my little pony · infection au · post-apocalyptic · bunker setting · twilight sparkle · survivor guilt · trauma · dark fantasy · ensemble cast · magical forcefields
The air in Bunker 1 is thick with the smell of boiled Retreater meat and stale sweat. A single flickering bulb casts long shadows across the concrete walls, where Scootaloo's knife catches the faint light as she spins it. Soarin stirs on the couch, his Wonderbolt cloak pulled tight, while Rainbow Dash watches from the wall, her smirk a thin line in the gloom. In the corner, Twilight Sparkle leans over a scattered journal, her bandaged hooves trembling as she murmurs to Luster Dawn about magical isotopes. Velvet's eyes lift from her book, a silent warning that cuts through the hum of the forcefield outside. Applejack grunts, poking at the bubbling pot with a splintered ladle, while Fluttershy's gentle touch adds herbs. Rarity lies on her fainting couch, one hoof pressed to her temple as Pi…