//------------------------------//
// 21 - House of Cards 
// Story: A Fateful Flurry 
// by FIygon 
//------------------------------//

When I woke up, I was soft and comfortable. A far cry from the expected feeling of the bathroom floor under me.

In a rush of memories, I quickly remembered that I hadn’t been alone, unless I had been hallucinating…

I blinked my eyes open slowly, my body seemingly fighting against me in my attempt. I lifted a hoof up to rub the dried sleep and tears from my face. I realized I was lying with my head against Sage’s flank, and she was gingerly holding a hoof around my right side, keeping me secure.

I shook my head slightly and looked up as Sage and Heath clearly noticed me awake. “S…Sorry.” I said quietly, like I was afraid to even be heard as I shrunk away from Sage’s side.

She pulled her hoof back and looked at me with worried sympathy. “You’re alright, Pumpkin.” She spoke softly as she leaned in closer. “How are you feel-” She cut herself off and froze as I flinched away from her approaching muzzle.

I was rather skittish in my current state. The visions I’d seen twisting and turning in the mirror did as much as they could to exhaust my deteriorating mental state.

Heath moved his head lower to the table. “Are you feelin’ ill, little’un?” he asked with a worried inflection.

I backed farther away from Sage in my seat, trying to quell my growing worry. I shook my hooves. “No no no. I’m fine.” I averted my eyes, settling in with my hooves crossed against the corner of the seat.

Sage shuffled, laying fully across the seat, bringing her head down to my level. “Honey… You don’t have to hide from us.” She reached a hoof forward.

I quickly backed myself farther into the corner and said, “Please don’t touch me.”

She quickly retracted her hoof. “Okay, okay,” she replied quickly.

“I’m just… I’m scared of the dark, and mirrors, I always have been.” I lied as I continued to stare at the ground. “It’s nothing to be concerned about, I promise.” 

“But the lights were on when I entered?”

“They flashed! Like a small power shortage.” I said it definitively as I pulled the blanket over my head like a hoof. “Mystery solved, right? I’m okay.” I reassured the unsure couple again.

Sage slowly sat up in her seat, looking over at Heath and sighing. “If you say so, Pumpkin, but we’ll listen if you need to tell us something, okay?”

I only nodded silently. I sat in silence for a long time, mulling over my thoughts and the weird panicked hallucinations I’d had. The memory made me shiver as I crumpled into the seat below. 

It was a while later when I began to feel the train slow down, until it came to a halt with a final chug before blowing its horn. I sat up slightly to look out the window. We were at some quaint little station in the middle of a rather unassuming town. 

With most of the houses being roofed with straw and each individual house taking on its own bright or dull color of the rainbow, it looked like a rather idyllic place for a small family to live. There wasn’t much to say about the quaint little town, other than that the occupants didn’t look like stuck-up nobles and businessponies.

The only outlier was the giant crystal tree that sort of resembled a castle in the center, which rang a bell in my head as I remembered. This was Ponyville, and that had to be Twilight’s old castle.

As I began to see ponies pouring out of the train at a staggering rate, I realized shortly that this was a popular stop. I watched for a while as the rainbow poured out of every train car.

But I could hardly focus on the town or the ponies outside. I was too busy planning how to get out of this pitfall I’d stepped into with the family of plant-themed ponies around me. Could I really just explain away my fear as being afraid of the dark? Or mirrors? Didn’t that sound stupid? Why did I try something like that? Would they even believe something that dumb? 

I felt a sigh of resignation escape my chest as I wearily glanced between the two again. Still talking, still ignoring—or pretending to ignore me.

I really have no connection to these ponies, and I have no real reason to believe I have to stay with them still…

It was then that I made a decision.

I waited until it seemed all the ponies had fled the train, finally. Once they did, the train started spouting its loud horn once again before taking off. I used the loud sound to my advantage, quickly slipping down and out of the seat, leaving the blanket behind.

I crept underneath the table slowly, taking absolute care to ensure I didn’t accidentally bump one of the distracted adults. I quickly peeked out from below to make sure they were still distracted before carefully inching the cabin door open as subtly as possible.

I was just nearly through the small gap I’d made in the door. My front half stuck out into the aisle, confirming that no ponies were around. I felt a surge of adrenaline at the prospect of escaping.

Before immediately, adrenaline turned on me.

“Where are you headin’ to, Ashy?” Heath’s voice called from inside with a hint of worry.

Knowing my cover was blown, I knew I couldn’t make some dumb lie or bolt on them. So I quickly turned around to the inside of the room, eyeing the two adults who were looking at me with raised brows. I laughed nervously and sat down, clearing my throat somewhere in the process. 

"Oh, I, uhm… I figured since most of the passengers have left, we’d be going separate ways.” I told the truth as my tail slowly tucked farther under me: “It was nice to meet your family, but I’ll be going now. Uh… bye.” I said with an odd salute and a nod of my head. I quickly turned after such an awkward interaction and rushed out.

I immediately felt the area right between my withers get grabbed gently by some loose skin, halting all momentum I had and making my limbs sort of stop moving in the process. I looked back to see Sage holding me back gently. "Ashy, I… can’t let you just wander off, pumpkin.”

I wilted, “W-Why not?”

Sage quickly released me and slid to the floor. “Because, sweetie…” She sighed and glanced back at Heath worriedly.

Heath nodded and smiled at me. “Ashy, hear her out for me. Alright?”

I tilted my head in confusion as Sage passed by me, bending over and grasping the same spot of skin and hoisting me up in her muzzle. It then occurred to me that this was the same thing that many wild animals had back on earth, like kittens and puppies. It certainly was news to me that a pony foal could have that fat as well.

Well, now I just felt like a dangling sack of potatoes. I had no motor controls on my limbs anymore.

“Where are we going..?” I looked upward and voiced a slight concern at Sage, who had exited the cabin and walked down the hallway.

She quickly found a secluded cabin and opened it before gingerly depositing me on the bench. She wrapped the blue blanket around me again before moving to the other side of the table and sitting down.

I looked back and forth from my spot slightly nervously, both looking for an escape and also trying not to make eye contact with the mare analyzing me. “Um…” I hummed quietly.

“Ashy…” Sage started with a much more worried voice than before; she shook her head at her own words, “No… Whatever your real name is, dear, please listen.”

Oh no. Here we go…

“I want to start by saying I’m not… accusing anyone of anything. I’m just worried.”

Yep, here we go.

“Do your parents treat you well?” She asked with a lowered head.

I forced myself to look at her. I didn’t want whatever child protective services this world had calling on me. If I wanted that, I’d have to lie convincingly and without hesitation. The last thing I want is to end up in whatever system this world has for orphans.

The thought almost made me shudder.

“Oh, yeah. My mom’s really great, and she makes me feel really safe and loved.” I plastered the biggest smile my mental capacity could buy across my face.

She hummed, “Your father?”

“Great!” I chirped, “I don’t get to see him as much as I’d like. He works a whole lot, but when he comes home, he always takes me wherever I want!” 

Really lay it on thick; sell it as hard as you can for this impromptu interrogation session. 

“What are their names?” She asked just as quickly.

My heartbeat stopped, and my mouth froze open as I sat there in surprise. I quickly recovered: “I think it’s a bit silly to tell you their names but not mine… Why are you asking me all this?”

She squinted her eyes for a moment. “Just curious, pumpkin. How about your grandparents?”

"Oh, I love them! They spoil me every time I’m there, and they always get me my favorite candy!” I could write a whole book with these lies.

“Do they ever… hurt you? Or make you upset?” She asked with a serious gaze.

Everyone does that to me eventually…

I shook my head no, tilted my head, and looked confused. “Mom sometimes hurts my feelings when I get in trouble, but she isn’t mean.”

There was a long pause of silence as Sage continued to study my face. I eventually grew uncomfortable and asked, “Why are you asking me so many questions?”

Sage sighed and spoke softly. “I just want to make sure you get safely returned to your parents.”

“That’s not your job. You aren’t in charge of me.”

“Honey, I think that changed when you almost bled out in front of me and Heath. And then had a panic attack soon after.”

I felt my fur go rigid on my back as my spine chilled. I instantly shook my head and groaned, “You don’t have to bother with all this. I’m fine,” I insisted with a squinted stare.

If she wasn’t going to relent to my innocent act, then maybe if I acted like she was being crazy and paranoid, she’d let up.

Sage placed a hoof against her forehead and said, “It’s not about us, Ashy. We’re just trying to help.”

“Did you ask if I wanted your help first?” I countered back like a brat.

It had the opposite effect, as Sage released a small huff of laughter as she smiled. “You remind me of Ivy. Whenever she grows up a little anyway. That’s probably why she seems to have qualms with you.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I just fiddled with my hooves under the table and stared at her oddly.

“Look, Ashy.” I glanced up at her as she leaned over the table. “I can’t make you tell us anything you don’t want to. But I’m a little too invested in making sure you get home safe now, and I only wish to make sure that happens. Is that okay with you?”

“In what… way?” I voiced unsurely.

She smiled and said, “Just stay with us in the cabin for now; can you do that for me? Plus, the doctor said to monitor your condition anyway.”

I eyed her for a rather long time before resigning and sighing with my hooves crossed. “Okay…”

“Besides, we won’t be long anyway. The next stop is only a short while away.” Sage remarked.

“Is that when you two are getting off the train?” I asked slowly as I glanced sidelong at her.

She nodded as she stood from her seat, opening the door as she glanced away from me. “Mhm, after that, you can get your wish, alright?” There was something in the way she looked back at me that told me she wasn’t telling the whole truth.

Then again, who was I to judge?

Sage opened the door, and as I was jumping to the floor, she caught me by the scruff again. “You don’t need to be walking on that leg.” She mumbled to me. I looked up at the ceiling and sighed, then nodded evenly. Once we entered our original cabin, Heath said nothing and only gave me a small smile and a nod before returning to his book.

I was tucked back into the corner of the seat.

Just waiting and hoping that the house of cards I was stacking up would suffice for now.





“Are you sure?” Shining Armor stared wide-eyed at Stellar Flare in the hospital bed. 

She currently had a nurse mare poring over her head wound, and even though Stellar winced, she still managed to stay firm with her opinion. "Yes, I’m sure.”

Sunburst put a hoof on Shining’s shoulder and said, “My mother is right; please go make sure your own family is alright. We’ll be fine now, thanks to you.”

A small smile of appreciation worked onto Shining’s muzzle as he gave a small head bow to Stellar. Before looking Sunburst in the eyes with a reassuring nod, “It was no problem. Honestly, I’m very surprised Stellar woke up so quickly.”

Stellar huffed and crossed her hooves. “Yes, yes. I’m quite the resilient mare. Get out of here already!”

At her overt forcefulness, Shining chuckled slightly, heading for the door. As he opened it, he pulled his scarf around his neck tighter, anticipating the biting chill of wind that was bound to meet him. 

Once he exited the room with a final wave, Shining finally let his thoughts consume him as he rushed down the rather busy hallways of the hospital. All the nurse ponies were in an absolute state of focus as they hurriedly rushed through halls and determined who was most injured. It was absolute chaos, but a very managed one.

He thought of Flurry and Kieran. And he had a hard time coming to a conclusion in his mind, with no further information to provide his weary mind with answers. Had the blast been Kieran or Flurry? Were either of them hurt?

Shining took solace in the idea that if either of them had been met with an unfortunate tragedy that he’d rather not entertain the thought of, that he’d already know soon after Cadance did. He’d be terrified to see what his wife would possibly turn into after such an event.

But still, the rushing thoughts of his foals being injured or worse made him exit the hospital with an unnatural hurriedness.

Once he got outside, he noticed the barrier was at least partially fixed, no longer pouring snow at such a rate you felt you’d be buried, but the snowfall was still just below a blizzard. “Good job, honey,” he muttered under his breath as he brought his head down and walked headfirst into the blizzard.

To his surprise, he heard his voice being called out from ahead in the snow, as if someone were searching for him. “Sir Shining! Shining!” He kept his head down and continued forward towards the voice, as they were in the same direction as the castle.

Once the voice got close enough, it became very clear who it was. “Zenith?” Shining called out into the snow with an odd inflection.

He heard a quick shuffling of hooves throw snow around as Zenith suddenly came into view, breathing heavily and releasing a dramatic shiver. “Somepony told me they’d seen you ‘round here…”

Shining kept moving as Zenith fell in at his side to match his pace. “It’s been absolute chaos. The academy went hooves over flanks after the blast.” She paused for a moment to allow Shining to respond, but received nothing. 

Zenith looked around at the destruction once more, “I’m going to guess I know what happened.” She trailed off with a hint of sadness.

Shining huffed lightly, “You won’t like the answer.”

“Me?” She said with mock offense, “An alicorn causing the near destruction of an entire empire? No, it wouldn’t shock me. Smoke might have an issue with it.”

Shining’s eyes narrowed, and he sped his pace up a bit as he countered sharply, “I don’t rightly care what Smoke thinks about this.” He said with a grunt as he huffed air out of his nose.

Zenith sped up and lightly elbowed his mid-section. “Hey, I’m just teasing. You know me and Bristle have got your back on this. It’s just unfortunate; it happened right after the little one made amends with the guard.” Zenith sighed and clicked her tongue.

Shining stayed silent for a minute, shaking his head with resignation as he glanced at her. “How is the academy? Still standing?” He said trying to change subjects.

Zenith pursed her lips. “Standing? Yes. Functional..? Ehh… Questionable.”

Shining just shook his head more as a dull feeling of helplessness creeped down his back. Zenith noticed the slight mood shift and waved a hoof dismissively, “Whither Wisp is working on rebuilding it already. Told her she wasn’t good with ponies enough to help with rescue efforts anyway.” Zenith laughed. “The empire will be back in working order by the end of the week, no doubt. It’ll be fine, Shining.”

“I’m sure the empire will be fine.” He said it with emphasis, leaving her to assume what that meant.

There was a long, still silence. After a minute or so of walking, Zenith lit her horn. Soon after, a warm sensation washed over Shining’s body, as if there were no snow at all. Zenith looked over at him curiously with a raised brow and said, “I thought someone of your caliber would know a simple warming spell.”

Shining laughed dully. "Yeah, well… I’ve never been a great all-round spell user. You know this. I don’t have ‘Armor’ in my name for no reason.”

Zenith raised her own brow, “That was a foal’s spell. I get you’re great at shields, but try to broaden your horizons a bit every now and again, y’know?”

Shining just shook his head and laughed with a small smile tugging at his lips. “After this, maybe I will, Zenith. Careful though; I might make you feel a little inferior if I start out doing you at your own game.”

Zenith scoffed, “Good luck; come back to me when you can cast school spells, ‘sir’ Shining.” She remarked with a mocking tone.

Shining just playfully rolled his eyes as the mare next to him slowed down a bit. He turned his head and said, “Keep at it, Sergeant Zenith.”

She saluted with a hoof briskly, “Will do.” She soon after broke off from her trot with him, disappearing into the blinding white cascade.

Though the small reprieve and lightheartedness of the conversation felt good, it quickly washed away within a moment as Shining finally reached the castle. His home, now looking worse for wear than it ever had. His mind briefly flashed with thoughts of just how much magic would be required to cause such a blast.

Such a large amount of magic would probably reduce almost any normal pony casting it to ashes, if not vaporize them instantly.

He vaguely remembered reading books about it back in class; it was a widely accepted theory for the disappearance of one of Equestria’s greatest mysteries. A scholar, a pony who endlessly and tirelessly worked day after day on increasing the magic capacity of his own horn. Until one day, he suddenly vanished. Witnesses way back in the day said he’d gone out into the wilderness to test such a feat. And the accounts, as old as they were, stated that something akin to an explosion or shockwave had happened.

Of course, it got written off as a simple fairy tale; instead, his cause of disappearance was blamed on the wild, uncaring reality of nature.

Shaking his head, Shining couldn’t get the growing feeling of dread out of his gut. Flurry Heart would likely be just fine, but Kieran?..

Finally arriving at the door, the two guards saluted and opened it for him. The sight that met him was surprising for a moment, but not exactly new. The entire guard was at the entrance, whether injured or not.

Ponies looked his way; a few saluted, but most were too solemn or downcast to even glance in his direction. Which struck him as particularly odd.

Moon Petal approached him quickly, leaning in and whispering, “Cadance is in her study. I think you should see her first.”

Shining raised his brow quite high as the nurse pony quickly rushed off to another injured patient. With a shrug of his withers and a silent sigh, he pushed through the crowd and into the rest of the castle.

He passed a door on his way through the hall, but what struck him with surprise was Silver Drift standing outside at attention. When she noticed him, she immediately withered in size and averted her gaze from him. “Silver?” He voiced confusion: “Status report. How are my foals?”

Silver covered her face with both hooves and bowed her head more. “Alive, sir... I-I…”

Shining watched her with furrowed brows that only grew more confused as she stuttered. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but everypony was just acting so odd.

“I-I suggest seeing your wife… I’m sorry…” Silver finally muttered out.

That finally gave Shining a sudden feeling of alarm. Had Cadance somehow been injured after the fact? Why else would everyone be sending him her way?

He nodded and rushed down the hallway with a quicker gait than before. He quickly came upon her study, knocking twice before impatiently opening it with his hoof.

What he didn’t expect, among a sea of books, paper, and scrolls littering the floor, was Cadance crying at her desk. He took a few alarmed steps forward; she hadn’t even turned to see who entered. “Dear, are you alright?”

She turned with surprise before another wave of tears came out quickly as she shook her head. “No… no, I… Shining…” She whined sadly.

That was enough motivation for him, as he quickly stumbled over the mess of a floor to embrace her.





It did not end soon…

I stared at Heath and Sage in complete shock, my mouth hanging open in disbelief.

“You’ve got to be joking…” I said slowly.

“Afraid not, little ‘un.” Heath said with a sigh.

I shook my head, putting my two front hooves on the window as I stared out at the landscape. It was all sand and dirt, and the town outside looked like an old western cartoon. Someplace called Appeloosa, apparently.

It was quite literally the middle of nowhere, and the sun was setting, making it look even more barren and desolate somehow.

Sage gently touched my foreleg. “Pumpkin, I’m sorry. But this is the last stop on the train. They won’t be going any further for at least a few days…”

I couldn’t help but slightly glare at her as I turned my head. “You knew about this, didn’t you?” I accused her in my bewilderment.

Sage’s ears lowered against her head, and she bowed slightly with a sad look. “No… I’m just as surprised as you.”

I batted her leg off of me as I stared at her again. I didn’t want to be stuck here in the middle of the desert. I wanted to get as far away as possible! Some sort of coastal city, or at least any sort of city at all! Someplace I could hide away until I was forgotten.

Not this tight-knit little western community!

“I-I can’t! I have to keep traveling!" I said in protest as I stamped my hoof, then held it out as if I were bargaining,

Sage bowed her head apologetically with a frown. “I’m sorry…” she sighed. She tilted her head at me and asked, “Where exactly were you hoping to get off the train?”

I opened my mouth and closed it, realizing I didn’t actually know the names of the cities too well. And my continued silence was only making Sage and Heath grow more and more suspicious of me by the second.

I crossed my hooves and tried to switch topics. “Can’t you go convince them for me? Tell them they’ve got a stranded foal or something? Please!” I pleaded desperately.

The two looked at each other, searching for answers. 

One of the foals small voices spoke up: “Then the train conductor wouldn’t be home for Hearth’s Warming!” Ivy countered me from the ground behind Sage.

Rue nodded. “That isn’t very fair to them either…” 

Sage leaned down close to me with a sad look. “Afraid not… It seems you're stuck here, pumpkin.”

Heath sighed and pursed his lips before attempting to smile at me. “She could always come with us, until after the holiday and the trains start runnin’ again.” He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, “It ain’t the best solution, but it’ll ‘ave to do.”

My eyes widened, and I shook my head as I crossed my hooves. “No thanks. If I’m really stuck here, I’ll get by just fine on my own!”

Heath hummed negatively, "Ashy, we can’t just leave ya alone ‘round a town ya don’t know.”

I stood up from the seat, hopping off carefully with my bandaged leg. The four stared at me curiously as I passed by them, gently pushing between the two younger foals as I attempted to escape them. "Thanks, but I can handle myself.” I said shortly.

Sage sighed sharply. “Pumpkin, I’ll be frank, I’m sick and tired of hearing you say that over and over.” 

I turned with a bit of surprise to Sage, who was giving me quite the staredown of authority. “You would not be fine by yourself. And you clearly can’t handle yourself, not now. So if you’d stop shrugging us off, maybe we could come to an understanding and help you out?”

I couldn’t look her in the eyes with her piercing gaze. “I appreciate the concern. I’m just not in the mood right now…” I said quietly, trying to change the way I worded things. I began walking away again with a slight limp due to my leg.

“An’ that’s alright,” Heath backed her up as he called after me while taking a step forward, “But sometimes ya have ta know when to step down and accept help, y’know?”

I could hear them following behind me as Sage sighed, “Ashy, it’s either that or I take you to the mayor and you stay in some secluded guest room for the holidays. I’m not giving you more of a choice than that, I’m afraid.”

Ivy clicked her tongue and sighed dramatically. "Momma, just give up; she doesn’t like you.” Ivy continued to prance along nonchalantly.

I continued to ignore all of their words until we’d made it nearly to the outside. I carefully took some uneven steps down off the train and onto the tiny station platform. There had to be capacity for no more than a dozen ponies at this small of a station…

I looked around; the town was exactly like a scene out of an old western movie, and I even spotted a tumbleweed passing through the middle of town. Though nopony was outside, there were occasional buildings or houses with lights strewn on the outside. The lights would be half working, but they were still there.

The conductor stallion stepped off onto the station as well, releasing a large stretch and waving with a smile at Heath and Sage before trotting off into the small town, practically sealing my doom.

I was stuck here, in the middle of a desert.

I guess that was relatively hidden still?

But the problem persisted behind me—the new one that I had made for myself. I lowered my head and sighed.

“Who do you think’s picking us up?” Rue asked his sister excitedly.

“Uncle… or maybe… Grandma?” I tuned the two foals out as they excitedly conversed.

I took one step in the opposite direction of the family, but I quickly felt the ground leave my hooves. I realized quickly that I’d been picked up by the scruff yet again, but it was especially irritating at this moment.

Being carried like this immediately made my muscles relax, and I basically felt like a shirt on a coat hanger. It didn’t hurt, though, thankfully. 

I looked backwards and up at Heath angrily and said, “Put me down.”

Sage was sighing into her hoof. “No, Ashy, you aren’t wandering off into the night. There’s dangerous animals and even bugs around these parts.”

Heath nodded slightly, “Jush relaxsh.” He mumbled to me.

“You’re foalnapping me; how am I supposed to relax?” I asked with a growing irritation, forcing all my limbs to squirm in Heath’s grasp.

Sage walked a bit closer and eyed me. I had no real choice but to maintain eye contact as she analyzed me. “I told you, it’s either this or the mayor, Ashy; make your choice.” She watched me expectantly.

I glared back and gritted my teeth as I held back a growl. “I’m not going to talk to some stupid mayor, and I’m not going with you either.” I protested back loudly.

Sage firmly held her gaze on me before groaning in annoyance. “Then just be quiet already. I don’t want to hear another peep until you can give me a good reason to actually let you run off and end up falling off a cliff or getting eaten by a…” She shook her head and gritted her teeth, and after a moment, she huffed.

“Ooo, Ashy’s in trouble, hehe.” Rue giggled into his hooves as Ivy rolled her eyes at him.

We continued to glare at each other, waiting for one of us to break eye contact. Heath broke it for us both as he turned and moved towards the station’s steps with me dangling from his muzzle. He still managed to mumble out, “Everyone calm down. It’s late, and yall’ve been cooped up too long in that cabin. No more arguin’ for now.”

Sage seemed alright with that as she leisurely followed him, but I continued to stare angry daggers at anything in the vicinity that I could. Rue and Ivy quickly rushed ahead of Heath, finally being given the freedom of movement they were sorely lacking on the train. Sage rushed to keep up with them and rein them in.

I was carried for a few minutes, giving me time to calm down and get my emotions under control, slightly anyway. The rhythmic up-and-down motion of dangling from Heath’s muzzle was oddly soothing in a way I didn’t expect.

The feeling of being treated like an actual foal my age was certainly a new experience. I didn’t fault Sage for getting frustrated with me; I knew I was being difficult; that was the whole point. I wanted them to get sick of me and abandon me like everyone else eventually does. And it was making me frustrated at how adamant she was about making sure I was safe in some way. It wasn’t her responsibility, so why did she care? I don’t get ponies.

The sun was setting behind a mountain in the distance, casting an orange glow on the sky above, yet the valley we were in was dark. The lights on all the houses and buildings were being lit up one by one.

Heath chuckled deeply, which sent a weird sensation down my spine as he sighed through his teeth. “If ah put ya on my back ya gonna run?”

I sighed deeply before humming negatively. “Nuh-uh. You’re just going to catch me anyway.”

He quickly, without question, craned his neck back and deposited me between his withers. He watched with a smile as Sage finally caught up to Ivy and was holding her squirming form upside down as the foal dangled precariously. But the two foals thought it was a game.

“Please don’t be takin’ it personally Ashy.” Heath said a bit sadly. “I’m really sorry you ain’t makin’ it home for the holidays…” 

There was a long pause as I stayed silent before he cleared his throat. “How’s your leg feelin’?” He asked casually.

I simply hummed again, “Okay… I guess.”

He nodded his head, “Had an injury like that before. Put me off workin’ the field for a whole month! That ‘ad to be one of the worst times I had.” He nodded in agreement with himself, “Dont’cha worry, I bet tomorrow you’ll be feelin’ right as rain.”

“Oh… really?” I replied absentmindedly.

“Yup.” He chuckled. “Trust me, my sister was ready for it to heal. Was so tired of doin’ all the work ‘erself! She’s a hard worker, that one.”

I tried to take in the surroundings of the western town and what minimal decoration they did have for the holiday. I’d even spot a snowman made of sand, with a carrot nose and all. It would look a lot more bleak if the ponies around didn’t look so cheerful and full of energy.

“Heath…” I started, he hummed jovially but kept his head forward. I thought of apologizing for making Sage angry, but ultimately, it wouldn’t help me in the long run. I needed them to despise me. “Nevermind...” I muttered.

Heath rolled his withers to jostle me around on his back slightly. "Ah, don’t leave me hangin’ like that. What's bothering ya? I can hear it in that tone that foals use.”

“It's nothing…” I said quieter.

“For somethin' that's nothing; it sure be soundin’ like somethin’.” He replied with a small chuckle.

“It’s not important…” I shrugged. “Just thinking about… not making it home.” I said this as I bit the inside of my lip. I’d have to have my tongue washed with soap after all this.

Heath sighed, looking back at me for a moment before locking eyes on Sage up ahead, who was joyfully leading their foals down the path in a march. Though she was giggling and clearly making it a game, “It’s okay, Ashy; life ain’t simple.” Heath started. “We always try to do somethin’ and muck up a few times ‘long the way. Best thing we can make of it is learnin’ somethin’ new and growin’. Sorta like a plant.”

He and Shining could certainly share in their mediocre analogies that still have good advice department. I smirked for a moment at the thought before it dropped again, and I shook the thought from my head.

I stayed silent for a long while, only voicing my confusion and mild concern when I noticed that we were ditching the town behind us, continuing to walk along a path that followed the train tracks up ahead. “Heath, where are we heading?” I asked finally.

He hummed suddenly, “Ah, my Ma and Pa’s farm is up on ah small ridge overlookin’ Appleloosa. It’s on the edge ahv the Everfree Forest.”

I tilted my head and asked, “Isn’t that forest super dangerous?”

Heath chuckled. “Ah, see, it’s only really dangerous if you’re lurkin’ alone in there. None ah the monsters stray near the edges ah the forest, so the farm is safe.” He explained.

I’d only read about the forest in history. And the most I knew about it was the old castle of Celestia and Luna. And a lot of bad things go on in there. 

“Grandpa!” Ivy yelled as she hopped down from Sage’s back and rushed forward.

I looked up as well to see a cart, like an old carriage that would usually be led by horses. The older stallion waved at them and smiled as the two foals tackled his chest.

Sage fell in line beside Heath as we finally approached, and Heath leaned in and shared a hug with his father. “Good to see you, Pa.”

The old stallions voice was gruff and deep, but he was clearly happy to see the family. “It’s great to see all yah, long trip, I bet?” 

Sage nodded. “You could say that.”

The stallion and I met eyes; he had a dark orange mane and long beard, and really light orange fur. He had little patches of blonde around his hooves, and his cutie mark was a green garden tilling tool with some sort of brown box with holes behind it. His hair had patches of white as well as his beard. “Who’s this little ‘un?” He voiced confusedly with a head tilt and a small smile.

Sage stepped forward quickly. “Her name is Ashy; she rode with us the whole way, but got stranded on the train before her stop.”

The stallion quickly held his hoof up to me with a large, inviting smile. I fell backwards in surprise at the speed. “Name’s Arbor Mark.” He leaned in further and pretended to whisper, “You can call me Big Paw, though.”

I tilted my head slowly. “Nice to… meet... you?” I said with a small, forced smile.

Heath craned his neck slightly to me and said, “Don’t listen ta him. Tells everypony to call em that.”

Arbor waved his hoof dissmisively and turned around to open the cart’s hatch. “Ah, anyways, anyone with my son is welcome at the farm. We’d be glad to have ya.”

After he opened the hatch, Sage picked up and placed both foals up inside. “I ain’t pullin’ all that weight on ya son, sorry ta say.” Arbor said with a chuckle.

Heath huffed his own laugh, walking over and carefully depositing me in the back with the others and closing the hatch. “Gettin’ too old, Pa?”

“Me? You ain’t gettin’ any younger!” 

They both laughed as Heath walked around, and they hooked the harnesses to themselves at the front. Within a few moments, we were off again, being pulled in a pony-drawn carriage.

Sage was happily lying across the array of pillows, completely spread out with her eyes closed and a content look on her face.

Rue was too busy rummaging through all the baskets looking for… something.

Ivy was staring me dead in the eyes, inches from my face, with the same haughty and superior glare. I tried to avert my eyes and ignore her, but it almost seemed as if she was scooting into my vision no matter where I looked.

No, she was definitely doing that…

“Yes?” I asked quietly.

“Nothing; I just like angrily staring at mean ponies.” She remarked with a huff as she crossed her hooves.

“Oh… okay.” I replied, allowing myself to lay down in the bed of pillows covering the entire floor as well.

Sage opened a singular eye and stared at Ivy. “Should I be staring at you too then, Ivy?” 

Ivy turned with a red face and stamped her hoof, “No! I’m nice!” She nodded with a quivering lip.

"Darling, that face ain’t fooling anybody.” Sage teased and giggled.

Rue walked over and curled up against Sage’s chest, and Ivy quickly bounded over in jealousy to curl up as well. Sage hummed and pulled them close with her hooves. Then they used her magic to levitate a blanket over themselves as they wrapped up into a pony cocoon.

Thankful to have Ivy off my back, I curled up in the far corner, away from them.

I felt a blanket spread across my form and looked up to see Sage's horn dim as the magic washed away. “It’s a bit of a ride, and it gets cold in the desert.” She explained it to me softly.

“Thanks…” I mumbled.

There was certainly something oddly peaceful about this. The slow yet steady pace of the carriage, with Heath and Arbor engaged in quiet conversation up front. All the while, I could hear the resonating sound of crickets, owls, and the occasional howls of some canid creature in the far distance.

And it wasn’t mind-numbingly cold. 

I opened my eyes and stared upward. With my head upside down, I could just barely look out the back and up into the starry night sky. The sky was particularly beautiful out here; not that ponies had much light pollution in the Crystal Empire, but the snow and constant barrier were certainly blocking the view a lot of the time.

But out here, I could fully take in the beauty of it.

When I began looking for constellations that didn’t exist here, something about that thought shook me. I felt so lost and alone, in the middle of some random town, on some random planet, and maybe in a different universe entirely…

Maybe I was somewhere else in the Milky Way galaxy, maybe another far-off galaxy… Or maybe my galaxy didn’t exist here and was simply a myth? 

Who could ever be prepared for a thought like that?

That went so far past the question of whether humans were alone in the universe and turned it into an even greater mystery.

Why am I here? Yes, Flurry, but…

How? And why me? I’m sure there were thousands of other souls to pull over here.

“It’s pretty, isn’t it?” I heard a soft whisper from Sage.

I didn’t turn; I only nodded my head in agreement.

“Do you see that really bright star, right above the horizon, over on the mountain?”

I followed her instructions, eventually finding a very bright-looking star just barely marking itself on the canvas. “Yeah, I see it.”

Sage smirked. “That’s the tip of the tail of a constellation; it’s shaped like a manticore.”

I tilted my head multiple times as I followed a closely aligned set of stars, and sure enough, it resembled the stick figure of a manticore. If I was looking at it correctly, that is.

I smirked. “I see it; it’s on its hind legs and roaring, right?”

“Mhm,” Sage chirped. She sat a little bit farther up and pointed to the complete opposite side of the sky, saying, “And over there’s the hydra constellation.”

“Really?” I said with genuine excitement and intrigue.

She smiled and nodded at me before patting the pillows right next to her. “C’mere. I’ll show you.”

I obliged and lurked over to her with the blanket trailing behind me. I stopped on her other side, away from the foals, settling myself in on her side. She guided my vision to many different constellations, and even the stories and fairytales behind many of them. It was quite fascinating.

After a good while of stargazing, I found myself questioning her. “You know a lot about constellations.”

Sage nodded down at me, “You can blame my momma for that.” Sage gazed back out at the stars, her eyes shining with resounding, flickering lights. “She’d sit outside with me every single night and tell me a new story to go with each constellation.”

She giggled. “She’d have to make up new constellations that didn’t really exist just to satisfy my begging and curiosity.” She shook her head. “But she never missed a night, not a single one.

“She sounds nice.” I hummed as Sage smiled and nodded slightly.

There was a long pause of silence before I asked a question in my mind: “Sage, why do you live in the Crystal Empire now?”

She looked down at me with slightly wider eyes and smiled. “Well, somebody has to be willing to do agriculture up there.”

I hummed, “You and Heath just seem to like it out here more.” I said with a tilted head.

She smirked at me. “Out here is home, but… The Crystal Empire needs us too, and that’s also our home. Home is wherever I go with my family; I don’t need the surroundings to be familiar or inviting to love them.”

I nodded slowly, lowering my head, and yet I was still looking outside. “Must be nice…” I muttered quietly under my breath.

“Hmm?”

“I said that’s really nice.” I smiled.

She nodded agreeably.

Around thirty minutes passed as I simply sat in silence and watched the stars.

I also watched as the scenery outside slowly changed from desert to grassy plains and fields. The entire trip had been uphill as well, so when I stared back out, I could see the town of Appaloosa down in the desert valley. Shining with lights of all colors, like a beacon in the middle of nowhere.

It wasn’t much longer after that that the cart slowed to a stop. Heath poked his head in and said, "Alright, we’re ‘ere.” 

He leaned down and nuzzled Sage until she laughed and opened her eyes. “Okay, okay.” Ivy and Rue were almost instantly up, as they ran to the back of the cart and hopped out. Sage dismounted as well and then helped me down afterwards, and I got my first look at the farm.

There was one surprisingly large farm house, the size of which made it look almost like a mansion. The house was light brown with old and new wood alike, while the roof was colored with black tiles. The house’s entrance itself had a massive porch and awning, and there was a massive stack of firewood right out front, with a large chimney releasing smoke into the sky. Along with the excessive array of lights lining the edges of the roof, it looked pretty nice.

Farther back, where we’d already passed, was a large red barn, the likes of which you’d have seen in most places. And the farmland surrounding the house was littered with an array of things growing. It looked like they had a winery as well. And in the distance, I swear I could see an apiary as well, which was unexpected.

I was brought out of my stupor by Ivy and Rue’s shouting as they ran forward, “Nana!” They practically tackled the older, cream-colored mare with dark brown hair and red highlights. But she clearly didn’t mind, as she instantly embraced them and nuzzled them ceaselessly as she greeted them.

I was once again lifted as Heath walked up behind me. I wanted to scowl. “Why..?” I practically whined.

“Leg.” Both Heath and Sage replied simply at the same time. 

Though, thankfully, Heath only deposited me on Sage’s back as they approached. “Ma!” Heath said happily as he walked up.

"Oh, there’s my boy.” She smiled and stood to hug him; she wasn’t nearly as tall, even seeming shorter than Sage. But she kissed his cheek jovially and said, “It’s so nice to see you all!” She giggled.

“Sage! How are you, dear?” She quickly followed up the hug by giving Sage one as well.

“Really great-” Sage was about to say more, but was quickly cut off.

“And who’s this darling?” The mare said with a high-pitched coo as she came around Sage’s side and leaned in close to me. “Hi!”

I leaned back to escape her presence slightly. “Oh, hi… I'm, uh, Ashy.” 

Sage sighed. “She was traveling in the same cabin as us and got stranded on the train.” 

The older mare’s eyes lit up as she gazed at me sadly, placing both her front hooves on each of my shoulders. “Oh dear… That’s awful.” She said, even pulling me towards her to hug me. “Don’t worry, deary, Nana will take great care of you!” 

I blushed as I grew more and more skittish. “Thanks…”

Thankfully for me, she nodded and backed away from me. Arbor Mark quickly came to her side, placing a hoof around her. “This is Rose Pollen, my wife.”

That made her cutie mark, which was a rose with yellow dust falling off it and a beehive behind it, make more sense.

Rose bowed slightly. “Beg my pardon; I should have been the one to tell you that…”

Heath stepped forward. “Is Sis here?”

Arbor put a hoof to his chin and stroked, "Hmm, I think I saw ‘er round back with the little’uns.”

Rose turned and said, “Come! Get yourselves settled! We can talk after.”

Everyone followed after Rose when she said that, as she theatrically marched for Ivy and Rue to make them giggle. Rose quickly swung the door open for everyone to enter, and Heath and Sage quickly obliged, holding back the twins from rushing ahead as they did so.

The inside certainly wasn’t anything to scoff at. It was a rather lavish country house with tall ceilings and a staircase to the right immediately upon entry. To the left was a very large living room, and there were hallways going every which way you could ask.

Alternatively to the decor, there was the wild pack of foals skittering around every which way they could in a game of tag. Making a mess of everything they passed by. 

Rue and Ivy almost jumped in, but Sage held them back.

“I’m gonna check on dinner.” Arbor said with a nod, “And those foals.” He added with a sigh as he walked off.

Rose led us upstairs and to the right, down a long hallway. Adorning the walls were multitudes of family photos with way too many ponies. It made my head spin. 

Rose opened a door. “For the foals,” she said happily.

Rue and Ivy rushed in, immediately taking both beds. Sage gently lifted me off her back with magic and set me on the floor before calling into the room, “Ivy, Rue, show Ashy here where she’ll be staying.”

Ivy groaned, “In our room!?” 

Heath leaned over Sage and nodded. “Y’all are small enough to share a bed.” Sage nodded in agreement.

I carefully walked into the room, slightly relieved to be away from the chaos for now. Sage gently shut the door and left it cracked open for us as all the adults walked off.

Rue walked over and tilted his head at me, then grabbed my hoof, “You’ll be over here!” He chirped with a smile, leading me over to the bed nearest the door.

Ivy stamped her hoof from on top of the bed and groaned, “No, this is my bed!”

Rue sighed, “You heard momma!”

Ivy sat there, getting redder in the face by the second as me and Rue stared at her. Until finally, she grunted angrily. “Why can’t you just sleep on the floor?” She ranted while hopping down from the purple-colored bed.

Rue passed by her and hopped up onto the navy blue bed, staring down at his sister with a hoof under his chin. “Because she’s older. You know how it is.” He said it with a sigh, turning away from us on the bed to rummage through the bedside drawer.

The entire time, I’d just been sitting there, looking between the siblings with a mildly uninterested look. If it had been up to me, I wouldn’t be taking Ivy’s bed. I wouldn’t even be in this house.

I quickly found Ivy’s belligerent face in my view. Staring me up and down with a death scowl, not that it looked intimidating coming from the younger foal. “Let me make it clear. I don’t like you.” She said slowly and angrily.

I looked down at her and lightly shrugged. “Sorry. I’m not exactly thrilled to be here either.”

Ivy squinted at me. “If you make momma or daddy angry or upset again, I’m not going to be happy.”

“Is that a threat?” I said with mild amusement, “Why would I do anything to your parents?”

Ivy just huffed and turned around. “Dunno, just warning you.” 

I rolled my eyes, “Alright, I won’t touch your precious parents.” I remarked in a slightly mocking tone.

She growled and began walking towards Rue’s bed. “At least I have parents around, unlike you.” Ivy added snarkily.

I hate to admit that my back went rigid and my fur straightened as I stared after her with both bewilderment and anger.

I just gritted my teeth and sighed quietly, hopping up onto the bed that was apparently “mine” for now. I laid there and traced the quilt’s patterns with my hooves to subside my anger.

What else was I supposed to do? Unpack my nonexistent belongings?

It wasn’t long before the adults came back to collect us for dinner. I basically brooded in my own mind after that and ignored everything going on around me. Until we got downstairs and I got a whiff of the homemade dinner. It then occurred to me how long it’d been since I’d last eaten.

And whether for better or worse, the smell of food kept me alert for our entrance into the dining room.

I almost immediately tensed up into a statue, staring with wide, unbelieving eyes at exactly what I was seeing.

Rose was already seated, and Arbor was still bringing in dishes. And about ten foals were seated around the table, ages ranging all the way from mine to near adulthood.

But that’s not what stood out to me, not even as Sage placed me in a high seat, giving me a raised eyebrow at my slack-jawed look while doing so.

“Sis! How’re you?” Heath said jovially, walking around the table and hugging her.

My mind reeled even more after hearing her voice. “Heath! There you are!” 

Honey Flitter was sitting directly across from me at the dinner table…