“Alright, sugarcube, so we’re goin’ around Ponyville first… then we’ll reach out to Manehattan, Fillydelphia, Maresburg, Mustangia, and Baltimare to start… Dodge Junction and Appleloosa come after… After that you have Canterlot… Now… Three of them families are in mournin’… Princess Twilight reckons we’ll just leave them alone fer now… Might not go so well fer ya, ‘er them either. I’m here for moral support, but also ta keep ya in check tah make sure yer goin’ where ya need… Which don’t mean I’ll force ya to do anythin’… Ya been through quite enough o’ that, I’d say,” said Applejack.
Faith nodded to her before turning her gaze back to the town. The buildings loomed over her, somewhat intimidating and awe-inspiring. It had been quite a while since she’d been near much of civilization with the exception of errands run to collect supplies to maintain Black’s garden.
“I’m… I’m sorry… I feel a little… this is… so much,” she said breathlessly.
“Ah know… I feel much of the same when ah’m in Manehattan,” said Applejack.
“M-Manehattan?”
“’s a city… big ‘n loud ‘n fast ‘n such…,” Applejack explained.
“Sounds… frightening,” Faith quivered.
“A lil’… but… ya get used to it,” said Applejack.
Faith swallowed.
“Don’t worry. Ah saved that for last… Yer gonna have plenty of time to get used to the idea… an’ ya won’t be alone. I’ll be with ya, and Rarity’ll join us,” Applejack assured.
“Rarity?”
“The white unicorn mare… kinda fussy?”
“Oh,” said Faith.
“Darling, be a dear and fetch my saddlebags while I finish this last stitch and prepare to ship this dress to Manehattan, won’t you?” Rarity cooed at Spike.
Spike nodded, jogging away to do as asked.
Rarity hummed a bit as she focused in on the stitching before sighing and dropping the dress and the facade both.
She trotted over to a wall, settled on her haunches, and pressed her forehead against the wall. She performed a series of controlled breathing exercises. While she did that, she closed her eyes for good measure.
“Right… You are to meet with Applejack and… and… her…,” she said to herself through gritted teeth.
A gentle voice spoke from behind her, just above a whisper and eternally passive in tone. Rarity knew the yellow pegasus voice quite well. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh Fluttershy… I am to support Applejack as she escorts… erg… Faith… across Equestria on a tour of apologies… and is that supposed to make anypony feel the least bit better for what she did?” growled Rarity.
“You don’t believe her?”
“Oh… I-I…,” Rarity took a breath and started again.
“I do… Honestly, I do. She does seem sincere. But I cannot help thinking of… of Sweetie Belle stumbling upon her one day and trusting her, thus following her into a terrible trap… and when I think of that?” Rarity’s hoof denting the wall answered her own question.
Fluttershy trotted up closer to Rarity and placed a hoof on her shoulder.
“Calm down, Rarity…”
Rarity turned to Fluttershy and rushed into a hug with her, trembling and crying.
Fluttershy sighed and wrapped her forelegs and wings around Rarity.
“None of that happened… Sweetie was never in any danger… and you can prepare her for any that might come. And don’t think for a moment that we’ll leave you to do that alone, Rarity… We’re all here for you and for the Crusaders,” Fluttershy reassured.
“Fluttershy, dear, it is all I can do to avoid thinking of trampling her into the dirt… I do not know how I am going to manage restraint on a lengthy trip across the country by her side,” said Rarity quietly.
“You talk about her a lot… I haven’t heard you speak about Black Soul even once… Why?” asked Fluttershy.
“Because, dear, I cannot even acknowledge his existence let alone offer him any portion of my mind to occupy!” she hissed, startling Fluttershy, “Oh, I’m sorry dear… I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s alright. I just… I haven’t seen you this angry or… um… hateful before,” replied Fluttershy.
“Yes… I… I am not myself I must admit… I do hope I can find a way to calm myself… I shall be terrible company for Applejack otherwise,” admitted Rarity.
“She’ll do whatever she can to help you. You know that,” said Fluttershy.
Twilight gazed out across her throne room, taking in all of the stained glass windows with the various points in history noteworthy to be recorded in this chamber of memories. Starlight’s visage finally graced these windows, her triumph that changed the tide of the changeling war recorded for posterity. She knew that, as time moved on, she would be reciting history more and more often.
She traced her gaze along the walls. She saw the scenes telling the story of the triumph of the Elements of Nightmare Moon, over Discord… She thought of Spike’s courage in the face of true darkness when Sombra returned… of how much she and her friends had struggled through to bring peace to what was now her country…
Then she thought of what she’d just discovered… a hidden, secret, darkness… a turmoil beneath the surface that created doubt in her heart. Ponies were hurting ponies in horrifying ways she hadn’t dreamed possible. It terrified her, for this was her country now. It was her responsibility to see that Equestria remained peaceful.
It just didn’t seem real to her that so much threat could come from within its borders.
She sighed. She would convene the Council of Friendship when Applejack and Rarity returned. From there, they would all discuss their choices. She just didn’t feel like there were very many.
She closed her eyes. A wisp of dark smoke trailed briefly from her eyes as she reigned in her rage. A deep breath, slowly taken in through her nostrils, preceded her teleport.
Rainbow Dash adjusted her goggles, and then her wings as she prepared for descent. It wasn’t a routine or training. She simply needed to feel air through her wings. She tucked her legs, thus increasing her speed as she watched the grassy field approach quickly.
She closed her eyes and tucked her wings in next, thus allowing gravity to take complete control. The air rushed past her, filling her ears with a deafening roar. It wasn’t enough. She grit her teeth and waited. The ground resumed its hasty approach, mercilessly threatening her very life. She threw open her wings. Her hooves traced grooves through the grass as she leveled out at the very last possible safe moment, all without opening her eyes.
She sailed past trees. She weaved around them with her eyes closed. She revelled in the rush of adrenaline. But, all too soon, her momentum was spent. She skid across the grass on all fours before slowing to a stop. Her breathing was ragged from the exertion. She hung her head, keeping her eyes closed as she relished the build-up of sweat foaming through her coat.
“Rainbow Dash!” cried a familiar voice.
Rainbow cringed at the voice. She loved who it belonged to like a big sister would, but she did not want herself to be seen like this by Scootaloo of all ponies. She worked to stabilize her own breathing before turning to face the oncoming filly.
She regained her composure before Scootaloo closed the distance between them. She sighed as she answered.
“Scoot! What’s up?” she called out.
“That looked really dangerous Rainbow Dash! It was awesome!”
Rainbow Dash grunted, holding out a hoof to stall Scootaloo.
“No, no… Scootaloo… What I just did was not awesome it was stupid. Please don’t ever do what I just did, okay?” said Rainbow, forgetting who she was speaking to. Scootaloo looked downcast at the rebuke, and Rainbow knew precisely why.
“Oh, Squirt… I-I’m sorry… I wasn’t thinking,” said Rainbow quickly.
Scootaloo sniffled as she turned away from Rainbow Dash, who quickly threw open her wings and zipped a quick arc to land herself in front of Scootaloo once more. In an instant, her foreleg wrapped around Scootaloo’s neck. A wing draped over her.
“I’m sorry, Scoot… I’m so sorry… That was awful of me to say… Look… I really only meant I don’t want you to take any more serious risks… I get how a stunt isn’t really a stunt without some danger, and if you want to start performing I’ll happily come to watch you… andmaybesupervise… but what I just did was… it was beyond all that. It was super dangerous, and I shouldn’t have done it at all,” Rainbow softly explained.
“What’s wrong, Rainbow Dash?” asked Scootaloo quietly.
Rainbow sighed inwardly. Scootaloo had been growing as much as any of her friends. She wasn’t so naive anymore. Rainbow couldn’t lie to her very well and didn’t really like to anyway. Applejack would have her head for doing that anyway.
“I… I don’t know how to explain it… and I don’t really want to, okay? You just… be a kid. Focus on growing up and let me be the grown-up, okay?” she said quietly.
“Is this about what happened to Trixie?” Scootaloo checked. Upon asking, she noticed that Rainbow tensed up immediately.
“What do you know about that?” asked Rainbow tentatively.
“Nothing! Nopony will talk to us! What’s wrong with her?” asked Scootaloo.
“She’s… she’s hurting, badly… she’s sort of sick… but we’ll get her better. I… Just… Trust me on this, okay? You really don’t want to know,” Rainbow assured.
Scootaloo thought about that and sighed. She knew then that she’d never get a straight answer from Rainbow Dash. She resigned herself to not knowing, and to hugging Rainbow back.
Rarity sighed as she tightened the strap on her saddlebags and blew a kiss to Sweetie Belle.
“Stay safe now, dear… Pinkie Pie will come around to check on you. I am sure she will bring you treats of all kinds,” she said with a slight hint of disapproval in her tone. Sweetie grinned.
“I’m going to be traveling with Applejack… We’re to start here in Ponyville. I’ll be meeting them on the west edge of town,” Rarity went on.
Sweetie nodded.
“You are welcome to have your friends over as well. I don’t believe I shall be more than a few weeks,” stated Rarity.
Sweetie blinked, “Weeks?” she echoed.
“Yes, dear. We have a lot of country to cover, including the outer settlements… I can’t really explain everything about this trip, but I will try to return as soon as I am able. Alright?”
“I’ll be okay Rarity,” assured Sweetie.
“Oh, I don’t doubt that… You can also seek out Fluttershy if you find yourself in need of any help… Rainbow Dash is probably around too… I can’t speak for Princess Twilight, but I know she’ll do what she can. And do not forget about Spikey Wikey,” Rarity said, the last name producing a smile on her face.
“I know Rarity!” Sweetie said impatiently.
Rarity sighed and nodded. Of course, Sweetie could take care of herself now. She turned and exited the Boutique, thus starting her journey to the west edge of the town.
“So far so good, Faith,” said Applejack.
“I… I guess so,” Faith returned quietly.
“Y’all’re brave. Don’t sell yerself short,” replied Applejack.
In that moment, a white unicorn mare with a spectacularly curled mane trotted up to Applejack with only a nod of acknowledgment.
“Rares?” asked Applejack.
Rarity snorted and gestured to Applejack with her head, Applejack complied by following Rarity a little way away from Faith.
“What is it?” asked Applejack.
“While I am loathe to disrespect Twilight by refusing to help when she asks it of me… I do not know how long I will be able to keep myself from attacking that mare. Kindly remind me why we are doing this?” said Rarity in a much-too-sweet tone.
“She’s a victim too, Rares… Ah know that’s kinda hard ta swallow… but she was his first. She was terrified, an’ doin’ what she thought she had to just to survive… Now it’s wrong she didn’t ever consider any of them ponies she was lurin’ into the trap, but she’s sorry for it just the same… Ah don’t like what she did, but… Ah think she’s okay,” replied Applejack.
Rarity’s eye visibly twitched as she nodded along with Applejack’s words. Before long, her features softened and she sighed.
“Oh… Applejack,” began Rarity, “I do understand. I am terribly sorry, I do not mean to be such a tiresome mare… Do you know what I keep thinking about?”
Applejack raised an eyebrow.
“Blueblood,” spat Rarity.
“That pig of a fellar from the gala?” asked Applejack.
“The very same, yes. I do not understand how I could have been so blind… How could I not see the signs within the first few moments of meeting him? I shudder to think what sort of cretin he is when not in the public eye, do you understand?”
“Ah reckon ah do, yeah. But Rares, yer a lot tougher than ya think… Don’t think he’d stand a chance against ya,” replied Applejack.
“I suppose… but I am hardly the only mare to have been taken with his… erm… well his status and his appearance, frankly,” Rarity confided.
“So what’s this really about then?” asked Applejack.
“What ever do you mean, dear?”
“Ah don’t see how that pompous idiot can be upsettin’ ya this much after this much time, even with what we know about that Black Soul feller,” Applejack began.
Rarity nodded along.
“So what’s the truth then? What’s really got ya so upset?”
“I continue to think of… of Sweetie… and her friends… Just gone, we know not where and suddenly there we are… Our baby sisters aren’t there, and we never even saw them leave!”
Applejack raised an eyebrow.
“That’s a tad dramatic, no?” asked Applejack.
“Dear, do you have any idea what I would do to the pony that hurt Sweetie in that way?”
“Ain’t half as much as me n’ Big Mac n’ Granny would do ta anypony that hurt Applebloom like that,” stated Applejack firmly.
“Yes, quite,” replied Rarity.
“It’s just very difficult for me, I am trying very hard to get that out of my mind… To remember that none of them got hurt,” said Rarity.
Applejack trotted nearer to Rarity and placed a hoof on her shoulder, before drawing in a bit closer and gazing directly into her eyes.
“It didn’t happen. She’s safe n’ sound at the Boutique, ya got Pinkie n’ Fluttershy n’ Twi n’ my Dash to keep an eye on ‘em all. Y’all know they won’t get anywhere near hurt with them to look after ‘em,” said Applejack solemnly.
Rarity nodded, and smiled faintly, “You are a dear, Applejack… And you are, of course, quite right. They are safe… But…”
“But…?” Applejack coaxed.
Rarity sighed and turned to look at Faith, who for her part looked terribly uncomfortable standing there on her own in the middle of the road, staring at the gravel or her hooves as her tail swished back and forth.
“How do I… get along with her?” asked Rarity delicately.
“Ya start by havin’ an honest talk. You don’t like what she did? Ya tell her, but ya don’t hold it over her head. See what she’s like… Ah kinda like her, to be honest. She ain’t a bad pony, just… just did some real bad things for bad reasons,” said Applejack.
Rarity sighed, slipping a hoof through her mane and readjusting her posture before nodded and trotting over to Faith.
“Ahem,” began Rarity, “Faith?”
Faith looked up at Rarity, a little taken aback at the unpleasantness she saw in the sapphire eyes.
“I am Rarity,” stated Rarity.
“U-uh… H-Hi. M-My name is Faith,” stammered Faith.
“Yes, dear, I know. You seem nervous,” observed Rarity.
“You hate me,” Faith stated.
“I… do not,” admitted Rarity.
“You… you don’t?” asked Faith.
“I thought that I did, I admit… but no, I do not. I do not like what you did, I have no reason to. Nopony does. I understand that you felt you did not have any choice, and I regret that you did. It hurt a great many ponies, you hurt a great many ponies,” Rarity stopped to breathe and collect her thoughts, her tone had been gradually intensifying as she spoke.
“I… I’m sorry dear, let me start again,” Rarity said, taking another deep breath to center herself.
“I am giving you a chance. My friends are doing much the same, I see no reason I cannot manage it. However, I want to be very clear: I do not approve of what you did,” Rarity stated.
Faith nodded, “Oh, of course. I don’t either. I’m so sorry, and I know that isn’t anywhere near enough. But I am. Miss Rarity-”
“Just Rarity, if you please,” interrupted Rarity.
“Uh, okay. Rarity… I promise you, I want to make things right… At least as much as I can. I know that isn’t much… I-I know that I was horrid…,” said Faith.
Rarity sighed and placed a hoof on Faith’s withers, calming and quieting her.
“Say no more… I understand you regret your actions. But it is not me you must apologize to, hence our journey,” Rarity stated as she observed several pegasi clumsily placing fresh clouds in the sky. Weather hadn’t been the same since Rainbow retired from it to accommodate her Wonderbolts schedule and teaching schedule.
“I suppose the rain will be a bit late today?” Rarity asked as she turned to Applejack.
“Uh… Dash ain’t really keeping up with that no more,” replied Applejack with a chuckle.
“Oh,” said Rarity.
Applejack smiled at Rarity. “You feelin’ any better?”
“Yes I am, dear. Thank you,” said Rarity.
The trio of ponies gathered together and set off.
“Where are we going next, then?”
“Las Pegasus is our next stop,” said Applejack with a sigh.
The vibrant pink mare hummed to herself as she poured a measure of flower into a mixing bowl with water and began to mix them.
A jingle sounded, letting Pinkie know that a customer had arrived. She noted it, but did not turn to address the pony who had entered. She continued, instead, to hum. A pale cerise unicorn mare trotted around the counter, her belly swollen and her gait slow.
“Oh! Sugar Belle!” Pinkie cheered happily.
“Hello Pinkie,” said Sugar Belle.
“How are you feeling? Are you sure you’re up to being here?”
“Yes,” said Sugar Belle with a giggle, “I’m fine… A little tired, little sore… but I’m fine.”
“You’re due really soon, huh?”
“Weeks, maybe,” replied Sugar Belle.
“Aw! Are you excited?”
“More scared than excited, really,” answered Sugar Belle.
“How’s Big Macintosh doing?” asked Pinkie.
Sugar Belle giggled. “He’s terrified.”
Pinkie Pie smiled while she resumed mixing her flour then adding sugar next.
“What are you making?” asked Sugar Belle.
“I’m not sure yet,” replied Pinkie.
“Are you thinking about her?” asked Sugar Belle.
“No. Him,” replied Pinkie.
“Who?” asked Sugar Belle.
Pinkie had forgotten that Black Soul’s presence hadn’t been explained outside of her circle of friends, but she supposed that wasn’t important now.
“He’s called Black Soul. He used her to… to get more… and and…,” Pinkie started, but quickly devolved into hysterics. She threw the spoon she’d been using to mix across the room and the bowl the other way.
Sugar Belle blinked. She stepped back in alarm as Pinkie screamed and slammed a hoof into the counter. She became incoherent rather quickly as Sugar Belle watched in terror.
The bell over the door jingled once again, admitting another pony.
“Pinkie!” cried Sugar Belle, “Calm down! Please!”
The other pony maneuvered themselves between Sugar Belle and Pinkie Pie just as Pinkie Pie released a pan wildly out of control. It connected with the brilliant amaranth coat of the hulking stallion, and doing little more than annoy him.
Big Macintosh made his way toward the hysterical and outraged Pinkie and threw a foreleg around her, pulling her into a hug. She flailed and beat on him with everything she had. He took every hit until she tired herself out and fell into his embrace.
“Easy Pinkie… Yer gonna hurt yerself or somepony else, and ya don’t want that,” said Big Macintosh.
Pinkie cried into Big Mac’s shoulder as he stroked her mane. Sugar Belle joined them a moment later, nuzzling Pinkie Pie.
“This is upsetting you more than I thought,” said Sugar Belle.
Fluttershy sat in her chair, sipping tea.
Discord sat in his chair, sipping the cup which held his tea.
“So how are you doing, Fluttershy?” Discord asked.
“Um… I’m okay,” she replied.
“Really?” asked Discord, surprise clearly written across his features. In bold letters, colored blue.
“Well… Maybe not okay… but I’ll get there. I’m worried about my friends. I know they’re taking this much harder than I am,” she replied quietly.
Discord’s face softened.
“You really are too kind, Fluttershy… I am not asking about our friends, I am asking about you,” he clarified.
“Oh… right,” she replied quietly.
“Well…?” Discord coaxed.
“It’s hard, Discord… Part of me wants to ask you to… to fix everything, just… erase their memories… but… but I know that’s not right…,” she said.
“And I am not capable of that anyway, Fluttershy… Sure I can twist ponies around, invert their personalities to a degree… but I can’t erase memories, especially not ones that painful.”
Fluttershy sniffled and closed her eyes. She shuddered. Discord placed his lion’s paw on her head and gently pulled her into a hug.
“They’ll get all the help that they need now… Princess Twilight will see to that, and I will help however I can. There is no magical cure for this, Fluttershy. I am sorry to say that,” said Discord, completely sincere.
“No… no that’s… That can’t be true… You have to be able to do something! You’re Discord! Reality bows to you! How can you not help?!” she shrieked.
“Fluttershy… I am not choosing to not help. I am just not able to do what you described. It isn’t in my power… and believe me, that is unpleasant to say… I am Discord after all,” he replied.
“No! That’s… That’s…,” Fluttershy choked on a sob as Discord hugged her tight.
“I’m sorry, Fluttershy… Truly, I am,” replied Discord.
The chromatic maned mare trotted through town rather than fly or even just hover. She looked up, took in the blue of the sky, the sparse clouds, noting how oddly placed they were and that they appeared to be water-bearing.
“Uh… Who the hey did that?” she wondered aloud.
“Rainbow Dash!” called a familiar stallion.
Rainbow turned to see Thunderlane flying down to meet her. His Wonderbolts uniform already sweat through from exertion. “What’s up Thunderlane?”
“You’re wanted back at HQ, Crash,” he said simply.
Rainbow blinked. It wasn’t necessarily unusual, but it wasn’t typically urgent.
“Any idea what’s going on?” she checked.
“Captain said she needed to talk to you personally. Didn’t go into specifics with me,” replied Thunderlane.
“Okay, well… I’ll see you back at HQ then,” said Rainbow Dash.
“You have to come n-,” began Thunderlane, only to stop as he saw the image of Rainbow Dash fade into a rainbow contrail that passed him by.
“Oh… You meant…,” he said with a sigh as he shook his head.
Pinkie Pie swallowed as she finally shed the last of her tears. She pulled away from Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle.
“I’m sorry, you guys… I’m so super sorry Sugar Belle. I put you and the baby in danger like that,” she started to ramble.
Sugar Belle smiled as she pressed a forehoof to Pinkie’s chest.
“Calm down, hun. It’s okay… No harm done. Are you feeling any better?” asked Sugar Belle.
“No… No, not really. I feel worse now… I was an angry, stupid pony and I could have hurt you… and…,” she turned her gaze to Big Macintosh who was nursing several bruises and searching for bandages.
Sugar Belle looked to Big Macintosh. “Oh sweetheart, you really took a walloping, huh?”
“Eeyup.”
Sugar Belle turned back to Pinkie Pie. “My husband will be alright… But you know that. He’s tougher than most. Softy, true… but you won’t find too many ponies better in a fight,” she said.
Pinkie Pie swallowed and nodded.
“Ah’m fine Ms. Pie,” he assured Pinkie.
“P-Pinkie,” said Pinkie.
“Aright, Ah’m fine Pinkie. Just a few little bruises. Nothin’ I can’t handle,” he said.
Sugar Belle smiled, kissing his cheek as he passed her by.
“It’s been like this… uh… sorta… I get… really mad and really scary… and I mean I scare myself… because I’m not really… I feel like I’m just watching while my body gets… um… violent,” said Pinkie quietly.
“Okay… and you’re calm now?”
Pinkie nodded.
“What’s going through your mind, hun?” asked Sugar Belle.
“I’m scared… I don’t want to hurt anypony… well… there is one pony I would reeeeeally like to hurt,” Pinkie admitted.
“But you can’t, can you?” Sugar Belle asked.
Pinkie shook her head.
“Why not?”
Pinkie sighed. Her mane began to deflate as she spoke. “Because it would be wrong, and it wouldn’t make anything better. I wouldn’t really feel better.”
“True… true…,” said Sugar Belle softly.
Pinkie slumped into Sugar Belle’s forelegs, seeking a hug and receiving one.
Fluttershy’s cottage remained tranquil. A small table and chair were set in her den. Discord sat on her couch as they both continued enjoying steaming cups of tea. The chittering of critters was in force this day as well as a general sense of tension which pervaded the atmosphere.
Fluttershy exhaled and stood from her chair as she carefully placed her teacup on her table.
“Discord… I need to take a trot… or… or something. I’m sorry. I hope you won’t be offended,” said Fluttershy.
“Oh pish posh. Do you really think I’d leave you alone at a time like this?” replied Discord.
“What do you mean?” asked Fluttershy.
“Oh, I’m coming with you of course,” said Discord.
“Okay, that sounds nice… Thank you,” replied Fluttershy.
Together they exited Fluttershy’s cottage and began a trek toward the Whitetail Woods.
“Discord?”
“Yes, Fluttershy?”
“What was it like for you?” asked Fluttershy.
“What was… oh, the statue?” he asked.
Fluttershy nodded slowly.
“Well… It wasn’t enjoyable. It was really boring actually… but Fluttershy, it wasn’t the same. I hated it, but… It would have been much worse for Trixie,” said Discord.
“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked.
“I may have been conscious, Fluttershy… but I wasn’t alive,” he said.
Fluttershy shuddered.
“My thoughts were disembodied, sort of… I had no flesh. I was stone except for my mind, so I could not act, merely exist… I felt no pain, I did not have to breathe… It was boring to be sure, but Trixie would have been feeling everything… so… I don’t fully know or understand what she went through,” said Discord.
Fluttershy shuddered as her eyes shrank to pinpricks and she stared straight through Discord.
Discord frowned, sighed, then snapped his claws. He and Fluttershy appeared at the Sweet Feather Sanctuary where the animals turned to see a disturbed Fluttershy and immediately set to comfort her. Discord exhaled a breath through his mismatched nostrils and stepped back. He’d never been much good at comforting anypony. It wasn’t playing to his strengths. However, he knew Fluttershy quite well so he knew that this might help.
Harry scooped Fluttershy up into a hug while several birds, squirrels, and chipmunks gathered around her or landed on her and chittered or chirped at her. Harry let out a low growl.
Discord raised an eyebrow, folding his lion’s leg and eagle talon over one another.
He simply watched, hoping that she’d come out of this somehow.
Rainbow Dash alit at the entrance to the Wonderbolts HQ & Gym. She trotted through the doors then through the locker room. Along the way, she passed discarded towels as well as the array of pictures from the Wild Blue Yonder only featuring one new addition: her. It had closed just after her time in Las Pegasus with the Gold Horseshoe Gals.
The door to Spitfire’s office was closed, but Rainbow knew it was not locked. Behind that door was Spitfire. She sat at her desk while going over papers and, this time of year, choosing who would be invited to the Wonderbolts Academy to try for entry. Talent was not in short supply in Equestrian air, but talent good enough for the Wonderbolts was hard won.
Rainbow sighed. Those were fond memories. Except for her friends being in danger. She shook her head to clear away the old thoughts, then raised a foreleg and knocked on the door.
“Come in!” yelled Spitfire.
Rainbow stepped through, using her teeth to manipulate the doorknob. Once turned, she pushed it in then stepped in. Once inside, she used a hindleg to close the door and a wing to salute Spitfire as she stood at attention.
“At ease, Crash,” said Spitfire with a smile.
“Captain, what’s the emergency?” asked Rainbow, a little tension creeping into her voice even as her body relaxed.
“Emergency? No, no emergency, though I did want you here as soon as possible,” Spitfire clarified.
Rainbow Dash waited in silence. Spitfire would pick up the conversation when she was ready.
“I’m gettin’ old, Crash. My wings don’t respond like they used to. I’m thinkin’ it’s about time I retire,” said Spitfire.
Rainbow blinked, caught off guard at this information.
“Re...Retire?” she asked, slightly dumbfounded.
“Yep. Gotta tuck the wings away eventually,” said Spitfire, dragging a hoof through her mane which included grey streaks clashing with her orange and amber mane.
“Where’s that leave us, Cap?” asked Rainbow.
“To the point. I like that. That’s why I called you Crash. I gotta hand the team over to a pony I trust to keep them in top form while also keeping with our principles. Soarin fell out last year…,” Spitfire trailed off. Talking about Soarin was difficult for any of the team. Rainbow took a breath.
“...So?” asked Rainbow.
“When I take off in a couple months, you’re going to be promoted to Captain. This team will be yours. You will be responsible for shaping it and shaping the ponies on it. You’ll be the one to choose who makes it and who doesn’t. You might get to enjoy yelling at ‘em,” Spitfire said with a smirk.
Rainbow’s jaw dropped.
The trees, hills, and occasional out of the way building passed by lazily as the train click-clacked down the tracks toward its next stop. Faith leaned against the glass. Her ears drooped and her eyes half-lidded in thought and sorrow. She sighed and closed her eyes the rest of the way. Her forehead pressing against the glass.
“What’s on yer mind, sugarcube?” asked Applejack from the seat right next to her.
“Everything…,” Faith replied.
“That’s quite a lot, dear,” said Rarity from the seat behind Faith.
Faith didn’t reply. A tear slipped from her eye, painting a line down her muzzle before it dripped onto the glass and continued its journey.
“I’m… I’m a murderer…,” she said quietly as her voice cracked and more tears came.
Applejack placed a hoof on her shoulder, but remained silent.
“Dear, that’s… a bit much, no?” said Rarity.
“What?” asked Faith.
“Alright, you did participate in a series of horrid crimes against equinity… You seem… kind, really… so I imagine the weight of that guilt is quite something. But… Murderer? Dear, you did not kill a single one of them. An absolutely horrid stallion is responsible for that…,” said Rarity, surprise evident in her voice.
Applejack nodded, gently massaging Faith’s shoulder.
“I suppose you felt… erm… cornered?” supplied Rarity.
Faith didn’t respond in any way, just remained quietly crying as Applejack continued to try to comfort her.
“If you are going to remain silent, then I’m afraid there isn’t much I can do for you,” Rarity huffed.
Fluttershy wept into Harry’s coat. Discord frowned and floated up to her. His lion’s paw stroked her mane.
“There… there?” he tried lamely.
“Thank you, Discord… Harry… everyone,” she said to the various creatures.
“This is… I have never seen you this upset before,” said Discord.
Fluttershy looked at him.
“I… I know this is upsetting, and… I knew this was quite bad… but this? Why Fluttershy?” asked Discord.
Fluttershy swallowed and looked away.
Pinkie Pie picked up a toppled pan and brought it to the sink. She was in the midst of cleaning up the mess she had made. Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle had parted ways after making sure she was calm and feeling better.
She sighed as she collected a spatula, placing it in the sink. The sound of water splashing sounded as the spatula began to sink beneath the surface. She turned away and grabbed a cloth which she used to wipe up the wet flour that had splattered across the shop during her fit.
The bell above the door sounded. Another customer entered the shop. Purple scales and green spines were joined by the sound of gentle wing flaps as Spike hovered and observed the mess.
“Whoa,” said Spike.
“Hi Spike,” said Pinkie.
“What happened here?” he asked.
“I did,” replied Pinkie.
Spike hovered over to a broom. He collected it and began to sweep around the kitchen.
“You’re pretty upset, huh?” Spike guessed.
“Yeah…,” said Pinkie.
Spike scanned the kitchen, and nodded.
“Right, okay. Why don’t you go get yourself a milkshake or something? Maybe find one of your friends? I’ll clean this place up,” Spike volunteered.
Pinkie wore a wan smile as she nodded gratefully at Spike. She immediately strode through Sugarcube Corner’s door and into Ponyville.
“Thank you,” faded into the air as the door swung shut.
Spike nodded and proceeded with sweeping.
Rainbow shook her head and closed her jaw, taking a breath before she spoke.
“You… what? Me? C-Captain?” she said unintelligently.
Spitfire nodded.
“Wh… uh… Thank you, Captain… I’m really honored,” said Rainbow Dash.
“Don’t be. This job is a huge pain in the flank,” said Spitfire with a light chuckle.
“I… I guess I accept,” said Rainbow.
“You guess?” asked Spitfire.
Rainbow took a breath, “Yeah. Um… I want to. I’m gonna have to talk it over with Applejack to make sure I have the time and she’s okay with me being away more…,” she said.
“Applejack? What?” asked Spitfire.
Rainbow smiled, a slight blush painting her cheeks. “Yeah. You met her, remember?”
‘Sure I do. Why does she have a say in your life?” asked Spitfire.
“Uh… We’re together.” Rainbow admitted with a brighter blush.
“Oh, you are?”
Rainbow nodded.
“Congrats. Hopefully she doesn’t ball and chain you from this, eh?” said Spitfire.
Rainbow laughed. “Yeah. I don’t think that’ll happen.
“Look, I’m really grateful for this. I am. I’m sorry I’m not more excited. It’s… It’s just a tough time right now. Some stuff’s been going on back home and it’s hitting everyone kinda hard. Do you mind if I take a week off?” Rainbow’s tone had shifted all over the place as she spoke, ending in a nervous chuckle.
“A week? Sure. Why not? Take it. Get better. Be in top form when you get back,” Spitfire commanded before returning to paperwork.
Pinkie’s travels brought her to Ponyville’s cemetery, where she took a particular trail to a specific grave. Once there, she sat down and sighed.
“Hi Cranky…,” sighed Pinkie.
“I know I don’t come here often enough… I can’t smile here. It’s too hard… but I wanted to talk to you… I’m being a bit selfish, I know… but I know you don’t mind that, not really…,” she began.
“It’s hard right now… Trixie is hurting so badly… and she probably feels completely alone, even with all of us in the room… She can’t see that this isn’t a dream… I… um… I went with Twilight to the doctor to get updates on her… to understand everything she needs,” said Pinkie.
------
“Miss Sparkle, Miss Pie,” greeted the doctor.
Twilight nodded, and Pinkie didn’t really register his words. She just stared ahead, past his desk at the wall behind that desk, into nothing.
“As you know, I have ordered several tests of Trixie’s well being and functionality. I have received results,” he began. Pinkie looked at him finally, he offered her a small smile.
“The atrophy to her muscles is quite significant, and I can’t be sure she’ll ever properly walk again. Not yet, at least. She cannot move under her own power, and it will take quite a lot of time and effort to get her moving on her own again. The atrophy to her magical nerves is possibly worse. It does not appear she will ever regain full use of it. Miss Sparkle, I will entrust you with some exercises that can help with that.
You will have noticed that she is covered in sores. Her coat is riddled with holes from these. Those are very painful, but it will be difficult to avoid pressure on those, so I will be prescribing a regimen of various pain killers and topical ointments to aid in her recovery.
She is currently extremely light-sensitive. She is unable to keep her eyes open in even basic lighting, and it will take some time for her eyes to adjust. After that, her ears are also quite sensitive. Try to speak quietly to her for a while. Let her get used to hearing sounds again.”
The doctor sighed as he shuffled through his file.
“She is not breathing well. I think she does not understand that she can take a full, deep, breath now. Which brings me to the deeper damage. She is mute because she cannot accept that this is real. We do not know the extent of what she dealt it, of what she was put through. We do know that she was isolated for a very long time, so there is a great deal of mental damage that needs to be addressed.
“However, this is not my area of expertise. I have contacted a colleague I trust with this case, but I will not share anything with your consent, Princess.”
Twilight swallowed, and spoke. “Please, contact your colleague and let them know I’m fine with it.”
Pinkie’s mane grew darker and straighter with every new bit of information the doctor shared. She sank to the floor. Her eyes grew watery and downcast.
Twilight gently rubbed her withers with a hoof.
“Doctor,” asked Twilight, “Is she going to be alright?”
“Eventually. Yes. She will not, however, be the same,” he clarified.
------
Twilight and Pinkie exited into the hallway just outside of the doctor’s office before Pinkie broke down.
Twilight immediately pulled Pinkie into a hug, stroking her mane with a forehoof and whispering to her.
“Pinkie? What’s wrong?”
“Oh Twilight,” lamented Pinkie, “How can I ever get any of them to smile again?”
Twilight swallowed as she continued to stroke Pinkie’s mane.
“I don’t know, Pinkie… I don’t know,” answered Twilight in a hurt tone.
“It hurts, Twi… She’s a friend… And she’s hurting and… and I don’t know how to make her smile again… How to make her feel okay,” sobbed Pinkie.
“None of us knows that, Pinkie, but we’re going to support her and help her every way we can,” assured Twilight.
“Is that all we can do?” pleaded Pinkie.
“For now, Pinkie… It’s a step at a time, and our first step is to get her functioning again,” replied Twilight.
“What about the pony that did this to her? To all of them?”
“She’ll be dealt with,” Twilight promised.
“But… what made her do this? Why did she hurt them so much?” cried Pinkie.
“I really don’t know… but I’ll find out,” Twilight said, coldness creeping into her tone.
------
Pinkie sighed as she rested a hoof on Cranky’s grave.
“I don’t know what to do… No party is going to fix this,” her voice cracked as she spoke, tears spilling openly at the painful admission.