Dead Pony Rising

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.