When they got further, more light was let into the forest, but it was also more wet. The ground was covered in puddles of water, muddy slop. It got a little deeper as they moved. But the deepest did not reach even close to halfway up their legs. They found their hooves soaking wet as they dashed through the flooded ground. Hooves covered in mud, much to Jazz’s displeasure. The cold, slimy mud covering her hooves, soaking and staining her teal fur above.
“Guess I'm giving us all a pedicure when i get home…” Jazz groaned at her mud covered hooves and cracked hoof polish. Shivering as water splashed her body. She shrieked when she tripped over a rock. Tumbling both Stardust and Dahlia over onto the wet ground.
“Cricky!” Exclaimed Stardust with a smile soon after. As a result of the two mares screams.
Dahlia groaned and ignored her soaked fur. “Jazz!” She shouted at the poor mare who was soothing her ‘ouchie.’Dahlia
helped her up and looked into the distance. She heard Jazz’s heavy breathing as water dripped from her damp mane.
“I-I’m Scared, Dahlia. I-“
“Shhh…” Dahlia put a hoof on her chest, trying to hush her soft whimpering as they looked around. “Make too much noise, and you may get us killed.” She scolded the shaking pony. Who looked down at the mark her hoof had left. Jazz was shaking uncontrollably. It wasn't cold, it was a bit warm. Despite the amount of shade. She coulda sworn she saw some glowing eyes between the trees.
Leaves crunched under their hooves as they walked along. Dahlia didn’t know what could happen next. She was ready to use earth pony magic. But what if it wasn't strong enough?
The two made it to a large clearing. There was a very dark blue crystal glowing in the middle, giving the area a blue hue. The trees and leaves above reached out. Blocking most light.
“Hay-Way! We made it!” Stardust clapped.
“Made it to where? What do we do how and what is that!?”Screamed Dahlia. Wondering what they could possibly do now. What was that crystal thing? How were they going to get out here?
“I dunno… But…”
The trio slowly looked behind them to hear growling. They were shaking as they saw what had followed them, frozen in horror as their hearts dropped. All they could do was stay alert as they backed up closer into the clearing. There was a group of thosw rock, leaf and stick beings. Dahlia used her earth pony magic to strike a few. So did Jazz. But it seemed like they kept coming and coming.
The mares were shaken. While Stardust hid behind the huge crystal. “Stardust L. Crystal will save the day!” She exclaimed. Tapping the crystal with her hoof. Nothing happened but she gasped like she just remembered something. Something she forgot to say.
The two older mares kept fighting off what that could with their magic. Until a leaf one struck Jazz, giving her a scar across the muzzle. She yelped in pain, blood leaking out of it. Her eyes started to water as she felt the stinging pain. It was not deep enough to leave any permanent scarring. But it was gnarly.
As if it could not get worse. It got worse.
Dahlia yelped and backed up as quick as Jazz did. Hitch and Izzy overtaken by the shadows had found them. They looked like they were about to attack. What could they do? Earth pony magic didn't do much against shadowed ponies.
Jazz backed into a dark coloured crystal. Tears were in her eyes. It was as the world was spinning as her heart raced in her chest. It was hard to talk as the two shadowed ponies got closer to the other two. Ready to pounce. She couldn’t move, her legs were basically jelly at this point. Melted jelly.
Dahlia was using earth pony magic to create a wall of vines. Then trued to look for a way to escape by the thick tress. If only there wasn't poison ivy and thorny vines scattered about. She pondered on the best way to go. It was either itchy rash. Or scarred legs.
It seemed hopeless. No sign of life besides three ponies. Well, five, if Izzy ans Hitch were counted. Despite being under some shadow corruption. Which seemed like Jazz had the only cure for some reason. It did not make sense to Dahlia. Jazz would agree, too. She did not look or feel very much up to a job like this. This was more for a hero in some sort of RPG.
Which thankfully Stardust didn't start talking about again.
“P-please!” Jazz gasped for air, trying her hardest to speak. “W-we-“ She gagged. Her hooves started to glow without her noticing. “We just wanna go home!” She cried out loud. "We just wanna go home!"
She places her hooves over her eyes and startedbto sob, soon her back started to feel a bit warm. Removing her hooves, she noticed the big glow from behind it. She jumped forward, looking back at the crystal that was now glowing white. “Wh-what the-“ she shivered as she cowered, tail between her legs.
Dahlia looked over in horror, struggling to keep the vibe all up. She glared at the crystal, confused as it shone. Surely it was Jazz's doing as she was the closest to it, Stardust can't have done it, right?
“Jazz! What did-“
Before Dahlia could finish her sentence. The three of them vanished in flash of lights. Confusing all the critters who now stared at the empty place.
Jazz opened her eyes. She and Stardust were finding themselves seemingly in a lighter part of the forest. That looked vastly different. Familiar.
“-you do!?” Dahlia finished before realising her slightly different surrounding and looked around. “Huh?”
Jazz let herself calm down for a few seconds. Her breathing was still rather rapid.
“We are out! Good job, Superstars!” Stardust raised both hooves as if she was preparing for hoofbumps from the both of them.
Jazz looked at Stardust in shock, her mane and tail was a mess, her sash was covered in dirt and had moved a touch slightly. The roots of her mane were soaked in sweat. He legs were shaking like heck. She found it hard to breath. Then she slowly looked up, seeing the tree arch. The same out they entered. After a big sigh, she let herself fall back onto the dirt ground. Not yet feeling safe. But at least out of that area.
Dahlia’s mane was also messy with dirt and a few leaves. Even a twig was in there. Her bandana was almost undone and her hair clip was nowhere to be found. But she didn’t care about that at the moment. She only stared up at the tree arch and back at Jazz.
“L-let’s head home…”
Jazz nodded in agreement and forced herself to stand up. They shakingly walked back out the forest, too shaken to speak. But grateful to be alive. Stardust happily skipped along. Also covered in dirt along with a few gashes. But oddly seemed okay with it.
As they walked through town, hardly any pony took much notice to them. They didn’t really notice either as they walked all the way to Mane Melody and went inside. Stardust was humming to herself and went to the stage. Maybe wanting to sing or something. Jazz looked down at the ground.
When they walked in. Sparky was sitting on a table with Rocky looking at him. Face full of glitter, mane now a rainbow mohawk and covered in flowers. His mouth turned into a smirk as the little one could not contain his laughter.
“What do you think Hitch will say about this?” He asked. Not seemingly upset at all, he simply looked into the mirror. “Rainbow Rocky R-“ He then heard the door open, staring in surprise. Not expecting a customer to walk on him being silly.
Except it was not a customer.
The two mares that walked in took no notice to this. Not even noticing Sparky breath fire, turning Rocky back to normal. Looking like he just hid a very cheeky secret. His eyes widened into horror as he studied their appearances.
“Jazz!” She heard Rocky cry before she felt some hooves wrap around her. She had the quick urge to fight back but stopped herself after she had flinched. Her mouth didn’t open. “Jazz! Are you alright!” Rocky called out. He held her gently as she tried to speak. Her teal coat sodden with water and mud. Staining Rocky's coat on impact, who was far more concerned for Jazz and Dahlia's wellbeing than the cleaniness of his coat at the moment.
All Jazz could do and wanted to do was cry. She rested her head on Rocky’s chest. She saw his belly before she started to let it all out. Crying loudly into Rocky’s chest. Who tried his best to soothe her. Rubbing her back. Even Sparky looked concerned. He reached out, confused. Wondering where his dad was.
“Let it all out, Jazz… Let it all out…”
As Rocky spoke and soothed her. She took deep breaths, tears falling onto Rocky’s cream fur. As she sniffled, she took deep breaths, focusing on her breathing. Plus Rocky’s heartbeat. It was fast, he seemed scared for her. She found him warm and soft. She closed her eyes again and focused on her breathing. Trying her best to just relax. She overheard Dahlia and Stardust talk.
“It wasn’t that bad. Coulda been way worse!”
“How could that be any worse?!”
While explaining everything. Jazz sat on a chair next to Dahlia. Stardust was given the chore of sweeping, to keep her busy. Since they didn’t need her singing and dancing or saying the adventure wasn’t that bad. Jazz loved singing and dancing, but she wasn’t in the mood.
“And then we… we were sent back out!”
“Goodness!” Exclaimed Rocky. “I have no words…" He did not know what to say. His mind was jumbled with so many emotions. Hitch was gone. The missing pony, Izzy was cursed and she spread it to Hitch. Jazz was traumatised and has some light power that is super effective against the darkness?!
Jazz basically collapsed into Rocky’s forehooves. "It's all my fault."
“Dadda?” Sparky’s voice sounded. He was still learning words. But he seemed confused on why Hitch wasn't here. Why he didn't come back. He did not understand.
"I don't know what to do, Rocky!" Jazz cried. Rocky could feel her tears dripping onto his coat, her body shaking and her rapid breathing. Her heart was pounding in her chest. "I don't know what to do!" She screamed, burying her face in his chest.
Every pony was gathered in one place. Facing the soapbox Phyllis and Sprout were in front of. The former looking very worried as she gazed to Sprout. Remembering the last time, he made a similar announcement. When their fear in the ponies. Deep inside she hoped his choice was a good one. She trusted him and she made sure he knew that.
“We have to do something now!” Sprout screamed as he slammed a hoof on the ground under him. “There is no time, who knows what they will do!”
The ponies murmured. Many were worried. Sparky sobbed and whimpered as he buried his face into Figgy’s chest. Who looked distressed and heartbroken for her grandson. She looked down at Sparky and hugged him tight. Tears coming from his eyes.
“Who is they?” A pony asked Sprout.
“Where is Hitch?”
"Not another angry mob!"
“There’s no Hitch anymore!” Cried Sprout. “He’s gone! He’s dead!”
Ponies were now quiet. Shock struck thim like a bolt of lightning. They didn't know how to react with this news. Was he really dead? Many didn't trust Sprout after last time. Maybe he was lying and Hitch was okay? But if he was, he would be the one making the announcment. Was he okay?
Dahlia was standing next to Jazz as she put a hoof on her forehead. “Better not be something like that angry mod incident!”
“I was a sick pile of stupid trash!” Jazz exclaimed with a smile. "So i did not take part. I wouldn't have done it, even if I was not sick!"
“What?” Rocky asked.
“I had a big flu! One sick Jazz!” Jazz smiled, pretending she did not say the first part of what she said. But she was not present during the angry mod incident. As she had a cold and only heard and witnessed what she did from her home’s windows. Rocky was actually confused on what the angry mob incident was. Since he was a pegasus and moved to the bay weeks after magic returned.
Dahlia bumped them both and shushed them. “Hey, listen! I wonder what stupid idea Sprout has in mind!”
“We are going in lock down!” Exclaimed Sprout. Everyone gasped in horror. “No pony is allowed to leave the town for any reason!”
“Who made you the boss?” Argued Posey, walking forward.
“My ma?” Sprout raised an eyebrow. “Shes the town’s mayor you uneducated swine!”
“Oh yeah? Hitch would be in charge!”Argued Posey.
Windy pilled Posey back into the crowd and Phyllis put a hoof on Sprout’s shoulder.
“Let’s not get all worked up.”
“Fine… If I must…”Sprout glared towards Posey before looking at the crowd. He looked down at some notes he wrote himself. Words were scribbled out. Despite the notes he worked hard on what he was going to say. Phyllis had assured him many times to not go too crazy. They were terrified enough. “To stay away from the danger! Going out of town is completely banned!” He shouted.
“Banned?”
“Absolutely!” Sprout shouted angrily. Now pointing at a bad drawing of ponies putting yellow caution tape up. “Theres tape being put up all around the edges of this town! You are not to pass it, or you are locked up!”
“Locked up for going over tape?” Asked Toots. “Dontcha think that’s a bit harsh?”
“It’s for your safety!” Sprout barked. “Every pony that went missing had left the town beforehand! Not a single part of you is allowed over or under the tape! No wing, hoof, tail or horn! Nothing at all!”
“What if we drop something and have to reach over?” Asked Sweets.
“Too bad!”
“Oh c’mon, I understand making boundries…” Said Windy. “But what if i want to visit my grandmare?”
“Or my cousin?” Asked a unicorn. ‘Or go to the tearoom?"
“Or go to-“
“Too bad!" Spout repeated. Getting very annoyed as he groaned. ‘Want to visit someone? Too bad. Was here for a visit and want to go home? Too bad! Your stay is extended." He then looked glared at a pony in particular. "Dropped your pen an inch over the tape? Too bad! No one is leaving! Everyone is stuck in Maretine Bay till it is all over!”
“What if it never is over? Why can’t we just lock those areas up instead?”
Sprout slammed his head against the table in annoyance. “What if the monsters come out and try to look for us?"
"What if… Anything!" Sprout screamed. “If one more pony goes missing… walls are being put up! No excuses! It is far too dangerous for us ponies! It is either locked up behind walls, or extinction!" He slammed both hooves down and walked away.
Phyllis was the first to speak after an awkward puase. “A-any questions?”