//------------------------------// // One Hell of a Trainride (Part One) // Story: Shadow Of Equestria // by MyDigitalHazard //------------------------------// Shadow Of Equestria Chapter 2: One hell of a Trainride, Part 1 P.O.V: 3RD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The platform was alive with motion. Ponies shuffled into position, boarding the train that awaited departure. Somewhere midway through the carriages the conductor blew his whistle and called out over the noise of people talking among themselves. "Ten o'clock train to Ponyville, all aboard!" the elderly stallion with a powerful pair of lungs bellowed for all to hear. Across the station, two peach orange ponies said their final goodbyes. "Well, it's been a ball, Cus'n." said Apple Crumble, gently tipping the brim of his hat with his hoof. "Y'all say hi to your friends for me, y'hear?" His cousin from half a world away gave a broad smile. Mimicking her cousin's action, Applejack tipped the edge of her earth-brown cowboy-hat. The peachy-orange mare was slightly taller than her cousin from Trotton, and somewhat more athletic. Tucked over her white-blonde hair tied back in a ponytail was her signature stetson-hat, pulled down low over her brow. Wrapped around her neck was her dark red bandana, a token she was given when she first arrived in Trotton. "Ah'll make sure they get 'yer regards, Crumble." She replied in a distinct accent that ran through the family. They said goodbye one last time and Applejack stopped to pick up her saddlebag. Slinging it over her back she nodded and turned, moving through the crowd to one of the train carriages. As she stepped in, she gave a wave. Up at the front was a blistering whistle blow, and the five burly studs tied to the front carriage heaved. The train started crawling, picking up speed with every second, and before Applejack knew it, she was looking at a blur of green and grey speeding past as they wound up and down along a pass cut into the edges of the mountains. Figuring she might as well get comfortable for the two hour ride back home to Ponyville, the mare slipped further into the carriage and observed the space inside. It was packed, overhead luggage compartments bulging with suitcases and bags. At first glance all the seats seemed to be taken. But about four rows down she spied an empty seat beside a stranger clad in the strangest attire she'd ever seen. It just didn't seem to make any sense to her. It was like his pants had been fletched together out of trees and plants turned into canvas. His top was dark red and almost fuzzy, with a hood pulled up over his head to hide his features in a gloomy shadow. His arms were folded tight across his chest. His bag lay on the floor hiding his hooves from view. At first she thought he was asleep, but noted his head moved to look at her as she sat down. "Howdy, partner!" Applejack greeted rather loudly, shaking off any of the stranger's residue grogginess. "How're y'all doin'?" The hooded pony cleared his throat. "Yeah… m'okay." He mumbled in a tired tone, confirming he was a stud. He sounded young though, probably no older than Applejack was herself. "You been travellin' long, stranger?" Applejack furthered, angling her head trying to get a look at his face. Seeing her attempt seemed to deter him, causing him to lean tighter against the window. "Where 'ya comin' from?" "About a day." He replied shortly. "Been coming from the south all day." "Well it's not where 'yer from, but where 'yer goin' is what counts, jus' like mah' ol' granny-smith used 'ta tell me. Where 'ya headed? Ponyville?" Applejack continued to converse un-fazed. She just kept smiling. "Ponyville?" the stranger sounded like he'd heard that place-name before, and sounded a little eager to get there. "Where is that?" As he asked it, the hooded pony gave a hiccup, followed by his stomach grumbling audibly. Equally surprised, he looked down at himself as Applejack inspected him. "Well you sound famished, sugah-cube!" Applejack let out almost shocked. "I'll tell 'ya what! I run the Sweetapple Acres right next door to Ponyville. You come along with me on the next stop, I'll show 'ya where the best apple products of all Equestria are at!" His hood shifted to give her a proper look over. "Uh. That's kind of you, but I think I'll make my own way. Thank you." He retreated back into his corner again and they sat in silence for a while. Over to the front of the carriage a young filly woke up and gave her mother some hardship by beginning to cry. There was a persistent tap-tap-tap noise as a young colt behind Applejack played with a racket and ball connected by an elastic string. A young pony-couple sat giggling and chatting on the opposite side of the carriage. As Applejack kept looking, she noticed another pony with equally strange clothing sitting a couple row's ahead of giggling couple. Beside him, Or her, sat a light azure mare. They seemed to be chatting quitely, but at the same time the dressed one was hiding himself/herself from view just like the stallion Applejack sat next to. Applejack sighed and relaxed back Into the chair, pulling her hat to cover her face and falling Into a deep, blissful sleep after a long day of work. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A multitude of things were going through Cory's mind at the moment. Many were curses and swears, while others were escape plans. But, If you were to listen to the loudest of them all, which had only been In existance for a couple moments, It would have sounded like this... Holy shit! Is that Applejack sitting next to me? Yes, many things have happened since Trixie's rescue from the hands of the Shadow Legion. From the ten mile jog away from the burning village to their breathless Introductions... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Night Before... Cory had dragged Owen off to the side while Cole bandaged Trixies forearm with some dressings he had found In one of his bags side pockets. "Man" He said quietly so that no one but Owen could hear him, "What the fuck Is going on? Thats Trixie! From My Little Pony!" "You don't think I know that?" He had replied In similar hushed tone, "And how the fuck should I know whats going on? I'm as clueless as you" "You think It had something to do with us being Bronys?" Corys had wondered, "I doubt It" Said Cole as he walked up to the two, behind him Trixies lay against a thick oak, craddling her now bandaged forearm, "Because If so, Those guys back there must be some really hardcore 'Cupcakes' fans" "Yeah, no kiding" Said Cory In a somewhat dark tone, his anger rising, "What the fuck was with those guys, anyway? What is this? Equestrias version of the Vietnam war? "I don't know" Said Owen as he looked between the two, "All I know Is that we need to get to Ponyville, pronto" "Why" Asked Cole, "Out of all the places In this world, Why do we have to go to Ponyville?" "Firstly" Said Owen In a matter-of-Factly voice, "Out of all the human In Equestria fics we have read, Were do the humans go to for help? Ponyville, Or more specificly, to Twilight Sparkle. Secondly, because when they were Interogating her" He nodded his head towards the azure mare, "She accidently pointed them at Ponyville, we may be the only hope at warning them" He finished and looked Directly at Cole, "Also, I wasn't expecting for you to not want to got there, don't you want to see Rainbow Dash In real life?" "Yeah, I do" Started Cole slowly, "But, didn't you notice that there wasn't any ponys attacking that village? Maybe humans are at war with Equestria? So heading to Celestia's doorstep Isn't that good of a Idea, Right? I really don't want to get banished to the moon" "Yes, But maybe we can, I don't know" Cory stated casualy, "Slip In? There might be a way for us to get there without being noticed by the Princesses" "Really?" Cole said, In fake amusement, "And how par-say may we 'Slip past' the two most powerful beings In Equestria? Because If you know, Please, I would like to find out" "Oh, Your so funny, Jack-ass" Retaliated Cory In a threating tone, "Now, Hows about you try and say something useful next time you open you yap!" "Enough!" Said Owen, Almost yelling, "Where going to Ponyville and thats final, If we get caught by Celestia, then what happeneds, Happeneds. At least we can warn them of the coming danger" They both looked at Owen with a weird look on their face, almost as If they had seen a ghost, "When the hell did you become King shit of Turd Island?" "Not sure" Stated Owen as he smile like a complete moron, "But Its either we go to Ponyville as a group, Or I go with Trixie and you guys can stay here with the Die Hard Cupcakes fans" Cole opened His mouth to reply, But soon closed It. There wasn't any choice In It really, most of the conscripts were making their way north, Directly towards the small band. If they didn't start moving soon, they would be made. "Alrighty" Stated Cole as he started to walk away, He grabbed his bag and made his way to the edge of the clearing, "Ponyville It Is then" Cory chuckled and did the same, picking up his bag and taking off, "We'll go scout ahead, you get, The Great and Powerful Trixie on her feet" Owen nodded as he watched the two disappear Into the brush, he waited a moment before walking up to the azure pony and kneeling at her side, she looked up at him with sad eyes and asked, "What were you guys talking about? Are we going to Ponyville?" There was a pause between 'To' and 'Ponyville', The later being said with a hint of fear. "Its nothing you need to worry about" He said calmly, while casting a warm smile at her, "And yeah, We're going to Ponyville. Can you walk?" "Not sure" She replied as she looked at the ground and breathed deeply, "I feel so tired, like I'm about to pass-out at any second" This statement was reinforced when she yawned at the end of her sentance. "Well, We need to start moving" He looked up her up and down, Noting the way she was slumped against the tree, how her breathing was slowing and how her eyes were half closed. She gave up another yawn and closed her eyes completely, muttering something Incoherant. Owen smiled, It was cute as hell. His smirk was wiped off his face when he heard the distant sound of voices, he looked down at Trixie and offered, "How about I carry you? We can move faster that way." She openned her eyes and looked at Owen In the darkness, Her violet eyes staring Into his emerald ones. Hers were filled with Uncertainty and Fear, while his were filled with Care and Kindness. She looked down and said "Alright, just be careful please" He nodded and turned, bending as low as he could In the process. Trixie, getting where he was going with this, reached up and locked her hoofs around his neck, wincing slightly as her cuts rubbed against his skin. Owen, sure that she was secure, stood up and started to walk towards the bush, picking up his bag on the way. Trixie wrapped her legs around his back and rested her head on his shoulder. She got as comfortable as possible and started nod off, the last words she said before falling asleep were, "Thank you..." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SO. MUCH. YAY! Thank you all for reading. Review please, all sighed Reviews will be replied too.