Dead Pony Rising 2

Chapter Ten

Buck Greene

Date: September 30, 2011 1:06 p.m.

Buck slowly trotted through the green fogged center of Celestial Sisters. As he went pass a giant rock formation, he heard the sound of a revving engine as it rapidly approached him. He spun around to find a pony on a green, chainsaw-equipped motorbike speeding quickly up to him. Buck, in a panic, rolled to the side as the beast flew past him.

Buck pulled himself up from the ground to find that it was the pony that mocked his dead wife before they all went on to do Terror Is Reality many days earlier. His black mane was greasy and de-shelved from many days of, obviously, not bathing. His fur was red and caked with a huge buildup of blood.

“Well, lookie here,” he said menacingly, “if it ain’t widdle Bucky Greene. Didn’t get enough of me yet? You come back for my autograph?” Buck just shook his head in disbelief by what he was hearing. “Oh, I bet you just get rock hard thinking about me at night, don’t you, Bucky?” He said as he started thrusting his pelvis hard into the body of the motorbike. “You come to throw your panties at me?” He asked as he started revving the engine and driving around Buck in circles.

“Whatever, buddy,” Buck said, “look, I can take you to the bunker where it’s safe…there’s going to be a firebombing in the next 24 hours.” The pony stopped his motorbike and just stared at Buck.

“Bunker?” He asked. “Where it’s safe? Wow, you are a little filly, aren’t you?” He asked completely ignoring what Buck had said about the firebombing. “I used to follow you when you did Motoclops…but…look at you now. You’re a broken stallion. You just don’t got it anymore, do you?”

“What’s your problem?” Buck asked angrily.

“You’re such a chump, Buck.” The pony said. He looked forward at the sound of another pony survivor in the distance. Buck looked in the same direction and saw a rather large Clydesdale waving his hooves in the air.

“Hey!” He shouted. “Over here!”

“I’ll race ya’ for him.” The pony on the bike said. He grabbed a hold of the throttle and revved the engine loudly. In an instant, the maniacal pony sped off after the surviving pony. Buck just looked on as the crazed pony sliced the chainsaw right through the body of the innocent stallion. The motorbike spun around and headed right for Buck’s body.

But the bike stopped at the last second and came to a gentle halt.

“What are you doing?!” Buck asked. “That wasn’t a zombie!”

“Yeah, no duh, Buck…twice the points.” He says. “They’re harder to hit ‘cause they move around so much…bastards.”

“You’re crazy!” Buck said. “This isn’t a game.” The crazed pony slowly turned his head to face Buck.

“You’re right about that…that was just practice.” He said as he revved the engine some more. The motorbike started driving around in circles around Buck. “Now it’s a game! Terror Is Reality, Buck, for real!” He laughed in between statements. “Live in Celestial Sisters!” His bike came to a stop in front of Buck.

“I’ve always wanted to take you down, chump.” He continued. “But you need some wheels, Bucky.” He said as he took out a set of keys from his pocket and threw them to the ground. Buck thought for a moment and then proceeded to pick up the keys the sadistic pony threw to the ground.

“Don’t keep me waiting.” He said just before he drove off into the distance. Buck picked up the set of keys, curious as to what they were supposed to go to. He looked around his area, mostly out of curiosity, and spotted his yellow chainsaw motorbike setup near one of the giant rock formations of Celestial Park.

“How could he assume I’d show up?” Buck asked himself as he galloped over to his bike and started setting himself up. He spun the bike around and breathed a heavy deep sigh about what was going to happen.

“Ya’ ready, Buck?” He could hear the crazed pony ask. “Time for some good ol’ jousting; just like when Equestria was established many a millennia ago.”

“Jousting?!” Buck asked in shock. “Are you insane?”

“Nope, but I could be.” The crazed pony laughed hysterically and started riding at Buck at his top speeds. Buck, in turn, did the exact same thing and drove after the nutjob. Time seemed to slow down around Buck as the two motorbikes got ever closer and closer.

Buck thought long and hard about what he was doing and realized that this isn’t the best thing to do…especially now of all times. His heart was on the verge of explosion as the sadistic stallion was getting ever nearer to his target.

Without much thought, Buck jerked his bike just slightly to the right, to avoid hitting his target. He cringed when he heard the sound of severing muscles and tendons as the chainsaw sliced through the pony’s back leg and gas tank. He yelped in agony and the motorbike he was on started to dip to the left. He hit the ground and rolled a few times before coming to a stop just outside the Kingdom de Gryphon Casino doors.

Buck spun his bike around and drove over to the downed pony to see if there was anything he could do. To his amazement, the pony was still alive and was trying to get back onto his bike; laughing hysterically some more.

“Oh, you think it’s that easy, Buck?” He asked as he pulled the motorbike up right. Gas was pouring all over the ground around the downed cycle. “You think you’re the stallion?” He continued. “You’ll NEVER beat me.” He said as he tossed his bleeding leg over the motorbike and sat down on his haunches. He revved the engine and started up the chainsaws again.

“Yeah, that’s right,” he said, blood dripping down the side of his muzzle, “quadruple points, Bucky…let’s see you top this.” He then started doing donuts in front of Buck; his chainsaw getting lower and lower to the gasoline-stained concrete. “Yeah!” He shouted. “You take that!” The chainsaw hit the ground and sparked the still wet pool of gasoline.

In an instant, the motorbike went up in flames and engulfed the senseless stallion. He just kept laughing as if nothing was happening, still sending sparks into the air as his chainsaw ground up against the…ground.

“On top!” He continued boasting. “All the way to the end.” The flames started burning away his fur and mane. The fiery contraption came to a slow and sickening stop as the pony pulled himself away from the wreckage…still on fire.

“But never forget, chump,” he continued, the smell of burnt fur quickly filling Buck’s nostrils. “I’M. NUMBER. ONE!!!” He fell to the ground, dead. Buck stood back a few inches to avoid getting burnt himself.

“Yeah,” Buck said, “you’re on fire.” Without hesitation, Buck turned and started galloping off to the maintenance tunnel entrance.

*** *** ***

Date: September 30, 2011 3:05 p.m.

The dark underground was filled with even more of the green fog than above ground. There was a huge mix of gas zombie ponies with regular, non-gassy zombie ponies. But what was most interesting to Buck, as he slowly trotted through the tunnels, was that they weren’t attacking him and were all shambling to the same area.

Buck went along with their migration for many, many yards, until they all came upon a giant set of huge metal doors; eerily similar to the ones that were sabotaged in the bunker. Again, the zombies around him weren’t making any advances to his open and exposed body. This was all very strange to Buck as he made his way to a security panel that was blinking red with the word OPEN. He pressed the flashing red button and the giant metal doors started to open up.

Once they were fully open, the zombies started shambling down a long passageway. Buck mixed in with the crowd, curious as to what in Equestria was going on down here.

And then he saw it.

A giant room that had huge amounts of the green fog emanating everywhere; guards were stationed all over the place with odd looking gun that didn’t seem to take bullets whatsoever. But the weirdest thing about the room was the chandelier…at least, it looked like a chandelier. That is if others had five rotating sections, rotating at different speeds, with one giant hole in the center that went to Celestia-Knows-Where.

Buck ducked behind some giant, red containers and watched as the zombies seemed to be transfixed to the spinning device. He just kept looking at the strange device…until a, very high-pitched, ringing started filling his head.

He grabbed his head in agony from the pain; trying his hardest not to scream. As he was dealing with that, the zombies around his start convulsing and having spasms. Much like when Buck killed the Queen wasp, all of their heads exploded. Any Queens that had managed to burrow inside the heads of the zombies were now flying up to the rotating device.

After a few seconds, or a millennium on the moon for Buck, the painful ringing stopped and guards started trotting in to clean up the dead bodies. Buck looked around and took this opportunity to look for any information regarding what he just saw happen. As the guards were distracted, Buck made his way to a main office overlooking the whole room.

Fortunately, nopony was in the room when he arrived. Everything inside was mostly files and file folders. But there was one thing that caught Buck’s eye: a laptop computer. Amidst all of the low-tech equipment, this was the one piece of technology that stood out from the rest.

Buck made his was over and found out that it was Royal Government Property, that made Buck curious. After a bit of fiddling, Buck found information that made his rage overflow.

The laptop was under the sole custody of Phenotrots pharmaceuticals. And it had information that was related to everything that happened in Celestial Sisters…as well as information proving his innocence.

“Phenotrots, huh? You sick bastards.” Buck said to himself. He closed the laptop and picked up with his mouth. But before he left the room, he noticed a key card controlling the elevators and a weird looking device that had numbers all over it going from zero to nine. He grabbed those items too and proceeded to trot back to the bunker.

*** *** ***

Date: September 30, 2011 4:09 p.m.

Buck came in and sat the laptop down on the table closest to Rebucka…that was everypony in the room could see. He flipped the top open and turned to look at the other confused ponies.

“It’s Phenotrots,” He said, “They’re the ones behind everything.”

“Phenotrots?” Fluttershy asked. “But they make Zombrex.” That’s when Ray made his way into the security room; followed closely by Applejack.

“You two just calm down a minute here.” Ray said. “This one’s been feeding up claptrap since you all got here.” He continued; pointing an accusing hoof at Fluttershy. “Now look, we’re all under a lot of stress,” Ray continued, “seeing things out of the corners of our eyes…imaginary stuff.” Rebucka was quickly working through the data on the laptop.

“There’s nothing imaginary about this.” She said bringing up a few files. Buck and Fluttershy got closer to get a better look and saw things on the screen. Double-helix DNA strands that spun around in three-dimensional animations; small packets talking about the green gas and how it’s affecting the zombie’s genetic make-up.

“I don’t understand,” Fluttershy said, “why would they..?”

“I’ll tell you why.” Rebucka said, almost figuring out everything within half a second. “It’s been a couple of months since the last major outbreak. Ponies aren’t buying Zombrex the way they used to. But now, zombies are back and even the Royal Guardians can’t stop them. There are probably line-ups at every pharmacy…just for Zombrex. They’re making a killing off this.”

Buck slowly trotted away from the computer; breathing heavily and angrily.

“Ok, let’s see if I’ve got this right,” he said. “You’re saying that Phenotrots…killed all these ponies…just to drive up their Celestia forsaken stock price?”

“This is just crazy.” Ray said.

“We have to get this information out.” Buck said. “We have to take these parasprites down!” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out the number device, which he realized later was a portable phone, and handed it to Rebucka. “I found this down there, too.”

“I’ll call my station,” Rebucka said, “they’ll send help.” She spun around in her chair as she dialed the number.

A gunshot rang out.

Rebucka’s body fell to the floor; a bullet hole between her eyes.

Ray was holding his gun.

“What in Equestria?” Buck asked, astonished. Katey quickly galloped behind her father for protection. Ray motioned Applejack to grab the laptop computer. She did, but with major hesitation.

“Looks like you finally got your story.” Ray said to Rebucka’s dead body. “Too bad you won’t be getting that award though.”

“You jerk…you’re on their payroll.” Buck said. Applejack also grabbed the cell phone and placed the item in her hat.

“Yep.” Ray said as he aimed his gun at Buck. “You were supposed to die in the outbreak, Buck. All of you were supposed to die. But don’t worry; the firebombing will fix all of that. So nopony will find the bullets in your bodies.” Fluttershy slowly inched to a baseball bat hidden under a table next to her. Ray cocked his gun and got closer to Buck.

“I didn’t want it to go down this way.” He continued. “Although, I do have to say, I’m going to enjoy this…”

“I knew you were the bad guy.” Katey said from behind Buck’s flank.

“Fillies say the cutest things, don’t they?” Ray asked as he aimed the gun between Buck’s eyes. Buck closed his eyes, accepting his fate, when Fluttershy flew up and smashed the baseball bat against Ray’s foreleg; a loud snapping sound was quickly followed. The gun dropped and Ray slammed his head into Fluttershy, knocking her to the ground hard.

Buck grabbed the gun, and was about to fire, when Ray grabbed Applejack by her mane and galloped her out of the security room. Fluttershy looked up at Buck with pain-filled eyes.

“Buck,” she said, “you can’t let him escape…especially not with Applejack.”

“Don’t worry.” Buck said as he got closer to the door. “They’re not getting away this easily.” He galloped out of the room, at full speed, to his (hopefully) final showdown with Ray.

*** *** ***

Date: September 30, 2011 4:46 p.m.

It took Buck half an hour to catch up to Ray. The nutjob of a pony had made his way to the top of the Zebra Zavara Casino, with the laptop and cell phone in tow, and was getting a harness prepared for both him and Applejack. Buck trotted through a broken door and started yelling at the two ponies.

“So, you two are behind this.” He said. “You’ve killed all these innocent ponies…for bits!”

“Buck, Ah…” Applejack began to say.

“Shut it!” Ray shouted at the earth pony. He turned back until he was eye-to-eye with Buck. “After everything that’s happened, that’s what you think? The bits are secondary…we’re trying to save lives here, Buck.”

“Saving lives?” Buck asked. “What the hay are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on!” Ray shouted. “We have had to take the necessary steps to ensure a consistent supply. Phenotrots can’t make the drug without Queens, Buck…a lot of Queens, you can thank Applejack over here for that.”

“And Discord looting the city?” Buck asked. “What, that’s not about bits?”

“He went off the rails.” Ray said. “He was well paid for his part…but then he just got too greedy. That was his work…not ours.”

“Whatever happened to ‘do no harm’, Ray?” Buck asked, his temper flaring above his normal thresholds.

“Open your eyes, Buck.” Ray said. “Do you have any idea how many ponies are infected in this great country of ours? Doctors, politicians, CEOs…some of our country’s best are infected! Even your little filly, Buck,” Ray continued, pulling on Buck’s heartstrings, “What would happen to your cute little time bomb if she didn’t get her drug?” Ray looked back and saw a flying chariot come down from the sky.

“Celestial Sisters was a small price to pay to ensure our country’s way of life.” Ray said as he trotted next to Applejack.

“You murdered these ponies!” Buck shouted.

“Acceptable losses.” Ray said. “This wasn’t the first time and it won’t be the last!”

“You PARASPRITE!” Buck shouted as his body was shaking from rage. “You did it! You caused the Pegasus outbreak, too, didn’t you?! You killed my wife! You destroyed my family!”

“Everything that we have done has been absolutely necessary!” Ray shouted as he trotted over to the chariot with Applejack. Buck galloped after them and tackled Ray to the ground. His hooves were swinging in different directions as he landed blow after blow against Ray’s head; blood coagulating on Buck’s hooves.

Ray bucked his hind legs and sent Buck flying through the air and crashing into some scaffolding. Ray pushed Applejack into the chariot and hopped in himself.

“Get us to the facility, now!” Ray shouted. While he was distracted, Applejack threw the cell phone out of the chariot just before it took off; hoping Buck would get to it in time. Buck just watched helplessly as the chariot got smaller and smaller in the distance. Tears were streaming down his face; the first time he’s cried since Stable Brook three months earlier.

Phenotrots, the one company he would always trust, was behind everything that destroyed his life. This thought made him more angrier than sad as he pulled himself up from the ground. Pain shot up his hind leg, realizing he sprained his back right hoof. He slowly made his way over to the cell phone and dialed for information.

After a few tense seconds, Buck got a hold of Rebucka’s station.

“Channel Six Action News?” Buck asked. “This is Buck Greene. Do you want the scoop of a lifetime?” A small pause as the pony on the other line gave her answer. “There’s a bunker, full of survivors in Celestial Sisters, and I’ve got the proof of what happened here. I need rescue chariots…and I need them right now.”

*** *** ***

Date: September 30, 2011 6:01 p.m.

A flying chariot landed on the roof of the Celestial Sister’s bunker. Channel Six sent in three different ones: one for the survivors, one for Twilight Sparkle and her friends to be taken to Canterlot immediately, and one specifically for Buck and Katey. Fluttershy stayed behind so Katey got on the chariot safely with her father.

Buck galloped off the chariot and towards the waiting ponies. Fluttershy slowly made her way to Buck; not realizing that Katey had dropped her Clop Clop backpack. Buck galloped up to the two and gave them a warm hug.

“It’s over,” he said, “we’re going home.”

The elevator doors closed.

Fluttershy carefully handed Katey over to Buck and the three started trotting back to the waiting chariot. Once Fluttershy and Katey were secured in, Buck started getting himself ready, too. But he noticed something strange.

“Wait, Katey’s backpack, it’s not here.” He said as he stepped off the chariot again.

“Couldn’t you just leave it?” Fluttershy asked.

“It has all her mother’s things in it.” Buck said. “I’ll be right back; it’ll only take a second.” He then galloped back towards the elevators.

The ringing of the elevator started, signaling it was coming up from the bunker.

Buck approached the doorway and was about to grab Katey’s backpack, when a talon came out of nowhere and grabbed Buck by his leg. Buck slowly looked up to find Discord staring at him with hateful, yet sarcastic, looking eyes.

“Hello, Mr. Greene.” He said mockingly. “We meet again.” Buck picked up the backpack and raised a hoof to punch Discord across the face.

“Discord!” Buck said. “Will you give it a rest? You’ve lost…deal with it!”

“Oh, no Buck.” Discord said. “I’m still in this game…you have lost. Thanks to that dose of Zombrex you gave me, I can still help Phenotrots out with its master plan.”

“What master plan?” Buck asked.

“I’m not going to divulge information like that so easily.” Discord said.

Back at the chariot, Fluttershy was getting concerned about why it was taking Buck so long to return. She laid Katey down carefully on the seat and proceeded to step off the chariot.

“Ma’am,” one of the Pegasi said, “we can’t wait much longer.”

“Please, wait.” Fluttershy said bluntly. “It’ll just be a second.”

“Where did Ray take Applejack?” Buck asked. “Could you at least answer that question?”

“Nope, I’m afraid I cannot.” Discord said. “Now, before we drag this out any longer than it needs to be…” Discord grabbed Katey’s backpack and threw in Fluttershy’s general direction. The timid Pegasus caught it with her muzzle, unexpectedly, and started shivering in fear of Discord.

“Would you be a dear and take that to young Katey?” Discord asked. Fluttershy squealed and galloped back to the chariot. The Pegasi started flapping their wings and the chariot slowly lifted up from the rooftop.

“Why are you doing this, Discord?” Buck asked.

“As I told you many days ago…I’m just enjoying the land of opportunity.” Discord said. “Now, have some fun with your new friends.” Discord then snapped his talons and the elevator doors opened to reveal the compartment full of zombies. In an instant, Discord shoved Buck into the elevator and snapped his talons again; this time closing the elevator doors.

He chuckled loudly and snapped his talons once more and disappeared into a flash of white light; sealing Buck’s fate forever. The chariot then flew off in the distance.