Chapter Fifteen
“That went better than I could have hoped.” Twilight said, the sight of the train now in distance.
The entire trip had been as eventful as an episode of antiques roadshow. You were all expecting the worst to happen simply because every possible scenario that had played out in your minds had insisted that there was no way of getting to the train without finding another one of those damn hellspawn.
But you got nothing but a feeling of vacillation as you slowly stepped across and down the streets of Ponyville, afraid to pick up the pace or risk alerting the horrors that hid in the shadows not far off.
At one point, you all had to go through another Fluttershy episode involving a road back to her home and the sudden nagging feeling that something had happened to all the animals that depended on her.
Twilight assured her that everything was fine, but more than once she darted off towards her cottage faster than anyone thought possible for such a timid pegasus. It was nothing they hadn't dealt with before and you kept the concern at a minimum as Rainbow Dash kept returning pushing Fluttershy in your general direction.
“It can't be this easy..” You muttered. “They could come out anytime they want..”
“Don't say that!” Twilight scolded. How had she heard your whispers? “We need to keep thinking positive. It counts for a lot at a time like this. Trust me.”
Oh you trusted her alright. Everything she said down to the last word. She was the perfect leader and you were a trusted friend. You were going to think positive just for her and her only. If only you could get on that damned train already!
Then you were there and you sighed. Maybe this was going to be easy? You had to at least hope at this point. You knew Twilight was and that was enough incentive to keep your spirits up.
The tracks carried on out of sight and you were relieved to see that one of the boarding doors had been pulled open, enabling you all to slip inside and look back at the boarding platform you didn't bother to step on. Oh well, too much trouble, plus there was no doors open over there.
Inside, you were shocked to see that it was completely different than you had remembered it being on the ride her with Twilight. Booth's were torn and shredded and not even aligned. Of course, that didn't stop Pinkie from hopping on all of them as you and Twilight made sure that everyone was accounted for.
“So who here knows anything about Locomotion and how it works? I mean I've read books but not into too much specifics besides the engine and other internal-”
“Twilight, give yourself a breather, sheesh.” Rainbow interrupted, pulling down a window and looking out.
“I'm sorry. I just wanted to see if anypony knew anything about getting the train going.”
“Ooh! Ooh, I can do it!” Pinkie suddenly cried out after listening in on your discussion.
“Pinkie, I know you think you can, but this is really serious. We need to-” Before Twilight could say anything else, Pinkie had already darted into another train car, causing Twilight to suddenly make chase after her. “Ungh! Why do I even bother?!” Before she entered into the other car, though, she looked back at you as if she was expecting you to join her in the this rather ludicrous chase.
The others watched as you both ran into the car ahead with either worried or perturbed looks. You really just wanted to get this over with as much as they did. You never asked for all of this crap to happen!
The next car was actually a dining car, and tablecloths along with the tables they had rested upon were on the ground and damaged. Strange how there didn't seem to be any sign of ponies even on public transit.
You almost forgot what had brought you here in the first place and quickly hopped over an overturned table. Twilight simply pushed the table off to the side with her magic and rejoined you.
“The hard way with you, hmm?” She smirked, walking up ahead, but keeping her eye on you the whole time.
“I suppose.” You shrugged and immediately gasped in pain and clenched your shoulder. How could you have forgotten about the damage you had sustained even in a time like this?
Twilight frowned, worry and concern washing over her face. “Again, I am so sorry I put you through that back there..”
“I'm fine, and it's not your fault, I swear.” How many times was she going to apologize for something that wasn't even her fault? Being the subject of one's concern wasn't all that fun when it was all they could worry about. She didn't seem convinced, and you gave her a dubious smile. You hoped this would work so you could actually continue your chase after the pink pony.
It seemed to have worked for the moment at least and Twilight gave you an incredulous look before continuing on to the next doorway leading to the car ahead. You hurried over to join her just as you felt something you didn't think was possible at the time: the train was actually beginning to move.
“Oh you've got to be kidding me!” Twilight exclaimed while rushing over to a window to see if this was all really happening.
“How the hell did she get it to go?!” you shouted, running to a window on the opposite side of the cart to see for yourself.
Lo and behold, you were actually moving, the last buildings of Ponyville began to slowly go by as you picked up speed. Pinkie had actually done it. Holy crap, she had actually done it. You were feeling really dumb right now, and you assumed Twilight felt even worse.
“Hey! The train started moving! Does that mean you guys found Pinkie?” The rest of the group that you had left behind flooded into the dining car, and you and Twilight turned to look at them with asinine expressions.
“Oh..” Rainbow seemed to be piecing the situation together by what was before her. “That means..”
“But, how?” Applejack cut in.
“I.. I honestly don't know.” Twilight seemed to be having trouble trying to comprehend just how it had happened. You really hoped she didn't think too hard about it, though. That could cause all sorts of problems.
From the doorway you two were going to pass through, the earth pony in question revealed herself, hopping with even more fervor. “Told you! Told you! I said I could do it! You should have listened to me!”
“Just how did you do it though?” Rainbow asked, still very speculative.
“Oh well.. it was easy! I just hit all the buttons and pulled all the levers until something happened!”
That did not sound right, and before you knew it, you were running through to the next car, trying to get to the front of the train. Something had to have been done wrong, you can't just hit all the buttons and pull the levers until something happens. It wasn't safe and you had a feeling in your gut that you were about to discover something awful.
You found yourself in the control car and were already gasping from the state it was in. Nothing seemed out of order. Even though you had no experience with trains on a technical level, you could tell that if there was something it was be the meters along the panel near the front of the cart.
You looked off to side of the entrance and found the furnace was open, the coal resting in a pile just below it. Someone had recently shoveled some in, and you assumed it was Pinkie. You walked over to the grate and covered your hand with your shirt before closing it. You forgot how many times you burned your hand grabbing at piercing hot items back in the day.
Twilight suddenly came through the way and immediately caught sight of you, sighing. “Is everything okay? You could have waited for me.”
“I'm sorry, I just thought that maybe something had been done wrong up here.” You really wanted to sit down and just relax now. You were safe on the train, there was nothing here that was going to get you.
“So everything is, in fact, fine?”
“I think so, I couldn't see anything wrong on the meters up there and the furnace is full of coal.”
Twilight laughed, eager to relax just as much as you were. “I can't explain Pinkie sometimes. I really need to stop trying.”
“Maybe.. maybe.” You stepped back and slumped down onto the ground of the control car, leaning again the interior wall.
“Would you believe that she has some sort of sixth sense, and can predict if something bad is going to happen?” She came over and sat next to you, content as well that you were all safe from the hellspawn as long as the this train kept going.
“You know what? Yes, and I do.” You both couldn't help but chuckle at that. You did notice something though, and you needed to ask. “Aren't the others going to come up here to check it out, too?”
“I-I uhmm...” Twilight was turning red once again like the time back at Canterlot castle. “I kind of told them, not to come up here actually.”
“Oh.. heh..” This was awkward. You really regretted bringing up the subject. You were starting to understand what this all was meaning, though. If she really did have feelings for you, how should you react? How the hell does a human react to such a thing? How the hell is she suppose to act anyways?
Shit like this is looked down upon, and you weren't sure you wanted to be considered part of a group of people who were considered 'sick' and in need of mental help back in your world. But was that even a valid viewpoint to have? It wasn't like she was animal; she was smarter than you more than likely.
Then came the moment that really brought you crashing down inwardly. She was leaning against you, this time not unwittingly. What did you do now? Did you brush her off, or did you give her the pleasure and comfort that she thought you could provide at the moment? Was this intimate? Or was this just simply a 'friend' moment? The questions, dammit, the questions!
At this point you had waited too long and had decided not to turn her away at the moment. It would be too sudden and cold, and you really didn't want her of all people to be in distraught at the moment simply because you were fighting against your very archetype.
“You know...” Twilight began softly, her voice gentler than you had ever heard before. “You are something else... I don't know exactly, but there's something about you that I find.. beguiling.”
Your mouth went dry and you tried to find someway to respond to the obviously adulate comment. For the life of you, you couldn't find a way to respond. But if you didn't, you were either going to ruin everything or cause a bitter conjecture from her. It was time to pick your poison or let her fall into you, the choice was yours.
“What do you think it is...?” She asked dreamily.
“I.. I really don't..” You were grasping at words that were flying away and you wanted an easier solution to all this that wouldn't put you on either side of the spectrum with her. Out of all the things that had happened while you were here, this was in actuality, the most stressful.
You realized you had stopped in mid-sentence and looked to see if Twilight was still holding complete interest in you; she was. Say something. Anything. For Christ's sake, just comfort her for the time being!
“I'm not sure... but.. we'll find out.” You tried to sound as resolute as possible without overselling it.
She sighed, and looked into nothing in content as she contemplated what you had just said, pleased with the answer.
You were sure she was just as nervous, regardless of her forward behavior. It seemed like no one could avoid their emotions for long, even in times like this.
“Do you think.. Spike is okay?” She suddenly asked.
That was an easier question to answer even though it was on a dire subject that neither of you could be sure of. You thought of how the dragon would fair being left out in the dark unwittingly like this. He was more than likely fine at the moment, though. No one had been hurt yet from what you had seen... besides yourself.
“He seems like a tough little guy. I'm sure he'll be fine and can fend for himself.” You were sounding more confident by the second, and for that you were grateful.
“Yeah.. yeah, you're probably right. I shouldn't worry so much... about you and him.”
“It's understandable, though. You care about him.” You returned.
“And you.”
You nearly flinched. The words made you feel something that you weren't sure what to make of. It had to be to be good, but something was also screaming that it was wrong. You were aching on the inside at this point and were desperate for resolution, but that wasn't going to come unless you quelled the turmoil within yourself.
“I really appreciate it, not too many people care about me.”
“What did I say back at Fluttershy's cottage? You're among friends, and we all care about you. At least I know I do.”
“Yeah.” You laughed. “I remember that.”
“Good. I want you to always know that. Always.”
“I promise I will.” You were starting to forget the tension caused by this, and were really just enjoying the company. You just hoped it didn't come back to bite you in the ass.
Just then, you were both thrown off the ground for a split second as the train skipped a part of the rail. What the hell? What could have caused that? Then it happened again and you were against the wall again while Twilight was on the floor in the open.
You struggled to get over to her but stopped your actions as you heard something large land on the roof to the control car. Oh no. Oh hell no. Nothing could provide solace anymore. Not even a moment trying to cope with your inner pandemonium.
You hurried up to a stance, hoping that the jolting of the train had ceased and you could assist Twilight. You pulled her up after hurrying to her and she quickly bit the gruff of your shirt and pulled you over to the only side window in the current car.
You were both scanning the outside exterior of the train, trying to look for any sign of what had caused the sound from above. Nothing but plain surfaces and terrain quickly passing by before any could get a chance to really capture the sight was all you were both greeted with. This shit was never simple.
Your thoughts were cut short as the glass of the window in front of you shattered, causing you to fall back and Twilight to scream while retreated at your side. You were both catching your breaths when you witnessed the the thing you had been dreading the most.
Not only one, but several of the hellspawn suddenly came crawling down the front window of the car behind the panel and another one stuck its head through the side window you had both been looking through.
“Fancy meeting you here, human. Is this your friend? You know, it's never recommended to make friends when such extremes are just around the corner.” The creature grinned and laughed. “Regardless, we'll be meeting up with you two shortly. For now, though, we'll be taking our services to the cars behind you. Please don't fret, we'll be with you shortly enough.”
They were gone as soon as they had came, you both didn't even see when they had left your presence. The fear and anxiety was washing over both of you all over again, and you knew that it was going to take everything just to survive the train ride to Canterlot now.
You gave Twilight a bold look and she returned it. There was no time to dabble about now; you both nodded and made your way into the previous car.