The Trotting Dead RP

[Anneal 2,197]

Recording 015

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey, mom?"

"Yes, Astro?" a mare asked. The unicorn had a mane that matched the color of a sunset sky and a pale yellow coat, and held a smile that appeared like the curve of a sun.

"Why are all as so small?" a young and short filly questioned back.

"What are you talking about?" her mother calmly replies.

"I was having a class on astronomy. I wondered, ff the stars we see in the sky appear so small, yet are several times bigger or smaller than our sun," she continued, "then isn't our world just a tiny blue speck, no, even tinier than that, in the seemingly infinite reaches of space?"

The mare stopped, glancing at her daughter, slightly baffled. She had expected this kind of curiosity from her little filly. "I believe so," she answers, then attempts to change the subject. "I've baked you some cookies, by the way. And it's chocolate chip and raisins, just like how you wanted it!"

The filly took the plate of cookies, picking one up. She broke the circular cookie into pieces, then throwing in into her mouth. "Maybe we are some part of a design," she guessed, "all having equal importance in the universe. Surely everything has a purpose to exist."

Noticing the filly crumbling her cookie, her mother hugs her. "But you're important, Astrolabe. More important than anypony else I know."

The filly smiled, and hugged her back.

I opened my eyes laggardly; they felt like heavy weights. I was in a confused state. Am I dead already?

I tried to move, but to no avail. There was rope tied around my body, and I suddenly felt the cold metal of the bed. Guess I'm not dead, I assumed.

Moving my head upwards, I was able to see part of the surroundings. The building I was contained it seemed fairly vast, yet so remote. A few lights were hanging from the top, though most of them were unlit. The ceiling windows were shining light inside as well. I must be in a warehouse. "Still in the afternoon," I muttered.

"Rise and shine, stranger," a voice - it sounded like a mare - announced.

My eye widened. There was another pony here! "Hey!" I yelled, the sound echoing through the warehouse. "Help me here! I'm not one of the dead!"

"Okay, can you just shut up?" the pony retorted. "You're going to attract more of them."

The mare sighed, then said, "Well, the good news is that you're not infected. I've seen ponies usually turn after several hours, or a matter of minutes, but that span, I believe, is long gone. You're some-"

"Wait," I interjected. "Just how long have I been in a coma?"

"Well, I found you on the middle of the road. I thought you were a corpse, until I noticed the disrupted tree and some moaning from you. At first I wanted to shoot you, until I noticed that you had no visible bite and that you were murmuring some words I couldn't really understand. So I brought you back here, to my base, so the trotters won't get you first."

"You didn't answer my question. How long was I in a coma?" I reiterated.

"Oh, the time?" she replied. "I'll say...two days."

Shocked, I tried to break free, shaking the bed. "Two days?" I exclaimed. The group is going to presume I am dead! I need to return to the radio station!"

"Whoa, calm down," the mare calmly said, subtly smiling and untying the rope. "Don't try to go outside and take unnecessary risks. They might not be there, anyways. You don't even have the supplies and your leg is a bit broken. Plus, I bolted all the doors and enforced it outside with stakes. I was considering digging trenches, but, you know, not enough time when you have a bunch of trotters knocking on your door everyday. What's your name, by the way?"

"Astrolabe," I introduced.

"The name's Mjölna," she responded. "But some ponies call me Sand Storm."

"I prefer Mej-ol..." I muttered, "never mind. But the name sounds appealing, at the least."

"It's pronounced Me-jol-na," Mjölna corrected. "Quite hard to get it off your tongue. But yes, that's my name." - she rolled her eyes - "As the name suggests, I'm from the far North. I was a repairsmare and engineer at the sleepy town of Alkaline, which is near the Crystal Empire. Then we got news that there was a pandemic, and that panicked a good deal of ponies. Of course, that offered little when the trotters came with little preparation for us."

"I would have expected them to freeze in the cold," I commented.

"Wasn't cold enough," Mjölna said. "It wouldn't have mattered anyway. We were all nearing to a famine since we couldn't import any food. The Crystal Empire has it good. They have a dome barricade and adequate food from their own farmland. I could probably consider going back northeast, so I can take refuge there. What about you?"

 

"I am going to Hoofington, possibly find my family," I answered.

 

"That's quite bold," she rejoined. "I heard it was one of the first few areas that got infected. I wouldn't want to go there. But, you know. Family matters most."

 

"Agreed," I said. 

 

"So," she added, offering a bottle, "you want some sparkling water? It's preserved well and still in good quality."

 

I took the bottle and unscrewed the cap, taking a swig before closing it up. "Not bad," I complimented. "Where did you get all this?"

 

"Ahem, warehouse?" she replied. "This fortress is like a continual Hearts' Warming Eve! There's food and water for several months' supply, some convenient supplies, and even a gun!" 

 

Mjölna brandished a rifle. "Along with fifty bullets!" she declared.

 

"Well," I muttered, "I lost my own gun. Mind if you give me one?"

 

"Sure thing!" And away she went, searching through the boxes. 

 

I lay down, looking at the bright fluorescent lights. In some way there has to be a reason why this is here. There must be.

Edited November 2, 2013 by Cartophile

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

"Oh, yes, of course..." Light wobbled over to Dash and helped her up to her hooves. He made sure to keep her steady while he helped her up. Upon doing so, Stephan ran through the door and into the house. He was breathing heavily when he raised his head to see Light and Dash.

"Oh. Light, I see you've helped Dash out of bed." He said. "Thank you."

"No problem, pal..." Light then turned around to go to his bedroom.

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

Having gotten the feeling back in her legs, she was standing upright but when she attempted to take a step forward she fell, legs sprawled out in every direction, feeling slightly dizzy, she looked up at Stephan, eyes still rolling. "A little help, please?" Dash asked.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

Stephan regained his composure and trotted up to Dash. He picked her back up and helped her walk around the house.

"Sorry about Light, Dash. He's a little bit... off the wagon." He said to her. "Do you need anything? I can get you it real quick. I mean, I'm not going anywhere else tonight." He asked.

Edited November 2, 2013 by StevenEarthPony

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

"Thanks, but I'm fine." Dash said as she was helped up. "I don't mean to be such a burden on you, going slowly isn't exactly your specialty, helping out a crippled pegasus." Dash said. "I guess I just have to exercise a bit more, then eventually, I'll be back to doing Rainbooms in my sleep."

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

Stephan looked to Rainbow Dash and just smiled.

"Dash, if you're crippled, I can live with it. I'll help you until you get better. You can bet on that." He said, leaning down and kissing her. "Besides, I like spending time with you. This may not be exactly how I pictured it, but at least you're here with me."

Edited November 2, 2013 by StevenEarthPony

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

"I like spending time with you too, I'm really grateful for you letting me stay here while I'm like this." Dash thought of when they dated before, how they'd both just drifted apart. "It's not gonna be like last time, right? I don't want to seem paranoid, but all the relationships I've had with ponies have ended."

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

"Well, I wasn't planning for it to be like that." He said, smiling at her. "Ponies around here have been saying that you and I are meant for each other. I guess we were just a bit too full of ourselves when we were teens for us to realize it. Now, maybe we can realize it." He said. "In fact, why don't we just forget it ever happened. We should just start anew."

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

"I certainly do, I thought you'd never ask." Dash said, clearing her throat and then looking at Stephan. "Hello, my name is Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in all of Equestria, you've probably heard of me, winner of the best young fliers competition, but that was a while ago." Dash smirked and raised her eyebrows a few times.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

Stephan smirked at Dash. "I'm Blasted Nova. Just call me Stephan. Everypony does." He began in the cockiest tone he could speak in. "I'm the fastest Earth pony alive, having the ability to break the sound barrier. I run through Equestria in search of new adventures. I'll never back down from a fight and I'll never ignore a pony in danger. I've come from Earth and landed in Equestria by complete accident. But, it's an accident I'm glad I made."

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

"Oh?" Dash asked. "...and why would that be?" Dash was playing with her mane a little bit, it had been a while since she had acted this cocky, and she liked it, a lot. She moved a bit closer to Stephan.

 

(It's hard trying to bulk up something when your character only has one thing to say.)

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

((OOC: You're telling me.))

Stephan laughed a little and leaned in.
"Because if I didn't, I wouldn't have made friends with such awesome stallions and mares." Stephan said. "And, more importantly, I never would've met Rainbow Dash, my marefriend..."

 

((OOC: So many words to fill.))

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

Dash smiled and rested her head on him.

"So, Stephan, what do you want to do now? It's late so there's not much to do except for one thing....." Dash kissed him. "I really don't want to go to sleep tonight, I have a feeling that nightmare isn't gonna be going anywhere." Dash yawned.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@, 

Stephan smiled and kissed Dash's forehead.

"Well, I was going to take you somewhere tonight. There might be some places that're still open at this hour. But, I'm game for whatever you feel like doing tonight, Dash." He said. "I mean, there's not really much to do in the way of staying here for the night."

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

"Well, I'd want to go out, but I don't feel that Ponyville is safe after what happened to Missy." Dash said. "Especially in my state." She smiled and nuzzled Stephan. "But I'd feel safe anywhere in the world if I was with you."

 

"I know you can't hear me, but I just wanted to say that." Starburst kissed Caramel on the nose and put his forelegs around her again.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

"Well, Light's asleep right now, so there's really nopony to bother us for the time being." He said, smiling and giggling when Dash nuzzled at him. "Let's go out and see if we can find something fun in Ponyville at night." He opened the door for Dash and led her outside. He kept in mind about what Dash said about Ponyville not being as safe as it used to. If someone tried to harm Dash, they'll have him to answer to.

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

"Nopony goes out at night anymore from what I hear. For fear of being murdered themselves. I think they just need something to lift their spirits, which is good, considering that the new theatre is nearing completion." Dash said, she looked over at the town hall, the lights were still on. "I hope Twilight isn't working herself too hard."

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

"We can hope, Dashie. We can hope." Stephan said, walking around and turning his head towards town hall. "Maybe we should go check on Twilight real quick. See how she's doing." Stephan and Dash walked towards the building on knocked on the mayor's office door.

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

Twilight was at the desk, working on plans to rebuild accomodation areas, for now there were about 2 families leaving in each house, it would cost them a lot. Then there was a knock on the door. Twilight grumbled and went to the door and opened it.

"Oh, Rainbow, what are you two doing here?" Twilight asked. "And you told me that you'd tell me when you got out of the hospital."

"Sorry Twilight, I didn't want to risk Pinkie throwing a party, so I kept it to myself, she mostly keeps to herself now, she's just as fun, but she isn't the party pony she used to be." Dash said. Twilight sat back down in her chair and signalled for the two to sit down.

"So, you two?" Twilight asked.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

"Oh, um, of course." Stephan helps Dash inside and they both sit down in chairs in front of the desk. "We were just taking a little stroll through town tonight and we thought we'd drop by and see how you were doing." He said to Twilight. "How;s your new position working out for you?"

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

"It's good, but I miss just being the assistant, I didn't have as much responsibility." Twilight said. "Have you been to check on Missy today, I haven't had the time to I've been so busy."

"I only just got out earlier so... I don't really know." Dash said. "Stephan, what about you?"

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

"Um, no, not yet. I've been dealing with a few other things." Stephan said. 'I went down to the hospital to pick up Rainbow Dash, but I didn't check on Missy at that point. Now, I'm packing up to take a vacation to Earth so I can see my dad. I'll be sure to check on Missy at some point tonight or tomorrow morning."

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

"Wait. You're going? How long will you be away for?" Dash asked, concerned. "And you will be careful won't you? Twilight's been to that place before.

"Yes, and I wasn't aware that the portal was open right now. So be careful, like Rainbow said, don't go doing anything reckless." Twilight said.

"When were you going to tell me about that?" Dash asked.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

"Don't worry about it, guys. It's my home. Of course I'll be careful!" Stephan said. "Sorry I didn't tell you guys earlier. I just planned this today. I'll leave once Dash is able to take care of herself again." He said in assurance. "Celestia said something about it opening up once every thirty moons, so I guess I'll come back when the portal reopens, which shouldn't be for a long time."

[The Ponyville Critic 304]

"You can't leave, what if Missy wakes up during that time, I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss that." Twilight said. "I guess she wouldn't be too concerned, we'll just tell her you're away for a bit."

"I can't believe you'd just go with so much going on." Dash said. "But, it's your family, you kinda have to."