//------------------------------// // Everything Will Be Okay // Story: Not All Is Set In Stone // by Tails_155 //------------------------------// "They've been gone so long." Featherweight's voice is soft and trembling. "What if they're hurt?" "I... I've been worried, too." Pipsqueak approaches his pal and sits beside him. "Why aren't we doing anything?" Dinky turns to the pair, setting down Pound Cake. "Apple Bloom told me to stay here. She told us to trust them, remember?" "I trust them, but I also know it's dangerous out there. What if something happened they didn't expect?" Dinky falls silent. Featherweight begins pacing again. "They're tough fillies." Spike interjects. "I'm sure they're... they're fine, Featherweight." "You're sure?" "I... well..." "I am." Rumble walks over to the others. "How?" "Look at how well we've done. We've gone looking for food twice, and nopony was hurt. Not one of us." "You almost were." "Yeah, but I wasn't was I?" "I'm just worried." "We all are." Dinky sighs, pacing a slight bit herself. "We can't go anywhere, though." Lily insists. "Why not?" "Who is going to take care of the foals?" "Not all of us! I just meant... like... me." "And just where do you intend to go?" Rumble sighs. "We haven't seen them in days. Who knows if they're even in town." "I... well... I'm..." Featherweight blushes and looks to the floor, holding back tears. "I get you're scared and worried, but why put yourself in danger to go searching for somepony when you have no idea where they could even be?" "I mean, I... I understand, but... I just--" "I know, you're like me." Rumble sighs, and looks to the ground. "You hate being here, being unable to do anything. Out there everypony is crystal, or maybe scared and alone, or any number of other things. I know why you want to do something, but there's really nothing to do. At worst you'll get yourself into trouble, and how do you think Scootaloo would feel about that? I've seen how you two are. I wish I had even one friend as close as that, let alone a fillyfriend. I know you know how she is. I heard Diamond Tiara when she stole Scootaloo's diary. I know deep down she's just as scared as all of us. I know she'd fall apart if you got hurt. For her sake, you need to stay here. We should only leave if we absolutely have to." Featherweight's lip quivers. "You... you have a level head on your shoulders, Rumble... That's a good point." He sighs. "It sure doesn't make it easier, though. That's for sure." "Oh, definitely not. Don't... don't get me wrong. I'm wanting to go do anything, so bad. Even just some hoofball or some--" "We can go get some games or something. The school isn't too far from where we are." Dinky nods. "At least something." Rumble suggests. "I think we could do that pretty safely." "Let's go, then!" Rumble hops to his feet. "You and I will go. Everypony else, you guys watch over those two." "You got it!" Pip nods, Spike gestures. "Oh, and... be careful." Spike smiles. Everyone chuckles, a brief silence follows as the two head out. The pair heads out toward the school. They take to the skies. "It always just feels... so nice to fly." Rumble sighs. "It just... feels great." "Mhm." Featherweight barely vocalizes. "What's up?" "Just... still a lot on my mind." "Come on, lighten up a bit." "I... I don't know where any of my friends and family are except Pip, Shady, and Dinky." "Where's your dad?" "He was out taking pictures when I got home. I have no idea where he is. I only found out what happened when I was looking out my window. I... I went looking for Dad, but I gave up when I saw Pip running down the street. We both tried to find out what the other knew, when Dinky and Snowflower told us to hide with them--" They land at the swing set. They catch sight of Cheerilee's crystalline form, and both fall silent. "L-let's go inside." Rumble's voice is shaky. The two go into the house, silent and empty, lights still on, paperwork still sitting on Cheerilee's desk. Featherweight's gangly limbs tremble with every step. "It... feels so wrong in here." "Let's hurry... I don't like this at all." They dig through the recess items and place a hoofball and two game boxes into the bag Rumble found the night before. Featherweight grabs some pencils and a few sheets of paper. He also stares at the chalkboard, which was half-erased. He feels nauseous. "L-let's get out of here." Rumble doesn't argue a bit, and the two take to the skies. They return to the basement, and knock. "It's us." Rumble says in a soft voice. "Heya, that was quick and easy!" Spike smiles. "--Quick." "What's wrong?" "Just... don't worry about it." Spike bites his lip. "You... don't want to talk about it?" "No. Let's just get downstairs."