Among the Stars

by Typographical Error

Chapter 1

She opened her violet eyes to the light coming through her window. She smiled at the thought of meeting her friends and having fun today. The smile faded when she remembered what day it was. Today was the day that they had to leave.

Twilight rolled out of bed and, sluggishly, walked over to her closet to remover her saddlebags. She knew that they weren’t allowed to take much, so she just packed a few photos, books, and things to remember her life here by.

Sighing heavily, she walked downstairs, dreading when 10:00 A.M. finally came. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw that Spike had made breakfast for her. Underneath the glass of juice, was a note. She pulled it out and read it.

Dear Twilight,

I didn’t want to have to see you until the very end. I will be waiting at the amphitheater by the launch site like everyone else. Enjoy this breakfast, because who knows how long it will be before you can have another. See you in a little while.

Sincerely, Spike

She sighed, heart feeling heavy. She had hoped that it was going to be easy, but evidently it was not. Twilight looked over the probably delicious meal. Spike must have forgotten that Applicants are not allowed to eat 24 hours before the launch. She got a quill and parchment, and wrote: Zecora, here is a final gift before I leave. With that, she teleported the meal over to Zecora. She was not coming along on the journey, so she could use a little comforting.

Twilight took one last look around the library. This was where she had her first slumber party. This was where she met all of her friends for the first time. Where so many life-changing moments had happened. Now she was leaving it forever...

She could feel the back of her throat burning from holding in a sob that was threatening to erupt. But she cleared her throat and turned away. “No” she told herself, “No crying, today is a happy day.”. But it didn’t feel happy. When she couldn’t bear it anymore, she closed the door and locked it behind her. Spike would be moving in with Celestia, so the library was now under city control again.

The only stop she had to make before she went to the launch site, was to drop the keys off at the mayor office. The mayor seemed sad to see her go, but she had seen many people leave in the past couple of years, Twilight was just another. When she couldn’t think of anything else to procrastinate with, she waved goodbye to Ponyville, and teleported to the launch site.

She opened her eyes to the amphitheater inside the Control Center. It was filled with families, some crying, some just dabbing at their eyes, others had no more tears to cry. It was ten minutes until they had to be prepped, so she looked around and picked out the five families, in particular, that she wanted to see.

Applejack was standing with Big Mac. She had her head laying against his side. She had a smile on her lips, but it was one filled with grief. She looked up at Big Mac.

“Now, promise me that you you will get some help at the farm, at least until you can be shipped off as well, OK?”

“Don’t worry, Ah will. It’s goin’ to be pretty lonesome around the farm without you there.”

“You still have Applebloom and Granny Smith.”

“But Ah won’t have my little sis.” a tear rolled down his muzzle and landed on her hat. She beamed, then stood up and embraced him. They stayed like that until a voice came over the intercom.

All Applicants: Please report to the proper departure area immediately.

Applejack released big ma, then swallowed a couple times.. “That’s me...” she sniffed, voice shaking. “Goodbye, Big Mac...”

“Goodbye.” he hugged her one last time, then watched her leave his life, possibly forever.

Rarity, who was obviously distraught, was standing with Sweetie Belle, who was crying.

“It’s not like you won’t ever see me again. Its going to be 9 years, then you can make the journey.” she said, trying to comfort her sister.

“Nine years! I don’t want to wait that long!” she cried, stamping her hoof.

Rarity dropped to her knees so that she could be on the same height with her sister. “Sweetie Belle, I am doing this so that you and I can have a better life. In 9 years I will be waiting for you on that platform, and it will be like I never left. You understand, don’t you?”

Sweetie Belle had stopped crying. She looked up at Rarity with red, puffy eyes. “I guess I do.”

All Applicants: Please report to the proper departure area immediately.

Rarity stood up when she heard the announcement. Then she looked back down at Sweetie Belle. “Can I get one last smile, please.” Her sister looked up and gave Rarity her biggest smile, then jumped up and embraced her.

“I’m going to miss you so much.” she said into her coat, voice thick. Rarity hugged her back, then set her down on her hooves. A smile almost covered the pain she was feeling.

“I will too. More than you know.” then she turned and left the filly’s world.

Fluttershy was definitely the odd one out. Most of the Applicants were with family or friends. She had her animals with her. Angel was sitting on her head, eyes showing the expressions he couldn’t.

“Now Angel...um....your going to have to take care of yourself.” she turned to the other animals. “You are all going to need to. I..um...have showed you where to get food and stuff, and...um...you should remember...” Angel jumped down from her head. He stopped then squeaked twice.

“Oh Angel! Would you do that?! Thank you! Thank you!” she picked up Angel and spun him around. She stopped abruptly and put him down. “Sorry..” she giggled. “Do you know how to feed all of them?” Angel looked at her, hurt, then squeaked once. “OK...yeah you have been with me for a while..”

All Applicants: Please report to the proper departure area immediately.

“Oh...I..um..have to go guys. Please be good. Remember, I love you!” She turned, and was gone.

“But why can’t I come with you?” Scootaloo whined, front legs crossed over her chest.

“You know why, you have to be 18 to take the trip, and you-” Rainbow Dash began.

“That’s going to be 8 years from now! I don’t want to wait that long! I..I...” she couldn’t finish her sentence.

Rainbow tilted her chin up so that she would look directly into her eyes. “It’s going to be 8 years for me to. Do you think that I don’t enjoy our time together? You are the closest thing I have to a family, and I love to spend time with you.” she reached around to her saddle bag and pulled out a couple of books, wrapped in paper. “Here. I wanted you to have these.” she gave the books to Scootaloo.

“What are they?” she asked. It was not like Rainbow to read.

“Open them.” she said, wanting to see the expression on her face. Scootaloo unwrapped the books. She looked down at them, not sure what to say. One was “A Juniors Guide to Flying” written by...

“YOU!?” she looked up, confused.

“Yeah, I wrote that a while ago, but that doesn’t matter. Look at the second one.”

Scootaloo shifted the books so that the bottom one was on top. “Oh my...” It was a photo album. Every picture from every afternoon they had spent together, put in one place. Rainbow saw a single tear fall onto the album. She looked up at Rainbow,not caring to hide the fact that she was crying. “Please don’t go...I need you here.”

All Applicants: Please report to the proper departure area immediately.

Rainbow stood up when she heard that. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. I have to go. I’ll see you in 8 years.” With that, Scootaloo’s best friend disappeared.

“Will I be able to make cupcakes there?” Pinkie Pie asked. She was standing with Mr. and Mrs. Cake, who were looking solemn. “I mean, will I be able to bake for parties-” she stopped suddenly, fearing the worst. “CAN I EVEN THROW PARTIES?! Oh dear what if I can’t throw parties! I don’t want to go back to being sad Pinkie!”

Mrs. Cake reached out and held her shoulders. “I am sure that you will be able the have parties still, and even if you are not, you will find a way to.” she embraced Pinkie. When she let go, she wiped a tear away.

“Who will help in the shop if I am not around?” she looked slightly depressed. “Are you going to hire someone else?”

“Without your cupcakes, I don’t think that we will have as many customers as we used to.” Mr. Cake said. “So I think we can manage on our own.”

“OH!” Pinkie gasped, “I just remembered!” She reached back to her saddlebags and pulled out a slip of paper. “This is the recipe for my cupcakes, I didn’t want to hurt you business, so I wrote it up for you.” she handed it to Mrs.cake, who looked at it, dumbfounded.

“Your giving us this?”

“Of course, you need something to remember me by.” she said, smiling.

All Applicants: Please report to the proper departure area immediately.

“Well, that’s me.” she jumped up and embraced them both, then she left their lives.

Twilight looked around, and saw who she was looking for.

Her parents were waving at her from the far end of the amphitheater. She galloped through the other families, and slid to a stop in front of them. They embraced and sat in silence for a few minutes. They had said their goodbyes yesterday.

Twilight broke the silence. “You will come along as well, won’t you?”

Her father looked down at her, his expression sad, but also proud. “As soon as we can afford to send both of us along, we will.”

“I don’t understand why you won’t let me pay for your trip.” Twilight said, her head on her fathers shoulder.

“Because, this is a HUGE change.” her mother said. “We want to make it when we are ready.”

Twilight changed the subject, slightly annoyed with her parents. “Did you ever think that this would have been possible?”

“Not when I was a filly,” her mother said, staring around at the Control Center. “But the last few years have been crazy, so anything could be possible soon.”

Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by being tackled in the stomach by something small and purple.

“Spike!” Twilight coughed, pushing the small dragon away. “I told you not to do that.” then she noticed his expression. She knelt down so she could be on his level. She held out her fore-legs. He ran into them, hugging her tightly. Twilight hugged him back, heart finally breaking.

“I’m going to miss you so much.” he said, tears making his scales shine. “Can’t I just come along?”

“We have been through this before. The journey is lethal for dragons, at least for now. But I am sure, that in the next couple years they will fix that. And don’t worry, every time there is a new shipment, I will be standing on that platform, waiting for you.” she stood up and looked at her parents. “I will be waiting for you as well. Now you are going to need to take care of Spike, until he can move in with Celestia. He will eat hay and oats, but he LOVES jewels. So if you could find some as a treat every now and then, he would love that.”

She turned back to Spike. “I have something for you.” Out of her saddlebag, she pulled out a giant diamond. It was the same size as Spike’s head. His jaw dropped when he saw it.

“Twilight, thank you! Thank you so much!” She handed it to him. It was almost as heavy as he was. She turned back to her parents.

“That should hold him for a few days, until you can get some more.”

All Applicants: Please report to the proper departure area immediately.

She jumped when she heard the announcement. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she reached out to her parents. They embraced. Spike forced himself into the hug as well. When they were finished, Twilight let out a choked “Goodbye” then she turned and disappeared into the mass of ponies.

Twilight walked toward the line of Applicants heading off to the departure point. She waved over Applejack and the rest out of the massive crowd of ponies. Together, the 6 of them walked towards the giant doors at the end of the amphitheater. When they reached the doors, they saw the line splitting 3 different ways, as were the ponies: Earth ponies on the right, Unicorns to the middle, and Pegasi to the left. The 6 friends stopped and formed a circle.

“Well this is it.” said Twilight, she looked at the line slowly passing them. “I can’t believe that we are leaving...”

“Forever.” added Pinkie.

Applejack and Pinkie Pie’s line was moving the fastest. They would have to leave soon.

“Best of luck to y'all, and see ya on the other side.” said Applejack. She pulled Pinkie along, and soon they had disappeared in the crowd.

Next to leave was Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. They vanished into the mass of floating wings and bodies.

Rarity and Twilight looked at one another.

“This is the last time...” Twilight started

“...We will be in Equestria.” Rarity finished. She looked around at the lines. “It’s not just me, right? This is crazy.”

Twilight smiled. “No, it’s not just you, this is truly insane.” They stood in silence until they reached the front of the line. There, 3 doors waited. A pony waited outside, until the light above the door turned green. When it did, the next pony in line walked into the room, and the light turned back to red. After a few minutes, the light turned back to green, and the door opened. The cycle continued until it was Twilight and Rarity’s turn. They turned to look at each other one last time.

“Good luck.” Twilight said.

Rarity nodded. “Same to you.”

The lights on their doors turned green and they walked in.

Rainbow Dash entered her room. It looked like a typical hospital room, except for the rows of silver suits hanging from the walls. There was a door to the far side, which opened a moment after she arrived. A pony in a white coat and a face mask on walked in.

“Hello. Could you tell me your last and first name.”

“Dash, Rainbow.” she said nervously.

The doctor consulted his notes. “Ah, Applicant number 274. Profession: Weather Clearing. Is this correct?”

“Y..yes.”

“Good. Now could you put this on, and we will start the process.

The doctor handed her one of the silver suits that were hanging on the wall. Fluttershy removed her saddlebags, and took the suit. The doctor took the bags and tagged them with her name and number: Name: Shy, Flutter, Applicant number: 275. Then he took them from the room, and let her get dressed.

The suit was made from some sort of metallic material. It went over her entire body and over her head. She had to tuck her mane and tail into the suit. Her wings folded into flaps on the side of the suit. She pulled it over her head, but it was zipped down the back so she could not close it. The doctor returned.

“Your bags will be stored in a stall above your compartment, when you are rejuvenated, all you will have to do is stand up and open the stall.” He reached over to a tray on the table. He retrieved a plastic container and, at the same time, pulled a vial out of his coat. Opening the container, he pulled out a syringe. Fluttershy instantly retreated slightly, but then returned to her previous spot. There was nothing to be afraid of.

The doctor pulled out some bright amber liquid. She carried it over and injected Twilight in the shoulder.

“This is so that your veins don’t break when you are rejuvenated. Afterwards, it will leave your system within 14 hours.” The doctor walked back over to the table. She threw the syringe away, then brought over a couple of pills.

“Swallow these. These will keep your internal organs from rupturing during the freezing process.” She handed her the pills, along with a glass of water. Twilight swallowed them. They left a burning taste in her mouth, and a slight film on the back of her throat. After that, the doctor slid the hood on over her face and horn.

The doctor zipped up her suit, leaving her feeling trapped. Next, wires were hooked up to ports on the suit, next to her jugular vein.

“These will measure you heart rate while you are under. If it drops below a certain point, you will be immediately woken up.”

“What happens if I do wake up?” Rarity asked. “What do I do then?”

“The ship will have full luxuries and amenities at your disposal. Hopefully you won’t be to far from landing.”

“What if I am too far from landing?” she asked, fear rising in her.

The doctor didn’t answer, she just walked back to her table and made some notes. Rarity had a sudden thought.

“What is the rate of survivability on this journey?”

The doctor looked up from her notes. “No pony has ever asked before. Every Applicant has an 87% chance of surviving”

“So 13% of the time...”

“You will die.”

Rarity swallowed.

“Now if you will follow me into this room, we will begin the procedure.”

Applejack followed the doctor into the next room. This room was smaller, but it had more equipment. What appeared to be a metal box sat on the middle of the floor. Above it rested a machine that was coated in ice crystals. Mist and steam was falling to the floor all around it. Below that was the top of the metal box, supported by wires. A large tube, also covered in ice, was coming out of it.

“This is where the freezing takes place. Before we start, is there is anything you would like to say of ask, you can do it now.” he said.

“How, exactly, does this work?” she asked, staring up at the machine.

The doctor walked over to the machine. “Well, you lay down in here.” he pointed to the metal box. “Next we lower the lid. When it is secure, liquid helium pours down this tube and freezes you instantly. As for the rest of your journey, small streams of liquid nitrogen will continuously re-freeze you until you are rejuvenated.”

“And, once again, how long will it be until that?”

“300 years.” the doctor answered.

Applejack looked at the box. That is where she would be spending the next 300 years, trapped in metal and ice. She could still back out. But she wouldn’t do that to her friends.

“Alright, let’s do this then, shall we?”

Pinkie Pie walked over to the box. She got in and laid down how she was told, flat on her back with her fore-legs crosses over her chest. She watched the doctor walk out of sight, but he still continued to talk to her.

“If you would like to back out, I would completely understand.”

It was too late for that. She had signed up and given her word to Twilight. She was in this until the end. Through the metallic suit she said, “No. Start it up.” There was no going back now.

The lid started to descend. The light in the box grew smaller and smaller until, with a clang, it sealed. She started to hear machinery grinding, then a puff of air came through the tube. It pressed her suit against her stomach, slightly tickling her. That was the last thing she would feel for 300 years.

The liquid helium poured in, freezing her with a small smile still on her face. Afterwards, the helium was drained and the lid was removed. A frozen pony sat in the box where a moment before, a live, warm mare had laid.

The doctors pulled the now frozen ponies out of the containers and laid them on gurneys. As they wheeled them to the storage area, they passed countless other doctors and frozen ponies. From there they were loaded onto the ship, according to their Applicant numbers. It started with the rainbow mare, who was 274, and it ended with the pink mare, who was 279. When they were safely stored, the ship was ready to sail.

The families watched as the ship, carrying their loved ones, started up for the first time. Smoke rose from it thrusters, lights along the outside blinked to life. It was named, New Beginnings. Considering what was about to happen, it was correctly named.

The ship rose into the air. As it tilted its nose towards the sky, the ponies on the ground knew that this was a momentous occasion. This was the first civilian journey to ever be undertaken. Future generation would watch this video, and they would never forget.

A distant rumble from he ship said it was just about to depart. Sunlight glinting off its hull. The glow from its thrusters intensified, until it was painful to look at. Then, with a Sonic Rainboom, and a shock wave that reached the ponies standing a mile away, it left their world.

They said they wouldn’t dream. They said that it would be just like falling asleep. They would be frozen, then wake up without any knowledge of the trip. But that was a lie. They felt the passage of time, constantly. But it was not second to second. It wasn’t even minute to minute. Sometimes, it would pass so slowly, a second felt like a year. But other times, the years would pass by in seconds. But they were awake, and conscious, for the whole thing.

They couldn’t move. Every muscle in their forms fought against the ice. They could feel their muscles move, scream against their bonds, but nothing happened. Eyes would not shut, and mouths would not close. The ice pressed down on them, shoving them to the brink of insanity.

It was impossible to tell what they thought of. But they had to think. They were almost forced to. Their minds, more active now that their bodies were inactive, brought up memories, good and bad. Created insane lies, and crazy truths. Stories and paradoxes formed, then died just as fast. But deep down, passed all the happy, or sad thoughts, they were all doing one, simple, completely sane, action.

They were screaming at the top of their lungs....

She didn’t know how long it had been since she heard a sound other than her own voice in her head. But when Twilight heard the extremely loud sparking, snapping, and breaking, it was the loveliest sound she had ever heard. But what followed it was the worst experience in her life.

Slowly, as slow as a glacier moving across the poles, she began to feel again. But as feeling returned, so did pain. Her shin burned. Scalding hot, flaming hot. She could not yet scream, so the sound in her throat was stuck withing her brain. The fire built, her skin felt like it was melting. Then, it stopped, and was replaced by a cold that penetrated straight to her heart. She could feel it down in her lungs. Finally, she was able to scream. And scream she did. It was a shrill scream, filled with pain and hate. It reverberated back at her from the close walls of the chamber. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the cold stopped, and she found that she could move.

She extended her back hoof, all the joints popping as she did. She did the same with her others limbs, all experiencing the same result. That was when she noticed the walls. So close and dark. Her muzzle was only a few inched away from the ceiling. She began to hyperventilate. Claustrophobia set in, as did panic. She started to throw her hooves against the walls, trying to escape. Finally, her back hoof dented the metal, and light poured in. She threw her front leg up, her eyes searing from the attack. Pain radiated from her eyes, flowing back towards her brain. A slight whimper escaped her lips as she tried to run away from the light. Slowly, over the course of minutes, the pain faded. She lowered her leg and looked at the opening, a small glimmer of hope flaring in her heart.

She threw her hoof against the wall again, and the opening grew larger. She continued the act, her hoof growing numb as she did. Finally, with one last kick, the hatch fell way, slamming into the ground. She slid herself out of the chamber, and her hooves landed on more metal. She looked up and down the hallway, eyes wide as plates. It extended as far as she could see, then turned a corner. White, florescent lights glowed from the ceiling. She looked around in wonder, not knowing how bad the situation was.

A loud clang made her jump out of her skin. Turning, she saw a dent in the metal of the stall next to hers. She stood still, heart pounding. Another clang, and a scream of “HELP!!” made her rush over. She pulled at the handle, panic rising again. With a final heave, the stall door flew open, its hinges squeaking. Inside sat Applejack, her metal suit covering all but her face.

“Twi?” she asked, pulling herself out of the stall, Her voice muffled by the suit. Her visor, the only clear part on the suit, was fogged from her heavy breathing. Twilight hurried and pulled the zipper down, freeing her face.

“Yes, it’s me.” she said soothingly, embracing her. She unzipped her own hood, a blast of cool air met her fur. “I’m right here.” She let go and looked at Applejack. Her eyes were wide and her chest rose and fell rapidly. But other than that, she looked perfectly fine. She looked just the same as when they left Equestria.

“Do you think we are the only ones?” Applejack asked, looking down the halls. But a piercing scream answered the question for them. It was coming from the stall next to Twilight’s. Applejack galloped over and pulled the handle, muscles flexing as she did. With a single heave, the hatch came loose. A white and purple Mare sat inside, huddled in one corner. She shivered and pressed herself farther back into the stall.

“Rarity...” Twilight said, reaching in to touch her. Her hoof had just brushed her fur, when Rarity practically jumped out of the stall. Her visor was completely fogged over, and her chest was rising and falling much to fast inside her suit. She turned on the spot several times, unable to see.

“Where am I!?” she yelled, still turning. “Who are you? I can’t see!” She stood stock still. Twilight walked up to her slowly, staying out of reach of her hooves.

“Rarity, it’s me.” she said calmly. “It’s Twilight.” She walked closer. Rarity seemed to unfreeze when she heard the voice.

“Oh, Twilight! Thank Celestia!” She turned on the spot, looking for her. ‘I can’t see!” she repeated, her voice sounding panicked.

“Well, if you would give me a moment.” Twilight said, while Applejack was holding in laughter. She unzipped Rarity’s hood, which slipped off her face. Her eyes flashed between Twilight’s concerned face, and Applejack laughing one.

“Oh.” she said, blushing slightly. “Well, I can see.” She looked up and down the hallway. “Where is everypony? Weren't we all supposed to be woken up at the same time?”

Twilight felt a pang in her heart. “I think...I think we are the only ones.” she said, eyes dropping. “I think we should--” She was interrupted by another scream. Her head snapped up, turning towards the sound.

“Pinkie Pie!” she yelled, running towards the door. “Go see if Rainbow and Fluttershy are awake!” she said, galloping towards Pinkie’s hatch. Sh reached it and heaved it open. Pinkie almost oozed out, her eyes closed.

“Pinkie!” Twilight shouted, unzipping the hood. “Pinkie, please talk to me.” Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. She stared around, then looked up at Twilight.

“Oh, thank Celestia you are here!” she exclaimed, jumping up and embracing her. “It was terrible! I was burning, but I wasn’t burning--” Twilight stopped her.

“I know” she said, gently pushing her away. “I know. Come on, Rarity and Applejack are up as well.” She pulled Pinkie to her hooves. Looking over, she could see Applejack pulling a limp body out of a stall. Rainbow Dash was already out, hood down, leaning against the metal. Panicking, she galloped over. She reached the body just as Applejack put it on the floor. Through the visor, Twilight could see a yellow face, eyes closed. The visor was clear, not fogged up the slightest bit..

“She isn’t breathing, Twi.” Applejack said, panic in her voice and eyes. “She’s not breathing..”

Twilight unzipped the hood, exposing her face. As quickly as possible, she pressed her muzzled against Fluttershy’s. She exhaled deeply into her lungs, Fluttershy’s chest expanding. Then she crossed her hooves over Fluttershy’s heart and started to pump. “Come on, Fluttershy. Pull through.” she breathed, tears starting to fall. She lowered herself and again breathed air into her lungs. Tears fell onto Fluttershy’s face. She started trying to pump her heart again.

“Please...Fluttershy...Don’t do this to us!” Twilight dropped her ear to Fluttershy’s chest, and listened. Nothing. She breathed in more air, then pumped her heart again. The others just looked down, unable to comprehend.

She laid her ear against her chest again. Nothing. Tears came pouring out of her eyes, and she slumped over Fluttershy.

“No...please, Fluttershy.” she cried, laying her head on Fluttershy’s chest. Her heart split, she felt dead. She didn’t want to move, she just wanted to lay there. The rest had started to cry as well, grouping closer together. Twilight’s chest spasmed with her cries. It felt wrong for her to be breathing.

Thump.

Twilight’s eyes flashed open, her cry stopping. She looked up at the others, but none of them moved.

Thump.

She looked down at Fluttershy, then pressed her ear against her chest.

Thump...thump.

A huge stupid smile spread across Twilight’s face. She breathed one last time into Fluttershy’s open mouth. After she did, a loud cough and splutter erupted out of Fluttershy. Her eyelids slowly raised, their aquamarine irises reflecting Twilight’s tear streaked face. She blinked a couple times, then looked around.

“Umm...hi..” she said, her voice hoarse. Twilight grabbed her instantly, pulling her into a bone crushing hug.

“Oh, thank Celestia!” Twilight said, her body shaking. “You’re alive!” She pulled Fluttershy to her hooves, still embracing her.

“Why...um...why wouldn’t I be?” she asked, blushing slightly. She looked around at the tear stained, fearful faces around her. “What happened?”

Applejack cleared her throat. “Well, your heart had stopped, sugarcube.” she said softly. “We thought you were dead...” her voice trailed off as she ran over and embraced her as well. So all six friends were embracing one another, the trauma of their experience falling away. Rainbow was the first to speak. She looked up and down the deserted hallway, walls filled with other frozen ponies.

“What should we do now?”