To Cure a Broken Heart

The Everfree Freeway —- 584 miles from Canterlot

“So what’s your plan when you get to the city?” Flash asked, walking beside Sunset as they carried their belongings. Getting a vehicle from the Equestrian Outlaws was definitely a task left ignored, mainly since half the drivable ones were broken down, or old tractors that wouldn’t be able to speed past a bunch of infected.

“I guess to stop by The Canterlot Mall. You're heading there anyways so I might as well too. If the person I’m looking for isn’t there… I suppose I’ll go deeper into the city.”

“You think that’s a good idea? With the new strand coming out, that means more waves. Not to mention half of them are now faster than the rest. It just seems like you have a death wish.”

“I’ve lost just about everyone I care about. Half my friends consider themselves enemies towards one another, and the other half is either missing… or among the dead. If I can’t find her… I wont have nothing left to live for.” Sunset finally glanced over at Flash, “So yeah, I have a death wish.”

“Who are you looking for again?”

“Principal Celestia. I found her when we split up.”

“And Vice Principal Luna?”

Sunset paused for a moment before finally admitting, “She didn’t make it.” The walk was quiet for a while. No signs of the infected, yet no signs of a quicker route to the city. Yet while the walk was quiet, a question seemed to repeat in her mind. “So… Do you want to tell me what happened then? That made everyone act ornery and a bit dick-ish?”

Flash bit the inside of his cheek before nodding, “When you, Rainbow Dash, and Spitfire left to head to the library… I… well tried to be the leader of the group. I won't lie, half of that was me making stupid decisions driven from fear.”

“Which isn’t your fault… I think all of us were scared shitless when our classmates started trying to eat us.” Sunset mumbled, half as a joke and the other half as brutal honesty.

“Point is… when Rainbow Dash and Spitfire came back—but you didn’t, everyone began relying on me to make the decisions. The Crusaders were hungry, so I told Rainbow Dash and Spitfire to head to the cafeteria hoping something would be there, and because they had already been outside so they kind of knew what to expect.”

“Did you find anything?”

He shook his head, “When they came back, I saw a mark on Rainbow Dash and I assumed it was a bite. Told her she couldn’t stay. Applejack defended me and offered to seclude Rainbow Dash in case she turned. Well… in a fit of rage, Rainbow Dash and Spitfire ended up leaving, but Scootaloo snuck through and went with her. Out of nowhere the infected piled through the hallway… and I... I wouldn’t let her back in.”

“And Scootaloo…?” Sunset didn’t even want to suggest it. Sure, Flash was scared, but to refuse…

“Turns out, Rainbow Dash wasn’t bitten at all." The way Flash ignored her question only made Sunset assume her suggestion was true. His decision ended Scootaloo's life. "Ever since we got separated she’s made it known that she’ll do everything to avenge Scootaloo. So when Applejack created the ‘Equestrian Outlaws’... Rainbow Dash made the ‘Rainboom Raiders’. We’ve been enemies ever since.”

“Flash…”

“I know. It’s my fault. I was stupid, but that isn’t an excuse for what I did. I thought about turning myself in just to stop the stupid war, but then you showed up. I thought maybe I could go with you to the city. Once Rainbow Dash sees I’m gone, she’ll probably stop terrorizing them.”

“And why didn’t you decide to do that earlier?”

“Ever since the mutated strand showed up, I knew I wouldn’t last long out there.. at least not alone. But you, you did.” Sunset wasn’t even sure what to say, so Flash added, “Listen don’t worry about it right now, let’s just find somewhere to rest for a bit.”

It had been at least fifteen minutes when a few honks behind them caught the two off guard. Upon turning around, Flash and Sunset noticed someone on a motorcycle. They slowed down and came to a halt before taking off their helmet.

“Applejack?” Flash muttered before continuing, “What are you doing here?”

“Overheard some chatter on the radio. Twilight and Fluttershy are alive; they’re at The Canterlot Mall. Figured I’d tag along and find a way to bring them back to the farmstead.”

“What’s the rush? I mean, if they’re already safe—”

“That’s the thing,” Applejack interrupted Flash as she fixed her gloves, “they’re not. Military personnel are already evacuating, which of course doesn’t include the citizens. There’s a bigger wave coming.” Applejack put the motorcycle in park before hopping off, “They pile up like ants… destroying everything in their path.”

“The new strand, you mean?” Sunset corrected.

“No. This one's different. It's like they’re evolving. In 8 hours… the whole mall will be overrun.”

Sunset’s eyes widened slightly, “8 hours? We still have 500 miles to go—It takes 10 hours to get there.”

Flash interjected, “And that’s only if we’re going 70 or 80… if we run into any blockages…”

“I know. So we better find a car, and drive fast.” Applejack motioned to a gas station, “There. Looks like we’re in luck.” She pulled her motorcycle aside and hid it in a few bushes.

As the three of them ran towards the car, something landed on the roof of the gas station—but none of them could see what it was.

“The fuck was that?” Sunset cursed, looking over at the now half-busted rooftop.

“I don’t know, but I’d rather not stick around and find out.” Applejack replied, running into the vehicle and moving to start it. “Gas is full, no warnings, perfect.” As Flash entered the passenger, Sunset jumped in the back seat.

A thump made all three of them freeze. “I think it’s on the car…” Sunset mumbled, and as she looked around, she noticed a red tail in the back window. “What the—”

“Drive, AJ— Drive!” Flash yelled as its claws dug repeatedly into the roof of the wall, scratching Sunset’s arm in the process.

Sunset gasped, looking between Flash and Applejack before pulling her sleeve down.

Applejack sped off, “Is it gone?”

“It’s gone.” Flash looked out the window before relaxing in the seat.

“What the hell was that thing?”

“Fuck if I know… Sunset, you alright back there?”

Sunset nodded her hands shaking as she kept her eyes on the hidden wound, “Yeah. Yeah I’m alright. Let’s just… let’s just get to the city.”