawlers...

"At least I have you boy." Sitting on the ground I give Rodger a pat on the head with a sad smile.
"And we have power. Thank the person who has invented solar panels a thousand times."

Rodger managed to hide himself in the basement and stayed there until I came back from... the incident. Smart cookie that he is. Altough I thought he would be mad at me for leaving him behind, he actually ran to me with so much hapiness! Licking my face completely under his saliva. I love dogs.

Rodger gives a sad, soft bark and walks over to his empty doggy bowl. Lying next to it, he begins to whine a little.

"I know boy, but we don't have that much food anymore and it's too dark to explore for food now" I say, looking at the clock and standing up.

Walking to the kitchen, I grab the almost empty bag of Eddie Copper dogfood and shake the last bits into his bowl. He immediately begins to eat. I grab a cup and put some leftover noodles in it. "Tomorrow we'll search for more food. Try to hold out until then, okay?" I look at Rodger, who is already finished with eating. He drags himself onto his little bed and closes his eyes, falling into a deep, hopefully peaceful slumber.

"...Good night boy..."

...

After several hours trying to find a safe place to loot from, I finally found a small grocery store in the corner of a small street. Luckily there wasn't a single zombie to be seen.

I brought a hatchet with me. I do have a pistol at home, but what's a pistol use without bullets? I wasted them all in the first month, not really thinking to save up those bullets for a little bit more dire situations. Dumbass.

Rodger is standing beside me, trying his best to smell if there are any undead corpses in the store. I usually went to a supermarket a lot closer to my house for supplies, but I looted it completely empty.

"Any podridos in there buddy?" I check my surrounding, making sure I haven't looked over any zombies that was secretly hiding and could potentially ambush Rodger and me from behind.

Rodger looks at me and gives three soft, quick barks, meaning there are three zombies walking around in the store. It's a neat trick I thought him and so effective too. Hell, maybe he can smell podridos from a mile away someday.

" only three? They won't be a problem. We'll take them out with ease boy!" I say with confidence. Three zombies aren't dangerous unless they are brawlers, but Rodger would give me a long bark if there were any of those, so it has to be safe.

I kneel down and try to break the door open with a lockpick. I pray that this time, turning off the power of the store will prevent the alarm from going off. The previous store I found had the alarm on a backup generator and I basically set off one, big dinner bell for the dead. I nearly lost Rodger in the process.

I manage to succesfully unlock the door and I wait for a few seconds. To my relief no alarm went off. I let rodger quickly slip inside, I go in immediately after. Just like any other grocery store it had been looted. Not fully, but a lot is gone.

"Lets just be grateful if we find enough food that would last us 2 days minimum."

Seeing the first zombie at the entrance, I carefully sneak up behind it and swing my axe into its skull, splitting it in two. I catch it before it falls on the ground and put it down gently. The smell of these zombies makes you wanna puke the moment after you puked, after you just puked.

"I swear, I am never going to get used to this filthy smell." I pull my axe out of it's head. "I hope you decide to stay dead now, podrido." I whisper in disgust.

Creeping around the store I see the other two zombies standing in the middle of the store, eating a woman's carcass. I hide behind the counter and peek around the corner. The woman died at least a few weeks ago. Gray skin, almost having no flesh anymore and it's almost a damn skeleton. Are you dead freaks never satisfied?

poor woman, even in death you're not being left alone.

I whistle as quiet as possible and manages to get one of the monsters its attention. "Go get it, boy. It is all yours."

Rodger wastes no time and runs to the podrido and jumps in one go onto its chest, biting hard on its head. I can hear the skull crack and the podrido falls onto his back. Rodger, however, isn't done and tries to rip its head off. He almost succeeds, only breaking its neck, but it's enough. Now dead, Rodger lets the zombie go and gives a victorious woof.

I really gotta teach Rodger to not be so violent and happy when it comes to killing. Don't want him to become feral.

The other zombie who has noticed all the ruckus, stands up and walks towards Rodger. I come out of my hiding spot and with one, big swing I cut into the monster's neck. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't fully cut through its neck and it tackles me to the ground. I hit my head hard on the ground. It falls ontop of me, my hatchet stuck in its neck.

"FUCK!" I yell out in pain. Pretty sure I got a concussion, because I feel dizzy.

Weakly grabbing its neck and forehead with my hands, I try to prevent the zombie from taking a nasty bite out of my face.

This can't be it! I didn't survive just to die now!

Rodgers rushes to my aid and bites its arm in order to drag it away from me. I push in the direction rodger is pulling and together we push it off me.

I quickly stand up and kick the zombie hard in the head, crushing it. Blood seeps all over the ground and I stand there for a a few seconds, catching my breath. I grab my hatchet and pull it out of its neck. I slide my hatchet back into my belt and look at Rodger.

"That was too close, boy! Lets see if this was worth almost dying for." Taking my backpack off my shoulders, I begin to search for food that hasn't been spoiled yet, taking whatever fits into my bag. In the end I got some canned soup, jerky, a few cups of noodles and 2 cans of beans. It isn't much, but it's enough for now.

"This should give us a few more days, buddy, maybe 2 to 3 days." I hug Rodger and he returns the affection by giving me one big lick on the chin. "Come on. It's time we head back. We made too much noise." I zip up my back and swing it over my shoulders again.

Since this store was a lot further away from our home, the chance of us coming across zombies or brawlers became higher. That fact is making me nervous; if a horde were suddenly to appear in our way, fighting our way out isn't going to be an option. My head still hurts like crazy and Rodger isn't strong enough to defend me against a whole pack of the undead.

To my surprise the way back went without incident, but it is starting to rain. Glad to be wearing a leather jacket with a hood, I put the hood over my head.

Damn. I have to give Rodger a bath when we get home, otherwise he will surpass the podridos smell. I am already puking at the thought of smelling that!

I see Rodger giving me a dirty look. He knows what I'm thinking. "Oh ho! That's right boy. You will have a bath tonight, whether you like it or not." I say with a stern voice Rodger doesn't seem to be pleased about it, but I know he understands he has to do it.

"The hell?" Standing a few blocks from home I spot a bright, purple flash dangerously close to my house. I hear growling next to me and notice that Rodger became a bit hostile.

Podridos, brawlers or survivors infront of my house?

I begin to pick up the pace a bit when I begin to hear a loud bang followed by some voices.

"...somepony in there?" says a female voice. "...on't see anypony."

I frown a bit. The dead don't talk, the living do. Though the living may be more dangerous than walking corpses.

Survivors trying to break in? Or are they looking for help? Now I wish I brought my gun with me so I could at least intimidate them.

I sneak closer to the strangers to see if they're dangerous, but while trying to behind a car my hatchet hits a the side of the vehicle and makes clang sound.

"Mierda..." I mumble under my mouth.

I hear some surprised gasps and they turn around.

"Somepony there?! We heard you, so... there is no point in hiding!" Said a female voice.

Shit they heard me. Sounds like they're in a small group. I should reveal myself right? Not that I have a choice... Stupid hatchet.

"Just so you know, I have a weapon!" I pull out my hatchet from my belt and motion to Rodger to stay put. "Don't try anyting funny or it isn't going to end well for you."

Rodger seems... a lot more calm than before. Meaning they're not dangerous?

A few seconds pass before they speak again.

"We are sure we have the advantage here! Come out from behind that contraption and you will have to face no consequences!" That's a different female voice. She sounds like someone who has a role in the army

"Luna! We can't make enemies now! Especially in an unkown world! let me talk to him..." This voice sounds a lot more gentle. "Please, Come out, we're not here to hurt you. We can talk peacfully and no one has to be harmed." She's trying her best to sound as friendly as possible.

Ok. Well. Here goes nothing.

I come from behind the car and I see... PONIES?!?! I rub my eyes and look again. What in the actual fuck is going on? No way there are ponies with different colors infront of my house. They look like the ponies from... It can't be real... That show!

"AAAAAAAHHHH." A white pony with purple mane screams louder then I've ever heard.

That'll definitely attract podridos!

The ponies immediately group together in fear and hold eachother thightly.

I know I haven't been the cleanest person in the apocalypse, but I can't be that ugly looking.

"Don't come any closer, O-or I will buck you!" A rainbow maned pony flies between me and the other ponies.

That's... Skittle Dab?! And the pony who screamed was Raretie? Don't judge me! I haven't seen the show in 7 months and I only watched it once!

How is this possible. They're fictional characters! They are the main 6 of the mlp show, along with... THE TWO PRINCESSESS?! I'm dreaming. Yep that's it! This is all a dream! It can't be real!

"Rodger could you please bite in my ar– OW! OKAY THIS IS REAL!" Rodger has bitten me unnecessarily hard in my arm, but it confirms I am not sleeping.

"Wha-! Are re you okay?" A purple pony speaks to me. Twilight Sprinkle, right?

"I'm fine. Sorry, but this is rreeaallyyy weird for me." This is unbelievable.

Applejuice steps a bit forward. "Ya ain't the only one here partner."

Skittle Dab who is still protecting the group gives me a suspicious glare. "You still haven't told us who or what you are!"

"Oh yeah, sorry! My name is Sebastian Ramírez and I am a human!" I slide my hatchet back in my belt. "I am not a dangerous person! I was just cautious that's all" I kneel down and pat Rodger on the back. Who is now panting happily at the girls. "This is my dog, Rodger, and he's only dangerous if you're dangerous."

The girls seem to believe me and start to look somewhat calmer now. They quickly disband and the Princess.... Cereal...? Whatever, steps forward.

"My name is Princess Celestia." The tall white pony with a pink mane says.

...Wait, pink mane? Wasn't it supposed to wave or something?

"This is my sister Luna" All Luna does is give me a silent nod.

Her mane is light blue...

"This is my student Twilight Sparkle." Twilight waves and gives me a big smile. "Hi there mister Ramírez! Odd name, but it's nice to meet you and your dog!"

No wings. Wasn't she an... what's it called, an alicorn before?

"And they are her friends; Rarity,..." Rarity smiles and walks over to shake my hand. "Well hello there. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

These ponies are a bit too quick to trust another being...

"...Applejack,..." She takes her hat off and gives her greeting. "Howdy there partners!"

"...Rainbow Dash,..." She only looks at me with suspicion, front hooves crossed over eachother.

She is the only one not trusting me. Along with Luna

"...Fluttershy,..."

Oh yeah she exists!

I almost didn't see her! She was perfectly hiding behind Applejack the whole time. If it wasn't for the tiny bit of pink mane that was sticking out, I wouldn't have seen her.

How is she able to hide so well?

"...and Pinkie Pie."

Oh shit.

Before I knew it, all I could see was a pink surface with two big eyes.

"HiyaImPinkiePieandIlovemakingfriendsandthrowingbigawesomepartiesIJusthadtocomeoverandsayhellobecauseyoulooklikeweregoingtobebestfriendstogetherITSGOINGTOBEABLAST!!!"

Just like I remember her from the show. Hyperactive, not logical at all and loud.

"I'm sorry but I couldn't hear anything you just said." I give a confused smile.

"That's alright! I just said–" Before she could finish her sentence she was stopped by Twilight's hoof. "She said that it's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you all too." I try to smile. My head hurts like hell and I am getting dizzier with the minute. I hear Rodger growling beside me and I see that he is now being alert.

Oh no! The sun is setting. It totally forgot about the undead!

"Hey, uhm... I don't want to be rude, but your dog is scaring me." Rarity says, a bit uncomfortable being near him now.

"Oh yeah sorry!" I quickly open the door and push Rodger inside. "He is like that when he gets hungry. Come on, lets go inside!" I gesture to everyone to go inside. "Don't want to stay outside the whole time, right?"

"Thank you very much. We'll gratefully accept your kind offer." Princess Celestia says with gratitude. She is the first to walk inside before the rest follows suit.

The girls admire my house with big eyes. Not because it's beautiful, but because a lot of devices are unkown to them, like the TV and air conditioner. Rainbow Dash is trying to figure out how it's possible that a simple button turns the light on and off and Pinkie Pie has managed to open my fridge. She is looking in pure awe. Kinda cute. The rest has taken a seat on my couch and chairs.

I take a look outside and to my surprise there is nothing to see. Considering the noise we made, it's a miracle no zombies showed up.

It's a wonder and a curse that they are here. Such wonderful ponies, in such a cruel world... I wonder if I should tell the ponies what's going on here, right? No, Not yet at least. I can't bombard them with such bad news a few minutes after they teleported here. They'll freak out!

"What are you looking at?"

I jump away in surprise. Twilight had apparently gotten up from the couch and walked up next to me. She begins to look outside, looking at whatever she thought I was looking at.

"Oh it's nothing. I was just admiring the beautiful sunset." I said nervously "I love the view you receive here."

The moment Princess Celestia hears me talk about the sunset, she stands up, walks over to window and gives the sun a puzzled look. As if there was something wrong with it.

"What is it Princess?" Twilight gives the princess a worried look.

"I- I can't feel the sun."

"WHAT?!" Twilight is in absolute state of shock. "Princess? are you feeling well? ooh I'm sorry, it's all my fault! I shouldn't have tried that teleportation spell on our day out!"

Twilight starts to nervously pace around the room, but her friends are quick to calm her down.

"It ain't your fault, sugarcube. You were very excited to show us a very advanced spell no one could perform and we all agreed to participate in it." Applejack puts a hoof on Twilights shoulder.

"But-"

"She is right Twilight, no one is blaming you." Princess Celestia gives her a reassuring smile, calming her down. "But there is something I want to test out. It's Sebastian, right?

"O-oh yeah, what is it?" The sudden callout catches me off guard, still don't believing I'm here with magical talking ponies!

"Do you have something I can use to levitate?" she asks in a serious tone.

"Sure, but why?" I walk to a cupboard, grab a dictionary and put it on the table. Not to light, not to heavy.

"There is something I want to make sure..." A golden aura appears around the dictionary and it begins to float from the table. Never in my life would I expect to see real life magic. Here I am, Sebastian Ramírez, the first one to witness magic! I turn around, wanting to express my excitment to Princess Celestia. My mood instantly transfroms into concern .

Princess Celestia is sweating like crazy and she seems to struggle lifting up the dictionary with her magic. The others notice it too and Princess Luna rushes over to help her sister.

"Sister! let go of the book! You don't look well!"

Princess Celestia drops the book back on the table and takes deep breaths.

"Just what I thought." She says, looking at everyone with a worried expression. "I can hardly use magic anymore."

.

..

...

Scratch 'magical' from these talking ponies.

Chapter 2 - Welcome to the dark world.

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3 - Discoveries and explanations.

Right now, I am facing the door to the basement with my hand on the knob, trying to steady my breath. I need to stay calm. I know I should head down there as fast as I can, but with Applejack standing behind me, I can’t afford to make a move yet.

"Sebastian?" Applejack's voice calls out my name again, and I can feel her gaze on my back. It’s probably full of curiosity, maybe a bit of concern. She hopefully hasn’t seen the blood yet.

I keep my back to her. The clothes are only stained with blood on the front of my shirt and pants, and if she sees me like this, she'll probably think I'm a murderer.

"What are ya doin’?" she asks, her curiosity evident in her voice. “Ya look like you’re about to jump outta ya skin. Is everything alright?”

"Oh, I am doing just fine. I just didn’t expect you to wake up so early. You gave me a quick scare." I try to infuse my tone with as much casualness as I can muster. My heart races as I keep my focus on the door.

Applejack narrows her eyes slightly, her intuition sharp as ever. "Why are ya standin’ like that? Ah don’t like talkin’ to your back."

My heart pounds in my chest as I try to think of an excuse. She’s too sharp to let this slide, but I can’t keep stalling forever. Then it hits me—I had blood on my shoe from the zombie from the store, but the girls didn't say anything about it. My shoes are black, but that doesn't mean the blood wasn't visible.

Taking a deep breath, I decide to gamble. Slowly, I turn around, keeping my hands low to cover as much of the stains as I can. Applejack’s eyes land on my shirt, and I brace myself.

Her brow furrows. "What in tarnation? Did ya trip over some paint or somethin’?"

I exhale in relief. "Uh, yeah! Red paint," I blurt out. "Tripped over some when moving stuff outside."

She tilts her head slightly, still skeptical but not pushing it. "Red paint, huh? Well, Ah reckon it’s a mighty big spill. Ya oughta clean that up ‘fore it dries."

"Yeah, definitely," I nod, trying not to let my voice shake. "I’ll take care of it right now."

Applejack raises an eyebrow. "Why are ya goin’ in there? Ah thought the bathroom was upstairs."

"There’s a second one in the basement," I explain quickly. "I didn’t want to take the one upstairs because I thought I’d wake you all up if I did."

"That’s a strange place for a bathroom" she replies, tilting her head a bit.

"I'm not the architect of the house; I don't know why there is one there." I smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Applejack looks at me for a moment longer, her shoulders relaxing as she lets out a small chuckle. "Well, Ah suppose that makes sense. This place is kinda odd anyway."

"Yeah, it’s a strange house." I can tell her suspicion is melting away, and relief floods through me. "I am going to take a shower now. get all this off me."

"Alright then," she says, moving toward the couch and sitting down. “I'll see ya later.”

As she settles in, I quickly but quietly walk upstairs, taking some fresh clothes from my closet and walk back into the basement. I let out a breath, grateful for the close call passing unnoticed. This whole red paint thing is pretty unrealistic and unbelievable. Could it be that they don't even know what blood is? I mean, surely they've seen a scratch or something like that, but probably not a real bloodbath.

After taking a quick bath and getting dressed, I feel a bit more composed. I towel off my hair and glance at the mirror, satisfied that I look more presentable.

When I return to the living room, I find Applejack still lounging on the couch, her eyes slightly narrowed as she gazes out the window. "Took ya long enough," she says, though her tone is more playful than accusatory. "Ah was startin’ to think ya decided to live there."

"Very funny." I roll my eyes, sitting next to hear, I decide to ask something that could instanly make everything worse for me. "Say, Applejack... Do you know what blood is?"

She glances at me, a bit taken aback by the sudden question. "Well, sure. It’s what runs through our veins. Why do ya ask? Somethin’ happen?"

I hesitate for a moment, weighing my words carefully. "Just wanted to know, I guess. You could've easily mistaken my stains for blood, but you saw it was paint. Made me wonder if you even know what blood looked like."

Applejack frowns slightly, her brow furrowing as she processes my question. "Of course, Ah know what it looks like. It’s just... well, ya don’t see a lot of it on a daily basis, ya know? Not unless somethin’ serious happens or you get seriously hurt. And since ya weren't in pain ya it couldn't be blood."

"Right," I say, keeping my tone casual. "I suppose not."

You poor, innocent pony...

I can’t help but feel sad for her, being thrown into a world like this. The innocence in her perspective is both comforting and frightening. After a few hours of uneasy quiet, I hear the soft patter of hooves on the stairs, breaking the silence that has settled over the living room. One by one, the rest of the girls make their way down.

"Good morning, everypony!" Pinkie Pie chirps, her energy somehow sky high even in the early hours. She bounces into the room, her mane a delightful mess, and I can’t help but smile.

"Morning," I reply, trying to match her enthusiasm. "Hope you all slept well."

Rarity stretches luxuriously, glancing around. "As well as one can in a strange place. But I must say, I do miss the comforts of home already. No offense, darling."

"None taken," I chuckle. "This place has its quirks, for sure.”

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy enter the room together, both looking a bit disheveled but ready to face the day. "Hey, everypony," Rainbow says with a casual wave, her energy contrasting with Fluttershy’s more timid approach.

"Good morning, everypony," Fluttershy whispers, her eyes brightening as she spots her friends. "I hope everypony is feeling okay."

As the chatter fills the room, Princess Celestia makes her entrance, her graceful presence immediately gaining everyone's attention.

"Good morning, my little ponies," she greets warmly, her voice soothing. "I trust everyone is adjusting well?"

"Good morning, Princess!" Pinkie exclaims, bouncing up to her. "We’re all just chatting and getting ready for a super-duper day!"

Celestia’s eyes twinkle with amusement. "I see that your energy remains undiminished, Pinkie Pie. It is a good trait to have in situations like this."

"Speaking of this situation," I interject. "We should probably discuss your problems. Given that you all are in a completely different world without magic."

"Not without," someone corrects from the top of the stairs.

I jump from the couch and look towards her. It’s Twilight, standing there with a determined look on her face, though she still seems a bit pale. She walks down the stairs slowly.

"You’re awake!" Rainbow Dash zooms over to her, hovering excitedly. "You gave us all a scare yesterday, Twi!"

Twilight smiles weakly. "Sorry about that. I just… seeing Princess Celestia struggle so much with lifting a book, it was so unbelievable. I guess I just fainted from it." She glances at Celestia, who gives her a smile. "But it’s not that we’re without magic entirely."

I frown, leaning forward on the couch. "So you still have some magic?"

Twilight nods. "Yes, but it’s barely there. The magical flow in this world is extremely low. It’s like trying to drink from a almost dried-up river. We can manage small things, like levitation, but anything more complex is almost impossible."

"So, how are we gonna get home if we have almost no magic to help us?" Rainbow Dash asks, her tone concerned.

Twilight looks down, her brow furrowing in thought. "We’re not completely powerless, but it’s going to take some time to figure out how to tap into the magic here—or if there’s even enough for a portal spell."

"We will find a way, Twilight." Celestia says with confindence on her face. "I have faith that with time, we will uncover the answer."

"But what if there’s not enough magic here?" Rainbow Dash blurts out. "Like, what if we’re stuck here forever?"

Celestia smiles softly at Rainbow. "Let’s not jump to conclusions, my dear little pony. There is always a solution, even if it’s not immediately apparent."

"Hey, where is Princess Luna?" I ask, just noticing that she didn't come down with the rest.

Princess Celestia chuckles softly. "She isn’t exactly a morning pony, Sebastian," she replies, her tone light with amusement. "My sister prefers the night and often sleeps through the morning. I imagine she’s still resting."

"Right, of course. Nighttime princess." I completely forgot she is the ruler of the night. "So, anyone up for some breakfast?"

The moment I say breakfast, Rodger instantly gets up from his bed and barks happily. "One vote for yes," I say with a chuckle, rubbing his head as he wags his tail. "Anyone else?"

Pinkie Pie, predictably, bounces up. "Ooooh! Me! Me! Breakfast is the best way to start a super fun day!"

Everyone else chimes in with their own versions of agreement, and soon they’re making their way over to the kitchen table. I glance at the shelves in the kitchen. I only have canned beans, and various soup varieties—nothing that’s going to blow anyone away. I grab a few cans of tomato soup and start heating them up on the stove, stirring slowly as the familiar smell fills the air. Not exactly a royal breakfast, but it’ll have to do.

I pour the soup into bowls and carry them to the table, placing one in front of each of them. "I hope tomato soup’s alright. Not much to work with here."

"It smells wonderful," Twilight says, giving a small, appreciative smile.

"Not exactly the feast we’re used to, but Ah ain't complainin’," Applejack adds with a tip of her hat, taking a cautious sip of her soup. "Heck, it’s better than most rations Ah’ve had on the farm when we had rough seasons."

Rodger sits patiently beside me, staring at his empty dog bowl with hopeful eyes. I quickly put a bowl down for him and watch as he wolfs it down in seconds.

I eat my own bowl of soup before I get struck with one big realization. I am extremely low on food now; I only managed to loot enough for three more days—for Rodger and me. Now I have eight more mouths to feed. That means I only have enough for today, and that’s if I stretch it.

"Hey, Sebastian," Rarity’s voice breaks through my thoughts. She’s looking up from her bowl, eyes focused on the wall. "I’ve been meaning to ask for a while now… what’s that big black square you have on the wall?"

I follow her gaze to the TV.

Right, they’ve never seen anything like that.

"Oh, that? It’s a, uh… television. It shows moving pictures and sounds, like stories or the news," I explain, trying to stay composed, though my mind is still racing about the food situation.

"Moving pictures?" Twilight asks, tilting her head in curiosity. "Like magic projections?"

"Kind of," I say, rubbing the back of my neck. "But without magic. It’s all… technology."

I pause, considering how to explain it in a way that makes sense. "It’s a way we humans make things work, like machines or devices. We use electricity and other resources to power things instead of magic. That TV, for example, works because it’s hooked up to an electrical source that allows it to show those moving pictures."

Applejack taps her chin with a hoof. "So, it’s like... y’all found a way to get things done without magic?"

"Exactly," I respond. "Judging by your questions, I take it you’re not used to stuff like this in your world?"

I know this already, but it's better to act like I don't know.

Twilight shakes her head slowly. "Not at this level. Equestria relies mostly on magic. We have technology, but nothing like what you're describing."

Rarity eyes the TV again, her curiosity clearly piqued. "It seems... quite sophisticated. How do you control it?"

I smile slightly. "With this." I pick up the remote and turn on the TV. The screen flickers to life, only to show static.

The ponies all stare at the screen, puzzled. Pinkie squints at it, then leans in, her nose almost touching the glass. "Oooh, are those tiny snowflakes?"

"No, that’s just static," I reply with a chuckle. "It happens when there’s no signal. The channels are down."

Fluttershy tilts her head. "What’s a signal? If you don't mind answering."

"Uh... think of it like a magical flow, kind of like how magic connects to things. When the connection is weak, you don’t get a proper result. Same thing here—no signal means no TV shows."

Twilight’s eyes light up with understanding. "That makes sense! So, it’s like your world’s version of magical interference!"

Rainbow Dash hovers above the couch, her curiosity piqued. "So, this thing can show action? Like... flying stunts, sports, or adventure stuff?"

"Yeah, all of that and more," I answer. "You’d probably love some of the action shows we have here."

"Too bad it’s not working now," Rainbow says, a little disappointed as she watches the static flicker on the screen. "I’d love to see what humans find exciting."

"I think I have some DVDs upstairs," I say, thinking quickly. "Those don’t need a signal. I can pop one in, and you’ll get to see what I mean."

Rainbow Dash perks up, looking a little more excited now. "Sounds awesome! Let’s see what kinda crazy stuff you humans do for fun!"

I chuckle and stand up, heading toward the stairs. "Give me a sec. I’ll grab a few, and you can pick what you want to watch."

I reach the bedroom and rummage through a drawer, pulling out a few DVD covers. Old action movies, cartoons, and some comedies. Should be enough to keep them entertained for a while. As I gather the discs, I notice one from My Little Pony among the rest. Deciding it's best to keep that hidden, I put the DVD under my closet and head back to the stairs.

Just then, Princess Luna emerges from my sister's room. She looks slightly disoriented, her usual regal demeanor replaced by a more casual and sleepy look.

"Ah, good morning, Sebastian," Luna greets, her voice still smooth but slightly groggy. "I trust the others are already awake?"

"Yeah, they’re downstairs. We’re, uh, about to watch some 'moving pictures' on 'the big black square'," I reply, holding up the DVDs as if to explain further.

Luna raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Moving pictures, you say? How would that work?"

"You'll see," I say with a grin, motioning for her to follow me downstairs.

Princess Luna gives a slow nod and follows me. When we reach the living room, the others are crowded around the TV, watching the static dance on the screen. Pinkie Pie's nose is almost pressed against the glass, her face scrunched in concentration.

"Alright," I announce, holding up a few DVDs. "I’ve got a couple of options here. There’s action, comedy, and some animated stuff. You all can pick what you want."

Rainbow Dash immediately zooms over, eyes scanning the DVD covers with eager interest. "What’s this one about?" she asks, pointing to an action movie cover showing a monster truck with explosions in the background.

"That’s an action flick," I explain. "Lots of stunts, chases, and explosions."

Rainbow’s eyes light up. "Let’s watch that one! Sounds like my kinda thing!"

The others seem to agree, so I pop the DVD into the player, grab the remote, and start the movie. As the screen lights up, the opening scenes of the film play and the ponies instantly get fascinated. After a few minutes a race between cars begin.

Rainbow Dash hovers in place, her wings flapping in excitement as she watches a high-speed chase unfold. "Whoa! This is awesome! Look at those metal chariots go!"

"They are called cars," I correct, chuckling at her enthusiasm. "And they can go really fast."

"Fast is an understatement!" she exclaims, eyes wide as the cars weave in and out of traffic and going up ramps. "This is so much cooler than any stunts I’ve seen, aside from the Wonderbolts!"

Twilight, meanwhile, is taking mental notes. "The technology involved in these vehicles is fascinating. How do they work?

"Well, cars run on engines that convert fuel into energy, which makes them move without having to use a hor- pony."

As I explain, the film's protagonist is now in a tense car chase, narrowly dodging obstacles. The tension in the room rises with every sharp turn and explosive scene, and I can see everyone hanging onto the action.

Applejack leans forward, eyes narrowed in concentration. "But how do ya stop those things? Seems like a mighty big mess if they can’t slow down quick enough."

"Good question," I reply, glad to see her thinking critically about it. "They have brakes, like… well, like how you all stop when you’re running or flying. It just takes a bit of skill to control."

Just as I say this, the car in the movie veers off the road and crashes into a nearby dumpster, sending debris flying everywhere.

"Oh no!" Fluttershy gasps, covering her mouth with her hooves. "Did they just crash? Are they okay?"

"Relax, it's all part of the movie, if they crash that means it was supposed to happen." I quickly explain, trying to calm her nerves.

Twilight leans forward, fascinated. "So, this is all done with technology? No magic at all?"

"Yeah," I say, smiling at their reactions. "It's all effects, props, and a lot of work behind the scenes."

Luna’s eyes narrow as she watches a particularly intense scene. "Impressive... your world has its own way of creating excitement and danger without magic."

I take a moment to appreciate how easily they immerse themselves in this human storytelling style. Hell, even Princess Celestia seems to enjoy it very much. Maybe I can use this interest in movies to help keep their spirits up during this stressful time.

I sneak into the kitchen unnoticed and Rodger follows me. I start to think about the food problem. I emptied every building in the area, or they only have spoiled food. I desperately try to find a solution for my problem, but nothing comes to mind. Until I see a picture of my family infront of a hotel hanging on the wall.

The Elysian Grandeur—a luxe hotel downtown with a build in restaurant—was the only place I haven't looted yet, but I had a reason for it. It was one of the first locations where reports of the outbreak surfaced. The military put the building in a lockdown and everyone in there was doomed. It will be dangerous and the risk of death is high, but I know for a fact that it hasn't been looted by anyone.

I let out a sigh, glancing down at Rodger, who looks up at me with curious, trusting eyes. "What do you think, buddy? Is it worth the risk?"

Rodger cocks his head slightly, as if he understands my dilemma. He gives a quick bark, and I take it as a form of encouragement. "Yeah, I guess it’s worth a shot," I murmur, giving him a pat on the head.

I take a moment to formulate a plan. I need supplies, but I also need to ensure the safety of the ponies while I’m gone.

I decide it’s best to wait until nightfall, when the darkness can provide some cover. The idea of venturing out during the day feels reckless, especially considering the heightened risk of encountering zombies. They can see, but only from up close. Everything far away appears blurry to them, so they can't tell me apart from them if I am far enough away.

"You stay here, buddy. I need you to watch over the girls when I'm gone. I don't want to risk you getting hurt out there," I say, scratching behind Rodgers ears. He lets out a soft whine but eventually calmes down and walks back to the girls.

I lean against the counter and rub my hands over my face, feeling more scared than ever.

Tonight... I’ll risk my life for some fucking food.

Author's Note

I know I'm probably going to fuck up Applejack's accent a lot, so I apologize for the inconvenience.

Chapter 4 - Feel like sharing?

"This is insane," I mutter to myself, shaking my head as the reality of the situation sinks in. "This hotel has been a death trap since the beginning. What am I thinking?"

Just a few meters away stands the Elysian Grandeur, the big, five-star hotel with five floors, a restaurant, and death. The parking lot is littered with abandoned cars, and a few unfortunate souls who didn't make it out. And, of course, there’s the horde. A crowd of zombies surrounding the building.

The ponies went to bed a few hours ago, extremely tired after watching movies all day long. I glance back at the direction of my home, wishing I could just go back, curl up on the couch with Rodger, and pretend I had all the food in the world. But that's just not possible. Instead, I’m here, contemplating how to infiltrate a hotel that looks like it fell straight out of a horror movie.

Front door is a no go. Too crowded there.

A few raindrops start to fall, quickly turning into a steady downpour. Another horror element added to the environment. My eyes scan the parking lot, my gaze landing on an overturned truck that’s crashed into the side of the hotel. Its cabin is crushed against the wall, and it looks like I could climb it to get through one of the windows on the first floor. But that means getting past the horde, and I’m not exactly in the mood to become dead zombie meat tonight.

"Alright, no guts, no glory," I mutter under my breath.

I hunker down behind a rusty car, mentally mapping out the distance between me and the truck. It’s at least fifty feet away, with a dozen zombies shuffling between me and it. My best shot is to move fast and hope the rain makes it harder for them to identify me.

Here goes nothing.

Taking a deep breath, I dart forward, keeping low. My heart pounds in my chest as I weave between the cars, avoiding the undead as best as I can. One of them turns its head, its glazed eyes catching sight of movement. I freeze for on the spot, staring back at it. Luckily for me, I was too far away for it to notice I wasn't one of them. The zombie growls a bit before turning around and walk the other way.

I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding and pick up the pace, sprinting toward the delivery truck. I can feel the cold rain soaking through my clothes, but I push the discomfort aside. I reach the side of the truck, my heart racing as I jump to grab the edge of the truck. The metal is slippery because of the rain, making it tricky to climb, but adrenaline fuels my movements. I hoist myself up, searching for a foothold on the side.

Finally, I manage to pull myself onto the roof of the truck. I carefully walk over the top, trying not to slip on the rain-slick metal. I reach the side of the building, and unfortunately, all of the windows are barricaded.

"Of course," I mutter under my breath, not suprised at all but still dissappointed. "Why would they have open windows if they were locked down?"

I scan the area for an alternative entrance, but there’s nothing. My options are limited, and I can’t waste any more time. It’s either break a window or return with no food. I sigh heavily, pulling my hatchet from my belt.

"Alright, here goes nothing," I whisper to myself, positioning the blade against the glass. I take a quick glance around to ensure the zombies are still preoccupied with, whatever they're doing. I raise the hatchet above my head. With a swift, determined swing, I bring it down against the glass. The window shatters with a loud crash, the sound echoing through the night. I flinch at the noise, my heart racing as I quickly look around.

The zombies perk up, heads turning in my direction. I can see their glazed eyes searching for the source of the sound, and my stomach drops. This was definitely

In a panic, I reach inside the broken window, careful not to cut myself on the shards. I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, urging me to move faster. I scramble to pull myself through, my heart racing as I finally manage to get my legs inside.

Just as I pull my body through, I hear the unmistakable groans of the zombies drawing nearer. I scramble into the room, almost cutting my stomach open. I look out the window, heart pounding as I catch sight of a few zombies stumbling toward the truck.

Get a grip, Sebastian, I think, shaking my head to clear the fog of panic. I can’t let myself get caught up in the fear.

I move quietly toward the door, turning the handle slowly to avoid any noise. I push it open just enough to peek outside. The hallway is dim and eerily silent, illuminated only by the weak flickering of emergency lights that barely manage to stay on. I take a deep breath and activate my flashlight.

The first thing I notice is that there are no zombies on this floor. Relief washes over me, but I know better than to let my guard down. They're either downstairs, or on the other floors.

I step out into the hallway. My eyes dart left and right as I scan for any signs of life—or unlife. I inch toward the staircase that leads to the restaurant on the ground floor.

I descend down the stairs and glance around the restaurant. My flashlight sweeps across the room, revealing the remains of what used to be a bustling dining area. I can see the kitchen door sightly opened.

I head toward the kitchen, hoping that the storage area hasn’t been looted. As I reach the door, I push it open slowly, bracing myself for any noise. The kitchen is a mess—pots and pans scattered across the floor, a few cabinets hanging open as if they were hastily searched.

I scan the room, looking for the storage area. My heart races as I spot a door marked "STORAGE" at the back.

"Please let there be something in here," I mutter under my breath as I make my way to it.

I open the storage door cautiously, the hinges creaking ever so slightly as I peer inside. The sight that greets me is almost too good to be true: shelves lined with canned goods, boxes of pasta, and jars of peanut butter stacked in neat rows. My stomach growls in response, and I can't help but grin at the weeks worth of food.

I drop my hatchet and reach for a couple of cans, stuffing them into my backpack, and I can’t help but grin. This is exactly what I needed.

Suddenly, a noise breaks the silence—a soft scuffle followed by the unmistakable sound of a revolver clicking into place. My heart drops, and I freeze, my breath hitching in my throat. The sound came from just behind me.

"Don’t move," a male voice commands, firm and steady.

I slowly raise my hands, trying to not look dangerous. "Okay, okay! I’m not armed—well, I mean, I am, but I’m not here to cause any trouble!"

The figure steps out of the shadows, a man of what looks like 20 dressed in militairy clothes. His grip on the revolver is tight, and his eyes narrow as they assess me.

"Who are you?" he asks, his voice tinged with suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

"I’m just a survivor like you," I reply, trying to keep my tone calm. "I’m scavenging for supplies. I didn’t know anyone else was here. You don't have to shoot me."

He narrows his eyes, keeping the gun trained on me. "You should’ve thought about that before breaking into my territory."

"Your territory?" I repeat, glancing around the room filled with food and supplies. "This doesn't look like a survivor stash to me."

"Doesn’t matter what it looks like. You’re trespassing. Why do you think there wasn't a single zombie on this floor?" His grip on the revolver tightens.

I swallow hard, feeling a cold sweat forming on the back of my neck. "I’m just looking for food for myself… and for others. As for the podridos, I just thought I was extremely lucky."

"Others? So you’re not alone?"

I hesitate. I doubt he'll believe me if I tell that I'm talking about the colorful ponies. Still, I can’t afford to lie outright. "Yeah… I’m with a group. They’re not survivors like us, though. They wouldn’t last a day out here on their own."

The mans expression hardens. "And what makes you think I care about that? This is survival. I take care of myself. I don't owe you or your group anything."

"Just trying to avoid a bullet in my back while I walk out of here with a few cans of food. I don't need everything you have." I say, glancing at the revolver nervously.

"Why even bother? If they don't got what it takes, why risk your own life for theirs?"

"Like I said, they’re not like you or me," I repeat, my mind racing. His finger twitches near the trigger, but I notice his grip loosening just slightly. "They're... still pure of heart and innocent, unlike us."

I see his finger twitch on the trigger again, and my pulse quickens. He’s still dangerous, still a threat. But that moment of hesitation tells me one thing: he’s not going to shoot immediately.

"Pure of heart?" he laughs, mocking the phrase. "They're living in a fantasy if their heart is really 'pure'. Maybe I should put them out of their delusional suffering, let them be in a real fantasy world."

It’s now or never.

Without thinking, I lunge forward, my hand reaching for the revolver. The moment my fingers brush the cold metal of the gun, he reacts, my body slamming into his as we crash to the floor. The gun goes off with a deafening bang, the sound echoing through the room, but the shot misses. The revolver clatters to the ground and spins across the floor.

We scramble for it, our bodies tangled as we wrestle in the dim light of my flashlight. His knee drives into my side, knocking the wind out of me, but I don’t let go. My fingers claw at his wrist, trying to keep him from reaching the gun first. I can feel the roughness of his grip, the desperation in his movements.

"Get off!" he snarls, throwing a punch at me. I barely manage to dodge, but the second blow lands squarely on my jaw, sending a sharp pain shooting through my head. The man stands up and goes for the gun.

Gritting my teeth, I kick him in the leg, making him lose his balance, his body crashing into a stack of shelves. I don’t waste a second—I lunge for the revolver, my fingers wrapping around the cold metal as I yank it off the floor. My heart pounds in my chest as I stand, gripping the gun tightly and aiming it directly at him.

"It’s a shame," I say, trying to steady my voice. "This could’ve gone a lot differently. We didn’t have to fight." I keep the barrel steady, my finger resting cautiously near the trigger, ready to react if he lunges again.

He sneers, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "You think pointing that at me makes you the big man? You’re just as scared as I am."

"Maybe," I reply, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "But I’m not the one threatening someone over a few cans of food, or saying I should kill a person because they still have some good in them."

He narrows his eyes, weighing his options as he shifts his stance. "You don’t know what I’ve had to do to survive," he mutters, his voice low and tense. "You think you’re some kind of hero for those people. You’re nothing more than another dead man walking."

I keep the gun aimed at him, my heart racing. "I'm not looking to be a hero; I am a guy who will do whatever it takes to protect those I care about."

His expression twists with disdain. "You're nothing more than a fucking dumbass."

"What's with this unnecessary high hostility man?"

Suddenly, I notice his arm oddly close to his hip. I realize he’s reaching for something hidden on his belt, and I don't think it will be a gift I'd want.

"You’re making a mistake, military man." I warn, my voice low and firm.

"I’m not afraid of you," he snaps back, and suddenly, in one swift motion, he grabs a knife from his belt.

"You’re not going to stab me, buddy!" I shout, and without a moment’s hesitation, I pull the trigger.

The gunshot echoes through th room, followed by a sickening thud as military man crumples to the floor, clutching his stomach. The knife clatters to the ground beside him.

"Wha—" he gasps, his eyes wide with disbelief. Blood splatters from his wound onto the ground. "You… you shot me!"

"Of course I did!" I reply, confused on why he was in disbelief. "Why wouldn't I? You were going to stab me, and I’m not interested in being anyone’s victim today." I shake my head, taking a step back, keeping the gun aimed at him just in case.

A dull thud reverberates through the building, followed by another, and another—the unmistakable sound of the undead banging on the hotel’s windows, drawn by the noise.

I glance toward the windows, my mind racing. "Great. Just what I needed." I look back at military man, who’s now breathing shallowly, his face twisted in pain.

"You were too dangerous," I mutter more to myself than to him, feeling a strange mix of frustration and cold justification. I crouch down before him. "This could’ve gone differently, but you couldn’t just let me have some food, could you?"

His eyes flutter, and now, he looks more like a man who's lost everything than a dangerous threat. But that pity doesn’t last long. The pounding on the windows grows louder, more frantic, and I know I don't have time to dwell on it.

I stand up, shaking my head. "This is what happens when you don’t think things through, man. All this, over some food?"

I glance back at the man one last time. He’s still alive, barely, his breathing shallow and labored. I feel something—a twinge of guilt, maybe—but I push it down. This world doesn’t allow for softness.

"Looks like you’re going to have company soon," I say, my voice quiet but grim. "I could put you out of your misery before they do it for you in a more painful way. Choose wisely."

"Go to hell," he mutters, his voice barely above a whisper.

I sigh, shaking my head. "Suit yourself. I expected a more braver response from a guy who served in the military, but this just means more bullets for me."

I turn my back on him, moving quickly through the storage room, grabbing whatever I can. Cans of soup, beans—anything with a long shelf life. I glance at the shelves one last time before zipping up my bag, and grabbing my hatchet and flashlight from the ground. It’s not as much as I’d like, but it’s enough for now. Besides, staying any longer would be suicide.

The man on the floor groans, his voice barely audible over the noise of the undead outside. I give him one final look. "I tried," I mutter under my breath, not sure if I'm talking to him or to myself.

I make my way toward the stairs, moving as quickly and quietly as I can. I can’t afford to fail—not for me, not for Rodger, and not for the ponies back home who are counting on me.

Just as I reach the top of the stairs, a loud crash echoes from below, followed by the unmistakable sound of glass shattering. The dead have broken through.

"Damn it!" I mutter under my breath, gripping the revolver tighter. The groans and snarls of the undead fill the air as they flood into the hotel’s lobby, their footsteps dragging across the marble floor.

I sprint back to the window I came through, and leap through the broken window, landing hard on the rain-slicked roof of the truck. Fortunately, the zombies that were roaming around the truck are now trying to break into the hotel.

Then I hear the terrified screams of the military man.

The man’s screams echo through the broken window, a desperate, high-pitched wail that pierces through the rain. I stop in my tracks, crouched on top of the truck, listening to his terrified cries as they grow louder and more frantic. The zombies must have reached him by now. He’s trapped, helpless, and surrounded. I could hear the sound of flesh ripping apart in my mind. I grit my teeth, forcing myself to stay focused.

I can’t go back. There’s nothing I could do even if I wanted to. He made his choice.

I stumble slightly as I regain my balance on the slippery roof of the truck, my heart racing. I can still hear the chaos unfolding inside the hotel as the zombies swarm the lobby. The man’s screams pierce through the din, and I can’t help but feel a small pang of regret.

Climbing down the side of the truck, I hit the ground with a soft thud, my senses on high alert. The rain pours down around me. I dash across the parking lot, glancing back only once to see the horde of zombies climbing through the windows. There are so many of them, and in the far distance, behind the hotel, I can see a brawler approaching. The creature roaring as it slowly makes its way to the building.

The rain pours down, soaking through my clothes, making me feel heavy and weighed down. I can barely see in the downpour, but I push on, cutting through alleyways and dodging some stray zombies. I can barely think straight, my mind racing with thoughts of the ponies back at home. I need to get back to them, to make sure they’re safe.

I look up at the sky, covered in dark clouds that are blocking the view of the moon. I quicken my pace, running through the dark streets.

I pick up speed, sprinting past a familiar looking shop, letting me know I'm not that far away from my house anymore. I’m almost there, almost safe, when I suddenly, distance screams catches my attention. These are not from the military man, not in the slightest.

"What are those things?!" one voice shouts, laced with fear. "What's going on out of here!"

They don't know what podridos are? That can only mean one thing.

I run around the corner and see two familiar figures a few streets away from my house. Twilight Sparkle and Applejack, dodging a couple of zombies that have stumbled into their path.

What are they doing out here?

I can see the fear in their eyes as they evade the grasping hands of the undead. I put away the revolver and grab the hatchet from my belt.

I dart forward, moving low and fast, using the shadows to my advantage. Just as Twilight barely dodges a zombie’s grasp, I come up behind the creature, my hatchet ready to slice some rotten flesh. I swing it with all my might, burying the blade into the side of its skull. The zombie collapses at my feet. I glance over my shoulder, meeting Twilight's wide eyes as she stares at the corpse.

"Sebastian?!" she gasps, her voice a mix of shock and fear. "What did you just do?"

I pull the hatchet from the zombie’s skull and I can feel Twilight’s eyes on me, a mixture of horror and disbelief reflected in her gaze.

"It’s not what you think!" I say, urgency surging through me. "We need to move! They’re coming!"

Applejack’s expression shifts from shock to determination as she steps closer. “What in the hay is going on here, Sebastian? What did ya do to that poor human?!"

"Not human. I'll tell you everything later. Right now, we need to get back to my house!"

Twilight shakes her head, her voice trembling. "But… you just—"

"Now!" I cut her off, grabbing both of their wrists and pulling them toward the alley behind the shop. "Trust me! I'll tell everything later."

They stumble after me, their hooves slipping on the slick pavement and I can feel their hesitation to follow me. I run through some random alleyways before returning into the direction of my home.

Finally, we reach my house. I glance around to ensure we’re not being followed before shoving the door open and ushering them inside. "Quick! Get in!" I shout, glancing over my shoulder as I pull the door shut behind us.

I lean against it, panting. Rodger comes from the living room and sits down next to me, whining. Twilight and Applejack stand just a few feet away, eyes wide, their breaths coming in quick bursts.

"Sebastian," Twilight says, her voice shaky. "You… you just killed that thing. It was a human like you! How could you—"

I hold up my hands, trying to calm them down. "I know it looks bad, but that wasn’t a person anymore! Those things—" I glance around the room, searching for the right words. "They’re called zombies. They’re not alive like you or me. They only want to hurt us."

Before they can respond, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and the princesses descend the stairs, their eyes darting between the three of us, confusion etched on their faces.

“What’s going on?” Rarity asks, her mane slightly disheveled from sleep. “Why are you all gathered here?”

"Sebastian just… just killed a human," Twilight stammers, her voice trembling. "He says they’re called zombies."

A hush falls over the room, and I can feel all their gazes burning into me, pure fear reflected in their eyes, before they all slowly step away from me.

Princess Celestia steps forward, her eyes narrowing.

"Sebastian," she says, her voice filled with authority, "you owe us an explanation. Now."

How the hell can I explain this in the most family friendly way possible?

Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait. I am apologizing way too much, but I had a very busy week and didn't have time to write, so I hope the wait was worth it for you all.