//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: The Calm // Story: Casualties of War // by Deathscar //------------------------------// Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie continued with their trek through the forest, each of their eyes scanning every part of the forest near them. “Oooo I hope they’re okay!” Pinkie said with a worried face, walking instead of hopping behind the other ponies. “Ah hope Rainbows’ not mad for what we did to her last night…” Applejack stated, her mind replaying the memory of Rainbow’s flustered look as they laughed around the campfire. “I doubt Rainbow’s the type to hold a grudge!” Rarity dismissed Applejack’s theory almost immediately. “Plus she knew we were joking!” A long pause ensured as Rarity’s mind also played back the memory of the jokes they made. With each pass, the theory seemed more and more plausible. “…Right?” “Girls, it doesn’t matter why she ran! We just need to find her!” Twilight tried to push away the idea of Rainbow being angry at them. “Fluttershy should have woken us up!” Pinkie shouted. “Ah don’t blame Fluttershy. Even if she did wake us up there ain’t nothing we could’ve done about it. She’s the only other pony with wings…” Applejack admitted with regret. Pinkie stared at the ground she was walking on, her mind took her over mouth as she muttered to herself, “Flutters… please be okay…” The others ponies stopped and stared at Pinkie with confused looks on their faces. “Huh? Why did we stop? Is there a surprise?” Pinkie snapped back to her cheerful self for a moment, a grin on her face. “Umm…Darling. Did you call Fluttershy…Flutters?” Rarity asked “Huh?” Finally the realization hit Pinkie. “Oh did I say that out loud?” Pinkie reeled her head back, her cheeks turning red. “It’s just a nickname we came up with one day while we were hanging out, that’s all…” Pinkie didn’t dare make eye contact with the other ponies. The other ponies shrugged as they trotted on. ---------- Fluttershy’s hooves were getting tired from the hours of walking. Her vision would blur out every now and again and she had to constantly force her eyes open when they tried to flutter close. The lack of food, sleep and water had drained her of most of her energy. Gazing upwards, she saw that the sun was now at its peak, drenching the ground in scorching hot rays. Sweat continuously poured down from Fluttershy’s brow as she kept trotting, her mind only focused on rescuing Rainbow from what she has become. Looking straight ahead, she saw that the towering structure was still a small distance away… ---------- The burning heat slowed the ponies to a crawl. All of them hung their heads low in exhaustion as they started to trot along at a snail’s pace. Twilight lead the others, each step accompanied with a pant. Her purple mane had started to become frazzled as her parched throat ached for water. Rarity followed closely behind, every now and again blowing her falling mane back on to her head. She tried to distract herself with the scenery around her but to no avail, her mind would always remind her of the pain that was in her hooves. Pinkie Pie and Applejack walked together, they didn’t acknowledge the exhaustion they felt, only trying to things that would qualm their worries for the missing mares. However, the more they thought about the situation, the more hopeless it seemed. “We ain’t never gonna find them…” Applejack finally broke the silence. “Don’t say that,” Twilight panted. “We’ll find them and they’ll be fine.” “Twilight’s right, Applejack. We will find Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash!” Rarity added but Applejack simply sighed as she continued walking. All of a sudden, Twilight stopped. Rarity, not noticing the sudden halt, banged into her. “Terribly sorry Twilight.” Rarity apologized immediately. “What’s the hold up!?” Pinkie shouted from the back of the pack before rushing forward with Applejack. Twilight could only manage a “Whoa…” as she gazed upon the sight in front of her. A huge path of trees with snapped branches laid in front of her. The dirt ground had a noticeable depression which stretched all the way from the broken branches to a tree further ahead. “It looks something ripped through this part of the forest…” Twilight stated as she took the first steps towards the tree the dirt was leading to, the others followed closely behind. Glancing their eyes on the various broken branches which hung from the trees, Twilight spotted something off hanging off them. Twilight took a few steps up to one of the snapped branches and upon closer inspection, sees a small tuff of cyan fur. “What in Equestria…?” Twilight was stunned at her discovery. Reaching her hoof to the small piece of fur, she managed to free it from the branch’s sharp grasp. Suddenly, she realized the shade of blue anywhere. She immediately dropped the tuff of fur onto the dirt ground, backing away slowly. “Oh no…” Twilight turned around and saw Applejack and Pinkie Pie staring at her with blank looks on their faces. “G-Girls… I…I think I know what happened to Rainbow Dash.” Rarity nudged Twilight’s right flank, causing her to turn to face the white mare. “What is it Rarity?” “Y-You might want to see what I found…” Rarity lifted her right hoof, showing a small, thicker weave of fur that had a myriad of colors on it. Twilight’s heart sank when she saw what Rarity was holding. “W-Where’d you get that?” The purple pony was almost too afraid to ask that question. Rarity pointed towards the tree the depression ended at and without skipping a beat, Twilight dashed towards the tree at full speed. “Someone mind telling us what in tarnation’s going on?” Applejack angrily demanded. “Rainbow Dash… she’s the one that did all of this.” Rarity lifted her hoof, pointing at the various broken branches, the indentation in the dirt and then passing the tuff of multi-colored fur to Applejack. “R-Rainbow…” Applejack mumbled to herself, feeling the familiar texture of the hair she held in her hooves. “Girls! Come over here!” Twilight shouted from the base of the tree and immediately, the other 3 ponies ran straight towards Twilight. As they approached the tree, the scene got worst and worst. They could clearly make out a large amount of blood on the tree trunk which Twilight was inspecting. “What is it Twilight!?” Pinkie shouted in distress. “Well, we know this whole thing was caused by Rainbow…” Twilight stated, turning her face back towards the girls. “I can’t tell who the blood on the tree trunk belongs to but…” Twilight gulped. “…it…doesn’t look good.” Applejack wanted to burst out into tears. She shook her hand, chanting “No…” to herself multiple times. ‘Please Rainbow. You gotta be okay.’ Her mind didn’t want to accept anything the evidence around her showed, she rejected all the theories thrown at her and pushed away anything which involved Rainbow hurt. “Then where’s Rainbow? If this is truly her blood she couldn’t have gotten far.” Rarity asked but Twilight answered with a puzzled look, closing her eyes to try to think of where the six-colored mare might be but there was no answer. “I-I don’t know…” Twilight admitted in shame, bowing her head down. “Hey Twilight!” Pinkie shouted a short distance to the left of the purple mare. “I found something!” Pinkie picked up a small syringe, flipping it over so that the needle was facing downwards. She squinted her eyes, noticing a small green drop at the tip. Pinkie stuck her tongue out, ready to catch the drop for a little taste but Twilight pulled her back swiftly, causing the syringe to once again fall to the floor. “Hey!” Pinkie yelled in surprise. “Pinkie are you crazy!? We don’t even know what that stuff does!” Twilight screamed, flustered. “Well what better way to test something then to taste it?” Pinkie argued with a smile on her face. Twilight felt strangely comforted to see that the pink mare hadn’t lost all of her enthusiasm. “Darling, Twilight’s right.” Rarity paced towards the syringe, picking it up. “We don’t know what filthy substance is in this. Why, it could be poison for all we know.” She handed the syringe to Twilight, who levitated it in front of her eyes. “Whatever was in the syringe is gone now…” Twilight inspected every inch of the glass container. “There’s blood on the needle. Which means…” “The green thing in that syringe is in…” Rarity didn’t dare finish her sentence. “Oo! Oo!” Pinkie bounced up happily. “That means that the liquid is probably in Rainbow! Right?” Applejack buried her head in her hooves, pressing tightly against her ears. She wanted to drown out the very thought of such a thing happening to her best friend. Anger boiled within her as she tried to suppress her reaction to Pinkie’s enthusiasm as she said those words. Twilight and Rarity bit their bottom lip, not wanting to acknowledge what Pinkie had just said. They closed their eyes, fear rising at the thought of where Rainbow might be. “Maybe she’s taken captive?” Pinkie stopped bouncing after looking at the other ponies depressed expressions. “What is she’s-” “Enough!” Applejack stood up, she could contain her rage no longer. “Pinkie Pie! Would you just shut ya yapper!? Ain’t nothing bad happening to Rainbow and you’d be there just spouting lies!” Rarity and Twilight stared at the orange earth pony as she approached the pink mare, her face flushed with anger. Pinkie Pie cowered in fear, taking a step back for each word Applejack yelled at her. “I’m-I’m sorry Applejack. I didn’t-” “You got some nerve! Cursing Rainbow like that with a smile!” Applejack took step after step, driving Pinkie Pie, and her flat mane, further and further away. “What’d you think? That ah don’t know what all these here evidences show!? Huh Pinkie!? Ah know this ain’t looking good for Rainbow but you ain’t gotta list down all them possibilities now do ya!?” “A-Applejack…I’m…” Pinkie could feel tears welling up within her. The fear of losing one of her best friends seemed like such a possibility, it frightened her more than she’d ever been in her life. “How would you like it if ah said something about Fluttershy huh?” Applejack threatened, finally backing Pinkie Pie towards the same bloodied tree trunk. “P-Please stop! Don’t! Please!” Pinkie begged, tears streaming down from her face. “Well, ah hope Fluttershy’s hurt!” Applejack angrily yelled at the top of her lungs, her voice reaching its maximum volume. Rarity and Twilight watched in horror from the side, their hooves bound tightly to the dirt floor. Pinkie grasped her ears, trying to drown out the horrible thoughts of Fluttershy which crossed her mind. “Ah bet she’s alone!” Pinkie couldn’t hold back her tears anymore, each sob she made only forced out more from her eyes. She tried to shut her eyes to deny the memories a chance to be played in her mind but they forced their way through. “Ah bet she’s hurt, alone and cold in some place and wishing you’d be there for her!” Pinkie couldn’t listen anymore. She curled up into a tight ball at the foot of the tree, burying her head with her hooves as endless streams of tears flowed down her face. There was only the sound of Pinkie’s loud, hurt sobbing. Twilight and Rarity finally managed to get control back in their hooves as they ran towards the pair of ponies. Rarity tended to the destroyed Pinkie Pie while Twilight ran towards Applejack. The southern mare stared at the pony she had just devastated. Her nostrils flaring and her eyes opened wide in anger. Finally, her mind started to catch up to what she had just said, what she had just did. Her eyes softened as her mouth dropped open. “P-Pinkie…Ah…Ah’m sorry… Ah didn’t…” Applejack couldn’t find the words to say sorry to the pink mare whose mane was completely flat and each sob she made felt like a knife through Applejack’s heart. Pinkie didn’t seem to respond to Applejack’s apologies, continuing her release of her fear and sadness. Applejack tried to take a step forward but was immediately tugged in the opposite direction. She didn’t resist the sudden pull, she knew it was for her own good. Twilight dragged Applejack quite a distance away, until they were alone and the sobs of Pinkie could no longer be heard. Rarity approached the broken mare with silent steps. She was worried that any sound would damage her even more. Lying down as slowly as she could, she inched her way towards Pinkie. --------- “Applejack! W-Why!?” Twilight was at a loss for words, yelling loudly at the pony in front of her. Applejack laid down on the grass, covering her eyes with her hooves. “Ah-Ah was mad!” Applejack shouted back through broken breaths. “That’s no reason to say such things to Fluttershy or break Pinkie like that!” Twilight screamed in anger towards Applejack. “Fluttershy means a lot to her and you knew that!!” “Ah know!” Applejack sobbed, small tears falling down her cheeks. “Ah just… Ah let my anger take control of me! Ah’m mighty sorry!” Applejack threw her head upwards, grass stuck to her cheeks as she gazed at the purple pony who didn’t even make eye contact with her. “I know you are and I accept your apology. The question is…” Twilight walked towards the entrance of the small clearing, turning back to look at Applejack. “Will Pinkie?” Twilight turned around and walked out of the clearing. She knew if she’d stayed there any longer she would scold her without restraint. ‘She needs some time to think…’ Applejack now felt truly alone. There were no noises, no wind, no chirping. It was completely and utter silence. The more Applejack pondered on what she did, the more she wanted it to be a dream. Just a bad dream she could wake up from. Rainbow and Fluttershy were missing and she could have just ruined the years of friendship she built with Pinkie. She shut her eyes softly, thinking hard about what she could do, what she would say ---------- “AJ didn’t mean the things she said to you.” Rarity tried to reassure Pinkie but the tears didn’t stop. “Pinkie, darling…” Rarity moved closer to the pink mare, putting her hoof around Pinkie. “I’m here for you.” Her words seem to finally get through to the torn mare. Taking a deep breath, Pinkie lifted her head, staring at the warm smile on Rarity’s face. “T-Thanks…” Pinkie sobbed as she laid her head on her hooves, staring at the grass she was laying on. “But…I’m still scared. What is Applejack was right? What if Fluttershy’s somewhere, alone, hurt. If someone did those things to Rainbow who knows what might happen to Flutters-” “Stop right there Pinkie! We don’t know where Fluttershy is! She could be fine and she probably is, darling!” Rarity comforted Pinkie, the warm smile never fading from her face. Pinkie giggled softly, almost as if she was embarrassed to do so. “T-Thank you Rarity…” Pinkie’s smile quickly vanished as she went back into her quiet state. “How’s she doing?” Twilight’s voice echoed from behind Rarity. Turning around, she saw the familiar purple pony standing behind her, a soft smile on her face. “She stopped crying…” Rarity replied. “Where’s AJ?” “I left her alone to think about what to do.” Twilight explained. “Are you sure that’s such a good idea? I mean, what if she runs away?” “She won’t. I trust her. I think she’s just confused on what she’s just done.” “Ya right, Twilight.” Applejack’s voice startled Twilight from behind her. “But…Ah’m ready now.” “So…So quickly? Are you sure AJ?” Twilight asked, afraid. “As sure as ah’ll ever be.” Rarity turned her attention to the silent pink pony who heard everything. “Pinkie, darling.” Rarity whispered. “Are you ready to hear what Applejack has to say?” Pinkie shut her eyes closed but replied with a slow nod. Rarity reached her hoof downwards for Pinkie to grasp on to, pulling her up on her own four hooves. With trembling legs, she turned around and walked towards the orange mare in the strawhat. “Hi Pinkie.” Applejack said but the pony gave no reply. “Look, ah’m mighty sorry for what ah said. Ah didn’t mean any of the things ah shouted. Ah don’t know if you can forgive me now but ah just want you to know, Pinkie, that no matter what, ah’ll still be your friend.” Pinkie didn’t reply, instead her eyes went straight to the ground. Applejack stood there in silence, nervously waiting a response. “I’m sorry AJ…I just… I can’t forgive you… Not now.” Pinkie’s words stung each pony hard. Twilight and Rarity had their mouths wide open when they heard what Pinkie said but Applejack stood there, a disappointed look on her face. Applejack knew she couldn’t push this any further, unsure of what to say next. “Ah’m…It’s all right Pinkie. Ah understand. Ah’ll do whatever I have to to earn back your trust again.” Applejack tried to take a step forward to console her former best friend but Pinkie similarly took a step back, her frightened eyes gazing into the bright emerald eyes of Applejack. The blonde mane pony retreated her step forward after seeing how Pinkie reacted. “Come on girls, we got two ponies to find.” Twilight quickly changed the subject, dragging Applejack a few steps back. “Let’s go. I’ll walk with you.” Twilight whispered into Applejack’s ear as they turned around and trotted away. Rarity slid her hoof around Pinkie, who was rooted to the ground she stood on. “I’m here Pinkie. Let’s go.” Together, they walked slightly behind the purple and orange pony. The four friends had disbanded into two separate groups as clouds gathered overhead, darkening the bright noon sun and casting a dark shadow on to the whole forest. ---------- Finally Fluttershy reached the base of the structure. It had taken most of the day and she frankly couldn’t tell how long she had been trekking. Dark clouds had blocked out the sun completely, drenching the world in a looming darkness. As she ascended the extremely high stairway, she could feel her energy had reached almost at its minimum. Hunger and thirst were the only thoughts in her mind. Her knees ached and her wings hadn’t faired much better for many times she tried to fly but the pain destroyed any hope of taking to the air. Her vision was blurred and her mind couldn’t catch up to the actions her body took. Reaching the top, Fluttershy felt small drops of water falling on to her mane and body. Panting for breath, fighting to stay awake, she shouted as loud as she could. “I’m here Rainbow! I’m here!” Fluttershy didn’t hear a response at first but after a sudden crackle of thunder and flash of lighting, she finally heard a familiar voice respond to her. “Hey there, Fluttercry.”