The town clock looks over a scene of frantic panic and discord. The square is a heaving, roiling mass of ponies with wild-eyed, distraught expressions, shunting through each other and trampling those too weak to stand underfoot. Some cry, some are caught in the confines of denial, some are saturated with rage and terror but all are running, running away from the horrible truth or running to save their loved ones or running for the sake of running, trying to get away from the heavy weight of dread enveloping the town. But the clock implacably ticks on regardless. It's now ten in the morning, but for the first time the sun is absent, the darkness never burning away to the life giving rays that can never shine through again.
Amidst the chaos, there's an orange eye to the storm of panic, fighting her way through to the podium in the town centre. Buffeted by petrified and oblivious brownian motion, Applejack makes her way to the stage by sheer willpower and brawn. But the torrent of frightened flesh is too much even for her, and she's bowled over by a red blur.
''APPLEJACK! Where in the hay've ya been? Why's it so dark at ten in the hoofin' morning? What's happenin'?''
''Big Macintosh?! Boy, am I ever glad to see you! Look here, I'll explain everythin' once we've calmed everypony down, but first y'all gotta help me get everypony's attention. Think ya can push through to that stage there?''
''Who're you talkin' to? Git behind me, and stay close.''
Big Mac easily barges his way through the chaos, and Applejack mounts the stage with her brother, and they both scream at the tops of their voices, trying to rein in the madness. They may as well have tried hailing a hydra with a horsefly. How in tarnation are we gonna get everypony to listen? We need somethin nice and loud....aha. ''Big Mac, I hope you're feeling strong, 'cos I'm gonna be back in a jiffy and you're gonna buck with all your might, got it?''
''Eeyup''
Applejack disappears below the stage for a few minutes, and comes out dragging the gigantic gong the orchestra uses for the most climactic of scenes. She drags the heavy brass instrument to centre stage, and Big Mac gets into position and braces himself.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNGGG
The iron chains holding the gong in place jerk and recoil, and the disc loops over the bar holding it. Two neat brass horseshoes ricochet off the wall behind him. Once Applejack and Big Mac pick themselves up and can hear again, the entire crowd is looking their way, except for a brown stallion at the back, who is still jumping and yelling.
''Well, I think that did it, big brother. Nicely done.'' says Applejack, shaking the last of the ringing noise out of her ears. ''Good job I found a megaphone down there too, else we'd really be in a pickle.''
Big Mac stands in the background, back to his shy self, while Applejack talks to the town.
''Now look here everypony, I know y'all are scared, and frightened, and angry but all this millin' around is getting us nowhere, and damagin' the town to boot. I know a lotta ya saw us carryin' Celestia and Twilight through the town, but it ain't what it seems. They're alive, and stable, but some creature from the forest attacked them both and it looks like they're laid out for the time being. Now, we need to get this place in some kinda order, so if Mayor Mare is in there I'd be obliged if you could come on up and help us.''
The middle-aged mare extricates herself from the rabble, and jumps up on stage to address the crowd. ''I'm sure we are all grateful for Applejack's words, and I know we are all distraught, but she is right. There will be time to mourn and grieve later, but until we can fix this tragedy, we need to be practical. Applejack, I think there are a few more things we need to know. Is the princess going to be okay? How are we going to cope with no sunlight? And what kind of creature could possibly do this to the princess? Is it likely to come back?''
''Thankyou kindly, for seeing what needs to be settled. My heart's in just as much torment as the rest of y'all, maybe even more so: Twilight was one of my closest friends, and I surely do miss her at a time like this. But as the Mayor said, we gotta be practical. Now, as for your questions, here's the answers as well as I know them. Princess Celestia and Twilight're unconscious, but they're breathin' and being looked after by the best of us. Hopefully we won't have to cope without sunlight for much longer, 'cos Princess Luna and the rest of the Elements are out in the forest right this second, lookin' for some way to put things right. Till then, we get on as best we can. I don't rightly know what kinda creature can do this, but Princess Luna imprisoned it for good. I've seen what that thing can do, so there's gonna be a guard around it all the hours of the day, which should answer the last question to boot.''
The crowd and Mayor Mare digest this for a while, and it seems like the worst of the panic is over as the prominent practicality of Ponyville's population prevails. But just as it seems as though everything has calmed for the time being, a brown and intelligent looking stallion canters through the last of the crowd up to the stage, with a complicated expression marring his blue eyes.
''Applejack! I tried to get your attention! Something terrible happened in the panic!''
As he's saying this, there's a slowly building commotion from the back of the crowd, and distant shouts of concern echo across the plaza.
''Consarn it all, Doctor, I guess it had to happen. What's occurrin', and who'se hurt?''
''It's your sister! And her friends! They were trying to calm everypony down, but they must have been overrun, and they were trampled by the crowd! They're hurt...hurt badly. I've stopped some of the blood, but they need attention, NOW.''
''Celestia have mercy, not the girls! WHERE ARE THEY?!''
~~~~~~~~~~
Legs rush past at eye-height, moving too quickly to track. Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo jink and weave through the forest of fetlocks trying to find anypony that would listen to reason. But the normally calm and placid townsfolk are wild-eyed, frothing at the mouth and subsumed with terror, skittering and sprinting in every direction. The foal's pleading, almost supplicatory cries are ignored and unheard; it's like they aren't even there. But they fight their way through the crowd as best as they can, rammed on all sides by hooves almost as big as their heads. Bruised and battered, they try to make their way to safe ground, but each time they are shunted in another direction, almost losing track of each other more times than they can count.
''Scootaloo! Can you try'n hover? We ain't gettin' nowhere unless we can find our way out!''
''I'm trying, Applebloom! But I can't hover, especially when these grownups keep bumping into me! What's wrong with them, it's like everypony just drank a load of crazy juice! Why won't they listen to us?''
''I don't know! Maybe if we can find a bucket of cold water or somethin' we can snap somepony out of it so they can tell us what the hayseed's is goin' on!''
''Well then, what're we waiting for? Lets go find one! I'll stand on your back and try and see where to go.''
Scootaloo hops up onto Appleblooms back, and jumps up, trying to see above the crowd. ''Allright, I think the edge of the crowd is that way. C'mon, help me push through.''
''You're so heavy I don't know why you need help.'' Applebloom grumbles, rubbing her back. It's only then that they realise they don't know where Sweetie Belle is. Calling out to her, trying to raise their voices above the baying cacophony of the crowd, they frantically retrace their steps, looking for a flash of cream amongst the endless mass of pummelling legs.
When they find her, she is lying unconscious on the unforgiving ground. Heavy hooves rain down upon her fragile body, and there is a huge bruise just to the left of her horn. One of her legs is twisted at an odd angle, and there are unsettling dents and impressions marring her side. Desperately they rush to her, ignoring the flailing stampede around them, shaking and nuzzling their friend, trying to wake her up. Applebloom attempts to buck the onrushing ponies to the side, trying to protect Sweetie Belle even as she is trodden on again. But she is not her sister, and only succeeds in tripping up a heavyset colt, who lands on her only to trample her into the ground as he tries to get back to his feet. She is lying on the earth, unable to dodge the hail of punishing blows that force the wind out of her and crush her chest. Scootaloo is trying to help her up now, but in taking her eyes off the crowd she too is dashed to the ground and buried in unknowing blows from the unfeeling masses.
~~~~~~~~~~
The forest is gloomy even in clear noonlight, but without the sun the shadows are impenetrable. Strangely shaped trees give the deep darkness texture, making nebulous and threatening shapes of the air like perverse playdough. Amongst the myriad of looming spectres one detaches itself, and slinks a few fractions further to a ragtag group of grim-faced friends...
''If we are to prevail on our quest my friends, we must be constantly aware of our surroundings. The Everfree forest is not to be trifled with at the best of times. And now...''
''We understand, princess! Any tricksy wicksy super slicksy insect is gonna have to be on their...their claws? Yeah, their claws, if they wanna get one over on Pinkie Pie the super spy!''
Pinkie Pie narrows her eyes and zips around the area, sniffing suspiciously at subliminal shadows. Luna just looks nonplussed.
''Well, yes. I am glad thou has grasped the idea, if not the subtleties.''
''Luna's right, Pinkie, quiet down and get serious about this. It's so dark we don't know what's more than 6 feet in front of us. Even with my awesome aerial abilities, we gotta be careful!'' Rainbow Dash is on edge, wings and feathers erect in full fight-or-flight mode.
''Okay, Rainbow! I'll be as quiet as a shrew hidden from view behind a slew of shampoo!'' Pinkie says, and bounces along regardless.
Rarity and Fluttershy are huddling close together, wide eyed and obviously afraid. Fluttershy is leaning maybe a little bit closer, but Rarity isn't complaining.
''This is all just so awful. All of those poor animals, at the mercy of such a heartless monster. We have to save them! I mean, I hope we can...''
''I quite agree, Fluttershy. I don't think I've ever been quite so shaken, even during that first dreadful visit when I had to cut my tail off for that charming dragon. Though I have to say, if this, well, this little excursion will truly spell the end of us, I am glad I can spend it with you. Oh my, that came out a little more rashly than I expected...''
Rarity looks embarrassed, and slightly scandalized. Fluttershy quickens her pace a little, so that Rarity has to keep up, and suddenly they are out of earshot. Fluttershy faces Rarity, and turns that timid gaze so full of emotion onto her best friend. ''Um, I know that took courage to say. I've been trying for years to say the same. But we've always been so close, I was terrified of ruining what we already had, and so I never took the chance. It seems silly, now that the world seems to be ending. But I love you, Rarity, and I always will do.''
Rarity freezes, stock still, and a confused expression flits across her face. ''Fluttershy, I...I had no idea you felt that way. But I think you may have misunderstood me.''
The graceful yellow pony is instantly mortified, and cringes so much she looks like she's trying to hide behind her own mane. ''Oh my gosh, Rarity, I am so sorry, I just thought, and you blushed, and, oh. You must think I'm so awful, I never wanted to make you uncomfortable. I'll go now...''
Fluttershy walks off, head hung low in embarrassment and despair and shame for having been so stupid. But she feels a gentle hoof on her shoulder, and when she turns round Rarity is gazing into her eyes, on the verge of tears. ''Fluttershy, please don't feel bad. It isn't as though I never contemplated it, you are the kindest and most loving pony I know. But. But it would not feel right, we have been friends for so long, I don't know if I could live any other way.''
''You really have thought about it? I was so afraid that you'd think less of me for falling in love with you, that I was weak or foolish...but it's all the same now. You don't love me, and I love you, and now I've changed everything by telling you. You honestly don't think you could ever see me in that way?''
Their eyes are locked now, a lifetime of connection speaking volumes outside of the simple words, both of them hoping and pleading but for different things. ''Fluttershy, I love you like a sister. I will never stop loving you as a friend. But romance, between the two of us? I cannot bring myself to raise your hopes. Maybe if we were younger, or...I don't know. I am so, so sorry. I will never leave your side, but I don't think we can ever be together as you want us to. I'm sorry.''
Fluttershy's eyes have been slowly brimming as she realises what Rarity is saying. No matter how much she tries to hold them back, the heartbreak is too much, and Rarity hugs her and lets her cry and shares all the pain pulsing through the fragile heartbeat so close to hers.
When there are no more tears to be shed, the pair trudge back to the clearing that's glistening with shadows, where the others are preparing to move once more.
''You guys! Where've you been? We were starting to wonder if you'd been taken! Don't ever do that again!''
''Rainbow Dash, leave them be. None of us can be blamed for letting our emotions best us in this place, and at this time. I'm sure Rarity was merely comforting Fluttershy. Am I not right?'' Luna says, with a subtle glance at the pair.
Rarity quickly stares at the ground, a frisson of colour marring her cheeks. ''Yes, you are quite right as ever, your Highness. We just needed a moment to gather our resolve.''
''Some moment, we were looki-''
''Rainbow Dash, be silent.''
''What? All I'm saying is-''
''Rainbow Dash, be silent! We are not alone!''
She instantly falls quiet, as Luna concentrates, pinpointing the disturbance. Her brow furrows, and her horn pulses with a soft light which matches her tail.
The slinking shadow has been stalking the sombre ponies for some time, weighing instinct against caution, picking it's prey, waiting for the only moment it knows will stave off hunger for a few more hours...
The purple-maned pony is it's prize. The luscious hair, the delicate bouquet of her scent spiked with the tang of emotional upheaval, the quaking neck promising delectable satisfaction. The Liger springs from the trees, majestic mane and taut muscles and blade-like teeth and brutal instinct all melding together seamlessly into a blurred, tooth-tipped missile hellbent on filling it's ravenous belly. It hits Rarity in the midsection. The pristine white mare is only saved by her knee-jerk reaction of rearing up in terror, sending the gigantic feline's aim off by a few crucial inches. As it is, she is sent flying several metres through the air, all elegance lost as she collapses in a forlorn heap on the dank mossy floor of the forest.
Fluttershy goes absolutely berserk, screaming with incoherent rage and flying pell-mell at the creature ready to stamp with both hooves on it's head, ready to kill it for trying to take away her forlorn hope for love and companionship. It's only when she sees the skin hanging off it's skeleton, barely attached, that she realises this creature is at the end of it's life. Starved for days on end, unable to find food, it attacked out of desperation. She pulls out of the attack just in time to let the crazed, deadly paw-swipes miss, and she lands in front of it, fixing it with a Stare.
The battle of wills rages inside the Liger, but eventually there is only one way it can go. It slumps off into the forest, cheated out of it's energy. The moment it has left, Fluttershy rushes over to Rarity, instantly nuzzling her and fussing over her, making sure she is okay.
''Fluttershy, dear, I assure you I am fine. It may have caught me a nasty blow, but it shall take more than that at the finish, I can assure you.'' She leans in closer, so that only her beautiful friend can hear her. ''Thankyou for saving my life, Fluttershy. I can never repay you. When I see what you will do for me, I am ashamed that I cannot bring myself to feel about you as you clearly do about me. But this doesn't change things between us. I cannot do that to you, not when we are so close. I'm sorry.''
Fluttershy just looks sadly at her, but with the underlying understanding and compassion she always has in her eyes.
''I believe we would wise to take that as our cue to move on once more. If Rarity is ready to move, then we cannot waste any time.'' Luna says, ever the pragmatist.
Fluttershy holds Rarity's gaze a little longer, then turns away and follows Luna, leaving Rarity with a great wrenching well of dejection in her heart, but not quite understanding why...