Death Only Comes Twice

“There is no message from Coltssia at this time, we can only assume that they were lost to the current epidemic. This, is saddening news of-“ A whisper in the princess ear made her face slack in disappointment. “Coltssia has gone nuclear.” –Press Conference, 1 Hour after Ponyville’s Rescue.

Chapter 2: Rotten To the Core

The sun had finally set on Ponyville for the day as Leon started at the sky. Weary faces stretched on everypony and a sigh of relief as well. The town had survived the day, their town had survived through the onslaught. The smoke had finally died down from dealing with the burning corpses, another task done, as had the wall. Of course, work was still needed on it, but the wall itself would hold for the night.

“Alright, everypony, let’s all head off to bed.” Said a pony covered in shadows from a cloud which then crackled, hinting that rain was coming soon. The Pegasi were letting the rainclouds out, it was scheduled this week after all. On Tuesday, which was today. Everyone still had jobs to do, and the Cloud Factory still was operational and staffed under orders of Princess Luna. The Princess was trying her best to keep equestrian still functioning even though the current events which spread throughout Equestria.

The doctor stopped in his tracks as he overheard chatter from two colts that were working no the fence earlier.

“.. I’m telling you, the zompie attack seemed a bit thick from what I have overheard from chatter on the radio from EQ News.” He seemed to look around to see if anypony was listening, Leon of course hiding behind the side of a building to avoid his gaze.

“Do you think another town didn’t make it nearby?” The voice had a slight regret in saying the words. The words would probably plague the colts mind at night while resting.

The second pony sighed deeply before replying, “Look, I don’t know. Anyway, we were told to call them Infected, don’t really know why though. But I guess it’s to keep people from getting scared.”

The first pony stared at the second pony with slight agitation in his voice “Yeah, well, you try keeping calm when you see other ponies ripped apart.”

Those words had made the air go thick, too thick for his taste, Leon took his leave from the area and continued toward SugarCube Corner, fixing his collar on his lab coat on the way. He was surprised that the attack wasn’t that bad.. Comparing to other towns attacked of course. After all, some of his men in his squad were sent to Apple Acres to keep it safe.  From the radio transmission from Apple Jack, the farm was still not attacked, but the sights of burning towns was completely visible from the farm.

A young, but adult colt brushed by him, knocking into him slightly but then blubbering out a apology. “Excuse me, sorry.” The colt said and trotted away while levitating a notepad and pen while writing on it.

“Great, a reporter, just what we needed.” He scoffed while proceeding to open the door to SugarCube Corner, just to see swords quickly pointed to his face.

“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE ZOMBIE SCUM. Didn’t you see the sign, we don’t want any of your kind!” Pinkie yelled at the top of her lungs, huffing and puffing. Of course, this attracted the eyes of everypony inside the restaurant.

“Pinkie, it’s me Leon, I’m not a Infected, put the swords down. Your causing too much of a ruckus, it’s late.” He spoke while giving her a disappointed look on his face. But it was nice to see her again.

“Oh? Prove it!” She said with a smile on her face, obviously calming down understanding that the noise was a bit loud.

“As you wish Chancellor Pinkie, all you need to do is take a cup of-“ He began to sing teasingly

“Yeah yeah, you pass, get your rump in here and get yourself a plate, since soups on Doctor Pants.” She lowered the swords and slid them back into their place on her sides. Of course laughter erupted from everypony in the building, after all it was funny to see her do that. Once she got a grown pony to piss himself in fear trying to explain himself. Leon had to admit, it was a riot. Pinkie then jumped over the counter and began writing things he couldn’t see, a certain individual caught his attention instead.

She lowered the swords and slid them back into her sides. Laughter erupted from nearly everyone inside; she loved doing that after all, once we got a grown pony piss himself of fear trying to explain himself. I’ll admit. It was a riot. She jumped over the counter and started writing down things I couldn’t see, a certain other individual caught my attention instead.

A colt named Rotten Core laid his sandwich down on the table that Leon was sitting waiting. “She got you good eh Doc?” Leon merely sneered, “I see your still alive and kicked, guess rotting corpses don’t eat other rotten things.”

Rotten Core stared at Leon and without hesitation spoke. “Look Leon, enough of this back and forth insults bullshit. Damn cripple.” Leon’s blood boiled as his wings inside his coat twitched. He was classified as a unicorn, but he also had wings. They were useless, he was born with them, but couldn’t do anything with them either. They were like extra limbs hanging out of his coat.

“Look, I’m grateful that you came and saved the town, even without orders I know you would have come.” Rotten Core avoided Leon’s eyes while speaking and looked to the side of the building.

“I saw you guys through the window a little bit ago after you came out of the subway, squawking on your radio to who knows who. Also, why haven’t you gone to see Nurse Redheart? After all there are some injured ponies who could use your help.”

Leon stared at him and fished a smile out of himself, a bowl of soup and a sandwich placed on the table for him. “I’m not on the clock.”

Leon glanced a look at Pinkie as she placed a sandwich down on a filly’s plate and give him a big smile. Seeing a filly at days like these, always brings a smile to his face. After all, these were troubled times. “Hey Chancellor Pudding Head, give him some pudding, take it out of my account.”

He returned to his soup, and began to feast. About halfway through the soup, a radio transmission came in through his radio. The sound filled up the place of course with interest.

“Hey flightless, come in. It’s Rainbow.” The words came out of the radio, “Me and Big Mac made it to Appleoosa. Their alive.” The room fell silent.