//------------------------------// // Tensions rising // Story: Unless it Rains // by melonmystery //------------------------------// The five ponies trekked on through the Everfree following the mysterious stone orb which seemed to come to light at the touch of Twilight's magic, bouncing and spinning as it went almost as if it were a hyper foal in disguise. "Well, who'd have thought, I can't believe we were missing somepony all along, if'n this was all a prophecy like you said. Then how come we didn't find them back in town?" Inquired Applejack "It does seem rather odd doesn't it?" Rarity agreed, surveying the trees around her. She wasn't in the mood to fight another colony of spiders to protect her fabulous mane. "What if they're-" Fluttershy spoke up. "DEAD!" Rainbow shouted in worry, her hooves on her face. "I was going to-" Fluttershy tried to continue. "Oh Rainbow, I doubt they're dead. They probably just live far away, what if they aren't even a pony?" Twilight speculated. "Hahaha, are you being serious right now darling? An element bearer that isn't a pony? You can't be serious, I doubt any of those other creatures possess any kind of magic." Rarity wheezed, wiping a stray tear from her eye from the exertion of laughing until she noticed everyone glaring at her. "Oh, you weren't joking." She said bluntly. The trip continued, silent with a hint of tension until Rarity spoke up again. "I'm very sorry for what I said earlier, I tend to put up a front around ponies from Canterlot and I guess I thought that you, Twilight Sparkle, would be the same. I shouldn't have assumed something like that." Twilight sighed, a pained look on her face. "I understand why you might think that, I know that the ponies back home aren't exactly the nicest and tend to turn up their noses at anything different." She continued. "It's just.. you don't need to act that way around me, I'm not like that." Rarity looked at Twilight, a small smile gracing her features. "I can see that now, darling." Further away on a rock farm was a pink pony with a darker magenta mane that draped over her shoulders and over her forehooves, which were currently supporting her as she looked out of the window. "Hey." A meek voice said from behind her. Pinkamena jumped at the sudden intrusion and turned around to face her sister. "Oh! It's just you Marble." She spluttered, aware that she had just been caught. "I guess you're wondering why I'm looking out of the window all sad? Well, I'm always sad but- nevermind I'm rambling again" She rattled on. "Mhm." Marble replied, unable to offer anything more. "Ever since Maud left I've been wondering if maybe th-the Rock Farm isn't for me.." She sniffeled, tears beginning to form in the corners of her sky blue eyes. Marble raised an eyebrow at this, but nonetheless put a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "I just want to see what's out there and find out what I'm really supposed to do, I don't feel like this-" She gestured towards the field of rocks. "is my destiny." She lamented "Yeah, I think she's gone bonkers." A rough voice called out from the doorway. "Really, this isn't your destiny? Don't give me that crud, you literally have rocks on your flank. You're supposed to stay here!" She continued, scowling as she knocked her pink sister out of the way with her flank as she walked past. Marble looked threateningly at her and put her foreleg around Pinkamena protectively. "Besides, it's not like you can do anything else. I can't believe the pony who reads books all the time is so dense." She griped. Pinkamena flinched at that. Limestone took notice of this and Marble's glaring and her eyes softened. "Look, I shouldn't have said that, okay? Me and Marble are just so scared that you're going to run off like Maud." She began. "Every day since she left you started walking further away from the farm when you're working. What if one day you just decide to disappear and not even say goodbye, or even write to us to let us know that you're okay!?" She exploded. Her sisters looked on in astonishment. "I'm the oldest, I'm supposed to look after you all" She said weakly. "I didn't realise you felt that way, if I knew I would have never even said anything." Pinkamena apologised. "It's okay." Limestone sighed. "Just, if you ever do decide you want to do something different promise you will write to us." "I Pinkie Promise" She proclaimed. A tapping sound could be heard from across the room, Marble was gesturing towards the window with her head. The other two walked towards the dusty window and looked out. A bright blue light could be seen from the trees surrounding the farm. The three fillies were fearful and scrambled downstairs both to warn their parents and to further investigate the strange glow. "Ma, Pa, There's a blue light in the woods!" Shouted Limestone. Igneous and his wife cantered towards the door and hastily opened it, Igneous' eyes scanning the surrounding forests and to his surprise there was indeed a strange glow coming from the woods. "Get me my pitchfork!" He commanded, Marble rushed inside to fetch it. Slowly the light came closer as five silhouettes came into view behind it, Igneous furrowed his brow, preparing to attack. Marble came back with Pitchfork in mouth and passed it to her father who pointed his weapon towards them menacingly "Stay back!" The mysterious ponies stopped in their tracks, whispering to each other. The glowing orb rolled forward and the most of the Pies scattered as it came to a halt at the hooves of the magenta filly who had begun to tremble, scared of the tingling sensation of magic. The light grew brighter. The purple unicorn slowly trotted towards her, looking at her in awe. Pinkamena shivered, never having seen this mystical creature who looked like any other pony but with a horn the same colour as her fur growing out of her head. "We've been looking for you."