The weather had slightly changed. She now stood there, quiet, firm, observing the inert body of her old friend. What was once Sweetie Drops now lay dead on the street, with its repulsive blood now flowing through the stone path. However, her sould was finally freed. Starlight gulped with difficulty.

-May you rest in peace, Drops. You managed to save so many people in the first days of this madness- She frowned, her eyes being covered with the shadow of her hair bangs- But we couldn't save you. I… I couldn't save you…

She closed her eyelids, welcoming the solitude. After a brief moment, she decided that it was time to leave.

-"My altruistic action is going to have repercussions rather soon. I'd like to be out of here before the swarm arrive"- She took her backpack and checked the other side of that candy shop, noticing a pathway to freedom- Hmm, from where could I get down without breaking my ankles?- She looked around for an answer, soon spotting a perfectly positioned stair some meters away that could assist her with her escape. She squinted her eyelids, suspicious- Isn't that a little too convenient?- Starlight looked for other options, noticing some wooden boxes. If she calculated it right, she could reach the floor without any trouble.

When she got down, the unicorn wanted to check if her suspicion was onto something. Unnoticeable for her from up there, the first three ladders of the stair were missing. Had she gone down through that stair, her ankle would have gone missing. Feeling proud of her small victory, she continued her path. Starlight used the hallways between buildings to move quickly, avoiding the main street of Ponyville. However, as she moved through the town, she noticed fewer and fewer infected beasts roaming around. She had to stop when she finally realized that it was uncanny to see the main street of Ponyville without any sort of movement. No sight of them anywhere.

-The gunshot… They probably went to check the gunshot- A slight smirk appeared in her lips- Heh, looks like my idea wasn't that bad after all. I won twice- Feeling good with herself for her decision, she continued her walkthrough of the main street, now free from any infected. Looking at the abandoned buildings in decay hit Starlight right in her heart. That town was once a vibrant community, full of energy and life, home to the magic of friendship. Ponyville was a town that lived throughout great battles and incredible events.

Now there was nothing but misery and sorrow. The friendly, all welcoming residents were now ravenous, evil marauders in the quest to find any life to corrupt.

-Just one more place in this Equestria that has long fainted into a nightmare…

She checked the watch on her left wrist.

-Twenty minutes to four o' clock- She huffed with hastiness- I'm already late- She prepared herself to jog to her exit route. However, with her side view she spotted one of the more emblematic buildings in the town, it was a building larger than most in the village- Sugar Cube Corner… I could maybe take a small detour to get a gift- She grinned with confidence, deciding to enter the cafeteria. As she entered, Starlight could see that it was a complete mess. Chairs and benches all over the place, the floor was sticky, tainted, with plenty of trash and even some small, dried splats of blood. The tables were packed with papers, as the food had gone rotten a long time ago and the insects had taken care of it.

But what made her almost choke and leave the building was the wicked smell of decomposition. Starlight used her black mask, coughing, while also using the flashlight to check the cafeteria, discovering a handful bodies responsible of that smell. She frowned.

-Poor people, the very first victims of the infection… But at least they are not them…

Starlight looked around and besides the bodies, nothing extraordinary. She then jumped the counter and got in the kitchen of the cafeteria. The door was broken on the floor.

-Well, it's not like Mr. Cake would care- As she entered the kitchen, she snooped around in search for something useful, but soon realized that everything outside of the pantry was probably rotten, discomposed. Her lilac eyes shined with joy as she spotted the pantry. With some long steps she made her way while also preparing her hammer, just in case.

She opened the door. The loud and irritating creak gave her a chill through her entire body.

-Ups- If she had to guess, she would probably bet on the door not being oiled in a long, long time. The unicorn checked her surroundings, sighing with relief when nothing came her way. She took a peek into the pantry, discovering just a bunch of cans all over the floor or disorganized in the shelves, together with some paper bags. No sign of them.

She checked one by one most of the cans in the shelves, finding chickpeas, beans, pickles and even daisies in vegetal oil. Starlight couldn't help but to smile.

-I won the lottery with this pantry- Muffed with excitement- How strange, I never checked this placed before- She raised her left eyebrow and a skeptic expression took hold of her face- Why didn´t I check this place before? There's got to be a reason…

She tried to remember, but she couldn't. She huffed with exasperation, knowing that time was tickling. She checked one of the last cans.

-Tuna?!- Once again, she grinned- Dear Celestia! This is incredible!- She observed the can more carefully- With tomato sauce? Holy moly, looks like I truly won the lottery- She saved that can in her backpack- I know someone who will enjoy this- With her side view she spotted a box under the shelves. She got it out of there, and opened it with the knife on her belt. Its contents left Starlight speechless for a couple of seconds- This must be a dream- She raised one of the cans with her free hand- Chocolate pudding? No way!- She looked at the box again- There must be at least twenty cans in here- She took two more and saved them in her bag, now full. Starlight's lilac eyes sparkled with joy- I'll be back for you, don't you worry.

Full of newfound energy and in a good mood she exited the pantry, ready to call it for the day. She crossed the kitchen and entered the counter. However, she took cover almost instantly, her heart shrinking and her pupils contracted.

-Just my luck… I remember now why I never entered the pantry…

She took a peek from behind the counter. Three of them stalked the place, growling, searching for the prey they detected in there. One of the beasts was particularly strong, its muscular body soon catching the eye of Starlight.

-I remember him. The infection hasn't affected him as much; he's just level two… But fighting in here would be suicidal. I won't win against all of them by myself- She looked around- I must find a way to escape- She hissed with her tongue- I could maybe use a teleportation spell to go outside- She pondered that option for a few seconds- No. I don't think that's wise. I'd end up way to tired and they could detect me- She found with her eyes the register. She opened it with the knife on her belt being the most cautios possible in order to avoid the attention of the unwelcomed guests at the cafeteria. She got a few bits from the registers and with a good throw she launched them to the other side of the cafeteria, making them run desperately to that position and giving Starlight a breach from which she could escape that cafeteria. She closed the door behind her and exhaled with annoyance, specially when she saw what was awaiting her outside.

-Damn you!- One more infected. It immediately creaked, alerting all of the beasts inside the cafeteria- I need to hurry- She ran to the roamer and without wasting a single second she hammered the skull of that beast, splatting blood all over her hand and her tool. But as she tried to get the hammer back, Starlight realized with worriedness that it was stuck in that inert body. Gritting her teeth with nervousness, she tried to force her primary defense tool out of the head of the infected, but it was in vain.

She heard the door falling to the ground behind her. With a chill circulating through her spine, she let go of the hammer and took the revolver out of the pocket of the backpack, throwing her bag out of the way.

-Come at me, you bastards!- She turned around and aimed to the one that was almost on her. Starlight cocked the revolver and pulled the trigger, making the imminent threat go down with a gunshot in her eye. The thunder-like sound of the gun echoed through all of Ponyville in one second. She aimed at the second infected, the bulkier one, cocking the gun and pulling the trigger twice, hitting one in the left cheek and one directly in the brain, making the beast go down. However, as she aimed and shoot the third infected, it managed to deviate her hand. Starlight lost her revolver and her balance, falling to the ground. Knowing what came next, she used her left forearm to block the jaws of the beast, which started to bite the duct tape with desperation, trying to reach the skin of the unicorn. Starlight reached with her right hand the knife in her belt.

Suddenly, the infected above her tensed, ceasing all of its fight. A quick peek and she noticed the arrow stuck in the skull of the beast. She launched its body to the side and got up.

-What the heck are you doing?!- She glanced at her left side, noticing an individual covered with a red farmer jacket and a hood. From her position, she couldn't see any physical characteristics- We gotta move, now!- Demanded with a feminine but also firm and authoritative voice. Starlight frowned.

-My hammer- Mumbled, walking to recover her weapon.

-There's not time! Those shots made all Equestria know we are here!

-I know that!- She, with great effort, got her tool back. Then, Starlight turned back, noticing that the individual that had saved her already recovered her revolver, holding it with her right hand while her left hand held a bow. The unicorn recovered her backpack and quickly grouped up with the person.

-Common! We might make it to the forest before they get here!- When both of them were ready, they left the place quickly, hearing the creaking of the beasts hurriedly approaching- Damn it, Starlight! Why did you have to shot four times!?- Asked with displeasure her savior. In response, the unicorn frowned.

-It was just and necessary.

-Tch! Follow me!- She obeyed the command. In their way, a new infected peeked its head. The individual stopped and masterfully prepared her bow, straightening the arrow and loosening it, taking care of that beast with efficiency. When they went besides the body, Starlight's savior recovered her arrow. They entered a hallway, but the unicorn was quick enough to prevent her savior to going further in.

-It's a death way!- They both noticed a group of vines and spores some meter into the hallway. What appeared to be limbs of people stood out of the grotesque vines, while muted sounds of groans could be heard by the two of them- Let's go this way!- Said Starlight with determination, being the one now in charge.

After a tiresome race, they reached the forest's entrance. Their breathing was agitated, their legs tired.

-Thank you- Expressed Starlight, sincerely, smirking playfully. Her savior, meanwhile, removed her hood and her mask, revealing her light brown skin, almost tanned. Her red hair, which was fixed in a ponytail, was let loose into her middle back. Her orange eyes locked onto the lilac iris of her companion, giving her a sharp, intense gaze.

-I really hope that whatever you found in Sugar Cube Corner was worth a race like that and four bullets- Warned the redhead with a solemn voice, but also a somewhat hoarsely voice tone. She removed her jacket.

With some peace and serenity, she could observe her new companion with detainment. She was taller than her. She wore a white top with a pair of blue jeans. Her boots looked heavy. She also wore a belt where she was carrying the revolver, a knife and some small packages. Her bow rested on her right hand, while her quiver rested on her left shoulder. She seemed to be looking for something.

-There were five shoots actually- The redhead hissed with her tongue.

-Actually, there were five shot.

-How immature.

-What was the motive for that fifth gunshot?- A snarky smirk appeared in her lips while she turned her attention to a bush on the side- Let me guess, you did it to attract them all to one site.

-No…

-Hmm? With what purpose-

-I freed Sweetie Drops- Her savior froze her movements, having her back facing Starlight. The place entered in an uncomfortable but necessary silence, where only the wind and the twitching of the tree leaf made noise.

-… Thank you, Starlight…

-You don't have to thank me.

-… You're right. Thank you not thank you.

-Asshole- They shared a short giggle, while the young individual finally found what she was looking for.

-Could you hold this for me?- Starlight nodded, accepting the bow. The redhead then grabbed and admired the weapon in her hands. A bolt action rifle- My beloved.

-Isn't that from your brother?

-He would have wanted me to use it- She raised her left eyebrow- Now, returning to my question. What was so important that you had to shoot four times?- Starlight smiled prideful.

-Some interesting things, dear. I'll show you once we are back at home- The young redhead, who had walked to a tree and recovered a brown cowboy hat, looked at her with suspicion.

-Well, I'm hoping that I won't be disappointed- Starlight, however, didn't answer. She couldn't. Not after seeing that brown hat. Her heart sunk a little too low and shrunk- Starlight?- Dreadful thoughts and unpleasant memories returned to her mind, mixed with some bittersweet and even lovely memories- Starlight!

-Ah?

-You good?

-… Yes.

-… Like I was saying, I hope that I won't be disappointed- Said the redhead, wearing the brown cowboy hat.

-Apple Bloom- The aforementioned glanced back at her companion- Thank you for saving me.

Apple Bloom smiled with friendliness and winked her right eye.

-Don't mention it, sugarcube.

Infection is such a cool concept, but I have noticed that people tend to focus in the first days of the infection and tend to put the infection on the older seasons of the show. So yeah, I'll try something a bit different, using Starlight as the center of the story. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Hasta la vista!