//------------------------------// // Skirmish At The Saloon // Story: Journey of the Spark // by LordMalevar063 //------------------------------// The five ladies, Spike, and Braeburn entered the town's salon and seat themselves at a large table centered in the middle of the saloon. "So did you see Twilight pass through here at all?" asked Spike. "As a matter of fact I did!" answered Braeburn. "What? Twilight was here!?" exclaimed Applejack. "What did she do?" asked Fluttershy. "Did she say anything?" asked Rarity. The ladies seemed to be very anxious of what Braeburn has to say about Twilight Sparkle, though they are quite intrigue that their friend was there. "It was just yesterday," Braeburn continued. "She didn't say much. But something didn't seem right with her. She looked… well…" "Purple!" said Pinkie Pie. "She looked purple right!?" "Well, actually, she was lookin' a little gray," Braeburn continued with his crossing with Twilight. "I didn't notice her at first, but when I walked up to greet her, she just kept goin' on about how she had to get away." "Get away?" said Fluttershy. "Get away from what?" asked Rainbow Dash. "I don't know. But soon after, she bought a few apples and hightailed it onto the next train. Headed further south from here. Haven't seen hide or tail of her since." "Well, great," Rainbow Dash signed. "With the exception of what direction she was going, we're back to square one." "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help," said Braeburn. "No, its fine Braeburn," said Applejack, also sighing. "I guess we'll just have to keep on truckin." Back further in the saloon, the two suspicious Changelings, in cowpony form, were eyeing the group. One of them was having an eye flashing green for a brief moment before that Changeling starts walking up to the group very slowly. "I hope ya'll find your friend," said Braeburn. "We sure hope so, too," said Applejack. "Thanks for everything, Braeburn." "Anything for an Apple Family member!" said Braeburn. The Changeling closes in. Just then, Applejack notices the Changeling from a small mirror placed off to the side. The Changeling is ready to pounce on the group. "Look out!" she shouted. The Changeling reverts back to its original form and lunges at the group, starting a ruckus inside of the saloon. The ponies dodge as the Changeling slams into the bar. "What in tarnation is-?" grunted Braeburn. Suddenly, the rest of the Changelings scattered throughout the saloon blow their cover and revert to their original forms. It seemed the entire salon was filled with Changelings. "Ah, think I'll go get the sheriff," suggested Braeburn. Applejack nods while Braeburn runs out of the saloon and the rest of the bar patrons stare down the Changelings getting prepared to fight. "Don't forget, girls!" Applejack recalling the Changelings could take any form. "They can disguise themselves as any one of us!" "Isn't there a way where we can talk this out?" Fluttershy suggested. Suddenly, a mug of apple cider is thrown at one of the Changelings. The breaking of glass knocks the Changeling behind the bar. Rainbow Dash prepares to throw another glass. "Not a chance!" she yelled. "BAR FIGHT!" shouted Pinkie Pie. A pony on a ragtime piano begins playing music as the ensuing fight goes on. Tables are flipped over as the girls duck and cover. The Changelings take on the forms of various bar patrons as chairs and tables are being broken. "This is madness!" cried Rarity. "There's too many of them!" said Spike. Applejack quickly looks at the exit out of the saloon. "We gotta find a way to get back onto the train!" "Don't worry!" said Rainbow Dash. "I'll give us a clearing out of here!" Rainbow Dash suddenly jumps into the heat of the fight and begins dueling with a few of the Changelings on her own. "Oh no!" Fluttershy squeaked. "Rainbow Dash! She's gonna get hurt!" "I've got an idea!" said Pinkie Pie. As Rainbow struggles with one of the Changelings, the Changeling is suddenly knocked back when an apple pie hits it straight in the face; Pinkie Pie has plans with dessert with the Changelings. "Who's ready for some dessert?" said Applejack. The group begins throwing a barrage of apple pies at the Changelings, knocking them over the bar counter. A Changeling manages to pin on Rainbow Dash and take on her form during their struggle. "Hey!" she yelled. The fake Rainbow manages to knock down the real Rainbow Dash, with one solid hoof punch. "Hurry, girls!" called out Applejack. "Let's get back to the train station!" The girls quickly leave the bar. Unknowingly to them, the fake Rainbow Dash follows them. The fake Rainbow Dash looks back at the real Rainbow Dash, with a smug look on its face. "No! Stop! Come back!" The real Rainbow Dash gallops out of the saloon and after her friends. Outside, the train begins pulling into the station, ready to head out South. "Hurry!" gasping Applejack. "The train's leaving!" The group gets onto the train just as its closed its doors and left, managing to escape the attack on the town but leaving the real Rainbow Dash behind. "WAIT! Come back!" Rainbow Dash leaps up into the air and flies after the speeding train, leaving the residents of the town to fend off against the additional Changelings. Among the fighting, Braeburn watches the train ride off in the horizon. "Go get em', cous," he said.