Title:           It's a hard knocks life.
Author:          DrMel
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/p36JkaPh
First Edit:      Saturday 5th of December 2015 06:23:59 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Friday 11th of December 2015 08:06:36 PM CDT

Prompt:
Oh my gosh Anon! Are you alright!?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
"Twilight! Where are you?"
> "B-Behind you..."
> You step forwards and stagger slightly.
> "A-Anon, your head..."
"What?"
> Why was she acting so scared?
> Come to think of it Dash and Pinkie nearly jumped out of their skins when you came back.
> You thought they would be happy to see you after three days of 'hardcore' camping in the Everfree.
> "It's on backwards..."
> Hmm..
"So it is..."
> "H-How are you still standing?"
> You flick your eyes downwards, glancing at the sharpened sticks jutting from your chest.
"Locals man..."
> "Anon!"
> You shrug, your broken arm flapping uselessly at your side.
"Magic or something?"
> "Doesn't that hurt!?"
"A little yeah..."
> You shuffle and waddle around, turning so your torso faced away from her but your head stared directly at her.
> You reach up and begin to pull one of the make-shift spears from your back.
> "W-What happened in there?"
> Hmm...
> What had happened in there?
> 'Ah shit!'
> You snap your fingers.
"Oh yeah! I died."
> "You- You WHAT!?"
"Died, then I came back."
> You sweep over your torn and tattered body once more.
> Eh, you could go for a drink.
> Before she could even react you reach up and twist your head around.
> The world spun in a blur as you suddenly found yourself facing rightfully forwards.
> Some ponies were giving you strange looks.
> Eh, probably jealous or something.
> You glance down at the sticks jutting from your body.
> Or not...
> "That's impossible! The dead can't walk!"
> You take a step forwards.
"Huh, look at that."
> Twilight's eyes twitched as you wave a hand in the air dismissively.
> "You're an abomination..."
"Later Twiggles, I've got a book to catch up on."
> "You shouldn't be walking..."
> You wave a hand behind you.
> Twilight continued to stare on as you drag yourself away from the area.
> This creature, this...monster.
> Was a complete asshole holy shit, she would have to do something about it.
 
> You whistle to yourself as you pull another stick out.
> With a relieved sigh you toss it behind you.
> A clack was heard as it popped onto the pile of other sharpened sticks.
> Welp.
> This shirt was absolutely ruined.
> Rarity would be so mad, apparently making shirts for you was such a pain in the ass.
> Either that or she was just getting all haughty like usual.
> You shrug and step up onto your old porch.
> So...
> You were a zombie now.
> That's cool.
> To be honest you had heard of things like them existing here but you never thought it to be true.
> You had one question though.
> Were you a Jason Voorhees deal or a Walking dead deal?
> You were really hoping for the former.
> You pull out your keys which for some odd reason were drenched in mud.
> A little shake cleared them off.
"Yeesh..."
> You push them into the door.
> Suddenly the whole thing gave away like a cheap plastic.
> So...
> Jason Voorhees rules?
> Awesome~!
> Oh hey look at that.
> You peek down at your torso, the holes dotting it already closing themselves.
> I see...
> You could use this for justice!
 
> You take a sip of your soda and flip another page.
> With a content sigh you sink lower into your recliner.
> Yeah...
> No.
> So what, you're a walking undead now.
> That's cool.
> Life still felt the same, you didn't feel incredibly hungry or anything close to that.
> In fact you felt as if you were full already.
> Eh...
> You take another sip and crush the can.
> With a loud belch you toss it behind you and flip another page of the book.
> Nothing really changed physically either, you were slightly bigger yeah.
> And you had these really edgy blue and black eyes, but you hated them so you put on a pair of shades.
> Surprisingly made you forget all about them.
> This book was rather-
> Three heavy knocks crashed out against your door.
> You lazily turn your head upwards.
> Probably AJ dropping by with your weekly shipment of cider.
> You step up and turn around.
> Your duct taped door threatened to give away once more as another three knocks rang out.
"I'm coming, I'm coming! Hold onto your panties."
> You take hold of the door.
> Crash!
> The whole thing fell apart in your grip once more.
> Applejack stared down at the shattered debris lining the ground then back up to you.
> "Ah...Anon... you look...bigger'."
> You shrug.
"A lot of things have changed. Got my cider?"
> "Uhhh... no... Twilight's been runnin' around saying your...dead."
"Okay... so the cider?"
> "Anon, be honest did Twilight finally go bonkers or are you playing another prank?"
"Hmm, oh we're still on the dead thing. Yeah I died back in the Everfree, I'm a zombie now."
> AJ studied you silently.
> Then suddenly she broke into hysterics.
> "Riiight, and ah'm a Princess."
> You quirk an eyebrow.
"You were back where I'm from..."
> "What?"
"Nothing."
> You lean against your door frame.
> Surprisingly held...
> That was nice.
"Anyway, you don't believe the zombie thing?"
> AJ shook her head with another bout of light laughter.
> "Ah heard they were all killed off in Luna and Celestia's glory days!"
> You flap your hand in the air.
"Cool, the cider?"
> "Anon." AJ suddenly went serious. "You're not playing a mean prank are yah'? Cause' I don't mind it as long as it doesn't get out of hoof..."
> She frowned.
> "This is kind of outta' hoof."
> Out of hoof.
> “Because ah understand friends like to mess with each other but when ya'll-”
> With a sigh you loll your head.
> Suddenly you lean down and remove your glasses.
> AJ suddenly leapt into the air, her back arching like a shocked cat.
> Her pupils shrunk to the size of pinpricks before she bolted off and away from your house.
> Huh...
> You slowly slide the shades back on.
> New power discovered.
> This zombie business might be a little better than you previously thought.
> Yes...
> You could do so many things now.
> No-one could tell you where to sit... or stand now.
> Not when you couldn't die.
> A malicious grin stretched over your face.
> Just recently turned nighttime...
> Hmmm...
 
> You stroll through the town and whistle a jaunty tune to yourself.
> You skid to a stop, your tune caught abrudptly.
> What is this!?
> A stray chicken squawked and clucked to itself as it hopped around.
> Hmm....
> You know, you could eat this thing...
> Instead you scoop down and pick it up.
> You place it on your shoulder, the chicken oddly relaxing, and continue on your way down the road.
> Your first stop place would be Sugarcube corner, you had to get Pinkie back for all those pranks she pulled on you.
> Something scary outta do, you already got her once.
> Nah..
> She was a tougher cookie than that.
> She would be over it by know and probably find this whole undead thing amusing.
> The chicken clucked and snapped its head to the left.
> You ignore it.
> It wouldn't be long before you actually came to the pastry shop... in fact it should be right around the corner.
> "Cluck! Bawk!"
"Yes...yes... that would be weak."
> "Bawk!"
"Nah."
> You scratch your head as you turn the corner.
> Another smile slowly moved over your face.
> Time to scare the figurative pants off of Pinkie Pie.
> The Sugarcube corner stood in the night air, lights pouring out from the windows.
> It was a rather lovely sight… you were gonna wreck it.
> Wreck that fucking thing good.
> You stomp up and kick open the door.
“Yo!”
> Mr. Cake jumped at your entrance and shook his head clear.
> “Anon… you surely look...different.”
> Should you tell him?
> Nah, he most likely wouldn't believe you.
> What little interactions you had with him led you to believe he was more...jaded.
"How are you doing Mr. C?"
> You head up to the counter and lean against it.
> You slide your finger across it and rub your fingers together.
> Man, this thing was incredibly clean.
> "Would you like to order something?"
> He raised an eyebrow as he readied the cashier.
"Hmmm..."
> You tap your chin thoughtfully.
> "Bawk!" The chicken flapped its wings uselessly, letting its presence be known.
> "I-Is that a chicken?"
"Mhm."
> What to eat...
> "Why do you have a chicken on your shoulder?"
> That triple chocolate cake looked good.
"Don't worry about it."
> Or that extra cherry cream pie.
> Oh what about the lemon parfait?
"Is Pinkie here by the way?"
> "Yeah, she's in the back cleaning some of the stuff from today's orders."
"Cool...cool. I'll take that chocolate cupcake and would it be okay if I could talk to her?"
> "Sure, go right on ahead. I'll ring it up for you."
> You lean back away from the counter and shoot him a thumbs up.
> You were so going to wreck her night up.
> You push past the wooden entry and creep towards the back.
> Mr. Cake hummed to himself as you moved away.
> His humming soon turned to a females humming, you pop your head around the corner.
> Pinkie zipped back and forth around the kitchen, smiling brightly as she cleaned the area.
> Showtime…
> You glance at the chicken on your shoulder.
> Eh…
> You step fully into the doorway, going unnoticed as she continued to zip around and hum.
> You clear your throat.
> Pinkie stopped instantly, her back turned to you.
> “Oh! Who's the-” Her words suddenly hitched as she laid eyes on you.
> “O-Oh! A-Anon! I didn't expect to see you here!”
> She gave you bashful smile as she flicked her eyes back and forth.
> You stay silent.
> Time to really sell it.
> “Are you okay Non...”
> She focused on the chicken on your shoulder.
> She seemed to tug at an imaginary collar.
> “Y-You know that's Fluttershy's Chicken right? She's been looking all over for her...”
> You continue to stare forward at her silently, your arms out at your sides like an awaiting gunman.
> Beads of sweat began to run down her face as she flicked her eyes all around the room.
> "Y-You know earlier? W-What was that about, this is a prank right?"
> She let out a nervous laugh.
> "Because Twilight had told me you were a...zombie earlier."
> She gulped and folded her ears back.
> "That's not true right non' non?"
"..."
> "Non'..."
> You step forward and reach up.
> In one swift motion you take hold of the rack of pots and pans lining the bottom of the over-head cabinets and rip the pans to the ground.
> A cacophony of cluttering rose to the air as you step forward again.
> You point at Pinkie silently.
> "A-Anon! Stop it!"
> You step over the litter and begin to move towards Pinkie, moving in a full, erratic gait.
> She fell backwards onto her rump.
> You continue your gait.
> She scrambled to get away from you, her hooves clacking against the tiled floor.
> "Help!"
> You let your mouth open and grunt.
> Hey... it was all you could do to sell it.
> You slow down just inches from her.
“Vengence...”
> You lean forwards and reach your arms out, bobbing your head like a hungry wolf.
> You were just inches from her...
> Pinkie suddenly became a literal blur.
> It zipped straight past you.
> You whirl around and catch the backdoor of the kitchen swinging back and forth.
> Wow...
> You throw your head back and howl with laughter.
> Oh lord.
> That was better than you expected, didn't even have to do anything other than sit there.
> You wipe a forming tear from your eye and step out of the kitchen.
> Mr. Cake was nowhere to be found.
> Probably upstairs somewhere.
> You reach into your pocket and dig out a couple of bits.
> You let them drop onto the counter and pick up the resting cupcake.
> Damn...
> It felt good to be undead.
> You step back out of the pastry shop.
> The faint 'ding' of a bell tickled your ears as the cool night air washed over your face.
> To be honest you didn't really know what much else you could do with this newfound 'power'.
> You didn't want much, just to live a peaceful life.
> You didn't want more.
> To be honest scaring Pinkie was just enough for you tonight.
> You would go back home and sleep…
> If you even could…
> Then it was off to find out what killed you.
> Because you sure as hell didn't remember.
> Hmm…
> Something didn't feel right.
> You look around, searching the towns horizons.
> Off in the distance an orange glow danced on the horizon, a column of smoke rising from the warm hue.
> Heh…
> Sucks to be-
> Wait a minute!
> That was where your house was!
> Oh hell no!
> You take the chicken and tuck it close like a football.
> You take off in a mad sprint towards the glow.
 
> Your footfalls echoed all around you as the world bobbed up and down.
> You tuck lower and rush down the dirt path.
> Just a little more…
> You skid to a stop, kicking dirt up all around you.
> Oh for fucks-
> It was your place!
> You let your jaw drop as you stepped forwards and watched your house become nothing more than a charred skeleton.
“Wha-How! What!?”
> You whirl around, hoping to catch somebody in the act.
> Nothing…
> Whoever had been here was gone now…
“Welp it's a good thing I don't have gas.”
> Oh wait.
> You did have gas.
> Boom!
> Your first instinct was to tuck the chicken in even closer.
> The force of the explosion threw you forwards, sending you tumbling and rolling across the ground.
> You let the chicken go and pull yourself from the ground.
> Sheesh…
> A scorching heat ran over your entire body as you dusted your tattered shirt off.
> Oh… seems as if you've been set on fire.
> You apathetically glance down at the orange flames licking at your frame.
“This is such a shitty night now...”
> You turn away from the cackling fire and calmly walk down the path.
> Find something close.
> Some water.
> Water would do.
> The park was the nearest thing...
> Get there and you could get in the pond.
> You found yourself calmly assessing the situation.
> You should be panicking.
> But forget that.
> You instead marched down the trail silently, the fire wisping and dancing around your form.
> Keep moving.
> The cackling filled your ears as nothing but orange took your sight.
> Ignore it.
> You kept on moving like this for what felt like hours.
> Nothing seemed to bother you for the time being.
> Nobody was out…
> Nothing seemed to be lurking around.
> You went on like this until you found a pond.
> You didn't care about the scenery.
> You calmly step into the water.
> The moonlight spilled over you and the water as you slowly trudged deeper, and deeper in.
> Eventually the water took you completely snuffing the flame.
> Silently you fold your arms and fall backwards, your frame sinking downwards, deeper and deeper towards the ponds bottom.
> Up above you, the reflection of the moon danced on the water silently.
> Its pale light graced the water, working against the darkened hues of its murky and surprising depths.
> You stared at it one last time before snapping your eyes shut.
> So...
> An invincible zombie now.
> That was cool.
> But now you had some questions.
> Who set your house on fire?
> Why?
> You didn't plan on hurting anybody.
> This not-so-much life might not be as glamorous as you thought...
> ...
> ...
> ...
> You found yourself falling fast asleep shortly afterwords.
 
> ...
> Eh...
> Things could be worse.
> You open your eyes, the first thing you noticed was the rays of sun filtering through the water.
> Woah.
> You hadn't realized just how deep this pond had been from your previous descent.
> The sounds of bubbling water took your hearing.
> You shift, knocking up a cloud of dirt in the process.
> You flick your eyes downwards and glance back up above.
> Some small fish made company among a couple of…
> Fillies and foals playing above the water.
> Should you scare them?
> Hmmm…
> You push yourself upright and kick off of the floor.
> You kick out your legs and begin moving towards them silently.
> A muffled playful shriek greeted your ears as you came closer.
> You glance over.
> A single colt in a floatie tube.
> Him.
> Something about his not-yet-seen face just pissed you off.
> You grin maliciously to yourself once more.
 
> “Hmmm”
> The chubby colt kicked around in his floatie, watching the others play freely.
> He huffed and rested briefly.
> “Eh, things could be worse.”
> Suddenly the water burst upwards in a column behind him.
> Time seemed to move in slow-motion as he whirled around to face…
> You had your arms thrown out as you leapt forwards from the water, your tongue flopping out from you smiling mouth like Shag on crack.
> You wonder what response this would garner.
> The colt didn't even scream.
> Instead he just said a jumble of noises as his eyes went blank.
> For a brief second the blue-screen of death appeared in his eyes before he just flopped to the water, unconscious.
> Your smile turned to a frown as you bobbed in your place.
> That was….
> Underwhelming…
> Why was it so silent?
> You turn your head to the left.
> Oh…
> It was the park you had dropped into.
> The others playing in the water stared at you silently, followed by some older ponies sitting at benches or just taking walks.
> Just how long had you been under?
> You fold your arms over your chest.
“Huh...”
> You had expected more of a reaction after you had clawed your way from the water.
> Something more dramatic maybe?
> Shouldn't this not-so-much life be all about drama or something close to that?
> “AIIEEE!”
> There it is.
> You watched things go from a steady calm to collective shit in under seconds.
> The fillies and colts playing in the water scrambled out while the others watching them shrieked and shouted.
> Within seconds everybody was scrambling around and about, all while shouting things about you.
> “I thought it was over with!”
> “It's impossible!”
> “Tame the beast!”
> What?
> What were they flipping out about?
> You paddle yourself towards the shallow edges of the pound.
> As soon as your feet hit resistance you pick yourself out of the water.
> The heat of day hit your back as you stomp out of the water and shake it off.
> Hmm…
> You adjust your shades and scratch your head.
“Well shit.”
> “Bawk!”
> You glance down at your leg, the same chicken as before clucking at your feet.
> You could tell through your zombie-sense or something…
> You scoop it up and place it back on your shoulder.
> You should return this thing to Fluttershy.
“How'd you sleep?”
> It clucked in response.
“Eh, mine was okay.”
> You already began to move away from the pond.
“What's your name?”
> No response.
“Eh, a little shy around the undead that's-”
> You stop and glance over your shoulder.
> A couple of braver stallions were gathering at the side of the pond, shouting among eachother.
> They scrambled around the pond and began galloping towards you.
> You look to the chicken.
“Well shit.”
> Maybe they wanted to play.
> Oh hey one of them had a spear.
> Why would they use a spear to-
> SHINK.
> You lurch in your spot as the golden spear jutted through your abdomen.
> So that's why they had spears.
> You've done things wrong in life yeah.
> Scaring innocents.
> Eh.
> Dropping cherry bombs in toilets.
> So?
> Getting teachers fired.
> Not so bad.
> But what did you do to piss someone off enough to deserve this?
> You reach up and take hold of the spears handle jutting from your abdomen.
“Hey...”
> The golden-clad stallion's eyes widened as he flicked them back and forth between you and the spear.
> The chicken bawked once more and sprung from your shoulder.
> Shit!
> Of course it would leave in your time of nee-
> You jolt in pain as the stallion suddenly twisted.
> A loud crack followed by a squealch rang throughout the air as he pulled the spear out.
> Ow.
“That hurt!”
> “Sorry.”
“That seriously, seriously, hurt!”
> “D-Did I do good?”
> “Yeah!” One of the other stallions shouted.
> You glare in his direction.
> Okay.
> You suddenly spring forward, taking hold of the struggling stallion.
> He stood no chance as you lifted him over your head.
> “He's going to rip him in half!”
> You drop down to one knee and bend the other outwards.
> Suddenly you bring the stallion down.
> Just over your knee you slow down and just simply plop him into place.
> You reel your hand back and send a hand crashing into his flank.
> He let out a hitched yelp as you pull your hand away.
“No!”
> You bring it down again.
> Smack!
> The others watched in horror as you continued to bring your undead wrath upon this innocent creature.
> Smack!
> Smack!
> Smack!
> By the end of it the stallion was in tears, weeping to be let go.
> You simply drop him to the ground and stand to your full height, challenging the others.
> This alone seemed to get them to back off.
> A rise of murmurs rose among the crowd as they watched you silently.
> You throw your arms out.
“Well?”
> You point to the weeping mess on the ground.
“Is that it?”
> They shared wary looks.
> One of them gulped as they turned back to you.
> Heh...
> You had them on the ropes-
> Boom!
> Your torso suddenly exploded in a brilliant display of green energy and your own chest matter as the world flew outwards.
> The powerful kick of the spell was enough to send you down.
> With a grunt your back slammed into the soft shore-line of the pond.
> Well not so much as a shore line but a-
> Oh wait.
> They were regathering.
> Looks like you would have to teach them lessons as well.
> The first just wasn't enough you guess.
> You roll to your stomach and push off of the ground.
> With a grunt you stumble to your feet.
"Okay..."
> "Take him down, whatever you can!"
> You dust yourself off.
> Not that whatever was left of your shirt and jeans wasn't just a couple of rags hanging off of you by now.
> You clear your throat and turn around.
> The stallions were already moving in a circle around you, their spears pointed outwards.
> There had to be at least seven highly trained guards here.
> You were assuming they were guards because of your zombie-sense or something.
> Eh...
> You lower your defense, letting your shoulders sag.
> Fighting wasn't in your memo.
> You were all for using this power to dick around with but for some reason using it to actually hurt others-
> "BAWK!"
> The chicken leapt up in one of the guards face, squawking and flapping its wings angrily.
> "Hey! Get off of me you fowl!"
> "I don't think chickens are fowls."
"They're fowls."
> "I'm pretty sure they're not."
> "Get off of me! Argh!"
> This little-
"Dude, they're fowls. Trust me, I've worked on a farm for two months."
> "Pfft, two months he says."
> "Somepony help! It's pecking my eyes."
> Was he really doing this?
> You point to one of the younger looking guards.
"Is he really doing this? Is he really talking shit?"
> The younger guard shrugged.
> THWACK!
> You snap your head back just in time to catch a feathered blur crashing into the ground.
> The guard struggling with your chicken panted heavily as he held the spears blunt end outwards.
> ...
"Did you just whack my chicken?"
> All eyes were on you now.
"Did you just whack MY chicken!?"
> "I-I didn't whack your chicken, no I didn't. Please believe me when I say I would never whack your chicken."
"Oh okay."
> You relax and shoot them a serene smile.
"Fair enough."
> "...."
"..."
> Suddenly you whirl around and send an uppercut into one of the guards faces.
> You fist sent the stallion flying into the air, flipping in a wheel of screeching white.
> Golden armor flew off in all directions as you sneer to yourself.
> He let out a final shout that was cut short by a splash of the ponds water.
> Your sneer turned to a smile as you slowly turned back to the other guards.
> You remove your shades and toss them aside.
> At once they stepped back from you and folded their ears back.
> "S-stay pu-"
> You were in the grey pegasus's face within a second.
> His pupils shrunk to pinpricks and began to bob around as he stared into your own edgy eyes.
> Nobody whacks your chicken.
> He let out a warcry and tried to shove the spear forwards.
> You simply step to the side and reach down.
> Grabbing him by the scruff of the neck you hold him at arms length.
> A unicorn guard worked on charging a spell.
> You lazily slap him, watching as he cartwheeled to the ground.
> You let go of the stallions scruff and boot him away, a surprised yelp accompanying your kick.
“Don't touch my chicken again!”
> Boom!
> Another magic blast?
> You whirl around just in time to catch the rainbow blur.
> It zipped across the pond and straight towards you.
> Huh…
> You wonder what-
> It suddenly arched up just in time, connecting under your chin.
> With a grunt you went limp and flew backwords.
> “Oh yeah!”
> Dashes scratchy voice 'graced' your ears as you slid across the ground.
> “THEE Dash just knocked out a zombie!”
> You could already feel the pose she was striking.
> Pick yourself up.
> Don't let them show you up, even if you were technically dead.
> Your hand clenched against the sandy shore.
> With a grunt you pick yourself back up and shake your head clear.
"Uhg..."
> "Oh yeah! Who's the mare? I'm the mare! I've got the skills to pay the bills."
> You feel like her ego was a little exaggerated at this point.
> You pick yourself up and rustle your entire body.
> You glare at Dash and frown.
"I thought we was friends."
> "Maybe, before you became a flesh-eating freak!"
"I don't want to eat flesh! I want to eat cakes and stuff!"
> "Pfft! Yeah right, you're just some creep dude. Go and crawl back in whatever grave you crawled out of."
> You furrow your brow.
"You mean my own? The guy who used to invite you girls over for drinks? Just leave me alone Dash, I've got a chicken to-"
> "Stop calling me Dash dude, And I only came over for the drinks. Your movies were boring anyway."
"Gone with the wind was a classic!"
> "Classic torture method maybe."
"That was too much of a stretch to end this conversation on!"
> "You're dead anyway. It's not like this is a real conversation."
> This...
> You suddenly turn around and storm towards the chicken.
> "Where are ya' going!?"
"Taking my chicken that was whacked and leaving."
> You bend down and scoop up the surprisingly silent chicken.
> You place her gingerly back on your shoulder.
"More of a real friend than you obviously."
> "Oh come on! A chicken is not cooler than me!"
"Yes it is."
> "No it isn't!"
"No it isn't!" You mimic.
> You flap your hands and roll your eyes.
> Your very, very edgy eyes.
"Go munch out Spitfire or something."
> "Awww!"
> Dash made a pout as she fluttered her eyelids.
> "Wittle baby all flank blasted over the truth? Get over yourself."
> Eh.
> You were already heading away from her.
> "Hey! Listen to me."
> Eh.
> "I'm speaking here!"
> Eh.
> Her face appeared just inches from your own.
> "Listen!"
"Move Navi!"
> You smack her away and continue on.
> You needed to find shelter.
> Apparently things were much worse with this not-so-much life than you thought.
> Something suddenly slammed into your back.
> The world careened all around you as the floor no longer made its presence known.
> You throw your limbs out in every which way before you slammed into the ground.
> The chicken bounced from your shoulder landing a couple of feet away.
> No.
> You sit upright like a horror movie villain.
> ...
> You pull yourself to your full height.
> You reach up and pop your arm back into place.
> You soon did the same with your arm.
> Dash was already rolling around for round two.
> You simply glance down at the ground.
> Here comes the rainbow rocket.
> Wait...
> Wait...
> You suddenly leap forwards, the earth taking your vision as you effortlessly pushed through the ground.
> You burrowed deeper and deeper underground.
> Somewhere up above you heard Dash shout something out in surprise.
> You glance back at your man sized hole as you dug deeper and deeper into the darkness.
> This went on for what felt like hours.
> More than it already did...
> Time seemed to move strangely when it held no relevance.
> Unimportantly one would say.
> You claw your way through the dirt with surprising grace and ease.
> Another power discovered.
> Though you were far from happy.
> This was supposed to be fun.
> You weren't supposed to be unearthing how your supposed 'friends' really felt about you.
> You were supposed to be playing pranks and enjoying immortality.
> Instead all this was doing was making things harder.
> You suddenly breached the surface, being greeted by split sunlight.
> With a grunt you throw both arms out and pull yourself from the hole.
> There goes your only friend.
> You wiggle your way out completely, grabbing hold of dried grass to pull yourself out.
> You look around, noticing you were in a large clearing surrounded by thick shrubbery.
> Dead logs, moss, and grass littered the area.
> You simply step away from the hole and towards one of the logs.
> Silently you plop down next to it and rest your hand against your fist.
> Okay.
> Where do you even start?
> This whole undead thing was weird enough.
> Last you remembered, zombies weren't exactly the most powerful 'thing' out there.
> But this was way beyond anything you read or watched a movie about.
> It was bitchin'.
> Kind of...
> It mostly sucked...
> And you've only been dead one night.
> You pop up and sigh, the grey and dark green colors making you feel right at home.
> Maybe if you went to your old campsite.
> You probably died there.
> Or something.
> You scratch your arm and look around.
> Where were you exactly?
> This place did look rather familiar.
> ...
> It didn't take you long to suddenly remember.
[Flashback noises and shit]
> You gasped for air as you pushed your way through the thick shrubbery.
> Day two.
> Day two of your 'hardcore' Everfree camp and things had gone to shit.
> You don't know what happened or how, but all you knew was the danger was very apparent for you.
> You stumbled into a clearing and struggled to stay upright.
> Small cuts from thorns and brambles decorated your arms as you threw them out to stay upright.
> Come on...
> Just a little more...
> "Oh Anooon!"
[Back to the future]
> You jump in place.
> That was weird.
> You step across the clearing and stop a couple feet away from your previous position.
> You glance downwards.
> An indent of what looked to be a human body among the mushy moss.
> You lean down and examine it.
> Yeah...
> You had tripped in your mad sprint.
> You suddenly pop back up and shrug.
"Doesn't matter now."
> Because you wanted one and only one thing now.
> A cure.
> Something to beat this.
> But first you would have to know exactly what *this* was.
> So...
> Time for an adventure.
 
> Rob Zombie.
> That was one.
> You sigh as you push your way through thick shrubbery.
> You had been wandering the Everfree for what felt like ever.
> But for the sake of cliche comedy you would say about ten minutes.
> Breathing was weird.
> You didn't need to do it but you still did it anyway because not doing it just felt...
> Wrong.
> Because you had grown rather bored despite the 'thrill' of the Everfree you resorted to listing off things relating to zombies.
> You say 'thrill' like that because this place was actually less dangerous than everybody made it out to be.
> Back at Ponyville.
> Which you couldn't go to anymore.
> Because of the Elecunt six and their crew.
"I could've come up with a better name..." You mutter.
> The only response you got was the rumble of thunder overhead.
> You briefly remember Twilight teaching you about the Everfree itself.
> Things were strange to them here, no-one to take care of animals, no-one to control the weather.
> They gasped when you said that was the norm back home.
> You chuckle as you push your way through another shroud of thick leaves.
> So you had come here awhile ago, to get that 'feel' of home.
> You had no desire to go back-
> Cliche character trope.
> But you had wanted to at least come here and stir up some old feelings or garner up some nostalgia, instead you were left with.
> You scratch your healed chest.
> This.
> Undeath.
> Which had been pretty bitchin' at first but things went south very quickly.
> Another rumble overhead.
> Dark clouds started to take the sky, making the forest darker than it had been before.
> Eh..
> So far you were invincible, so the idea of Timberwolves mauling you didn't really bother you all that much.
> Or Manticores.
> Or Hydra's
> …
> You fold your arms and speed up your pace.
> Okay, maybe you were still a little scared despite your abilities.
> Where to go, where to go…
> To be honest you couldn't even remember where your old campsite was.
> All you could remember was running-
“Shit!”
> You stumble forwards onto a dirt path.
> You pick yourself up and spit the dirt from your mouth.
> You mutter a curse and pick yourself back up.
> Shelter would be your best bet.
> You vaguely remember going on a trip with Twilight to the old castle.
> If you could trace your steps it was about a…
> You scratch your head.
> Thirty minute walk from Ponyville to there, twenty if you hustled.
> Another rumble.
> Hm…
> This place was familiar.
> This path specifically.
> A brief flash of you tossing a bag off somewhere ran through your mind.
> You shake your head clear and look around.
> You trail across the path for a couple of moments before finding what you were looking for.
> Broken twigs and flattened leaves, nearly hidden underneath all that thick foil.
> You move closer and reach down.
> After grasping at nothing but flimsy branches and loose leaves you finally grab hold of an alien object.
> With a smile you pull out a dirty blue backpack.
> Oh the memories.
> Running for your life in pants-shitting terror.
> You began to unzip it before you heard some voices.
> A light laugh echoed through the air.
> Oh no.
> You sneer and drop the bag.
> You recognized that voice.
> The Cutie Mark Crusaders.
> Scratch that.
> Ex- Cutie Mark Crusaders.
> You were still pissed about their ass marks.
> Oh wait you should be hiding.
> You kneel over and began to claw at the dirt.
> Within seconds you found yourself deep in the soft dirt, staring up at the darkened sky.
> This blows.
> You hated this zombie power.
> Hell, you were sure the hole was deep enough but you couldn't cover it up.
> Not without more time.
> "Scootaloo stop it!" A voice cracked.
> You grimace to yourself, your arms and legs packed together.
> "I'm just saying!"
> "Enough girls."
> "Yes Rarity..." Scootaloo mumbled.
> "It's bad enough the we have to trudge through this filthy area but it will be so worth it! Especially in the pursuit of fashion!"
> You raise an eyebrow.
> This was interesting.
> "Think of it girls! A whole new line made from those wonderful, exquisite drapes!"
> "And we get to help!" Scoots voice rang out across the air.
> "Correct." Rarity agreed.
> “Why are we going all the way out' here though?” Applebloom said.
> “Beats me.” Sweetiebelle muttered.
> You roll your eyes once more.
> Ever since the girls had gotten their marks they had been looking around to help others instead of themselves.
> Which, you know was cool and all but they ended up trampling your plants one time with their silly antics.
> Your daises... all gone.
> "Hey, what's this?"
> You could hear them messing with your bag upstairs.
> Get it, because you were undergrou-
> Who were you talking too?
> You shuffle in your spot.
> You couldn't just straight up pop out of the ground, things would have to be taken slow from now on.
> “Hey guys! Check this out!”
> “S-Scootaloo! Put that down this instant!” Rarity screeched.
> “Why?”
> “T-That's not something a child should be handling…”
> “Why?”
> “It's a dangerous herb Honey...”
> “Why?”
> “Scootaloo...Sweetie, I advise you leave that bag alone...”
> “Why?”
> What were they talking about.
> OH SHIT!
> Your weed!
> The tingle of magic ran throughout the air as your bag slapped against the wall of your burrow.
> You jolt as the bag fell and smacked you in the face.
> “Just… don't ever pick something up again… not without asking first.”
> “Okay Rarity...”
> Suddenly a fillies head peeked over the lips of the burrow.
> “Hey check this out.”
> Shortly after three other silhouettes joined the fillies.
> “This doesn't look right…” Appleblooms voice echoed.
> “Why?” Scoots said.
> Rarities silhouette seemed to glare at Scoots briefly.
> “Ah don't know, this is a big hole girls.”
> For you.
> “Pfft… Big hole!”
> “Scootaloo, enough with the toilet humor.”
> “I wasn't-”
> “It's obviously not safe to stick your head into every hole in the ground you see girls…. Not without some light.”
> Rarity was already preparing her horn.
> Oh for fucks-
> Another rumble followed by a crack of lightning.
> The silhouettes jumped simultaneously.
> “….Nevermind about the drapes girls, I still have the sample pair from before… let's come back later.” Rarity muttered.
> Phew…
> “Can we take the backpack?” Scootaloo asked.
> “No! It's horrendous!”
> After a couple of minutes their voices finally faded.
> You pop your head from the lip of the hole.
> Gone.
> With a grunt you pull yourself out of the ground and shake the dirt away.
> Okay.
> So they were heading towards the castle, that was awesome, meant you were on the right path.
> Once you got there it would be time to open up some books and learn what exactly you could do to cure undeath.
> Or something like that.
> You lost yourself sometime yesterday.
> You pick the backpack back up and sling it over your shoulder.
> You slip your special bag into your tattered jeans.
> You start down the path.
 
> Things hadn't got complicated.
> It didn't take you long to find your way to the castle which in your honest opinion looked just like how you felt right now.
> Like absolute melancholic shit.
> You step into the overgrown courtyard and let out a low whistle.
“This place looks like shit.”
> You whirl around trying to get a full view of the broken building.
> You stop suddenly when you spot something up in one of the towers.
> A hooded figure.
> It disappeared from its spot when it caught you staring.
> Well then.
> You yawn and fan a hand in front of your face.
> Would have been scary if you were actually you know...
> Killable.
> And not so cliché.
> You simply step towards the rotting wooden doors and push your way past them.
> A loud creak followed by a screech of rusted hinges greeted you.
> You cringe at the sound and shake it off.
> The inside was less of an eyesore than the outside.
> Though completely unaesthetic vines still snaked their way in, most of the regal taste had not been taken by time or nature.
> You nudge your foot at the rug and glance up.
> Two thrones standing proudly despite times advances greeted you silently.
> You lower your arm and drop the bag.
“Okay…. Whatever else is here leave me alone.”
> You scratch your chin and flick your eyes back and forth.
> Nothing…
“I'm kind of….undead, so whatever you have planned will not work.”
> Still nothing.
“I'm warning you!”
> Maybe you were just tripping.
> You pick your bag back up satisfied with yourself and start to head away.
> Something rose above the silence.
> An organ.
> Some sort of unidentifiable song filled the room and your world with its haunting music.
> You grimace and search the room for any sign of movement.
> Nothing that you could see.
> You continue despite the creepy music.
> You needed to find the library, and you were guessing any signs towards it were useless now.
> You pushed past the first door, the door to your left.
> The music stopped.
> You were met with a long stretch of hallway, a wall of darkness permeating the end of it.
> The rapid clopping of hooves filled the hallway as something ran away from you.
> Or towards you.
> You tense up ready for anything.
> The clopping grew softer.
> Okay.
> Away from you then.
> Nice.
> You raise an eyebrow and adjust the bag.
“I'm brave, I'm undead, I'm cool, I've got this.”
> You let out a low huff and step into the darkened hallway.
> You feel your way towards the darkness.
> It was either this or sit with your thumb up your ass.
> Why did that sound appealing?
> You shake away that thought and continue.
> Of course, you could wait for the sky to clear, get a little more light in here.
> For some reason you didn't feel like waiting, who knew how long the storm would last.
> Plus not to mention Rarity and her little trio of cute albeit annoying girls would probably come galloping back as soon as it clears up, you needed to know the place now.
> You suddenly tripped over some loose rubble.
> You hiss out a curse before falling onto the ground.
> You pick yourself up and shake the feeling of embarrassment away.
“Happens to the best of us.”
> A chuckle sounded throughout the air.
> Oh hell no.
> You whirl around and sprint towards the door, ignoring everything else.
> The door suddenly slammed shut, enveloping the entire hallway in darkness.
> Fuck that.jpg
> You reel your hand back and punch right through the thick, wooden door.
> It splintered under your force as you took hold of the edges and began to rip it apart.
> The sounds of tearing wood and the smell of sawdust began to fill your senses.
> You tore at the door like an animal until it was no more than a simple, frayed bar of wood at your feet.
> You kick that away and step back into the throne room.
> You run your hand through your scalp and kneel over.
> Something crashed to the ground a couple feet away from you.
> You jolt upwards and throw out your arms.
“Who's there!?”
> Nothing.
> Another chuckle.
> You squint as you scan the room.
“Where are you?”
> Nothing.
> Thwack!
> You drop to your knees as a heavy pressure slammed into the back of your neck.
> You went to pick yourself up but it soon followed into your abdomen.
> The force of it alone was enough to send you twisting to your side.
> You drop to your knees with a grunt.
> Someone came to a stop a couple of inches away from you.
> “Creature of the night! Prepare to be slain!”
> Uhg…
> You get to your feet and cross your arms.
> None of that had actually hurt.
> You focus on the hooded figure, which was close to your size.
> In fact…
“Luna?”
> The figure stopped and went rigid.
> “N-No...”
“Yes it is!”
> “No it is not!”
“YES it is! You're like the second-tallest mutated horse here!”
> The figure suddenly threw their hood back, revealing herself to indeed be Luna.
> “Fine! It's me, I've been waiting for you.”
> You pick your bag back up from the ground and shoulder it once more.
“How long?”
> “Three days, ever since Twilight sent out the letter.”
> Three days?
> You were under the pond for three days?
> …
> Cool.
“Well, that's cool and all. But you don't need to worry about me, It's already very clear that my kind is not wanted.”
> “Correct.”
“So I'm going to cure myself.”
> “That is less correct.”
> Less correct.
> “My sister and I have been slaying your kind since we started our reign, the fact that even one is walking around is...abominable in on itself.”
> You could already feel her stare narrow in on you.
> “I must slay you.”
> She began to circle around you as you pocketed your hands.
“You can try.”
> “Trust me I can do it.”
> You shrug.
> She stopped and frowned.
> “Why are you so casual about this now? Just moments ago you were absolutely terrified.”
> You grimace one more.
> You seemed to be doing that a lot.
“Maybe because you were using batman tactics to scare the piss out of me.”
> “Bat...man...”
> Luna shook her head rapidly.
> “Do not try and distract me with your deceitful tactics zombie!”
> What?
“What?”
> Luna stopped and sagged.
> “Aren't you trying to get me to think of other things? Like shining heroes in capes or the like?”
> You briefly think of Batman staring down at a group of thugs in the rain.
> Shining heroes…
> Yeah.
> Luna sighed.
> "I was beginning to think this would actually be worth my time."
"Hey, I'm not exactly enjoying this either. I just figured out that Dash has been using me for free booze, someone I had thought was actually close."
> You shrug.
"That's the way the cookie crumbles though I suppose. I don't care anymore, I just want to get past this creepy castle and cure myself."
> Luna shook her head silently.
> "If you can get past me first."
"You're not gonna' kill me."
> Her gaze hardened.
> "And what makes you think that?"
> Geez, way to be put on the spotlight.
"IF you were actually going to 'slay' me, let's not use the K word, then it would've already been done now."
> You frown and pull your arms from your pockets.
"Why am I not 'slain'? Let's please not use the D word either."
> Luna huffed.
> "Smarter than you look... for an undead that is. Yes, it's true but only for one reason."
> You raise a brow.
> "Undead don't speak, all they did was grunt and moan and walked mindlessly into traps and attacks."
> Within seconds Luna was on top of you, lifting your arms with her magic and examining your thoroughly.
> "You're different... and luckily for you this interests me way beyond just killing you Anon."
> Cool.
> "..."
"..."
> You scratch your scalp.
"Soooo...."
> Luna sighed.
> "I will leave you be, but only if you agree to stay here and here only."
“And be cooped up here forever?”
> You shrug.
“Maybe I can deal with that.”
> “You will deal with that. They think you're some monster bent on destruction now, if you want to cure yourself in peace then this is the only way.”
> Luna smirked.
> “Don't worry, I can keep a secret.”
“Pretty sure you can.”
> “Yeah I can- what is that supposed to mean!?”
> You hum and shrug.
“Well, anyway. I'm glad to have someone on my side, even if it is… reluctant.”
> “I only do so for my own curiosity, do not ruin this.”
> You give her a thumbs up followed by a half-assed smile.
> Luna stepped away from you with a smack of her lips.
> "I can have new clothes made for you aswell... I vaguely remember you stating that being naked in public was taboo, yes?"
"Where I'm from yeah. But most people tended to ignore that rule."
> Luna 'hmmed' with mild disinterest.
> "Yes... I'm going to go back to Ponyville and tell Twilight the deed is done, do not show yourself outside of this castle."
> She turned away then stopped.
> "The library is to your right, make a left, then another right."
> She started to trot away once more then stopped again.
> "And if anypony shows up, hide. There are more places the hide than you think Anon."
> You smile softly as she pushed past the doors.
> The ungodly screech and creaks took the room once more.
> This was followed by a sheet of heavy rain and a crack of lightning.
> Luna muttered something and spread out her wings.
> "I'll be back."
"Later."
> She took into the sky, the rain hiding her form quickly.
> Wow.
> You close the doors.
> Those doors were thick as hell.
> You open them once more being greeted by the sheet of rain.
> You close them and step away from the door.
> You gaze all around you and shake your head.
> Silently you lumber up to the golden throne and plop down onto it.
> You rest your head on your fist and stare out across the decrepit ruin.
> So…
> This was your new home now.
> Cool.
> You sigh and sink lower into the throne, your arms taking the armrests.
> ….
> ....
> ....
“She had a nice flank...”
 
> Tap….tap….tap….
> You bring your hand down and flip the spoon once more.
> You sat at a table so large it dwarfed a house in comparison.
> Crooked and overturned chairs lined all the way down to the other end, which basically took up the entire massive dining room.
> The rain pounded against the large, thick windows outside as low rumbles of thunder made their way through.
> You sigh and lean back in the rickety, torn chair.
> Two days.
> Two days since you've last seen or heard from Luna.
> In those two days it had been raining constantly, no-one daring to come out this far to stop the weather.
> Which was dandy.
> Wonderful actually, considering you needed the alone time.
> And you had made use of it so far.
> You had explored a majority of the castle, coming across a couple of interesting things.
> Hell, you had found so many hidden tunnels and you still weren't done exploring.
> You frown and scratch your head.
> Lining all the way down the old table were rows and rows of books.
> You had gathered anything and almost everything relating to supernatural creatures, medical anomalies, magical anomalies, and anything else that met the criteria.
> Basically anything that even came close to telling you what the hell you were.
> Your now empty backpack hung at the closest corner of the table.
> Some muddy unreadable papers, a pair of binoculars, a 10-inch flashlight, and a couple of other tools and trinkets lined parts of the table.
> You slap away the book you had been reading.
> 'The mysteries of Equestria's past.'
> Bah…
> Useless.
> Utterly useless.
> You reach over and pull another book into view.
> 'Encyclopedia of Myths and Legends.'
> The closest you got was some book about different types of monsters.
> But…
> It stated pretty bluntly that the only Zombies Equestria had seen were nowhere near your level.
> In fact from what you had read they had been rather flimsy and shambling fools.
> Hmm…
> You had learned a couple of new things.
> You could apparently bite straight through steel.
> That was neat.
> You didn't really care for anything else.
> Who cared for this kind of power when all it did was make things harder?
> You're getting all emo and mopy, you did not like that one bit.
> Grandma Anon always said to be happier than you actually are.
> Right before she grabbed a gun and shot up a group of teens that had run over her cat.
> ….
> Oh-kay.
> You huff and skim the book.
> Nothing…
> Nothing…
> Noth-
> All of a sudden a loud organ key took the area.
> You jolted but simply looked around apathetically.
> Right…
> That.
> You sigh and shake your head, turning back to the book.
> Shortly after a bout of haunting music continued on as you placed a hand against your temple.
> For the last two days that music had been playing all around.
> You were sure it was coming from the west wing…. You avoided that area.
> You flip another page coming to a list of multiple creatures.
> And the doo-dads.
> Oh the doo-dads.
> You chuckle to yourself and shake your head.
“Talking to myself now...”
> Stop that.
“No.”
> You jolt up and place a hand over your mouth.
> You were going crazy being cooped up in here all alone.
> The music briefly broke through your senses.
> Right… not alone.
> You slump back down and flip through the book once more.
> Anything interesting?
> No-
> A low creak caught your attention.
> You whirl around in your seat, the large, wooden door behind you slamming shut.
> Lol, no.
> You push out of your chair and slam the book shut.
“Nope.”
> You began to pack the bag back up.
> Another creak…
> You glance back up, peering all the way down the large table.
> Something was hiding behind the large door across from you.
> A small gasp was heard before it sprinted away.
> Okay…
> You simply mouth 'what the fuck' as you lowered yourself.
> CRACK!
> You jolted as a flash of lightning took the sky all but for a second.
> You whirl around and raise an eyebrow.
> The music….
> You hadn't noticed before but it had stopped…
> You sling the backpack back over your shoulder and glance back and forth between both doors.
> Ehhh…
> You simply move forward and push past the table and piles of books.
> You would just brush around the kitchen and avoid the hallways.
> You felt something watching you as you headed into the middle of the dining room.
> Ignoring the feeling you simply step through a pair of dirtied double doors and into an old dusty kitchen.
> The once chrome area was rusted over, leaving what looked to be a horror movie scene in its stead.
> Yup, fit right in.
> You round around the large counter in the middle of the kitchen and push past another pair of double-doors.
> This led you to another kitchen.
> You do the same and ignore the details.
> Pushing past another pair of double-doors led you to a large ballrooms.
> The once regal and elegant aura this place most likely had was now stripped and ripped apart.
> Over-turned tables and chairs greeted you along with a crashed diamond chandelier.
> The red curtains hanging in front of the rotted stage were torn at the ends, no longer red but a faded pink.
> You step over one of the over-turned chairs and stop.
“Finally...”
> You whirl around to find Luna sitting at one of the tables.
> “This place brings back some rather interesting memories...” She muttered gazing around the ballroom.
> Her eyes lowered as a dopey smile took her face.
> “I met some intriguing ponies here.”
> You roll your eyes.
> Your edgy, edgy eyes.
“Cool, do you have my change of clothes? And probably a pair of shades.”
> “Shades?”
“Yes shades. Sunglasses?”
> “Why can't they have moon-glasses.”
> You clench your jaw in response.
“Can you please not throw your inferiority problems out right now?”
> Luna frowned.
> “Yes, I have your clothes.”
> She pushed away from the table as her horn became enveloped in a blue glow.
> A duffle bag slid out from under the aged table-cloth and hovered in the air.
> Suddenly it flew forwards.
> You simply caught it and examined it silently.
> You turn back to her and raise a brow.
> “Go on, do you think I'm going to trick you?”
“Yes.”
> She gave you a tight-lipped glare.
“Joking.”
> That went straight over her head.
> You simply roll your eyes and unzip the bag, peering in at the contents.
> The fuck was this?
> You pull out a brown robe sized for you followed by…
> A bronze chest plate and some brown pants.
“The hell!?”
> “Trust me you're going to need them.”
“What for? This outfit is dumb.”
> You wave a hand over your jeans and shirt.
“This is where it's at.”
> “I don't think casual wear is what you want for what's coming next.”
> Another organ key, this one dragged on for awhile.
> The music started once more.
> Luna seemed unfazed, instead watching as you look all around you.
> You turn back to her with a curious look.
“What is this?”
> “Anonymous, you've been here for two days now, and I know for a fact you've seen them by now.”
> Que?
“Excuse me what?”
> Luna frowned and rolled her eyes.
> “So slow, The music, The sudden abandonment… you didn't think to inquire about that once?”
“No-one was here to ask about it.”
> You shrug.
“I've been Akon for the last few days.”
> “W...What?”
“Akon? You know, Mr. Lonely?”
> “You speak so strangely.”
“This whole place is strange.”
> The music seemed to intensify.
> Luna cleared her throat.
> “Anyway… We're going to get to the bottom of this, and I'll start by telling you a story.”
> She gestured to the over-turned chair across from her.
> Eh…
> What's the worse that could happen?
> Something moved away from the room out of the corner of your eye.
> You trudge over and pull the chair back up.
> She leaned in closer.
> “I'll start off with a simple story, about your kind Anon.”
> Oh boy story time.
> You kick back and raise a brow.
“Continue.”
> “Long ago my Sister and I had been more active amongst our community. When we came to rescue these ponies from Discord so long ago there had been many, many things wrong with this world.”
> Clack!
> You were about to whirl around but Luna hissed something out.
> “Do not look at them, they are shy.”
“W-What?”
> You clear your throat and flick your eyes back and forth around the room.
“What's shy?”
> “Anyway, one of the things wrong with this world was the constant threats around every corner, many, many things existed before we dealt with them, monsters, ghouls, zombies, think of the most evil things roaming around.”
> Where was this going?
“Thanks for ignoring me.”
> “My sister and I tried many tactics to eradicate these creatures.”
> There she goes again ignoring you.
> You throw your arms back and lean back.
> “We tried raising an army…. Things did not go as planned.”
> She sighed and looked down at the table.
> “Look down Anon, they'll only come out if you do.”
> ….
> You simply follow her lead and glance down at the table.
“What's happening?” You whisper.
> She shook her head.
> “You're going to help me.” She whispered back, flicking her eyes back at you. “Because what comes next is a very important part of your life.”
> You grimace.
“What is it?”
> “Don't look.”
> A warm breath tickled the back of your neck.
> But oddly enough.
> You couldn't hear any breathing.
> If your heart could pound at your chest it would be doing the conga.
> “The ponies are shy, listen to my story and keep your head down.”
> She cleared her throat and continued.
> “That army was quickly turned against us, each and every one of our soldiers falling to the monsters and their ranks.”
> She sighed.
> “Stay still and listen.”
> You glance up and meet her eyes.
> They focused intensely on your own.
> “So my sister and I tried something else… we had to turn to the forbidden arts, we went and used the Elements for something much darker than before. We used them to power a spell, the spell tore open a hole and took anything and everything evil back to tartarus, it was the perfect spell.”
> Cool.
> “But… I'm afraid it was only a temporary fix. I'm going to need something more from you.”
> The breath stopped.
> You glance back at Luna who seemed to be staring at something.
> “So that's what you look like...”
“Dude!”
> Suddenly a loud shriek filled your ears.
> You cringe and leap up, something sliding off of your back.
> It landed on the ground with a thud and another shriek.
> You whirl around to catch some sort of…
> You had no idea what that was.
> It was like a pony was completely shaved bald, of both its coat and its features.
> A smoothed creature thrashed around on the ground as you stared at it.
> You only had one thing to say about that.
“What?”
> You turn back to Luna who had one hanging over her aswell.
> It flinched away as you came into visual contact with it.
> She whirled around and grimaced.
> A blast of magic knocked the creature away as if it were a simple ragdoll.
> She turned back to you.
> Another beam of blue light cut through the air.
> You turn around just in time to see the featureless creature go down as well.
> You raise a finger in response.
“Uhh...what?”
> Luna turned to you with a hardened gaze.
> “You're going to help me now!”
“Woah! I have no idea what the hell is going on!”
> Another shriek right behind you.
> You turn around just in time to catch one of them galloping towards you, its flesh elongated from its fore-head like a spear.
> Shink!
> It connected with your gut causing you to jolt.
> What?
“Luna!”
> “Fight you idiot!”
> Uhhhg.
> You reach down and grab hold of the featureless pony.
> A sound akin to someone squeezing a rubber ball greeted you.
“Ewwww….”
> “Anon!”
> You turned back just in time too see some more of them spilling from behind the curtains.
> You turn back to your own ghastly friend with a grunt.
> You reel your arm back and begin to send a flurry of punches into its nonexistent face.
“Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew.”
> A heavy hook finished it off.
> The flesh suddenly deflated and slid from your stomach like a dead snake.
> Wow it was a good thing you couldn't throw-up.
> Boom!
> You flinch and whirl back around, catching a couple of the featureless arching across the air and away from a blue explosion of light.
> Luna growled as her horn charged up once more.
> “Anon! Help your Princess!”
“You're not my Princess!”
> “Equestrian soil, Equestrian law, I am therefore dictated your Princess!”
> You grumble and scratch your chin.
> You still had little idea just what was going on here.
> Crack!
> You stumble forward as your head was nearly taken off.
> You glare back at the culprit, one of the Featureless holding a plank of wood.
> It tried to hide the board in response.
> Okay…
> You had no idea what was going on but it seems like if you wanted answers you were going to have to do it the hard way.
> You roll your body around and send an upper-cut into its chin.
> It reeled back on its hind-legs with a loud crunch.
> You follow through by grabbing hold of its withers.
> With a grunt you send a knee into its gut.
> It doubled over.
> You lift it over your head and chuck it across the ballroom.
> As more of these strange creatures spilled from all around the one you had tossed slammed into one of the ballroom tables.
> The table simply gave out under its sudden weight.
> You watched with awe as the creature shrieked in response, shriveling up into a ball of nothingness.
> “Just as I thought...”
> You turn back to Luna who was staring at you silently.
> “Perfect...”
“What?”
> Thud!
> You fall backwards and slam into the floor as one of the Featureless tackled your chest.
> Its mouth-area parted revealing a row of sharp teeth.
> You cringe and throw your arms out, gripping the roof and floor of its mouth.
> You roll your hips, throwing it off and finding yourself on top.
> You pull your hands away and back away from it.
> Shink!
> Another spear of flesh through your own, right through your neck.
> Shink!
> One stabbed into your leg, digging into the ground as well.
> The Featureless with the pearly whites smiled maliciously as it picked itself up.
> Oh boy.
> It suddenly leapt onto your neck and began to rip and tear at your flesh.
> Ow…
> Ouch…
> Oh wow this hurt so much.
> Suddenly it fell off in spasmodic movements on the ground.
> It too shriveled into a ball of nothingness.
> What the hell was that?
> “Enough!” Luna shouted.
> You couldn't turn to see but a a boom of thundering magic filled the room followed by a wave of blue energy.
> The Featureless gathered around you let out a collective screech as they were pushed from the two of you.
> A kick of one and another and the spears pinning you were gone.
> “Come on!”
> Luna galloped over the writhing bodies and towards the heavy ballroom door.
> You rub the hole in your neck and take off after her.
> You hiss a curse and skid to a stop, running back to grab the backpack and duffelbag.
> “Anon!”
“I'm coming! I'm coming!”
> You sling both onto your shoulders and sprint after her.
> You did your best to avoid the writhing Featureless.
> Suddenly you barrel through the opening.
> Luna's horn became enveloped with magic as the doors slammed shut behind you.
> She focused on the door, a reassuring click of a lock greeting the two of you afterwords.
> You adjust your bags and turns back to Luna.
> You smack your lips and clear your throat, giving her a warm smile.
“The fuck was that!?”
> She examined the door silently.
> “That might hold.”
> This bitch…
> She wasn't serious was she?
> You stomp up to her and grab her by the withers.
> With surprising ease you forced her to face you.
> “Anon… you seem rather upset.”
“Of course I am! I could've been-”
> “Killed?”
“Slain!”
> “Killed.”
“Don't say the 'k' word...”
> Luna smirked. “I thought you were unkillable.”
> You pull away.
> Oh right zombie.
> With a sigh you pinch the bridge of your nose.
“Alright… what the hell is going on?”
> Bang!
> The doors jolted in response to the creatures behind it.
> “Follow me.”
> You glare at her.
“Not until you explain what is going on.”
> Bang!
> “Don't do this now Anonymous.”
> Bang!
“Oh this is happening now! I've got so many questions!”
> Bang!
> The door splintered from the force this time.
> “I'll explain later!”
> Bang!
“Now!”
> Bang!
> Another rise of splintering.
> “So...stubborn….” She spat.
> Bang!
> She stared at you defiantly.
> She was going to wait for you to crack.
> Bang!
> ….
> Bang!
> ….
“Fuuuuu- fine! But I want an explanati-”
> BANG!
> You jolt and stammer to yourself.
“I mean, uh lead the way.”
> Luna rushed down the hall with long strides.
> You followed after her, the constant banging and the creatures behind it being forgotten.
> The two of you hurried through the castle, Luna making rights and lefts as comfortably as someone in their own home.
> You struggled to keep up with her, not slowed down by exhaustion but by unfamiliarity of the area.
> It wasn't long before the two of you found yourselves in a bedroom of some sort, most of the furniture covered with billowing old sheets.
> You step into the moderately sized room as Luna turned around and shut the door.
> She let out a sigh and let her head drop.
> You focus on the nearby window, a sheet of rain running down the outside.
> You simply walk up and stare out.
> You were met with a view of the decaying castle, ruins stretching all over the place.
> Hmm…
> You pocket your hands and turn back to Luna.
> She sighed and met your gaze once more.
> The two of you sat in silence while she grimaced.
“Soooo...”
> You shrug silently.
“Going to explain?”
> She opened her mouth to start but suddenly snapped it shut.
> “I'm afraid I need more from you then we thought.”
 You raise a brow as the rain battered the window behind you.
> A flicker of silent lightning far off in the distance casted your shadow over Luna for a brief second.
> “Anon, I know things are confusing right now-”
“That's an understatement.”
> Luna rolled her eyes silently.
> “You know, one could really do without the attitude.”
> You flap your hands mimicking her with an annoyed sneer.
“Meh meh meh-”
> CRACK!
> You jumped away from the window as another, closer scar of lightning struck just beyond the window.
> You turn back to Luna who hadn't flinched but instead wore a cocky smirk.
> “Sure are as they say a 'scaredy-cat' for someone who claims they're invincible.”
> You smack your lips and straighten your posture.
“Explanation, now.”
> “Right… I'm not sure if a link would work with you but it would be easier this way.”
“Link?”
> Hyuk!
> Hya!
“I hate Link.”
> Luna quirked a brow in response.
“…. Go on.”
> “Come here.”
> You back away.
“Last time you told me to join you we ended up fighting those things.”
> “Those things will be explained if you just come here.”
> You let out a sarcastic laugh.
“Yeeah no, If anything I should take exactly three steps back.”
> You do so with a smug smile.
> Luna smirked as her horn became enveloped with a blue hue of light.
> Among the darkness it dimly illuminated the room.
> And suddenly…
> You found yourself entangled in a flurry of white sheets.
> You grunt as you try to fight your way out but Luna was already standing over you.
> “Be still for once second you slobbering fool.”
> The blue light taking her horn suddenly became a bright white.
> Her form fell over you as you let out one final scream.
 
> Bang!
> Bang!
> Bang!
> Crash!
> The aged doors finally broke away as naked body after body of featureless creatures spilled over each other.
> In a collective moment of silence they picked themselves up and shook away their disorientation.
> At once they studied the hallway and seemed to communicate in a strange language.
> They began to move silently towards the darkness.
 
> "Wake up..."
"Fuck!"
> You snap your eyes open and pop upwards, the jolt of a forced awakening taking you.
> You shake your head clear and pick yourself up to your full height.
> Right...
> You let out a strange sound akin to a motor as you attempted to wake yourself up fully.
> Luna sat on her haunches staring out at something silently.
> "Many things have happened in Equestria's past that not one of us is proud of.”
> You trail her gaze, coming to a orange haze of smoke pillowing from what used to be a town.
> You let your jaw drop as shadowed form galloped away, trying to get away from slower silhouettes.
> The slower ones shambled and dragged themselves along the ground at a whopping speed of what looked like three miles per hour.
> Luna sighed and stood up.
> A flash of white took your vision.
> The first thing to break into your senses was a shriek.
> You step back and look around, seeing that the two of you were now in the middle of the burning town.
> Whoa…
> Ponies of all kinds scrambled away from the fires as strange, deformed creatures simply shambled past them.
> Your own kind.
> You lean down getting a closer look at one of the staggering forms.
> A rotting earth-stallion with little to know skin.
> Oh that was a wonderful sight.
> It let out a low raspy moan.
> Then it suddenly exploded, the only clue left of its existence being a smoldering crater.
> You peer up and let the look of shock take your face.
> Celestia and Luna hovered in the air, fully clad in armor.
> Luna let out a war cry before diving into one of the nearby burning houses.
> You turn back to the real Luna sitting and watching the scene silently.
> She just simply nodded.
> The hell?
> You turn back to see Celestia touch down and glare all around her.
> Despite the look of anger on her face she still looked as pristine and well-kept as the day you had first seen her.
> A clack of burnt wood and one of the zombies pulled itself from a pile of raging fire.
> This was soon followed by many more, all of them simply staggering out of the flames as if they were fine.
> She began to take them out almost instantly, her horn blasting off golden beam like a machine gun.
> She suddenly stopped and froze, some of the more 'able-bodied' undead making their way towards her.
> Was she looking at you?
> No...
> You follow her gaze and stop on a lone form crawling from the fire.
> A tiny form.
> A child.
> Before you could say anything Celestia let out a shout of rage.
> And then you were back in the room.
> "I cannot show you the rest, as I'm afraid it gets exceedingly violent from there on out."
> You shake the fuzzy feeling away and rub your fore-head.
"And I'm a stranger to that?"
> "Trust me, you don't want to see what comes next."
"I think I can handle it, finish the-"
> Suddenly you were back in the town.
> An all too familiar willhelm scream followed by a splatter was the first thing you head.
"Done, I'm done!"
> You were back in the room again.
> With a sigh you head over and plop down onto the bed, throwing up a cloud of dust around you.
"What was the point of that?"
> "To show you why we're here today. Celestia had sent me to take care of this because she couldn't do it herself... not anymore that is, whether she's grown soft or if it's all just taken its toll on her I cannot say."
> She frowned.
> "She seemed upset that you were... this now."
> Luna sighed and moved away from you, staring out of the window.
> "But that is irrelevant, when I was spreading the word that you were finished I noticed some strange things."
> "The air was stale, a smell of sickness filled the air everywhere I went, the earth felt... wrong."
> You let out a skeptical chuckle.
"What you can sense those things?"
> "Yes."
> You roll your eyes.
"I'd call you a loon if I wasn't the one talking to some magical princess horse about fighting the undead....while I'm the undead."
> "When you put it that way things just sound plain silly."
"Ex-actly!"
> Something cluttered against the ground outside of the door, catching both of your attentions.
"A rat perhaps?"
> "Most likely not."
"Ah..."
> Luna turned to you with a frown.
> "What are you scared of? You're the one who cannot die."
"As far as I know."
> "Mhm..."
> Luna turned away and headed towards the covered drawer.
> "Blast it..."
"Blast it."
> "Can you not do this right now?"
"Just saying...blast it."
> "Do you want answers or not?"
"Yes but not if they're coming from someone who says 'blast it'."
> "...."
"...Just saying..."
> "The window."
> She galloped over to the window and turned back to you with a nod.
> Using her magic, she threw the window open allowing some of the rain to pour in among the cacophony of thunder and showering droplets.
> You watched as she splayed out her wings.
> "Meet me in the library, I'll have enough time to put up a ward there."
> Bang!
> "You'll get your answers then."
"Wait you crazy-"
> Luna suddenly sprung out of the window.
> The last you saw of her was her form disappearing among the sheets of rain.
> Bang!
> The door bent inwards once more.
> You ran over to the window and peer out.
> You were on one of the highest points here...
> That drop had to be at least 60-70 feet... maybe more.
> Bang!
> Oh...
> Oh for fucks sake.
> She wanted you to jump.
> Bang!
> You run your hands down your face.
"Okay...okay, this is crazy, this is crazy, I'm not gonna feel it.... right?"
> You briefly think back to that tad bit of pain that slipped through when that guard stabbed you.
> Ehhh...
> Bang!
"I'll heal."
> You'll heal.
> You'll heal.
> The door suddenly gave away behind you.
> You snatch both your bags and sprint towards the open window.
> 'Come on we're not really doing this.'
> Don't think about it.
> 'Dude turn back and fight those- YOU IDIOT!'
> Not thinking about it proved to work quite well.
> If the thick sheet of rain and wind whipping against your face was any proof.
> Timed seemed to move in slow-motion as your destination grew bigger and bigger as it came closer and closer.
> A giant pan of glass seemed to be your mark.
> Heh
> This reminded you of that one song.
> I'm freee!
> Free-fallin-
> Crash!
> Your body tumbled over vines and itself as sickening cracks and crunches echoed among the shattering glass.
> You let out a muted shout as your head twisted backwards and you crashed into the ground.
> ...
> ...
> ...
> You had hoped you would've been spared this time.
> But that really, really fucking hurt.
> You drag yourself up with a pained groan.
> Shards of glass jutted from all over your body, followed by your legs and a single arm twisted what looked to be beyond repair.
> If you weren't a bitchin' zombie.
> This was actually turning out to be one of the shittiest days you've had.
> Well, this and Christmas.
> Things never went well on Christmas.
> With another grunt you reach up and pull on extra-long shard out of the side of your head.
> You threw it away and continued to pick at the others.
> A shuffle.
> You stop and turn around, an eyebrow raised.
> You were in what looked like it used to be an inside garden, rows and rows of dead plants lining the area.
> Another shuffle, to your left.
> You turn to your left once more.
> Summin' ain't right.
> Another shuffle.
> You turn around once more to find yourself face to face with one of the Featureless.
> A mouth of razor sharp teeth formed just to give you a malicious smile.
> You gulp.
> And then before you could even react the Featureless suddenly disappeared from your sight.
> What?
> A shriek jolted you from your shock.
> You spun around on your bottom seeing...
> Well...
> You didn't know what the fuck was going on.
> What looked like a cross between a Timberwolf and the plant from Little shop of Horrors tossed the Featureless up into the air.
> It chomped down suddenly and let out a satisfied hum as it began to munch on its snack.
> Next to you what seemed like more of these types of plants rose from the long dead soil.
> O-oh...
> "Ayyyy..." One of the plants moaned.
> It sounded like a jazz musician way past his prime speaking to you.
> "That looked like a tasty meal... how about this one?"
> The plant munching on the Featureless swallowed its meal and seemed to... smile?
> "Yeah." It simply said, a voice of what you imagined someone named Tyrone would sound like booming all around the room.
> "Oh boyah! Gimme one!" This one to your left sounded like a black priest half an hour into his sermon.
"W-What!?"
> "That boys lookin' pretty good." The jazz one muttered.
> The sound of a root sliding filled the room.
> You whirled around as fast as you could on your legs.
"Wait, wait, wait!"
> The plant stopped.
> "Oh my bad, hey kid, nice to eat ya'."
"That was... cheesy but terrifying none the less."
> "Aren't you that new guy!?" The priest plant shouted.
> "Yeah he is." Tyrone plant agreed.
> "Oh man boys, where's our manners?" The Jazz plant said.
> It seemed to bow before you.
> "I'm Wonder."
> Hah.
> "Tyrain." The Tyrone plant simply said.
> Cool...
> "Juddah!" The priest plant shouted.
> "I say, I say! I can't believe you just went and did that boy!"
> You were already working on adjusting your legs, trying to get out of here as fast as possible.
"Mhm…"
> “That was pretty cool.” Wonder said.
> “Yeah.” Tyrain agreed.
> You turned to the 'Tyrain' plant.
“Is that all you say?”
> “No.”
“...”
> “...”
> “Yeah.”
> You groan and roll your eyes.
> Okay…
> What was this?
“What are you guys?”
> Tyrain seemed to shrug.
> Wonder did the same.
> Juddah simply smiled.
> “I have no idea my son, but come closer and find out.”
> A brief image of your legs kicking from a satisfied Juddah's mouth filled your mind.
“Uhhh..”
> You scoot a little more towards the middle.
“I'm fine.”
> Wonder simply chuckled.
> “Don't be shy boy, we're not gonna hurt ya'.”
“Oh that is so reassuring.”
> “A smart mouth huh? The last smart mouth to pass through here got her flank wrecked by a bunch of angry vines.”
> “Yeah.” Tyrain agreed.
> “Them brothers fought till their very last drop!” Juddah shouted.
> “It was a day to mourn… torn apart right in front of us.”
> Right…
> You rub the back of your head.
“Uhh… do you guys know how to get to the library from here?”
> Wonder let out a crude laugh.
> “Oh man, acting like we don't know this castle like the back of our sprigs!”
> A rise of laughter from the other two.
> Wonder stopped and leaned lower to you with a toothy smile.
> “Tell us kid, why should we help ya'?”
> Uhhh…
> You simply shrug.
“I'm… a Zombie.”
> “Oh boy...” Juddah muttered weaving his head away.
> You frown.
“What? Did I say something wrong?”
> It looked like if Wonder had eyes he would simply roll them.
> “Try something else boy. We got that when you burst in here like you owned the place.”
> “Which you dont!” Juddah added. “We do!”
> You chuckle.
> Oddly enough your were already healed by now.
> You stand to full height and shoulder both bags by the straps.
“Yeah… well you look pretty stuck to me.”
> All three of them smiled simultaneously.
> “We have a lot more control then you think boy...” Juddah muttered.
> “Yeah.”
> “Just take a look.”
> Suddenly the vines overhead began to move on their own and slither around each other.
> “Think again if you're going to get out of here boy.” Wonder growled.
> Oh…
> Think... think...
> The vines unfurled and suddenly wrapped around your limbs.
> Before you knew it you were displayed in the air like some sort of twisted mannequin.
> There were two things you could do here.
> With a grunt you struggle against the vines.
> Nothing... surprisingly enough they were stronger than you.
> Yeesh...
> You had another option in mind but it wasn't your most dignified response to a situation.
> Here it goes...
> You bite your bottom lip and turn away from the plants bashfully.
"O-Oh~"
> "...."
> "...."
> "W-What?"
> The vines tightened around your wrists.
"Unf~"
> You arch your back and squirm under the grip.
"B-Be careful with those... It's a little much fella's."
> Wonder's mouth hung in disbelief while a grimace suddenly fell over Tyrains.
> A smaller vine came up and did the 'crossing' motion of Juddah.
> "May the lord have mercy..." he simply muttered.
> "S-Stop that..." Wonder muttered.
> The vines moved forward, pushing you towards his awaiting mouth.
"AHN!~"
> He stopped once more with a growl.
> “S-Stop that...”
“I-I can't help it.”
> You lower your eyelids and give him a 'seductive' look.
“It's in my nature...”
> You look at all the vines around you.
“Oh dear… I wonder what would happen if you utilized ALL of these vines?”
> The vines suddenly slithered away, letting you drop to the ground.
> Despite none of them having any sort of blood flow, they seemed to be somehow blushing furiously.
> Some vines seemed to be unnaturally straightened as well.
> "J-just go... Please... the library is straight down the hall, make a right, make a left, make three rights, and one more left. Just.... go." Wonder simply said.
> You pick yourself up and dust yourself off.
> Like you said.
> Not the most dignified way...
> Without another word you simply walk past the three and head out of the indoor gardens and back into a dark hallway.
> Welp...
> That happened.
> You move shamefully away from the door and do your best to remember and recite Wonder's instructions.
> Let's see...
> Straight down...
> Left or right?
> You were sure he had said right.
> You turn on the sharp corner, ignoring the things moving in the corner of your eye.
> Not so shy anymore huh?
> Another organ key...
> It dragged on for what felt like a minute before some more of the music began to play once more.
> Ah...
> You drop your backpack and lean over, already beginning to dip through it.
> Where was it?
> After a couple awkward and rough seconds of searching you finally pulled out your flashlight.
> With a sigh you click it on, shining the light down the hall.
> A couple of the Featureless met your light.
> With a collective squeal they scattered away from it.
> You look at your flashlight with a silent nod.
> Cool.
> You cut your way through the hall, vaguely remembering the instructions.
> It wasn't long until you began to actually recognize where you were going.
> You moved down the hallway, the light illuminating a pool of it, dusty old papers and overturned furniture greeting you.
> You stopped when your light fell on two heavy doors up ahead.
> You instantly recognized them, when you had been moving books back and forth you had this place imprinted basically.
> You stop just in front of the doors.
> Finally...
> Answers.
> Fuck Luna and her cryptic nature.
> You throw the doors open.
> Featureless...
> Hundreds of them, lining the entire room.
> Ba-thump.
> You didn't have a heartbeat...
> You didn't...
> The world seemed to pulsate all around you as the Featureless stared silently ahead.
> Have a...
> The world went dark as you collapsed.