To Cure a Broken Heart

The photo on her desk was a cold reminder of life before the apocalypse, and as smoke filled the air around her, her eyes were glued to the seemingly happy and joyous events that transpired the day the photo was taken. The last day before this all began. The Canterlot Fair.

“Hold still Scootaloo, you’re moving too much. I can’t get a picture if you can’t keep yourself steady, goofball!” her own voice echoed in her mind, remembering the event as clear as day.

“I gotta find Applebloom and Sweetie Belle! We gotta ride the rides before the lines—”

“Just one picture, Scoots, and then you can go.”

“Fine…”

“Oh come on! You can smile bigger than that. There you go!”

The salty water poured down her cheeks, and after two seconds, she had been sobbing silently in her office. The tears dripped onto the photo, dousing the glass in a haze.

“I’ll find that fucker, I’ll find that fucker and I’ll kill him. I promise.” Rainbow Dash’s vengeful demeanor slipped completely as someone knocked on the door. She adjusted how she was sitting, placing the photo down on the corner of the desk before calling out to whoever needed her. “Come in.”

“Admiral.” It was Spitfire, a golden token to Rainbow Dash since Scootaloo’s unnecessary demise. Rainbow Dash nodded, acknowledging her.

“Colonel.” Rainbow Dash cleared her throat, adjusting her position yet again. “What do you need?” She put out her cigarette on the ashtray before standing up. “Good news or bad?”

“Military chatter suggests The Canterlot Mall is hours from being overrun by zombies. Micro Chips tapped into their citizen count and according to the numbers… I think a few of your friends are there.”

“Friends as in who?”

“Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and I think one of them went by Pinkamena Diane Pie.”

“Pinkie Pie.” Rainbow Dash corrected. “And do you suppose our little buddies will be after them too?”

“Recent spy reports from Commander Soarin and Lieutenant Thunderlane suggest Applejack left two hours ago heading North. I’d say it’s safe to assume she’s on her way there now.”

“So that means Flash Sentry is vulnerable.” Rainbow Dash chuckled, “Maybe the world’s turning up for me once in for all.”

“I won’t be so sure. They also spotted Flash Sentry leaving the farmstead early this morning… with a familiar fiery red-haired girl.”

“Fiery red-haired— you mean Sunset Shimmer?” Rainbow Dash scoffed, “She’s dead.”

“Not quite. Must’ve survived when the two of us separated from her.”

Rainbow Dash seemed to take it as good news, till she acknowledged one key detail. “So she’s teamed up with Flash Sentry…” Her expression faltered, her smile completely faded once more. “That makes her an enemy too.”

“I can send Commander Soarin and the recruits there now, just give me the word.”

“No. I’ll head out with Lieutenant Thunderlane. Less people, less idiots to worry about.”

“And me?”

“I’ll leave you and Commander Soarin in charge. When I return, either we’ll have a few more recruits… or a finale to this war of ours with Applejack and her butt-buddy.” Rainbow Dash moved to the armory, gathering some weapons while keeping her back to the Colonel.

“The radio also suggested a new strand of the virus.”

“New strands don’t scare me. Regardless, CNA is always out there.”

“Admiral… with all due respect—” Rainbow Dash inhaled sharply, causing Spitfire to stop for a moment. “This week alone, you’ve tried to kill yourself five times. This mission is a death wish, and you and I both know that.”

“I know. So if I die, I’ll get to see her again. If I don’t… I’ll get to avenge her. I won't have it any other way.”

“Rainbow Dash…” Spitfire called her by name, stepping forward. “I know you want this to stop as much as we all do. You and I both know you’ve been blinded by this need to kill Flash. Killing him won't bring her back, and I know she won’t want you to do this to yourself… and to her.”

“I have nothing left to lose, Spitfire. I’m not afraid to die.”

“No; you’re afraid to live without her. And that’s okay, but you can’t end your own life because you’re afraid of enjoying it while she’s gone. Do I think we should still go to The Canterlot Mall: of course. But do I also think the fight between you and Flash should be over and done with: absolutely. I love you, Rainbow Dash… but this is killing you, and everyone else can see it but you.”

“Maybe that’s what I want.” Rainbow Dash shook her head, “I don’t expect you to understand… but I can’t just move on.”

Spitfire sighed before moving to the door, “I’ll get some supplies ready for your trip.”

Rainbow Dash glanced back at Spitfire as the door closed before moving to the desk, gently picking up the photo of her and Scootaloo. “Sure would be nice to hear your voice again, Scoots.” Rainbow Dash then placed the photo in her backpack as she placed a few extra weapons inside. “If there’s an afterlife… I’ll see you again.”

—

As Applejack spoke with Flash, Sunset laid her head on the window, her leg bouncing as she slowly pulled her sleeve down to look at the scratch. Scratches don’t mean infection… right? Her anxiety grew worse as her memory reminded her.

“Bon Bon…?” Sunset whispered eerily, glancing at the scratch on her leg. Flash moved to grab a weapon, but Sunset stopped him. “Maybe scratches are different… We don’t know how this virus spreads yet.”

“It has to be airborne… we can’t risk anything, Sunset. You saw it: those kids were getting infected left and right. She has… she has to leave.”

“L-Leave? What? No! I’m fine, i-it’s just a scratch!” Bon Bon begged.

The voice repeated in her ears, so much to the point Sunset had repeated it out loud. “It’s just a scratch…” Sunset’s eyes darted back down, but as Flash spoke up, she immediately pulled her sleeve back up.

“What was that?”

“Nothing. I’m just… tired I guess.”

“Well… get some sleep. Gonna need all the energy we can get once we get to the city. Speaking of… maybe you want me to take over in a bit?” Flash asked Applejack, but Sunset’s mind completely ignored the conversation at hand.

It’s just a scratch.

You’re not infected.

You’re not infected.

Her arms began to shake aggressively, and in a blunt second: “Pull over!”

“What—why? What’s going on?” Applejack asked, but Sunset yelled again.

“Now!” When Applejack finally stopped, Sunset bolted out of the vehicle and towards the ditch on the other side of the road.

“Sunset, what's going on?” Applejack asked, stepping out of the car.

“Don’t! Just… just get back in the car. Please.”

Flash got out right after, “Sunset what happened?”

Sunset’s eyes were watering, and her arms were shaking as she finally showed them the scratch on her arm. “I’m infected. Either leave me or just… just shoot me.”

“What?”

“I said shoot me!”

Flash walked around the car before raising his hands up defensively, “No one is going to shoot you. Sunset you’re okay. It’s just a scratch.”

“That’s what I said for Bon Bon, but she was infected too.”

“No… no listen. Hey.” his hands landed on her arms, trying to steady her as she sobbed. “Lyra examined her body. There was a bite on her forearm. The scratch was nothing. They have to bite you. Sunset, it’s okay. I promise. It’s just a scratch.”

“Then explain why I’m shaking… w-why I—”

“You’re having a panic attack, Sunset. That’s why. Just come back to the car.”

“And what if I bite you? What then?”

“It wouldn’t be anything new.”

“Huh?”

Flash shook his head, “Nothing— just… come back to the car. I promise you’ll be fine, and if you’re really that scared then we can tie your arms up.”

After a moment, Sunset tried to calm herself. Nodding, she reluctantly agreed. “Okay… okay.”