“APPLE BLOOOOOM” Scootaloo yelled down the dark hole
“She’s not there Scoot come on we have to go get help.” Sweetie Bell said as she pulled Scootaloo from the edge of the hole Apple Bloom had just fell down.
“But…But then they will know we left home and then we’ll be in trouble” Scootaloo managed to say as her eyes began to water.
“I know but what if Apple Bloom is hurt we have to go back” Sweetie Bell assured Scootaloo
“You’re right” Scootaloo said as she started to walk away from the hole then jumped back and yelled “Don’t worry Apple Bloom were going to go get help don’t go anywhere!”
The two ponies made it back to the station just before the train left. The ride back was a silent one both fillies contemplating what laid ahead when they arrived in Ponyville.
The sun was starting to set by the time Rarity had reached Sweet Apple Acres. She walked through the gate up to the home of the Apple family and knocked on the front door.
“Good Afternoon Big Mac is Applejack around” she asked when the large Colt opened the door.
“Eeyup” he replied “She’s in the barn”
“Thank You” Rarity replied as she gracefully made her way to the barn.
Rarity walked into the barn the musty smell of hay filled her nose.
“Ugh why anypony would want to live like this I’ll never understand” she muttered to herself
“Maybe you should give a try Rarity you might actually like it” Applejack replied looking down on Rarity from the loft in the barn
“Never” the white pony stated “I’m far too ladylike to spend my days in a musty old barn.” Rarity said with a smile
“Whatever you say” Applejack said with a smile back “What brings out here anyway?”
“Oh I just realized that Sweetie forgot her brush and I didn’t want her to have a mane emergency.”
“Well what did ya bring it here for?” Applejack laughed
“Are they playing at their clubhouse I assumed they would be back here for dinner by now.” Rarity said
“Back here for dinner? Why come here when they are staying with you.” Applejack said.
“With me? I’m far too busy to watch over three little fillies. I was overjoyed when Sweetie said she would be staying here for a few days.”
“Why that little filly, Apple Bloom said she was staying with you.” Applejack said with a slight angry tone. “Come on they are probably staying at their clubhouse again.”
As Rarity and Applejack headed toward the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres they met Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo running up to the entrance.
“There you girls are.” Rarity said “I’m disappointed in you Sweetie lying to your big sister.”
“Yeah and where’s Apple Bloom I need to give her a piece of my mind?” Applejack demanded
“That’s why we’re here” Sweetie Bell said as she looked at the ground.
“What ya mean?” Applejack said a little annoyed
Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo explained the entire situation while fighting back tears. From the story Artie Fact told them. To the plan to find the Spirit and earn their cutie marks. How a stranger told them to go to the oasis. Then how Apple Bloom had fell down the hole and disappeared from sight.
“MY LITTE SIS!” Applejack yelled “We gotta go Rarity we have to go get her! My little sis is hurt and alone oh no!”
“Don’t worry Applejack we leave right away as for you two” Rarity snapped at the two younger ponies “Go inside and stay
with Big Mac and don’t you dare leave his sight!”
“Yes ma’am” they said in unison.
Within a few minutes Rarity, Applejack, Twilight, Artie Fact and Spike were on the train headed to the southern deserts. Applejack was sitting in the back of the train car silently looking out the window.
“Poor Applejack” Twilight said “I can’t imagine how she feels.”
“I know” Artie Fact responded “I can’t help but feel this is somewhat my fault.”
“What are the odds Apple Bloom is still ok Artie? You have the most experience with the deserts.” Rarity asked
“Well…assuming she feel down an abandoned well she should be safe from the creatures that roam that area.”
“So she’s gonna be ok?” Twilight asked again
“Hard to say” Artie continued “That’s the thing about the deserts you never know what is out there. I’m sorry I can’t give a better answer.”
“I wish Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash hadn’t been called away to Cloudsdale we could sure use them.” Twilight said aloud
“And with Pinkie Pie taking care of the baby Cakes” Spike included
“We should be fine” Twilight interrupted “With Rarity’s and my magic and Arties experience well be fine.”
“We’ll just have to hope for the best when we get there for both Apple Bloom and Applejacks sake.” Rarity said as she
glanced back at the still silent Applejack
Applejack still looking out the window muttered under her breath “Hang on little sis I’m coming for you.”
Apple Bloom yawned and stretched she stood up on the small bed the Spirit had made for her. The sandstorm had passed the cave was now filled with the bright sunshine coming in from the desert.
“Spirit?” she said aloud looking around the room
Apple Bloom headed toward the entrance to the cave. Outside she could see the Spirit standing in front the same black object he carried. The object was stuck into the ground with a helmet placed on top of it. She could also see a silver necklace glimmering in the sun hanging down on it. The Spirit was standing silent his eyes fixed on the collection of object.
“Whats that?” Apple Bloom said startling the Spirit
“Ah I didn’t hear you” the Spirit said as he turned to face Apple Bloom. “Do you remember when I told you about our leader?”
“Yes”
“This is a memorial to him its kinda of a tradition to honor people where I’m from.” The Spirit said as he turned to the
memorial again.
“That black thing…I noticed you carry one just like it. What is it? It says Colt on the side but it doesn’t look like any colt I’ve ever seen.” Apple Bloom asked
“This is uh” The spirit said as if searching for words “It’s my people’s version of magic I guess.”
“Like that thunder I heard when you saved me.”
“Right…how about breakfast before we head out?” The Spirit said hastily
“Oh yeah I saw you have these funny looking green eggs!” Apple Bloom exclaimed
“Green eggs?” the Spirit thought “WAIT” he exclaimed “You didn’t touch those did you?!”
“No” Apple Bloom said startled at the Spirits outburst
The Spirit let out a relieved sigh “Good those aren’t eggs Apple Bloom that’s…uh…more magic a very dangerous magic.”
“I’m sorry”
“It’s ok you didn’t know now I think I might have some oats stashed somewhere.”
After breakfast the Spirit and Apple Bloom began the long trek back to the village.
“You should probably ride in my pack again Apple Bloom.” The Spirit said as he placed his pack on the ground.
“Why my leg is feeling much better?”
“The sand” the Spirit stated “It get very hot during the day and without protection it can be very uncomfortable.”
The Spirit lifted the pack along with Apple Bloom inside and continued on. Apple Bloom placed her front legs over the Spirits shoulder so she could talk to him as the journeyed through the desert.
“So did you think about it?” She asked
“About what?”
“About coming to Ponyville with me” Apple Bloom reminded him
“Oh” the Spirit answered “I don’t think so.”
“What! Why you want to stay out in the desert all alone?
“No”
“Then why don’t you won’t go with me?” Apple Bloom questioned “Will you at least think about it more?”
“Fine I’ll think it over” The Spirit said “No promises”
They continued for hours Apple Bloom asking various questions about the Spirit, telling him stories about her times in Ponyville.