Oneway Ticket to a Dead End

by Dableaxcheaz

Sparks Ablaze

At the dusty yet prospering town that is Dodge Junction. A young brown pelted, short silver mane colt was hard at work, doing janitorial work on the train station’s wooden platform. His name was Buck. His mom suggested the job to him, after finding the jobs of other places in town taken or too difficult. This being his first day, he took the job seriously and wanted his supervisor to be pleased with his efforts.

Buck didn’t mind the dry weather that much. The overhang of the station, and his dad’s brown ten gallon hat, kept him cooled off. The train station manager walked up the platform ramp, seeing that the colt had made progress since he last checked. “Keep up the pace Buck.” he complemented.

Buck smiled at his boss’s complement and continued to work,” Some weather, huh?”

“Yeah,” the middle aged stallion agreed,” but this is nothing compared to that one summer scorcher. I tell you, it was so hot that day, literally half the town went to the doctor due to stroke, madness, and high fever.”

“That bad?”

“Luckily nopony died, but we almost lost a good mayor to it.”

Buck ceased his sweeping and looked into the endless horizon. He saw a pink blip with white steam rising from the top. He squinted his eyes to magnify the object, only to see that it was the train from Ponyville. “Huh? Would you look at that, the trains coming,” Buck announced.

The Manager turned to Buck, raising a brow in confusion.” That can’t be,” he denied pulling out a set of binoculars,” The train ain’t supposed to come for another 10 minutes.” He peered through the holes to see that the boy was right. It was in deed the friendship express. “Something’s not right here.”

He began to adjust the focus. From where he stood, he was able to get a full view of the heart shaped window. He couldn’t see any pony in it. “Well I’ll be,” he murmured.

“What?” asked Buck,” What is it sir?”

“No pony’s driving.”

Surprised from his supervisor’s response he walked up to him to see for himself. The manager gave him the binoculars to look through. He was speechless at what he saw. The binoculars were pulled away from him, and hung down on the manager’s neck.

He gave a deep breath and said,” Buck, I want you to do something for me?”

“Anything sir.” Buck said still thinking about the train.

“As your boss, I order you to ring the town’s emergency bell!” he commanded.

Buck looked at him in the eyes, scared. “B-but sir-“

“Go!” he interrupted abruptly,” I’ll explain the situation to the mayor.”

Without saying another word, Buck charging for the bell tower. He wasn’t sure how the town would react to this piece of news. His dad once told him that nopony has rung the emergency bell in years, and the last time wound up being a false alarm.

Buck was still not sure if his boss was either ok, or a little loose in the head. In no time, he made it to the base of the tower, and approached the ladder. As he climbed the building, he could feel that a few of ponies were watching him. When he reached the top, he gripped the bell’s rope, but hesitated to yank it.

He took a deep breath and quickly began processing the possible outcomes. What if the manager was right, what if there really was no-pony driving? But then again what if he was wrong? He then remembered what his dad told that it did not end well for one who rang the false alarm.

Pushing the thoughts out of his head, and taking another deep breath, he said,” I hope you know what you’re doing boss.” He jerked down on the rope, creating a loud DING. The sound carried throughout the town for all to hear. Buck continued to yank up and down on the rope, generating a whole series of loud DINGs and DONGs. Pretty soon, everypony from maids to gentle colts, to even the youngest foals had their attention turned to the alarm ringing bell.

Everypony began to worry. They all had thoughts like,” What’s going on?” or “I hope this is a false alarm.” The sheriff with his trademark hat and golden badge, along with mayor with greased hair and tucked collar, arrive at the scene of slight panic. Both of them were as confused as every pony else. The two looked up at Buck, still ringing away, and waited for him to stop. It didn’t take long, but the brown colt stopped after noticing the mayor and sheriff.

“Buck!” scolded the sheriff,” You best have a mighty good excuse to ring that bell!”

Buck tried to respond, but he was held back by the many worried faces looking at him. He never thought he’d wind up being in a situation like this. He was frozen by the many worried glares that the ponies below were giving him. He suddenly began to imagine the faces turning angry.

“Well?” demanded the mayor,” speak boy!”

“I can explain sir,” called out a familiar voice. The two officials turned to see that it was the train station manager, galloping towards them. Ponies began to quickly gather around the tower, with the sheriff, mayor, and manager in the center. Soon, the three were heavily surrounded, and pegasi began to gather above for a better view of the three.

The mayor finally turned to the manager,” What is the meaning of this? Why is that young colt ringing the emergence bell?”

“I sent him to ring it.” The pony answered.” And for good reason. Buck and I saw that the train from pony-ville is arriving.”

” And how is that a good rea-“

“No pony’s driving it.” As soon as those words left his mouth, every pony gasped in surprise and shock. Even the Mayor and Sheriff were mortified.

“Are you sure no-pony is aboard?” reasoned the sheriff,” What if there is somepony on it?”

“Then I can guarantee you that it may not be the conductor.”

“W-what do you mean?” the mayor questioned.

“As a train station manager, I know for certain that unless there is a substitute, conductors are required to stay in the engine and keep their eyes on the tracks.”

The ponies began to murmur to each other, with slightly scared voices and faces. Whether it was true or not, they all believed the old colt. The mayor and sheriff, noticed the state of the crowd. They had to think of something, before the worrying chatter became a stampede of panic. They had only one option.

“Alright, alright!” announced the mayor,” We will get to the bottom of this” -turns to the sheriff- “Sheriff, I want you and your posse to escort everyone out of the town. Meet me back at the station platform, and bring your colts along.”

“Yes sir.” Respond the deputy turning to the crowd. “Everypony, we are leaving the town. Gather all your young’uns and family, and move to the south edge of town. The officers will guide you.”

In a calm but nervous manner, everpony followed the colt’s orders. They all gathered in one big herd. The posse were positioned at the edges of the group, to steer and prevent anypony from leaving. As soon as everypony (including Buck) was together, the herd began to move north. The mayor, satisfied that his orders were carried out, galloped to the station where the Manager waited.
***

Back on the train, Sweetiebelle pulled her remaining strength to execute a plan that she had just now devised. If she could get Applebloom to take back what she said about Scootaloo, then maybe Scootaloo could think of a way out this mess.

It was a long shot to try, what if Scootaloo’s really mad and won’t listen, or what if she didn’t have a plan at all? But since nopony else had any ideas left, Sweetiebelle was willing to try anything.

Sweetiebelle turned to Applebloom standing at the doorway, teary eyed. The stress has taken its full toll on the earth pony. Along with her twitching eyes and burning fever, her mind was pinned down by a burlap sack full of pessimism.

Sweetie Belle immediately knew what she was going to do next, jump the train. Without hesitating, she lunged after the pony. Before Applebloom could jump, the unicorn hugged the earth pony by the back.

Applebloom turned to the unicorn, and turned away, struggling to escape. She attempted to jump, only to fall on the floor, being pulled inside. “What are you doing? Let go!” Applebloom pleaded.

Sweetiebelle grabbed Applebloom’s head, turning it to face her’s. She looked at her straight in the eyes and said,” No it isn’t Applebloom!” she said with a firm tone.

“Yes it is, we have to get off before this train crashes!”

“And let everypony on this train die?” Sweetiebelle added.

“Maybe we wouldn’t if SOMEPONY didn’t pull the switch!” Sweetiebelle slapped Applebloom across the face,”Ow!” she said rubbing her cheek,” What was that for?”

“Listen to me Applebloom!” Sweetiebelle explained, “ I’m sick of your attitude, and I can’t stand watching the stress rip you in half. You’re not yourself.”

“I’m fine,” denied Applebloom,”I’m fine.”

Sweetiebelle raised an eyebrow,” Oh, ok,” she replied,” Then I want you to walk up to Scootaloo and take back what you said about her.”

Applebloom looked at the unicorn in disgust,” What? No way! I’m not gonna tell her that, she dosen’t deserve any mercy from me!”

“Why not?”

“Cause she got us in this mess that’s why!” Applebloom cried out,” I don’t even care what she does, she can stay on this train for all I care.”

Sweetiebelle sighed,” You know what? I think that this is your fault?”

“My fault!” Applebloom scolded,” how is th-“ Sweetiebelle shoved her hoof into her mouth.

“ I’m not saying that you pulled the switch!” Sweetiebelle scolded,” I’m saying that you kinda made things worse.” She removed her hoof.

Applebloom’s watering eyes began to tear up again “Yeah but-“

“And don’t blame this on scootaloo,” Sweetiebelle added,” sure she pulled the switch, but you broke the two switches that could have stopped the train.” Applebloom turned her head to look at the broken switches. The red headed pony began to bawl to the unpleasant reminder.

Sweetiebelle watched her cry, she immediately began to regret scolding and slapping the poor pony. Sweetiebelle began to cry a little, she had become just like Applebloom, but she felt the recoil of remorse. The yelling and violence was’nt at all part of her plan. There was only one way to make things right.

She slowly wrapped around her friends moist head and lifted her off the floor till she was sitting upright. To Applebloom’s surprise she hugged her tightly. Applebloom hugged back and said, ”I’m sorry Sweetiebelle.”

“Shh” Sweetiebelle said smoothly,” It’s ok.”

“You’re right, I’m not myself,” Applebloom admitted in pain,” and I don’t know why.”

Sweetiebelle began to pat her on the back,” Don’t worry, it’s just stress. You’ve taken in amounts you’re not used to, that’s all.“

“I just want it to go away.” Applebloom cried.

“Just take deep breathes, I’ll do it with you. In.” -The two inhaled deeply through their noses- ”out.”- they breathed out through their mouth. Applebloom began to feel the stress slowly seep out, but the tank’s leak was suddenly plugged. “Better?”

“Yeah,” she sniffled,” but I can’t stop thinkin’ about-“

“Don’t” Sweetie calmly explained,” Don’t think about it. Whenever we fail to get cutie marks, I always look at the bright side of things.”

Applebloom looked over at Scootaloo. As she breathed in and out, she thought about putting her faith in her. Even if she wouldn’t be able to stop this mess, she wasn’t going to let the bad out come get to her. Her stress now drained out at a faster rate. Soon her stress was nearly depleted.

She broke away from the hug, and wiped her teary eyes. Sweetie smiled at the therapy’s success and said,” You know what you have to do right?”

Applebloom nodded and walked on over to Scootaloo. She stood in front of her, and knew that she had to get her attention, but the earth pony wasn’t sure if Scootaloo would talk to her after what happened earlier. Applebloom wiped the tears out of her eyes, took a deep breath as she had done seconds ago, and placed her hoof on the moping pony’s shoulder.

Scootaloo didn’t respond. “Scootaloo?” Applebloom asked, but no response came.” Look, I know that I’ve said a lot of hurtful things recently, but-“Scootaloo raised her head, she didn’t have tears in her eyes, but her look was a mix between sad and surprised.

Scootaloo then replied, “ But, you said, Some friend I was.“

Applebloom began to feel more guilty, ”I now what I said.” she desperately confessed,” I need ya-” -she looked at Sweetiebelle- ”she needs ya,” -looks back at Scootaloo- ”we need ya.”

Scootaloo began to smile a little,” You’re the only one who can save us.” Applebloom finished,” please?” Scootaloo looked at Sweetiebelle in the back and began to notice how dire the situation was. She began to believe that maybe she really is the only one who could stop this. To Applebloom’s surprise, Scootaloo got up on her hooves.

Applebloom ran up to her and hugged her with joy. Sweetiebelle also joined in, forming a large group hug of reassurance. “Let’s save the hugs for later girls.” Scootaloo said. The two released her and wiped the moisture out of their eyes. “We’ve got a train to stop.”

“So what’s the plan?” Sweetiebelle and Applebloom asked.

“I don’t know,” Scootaloo walked over to the controls,” are there any other switches that can stop this?”

“Besides the ones I broke,” Applebloom nervously admitted, ”no.”

Scootaloo walked over to the doorway, peeking her head out into the open breeze. She looked over to see that they would be reaching Dodge Junction shortly. She didn’t have an exact estimate, but her best guess was about 3 minutes. She turned to the gap between the locomotive and the cars, and noticed a small switch. It was the switch that connected the cars together.

Scootaloo turned back to her friends,”Follow me!” she ordered.

“You have a plan?” said Applebloom and sweetiebelle surprised.

“Kinda.” She jumped to the other side, with Applebloom and Sweetiebelle leaping over as well. Scootaloo gripped the rusty switch and tugged on it. The switch then thrusts forward on it’s own to the unlock position. With a loud clank, the locks within the car released the bars connecting it to the engine. The engine began to move forward, leaving the cars behind.

The cars too began to slow down, but it wasn’t enough. Scootaloo had to come up with something, and fast. She pondered, and pondered until she remembered an old rumor. She had heard numerous times at school and around town, that there was a brake hidden on the caboose. Rumor or not, it was the only chance.

“Alright ponies, now I’ve got a plan!” Applebloom and Sweetie belle listened,” Follow me, we need to reach the caboose, and we’ve got less than 2 minutes to stop this train.” She looks over to Sweetiebelle,” Give me a boost!”

A little confused about the pegasi’s order, Sweetiebelle cupped her hooves. Scootaloo stood on the cup with her back hooves as she was lifted into the air. She gripped the pink cupcake roof and climbed up. Scootaloo then lowered her hoof to Applebloom. The earth pony became a little nervous after realizing what she might be getting herself into.

She closed her eyes and grabbed the hoof. Scootaloo pulled as hard as she could. Applebloom felt herself being lifted up off the floor, and up towards the roof. Scootaloo backed up, using the opposing winds to push her. Applebloom could feel the wind in her mane. She opened her eyes and saw dodge Junction much closer than she thought.

Scootaloo lowered her hoof again, this time for Sweetiebelle. Applebloom decided to help out by grabbing sweeties’ other hoof. With Scootaloo gripping the other hoof along with their combined strength, the two pulled her up to the roof in only a second.

As soon Sweetiebelle got on her hooves, Scootaloo looked towards the pile of luggage. Applebloom nervously asks “Ya sure about this?”

“No,” said Scootaloo jumping at the small luggage pile. She landed on top of it, gripping one of the bags. She turned to the earth pony and unicorn, ”What are you waiting for?”

Sweetie belle turned to the nervous red head and wrapped her hoof around her. “Don’t worry, we won’t let you fall.”

“I’m right here,” Scootaloo announced,” just jump.”

Applebloom took a deep breathe, closed her eyes, and jumped at the luggage pile. Sweetie belle followed behind. At that moment, Applebloom felt a shot of confidence course through her body, as if she had no worries with the dangers ahead. Looked straight ahead.”To the caboose!” she said like a battle cry.

Scootaloo lead the charge, with Applebloom and Sweetiebelle tailing after her. Throughout the sprint, the three had to leap over gaps, while running at a fast pace. The ponies galloping could only be faintly heard by the passengers inside. The landings only made a soft thud on the top. Applebloom didn’t care how crazy Scootaloo would get at this point, she had her eyes dead ahead, gritting her teeth.

The team was running out of time on their hooves. They only had less then a minute left at this point. The group made all the jumps on their way, and without much hassle, they finally made it to the caboose, where the emergency break was located.

Scootaloo halted at the edge of the cabin and waited for the two ponies behind her to catch up. When they arrived, Scootaloo began to lower herself down onto the cabooses patio. Sweetiebelle and Applebloom made their own ways down. Sweetiebelle slipped and fell, but Applebloom caught her before she hit the floor. The three began to search frantically for the switch, but no switch could be found.

“Where’s the brake?!” Sweetiebelle panicked.

“It’s gotta be here!” Scootaloo explained,” It’s gotta be!”

Applebloom began to search the floor when she came across a floor board popping out. She grabbed it with her front hooves and began to force it up. She managed to push so hard began to slip, but the board popped out and flew out of the train car. Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle turned to the noise and saw it before their own eyes. The brake, inside the hollowed flooring. The team darted at it in hopes that they had time on their hooves and seized the valve.

“Together.” Stated Sweetie belle.

“Go!” replied Applebloom and Scootaloo. The three twisted the valve, turning it counterclock wise. The valve was turning smoothly, until the braking mechanisms kicked in. Sparks began to shoot out of the wheels, as they scraped the rails.

The metal valve then ceased to turn. The CMC together could only slightly make it budge, and the train not slowing down wasn't helping the problem at all.

Up till this point, nothing strange happened inside the carts. Every pony was minding their own business. They had no clue on what was happening outside, or even checking. Not even the crew members. The carts suddenly began to shake up and down, throwing ponies out of their seats at the walls and floor.

***

Back at the station, the mayor, train station manager, and the sheriff along with his posy, waited for the train to arrive. They hid behind a wall of sand bags and were armed with their best weapons, in case they get caught in a fire fight.

Alright colts,” the mayor announced,” The train is approaching, we will have the trouble makers responsible for this mess. When the train stops, I want you all to pull out from cover and take aim. If the ponies attempt to take us on, do not hesitate to fire back.”

“Mr. mayor?” asked the manager,” What do we do about the ponies on board?”

“Don’t worry, the trains going to stop.”

“Sir,” he gulped,” If this is trouble makers we’re talking about, did you ever consider the possibility that they might not know how to stop the train, or stop at all?”

The mayor felt a cold hoof touch his back. He had practically the same exact reaction as Applebloom did. His mind was busy on catching the trouble makers, that he didn’t consider this possibility. He looked down at the boards and mumbled,” Cripes.”

“Sir, the locomotive is approaching.” Said one of the officers peeking his head.

The mayor lifted his head, peeking out from the wall and afraid to look. Instead of looking away and confirming his reputation tarnished, he had his eyes glued in confusion. It was only the locomotive.

The others peeked their heads out to see what the mayor was seeing. They all shared the same exact expression.

It came in chugging faster than before, with no train cart holding it back. The engine made a sharp turn on the bend of the tracks. It toppled over and came crashing down to the ground with a deafening thud. The engine then began to slide on the dust, kicking it up as it traveled.

Soon After, the engine began to slow down until it stopped, and remained motionless. The group did not say a single word. They kept on staring at the now motionless engine, along with the rough path it made. Only steam could be seen rising out from the wreckage.

The mayor then said,” Are the criminals going to-,” BOOM!! A fiery explosion jumped out the train, followed by a barrage of sparks. The blast made them all duck and cover head. The wreckage was now a pile of scrap topped with fire. Metal debris began to rain down from the sky, littering the ground with bits and pieces.

The colts all slowly peeked out in terror, watching what’s left of the locomotive burn to the ground. “What about the rest of the train?” everypony stared at him in realization.

A colt on the end of the wall turned around and pointed,” LOOK!”

The crowd turned to the right of the platform and widened their eyes in amazement. It was the passenger cars struggling to slow down and flickering sparks. “Well I’ll be,” said the manager taking off his hat.

***

Back on the train, the three fillies tried harder and harder to twist the rusty valve, but it was no use. Sweetiebelle then turned to a last resort, magic. She wasn't strong with telekinesis but she knew that every last bit helps, even if it won't help much. The unicorn surrounded the valve in her green aura. The valve started to move faster now.

Applebloom and Scootaloo saw this progress and continued, pushing the valve with all their strength. They felt their legs ache, but they pushed through the pain. A surge of testosterone suddenly began to flow through them. The train was finally starting to slow down, and the sparking wheels turned into high pressured spark hoses.

The combined strength of CMC, went from 3 fillies to 6, making the challenge as easy as turning a garden hose valve.

"Keep going!" screamed Sweetie Belle

"Don't stop!" squelled Scootaloo.

"This is it!" yelled Applebloom at the top of her lungs.

The train began to slow down and at faster pace. The Team of colts at the platform, saw the cars’ spark wheels intensify, and were now filled to the brim with fright. The train’s sparks, made it look like a demon spitting fire as it approached. The colts darted off the train station platform, screaming,” It’s the devil!!! Run for your lives!!!” The fear of demons was pretty common to some ponies at Dodge Junction.

As the train passed by, the sparks began to light the wooden platform on fire. The flames quickly spread across the old boards like fuel. The fire soon ignited the overhang of the station. The flames didn’t spread quickly, but the roof seemed to burn hotter than the platform. It was as if the roof was made of napalm, filling the sky with pitch black smoke like a volcanic geyser.

The cars came to a complete stop, as the ponies inside helped each other up. The crew members noticed the bonfire that is the train station outside the window. Every member ran to the doors on both sides of the cars, and opened the doors. “Everypony, exit the train, immediately!” they commanded.

Everypony began to march out the doors. They couldn’t at all remain calm in a nerve wrecking situation. Once they were in the open, they jumped off running from the furnace like fire. The crew members rounded everypony up at a great precautious distance. Luckily, nopony was hurt or missing.

The CMC jumped off the caboose and ran away as the flames of the burning train station grew. They ran a short distance, then they all turned around at the burning mess. They turned to see a group of ponies who wanted an immediate explanation. The CMC sighed in relief that every-pony was off the train.

Applebloom finally felt the stress tank vanish into thin air. It was all over. She and her friends were alive, and nopony died. Though she knew the station was on fire, and the locomotive was on the ground; the fact that every pony was safe, was all that mattered to her.

Applebloom then felt a sick feeling in her stomach. "Ah think I'm gonna spew." she moaned. Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle looked away, only to hear a holler mufflled by what sounded like water being dumped on the ground. After the holler, a heavy breathing was all that remained. The white unicorn and orange pegasus, turned back to Applebloom.

The earth pony's eyes were widened as the sick feeling left her body. Vomit hung from her mouth, as it dripped down to the pile of green fluid. Scootaloo walked to Appleblooms side, and began to rub her back. The red headed pony began to smile with tears forming in her eyes again.

Sweetiebelle turned to the burning train station and said," Well this could have been worse." As soon as the words left her lips, a hard breeze blew the flames touching the top of the cars. To anyponies surprise, they caught fire, filling the sky with more choking smoke. It was at the same time that the fire brigade appeared.

She let out a loud sigh,” Coarse it does.”

The CMC all turned around, only to be greeted by a group of deputies in an intimidating position. “Freeze!” said one of them. The group turned back around, only to find more deputies behind them. They looked around frantically as they knew they were surrounded.

Before things got any worse, a voice called out,” stand down, well take it from here boys.” The colts relaxed and did as they were told. The colts in front of the CMC made way for the Train station manager, Sheriff, and the mayor. They were anything but happy.

The manager looked at the fillies, as the fillies tried to smile innocently. "You all are in a heap of trouble." The colt explained. The CMC's smiles disappeared as they hung their heads in shame.

Author's Note: