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// Chapter 36 - Riding On 
// Story: Quest For Harmony 
// by destinedjagold 
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	A tired earth pony stumbled and fell off of his hooves, making the others pulling the same metal wagon stumble, lose their balance, and collapse to the ground. The unicorns ordered everyone to stop, and a few of them approached the collapsed group of earth ponies. They shouted commands to stand up, and the earth ponies struggled to comply. It was a slow process, and it made the unicorns grow impatient. They lit their horns up as I bit Applejack's tail and pulled her back behind the trees.

"Are you nuts!?" I hissed as soon as I stood in front of her. I ignored her glare. "Are you just going to show up and get yourself killed?" She just glared some more, and I held my own glare until I sighed. "Look, I know you want to help them but you can't just walk there and do whatever."

She kept her glare. "Ah think ye got the wrong idea, brownie..." She walked and stopped beside me, and pointed at the wagon on the rear of the group. I looked back and instantly saw what she meant. The unicorns on the rear went to the commotion, leaving behind the earth ponies to catch their breath. What was more, they were close to the edge of the forest, so...

With a nod, Applejack and I quickly yet quietly approached the wagon within the shield of the forest. After we got there, we crept behind the wagon without anyone to notice. We heard the mumbles of the angry unicorns coming close, so we worked fast to climb on the wagon, and we hid underneath the purple clothe. After achieving that, we sat still and ignored the slightly sharp gem stones we were sitting on. Just why the heck would unicorns need so many gems anyway? Whatever, for at least the gems are shining faintly for us to see each other.

We felt the wagon started moving. Applejack and I stayed still and quiet. It's kinda sad though, for she won't be able to continue her story. Aw well. Some other time, I guess...I hope... Hm, now I need to think of a way to get off of this thing once they reach their destination. I don't want them to suddenly remove the blankets and instantly see two earth ponies on their hoards of gems. Shouldn't it be dragons who are hoarding gems? Wait... Does that mean...they have dragons? And these gems are for them to feed them? I...sure hope not. Escaping from the unicorns was really tricky. Escaping from dragons...er...stop thinking about that...

"Why does the princess want so many gems, anyway?" We heard a masculine voice from outside. Probably from the unicorns, and his voice sounded familiar...

"Beats me," another voice responded. "As long as it could help us bring that cloud kingdom to the ground."

Applejack and  exchanged glances. Bring Cloudsdale...er...Pega-what's-it's-name to the ground? "I sure hope so. I don't mind seeing the pegasi suffer, but..." the voice trailed off for a few seconds. "...I just hope that collecting all of these gems will be worth it. The earth ponies did worked hard to get them."

"If I were you, I shouldn't care about the earth ponies. They are our slaves, after all."

"But they're still ponies," argued the familiar voice, and I think I already know who it belonged to.

"You're starting to get on my nerves, kid. I suggest you drop the subject." And they were quiet after that.

Somehow, hearing Boulder's voice, and the way he talked about earth ponies, made me feel...weirdly guilty. I suppose...I really was unfair during that speech I had with the earth ponies in Ponyville. Boulder isn't like the other unicorns. He really sounded like he really cared about the earth ponies' well being. But, I don't really know him quite well, but still...

I took a breath and sighed through my nostrils. I grabbed a few small pieces of gems and put them inside my bag. Not many though, just enough not to become a burden for me. I saw Applejack's strange look, and I smiled at her in return. I'll answer her quiet question of why I took a few gems later. I...suppose...I'm going to the fill-your-belly apology approach...if I ever get the chance, that is...