//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 - Thursday Night // Story: The Final Crusade // by ungodly //------------------------------// Chapter 4: Thursday Night Applebloom, Appleshine and Rumble slowly trotted down the mountainside, being careful not to slip and fall. Applebloom had missed the smell of the country air filling her nostrils, as well as how tranquil the small town was. While the three had made it to Ponyville mostly out of harm’s way, they had yet to find a place to stay.  "Rumble, we need to find a place to stay." Applebloom said. "What about your sister’s?" Rumble replied "No!" Applebloom quickly shouted, shutting down Rumble before he could finish. "I don't think I'm ready to face her just yet. We don't have many choices. Pinkie’s place Is certainly out of the question. I wouldn't be able to put up with Pinkie being Pinkie after today. Knowing Rarity, she probably still hasn't gotten over her sister leaving, she is very melodramatic. That leaves us with two options; Fluttershy’s place or Twilight’s Library."  "Twilight’s? Wouldn't Spike still be there?" Rumble questioned, shutting down Applebloom jokingly the same way she had with him just moments earlier.  "Your point?" Applebloom replied, stopping mid trot, dumbfounded.  "Did you forget how large dragons can grow? He would surely take up most of the room by now."  "Then that leaves Fluttershy’s cottage." Applebloom sighed with contempt, still unsure about appearing in Ponyville after so many years. Rumble embraced the concerned mare in a loving hug, who was quickly joined by Appleshine, grabbing her mother’s leg as best she could.  "Its going to be okay Applebloom, I'm sure nopony can hold a grudge against you after all these years." Rumble calmly assured, stroking the mare’s chin, Appleshine following suit and speaking up shortly after.  "Yeah mommy, you've told me before, you only get one family. You can add to that family, make it bigger, but you only get one!"  "Tell you what. How about we go around the town instead of through it?" Applebloom quickly nodded, a warm, beaming smile creeping on her muzzle as she did. Apart from the occasional cricket or howl of the timber wolves, the three were mostly silent on their walk around the outskirts of Ponyville. Despite a lot of advances in technology over the years, Ponyville seemed to stay mostly the same, old fashioned through and through. The town was apparently still using other Ponies as their transport rather than automobiles, wagons and carts sprawled across the yards of many of the outskirts’ homes.  "Rumble?" Applebloom calmly said, unsure how to word her next sentence.  "Yeah?"  "Did you...I mean, back at work, with the fire....did you see anypony In the building?"  "No, I could barely see in front of my own muzzle. Why, did you?"  "Rainbow Dash...."  "Pardon?"  "I saw Rainbow Dash. She helped me to my hooves after I got you out. At least, I'm sure It was her."  "Applebloom....It's been a very stressful day, for both of us. Rainbow passed away years ago, and we all know what inhaling fumes can do to a pony. Remember those times with Flim and Flam?" Rumble joked, mocking Applebloom unknowingly.  "Forget I said anything!" Applebloom said with a grunt, kicking her hoof at the ground angrily. Rumble stopped, lowering his suitcase to the ground, turning to face the upset mare, a now serious look on the stallion’s face.  "Applebloom. I never said I didn't believe you. Beyond life, nopony knows what there is. It could have been her, It could have been caused from being dizzy on the smoke, who knows?"  "Maybe. It just seemed so real, like she was standing right in front of me, she spoke to me. I hope Flim and Flam are doing alright, I hope nopony is being punished for what we did."  "We just have to lie low for a few days, like Penscribe said."  "Penscribe now has a broken leg thanks to me, and who knows what else has happened to him!" Applebloom shouted, worriedly.  "Nopony knows the construction business better than Penscribe in Manehatten, Applebloom. They wouldn't just off him for this. He is apparently one of Hard Cash's best, after all"  "Yeah, 'spose you're right." Applebloom gestured, her country accent starting to slip out.  " 'Spose?" Rumble jokingly questioned, once again upsetting the mare.  "I meant suppose!" Applebloom snorted, quickly trotting ahead with a flushed face as Rumble and Appleshine held back their laughter. Silence returned for several seconds before Rumble spoke up, breaking the tension.  "Applebloom?"  "Yeah? What!?" Applebloom said quickly and quietly, still somewhat embarrassed by her little accent slip up.  "Do...you think...Thunderlane would ever visit me? I mean, without the cancer and everything?" Rumble said as Applebloom looked back, noticing the sadness in Rumbles eyes, the mare quickly sat her flank on the grass for several seconds trying to think of what to say.  "I'm sure spending an eternity after life with cancer would be quite painful, like a sick joke. I'm sure he would though, your brother loved you very much, right to the end. He gave you enough bits for a fresh start. You helped build my business up from the ground, anypony who doesn't see the kind and handsome stallion you've become must be crazy!"  "Th...thanks, Applebloom."  The trio rounded the flowing river and crossed the tiny bridge that covered it as quietly as possible, taking care not to stir the areas animals. The group had made it to Fluttershy's cottage. With odd looks shooting between Rumble and Applebloom, the mare swallowed hard, finally being the one to step forward and gently knock. "Here goes nothing" Applebloom whispered back to Rumble as the lights of the cottage flicked on one by one, chains and locks quickly rattling as the door creaked open.  Fluttershy’s muzzle peeked through the gap, addressing the three in a rather timid tone. "Wh....what do you want?"  "Fluttershy?" Applebloom said quietly.  Eeep!! The timid mare gasped, closing the door in the ponies’ faces. Sighing, Applebloom turned around, only to be met by a very persistent Rumble, urging Applebloom to try again. Grunting, Applebloom knocked even louder. "Fluttershy, open up for buck sake!"  The door creaked open again, Fluttershy now emerging into full view. Granted, age had certainly taken its toll on the mare, her once beautiful mane colors were now faded and dull and her skin wrinkled from age. The fragile and timid mare was also relying on a cane to properly stand.  "What do you want?" Fluttershy stated, now in a much more assertive tone.  "Still the same, even after all these years." Applebloom joked as Fluttershy squinted to make out the three ponies, quickly realizing who was standing before her.  "Applebloom? Oh my....I didn't recognize you without your accent. You better come inside before you get a cold" Fluttershy quickly said as she gestured the three inside with a hoof wave, leading them over in front of the mares crackling fireplace, dozens of animals popping their heads out from their homes and holes inside the cottage to get a better look at the guests.  "Oh.. my Applebloom, this is sudden. It’s been so long....and luggage? Did something awful happen in Manehatten?"  "Well we---"  "We are here for the school reunion" Applebloom quickly said, cutting of Rumble before he started.  "And you poor things have no place to stay? I'm glad you thought of me, but some notice before hoof would have been welcome too."  "Sorry about that Fluttershy, It was a last minute decision. It will only be until Monday"  "And who is this?" Fluttershy gestured kindly as a timid Appleshine hid behind her mother’s leg, hiding her gaze from Fluttershy’s warm stare.  "This is Appleshine, my daughter." Applebloom proudly stated, pushing her daughter forward to greet Fluttershy.  "Daughter? Oh my....you really have grown up so much. I remember when you used to visit here with the other girls as a filly, you were quite the handful. Is she the same?"  "No, Fluttershy. She is quite the opposite compared to how I was."  "Oh, that’s a relief." Fluttershy joked as her and Applebloom burst into a quiet laughter. "You lot must be hungry, let me quickly grab you something, would a few sunflower sandwiches be alright? I’ll be right back" Fluttershy said as she hobbled into the kitchen, Rumble letting down his fake smile once she was out of view.  "What did you do that for?" Rumble asked, pouting slightly. "I would rather have nopony know what’s happening in our life right now, not even someone as kind as Fluttershy. I don't want to put anypony through the same horror."  "Whatever happened to your coltfriend?" Fluttershy shouted from the kitchen, interrupting Applebloom and Rumble’s discussion.  "He...left me, shortly after my last visit here, but I did gain Appleshine from it" Applebloom stated happily.  "Oh my..." Fluttershy said as she carried the plate of sandwiches and sat them in front of the fireplace, Appleshine quickly stuffing a full one into her mouth.  "Appleshine!" Applebloom scolded.  "It’s quite alright, really Applebloom. I don't suppose you have heard from Scootaloo or Sweetiebelle? Are they going to be attending the reunion?" Fluttershy inquired.  "I have no idea, I'm afraid. I haven't spoken to them for as long as you have Fluttershy. Tell me, how has Ponyville gotten along over the years?" Applebloom questioned, wanting to quickly change the topic.  "Well, ever since Rainbow Dash passed away, myself and the other girls have been hanging out less and less, although it can’t be helped, we are getting along in our age. Let’s see...I haven't been to the library in the longest time. To be honest with you, Spike’s size scares me. I just can't stand adult dragons. Twilight has a few sections of the Canterlot Library dedicated to her friendship reports, she still writes them constantly, as well as her magic teachings. She has become a qualified magic scholar now, helping little fillies and colt unicorns out with their magic." Fluttershy said excitedly as she took a bite of the sunflower sandwich in her hoof before continuing.  "Pinkie Pie has started her own party business and is constantly traveling all over Equestria catering for many ponies, despite her age, she refuses to slow down. The cakes children have been doing such a wonderful job running Sugar Cube Corner, and well ummm...Applejack is well...Applejack."  "Applejack is Applejack? What has my sister done now?" Applebloom questioned, concerned with Fluttershy’s failed attempt to avoid mentioning her.  "Well...It’s none of my business.....but you should probably see for yourself in the morning, Applebloom. Back on topic...who did I forget....oh, Rarity! Ever since her sister left, the poor thing has had Agoraphobia for years. She refuses to leave that lovely little shop of hers. We have all tried ever so kindly to get her to leave, but nothing works. Ponyville hasn't really changed too much over the years, some ponies have left, others have stayed, some even come back. Even with the push from others to advance in this 'technology' craze everypony has mentioned, Applejack convinced the town to stay the same over the years, stating that its always tradition first."  "Good to see my sister’s still the same, I guess" Applebloom said as she passed another sunflower sandwich over to Appleshine.  Fluttershy touched her hoof to Rumble’s before speaking again "You must be very tired after traveling all the way from Manehatten" the mare said as Rumble winced in pain, bringing a shocked look from Fluttershy.  "Oh my, what’s wrong?" Fluttershy asked worriedly.  "It’s my hoof...I must have hurt it worse than I thought" Rumble said. "How did you hurt it, may I ask?" Fluttershy pressed on, motherly instinct kicking in. "Well...I---" Rumble began. "He tripped over a rock! A...rock" Applebloom quickly shouted, once again cutting of Rumble before he could answer. Fluttershy looked between the two nervous ponies with a puzzled look before faking a smile.  "Let’s get that hoof bandaged then get you a good night’s rest, hmm?" Fluttershy finished simply.  "Yes, Fluttershy." Rumble and Applebloom both replied in unison, hanging their heads to try and avoid the now inquisitive glare from Fluttershy. "Also, please make sure to visit Rainbow Dash in the morning, her grave doesn't get many visitors these days, I'm afraid. She sure could use the company."  "You talk about her like she’s still alive, Fluttershy" Applebloom pressed on. "She was my first friend, Applebloom. She taught me to be more assertive. She will always be alive, in my heart and anypony else's heart, from now until the end of time itself."  Fluttershy said, sadly but brightly. The night grew darker and colder as Applebloom secured her daughter under the makeshift bed Fluttershy had erected, giving her a warm smile as she slept. Rumble was also asleep, one leg lazily hanging outside his blanket and over his bed. Fluttershy handed Applebloom a mug of hot chocolate as she took a sip of her own, throwing another log onto the weakened fire as she sat back down, the wood cracking and splintering as the fire consumed it gently.  "Applebloom....please don't mistake my kindness for ignorance. I know when something is wrong. Please tell me" Fluttershy pleaded gently, knowing well of the truth Applebloom was withholding.  "We ran into some bad ponies in Manehatten" Applebloom said flatly. "Applebloom, please, the truth." Fluttershy urged again, placing her hoof on top of the mares.  "Our employer, Hard Cash Co. has been causing some problems. I refused to work with them because of their cutbacks, and now everypony I know is suffering because of it, they even burnt down my business....it’s all gone. They want to take everything away from me so I have no choice but to crawl back to them."  "Oh my, that does sound bad. They shouldn't be able to hurt you here, not in Celestia's region."  "Thats exactly why we came here, but we can only hide for so long. Two ponies were chasing us but we gave them the slip, that’s how Rumble got the sprained hoof.” Applebloom said quietly, trying not to wake Shine or Rumble.  "Maybe you could ask Celestia for help?" Fluttershy said, a hint of hope in her voice. "Not yet, no. I don't want to ruin the weekend, not after Cheerilee has done so much after all her years of teaching. After the reunion, I hope to get this all sorted. This was the only place I could bring my daughter, to keep her safe."  "Ponyville will always be your home, Applebloom."  "I know that Fluttershy...I was just scared....so very scared." A hint of fear could be heard in Applebloom’s voice.  "I'm heading to bed now. Remember, Applebloom, your sister misses you dearly, even though she never admits it, I can see it in her eyes as clear as the sun Celestia rises every day. Just make sure you aren't here to escape a life you left behind, and go see her In the morning."  "Ah’ll try, Fluttershy. It ain’t gon’ be easy though after what happened. Thank you fer everything, g'night." Applebloom whispered, once again letting her accent accidentally slip.  "G'night, Applebloom" Fluttershy jokingly replied, letting out a slight grin as she slowly made her way upstairs.  Not far from Fluttershy's cottage, a shivering Scootaloo slept an uneasy sleep.  ____________  "It’s been way too long, Rainbow. I missed you" An eager teenage Scootaloo chirped happily, Rainbow Dash embracing her friend in a loving hug.  "Missed you too, Scoots. Say, you're getting old enough to party with the big mares now, what say we go out for a night on the town?" Rainbow declared coyly. "Won't the Wonderbolts get cross with you Rainbow? Remember what happened last time with the windmill?" Scootaloo said nervously. "Nah...this time it’s to celebrate seeing a very good friend. Let’s go, squirt, let’s get our drink on! My treat!"  ____________  "This...this is going to be great, watch this" Rainbow Dash snickered as the two mares crouched behind a stack of soap boxes just outside of Sugar Cube Corner. Pinkie Pie walked through the door, holding a box with some sort of cake inside, blissfully unaware of the bucket on the outside of the shop, balancing above the doorway, filled with water. Rainbow Dash remembered that Pinkie liked to kick doors shut when her hoofs were full, and that would work just perfectly.  -Crash!-  The bucket landed right on target, soaking the pink mare and her box of treats, the soggy box allowing whatever sweet was inside to land on the ground, all in one gooey mess.  "That seemed a little mean, Rainbow" Scootaloo said, getting antsy. "Are you kidding, kid? That...was....awesome!" Rainbow nearly squeaking with delight. "WHO DID THIS!?" Pinkie Pie yelled, throwing the soggy remains of the box to the ground in a fit of rage.  "Umm, maybe that was taking it a little far. Lets jet, kid, our next victim awaits!" Rainbow Dash quickly suggested. In a panic, Scootaloo followed without hesitation.  ____________  "I don't think I've ever had this much booze in my life, Rainbow. This has been the greatest night ever!" Scootaloo said as she struggled to stand, the bottle of alcohol in her hoof overflowing as she clinked her bottle with Rainbow Dash's.  "It’s not over yet, Scoots." Rainbow Dash stated excitedly as she led the pony inside her room. "It’s a miracle we made it back here. I wouldn't chance sending you home while you’re in this condition. You bunk with me, kid."  "pfffft, wha...what fun is it being cooped up h... here then" Scootaloo said, tripping over her own hooves as she made her way over to Rainbow Dash's bed.  "I'll show you kid. You tell nopony about this, got it?"  "Aye...aye captain!" Scootaloo jokingly said as Rainbow Dash pulled out a box from under her bed, opening it to reveal its contents.  "Raw salt, kid. This stuff is even stronger than the stuff Pinkie uses in her cooking, one lick and it will dry you out, allow you to see the stars."  "See the stars?" Scootaloo asked, dumbfounded.  "Yeah, go ahead, try some!"  ____________  "Ugh...my head...what a night, huh Rainbow?"  Scootaloo said, sitting up slowly, trying to ease the dizziness in her head. No reply. She was gone, her side of the bed empty. A single piece of paper laid on the bedside desk. Swallowing hard, Scootaloo grabbed the note and began to read it.  Scoots,  Had to jet for a Wonderbolts meeting. About last night, you are a wonderful mare, but I have an image to uphold. Please forget what happened and what we did, It was a mistake. Being a Wonderbolt is stressful and I needed to cut loose for once. See you in a few years. A tear rolled down the mare’s cheek as she read the last few words. Scrunching the paper up in her hoof she vowed there and then never to get close to another pony again, she would do whatever it took to become a Wonderbolt, to prove to her that it was no mistake, to be with Rainbow Dash...forever.  ____________  Scootaloo woke, pulling her face from the grass she had passed out on the night prior. Gently wiping her hoof across her muzzle, she noticed she had been bleeding during the night. Dawn only now was starting to creep over the borderline of the region. Fighting back the pain, Scootaloo rose to her hooves, trotting forward slowly.  "Hey Rainbow, I decided to come visit." The mare said to herself aloud, collapsing from the pain in front of Rainbow Dash's grave. "I would have...would have got flowers, but I know you hate feminine things. I just wanted....wanted to say I'm sorry. I wish I could just take it all back, everything I did, It's my fault. You're dead...because of me."  "Looks like Dash might have a comrade joining her soon with how sick you look." An unknown voice echoed from behind the mare. Scootaloo turned, revealing the figure to be Gilda, or what was left of her. The griffin was missing a rather large amount of her feathers. The ones that did remain were out of place and ruffled.  "It’s not contagious, Is it?" Gilda questioned, flinching away.  "Relax, jeez. You knew Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo managed, grimacing in pain.  "Did I know her? She...was my everything" Gilda said, a note of sadness creeping into her usually gruff voice.  "I've never seen you 'round before." Scootaolo said matter-of-factly. "Ponyville doesn't exactly....enjoy my unique personality. I knew her way back in the days of flight school. Besides, I could say the same thing about you, kid" Gilda’s voice resumed its tone of cold indifference.  Scootaloo looked around, immediately noticing the makeshift home in a tree not far from the grave. "You've been living here? How long?"  Scootaloo asked, incredulous. "Heh, Lost count, kid. Rainbow never gets visitors these days, apart from that timid little emo pony"  "You mean Fluttershy?"  "Yeah...her." Gilda grumbled, scratching her feathers with her beak as even more fell out.  "This scene is depressing. I'm outta here." Gilda huffed, quickly turning around and spreading her wings, stopped quickly by Scootaloo.  "Wait!" Scootaloo pleaded. "What?" Gilda grumbled, fixing the Pegasus with a cold stare. "Why do you hang around here?" Scootaloo asked.  "ugh...because...It's hard to apologize to somepony when they are dead. You seem to be in the same predicament. Later." Gilda choked out as she quickly fled inside the tree, vanishing from view. Scootaloo sat quietly by the grave, crying as a cold wind whirled passed the mare.  “Scoots.... “ a voice drifted by her, familiar yet not. "Who...who's there?" The mare sobbed, looking all over for the source of the voice.  “Scoots....over here!”  The shadowy figure quickly formed as the shadows on the ground danced and twirled around the mysterious entity, creating a pony out of nothing.  "Rainbow Dash?!" Scootaloo asked, disbelievingly. “Over here....” The spirit started to float, gesturing for Scootaloo to follow as it headed down the trail just outside of Fluttershy's cottage. "Wait...come back!" Scootaloo shouted, quickly giving chase. No matter how hard she tried, the entity was always keeping the pace. Her sides ached, she was weak on breath, but she pressed onward. "Please! I want to talk to you....I have so much to...say" Scootaloo gasped, staggering a few feet before collapsing, out of energy and out of breath. The mare’s vision faded in and out as a giant figure approached the mare, completely eclipsing the sun’s rays. Struggling to make out the hulking figure, the mare collapsed, moaning one final word as she drifted into unconsciousness.  "R...Rainbow?.." Authors Note: Thanks again to SouthpawFighter614 for the speedy editing. If you have yet to check it out, I also now have this story up on Deviant Art, along with art of each chapters Important characters. You can check that out here.