Chapter 4: Long Road Ahead

Everywhere we turned, fires were occurring , with black smoke painting the dark gray sky. With no Pegasus ponies left to clear the skies, and Twilight not use to her new wings, the skies appeared to be locked the way they were.

"Where. Going?" I struggled to say.

"To Canterlot." Twilight answered. "Supposedly, that's a safe haven."

"What. Me?" I asked.

"Are you trying to ask, 'What about me?'" Twilight replied.

I nodded my head. Unfortunately, one of my eyes had fallen off! I figured it was my red eye, since I could see every color still. Twilight jumped back again as she was witnessing her final close friend fall apart.

"I don't know about you..." Twilight answered. "Maybe if I ask Princess Celestia for some assistance, maybe she'll let you in, but I'm not so certain."

"If. She. Help," I started, "it. Mean. A lot."

"I'm sure it would, Thunder." Twilight responded.

We continued walking towards Canterlot, mainly because the railroads were no longer in service due to the widespread infection. It took a long time getting to Canterlot, especially with me walking on three legs. It was kind enough of Twilight to walk alongside me and help me up when I stumbled over the few times. She tried having a conversation with me but my answers always came out in short, choppy utterances.

"How's life, err, the afterlife like." She asked, breaking some eerie silence.

"It. Not. Afterlife." I said.

"Then what is it?"

"I. Not. Sure." I answered.

"But what's it like?" She repeated.

"It. Bad." I admitted.

"How so?"

"I. Can't. Breath." I replied. "Air. Hurts. I. Falling. Apart."

"I know." Twilight said. "It must hurt losing body parts like that."

"I. No. Feel. Pain." I tried to say.

"You don't? Really?" Twilight sounded surprised.

"No." I answered. That was the only short, choppy answer that sounded normal.

"How did you, umm..."

"Die?" I asked.

"If you don't mind me asking..." Twilight continued.

"No." I said. "Don't. Mind. Flutter. Ripped. Heart. Out."

"Fluttershy ripped your heart out?" Twilight asked.

"Yes."

"Didn't that hurt?"

I sighed. "Hurt. Emotion. Not. Physical."

Silence fell for the remainder of the trip as we continued walking along the rails. Eventually, we finally made it to Canterlot. I stood back as Twilight continued on into the barred up city.

"I'll see what I can do, Thunder." Twilight assured as the doors closed between us.

I sure hope so... I thought.