Somewhere far from the forest, miles away from Ponyville, Twilight and her friends have found a safe resting spot to catch their breath from after all that running. The tiresome ponies tried to remain out of the open to insure that those creatures would not be able to find them. While everypony was resting, Applejack regained her strength and looked around to be sure that all of her friends are safe and alive.
"Everypony okay?" Applejack worried.
"That was close." Pinkie Pie exhausted.
"Too close. I thought we were all gonna die." Rainbow Dash laying on her back and breathing hard in tiresome.
Applejack signed in relieved. As for Twilight, she remained sitting on the ground alone with her head lowering down in shame. Drops of tears are falling from Twilight's cheeks, feeling guilty and her heart shattered in a million pieces.
"Princess Celestia…. I'm so sorry." Twilight whispered to herself as she sobbed.
Applejack saw Twilight's crying. She walked up to her and patted her on the back. "Twilight? Are you okay?"
Twilight took the time to raise her head, wiping the tears from her eyes and looked up to all of her friends, who are staring at her in a worried look. She thought to herself for a second and decided to tell them the truth of why this was happening. As she was about to speak, but then she heard a sound of a tree branch cracked in the woods. There was someone out there and it's coming their way. The six ponies huddled up and prepared for anything.
"WHO'S THERE?!" Rainbow Dash shouted with warning.
In the darkness of the woods, a brown cloaked figure emerged from foggy trees. The hooded figure recognized one of the ponies and spoke. "Twilight? Is that you I see?"
Twilight and her friends hesitated and realized that brown cloaked figure was somepony they knew. They slowly walked in closer and then… "Zecora?"
The brown cloaked figure put down the hood, exposing a dark gray white striped zebra and gold hooped in the ears. It really was Zecora.
"Zecora! You don't know how happy we are to see you!" Twilight shouted in relieved.
Zecora placed her hoof on Twilight's lips. "Shhhh…. Eyes and ears explore on the scene. Come, come before we are seen."
Zecora pulled up her hood back on and left. The ponies just stand there, staring at each other.
"Where are you taking us?" Rarity asked.
"There is no time to explain. A place that we must obtain." Zecora said.
"But I can't go. My whole family are still at Sweet Apple Acres. Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, Babs, Apple Bloom!" Applejack cried out.
"Oh my! I've left dear sweet Sweetie Belle at home. My poor thing is out there all alone!" Rarity said faintly.
"Angel and all of my friends are still at my cottage." Fluttershy whimpered in tears.
"What about the Wonderbolts, they can't be there without me." Rainbow Dash shouted.
"I am sorry, dear ponies. But this is a chance that you cannot take. In other words it will be too late. If you rush to save them, you shall only be condemned. Come!" Zecora moved off, the ponies signed and quickly followed her through the woods. They traveled across the river and into fern-covered trees.
Zecora stopped and looked back at the ponies. "This way."
Zecora walked ahead and then all of a sudden she just disappeared in a flash. The ponies gasped in surprise when they saw it.
"Did y'all see that?" Applejack gasped.
While the ponies were all stunted after what they just saw. Twilight took a moment and walked ahead like Zecora did.
"Twilight, wait!" Applejack called out to the purple unicorn.
Twilight kept on walking and also disappeared in a flash. The ponies gasped in shock to see their friend also vanished without a trace. But then, Twilight's head reappeared levitating in the air, like sticking her head out through an invisible curtain. "It's okay. It's a place protected by some kind of an invisible dome. Come on!"
Twilight's head went back and disappeared. The ponies took their time and one by one they walked through the invisible instance. After they all got though they appeared in an old room filled with ancient artifacts.
"What is this place?" Fluttershy asked.
"A place that is hostile. But protect us for a while." Zecora replied.
"What the hay is going on here, Zecora? What are those things?" Applejack demanded.
"There is no need for a rush. For I will show you in a just." Zecora approached her steaming cauldron, carrying a hoof load of green powder. She added the powder into the cauldron and the liquid surface began to change. Twilight and her friends walked towards the glowing cauldron and stared what was changing inside. The first line of the following as the rest of the powder was thrown in and formed into a glowing green silhouette of bats swarming around Equestria.
"Equestria is been ruled by monsters of the night. Creatures that care nothing but disasters of fright." Zecora read out.
"Where did they come from, Zecora?" Rainbow Dash asked.
The second line of the following as the rest of the powder was thrown in and formed into a glowing green silhouette of fire and smoke.
"From the depth of the underworld. But neither from the netherworld. Slumbering forever in an eternal sleep. "Awaking once more to finish what they begun." Zecora read out.
"I still don't understand. Why are they doin' this?" Applejack questioned.
"They are not creatures for you to understand. Chosen a life filled with a curse." Zecora said.
"But what kind of creatures will choose such a life like this?" Fluttershy gasped.
"Can you think of a creature that will. A monster that can be so vile." Zecora said with a grim.
"Are you sayin' that those things were….." Applejack started to shake.
The third line of the following as the rest of the powder was thrown in and formed into a glowing green silhouette of a symbol. A red bat-shaped symbol. All the ponies shocked in fear. They know what that symbol meant and what that symbol represented.
"I know that mark. That's their mark. The symbol of… t-the Nightwalkers!" Applejack said while shaking in fear.
Rainbow Dash's eyes widen with disbelief and shrieked. "The Nightwalkers?! You mean… those monsters were the Nightwalkers?"
"You mean, they're real?" Pinkie Pie whispered.
"Oh yes. They are very real. If that is what you feel." Zecora responded.
"So, that means?" Rarity started to sweat.
"You mean that creature….. that we just saw…. the one that tried to kill us was….. was… was…" Fluttershy choking.
"...Lord Bloodfang." Zecora finished the sentence.
"Oh, this is bad." Applejack said nervously.
Rainbow Dash hovered next to Applejack and panicky screamed. "Bad!? This isn't bad! This is horrible! We're doomed! No, I take it back! We're not doomed! We're all dead!"
"Calm down, Rainbow Dash!" Applejack said to the frightened pegasus.
"Calm down!? Calm down!? Don't you get it, Applejack! This is Dark Lord Bloodfang we're talking about here! The most dangerous and the most powerful creature on earth! Not even Princess Celestia could stop him! We're all going to die!" Rainbow Dash flying and pacing in the air while panicking even more.
"Rainbow Dash! STOP IT!….. you're scarin' everypony." Applejack pointed out.
Rainbow Dash looked to the direction of Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie, all shaking in fear. Rainbow Dash felt guilty and decided to flew down and relaxed a little.
Applejack said as she turned back to Zecora. "But how? Why?"
The fourth line of the following as the rest of the powder was thrown in and formed into a glowing green silhouette of Bloodfang emerging from underground.
"Placed in a sacred ground the beast has been kept in, Eternal slumber forever until he was awakened." Zecora read out.
"Awakened? Does this have anything to do with the eclipse?" Rarity wondered.
"No, Rarity. The event that is happening is nothing but a sign. But only to interfere that caused him to rise." Zecora said.
Twilight's eyes widen and twitched nervously when she heard what Zecora just said.
"You mean, Bloodfang's resting place was disturbed?" Applejack said looking rather puzzled.
"What?! By who?" Rarity desperately asked.
"I can't tell you who, but I can tell you a clue." Zecora said.
The fifth line of the following as the rest of the powder was thrown in and formed into a glowing green silhouette of a pony next to Bloodfang.
"Returning the Dark Lord to the throne. Awaken by one of your own." Zecora read out.
"Wait! He was awakened by a... pony?!" Applejack said in shock.
"A pony woke him up?! Why I outta… wait till I find this pony! I give her a piece of my mind!" Rainbow Dash yelled furiously, rising off the ground.
"That's terrible!" Fluttershy gasped in shock.
"So not funny at all!" Pinkie Pie grouched.
"I agreed. Oh, the nerve." Rarity humphed.
"What kind of a selfish, cold-hearted fellow could do somethin' so deviant?" Applejack shouted.
Twilight began to sweat as she listened to all those harsh comments, feeling more and more guiltier.
"I don't know." Twilight sadly whispered to herself.
On the skies of concurred Equestria, General Darkclaw and few Nightwalkers were flying over the forest. They were patrolling the area, trying to find more ponies that escaped from their grasped. From above, they saw nothing but trees and rocks. The area was lifeless. Darkclaw and his Nightwalkers decided to fly towards the next part of the forest. But then, one of the guards spotted a small smoke in the middle of the trees. The Nightwalker called out to its leader.
"GENERAL DARKCLAW! LOOK!" Nightwalker Guard pointed out.
Darkclaw halt and looked where the Nightwalker was pointing at and saw the smoke too.
"There they are." Darkclaw smiled and snickered.
Back in the hidden place on the ground, Twilight, Zecora, and the others ponies are still gathered around the cauldron.
"What should we do?" Applejack said.
"There is nothing you can do. There is no hope as well." Zecora closed her eyes.
"See, I told you." Rainbow Dash signed in defeat.
"There is only to pray. But there is only a way." Zecora said with hope.
"Really?" Twilight surprised a little.
"But how?" Rarity asked.
"Only by their strength, victory shall come. You must seek help, by someone unlike you." Zecora answered.
"But who can help us?" Fluttershy said curiously.
"They beat them back then. They can do it again." Zecora smiled.
"You mean…." Applejack said cynically.
The final line of the following as the rest of the powder was thrown in and formed into a glowing green silhouette of a symbol of a wolf's paw.
"Oh yes. The ones you called… the Wolves of Imperiacus." Zecora read out.
All the ponies are overwhelmed by what they just heard.
"The wolves? You mean "The Legendary Guardians"!" Pinkie Pie said as she jumped in joy.
"Did she say….. the Guardians?" Rarity said softly.
"The Guardians!" Fluttershy breathing a sigh of relief.
Rainbow Dash finally became more relaxed when she heard the mention of the Guardians. "That's right! Of course! The Guardians can save us."
"That's it, Zecora? You want us to go and call the Guardians, right?" Applejack cheerfully asked.
"And you're saying that it is up to us to go find them, so they can save all of Equestria." Pinkie Pie happily said.
Zecora smiled and nodded happily.
"Wait a minute. Maybe we don't have to. When the Guardians see that the Nightwalkers are back and started taking over. They'll sure to come, right?" Rainbow Dash excitedly asked jumping in front of her.
Zecora frowned to Rainbow Dash's question. "I'm afraid not. The eclipse is in three days. By the time they know. It will be too late."
"What will happen in three days?" Twilight finally asked and gulped realizing that something bad is going to happen.
"If the monsters are not defeated when the new day approaches. Another hundred years, Equestria will be a land of death." Zecora explained.
"Where can we find them?" Twilight said.
"You must journey to the faraway land of Imperiacus. Across the land of the sea. The land you shall find." Zecora said.
"How?" Twilight said desperately.
Zecora gestured off to one side and pointed at the dark part of the room. Two candles light up by themselves and slowly lighten up the room. The room was showing a curved marking-ground with ancient symbols written around it.
"This spell will send you away. By showing you the way." Zecora pointed out.
Twilight studied the strange markings on the ground and realized something about it. "This is an ancient teleport spell, isn't it Zecora?"
Zecora nodded. "Indeed you're right, Twilight. The spell will work if all of you are together. Walk to the center of the markings and take you wherever."
"We better hurry then." Rainbow Dash said to everypony.
"Let's move." Applejack and the others began to walk toward the center of the marking-ground.
"Are you coming with us, Zecora?" Twilight asked her zebra friend.
"Have hope, dear Twilight. Only hope can save….." Before Zecora could finish her sentence, a huge explosion came out from behind. Twilight, Zecora, and the all the ponies looked back and saw General Darkclaw and the Nightwalkers walked out from the smoke, facing them. Their hiding place has been discovered.
"Ponies! By the order of Lord Bloodfang! Surrender to us or die!" Darkclaw warned.
"RUN! DISTRACT THEM I WILL. WE SHALL MEET AGAIN UNTIL." Zecora shouted.
"SEIZE THEM!" Darkclaw ordered.
The Nightwalkers swept into an attack, but Zecora pulled out a huge pile of glowing green dust and blown upward; following it into the air. The green dust dissipated around the room, forming into a foggy green cloud. Darkclaw and the Nightwalkers coughed as they looked uneasily around themselves, not seeing the ponies or anything around them.
"Where are they?" Darkclaw coughing in the fog.
"I can't see!" Nightwalker Guard coughing while trying to see through the fog.
With all the Nightwalkers distracted, Twilight and her friends hurried to the marking-ground and prepared to leave. Twilight looked back and saw Zecora still behind, blowing more of her green dust at the Nightwalkers.
"ZECORA, COME ON!" Twilight begged.
"GO!" Zecora yelled back as she disappeared into the green fog.
"ZECORA!" Twilight screaming in tears.
"Twilight! COME ON!" Applejack shouted.
Applejack ran to Twilight and dragged her to the marking-ground. When all of the six ponies were in position, out came the magic when all the ponies were conjured by a matching ring of flames from the markings on the floor. When the flames completely surrounded them, they all vanished with a purple flash of light.
The same purple light flashed out somewhere in a mysterious dark cave, A spot of light that slowly grow in brightness against the black to illuminate the area immediately around. It is on the tip of Twilight's horn; the ponies are in some barren cavern. Now Twilight and her friends looked around from place to place, looking for any hint of a way out of this mysterious cave.
"Now where are we?" Rainbow Dash groaned.
"What is this place?" Pinkie Pie scratching her head.
Fluttershy shaking in fright as she looked around the dark spooky cave. "It's too dark in here."
Rarity was pacing the floor; she stepped on loose dirt and was horrified to find its dust on her hoof. An appropriate shriek followed as she backed up. "Oh, and this place is full of dirt!"
Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash for a little help of finding where they are. "Rainbow Dash! See if you can find a way out up high."
"You got it." Rainbow Dash flew higher to get a better view around the cave. Looking through every corner to find a way out. Somewhere far in the lightless distance, a spark of light flashed out, knowing that she found an exit.
"Look, there's a way out up ahead." Rainbow Dash pointed out.
Applejack signed and decided it will be a better option. "Guess we have no choice."
"Let's go." Rainbow Dash said as she flew off and led the way. As all the ponies followed Rainbow Dash, Applejack looked back and saw that Twilight was still behind, sitting alone in the dark cave.
"Twilight?" Applejack said.
Twilight's eyes pop suddenly; in a longer shot, the others are walking out, Applejack hanged back, calling out to Twilight. "You comin'?"
"Ummm…. yeah... I'm coming." Twilight got up and ran off through the cave and catch up with her friends. In her mind, she thought in herself that maybe it's not a good idea to tell her friends at all.
From a distance all of Ponyville was consumed from its center outwardly by the growing wall of destruction. Within seconds all of Ponyville was gone. The view of the small village was burning and smoking with the red bat-shaped symbol flag struck to the ground, as a sign of victory. This once beautiful land was now being destroyed by an ancient enemy. It was still only noon and yet the sky was covered with purple clouds of darkness. The town was now quiet and soundless as all the Nightwalkers are hovering over the completely wiped out Ponyville. Zooming toward the Canterlot Castle and into the throne room, where Lord Bloodfang was standing in the balcony and watched the view of all of Canterlot and Ponyville go up in smoke.
"Ah, Equestria. All burnt in ruins. Just like old times, right Princess?" Bloodfang turned to Princess Celestia who was now shackled with giant metal chains around her neck, hooves, and wings and her horn mostly burnt. She was now a prisoner in her own castle. The Princess responded nothing as she only stared angrily at the Dark Lord.
"So, where is your poor lonely little sister?" Bloodfang questioned her as he slowly walked closer to her.
Princess Celestia still didn't say a single word as Bloodfang grew impatient.
"Where is she? Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Bloodfang growled in frustration as the captured Princess still refused to say a word.
"So be it. I'll just order one of my children to bring me a random little filly here and I will slaughter it right in front of you." Bloodfang threatened.
"DON'T YOU DARE HARM ANOTHER SOUL, YOU… YOU MONSTER!" Princess Celestia finally screamed out.
"Then tell me! Where is your sister?!" Bloodfang demanded.
"She will be here. Soon, she will defeat you." Princess Celestia shouted.
"Thousands of years and yet you still haven't changed, Princess. Do you really think your miserable lonely little sister can destroy me if you can't?" Bloodfang mocked.
"I wasn't talking about my sister. I was talking about my star student, Twilight Sparkle!" Princess Celestia said with pride.
"Twilight? I've heard that name before." Bloodfang took a moment to think and finally the mention of that name popped into his mind. "Oh yes. I remember. I heard her voice when I was slumbering in my tomb. So, this Twilight was the one who set me free. Such irony, I was freed not from my very own kind, but only to be freed by a little pony. And not just any pony….. Your own star student."
"It is destiny." Princess Celestia talked back.
"Poor sweet, Princess Celestia. If only you have just bow before me and become my queen. Things would've been different." Bloodfang said as he rubbed his claws on the Princess's hair.
Princess Celestia shouted as she pulled herself away from Bloodfang's grip. "Never! My heart belongs to somewolf else."
"Him?! Of all the creatures in the world. You choose him. What is so special about him? You, the Princess of all ponies. Only to give your own heart to that miserable mutt." Bloodfang scoffed.
"He has love, wisdom, and harmony of friendship." Princess Celestia said loudly.
"That's it. Ha! Am I going to sacrifice my destiny to those pathetic words than possessing ultimate power and immortality?" Bloodfang laughed.
"Are those the only things you serve, Bloodfang? Only to be empty-hearted." Princess Celestia said with disappointment.
"And what do you serve, Princess. Sacrificing the poor and protecting the innocence. That's what makes you so weak." Bloodfang stopped at the sound of a door being thrown opened. It was General Darkclaw.
"What is it, General?" Bloodfang commanded.
General Darkclaw walked to Bloodfang and bowed before him. "My lord, Canterlot and the small village called Ponyville are now under Nightwalker Law. We've also salvaged all across the forest. We captured few ponies and a zebra on the way, but I'm afraid that six ponies have managed to escape."
"Twilight..." Princess Celestia whispered to herself.
Bloodfang growled as he overheard the Princess and looked back to his General. "Are you sure that there are only six of them escaped?"
"Yes my lord." Darkclaw said.
"Does one happen to be a unicorn?" Bloodfang questioned.
"There were different types, my lord. Two unicorns, two pegasi, and two earth ponies." Darkclaw answered.
Bloodfang hesitated for a moment and speak to his General who was awaiting orders. "Then take as many as you can, General. Find these ponies and bring them to me immediately."
"Yes, my lord." Darkclaw bowed again and flew out of the throne room.
Bloodfang chuckled and stared back to the princess. "Your star student will not be a problem for long. My forces will capture them very soon."
"We shall see, Bloodfang." Princess Celestia protested.
You've always were a fool, Princess. Still always thinking that there is hope even you have been miserably defeated. But I can tell you this." Bloodfang grabbed Princess Celestia's face in a sudden force. "You can brag all you want about your precious student and your words of love, wisdom, and friendship, but that will not stop me from killing every miserable creature on this world."
Bloodfang released the Princess's face and stepped over to a window and looked out; his minions are running amok in the streets and in the skies.
"Once I devour every soul. I will have all the strength and power I need to kill your prince and destroy my hated enemies…. the Guardians." Bloodfang hissed.
SONG: WE ARE LORDS!
(Bloodfang jumped out from the balcony and flew over the top of the Castle and made a hard landing.)
"Love, wisdom, friendship, ha. Those words don't even mean to describe it. My heart is filled with cold and ashes. Feel the evil from within."
"We are Lords!"
"We are Lords!"
"Lords that reign of fear. We are ones who care for chaos. We are ones who care for conquest. We are ones who care for destruction."
(Bloodfang stomped his foot hard on top of the tower and caused a cracked dent. Then a shadowy liquid oozed out between his claw toes and magically came to life and started covering the ground underneath him, and then worked its way to the entire Castle. The shadow consumed the white walls, windows, and pony statues and transformed them into stone-brick walls, black-shattered windows, and rusty metal-bat statues holding a Nightwalker flag. Canterlot Castle has been remodeled into Bloodfang's new empire.)
"Canterlot is mine once again. Soon all of Equestria. And finally the entire world!"
(Bloodfang towered over a gathering throng of Nightwalkers.)
(Nightwalkers cheering)
"ALL HAIL LORD BLOODFANG!"
(Steam of fire filled everywhere. The fire evaporated, revealing rows of goose-stepping storm trooper Nightwalkers marching in the Canterlot streets.)
(Nightwalkers)
"We are the children of darkness. The demons of the underworld."
(Bloodfang observed from above. Their shadows crossed his face.)
(Bloodfang)
"The strong will survive….….. the weak will perish. Come forward my children of death. A New Age will come to our way. Flesh and blood will burn. And all of creatures will bow. They will feel the taste for blood."
(Nightwalkers)
"We are Lords!"
"We are Lords!"
"Lords that reign of fear."
(Bloodfang)
"We shall rule forever. Those who fall shall die. We stand till the end. Let the storm reign free."
(Nightwalkers)
"We are Lords!"
"We are Lords!"
"Lords that reign of fear."
(Bloodfang)
"We are ones who care for chaos. We are ones who care for conquest. We are ones who care for destruction."
(Nightwalkers)
"We are the children of darkness. The demons of the underworld."
(Bloodfang)
"We are the ultimate evil, the masters of worlds, god of immortals. We are the Lords."
"The kings of the blood that death comes ripping. We are what who we are."
"We are Lords!"
"We are Lords!"
"Lords that reign of fear."
(Darkclaw flew into the sky as dozens of Nightwalkers followed him.)
"We are ones who care for chaos. We are ones who care for conquest. We are ones who care for destruction."
(Nightwalkers)
"We are the children of darkness. The demons of the underworld."
(Bloodfang, Darkclaw, and all the Nightwalkers)
"We are Lords!"
"We are Lords!"
"Lords that reign of fear."
(Bloodfang and Nightwalkers)
"WE ARE LORDS!"
Bloodfang and his Nightwalkers laughed evilly as they end their song, the scene pulled back, through the length of the entire newly-built Dark Castle, with Bloodfang ranting atop of his new empire while millions of Nightwalkers shriek and sour into the sky, preparing to invade the rest of the other lands of Equestria.
Across the path of the taken-over Ponyville, over the hills and forest, came the view of Sweet Apple Acres, the whole place has been deserted, panning across the field as a tumbleweed drifted by. But inside the barn, under the floorboards, in the dark crawlspace, a light clicking that reveal to be a small firefly lantern, on a second later to illuminate Granny Smith and Big Macintosh.
"You think they seen us?" Apple Rose whispered in the dark.
The light coming up was enough to reveal all the family, who are whimpering and trembling in fear. Granny Smith and Big Macintosh are calming the families' voices down to avoid getting caught.
"Quiet, everypony. I'll check to see the coast is clear." Granny Smith peeked though the small hole on the floorboard and looked around to see if it's safe. What she saw is nothing but furniture and pictures on the walls. Not a single bat in sight. It appeared that the Nightwalkers have not yet swept through the farm area.
"I don't think they're here yet." Granny Smith said as she turned back from the peek hole.
"Ee-yup." Big Macintosh said.
"What are we going to do?" Apple Rose said.
"I'LL TELL YOU WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO! WE'RE GOING TO DIE! DIE! DIE I TELL YOU!" Braeburn yelling panicky.
"Hush up now! There are fillies here." Auntie Applesauce said as she hugged all the frighten fillies.
"NOPONY CARES ABOUT THAT! THIS AIN'T A FAIRLY TALE! THIS AIN'T AN ACT! THIS IS THE REAL THING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE!" Braeburn shouted.
"DOES ANYPONY KNOW HOW TO GET OUT OF HERE?!" Peachy Sweet screamed while running back and forth.
"Is this really the end?" Apple Bumpkin crying.
"We're doomed." Golden Delicious shaking herself on the ground.
"NOW EVERYPONY! Calm down. I've survived many worse things back in the old days." Granny Smith shouted at the family.
"Ee-yup." Big Macintosh said behind Granny Smith.
"Why, I was chased and almost eaten by a pack of hungry Timberwolves when I was your age and y'all think I will just panic or give up hope to a bunch of flyin' rodents." Granny Smith said.
"Nope." Big Macintosh said behind Granny Smith.
"We are strong, tough, and survivors. We are the Apple Family." Granny Smith called out.
"Ee-yup." Big Macintosh said behind Granny Smith.
All of the Apple Family lower their heads down and remained quiet and calm.
"Now all we have to do is stay here for a while and try to come up with a plan to escape. I think these creatures still don't know about this place yet, but they will and when they do, we'll be out of here in no time." Granny Smith said with hope.
Babs said as she walked out through the crowd of the Apple Family and faced Granny Smith. "But Granny Smith. How are we going to get out here? These creatures are everywhere."
"Have faith, Babs. We always do." Granny Smith as she placed her hoof on Babs's chin.
"But what about Applejack?" Babs worried.
"That gal has done many things in the past. She told me all the adventures with her wonderful friends. If she could pass through all those obstacles, I sure she'll pass through this mess. She'll be fine." Granny Smith smiled.
"I hope so, Granny Smith. Me and Apple Bloom are very worried about her." Babs frowned.
"Yes, I ….." Granny Smith stopped in her mind and looked around, she noticed that somepony was missing. "Hey wait just a gosh darn minute! Where is Apple Bloom?"
Granny Smith, Babs, and Big Macintosh looked through the herd of the Apple Family and finally realized that Apple Bloom was nowhere in sight. She was not in the crawlspace or inside the farm. The family was all shocked and surprised, wondering where she can be.
Somewhere in the burnt town of Ponyville, a Nightwalker Troll was patrolling the street. The troll halted and sniffed the air; picked up a scent and followed the smell. The scent seemed to be coming in every direction around him. It walked pass through a trash can and head out to the end of the street. Inside the trash can that the troll passed by, the lid raised up with the little farm pony's head at the bottom, she quickly jumped out and hid on the side of a building.
"I could do this. I'm brave enough." Apple Bloom whispered to herself.
Apple Bloom walked cautious and determined, she stepped out of the building. Out in the street and hid behind an old wagon.
"Steady Apple Bloom. What will Mudshield do? He will never give up and they will rather fight than surrenderin'." Apple Bloom whispered as she peeked around a corner at the distant figure of the troll, it was still sniffing and walking through the streets, it looked back. After ducking back with a sudden gasp, she risked another look with sweat leaking out from her head.
The troll kept on sniffing the air and finally it tracked the scent. It turned around and spotted at the direction of the wagon where Apple Bloom was hiding. The troll picked up its hammer and start walking towards her hiding place. It reached the small wagon and looked over. No one was there. The troll scratched his head in confusion. It sniffed the air again and still kept getting that same scent. It sniffed around and then it sniffed under his arm. The troll let out a disgusted belch, thinking that was the answer to the scent it's been following. The troll gave up its patrol and has a quick look over its shoulder before walking off.
Next to the old wagon was an overturned wooden barrel, Apple Bloom peeked out from underneath, share a relieved look. Apple Bloom got another furtive look at the departing out-of-towner from the alley and some bushes, working her way out through the forest. In the forest, Apple Bloom arrived to her Crusader's Clubhouse. She quickly barged in and shut the door behind her.
"I did it. I made it." Apple Bloom signed in relieved.
"Apple Bloom?" A familiar voice called out to her.
Apple Bloom screamed as she jumped in fear. "WHO'S THERE?!"
Apple Bloom quickly looked around and saw two shadowy figures hiding in the corner of the clubhouse. The two figures emerged from the shadows and turned out to be Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
"Sweetie Belle? Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom shouted with happiness.
The little fillies rushed to each other and hugged in gratitude and relieve.
"I am so glad to see of y'all. Are y'all okay!" Apple Bloom said eagerly.
"We sure are." Scootaloo excited.
"We're all okay." Sweetie Belle smiled.
"But how?" Apple Bloom questioned.
"Probably the same way how you got here." Scootaloo replied.
"How long you two been here?" Apple Bloom slightly asked.
"Ever since the invasion started." Scootaloo explained.
"We've been hiding here ever since." Sweetie Belle said.
Apple Bloom was very relieved to see her friends safe and sound, but however she still got a job to do. "Have y'all seen my sister?"
"No, we haven't seen her. When was the last time you saw her?" Scootaloo asked curiously.
"We haven't seen her after she tried to chase down after Twilight." Apple Bloom said.
"Rarity was also chasing after Twilight. I've never saw her after that." Sweetie Belle confused.
"That's weird, Rainbow Dash too." Scootaloo pondered for a bit. "I've been trying to find her also."
"Wait, they're gone too?" Apple Bloom confused.
"They're all gone." Scootaloo answered.
"I haven't seen Fluttershy or Pinkie Pie either." Sweetie Belle said quickly.
"Where do you think they ran off to?" Apple Bloom wondered.
"You don't think….. they're….. they're…" Sweetie Belle shivering in fear, thinking that her sister and all of her friends were captured by the monsters too.
"No way! I know Rainbow Dash. She's too awesome. There is no way she could be captured by the likes of those things." Scootaloo protested.
"But what if they are?" Sweetie Belle frowned.
Scootaloo took a moment and sighed sadly. She knew that may be possible. "Then what can we do?"
Apple Bloom saw that her two best friends are hopelessly depressed; she thought for a second and decided to find a way to encourage them. "Well, I tell you what we're goin' to do! We're goin' to save them!"
Sweetie Belle gasped in shock. "Apple Bloom, that's a horrible idea!"
"We have to believe in ourselves." Apple Bloom said.
"But those things are everywhere. How are we going to save them?" Scootaloo reiterated.
"What will the Guardians do?" Apple Bloom trying to persuade Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
"The Guardians? But we are not like the Guardians. They have everything. They're tough, brave, and strong. We have nothing… we are just of bunch of little ponies." Scootaloo discouraged.
"We may not be Wolves or Guardians, but we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders." Apple Bloom shouted with pride.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at Apple Bloom in confusion.
"Our sisters and friends have been there for us when we needed them. When we were all alone and didn't have our cutie marks, they were there for us. When I had cutie pox and nopony came out to help me, who was there for me? It was my sister! She was there for me." Apple Bloom turned to Sweetie Belle. "Sweetie Belle, when you were sad and depressed, who supported you? It was Rarity. She was there for you." Sweetie Belle let out a big smile after what she just heard. Apple Bloom then turned to Scootaloo. "Scootaloo, when we were campin' and you fell in the river, who saved you? It was Rainbow Dash. She was there for you." Scootaloo let out a little giggle when she remembered that night. "But now, they need us and as Cutie Mark Crusaders, we are not just going to stand here and let our friends and family to die out there."
Apple Bloom's words have brought a little spirit in Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The two fillies took a moment to think and realized that Apple Bloom is right. They both smiled and nodded in acceptance.
"You're right, Apple Bloom." Sweetie Belle agreed.
"Yeah, we're right behind you." Scootaloo accepted.
"Thank you, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo." Apple Bloom appreciated.
"So what's the plan, Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Apple Bloom opened her mouth, but didn't say a word. She realized that there was still one thing that she didn't plan yet.
"I'm… still workin' on that." Apple Bloom said nervously.
Realizing that they have completely missed the obvious, Scootaloo and Sweetie groaned and keeled over to the ground.