//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Wrath (8 hours Until Dawn) Part 2 // Story: Blackhoof Mountain // by DeskManiac //------------------------------// 11:39 p.m. Applejack stared blankly at the ceiling. The thought of Rainbow’s whereabouts lingered in her mind. Where could she be? Where has the kidnapper taken her? If only there was something she could do. Applejack buried her face in her pillow. What could she do? Twilight ordered everyone to stay in the lodge until she returned so her hooves were tied. In the meantime, Pinkie has the entire place on surveillance. She would visit everyone’s room every 15 minutes to check if everyone was still there. Fluttershy was alright with it and she didn’t disturb Rarity’s sleep, so it must be a good thing right? Yet, Applejack felt bothered by Pinkie’s behavior. She’s been acting a little weird the entire night. A bit too cautious. Applejack thought. Unlike her usual carefree self. She turned onto her other side when the door to her room opened. “Applejack? Oh there you are.” Pinkie smiled. “Just as ah was 12 minutes ago,” Applejack smiled back. “Okie dokie. Just stay right here and DO NOT go anywhere. Ok? Ok!” And she bounced off. Applejack turned to face the ceiling again. She couldn’t stand not doing anything while her friend was out there having Celestia knows what things done to her. And she was starting to get annoyed by Pinkie’s odd behavior. She needed to get out of here. Applejack continued to toss from side to side, her train of thought becoming cloudier and cloudier. Nothing made sense tonight. Applejack decided to close her eyes and take deep breaths. Maybe it would help her to calm down and think better. One breath, two breaths, three breaths… I HAVE TO FIND RAINBOW. Pinkie popped her head through the door one more time, happy to see that her friend was still there. “There you are Applejack! Hope to see you again in 15 minutes!” Yeah, 15 minutes. Applejack thought to herself. Just the right amount of time for her to sneak out of there. Out into the snow where she could find Rainbow. Applejack checked the halls for any sign of Pinkie. She couldn’t hear singing anymore so the coast was clear. She tiptoed down the stairs and poked her head out to see if Pinkie was on the ground floor. Apparently not. She saw the final stretch she had to make, and walked as fast as she could to the front door. The cold breeze blew onto her invitingly. Applejack stepped carefully out into the snow and closed the door behind her, making sure that Pinkie was not behind her. As soon as the door was shut, she ran as fast as she could to where she had found the drag marks. When she got there, the trail has already faded a little, but was still visible enough to see where she needed to go. “Alright, just up this way and I’ll find Rainbow,” she said to herself. “Applejack?” She turned around. It was Pinkie Pie. She didn’t expect her to patrol the outside too. “What are you doing out here? You should be in you room!” Pinkie said taking a step closer, looking dead worried. “Listen ‘ere Pinkie,” Applejack started to explain, her throat quickly going dry, “Ah think ah know where Rainbow went.” Pinkie looked down at the snow, it was obvious there were drag marks there, but she wasn’t letting Applejack go that easily. It was suicidal, and she knew it. “Applejack, we agreed to stay inside. It’s not safe out here.” “But-” “Applejack please. Go back inside.” Pinkie was practically begging at this point. “I know! I’ll make you some warm and toasty hot chocolate. Pinkie Pie’s special!” She put on her winning smile, but she had a feeling Applejack wouldn’t buy it. Applejack glanced at the traces in the snow. They were quickly disappearing. She shut her eyes, mentally preparing what she was about to do. It was rash, she knew, but it was the only way she’d find Rainbow. “Ah’m sorry Pinkie Pie.” She apologized, knowing that this might be the last time she might see her again. And she bolted into the woods. “APPLEJACK!!!” Pinkie screamed. In a panic, she lifted her hooves and ran after Applejack, into the woods, where the killer was waiting. Applejack huffed and puffed as she tried to run as fast as she could away from Pinkie. She could hear her cries not far behind her. “APPLEJACK!!! APPLEJACK!!!!” Pinkie scream, her face quickly turning into a scowl. Pinkie was catching up to her quickly, and Applejack knew if she caught her, she would drag her back to the lodge, ruining her attempts to save Rainbow Dash. Applejack ignored her desperate screams and focused on the path. The drag marks seemed to go on and on forever. Just how far was Rainbow dragged through the snow? Pinkie’s scream was gaining on her. She picked up her pace, stressing every leg muscle she had. The pain was becoming unbearable. She looked up and finally saw where the trail ended: a small shed. Just a little further. Applejack told herself. Almost- *Wham* Applejack and Pinkie fell in the snow, rolling a couple of times before coming to a halt. The resulting impact caused Applejack to feel dizzy for a while and before she could even regain her composure, Pinkie was already on top of her, pinning her on all fours. Applejack looked at Pinkie, whose eyes were burning in anger. “I ASKED YOU TO STAY IN THE LODGE! WHAT PART OF THAT DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND?” Pinkie screamed. “Pinkie-” Applejack was actually intimidated. She really was. Pinkie was hardly serious, and now that she was... Oh boy. But Pinkie couldn’t hold her anger for long, because the very next moment, she was already tearing up. “Why won’t you listen to me?” she said, tears running down her cheeks. “Is it because you think I’m dumb? Is it because I’m so silly?” Snot was dripping from her nose onto Applejack. “I don’t want anypony to get hurt,” Pinkie sobbed. “Pinkie,” Applejack started, she knew the risks she was taking, and one of them was being captured by the kidnapper. Yes, it would break her friends’ hearts, but it was a risk she was willing to take. She lifted Pinkie off of her, she didn’t want to hurt her, in fact she needed Pinkie to be on her side. Two ponies against one would better their chances at taking down the kidnapper. Applejack wrapped a hoof around Pinkie. “Nopony is gonna get hurt sugarcube. Ya see that shed? Rainbow’s probably in there somewhere and we need to help her.” At this point Pinkie had to be convinced to let her go, but Pinkie shook her head. “Don’t go in there Applejack…” “Why not? Is there something in there?" Applejack grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Is there something you know? You can tell me! You can tell your good friend Applejack!” Pinkie continued sobbing and shaking her head. “What is it?” “I-” Pinkie weeped, “I can’t tell you...” her voice cracking. She knew it. Pinkie knew something the entire time. That's why she was acting so strange the entire evening. But right now her lips are sealed. The only pony on the entire mountain who knew what was going on was too scared to tell. Applejack was desperate. She glanced once more at the shed. It was her only chance to find anything. She knew something was in there, waiting for them, but Pinkie was so against it. Clearly it wasn't going to be pretty. Applejack hugged Pinkie tightly, knowing that it could be her last. "Pinkie Pie, ah- ah believe you." Pinkie's face lightened up before she could finish, "And ah'm sorry for what ah'm about to do." Loosening her grip, she darted for the door. “APPLEJACK!!!!” Pinkie screamed, but there was no turning back. *SLAM* The door behind her shut immediately, enveloping her in darkness. Pinkie started banging at the door furiously. "APPLEJACK! APPLEJACK! GET OUT!! GET OUT!!!" Applejack tried the door, but it was locked shut. "Pinkie Pie? Pinkie Pie! It's locked!" Pinkie continued to cry, her sobs drowning her words. "Don't worry about it sugarcube. I'll find a way out." Applejack retracted her legs, and holding a powerful shot, released it. *Bonk* Her attempt crippled her legs instead. What kind of crazy pony builds a wooden shed with a reinforced metal door? She grumbled to herself. Knowing there was nowhere out for now, she reached for her flashlight. Some part of her regretted not listening to Pinkie, but the other part was dying to know what was in there. Pinkie was still crying, but she decided she would deal with that later. She shone her light around the insides of the shed. Nothing interesting in particular. Just workbenches and tools, and none of them seemed to be for murderous use. She inspected the rest of the room, being aware that she could be attacked at any moment. After clearing the first room, she went to the next. There was a large metal grill that separated the room into two and a curtain that shielded her view of the other half of the room. “Hello? Rainbow Dash? Are you back there?” She feared that there will be no response and that Rainbow may have been taken to another location. But just when things seemed bleak, she heard her friend from the other side. “Applejack? Is that you? Ugh! Why can’t I see anything?” It was Rainbow Dash. Applejack felt such relief when she heard her voice. All she needed to do now was get them out of there. “Oh thank Celestia it's you! Listen Rainbow, you stay right ‘ere. Ah’m gonna get help. We’re gonna get you outta ‘ere.” “Wait-” Rainbow was about to speak, but Applejack had already left. Applejack had to act fast. If she was going to get them out of there she would first need to find some sturdy tools. In the meantime, Pinkie was still wailing outside the shed. “Pinkie Pie?” Applejack knocked on the door. “It’s me. It’s alright. Ah found Rainbow! Ah just need help gettin' outta here.” But Pinkie kept wailing. She didn’t hear a word she said. All she did was repeat the same words over and over. “-’ll get you. -’ll get you…” “-‘ll?” Applejack asked. And she was about to find out. Behind Applejack a shadow grew. A shadow that has been waiting for her since she arrived. With a pipe in hoof, it swung. *THUMP* Applejack fell to the floor, unconscious. “Applejack?! APPLEJACK!!” Pinkie screamed and banged harder on the door. But it was no use. The shadow was already dragging Applejack away into the darkness.