//------------------------------//
// 29 - Upon the Crossroads 
// Story: Re:Harmony 
// by starcross7 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 29 - Upon the Crossroads
 
Bon Bon slunk through damaged doorways, making sure nopony spotted her when she traversed through.  She trotted through hallways filled with bodies and spilled water.  A few times, she ducked her head beneath light fixtures dangling precariously from the ceiling.  Half her guards had defected, while the other half, many of whom were well-known Earth Party loyalists, took up arms with the Clone Soldiers.  Many of the prisoners joined up with the riot rebellion started up by the pink pony and her friends.  The remaining ones--the true criminals and the diabolically insane--prowled the walls for leftover prey. 
 
Bon Bon arrived in the library of the Central Annex.  The place was decidedly plain, if not partially unkempt, and several stacks of books in the corners and in some tables sat ready to be shelved should peace return to the prison.  It would be in worse shape if she didn’t personally assign some of the better-behaved prisoners to clean it out once in a while.  Hardly anypony used the library, for the shelves were stuffed with Government-approved non-fiction and literature written for the sole purpose of reinforcing the fact that the prisoner’s imprisonment was just and that the Government was always right.  Yet it did not stop a few ponies from stuffing the shelves with contraband books, half of which were risqué in nature, and a certain pink pony could be blamed for this. 
 
At the very back, the library atrium also afforded peace and quiet along with fresh air that flowed to and from the barred ceiling.  Bon Bon chose this place as her avenue of escape, because she knew, after reviewing the protocols, that the military would have already bombed the entrances and exits to seal everypony inside, whether they be staff or prisoner.  All this was her fault, but she had no regrets.  She wanted to escape her own fate as well. 
 
Then suddenly, two shadows leapt out from behind the bookshelves to pin her to the floor.  Two more shadows emerged: that of Photo Finish and one of her stylish cronies.  In unison, they ceremoniously held their decorative shivs high up into the air. 
 
"Death to the corrupt!" cried Photo Finish.  She and her crony lowered their hooves and lunged in for the stab.  Then suddenly, two books bathed in a golden aura promptly knocked out the two prisoners. 
 
The remaining prisoners turned to see Professor Lyra Heartstrings emerging from the shadows as a heroine in a lab coat.  She showed no wavering or fear when the one of the cronies, recognized as Pretty Vision, released Bon Bon and lunged in at Lyra with her shiv. 
The Professor ducked just in time to avoid Vision's thrust.  Then Lyra's forehead glowed gold, and a nearby stool, surrounded by a golden aura, floated off the ground and knocked out Pretty Vision at the back of her head. 
 
The remaining prisonmare, the pink-maned Soigne Folio, lifted Bon Bon up to her hind legs with the shiv drawn across her neck. 
 
"Don't move, you... you... freak!" Folio cried.  "Or the warden gets it!"
 
"Miss Folio," said Bon Bon.  "A shiv made out of a gift box and blister packaging isn't going to cut it, especially with a shaking hoof." 
 
Bon Bon head-butted Folio with the back of her head, and then deftly threw the unconscious prisonmare next to Photo Finish and Stella.  She cracked her neck right as she dropped back to all fours, but she then stared at Lyra with mild suspicion of her rescue. 
 
"This way," Lyra told Bon Bon. 
 
The Warden wanted to ask her questions, but Lyra had already went through the exit and into the atrium.  The crisscrossing metal bars that served as the seeming impenetrable mesh ceiling bent and twisted under Lyra's magic to create a pony-sized opening.  She levitated many large books outside to create a makeshift stairwell, which she used to climb through the hole.  Lyra also gave Bon Bon a leg-up boost with her magic. 
 
Landing on the ground, they were greeted by the rifles of the Clone Soldiers, causing Lyra to twitch in terror. 
 
"Identify yourselves," the Clone declared.        
 
"Head Warden Bon Bon," said the cream-colored pony, "and I invoke Chancellor Code 616 to allow Professor Lyra Heartstrings and me to pass." 
 
"Our apologies, ma'am.  We were unaware that you are a personal friend of the Honorable Chancellor Posey.  We will happily escort you to safety." 
 
"That is not necessary." 
 
"You may be hurt, and the riot is still going on." 
 
"I said, that is not necessary.  The Professor and I will be fine by ourselves.  Professor, shall we?" 
 
The Clone Soldiers relaxed their rifles, allowing Lyra to sheepishly follow Warden Bon Bon against the oncoming flow of tanks, armored cars and trucks, helicopters, and airships.  Their trot was long, but they made it to a dirt road intersection where the south path led to the Everfree Forest and the north path went to the Ponyville Slums.
 
"Why?" Lyra asked.  "You could have turned me in."
 
"You saved my life," said Bon Bon, "and now we're even."
 
"Then I appreciate it.  Goodbye Bon Bon."
 
"Where are you going?"
 
"To continue my work.  I became an archaeologist to find out what happened to my kind, and maybe find one in still hiding.  I found another unicorn, and I have to find her before it is too late. Tell my parents that I died in the riots or something.  I don't want them to be scorned, persecuted, and experimented on if the government finds out that they have dormant unicorn blood."
 
"That's it?  You're just going to leave?"
 
"I don't want to get you into further trouble Bon Bon.  I'm a unicorn born from earth pony parents and for too long I kept my horn shaved just to blend into society.  Please, you have to let me go." 
 
"I can't let you do that." 
 
"I don't want to hurt you."
 
"You're hurting me right now."
 
The green unicorn thought of charging the magic in her shaved horn in anticipation of Bon Bon's attack.  She expected her, a former soldier and ace pilot, to lunge in for a swift tackle, and thus the earth pony was too quick for Lyra's inexperienced magic.  However, Bon Bon did not take Lyra down.  Instead, she wrapped her hooves around the unicorn and gave her a long passionate kiss.  The surprise caused Lyra to become lightheaded and paralyzed, and her shaved horn inadvertently glowed to illuminate their embrace.  All this time, Lyra thought Bon Bon was using her in a roundabout scheme to get back at Posey or create a false alibi.  The signs had been plainly obvious: the constant visits, the constant gifts, and the constant blushing.  Bon Bon had put a lot of effort in faking and fake relationship, and Lyra did not realize this when she noticed the Head Warden's ears when she threatened leave. 
 
"Take me with you," said Bon Bon. 
 
"Okay," smiled Lyra.  "But Bons, I thought you loved Posey."
 
"I do love her.  Just not in that way."    



 
They buried Big Mac in the burial plot behind the ancient castle, a place where grave robbers had already plundered the graves centuries ago.  The new resident would be a first in such a long time, if not the first earth pony. 
 
The morning ceremony was somber and straightforward, with very little talking amongst the ponies, and even Pinkie Pie keep quiet out of respect.  No headstone or any other significant marking would be erected for the proud red stallion, lest the Government of Gaea would seek to desecrate his remains for the sake of propaganda.  The images of this place and this event would have to be burned into everypony's mind, especially for Applejack.  She vowed to return to give her older brother a proper burial next to her parents back at Sweet Apple Acres.  Perhaps she would also find where Granny Smith had died after collecting all the Elements of Creation, defeating Posey, and stopping the war between Gaea and Pegasopolis.  For now, all the rebel mare could do was plant next to his grave the apple seeds her brother had kept after devouring the apple Pinkie Pie had given him back in the prison. 
 
"Applejack, I'm sorry," said Golden Harvest.  "If I wasn't so weak…"
 
The rebel mare did not want to look at her family friend, not that she blamed her for Big McIntosh's death.  Applejack went back into the ruined castle and found herself a secluded corner to gather her thoughts and sort out her feelings.  This was what war had done to everypony.  It tore families apart and pitted friends against each other.  Everything that had happened all led back to the machinations of the power-mad Chancellor Posey. 
 
"Applejack, are you there?"
 
Over her shoulder, she spotted Twilight trotting over to her. 
 
"Pinkie Pie did mention that Mr. McIntosh contracted a terminal disease in the prison," said the unicorn. 
 
"It doesn't matter anyway," said Applejack.  "My brother is gone."
 
"What about your little sister?  It's Apple Bloom, is it?  If she's alive, then maybe we can--"
 
"We can't rescue her.  She's in Posey's hooves." 
 
"We can still go back to Gaeaopolis.  The Elements can wait."  
 
"Twi, you came with me for the purpose of helping me find the Elements, not to get involved with my family issues.  You already got your own brother to worry about, so you don't have to worry about mine."
 
"That's just it, Applejack. My brother could be imprisoned like yours, or worse, buried in an unmarked grave." 
 
"Don't worry your little horn, Sugarcube.  The Element of Truth told us that he ain't dead.  Right now, we gotta find the next Element."
 
"Well, I do hope you are okay right now."
 
"I'm still hurtin', but it will be insultin' to Big Mac if we slow down on his account."
 
"And your little sister?" 
 
"Apple Bloom will be safe for now.  I'll rescue her once we get all the Elements." 
 
"All right.  I'll double-check on the supplies the Cakes gave us."
 
"I'll come with." 
 
"Applejack, it's not something that you should worry about.  Just rest for today." 
 
The orange pony prevented the unicorn from stepping away by chomping at her tail.  Applejack did not need to pull back hard, but it did the job at the cost of Twilight's inconvenience. 
 
"I just need to keep my mind busy," said Applejack.  "That's all." 
 
Twilight smiled wistfully back at her, but the only way to satisfy the unicorn was to let go of her tail.  The unicorn allowed the orange earth pony to accompany her.  Applejack had to move.  She needed to keep her thoughts busy.  Even if the mundane chore of checking supplies would not take long it would put her ease if she was with Twilight. 
 
As it turned out, the Carrot and Cup Cake really out did themselves.  Just outside in a castle alcove lay several canvas bags of provisions that they had already taken from the prison before the tumultuous riot.  The bags were almost organized beforehoof, whether they be food, medicine, and extra clothing.  However the two ponies decided to spill them out into the grassy ground and count them one by one.  Applejack started with the meal bars but did keep an actual physical tally.  Such information was stored on her head, and she was used to it when she was a rebel on the run or back at her farm during her youthful days.  Twilight, on the other hoof, had a cute little quill and scroll going, and took her time counting and counting again before using her magic to separate the supplies by days and by pony.  Applejack would not have done that.  Sure, she might be short and in excess of one meal bar or toilet paper, but often times she worked with it.  Twilight appeared intent in making sure everypony was prepared. 
 
"Hmm, we might not have enough salve for our wounds," said Twilight after reading down to the end of her scroll.  "Applejack, you have any experience with herbs?" 
 
"I do, now that you mention it," said Applejack.  "Lemme go and get some." 
 
She half-expected a smart pony like Twilight would know based on the books she collected in her cave, but his was her first time in the surface.  It would probably be best Applejack went out to collect anyway.  Twilight seemed very keen on organizing their trip, and it would be best she took care of these things. 
 
Applejack could only identify the basics when she trotted a little further into the forest.  She knew enough which ones to pick stuff into her saddlebag and which ones to avoid.  It was an easy job and a welcome distraction, and perhaps the group would leave once she came back. 
 
"No!" cried a voice.  "You can't leave!" 
 
That sounded like Mrs. Cake.  Applejack galloped around the castle and arrived at a clearing where Twilight, Golden Harvest, and Carrot Cake watched mother and son arguing with one another. 
 
"Mom, I have to!" Spike retorted to Mrs. Cup Cake.  "I owe my life to Twilight and the others!  I can't break my dragon code!"
 
"Dragon code or not, you're my son!" cried Mrs. Cake.  "I can't just let you go on a dangerous journey to find the Elements of Creation!  Honey, please talk some sense to him!" 
 
"I'm a dragon, mom.  If I stay with you, the Government is going to recapture me, and you and dad will be thrown in prison again.  I'll be much safer if I travel with Twilight." 
 
"Safe?  Applejack is a wanted terrorist!  And Twilight is a unicorn!  Dearie, we can hide you from all the awful ponies of the world."
 
"Then it'll be no different from being imprisoned in the labs!"
 
"But I'm only trying to protect you!"
 
"Honeybun," said Carrot Cake.  "He may still be little, but our son has grown up.  I believe it would be best for all of us if he accompanied Twilight and her group." 
 
"Twilight, huh?"  The blue mare locked her sights on the purple unicorn and then walked right up to her. 
 
"You must be Twilight," said Cup Cake.  "The one this Dr. Octavia had entrusted my son to?  If the Doctor trusts you, then I will trust you as well.  Make sure you keep his claws and spines trimmed neatly.  Oh, and since he is a growing dragon, you must feed him twenty pounds of gems mixed in with five pounds of bale hay, which will help him with his digestion.  Only give him meat once a night.  Also, make sure you use a hard brush to clean deep into his scales every day." 
 
"Mom, stop," said Spike.  "You're embarrassing me."
 
"Oh, dearie," said Mrs. Cake as she hugged her son.  "I wish you wouldn't leave so soon after so many years!" 
 
"Mom, I'll give you and dad this tele-orb.  That way, I can send you messages from anywhere and anytime.  Once I have fulfilled my debt to Twilight and Applejack, I promise that I will come back and help you run Sugarcube Corner." 
 
"We'll be waiting for you, son," said Carrot Cake as he joined up in the family hug. 



 
Everypony did not rest for too long, for their departure from the ancient castle was going to take place at nightfall. 
 
High up in the black and blue heavens, the Mare in the Moon loomed over them once more, and after crossing the old and rickety wooden bridge, the entire group divided themselves into.  Pinkie Pie would now join up with Twilight, Applejack, Sunny, and Spike to search for the rest of the Elements of Creation.  Mr. and Mrs. Cake agreed to take in Golden Harvest for the time being, although they did express hiring her to help out in the rebuilding of Sugarcube Corner with help from the contacts they made in prison. 
 
Spike gave his parents a parting hug and a doubly made sure they had one of his tele-orbs in their hooves.  As for Golden Harvest and Applejack, neither mare said any parting words or exchanged embraces.  They just stared briefly at one another, knowing that they shared a lingering mix of guilt and mistrust.  Yet considering what happened last night, this was not the time for words.  Both knew that when this was all over, they would finally reconcile. 
 
The two groups went their separate ways once they crossed the bridge, boding a final farewell to the mysterious ancient castle.  Twilight could only guess about the origins of the ruins, and why Sunny would take her to such a hidden sanctuary.  She truly wanted to explore the castle, but with the military forces of Gaea not too far from them, they had to move through the forest as fast as possible. 
 
The forest, as dangerous as its reputation was, filled Twilight's mind with delightful wonders.  She could only learn so much from old books, audio cassettes, and videotapes, but to finally to see firsthoof the twisted jungles without any impending pressure drove the unicorn mare to journal everything she had seen, such as the various species of spiders, ferns, and mushrooms.  As such, Twilight lagged behind the others, thus adding one more item of annoyance to Applejack who trotted ahead with Spike riding on her back. 
 
The primary annoyance came from Sunny, who trotted shoulder-to-shoulder with the unicorn throughout their trek through the forest.  Despite gaining the ability to speak, the mysterious Earth-Alicorn continued to latch on to Twilight like a lost child, and like the unicorn, she also took the wonders of the forest with naive curiosity.  She even helped collect herbs and other natural wonders for the unicorn to write in her scroll.
 
Everypony assumed that she would regain some intelligence, and perhaps maturity, but Sunny, as always, licked Twilight on the cheek whenever she received a compliment from her. 
 
At the third time Sunny had done this, Applejack, having not seen the licking, came to an abrupt halt.  She stomped her hoof as she spun around to face the Earth-Alicorn.
 
"You regained your ability to speak," she said.  "Now, can you regain the ability to act like a normal pony?"
 
"How?" asked Sunny. 
 
"You keep licking Twi like she's some kind of popsicle or somethin'."
 
"Is it wrong to lick the ponies I love?"
 
"That ain't normal!  It makes you look like a pervert or a... All I'm sayin' is that Twilight don't swing that way!"
 
"But Twilight's not swinging," said Pinkie Pie as she looked around.  "I don't see any swing sets around here."
 
"It's a figure of speech, Pink.  Sunny, why the hay are you so glommed on her?  You two just met!"
 
"There's no reason," said Sunny.  "Now that I think about it, there is."
 
"Which is?"
 
"I have no idea."
 
"Twi, if you don't want her to stop licking you, just say somethin'!"
 
"I don't mind it actually," said Twilight.  "It's kind of like having a little sister."
 
"I don't know why you have to be so angry," said Sunny.  "If you wanted to lick somepony in the first place, why don't you?"
 
"That's just disgusting!" cried Applejack. 
 
"Aw, AJ is jealous because she wants to be licked too," said Pinkie Pie. "Don't worry AJ.  Auntie Pinkie Pie will lick your jumbled jealousy away."
 
"Pinkie Pie, don't you dare..."
 
The pink pony's tongue was unexpectedly bigger than what Applejack had intended, and a lot more slobbery.  In comparison, Sunny's lick was cute and clean.  Pinkie's was just plain gross. 
 
"Bleh!" gagged Pinkie Pie.  "I thought you would taste like apples, but you taste like hair and sweat!  Maybe Twilight has a flavor--"
 
"Don't even go there," said Applejack as she tugged Pinkie to the ground by the tail. 
 
"That does remind me," said Twilight. "We don't know much about you Sunny.  You are supposed to be an Alicorn, but legend has it that they have strength stronger than that of the earth ponies, speed that's faster than a pegasus, and magic beyond the highest level of unicorns."
 
"Does that mean she's supposed to look like Twilight, but with wings?" asked Spike.  "That would look freaky."
 
"Freaky-deaky indeed," said Pinkie.  "I can't imagine a pony with wings and a horn.  I can't even imagine myself with wings."
 
"Wings, horn, whatever," said Applejack.  "Sunny still has to explain why she has to be so darn close to Twi."
 
"I'm sorry everypony, but I don't have any memories before you awoken me," said Sunny. 
 
"But you know something about the Elements," said Twilight. 
 
"I only know of facts, not memories.  So far, I know only the nature of the Elements on how each one can reawaken my lost Gifts."
 
"Then maybe it is possible that a very long time ago when you were captured, you cast not only a memory-erasure spell, but also a spell that seals your other abilities."
 
"Perhaps."
 
"And what about the next Element?  You mentioned that Applejack and Pinkie Pie's will lead them to the next one."
 
"It will, and it is close.  Oh, now I remember!"
 
"What is it?"
 
"I know why I keep licking you."
 
"Why?"
 
"Because I love you!" 
 
The white Earth-Alicorn snuggled the purple unicorn for yet another lick on her cheek, much to Applejack's grumbling chagrin.  Applejack led the ponies further ahead until they picked out a fairly large open area to set up camp, hopefully with enough distance between Applejack and Sunny. 
 
Only a small fire had been started, and it could only be kept up for a short time.  Thus, the ponies and the dragon had huddled somewhat close together inside their sleeping bags as Applejack poured dirt over the campfire, leaving only dying embers that a gentle breeze picked up. 
 
"Can't we keep it going a little longer?" Spike asked.  "I'm cold-blooded for ponies' sake!" 
 
"You are aware of the dangers that is in the forest, right Spike?" asked Applejack as she slipped in a sleeping a bag. 
 
"Like the timberwolves?" Twilight said. 
 
"There are other dangers, ones that much worse.  I fled here after Posey razed my barn, and that night was the scariest I have ever been in my filly days.  I couldn't sleep, and I barely ate and drank.  Critters big and small were always tryin' to scare me off or eat me, but I managed to leave them in the dust and ran out in the morning.  I have heard that a feral pony supposedly lives in the Forest, and they say he or she has full control over them."
 
"Did you encounter that pony?"
 
"Might've caught a glimpse, but the moment I saw its devilish glare I ran for my life.  What about you, Twi?  Do you know anythin' from the books you collected in Unicornia?" 
 
"I only have various copies of police reports that ponies that went in the forest never came out.  Supposedly, there is a beast that devours them whole, and that there have been many unsuccessful hunting trips to find it." 
 
"Ponies have been known to eat meat when they're really desperate, and cannibalism is a possibility."
 
"I got a story!" cried Pinkie Pie.  "I heard that the forest contains a cavern opening that looks like the head of a panther, and it will talk to you if you take the wrong treasure."
 
"Um, right," said Applejack. 
 
"I'm serious!  There's also a magical lamp that supposedly grants you three wishes by a funny blue genie."
 
"Anypony else has a story to tell?" 
 
"I got something," said Spike.  "I heard from the other scientists in the labs that Posey was seen wandering the forest looking for somepony.  That, and that she is secretly a pegasus clipper spy."
 
"Each one of stories seem outlandish," said Twilight, "but they might have a ring a truth in them."
 
"The forest don't work the way we're used to, and you can't blame pegasii for them," said Applejack.  "The Government's spent years trying to cut it down, but it always seems to be fightin' back.  More power to the Forest if it'll keep Posey and her goons busy, but we don't want to stay here too long or we'll never come out."
 
"I guess we'll take watch in shifts." 
 
"I'll take the first few hours, and Twi, you'll take the second.  We can't sleep too long, maybe six hours or so." 
 
Sunny raised her hoof. 
 
"I suppose you have a story to tell about the Forest," Applejack said to Sunny. 
 
"Not really, but the Forest doesn't seem to be as hostile as you might think," replied the Earth-Alicorn.
 
"I thought you don't remember anythin' before we met." 
 
"I don't have any memories of the Forest, but there is something powerful sleeping here."
 
"Like the Third Element?"
 
"I'm not sure, but there is something..."


 
 
Applejack, Twilight, and Spike woke up from their sleeping bags to the sound of sunshine and a musical number. 
 
"Praise the sun!" cried Pinkie. 
 
"The sun is here!" added Sunny. 
 
"Here comes the sun!"
 
"It's here again!"
 
"Doodoo-doo-doo-dooo..."
 
Before they could break into dance and song, Applejack promptly threw a half-filled canteen of water at the pink and white mares. 
 
"Quiet!" hissed the orange mare.  "Do you want the military to catch us?  Don't forget, we're in the most dangerous forest in all of Gaea, if not the world!"
 
"But the sun is up!" Pinkie replied.  "We have to celebrate the raising of the sun, just like what the unicorns used to do.  Besides, Sunny loves the sun.  Her Nature's Call is in the shape of the sun."
 
"Girls, Applejack is right," said Twilight as she rubbed her eyes.  "We have to be quiet because, as the saying goes, we're not out of the woods yet."
 
"You really think so?" asked Sunny. 
 
Twilight nodded. 
 
"But the sun!" Pinkie cried. 
 
"If Twilight says it's not okay, we have to listen to her," said Sunny.  "We'll praise the sun another time."
 
"Aw..."
 
"So ya'll will listen to Twi and not me, huh?" Applejack frowned.
 
"She's very important to me," said Sunny. 
 
"I don't know Twilight that much, but she sure is a smarty pony," said Pinkie Pie.  "I listen to her 'cause Sunny listens to her." 
 
"Um, Dr. Octavia and my parents entrusted me to her?" Spike added.  "I guess that's not helping, huh?"  
 
The grumbling Applejack threw on her hat and clothes and trotted angrily away from the group.  Nopony followed her, which was just as well.  She could not put up with any more foalish behavior in the group, and the other "adult" reprimanded Pinkie Pie, Sunny, and Spike for their lack of seriousness. 
 
Then again, Applejack could still be hurting emotionally from the loss of her brother.  She knew that she shouldn't be acting this way.  He died a free stallion, and he would have wanted his younger sisters to feel happy.  Even knowing this could not ease her sadness, but she was no stranger to it.  Applejack had to move on, and regardless how he died, neither her nor her family would be in this situation if not for Posey. 
 
Applejack hurried and gave herself a quick bath and a quick drink in the creek.  She needed to hurry back to the encampment, because even in daylight, the sun's rays refused to shine through most of the canopy.  Many of the dangerous creatures of the night were also active in the day. 
 
Applejack barely dried herself when she trotted back towards the encampment where Twilight's studious oversight made the other members of the party pack up as neatly and as quickly as possible.  She did not approach too close to her group, for she saw Sunny lick Twilight on the cheek again.  The orange pony shook her head, forcefully reminding her to put her annoyance aside for the mission of finding the rest of the Elements.  She had prepared to apologize to everypony for biting their head off, and it looked as if she might need a little more effort to do so. 
 
Suddenly she felt a chill run up her spine, and Applejack froze in her steps.  She had often felt this sensation during her rebel days, and half the time it was simply her paranoia in both familiar and unfamiliar territory.  When her companions felt the same tension right as the forest silenced itself, her gut feeling might be right.
 
Sunny had been hunched down in front of Twilight with her teeth clenched, and Pinkie's ears were spinning counter-clockwise, a sign that dangerous projectiles were about to fly.  From her position, Applejack peered around the forest for any signs of the assassin, and the telltale red dot from the laser sight flashed before her eye before settling on the bridge of her muzzle.  Just as the laser sight appeared, it suddenly changed targets and took aim at Twilight's horn.  

The shot had been fired.  Pinkie's speed, even without her Pinkie Gear, allowed her to safely tackle Twilight to the ground before the bullet struck her.  The orange pony motioned to the others get out of danger as she prepped to summon her Sword of Truth.  Then a heavily-armed grayish mare leapt down and attempted a slash at the orange pony with her black machete, successfully thwarting Applejack's summoning of her magical weapon.  Applejack tumbled forward and managed to avoid the strike.  

She let her guard down.  She knew it was inevitable, but cursed herself being complacent into thinking that this wouldn't happen, and it did.  Now she stood face to face towards one of the two Unicorn Hunters: Ingrid.