Dead Pony Rising 2

Chapter Eight

Great and Powerful

Date: September 28, 2011 7:00 a.m.

It was early in the morning, their last day in the safehouse before the Royal Guardianship finally arrives. Buck was getting another syringe of Zombrex ready for his daughter. He had been thankful for Applejack finding him at the most important time. The needle quickly plunged into Katey’s hide and Buck pushed down on the plunger.

Katey shivered from the temperature of the blue serum, an unnatural effect that comes with the temporary cure, and Buck carefully pulled out the needle. He lightly rubbed her shoulder and unrolled the sleeve of her jacket.

“Daddy…” She said in a woozy tone, “I don’t feel so good.” Applejack looked over as Katey slumped to her side and Buck caught her.

“Katey!” He shouted as she passed out. “Katey! Katey!” Fluttershy and Applejack trotted up to the two. “This is how her mother was before she…”

“It’s alright.” Applejack said. “Look, she ain’t turnin’.” Buck picked her up onto his back and carefully carried her over to the couch; the two mares close behind. He carefully laid her down onto the couch and covered her with a small blanket.

“This happened to a friend of mine, once.” Fluttershy said. “It’s that forsaken drug.”

“A friend?” Buck asked.

“She used to have to deal with Zombrex, too.” Fluttershy said.

“Used to?” Buck asked. “What happened?”

“She couldn’t take it anymore.” Fluttershy continued. “Everything in her life revolving around that drug…one day she…just…let herself…”

“I’m sorry.” Buck said. Applejack trotted up next to Buck.

“Like Ah was tellin’ you, Ah was lookin’ fer a cure.” Applejack said.

“Well, none of this would be happening if you didn’t go all terrorist against your country.” Buck said bitterly.

“Ah wasn’t the terrorist, mah cousin was.” Applejack said in defense. “He was angry, takin’ revenge for that horrible government experiment that caused all this in the first place.” Applejack brought her head down. “Ah tried to help…Braeburn and Ah worked with Flank West to make the first inhibitor…using Queens.” Buck sighed heavily and placed his hoof on her shoulder.

“I’m happy to know that you did your best.” Buck said. “Why’d you stop in the first place?”

“Merger with another pharmaceutical company.” Applejack said. “We kept it on the down-low and didn’t let it spread from beyond the offices of mah company. Ah stepped down and let somepony else takeover the projects.” Buck lightly rubbed her shoulder.

*** *** ***

Date: September 28, 2011 7:59 p.m.

Rebucka slowly trotted up behind Buck.

The two were standing a giant chariot landing pad that was on the rooftop of the safehouse bunker. It was close to eight o’clock, like Rebucka had planned, and they were watching the skies of Celestial Sisters for any sign of activity.

“Good.” Rebucka said as she stood next to Buck. “We can see the whole city from here…Buck, we can’t afford to miss this. If those pony twins were right, and Discord gets away in that chariot…”

“I know.” Buck said. Rebucka carefully pulled something out from her back pocket.

“Here,” she said handing the item to Buck, “I found these in the bunker.” Buck looked down and noticed she was holding a pair of binoculars. Buck took them out of her hooves and started looking up at the night sky.

For what felt like hours, Buck just stood in the same exact spot, just staring at the sky. Rebucka also looked around with him, but, after awhile, found herself just sitting around doing nothing. She looked at her watch and noticed it was nearing midnight. She looked over at Buck.

“It’s been a while.” Buck said.

“Ya’ think?” Rebucka asked.

“Do you think we can trust that reliable source of yours?” Buck asked, ignoring Rebucka. Rebucka just ran her hoof up and down her leg from boredom.

“I’m sorry, Buck.” She finally said. “Look, I…” Suddenly, they both heard the sound of flapping wings as a giant gold chariot flew across the sky. “Hey, there it is.” Rebucka said excitedly. Buck looked through the binoculars again and saw, in the distance, three Pegasi bringing in a massive gold chariot…big enough to hold lots of bits.

“It’s landing on the hotel.” Rebucka said. “Looks like Discord’s getting ready to check out.”

“That Draconequus isn’t going anywhere.” Buck said. “There’s no way I’m taking the fall for this.”

“We better hurry, I’ll meet you there.” Rebucka said as she galloped back to the elevator leading back into the safehouse bunker. Buck sat the binoculars down on the ground and quickly followed suit.

*** *** ***

Date: September 29, 2011 12:03 a.m.

Buck galloped up to the elevators that led up to the rooftop. He had gotten to the hotel in a matter of minutes, his passion for ending the whole debacle fueling his legs. He was about to push the button, when Rebucka galloped in and stood next to him.

“Not without me, Buck.” She said. “You’re the best lead I’ve ever had.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it.” Buck said. “So, how should we approach this? Professionally or O.K. Corral style?”

“Whatever you want, Mr. Stallion-of-the-Hour Buck Greene.” Rebucka said. “This is your mess to clean up.” The little monitor on the elevator slowly kept ticking up number by number. The tension in the small cramped room just kept getting bigger and bigger as they counted down the numbers in their heads.

The bell rang and the doors swung open. Buck pushed Rebucka behind him and told her to stay put. He galloped out onto the rooftop and saw Discord using his magic to levitate the bags of bits into the chariot. One Pegasus was placing them in the appropriate order and accidentally dropped one.

“Hey, careful with the bits, foal.” Discord said. “We don’t have much left over after yesterday.” The Pegasus carefully sat down the last sack and noticed Buck standing on the other side of the chariot landing pad.

“Hey, look boss.” He said pointing a hoof at Buck. Discord turned around and started grimacing.

“Not possible.” He said. “Not going to happen. We’re taking off, now!” Discord then jumped into the back of the chariot and ordered the Pegasi to hook up and take off. Buck looked on as the Pegasi started flapping their wings and the giant mass started lifting off the roof. In a panic, Buck rushed over to a small service crane, leftover from construction, and grabbed the swinging hook with his mouth.

He galloped as fast as he could, leaped up high in the air, and attached the hook to the back of the chariot. He fell to the ground and rolled to the side. The Pegasi then flew forward into one direction and the hook and rope pulled tight against the back of the chariot.

The sudden jolt broke the chariot from the harnesses and the mass of gold started falling back to the hard earth. The Pegasi continued to fly, from fear of dealing with a pony that brought down an entire chariot without using his hooves. Discord jumped out from the chariot and tried to fly after them, but the chariot clipped his wing and he fell to the ground. He fell hard on his head and was knocked unconscious.

Buck slowly trotted up to him as the chariot hit the roof and toppled over the side of the building. A few bits flew up and started hitting the ground with force. One hit the roof and flew up, almost hitting Buck in the face…but he caught it with his teeth. He spat it into his hoof and stared at the golden piece of currency.

“Well,” Rebucka said, walking up with her camera, “that was one hay of a show.” She stopped next to Buck and stared at the knocked out Draconequus.

“He killed all those ponies…just for this.” He said, still holding the bit.

“Is he alive?” Rebucka asked.

“He sure is.” Buck said. “He’s not even started paying what he’s done. Let’s get him back to the bunker.” Buck then threw the bit and the piece of small gold smacked Discord in the face.

*** *** ***

Date: September 29, 2011 1:08 a.m.

Discord’s limp body hit the hospital bed. Buck and Rebucka had gotten him back to the bunker and placed him onto a hospital bed in the emergency ward of the bunker. Fluttershy and Applejack still couldn’t believe their eyes…Buck had been telling the truth the whole time. Ray slowly trotted in and looked at what they were all looking at.

“What’s he doing here?” Ray asked. “Isn’t he Discord, that master of chaos or something?”

“Oh, yeah,” Buck said. “And he started it. He’s behind everything. He killed all these ponies and framed us for it. Just so he could make some easy bits.”

“We’ve got enough to run with the story.” Rebucka said.

“Well I’ll be.” Ray said as he trotted over to the side of Discord’s bed. “The four of you brought down this big shot? I’m impressed.”

“This story is going to be big…huge. It’s award material.” Rebucka said. Ray looked at Discord’s lifeless face.

“He’s out cold?” Ray asked. “We oughta’ make sure he stays that way.”

“Wait,” Buck said, “we need to keep him alive.”

“Why? Capital punishment was made for a Draconequus like this.” Ray said.

“There’ll be a lot of ponies out there who’ll want to see him pay for what he’s done.” Buck said. “We just need to sit on him until the rescue comes in the morning.” Ray thought about it for a moment and then pulled out a pair of hoofcuffs.

“Fine.” He said. “We’ll do it your way. I’ll stand watch first. He’s not going anywhere for awhile.” And with that, the other four ponies slowly made their way out of the emergency ward and back to the security room.

*** *** ***

Date: September 29, 2011 7:01 a.m.

Katey was still playing with the gaming system that she got in Stable Brook. Buck slowly trotted up to her and took it out of her hooves.

“Dad! You didn’t let me get to the save point!” She complained. “I’m gonna’ have to restart.” Buck just smiled at the ridiculousness of her statement.

“Sorry, kiddo.” He said. “Time for your medicine.” He then pulled out the syringe and went through the same procedure he’s done for the past three months. After it was over, he handed Katey her game back and walked over to Fluttershy and Applejack.

“The rescue is coming, Buck.” Fluttershy said excitedly. “Ray said they’ll save anypony at the bunker at first light. There might still be ponies out there that we can help. If you could get them back here in time…”

“It never stops, does it?” Buck asked. “Did you see anything on the monitors?”

“Well,” Fluttershy said, “I did see something going on over at the Apple Acres Casino. Maybe you should go there first.” Buck nodded his head and headed out of the security room.

*** *** ***

Date: September 29, 2011 7:42 a.m.

Buck slowly found his way to a stage that was surrounded by three ponies tied up and sitting in chairs. The first one he noticed was a cyan blue Pegasus with busted wings and a strange device attached to said wings. Buck slowly trotted up to her and the Pegasus spoke.

“She’s coming.” She said. Buck stopped and turned around to see another blue pony trotting up on the stage. She was wearing a black cape that had stars, sparkles, and crescent moons all over it. She had a white-ish mane and a cutie mark with a crescent moon and magical wand.

“Oh,” she said, “Trixie has kept you waiting for so long. I know you want that encore, right?” Buck just stood there in amazement. “This is going to be incredible.” Trixie continued. “You know Trixie does it all for you ponies. You can barely even wait for this comeback tour to start. But, we are going to need a few more things before we can start…and if Trixie doesn’t get them soon…” She pulled out a weird device with a giant red button in the center.

“How is the Great and Powerful Trixie supposed to work under these conditions?” She asked. “Trixie is an artist! Well, despite the technical problems caused by Trixie’s incompetent crew, the show must go on.” Buck just shrugged her off and turned his attention back to the cyan Pegasus.

“No!” She said. “We’re…we’re wired. If we move…they’ll go off.” He noticed that the device on her wings was a small bomb. Buck’s eyes widened and realized he was dealing with, yet again, a psychopath bent on killing innocent pony lives. Buck then started trotting up to the stage where Trixie was standing. As he got closer, Trixie spotted him and started trotting across the stage to meet up with him.

“Hey, you,” she said, “Are you the new crew? Or maybe just another crazy fan who loves the Great and Powerful Trixie to death?” Buck thought carefully for a brief moment.

“Sure, I’m your new stage manager and crew, what would you like me to do?” He asked.

“Good, Trixie’s got a job for you.” She knelt down closer to Buck’s face. “Trixie needs you to run a few errands for her, kiddo, before we get started. Trixie is not sure if she can take waiting any longer. She gets rather explosive when she has to wait.” Buck stood there for a moment, thinking over what he’s just agreed to. The cyan Pegasus took a drink from the glass that was in front her and looked over at Buck.

“I’d get her what she needs.” She said. “She doesn’t seem like the joking type.” Trixie looked back over to Buck.

“Well,” she said, “we can’t keep Trixie’s audience waiting.”

“Fine.” Buck said. “What do you need?”

“Well, first, Trixie needs a cold drink to help sooth her tired throat.”

“Done. Anything else?”

“Hmm…that outfit simply will not do, go put on something fancier…like a nice tuxedo.”

“No problem, I can do that. Anything else?”

“Just one more thing…” she thought for a moment, “Yes, that’s it, bring an audience of great size that is worthy of the Great and Powerful Trixie. You do all of those, and then we can begin the show of a lifetime.” Buck nodded and then trotted back onto the Apple Acres Casino main floor.

*** *** ***

Date: September 29, 2011 7:58 a.m.

Buck finished rounding up some zombies, an audience to Trixie, and had climbed up on stage to give Trixie her cold bottle of water. He had broken into a Gentlecolt’s Wearhouse and stole an expensive tuxedo for him to wear for the occasion. Trixie trotted over to Buck and took the bottle of water out of his mouth. She gulped the whole thing down in a matter of seconds and tossed the bottle off to the side, clipping the horn of a tied-up white unicorn.

“Well,” Trixie said, “you’ve been a good little assistant. You’ve got a nice suit, my water, and an amazing audience…Trixie guesses that there’s nothing left but to start the show. Finally…time for Trixie’s big comeback special. The performance of a lifetime. Now, Trixie will need some help backstage.”

“Look,” Buck said, “I got what you asked for. You need to let those ponies go now.”

“Oh, surely you’re not suggesting that after all this,” Trixie said, “Trixie won’t give her adoring audience what they want? The comeback tour everypony’s been waiting for? The big show stopper? Trixie might get a little angry if that happens.”

“JUST DO IT!” A pink earth pony mare shouted from one of the tables.

“Look, you can’t be serious.” Buck said.

“Oh, shush,” Trixie said. “Now, get backstage and let’s put on a show. You can’t keep talent like Trixie’s waiting.” She looked over to a fourth pony tied up in a corner. Buck looked over at her too. “That…thing will give you instructions. Prepare yourself…for genius.” Trixie said as she walked on stage. Buck turned around and galloped over to the pony. She had purple fur, a dark purple mane to match, and she was a unicorn.

“Are you okay?” Buck asked.

“Yes, I’m fine.” She said. “Just…turn on that switch every couple seconds and Trixie will do the rest.”

“Why did she kidnap you ponies?” Buck asked. “Just trying to get an audience, or what?”

“Actually,” the unicorn said, “she’s fulfilling a grudge. We humiliated her in Ponyville and she’s just getting her revenge.” Buck helped untie her and trotted her over behind the curtain. “Can you help us, please?”

“I’m thinking.” Buck said. “I have a slight idea…but I’m not sure if it’ll work.”

“Look, if you can just distract her long enough for me to get the control, do whatever you see fit.” Buck nodded his head and trotted back out from behind the curtain.

“Uh, Miss Trixie.” He said. “One of the switches is glowing red…I think it’s one of the cannons on the front of the stage.”

“Oh, what is it that you want the Great and Powerful Trixie to do?” She asked bitterly.

“Just check the one closest to your left, there might be something clogging the engine.” Trixie sighed and trotted angrily over to one of the fireworks cannons. Buck pushed the button and all of the fireworks exploded in unison, sending Trixie off the stage and into the waiting crowd of zombies. The remote controlling the bombs laid motionless on the stage; the purple unicorn used her magic to bring it over to her.

That’s when Trixie emerged from the pile covered in blood and many other unknown substances.

“Humiliated again!” She screamed as she galloped away from the approaching and very hungry zombies. “This isn’t over, Sparkle! I’ll be back! You’ll see!” And with that, the “Great and Powerful” mare slammed her hooves to the floor and in a plume of pink smoke, ran off.

“Thank you!” She exclaimed excitedly. “Let’s go check on my friends.” Buck and the purple unicorn galloped from the stage and towards the scared ponies. Buck untied the Pegasus while the purple unicorn untied the pink and white ponies. They all gathered back on stage, away from the closing zombies.

“Thank you, again.” The unicorn said. “What’s your name?

“Buck Greene.” He said. The four ponies stood there staring at him.

“You must be joking.” The white unicorn said.

“No, and I didn’t start this.” Buck said. “Look, it’s a long story, and I’ll explain it all if you come with me back to the bunker.”

“And why should we trust you?” The Pegasus asked.

“Because Applejack and Fluttershy are worried sick about you four.” The four ponies gasped from what they heard. “Yeah, I know who you four are. You’re Twilight Sparkle. You’re Rarity. You’re Pinkie Pie. And you’re Rainbow Dash.” He said pointing to each pony respectively.

“AJ and ‘Shy survived?” Rainbow asked.

“Yes, now, will you come with me?”

“We’d be dumb if we didn’t!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Take us there now!”

“Okay, just follow me.” Buck said.