"Come on out, ya varmints! Ah'm gonna teach every one o'ya the meanin' of pain!"
Luna and Fluttershy looked for the source of the outburst. Near the entrance of the base, an orange earth pony wielding a katana and wearing a brown Stetson hat was engaging every soldier in sight. She seemed to be switching targets indiscriminately, attacking with blind rage rather than any calculated strategy. Luna tugged Fluttershy's hoof, dragging her along towards the pony. "Come, fair Fluttershy! Let us aid this mare!"
Fluttershy squeaked, but she did not resist. The two snuck up on the battle from behind the soldiers currently engaged. Luna stood up and knocked their helmets together in a move she remembered seeing from her favorite comic act, the Four Flunkies. The guards, concussed from the power of Luna's vicious assault, collapsed to the ground in a dazed heap. The orange pony tipped her hat and thanked them, then proceeded to call more soldiers to the battle.
Luna sighed. "Fluttershy, I think we are going to have to talk some sense into her if we are to get anywhere. I shall handle these guards. You try to say something to the pony!"
Fluttershy tried to protest, but it was too late. Luna had joined the fray, attempting to keep soldiers from approaching the pony with the hat. Fluttershy decided she had no choice and walked up to the pony, trying to get her attention. "Um...Miss Hat Pony?" she ventured weakly, but her inquiry was lost in the chaos of the battle. "Excuse me, Miss...?" Again, her voice was drowned out by the shouting. Fluttershy drew on reserves she didn't even know she had, exerting an impassioned shout. "Now, you wait one second and listen to me! Stop fighting for two minutes so we can talk to you!"
Luna finished off the remainder of the soldiers as the orange pony stared at Fluttershy in surprise. She scratched her head, looking over her two saviors. "Well, shucks, Ah already thanked ya, but Ah don't think Ah properly introduced mahself. Name's Applejack, and Ah'm here seekin' revenge fer the Empire's crimes against Sweet Apple Acres! Won't ya help me?!"
Luna held up a hoof. "Friend Applejack, I am Princess Luna of Canterlot, and Fluttershy here is my esteemed traveling companion. We will aid thee, but not in thine revenge. Exercise discretion, please! Live to fight another day! We need to escape from this base before we can truly strike a blow at the Empire."
Applejack sighed. "All right, Ah guess yer right...How do we get out, though? This place is more crowded than mah late granny's apple stand during Zap Apple season."
Luna looked around at the base for anything they can use. Off in the corner, she spied a recharging station for Magitek armor. There were a few armors completely unguarded, and she reasoned they could use the armors to beat a hasty retreat. "Come, Applejack! Let us mount those armors over yonder!"
As they approached the armors, Luna noticed that Applejack was growing exceptionally fidgety. The farm pony was eyeing the armor and refusing to get in. "Applejack? Whatever is the matter?" she inquired.
"N-nothing. A-ah'm fine! Yep!" Applejack stammered, jumping into one of the armors as Luna and Fluttershy mounted theirs. Applejack looked at the controls arrayed before her, her head swimming. "Uh...lessee...if Ah do this..."
Applejack's armor took off at a sprint, trampling several soldiers who had come to investigate the commotion. She screamed as her armor started running in circles uncontrollably. Acting quickly, Luna moved her armor towards Applejack's and forcibly stopped it from moving. "Applejack, dost thou not know how to pilot Magitek armor?"
"What?! Of course Ah do!" Applejack replied indignantly, shifting her gaze and puffing out her cheeks. "But...maybe Fluttershy there needs a refresher. Yeah!"
Luna glanced over at Fluttershy, who was deftly firing beams at nearby soldiers, then back to Applejack. "Uh...huh. Well, for Fluttershy's benefit, let us have a quick primer on how to operate the armor."
After a quick explanation and a few false starts, the party moved towards the exit. Along the way, they encountered soldiers in their own Magitek armor, but Fluttershy proved to be somewhat of an expert, easily slicing through their ranks before they could mount an attack on the three ponies. As they reached the opposite end of the base, the armors' limited charge finally burned down, forcing them to dismount. There, on the edge, was Discord himself, waiting for the trio.
"Well, hello, My Little Ponies!" he said in mock delight. "So good to see you! Miss Jappleack, I do believe we are overdue for negotiations on the future of your pathetic little crop garden. I decided to take it for myself. I'm sure you understand."
Applejack snorted, seething with rage. "Mah name is Applejack. You killed mah aunt, mah cousin, and all of mah friends! Prepare to die!"
As Applejack charged forward with her blade, however, she was stopped by another Magitek armor. Unable to simply slice through the thick metal encasing it, she backed up fearfully. Luna grabbed Applejack and Fluttershy and bounded behind one of the tents. "Run!"
Discord barked orders at his soldiers as they dove into some nearby bushes. The soldiers that rounded the corner could not see them, and so they started searching elsewhere in the base instead, giving them an opportunity to flee.
"Whew, that was close! I did not think we would be able to hide for that many hours!"
True to Luna's words, it had long since become dark out. Luna took the opportunity to gaze up at the starry night sky. Something about its serene beauty resonated with the diarch. She'd always been more of a night pony than her sister, and the mere sight of the moon or the stars calmed her to her core. She'd always been much better at thinking rationally during the quiet Canterlot nights.
Her reverie was shattered by Applejack, who was nervously pacing back and forth, shaking. "Why, dearest Applejack, whatever is the matter? Thou know we have evaded the Imperials for the time being, correct?"
Applejack shook her head. "Ah'm not afraid o'them gutless cowards. Ah need to teach them a lesson! Ah really wanted to go down fightin' 'fore y'all showed up and stopped me. All Ah can think about is mah poor aunt and cousin...taken well before their time by that no-honor swine Discord!" She stamped the ground with her forehoof and snorted, illustrating her rage.
Luna placed a sympathetic hoof on Applejack's shoulder. "We understand thine feelings, dear Applejack, but thou must think clearly before acting. Is this really something your family would want you to lose your life over? Are you willing to throw away the rest of your time in Equestria for the opportunity to cut down a few more soldiers?"
Applejack sighed, trembling slightly. She stared at the ground for a few seconds, then locked eyes once more with Luna. "Ah suppose yer right...mah family wouldn't want it this way. It's just...so hard."
Fluttershy watched the scene at a small distance, content not to interfere in the affairs of these ponies. However, something had stirred in her memories. "Family...not a day goes by that I don't think about my own family. Did I do the right thing...?"
Luna stood up. "Well then, that's enough moping around for now. Fair Applejack, dost thou know the way to Neighshe from here?"
Applejack chuckled a little. "Neighshe? What the hay do you need to go all the way up there for?"
"Well, our friends are meeting there to discuss plans to overthrow the Empire. I figured that would be of at least some interest to you, no?"
"Huh. Well then, why didn't ya say so? But Neighshe is a pretty long way from here now that the Empire's on the prowl. Ah think the only way y'all can get up that way is by headin' plumb in the opposite direction, and even then Ah don't know what all is out that way."
Luna stroked her chin thoughtfully. "Well, it's currently our best shot. I say, why not?"
Applejack nodded. "Well, then first we'll have to cross the Everfree Forest to the south of us. Ah've never been out that way, but Ah figure we ain't got a choice now."
As the two ponies started walking towards the forest entrance, they failed to notice Fluttershy quivering behind them. "Th-the E-E-Everfree...Forest...?!" she squeaked, but Luna and Applejack paid her no heed. Nervously, Fluttershy fell in step behind her companions, shaking the whole time.
"Ah tell ya, this forest gives me the willies already. Now Ah remember why nopony in mah family ever came out this way."
The forest was much more vast than they could see from a distance. It completely covered a wide pass between the mountains, and they had no way of telling just how deep it was. Unlike forests Luna had seen in Canterlot, this forest was very still. She couldn't shake the feeling that somewhere in the distance, somepony was moaning softly.
Fluttershy had been nearly paralyzed with fear since they'd set foot in the forest, prompting Angel to hop out of her saddle bag and drag her along the ground with a sour look on his face. Repeated attempts to comfort her or get any information out of her were met with a blank stare and the occasional trembling mumble. Regardless, the actual trek was fairly simple. The eerie stillness of the forest presented no obstacles to their forward progress. Luna couldn't shake the feeling that they were having almost too easy of a journey now that they had slipped through the Imperial dragnet.
Applejack had moved up ahead a short ways. She seemed to be squinting towards a clearing in the forest. "Uh...beg pardon, Ms. Luna, but what the hay d'ya think that is?"
Luna followed Applejack's forehoof to the clearing she pointed at. There appeared to be a large, antiquated train station running straight through the forest. Luna thought it quite peculiar that there would be a train station in the middle of nowhere like this, but... "Hm. Applejack, I do believe this train must lead somewhere. Is it not entirely possible it could bring us closer to Neighshe?"
Applejack frowned pensively. "Uh, are you sure gettin' on strange contraptions in a forest is a good idea? This all seems a mite too convenient fer mah tastes."
Luna glanced at Applejack. "Wait. 'Contraptions?' Applejack, have you never seen a train before?"
Applejack's face turned bright scarlet. "H-hey! What're you implyin'?! Ah told ya we don't have such gobbledegook on our farm!"
Luna endured Applejack's indignant stare for a few seconds, smirking in spite of herself. "Whatever you say, Miss Cowgirl. Regardless, I think it's worth investigating."
Luna and Applejack pushed through the turnstile, with Angel dragging Fluttershy underneath behind them. The train platform seemed to be completely devoid of any other ponies. The train seemed to stretch on for miles in front of them, but only three coach cars sat next to the platform. The rearmost coach car's doors were open, almost as if somepony was beckoning them to enter. Luna stomped her hoof resolutely. "We shall discover naught if we merely stand outside and watch! Let us enter the train!"
As the trio plus bunny entered the train, the doors slammed shut behind them. Suddenly, Fluttershy's panic reached a level where she began hyperventilating, followed by a scream so high-pitched, nopony could hear it. Applejack tried to pry the doors open, but they were sealed shut. "What in tarnation is going on here?! Ah knew this was a bad idea-"
Before Applejack could finish her sentence, the train's whistle blew. The cars began to move, and suddenly the train began carrying them to an unknown destination. Fluttershy fell onto her rump with a defeated look plastered on her face. "This forest...this train..."
"Yes? This train? What about it?" Luna prodded.
"It's known as the...Phantom Train. Its only purpose is to ferry ponies to...the afterlife."
That was the last thing Luna remembered before she passed out from shock.
Luna awoke with a start, feeling some sharp pain in her gut. Moaning, she picked herself up off the ground, standing on some shaky, vibrating ground. She swore she'd just had a dream that they were on some ghost train, and here the ground beneath her was moving. Looking around, she saw Applejack in a corner, rubbing her forehoof gingerly.
"Sakes, Princess. Ah didn't expect ya t'have this strong of a stomach when Ah went t'jab ya awake."
Luna chuckled sheepishly. "Ah, yes...I have been training physically for quite a while. What happened? Where is Fluttershy?"
"Fluttershy's in the next car over. She's lookin' fer the conductor, Ah guess. Ah've been tryin' t'wake yer butt up for the last five minutes so we can get movin'. Why'd ya go and pass out like that, anyway?!"
Luna sighed. "So this wasn't a dream...Forgive me. It was my idea to get everypony onto this train, and I guess I became somewhat overwhelmed."
Applejack shook her head, staring at the ground dejectedly. "Ah deserve this place. Ah couldn't save mah family or friends, and when Ah finally had a chance t'go down swingin', Ah started followin' y'all instead. No offense to y'all, but Ah think Ah shoulda stayed true to mah principles."
Luna stared at Applejack, aghast. "Thou art simply going to give up? The situation may be more dire than we predicted, but surely there is a way for us to continue our journey. Would your family truly want thee to accept such a fatalistic approach?" She stood up dramatically, making sweeping motions to 'knight' Applejack. "You are the glory of the Sweet Apple Acres kingdom! I bid thee continue thine journey with us!"
Applejack nodded reluctantly. It didn't seem the farm pony was completely convinced yet, but at least she would probably cooperate. The two stood up together as Fluttershy walked in from the rear exit. "Ah, Fluttershy! What have you discovered?"
Fluttershy cast her gaze downward. "Well, this train won't be stopping until it reaches its destination. This train isn't like our trains; it runs completely on its own power. That said, the conductor did mention that the train will be forced to stop if we use the switches in the engineering compartment."
"Then that is where we must go! Forward, My Little Ponies!"
The trio exited the car, heading towards the front of the train. The next car they entered was just as empty as the previous car. Fluttershy began to fidget noticeably. "Y-y-y'know...um, isn't it a bit strange? Besides the conductor, we haven't seen anypony else on this train."
Luna looked around, suddenly more aware of her surroundings or lack thereof. "Fluttershy, you do raise an excellent point. If this train ferries the dead, we should not be the only ones on it. We should remain on our guard."
After getting through another car without incident, they came across a car with no doors leading inside but a ladder that led to the roof. As they walked alongside the car's exterior, they heard moaning coming from all around them. Before they could round the corner, a slow-moving, translucent floating figure appeared before them. Fluttershy shrieked and hid behind Applejack as the other two prepared for a fight. Applejack attempted to slash the figure, but her weapon simply passed through unobstructed, causing her to lose her balance and tumble onto Fluttershy. Luna attempted to punch the strange figure, but she only succeeded in passing through it slightly. As she did, she could feel her body growing cold and numb, and she jumped back instinctively.
Applejack groaned. "What the hay is this thing and how are we supposed to get by it?!"
Fluttershy whimpered. "It's a g-g-g-ghost!" She clutched Applejack tightly and sobbed into the pony's coat, drenching her in salty tears. Applejack stared at Luna, at a loss for words.
Luna backed away from the slowly encroaching figure, beckoning her companions to retreat towards the previous car. Before they could round the rear corner, however, another ghost appeared in their path. As the ghosts on either side advanced, more seemed to follow behind them. In a panic, the three hapless ponies scrambled up the ladder towards the roof of the car, prompting the ghosts to flood the walkway around the car. As they did, they began moaning a chorus: "Nooo escaaaape...There's nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. Join us for fun...you've already died..."
Luna scoffed. "Come now, girls. Don't listen to them! We're not supposed to be on this train, therefore we are not dead!"
"But there's no way off'a this car! How're we gonna escape this'un, Princess?" Applejack countered.
"Fear not, noble Applejack! Where there is a will, there is a way! Quickly, both of you on my back!"
Applejack and Fluttershy hesitantly did as they were told, but true to form, Luna's sheer strength allowed her to move almost unhindered even with the weight of two grown mares on her back. She set her sights on the roof of the next car, then charged forward, leaping mightily as she reached the edge. Carrying over her momentum, she continued running as she hit the next car, jumping once more as she reached the edge. This time, however, her jump was short, and she tumbled to the entrance of the next car with Applejack and Fluttershy in tow. As the three ponies picked themselves up and dusted off, the moaning approached once more. "Nooo escaaape..."
Fluttershy pointed shakily towards the previous car, which held a veritable army of ghosts. Thinking quickly, Luna examined the coupling connecting the two cars. Noticing a switch next to the connection, she pulled it, detaching all of the cars behind them. The ghosts wandered up to the edge, but as the cars began to slow down, the gap grew wider, and they seemed to be incapable of floating over bare ground. For the moment, the trio was safe.
Luna grew pensive. "This train is likely full of ghosts. We must figure out a means to combat them if we come across any later, or we are surely never going to reach the front. Does anypony have any idea what could possibly hurt a ghost?"
"Hm. Don't those things hate light? Do we have anythin' that we can use t'flash a bright light at 'em?" Applejack asked.
Luna's face lit up. Perhaps they did have a way to fight back. "Applejack, thou are a genius! Please observe!" She began gathering light energy in her hooves, then thrust it forward in a beam of light as she had done on the raft. "HADOUKEN!"
"That's impressive, Luna, and Ah'm sure it'll help us. Ah just pray we won't have to use it."
The interior of the next car was once more conspicuously empty. Somehow the absence of ghosts was now scarier than having an obstacle they could actually see and deal with. Applejack had resigned herself to carrying Fluttershy on her back, as the poor pegasus had become nearly catatonic with fear. Luna steeled herself for combat as they exited the car, uncertain when or where the next ghost could pop out. Once again, the exterior seemed to be empty. Luna wondered what the purpose of such a huge train was if nopony ever used its length, but then again who could understand the world of the dead?
The next car appeared to be set up like a dining car. There was a solitary table in the center, with three chairs set up around it. Luna's features brightened. "Oh, goodness! We were so hungry we were unsure of how much force would be behind our Hadoukens! What serendipity to have found a dining car!" She sat in one of the chairs, beckoning the others to follow. Applejack and Fluttershy tentatively took their seats as Luna began banging loudly on the table. "Server! Bring us a glorious feast!"
On cue, an elegantly-dressed ghost appeared, carrying a tray loaded with exotic foods and bottles of cider. It placed the contents of the tray on the table, bowing to the seated ponies, then vanished from whence it came. Luna began tearing into the food rather crudely, while Applejack poked it uncertainly. "Excuse me, Princess, but isn't this ghost food? How can ya tell it won't turn us into ghosts or doom us never to leave the underworld or something like that?"
"Dearesht Appleshack, you do have the mosht fifid imashinashion!" Luna responded with her mouth full, spewing chunks everywhere. "Eferypony knowsh that thosh taleth are pure myth!"
Applejack covered her face with her hooves to protect from the culinary assault. "Ahh! Okay, okay, sheesh! Ah thought y'all princess types were supposed t'be refined and elegant!"
Luna chuckled, swallowing her food this time before responding. "One quickly learns to forgo dining decorum when one spends all day training mind and body to their absolute peak."
Fluttershy was busy feeding Angel, who seemed to stubbornly reject half the food he was presented. "Please, Angel Bunny, I don't know when I'll get another chance to feed you! If we never get off this train, I want you to escape and keep looking for Miss Belle and take good care of her for me, okay?"
"Miss Belle? Who's that, yer special somepony?" Applejack teased.
Fluttershy blushed, embarrassed. "Oh my, um, no...it's nothing," she added, squeaking for emphasis.
Finishing the food rather quickly, the group pushed in their empty plates and glasses, and the ghost appeared once more. They could not grasp the true process by which the ghost spirited away their dishes, but before they could say anything, it had once more vanished. Feeling refreshed, Luna took the lead as the ponies followed her out the door to the next car.
Inside the next car, there were three ghosts that began floating towards them and moaning as soon as they entered. Luna jumped in front of Applejack and Fluttershy, rapidly charging up her energy. "HADOUKEN! HADOUKEN! HADOUKEN!" One by one, the ghosts' incorporeal forms dissipated as they were struck by the bolts. Luna stood there triumphantly, confident they had this problem licked.
Applejack, however, was facehoofing. "D'ya really gotta call out the name of yer attack every single time ya do it? We know what it is, and it ain't like yer chantin' a spell or somethin'..."
"What?! Of course I must! Martial arts takes incalculable focus the likes of which you can't possibly comprehend! Calling out my attack is merely one act of focusing that strength!"
"Whatever you say. Ah just think it's unnecessary."
Luna scoffed, refusing to say any more. Nearby, there was a side compartment with its door left open. Curious, Luna poked her head into the room, ready to blast the first ghost she saw. To her surprise, the compartment appeared to be completely empty except for a small box in the corner. Luna beckoned her companions to follow, and they crowded around the strange container.
Luna moved to open the box, but before she could, a boisterous voice demanded, "Stop right there! Don't touch that box!" As the ponies scanned the compartment for the source of the outburst, a tan pegasus wearing a safari helmet and vest and a cocksure grin leaped out of a hidden area inside the compartment's seats. "My name is Daring Do, and I am the world's...no, the universe's greatest archaeologist!" she boasted, striking a pose. "The contents of that box belong to me, and you'll have to best me in mortal combat to claim the rights. As I'm sure you've deduced, this is an impossible feat, and your only hope for salvation lies in begging for my infinite mercy!" Finishing her monologue, she brandished a frail-looking whip and began laughing haughtily.
Luna and Applejack stared at each other. "Do y'all think she's got a few screws loose?" Applejack inquired.
"More than a few, I'm afraid. Looks like there's only one solution to this mess."
Luna slowly walked up to Daring Do, who began whipping her fiercely. Luna almost didn't even feel anything. It was akin to being slapped lightly by a sheet of paper. As the whip came down for another lash, Luna grabbed it out of the air and effortlessly snapped it in half, causing Daring Do to shrink back in surprise. "Was that all you had, Miss Do? I daresay it'll take more than that to faze the likes of us."
Daring Do cursed under her breath. "You...well, it's going to seem like I'm running away. But I'm merely regrouping, reassessing. We will surely meet again, perhaps when the world is not as it should be!" With that, she dove back into the seats, seemingly vanishing into thin air.
The trio stood there in stunned silence for a couple of minutes. Finally, Applejack broke the silence. "What...the hay...was that?"
"Angel Bunny says we should just forget we ever saw such a bizarre thing," Fluttershy ventured. "So, what was in the box, anyway?"
Luna opened the box. Inside, there was only a note. Luna picked up the note and read it aloud for the others: "'To stop the train, close the first and third pressure valves, then operate the switch near the smokestack.' Huzzah! Now we know how exactly how to stop the train!"
Applejack's face was scrunched up, and she was beginning to sweat. "Pressure valves? Smokestack? Is it really a good idea to be messin' with that stuff?"
"Well, whatever could be the problem?"
"You don't think...we could explode, right? And then explode again?"
Luna stared at Applejack in disbelief. "Where would you get a silly notion like that? I know you're not good with machines, but it's almost as if thou art...afraid of them?"
"Ah am not! You take that back!" Applejack shot back indignantly, cheeks puffed with rage.
Luna giggled. "My, so transparent. All right, Miss Jack, let's get to the engineering compartment and finish this job. We have to keep moving."
They exited the car, Applejack muttering something to herself under her breath. They could see the locomotive that was at the front of the train a short distance ahead. With only one more car left to examine, Luna figured it was the engineering compartment. Inside, on the wall, were three valves, all flipped open. Luna did as the note instructed, pulling the first and third valves closed with her hooves. Fluttershy, meanwhile, walked up towards the smokestack of the locomotive, finding a small switch built into the side. As her companions joined her on the locomotive, she pressed the switch. This was answered with the train's whistle blowing shrilly in their ears. A booming voice emitted from the locomotive itself. "So! You mortals are the ones who have been impeding my work! Perhaps I should teach you a lesson about meddling in affairs beyond your comprehension!"
A supernatural force swept the ponies off their hooves, planting them in front of the locomotive as it was still moving. In a panic, the trio began running as quickly as they could while the train chased behind them slightly, cackling in its booming voice all the while. Fluttershy began whimpering, and the other two realized they would have to figure out a way to stop this out-of-control train before they became overwhelmed.
"Applejack! Is there anything thou canst do?" Luna shouted.
"Sorry, Sugarcube! Ah'm only good if Ah can achieve calm focus! Runnin' fer mah life kinda precludes that!"
"Then there is only one way to solve this predicament! Buck me at the train!"
"What?!" Applejack exclaimed, her face twisted into a look of pure incredulity. "Ah'm sorry, Ah had somethin' crazy in mah ear!"
"I'm serious! Buck me at the train!"
"All right, but don't go cryin' to me later!"
Luna jumped towards Applejack, positioning herself so that Applejack's strong rear legs would propel her towards the train. As they connected, Luna readied her forehooves. The impact with the locomotive's head stopped the train cold for a second. Then, with reserves of strength that seemed completely insane to her companions, Luna picked up the entire train from the front and suplexed it off the track entirely, destroying large portions of the surrounding forest. Applejack's jaw became stuck open. Fluttershy had already fainted, and Angel was dragging her onto the still-stunned Applejack's back. As Luna dusted herself off, the train began to hum, then it slowly righted itself and floated back onto the track. The booming voice rang out once more, but this time it was calm, pensive. "I see. So there are still things you must do in this world. Very well, I shall let you go. I am scheduled to make another stop very shortly to pick up some recently deceased. You may exit then and only then."
"Hoo-wee, Princess! What the hell do you eat fer breakfast to be able to pull off a stunt like that?!"
Luna blushed. "Oh, it's nothing, really. Just lots of proatein."
The train had come to a stop, and the doors swung open from the car in which they were riding. Stepping off onto the platform, it felt as if they had just reached land after months at sea. A feeling of ecstasy washed over the party, only to be dashed when the group looked off to the side at the ponies that were boarding. Applejack paled as she recognized the identity of the "boarding ponies:" the former inhabitants of Sweet Apple Acres. Luna and Fluttershy had to restrain her to prevent her from leaping headlong into the recently departed, including members of her own family. "Aunt Betty! Apple Fritter! No! I have to save them!"
"Applejack! They're gone! There's nothing you can do for them!" Luna exclaimed.
As they watched the train start up and begin to roll off into the distance, Applejack's family members stood at the windows, waving goodbye. Before long, they were out of sight.
Applejack waited on the platform alone, in silence, for the next three hours.