Title: Trotting Dead: Dinner with Grogar

Premise: MLP: FIM. Sunset Shimmer and Lightning Dust try to escape from Grogar, Bray and their minions. They start off in Grogar's dining room in the Tambelon Palace, having dinner. Somewhat based on a scene from Up.

Date Posted: 08/17/13

Personal Notes: Listened to "The Explorer Motel" from the Up soundtrack while writing this.

"So? What do you say, Sunset Shimmer? Lightning Dust?" Grogar asked. "Will you join me and conquer this pathetic land?"

Sunset first looked down at the food. Then back at Grogar, then at each other. Both were quite scared. They both knew what the other was thinking after the look. Finally, Sunset spoke first.

"Well, it's a very nice offer, Lord Grogar," she said slowly. She had to choose her words carefully. "We need a little time to think it over, if you don't mind."

"You can't be serious," Bray sneered from across the table. "Do you have ANY idea how many ponies would kill to be you two ladies right now?"

He became silent when Grogar shot him a glare from across the table. The latter then turned back to the two ponies with a kindly smile.

"Of course," he said musingly. "You two must be tired after your long journey. Allow me to show you to your guest room." He got up from his seat as Sunset got up from hers.

"Oh thank you, but that won't be necessary," She replied nervously, forcing a smile. "We really should be going."

Lightning got up from her seat and started backing away as well. "Yeah, um- we don't want to take advantage of uh you-your hospitality. But uh, we'll totally get back to you on that team-up thing."

"Where could you be going?" Bray asked, rising from his seat. "It's a dangerous world out there. And besides, you haven't had dessert yet!"

"An excellent point, Bray," Grogar smirked. "You fine ladies HAVEN'T had dessert, have you? My boy, Rank, makes a fine strawberry cobbler."

"Uh, no thanks, we're full." Sunset stammered quickly. She started sweating now. They had backed up outside the dining hall now and out into the grand marble hall of the palace. Some of the skeleton guards began to turn their heads and observe the guests.

"You really must stay," Grogar continued. "I insist. We have so much more to talk about!"

Sunset was starting to panic in her head now. Her eyes frantically shifted from side to side as she bit her lip.

Lightning Dust peered over Sunset's shoulder and looked up at the ceiling.

"What's with that piano up there?" She asked, pointing toward the ceiling.

Giving confused looks, Grogar and Bray both turned around to look up at the ceiling.

"What piano?" Bray asked as he and Grogar turned back to the girls...

Only to see them bolting down the hall towards the door as fast as their hooves could carry them.

"Master?" Bray began. "I don't think they're on our side!"

"Get them!" Grogar barked t the skeleton guards.

Groaning, the guards all moved from their posts, spears and swords and maces at the ready, and charged after the two fleeing ponies.

"As soon as we get outside, bolt us as far as you can!" Sunset shouted at Lightning as they ran.

"Right!" Lightning nodded.