Chapter 9: High Noon at Appleoosa
From the Ashes
Chapter 9: High Noon at Appleoosa
The train bound for Appleoosa sped through the arid surroundings, the squeal of the rails piercing out into the dead of night. Given the hour, most of the carriages were darkened, the occupants within having decided to sleep. Yet there was still one carriage that’s interior still shone bright, and it was none other than the rearmost...
Ex-sergeant Ceasler stood in the centre of the living quarters, his cheeks blushing pink against his deep grey coat. His embarrassment was sourced by the collection of ponies staring at him, with one in particular especially committed to studying him. “Hurry up please.” he complained, “This is humiliating...”
Rarity stopped her examination short and turned her head up to the pegasus, seemingly uninterested in his discomfort. “Be that as it may...” she began, “This is a necessity.”
Twilight looked on while she took comfort in the bunk she was currently sharing with Pinkie Pie, who was happily snoring away. “Rarity’s right Mr. Ceasler.” she said, “If Rarity’s going to be making totems of us, she needs to make sure they’re as accurate as possible.”
“Indeed.” Rarity agreed, “It’s not a problem for the girls, but since I’ve just met you two, I have to make sure there’s no mistakes should I have to recreate your likeness... so to speak.”
“Recreate our likeness?” Applejack repeated with a smirk, “Something tells me you’re still strung up since you heard Twi’s had you playing around with voodoo magic...”
Rarity refused to let her composure waver. “Ahem. Well, Applejack...” she replied, “It may be a bit too, dare I say; ‘primitive’ for my tastes, but nevertheless, it is a small price for even a lady such as myself to pay in order to safeguard one’s friends.”
Ceasler continued to wriggle restlessly as Applejack let up on her teasing,
“Well, how admirable...” he commented, “I suppose.”
Rarity snapped her gaze to the pegasus before her, “How many time must I tell you to stop fidgeting?” she replied unamused, “I will only be another minute, I just want to make sure I get your mane correct.”
In the background, Slayde watched his partner’s every physical attribute get analysed. Fluttershy, spurred by something Rarity had just said, crept shyly up to the orange maned pegasus as he held back a laugh at Ceasler’s expense.
“Hello, um... excuse me...” she stammered, “I couldn’t help but notice before, but how come while all the night guards have the same silver coloured manes, you have an orange one?”
Slayde returned the pegasus’ timid gaze, her combination of curiosity and shyness making for a rather cute combination. “My mane huh?” he replied, looking up at the orange tuft of hair in front of his eyes, “You must have also noticed the helmet I used to wear?”
Fluttershy thought back and remembered the little difference between Slayde and Ceasler’s helmets. When the young unicorn took his off, it was obvious the mane atop it was fake. Ceasler’s on the other hand had not been fake; his mane seemed to be naturally yellow and his helmet had a hole for it come out from.
“Oh, yes... I remember that.” she said, “So why do you have a special helmet?”
“Special? I suppose you haven’t seen a guard take his helmet of before have you?” Slayde questioned, “Because I think you might find it’s hardly an oddity. Indeed, more often than not, guards have the same kind of helmet as me.
Fluttershy eased up and took another step forwards. “The how come Mr. Ceasler doesn’t?” she asked, “I saw that his had a hole on the top...”
Slayde nodded quietly, it was an understandable question. “He’s a bit older than most guards, and he’s been a part of the garrison a lot longer than the average sergeant.” he explained, “And since he’s an older member, he’s pretty devout to tradition.”
“Tradition?” Fluttershy asked, “What do you mean?”
“Ah, well... ‘back in the day’ as Ceasler calls it, the garrison had a pretty exclusive membership.” Slayde explained, “The emphasis was more on ceremony than law enforcement. As such, they were a bit more strict about what being a guard ‘meant’ as opposed to what a guard ‘does’, if that makes sense...
“What I mean is, historically speaking, the guard used to be made up entirely of a specific set of families who passed the duty of serving Celestia down through the generations.” he continued, “They weren’t permitted to interact with anypony outside a compatible gene pool, so it’s easy to see the reason for the ‘traditional’ concept of the grey coat, silver maned night guard.”
Fluttershy gulped. It sounded like being in the guard was serious business. “Oh my...” she replied, “The night guard sounds like a pretty tough crowd.”
“Perhaps, but the garrison’s overcome that phase.” Slayde said, “Hence me and half the other guards being recruited. Besides, it wasn’t just the night guard that was like that. The royal guard used to be especially strict on maintaining their own bloodline.”
Little did either of them know, that Twilight was silently listening to every word...
‘I suppose that’s another aspect of the social divisions Luna mentioned...’ she thought to herself, ‘It’s scary to think just how different Equestria must have been back then...’
“And then there’s Terra...” she continued her thoughts out loud, speaking the words very quietly, “What would happen if he dragged the world back to how it was one thousand years ago? Or even further?”
Twilight was snapped back to reality by Ceasler, who while she had been thinking, had finished up with Rarity and now made his way over to her. “It would be the end of everything.” he said, apparently overhearing her, “The world he envision does not, and can not exist.”
“His world?” Twilight questioned, “His perfect world?”
“That’s the problem with perfection Mrs. Sparkle; it doesn’t work in reality.” Ceasler replied, “He could try, but the one who would fell most strongly that his ideals had not been realized would be Terra himself.”
“What would happen then?” Twilight asked, “What would he do if he found out he couldn’t get what he wanted?”
Ceasler shook his head. “I think that’s enough for now Mrs. Sparkle.” he replied dismissively, “It’s late, and I don’t think this kind of talk is appropriate considering the fact we all need our rest.”
Twilight couldn’t help but yawn. “I suppose you’re right...” she agreed, “But can you stop calling me Mrs Sparkle? It makes me sound old.”
“But you’ve all been calling me Mr. Caliber this whole time, have you not?” he replied, “Don’t you think it makes me feel old too?”
From the bunk on top of Twilight, Pinkie Pie giggled uncontrollably,
“But you are old!” she exclaimed, “Mr. Caliber!”
Caliber just looked flatly up to the top bunk. He wasn’t aware the pink pony had woken up at some stage. “I’m going to bed.” he said deflated, “You better get some sleep too Slayde; tomorrow’s going to be busy.”
“That sounds like something my father would say.” he said cheekily, “Wait, no no... my grandfather!”
Ceasler stopped in his tracks and shot the young pegasus a furious stare. Words were not necessary; the hairs on the back of Slayde’s neck simply stood on end. “Yes sir. Right away sir.” he whimpered, “Sorry, sir...”
Ceasler continued silently on his path down the carriage, leaving poor Slayde trembling next to Fluttershy. “Psst...” the unicorn whispered, “Where’s my cabin?”
Fluttershy raised a timid hood and indicated the direction Ceasler went. “Oh, umm... that way.” she replied, “I think...”
“Okay... thank you.” he managed, “Good night girls.”
The girls watched Slayde leave his shame behind as he trotted slowly after his partner.
“Well...” Applejack begun, breaking the awkward silence, “That was pretty brutal.”
“Indeed.” Rarity agreed, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Fluttershy’s ‘stare’ has garnered some competition.”
“Stare?” Twilight asked confused, “What’s the stare-”
Twilight found herself cut off by Pinkie Pie giggling yet again. “Hehehe!” she laughed in a fit, “What are they doing?”
All five of the girl’s followed their friend’s gaze to the far end of the cabin to see both Ceasler and Slayde staring into their cabin with rather shocked and angry looks on their faces...
know he did this on purpose...” Ceasler hissed.
“The captain has such a cruel sense of humour.” Slayde sighed in agreement.
Fluttershy watched in bewilderment as the two ‘former’ night-guards bowed their heads as they stood before their assigned quarters. In the centre of the room were two small beds arranged on top of one another; a bunk-bed.
“What’s wrong with sharing a bunk?” she asked innocently, “Everypony shares a bunk in this carriage...”
Fluttershy let her voice trail off as the two pegasi became even further chagrined. “Did you want to switch with me maybe?” she offered, as among the five girls she was the one with a bunk to herself, “Um, I mean... if you want?”
Slayde shook his head. “Don’t pity the looser.” he said, “It’s shameful enough as it is...”
“Indeed.” Ceasler agreed, “Leave us with whatever pride we have left.”
“So...” Slayde hinted, changing tune, “Who gets the top bunk?”
“That’s obvious.” Ceasler replied, “Me. I outrank you.”
“Rank? What are you talking about?” Slayde grinned wide, “As of this morning, we’re equals. We ain’t guards on this mission-”
“Don’t pull that crap.” Ceasler warned, “You know damn well-”
“I’ll tell the captain on you!” Slayde responded with a warning of his own, “He wouldn’t be happy to know you broke your cover on something like this... he might even demote you!”
“Fine.” Ceasler replied, giving in, “So how do you suggest we settle this?”
“The honest way!” Slayde said, thrusting out his hoof, “We flip for it!”
“Alright.” Ceasler agreed, returning the young unicorn’s gesture, “You’re on.”
Twilight trotted quietly up to Fluttershy and Applejack who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. “It really didn’t take them very long to drop their serious attitude.” she asked as she watched the pair debate over the result of their game, “I hope they’re as dependable as the captain said.”
I would rather hope that we won’t need to find out.” Rarity said from the sidelines, relaxing on the top of the bunk she was sharing with Applejack, “Besides, this may simply be their way of passing the time-”
Rarity was cut off mid sentence as a loud thump echoed out from above. The suddenness of it was enough to bounce Applejack out of bed.
“What in the hay was that?!” she exclaimed, “Tell me ya’ll heard that?”
The sounds echoed out again, repeating in quick succession as dull thunks against the top of the carriage. “There’s something on the roof!” Slayde exclaimed, running back over to the girls, “It’s moving up the train...”
Fluttershy made to cower, and Ceasler quickly covered her defensively with his wings spread wide. “How did it sneak up on the train?” he asked, “That’s not something an amateur can do...”
“Oh my...” Rarity breathed as she looked out the window next to her bunk, “It’s not ‘it’, it’s them!”
“Huh?” Ceasler replied in confusion as he clambered up onto Rarity’s bunk to see what she was referring to, “What are you- by Celestia... are those buffalo?”
Twilight felt a drop of cold sweat slither down her neck. “It’s just like the last time!” she cried, “What’s going on?! I don’t understand! Why-”
“Calm down.” Slayde interjected, “What happened last time?”
Twilight shook of her surprise. “The Buffalo tribe wanted to steal the tree in the last carriage so they raided the train and disengaged the rearmost-”
“Hey look!” Pinkie Pie interrupted, “It’s Little Strongheart! Hi!”
Everypony in the carriage swiveled to face the intruder. It was a small, muscular buffalo girl who seemed to have a history with Pinkie Pie and the others. Her expression was masked by shadows...
“What’s going on?” Slayde asked, “Who’s the girl?”
Little Strongheart looked up and revealed her face.
“I’m sorry to meet you all again like this...” she finally said, her eyes were imploring, “But this is something I have to do.”
Slayde saw the future and realized what was about to happen. He tried to intervene, but the buffalo girl was too quick and too agile. Before he could get close enough to stop her, she unlatched the master link holding their carriage; the rearmost one, and disengaged it from the rest of the train.
Ceasler couldn’t tell what was going on or why it was happening, but there was at least one thing that was clear to him. They were no longer a part of the train headed to Appleoosa...
It was his job to make sure that wasn’t a permanent problem. And there was still one window of opportunity, but it was closing rapidly. “Slayde!” he yelled, “I’m going to fly out after the train and tell them they’ve lost a carriage and need to stop! You handle things here!”
Ceasler knew that if this heist was a feint, it was being done in order to distract him here and leave the girls vulnerable. And since Slayde was a unicorn and thus unable to chase down the train, Ceasler had no choice but to leave the ponies still in the carriage to him.
So with that, Ceasler shot off the mark, peeling left in an attempt to dodge Little Strongheart on his way out the connecting doorway. He didn’t make it very far. At the last moment, the buffalo girl lashed out, tackling him in mid air and sending the both of them tumbling out of reach of the train carriage, and into the clutches of the stampeding buffalo crowd.
Slayde bit his lip to see his partner go down. The carriage was still going quickly along the tracks, so it promptly whooshed past Ceasler and the horde of buffalo, but it was slowing, and the train was almost out of sight. He wasn’t sure if he should try his luck with an in-motion teleportation spell so he could make to the train like his pegasus counterpart had intended, or stay here and protect this carriage as instructed. In the next few seconds however, the decision was made for him.
But the choice was neither to chase the train nor defend the carriage. He jumped recklessly out into the desert the moment he saw the huge buffalo mob break away from the train and converge on his partner.
“Ceasler!” he yelled as his teleportation magic flared, ready to deliver him to the brawl, “Hold on!”
Ceasler couldn't squirm free from the little buffalo’s grip as they bumped and rolled across the ground. They continued to tumble until they finally slowed down and separated from one another. The pegasus recovered quickly, but the buffalo girl was already back on her hooves...
“Please wait!” Little Strongheart exclaimed, “Let me explain-”
But Ceasler wasn’t about to wait. He was surrounded by a horde of massive buffalo, and was not about to waste any time with words. The first chance got, he lashed out at Little Strongheart with a vicious headbutt.
Her buffalo companions saw her go down and moved in on the pegasus with flaming eyes. The outmatched pegasus was a moment away from being enveloped before his reinforcements arrived to balance the teams.
An orange burst of magic flared out from next to Ceasler, and Slayde emerged from the light with his magic primed. With a flourish, he arched his neck and flicked it, the horn on his head extending out an intangible orange whip. Following the movement of his head, the crackling magic lashed out and pushed back the encirclement of buffalo.
With their opponents staggered, the two guards strafed, circling defensively as they promptly became surrounded again by the intimidating mass of buffalo. For their part, the woolly creatures moved as a unit, not loosing any momentum as they helped the dazed Little Strongheart get back up on her hooves...
“What do you think sir?” Slayde asked, his eyes deadly, “Fifty-fifty?”
“Half?” Ceasler remarked, “Damn it. I’m too old for this crap...”
The buffalo edged in closer, but Little Strongheart interjected. “Please stop!” she pleaded, “Give us a chance to explain!”
“You gave up that chance when you attacked us!” Slayde snapped, “We’ve lost the train and now you’re gonna pay!”
“Wait!” Little Strongheart made to object, but before she could finish uttering the word, an unexpected force cut her off...
A tiny white flash illuminated the night-time landscape as Twilight Sparkle teleported herself and her four friends into the centre of the buffalo huddle. “Everybody wait!” she yelled, stopping everyone in their tracks.
“Urp...” Applejack groaned as she put a hoof to her muzzle, her stomach churning, “Warn us next time yer gonna do that...”
“I didn’t know it was going to happen!” Twilight replied, looking down to Luna’s amulet as it seemed to shine, “What in the-”
“Whoa-wee!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, seemingly unaffected by the teleportation sickness that was gripping everypony else, “That was funky!”
“I feel funny...” Fluttershy moaned, “What’s going on?”
“Well, I for one am okay.” Rarity pointed out, maintaining her composure, “Must be a unicorn thing.”
Applejack shook her head vigorously, putting aside her queasiness in preference of finding out what was currently going on. “That’s you there ain’t it Lil’ Strongheart?” she asked, “What in tarnation are you playing at?”
“You know this girl?” Ceasler asked as he maintained his defensive posture, “Yet this happened?”
“Why in the wide world of Equestria would you do this?” Twilight questioned, “We need to get to Appleoosa!”
“I know.” Little Strongheart replied, “And I was sent here to stop you. I’m sorry, but this was the only way it could be done.”
“What are you talking about?” Pinkie Pie asked concerned, “You’re scaring us Strongheart...”
* * * *
The sun was shining over Appleoosa by the time the train hissed to a stop, safe in the docking of the settlement town’s railway station. By all appearances it was just another day in the desert town, but there was an unusual amount of attendants waiting as the train prepared to unload. Even so, they were all eerily silent, the shadows of their headgear hiding their invisible expressions.
The doors of the train slip open, and the passengers didn’t waste a second before clambering out, stretching their legs from the overnight trip. No sooner than the train emptied however, the attendants quickly blocked off the exits, and a sub group moved into the stationary train as if to search the carriages.
Before the intimidated passengers could question what was going on, a slim earth pony moved out from the attendants. Unlike the local earth ponies around her, her coat was a shiny red, and it hadn’t yet been weathered by the arid landscape. Indeed, coupled with her condescending pink eyes and flowing purple mane, she appeared as if she had never worked a day in her life. So even at a first glance, it was obvious to the passengers that she was not an Appleoosan. In fact, it was possible that one or two of the frightened group has seen her face before. After all, hers was a face that had ended up plastered about quite a few towns, advertising a significant reward for her capture.
“Your attention please.” she said softly, with an apparent grace that bellied what one would expect of a bounty head, “It has come to our attention that there exists a certain party of troublemakers who have smuggled aboard this train, harbouring the ill-intention to kidnap from this town a pony of great interest. Please give us your cooperation as we apprehend the suspects.”
It was then that the group of passengers noticed that the group of train attendants who were unable to make eye contact were not station workers at all. They all bore the badge of the town’s local sheriff department. It seemed as though the lawponies were at the command of this strange and somehow intimidating earth pony.
It was then that a series of crashing and clanking could be heard from inside the train. Eventually, the train driver was booted from the engine and made to slump by the edge of the platform.
Following behind the pained driver, another out-of-place earth pony strode out from the train, her muzzle scowled with disappointment. For the briefest of moments, the group of passengers were further stunned to see that this mare was identical in appearance to the other that stood before them. But as twins often are, their personalities could not be more different. While they both had the same pink eyes, red coat and purple manes, the one emerging from the train was as rugged as rugged comes. Her muzzle were perpetually set into a malicious and toothy smile, her coat and mane were tangled and unkempt, and her eyes simply screamed rebellion.
“It’s no good sis!” she drawled, poking at the driver with a firm hoof, “They ain’t on here! The back carriage has even been knocked off! Why, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say somepony tipped ‘em off!”
The rough spoken earth pony casually trotted her way up to her more placid counterpart, eyeing the little group of rag-tag passengers as she did so.
“Is that so?” the calm sister confirmed, “How unfortunate.”
“What’cha wanna do?” came the reply, “Hit the desert and go looking that missing carriage?”
“Stay here and keep an eye on our guests.” the graceful twin ordered, “And please prevent our conscripted allies from doing something regrettable.”
“Where are you goin’ then sis?” the scruffy sister asked, her menacing grin temporary flipping to one of confusion, “They won’t be in the town for sure...”
“I’m going to report the situation.” the well-spoken twin turned to leave, “If someone was fool enough to intervene, then he will most certainly need to ‘confer’ with that sheriff.”
At the mention of Silverstar, one of the painfully silent lawponies made to break away from his tamed status and pursue, knowing what the outlaw truly meant by the term ‘confer’...
But no sooner had he put a hoof forward, the aggressive twin was upon him and she swiftly punished him for the attempt, knocking him to the ground in a single blow.
“Let that be a reminder to some of you, and a first lesson to the rest!” she spat, indicating the now-grovelling stallion for the frightened group of passengers, “If this town lets us have what we came ‘ere for, you’ll have us to thank when Terra’s back on top and earth ponies like us are gifted what we’re owed.
“But until then, just shut up and do as yer told.” she concluded, “If you don’t like it, hold your tongue or so help me I’ll pull it out. This town is already ours!”
* * * *
“And that’s how it is.” Little Strongheart reasoned, “Appleoosa’s been taken over by an absolutely unbeatable foe, and he knew you would be coming to find the Scryer! We had no choice but to disconnect your carriage, or who knows what would’ve happened if you made it to the town!”
The little buffalo lead the pack back to camp, essentially escorting their pony companions. She had been explaining everything she knew about what was going on, and it was a shock to say the least...
“If what you’re saying’s true... and I’m not saying it is...” Ceasler spoke up, still bitter about their earlier brawl, “Then how did you buffalo get involved? What’s it got to do with you?”
As he finished his question, the group finally arrived back at the buffalo camp. Strangely enough, there was somepony waiting for them.
“Cuz!” Braeburn beamed, overjoyed at Applejack’s safety, “Thank heavens ya’ll okay!”
“Braeburn?!” Applejack said in shock, but embraced her cousin all the same, “I was worried you’d still be at Appleoosa! What in the hay are you doing here?”
“He’s the one that risked his life trying to save you guys.” Little Strongheart replied, “The whole town was bullied into silence, but he ran off and practically begged us to help stop you from making it to Appleoosa. So we did the only thing we could...”
Ceasler sighed, in part due to guilt, but also due to the bad news concerning the takeover of Appleoosa. “It seems as though an apology is in order.” he admitted wholeheartedly, “I jumped to judgements while you were risking yourselves to keep us from harm. It is not only my apology that is owned, but my thanks as well.
“But sentiments aside, our understanding is still, well... incomplete.” he continued, turning to Braeburn, “Start from the beginning. What happened at Appleoosa?”
“It started about two days ago.” the yellow earth pony recounted, “First thing I noticed was a handful of ponies I didn’t quite recognise, which was odd, considerin’ Appleoosa ain’t the biggest town out there. Anyway, eventually they blast out from the woodwork, and before you know it, they’ve got the town wrapped around their back hoof. Silverstar tried to stop ‘em a’course, but it was hopeless. He was too strong.”
“He?” Applejack stopped her cousin, “Who’s he?”
“Never got a name I’m afraid.” Braeburn shook his head, “But I won’t be forgetting that power of his any time soon. I can barely describe it... it was like, evil, black, magicy stuff. Us earth ponies really got put in our place.”
“That sounds like Luna’s description of Terra...” Slayde commented, “Either that, or it’s black magic. Either way, it can’t be good.”
Ceasler turned around, scanning over the group of ponies that had followed quietly behind. There were five of them, but since the train incident they had remained uncomfortably silent. It was obvious the recent turn of events had left them fearful.
“What happened after they had the town submitting?” the pegasus asked, “And what conditions did they have them obeying?”
“Well, Silverstar gave ‘em what they wanted pretty quick. And ta be honest, I’m glad he did. We were at a serious risk of ponies getting hurt if we kept resisting.” Braeburn replied, “Anyway, they rounded us up and this soft spoken earth pony girl gave a speech. She was saying that the earth ponies were rising once more, and that we should join with some King feller and help ‘em overthrow the princess. It sounded all so strange to us, but I’ve started to hear whispers that our town ain’t the first to be struck like this. Earth pony settlements, scattered far and wide and out of range of help are being bullied into joining up.”
“But that wasn’t all they wanted from you was it?” Ceasler asked, the conclusion obvious to him, “There was one more condition wasn’t there?”
Braeburn tipped his broad hat over his eyes. “You reckon right.” he said grimly, “Turns out we’ve had a prophet in our midst, that this King needed for something. There’s no way we could know what for, but his name was Scryer or something. I never knew ‘em myself, but-”
“Would you know where he is?” Slayde cut in, “It was our mission to find him and escort him safely back to Canterlot.”
“I’m sorry to say, but he’s gone.” Braeburn replied solemnly, “Soon as they had the town, they whisked him off to who knows where. I’ll tell you what though, it ain’t anywhere near Appleoosa.”
“In that case, what do we do?” Twilight finally spoke up, “Beating us to Scryer means that Terra’s now the only one who can figure out who the heroes are! Without a prophet, we can’t find the heroes, we can’t stop Terra, and we can’t save Celestia!”
The rest of the girls were silent. There was no denying it; the situation was utterly bleak. They had seemingly lost the battle for Appleoosa without even getting there...
“There’s still one thing I’ve been waiting to mention...” Braeburn spoke up, “There’s a reason besides waiting for you to show up that those folk haven’t left Appleoosa yet.”
“And why is that?” Ceasler asked, Twilight’s words still sapping his motivation.
“Well, maybe it’s best described like this...” the earth pony replied, swapping his focus to the silent group of ponies behind Twilight, “Ya’ll remember when you helped us out when us and the buffalo here were still over a barrel?”
“Well, duh.” Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes, the first to respond out of the group, “It wasn’t that long ago...”
“Well, what if I told ya’ll a certain somepony foretold that we’d be buttin’ heads before it happened?” Braeburn asked, “What if I said that, on a whim, he prophesied that the buffalo and the Appleoosans would be fighting over the land?”
“So Scryer’s the real deal huh?” Slayde replied, shaking his head, “This only confirms what we’ve lost-”
“You ain’t listening.” the earth pony cut the young unicorn off, “The pony who told us ‘bout the buffalo was just a colt, that’s why nopony listened. Ya’ll coming here and talking about prophecy and what not, I know now that the kid’s gift ain’t no coinki-dink.”
“So when you said there was still a reason why the invaders haven’t left Appleoosa yet...” Ceasler joined the dots, “You couldn’t mean-”
“Now yer gettin’ it!” Braeburn exclaimed, “The little clot’s name is Torrin, and wouldn’t you know it, he’s Scryer’s boy. And guess what? They haven’t found him yet...”
At that moment, a piercing coo could be heard from high above, and before anypony knew it, a red bolt of flame dived down into the centre of the buffalo camp.
“It’s Philomena!” Fluttershy finally spoke, relived somewhat at seeing the phoenix once more, “I guess she has a letter...”
“Sir?” Slayde spoke up from beside Ceasler, “What should we do? Could we use the colt the earth pony mentioned instead of Scryer? Or did we really come all this way for nothing?”
“Let’s see what the phoenix brought before we decide.” the pegasus replied, “Can I please have the letter?”
Twilight’s compulsion was to read it first, but she handed it over to the night guard to hear his serious tone. She thankfully removed the scroll from Philomena and passed it directly onto Ceasler.
“Thank you.” he said as he accepted it and broke the seal without waiting about, “Let’s see what it says...”
Girls, this Captain Caliber, once again forwarding on communications with Rainbow Dash’s group. They have reached the town of Hordimare without incident, and expect to make contact with Gilda soon. This what they wrote:
Dear Twilight and friends, this is Rainbow Dash and Marco.
We have confirmed that Gilda is currently based in Hordimare, and it seems as if she truly does have a way to tell where Tager is. It is highly possible that the first hero is here in Hordimare, and by the time Paragonia returns, we will surely have a better idea. Until then, things are progressing steadily on our end. Be safe everypony. Good luck.
P.S. When Paragonia was about to send this message off, an interesting development occurred. It would seem as if Luna’s pet Quetzalcoatl has a history with Hordimare. Dash and I managed to take advantage of the of the situation by pretending to save the town from what they regarded to be certain doom, and Dash has become exalted as the town’s saviour. If we play this right, we will have little trouble making our presence known to Gilda. Once again, stay safe.
While they have yet to turn up anything solid on Tager, their group is making decent headway. Here in Canterlot, things have unfortunately taken a turn for the worst. Reports are coming in from the guard concerning the hostile takeover of several primarily earth pony populated settlements and villages, and while we have heard nothing from Appleoosa, it would be wise to regard the town as being vulnerable. With so many of our forces deployed in Navaras, and an even further amount scattered all over Equestria to act as our information network, the guard that I have sent to respond to these recent takeovers have left our forces at Canterlot dangerously depleted. With this in mind, I remind you that the collection of the prophet Scryer is your top priority. We cannot discern the heroes without his aid.
Have Philomena burn this letter once you have read it. I cannot afford for the enemy to know Canterlot has become vulnerable. Also give her an update on your progress so far.
Ceasler’s eyes narrowed determinedly as he finished reading the letter. Twilight and Slayde had read it over the pegasus’ shoulder, and were considerably more doubtful.
“What now?” Slayde spoke up, “Scryer may have been priority one, but we can’t get him.”
“We’re just lucky that the buffalo stopped us from walking into a trap.” Twilight added, “Even still, what can we do now?”
A moment’s silence. “They’re counting on us to come through.” Ceasler finally spoke, “And I’m not about to let them down...
“Twilight.” the pegasus turned, “Take a letter please.”
The unicorn gulped to see the hardened eyes of Ceasler gazing right at her. She immediately complied, whipping out quill and parchment in her magic, ready to document the old guard’s words.
“Captain, this is Ceasler.” he begun, “Our group has encountered a significant and unfortunate development. It seems as though our mission was known by the enemy, and it is only thanks to the intervention of a local Appleoosan and his buffalo allies that we were able to avoid being delivered right to the enemy. It is also the case that they occupied the town with the same intention as us. The prophet Scryer is in their possession, and he had been placed beyond our reach.”
Ceasler took a second to collect his thoughts, his eyes closing and teeth clenching. The scribble of Twilight’s quill ceased as she waited for the pegasus to continue...
His jaw set, Ceasler finally opened his eyes. “We’ve been beaten to the prize on this one Captain, but it would seem that fate is still providing for us.” his tone shifted, “There exists a child that apparently shares the same ability as the Scryer, and I am somewhat hopeful to the truth of it in learning that this ‘Torrin’ is the child of our original aim. It seems he has eluded capture so far, and we intend to be the ones who find him first.
“Make no mistake, we are fully aware that we must be successful here in order for the efforts of the others to mean something.” he continued, “With that in mind, we are headed to Appleoosa with all haste, and we will find the child and return him to Canterlot without fail.
“We haven’t come all this way for nothing, and we will not waste the hope the others have placed in us to do this right.” Ceasler concluded, “The enemy rests tonight, and we infiltrate Appleoosa. By noon tomorrow, we shall have the child in our possession and be ready to return to Canterlot. Count on it.”
The scratch of Twilight’s quill upon the parchment stopped a few moments after he had finished. Having been sure to reproduce every word accurately, the unicorn silently furled the letter and slipped it into Philomena's waiting talons.
Slayde nodded to the phoenix as he held up the message she had delivered. With a precise flick of the wing, the parchment caught fire and crumbled away, being destroyed as Caliber had instructed.
As Philomena flew off into the distance, the silence was unbearable. Just as it became too much, Twilight finally mustered the nerve to speak up.
“What do we do now-” she made to ask, but was cut off as Ceasler stomped the ground and took a decisive step forwards.
“Let’s go!” he ordered, “Every second we dwell here is another second freely given to the enemy to steal from us our last hope. We’re going to Appleoosa. We’re going now. We’re going to complete our mission and claim what we need to save Equestria from the tyranny of a mad king.”
“Hold on now.” Braeburn cut in, “That was a great speech and all, but I wasn’t done talking about the kid when that bird of yers showed up.”
Ceasler raised an impatient eyebrow. “Is that so?” he remarked, “And you were waiting until now to continue?”
“Well ah woulda made my point, but I could stand to interrupt yer little determined display.” the earth pony replied, “It certainly made me feel a little more confident in this otherwise bleak situation.”
“So about the child...” Ceasler stayed on topic, “Is this revelation of your more bad news? Or do we finally get to hear a little of the good?”
“Heh, well... let’s just say I’m not the only one still fightin’ back against the villains who took over the town.” Braeburn smiled, “And while Silverstar seems to be following the every beck and call of the invaders from the outside, on the inside, he’s secretly doing the most important job in keeping them from getting their way.”
“I don’t get it.” Twilight admitted, “Hang on... You couldn’t mean-”
“I absolutely could.” Braeburn winked, “Silverstar’s been keeping Torrin sheltered from the start! He’s been holding out for somepony to come take him ever since his father was stolen and the colt went runnin’. The whole town thinks the sheriff’s given up, but in fact, he’s doing the hardest thing of all!”
Caliber tuned on the spot once more, facing back out toward the desert night. “He has our thanks.” he begun, “The least we can do is make certain his pains have not been for nothing. So enough chit-chat... it’s time for us to go get our prophet.”
Slayde took a step out after his partner, but turned to the group behind him before advancing. “I’ve heard that you girls have made your way through some pretty sticky situations in the past, but this is a whole different story.” he warned, “This could get very dangerous; if you don’t want to risk it, then stay here with the buffalo. We won’t be able to sneak with too large a group anyway.”
Slayde look to Ceasler and smiled to see the fire returning to the old pegasus’ eyes. He could scarcely imagine how formidable he must have been in his prime. Joining him on his march out toward Appleoosa, the young unicorn called out one last time...
“So...” he addressed the silent group, “If you were serious when you said you wanted to save this world, then follow us!”
* * * *
It was morning by the time the unlikely group had made it inside Appleoosa. Braeburn had gone in first and salvaged a few disguises. Much to Rarity’s chagrin, the unicorns were provided a trio of ugly and oversized broad-brim hats to conceal their horns and make them appear as simple local earth ponies. Fluttershy received a puffy dress that served to cover her wings, while Ceasler’s feathers were covered by a chunky pie-slinger waistband. For extra measure, the necklace around Twilight’s neck was cleverly hidden under a scarf. And while such a thing stood out in a hot desert town, it was still far less noticeable than the alien-looking amulet that was beneath it.
“Are we close yet?” Twilight panted, sweltering hot underneath the scarf, “I feel like I’m gonna faint...”
A few nearby locals looked on in awkward concern at the seemingly ill ‘earth pony’, but otherwise, the disguised group managed to play it cool. Walking right through the town proper, the cautious ponies swaggered past the deceptively attentive eyes of the converted lawponies.
“Please bear with it...” Slayde said from underneath his goofy hat, “But it’s gotta be around here somewhere.” he continued, his eyes drifting over to Braeburn, “Didn’t you say it was by the town square?”
“Silverstar’s house is just around the bend.” the earth pony replied, keeping his voice somewhat hushed, “That’s where the kid is. But to be honest, I’m more worried about getting him out. There’s no way we’re gonna be able to sneak him out with these guys still lookin’ for him.”
“We do this one step at a time.” Ceasler cut in, his advice seasoned, “Planning too far ahead is the same as being distracted. We’re not there yet-”
Almost as if in response to what he said, the whole group came to a jarring halt. Ceasler held his hoof out, silently signalling for them to stop. Before Twilight could ask why, she saw them...
The twins strutted their way down the main street casually enough, the one on the left strutting along wither her toothy smile snarling away for all the world to see.
“Come out already you little shit!” she roared, the passing locals shuddering at her vulgar demand, “I never liked hide an’ go seek! Just come out already!”
“To be honest, I tire of this also.” the twin’s polar opposite replied, “Perhaps we shouldn’t focus on finding the child itself, but instead see if we can’t coerce the local populace into sharing their insight?”
“Now that’s a good idea sister!” the brash earth pony exclaimed, immediately seizing the opportunity to harass the closest Appleoosans, the unfortunate pair being mother and daughter, “Excuse me mum, but your kid’s been looking at me funny. Haven’t you taught her that it’s rude to stare?”
The mare instinctively ushered her filly out of harms way, but the outlaw would have none of it. Roughly pushing the mother to the ground, her true target became revealed...
“Not real shy are ya kiddo?” she grinned, “A cute lil’ brat like you oughta have lots of lil’ friends right? You wouldn’t happen to know this tiny little egghead called ‘Torrin’ would ya?”
Not too far down the road, observing the scene unfold, Ceasler leaned in on his partner, making sure to keep his voice hushed. “Slayde...” he whispered, “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
“There’s no mistake sir.” the unicorn replied deadpan, also watching the interrogation take place, “Those two are the twins... the crimson sisters... Foxtrot and Tango; the forth and fifth most wanted ponies in all of Equestria. What could they be doing here?”
“Yeah, I heard bout them bounty heads...” Braeburn nodded discreetly, “I dun know how nor why, but apparently that king feller’s got the number one through to number six of the top most wanted working under him.
“Booty whats?” Pinkie Pie asked, her keen instincts warning her of the danger the twins seemed to emanate, “Who’re they?”
“The ‘most wanted’ is a list of the most wicked souls in all of Equestria.” Slayde answered, not taking his eyes of the sisters, “Listen up, for if your friend isn’t mistaken when he says the top six have been brought together, you need to know who they are.
“Number six is an earth pony going by the name Mageblaze.” he explained, “He’s the infamous ringleader of a roughneck gang of violent earth ponies. As far as five and four go, well... you’re looking at ‘em.”
“The one that is secretly looking at us and staying quiet is Foxtrot, and she’s the more dangerous of the sisters.” Ceasler took over for his partner, having noticed that his group was already being observed, “Tango might be loud and threatening, but it’s not her that you need to watch out for. If you drop your guard for even a second, her sister will pounce like a snake.
“The third highest bounty head is also an earth pony, and the most dangerous of his kind on the list.” Ceasler kept whispering, “His name is Atlas Black, and he-”
“And what are you babbling about over there gramps?” Tango spat, the vicious earth pony suddenly upon the group, baring down on Ceasler with venomous intent, “I hate it when ponies talk shit behind my back...”
"I was just expressing my concern for the child." Ceasler replied as coolly as possible, "Nothing more."
“Perhaps your concerns are better directed elsewhere?” a soft voice called from out of Ceasler’s field of vision, “It is not very wise to offend my sister.”
Ceasler absolutely froze in place. Foxtrot had snuck up on him in a way she had done to many unfortunate souls, and the old pegasus shuddered to think what kind of unpleasant end such ponies normally met. If this criminal had willed it, Ceasler would have just been killed in cold blood.
“That’s a funny dress you’ve got on there girly.” Tango broke the tension, circling around the old guard and putting her scowled muzzle disturbingly close to poor Fluttershy, “Don’t you think it’s a bit dusty for something like that?”
Fluttershy was beyond petrified, and totally exposed before the intimidating gaze of the brash twin. Twilight made to intervene, but she soon became a target too...
“Her choice in clothing isn’t half as strange as yours.” Foxtrot commented, her expression blissfully neutral, “Feeling a bit cold on this desert morning were we?”
“Really Fox? I thought you were smart!” Tango laughed, abandoning her focus on Fluttershy so as to mock her other half, “Whenever somepony’s wearing a scarf on a hot day like this, it means they’re hiding something!”
Twilight’s eyes pinged open in surprise to think her disguise had been discovered. By way of confirmation, Tango pointed out Twilight’s shock to her twin.
“See?” she questioned, chuckling somewhat, “What’d I tell ya? Somepony hickie’d the bitch! Bahaha!”
“That’s disgusting.” Foxtrot’s face broke from its blank state so as to frown, “I’d prefer to be ignorant to what that is, but it seems your vulgar tongue has rubbed off on me. I feel... dirty.”
“You’re welcome!” her twin boomed, her evil grin transforming into a more honest smile, “Who says I still can’t teach you things?”
“Whatever...” Foxtrot rolled her pink eyes, “Let’s get out of here; I’m tired of looking for the child. We’ve got to report back to him. We’ve got until noon before everypony’s being pulled to the town square.”
“About time we gave up.” Tango replied, joining her sister as the pair exited the scene, “I can’t wait to finally be out of this fuckin’ heat!”
The group’s brush with disaster passing with the twin’s departure, they all seemed to release that breath they had been holding as one.
“Thank Celestia...” Slayde breathed, “That could have been the death of us.”
“You ain’t kidding...” Applejack agreed, “C’mon, let’s get to Silverstar’s place before we run into any more of these darn bounty heads!”
“My cuz is right, we gotta get a move on!” Braeburn shook off his shock, “Follow me, it’s just up here!”
At the earth pony’s direction, the wary group made their way to Silverstar’s humble abode without further incident. And while their top priority was being discreet, they certainly didn’t waste much time before they hurried inside and got away from prying eyes.
Silverstar’s house was pretty much what they expected. A hat-rack stood by the door with a small collection of practically identical broad-brim hats, and the only decoration the spartan house had was the odd framed portrait of some grizzled and hardened looking earth pony. There was a staircase leading up to a second floor, and in splitting up and confirming there wasn’t a soul on the ground floor, the moved as one up the stairs and pushed open the door at the top.
The second floor of Silverstar’s house was like another world. First of all, it was dark. Shutters were shut, curtains were drawn, and the only light to be had was coming from a tiny lantern in the corner and a pair of candles that had been burning for so long they had become little more than blobs of wax.
Twilight was the first to notice that there were a few dusty tomes laid about that seemed a bit too wordy for somepony like Silverstar to possess. It was Slayde however that saw that one such tome was still open...
“Looks like somepony’s home after all.” Applejack whispered, having also noticed the book, “You weren’t kidding around were you cousin?”
“Quiet.” Ceasler interrupted sharply, feeling the invisible gaze of a child upon him, “The kid’s up here...”
A sudden shadow of movement in the already darkened room caught Twilight’s eye, and Pinkie Pie’s ears perked up to hear the scamper of tiny hoofsteps shuffle toward her. She turned to find a little bifocaled colt make to sneak past her, but in seeing the pink earth pony look his way, he lurched to a shocked halt and diverted left.
“W...wait!” Pinkie tried to call out, holding her hoof forwards as Torrin escaped her, “Don’t be afraid! We’re not gonna hurt you!”
The sound of the panicked colt trying to flee grew louder as his fear that he’d been discovered was confirmed. In his rut he unconsciously ran back out into the open, bumping roughly into Rarity’s unsuspecting leg. Lip trembling and eyes wide, he backed up fearfully from the surprised unicorn. As all eyes fell upon his vulnerable figure, his innocent mind informed him that it was game over...
“Settle down child!” Ceasler roared, seeing the colt’s panic, “We’re not with them!”
“I don’t believe you!” Torrin cried, doing his best to get back to his hooves and make a final charge for the door, “Sheriff! Help-”
Out of nowhere, Fluttershy dived in, stopping Torrin in his tracks and cancelling his shout with a strict but gentle hoof to his muzzle. “It’s okay.” her angelically calm voice soothed the child, “We aren’t like them. We’re here to help; you can trust us.”
“She’s not playing around kiddo.” Slayde approached, disarming in his own right, “We’re the real deal. We came to get you outta this town.”
Torrin wordlessly broke from Fluttershy’s hold and shook his head vigorously. “I’m not leaving!” he exclaimed, “They’ve got my dad! Silverstar said that until he comes back-”
“Listen Torrin.” Applejack cut in, ready to drop the hard truth on the colt, “Fact is, the bad guys have already taken your dad out of Appleoosa. The sheriff did a good job keeping you safe, but things have changed. We’ve gotta get you out of here, and fast.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you!” Torrin shot back, “I don’t trust you anyway! You’re probably more of them fanatics!”
“Take a closer look.” Twilight spoke up, magically casting off the concealing costumes of herself and friends, revealing the group to be made up of earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi, “We’re on your side Torrin. And we will do whatever we can to help find your father, but Applejack is right. The first thing we have to do is get you to safety.”
“I don’t get it...” the little colt said reservedly, “If you’re not with them, then who are you with? Who are you guys?”
“We’re with Princess Luna, and we’re the ones whose job it is to stop Terra from getting his way.” Twilight replied confidently, “But in order to do that, we need your help.”
“Your job?” Torrin raised a little eyebrow at the implication, “But... but you aren’t the heroes...”
“Huh?” Twilight was taken aback slightly, “What do you-”
Ceasler stopped her by quickly lifting his hoof up into the space between the two ponies. “Wait.” he commanded, eyes only for Torrin, “How can you tell?”
“I just can.” The colt replied, turning up his muzzle, obviously not caring for the old night guard’s sternness, “It was the same with the prophecy. It just comes to you.”
“And what do you know about the prophecy?” Ceasler asked hopefully, “Anything that Scryer could have told you that wasn’t written down might prove vital in stopping Terra and freeing your father from his clutches.”
Torrin seemed to look to the others in the assembled group before answering, almost as if he was trying to gauge the old pegasus’ seriousness, “What are you talking about?” he finally asked in his confusion, “My dad may have been able to predict things, but I was the one who wrote the book. It was me who foresaw Terra’s return.”
Twilight and the others did a double-take. Was it possible that Celestia was wrong? Luna hadn’t explained how her sister had determined who the author was, but was it possible the princess could have misjudged and assumed Scryer was the one because the only feasible alternative was a child? Had Terra come to same conclusion? Could Celestia have known that both father and son had the gift of foresight?
Similar questions circulated in the minds of the stunned group, and it was Ceasler again who regained speech first. “You’d best not be fooling around with us kid.” He warned, “I’ll only ask you this once. Did you write the prophecy?”
“Technically...” Torrin’s certain claim wavered slightly at the seriousness of the pegasus, “I mean, do you even have any idea how this prophet stuff works?”
In the silence, Rarity and Pinkie Pie shot an inquiring eye to Twilight, thinking that she might have some idea. The pressured unicorn just scrunched up her muzzle to feel their gaze upon her. Of course she didn’t know anything; the only other prophecy she’d ever read was about Nightmare Moon and that one was ancient...
“Can you please tell us?” Twilight asked, trying her best to end the awkwardness, “How does it happen?”
“Well, it’s kinda hard to explain.” Torrin admitted, “But one day, I had this weird feeling that I just can’t describe properly. I could see, no... sense things, but that’s about all it was. It kept happening more and more, but the things I felt came and went so fast; there was no way for me to figure out what any of it meant. My dad tried to explain it to me, but in the end it all came down to instinct.
“The next time in happened, I couldn’t help but put quill to parchment.” he continued, scratching at the back of his head at his awkward explanation, “I couldn’t control myself... the words just kept coming. Things I never knew, terms I didn’t understand, and words I didn’t know the meaning of... they all just kept pouring out of me until I was finished.
“It was scary.” Torrin looked down slightly, “I looked at what I wrote, and I could barely believe my eyes. There were things about the past, the present, and the future, and even though none of it made sense to me, I was the one that wrote them; I had written them down like they were facts. The only thing I knew, was when I was done, that crazy feeling that compelled, no... forced me to write was gone.”
Trying to comprehend it all, the room went silent once more. Ceasler was mulling it over like the rest of them, but he alone found a question sticking in his mind. “There’s one thing I don’t quite understand.” he said, looking directly at the bifocaled colt, “You claimed earlier that you were able to tell that weren’t the heroes. How exactly did you know?”
“Kinda like how it was with the book, it’s just instinct.” Torrin replied, “I know it sounds dodgy, but that’s just the way it is. Like a sixth sense or something. I guess you could say that something deep inside me knows what kind of feeling I’d get if I were looking at one of the heroes. So since I don’t feel anything, I guess that none of you guys are one of them.”
Slayde caught onto the significance of something the colt had just implied. “Just a sec kid.” He spoke up, “Are you saying that if, hypothetically, one of the heroes knocked on the door and strode on up, you’d know that they were a hero just by looking at them?”
“Yeah, probably.” Torrin replied, “But I don’t think...”
He never got around to finishing his sentence. Belying coincidence, everypony froze as two purposeful knocks boomed out from downstairs. The sound of a pin dropping could be heard upstairs. The atmosphere was unbearably tense as the collective group all prayed that here would not be another knock.
Another, louder knock thundered out, quicker and more desperate than before. Whoever it was knew somepony was home, and they wanted in. Could it be Silverstar? Had the twins followed them back? Could it be the locals?
As it became clear that their visitor would enter with or without being allowed in, Ceasler knew somepony had to answer the purposeful knocking. He would have done it himself, but he was no longer in his disguise. Anything but an earth pony would raise flags if they were here looking for Torrin.
The pegasus turned and looked over the group behind him. It was probably wisest to have the Appleoosan answer the door, as he might actually have an excuse for being here.
But as he looked the group once more, he realized he was down one earth pony. Braeburn and his cousin were present and accounted for, but in giving the dark upstairs room the once over, it was clear that the pink and excitable one was missing.
He made to ask where Pinkie Pie had gotten to, but before the words properly left his lips, he got his answer. The distinct sound of the front door squeaking open could be heard in full force, and there was none other than that innocent earth pony who could go about it so carelessly.
“Hi!” Pinkie Pie’s enthusiastic voice chirped out from below, but was immediately silenced, presumably as she revealed who her guest was. Fearing the worst, Ceasler and the other rushed downstairs to her aid.
“Pinkie!” Rarity called out, seeing her friend standing unharmed next to the entrance, “What are- I mean, who is it?”
“Well, uh...” Pinkie struggled to find the words, “Maybe you should see for yourself!”
Slayde kept Torrin upstairs, but the rest of the group came to Pinkie’s side one by one, trying to come to terms with their apparent visitor. Much like how the same revelation had quieted the bubbly earth pony, the group was silenced to see what seemed like nothing waiting for them outside...
But then they looked down and saw it. Laying expectantly just beyond the threshold was none other than a weathered looking and exceptionally large broad-brimmed hat. It wasn’t much unlike the ones Rarity, Twilight and Slayde had used to masquerade as earth ponies.
The already strange scene became even more odd as the hat seemed to shudder, before it picked itself up and slid its way inside. An appendage moving to fast to be seen properly licked out, pushing the door closed in a swift motion.
Confused and alarmed in equal measure, Ceasler made to kick the hat over and reveal what lay beneath. But before he could, the hat launched upward as the creature inside discarded it, her red wings slaying wide in utter joy of being free.
“Philomena!” Fluttershy’s face went from shock to happiness in one fluid motion, “Wow, you did a good job finding us...”
“She can sense the magic in this amulet remember?” Twilight reminded her friend, “But I’m more impressed that she found a way to sneak in without drawing any attention. The hat was a good idea!”
“Indeed.” Ceasler agreed, “I didn’t expect Celestia’s pet to be so resourceful. I was concerned that you would be reporting in soon, and was honestly afraid you might give away our position.”
Philomena rolled her beady little eyes at what could have been a compliment if only Ceasler had tried a little harder. But in being true to her purpose, she tucked her beak under her wing and produced a tightly sealed scroll. Like last time, she had come bearing a message.
Twilight grabbed it in her magic and let it float beside her. “Let’s get upstairs before anypony sees.” she said, taking the scroll upstairs, “Philomena, follow us.”
Back on the top floor, Philomena pretended not to care as an innocent Torrin quickly became captivated by her beauty. It was only natural that he had never seen a phoenix before, but his stare was unrelenting. It was obvious to all but the colt himself that Philomena was fast becoming uncomfortable.
“Well, there’s no point waiting about is there?” Rarity spoke up, indicating Twilight, “Let’s see what the others have to say.”
“Oh, sorry.” Twilight apologised, breaking the seal and unfurling the scroll, “There we go. Can you all see?”
Applejack gabbed the lantern in the corner with her teeth, and brought it around so that letter could be better read. By the light of the fireflies within, everypony became consumed by the text as one.
Hello all, this is Captain Caliber.
I hope Philomena reached you safely, considering the situation you are most likely in. It is unfortunate that Terra has beaten us to Scryer. In that respect, your mission has changed. We were hoping to get a leg up on the enemy by gaining further insight into the prophecy, but we must now depend upon this child you mentioned just to stay out of the dark, and depend upon you to get him back to Appleoosa. Without someone to guide us to the heroes, we have little hope of rallying them against Terra. We cannot afford failure. With that said, I urge you all to be especially careful. Recent developments indicate that we have severely underestimated the resources at Terra’s disposal. They are more knowledgeable, organized, and powerful than we originally thought. Please tread carefully. That’s all I have to say at the moment, though I will add that Canterlot is still secure. Keeping the population calm is challenging with so few of the guard to ease their fears, but we still have order. I have received Marco’s latest report, thought it seems like they are making slow but steady progress. Anyway, here it is.
Hey all, Marco here.
We’ve been reduced to waiting here in Hordimare, but the situation remains hopeful. Since our most recent letter, Dash’s popularity has skyrocketed, and the town’s ‘humble’ saviour is already the talk of the town. She’s getting the star-treatment, and the two of us have treated to the best accommodation the town has. With the grateful locals at Dash’s every beck and call, I managed to convince them to set up a mock information network, and word has already come back that Gilda has re-entered Hordimare, and that she is asking about the mysterious pegasus that saved the town. Our confrontation with her should come within the hour, and from there it seems we may finally get a solid lead on Tager. In any case, by the time we send out next report, we will be significantly more informed. Until then, stay safe everypony.
I share Marco’s sentiment, but if you cannot get the child back to Canterlot, there will be no recourse. No matter what you have to do, or how you need to do it, we cannot waste this chance. Good luck, and stay vigilant. Please have Philomena destroy this letter in the same manner as the previous report.
“Oh my...” Fluttershy squeaked, the list of the group to finish reading, “That’s so much... pressure.”
“It just means we can’t let ‘em down.” Applejack shot back, more steeled by the news than intimidated, “And we won’t! We’ve already got the kid after all!”
“Don’t forget what the captain said.” Slayde cut in, “We can’t afford to underestimate the enemy. We’ve got to get Torrin out of here first, and we’ll have to go about it carefully.”
“When should we go back?” Twilight asked, “It’s only going to get worse the longer we wait...”
“Not necessarily.” Ceasler spoke up, as if he had just emerged from deep thought, “Remember what those criminals sad? There’s going to be a speech or something like that at noon. Regardless, the town will most likely be preoccupied by it, and so it will most likely be our best chance to sneak out of here unnoticed.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Braeburn asked, “I heard her too, and she said that it was being done in the town square. That’s practically on this house’s doorstep. If we wait for noon and for that guy with the black magic stuff to come back, then things are definitely gonna end up going south...”
“That may be, but if that happens, Luna will come in to help us.” Slayde informed Braeburn, “If Terra uses his abilities, Twilight’s necklace will allow Luna to warp here.”
“It’s still super early though!” Pinkie Pie pointed out, “And we gotta wait until noon? What’re we gonna do ‘til then?
“If you’re tired, get some sleep; I get the feeling things are going to get pretty intense when we try to get the kid out of here.” Ceasler instructed, “In the meantime, I’m going to get a report sent back to Caliber.
“Oh, and there’s something I need you to do yet, so don’t go falling asleep on me.” he continued, turning to face Braeburn, “I’ll tell you what it is after we’re done with the letter though.
“On that note...” he turned once more, this time towards Twilight, “Can you scribe for me again? I want to send it off as soon as possible.”
“Sorry, I left the quill and parchment back at the buffalo camp.” she replied awkwardly, “I didn’t imagine that Philomena would be able to ‘drop in’ while we were tracking down Torrin.”
“Hey kiddo...” Slayde said as he approached the colt, still captivated by the phoenix before him, “It looks like you’ve got plenty of that kinda stuff lying around. Can you lend us a quill and some paper?”
“Sure.” Torrin replied, producing the materials from below the desk he sat at, “So this bird ferries the messages across? Cool...”
“That reminds me...” Slayde said, picking up the letter and holding it out for Philomena, “looks like we’re done with this. Can you, uh... ‘get rid’ of it please?”
The graceful bird hopped over and snatched the paper, cooing happily before summoning up its fire to dispose of the letter. As the paper was consumed, without even ashes or smoke left behind, Slayde approached Twilight and passed over the materials Torrin had given to him.
As soon as Twilight took up the quill and became ready, Ceasler begun with his report, not wanting to waste any time...
“This is Ceasler, reporting in from Appleoosa.” he begun, “As you have most likely gathered, we’ve started off on the back hoof down here. Despite this, things have suddenly started to look up. We have come into contact with Torrin, and are currently hiding out with him in preparation for our escape. If our information is correct, noon will be our best chance to do so without incident.
“On the topic of the resources at Terra’s command, we can confirm that the Equestria’s Most Wanted are among his ranks.” he said, watching as Twilight scribbled furiously in attempt to keep up, “The fourth and fifth are here in Appleoosa, and they have essentially succeed in conscripting the aid of the settlement. It would be wise to assume the other members of the Most Wanted have been sent off to carry out similar takeovers in various other earth pony dominant villages and towns, or even here. If this is the case, the takeovers you mentioned in your last report will most likely be spearheaded by these criminals. The forces you deployed will need to be informed of this.
“In light of these setbacks, the value of Scryer’s son appears to be much higher than we initially thought.” Ceasler continued, “We haven’t yet discussed it in length, but I am cautiously optimistic that Torrin will prove to be a greater resource than his father. It also appears as though the child was the one who wrote the prophecy, not Scryer, and he seems able to distinguish between and identify the heroes we seek by virtue of some inherent trait.
“In any case, we will use any means necessary in order to succeed her, and our next report will come after we’ve made our move.” the old pegasus concluded, signing off, “Give our regard to the others. Ceasler out.”
A few seconds later, Twilight had finished the letter. “Now what?” she asked as she passed the scroll to the awaiting Philomena, “What do we do until noon?”
“First of all, Braeburn. It’s time for you to leave.” Ceasler put the unicorn on hold for a moment, more invested in staying true to his earlier word, “Get back to the buffalo camp and get ready for when we bring Torrin there. See if you can’t find a way for us to move right onto Canterlot once we get back, we may very well be in a hurry.”
“Oh, and here’s a thought...” Slayde spoke up, “Try and smuggle Philomena out with you. Her ‘hat-trick’ might work better when it’s on somepony’s head...”
“What about the rest of us?” Rarity asked as she watched Philomena land on Braeburn’s back and begin to study the earth pony’s hat, wondering if she could indeed fit herself under it, “There must be something we can do other than waiting for the clock to strike twelve...”
“Well, you can follow your friend’s example...” Ceasler indicated an already snoring Pinkie Pie in the corner of the dark room, “But I for one have some more questions...”
“That’s my line.” Torrin snapped back, watching as Philomena wriggled her way under an uncomfortable Braeburn’s hat, “You just read out some massive letter about me and my dad and Terra and the most wanted! What’s going on?”
At that, Ceasler couldn’t help but chuckle. “Heh, well...” he begun, “I guess it’s better if I just fill you in on the latest.”
* * * *
Walking though the main streets, the twins were deceptively silent as they made their way from Silverstar’s house. They weren’t bothering any of the passing locals, nor making any effort to find the child which they had previously been so invested in locating.
“Finally...” Tango groaned, “And it was about damn time too!”
“Oh? So you did notice?” Foxtrot questioned, honestly surprised by her sister’s perceptiveness, “Colour me impressed.”
“Oh please, it was obvious.” came the reply, “They musta been mad to think they could pass off for locals. Two pegasi, four earth ponies, and two unicorns. They’re definitely the ones who jumped the train, and that house they snuck off too is definitely the place where that kid’s been hiding. Makes sense I guess... ain’t that the sheriff’s place? ”
“Ah, you were so close.” Foxtrot shook her head, “It is the sheriff’s house, they are the ones who evaded us at the station, but there was actually two pegasi, three earth ponies, and three unicorns. The orange haired stallion was more convincing, but he was actually a unicorn.”
“Pft, whatever.” Tango huffed, not caring for the specifics, “So what’re we gonna do? Tell him?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Foxtrot replied, “Remember, we won’t get what we want if we hand the kid over on a silver platter.”
“Then what?” her sister frowned, “Should we just shut up about it and let him take us back to Hordimare?”
“We could do that... but it’s still not very wise.” Foxtrot shook her head again, “He’s a bit too smart to buy that we could turn up anything. It would be unfortunate if he started to suspect we had our own interests.”
“Blah, blah, blah...” Tango drawled, “Just hurry up and tell me what we are going to do!”
“Then pay attention for once.” Foxtrot replied strictly, “We report back that we have confirmed the presence of their group here in Appleoosa, how it’s made up, and that the sheriff has been helping them. But we tell him only that. We don’t mention the child, and we get teleported back to Hordimare.”
“Urgh... I hate getting teleported.” Tango complained, “I puked last time.”
“Yes. I remember.” her sister rolled her eyes, “But it will all be worth it if this all works out like we hope it will. Isn’t this what we always wanted?”
“What?” Tango’s vicious smile flared, “To be the first ponies in over a thousand years to receive the gift? Or to finally get our revenge upon that damn princess?”
“They are both one in the same really.” Foxtrot smiled her own subtle smile, “A means to our end. Terra can have his world, and I’ll be glad to be a part of it, but what we really want is waiting for us in Canterlot.”
“Hehehe... I’m getting goosebumps just thinkin’ about it!” Tango laughed, “Let’s be quick about it then! I don’t wanna waste a second!”
* * * *
A few hours later, in the back alleys of the same street through which the twin had walked, Twilight, Ceasler, and the other members of the rag-tag group were sneaking their way out of the city.
True to Foxtrot’s word, as the great clock in town square struck noon, a commotion quickly developed until voices could be heard outside. Whatever was going on was too far away to be heard properly, but the route the group was taking led them closer and closer to the scene and soon enough, the sound of an address could be made out.
Focused exclusively on escaping without alerting anypony that had been gathered, the group didn’t pay much attention to the voice they could hear. All they noticed was that it was an authoritative and proud male voice, and all they cared about was that it didn’t know that they were there.
Than soon changed however, as a different voice cried out. It didn’t speak in words, but called out in pain. The girls all registered it, but only one among them recognised it...
“Oh no.” Applejack gasped, turning and running off in the worst possible direction, “I know that voice!
“A.J!” Twilight hissed, pulling her friend back into the shadows at the last possible moment, “What’s gotten into you?!”
“L...look!” Pinkie Pie pointed with a quivering hoof, having followed Twilight in her attempt to intercept Applejack, “It’s that guy...”
Sheriff Silverstar grovelled pitifully in the centre, surrounded by his own townsfolk, all of them bullied into the same painful silence. Twilight looked on in shock, not understanding. The pieces fell together one by one inside her mind until finally, the grim reality finally dawned on her. This wasn’t a speech... it was a demonstration!
Suddenly, a black energy cracked and sizzled around the sheriff, coiling around him and forcing him to his feet. This was the power that Braeburn had mentioned earlier...
The conjurer of the dark energy stepped forward and took stance by Silverstar. But to the group’s surprise, he wasn’t Terra. This stallion was a unicorn, and his long horn stood prominent upon a head with no mane. His coat was a sickly white, contrasted boldly by the remnant of a short tapered and unkempt black tail. Complimented by hollow black eyes, similar in form to the ones the girls had seen on Terra when he first returned, this stallion that simply radiated an aura of evil intent.
The whole group now by Twilight and Applejack’s side on the edge of their hiding spot, Ceasler gulped grimly to recognise the figure.
“Oh... shit.” the old pegasus’ composure broke to comprehend the situation, “This... this is bad. We have to leave. Right now.”
Before any of the girls could ask what had gotten in to him, the figure to whom Ceasler’s fear was directed stomped down hard on Silverstar’s back, kicking the earth pony while he was down. The sheriff responded by roaring out yet again in pain.
Seeing such cruelty, Fluttershy’s fear was dispelled as she made to rush over and intervene with one of her rare and uncharacteristic bursts of speed.
But Slayde was even faster. “Wait!” he hissed as he grounded the distressed pegasus before she could properly take off, “You can’t let yourself get involved!”
The pegasus struggled to get loose of the young unicorn’s hold, but it was no good. Every fibre of her kind being cried out for her to intervene, yet for the sake of the others, and even the town at large, Slayde couldn’t let her go...
“No!” Slayde insisted, holding Fluttershy back, “Think of your friends! Of Torrin! You can’t risk it!”
“What do we do?” Applejack asked urgently, her hushed question directed at Ceasler, “We can’t let this happen!”
“If we go out there, we loose everything.” the old guard replied, “We’d be throwing away our lives, the towns, and even this child for who we risked everything to liberate!”
“But there’s only one of them!” Applejack pointed out, “Those twin aren’t about, and the town might even help out if we give ‘em a reason to fight back-”
“No chance.” Ceasler snapped back, “I bet even you can tell that’s no normal unicorn. I never got a chance to finish telling you about the Equestria’s Most Wanted, but the stallion you’re looking at, he’s second on the list! He is, without a doubt, the deadliest and most powerful villain ever pursued by the guard...”
Twilight risked another peek at the criminal. He certainly looked dangerous, but could he be as powerful as Ceasler claimed? “Who...” she gulped fearfully, “Who is he?”
“His name is unknown... the world just calls him Truant.” the old night guard whispered, “He wields some of the darkest magic ever created, and he uses it toward even darker purposes. If Torrin wasn’t in Appleoosa, or he wasn’t interested in finding him, he would blow this entire town to oblivion just to do away with us. He has both the capability and the cruelty to do such a thing at a moment’s notice. We absolutely cannot afford to let him find the child...”
“I don’t understand.” Rarity spoke up, Torrin clinging to her leg as he became exceptionally frightened, “Why is a unicorn in league with Terra? It doesn’t make any sense...”
“Truant’s hatred for Princess Celestia extends so far that I have little doubt it is what compels him to throw his lot in with the king.” Ceasler said, “I imagine that watching Equestria crumble would be the vengeance he desires...”
“But there’s gotta be something we can do!” Pinkie Pie said alarmed, her desperate gaze eventually falling upon Twilight, “Like A.J said, we can’t just stand here!”
Torrin’s grip on Rarity’s leg tightened. She couldn’t imagine what the poor child was going through. She also looked to Twilight for some kind of guidance, but there was nothing to see but indecisive concern on her face...
“Don’t even think about it.” Ceasler said sternly at Twilight, reading through to her troubled thoughts, “If something is to be done, then it is the responsibility of Slayde and I.”
He shared a brief look with his young partner before they both nodded subtly. “Take the child and go.” Ceasler continued, his words the definition of resolute, “I hate to rely on them again after everything, but you should be safe if you can get back to the buffalo camp. From there you can set about escorting Torrin to Canterlot.”
“Are you two insane?!” Applejack hissed, barely believing the old guard, “Just look at that guy! You just said he shouldn’t be messed with-”
“Applejack. There is a difference between ‘doing something’ and picking a fight.” the pegasus said seriously, “Even still, it is us in charge of your safety, not the other way around. I say run, you run. We are the guard. Regardless of the risks, this is our job.”
“Go on.” Slayde said gently, pushing a speechless Fluttershy over to her friend’s side, “Take care of Torrin for us okay? We’ll handle this.”
“Come on girls...” Rarity spoke up, taking that first difficult step away from the two guards, “We should trust in them and do as they say.”
“Please... please be careful.” Twilight said reservedly, physically pushing the nearby Pinkie Pie out of her transfixed state, “Let’s go girls.”
And with those parting words, it was just Ceasler and Slayde looking on from the shadows.
“What’re we going to do Ceasler?” Slayde asked, “They were right, we can’t just allow this to continue.”
“We can’t help anypony if we just run in brazenly.” came the reply, the old pegasus eyeing the scene before him intently, “For now, we watch and wait.”
Just as Ceasler said the words, the figure of Truant walked slowly up to the broken figure of Sheriff Silverstar and put a callous hoof upon his back to keep the defeated earth pony from rising.
“Was I not clear sheriff?” he asked coldly, “If you have some excuse, I suggest you try it.”
“There ain’t no excuse...” Silverstar groaned, “But it was I, and I alone who tried to betray you. I ordered the train to be stopped, I sheltered the boy, and not a single soul knew of my actions-”
“Hrm? Perhaps I truly was unclear after all...” Truant mused, somehow intrigued by the response, “Is it possible that when I told you and your kind that any instance of rebellion would be considered a declaration by the village at large, my meaning was misunderstood?
“You claim that such a declaration was made solely by you?” the unicorn continued, shaking his head, “True or not, the claim is pointless. Uniformity was never an element of our agreement.”
The pressure the unicorn placed on Silverstar’s back increased until he was once again pushed painfully back into the dirt. “Still, this is troublesome.” Truant sighed, “I was told to dispose of the townsfolk as necessary, but Terra would surely disprove if I sentenced this town to the judgement it so rightly deserves...”
“I... I wont...” the grovelling Silverstar panted, “I won’t let you-”
Truant suddenly removed his hoof from the sheriff’s back. But before anypony could guess why, he shockingly brought it around in a sweeping kick, his leg wreathed in shadowy magic. Silverstar’s defiance was instantly silenced as the earth pony was sent rolling across the dusty road.
“While I would prefer to hold true to my word, I shall provide this town but one chance to regain my favour.” Truant announced, addressing the assembled townsfolk, “As you may or may not know, somewhere in this little town of yours there exists a small band of intruders who are in possession of something most valuable.”
Truant’s invisible eyes wandered over to the unconscious figure of Silverstar, and the unicorn gestured to him with his frightened crowd watching. “Unless you wish to follow in the hoofsteps of your foolish sheriff, I would have of you one simple act of redemption.” he continued grimly, “Be gone from this place and find the intruders I speak of. This is your only chance. Much like how foolishness of a single sheriff condemned you all, it shall take but one of you to grant your cherished town the salvation-
“No need to look!” a grizzled voice called out, cutting Truant’s speech short, “We’re right here!”
Ceasler and Slayde stood in full view, having leaped from the shadows at the unicorn’s implication of the girls.
“Bah! Wretched pawns...” Truant dismissed the bravado of the pair, “But perhaps you know of where I might find those I truly seek?”
“Slayde... we’ve got no choice.” Ceasler said under his breath, “We can’t let him send this many intimidated ponies out looking for Torrin and the girls; they’d be no way for them to evade capture. I can only give you a few seconds, so do whatever you can to disperse this crowd.”
“Careful sir.” the young unicorn warned, “I can feel his magic from here. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before...”
“Just worry about yourself rookie.” came the strict retort, “Once you’ve got rid of these earth ponies, we’re going to fall back.”
“Understood.” Slayde acknowledged seriously, “When you’re ready-”
“Your whisperings will do you no good.” Truant’s voice boomed, cutting through the town square, “If you value your lives, you will tell me where the boy is.”
“Now!” Ceasler roared, his wings becoming blurs as he shot off the mark, his eyes set firmly upon the enemy, “Do it!”
“How pointless...” Truant said as calmly as ever, readying his horn as the aged pegasus charged toward him, “What say I teach you your place?”
Just as the magical bolt forming at the tip of Truant’s horn was ready to fire, Ceasler diverted down, and in spinning his body in a rapid barrel-roll manoeuvre, the dusty road beneath him erupted into a wall of blinding dust.
“Clever little worm.” Truant smiled, cancelling the energies that were contained in his horn, “Perhaps you can provide some entertainment after all...”
In the background, half concealed by the dust, Slayde’s horn burned a deep orange, but he was all but ignored by Truant. The erratic light coating his horn suddenly sharpened, and as the spell became ready, the once bright glow dimmed and became significantly darker.
A few of the assembled crowd looked over to the young unicorn as his magic changed colour, and in noticing, he raised his head and spoke before releasing his spell.
“Sorry.” he said, his dark tone reflecting the ominous nature of the spell contained in his horn, “I don’t have anything against you guys, but... you’re in the way.”
Forewarned only by the brief glimmer of Slayde’s horn, a thin magical nova fanned out, slipping through the soul of everypony in range without exception. What happened next would have chilled the casual observer to the core...
The result of the spell was instantaneous. Possessed by the young unicorn’s magic, the crowd all reacted as one, becoming eerily ridged as a foreboding stillness briefly took hold of them. And If the smile creasing Truant’s face and the shamefully downcast eyes of Slayde were anything to go by, the spell that had just been cast was something most foul.
The stillness was short lived. Mere moments after the nova faded away, the assembled crowd broke the tension by erupting into chaos. Previously intimidated earth ponies cried out in utter panic as a chilling fear gripped them and caused them to run about in their distress, fanning out in a direction that could only be called ‘away’.
“Now this is very interesting.” Truant remarked steadily, somehow immune to the effects, “The hysteria spell is one of the forbidden few is it not? How, I wonder, did a little unicorn like you learn such a thing?”
Slayde wasn’t listening. There was a drawback to the dark magic he had utilized and he had to remedy it. Moving purposefully towards the figure of Ceasler writhing amid the dust cloud, the young unicorn could see the old pegasus’ eyes wide with the indiscriminate terror that had been imposed upon him. Slayde promptly put his horn to his partner’s forehead and let his horn pulse with an orange glow much brighter than the one that had preceded it.
Instantly, the old night guard was freed from the fear gripping him. He fell to the ground, his chest heaving with haggard gasps. It seemed as though the spell Slayde had used was not an easy thing to deal with.
“What the hell did you just do?!” Ceasler panted, regaining himself in time to see the horrified crowd scramble around in their attempt to flee their fears, “This is madness!”
“If that bastard managed to bully them into doing his bidding, the girls wouldn’t have had a hope of getting out of here.” Slayde reasoned, a grim determination plaguing his voice, “Instead of letting them choose between yielding to evil and sealing their doom, I removed the choice element. No matter what happens, the girls will get away and the town can’t be held responsible...
“I’m sorry.” he sighed, not proud in any sense, “But there was no other way for me to get them out of here.”
“How noble.” Truant finally spoke up, taking two indifferent steps towards the two guards, “And how disappointing. The dark arts are wasted on fools who convince themselves of a greater good.”
Ceasler covered his partner’s body with his wing, prepared to intervene should they be attacked.
“How about I educate you as to what real magic is boy?” Truant’s hollow eyes flickered as he spoke, “And what little a role anything other than power plays on the battlefield...”
“It doesn’t matter anymore!” Slayde yelled bravely, indicating the vacated town square, “You’ve lost your would-be followers. You can’t stop them anymore!”
“True. So long as your spell grips them, I cannot bring them to servitude.” the imposing unicorn replied, “But the only thing in which you have succeeded is taking their place. Now it is you who shall guide me to the child.”
“Never.” Ceasler hissed, “We will not let you have your way any longer!”
“So brave. But so foolish.” Truant’s stance changed, his horn letting forth dark energies, “What makes you think that you have a choice?”
* * * *
“Come on girls!” Applejack ordered, “Let’s pick up the pace!”
With the window the guards had given them, the girls had made it the edge of town unnoticed, and were now taking their first steps into the surrounding desert.
“Pinkie!” Applejack called, noticing that her usually energetic friend was that trailing behind the most, “Please, you’ve gotta put it outta your mind and focus on doing what they asked!”
“Oh, I know!” Pinkie Pie increased her speed and came in alongside the earth pony, “I’m just really worried is all, I hope those two are okay...”
“They’ll be fine!” Applejack reassured, “But for now, I need you out in front of me! You’re the only one here who’s gone from Appleoosa to the Buffalo camp before; we’ll get by much faster if you lead the way!”
“O...okay!” the pink pony replied, a sweat forming as her gallop hastened ever so slightly, “I’ll do my best!”
Doing what she could to fill the leadership role now that Ceasler was gone, Applejack left Pinkie to it and dropped back, checking on the others. “You okay there kid?” she asked Torrin, his little legs moving in a blur in his attempt to keep up with the much bigger ponies around him, “Darn it, Fluttershy, can you take him?”
Silently complying the weak pegasus took wing and lifted the colt up off the ground, but she could barely maintain flight under his weight. “Urgh, I’m sorry!” she squealed, “He’s too heavy! I... I can’t...”
Torrin’s dangling body was suddenly wrapped up in a purple glow, and the colt was promptly removed from the poor pegasus’ grasp and levitated over to Twilight’s back. “I’ve got you.” she smiled despite herself, keeping pace even with the new weight on her back, “Don’t worry; we’ve all got things we can and can’t do...”
With Torrin taking exhausted breaths from the safety of Twilight’s back, and Fluttershy wiping away a stressed tear, the unicorns words were only partially reassuring.
“Sorry...” the two saddened ponies apologised as one, feeling awfully useless in having to rely upon the others.
“I told you not to worry.” Twilight said again, “Because sooner or later, it’s going to be you two we’ll be depending on.”
Twilight begun to pant as she tried valiantly to maintain her gallop. “Speaking of which...’ she said between gasps, “Rarity... can we switch sometime soon?”
* * * *
“Urgh!” Slayde roared, his pained voice cutting through the town square, “Get... get out of my head!”
“This is most strange.” Truant observed, his horn holding the young unicorn in its magical glow, and his eyes calmly closed as if there was another world behind his eyelids, “I thought that your bonds with the others would serve as instruments to guide me to them, but I cannot find such bonds in your hearts.
“Odd that you would sacrifice yourselves for those whom your heart has no ties with.” he continued, truly fascinated by what Slayde and Ceasler’s souls had revealed to him, “I can already see that you had no expectation or even intention of defeating me... yet you charged in regardless? For strangers?”
Slayde panted as if suffocating, the process of having his mind invaded agonizing in the extreme. His thoughts were bent totally to Truant's will, and he could feel himself fading away into unconsciousness as the unicorn probed deeper and deeper. This same torment must have been what rendered Ceasler broken...
“Ah, I see.” Truant finally spoke, his wordless inquisition finding purchase, “You decided to follow along in this little chivalrous farce through some illusion of duty. An interesting notion considering your standing. Delusions of grandeur perhaps? Or perhaps you were intoxicated by the romantic notion of self-sacrifice?
“No matter. This search is fruitless.” Truant resigned, a moment from cancelling his spell, “The ties you have with my targets are insufficient to guide me their way.
“This is exhausting, tedious, and simply boring.” he continued, hanging his head lazily, “The measures I have adhered to thus far are far too intricate and subtle for a solution to come easily. The more I tire of being diplomatic, the more appealing the totality of my last resort becomes.
“Wait a moment...” Truant's eyes shifted behind his still closed eyelids, something being yielded as Slayde’s mind became tamed even further, “It appears as though there is a bond after all...”
“Damn it...” Slayde groaned, his thoughts having been recorded when the ‘last resort’ was mentioned, “W... wait!”
“It is only weak, and bound to a single soul, but this shall do.” Truant calculated, “And she has not gotten far. It is quite fortunate that they have not escaped my reach.”
The black glow restraining Slayde vanished drawn back to his horn as he begun to channel a new spell. The young guard didn’t need to guess what his one was...
“No!” he cried out, reaching feebly toward his foe, “Don’t you dare-”
It was too late. Truant was instantly whisked away as he teleported, the location of his target having been revealed to him by his evil magic.
His efforts for naught, Slayde slammed his hoof against the ground before his sprawled out figure in utter helplessness. “Fuck!” he roared, the feeling of failure intense, “I couldn’t... I couldn’t protect a single-”
Whatever he was about to say went unspoken. His broken mind caved into the damage that had been dealt, and he joined his pegasus partner in unconsciousness. Their role in this conflict was now well and truly over.
* * * *
“We’re getting closer right Pinkie?” Twilight asked again, “We’ve really got to hurry!”
“Sorry! I’ve only been there once!” came the reply, the pink pony leading the group back to the buffalo camp, “But it really isn’t that far off now! I swear!”
“Rarity?” Twilight called, whirling around mid-gallop to address the unicorn and the little colt draped over her back, “How’s Torrin holding up?”
“Exhausted I’m afraid...” Rarity replied, exhausted to some degree herself, “But we’re right behind you dear.”
“Let me take him.” Applejack offered, her more athletic build far less worn out that that of her friend’s, We need to pick up the pace, and your just about at your limit there sugarcube.”
Seeing Applejack take possession of the colt mid gallop, Twilight saw fit to confirm that her other friend was keeping up...
“Fluttershy?” Twilight questioned, her face pointed forwards, “You still with us?”
Silence. Twilight quickly turned, as did the others. But the sight that awaited them was a far cry from what they were expecting...
“Good afternoon ladies.” the bald unicorn standing before the silenced Fluttershy smiled humourlessly, “I have a favor to ask of you.”
Truant reached forward as if to grab Fluttershy, but Twilight recovered from her surprise quickly. A luminous purple aura cloaked her friend and vanished her, relocating the timid pegasus to her side.
“So this is the sorry bunch those two gave themselves for?” Truant laughed mirthlessly, “How... interesting.”
“If you hurt them...” Applejack growled, “I’ll never forgive you!”
“Your forgiveness is not what I desire.” the unicorn spat, “What I do desire is for you to relinquish the child, lest you suffer the same unfortunate fate as your comrades.”
Infuriated, Twilight lashed out with another spell; at least she meant to. But it seemed that Truant would not allow it. “Stop.” he ordered, black shells enveloping all of the ponies before him, “You have no chance. Either give the child up peacefully, or I shall dispose of you and simply take him.”
“Eurgh!” Fluttershy squealed, “I can’t... I can’t breathe...”
Strangulated by the black magic, Twilight’s attempts to counter the spell were overpowered on all fronts. But in refusing to give up, the light of her horn persisted, until...
Even though she was engulfed in Truant’s darkness, a more rich black glow pulsed out. It didn’t come from Twilight’s horn, rather, it’s origin seemed to be from the amulet around her neck. The very same one gifted to her by Luna...
Feed by the strange power, Twilight tapped into the energies of the crystal and popped the black shields entrapping her friends like balloons. Now liberated, the girls landed in simultaneous thumps, each one of them gasping for the air they had been denied. Even Torrin hadn’t been spared the choking magic, the colt breathing deep next to Applejack.
“I’ve been treated to quite a few surprises today.” Truant said pointedly, eyes only for the gem around Twilight’s neck, “I could recognise that aura anywhere. Luna... she has entrusted you with a fraction of her magic it seems.”
The hardened Applejack rose first, and she sluggishly made her way over to Twilight’s side. “You okay Twi?” she asked, “What in tarnation was that?”
She didn’t receive a reply right away. Her friend’s gaze was intently focused on the gem around her neck, her mind locked in deep thought.
“Applejack...” Twilight finally spoke, her tone distant and unrecognisable, “I need you to do something for me.”
“Name it sugarcube.” the earth pony replied, “What do you need?”
“Take the girls and get out of here.” she whispered, “Make sure that Torrin gets back safely to the buffalo camp.”
“Twi...” Applejack replied in disbelief, “You know I can’t-”
I’ll be fine.” Twilight reassured, “You just have to trust me. The princess’ magic is strong; I... I can fend him off like this.”
“Did I hear that right?” Truant boomed, his brow twitching slightly, “Your powers may have spiked somewhat, but without consequence. You remain but an insect before me!”
“Get up girls!” Applejack roared, leaving Twilight’s side, “We’ve getting the hay out of here!”
Fluttershy scooped up Torrin and spurred Rarity to follow her. With Pinkie Pie following last of all, she shot a concerned look back to Twilight who still hadn’t moved from before Truant.
“We’re not leaving Twilight are we!?” Pinkie Pie cried out, “We can’t just-”
“I know darn it!” Applejack’s teeth were grinding as she led Pinkie and the others away from the standoff, “Listen Pinkie, there’s something I need you to do for me...”
“What?!” the pink pony questioned, her steps slow as she was torn between fleeing and wanting to help Twilight, “What can I do?”
Applejack shook her head. “Swear that you’ll do it!” she commanded, “You gotta promise me before I tell you!”
“Okay! I promise!” Pinkie Pie replied urgently, “Now what is it!?”
The fleeing ponies kicked up a cloud of dust, and as it became smaller and smaller in the distance, Truant stopped watching it and once again turned his attention to Twilight.
“Their escape means nothing. However far they run from this spot, the distance between us remains cosmetic.” he finally spoke, “I can see the bonds you have with those girls without having to tear your mind asunder. Once I have brought you to your fall, the ties of your heart will show me to them as it has already guided me here.”
“As long as they get away it’s fine.” Twilight spoke confidently, the gem around her neck kicking back to life, “This magic is too strong for me to handle properly... this way I can’t accidentally hurt them.”
Truant laughed, genuinely amused. “A maggot may surpass itself and claim wings, but a fly remains but an insect.” he criticized, his eyes deadly, “You were helpless but a moment ago, and in discovering but a sliver of power, you are able to speak to me with such conceit? I pity you if you fancy yourself my match.”
“It’s you who doesn’t understand.” Twilight begun, her horn glowing in unison with the amulet around her neck, “I have a power greater than anything you can imagine... the power of friendship! There’s simply no way someone like you can-”
Suddenly, a pair of evil, jet black tendrils materialized from absolutely nowhere and coiled around Twilight’s unsuspecting neck.
“Really? You cannot be serious.” Truant mocked, effortlessly breaking through his foe’s defences, “I did not know Celestia’s students could turn out so stupid. Or perhaps this power you have tapped into has addled your delusional mind? Either way, it is clear that you do not properly grasp the power of who you are so quick to look down upon.”
At his command, the choking hold on Twilight’s neck tightened. Even with her newfound power, she was unable to force the evil magic to relent. But before her world faded to black, the suffocating hold disappeared. Gasping, she looked over to Truant and saw something unexpected.
Next to him, with her legs thrust out in the aftermath of a vicious two-legged kick, was a cowboy-clad earth pony.
“Applejack!” Twilight exclaimed, a jumbled mix of relief and concern present in her voice, “What are you doing?!”
“Saving your skin!” she retorted, lunging back and out of Truant’s physical reach, “No point in you babblin’ on about the power of friendship if you’re trying to take this guy on all by your lonesome!”
“I have tolerated enough distraction for one day.” Truant said unamused, his horn lighting up and firing a focused bolt of black magic at his attacker, “I will be rid of you!”
Twilight’s eyes widened in horror as the dark power struck Applejack without mercy. But for an attack that radiated an energy sufficient to blow the earth pony to pieces, the attack had no effect other than fading after it hit its intended target.
The sound of a muffled explosion could be heard from somewhere behind Twilight. She instinctively turned, and found the remains of a miniature Applejack-shaped rock come to rest by her feet. It was what was left of a totem...
“She’s not the only one!” Rarity called out from her position some distance behind Twilight, “Together, the three of us shall dispatch of this villain!”
As she spoke, her horn lit up and a loose bolder next to Truant became wrapped in light blue magic, and instantly struck the unsuspecting unicorn in the side.
“I’m normally not one for violence, but you’ve forced my hoof!” Rarity boomed, “I will not let a scoundrel like you harm my dear friends!”
When Truant righted himself, shrugging off the fragments of rock that clung to him after being struck, he was quite obviously unharmed. But despite his unfettered exterior, the unicorn was furious. It wasn’t even the act of being attacked that did it. He had been expecting things to go his way from the outset, and this latest interruption had pushed him that last little bit beyond his infamously low boiling point.
“Out of the woodwork they come, bugs capable enough to be a nuisance.” Truant growled, a dark energy amassing as he spoke, forming into a grim orb hovering in place at the tip of his horn, “I have had enough. I cannot stand another moment of your impudence. Even if you are mere insects, I will summon up the maelstrom if it means your end.
“Your time is up.” he said deadpan, “If you can comprehend my might, then die knowing how powerless you truly are...”
What happened next simply happened too fast to be properly fathomed. With stark suddenness, the black orb Truant had conjured expanded and then flashed, it’s dark aura blasting outward at a horrifying pace.
It was a shockwave of pure magical energy. There was no time to think, let alone react. And while Applejack was immediately beside Truant, and Twilight and Rarity were significantly further back, the bomb-like strike blasted the three away in such quick succession that it might as well have been simultaneous.
The darkness faded, and in its wake, a crater-like impression had been forced into the barren area that had been covered by the range of the blast. And standing in the epicentre, indifferent to the destruction all around him, was Truant.
Despite his eyes being void of pupils, he seemed to scan the area as if he was searching for something. He payed no heed to the fragmented remains of the three totems the white unicorn had managed to craft before being hit. Their presence was but a token gesture. The area of his black bomb encompassed both the targets and the totems, so they had not been spared the damage.
Disregarding the lifeless figure of the earth pony immediately beside him, his hollow eyes finally found what they were looking for. “Ah, good.” he said to himself, seeing the unconscious figure of Twilight close to where she’d been prior to the attack, collapsed by the equally unconscious totem crafter amongst the rubble, “She lives. This one was the student I was told of. She will make for a significant hostage against the princess.”
He was quickly in front of her, and he used his front hoof to roll the girl over, the curious little amulet around her neck becoming visible as the unicorn’s limp body was made to face upward.
“This is also interesting.” Truant observed, “I can sense immense alicorn magic sealed inside this trinket. If I were to study this, I could unlock even greater power-”
He cut himself off as he heard a sold hoof stomp against the ground behind him, deliberately announcing the owner’s presence.
“You were within fatal range of my spell.” he said without turning around, “For you to be alive, much less standing... is nothing short of remarkable.”
Applejack breathed heavy, her body absolutely devastated by the unrestrained attack that had been loosed upon her. Despite the fact she had willed her body to rise and place herself before the enemy, it was clear that she did not intend to fight. Disarmingly, she tried her best to take steady steps towards her downed friends so that she ended up between Twilight and Truant.
“Ah, I see now.” the unicorn said, having been focused upon the mystery of the amulet in preference of Applejack’s futile display, “That thing was designed to be a countermeasure against Terra.”
Truant finally acknowledged Applejack as his empty eyes came to bear upon her. “But as you no doubt realize, I am not he.” he pointed out, directly taunting the earth pony, “Whatever scheme your princess concocted to safeguard you has no effect on me.
“To be honest, I expected significantly more from a student of Celestia.” he continued, his tone taking a grim shift, “But no matter, she has on her person something of far greater interest than her own pitiful self.”
Applejack remained speechless as the unicorn took a definitive step towards Twilight, or more accurately, the necklace given to her by Luna.
“Wait.” she finally said, mustering up what remained of her strength as she bent down and wretched the amulet from her friend’s neck, “I’ll give it to you... there’s no reason to hurt her.”
“You truly are hardier than I expected, though I suppose the better of you earth ponies always seem to be filled with surprises.” Truant remarked, almost sounding like he was praising the pony before him, “Alas, I fear I cannot spare the girl. She will prove to be an effective tool in staying Luna’s charge if I bring her to Terra.”
Applejack didn’t budge, making sure to cover her friend. Seeing the earth pony’s tenacity, Truant simply sighed. “I loath to beat you while you are down, but surely you must realize that this resistance is over.” the unicorn’s eyes were deadly, “Step aside. It is the only option left for you.”
Applejack tossed the necklace to his feet, her chest still heaving with every quaking breath. “Have it your way...” she resigned, collapsing into a kneel, the hat falling from her head, “But don’t take Twi... I’m beggin’ you!” Applejack pleaded, a few tears dampening the dust below, “Please... please leave her! If you really gotta take somepony... then let it be me! Please!”
“Are you attempting to bluff, or are you simply mad?” Truant questioned, “Does she mean so much to you that you would prefer to take her place?”
“Yes.” Applejack replied evenly, not even a hint of hesitation to her words, “I can’t let you take her...”
“Be that as it may, the situation remains unchanged.” Truant shook his head, “You may not take her place. Her life has value, and yours does not.
“Now, step aside.” he continued, giving her the option a final time, “Or I shall prove to you how easily your life can be snuffed out?”
Even with those heavy words, Applejack’s stance did not waver. As the merciless unicorn stepped toward her, her decision was clear. In seeing that she really did mean to resist, Truant sighed again, and allowed his horn to glow with deadly intent.
“So be it.” he said indifferently, “Die for your worthless attachment.”
But Applejack wasn’t listening. Defiant to the last, she just closed her eyes and let the end come. Even with closed eyes, she was still able to see the red flash of whatever spell Truant chose to cast upon her, and she grimaced knowingly as the ear-piecing squeal of death zoomed in upon her ears. The light burning through her eyelids flashed and she felt heat strafe by on both sides of her body.
But in feeling nothing, and hearing the voice of Truant grunt out in pain, Applejack immediately opened her eyes. On either side of her were two thin trails of flame, strafing forward to the hunched figure of...
Her eyes widened to see the big black scorch mark sizzling across Truant’s chest. Though he must have been in pain, his face was contorted not with agony, but with fury; his empty eyes disregarding Applejack in preference of the one who had attacked him.
The shocked earth pony turned, thinking that Twilight had struck him with a spell, but as her eyes met with Twilight, she was exactly as she was a moment ago, lying unconscious and amulet-less behind her guardian. With Rarity also knocked out, and Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie sworn to continue on to the buffalo camp, Applejack couldn’t fathom how her life had just been saved...
“This... is unexpected.” Truant shattered the earth pony’s confusion as he spoke through grinding teeth, “I tire of these persistent diversions!”
Applejack’s eyes soon fell upon the focus of Truant’s fury. She saw her blazing, beady little eyes, and her crimson feathered body crackling with an aura of white hot fire. Philomena had arrived in all her infuriated glory to remind Applejack that she still had one more friend left.
“You are no ordinary phoenix are you?” Truant questioned, more directed at himself than the bird itself, “No... this aura. You must be the fabled clutchmother; the arch phoenix... Philomena.
“Killing you...” Truant hissed, “Will be difficult.”
Philomena’s coat of fire begun to burn with even greater intensity, speaking to the unicorn before her in terms that could not be misunderstood.
“I have heard legends of your fury Philomena, but I must admit... to see it for myself is simply terrifying.” Truant pointed out, “But it is to be expected I suppose. Your friends lay beaten, their allies crushed, and your master made a prisoner...”
By way of response, Philomena took stance upon the ground, dismissing her flames and summoning up a coo unlike any other Applejack could imagine to come from such a beautiful creature. It was clear that, down to her flaming core, Philomena hated this unicorn.
“Hehe... haha! This is interesting indeed!” Truant boomed, his tone shifting from calculated to vicious, “You really hate me don’t you?! Superb! Come on then, I’ve been waiting for a worthy opponent!”
Philomena shot off the mark, her smooth feathered body bursting into a coat of fire. Like it had done before, her path towards the enemy was traced by twin trails of flame. But unlike the last time, Truant was ready. His enraged opponent rushed in recklessly, leaving herself wide open.
Hastened by dark magic, Truant dodged to the left. “The same thing again?” he questioned as he made to counterattack, “Simple beast!”
But Philomena was too quick. Stopping mid charge, her flaming coat flicked away as she splayed her wings wide, seemingly becoming defenceless...
In the next instant however, she summoned up a furiously blinding light, as if the sun’s very rays flashed out from the heart of the bird’s chest.
“These eyes cannot be blinded creature.” Truant said, the black pits of his eyes unfazed by the incomprehensibly bright light, “Your efforts are futile-”
A secondary brightness pulsed out, but this one had more substance than simple light. Philomena had succeeded in luring her foe close, and so she unleashed her most devastating attack of all.
A flaming explosion radiated out from Philomena’s core, making it look as though the sun had dropped from its home in the sky so as to blacken the already arid desert battlefield. The blast was so hot and so explosive, Truant was sent bailing backwards, his white coat darkened and smoking from the intense heat.
While Truant was recovering, Philomena zipped in to Applejack’s side in preference of continuing her siege. The fiery explosion had struck the area the earth pony was in as well, but strangely enough, she was unharmed. In fact, as the flames became extinguished, Applejack almost felt a little better.
She couldn’t imagine how being struck by phoenix fire could benefit her while it quite clearly damaged Truant, but her wondering was brought to and end as Philomena edged in as if to confirm Applejack’s health. Satisfied, she tapped the earth pony on the shoulder with a hot wing, then picked up the unconscious Twilight with ease and placed her carefully on Applejack’s back.
Given her weakened state, the load was heavy upon her back, but Philomena’s intention was clear. She was giving Applejack the chance to take the girls and run. Disregarding the forfeited amulet lying but a few metres before her, Applejack hefted the heavy unicorn on her back over to where Rarity was, committed to getting both of them out of here.
The combined weight of the two was borderline unbearable, but she absolutely refused to waste the chance she was given. It was a miracle Philomena showed up when she did, and there would be no way Applejack would accept leaving either Rarity or Twilight to Truant’s mercy. Even if she couldn’t get them back to the buffalo camp, even if her very legs broke before she could get away, they would either all make it, or none of them would...
The sounds of a unicorn and a phoenix duelling resumed as Applejack inched her way out of the range of their frenzied attacks. She didn’t know how far away the buffalo camp was, but she knew it was in the direction she walked. All she had to do, no... all she would do, is put one hoof in front of the other until the three of them were safe.
She didn’t make it much further before her legs gave out. The two unicorns on her back falling to the ground, the trio thumped to the earth in a puff of dust. Her face against the earth, Applejack’s single tear of failure was drunk up by the thirsty ground. Oddly enough however, almost as if in payment for the nourishment, the ground begun to vibrate softly. Over the next few seconds, the shuddering intensified and her fading senses picked up on the faint sound of a stampede. Hope granting her the strength to raise her head, Applejack saw the cloud of dust in the distance closing in, and the shiny white horns of half a dozen buffalo.
“There they are!” Little Strongheart directed, flanked on one side by Fluttershy, the other by Pinkie Pie, “Quickly now, get them up and on our backs! Let’s get them out of here!”
With a speed unrivalled, Fluttershy flew in faster than a bullet to support Applejack’s head. Pinkie Pie was also upon the group with exceptional speed, beating the buffalo to the scene by a significant measure.
“You guys...” Applejack croaked, “You came back? Didn’t you promise?”
“I guess we’re even now...” Pinkie Pie smiled despite herself, “But if there’s one thing worse than breaking a promise, it’s abandoning a friend.”
Whatever might have followed her sentiment was quickly denied as a huge burst of fire erupted not too far in the distance.
“That’s Philomena isn’t it?” Fluttershy asked, still cradling Applejack’s head, “Is she okay?”
“She’s strong... she’s giving us the chance to escape, and we can’t waste it.” Applejack lifted a weakened hoof and clutched Fluttershy, making sure she understood, “He wiped us out like we were nothin’; even with the buffalo here, there’s no way to stop that guy...
“We got no choice but to have faith in Philomena.” she continued, her hoof going limp and dropping back down, foreshadowing her imminent collapse, “We have to get out of here while we can... and get Torrin back to Canterlot so we can-”
She passed out before she could finish her sentence. As if in response, a trio of buffalo arrived and offered their backs, ready to carry the ponies back to safety. Honouring Applejack’s word, Fluttershy summoned up enough strength to lift up the heavy earth pony and put her as gently as she could upon the one of the stronger buffalo’s back. Pinkie Pie and Little Strongheart teamed up to get Twilight and Rarity on position upon the remaining two buffalo.
As the small group was ready to depart, they rejoined the rest of their herd and turned on the spot, facing back where they had come.
“Okay, we’ve got them!” Little Strongheart announced, “Let’s get them back to the carriage!”
* * * *
Close to the edge of the buffalo lands, the main body of the tribe, under the direction of Braeburn, were close to completing their makeshift train. With the somewhat rough and tumble engineering design of the earth pony, the carriage that had been split from the Appleoosa train now had undergone something of a transformation.
The thick steel girder that held the roof up had been crudely removed, and was now sticking out the front of the carriage. At ‘best-fit’ intervals, there were eight buffalo sized stocks, that would allow four on either side so they could pull the lightweight railcar as if it were buffalo-drawn carriage.
As the monstrosity the thing had become was painstakingly returned into position on the railroad, Braeburn couldn’t help but be proud of the achievement. He would’ve marvelled further at his ingenuity, but as half a dozen buffalo returned carrying three unconscious ponies, and in seeing his cousin among them, any and all thoughts of self-praise were gone from his mind...
“Cuz!?” he exclaimed, galloping toward the worn out group, “Can ya hear me? Cuz!”
Torrin made to see what the commotion was, but Chief Thunderhooves was wise enough to keep the young colt at bay. “Get aboard the transport little one.” he ordered, his speech interrupted by a deep snort, “It would seem it shall soon be time to leave.”
“Get them inside!” Little Strongheart ordered, pointing her hoof authoritatively to two groups of buffalo, “You four and you four, strap into the stocks! We have to get these ponies out of here!”
“What happened?” Braeburn questioned, watching his cousin and her two lifeless friends get placed tenderly on the beds inside the carriage, “Are they okay?”
Fluttershy didn’t have time for questions. She had to do whatever she could to maintain her friends’ health. For her part, Pinkie Pie moved with purpose over to Thunderhooves and Torrin, obviously taking it upon herself to get the colt on board.
In the end, it was Little Strongheart who addressed Braeburn’s concern. “They’re badly hurt, but they will live.” she bowed her head, “I’m sorry, but could you please get aboard? We really need to leave.”
Braeburn bit his lip for a moment, looking up to the carriage and at his cousin being carefully attended to by the shy pegasus who seemed committed to staying by her side.
“I... I’m not getting aboard.” he replied tentatively, “I’m goin’ back to Appleoosa. The town’s in chaos, and I can do more there than I can here.”
Little Strongheart seemed to accept the earth pony’s decision. She made to leave him to his resolution, but before she could step away, Braeburn grabbed her.
“Just promise me ya’ll get her back.” he said without looking at the buffalo girl, “I don’t wanna leave her as she is, but I got no choice... I have to trust you with this.”
“I promise.” Little Strongheart bowed, “I shall even accompany the train back to Canterlot. I wish you luck at Appleoosa... as soon as things have calmed here, the chief will most certainly send aid.”
And with that, the earth pony was off, galloping along the length of the railway line that lead back to Appleoosa. As he departed, Thunderhooves stepped in next to his daughter.
“The carriage is nearly prepared.” he grunted, “I must stay here and ensure the conflict does not spill over into our land. I leave it for you to honour our debt to these ponies, for settling our past qualms.
“May the spirit of our ancestors help you guide them safely to their homes.” he concluded, ushering Little Strongheart aboard the carriage, “I shall keep watch over the land until you return.”
“Thank you chief.” Little Strongheart said from the doorway, the train beginning to move as the buffalo pulling it kicked into action, “I shall do you proud.”
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So. Many. Words
chzgifs.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/funny-gifs-will-only-read.gif
I'll read it later instead.
I'll read the rest later I've got to go to work
668917 Looks like the transition from GoogleDocs to fimfic was a little less smooth that I hoped it would be.
Chapters 3-9 seem okay, but i'll see to those paragraphing errors as soon as I get some free time. In the meantime, I hope it doesn't hamper the reading too much.
I think I remember reading this on EQD, was it posted there before?
669032 Yes, that's correct. It was featured, but I ceased writing close to august last year. I've been working on bringing it back, and this is very much different to what you may have seen back then. For instance, back then it had 11 chapters and 98,000 words. And now... well, let's just say I've been busy trying to get back up on the horse. Pun intended.
669050 Eeeeee! I've actually been wondering where this went, this is great!
You know I actually like these long paragraphs this story is amazing so far
I updated chapters one and two so that the paragraphing matches up to the rest of the chapters. Hopefully it looks a little cleaner now, and it's just generally easier to read through.
It's nice to see this story again, welcome to FimFic!
Fav'd, Thumbs Up'd & downloaded
I'm still slightly confused about time frame. Did it really take Marco a few months to walk from his town to ponyville? I'm curious because we go from the incident having just happened a couple days ago to celestia in canterlot saying Luna still hasn't forgiven herself for what happened "months ago"
723488
In preparing to write this behemoth, I needed to encompass a lot of the happenings of season one which take place in a rather indefinite time frame. Sure, there's the first two episodes from which this story draws most of its 'source material', but there's also themes that come in later, such as Twilight having Owlicious, or having already been to Appleoosa, and many other episode-dependent plot points. In this sense, the time taken for Marco to arrive at Ponyville is left purposely vague, because the passage of time in the show itself is also vague.
In any case, Marco did indeed begin his journey a few days after the incident, and arrive at Ponyville months later. In what little explanation of his home I allowed, it's stated that it was a long, long way away. The introductory chapter is long enough as it is, so I could hardly afford to delve into what happened over those months, but you can assume it wasn't as simple as walking from point A to point B. Few things often are in this universe, no? Just look at how complicated things got trying to go from Ponyville to Canterlot!
Anyway, I hope that cleared up a little confusion. Thanks for pointing it out though, being the author makes it hard for me to notice these things on my own.
723851 thank you for the response. I guess it would take a pretty good chunk of time especially if the town was a large distance beyond the borders. I'm just surprised he didn't starve while crossing the desert area.
724380
Well, in his youth he was taught by Arabelle and trained by West so that he could travel the world. Or at least that was implied... I think. Regardless, he's got a decent set of survival skills, which is contradicted somewhat by his tendency to misidentify poisonous fungi.