Dead Pony Rising 2

Chapter Seven

Never Trust a Draconequus

Date: September 27, 2011 8:00 a.m.

Buck slowly trotted back into the security room to find Applejack and Fluttershy sitting on the couch. Both, in unison, looked over to Buck.

“We need t’ talk.” Applejack said.

“Okay, what about?” Buck asked.

“Are you positive that you saw Discord?” Fluttershy asked, shivering after saying his name. Buck looked over to the scared pony.

“I’m positive. He grabbed me by my neck and told me he caused the whole outbreak right to my face.” Buck said, cringing as he remembered the events that took place the night before.

“But that’s not possible,” Applejack said, “we turned him into stone those months ago. Who would want to resurrect him? And for that matter, why would he give up his own show? He made millions a bits with that program.”

“I’m telling you, I saw him with my own eyes.” Buck said defensively.

“So you say.” Rebucka says as she enters the room. Buck turns to face the intruding mare.

“Is that who your source is? Discord?” Buck asked.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Buck.” Rebucka said. Suddenly, the entire room that the ponies were in started shaking as if a tactical rainnuke was detonated just outside the bunker doors.

“Whoa, what was that?” Buck asked.

“It sounded like it came from outside.” Fluttershy said as she trotted over to the computer monitors. “It looks like somepony is messing with the casino vaults.” She said noticing some activity happening at the Equestriana Casino. Buck trotted up next to her and looked to see some of the guard ponies, the kind that were helping and protecting Discord, breaking down a door leading to the main vault of the casino. “I’m not sure who it is, though.” Fluttershy said.

“Then, I’d better get out there and find out myself.” Rebucka said as she pulled her digital camera out from her back pocket. Once Rebucka was out of ear shot, Applejack started talking.

“Ah don’t know if she’s really brave…or just really stupid.” She said as she stood up from the couch and trotted over to Fluttershy. Buck looked at some of the other monitors and noticed that there were guards stationed not only at the Equestriana, but also at the Apple Acres Casino, the Zebra Zavara Casino, and the Kingdom de Gryphon Casino.

“I bet Discord has something to do with this.” Buck said. “I’m gonna’ go stop him.”

“No, don’t go out there, Buck.” Fluttershy said. “They’re very dangerous.”

“And Ah bet they have fancy weapons that’ll bring ya’ down in an instant.” Applejack added. Buck thought about it for a second.

“I don’t care.” Buck said. “Discord is up to something big, but why he’s breaking into the vaults, I need to know why.” Buck then grabbed the transceiver and map and stormed out of the room.

*** *** ***

Date: September 27, 2011 9:20 a.m.

Buck slowly entered the Equestriana Casino to find it packed with zombies and a few of the pony guards from earlier. He slowly made his way through the path of flashing and loud slot machines, avoiding zombies and guards as best he could. As he came up to the main room that housed the vault, a guard spotted Buck and started to open fire.

Buck quickly ducked down behind a Luna-themed slot machine. The gunfire suddenly stopped and Buck peaked out to find the guard’s gun had jammed. Buck took the chance to gallop out from behind the slot machine and lunged at the guard. The guard had zero time to react and was thrown to the ground loudly and heavily.

“What’re you doing here?” Buck asked. “Why is Discord doing this?”

“I’ll never talk…you’ll have to kill me first.” Buck gets angry and headbutts the criminal into silence. He grabs the gun and starts fiddling around with it. After a few quick seconds, Buck found the problem and quickly resolved it. He slowly trotted over to the door and swung it wide open to find two unarmed pony guards using a drill to break through a giant steel vault door.

Buck carefully took aim and shot the two ponies dead. As their limp bodies fell to the floor, Buck galloped over to the drill and quickly turned it off. He looked around, hoping to find any evidence of why Discord had ordered his guards to drill through the vaults. He unfortunately came up short and slowly trotted back to the door into the casino main floor. His transceiver started ringing and he quickly answered it.

“Yes?” He asked.

“Buck, get back here immediately!” Fluttershy yelled. “You need to just ignore those other ponies and focus on the big picture…”

“I am focusing on the big picture, Fluttershy.” Buck said calmly. “If I don’t get the needed evidence, I’m going to prison for the rest of my life.” He turned the transceiver off and placed it back into his pocket.

*** *** ***

Date: September 27, 2011 11:33 a.m.

Buck slowly made his way to the Kingdom de Gryphon Casino and hid himself behind a wall to avoid getting caught by some of the pony guards that were set up outside the tall casino. He looked and noticed that there were at least five guards set up around a giant black chariot that looked like it could plow through solid metal.

He thought for a second about the best course of action he could take.

Option 1: he could run in and starting kicking everypony’s flank until they ran screaming or submitted defeat. Pro: he’ll be a hero and get required evidence. Con: he’ll die.

Option 2: he could get another pony survivor’s help in distracting the guards while he, Buck, galloped in and destroyed the chariot. Pro: he’ll be a hero and get required evidence. Con: he, and the other pony, will die.

Option 3: somehow get a grenade and blow up the chariot and pony guards into smithereens. Pro: it’ll work. Con: he doesn’t have a grenade and it also might not work.

Buck was on the verge of giving up hope, when he noticed one of the pony guards accidentally dropped a grenade and trotted over to another part of the building. Buck carefully trotted over and grabbed the grenade while the other guards were distracted with a giant sack of bits that was being placed in the chariot. Buck ducked behind the wall again and looked down at the grenade.

“Okay, the Fates have given me a golden opportunity here.” Buck said. “I’ll only have one shot at this, and I really need to make it count.” He looked around and saw a football over at a kiosk. He thought carefully for a moment. “If I can somehow attach this grenade to that football, I may be able to throw it into the back of the chariot and blow the whole thing to kingdom come.”

Buck got up and galloped over to the football and grabbed it with his mouth. He ran over to behind the Gryphon Casino and found some duct tape to use. He pulled off some strips and started rapping them around the grenade and the football together. Buck started trotting back to the front of the casino and saw that the guards were getting ready to leave.

“Hail Mary, full of grace…” Buck said as he chucked the football into the air and it landed right next to a big sack of bits. He held back his excitement as he ducked back behind the building. The explosion rocked the entire area and sent shards of metal and concrete in different directions. Buck lost his balance and fell forward onto a pile of garbage. He raised up his head and saw Rebucka slowly trotting over to the destroyed chariot.

“Quick thinking on your hooves, Buck.” Rebucka said.

“Thanks.” Buck said.

“By the way, who’s Mary?” Rebucka asked.

“I honestly have no idea,” Buck said as he stood up, “I just said the first thing that came to my mind.”

Meanwhile, Discord slowly walked up to the edge of the Kingdom de Gryphon Casino rooftop. He looked down and saw the carnage that Buck had caused. He curled his fists and started fuming. He grabbed a walkie-talkie from a belt around his waist.

“What do I pay you ponies for?” He asked angrily. He breathed deeply and started talking into the walkie-talkie again. “We’re staying a bit longer than planned, boys.” He started walking back to the rooftop door; a couple pony guards following him closely with their weapons at the ready.

Back on ground level, Rebucka was taking video footage of the destroyed chariot. Buck was standing a small distance away so he doesn’t get in the shot. She slowly got closer and closer to the burning wreckage; getting quick glimpses of some of the dead ponies.

“Fantastic.” She said excitedly. Buck looked over and saw somepony moving from underneath the wreckage. Buck noticed that the surviving pony had a grenade in his mouth…the pin already pulled. Buck started galloping over to Rebucka.

“For…D-Discord!” The pony shouted just before the explosion. Buck tackled Rebucka to the ground and rolled her and himself out of the way from more debris.

“You sure do have a knack showing up at the right place at the right time.” Buck said as their eyes met. “Have you covered wars, or something?” Rebucka inched her face closer to Buck’s.

“Not until now.” She said. “Everypony has a first time, Buck.” She said as she lifted herself up until she was upright and sitting on top of Buck’s lap. She pulled herself up and gave Buck a hoof.

“So,” Buck said as he got up, “you believe me now? Discord’s robbing the city…that’s why he started this…for bits.” Rebucka walked over to pick her camera up off the floor. “You sure got your story now.” Buck continued.

“Listen,” Rebucka said, “I’ve got a meeting with my source tonight. I think maybe it’s time you met.” Buck started grinning.

“I thought a professional journalist never gave up a source.” He said, still grinning.

“I think this is kind of a special case, Buck.” Rebucka said. “I’ll meet you at 11 o’clock, in the bar at the Zebra Zavara.” She said as she trotted off into the distance.

“It’s a date.” Buck said. He slowly pulled the transceiver out of his pocket and turned it on. Not two seconds after turning it on, Fluttershy was yelling her loudest into the transceiver.

“DAMMIT, BUCK! GET YOUR BUCKING FLANK BACK TO THE SAFEHOUSE THIS INSTANT!” Buck could hear her breathing heavily until she let go of the button.

“You’ve got it, Fluttershy.” Buck said. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. We need to talk anyway.”

*** *** ***

Date: September 27, 2011 1:02 p.m.

Buck sat down at one of the tables in the cafeteria; Applejack and Fluttershy at his sides.

“So,” AJ said, “what is it y’all wanna’ talk ‘bout?”

“Well,” Buck started, “I will be talking with the pony that gave the false video tape to Rebucka. And, I know why Discord is causing all of this.”

“Why is he doing this?” Fluttershy asked.

“Bits.” Buck bluntly said. “He started this whole outbreak just so he could get his greedy paws on millions…maybe even billions of bits.”

“But why?” Applejack asked. “Discord can control time and space. Why would he start an outbreak just for bits?”

“I don’t know.” Buck said. “All of this seems pretty strange. But, after I talk with Rebucka’s source tonight, we’ll know the reason.”

“But, there’s another thing that doesn’t make any sense.” Fluttershy said. “Who would steal Discord and get away with it? I mean, think about it. Celestia beefed up her security to insure that Discord would never rise to power again.”

“Well, Ah’m sure whoever did it must be pretty smart and tough.” Applejack said. “So, when’re you meetin’ Rebucka and ‘er source.”

“Tonight, at about 11 o’clock.” Buck said. “I’m just glad this is all almost over. We just need to pull through tonight and tomorrow, then the Royal Guardians will save us and Celestia will be able to deal with Discord properly.”

“Applejack,” Fluttershy said, “what happened to Twilight, Dash, Pinkie, and Rarity?”

“Ah’m not sure, sugarcube.” Applejack said. “We got separated when everything went crazy. Last I saw, Dash was flying away to look for rescue and Twilight and Rarity were creating some kind of magical barrier to protect Pinkie and a group of other ponies.”

“How did you end up underground?” Buck asked. “Just seems like an odd place.”

“There was a door wide open next to the arena.” Applejack explained. “Ah ducked in there and tried calling for everypony else…but…I just knew they weren’t gonna’ make it.” The three sat there in solemn silence. This whole event had a taken a toll on everypony… especially Buck.

*** *** ***

Date: September 27, 2011 8:00 p.m.

Buck was making his way through the Zebra Zavara Casino…heading up to the club that Rebucka told him about. It was getting close to ten o’clock in the evening. He figured that if he got there early, they’d be able to transfer the information quicker and Buck can head back to the safehouse. As he was walking through the twists and turns of the casino, he saw a scared looking pony run into his line of view. The stallion stopped and stared at Buck.

“Hey, buddy!” Buck shouted. The stallion took off in another direction; leaving Buck standing there with an unsure look on his face.

“Raindrop hungry.” Said a strange voice behind Buck. Buck turned around and got punched in the face by an unknown assailant…knocking him out cold.

*** *** ***

Date: September 27, 2011 10:47 p.m.

Buck awoke to him being dragged slowly across a floor towards a giant glass cage. He looked forward and saw a giant gryphon dragging him closer to the cage.

“Aw, no.” He said quietly. The gryphon stopped and dropped Buck’s hind legs to the ground. The gryphon looked around to face Buck.

“Look what I found you, pretty girl.” He said in a slow voice. “Fresh meat.” Buck looked over and saw a manticore sleeping on a giant rock next to him. Buck jumped back a few inches.

“Whoa, look,” Buck said, “there’s plenty of zombies around for her to eat…”

“No!” The gryphon yelled like a young filly. “No! Not zombies! That meat is rotten! Like all her food now. It went bad! She needs meat…fresh meat.”

“Okay, okay…” Buck said calmly, “not zombies. But…I can help. I can get her some food…maybe a nice pie or cake or something.”

“NO!” The gryphon yelled. He spun around to look at the manticore. “People not been very good to me.” He said. “Not like Raindrop,” he said, petting the manticore lightly. “Raindrop my friend.” Buck slowly pulled himself up from the floor.

“Listen,” he said, “let’s talk this over. What’s your name?”

“Gregory.” The gryphon said. “But everypony call me Greg.” He said with a light smile growing on his face.

“That’s good,” Buck said, “you don’t have to do this, Greg. We just need to slow down and talk this over, right?” Greg’s smile quickly faded the moment Buck said the word ‘slow’. “Nice and slow, Greg.”

“NOOO!” Greg yelled, waking up the manticore. “Greg not slow! They all said that. Greg not slow! STOP SAYING THAT!!” Greg looked over at Raindrop, who had her head up. “See, ponies not nice!” Greg said. “Raindrop, got and eat your fresh meat…nice…and slow.” He said mocking Buck’s voice. The manticore pulled itself up and slowly walked up to Buck.

“Well, this is my cue to get the hay out of here.” Buck started galloping at his fastest speed to the nightclub he was supposed to meet Rebucka at; Raindrop close behind him. Buck galloped up the dead escalator and down a brightly-lit hallway that had a giant sign at the top that read: Everfree Nightclub. He blasted through the faux leather doors and quickly slammed them behind him.

He slowly trotted over to one of the many couches and sat down to catch his breath.

As he was trying to relax, a mysterious mare slowly trotted up to the door and locked the hatch. Buck reached over to a half-drunk glass of mysterious alcohol. Another mare rushed over to another side of the room with another pony tied up by her front hooves and a gag in her mouth. Buck finished off the drink and threw the glass across the room to see if it would break. It didn’t shatter.

Instead, one of the mysterious mares had caught it.

“Hmm…enjoy that drink, Buck?” She asked. Buck pulled himself up from the couch…recognizing the voice of the pony. She slowly trotted into Buck’s POV…carrying a polished katana sword with her unicorn magic. “Discord had a feeling you’d show up.”

“You’re the source?” Buck asked. It was one of the pony twins he encountered just before the outbreak started; the one wearing a silver sequenced dress.

“Can’t have the stallion responsible for the outbreak galloping around free now, can we Buck?” She asked while lifting up the sword higher. “Especially as he keeps interfering with other pony’s business.”

“That’s a lie and you know it.” Buck said. “Discord set me up and you helped.” The other pony twin galloping behind him…Rebucka tied up and gagged. The pony in gold sequence slowly slid her hoof up Rebucka’s neck slowly and sensually.

“We’re just some fellow survivors trying to win big, Buck.” She said. She then slid her tongue down Rebucka’s throat and the two started kissing. Buck stood there, gawking at what he was looking at. The gold pony threw Rebucka to the ground and lifted up her own sword into the air. “But…you wouldn’t know much about that.” She continued.

“This outbreak is killing thousands…ponies are dying!” Buck said angrily.

“Bragging doesn’t really suit you, Buck.” The silver pony said. “I always saw you more as the strong, silent type.”

“The very, very silent type.” The gold pony said. Buck looked over at the silver pony and noticed she was aiming the sword for Buck’s chest. He looked over and saw the gold pony aiming for his head.

“On the count of three, sis’.” The gold pony said. “One.”

“Two.” The silver pony said.

“Three.” They both said. The swords flew through the air; flying at Buck. Buck ducked down onto his knees as the katana swords flew over his head. The gold pony dodged her sister’s sword…but the silver pony wasn’t as quick. The sword’s trajectory was off course and landed square in her throat. She fell to the floor as blood started gushing from the newly opened wound.

“Silver Tail!” The gold pony said as she galloped over to her downed sister. She kneeled down and carefully placed her hoof in her sister’s hoof. She looked up and over at Buck with an evil glare in her eyes.

“What have you done?” She asked as Buck pulled himself up. “She was my…other half. But you’ll pay.” Buck grunted after she said that. “You will never get out of here alive, Buck. We promise that…all of us.” She pulled the katana out of her sister’s throat and placed it a few inches above her underbelly.

“I’ll never be complete, again…never.” She said as she started trembling.

“No, don’t..!” Buck started to say. But the gold pony jammed the katana into her gut and started twisting, insuring she would not survive. She fell to her side and was face-to-face with her dead sister. For her last few moments on Earth, she slowly stroked her sister’s mane. Buck looked on with tears welling up in his eyes. He brushed his face with his hoof and trotted over to Rebucka, who was still tied up. He kneeled down and started untying the ropes around her hooves.

“It’s about time.” She said. “You’d almost think you liked me being tied up.”

“That’s not the thing that I liked the most.” Rebucka jumped up on her hooves buried her nose in Buck’s face.

“If you say anything, to anypony, anywhere, I will kill you myself so Celestia’s guards don’t have to.” He stared at her for a moment and then trotted over to the dead pony bodies.

“I can’t believe you trusted them.” Buck said.

“I know…I’m sorry.” Rebucka said massaging her hoof. “But they had the tape…it spoke for itself. Maybe this will make it up to you: I heard them talking earlier, Discord’s got another chariot coming in tomorrow at sunset, this one driven by Pegasi. He’s getting whatever bits he can still get his hands on, and then getting out of the city.”

“Did they say where he was meeting the chariot?” Buck asked.

“No, so we’re going to have to watch for it.” Rebucka said. “I’ll meet you on the rooftop above the bunker at eight o’clock.”

“I’ll be there.” Buck said. Rebucka started trotting over to the doors leading into the Zebra Zavara. “Wait!” Buck yelled. “Don’t go that way.”

“Why not?” Rebucka asked.

“Long story…but trust me.” Buck said. “We’ll just have to find another way out.”

“What do you suggest?” Rebucka asked. Buck stood there for a moment…nothing coming to mind.