Fluttershy was being assisted by Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, for she was still having difficulty on walking. I really need to apologize to her, when I get the chance. Scootaloo was scouting ahead, while Spike and I are at the back of the group. Spike, as usual, was sitting on my back. Not that I mind though... This is probably the last time we'll see each other...
We were all quiet. None really spoke a word ever since we heard an explosion from far away. Cloud Strike needed to check what it was.
“We're close to Ponyville now...” Scootaloo said while staring at us, who was standing near the edge of the forest that we were in.
We reached the edge of the forest, and we quietly stared at how little and peaceful the town was from our positions. We're going to be crossing a few tree-less hills to get there though. Also, the cool air faintly carries the sounds of fire, explosions, lightning, and clashing armor.
Soon though, Scootaloo sighed and started walking towards the town. Apple Bloom, Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle followed. I took a breath and sighed before following the others.
I stared at the white cloud kingdom of the pegasi, and noticed a number of pegasi were flying to and from Pegasopolis towards the direction of Unicornia. There must be a battle going on again. Well, whatever. I don't think I can do anything to stop the war. It's a miracle that I am able to fix the sky problem. I don't think another miracle will happen if I'll try and stop the war.
We reached the town of Ponyville, and everyone were looking very busy. They were pulling and pushing metal armor and weaponry towards the other edge of town with wooden wagons. Sounds of hammers slamming against metal echoed everywhere. I don't remember ever hearing those on my few visits here though. The pegasi must be really desperate to end this war if they asked the ponies here to start learning crafting armor and weaponry.
Several armored pegasi ponies flew by and landed meters behind me. I slightly turned my head to catch a few of what they were saying.
“—that some of them were heading this way through the woods!”
“Create a blockade then!”
A few more armored pegasi ponies landed near the group, and they then rushed towards the edge of town where my little group came from. If there were unicorns from the forest where we went through, then I'd say that we're lucky enough not to encounter any.
I looked ahead and saw Fluttershy's group where already exiting the town, and were heading towards the Everfree Forest. There were so many ponies running around for me to catch up with them though, but I worked my way slowly.
I managed to go through the sea of ponies. I sighed in relief and...I noticed Scootaloo was sitting in front of a wooden door of a pretty familiar small wooden house. Wait... Was that dream really happened before? Because, if it was, then...
I slowly approached her and put a hoof on her shoulder. Scootaloo didn't move. She just sighed, hung her head low, and let her head lean on the door, creating a small thud sound.
“This isn't fair...” Scootaloo whispered as she sniffed and brought a hoof to wipe her eye. “Darn waterbug...” She whispered, barely audible from all the noises around.
I sighed through my nostrils as I felt Spike was crawling off of my back. He walked to Scootaloo's other side and placed a claw on her other shoulder. The three of us were quiet for a while.
I don't really mind though. I mean, I already did what I needed to do. The only trouble now for me is how to get myself back. I tried talking to this voice within my head earlier, but I received no response. Luna can probably help me though, but if she's going to suggest that I need to seek her sister again, then I'm going to find another way.
Hm... Now that I think about it, how did those black clouds even reached my world? And how the heck did that timberwolf got there in my home world?
If it came from that dimensional hole thing, then maybe there's another one here in this world. Hm... Maybe in the Everfree Forest? I mean, where did that wolf come from? At least, from the series, they come from the Everfree. Then again, the series only showed us about the events near and around Ponyville, so, it's likely that there are timberwolves living in different parts of this world...
‘Timberwolves live around the world, preferably inside forested areas.’
‘Oh, so now you decided to talk...’
‘Sorry... I was...busy...’
I arched an eyebrow as I quietly excused myself. I turned my back on Scootaloo and Spike and sat on the ground. ‘Busy with what? I mean, no offense, but you're just a voice. What could a voice inside my head would be busy about?’
‘It's not simple to explain, but I think I will be able to help you return.’
I blinked. ‘Uh...yay?’
‘You don't trust me? I haven't lied to you before, have I?’
‘It's kinda difficult to trust a voice who has its own conscience and uh...reasoning...yeah, reasoning, and what's more is that you are using Discord's voice... See what I mean?’
No answer... Sheesh...
‘Thank you for suddenly becoming quiet.’ I stood up.
‘Just go and see Princess Luna.’ I tilted my head to the side in confusion. ‘I need her assistance to send you back, because I couldn't sense the connection of our worlds after that mana beam struck you on the head.’
My ears drooped. Oh, yeah... I remember that. Wait... What happened to my armor? Did we left it in our camp site?
“They're here!” A powerful voice shouted from the distance. Instantly, the pegasi ponies who were standing on the edge of town charged at the unicorns who were running towards town from the forest.
“This isn't good!” I shouted as the ponies around town began to panic, and as more pegasi ponies came to the scene. I quickly turned and saw Spike was looking frightened, but Scootaloo was still as is. I shook her with my hoof. “Scoots, look, I'm sorry for your loss, but we have to get outta here!”
“Why bother...?” She whispered as she stared at the blue feather on her hoof. Where'd that came from? Whatever.
I shook my head. “Look, Scootaloo. Rainbow Dash did a noble thing of sacrificing herself. And no, it's not because she could save Pegalopo-whatever, but for her to save you as well!”
Scootaloo turned her head slightly, enough to give me a side-glare. “What do you know?”
Ack! Do I really have to deal with this!? I quickly bit Spike's tail, and threw him on my back as he yelped in surprise. Scootaloo glared at me some more, but I ignored her as I grabbed her with both my hooves and tossed her on my back. She landed in front of Spike, and I quickly started running towards the Everfree Forest.
“What do I know? Then let me tell you, Scootaloo!” I shouted as I felt that she was about to jump off. She stopped her attempt, so I continued. “Rainbow did what she did so she could protect your home! That wooden house the two of you call home, where she raised you!”
She jumped off. What the heck!? I skidded to a stop and turned around, and was surprised to see her smiling tearfully at me as she stuck the blue feather on her left ear. “Home... You're right...” She turned towards the chaotic town, where a few unicorns managed to get through the wall of pegasi, but were now dealing with other pegasi reinforcements. “She risked her life to save our home!” She sprinted towards the town.
“Scootaloo!” Spike and I shouted in unison.
“I'm going to protect my home! Our home!” She shouted as she flared her wing open.
Ack, god-darn it! I chased after her, but I stopped after a powerful explosion erupted meters in front of me. Black smoke covered my sight to see up ahead. I turned up and saw flying unicorns and pegasi having an aerial battle. Lightning struck the ground meters away to my left.
“Let's get outta here!” Spike shouted, pulling my head to face the Everfree Forest.
“But what about—!”
“She made her decision! Now let's go!”
Huh, but...Scootaloo might... No! Why am I worrying!? She's not my problem, but...! I forced myself to face back to the town. “No Spike! I'm tired of seeing dying faces.” I was about to run when two young mares dashed from both my sides, and were heading straight towards town.
“Don't worry, Gold!” Apple Bloom shouted, “we got this covered!”
“Spike!” Sweetie Belle shouted, “make sure that you and Gold will reach your destinations safely!”
No! I won't accept this! But I was about to run after them when Sweetie Belle's voice rang inside my head. ‘This is my friends' home, Gold, and we are to protect it! So go!’
“Y-you heard her...” Spike spoke, with a trembling voice. Sweetie must have communicated with him as well, probably.
A mana beam struck the ground inches away from me, throwing me back, but I managed to land on my hooves. ‘This is getting out of hand...’ I sighed frustratingly as I quickly turned around and ran towards the forest.