Chapter 1
The train back to ponyville was rather uneventful, and quiet as we all stared out windows or at the floor. Pinkie still looked grim and determined, and it was starting to rub off on us. The normally energetic and fun-loving pony generally brought a sense of happiness to us, but right now, her stark expression and hard gaze only served to harden our resolve at the unknown challenges to come.
She spoke up as we pulled into the station at Ponyville. "Girls...were gonna need matching emblems if were to be this 'Special Forces Team' that the Princess mentioned."
We all turned to her, a little stunned, but the soft smile playing across her lips served to lighten the mood. Most of us laughed despite recent events, only Rarity and AJ remaining silent. Still, it was good to see a little trademark Pinkie Pie. "I for one think that is a great idea." I stated calmly, and everyone nodded their assent. Suddenly in an explosion of pink, our friendly little ball of energy shouted "YIPPEE!" on her way out the train.
As we watched her go she suddenly vanished from thin air. I scratched my head and blinked a few times, having learned long ago that to question Pinkie Pie was to ask for the mother of all migraines...and a lot of broken bones...
Rarity sniffled and looked at each of us in turn. "Darlings, I'm going back to the boutique...or I may go find Pinkie and help her with this design idea of hers." She got up, as did the rest of us, following her off the train. She headed off in the direction of SugarCube Corner, the first logical place in the hunt for the departed Pink pony.
Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash left soon after. I hadn't missed the glances at eachother during the train ride, and despite recent events, I smiled as they headed up towards Dash's Cloud Home. Thus Applejack and I were left alone together.
"Let me walk you home AJ." I turned and gave her a reassuring smile. She opened her mouth to speak but shut it and just nodded quietly. As we walked I tried to talk to her. "Applejack...I know it's hard, and I'm not going to pretend for a second that I know what it's like but still...we all hate seeing you like this. I don't think she'd want to see you like this..." I tried to console her, I put my hoof on her shoulder as we had stopped.
"Twi'...I just dont know what ta do. She was my everything ya know? Ah just miss her..." Tears began to fall off the freckled mare's cheeks, turning the dirt beneath us darker. I sat down and held her as she began to sob. She'd tried to hold it in, tried to be strong but we could all see the hurt. Applejack was compassionate, and caring.
"Ah...ah dont know what ah'm gonna d-do..." She choked out between sobs, as I rocked her gently in my forehooves, and tried to soothe her.
"We'll get them Applejack. We won't let whoever we're dealing with get away with this. Now come on, we need to get you home. We have some preparations to make tomorrow." I helped her up, and we finished the trek back to Sweet Apple Acres in silence. I could tell it was going to be a long night for her...for all of us.
~ ~ ~
I trudged through the doorway to the library, shutting it quietly behind me. It was late and I was pretty sure spike was already in bed. I was startled by him as he flicked on the light at the top of the stairs.
"mmhm...Hey Twilight..." The little dragon rubbed his eyes sleepily. That's when something dawned on me.
"Where the Hell have you been!?" I screamed, leaping up. He was startled to awareness and looked around with a worried expression.
"Why am...what happened?" He plopped down and dropped his head into his claws. I dashed towards him somewhat angrily.
"What HAPPENED!?!?" I shrieked, driving him onto his back as my horn flared to life, and every lock in the house snapped shut with a sinister thud. He stared wide eyed in fear, and confusion.
"T...twi-Twilight? What's going on?" His voice was shaky, and he was quaking in fear.
I let out a sigh and sat down, my anger all but forgotten as I stared sullenly at him. Where to start... "Spike...I'm glad you're safe..." I hugged him to my chest. I don't know what I would've done if he had been taken. But I still hadn't figured anything out. I set him back down, and took a deep breath.
"Spike...what is the last thing you remember?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, a notepad and pencil whisking into existence.
"I remember waking up..." He said softly, his eyes slightly glazed over. "I remember going out to play with the CMC...but...I dont remember anything else. Why are you so worked up? Did something happen?" He looked at me nervously, as his eyes went wide. I had turned the notepad towards him, and it read simply 'They are gone...'
A broken heart rested beneath the simple note. He shook his head in disbelief and gazed up at me, tears welling in his eyes.
He spoke softly. "They're...they're gone? But just yesterday I was...I..." He began to cry freely, clinging to me. Oh this was getting so hard. I hated having to be the strong one, It's never easy.
"I wish I knew what happened! Why can't I remember anything??!!" He looked down at his claws and suddenly his face contorted in horror.
Beneath his claws was dried blood, and a strand of white fur...