//------------------------------// // Chapter 40 - More worries and debates in the dark continent // Story: Wherever the Light Shines: Part 2 // by MLPSolarDash1907 //------------------------------// Lieutenant Jia and her army have been searching the area in and around the gorge for about an hour. The sun has disappeared below the horizon, painting the sky a reddish color. Jia knew she’d have to build camp soon, but he’s been told that his army spotted several signs of the targets. “Ma’am!” said Lei, trotting up to her. “Yes Captain?” Jia asked. “We’ve gotten the trail of four individuals, including one having pink hair,” he levitated strands of Pinkie’s tail up to show him. “It’s fresh too. We’re not far behind.” “But you haven’t been able to find all of them together?” Jia asked. “Negative.” “How far do you think they are?” “Several hours at the most.” “Good. Get the troops to rest up for a few hours. Send some scouts to locate the targets and have one stay on them. We leave at first light.” “Yes ma’am!” Lei saluted, stomped off, and began giving orders. Jia growled. She hated to be out in the wide-open and having to deal with several buffalo, some lions, and watching out for snakes. A lot of water and food are being used for this adventure but that doesn’t deter Jia from serving the City. Ever since escaping the stampede, Twilight and Rainbow had gone a bit back and forth on returning to Equestria because everypony needs them, Starlight needs them too, but Rainbow believes she’s capable of taking care of herself. However, Rainbow’s arguments to go back now were being overruled by Twilight and Sunset. “I’m just saying that we should consider going back!” Rainbow argued. “I know! I know!” Twilight shouted, “But we’ve been over this, we cannot go back with all the help we can get!” “Yeah Dash,” said Sunset, “Starlight needs our help and she’ll be very essential in helping us defeat that monster.” “I know! But whatever he’s planning is succeeding and we’re out here wasting our time in the savannas led here by a vigilant unicorn!” “I can hear you!” Mystic shouted from up ahead. “I know! I’m being loud!” Rainbow retorted. “Rainbow,” Sunset said in a blunt tone, “We are already out here in Oogundaa and we’re closer to Starlight than we are to Equestria.” “I could do another search! I’m fast!” “A third one, Dash? You are fast but who knows where Starlight is now?” “I’ve said she can be invisible when she can!” “Then we need another way of finding her instead of zipping all over the place! We’ve no doubt been seen multiple times by Clawdius’ Pride!” “I’m doing everything I can!” “Enough! I’ve just had it!” Twilight cried, growing tired of the arguing. Sunset and Rainbow quit arguing as Twilight sat down in defeat, “This place has a lot of area to cover!” She began to hyperventilate some as Mystic came to a stop. “I’m tired of this arguing and it’s not getting us any closer to Starlight! Now we’ve heard that Equestria was taken by a hyena freak and we’re separated for the second time in this Celestia forsaken land!” She began breathing harder, “And to top it off, we don’t know one hundred percent if Starlight came to Oogundaa at all! This could all just be some wild goose chase!” She continued to breathe hard. “Twilight...I...” Sunset stepped over to her. “Not in the mood, Sunset!” Twilight snapped, causing the mare to step back, “I’m constantly bellyaching on what’s going to happen next! All of this is just really wearing me down. I’m tired of what’s happening with the school, the dangers rising up, everything!” She began to trail off, “I’m just...” She began to whimper and choke, “I’m scared...” Sunset sat down next to Twilight and embraced her softly. Rainbow felt remorseful for not making the situation better. “Twi...” she said, “I’m sorry...” Twilight nodded. “I know,” she croaked, “I’m not acting right either...” “Twilight, I know things are looking bad now,” Sunset turned the alicorn around, “But believe me when I say that we’re going to figure it out.” “Yeah,” Rainbow added, “You have helped all of us with our friendship problems and are looking out for everypony you can.” “I just...” Twilight sniffed, “I feel like a failure with all that’s going on...” “You’re not a failure,” Sunset said in an affirmative tone, “Things that have been happening are not your fault.” “Then why does it?” “I suppose you’re just upset and because you took those students in,” said Rainbow. “I...I don’t know...” Twilight whimpered, “It’s just been so stressful the last couple of months... even if we do manage to defeat Nightfall and save Equestria, we’ll still have to worry about Bullion and a potential court case.” “Let’s worry about getting to shelter tonight,” said Mystic. Twilight looked up to see the last bits of sunlight has begun to fade, trapping the surrounding savanna in darkness. “Sounds like a good idea,” said Sunset. Twilight spotted a big tree in the middle of the savanna’s tall waving grass. She pointed to it and began flying over to it. When she and the others were about one hundred yards away from it, a loud grunt came from in front of the ponies. They all froze on the spot. “What was that?” Twilight asked. “Look!” said Rainbow. About ten yards away, in the pit of a mud hole, a large cape buffalo is stuck and unable to escape. Despite the dwindling light, Twilight could see he looked exhausted and as if he’d been there all day. Despite that, he glared at the ponies. “Whoa...” Sunset breathed, stepping next to Twilight. The buffalo tried moving again, but he only began to sink a bit into the muddy hole. “Gosh...” said Twilight, thinking on what they should do. “At least he’s not a threat,” said Mystic. Twilight ignored her. He would probably be dead by daybreak and nocreature else is in the area. Even though they’re aggressive and wanted to kill herself and her friends, she isn’t the type of pony to leave anycreature like this. She looked at Rainbow and Sunset. “Let’s get him out,” she said. Rainbow nodded in agreement. “Very well,” said Sunset. Sunset took off to find a way to help him out. “Wait what?” Mystic asked suspiciously. Rainbow smirked proudly, “We’re going to do what we do best. Save the buffalo and show him that friendship is magic.” Twilight and Rainbow took off as a light gasp escaped from Mystic. “No!” Mystic shouted, “Don’t get him out of there!” “We’re going to save him!” said Twilight. “You are fools! All of you!” Mystic cried desperately, “You get him out, he’ll get out after us!” “So what?! Twi can teleport us to safety if that’s so!” Rainbow declared. “This won’t make a difference!” Mystic insisted, stopping close by, “Oogundaa’s residents are-” “Shut up, Mystic!” Sunset shouted, surprising the young unicorn, “How could you just stand there and not help him?” Mystic regained her composure, “Because he’s a beast just like every other creature here!” Twilight looked at Mystic with a determined smirk, “Then it’s our time to prove to him that everywhere else isn’t like Oogundaa.” Mystic observed as Twilight and Sunset got behind the buffalo and Rainbow got in front of him. “It’s okay, buffalo,” she said, “We’re gonna get you out!” The buffalo snorted angrily, but that did not deter the pegasus. “We’re going to push you out,” Twilight announced. “And you push upwards!” added Sunset. “And how are you all going to get me out?” the buffalo growled. “You’ll see!” The buffalo grunted, his glare not dwindling. “If ya wanna get out and see the light of day, you’ll work with us,” said Rainbow. The buffalo frowned, his look slightly softening. He gazed up at the smirking pegasus and her smirk grew. He begrudgingly nodded. “Awesome!” Rainbow pumped her hoof into the air. Twilight could feel the buffalo using what little strength he had left began to push up against the mud. The hole began to get deeper, but Twilight and Sunset’s horns were alit with their magic, pushing him upwards. “Keep pushing!” Twilight cried. Twilight saw him beginning to struggle against his weight and the pull of the hole. She saw his eyes widened when he saw he’s getting closer to the surface. Soon, they got him out of the mud hole. With wobbly steps, he stepped forward onto the grass. Rainbow moved aside and gave him his space. As he looked back at the ponies with wide eyes, Twilight and Sunset’s horns quit glowing. “I...” he said, unsure of what to say. “Go on,” said Twilight, “You’re free to go.” The buffalo blinked. Twilight could tell he’s never seen anything like this from anycreature before. He didn’t say anything. Instead of charging, he began walking off and soon broke out into a run, free from the pull of the mud hole. “All right!” Rainbow cheered as Sunset and Twilight high hoofed. “You’re all fools,” Mystic stated, “This won’t change anything about Oogundaa.” Twilight glared, “What? So what if you think the land’s a lost cause. It won’t stop us from doing what we do best.” “I agree,” said Sunset, “We’ve listened to you go on a bit about your view, but it’s way past time that we begin showing Oogundaa the way.” “You’re crazy,” said Mystic. “So what?! Just leave that buffalo here to die?” Rainbow demanded. “I don’t see the harm in that.” Everypony gasped, horrified at her words. “Oh, that’s just heartless!” Rainbow screamed. “Mystic!” Sunset shouted. “I’m appalled at you, Mystic!” Twilight scolded, “I’ve put up with your attitude for a long time now, but I am so over it now!” She began to stomp over to the unicorn. “And what will this prove? That friendship solves everything?” “Whatever does or doesn’t happen doesn’t change that we should be who we are!” Twilight shouted stopping a few inches away. “You’re just scared to admit that I’m right about the world, Sparkle!” Mystic pointed at her. “I could say the same about you!” Twilight blurted out, and Mystic's face seem to wilt “You’re always so insistent and try to stop us when we try to do something good!” “And don’t give us just because it’s that Oogundaa’s awful,” Sunset scolded. Mystic didn’t reply. “I’ve learned over the years that friendship is the most powerful magic of all, my friends and I learned from one another and they helped me discover more about myself over the years. All of us did,” Twilight explained in a bold tone, “They brought out the magic from within me. I never would’ve found out that I represented the Element of Magic without these five special ponies, I wouldn’t have made friends with Sunset or Starlight or gone on adventures and I certainly wouldn’t be here to talk to you about how much friendship should mean to you, Mystic!” “That’s all fine and good, Princess,” Mystic rolled her eyes, “But from all my experiences it’s just not always the answer!” “How do you know that?” Rainbow asked, “You’ve never even given us a chance back in Equestria or here!” “I have so!” “No, you haven’t! It’s why Fluttershy had to go behind your back to talk to that bear! You’re difficult, Mystic! Self-righteous, too!” “You have no place to talk to me like that!” “Enough Mystic,” Twilight scolded, “She’s right about you. Just because she lied about you doesn’t make her wrong about other things.” She sighed, calming down some, “All I can say is that I’m sorry for you, Mystic.” “Sorry for me?” Mystic raised an eyebrow. “Yes,” Twilight frowned, “I know you find it hard to rely on anypony, but know this, I won’t ridicule you from here on out, but I will not tolerate your attitude and leaving citizens to die.” “I am not heartless; I just didn’t find much point in helping him.” “Also, Mystic,” Twilight continued, she got right into the unicorn’s face, “Because I do want to understand you instead of considering throwing you into a jail cell or consider letting Hong take you back.” Mystic opened her mouth, but Twilight silenced her with her magic, “And before you consider objecting, your mouth and your actions have gotten you this far.” “Twilight, I think you are stepping a little overboard,” Sunset said in concern. “Sunset, I’m handling this,” said Twilight, not looking back, “Mystic, you need to straighten yourself up and let us in.” Her magic faded from Mystic’s lips, “Or I will start considering alternatives.” Mystic’s nostrils flared. But she glanced at Sunset and saw her shake her head, trying to stop her. Mystic sighed and looked at Twilight “Fine... do what you wish,” Mystic stated. “We are very grateful and while we’re trying to do what we do best, you keep us from even trying to help!” said Rainbow. “Rainbow’s right,” said Twilight, “You just refuse to help because of your hatred, Mystic. And hatred isn’t a healthy thing.” “I do not hate the citizens,” said Mystic, in a quieter tone, “I just find it a lost cause to do what all of you are trying to do.” “You clearly need an eye-opener,” said Rainbow, crossing her forelegs. “I told you that I see things clearly.” “And what is that, Mystic?” Twilight asked, “Just not letting anypony help you?” Mystic sighed in defeat, turning and walking off to where they’ll be camping. “I don’t know about you girls,” said Rainbow, “But...” She sighed. “She seems impenetrable?” Sunset suggested. “Exactly.” Twilight just kept gazing off after Mystic. “I’ve been observing this situation from the outside,” Sunset spoke up, “I do find it a bit annoying how all of you keep insisting your way and her insisting her ways and getting nowhere with it.” “Are you taking her side?” Rainbow furrowed her brows. “I never said that. And I am not. Both sides aren’t completely innocent. I know all of you are stressed and not thinking clearly at times. Believe me, I am too. But we need to stop getting at another’s throats like we’ve been doing.” Twilight and Rainbow looked at one another. “And don’t blame Mystic for all of your actions or words to one another, I’ve seen them,” Sunset continued, “And just now with Twilight going overboard with considering Hong,” Twilight blinked and slowly began to realize what she’d said, “I know you, Twilight, and that wasn’t the right way to handle that, even with how she is.” “You don’t seem to be too affected by all of this, Sunset,” said Rainbow, looking at her again. “I know...” replied Sunset, slightly frowning for not feeling the same way as her friends, they’ve been through so much because of the school, the Lions, now this. It’s got to be hard on them. She wishes she could trade places so they wouldn’t have to go through this. “But I think we need a new approach on Mystic,” she said, “I’ll try to speak with her later. She’ll likely listen to me.” “Okay,” said Twilight, frowning. Knowing Mystic as much as she did, she wouldn’t want to speak with her. “The sun’s setting,” said Sunset, “We need to get to shelter right away.” They all agreed and began gathering up dry grass to build a fire. They’d spent the early morning hours searching for Starlight across the rolling hills, cliffs, and even a waterfall. Sunset has yet to talk to Mystic but she wanted to make sure the mare was cooled off from yesterday. As she took in the beautiful landscape of trees, green grass, and hills, Sunset saw that Mystic was looking out onto the landscape. Mystic was observing Twilight and Rainbow as they talked to several antelope and gemsbok. Sunset recalled how earlier that day she’d had seen the two taking the time to help out warthogs needing water and spreading the magic of friendship among them, along with speaking to various other creatures. “I don’t understand...” Mystic rubbed her temples. Sunset didn’t say anything as she stepped closer to the younger mare. “We’re supposed to be looking for their lost friend, not stopping to do this.” Sunset smiled. “We can always take a little bit of our time to do small things for anycreature.” Mystic looked at her with slightly wide eyes, “What? You’re considering that these small actions might...” “Probably,” Sunset smirked. Mystic shook her head. “This isn’t helping us find Starlight any faster...” Sunset observed Mystic as she looked back onto the landscape and sat down on the ground. The elder mare did likewise and placed a gentle hoof on Mystic’s withers. “You know,” Sunset spoke up. “I used to think this kind of little stuff was nonsense, too.” “And?” “And, I found out little actions can have ripple effects on a pony’s life or two or three,” Sunset explained. “You might not agree with our ideals, Mystic, but you can at least let us try and reach out.” She stroked Mystic’s back. “Maybe there’s room in your heart to do that.” Mystic sighed. “I’ve tried to get them to see, and yet they won’t listen.” “Neither will you,” Sunset said. Mystic shot her a glare. “You know it’s true. But maybe you could try and consider alternatives instead of letting things be when it appears hopeless.” “You’re getting too smart for me, Sunset,” replied Mystic. Sunset didn’t buy that, but she decided to take a different approach. “You yourself have seen what ponies could do in the world and have made positive changes throughout Equestria.” Mystic ran a hoof down her face and looked away. “You told me about that friend of yours,” Sunset continued. She noticed Mystic’s ears perk up. “Sunshine Smiles, I believe?” “I thought we weren’t to bring up her while on this mission,” replied Mystic. “I never agreed to that. I wouldn’t tell the others about her,” Sunset clarified. Mystic crossed her forelegs, not saying anything. “But answer me this,” said Sunset. “What would she want from Oogundaa?” Mystic gave her a hard look but said nothing. “I don’t know anything about her other than her name, but I believe she would want to be more optimistic and reach out to the land instead of doing nothing.” Sunset looked out at Twilight and Rainbow, “These ponies here are some of the most special ponies I’ve come to know. And they’d do anything to help anycreature.” “All creatures are the same, Sunset,” replied Mystic. “What do you mean?” Mystic looked at her again. “I’ve seen it too many times. Ponies, creatures, whatever their ideals they’re all the same selfish beings hidden by their ideals that hide their true selves.” Sunset’s eyes slightly widened. She’d never heard that perspective before. “When things get rough, they show more of their true selves.” Mystic motioned to Twilight and Rainbow, “They might mean well, no matter how genuine, but will one way or another show that selfish nature.” Sunset process what she had heard, blinking a few times. “If that’s what you believe, what about those who were closest to you?” Sunset asked. “Sunshine?” Mystic’s eyes widened in fury. “Don’t be angry, Mystic,” said Sunset. “I know seeing your worldview change could be hard...” She stroked the mare’s mane, and Mystic seemed to calm down a little. “Even if what you said is true, we do know that creatures can be that way, but we all make mistakes, our judgments get clouded and lose sight of what matters.” Sunset frowned. “It’s happened to me several times, but I was brought back because of my friends and sometimes strange circumstances that caused me to remember what I’d learned.” “Just because you pulled back doesn’t mean...” “I believe it does, Mystic,” Sunset cut in, firmly but not scolding. “I want to encourage you, not force you, to take a gamble in kindness, love, and friendship that maybe you need to reconsider things about your worldview.” She wrapped a caring foreleg around the mare. “If you don’t change your views, that’s fine. But please, for me, could you just try and consider this?” Mystic let out a breath through her nostrils, she lowered her gaze to look at her hooves. They sat there for what felt like a few minutes, Sunset not opening her mouth, waiting patiently for her response. “How did you learn to talk like this?” Mystic asked. Sunset chuckled. “When you learn friendship, gain wisdom from the experienced and your own experience, you’re bound to eventually learn to talk like this.” She heard no rebut from Mystic. Finally, Mystic looked at her with a softer but firm look. “We need to move soon,” said Mystic. “That we do,” said Sunset, looking back at Twilight and Rainbow leaving the antelope and gemsbok behind. “So, where to next?” Twilight asked as they approached. Sunset looked at Mystic. “We head towards the mountains over there,” said Mystic, pointing some reddish mountains about twenty miles away. “We hadn’t been in that direction before.” “Then let’s go!” said Rainbow, flying off. Meanwhile, a quad of friends trotted along the edge of a meadow as they stuck close to the tree line. Fluttershy watched her other two friends follow Applejack as she led the group towards more hills and a thicker forest to the hills’ right. “Applejack! Slow down!” Rarity cried, Fluttershy saw sweat pouring down her face as the burning sun beat down on them. “Fer the hundredth time, no!” Applejack boomed, “Equestria’s been taken over and we have to find Starlight on top of everythin’ else going on!” “Applejack! We’ve been going for hours!” Rarity shrieked. “She’s right! We need to conserve energy!” Fluttershy gasped, her wings beginning to cramp. She lowered herself to the ground, panting. She spotted Pinkie next to her, frowning as she trotted, and not in a happy way. “Pinkie... are you doing all right?” asked Fluttershy. “Suuuuureeee...” Pinkie droned sadly, “I’m trying to stay positive as throughout this whole trip, but nothing about this situation is happy to me...” Fluttershy’s eyes widened. When their most cheerful friend, the peppiest of the group, isn’t happy, things are very bad. She always tried to crack up a joke or cheer her friends up, but now she’s as miserable as Applejack and Rarity. “I’ve been trying to spread cheer among the land, but...” she whimpered, “Nothing works...nothing I can do lately has mattered...” “Oh, Pinkie...” Fluttershy whispered, feeling powerless to help her friend. Applejack has been leading for hours and hasn’t stopped for a moment’s rest, she’s angry, she’s distressed and not willing to back down. She even threatened them all she’ll lasso them if they don’t move along with her. She’s completely lost sight of her friends’ well beings, but you can’t completely blame her when everypony you know and love is being held by that nasty werehyena. “Ah think we need to move a little further,” said Applejack. “Applejack,” said Fluttershy, flying up to and landing in front of her disgruntled friend. “We need to slow down. Look at us.” “Ah think y’all are bein’ a little dramatic!” said Applejack, “We’ve got more than enough to deal with as is!” Fluttershy gritted her teeth as she formed a glare. “And you don’t think we need to be in good condition to stand up against our enemies?” “Ah’m fine! What the hay is wrong with all of you?” she prodded Fluttershy in the chest, angering the pegasus further. “This is a big land and we’re wastin’ time instead of being with the others!” Fluttershy growled. “And Ah swear to Celestia that Ah ain’t gonna stop until-” Fluttershy pushed her, causing the farmer to yelp. Applejack fell onto the ground and tumbled down the hill they were on top of. Out of the corner of her eye, Fluttershy saw Rarity and Pinkie’s eyes were wide in horror and surprise. Regret washed over the shy pegasus as Applejack pulled herself up with a look of rage and surprise at the glaring pegasus, tears staining her cheeks. “Why the hay did ya do that?!” Applejack roared. “You need to get a grip Applejack!” Fluttershy screamed. “No excuse to push me!” “There is no excuse for you to yell and be a bully to our friends!” Fluttershy’s scream echoed throughout the savanna as it went dead silent. She’s passed her breaking point. Applejack looked as if she wanted to retort, but her words died on her lips. “Ah... Ah... didn’t...” she squeaked. Fluttershy’s lip trembled before she sat down on her flank and began crying, her mane hid her face as she sobbed. Fluttershy heard Rarity and Pinkie make their way over and began hugging her. Applejack couldn’t say or do anything because of how far she realized she’d pushed Fluttershy, they’ve had arguments before, but not like that. Suddenly, Applejack heard rustling coming from nearby. She froze. Pulling herself up she looked out onto the swaying green grass of the nearby meadow. Her heart began to throb as her nerves began to pulse. She felt her chest tighten as she felt a pair of eyes on her. She looked harder at the grass, narrowing her eyes to see if anything was out there. A quick glance back at her friends and focusing back on the meadow, she didn’t see anything. Suddenly, she felt as if she had three pairs of eyes on her. Then, her hoof clunked against something metal, causing her to yelp. Looking down, she saw what seemed to be a half-buried briefcase. “Applejack! Look out!” Rarity cried. The farmer looked up and saw a lioness charging at her. She screamed and leaped into the air, barely dodging its claws. She gasped when another came out and tackled her to the ground. “Gotcha!” the lioness declared. Applejack did her best to get out of her grip but she was ironclad. “Surprise attack!” Pinkie cried. A pop of confetti erupted into the lioness’ face. Applejack used that moment to roll backward, kicking the lioness in the face and freeing herself. Immediately, Applejack turned to see three more lionesses advancing towards Rarity and Fluttershy. “Oh, no y’all don’t!” Applejack cried, anger running through her veins. She charged and pulled out her lasso as she heard Pinkie bouncing around and taunting the lioness. Rarity shot several blasts of magic from her horn but they didn’t phase the approaching felines. Applejack darted past her, threw her lasso, and nabbed one of the lioness’ around her neck. Thinking fast, Applejack jumped into the air, tightening the lasso around the feline’s neck, leaping over to another lioness and kicking her to the ground. She heard Pinkie scream as her party cannon went off. “Pinkie?!” Applejack cried before another lioness pounced on her. “That’s it!” Applejack headbutted the lioness and took off to help Pinkie. “Look out!” Rarity shrieked. The unicorn’s horn lit up and she created a diamond shield and tossed it behind the farmer. Applejack heard a lioness grunt as a result. Climbing over the hill, Applejack gasped when she saw five lionesses chasing Pinkie. Rarity screamed. Turning around, Applejack saw three more lionesses advancing upon them. “Oh, my...” she said, feeling a little hopeless. “Follow me, y’all!” Rarity and Fluttershy turned to her and Applejack bolted, looking over her shoulder to see them following her. Applejack looked back towards Pinkie, the mare riding along her party cannon to get away. Applejack pulled out her lasso again and tossed it onto a lioness, yanking her back and causing two lionesses to trip over her. “How do ya like that, ya goons?” Applejack cried. She looked to see Pinkie heading towards the trees. “Pinkie! Over here!” The pink mare’s head snapped over in their direction. Almost as if her cannon were a vehicle, she turned it towards them. Applejack slowed down, allowing Rarity and Fluttershy to run in front of her. The farmer looked over her shoulder to see a lioness behind her. Stopping right in her tracks, Applejack outstretched her back legs, bucking the lioness right in the face. The lioness roared in pain. Applejack galloped after her friends and reunited with them. “They’re all around us!” Pinkie cried. “What?” Applejack huffed. In front of her, Applejack saw several lionesses crouched low, looking ready to pounce. Fluttershy whimpered as Rarity tried to put up a diamond shield. Applejack turned behind her and her friends, spotting the lioness she’d bucked and several more behind her. As Rarity put up a diamond shield, Applejack realized it wouldn’t keep them all safe. The quad of friends looked at each other, unsure of what to do. “Yah! Yah!” they heard somecreature shout. Applejack was confused as their enemies turned their attention away from the confused ponies. “Over here you feline freaks!” One of the lionesses roared. One by one they bolted away. To Applejack’s surprise and relief, she saw an army of soldiers charging at the lionesses. Pegasi swooped down from the air. “What in the world?” Rarity’s eyes widened. The meadow turned into a battlefield as the soldiers and lionesses clashed. Applejack’s jaw dropped, unable to process what she’s seeing. “Well, what a stroke of luck!” Rarity cried. “I’ll say!” Pinkie nodded. “Over here!” cried a voice. Applejack and her friends turned to see a grey pegasus mare wearing the same type of armor and had a golden star on her breastplate. Despite questions running through Applejack’s head, she galloped over followed by her friends. “Follow me!” said the pegasus. The pegasus flew next to the tree line followed by the four ponies. Applejack could hear the lionesses roaring in frustration as the battle’s sounds grew more distant. “Who are you?” Rarity cried. “Just keep moving, ma’am!” replied the mare. A little time passed and they were a safe distance from the battleground. The pegasus looked up and waved her hoof in the air. Applejack looked over her shoulder to see pegasi flying towards her. They came to a stop. “Did everypony get out uninjured?” Jia asked as a male pegasus hovered in front of her. “Yes ma’am! We managed to chase them off!” he replied. “Excellent,” Jia sighed. She turned to Applejack. “Let’s wait until we regroup before we explain.” Dumbfounded, but grateful, Applejack nodded. Applejack and her friends sat on the ground as an army of about forty ponies reunited. “Excellent job, soldiers!” said a feminine voice. The same grey pegasus walked over and stopped a few feet away from Applejack and her friends. “Any injuries?” she asked. “N-No,” Rarity replied. “Not that we’re ungrateful,” said Fluttershy, “But what’re you all doing here?” “We’re here on behalf of General Hong,” the pegasus explained. “We were told to come to find and assist all of you who came out here.” Applejack’s eyes widened. “W-Well, thank ya, miss...” “Lieutenant Jia,” replied the pegasus. Fluttershy and Rarity both thanked her again. Jia nodded. “Do you know where the others are?” The farmer snapped out of her shock and shook her head. “No. We were separated.” Jia sighed. “Well, we’d better get freshened up and look for them.” “This is a big land...” one soldier said. “And?” Jia glared at him. “Nothing...” he wilted. “Oh, Lieutenant!” said Lei, trotting over with something in his hooves. “What now?” Applejack stood up, wanting to see what he was holding. “I found this,” said Lei, holding the same metal briefcase she’d bumped into. “What’s this supposed to be?” Jia asked, clearly not interested. “It could be something that we don’t know of the land,” Lei explained as Jia took it into her hooves. Applejack walked over to get a better look. “This is just an empty suitcase,” Jia retorted. “Can Ah see it?” asked Applejack. Suddenly, it was thrust into her chest, surprising the farmer. “You keep it,” said Jia. “We’ve got more important things now.” She turned to Lei. “No more sightseeing. We’ll be ready to move soon.” She and the soldiers left, leaving Applejack alone. The curious farmer examined the suitcase, turned it over, and saw what looked like a sticker having some strange writing on it, written in bold red. It was written in what looked like something like an ancient language, and it looked as if the suitcase were part of something very confidential. Was this used for some kind of operation? The farmer was very confused. Maybe Ah can show this to Twi sometime, she thought. With that in mind, she went back over to her friends and sat down, placing the suitcase next to her. “Applejack...” said Fluttershy. The farmer turned to look at her with a frown. “Ah’m sorry...” Applejack took her hat off and held a remorseful frown, “Ah shouldn’t have been so into the mission that Ah forgot about y’all’s well bein... Y’all forgive me?” Rarity nodded. “Of course, darling.” “I can’t stay mad at you,” Pinkie weakly smiled. “I’m sorry, too,” said Fluttershy, placing a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder. “I shouldn’t have pushed you like that...” “It’s okay...” replied Applejack. “I kinda needed it.” “No,” Fluttershy said firmly and bringing her friend into a hug. Applejack returned it and saw Pinkie’s and Rarity’s eyes sparkling a little more. Hope’s spark ignited within Applejack again as she hugged Fluttershy a little tighter.