Equestria Girls: Fallen Canterlot

by Feather Book


Chapter 6: Reunion

Fluttershy tightly squeezed her arms around herself. It did little to ease the shaking as she pushed against the chimney stack. A rooftop is a terrible place to hide. Dense shrubbery or small, dark spaces would have been better, but that...thing next door didn’t give her a chance to find someplace more secure.

It was still there, she could hear it’s rasping breaths as it stood outside the house where her friends were sleeping. She didn’t dare glance around the corner again; she wasn’t sure if she could keep herself from screaming for a second time.

The creature reminded her of the demon with its twisted patchwork of festering flesh that formed fatty swells over its body. But unlike the demon, that creature remained as sharp in her mind as a photograph. She wasn’t sure if that made it worse.

A hard, black carapace had formed over parts of its flesh as if it were charcoaled skin that had swollen and crusted. Sinew and exposed muscle flexed between its bloated and skeletal limbs. It had eight limbs in total, unevenly spread across the body as if a child had ripped apart a pair of dolls and had stuck them into a rotten potato without caring for natural bone structure.

Each rasping breath it took was pained and every movement it made was accompanied by the sound like that of bones snapping and flesh squelching like a balloon full of blood.

Fluttershy’s nose twitched at the thought, taking in only the thick smell of decay the creature exuded. She winced. The smell was unlike anything that had assaulted her nose before, and part of her was thankful she no longer had a stomach for sickness.

“Dad, can you please help?” said one of the two humans that had accompanied the abomination.

Were they still human? Their clothes were tattered and they hid their heads under a mass of scraggly hair, but other than accompanying that monster, they didn’t look wrong.

The monster let out a groan as its flesh scraped along the sidewalk, sending shudders through Fluttershy.

“Great! Let’s get her home,” the second voice said. “This is going to be so awesome!”

“Oh! I’m going to make something nice just for her. Mom, Dad, let’s go!”

They're leaving?

She frowned and carefully peeked an eye around the corner. The two humans rushed away down the street, and the monster turned with the grace of a beached whale to lumber after them. It half-crawled, half-dragged itself over the cracked road but still managed to keep up with its companions.

She looked briefly at the creature; her eyes widened.

Apple Bloom gently slept on the back of the monster. The girl shivered from the chill and pushed herself up against a tumorous growth as if it were a pillow.

Fluttershy froze at the sight. Her hands dug into the bricks and mortar of the chimney rattling the roof tiles with her trembling. They had Apple Bloom! They were dragging her away to who-knows-where to do who-knows-what kinds of terrible things to her! And her friends were still in the house and still none of them made a sound.

Resisting the urge to squeak in terror, she glanced down at the windows, hoping for any sign of movement. The house was as still as all the others she passed. Her eyes darted back at the kidnappers as the monster raised a bony hand to grab a dead tree to haul itself around the corner at the end of the street.

What to do? What to do?! her mind screamed. She couldn’t let them take Apple Bloom! She didn’t deserve to become breakfast for such a horrible abomination. Fluttershy shook her head. What could she do? Her friends—she needed them. Apple Bloom needed them!

She let out a worried squeak before carefully sliding off roof. Her eyes were clenched shut as she slowly descended to the ground, touching down without a sound. Wasting not a moment, she sprinted around the small fence separating the properties and rushed up to the front door.

The door was shattered into several pieces and scattered carelessly around the front yard. The doorway itself was ripped open, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the house. The couch had been torn to shreds, scattering springs and stuffing around the hallway and behind it Applejack lay still on the ground with her eyes closed.

“Applejack!” Fluttershy screamed. She sprinted forwards. As she crossed the threshold, a burning pain shot through her body, igniting every nerve and sending a jolt of electricity through her.

She screamed and fell back, landing hard on the dirt. She whimpered and trembled as she curled into a fetal ball. No. No! How could I have forgotten!?

It wasn’t fair! Why now of all times? A sob escaped as the painful reminder of her condition faded away.

She lifted her head and peered back towards the door. Slowly, she crawled closer. The energy over the threshold pushed at her like an opposing magnet. Applejack still laid by her chair.

“A-Applejack!” she choked. A lump swelled from her stomach as she stared in. “Applejack?”

There was no response.

No… Please, she can’t be… She just can't!

Fluttershy choked on a sob as she stared up at her friend.

Listen...

Fluttershy clenched her eyes shut and buried her head in her hands.

Listen.

Her sob disturbed the dirt around her as she shook her head. No, please, I don't want to...

Listen!

She winced; the air around her felt clearer. She could hear the gentle breeze that blew through the streets and the distant sounds of creatures scurrying in the dark. But most of all, the sound of six hearts beating inside in tandem with their gentle breaths and snores.

Her eyes shot open. They were alive! She knew it. Fluttershy peered back into the darkness. The world felt more alive now, as if she had woken from a good night's sleep and had stepped out into a fresh clear morning. She let out a sigh of relief. They didn’t appear to be harmed, just sleeping soundly. But why?

She stumbled to her feet and fell against the wall by the door. “Applejack!” she cried as loud as she dared.

Still the farm girl didn’t budge.

A frustrated squeak escaped her as she rushed around the side of the house and jumped into the air. She pulled herself up along the side of the wall to a bedroom window. Granny Smith lay in a double bed, gently snoring. The sheets where Apple Bloom had slept were tossed aside, and in the corner Big Mac slept in an armchair, his rifle still sitting by his side.

Fluttershy didn’t have time to wonder why they didn’t wake up as she pounded on the windows, the light taps echoing throughout the room. “Please! Wake up!” she begged. She slammed softly a few more times but neither Apple made any sign of stirring. With a whimper, she pulled herself around the house to the next window.

Sunset Shimmer was sprawled out on her bed and snored to herself as Twilight lay snuggled around Spike on the far side of the room. “Sunset! Twilight! Wake up! Please, please wake up!”

Again, there was no response.

No, no, no. Why won’t they wake up!

Fluttershy sank to the ground and buried her head into her arms. How could they still be sleeping? She knew she wasn’t the loudest of people, but surely they would have heard something?

Apple Bloom needed help now! Who knows what those monsters could be doing to her? The thought of waiting for her friends to wake up quickly was pushed to the side. What if Apple Bloom didn’t have that long to wait?

That left Fluttershy with only one option.

She shivered at the thought. Apple Bloom needed saving, and she was the only one who could do it—at least, the only one who was still awake. But what kind of friend would she be if she didn’t try to help? She sullenly walked back around to the front of the house and glanced through the door. “Applejack… I… I’ll get her back. I promise. Just… Please be safe.”

She shivered as she glanced down the midnight street, the rusted cars and weathered buildings clearly visible in the brilliant moonlight. The monster was long gone already and with each moment it would only get further away.

You can do this, Fluttershy. For Apple Bloom.

With a squeak of fear, she set off down the street, turning the corner after the monster. The buildings passed by in a blur as she sped between the rusting wrecks and open fissures in the road.

She stumbled to a stop at a crossroads. A pair of cars had long ago crashed in the centre, the bones of one of the drivers remained slumped over the wheel. Long ago she would have screamed at the sight, but now it caused only a brief moment of sorrow. She didn’t remember much of the Burning Days—but then, she didn’t want to remember them. Her nightmares were more than enough.

She cleared the thoughts and glanced down each street. Which way did they go? There was no sight or sound of them. Fluttershy frowned and then took in a deep breath, taking in the faint smell of rot and decay that lingered in the air.

She shuddered and followed the trail, idly played with a bang of pink hair as she scanned each window and alleyway. Each house seemed more alive than before. A cackle of laughter escaped one house; another stank of rot as something large moved inside.

Fluttershy hurried onwards.

The trail lead to small park at the end of the street. The shadows of dying trees loomed overhead as a thin, cold fog rolled across the dirt and dead grass.

She paused for a moment. Judging by the thick rotten stench with the faint whiff of apple blossom, Apple Bloom and the creature had passed through here not too long ago. But there were other sounds and smells in the air. Most were muted smells of dirt and filth, except one. Something cold and clean, but not fresh. What could it mean?

She frowned glanced around. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. Apple Bloom. Do this for Apple Bloom.

The fog parted under her as pushed onwards down the old path towards a fountain in the centre of the park. A thick, stagnant liquid festered in the pool with flies buzzing around. She gulped and hurried around the side.

A tingling static spark flowed down her spine. She froze. Her eyes widened and her hair stood on end as she felt something—someone—staring at her. She wasn’t sure how she knew. She could feel their gaze like a cold mist enveloping her. Somehow, she knew that is was human in shape. Their scent was clean, the same clean that lingered in the air, and they stood in an unsettling silence. She couldn’t even hear the beat of their heart.

The breath caught in her throat. She trembled as she slowly turned her head.

A pair of crimson eyes peered out from under the shadow of a tree. Their eyes met for only a moment, yet it felt like a cold eternity.

The shadow lunged. Fluttershy didn’t have time to even blink as she was thrown to the ground, her attacker pinning her under its weight.

A short scream escaped her throat, swiftly cut off by his hand clamping down on her lips. She struggled against the man, kicking and pushing with all her might but he didn’t so much as flinch. He grabbed an arm and twisted it.

Fluttershy let out a muffled scream of fear and pain. She glanced up at him, wide-eyed and whimpered against her attacker’s hand.

He was an older man, with sleek midnight hair and a pale blue complexion and he wore a dark fitted suit with rust-coloured stains around the collar. He looked curious as his piercing eyes glared down at her. There was something familiar about him, especially those eyes, a pair of brilliant crimson orbs that looked at her like a hungry predator.

They’re just like hers...

“Who are you?” His voice was calm and as smooth as silk.

Fluttershy whimpered as he pulled his hand away from her mouth. “P-P-Please…”

He threw his head into the crook of her neck and sniffed deeply. “You’re a friend of the Scholar.” His face twisted into a snarl. “What did she do to you?”

Fluttershy squealed and cowered under him. “I-I don’t know…”

A piercing screech filled the air. The man yelped in surprise, lurching back as a mighty flutter of feathers beat the air above him. In the moment of distraction, she kicked off with all her might, sending the man tumbling.

She scrambled back and looked up. “Mr Owl!”

The owl had latched onto the man’s face with his talons and ripped at the man’s head with his beak. Streams of dark blood poured from the deep wounds. Mr Owl looked up to her for a moment. “Fluttershy! Run!”

Fluttershy froze, her eyes darting back to her attacker. Run? No, she couldn’t leave another friend behind!

Her moment of hesitation was all it took for the man to recover from the attack. Mr Owl let out a squawk of pain as he was thrown to the side. Screaming with rage, the man lunged at her.

Fluttershy shrieked and scurried back, narrowly avoiding his swipe when he clawed at her legs.

“I said run! Go! I’ll hold him!” Mr Owl swooped out of the air, digging his talons into the man’s back. His beak tipped as the man’s skin as the man’s black jacket was shredded and stained with dark blood.

The man twisted and grabbed the owl before throwing him at the ground. Mr Owl crashed to in a cloud of dirt and lay still as the cold mist enveloped him.

Fluttershy screamed. She threw herself towards the owl, only to stop as the man rushed between the two. He glared down at her and wiped the blood from his eyes. His wounds vanished before her eyes. Not even a scar remained.

A wetness built up in her eyes as a cold fear gripped her. She glanced to Mr Owl who struggled to push himself upright.

The man snarled and bared his teeth in a predatory grin. Her hand slid back and grabbed hold of the first thing it caught—a small rock or a stick, she wasn’t sure—and with a cry, threw it at the man. She twisted away, not caring if if it struck as she scurried to her feet.

Mr Owl squawked loudly behind her. “Run Fluttershy! Don’t stop!”

The man roared in frustration.

Fluttershy’s eyes stung as she sprinted out the park. She could remember the last time she had truly cried. Ever since that night when Applejack found her she had always held her back her tears. She didn’t care anymore and doubted she could hold them back if she tried.

She ran into the night and didn’t look back.


Twilight’s eyes fluttered open, taking a moment to adjust to the dark blues and blacks of the room. She yawned and briefly glanced around as the memory of where she was returned to her. She sighed softly and looked over to Sunset, who snored into her pillows.

Content that all was well, Twilight tightened the bed sheets around her and nuzzled into her own pillow.

The feeling didn’t last long. Muffled voices echoed from the hallway and heavy footsteps rushed by the room. Twilight’s eyes opened again. She frowned and pushed herself from her bed.

At that moment, the door was kicked open and slammed against the wall as a bright light shone in. “Twilight! Sunset!”

Twilight shrieked and leapt from the bed, sending Spike tumbling to the floor.

Sunset too jumped to her feet, brandishing her gun at the doorway.

“Woah, easy there, Sunset,” Applejack said.

Sunset blinked the sleep from her eyes and gasped as she lowered the gun. A look of pure horror was etched on her face as the weapon fell onto the bed. “Applejack… I’m so sorry.”

She stared at her feet, suddenly pale as tightly wrapped her arms around her.

Spike stumbled to his paws and let out a grumpy yawn. “What’s going on?”

“Yes, what’s wrong, Applejack?” Twilight asked, looking between her friends. “Are you okay? Both of you?”

Applejack’s face trembled for a moment. The light from her flashlight glistened on her damp, crimson cheeks. Her hands clenched and unclenched as she breathed deeply. “They… Gosh darn it! Apple Bloom’s gone! She’s been kidnapped!”

“W-What! How?” Sunset‘s expression shifted between shock, worry and anger. “Applejack! You were supposed to be on watch!”

Applejack flinched and scowled at her friend. “What do ya think ah was doin’? They used some kind of magic or somethin’! It put me right to sleep and none of you woke up despite the racket they were making!”

“Applejack.” Twilight stepped between her friends. “Tell us what happened.”

Applejack glanced downwards and let out a pained breath. “Ah will… But it’s best to tell it to everyone at once.”

They were led to the stairs where Big Mac and Granny Smith were looking at the damage done to the front of the house.

Twilight gasped at the sight. How could we have slept through that!?

Applejack quickly filled them all in on what had happened as she paced back and forth along the ruined hallway. “Ah don’t even know how long ago that was! As soon as Ah woke up Ah looked around for Apple Bloom. But… She’s just gone!” She kicked a half-full bottle of cider that had been sitting by her chair, shattering it against the far wall.

Twilight looked to the door. The moon was still high in the night, shining down over the shadows of the city. She frowned and glanced back at her friends. “We’ve got to go and save her.”

“No,” Sunset stated. “I’ll go. You are all going to remain here and stay safe.”

Applejack stammered as she stamped forwards. “What? No! Ah’m going with you!  She’s mah sister and this is mah fault.”

“And you can darn well be sure that we’re going too,” Granny Smith proclaimed. “Apples stick together.”

“E-Eeyup,” Big Mac added. He stood in the doorway, glancing nervously out as his rifle trembled in his hands.

“No! Absolutely not!” Sunset stared down at Applejack, leaning over the banister of the stairs to do so. “It’s far too dangerous for us all to be out there. It will be safer to hunker down here and wait until morning.”

“Look how much good that did, Sunset!” Applejack pushed a finger into Sunset’s chest. “Mah sister may not have until morning! We’re going to get her now.”

Twilight gently pushed herself between the two. “Girls! Please, now’s not the time to argue.”

“Yer right, Twi,” Applejack said as she turned and headed towards the door. “Ah ain’t waiting another moment here.”

“And where are you going to go?” Sunset called after her. “Do you even know how to find them?”

“What? And you know where she’s gone?”

Sunset paused for a moment. “You said there were two humans, slightly younger than us, right?”

Applejack’s jaw tightened and she nodded.

Sunset put a hand to her chin as she frowned in thought. “And they were with a monster… no, a nightmare, it must have been one. They came here and left with Apple Bloom, nothing else.”

“They must have singled her out for some reason,” Twilight added. Her mind worked hard to piece together what it could. Why would they single her out? Perhaps there was something special about her to them? Maybe it was her magic, or maybe they knew her?

Twilight’s eyes widened. “Sunset… I know I haven't been here long, but… do you think it could be...” She paused, unable to finish the sentence.

Sunset closed her eyes and nodded. “I’ve seen that group before. I know where we’ll find her.”

“Then let’s get a move on!” Granny Smith said. “Mah granddaughter needs our help.”

“Granny Smith, please, don’t—“

“Yer can argue ‘bout this or yer can come with us. Either way, we’re going.”

Twilight rested a hand on Sunset’s arm just as she was about to argue. “Sunset, I know it’s dangerous, but I think we should stick together. I mean, safety in numbers, right?”

“Twilight, you don’t know what it’s like out there—”

“I save Equestria from all kinds of monsters and bad guys every year. I know it’s dangerous, but we’re going to save Apple Bloom and we’ll do it together. As friends.”

Sunset regarded her for a moment before sighing as she dropped her shoulders. “Fine. But everyone should follow my instructions, okay?”

Twilight smiled and nodded in agreement.

“Sure, Sunset. Now let’s get a move on,” Applejack said. She straightened her hat before stepping out into the night.

One by one the others followed her. Twilight was the last out, tightly holding Spike as she let out a nervous breath. They would get Apple Bloom back; they had to. The four shadows of her friends walked ahead slowly, but determined... Four?

“Wait! Where’s Fluttershy?”


An icy chill hung in the air. Apple Bloom shivered, struggling to open her eyes. It took a few moments to adjust to the darkness. A faint beam of moonlight flowed through the window, highlighting the dust that danced in the air and landing on the edge of a rough oak table she sat at.

Apple Bloom furrowed her brown in confusion. She had fallen asleep in a bed next to Granny Smith, hadn’t she? She tried to move, only, only for a burning pain in her wrists and ankles to interrupt her.

Her eyes shot open, the drowsiness flushed away as she lurched upright and pulled at the tight rope that tied her arms and legs to a creaking wooden chair. Her breath quickened, only causing her to cough and splutter at the foul, stagnant odour of the basement.

She gasped and looked around, tears bristling in her eyes. “H-Hello? Anyone?”

Silence hung in the air, broken by the faint creaking of floorboards above her. Her breath caught in her throat. Footsteps. But whose where they? She stifled a small sob and peered desperately into the darkness, hoping to see anything of comfort.

A shadow sat hunched over the table to her right. She could barely make out its outline, but it looked like a person slumped forwards with a hat on their head. “H-Hello?” she tried again, softer this time. “A-Applejack?”

The shadow didn’t make a sound. Perhaps they were still asleep?

Her jaw trembled as she tugged at her bindings again, holding down the gasps as they chafed against her skin, the chair rocked in place under her. The thought of trying to break it crossed her mind, like in the movies. The ropes bit into her skin as she moved, putting a stop to her attempt with a pained whimper.

A sudden slam from across the room echoed around, startling her into a still silence. There was a clang of metal of a bolt being unlocked. The faint glow of a fire shone down a wooden staircase from an unseen door, sending shadows dancing against lacklustre white walls.

She winced when the light began to descend the stairs, the ageing wood creaking under a pair of soft footsteps. After a moment to adjust to the light, Apple Bloom took the chance to glance at the figure to her right. They sat hunched over in their chair, their arms tied against its armrests as they sat at the end of the table. It wore a faded gold jacket, and a large fancy hat—surely an expensive one at that—hid its head from view

Hushed whispers snapped Apple Bloom’s attention back to the two newcomers. Only their legs were visible at first. First, a pair that were pale and bare, coated in a layer of dirt and grime that almost hid the many scars that crossed. The second figure kept its legs hidden under a pair of trainers and tattered black tracksuits.

Their giggles sent a shiver down Apple Bloom’s spine. But there was something about that laughter. It was almost familiar...

She held her breath while they hurried downwards, revealing more of themselves with each step. Her heart pounded as her mind went into overdrive.

No… It can’t be!

The first figure held a gas lamp in her hand. The light glinted off her green eyes, hidden behind the strands of pinkish hair that hung haphazardly over her head. She smiled widely, showing her yellowed teeth, and let out a joyful squeal. “She’s awake! I told you so!”

The second girl, with wild purple hair and tattered green hoodie joined in with a crooked grin of her own. “Apple Bloom! Hah!”

Apple Bloom’s lips quivered into an overwhelmed smile as she croaked out a sob. “S-Sweetie Belle? Scootaloo?”

It’s them! It’s really them! She couldn’t hold back her tears.

“You bet it’s us!” Scootaloo said as she hopped over the banister and jumped into a chair opposite Apple Bloom.

“Oh, Apple Bloom! We’re so happy to have you back!” Sweetie Belle cheered. She rushed over to place the lamp on the table before grabbing Apple Bloom in a tight hug.

Apple Bloom struggled in Sweetie Belle’s near bone-crushing hold but leaned into it. “Girls… It’s you… It’s really you? Ah never thought I’d see ya both again!”

“Well, we never thought we’d see you again after you ran off,” Scootaloo said with a dismissive wave.

Sweetie Belle’s grip tightened around Apple Bloom, squeezing the air out of her. “When I saw you go into that awful place I knew we had to get you back,” she said. She sounded joyous and warm, but the bitter undertone of her words wasn’t lost on Apple Bloom.

“Yeah, Sweetie Belle got her dad to drive us over there and fetch you.”

“And now you’re here! In our new clubhouse! What do you think?”

Apple Bloom couldn’t help but shake as Sweetie Belle’s hold loosened. She glanced around the room. It was small with may shelves full of boxes, tools and cobwebs lining the walls. A refrigerator sat in a corner, leaking a foul smell into the air as the washing machine and dryer next to it sat overflowing with scraps of soiled fabric. “Ah… It’s nice? Where are we?”

“My basement,” Sweetie Bell said. Her face suddenly stretched into an even brighter grin as she let out a foul-smelling breath. “Oh! I made something special just for this moment. I’ll be right back!”

Sweetie Belle sprinted up the stairs and slammed the door behind her. Apple Bloom turned her gaze to Scootaloo, starting an impromptu staring contest. Slowly, Scootaloo cocked her head. Her joyful grin hadn't so much as twitched since she entered. “So…” she said. “Where have you been?”

Apple Bloom glanced down the ropes that bound her arms. They brunt at her skin; she could feel the bruises forming under them each time she moved. “A-Ah’ve been with mah family…” Her voice had gone hoarse as Scootaloo’s piercing purple eyes continued to glare down at her. She gulped. “S-Scootaloo… Why am Ah tied up?”

A frown quickly replaced her smile. She leaned in close and rested her hands on the table. “You ran away from us, Apple Bloom. Do you have any idea how much that hurt?” In an instant, the cheerful smile suddenly returned. “Well, don’t worry about it. We won't let you get away again.”

Apple Bloom glued and tried to push herself back, the ropes twisting at her arms. “R-Ran away?”

Scootaloo grimaced. “Yeah, you just stopped attending CMC meetings, you never called, you never visited. You just vanished. We were so worried about you. You just ditched us. Why, Apple Bloom? We were supposed to be best friends forever.”

Apple Bloom winced and looked  away. “Ah’m sorry, Scoots. Ah really am. Ah sure did want to go out lookin’ for ya two, but Applejack wouldn't let me. It was just too dangerous.”

Scootaloo slammed her hands down on the table, startling Apple Bloom and nearly causing her to topple over. “Dangerous? What are you talking about?”

“T-T-The monsters and the Burning Days,” Apple Bloom managed to stammer out.

Scootaloo frowned. “Really? You think there were monsters? Come on, Apple Bloom, there's no such thing.”

She rolled her eyes and smirked before pulling her legs up to her chest and squatting on the seat. “You know what, I don't care what your excuse is. If you want to be friends again then I'm all for that.”

Apple Bloom felt like she should smile but a dark thought ran through her mind. Madness. Could they be cursed? She had heard stories of the mad being, well, mad. The kind of madness where they would attack you for looking at them.

The ropes bit into her arms, painfully reminding her of the situation. No, please… They can’t be. Anything but that...

“I’m back!” Sweetie Bell called as the door swung open. She hummed happily to herself as she carefully descended the stairs, holding a large tarnish silver platter covered by a dull lid.

Apple Bloom couldn’t help but listen to the sweet tune she hummed. She let out a soft sigh and relaxed in her seat. Her eyes started to grow heavily—

The platter slammed down in front of her, jolting Apple Bloom upright.

“I’ve been waiting for this day.” Sweetie Belle gave her a toothy grin. “I wanted it to be extra special!”

Apple Bloom stared at it wide-eyed. The tremors returned. No, Apple Bloom, these are your friends. You can trust them.

She didn’t believe herself.

“CMC reunion, go!” both of her friends cheered.

The lid was thrown off the tray letting it clatter against a far wall. The stench struck first, assaulting Apple Bloom’s nose with rot and decay. She threw her head to the side, gagging as she tried not to lose the contents of her stomach.

She closed her eyes but she could still see it. Maggots squirmed on the slab of putrid flesh, sculpted into a mockery of a cake. Mould and a thick, viscous black-green substance unceremoniously plastered on as if it were icing. Clots of dirt, twigs and leaves were added in as decorations and the words “CMC Forever” had been scrawled over the top in a rusty substance.

Apple Bloom glanced back and gagged again. She let out a shivering breath and choked on a sob. No… Please no.

Sweetie Belle’s smile fell. “You don’t like it?”

“P-P-Please!” Apple Bloom blurted out. She sniffed as the tears welled in her eyes. She glanced up at her friend. Her heartbroken look quickly faded as her jaw tightened and her face flushed red.

“You don’t like it,” Sweetie Belle snarled. “I made that just for you! To celebrate!”

“I-I’m sorry!”

Sweetie Belle grabbed the platter and with a deafening scream threw it across the room. The tray clattered to the ground as the ‘cake’ hit the floor with a squelch. “Nobody likes my cooking! Nobody!” She threw an accusatory finger towards the still hunched over figure at the end of the table. “Not even Diamond Tiara!”

Apple Bloom’s eyes shot wide open. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up at the figure. She recognised that jacket. It was Diamond’s favourite and she never went anywhere without it. But why hadn’t she woken up yet?

“I made so many things for you!” Sweetie Belle screamed, moving around the back of Scootaloo to stand next to Diamond Tiara. “I thought we were friends now, but no, you were still just a big bully!”

She raised her hand into a fist furiously slammed it into the back of Diamond Tiara’s head.

The hat fell from the head, and the head fell with it, landing on the side in front of Apple Bloom. The empty eye sockets of Diamond Tiara’s bare skull stared up at her.

Apple Bloom screamed.

The scream scratched at her throat as she tumbled backwards in the chair, landing hard on the stone floor. The wind was knocked out of her as the shock rushed through her. She gasped and sobbed, clenching her eyes shut and pulling at the ropes.

Sweetie Bell scooped up the skull, grabbing it between her hands and glared into its eye sockets. “You always thought you were better than us! We just wanted to make amends, but no! You just wouldn’t stop screaming and crying. No matter what I made for you, you were always like, ‘oh, Sweetie Belle, please I’m so sad I don't want to eat Silver Spoon.’”

Apple Bloom’s heart pounded as her stomach twisted itself into a paid knot. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, she bit her lip, whimpering as she struggled in her seat, desperate to wake up from whatever nightmare this was.

No, no, no! Please, no.

“Shut up!” Sweetie Belle screamed. Apple Bloom wasn’t sure who she meant it for but she forced down her fearful sobs.

With a frustrated cry, Sweetie Belle hurled the skull across the room. Bone shattered with a crunch when it hit the wall and bounced to the floor. She stormed over to the remains and repeatedly stamped on the broken bone. She didn’t appear to notice the shards of bone that dug deep into her legs, letting ribbons of blood flow like a river.

With each crunch Apple Bloom winced and felt her queasiness return.

No, please no. They can’t be mad… They can’t be monsters.

She yelped as she felt her chair being lifted back upright gently. “Hey, it’s okay,” Scootaloo said. She wrapped arm around Apple Bloom’s shoulders and gave a casual smirk.

The ropes bit tighter into her arms as Apple Bloom dug her fingers into the wood of the chair. The shivers rocked her as she threw her gaze away. “P-Please…”

“Look, I know Sweetie Belle’s cooking is bad, but you have nothing to worry about. I hate her cooking too—”

A piece of Diamond Tiara’s skull struck Scootaloo right between the eyes. She flinched back with a gasp. “Hey!”

“So, you hate my cooking too?” Sweetie Belle said. “Well… I hate all those stunts you do! I think they’re dumb!”

Before Apple Bloom could even blink, a whip-like crack boomed through the air. With a rush of wind, Scootaloo appeared by Sweetie Belle’s side. Sweetie Belle didn't have a chance to react before Scootaloo's fist smashed into her cheek. She let out a painful cry, stumbled back against the wall.

A second later, she lunched at Scootaloo, letting out a blood curdling wail that shook Apple Bloom to the core.

Apple Bloom could only stare in shock as her friends fell to the ground and wrestled with each other; punching, slapping and biting as they rolled around. She clenched her eyes shut, fresh tears coming as she tried to shut out the heart-wrenching scene before her. Why? she thought. She had always hoped her friends would still be out there, but why like this? It wasn’t fair! But they were still her friends, right?

Her eyes shot open. “Stop! Stop it! Please just stop! You're hurting each other!”

Sweetie Belle bit down on Scootaloo's arm, drawing blood. Scootaloo didn’t even scream as she reached out with her free hand to rip a leg bone from Diamond Tiara and bludgeoned Sweetie Belle with it.

“Please, stop!” Apple Bloom begged again. “Just stop! Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo! Stop!”

The two girls paused.

Sweetie Belle’s hands were wrapped tightly around Scootaloo’s neck, while Scootaloo had shattered the leg bone, now holding it like a blade. Both looked of surprise as they stared up at Apple Bloom, blinking a few times before they climbed to their feet. Sweetie Belle dusted off her ragged brown dress as Scootaloo spat out a clot of blood. “Sorry,” they both sheepishly said.

Apple Bloom let out a small sigh of relief, although the pain in her wrists swiftly reminded her of the situation. She looked at her friends and tried for force a smile. “Girls… We’re still friends, right? We shouldn’t be fighting like that.”

Both of them lit up and quickly rounded the table to wrap Apple Bloom in a hug. “Of course, Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle said. Suddenly she let go, a look of panic crossed her face as her hands rummaged around her pockets. “Ah! I can’t believe I almost forgot your present!”

“P-Present?”

Sweetie Belle grinned as she pulled something out of her pockets and gently placed it on the table. There were two items—a small metal badge and a matching cloth badge. Both were shield-shaped, with three stripes of red, pink and purple. A purple apple was in the centre with a lighter heart shape within it.

Apple Bloom stared at the badges for a moment. Something seemed almost familiar about them, as if they had always belonged to her. “W-What is it?”

“They’re your CMC club badges!” Scootaloo said. She brushed some grime off her hoodie to reveal a matching badge, only with a wing instead of an apple. “Sweetie Belle made them for us. Aren't they sweet?”

“Well, Rarity helped,” Sweetie Belle said with a sheepish grin. “I was going to give it to you at the first meeting you skipped. But that doesn’t matter anymore. Do you like it?”

Apple Bloom between Sweetie Belle and the badge. She closed her eyes as the tears came again. “Y-Yeah. Ah love it, Sweetie Belle. Ah really do.”

They may be mad and she may be their prisoner, but a small, genuine smile crossed her face. The curse did this to them, she told herself. Somewhere inside they were still her friends.

I’ll help you. I promise I will.


A tingling shiver ran up Twilight’s body as the air before rang with a static buzz. A pair of buses sat on either side of the suburban street. The houses adjacent hand long since collapsed into rubble. Between them, the thick smell of ozone was unmistakable and, occasionally, sparks of light silently shot between the two buses like lightning.

“Another one? How many anomalies are there?” Twilight asked.

“Too many,” Sunset replied. She kept her voice low. “Come, we have to find a way around.”

Twilight sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, stifling a yawn in the process. This was the fifth one they hand ran into. Fortunately, they had spotted the tell-tale signs before they had stepped too close, but the darkness made it much harder. If it wasn’t for Sunset Twilight was sure she would have been sucked into one by now.

Applejack let out a frustrated grunt. “This is taking too long. Are you sure you know the way, Sunset?”

Sunset froze. Her hand gripped around her flashlight as she glanced over her shoulder at the farm girl. “Yes, Applejack, I do know the way.”

“All I’m saying is that it’s taking too long. Apple Bloom doesn’t have time to spare!”

“And neither does Fluttershy,” Sunset bitterly mumbled as she turned away and marched toward a nearby house.

“Hey, come on now, Sunset. You know I’m worried about her too.”

Sunset paused, her hand clenched around her flashlight. “Are you, Applejack? Are you really?”

“Now, what’s that supposed to mean?” Applejack stormed towards Sunset with a scowl. “Of course I worry about her!”

Twilight pushed herself between her friends and looked at them both in turn. “Girls, please, you’ve already argued enough about this.”

“And I still didn’t get an answer,” Sunset snapped as she turned to glare at Applejack. “Why did you let Fluttershy outside alone at night? Why did she want to go out?”

“Sunset, please—“

“Ah told you Fluttershy doesn’t want me to tell, so Ah ain’t telling.”

Twilight glanced to Granny Smith and Big Mac who stood close behind them. Granny Smith simply glared at Sunset whilst Big Mac twitched on his toes, his eyes scanning the surrounding buildings.

“Applejack, do you have any idea how dangerous it is out here alone?! We’re just hoping that Fluttershy was kidnapped too. There are so many far worse things that could have happened to her!”

“Well, Ah haven’t seen any yet, Sunset. It’s been far too quiet.”

Sunset paused just long enough for Twilight to speak, but it was Granny Smith who got the first word in. “Will yer two quit yer yabbering! Apple Bloom and Fluttershy are in danger and yer are too busy arguin’ with each other over whose fault it is to help! Now shut it and let’s get to saving mah granddaughter and our friend.”

A tense silence descended on the group. Sunset and Applejack continued to stare at each other for several moments. Twilight wondered briefly if Granny Smith’s words had any effect until Applejack sighed and glanced to her elder. “Sorry Granny.” She turned back to Sunset. “An Ah’m sorry too, Sunset.”

Applejack held out a hand and after a moment, Sunset shook it. “Now, let’s go and save our friends.”

Sunset sighed and nodded. “Yeah. But we’ll talk about this later. You’re not getting away that easy.”

Twilight let out a tired sigh as her friends quietly broke into the backyard of a nearby home. She stood for a moment with her eyes closed, the cold air brushing against her sore and flaking skin.

“Twilight, are you coming?” Spike softly called.

Twilight glanced over to the broken gate and nodded. “Yeah, sorry. I’m just a bit tired, that’s all…”

“You don’t have to tell me tha—“ He paused. His ears stood on ends as he stared not at Twilight, but behind her.

A chill ran down Twilight’s spine. She gulped and slowly turned to stare at a large house across the street. Half of it had collapsed into a pile of rubble but other than that, nothing looked out of the ordinary.

Something moved. Twilight’s eyes darted to it just in time to see a dark shadow like flowing fabric disappear around the back of the house. She stared for a few moments longer, slowly taking several steps backwards. “Let’s just catch up with the others,” she whispered.

“Y-Yeah,” Spike replied before they both ran into the back yard.


The darkened rag had grown heavy in Fluttershy’s hands. She sniffled once more and with the least dirty spot wiped away the last of her tears; she hoped that she had got the last of them, or at least that the years of dirt and grime on the rag had hidden the stains.

She stared at the large dark blotches that she had stained the rag with and sighed. She wasn’t sure how long she had been hiding in the alleyway. She wasn’t even sure how far she had run from that man… no, that monster.

She shuddered and pulled her legs into a tight hug. Her back was pressed up against the side of an old dumpster as she leaned into the brick wall to her left. Rarity would probably scream if she saw the mess she hid in.

Fluttershy winced; the tears threatened to return. How long had it been since she last saw Rarity? She buried her head into her knees and trembled; wishing that any of her friends were with her right now.

A flutter of wings disturbed her. Fluttershy tensed; her head shot up, scanning the narrow brick alleyway for the source. High above, against the pale moon a pair of leathery wings fluttered by. Oh, it’s just some bats, Fluttershy thought as she relaxed herself. She briefly thought about calling out to them, but held her tongue, simply watching them, one a deep blue and the other a pale grey, as they danced with each other against the night sky. She smiled slightly. At least there was still some good life in the city.

They remained for a few moments before flying away. Fluttershy sighed; her gaze turned downwards and rested her head on her knees. I failed. The thought rushed through her mind like a nightmare. Apple Bloom, Mr Owl, her friends—she failed them all.

A ruffle of feathers startled her from her thoughts. Soft rasping breaths and a rich, sweet smell like that of old books drifted in from the mouth of the alleyway. “F-Fluttershy…”

Fluttershy gasped and shot around the corner. Mr Owl lay on the sidewalk in a twitching, crumpled heap. Stray feathers, stained with blood lay around him. She whimpered at the sight and rushed to his side. “M-Mr Owl?”

“Hurts…” he choked as he twitched violently and let out a distressed hoot.

Fluttershy carefully scooped him into her arms. He hooted once more and squirmed as she wrapped him in a firm but gentle hold. “Shh… Please don’t move. It will only make things worse.”

His wing was broken, that much was obvious to Fluttershy. She wouldn’t be surprised if there were a few more broken bones. The bleeding had stopped and deep black bruises showed through the gaps in his feathers.

Glancing around the alleyway, Fluttershy’s eyes stopped on a stack of old wooden crates by the side of a dumpster. She grabbed one and stuffed it with old rags and clothes, then gently laid Mr Owl into the makeshift bed and held it close.

He twitched a bit more before settling into a comfortable position. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“Just rest. It’ll be okay, I’ll take care of you.”

“I know you will.” Fluttershy knew he would be smiling if he could.

Fluttershy’s calming smile fell and she glanced away. “I… I’m sorry, Mr Owl. This is all my fault…”

“No… Not your fault,” he hooted. “I… I’m happy to have helped you. We… We were so worried about you.”

Fluttershy grimaced. “The town kicked us out. They didn’t want us anymore and I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye…”

Mr Owl took several deep, paid breaths. “But... why were you out here... alone at night? You know it’s not safe.”

Fluttershy chewed on her lip as she hid behind her hair. “My friend Apple Bloom… A monster and two mad people kidnapped her.”

“And you were out here... to find them?” Mr Owl rasped. “I’m impressed.”

Fluttershy closed her eyes and tried to shrink against the wall. “B-But… I failed. I lost them and I don’t know where they’ve gone and… Even if I find her, what am I going to do? I couldn’t even save you!”

She waited for a response, but none came. Fluttershy cracked open an eye.

Mr Owl looked weakly up at her but nodded. “I… I think I saw the monster you were talking about. I can try to show you the way if you fly—”

“No!” Fluttershy pulled herself back and shook her head. “No! I’m not going to fly.”

I can’t fly. Not with those… things… She gulped and shuddered. It had been a long time since she last tried to pony-up, she wasn’t even sure if she could anymore. She remembered the magical warmth of the transformation, but those wings…

That magic seemed so far away now.

“Well… I can still try to show you the way.”

“But… But what will I do when I get there? I can’t stop a monster… Not when I…” She held her words and chewed on her lip. “B-Besides. You need my help too.”

“You already have helped.” Mr Owl said as he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “So help some more.”

A knot had built up in Fluttershy’s stomach as she glanced away. The crate shook in her quivering arms and she wanted nothing more than to curl into a ball. But what about Apple Bloom? She didn’t dare to continue the thought. She couldn’t let that monster hurt Apple Bloom, she just couldn’t. She would do anything to help her even if it meant—

Fluttershy gulped and shuddered. She could still remember those crimson eyes. Not those of her attacker, although they were alarmingly similar, but hers...

It was cold that night. The sky had finally stopped burning and like a nightmare she came. Her dark wings and flowing hair that shimmered with stardust. Her eyes—they turned crimson as she grinned wide, baring her pure-white teeth.

Fluttershy gulped and pulled her head into her shoulders like a tortoise would with a shell. She shook the memory away and took a deep breath. She’s not here. She’s not here, Fluttershy told herself.

She took a deep breath. “I’ve got to go. I’ve got to save Apple Bloom… It’s the right thing to do.”

Mr Owl tried his best to navigate the streets, but it wasn’t long until the faint scent of rot mixed with fresh apples drifted off the asphalt. Fluttershy followed it at a brisk pace, glancing down every now and again at the resting owl.

If only she had some medicine for him. Was it right to take him with her? She couldn’t leave him here. In the end, Fluttershy sighed and gently tucked him in with a rag that fortunately was still soft. “I’ll keep you both safe, I promise.”