Equinox stopped in front of the cabin. He knocked softly on the doors.
"Twilight? Are you there?" The doors slowly opened to show a young dragon opening it. "Hey Spike."
"Hi Equinox." He responded quietly.
"Where's Twilight?"
"She's out in the back." Spike sighed. "She's really upset."
"I can't imagine what she's going through. But I really need to see her."
"Go on ahead Equinox." Spike lead him to the backyard. It was noon by now. The sky was cloudy, no sign of sunlight. It was slightly breezy, the cold air nipping at his hooves. It was like nature was slowed down, and it had an eery calm. Twilight was there, her mane waving from the wind. Equinox slowly approached her, careful not to disturb her.
"H-Hey Twilight." Equinox nervously asked. "Are you okay?"
Twilight turned to give him a scornful glare. "What do YOU think? My brother has been kidnapped, my mother is gone,my father was killed! Just WHAT do YOU think?!" She turned away from him, and started to cry. She sniffed softly, as she began tearing up.
Equinox awkwardly traced his hoof along the ground. He then remembered what he came to her for. "Twilight-"
"He promised me he would never leave me." Twilight interrupted, her voice breaking. "He promised me that he'll stay. And now..." Twilight turned back to Equinox. "Now he's.. .gone... my BBBFF.... is GONE!" Twilight sobbed. She cried loudly, as she hugged a surprised Equinox. Her tears were hitting his fur, as he stood there, confused. He gingerly placed his wings around her and stroked her mane. "I'm alone now.... I've got nopony..."
"No Twilight, you're not." Equinox lifted her head up and wiped her tears away. "I'm here for you."
Twilight smiled sadly. "Thank you Equinox. But it's just not the same without my brother..."
"I know. Which is why I'm going to help you."
Twilight broke the hug, curiosity on her face. "Help me? But how?"
Equinox then brought out the pendant from the necklace. "Your father said something about finding your uncle. I think his name was Star. You shouldn't go on your own though. I'm going with you."
Twilight was about to respond, until she heard a familiar voice. "As will I..." The two ponies turned to see Princess Cadence, more vibrant and healthy than before. "Spike informed me of the events that have occurred during my sleep." Cadence walked towards Twilight and Equinox. "So I have decided to join the quest to bring back Shining Armor. He is my husband after all," Cadence turned to Twilight. "And he is your brother. Don't worry Twilight, we'll get him back."
"Are you sure about this Cadence? Are you sure you're at 100%? I don't want you to relapse." Twilight asked.
"I am fine Twilight. I just want to get my husband back."
"We should probably bring Spike, just in case Princess." Equinox chimed in.
"Alright."
Equinox turned back to Twilight. He then took off the necklace and offered it to Twilight. "Here. I think your father would've wanted you to have this."
Twilight grabbed the necklace and put it around her neck. The pendant dangled from the string. "Thanks." Twilight hugged Equinox again. She then looked at Spike, who was preparing for the trip. "Okay. Let's get going."
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Shining Armor's head was aching. He slowly and painfully opened his eyes. He found himself in some kind of carriage. The loading area was flat, with two benches parallel from each other. One pony was sitting on a bench near him. It was the same one who had beaten him back at the village. The stallion was leaning back on the bench, chewing what appeared to be gum. Then, he noticed that Shining Armor was awake.
"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. Did you sleep well?" Quicksilver taunted.
Shining Armor tried to move, but his legs were caught. He looked to see hoofcuffs keeping his legs in place. He looked around again. Now that he was fully awake, he could see that the cart was moving. The sun was starting to go down. Shining Armor groaned from his enormous headache, then angrily looked at Quicksilver. "How long was I out?"
"About 6 hours. But really Shiny, you of all ponies know that you're supposed to get 8 hours of sleep." Quicksilver shook his head. "I've gotta say, ever since your honeymoon with the wifey, you've gotten more...lazier." Quicksilver smirked.
Shining Armor growled at Quicksilver. "Where are you taking me?"
"Well, since you've rebelled militia law and led a group of individuals that `attacked' our squadron, I'd say we're headed to Eclipse HQ. Those are some pretty hefty charges my friend."
"I am NOT your friend."
Quicksilver smiled, as he got closer to him. "Would you rather I be, your enemy?" Shining Armor snorted. Quicksilver then nodded. "I see." He then moved back to his spot on the bench.
"I swear, if you hurt my father I will-"
"Hurt him? Oh no, perish the thought! We would never hurt your father..." Quicksilver then smugly turned to Shining Armor. "Unless necessary..."
"You son of a-" Shining Armor struggled in his restraints. Quicksilver just shrugged, and continued to chew the gum. Suddenly, he stopped chewing, as he heard a familiar voice in his head.
"C'mon Quicksilver. You don't have to do this..."
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"Well, here we are. Ponyville." The way Equinox declared the name made the sight surreal. What used to be a thriving town was now mostly taken away by nature. The building, covered in vines, dark and cold. The schoolhouse was falling apart, the bell rusting to demise. Twilight, however, was more shocked by one structure. Her old tree house was now a dead, limping tree. The branches lost all their leaves and were paled. The once sturdy trunk was now bent, and thin. The house that was a part of this sorry-looking plant was now destroyed. Nothing but the ground-level was left. Twilight was saddened to see her old residence, now being uninhabitable.
"There's a bar right ahead," Spike said, pointing at a run-down settlement in front of them. Lanterns were glowing at the entrance. The windows glowed, indicating a light source. "Let's see if he's in there."
The group headed towards the bar. "How are we gonna know if we found your uncle?" Equinox asked Twilight.
Twilight pulled out a picture frame from her satchel. It showed her father and mother holding her as a foal. Her brother, a young Shining Armor, was beside Twilight's mother. But there was another pony in the picture. A dark blue-violet stallion was standing next to Twilight's father. His mane was a navy blue. His eyes were the same color as Twilight's. His Cutie Mark was a large, white, hexagonal star that resembled Twilight's. "You see that stallion by my dad? That's my uncle, Evening Star." Twilight showed the picture to Equinox. He nodded in understanding. Twilight then put the picture back in her satchel. "We'll know him when we see him." The group were now at the entrance of the bar. Cadence entered first, followed by Twilight. The stallions inside the place drunkenly whistled at the mares. They laughed, as Equinox and Spike entered.
"I'll stay with the princess. Spike will help you." Equinox told Twilight.
"Alright. Just watch out."
"I will protect the princess." They then split up, looking for any pony who fit the picture. Twilight sent Spike to the other corner of the bar table. Twilight sat next to a hooded pony. The bartender then appeared. Twilight was at a loss for words, since the bartender was none other than Berry Punch.
"What'll it be?" She asked the stallion next to Twilight.
"Shot of Whiskey."
"Coming right up." Berry Punch grabbed a bottle of liquor and poured it into a small glass. She then put the bottle away, as she left to attend the other customers. Twilight looked at him. The stallion sensed that he was being stared at. He turned to Twilight.
"Can I help you?"
Twilight couldn't see his face clearly. It was shaded by the hood. She saw a horn and some stubble for facial hair. His hair was short and navy blue. His fur was a type of violet color. What really caught Twilight's attention were his eyes. They were the exact same color as hers. Twilight cleared her throat. "Umm, nope! Just staring at that wall." Twilight sheepishly grinned. The stallion shook his head and grabbed his drink. Twilight decided now was the time to make sure. She slowly started to look down and there it was. A large, white, hexagonal star that Twilight recognized from the picture.
"You know, it's usually me staring at mares' plots, not vice versa..."
Twilight jolted from the voice. The stallion swallowed his liquor then stared at Twilight. Twilight blushed, then stammered. "I-Is your name...Evening Star?"
The stallion looked away as he put down his shot glass. "The one and only. What do you want kid?"
Twilight gulped, as she got ready to reveal the news. "Star...it's me. Your cousin, Twilight."
The stallion paused, then turned to face her. "Twily? Is that you?"
"Yes. It's me, Uncle Star."
Evening Star turned back to the table. "What are you doing here? Family Reunion?"
"No. We need your help."
"For what?"
"To get my brother back."
Evening Star breathed out softly. "He's an adult now. I'm sure he can fend for himself."
"What?! No! He was kidnapped by the militia! They killed my father!"
"Whoop de doo."
Twilight was now getting angry. "My mother is gone! Does any of this mean ANYTHING to you?!"
"Not really."
Twilight began to tear up. "Please! You've gotta help me!"
Star turned to her. "And why should I?"
"Because we're family..." Twilight choked out. Star paused and kept staring. Twilight wiped away her tears. Soon, Equinox appeared along with Cadence.
"Twilight. Any luck?" Cadence asked.
Twilight looked back at Star, who was now turned away and focused on his refilled glass. "No. Let's go." Twilight called for Spike, as they left the bar. Star took one last look, as the group left the establishment.
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The moon shined over the town. The dark of night has taken over.
"I really thought he would help us..." The group were in the alley, talking of Twilight's encounter. "But he just... rejected me....his own cousin!" Twilight snapped.
Cadence shook her head. "The Blackout has changed many ponies. Unfortunately, your uncle has changed too."
Twilight sighed in dejection. "I guess we'll never get my brother back."
"Yes we will!" Equinox told her. "I promise you Twilight. Me, Spike, and Princess Cadence will help you! Whatever it takes!"
Twilight smiled. "Thanks Equinox. You're a good friend."
"It is no trouble at all. Now, let's get outta here."
They turned to leave the alley, when five Earth ponies blocked their path. The one in the middle spoke. "Where do you think all of you are goin'?" Equinox and Spike stepped in front of Twilight and Cadence. One of the ruffians spoke. "That's a very nice bag you got there girl. Mind if we take a peek?" The ruffians laughed, as Equinox and Spike took defensive positions.
"W-We don't want any t-trouble... just, let us go!" Equinox replied.
"Trouble? What trouble? We're just..." the Earth ponies got closer. "Curious..." Suddenly, they lunged for the mares. Equinox bucked one in the face, as Spike punched another. However, the ruffians soon overwhelmed them, keeping Equinox and Spike pinned. The remaining three slowly started to stalk Twilight and Cadence. The "leader" of the pack spoke. "Now, hand over the bag, and nopony gets hurt." The ponies pinning Equinox and Spike grabbed their limbs. One grabbed Equinox's wing, while the other grabbed Spike's arm. "Now, you wouldn't want to hurt your friends, would you pretty lady?"
"Twilight! Don't give in! We need those items!" Equinox grunted. Twilight started sweating. The ruffians were getting close, as her friends were being pinned. She kept the satchel close, grabbing on tightly.
"Suit yourself... " The leader signaled his crony standing over Equinox. He then grabbed his wing and snapped it, the bones making a loud cracking noise. Equinox howled in agony, as Twilight began to tear up.
"No! Stop hurting him!" Twilight yelled. With one wing bent unnaturally, the ruffian grabbed the other.
"He's next!" The leader said, pointing at Spike. "Now, you seem like a smart lady. Do the wise thing." Twilight looked at Equinox, as he was writhing in pain from the broken wing. His glasses were on the ground, shattered to pieces. She then looked at Spike, who was crying out of fear. Finally, she glanced at Cadence, who gave a sad nod. Twilight then handed the satchel to him. "There. Now, was that so hard? Let's go boys." But when the leader turned around, he saw his cronies were on the ground. A stallion standing over them. "Get him!" The leader shouted. The two Earth ponies charged at him. The stallion jumped over one, as he grabbed the other and shoved his head into the wall. The Earth pony who missed threw a punch. He grabbed the hoof and twisted it, making the Earth pony crumble in pain. The leader took the chance to run away. The stallion then hit the Earth pony with his elbow, knocking him out. The Leader ran as fast as he could out of the alley. Luckily, he dropped the satchel he carried. The stallion then took off his hood revealing his identity.
Twilight gasped. "Uncle Star?! But-but I thought you left me alone!"
"We're family kid. I can't leave you alone." He then headed towards Equinox. Equinox was unconscious, his wing bent. Star hoisted him on his back. Spike slowly got back up. Star turned to Twilight. "C'mon. Let's go get your brother..."
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