The train ride was long, but it was longer than usual. The train seemed to go slower than normal. The train suddenly halted to a stop and that’s when ponies bagan to freak out. The train had stopped where no land surrounded it. The magic tracks beneath it was the only support the train had. The conductor had come on the loudspeaker.
“Attention, passengers. We seem to be having a few problems but we are looking into them as we speak. Do not panic, for we have everything under control. Thank you.”
Twilight looked outside for anything. They seemed very close to actual land, and that’s when she got an idea.
“Everypony, Listen up!” she said to the very scared passengers.
“I have an idea that will get us to safety, but I need all your cooperation, do you understand?”
Many began to nod. Some looked frightened at what her plan may be.
“I need all unicorn together please!”
The ponies looked to one another and one raised their hand.
“How can we trust you?”
“Does any other pony have a plan to help us?” she said angrily.
The unicorn ponies began getting together as she had asked.
“Good. I need the pegasus on my other side please!”
Nopony knew what she was planning but they knew that she had something and they just need to get some hope. They needed to get off that train.
“Now, the earth ponies will be our eyes around. You will stay in the train and make sure the young and elder passengers are safe. You will also alert us if any trouble seems to take place, understand?”
The earth ponies nodded and she began to give orders.
“Each pegasus will pair up with a unicorn and that will be your partner. I want the earth ponies to open all the windows completely”
“What are you trying to do, kid?? Do you even know what you are doing?” a unicorn colt asked angrily.
“Yes I know what I am doing. Now, If you were smart, you would have already caught on to my plan and would actually go along with it. Now, be smart, and do what you were told!”
They did as were told and looked to her for further instructions.
“I want each pegasus to grab your partner and carry them outside, now. Make sure they don’t fall because unicorn cannot fly like you.”
That made a laugh break through them. Soon all unicorn and pegasus passengers were off. Twilight asked Rainbow Dash to carry her out as well. She looked around to them and confidence grew in herself.
Now, Unicorns, use your magic to get the wheels moving forward! Work together everypony!”
Each unicorn lit up their horns and each took a wheel. The wheels refused to move. They struggled but soon they started to move. Slowly, but they were making progress. The train was getting closer to land. A breeze of cold air hit them sending shivers up their spine, it did not stop them. They were determined to get the train and it’s passengers to safety.
“Keep… it… moving!!!” Twilight encouraged.
A low and deep cackle broke its way into their ears and fear struck into their hearts. The ponies stopped and looked around. Twilight gasped.
“No! Keep this train moving, ponies! We’re almost to safety!”
“I found you, little ponies.” the deep voice said.
Twilight and the rest of the unicorn struggled again to keep the train moving, attempting to go faster. Suddenly, Twilight’s cutie mark began to glow and her eyes glowed white. Rainbow Dash looked to their other friends.
“Um, I don’t think that’s normal!”
Twilight’s horn glowed stronger and her magic took over the entire train moving it completely onto land. The other unicorn were baffled and shocked, almost scared at this sudden surge of power that escaped the purple unicorn. Struggling noises came from Twilight as used her magic around her self and carried herself away from Rainbow Dash and towards the sound. Magic beams shot from her horn and towards the dark shadow that started to grow.
“TWILIGHT! NO!” her friends called after her.
Both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash flew after her and pulled her away. Her eyes became normal and her horn dimmed. Her cutie mark no longer glowed and she fell out of the sky. Her two friends caught her and carried her off back to safety. The shadow grunted and fleed shortly after. Rainbow and Fluttershy laid her on the ground. Her eyes opened and she looked around to see that ponies were surrounding her with concern and fear in their eyes.
“W-What happened? Are we safe?”
“Whoa, whoa, wait. You mean to say that wasn’t you??” Rainbow Dash yelled.
“What wasn’t me?”
“That surge of energy! You carried the train back to safety by yourself!”
She looked around and saw the train was safely back on land.
“I-I did that?”
“Yup.”
She got up and shook her head.
“I- I’ll write the Princess. Since everypony is safe I encourage you all to get to the safety of your homes in Ponyville. If you do not live in Ponyville, go there and seek shelter immediately!” she said to them all.
They all nodded and made their way to Ponyville, which wasn’t that far away. Twilight looked to her friends. They looked concerned.
“Has that happened to you before?” Rarity asked.
“The only time I can actually recall a surge of power was in my entrance exam to Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns…That was years ago...”
“Well, you’ll have to write to the Princess on that and tell her about what happened. I think that was King Sombra that we encountered.” Applejack told her.
“Me too. The battle is about to begin.”