//------------------------------//
// 02. Wrong Stop! 
// Story: Outcasts 
// by MathewSwiftMLP 
//------------------------------//

Leaving Ponyville was a bit harder than Apple Bloom thought. She had to dodge the Carousel Boutique, to not be seen by Rarity, for she knew if she saw her leave, she would tell the Apple Family. Or worse, tell Sweetie Belle. She didn't want those dreams to actually happen.

Then, she finally arrived at the Ponyville Train Station. She paid for a train ticket with the bits she had and boarded the train. Where she wanted to go, the ticket collector asked her, was anywhere but here. The collector was confused, but he returned to his job, as Apple Bloom took a seat by a window, showing the Ponyville Railway Station. Luckily, they hoofed out complimentary juice boxes, and she helped herself to some orange juice. If she's not part of the Apples anymore, she may as well choose the alternative.

There was a loud noise from the engine, and the train began to move. The vibration was soothing and calm, and as Ponyville came out of eye view, Apple Bloom fell asleep.



As the sun was moving across the sky, the rays finally hit Apple Bloom, waking her from her nap. She yawned and opened her eyes to see that there was nopony in the car. Some day, huh? She thought to herself. Well, at least I can get to Manehatten, without anypony wondering about me. Her plan was to probably stay with Babs Seed, until she's old enough to live on her own. A couple years should do it. Sure Babs was an apple, but she was as close to Apple Bloom than any apple in Equestria. She would understand this, right?

Then, the conductor's voice was heard. "LAST STOP, EVERYPONY OUT!"

The yellow filly grabbed her suitcase of belongings, and hopped off the train. As she jumped off, she noticed that something was off.

This stop was in the middle of nowhere. Nowhere even CLOSE to Manehatten, but that wasn't the worst part. The train was leaving! 

"Hey, wait! Don't go!" roared the filly, but it was too late. The train was meters away from her, and now she's stuck in the middle of a barren desert. Just great.

"Horseapples!" Apple Bloom cursed. "Now how am I supposed to get to Manehatten now?" She looked around and took a bigger look at the landscape. It was indeed, a desert, full of sand and raging heat, with a few cactuses on the side. There was an occasional cow skull, and it had to happen on a clear day. But the only ray of hope was a large mountain range, covered with ghost-white snowcaps. Everypony knows Manehatten was beside a mountain range. Guess this is the stop to a better life.

Apple Bloom took her bag and headed for those mountains.



Okay, The filly thought to herself. I wish I was in the desert right now. The atmosphere of the mountains changed from too hot to too cold! Even through Sweetie Belle's jacket, it still felt like the coldest winter in Equestria. Maybe even the one when the Fire of Friendship was created. The chilling wind felt like the bite of a Timberwolf, scratching through the fabric and scarring her coat. She tried to open her eyes against the wind, but she would just close them tight.

But when she did open them, she saw a sihoulette, of another pony.

She opened them again, but the pony was gone. Her mind was playing tricks again. In fact, it was her mind that got her into this mess. But this wasn't the time to bicker. It was time to find shelter.