Dead Pony Rising

Chapters

1 - Something Big
2 - Dr. Barnapple's Appleloosa
3 - Applejack's Appleloosa
4 - Bullets, Bombs, and Braeburn's Demise
5 - Royal Guardianship
6 - Flank West

1 - Something Big

Dead Pony Rising

Chapter One - Something Big

Date: May 20, 2011 11:56 a.m.

A chariot flies through the sky, over giant fields of green grass and multicolored flowers. A Pegasus is pulling the chariot; another pony sits inside with a camera around his neck. As they fly through the sky, the earth pony takes picture after picture. He has a scruffy looking black mane, and a tail to match it. His eyes are dark brown, and his fur is a light grey. The Pegasus kept looking back at the earth pony; ready to ask a question.

“So, why are you coming out here, anyway?” The Pegasus asked.

“I got a tip that something big was happening,” The earth pony replied, as he continued taking more pictures.

“In a nowhere little town like this? I didn’t hear anything about it on the T.V.” The Pegasus said as he continued pulling the chariot through the sky.

“Yeah? Well, I’m freelance, pal. I don’t wait for the T.V. to tell me what to cover.”

As the earth pony continues to take pictures; he zooms in on one of the roads leading into the town and spots some Royal Guards with a road block in place. They were standing around, watching another group of ponies slowly shamble towards their barricade.

“What was that,” The Pegasus asked. “Were…were those the Royal Guardians?”

“Yeah,” The earth pony answered. “I guess flying chariot was the way to go after all. They’ve probably got all of the roads blocked off by now.”

They continue flying over more fields. The air currents were rustling up the stallions’ manes.

“And, here she is…Fillydelphia, Equestria. Population: 53,594. Distinguishing characteristics? Jack squat. Haha! About the only thing to do here is kill time at the shopping mall.”

The earth pony takes a few more pictures before getting closer to the Pegasus.

“Alright, listen. I want you to fly over Mane Street. I want to get as many shots as I can before the Royal Guardians finish roping off this town.” The Pegasus nods as the earth pony trots back to his seat in the chariot.

The Pegasus dips down to get closer to street level. The earth pony stands on the right side to get some good shots. While flying overhead, the earth pony notices that some of the ponies below were shambling rather erratically. He spots three ponies that appear to be eating another downed pony. He takes a moment to breathe.

“What in Equestria is going on here,” He asks himself. They fly over another huge group of ponies that are gathering around a crashed chariot. A unicorn is standing in the middle, trying to fend them off; but to no avail. He’s swinging a baseball bat, but the other ponies manage to grab it and throw it away.

“Get lower so I can get a better shot,” The earth pony said.

“On it,” The Pegasus responds. He floats lower and the earth pony takes some more shots. To his horror, the other ponies manage to capture the unicorn and bring him down to the ground. They soon start tearing apart his flesh and eat him.

“By Celestia. That poor stallion,” the Pegasus gasped in horror.

“C’mon, there’s nothing we can do, just keep flying,” The earth pony says. The chariot continues flying until they reach an intersection and spot some schoolfillies and their teacher, standing on top of a turned over apple cart, fending off more of the strange ponies. Most of them were waving their hooves at the chariot; terror-stricken in their little eyes.

“What do you think is going on,” The Pegasus asks.

“I don’t know, but I’m sure whatever’s going on, it’s not a normal day for this town.” The earth pony takes a few more shots before the Pegasus takes off once more. They fly close to a bakery; just as it explodes into a million pieces.

“Whoa! Did you just see that,” The Pegasus shouts, stunned at the sight and sound.

“Yeah!” The earth pony takes even more pictures than before. The smoke starts getting thick.

“I…*cough*…I got to take us up higher…*cough*,” The Pegasus chokes.

“Okay,” the earth pony replies, showing no reaction to the smoke-filled air.

The chariot rises higher and higher away from the pluming smoke. The earth pony continues to take more pictures of the carnage, snapping shots of ponies on fire, galloping out of the smoldering wreck. As they continue flying, they notice a tall warehouse; an earth pony fending off the strange zombies with a handgun on the roof.

“What in Equestria is that mare doing,” The Pegasus asked, shocked at what he was seeing.

“I’m sure she’s got her reasons,” The earth pony replied, as he leaned closer to the edge of the chariot. They continued watching as the pony emptied her last clip and threw the gun aside. She got closer and closer to the edge of the rooftop; the strange ponies getting closer and closer. One strange pony lunges for the mare and the two fall off the side of the building; and land on the ground with a spine-cringing thud.

“Oh, Celestia,” The Pegasus murmured solemnly.

“C’mon,” the earth pony says, “there’s nothing we can do for her.” The Pegasus started taking off, continuing down Mane Street.

“Hey, can you take me to the center of town,” The earth pony asks. “Maybe to that mall you were talking about earlier?”

“Sure thing,” The Pegasus answers. The Pegasus takes off and flies faster than before, heading to the mall, located in the dead center of Fillydelphia. The earth pony looks at the building through his camera and notices a chariot landing pad.

“Hey, could you get me onto the roof of that mall,” The earth pony asks. The Pegasus looks over and notices dozens upon dozens of the strange ponies gathering around the entrance of the mall.

“You’re kidding,” The Pegasus retorts. The earth pony just stands there, staring at the Pegasus. “Stallion, you are crazy.” The Pegasus prepared to land. The earth pony looked in his camera case to make sure he had everything.

“And, uh,” the earth pony says, “don’t forget to come back for me.”

“As long as you ain’t dead, Fred,” The Pegasus says.

“The name’s Flank,” The earth pony says. “Flank West. Remember that name, ‘cause the whole country’s gonna’ know about it in three days.”

As the Pegasus prepares to descend, three Royal Guard Pegasi arrive and demand that the two turn around and head back to where they came from. The Pegasus turns and starts flying toward the mall. The vibrations and sudden banking cause Flank’s camera case to fall out of the chariot and to the ground below. The Pegasus continues to fly in circles around the Royal Guards. He then suddenly takes off in the other direction.

“Get me back to that rooftop,” Flank shouts over the sound of the wind.

“I know I’m gonna’ get my flank chewed out for this one,” The Pegasus mumbles. He turns around and heads back for the landing pad. The Pegasus angles the chariot slightly lower; almost on the verge of landing. Flank takes the opportunity and jumps out of the chariot onto the mall itself. He smacks his back into the hard concrete of the roof, and rolls to try to dampen the fall. As Flank pulls himself up; he watches as the Pegasus takes off in the opposite direction, heading out of the city.

“You’re a reporter,” A mysterious voice says. Flank turns around and notices an earth pony standing by the roof access door, which leads into the mall. His fur was a bright yellow and he wore a leather vest and a ten gallon hat to match. “Yet, you came alone.”

“Well, that’s because I’m freelance,” Flank explains. “I go into the battlefield, alone. No crew.”

“And you came by chariot,” The earth pony continues; slowly trotting over to Flank. “Tell me. What did you see from above?”

“I’m not sure,” Flank says, the earth pony slowly trotting in circles around him. “But if it was just a riot, I doubt Celestia’s Royal Guardians needed to be called out.” The earth pony stops, his back towards Flank.

“And there’s one other thing I can’t figure out,” Flank continues. “It can’t be civil disobedience, from what I was told. It’s too quiet.”

The earth pony chuckles a little bit. “It’s almost as if…” He says, “Everypony’s already dead?”

“Well,” Flank says, “You seem to know what’s going on, so let’s cut to the chase. What’s going on here?”

The earth pony slowly trots up to Flank. “I think you better see for yourself,” He says. “Because this, my friend,” he looks Flank dead in the eye, “is Hell.” The earth pony trots back over to the doorway and sits back down. Flank checks his watch before deciding to head inside. He trots over and opens the door to see a stairwell leading into what appears to be the mall’s security room and contraband storage.

He trots through some of the rooms and notices a wall of monitors recording video of everything happening around the mall. While watching one of them, Flank sees a Pegasus mare with broken wings trying to gallop from her pursuers, but the strange ponies he saw when flying into town catch up to her and begin eating her alive.

“What in Equestria,” Flank asks shocked. He slowly trots out of the room and into another room filled with ventilation shafts. He slowly opens another door, in case those things were outside. Fortunately they weren’t. He hears what sounds like voices of other ponies, and gallops down the hall, hoping that somepony can give him some answers.

As he leaves the hall, he finds himself in a giant room labeled “Entrance Plaza”. He slowly trots down a flight of stairs and sees other ponies moving furniture and other items against the front door. A frantic Pegasus slams into an earth pony asking if he’s seen her dog.

“Move it, lady,” The earth pony shouts as he pushes a bench against the door. The Pegasus flies over to Flank, asking him if he’s seen her dog, but flies away before Flank can answer. He looks around the plaza, and notices a beautiful earth pony mare looking on at the other people. She, too, was wearing a ten gallon hat and had bright orange fur. He starts to trot over, to ask her some questions, but another stallion stops him.

“Hey, this is no time to ogle over pretty mares, son,” He grunts, as he trots away carrying a trashcan. “Do you want to get yourself eaten alive by zombies?”

“What,” Flank asks, shocked as to what he just heard. “Did you just say zombies?”

“Take a look out there.” The stallion points a hoof to the front doors. “If those ain’t zombies, then what would you call ‘em?” Flank looks on and sees dozens of rotting zombie ponies slamming their hooves against the glass, trying to get into the plaza. Some were missing limbs, others wings, and some even horns, while others were missing eyes or lips.

“There’ve been more and more of them since last night. Now, they’re all that’s out there.” The stallion continues. “But don’t worry…zombies are stupid and slow. We should be safe in here. Alright. Now, feel like making yourself useful?”
Flank snaps a quick picture of the zombies before listening to the stallion.

“Go around the mall and gather things we can use for the barricade back here,” He says pointing to the makeshift barricade at the doors. “C’mon, hurry, get your flank moving!” Flank starts trotting away, looking for another bench or a big piece of wood. While trotting around, he snaps some shots of the other survivors. He soon finds some plywood and 2x4s in a construction area for a new store. As he grabs a 2x4, he sees a rather old stallion trotting back and forth behind a giant metal grate. Flank gets his camera and begins to take pictures of the old stallion.

“Hey!” The stallion shouts. “Stop right there! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Why have you summoned me to this place? What are you plotting?!”

“Would you calm down old timer? I don’t know what you’re even talking about,” Flank shouts defensively. The old stallion calms down and starts to trot away. Flank tries to get the old stallion’s attention again, but he is unable to.

There’s a loud crash from behind Flank. He turns around and sees the frantic Pegasus tearing apart the barricade, trying to get to her dog that’s trapped outside with the zombies.

“I have to have my precious Maredonna!” She shouts while pulling back the benches. “Hold on, Maredonna! I’m coming!”

“Somepony stop her! She’ll let the zombies in,” A unicorn shouts. Another stallion gallops up and tries to stop the mare, but she bucks him in the mouth and continues to rip apart the barricade. She unlocks the doors and swings them open. Zombies pour in through the doors, two by two. The Pegasus is brought down and killed. The stallion that tried to stop her is pinned and eaten alive; his screams echo all the way back to Flank.

“What in Equestria are you ponies doing,” A unicorn stallion on the second floor shouts. “Gallop! Quick! Everypony get to the stairs! Now!” Flank looks on and sees a giant wall of zombies slowly shambling towards him. He looks behind him, forgetting about the giant metal grate blocking his way into the rest of the plaza.

“Great.” Flank sighs as he turns back to face the zombies.

Flank grabs a baseball bat and starts galloping towards the zombies. Some try to grab him, but he quickly ducks and dodges. He looks on in horror to see the other survivors brought down and eaten alive. Every time he tries to save one, they fall down and are attacked by the zombies. He has no choice but to gallop away and save himself.

He trips and falls into a small fountain at the center of the entrance area; zombies quickly gather around him. One stands over him, snapping at his neck like a hungry, vicious dog. His baseball bat is just out of his grasp, but he continues to reach for it, as he holds off the attacking zombie. There’s a loud gunshot and the zombie topples over. Flank looks up and sees the stallion from a moment ago with a gun floating in the air.

“Hurry,” He shouts. Flank pulls himself up and gallops to the stairs. He gets there in a matter of seconds. As he looks around, more and more zombies fill the mall. He shrugs it off and gallops up the stairs until he reaches the second floor. The unicorn that saved his life has disappeared, but Flank just brushes it off and gallops back to the security room.

He gallops through the door into the hallway, closing the door behind him. He continues to gallop until he rushes through the door to the security room and stops to see three ponies waiting. One was a blonde-maned earth pony mare that wore a silver and grey jacket and a skirt that matched. The other was a Pegasus with a short grey mane, who wore a blue Fillydelphia Mall Security jacket.

And the last was the unicorn that saved his life moments ago. He had no mane and wore a yellow button-up shirt and tan kakis.

“Thank you for saving my…” Flank begins to say.

“Where are the others?” The unicorn asks.

Flank pauses.

“I don’t know.” Flank replies. “I hope they got away.” The unicorn slowly paces back and forth, thinking for a moment. He looks over at the Pegasus and nods. The Pegasus grabs a welding device and trots over to the door. He starts welding the doorknob into the doorframe.

“No…” Flank begins.

“Hey, as long as those things are out there, we better not use this door.” The unicorn raises his voice. He trots over to one of the ventilation shafts and places his ear against the door.

“What are you..?” Flank begins.

“The air ducts. They can get us back into the mall. And apparently those things aren’t smart enough to use them.” The unicorn looks over at Flank. “So they won’t be a factor.” The unicorn uses his magic to open the door.

“Wait,” Flank says. “You want to get back in there? What for?” The unicorn ignores Flank as he pulls himself inside and starts crawling in the direction of the mall. Flank sighs angrily and sits down.

“Nice camera. You a photographer?” The mare asks.

Flank stands back up and turns to the earth pony. “Freelance Photojournalist. Flank West is my name.” He holds out his hoof to shake.

“Could you show me some pictures, Flank,” The mare asks. Flank drops his hoof.

“Sure.” He pulls his camera off and hands it to the mare.

“So, you really seem to know what you’re doing,” he continues, noticing that she figured out how to review pictures on the camera. “Who are you guys, anyway? And what’re you...” He stops when he notices the mare staring at one particular picture: the one Flank took of the old stallion that badgered him with threatening questions.

“I took that one at the Entrance Plaza,” Flank says. The mare looks up at him with a slightly shocked look on her face. “Did that guy do something,” Flank asks. The mare pauses for a moment before answering.

“Nope. Thanks for showing me though.” She hands Flank his camera back and starts trotting away.

“Hey! I’m not through here.” Flank shouts. “Just who are you guys, anyway?”

The mare stops and turns around. “My name’s Jessie. The stallion you saw earlier was Brad. That’s all I’m authorized to tell you.” She trots away. Flank sighs heavily then turns around for the air duct.

“Hey, what’re you doing,” The Pegasus asks.

“I’m heading out there to find any information as to what the hay is going on around here.”

“Well, if you’re serious about going out there, take this map of the mall and this transceiver so you can remain in contact with us should anything go wrong.” The Pegasus hands Flank the items.

“Sure thing. Thanks,” Flank says. He pulls himself into the air duct and starts crawling through the system.

*** *** ***

Date: May 20, 2011 2:02 p.m.

After a few minutes, he reaches the end of the system and opens the hatch to his right. He looks around and notices that he’s in another part of the mall. He pulls himself up and starts trotting to an elevator. He looks down at the parking lot and sees hundreds of zombies. He snaps a quick picture.

“Wow…I really do have all the luck.” He trots over to the elevator and presses the call button. After a few minutes, the elevator arrives and the doors open. He trots inside and presses the button for the first floor. The doors close and the elevator slowly descends. The transceiver that Flank received chimes and Flank answers it.

“Hey, Flank, you there,” the Pegasus back at the security room asks.

“Yeah, I’m here. What’s wrong,” Flank asks.

“Oh, nothing, I’m just making sure these things still work. By the way, I’ve located your position on the monitors. When you get off the elevator, you’ll be in a storage room; go down the aisle to your right and make a left, two rights, and then another left. You’ll find yourself at a hallway that leads into Paradise Plaza. If you need any assistance, let me know.”

“Sure thing.” Flank hangs up as the elevator doors open. Flank finds himself in a giant storage room filled with boxes and boxes of merchandise that the mall sells. He trots through the small aisles until he reaches the center of the storage room. He sees the hall the Pegasus was talking about and starts trotting down. As he gets closer to the door, he hears hoofsteps behind him getting louder and louder. Flank stops and listens carefully.

“Zombies, huh?” He reaches for a fire extinguisher on the wall and prepares to attack. He hugs the wall and slowly approaches the corner where he hears the hoofsteps. The pony gallops around the corner, and Flank swings overhead, missing Jessie by an inch. She falls back hard and aims her gun at Flank.

“What in the hay are you doing sneaking up on me?” Flank sets down the extinguisher and helps Jessie up.

“Brad’s in trouble, he needs my help,” She gasps, out of breath from galloping. She takes one step and yelps in pain. Flank grabs her as she limps.

“Look, it’s probably just a sprain. Give me your gun.” She looks at him funny. “Look, it’s my fault you’re hurt. Let me help.” Flank holds his hand out.

“No, I can’t let a civilian do this,” She groans. “It’s against regulation.”

“Yeah? Well, I don’t think they had zombie-infested malls when they wrote those regulations, kid.” Flank retorts.
Jessie thinks carefully.

“Do you know how to use this,” She asks, holding the gun out.

“Kinda,” Flank says. “I’ve covered wars, you know.”

Jessie hands Flank her gun and some extra ammo. Flank checks the stock and cocks the gun. He places it in the back of his pants.

“Now, when I help out your friend, and get back, you and I are going to have a nice, little chat.” Flank trots towards the door to Paradise Plaza.

“Brad’s at the food court. And thank you. I’ll meet you back in the security room,” Jessie says. Flank opens the door and heads into Paradise Plaza. He quickly closes the door behind him and pulls out the map. Some of the zombies standing around notice Flank and start shambling towards him.

“Okay, where’s the food court?” He looks closely at the map and finds it. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. It’s on the other side of the mall?” He puts the map away and starts galloping towards the other end of Paradise Plaza. Most of the zombies are spread out, so Flank doesn’t worry too much about them grabbing him or biting him. He reaches some double doors that lead into a giant park in the center of the mall. He bursts through them and continues galloping through the hordes of zombies. The putrid smell of decaying flesh begins to overpower Flank’s nose; his eyes start filling up with tears.

He stops and pulls out the map again. He stares at it for a moment, then continues on to the food court. As he approaches the entrance to the food court, he sees dozens of zombies gathered at the door, pounding on the glass and moaning. He looks around and sees a lawn mower to his right. He gallops over and starts it up, thinking carefully about what he’s about to do.

“Oh, Celestia, forgive me.” He pushes it into the crowd of zombies, grinding them up in the blades, blood and entrails flying in all directions. Flank sheds small tears as he mows each one over.

“They’re dead.” He tells himself, wiping away the wet beads on his cheeks. “They’re dead, and there’s nothing I can do about it.” He pushes through the last of the rotten equines and gallops into the food court, closing the doors behind him.

He slowly trots through, looking for Brad. Suddenly, he hears a gun go off, and sees a bullet ricochet off of the support beam next to him, just narrowly missing his head. He spots a pony near the ceiling, about forty yards from him. Flank panics and gallops over to one of the dining areas. He slides under a table and peeks out over the edge. He looks over to where he last spotted the pony and sees that it’s the earth pony he met on the rooftop earlier in the day. He wields a machine gun, firing it off in spurts to try to take out Flank and Brad. Flank gallops over to Brad, about ten yards away, where he, himself, is hunkered down underneath a table, trying to deflect the hail of gunfire.

“You’re…uh…marefriend sent me,” Flank says sarcastically.

“Who? Jessie,” Brad asks as he lifts his head up to find the earth pony. Another barrage of bullets showers the two of them. “Never mind,” he says, looking down and noticing Flank has a gun.

“Do you know how to use that,” he asks.

“Sort of,” Flank says, “But I’ve never fired at a pony before.” Brad looks up again and more bullets hit the table.

“Well, get used to it. Here’s some extra ammo,” Brad says while handing Flank another clip. “When he stops to reload,” Brad continues, “gallop to the left and try to distract him so I can get a good shot off.”

“How do you want me to distract him?” Another round of bullets hit the table.

“Well, the best option would be to shoot the stallion,” Brad says, “But if you can’t do that, just keep him busy dodging your bullets and I’ll do what I can.” Brad looks up again and sees the earth pony reloading his gun. “Stick to the shadows,” Brad says. “Now. One…two…three!” Brad stands up and starts firing at the earth pony as Flank gallops to the left and into the shadows.

Flank dives behind a wooden barrel and gets the gun ready. He looks over and sees the earth pony taking more shots at Brad. Flank aims the gun at the earth pony, gulps, and then pulls the trigger. The bullet flies through the air and clips the earth pony’s hat, causing him to momentarily drop his gun. Brad then starts firing some rounds, but the earth pony gallops off to the side.

Flank and Brad join back together and chase after him, firing more bullets at him. One hits his back left leg and he falls forward. He shouts for a rope and a noose comes down. The earth pony slips one of his hooves through the hole and is pulled up to the ceiling where he disappears.

“Dang it,” Brad shouts exasperated. Flank trots over to Brad and starts talking to him.

“Who was that stallion,” He asks.

“No one. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get moving.” He starts trotting away when Flank pulls out his camera.

“You’re, uh, looking for somepony, aren’t you,” Flank asks, as he brings up the picture of the old stallion from the Entrance Plaza. Brad turns around to see what Flank is talking about and notices the picture.

“Where did you get that,” Brad asks as he trots over to Flank. He tries to grab the camera, but Flank pulls it away.

“First, you tell me who you are, and I’ll give you this picture.” Brad stops and sighs deeply.

“You’re one hay of a reporter, Flank,” Brad says. “Alright. Jessie and I are D.E.S. agents. And, yes, we are looking for the stallion in that picture.”

“Department of Equestrian Security,” Flank asked shocked. “Is that stallion who just got away a terrorist or something?”

“I don’t know,” Brad says. “He might be. But, could you tell me where you took that picture?”

“Okay, you held up your end of the bargain,” Flank says. “I took this picture earlier today, at the Entrance Plaza, just before the zombies got in.” Brad looks at the picture for a moment.

“The Entrance Plaza? Are you sure?”

Flank nods his head. Brad thinks for a moment.

“Okay,” he says, “if you can help me get that old stallion in the picture, I’ll let you continue your little investigation.” Brad then starts trotting away towards another part of the food court; Flank follows him with his camera ready.

*** *** ***

Date: May 20, 2011 10:08 p.m.

“Sir, if you could please just come out, we can take you to safety,” Brad says. He and Flank were back at the Entrance Plaza, talking to the old stallion from earlier that day. The old stallion had locked himself inside a bookstore.

“No, I will not leave this store,” he shouted, “until you can guarantee me safe passage from this Luna forsaken mall! Now, goodnight!” The old stallion then closed the door and started trotting away.

“Wait! Dr. Barnapple,” Brad started to say, but the old stallion, Dr. Barnapple, just continued trotting away. Brad sighed heavily and trotted back over to Flank.

“So,” Flank asked, “what’s the situation?”

“The old coot won’t leave unless we can make sure he has a way out of here.” Brad says as he starts trotting over to the entrance back to Paradise Plaza. Flank follows him, taking a few more pictures of the zombies they pass. Flank takes out his transceiver and hands it to Brad. Brad gets a hold of Jessie.

“Hey, Jessie,” he says, “we’re on our way back to the security room.”

“Oh, Brad, thank Celestia that you’re alive,” She says with a happy tone.

“We lost the target at the food court,” He says, “And Dr. Barnapple wouldn’t come with me.”

“Why not?” Jessie asked.

“He wants a guaranteed safe passage out of the mall,” He explains. “Try getting a hold of HQ. See if they can send out a chariot to pick us up.”

“Will do,” Jessie replies. “Be safe.”

“We will,” Brad says. They reach the doorway to the storage room that leads back to the security room and head inside. As they trot through the hall, they hear shallow breathing and moaning coming from further down the hall. Brad pulls out his gun, as well as Flank. They round the corner and see a few zombie ponies standing around.

“What do we do,” Flank asks.

“Just start taking them out,” Brad responds. Just then, a yellow bug with glowing red eyes begins flying around the two of them. It resembles a wasp, but has an abdomen double the size of one, and no visible stinger. Brad ignores it, but Flank swats it to the ground and stomps on it.

“Darn bugs,” Flank growls, as he wipes his hoof on the concrete floor. “I hate bugs.”

Just then, no more than two seconds later, the zombies began to have seizures and their heads exploded into giant showers of blood.

“What just happened,” Brad asked, looking at Flank.

“I have no idea,” Flank responds.

*** *** ***

Date: May 20, 2011 10:24 p.m.

“And that’s basically the situation,” Brad says to Jessie. “Any luck with HQ?”

“No,” Jessie says, turning her chair back to the computer. “Something’s blocking the signal. I can’t get ahold of anypony.” Brad sighs heavily.

“Well,” he says, “so much for getting a chariot out of here.” He trots over to and lies down on a small green bed in the security room. It had no mattress, and was no bigger than a twin-sized bed, and resembled a furled out, wrinkled sleeping bag.

“I’ve got a ride,” Flank says. Jessie turns around and Brad sits up.

“It’s mine,” Flank continues. “It’ll be here in three days’ time. He’ll take me, you guys, and that Dr. Barnapple.”

“Really?” Brad asks. “Good. We’ll just wait three days.” Brad pulls himself up and torts over to Flank. “You and I will head back to the Entrance Plaza tomorrow morning and let Dr. Barnapple know.” He trots over to the door and gets ready to leave.

“But we’ll need supplies; food and water.” He puts the gun in his holster. “I’ll be back in a little bit.” Jessie stands up, but Brad stops her.

“Stay here,” He says. “I won’t be gone long.” Brad then heads out the door and trots toward the air duct. Flank lies down on the bed and starts to fall asleep. Jessie continues trying to get a hold of their HQ.

To be continued...

2 - Dr. Barnapple's Appleloosa

Chapter Two

Dr. Barnapple's Appleloosa

Date: May 21, 2011 12:01 a.m.

Flank woke up to a loud crashing sound. He pulled himself up and galloped out the yellow door to investigate; finding Brad carrying in a box full of food and other supplies.

“You scared me.” Flank said. “Need any help?”

“Yes, please.” Brad said. Flank then trotted up and took out a can of soda from the box. Brad grabbed his arm and took the soda out of his hoof.

“Hey!” Flank said angry.

“Help doesn’t involve that. And considering the chariot and all, we have to work together.” Brad said as he trotted away from the box; still carrying the can of soda. He slowly trots over to the welded door; listening to the zombie moans coming from outside.

“But that doesn’t mean we can tell you everything.” Brad continues. “And everything we do tell you can’t necessarily be printed.”

“Yeah, so?” Flank asks.

“So, I just want you to appreciate the situation.” Brad says.

“Well,” Flank says, “we’re up to our necks in zombies. Yeah, I think I appreciate the situation just fine.”

“Zombies.” Brad says bluntly. “I still can’t believe it myself.” He scratches the back of his neck. “It just seems so unreal…you know?” Flank nods his head in agreement. Brad tosses the can of soda back to Flank; he catches it, opens it, and starts drinking. Brad picks up the box and starts trotting back into the security room.

“You okay there?” Flank asks as Brad opens the door.

“Yeah, I got it.” Brad says as he trots inside; Jessie still sitting in front of her laptop. He sets the box down on the bed and stretches his back.

“You should rest awhile, Brad.” Jessie says. Brad slowly starts trotting over to Jessie.

“You go ahead and catch some sleep first.” Brad says. “We can switch in four hours, okay?” Jessie gets up from the chair and trots over to the small green mattress. She lies down and quickly falls asleep.

*** *** ***

Date: May 21, 2011 5:58 a.m.

Flank looks at his watch and notices it’s close to six in the morning. He massages his shoulder lightly as Brad starts to wake up.

“Morning.” Flank says. “You ready to get the doc?”

“Just let me actually wake up first.” Brad says as he stands up. Jessie then jumps up from her chair; staring scared at the monitors. Brad and Flank gallop over to see what was happening.

“What’s going on?” Flank asks.

“Well,” Jessie says, “before this whole thing started, someone called the professor and told him to come to this mall.”

“Jacked the line, did you?” Flank asks. He watches the monitor and sees the earth pony he fought the day before dragging out Dr. Barnapple’s writhing body. “So, was this the caller?” Flank asks motioning to the monitor. “This guy here?”

Brad starts to trot up to the two of them. “They’ve got something to do with the zombies, don’t they?” Flank asks.

“They’re the reason we came here.” Brad says. He starts trotting over to the yellow door; getting his gun cocked and loaded. “And if he gets away with Dr. Barnapple; none of our questions will be answered.” Brad gallops for the vent and starts crawling back to the mall. Flank hesitates, but grabs the gun Jessie gave to him and follows Brad out of the security room.

*** *** ***

Date: May 21, 2011 9:02 a.m.

Flank was trotting slowly through the Entrance Plaza; looking for Brad. As he was trotting next to the escalators, he heard hoofsteps galloping after him. He turned around and got rammed by a galloping Brad. The two hit the ground and roll behind a barrier. Flank started to pull himself up, when a bullet clipped the side of the barrier.

“Don’t be daydreaming out here.” Brad says. “Somepony’s shooting from the floor above.” Flank carefully looks around the barrier and sees the cowboy hat wearing earth pony he fought the day beforehoof. He was carrying a giant, Royal Guardianship-grade sniper rifle and was firing at Flank and Brad.

Flank pulled out his camera and looked through the small monitor. He could see, in the distance, Dr. Barnapple hanging by his back legs over a small group of zombies. Unbeknownst to the two of them, a zombie was quickly approaching them.

“Hey,” Flank says, “it’s the professor.”

“Look out!” Brad shouts noticing the zombie shambling up to them. Another gunshot is heard and the zombie pony’s head is blown clean off. Its limp body topples to the floor; blood spurting out of its neck. Flank starts wiping some of the blood off his jacket.

“If we don’t do something, the professor is going to end up as zombie chow.” Brad says. He looks at the earth pony in the distance. “I’m going for it. You just worry about staying alive, got it?” Flank nods as Brad takes off for Dr. Barnapple. Flank gallops over to the escalators and up to the second floor. Another shot is fired, and a bullet misses Flank by a few inches.

Flank hides behind support beam and takes out his gun. He looks down and sees Brad galloping back to the escalators. Flank pokes his head out from the beam and nearly gets hit by another bullet.

“C’mon, Brad, hurry the hay up.” He said in a low tone. Brad then appeared in a few seconds.

“I couldn’t get the doctor.” He said out of breath. “That stallion kept firing at me. Do you have any ideas?”

“I thought it was against regulations for a civilian to help out a D.E.S. agent during a pressing issue.” Flank says sarcastically.

“Yes, it is.” Another bullet flies past them. “But I think I can overlook it for the time being. Again, do you have any ideas?” Flank looks over at the earth pony; who was reloading his gun. Flank took out his pistol and started firing at the earth pony’s hooves. One hits the gun, causing the earth pony to panic and drop its gun to the ground below.

“Nice one, Flank.” Brad then gallops out from behind the support beam and starts chasing after the earth pony. The earth pony pulls a small pistol out from the brown leather vest he was wearing and takes aim at Brad. Brad gets his pistol ready and starts firing rounds at the earth pony. The earth pony fires one last round, hitting Brad in the front leg. Brad fires another shot and hits the earth pony in his back right leg. Brad falls to the ground clutching his leg as the earth pony jumps off the balcony and down to the first floor.

Flank gallops up to the balcony and watches the earth pony gallop through a door labeled ‘Underground Access’. He grunts angrily and gallops over to Brad.

“You okay? Where’d he hit you?” Flank asks.

“In the leg, but don’t worry about me.” He pulls himself up. “Help me get the doctor up.” Brad and Flank start pulling the ropes; hauling up the old doctor.

“I never thought…” Flank says running out of breath, “…a stallion this old…could be this…heavy.” The two kept pulling the ropes up; slowly so they don’t snap the ropes. Finally, Dr. Barnapple comes in reach and Flank pulls him up and over the bar. He places a hoof on Dr. Barnapple’s throat; looking for a pulse.

“Is he alive?” Brad asks, still clutching his leg.

“Yeah, just unconscious.” Flank says pulling himself up and adjusting his back. “How do we get him back to the security room?”

“Well, considering I’ve been shot,” Brad says, “you’re gonna’ have to carry him.” Brad starts limping away to the stairs.

“Wait, hold on. I have to carry him on my back all the way to the security room?” Flank asked angrily.

“If Rainbow Dash, or whatever her name is, could carry three unconscious Pegasi and a struggling unicorn at Mach 2 speeds during the Best Young Fliers Competition, I’m sure you can carry an old stallion.” Brad continues to limp away. Flank hauls Dr. Barnapple onto his back and slowly follows Brad.

“I was actually taking pictures at that event.” Flank said.

“Why am I not surprised?” Brad asked.

*** *** ***

Date: May 21, 2011 9:10 a.m.

Brad opens the yellow door to the security room and limps in. Jessie jumps up from her chair and gallops over to help Brad out.

“Oh, Celestia,” she said, “what happened?” She asked.

“Got shot in the leg.” Brad says. “The target got away.” Brad falls forward onto the bed; groaning and clutching his leg.

“What about Dr. Barnapple?” Jessie asked.

“Right here.” Flank says as he slowly trots in with the old stallion on his back. He trots over to another room towards the back of the security room and opens the door. He carefully lays down the doctor and trots over to the side of the mattress. Jessie gallops into the small room and checks on the doctor. She notices a small syringe mark on the side of his neck and pulls herself up. She trots out of the room and closes the door behind her.

“He’s been given a sedative.” She says. “He could be out for quite awhile.” She slowly trots over to look over Brad. “Could you pass me that roll of paper towels, please?” She asks Flank. Flank grabs the roll and hands it over to Jessie. She starts cleaning up Brad’s wound and applying the necessary pressure.

“How did it happen, anyway?” She asks Flank.

“It was that yellow stallion again that we fought in the food court yesterday.” Flank explains. “He had this sniper rifle that could easily take us out a few hundred yards away.” He pulls out his gun and places it on the desk next to him. “I fired a couple shots; one of them got the stallion to drop his gun to the floor. Brad went after him but the other stallion had a gun in his vest. The rest is pretty easy to figure out.” Jessie takes her hoof and places it against Brad’s forehead.

“Well, I’ve managed to stop the bleeding.” She says. “But he’s starting to run a fever; he’ll need medicine soon.” Flank pulls himself up and starts trotting to the door.

“Where are you going?” Jessie asks.

“Getting Brad some medicine.” Flank says as he opens the door. “I’ll be back in a little bit; you just worry about him and the doc.” Flank closes the door behind him and looks around for the Pegasus that gave him the map.

“Hey, Otis!” He shouts as he looks around the ventilation system. “Where are you?”

“Over here, West.” Otis says from one side of the vents. Flank trots over to Otis.

“What are you doing?” He asks.

“I’m checking up on the generator to make sure it won’t give out on us. What do you need?”

“Do you know where I could find antibiotics? Is there a pharmacy somewhere in this mall?” He asks.

“Yeah,” Otis says, “it’s in the back of the grocery store.”

“And where’s that?” Flank asks.

“In the North Plaza.” Otis says as he pulls himself up. “The fastest way to get there is to go through the park from the Paradise Plaza exit and head right. You’ll see a giant stairway leading up to a bunch of double doors.” Otis continues. “The building was under construction when this whole thing started; it might be a little dangerous inside, so be careful. Head inside and go straight through until the end, it’ll be to your right. You can’t miss it.”

“Thanks.” Flank says. He then starts trotting to the vent systems and crawls back into the mall.

*** *** ***

Date: May 21, 2011 11:09 a.m.

“Here we are.” He says as he approaches the entrance to the grocery store. “Seon’s Food and Stuff.” He opens the door and trots inside; the smell of produce and bread filling his nostrils. He looks around and sees a giant Pharmacy sign in the back. Flank starts galloping over; but stops when he hears the sound of a cart being pushed behind him.

He quickly turns around but finds nothing out of ordinary. He slowly trots over to where he heard the sound.

“Is anyone there?” He asks. He hears the sound again coming from the aisle next to him. He turns to his left and starts trotting down the aisle. As he gets closer to the middle, a can of tomatoes rolls past him and stop at his hooves. He gulps and slowly turns around to find a Pegasus with tattered wings pushing a blue shopping cart.

The shopping cart had knives, barbed wire, and other deadly utensils taped and tied to its front and sides. Inside the shopping cart was an orange earth pony mare, lying unconscious.

“THIS IS MY STORE!” The Pegasus shouts at the top of his lungs; causing Flank to jump and slightly lose his balance. The Pegasus was wearing a faded yellow button up shirt and a faded green smock on the front with a name tag that reads ‘Steven’. He slowly pushes the cart closer and closer to Flank. “You came to vandalize my store, huh?” Steven says psychotically; getting closer and closer to Flank. “NOT ON MY WATCH!” He shouts.

“Look, pal, someone’s been hurt badly.” Flank says defensively. “I need medicine, now!”

“Hurt?!” Steven asks. “That’s just what this mare said,” Steven then grabs the mare by her mane and jerks her around, “When she came to vandalize my store!” He lets go of the mare. “I don’t take kindly to vandalism. I won’t allow it!”

“Clearly you won’t.” Flank says sarcastically. Steven starts gritting his teeth.

“Listen to me, and listen well, partner.” He says quietly. “I DON’T ALLOW VANDALISM IN MY STORE!” He shouts again. Steven then starts galloping at high speeds with the cart towards Flank. Flank starts galloping away down the aisle and makes a hard left toward the bakery. He jumps up and over a counter and lands with a loud thud. Steven slams his cart into the bread counter and knocks it over to the side, spilling the mare out onto the ground. Steven starts to pick the cart back up.

“You think you can hide from me?!” He asks. “I know you’re back there! There’s no escaping from me!” Flank looks around and finds a bread cutting knife. He slowly picks it up and carefully thinks about what he plans to do with it. “You and this little mare will never vandalize again!” Flank jumps up with the knife.

“Will you lay off the whole vandalism thing?!” Flank then chucks the knife; landing it in Steven’s gut. He falls back and starts crawling away; towards the registers. He pulls himself up on his hooves and starts trotting away. Flank jumps up and over the counter and starts to follow him. Steven falls on the floor again and continues dragging himself to the registers.

“My store…” He says. “My…store..!” He pulls himself up and lies on top of the sixth register. “Who will take care of my store when I’m gone..?” He asks. Flank slowly trotting up to him. “My store…” Steven continues, “my food…my sales…my…” He looks back at Flank. “Customers.” Flank starts to tear up from what he was seeing.

“Have a nice day…” Steven says as he falls to the ground. Flank starts to trot over. “CLEAN UP! REGISTER SIX!” Steven shouts before finally dying. Flank looks over and sees a small blanket behind one of the registers. He grabs it and drapes it over Steven’s body. He turns around and trots back over to the orange mare; she was starting to wake up.

“What in tarnation?” She asked as she started to pull herself up. Flank trots over and helps pull her up. He suddenly recognizes her as the same mare he saw in the Entrance Plaza the other day.

“Back in the land of the living?” Flank asks jokingly. “You’re one tough cookie.” He helps her get on her feet. “Can you stand?” The mare looks at Flank and pushes him away; angrily.

“Look, I, uh, I saw you at the entrance yesterday.” Flank says. “You need medicine too, maybe we should work together.” The mare keeps backing away from Flank.

“Ah don’t need any help!” The mare says. “Y’all don’t know a thing!” She keeps backing away. “You’re the ones who done caused this here nightmare! You ruined Appleloosa and started all of this!” The earth pony trots away and leaves the grocery store. Flank sighs and heads back for the pharmacy. As he trots past Steven’s body, he sees a ring of keys on the Pegasus’ belt. He grabs it and heads into the pharmacy.

*** *** ***

Date: May 21, 2011 12:02 p.m.

Flank trots back into the security holding some gauze and a couple bottles of antibiotics.

“I didn’t know which one to grab, so I just took them all.” He says as he hands Jessie the bottles.

“Thank you for doing that.” She places one of the antibiotics in Brad mouth and pours some water down his throat. Brad swallows the pill and rolls over on his side. “He should be fine for now.” Jessie says as she stands up. Flank sits down next to the desk and starts massaging his hooves.

“Are you alright?” Jessie asks. “You’ve got blood on you.” Flank looks on his jacket sleeve and wipes away some of the blood Jessie mentioned.

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” Flank says. “Must’ve been from that mare I saved.”

“Mare?” Jessie asks. “Was she hurt?”

“I offered to help her out, but she took off.” Flank said as he grabbed a paper towel and continued wiping the blood off his jacket.

“Can’t really blame her for galloping from a stallion with your looks.” Jessie says with a smirk.

“Anyway,” Flank continued; ignoring what was said, “she was saying something about Appleloosa.”

“Appleloosa?” Jessie repeated. “I think I…” They hear loud groaning coming from the room Dr. Barnapple was sleeping in. Jessie rushes over and opens the door to find Dr. Barnapple sitting up.

“Dr. Barnapple.” She says. “You’re awake.”

“Appleloosa?” He asks. “I should have known.” He adjusts himself. “I thought Appleloosa was over and done with…you plan to dispense justice now?!”

“Calm down, Dr. Barnapple.” Jessie says. “We’re only following orders; we have to protect you…”

“Protect?” Barnapple interrupts. “More like imprison.”

“Professor,” Jessie says, “if we’re going to protect you, we need to know the truth.” She starts bending down low until she’s eye level with Dr. Barnapple. “All of it, please…talk to us.” Dr. Barnapple starts to pull himself up from the floor.

“I take it you know what Appleloosa is. Am I right?” Jessie asks. Dr. Barnapple stands straight up and sees Flank standing there with his camera; taking pictures of everything that was going on. Jessie gets angry and slams the door on him. Flank sighs and starts to trot away.

“Fine,” he says, “I’ll just get my information somewhere else, thank you very much.” He looks up and the monitors and trots over to them. “Maybe if I could track down that earth pony again…” He looks around at the monitors carefully. After many hours, Flank spots the mare he met in the grocery store pulling up with an empty wagon.

“Gotcha’!” He says as he gallops out the door.

*** *** ***

Date: May 21, 2011 5:03 p.m.

Flank approaches the entrance to the grocery store just as the earth pony leaves the building. She spots him and stops dead in her tracks.

“Hey…” Flank begins to say, but the earth pony takes off for her cart and gets ready to gallop. She spins around aims at Flank. Flank looks over and sees piece of wood from one of the construction areas. He gallops over and grabs it. The earth pony was about to get away when Flank chucks the piece of wood into one of the spoke of the wagon; causing the earth pony to lose control and crash into some scaffolding.

Flank gallops over to make sure she was okay and to stop her before she could try to getaway.

“Wait!” He shouts. “I’ve gotta’ talk to you!” He gallops over and pins the earth pony to the ground. She struggles and almost gets away but Flank keeps holding her to the ground.

“Will you listen to me?” He asks angrily and out of breath. “I’m not here to hurt you, I just wanna’ talk.” She starts to calm down. “Now, what do you know about all of this, anyway?”

“Are you a reporter?” The earth pony asks. Flank nods his head. “Let go. I won’t gallop, so let go! Y’all are hurtin’ me.” Flank lets her go and stands up. She lifts herself up and rubs her hooves.

“How much do you already know?” She asks. “Have you called for help?”

“Hold your horses, babe, I’m the one asking questions here.” Flank says in an angry tone. “What is Appleloosa and how is it connected to all of this?” The earth pony breathes heavily and looks up at Flank.

“The zombies were created by you, not us.” She says. “That’s what Braeburn wants y’all to know.”

“Who?” Flank asks.

“If you want to interview somepony,” the earth pony continues, “talk to Braeburn. He has all the answers.” Flank bends down closer to the earth pony.

“You’re talking about that stallion that kept shooting at us with the sniper rifle earlier today, aren’t you?” Flank asks. “Take me to him.”

“No.” The mare says. “Not now, at least. He’s been injured and in no mood to talk to anypony.” The earth pony adjusts her back. “I’ll bring him to you, once he’s recovered.” She says. “I can persuade him. I’m his cousin after all.” Flank pauses for a moment.

“Why should I trust you to bring him to me?” Flank asks.

“The zombies are a message from Braeburn.” She says. “He wanted ponies to know.”

“Fine. Go.” Flank says. “When will you be back?” The earth pony thinks for a moment.

“Tonight at midnight.” She says. “Wait for us in the store next to the camera shop in this plaza.” She pulls herself up and starts trotting away. When she’s a few feet away from Flank, she turns around to look at him.

“I’m Applejack, by the way.” She says. “And I promise you I’ll come back.”

“See you then.” Flank says as she trots away.

*** *** ***

Date: May 21, 2011 6:12 p.m.

Flank gets back to the security room and goes inside to find Brad up and moving and Jessie with Dr. Barnapple. He looks around and closes the door behind him.

“You learn anything new on this end?” He asks.

“Appleloosa is a stronghold for the Central Equestrian illegal apple trade.” Jessie says.

“The professor here seems to think that the zombies are a by-product of these apples.” Brad adds to the conversation.

“So,” Flank begins, “you’re telling me…what? That somepony spread a bunch of zombie apples around Fillydelphia? For what? What would making the dead come back to life accomplish?”

“They’re terrorists.” Dr. Barnapple says. “Don’t try to explain their actions with logic.” He continues, “I’ve analyzed the apples in question and reported my findings to Celestia herself.” He coughs lightly. “That must be what set them off.” He coughs some more. “They…they didn’t want to be exposed.” He stands up and stretches his legs; everypony else in the room looking at him.

“I’ve told you everything I know.” He says. “Now, get me out of here!” He starts trotting over to the back room. “Call for help and kill those creeps!” He says bitterly as he slams the door behind him. Flank, Jessie, and Brad just stand around and stare at each other after what they just heard. Flank glances up at one of the monitors and sees a group of ponies gathered outside the movie theater in Paradise Plaza.

“What in Equestria is going on there?” He asks as he trots up to get a better look.

“Looks like some other survivors.” Jessie says.

“Maybe, I’ll go check it out, see if they need any help.” Flank says. He grabs the gun Jessie gave him, gallops out the door and to the vent system.

*** *** ***

Date: May 21, 2011 9:00 p.m.

Flank slowly trotted up behind the huge group of ponies. They were all wearing bright yellow raincoats and green Nightmare Night masks to cover up their faces. Only two weren’t dressed like this and they were up front. One was a unicorn mare in normal clothing with her hooves tied behind her back and a gag in her mouth. And the other one was an earth pony dressed in a priest outfit.

“Behold!” The priest shouted; lifting up a broadsword stained with what looks like blood. “The end of Equestria is upon us. Death itself has overflowed upon the country, defiling us all.” The unicorn sitting next to him was struggling to break free.

“The only path,” the priest pony continues, “to the salvation of the soul; is the purging of the tainted blood!” A couple of the masked ponies slowly trot up to the struggling unicorn and grab her. They lift her up and throw her into a blood-stained wooden crate. Two other masked ponies pick up and place a lid over the box. Flank stays in the back taking pictures of the whole situation. The priest pony slowly trots up with his sword in hoof and places the tip against the red eye painted in the center of the lid.

He breathes in heavily and gets ready to stab the box; when he notices Flank in the back of the group with his camera pointed directly at the priest pony. He stops and moves his sword over to the side.

“Aahhh,” the priest says, “a nonbeliever in our midst.” He says coldly. The masked ponies start turning around and look at Flank. Flank starts to back away slowly

“If we are to achieve salvation,” the priest says, “his blood must flow. He must be purged.” He says pointing his sword over at Flank. “Spill his blood,” he continues, “the blood of the heretic!” Flank puts his camera down and slowly goes for his gun. As he pulls it out, the priest pony grabs his sword and gallops into the movie theater behind him. Flank starts firing rounds at the masked ponies; taking them out one-by-one.

When the last one hits the ground, he trots over to the crate and helps untie the unicorn inside.

“Thank you!” She says ecstatically. “I don’t know what they were going to do to me.”

“It’s okay, you’re safe now.” He says as he helps her out of the crate. “Listen, I’m going to go take care of that maniac and I want you to go to the security room, okay?”

“Where…where’s the security room?” Flank turns her around so she’s facing the rest of Paradise Plaza.

“Go all the way down this plaza until you see a door to your left labeled ‘Storage’. Go inside, take the elevator up to the roof, and go to the air ducts. Once you’re in the ducts, just go straight and you’ll end up at the security room. Tell them Flank sent you.” Flank explains.

“Thank you.” She says as she gallops off for the security room. Flank turns around to the movie theater and starts trotting inside.

“This better be worth it.” He says as he reloads his gun.

3 - Applejack's Appleloosa

Chapter Three

Applejack's Appleloosa

Date: May 21, 2011 9:01 p.m.

Flank slowly trotted down the hallway leading through the movie theater. He saw two masked ponies guarding the last movie theater on the left. Flank pulls out his gun and takes out the two guards. He gallops up and opens the door to find the priest pony kneeling in front of a mannequin with another broadsword loosely tied to the head. Flank looks around and sees four other ponies tied to the seats in the theater.

“Those who reject salvation,” the priest pony said, “embrace ignorance.” He slowly lifted himself up off the ground; his broadsword in hoof. “Now, I shall return your tainted blood,” he says turning to look at Flank, “to the foul earth that hath spawned you.” He starts to gallop at Flank with his sword ready to kill. Flank ducks and rolls to the side; dodging the priest’s move. Flank pulls himself up and aims the gun at the priest. But Flank steps on a piece of piping and loses his balance. He falls to the ground and drops his gun. The priest slowly trots over to Flank and places the tip on Flank’s throat.

“Any last words, heretic?” He asks.

“None.” Flank then grabs the pipe he tripped on and swats the sword out of the priest’s hoof. He then grabs his gun and shoots the priest in his back leg. The priest gallops forward to grab his sword but he trip and falls onto the trunk holding up the rickety mannequin.

“Give me strength,” he says to the mannequin, “I beseech thee!” The mannequin then topples over and the sword lands in the priest pony’s eye; ending his horrid life. Flank puts his gun back into his pants and trots over to help the ponies get out of their seats.

“Are you foalks alright?” He asks as he unties the last one.

“We’re fine.” A Pegasus with broken wings says. “Can you just get us somewhere safe?”

“Yes, I can. Just follow me.” Flank then starts trotting up to the theater exit with the four ponies in tow. He looks at his watch and sees that he’s got two more hours until he has to meet up with Applejack.

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 2011 12:01 a.m.

Flank was now waiting patiently in an unfinished store set up next to a camera shop. Flank stopped in the camera shop so he could pick up a new set of supplies and was now getting them organized while he waited. Suddenly, Applejack blasted through the door with a zombie on top of her; blood coming from her arm. Flank got up and threw the zombie out of the store. He turned around and helped up Applejack.

“Were you bitten?” He asks.

“No,” Applejack says, “it was Braeburn.” She explains; clutching her shoulder. “Ah tried to talk him into coming with me, but it didn’t work one bit. He…he doesn’t trust anypony.”

“He shot you?” Flank asks angrily.

“He didn’t mean to.” Applejack says. “He was upset.” Flank helps pull Applejack back up on her feet. “Ah don’t know what he’ll do next.” Applejack starts to lose consciousness and falls into Flank’s arms.

“Dang it.” He says under his breath. He then carefully places her on his back and starts trotting back to the security room. “I’m getting sick of carrying ponies around.” He says.

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 2011 1:10 a.m.

Brad and Jessie were waiting for Flank in the security room. Flank suddenly bursts through the door and places Applejack on the bed next to Brad.

“Who is that?” Brad asks. “Is she hurt?”

“Yeah,” Flank says. Brad and Jessie help adjust Applejack and look at the wound. “You’re looking at the bad guy’s cousin.”

“Bad guy?” Jessie repeats, “The stallion that started all of this?”

“That’s right.” Flank says. “Her jerk of a cousin caused this zombie outbreak.” Brad trots around the room while Jessie helps to lay down Applejack. While Jessie was cleaning up Applejack’s wound; the malls’ loudspeakers turned on and someone started speaking.

“AJ!” He shouted into the microphone. “PLEASE COME BACK TO ME! I DIDN’T MEAN TO SHOOT YOU! I CAN’T FINISH THIS UP WITHOUT YOU! PLEASE, COME BACK!” The message ended and everypony sat there in dead silence; obviously knowing it was Braeburn.

“His cousin?” Brad asks, still thinking it over. “What in Equestria is going on here? I mean, does this have anything to do with that announcement?”

“I don’t know much more than you do at this point, okay?” Flank says. “But he shot her, I can tell you that.” He says pointing at Applejack. “Oh, and just so you know,” Flank continues, “that would be the same guy that shot you.” Brad looks over at Applejack then back to Flank.

“What’s he after?” He asks. “What’s his ultimate goal?”

“I don’t know.” Flank says. “But from what I can gather from the announcement; his plan isn’t over. Not yet.” Otis then trots in carrying a small toolbox and sets it down under the desk. He glances at the monitors and catches something strange in one of them.

“Oh, no.” He says.

“What is it?” Flank asks as he trots up. “What do you see?”

“That’s my rookie Greg in the Wonderland Plaza.” Otis says. “Well, he’s not my rookie, but I’ve known him for five years and that’s just a nickname I gave.”

“Nevermind that,” Flank says, “what’s wrong?”

“It looks like he’s trapped on the Space Rider rollercoaster.” Otis says.

“This mall has its own rollercoaster? Wow, this place does have everything.” Flank says. They continue looking at the monitor and notice a clown dancing around near the control panel.

“Adam.” Otis says. “He’s got something to do with this.” Flank grabs some extras clips of ammunition and heads for the door.

“Where are you going?” Brad asks.

“I’m gonna’ help that stallion out.” Flank says. “I’m not going to let anything bad happen to innocent ponies.” He heads for the vent system and starts crawling back into the mall.

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 2011 1:59 a.m.

It was nearing two in the morning when Flank approaches the entrance to the Wonderland Plaza. He looked up towards the ceiling and saw the rollercoaster in operation. He starts galloping to the second floor to shut it down. The zombies aren’t as packed on the second floor because the rollercoaster was somehow drawing them away. He trots up to the control panel and is about to shut it off; when he hears psychotic laughing from behind him. He turns around to find Adam, the unicorn clown, juggling chainsaws and laughing like a maniac.

“Stay away from there, gramps.” He says in a creepy, high-pitched voice. He continues laughing and playing with the two chainsaws he has in his hooves. “Everypony used to laugh at me,” he says, “I was a trotting punchline, hahaha.” Flank gulps to what he was hearing.

“But not anymore,” Adam says in a sad tone, getting closer to Flank, “when the zombies came, everypony died.” He then started laughing psychotically again; continuing to juggle his chainsaws. “That’s why I decided to give all the happy ponies a lift on this fun ride.”

One of the rollercoaster cars comes up to Flank and he notices two toys dressed up to look like fillies. Flank realizes quickly that this clown had really gone off his rocker.

“I won’t let you stop the ride, gramps.” Adam says. “Because if the ride stops, the zombies will come back and that won’t be very fun at all.” Adam starts laughing at his loudest and charges for Flank. Flank dips to one side and trips Adam. Adam falls forward onto his chainsaws and dies instantaneously. Adam just laughs and laughs as the chainsaws dig through him. Flank pulls out the chainsaws and throws them aside.

“I’ve always hated clowns.” Flank says as he takes the key card off of Adam’s pants pocket. He trots over to the ride’s main control panel and swipes in the card. The machine pings a bit and Flank presses the big red stop button. The ride came to a slow stop at the landing pad. Greg pulls himself out from the ride and slowly trots over to Flank.

“Thank you.” He says as he hugs Flank tightly. “Can you take me somewhere safe?”

“Yeah, there’s the security room near the Entrance Plaza.” Flank says. “We’re gonna’ have to go through Paradise Plaza to get to it.”

“Actually, there’s a shortcut in a bathroom we can take to Paradise Plaza.” Greg says.

“Really? Where?” Flank asks.

“Just follow me, I’ll take you there.” Greg says as he starts trotting off to the restroom area. Flank quickly follows him as the zombies start gathering around the ride area.

“Adam sure wasn’t kidding.” Flank says as they go into the mare’s restroom. They stop in front of a giant mirror and Greg starts to loosen the bolts holding it in place.

“There’s a ladder that’ll lead down to a hallway that goes straight to Paradise Plaza.” Flank looks down and sees the ladder Greg was talking about.

“Why is this even here?” Flank asks.

“I don’t know. Otis should know; do you know if he survived?” Greg asks.

“Yeah, he’s back at the security room.” Flank said as he started climbing down the ladder. “C’mon, I need to get back soon.”

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 2011 7:00 a.m.

Flank and Greg climbed out from the vent system and were greeted warmly by Otis. Otis and Greg shared a quick hug while Flank went back into the security room. He trots in and sits down on the chair in front of the monitors. Brad was slowly trotting up to Applejack.

“Where’s Jessie?” Flank asks noticing that she wasn’t in the room.

“She’s in the back, talking with the doctor.” Brad says. He looks over to Applejack. “What is your name?” He asks. Applejack sits there in a brief moment of silence.

“Applejack.” She says, “But mah friends call me AJ.”

“Well, Applejack,” Brad says as he trots over and sits on a chair in front of AJ, “This is an emergency,” he continues, “so, we’ll skip the formalities and cut to the chase.” He pulls himself closer. “Consider this an official interrogation; now, tell me everything that you know.” Applejack looks at Brad in the eyes.

“Fine.” She says. “I’ll explain to you how all of this is your fault.” She sits forward. “There was no illegal apple trade goin’ on in Appleloosa; just an Equestrian research facility. They were doing research on some sort of parasitic insect; like a wasp. A wasp that can turn living ponies into zombies.” Brad leans back in his chair; taking in everything he was hearing.

“If you don’t believe me,” Applejack continues, “just ask the stallion that was in charge of the research, the head of the Appleloosa Pomaceous Research Facility; Dr. Barnapple!” Suddenly, there was crashing coming from the room Dr. Barnapple was in; Brad got up from his chair. After a few seconds of crashing and banging; Jessie and Dr. Barnapple come toppling through the door.

“Jessie!” Brad shouts. Dr. Barnapple then hopped on top of her and tries to bite her.

“It’s started!” Applejack yells, “He’s turning!” Brad pulls out his gun and get’s ready to shoot, but Flank tells him to stand down. Dr. Barnapple looks up at the two of them just as Flank gallops up and bucks the doctor into the filing cabinet behind him. Brad gallops up, grabs Jessie, and pulls her away from the crazed professor. Flank just stands there awestruck by what he just saw. Dr. Barnapple slumps his shoulders and passes out.

Flank looks over and sees Jessie shaking and cowering next to the bed and Brad standing guard for her. He starts to walk over when the doctor wakes up suddenly and starts having a small seizure; his body having multiple spasms and he coughs up half a lung. Flank slowly trots over as the doctor starts to calm down.

“I…I’m a…” the doctor starts to say; breathing raspy, “zombie?” He starts coughing some more as Brad aims his gun at the doctor’s head. Flank slowly kneels down next to the doctor.

“Tell me the truth, doc,” he says, “Were you experimenting with zombies?” Dr. Barnapple looks at Flank; breathing even more erratically.

“Zombies?” He asks; a small smile growing on his face, “Yes.” Flank’s expression saddens from what he heard. He looks over at Applejack; she looks away.

“We were conducting experiments,” the doctor says, “to reduce the cost of breeding apple trees.” His breathing becomes shallower. “We accidentally…made zombie virus infected apples.” He starts another coughing fit as Flank slowly gets closer to him.

“So, our royal government is now in the zombie making business.” Flank says. “And the illegal apple trade was just a cover-up?”

“What do you know?!” Dr. Barnapple shouts. “We were trying to mass produce apples.” He starts breathing heavily. “Do you have any idea how many apples Equestrians consume in a single day?!” He continues coughing. “That research was absolutely necessary!” He pauses to catch his breath. “I…haven’t done anything…wrong…” The doctor then falls to his side and dies from the virus. Flank slowly pulls out his camera and takes a shot of the doctor’s body. He turns around to face the others.

“That day,” Applejack says, “Ah was visiting Braeburn…the ponies turned into zombies. Those stupid wasps…they escaped from the lab; and it wasn’t long before they got to work. The zombies spread; the Royal Guardians were called in. They killed everypony.” Flank looks over at Brad to find him aiming his gun at Flank.

“What’re you doing?” Flank asks.

“Move.” Brad responds. Flank looks behind him to see Dr. Barnapple shambling towards him. Flank moves out of the way as Brad shoots Barnapple in the head. Brad slowly put his gun away and looks over to Applejack.

“So,” he says, “the terrorism is retaliation for a cruel government cover-up?” He looks around the room. “Sounds plausible,” he continues, “or it could be some serious parasprite fodder. In either case, we have to get out of here alive if we want to find out for sure.” Brad slowly turns to Jessie; he checks to see if she’s okay.

“Let me take a look,” Applejack says getting up from the bed, “we have to check if she’s been bitten.” Brad holds up a hoof to stop her. “Ah’ve been in this situation before; Ah can be useful if you let me help.” Brad just looks at her with angry eyes.

“Ah know Ah have no right to ask,” she continues, “But please, let me help.” She looks over to Flank. “If y’all don’t get out of here, the truth will die with you.” Flank just clears his throat; motioning Brad.

“Alright,” Brad says. “If allowing you to atone for you and your cousin’s scheme makes things go more smoothly for us…I’m all for it.” Suddenly the loudspeaker came on again.

“AJ,” Braeburn said, “Ah don’t know if you’re listening to this or not, but…” There’s a brief moment of silence. “Ah’ve made up my mind; this is the last resort. I’m going to end it all. Ah’m sorry Ah got you involved in all of this. I love you, Applejack.” The loudspeaker goes dead and everypony turns towards Applejack.

“What exactly is this ‘last resort’ that he was talking about?” Brad asks as he slowly trots over.

Applejack sighs and says, “Braeburn said…that he would blow up the mall if he were cornered.” Flank laughs lightly; Brad gets closer to AJ.

“Great, we’ve got a regular suicide bomber on our hands.” Brad says. Applejack shakes her head.

“It’s worse than what y’all are thinkin’.” She says, “The explosion would send the wasp larvae into the atmosphere.” Brad gets closer.

“He plans to spread zombies outside of the city?” Brad asks scared. “Is he insane?”

“If that bomb goes off,” Flank says, “There’ll be nowhere to gallop, the zombies will be everywhere.” Brad trots back over to the monitors and mows over what he’s just heard.

“He’s planning to flood the area underneath the mall with some kind of flammable gas.” AJ says. “And then set it off.” Applejack trots over to Brad. “If you could take care of the bombs while the gas concentration is still low…”

“There’s a chance we could stop the explosion.” Brad says. “Do you know where he’s planted them and how many there are?”

“The last Ah checked,” Applejack says trotting over to Brad, “he had made five of ‘em. There’s one underneath the North Plaza, two underneath the Wonderland Plaza, one under the Entrance Plaza, and the last one is under Paradise Plaza.” Flank pulls out the map Otis gave him and a marker.

“So,” Flank says, “here, here, here, here, and here?”

“Yes.” Applejack says.

“Okay,” Flank says, “it looks like there’s a parking area between Paradise and North and a tunnel that leads into the underbelly of the mall.” Flank continues drawing on the map. “I’ll head down there and disarm them.”

“You can’t disarm them.” Applejack says.

“And why not?” Brad asks intrigued.

“Braeburn and Ah hoofmade ‘em.” She says, “If you try to dismantle them, they’ll go off…all of them.”

“Then what do you propose we do?” Flank asks.

“You’ll have to get them out in the open; like in the center of the mall’s park. That way the explosion won’t destroy the mall and let the zombies out.” Flank looks at her with unbelieving eyes.

“You’re saying that I’ll have to grab them and carry them to the center of the park?” He looks at the map; then back at Applejack. “Wouldn’t Braeburn set them off if he saw me?”

“They’re on a timer.” Applejack says. “You’ll have thirty minutes to get them into the park. We already set them up just in case.” She trots over and sits down next to Jessie on the bed. “Braeburn does have a controller; but its only purpose is to turn the bombs on or off.” She looks over at Brad. “Odds are he’s already turned them on.” Flank and Brad look at each other.

“You take care of the bombs,” he says, “I’ll go after Braeburn.” Brad then trots out of the security room and to the air ducts. Flank grabs the map and transceiver and heads out to follow Brad. Flank looks back at Applejack and hands her his camera.

“If I don’t make it back,” he says, “try to get the story out; whatever way you can.” Flank then turns and leaves the security room.

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 2011 7:22 a.m.

Brad was slowly trotting through the North Plaza; dawn had set in over the area. He had his gun ready and was looking for Braeburn. He heard movement from behind him and he quickly turned around to find Braeburn galloping through a doorway down an empty hall. Brad chased after him.

“Braeburn!” Brad shouted as he picked up speed. “It’s over! You’re finished. Just stop galloping and come with me!” Braeburn turned around and pulled another gun out from his vest. He fired a couple rounds at Brad before galloping through another door labeled ‘Maintenance.’ Brad hid behind a support beam for cover and chased after Braeburn again.

As he trotted through the doorway, he noticed there was a stairwell leading down into the underground area of the mall. He also spotted Braeburn reloading his gun.

“Put the gun down now!” Brad shouted. Braeburn fired more rounds at Brad and took off for the underground. “You know this is going to end today with one of us dying!” Brad shouted. “And you can bet your flank it sure is hay isn’t gonna’ be me!” Brad then started galloping down the stairs.

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 2011 7:24 a.m.

Flank had reached the entrance to the underground maintenance tunnel to the mall. He looked around and found some shopping cart he could use to transport the bombs. He slowly trots over to one, grabs it, and starts pushing it down into the tunnel with him. He looked back and saw that the sun was rising higher and higher in the sky.

“Once this is over,” he says to himself, “I’m gonna’ take a good, long nap.” He continued pushing the cart into the depths of the mall’s underground.

4 - Bullets, Bombs, and Braeburn's Demise

Chapter Four

Bullets, Bombs, and Braeburn's Demise

Date: May 22, 2011 7:26 a.m.

As Flank slowly trotted down the road; he could hear to sounds of moaning zombies and shambling hooves. As he got closer, he saw dozens upon dozens of zombies trotting around…possibly even more than that.

“Zombies, darkness, and bombs.” Flank says as he continues trotting. “The trifecta of true unluckiness.” He pulls out the map from his jacket pocket and looks carefully at the road signs. “I’ll go left, then gallop back this way and go from there.” He then turned left and galloped as fast as he could through the crowds of zombies. The zombies kept trying to grab him; but to no avail. He pulled out the transceiver from his pocket and called for Applejack.

“Yeah?” She asks.

“What exactly am I looking for?” Flank asks. “Like, where exactly are the bombs?”

“Well, first tell me where y’all are.” Applejack says.

“Under the North Plaza.” Flank explains. “There’s a giant parking area and a door that leads up to the grocery store.” He says as he approaches the area he was talking about.

“It should be under a giant apple cart.” Applejack says. “It’ll be about ten yards left from the door you’re talkin’ ‘bout.” Flank put the transceiver away and looked around; he saw the cart and galloped over to it. He opened a small door near the bottom of the cart and found the time bomb sitting inside. He grabbed it, carefully put it in the shopping cart, and started galloping back to the tunnel entrance.

“One down, four more to go.” Flank said to himself as he galloped.

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 7:32 a.m.

Brad slowly entered a giant storage room; filled with pony mannequins, boxes filled with unknown items, and a couple other zombies. Brad took to the zombies with basic hoof-to-hoof combat so he could save as much ammunition as possible. A gunshot is heard and Brad takes cover behind a giant wooden crate. He slowly looked around and saw Braeburn firing at him with a pistol.

“We’re getting rid of your bombs as we speak.” Brad says. “This is as far as you go today. Just give up and surrender.” Brad fires a couple more rounds as a zombie slowly shambles up to him. Brad turns around and blasts the zombie’s brains all over the floor. Brad checks his gun and sees that he only has one round left. Braeburn fires more shots.

“Ah ain’t surrenderin’ to nopony!” He shouted at Brad. Brad pulled himself and sighed heavily. He then came out from behind the crate and started galloping at full speed towards Braeburn. Braeburn came out from behind the shelf he was taking cover behind and aimed his gun at Brad.

Brad then jumped up and fired his lost shot into Braeburn’s gut; causing him to fall to the ground and drop his gun. Brad stood up and kicked the gun away from Braeburn.

“Your terrorist days are over, Braeburn.” Brad says. “You’re finished.” Braeburn slowly pulls a knife out of his vest and quickly slices Brad across the face. Brad tries disarming Braeburn, but Braeburn spins around and stabs Brad in the back. Braeburn starts twisting the knife and Brad shoves Braeburn back a few inches. Braeburn then bucks Brad through a door leading into the underground of the mall. Brad lands hard on his back and has difficulties pulling himself up. Braeburn slowly trots up; clutching his stomach and chuckling darkly.

“Have fun with your new friends.” He says as he closes the door. Brad pulls himself up and uses his magic to fill the area with light. He was completely surrounded by zombies; dozens upon dozens of zombies slowly shambling towards him. He sits down and prepares for his fate.

“So much for a retirement next week.” He says.

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 2011 7:45 a.m.

Flank was loading up the final time bomb into the shopping cart and was now heading back to the entrance. As he was trotting down a dark area; he heard the sound of hooves dragging a body closer to him. As he got closer to the sound; he saw Brad pulling himself away from the darkness. A trail of blood behind him.

“Brad!” Flank yells as he gallops over.

“Stay away from me, Flank!” Brad yells back. “Don’t come any closer.” Flank stops dead in his tracks.

“Why?”

“I’ve been bitten…pretty badly too.” He keeps pulling himself away. Flank trots up to Brad anyway and sees some of his intestines dangling out from his body.

“By Celestia, you’re falling apart.” Flank says. Brad stops and props himself up against the wall.

“And the funny thing is…” Brad says. “It doesn’t even hurt.” Flank sits down in front of him.

“Did you get Braeburn?” Flank asks.

“No,” Brad says, “he threw me out here and got away. But he couldn’t have gotten very far.”

“Why’s that?” Flank asks.

“I shot him in the stomach.” Brad says. “He’ll probably succumb to his wounds before he makes it back to his hideout.” He starts slouching against the wall. “Can you do something for me?”

“Anything, Brad, what do you need?” Flank asks.

“Kill me.” He says. “I don’t want to end up like one of those things. And when I die, don’t tell Jessie.” Flank nods his head in solemn agreement.

“How?” Flank asks. “What would you prefer?” Brad looks over at the time bombs and the back at Flank.

“How much time do we have left on the bombs?” Brad asks. Flank gets up and gallops over to them.

“Less than seven minutes. Why?” Flank asks as he trots back over.

“I want to die with them.” He says.

“Why?” Flank asks astonished. “That sounds incredibly painful.”

“It’ll be over in a flash, besides,” Brad pulls himself up and limps to the cart, “I’ve always wanted a cremation over a burial.” Brad pulls himself into the cart and sits down next to the bombs. Flank gets behind the cart and starts pushing towards the entrance. Flank turns a corner and continues trotting to the entrance.

“Flank…” Brad says.

“Yeah?” Flank asks.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” he says with heavy breaths, “I’m glad you showed up here.”

“Just trying to do my job.” Flank says as he turns another corner and heads up to the entrance.

“Let me finish,” Brad says, “if you hadn’t shown up…I’d probably be dead right now. I just wanted to thank you for helping to extend my final days.” Flank starts to tear up as they near the entrance.

“Who knows?” Flank says, “Maybe we’ll run into each other in the afterlife.” Brad chuckles a bit and leans back in the cart. Flank looks at the bombs and notices he’s got less than five minutes. He starts galloping faster.

“Where do you want me to go?” Flank asks Brad.

“Go into the center of the park…” Brad says fading in and out of consciousness, “That way the blast won’t damage any walls…”

“So we don’t risk letting the zombies out by accident.” Flank says.

“Exactly.” Flank starts galloping down the street towards the park. As they approached, they saw three earth ponies in a giant chariot, galloping around the park.

“What’s going on here?” Flank asks. Brad looks at the earth ponies and starts to cringe.

“Those are prison escapees.” He says. “And from the looks of it, that’s a stolen Royal Guardian chariot.”

“What do we do?” Flank asks.

“Take me to the center anyway.” Brad says. “You’re running out of escape time.” Flank starts galloping towards the center of the park. The convicts in the chariot spot him and start chasing after him; Flank starts galloping faster.

“Goodbye, Flank.” Brad says.

“See ya’, buddy.” Flank says. Flank then dives out of the way as the convicts ram into the shopping cart. One of the time bomb’s wires disconnects and all of them go off. Brad, along with the three convicts, is consumed in a giant fireball. Flank looks on with tears swelling in his eyes; he wipes the tears away with the sleeve of his jacket. He pulls himself up and starts trotting back to the security room.

“I need a nice, long nap.” He says. “I’m getting sick of all this garbage.” He gets on the transceiver and gets a hold of Applejack.

“I got the bombs disposed of.” He says.

“Ah know, we heard the explosion from here. Are you heading back?” She asks.

“Yeah,” Flank says, “and make sure that bed is clear.”

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 2011 8:02 p.m.

Later that evening, Flank started waking up from his power nap. Jessie was still on her laptop and Applejack was at the edge of the bed. Jessie noticed Flank and turned around to talk to him.

“As soon as Brad gets his hooves on that terrorist,” she says, “I guess it’ll be case closed, huh?” Flank looks over at Applejack and slowly shifts himself over to talk to her.

“Do you know of anything else he could be planning?” Flank asks.

“No,” Applejack says, “Nothing whatsoever, but the bombs.” Flank lies down next to her and starts to fall asleep.

“He’s got a computer hidden away,” Applejack says; breaking Flank concentration, “Ah’m sure there’s plenty of information on that thing.” Flank sighs and pulls himself up.

“Can you take me there?” He asks.”To his hideout?”

“I thought you wanted to take a nap.” Jessie says.

“I’ll put it on hold until I get my hooves on that computer.” Flank says. “I just want this to end! Can you take me?” He asks Applejack.

“Leave it all to me.” She says as she starts trotting out of the room.

“I’ll wait here,” Jessie says, “in case Brad shows up.” Flank nods; trying to hold back the truth. He follows Applejack out of the security room and into the air ducts.

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 2011 8:40 p.m.

Flank and Applejack were trotting through entrance of the North Plaza. Applejack turns to Flank and asks him a question.

“So,” she says, “you looked nervous when Jessie brought up Brad. Did somethin’ happen to him?”

“I’ll be honest with you,” Flank says, “and this stays between us.”

“Sure thing, Sugarcube.” Applejack says.

“Okay, Brad was attacked by a group of zombies and he wanted me to kill him.” Flank says. Applejack turns a corner and they continue trotting down a hallway. “But he didn’t want a bullet to the brain or anything like that.”

“Well, how did you kill him?” Applejack asks as she leads him into an unfinished jewelry store.

“I had all the time bombs in a shopping cart,” Flank continues, “Brad hopped in and asked me to leave him with the bombs.” Applejack starts climbing some stacked cardboard boxes leading up to the ceiling.

“Vaporized in the explosion, Ah take it?” Applejack asks as she pulls Flank up.

“Pretty much.” Flank says. “Where are we going? I thought you were taking me to Braeburn’s hideout.”

“Ah am.” Applejack says. “His hideout is up here.” She says as she pushes back a ceiling tile; revealing a large lit room filled with days of supplies. Applejack hauls herself up and helps Flank inside.

“You two really had it made.” Flank says as Applejack leads him to their sleeping area.

“Yeah,” Applejack says, “he had all of this set up a week before he released the wasps.” She goes over to a desk and pulls out a laptop computer from one of the drawers. Flank trots around to see everything they had stored.

“Shoot!” Applejack says.

“What?” Flank asks as he trots over to her. “What’s wrong?”

“He’s got this thing password protected.” Applejack says.

“Well, just enter it in and find out anything.” Flank says.

“That’s the thing,” Applejack continues, “Ah don’t know his password. There’s nothin’ Ah can do.”

“Could it be ‘Appleloosa’?” Flank asks. Applejack types it into the computer; the computer keeps blocking her out.

“I’ll try words we both might know,” Applejack says, “Family stuff and things like that.” Applejack starts typing more phrases and words into the computer; each time with no success. Flank looks at the laptop and notices a blue cord plugged into it; leading somewhere else.

“What’s this cable?” He asks. Applejack looks at it too and they both notice it leads up to a strange looking metal device on the top of a shelf.

“It looks like part of a jamming device.” She says. “Ah won’t be able to disable it until Ah’m able to log in.” Flank lies down next to Applejack.

“Great.” He says. Suddenly, the transceiver starts acting up; Flank answers it.

“Hello?” He asks.

“Flank,” Jessie says, “can you hear me?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong?”

“I found something interesting on a security feed from inside a store.” She says. “Could you come back here? I need you to check it out.”

“Alright,” Flank says, “I’m heading back now.” He pulls himself up and trots over to the hatch leading back into the mall. He climbs down and starts galloping back through the North Plaza.

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 9:04 p.m.

Flank trots though the door and goes over to Jessie.

“What is it?” He asks. “What did you see?”

“Look at that monitor.” She says pointing to one near the ceiling. Flank sees a huge fat cow dragging a struggling earth pony into a room labeled ‘Bakery Main Area’.

“Who are they?” He asks.

“The man being dragged?” Jessie asks. “I think its Braeburn.” Flank looks closer at the monitor and notices the brown leather vest he usually wears.

“I think you’re right.” He says. “Where is this?”

“In the underground tunnels,” Jessie says, “underneath the North Plaza; in front of the bakery in the grocery store.”

“Alright.” Flank says. “I’m going in. Only because there’s a chance I can save him.” He grabs his gun and trots out the security room door.

“Flank.” Jessie says.

“Yeah?” Flank asks.

“If you find Brad down there, could you let me know?” She asks.

“Yeah,” Flank lies, “I’ll let you know the moment I find him.” He continues out the door.

5 - Royal Guardianship

Chapter Five

Royal Guardianship

Date: May 22, 2011 10:57 p.m.

Flank slowly approached the entrance to the doorway. He looked at his watch one more time and saw that it was nearing ten in the morning. He opened the doors and trotted inside. He looked around and smelled the scent of fresh apple pies. He looked around and saw apple pies everywhere. As he trotted around the room; he saw the fat cow from earlier hooking Braeburn up a crane suspended above a strange, blender-like device. Braeburn was bleeding from the gunshot wound Brad gave him; as well as bleeding from the hook pierced through his back hooves that kept him suspended above the machine.

“Yes,” the cow said in a creepy voice, “these apples will be perfect for my next pie.” Flank slowly trotted up to him. “Ah,” the cow said as he turned around, “another customer.” Flank started shaking from the sheer size of the cow; he was at least three times Flank’s size. “How may I help you?” He asks. Flank stood there with sheer terror frozen on his face; it took a few seconds for the cogs to click back into place.

“That stallion over there,” Flank said pointing at Braeburn, “I-I mean, uh, those apples…”

“Oh? These apples are good, huh?” The cow asks. “I just got them in here; their fresh.” He laughed lightly as he walked over to the machine.

“You just wait right there, sir. In a moment,” the cow says, “you can try the best apple pie you’ve ever tasted.”

“Whoa, pie?” Flank asks. “Wait a minute; listen.” Flank says as he trots over to the cow. “I had something else in mind.” The cow starts getting angry.

“Those zombified apples are no good.” He says. “I can’t serve rotten apples to my customers…I have a reputation to uphold!” He continues trotting over to the machine; laughing a bit more sadistically. “Trust me,” he says, “I’m a baker.” He goes over to the machine.

Flank takes a careful look at it and notices that it’s called the Apple Thresher 900. “I’ve got the best apple baked goods in town.” He flips the switch and the machine slowly kicks on. Flank just stands there helpless as Braeburn is slowly lowered head first into the machine. Flank trots over to the psychotic cow and starts talking to him.

“So,” he says, “best apple baked goods in town?”

“Yes indeed.” The cow says. “Nopony in all of Equestria can beat me.”

“I’m not sure.” Flank says as he pulls out his gun. “I think one Ms. Pinkie Pie of Ponyville might have you beat. In the early days of my reporting, I did a piece on Ponyville’s most renown bakery, Sugarcube Corner…”

“That’s a nice theory you have,” the cow starts, “but I’m going to have to disagree…” Flank pulls the trigger and kills the psychotic cow. The cow’s body slumps over and lands on the floor with a loud thud; Flank trots over to the apple thresher and turns it off. He helps pull Braeburn down to the ground and props him up against a wall.

“You’re finished.” Flank says. “It’s over.” Braeburn looks up at him with pain-filled eyes.

“And what about Applejack?” Braeburn asks.

Flank kneels down until he’s eye level with Braeburn. “She’s on our side now.” He says. “She’s checking out your computer as we speak.” Braeburn spits some blood out of his mouth and looks up at Flank.

“Mah one purpose in life,” he says, “has been to get revenge…for what our government did t’ Appleloosa…t’ my home town.” He grunts as he pulls himself up higher.

“Why?” He continues, “Why were apples so much more important to them than pony life?” Flank stares at him angrily.

“Why?” Braeburn asks. “Why did innocent ponies have to die just to feed other fat pony bellies?” Flank gets angry and slams Braeburn against the wall.

“That doesn’t excuse what you’ve done!” Flank shouts. He breathes in lightly. “But I promise you,” he says, “the Appleloosa story will be told…but I need the password to your computer.” Braeburn starts passing out from blood loss. “Hey!” Flank says shaking him. “Stay with me!” He shouts. “Give me the computer password!” Braeburn looks up at Flank…and starts laughing.

“Aren’t zombies great?” He asks. “Ah mean…all they do is eat…and eat…and eat. Growing in number…Just like good Princess Celestia obeying Equestrians…” He spits more blood onto the ground. Flank stands up and looks the other way.

“It’s not over.” Braeburn continues. Flank turns back around to listen. “Not yet…” Flank kneels back down.

“Speak!” He shouts. “Speak, you parasprite!” He starts shaking him back and forth. “What do you mean it’s not over?!”
Braeburn reaches into his vest and pulls out a small gold locket that hung around his neck. “I’m sorry, Applejack.” He says quietly to the locket. He rips it off and carefully hands it to Flank. “Give this,” he says, “t’ mah cousin.” Braeburn then passes out and slumps to the side. Flank places his hoof on Braeburn’s throat; checking for a pulse.

“Thank Celestia.” He says as he finds it. He places the locket into his jacket pocket and hauls Braeburn onto his back. He starts trotting out of the bakery; heading back to Braeburn’s hideout.

*** *** ***

Date: May 22, 2011 11:16 p.m.

Flank placed Braeburn on one of the air mattresses in the hideout. Applejack gallops up to him and brushes some of his mane out of his face.

“Is he..?” She asks.

“He’s alive.” Flank says. Applejack sighs happily. “All he worried about was you. But what’s bad…” He trots closer to Applejack. “He passed out before he could tell me anything. And with his wounds, he’ll be out for awhile.” Applejack slowly trots over to the computer; Flank behind her.

“You know,” he says, “I actually thought he was terrorist scum, but…all he really cares about is you.” Flank pulls out the gold locket and hands it to Applejack. “Here,” he says, “he thought he was going to die, so he wanted you to have this.” She looks at it with tears in her eyes.

“Ah gave this to him when I dropped off an apple tree for him.” She says. Her eyes start to widen.

“Bloomberg.” She says. She starts typing it into the computer…and she gets access. Flank looks down and sees the message that popped up.

“You figured it out!” He says excitedly.

“Bloomberg.” Applejack says again. “It was a gift I gave to Braeburn; when there was a battle between us ponies and a herd of buffalo.” She looks up at Flank with tears in her eyes. “Please believe me when Ah say this…” Flank nods, “Braeburn didn’t want all of this. He only wanted to live in peace in Appleloosa.” Flank looks at the picture inside the locket; Applejack with Braeburn next to a giant apple tree. Applejack continued typing more into the computer.

“What are you doing?” Flank asks.

“Ah’m a tryin’ to deactivate that there jammin’ device.” She says. “Once I can, that Jessie mare can call her agency.” After a few more seconds, the computer makes another ping sound.

“Got it?” Flank asks.

“Yeah, tell Jessie through your transceiver.” Flank pulled out the yellow device from his pocket and started calling for Jessie.

“What is it, Flank?” She asks. “Is something wrong?”

“No, Applejack got the jamming device deactivated. Call D.E.S., let them know about everything that’s going on.” Back in the security room, Jessie started typing stuff into her laptop and soon got a hold of the D.E.S.

“It worked!” Jessie said excitedly. “I’ll call them and let them know. Get back to the security room so we can leave as soon as your friend gets back.”

Back at Braeburn’s hideout, Flank turns off the transceiver and sits down next to Applejack.

“I’m gonna’ need your help moving Braeburn back to the security room.” Flank says. “We don’t have to leave now, but we have to be there before noon.”

“Ah’m not goin’ with you.” Applejack says.

“What?” Flank asks.

“Ah’m not goin’ with you.” She says again. “Braeburn and Ah already had a plan of escape.”

“And that would be..?” Flank asks.

“We’re gonna’ go down to the parkin’ lot and grab a chariot.” Applejack says. “Ah’ve got some friends in Ponyville that’ll hide me and Braeburn from the Royal Guardianship.”

“Well, best of luck to you.” Flank says as he gets up off the floor. He trots over to the metal hatch and opens the lock.

“Flank.” Applejack says.

“Yeah?”

“Ah wanna’ say thank you…for everything that happened the past few days.” She says. “Ah’m sure Braeburn will be happy to know that the truth will be revealed.”

“You’re welcome.” Flank says. “I’m gonna’ come looking for you afterwards.”

“Why?”Applejack asks nervously.

“I’ll need to talk to the princess and let her know about everything that happened.”

“But, if you reveal mah name, she’ll come after me.” Applejack said as she pulls herself up off the floor.

“I’m not going to reveal names, just the story, not the characters.” He says as he starts climbing down the ladder. “Good luck with your escape, you may need it with the road blocks.” And with that, Flank closed the hatch behind him and started trotting back to the security room.

*** *** ***

Date: May 23, 12:33 a.m.

After a few minutes of pushing through crowds of zombies, Jessie came up on the transceiver; a sad tone in her voice.

“Flank…it’s over…” She says. “D.E.S. isn’t going to help us.”

“What?!” Flank asks. “What do you mean they won’t help us?”

“They’re keeping it a secret.” She says. “They’re going to cover it up…just like Appleloosa.”

“No!” Flank says as he punches a zombie angrily. “Why is Celestia doing this?”

“It’s not Celestia’s orders.” She says. “Anyway, they’ll be here at midnight; for the clean-up and our arrest. I suggest you head back to Applejack’s hideout so they don’t get you.” She then drops the transceiver and sits down on the green mattress.

“Jessie?” Flank asks. “JESSIE?!” Flank throws down the transceiver and starts galloping at his fastest speed back to the security room.

Back at the security room, Jessie was curled up on the bed waiting for the Royal Guardians to arrive. Otis and some of the other survivors trotted up to her.

“So…” Otis says, “is the D.E.S. helping us or not?” Jessie slowly turned her head to look Otis in the eye.

“They’re not helping us. They’re going to clean-up the zombies and arrest the survivors.” The other survivors started murmuring to each other.

“So, what’re we supposed to do?” Otis asks.

“I honestly don’t care anymore.” Jessie says as she turns over and stares at the wall. Suddenly, the sound of hoofsteps landing on the roof occurred; everypony started getting scared.

“Everypony,” Otis says, “we need to hide from the guardians. When we get the chance, gallop to the roof and we’ll steal the chariot they came here on.”

“Not if we have anything to say about it.” Somepony said. The other ponies turned around and saw two Royal Guardians with heavy artillery weapons drawn. “Now, we don’t want to have any difficulties. Everypony get to one of the holding rooms and don’t leave until I say so.”

“And what if we don’t?” A female unicorn asks. The Royal Guard then shot the unicorn dead and turned back to the other survivors.

“That will happen.” He says. “Now, into the rooms!” All the survivors started trotting into one of the backrooms as the first Royal Guardian trotted over to Jessie. He pulled out a small picture from his pocket and carefully looked at it.

“Jessica McColtney?” He asks. Jessie just lies there; not saying anything.

“As you can tell, we’re from the D.E.S.” He says putting the photo away. “It’s a good thing you called us when you did.”

“Why?” Jessie asks.

“Because, we would’ve probably killed you by now.” He put his gun to his side and held out his hoof. “Come with me and we’ll explain everything that happened here.” Jessie turned over and pulled herself off the bed. She stood in front of the Royal Guardian and then attacked him. The other Royal Guardian galloped into the room and saw Jessie attacking and eating the other guard.

Flank was now outside the air duct leading into the security room. He could hear gunfire going off around the mall; the occasional scream of a scared survivor. He was hesitant about going inside; worried that they might be in the security room. He wanted to make sure Jessie was okay and went into the air duct anyway.

*** *** ***

Date: May 23, 2011 1:00 a.m.

As he entered the security room; he realized it was too late. Jessie, along with the Royal Guardians, was dead. Her body was lying in a small pool of blood; bullets embedded into her body. He kneeled down and closed her eyelids. As he pulled himself up; he glanced at the monitors.

The Royal Unicorn Guardians were all over the mall; shooting and killing zombies. He noticed that some of the plazas were almost empty. He decided that he was going to head back and meet up with Applejack, let her know the situation. He was about to leave; when he noticed one unicorn separate from the rest.

He was white, instead of dark grey, and had long, flowing blonde hair. Flank realized it was their commander. Flank just shrugged it off and trotted out of the room.

*** *** ***

Date: May 23, 2011 4:33 a.m.

“Another cover-up?” Braeburn asks. Flank was back at the hideout in the North Plaza; Braeburn came out of his temporary coma.

“Yeah,” Flank says, “it’ll be just like Appleloosa if I don’t get out of here.” He sat down next to Braeburn.

“Hey,” Braeburn says, “thanks for saving me back there.”

“It’s not a problem.” Flank says. “I wasn’t going to leave you behind if there was a chance at surviving this whole thing.” He sits down next to Braeburn and buries his head in his hooves.

“So,” Applejack says sitting down next to Flank, “is your friend still gonna’ pick you up?”

“I hope so.” Flank says. “But at this point…he may not.”

“Why wouldn’t he?” Braeburn asks.

“Well, there are Royal Guardians out there killing zombies and any unfortunate ponies that get in their way.” He looks at the two earth ponies. “Would you come into this warzone just to save one stallion?”

“If he was loyal, he would.” Applejack says. “If he doesn’t show up, you’re more than welcome to come with us.”

“Thank you.” Flank says. “Just as long as I get out of here in one piece, everything should be fine.” He looked at his watch and saw that it was nearing noon; the chariot would be here any moment. He pulls himself up off the floor and begins the dangerous trek back to the rooftop he was on when he first arrived.

*** *** ***

Date: May 23, 2011 12:00 p.m.

Flank galloped onto the rooftop and up to the chariot landing pad. He looked all around to make sure there weren’t any Royal Pegasus Guardians keeping watch on the rooftops; there weren’t.

About half a mile away, the Pegasus that took Flank to the mall was looking at the mall through a pair of binoculars. He could see the small outline of Flank.

“Well, I’ll be banished for a millennium.” He said to himself. “That son of a gryphon made it.” He got up and galloped back to his chariot. He suited himself up and started taking off in the direction of the mall.

Flank kept looking around for the escape chariot. His hopes were slowly starting to vanish as the clock ticked 12:09. After a few more silent seconds, he started trotting back to the door leading into the mall. Suddenly, he could hear the cheering of the Pegasus and the sound of his flapping wings. He spun around and galloped back to the landing pad.

“Yeah!” The Pegasus cheered. Suddenly, a zombie pony appeared in the chariot behind the Pegasus and bit down hard on the Pegasus’s neck. He screamed and jerked to the left. Flank could only watch in horror as the chariot came out of the sky fast and started flying towards the park. After a few more seconds of screaming, there was a spine cringing slam and silence. Flank stood there with his jaw wide open. He fell onto his knees and just sat there in dead utter silence.

The door leading into the mall burst open and zombies started pouring onto the rooftop. Flank just kept sitting there as more and more came in. A tear started streaming down his face as they came closer and closer to him. One kept shambling up to him until it got right in his face and bit down on his neck.

“Flank!” Applejack shouted as she and Braeburn galloped onto the rooftop. She had a gun and fired a round into the zombie’s skull. Both Flank and the zombie slumped over. Applejack and Braeburn kept shooting more and more zombies as they galloped over to Flank.

“He just let it bite him.” Applejack says. “Why would he do that?” Braeburn walked over to the edge of the building and saw the destroyed chariot in the center.

“His escape failed.” He says. “He gave up hope of escaping.”

6 - Flank West

Chapter Six

Flank West

Zombies…zombies everywhere.

Flank was galloping through the dark passageways of the mall’s underground parking system. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of zombie ponies were chasing after him. He would turn one corner, and many more zombies would be sitting there in wait. Another turned corner…more zombies in wait. He kept galloping and galloping at his highest speeds, until he eventually found an overturned chariot.

He rushed over and jumped up and away from the zombies that gathered quickly around him. In a matter of minutes, zombies were completely surrounding the chariot; no chance of escape. And in the midst of this crowd, Flank could see the zombified remains of his friends Brad and Jessie. They were able to climb on top of the chariot and slowly shamble to Flank.

“Why, Flank?” Brad asked with a cringing gurgle. “Why couldn’t you save me in time?”

“I’m sorry, Brad.” Flank said. “But I had to get the bombs out…there was nothing I could do.”

“And what about me, Flank?” Jessie asked in the same manner. “You told me you looked for Brad. You lied to me…why would you lie to me?”

“I didn’t want you to get distracted during the mission…we had to get out of here…that was priority number one!” Jessie leaped and pinned Flank down on the chariot. His scream filled the dark tunnels…sending back painful, headache-inducing echoes. The sound of flesh being torn from muscle and bone…

Date: May 23, 7:00 p.m.

Flank jumped out of his sleep; sweating profusely and screaming something fierce. He looked around and saw Applejack and Braeburn working on the laptop. He pulled himself up and slowly trotted over to the two of them. Applejack glanced over and then galloped over to Flank.

“You’re alive!” She says happily. “Oh, thank Celestia for that.” Flank places his hoof on his head; a sharp shooting pain coursing through.

“Yeah, thank Celestia for a hangover.” Braeburn sits down in front of Flank and starts talking.

“Listen, Flank,” he says, “Ah’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is the Royal Guardianship is leaving Fillydelphia within the next couple of hours.”

“And the bad news?” Flank asks.

“You’re infected.” Braeburn says. “You let that zombie bite you and now we’re figuring out a cure.”

Flank just sat there; staring deep into space.

“Flank?” Braeburn asks.

“AAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Flank screamed loudly in the small space. “WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHY?” He got up and started galloping around in circles.

“Flank!” Applejack shouted. “Calm down!” Flank kept galloping around the room; no possible end in sight. Applejack and Braeburn stood next to each other, positioned themselves, and bucked Flank in the face. He flies back and lands on the floor with a loud thud. Applejack and Braeburn slowly trot up to him and help pull him up.

“Infected?” Flank asks scared. “Why? Why does this have to happen?”

“Don’t worry, Flank.” Applejack says.

“WHY!?” Applejack slaps Flank across the face.

“We may have a temporary cure…but we need your help to get us the supplies we need in order to make it.” Braeburn says.

“Temporary cure? Why not a permanent cure?” Flank asks as he trots back over to the small rug.

“The scientists at the research facility were working on ways of combating the virus should it escape.” He continues. “They got as far as a temporary cure.”

“How long does the cure last?” Flank asks.

“Twenty-four hours.” Applejack says.

“You somehow have a natural response to the virus. Most ponies would’ve turned by now.” Braeburn continues.

“We’ve estimated that you need to get the needed supplies within the next eighteen hours.” Applejack says. “If not…”

“If I don’t?” Flank asks.

“Isn’t it obvious? You’ll turn.” Flank sits there…thinking about what he was just told. After a few minutes in total silence, Flank pulls himself up and starts trotting to the hatch into the mall.

“Wait.” Applejack says as she trots up to him. “Before you go, you’ll need a list.”

“Do you have one?” Flank asks.

“Yeah, hold on.” Applejack then galloped back to the laptop and grabbed a piece of paper with her mouth. She galloped back and handed it to Flank.

“Also, try to get as many queens as you can.” Braeburn adds in.

“Queens?” Flank asks confused.

“The wasps; they’re yellow, giant abdomen, and glowing red eyes.” Flank then remembered the giant wasp he squashed the first night he was in the mall. He nods his head and puts the piece of paper into the front pocket of his leather jacket. He opens the hatch and hops back down into the deserted mall.

And, almost like clockwork, a Queen flew past his ear. He looked around and found a small glass jar sitting in an unfinished mall store. Flank timed it carefully and was able to grab the Queen in one quick swoop. He brought the jar closer to his face so he could get a better look at the creepy little thing. Much like any flying insect; it started ramming against the glass wall trying to get to the light outside.

“Who would think a small little bug like you could destroy to whole cities and ruin my whole life.” He says to it. After looking at it for a few more seconds, Flank starts trotting into the mall again.

*** *** ***

Date: May 24, 12:08 a.m.

Many hours later, Flank was sitting in the hideout, waiting for Braeburn to finish the cure. Applejack was applying fresh gauze to Flank’s bite wound and rubbing it down with some alcohol; Flank winces from the stinging of the alcohol.

“Ah’m sorry, Sugarcube,” Applejack says, “but it’ll prevent an infection.”

“Too late on that one.” Flank says smirking. Applejack cuts the gauze and trots back to the first aid kit she got it from.

“Okay, it should be done within the next minute.” He looked at a clock hanging on a far wall. “You’ve got five hours left.” He trots over and sits down next to Flank.

“How many batches are you making?” Flank asks.

“Enough to last you a few weeks,” Braeburn says, “I’ll keep sending in vials so you’re not without supply.” He lies down on the rug. “Hopefully I’ll be able to mass produce this stuff.”

“What do you mean ‘mass produce’?” Flank asks. “As far as I know, I’m the only surviving infected pony in all of Equestria.” Braeburn coughs lightly.

“Braeburn,” Applejack says, “what’re you hidin’?”

“Flank isn’t the only infected pony.” He says under his breath.

“Say that again.” Applejack says angrily.

“Flank isn’t the only infected pony.” He says loudly. “Ah did a test on a pony before releasing the virus into Fillydelphia.”

“Test for what?” Flank asks.

“How long this temporary cure actually lasts.” Braeburn explains. “Ah tried it on five ponies; one to Fillydelphia…one to Manehatten…one to Canterlot…one to Trottingham…and one to…Ponyville.” All three ponies sat there in dead silence.

“And the end result?” Flank asks.

“The one for Fillydelphia lasted two weeks…the other four…Ah don’t know.”

“So…you’re saying that Equestria could already be overrun with zombies?” Flank asks.

“It’s both possible and doubtful.” Braeburn stands up and looks at Flank and Applejack. “Do you know how much of this medication had to be injected into Test Subject Number One to make him last two weeks?” Silence. “He went comatose and died.” More silence.

“Needless to say, he came back and attacked this small town.” He says. “As I planned.”

“But what makes an apocalyptic Equestria doubtful?” Flank asks.

“The cure severely deformed the test subject; it was amazing that he came back in the first place.” Braeburn continues. “With that much of the temporary cure in his bloodstream, the virus was overwhelmed and killed…same as the host…that’s why it’s doubtful Equestria is under attack.” He trots back over to the laptop and sits down. Suddenly the laptop pings and Braeburn looks back at Flank and Applejack.

“It’s done.” He says. Applejack trots over and grabs a small syringe. Flank watches as Braeburn picks up a small vial of blue liquid and Applejack uses the syringe to suck in the entire vial.

“Do I have to take all of that?” Flank asks. “Because you said a giant dosage could kill me.”

“This is enough…ugh…zombie cure…to combat the virus for twenty-four hours.” He carefully takes the syringe and trots back over to Flank. He sits the syringe down and continues talking. “In the research Ah did on the test ponies, the maximum that would be allowable is enough to last twenty-four hours. Now, here comes the bad part.”

Braeburn grabs the syringe and jams the needle into Flank’s shoulder. Flank jumps and hollers from the pain and sudden shock.

“You could’ve given me some kind of warning!” Flank shouts.

“Sorry, Ah wasn’t thinking too clearly.” He carefully pushes down on the plunger and the blue liquid slowly went into Flank.

“Wow, that stuff is cold.” Flank says.

“I didn’t even put it on ice…that’s just its natural reaction in the bloodstream.” He pulls the needle out and trots over to a garbage can to dispose of the syringe. He turns back to face the two other earth ponies. “We should get sum rest before dawn…it’d probably do us all sum good.”

*** *** ***

Date: May 24, 2011 8:03 a.m.

Flank, Applejack, and Braeburn trot out of the front doors of the mall and trot to an abandoned chariot in the parking lot. The entire area is littered with the dead bodies of zombie ponies and an occasional regular pony. Braeburn and Applejack saddle up as Flank sits in the back. As they start trotting away, Flank notices the camera case that fell out of the original chariot.

“Hey, guys, hold on for a moment.” He says as he gallops out of the chariot and to the camera case. It was dented and had many blood stains on the front. Flank quickly grabs it with his teeth and gallops back over to the waiting chariot.

“Why do you want that?” Applejack asks as he trots back over.

“When I flew in here four days ago; this fell out of the chariot.” He says as he gets back into the chariot. “Let’s just get out of here.” Braeburn and Applejack then started to pick up speed and galloped down the Mane Street. After a few moments of galloping, Applejack and Braeburn stopped and came to a grinding halt. In front of them was a troupe of Royal Guardian Unicorns standing in their way. Flank looks up and notices one of them at the front.

“I saw that stallion.” He says.

“What?” Applejack asks. “When?”

“Yesterday, when I arrived back at the security room.” Flank says. “He was leading the Royal Guardianship on one of the monitors.” Flank steps out of the chariot and stands next to Applejack.

“Well, well, well,” the white unicorn in the front said, “what do we have here? Survivors that escaped our grasp.”

“Wait a minute,” Braeburn says, “I know you…you were the one that…”

“Led the assault on Appleloosa when the zombies got free? Yes, that ‘twas I, Prince Blueblood.”

“So, Celestia is behind this whole thing…why would she cause harm to her loyal subjects?” Flank asks angrily.

“Oh, my aunt had nothing to do with either Appleloosa or Fillydelphia.” He says. “I led the assault and wrote the cover-up to keep my job as head of the Royal Guardianship.” Blueblood looks over at Braeburn.

“You lied just to keep your job?” Braeburn asks angrily. “Thousands of ponies are dead now, because of the injustice that you have brought unto them.”

“Does it look like I care?” Blueblood asks. Flank takes this moment to gallop behind a nearby bush while everypony was distracted. “Anyway, we can’t let the truth get to the pony masses or the Princess.” He aims his gun at Braeburn and Applejack. “Any last words?” Flank then bucks the gun out of Blueblood’s hooves and the two start punching and kicking each other. Flank lands many painful blows to Blueblood’s face; causing him to start getting confused and eventually falling to the ground in pain. Flank stands over Blueblood and grabs his gun. He aims it at the other Royal Guardians and opens fire; killing every single pony. He looks down at Blueblood and kicks him across the face.

“So…what’re you w-w-waiting…for?” Blueblood asks as blood drips from his mouth.

“I’m not going to kill you.” Flank says angrily. “Death is a fate too good for you.”

“What are you going to do then?” Blueblood asks.

“Make sure our beloved Princess imprisons you for a very long time.” Flank then bucked Blueblood across the face; knocking the horrid pony unconscious. Flank slowly turns his head to Braeburn and speaks.

“Justice will be served, Braeburn.” Flank says. “I can guarantee you that.”

Two Months Later

Date: July 14, 2011 1:00 p.m.

“Welcome Fillies and Gentlecolts to another wonderful installment of the Motoclops championship.” An announcer said into a microphone. Flank was covering a Motoclops event taking place in Ponyville. It was a massive event and many, many ponies attended the festivities. Because of the massive amount of ponies, Princess Celestia actually ordered in a company of Royal Guardians to make sure nothing got out of hoof.

Flank was trotting around; photographing everypony that was having fun…he even managed to capture General Prance, leader of the unicorn division of the Royal Guardians, drinking a Sarsaparilla when he was supposed to be keeping a better eye on his troops and the ponies laughing and playing.

Flank had escaped Fillydelphia and went straight to Princess Celestia to tell her the grave news of what happened. Prince Blueblood was stripped of his royalty and placed in prison for life. The story was published and made headlines all around Equestria. Flank West was given many medals and awards for him revealing the truth. He even wrote a book about the events that took place in the horrid mall.

Brad and Jessie were commended for helping Flank with uncovering the truth and honored with services held in their hometowns. Braeburn was sentenced to three years in prison for causing the outbreak in Fillydelphia and Applejack was acquitted of all charges. Applejack started working towards mass producing the temporary cure in case there was to be another zombie outbreak; Phenotrots was born. Unfortunately, she had gone missing many months earlier, and nopony in Equestria knows where she is.

“Excuse me,” an earth pony mare says, “but are you Flank West?” Flank turned around.

“As a matter of fact I am.” He says. “Pleasure to meet you.” He held out his hoof and they shook hooves.

“What’re you doing here?” She asks. “Shouldn’t you be uncovering more truths?”

“Well, I figure to take it easy now.” He says. “I’d rather just cover small events like Motoclops or something along those lines.” He looks down and notices a small baby filly standing next to the mare. “Who’s this little one?” He asks.

“Oh, this is my little filly, Katey.” She says happily. “She is three years old next week.”

“Well, she is very pretty. Who’s the daddy?”

The announcer suddenly came on again, “and, coming up next, Mr. Buck Greene!”