In the Castle of Friendship another meeting was about to begin.
“Where’s Applejack?” asked Rainbow Dash. “She’s late for fifteen minutes already!”
“I don’t know,” answered Twilight. “She didn’t notify that she is going to be late, she just said that she will come.”
“She might just immersed herself in work again,” said Fluttershy.
“It seems that so it is,” spelled Spike.
“Let’s wait for her a little more.”
“Well… Okay,” agreed Rainbow Dash.
“Pardon me, but… can you remind what is the agenda?” asked Rarity.
“Oh, nothing special,” said Twilight. “Princess Celestia and princess Luna asked us to attend Flower Festival in Mountain Meadow as royal representatives at next week, because they will receive delegation from Eastern Kingdoms.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” smiled Fluttershy. “I always wanted to see it. It’s one of the most beautiful holidays in whole Equestria!”
“Yeah!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie. “Their flower parade is just amazing! And firework after the sunset… Girls, we have to see it!”
“Well, I’m glad that you are ready…”
And at this moment Applejack rushed into the room.
“Applejack, where have you been?” exclaimed Rarity, looking at her panting friend.
“Ah’m sorry for being late…” answered Applejack. “But… that’s because Ah have a trouble.”
“A trouble?”
“Yeah. An hour ago Ah received letter from Appleloosa. For some reason buffaloes stopped there and say that they cannot leave!”
“What happened there?” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
“There were no words about it in the letter,” answered Applejack. “They just asked me to come quickly as possible and bring help.”
“It’ll be quite problematic…” spelled Spike.
“What do ya mean?” surprised Applejack.
“You see, after this meeting me and Spike have to go to Canterlot, Rarity and Fluttershy – to Manehattan and Rainbow Dash – to Wonderbolt Academy,” said Twilight. “Sorry, but we won’t be able to help you.”
“And I’ll be very busy here,” added Pinkie Pie. “Mister and missis Cake soon will go visit their parents in Dodge City, so somepony has to watch Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake. So I also won’t be able. Sorry.”
“And what should Ah do now?” exclaimed despaired Applejack.
“I think I know what…” said Spike and shouted. “Guys!!!”
Clattering sounds came from everywhere, and in few seconds all castle guards and servants were in the room. Bearers of the Elements at first got surprised a bit, but then they, having taken a thought, agreed that it can be the way.
“What do you need, masters?” asked researchers.
“Please, stop it!” said Twilight. “Guys, we called you because we have a problem. From Applejack we learned that there is difficult and, probably, conflict situation in another town, Appleloosa. For an unknown reason buffaloes that live at that region stopped there and have no possibility to leave. This problem should be solved, but it happened so that no pony from us can help Applejack with it. So we ask you to support her.”
Researchers exchanged glances, said “One minute, please!” and quickly stood in a circle. They had been actively deliberating for some time in their “native” languages, but soon they finished, stood in a row, and Edez said:
“We understand your situation, and we’re ready to help you…”
“Oh, thank you!”
“… but I should note one thing. We also have work to do, so we can send only some of us,” he pointed to his colleagues, and then Max and Zet’rar came forward.
“I know, we aren’t the greatest group, but we’ll do our best,” said Zet’rar.
“Yes, and, by the way, for a technician and biologist who are working together there are no limits,” added Max, and they put their hooves on shoulders of each other.
“Well, still thank you very much,” said Applejack.
“So, when we have to leave?”
“The sooner the better.”
“Got it.”
“And Ah’m sorry for skipping the meeting like this,” Applejack said to her friends.
“Oh, don’t worry about that!” answered Rainbow Dash and Twilight.
“I’ll retell you everything when you come back,” said Pinkie Pie.
“Thank y’all,” Applejack bowed and then she together with Zet’rar and Max ran out from the Castle.
Outside they parted: Applejack ran to the farm, and researchers – to the house they rented to pack their things. Preparations should be quick, so guys just threw their stuff into bags, then – as they have to use this journey to explore new region of the country – swallowed self-implanting scanners, recorders and memory blocks and rushed to the railway station. Running to the place while micromachines were making their way through their bodies and installing themselves in was extremely hard, but they managed to cope with it and give no signs – at least, they soothed themselves with the thought that during the work and getting them out there will be no pain. Soon Applejack got to the station too, they purchased the tickets and in a few minutes they were on the way to Appleloosa.
Road to the town took about nine hours. The train quickly picked up speed, and sights of landscapes behind the window turned into a filmic tape. Bright pattern, consisting of picturesque fields, lush meadows, vast orchards and small well-conditioned, as if they were parks, forests, changed with every passed mile: forests gradually became even more small and after two hours disappeared from the sight, orchards also got rarer and rarer, meadows turned into areas of overgrown grass, but fields spread wider and wider. After three hours of journey cornfields stretching to the horizon became the only view. But such landscape didn’t preserve for the long time – in four and a half hours after the beginning of the trip first areas of dry yellowish-brown grass appeared, they began to spread and in an hour they replaced the fields. Train entered the semidesert regions. Now it became just senseless and blah to look out the windows – except some whimsical and bizarre weathered rocks there was nothing to watch. Semideserts at each planet are boring places: the same dried plants-xerophytes or mushrooms, the same soil-colored tiny animals and flying creatures, the same bare ground. The only noticeable difference between them is colors, but even this has no great variety: usually there were only gray, brown, red, orange, yellow, beige, white and black. And such dull landscape will extend till Appleloosa.
Watch the sights, looking out the window, indisputably, is enthralling, but not for all the time of journey. There are a lot of other things to do during it, like chatting, playing games, singing. And Applejack, Zet’rar and Max actively enjoyed them. The trip was perfect chance to get know each other better, and they used this possibility. Applejack vividly spoke with lads on various topics. Researchers told their friend about themselves, about their colleagues, about Europonia, its inhabitants and their traditions. Applejack reciprocated and told guys about her and other bearers of the Elements of harmony, about little-known features of Equestria and Ponyville, about place where they were going, about her great family (the last part made Max and Zet’rar think that if Equestria was the Unity, no kungmasavian, dreketanian or zestekkan great clans weren’t a marker to Apple family). They played “I spy” when landscape wasn’t monotonous and charades when they appeared in deserted lands. They told stories to each other; one time they got enthralled and decided to compete a bit and find who can tell the funniest one. Fierce struggle lasted for whole hour. Each side made its opponent cachinnate and cry, but after all victory went to Applejack. Her story about how she and Big Mac, when they were foals, decided to filch some cakes with apple jam during the Haystack Apple Festival just made Zet’rar and Max hysterical. But they recouped during the game of charades. Also the journey was not without music: Max and Zet’rar mentioned some famous europonian legends, so Applejack – together with some other passengers who heard their talk – asked lads to tell one. Lads, in turn, agreed, but decided not to tell but sing – this was the legend of the ghost train that they chose. Max borrowed a harmonica for accompanying, and Zet’rar sand. For next fifteen minutes other ponies quietly listened to them. The legend was very impressive: when guys finished some passengers found gray hairs in their manes. The sight of old, rusty machine, controlled by skeletons in putrefied torn clothes, regurgitating red smoke and striking sparks on the rails was terrifying. When everyone got horrified, Applejack asked how such dreadful story could appear. Max and Zet’rar answered that Europonia, unlike Equestria, is peaceful region only for the last century. Before it there were a lot of different conflicts between Europonia and Griffin Empire, Deer Kingdoms, Land of Elephants, Land of Zebras and Camel Sultanate, and a lot conflicts in Europonia itself, as it was a set of sovereign states, each one of which has its own interests. And during the hard and dark times dreadful legends appeared – for example, this legend of the ghost train emerged during the great europonian war that ended one hundred and twelve years ago. Also location near the Lands of Monsters has its influence. A moment of silence followed, but then they were back on track.
Eventually, they arrived to the destination.
“So, are ya ready?” Applejack turned to lads when train stopped at the terminal station.
“Yes, ma’am!” answered Max.
“No matter what is expecting us,” added Zet’rar.
“That’s an attitude!” Applejack smiled. “Let’s go then!”
They took their bags and went to the exit. Doors opened, ponies went down the short car stairs and stepped on platform. There already were some ones waiting for them: canary and sand-colored stallions and two buffaloes – young orange one and old big dark brown one with impressive war bonnet. When they saw Applejack, they rejoiced, but when they saw researchers, they got upset.
“Ehm… Greetings, y’all…” said surprised with this Applejack. “Ah came as soon as Ah could.”
Appleloosans and buffaloes slightly nodded in gratitude.
“And Ah brought help as ya asked,” continued Applejack and pointed to researchers. Lads smiled and waved.
“Thank you, Applejack,” said old buffalo. “But you see… It’s not quite the help what we expected.”
“Yes,” sighed young buffalo. “We thought that you’ll bring somepony with magic abilities, like Twilight. Because we don’t know how to solve the problem in another way.”
“Magic abilities?” surprised Applejack.
“Pardon me,” Zet’rar intervened. “We may be not able to do magic, but we know some tricks. Tell us what the problem is, and I think we can find some solutions.”
“Oh, right…” Applejack uttered. “Folks, allow me to introduce mah team: this is Zicht, and this is Allegro,” members of Team One gave a nod. “Guys, this is mah cousin Braeburn, sheriff Silverstar, chief Thunderhooves and Little Strongheart.”
“Nice to meet you,” said Max.
“Thank you. We also very glad,” answered Little Strongheart.
“You guys have… quite unusual names, I must say,” uttered sheriff Silverstar.
“We are europonians,” answered Allegro.
“Europonians? Well then… Welcome to Aaa-aa-pple-loosa, travelers!” exclaimed Braeburn.
Even a creature without any conception of facial expressions as a thing could tell that expressions of Max and Zet’rar said “Seriously?”
“Please, Braeburn, not now…” sighed Applejack.
“Oh, sorry,” canary stallion apologized.
“So, what’s the problem?” asked Zet’rar, rubbing his hooves.
“Yeah, tell us!” added Applejack.
“Well, two days ago we were moving along our stampeding path as usual. We recently passed the town and orchards and got to the Wry Canyon – the only way that joins eastern and western parts of lands we inhabit. We only started to go through, when we faced with greatest obstacle: the gorge was blocked with a landslide,” told chief Thunderhooves. “So we returned to the only possible place where we could stay, to the town.”
“Your traditional path was blocked with a landslide?” exclaimed Applejack. “Why didn’t you tell about it in the letter?”
“We were afraid that you might deem this cause… insignificant.”
“What? It’s very significant cause! If we knew it, we probably would come up with some solution now! And Ah could bring more help!”
“Please, forgive us in such case…”
“Oh, don’t worry! Now it doesn’t matter. We’re here and we’re gonna solve this problem, right, guys?”
“No doubt!” confirmed Max and Zet’rar.
“Thank you,” nodded buffaloes.
“We’re hoping to solve this situations as quickly as possible,” said Braeburn.
“Yeah,” added sheriff and turned to chief. “No offense, but… we are running out of produce.”
“We understand,” answered Thunderhooves.
“Then let’s solve it!” exclaimed Little Strongheart.
“Agree.”
“Hm… Did ya try to clear the blockage?” Applejack asked the buffaloes.
“The landslide is too big. It’s just useless,” answered chief Thunderhooves.
“Is that gorge really the only way you can stampede?” asked Max.
“Yes,” Little Strongheart said. “Wry Canyon is the only gorge in this region, and slopes of the mountains are too steep to climb on them.”
“Well then… I guess we can’t offer you anything right now.”
“Yes. We have to see this landslide to make any suggestions,” said Zet’rar.
“Yeah,” added Applejack.
“Then follow us!” answered Little Strongheart and came down from the platform. Chief and applelossans came down after her, and Applejack together with lads followed them.
They left the train station and went along the main street. It always was crowded and full of life, but now the situation changed: it got even more crowded, but became inanimate. Dozens of other buffaloes were standing near stores, post office and town hall, lying on the ground or wandering about. Townsfolk got lost among them. Everyone was sad and lifeless. Applejack, Zet’rar and Max felt very uncomfortable looking at them.
Soon they left the town. They climbed on the hill that towered above the town and appeared in the orchard. Then they crossed it along the road made especially for buffaloes and went down the river that flowed nearby. In an hour they turned left and soon got to the cliff, which was split up with rift of the gorge. They entered it and started to move through.
“You will see the blockage right after the next turn,” said Little Strongheart when entrance to the gorge disappeared from view.
“Okay.”
Soon they reached the turn. Buffaloes and appleloosans got round the rock, Applejack, Max and Zet’rar followed them and sight of the landslide spread in front of them. The gorge was almost completely blocked with huge mass of rocks and sand – its top was only forty steps below the edge. Chief Thunderhooves was right: there was absolutely no possibility to clear this blockage up by hoof.
“Holy…” gasped Max when he saw the blockage. “Dudes, it’s not a landslide, it’s a landfall!”
“Yeah…” nodded surprised Zet’rar.
“Eh… If they are surprised, then we have nowhere to wait for help…” sighed sheriff Silverstar.
“Don’t worry, sheriff, Allegro and Zicht surely will find way out!” said Applejack. “Right, guys?”
“Vierhonderdduizend kubieke meter tenminste,” Max addressed to his colleague.
“Sono d’accordo,” Zet’rar nodded.
“Ehm, guys?!” Applejack raised her voice.
“Oh, excuse us,” lads apologized.
“Did ya come up with some ideas?”
“Well, yes,” answered Zet’rar. “We can blow it up.”
“Blow it up? But… how?” exclaimed Braeburn.
“Yes! It’s impossible without powerful magic!” added Little Strongheart.
“Yes, we have no magic abilities, but it doesn’t mean we can’t explode this pile of rocks. Your friend Allegro, for your information, once mastered the art of demolition and is a quite specialist in this field.”
“What? Demolition?” surprised Applejack. “But ya said that ya are engineer!”
“Yeah. You see, it is the second specialization what I tried to get. I hadn’t finished the studies, but still I have a lot of experience. I can’t cast an explosion spell, but I can make an explosive device which will work as good.”
“You do?” asked Little Strongheart.
“Sure! I just need necessary details and plant it,” he turned to his colleague. “Zicht, please, can you look at the top of this landslide?”
“Okay,” answered Max and began to climb on the mass of landslide.
“Sheriff, can you, please, make an announcement when we come back in the town?” asked Zet’rar when his friend was already five steps above.
While Max was climbing, Zet’rar listed all stuff what he needed to sheriff. Soon Max got to the top, took a look and shouted:
“There are some caverns there. I think they may fit.”
“Excellent!” answered Zet’rar. “Now come down, we are going back to the town!”
Max gave a nod, started to get down, and in a couple of minutes he was among others. When they reassembled, ponies and buffaloes rushed back to Appleloosa.
When they came back, the sun was setting. On the opposite side of the sky first twinkles of planets appeared. But there still were a lot of ponies and buffaloes at the main street. They haven’t started to go to sleep yet, so it was possible to make a public announcement. So sheriff Silverstar, after look around, cleaned his throat and began to declare:
“Citizens of Appleloosa! I’m glad to report that current problem can be solved in the nearest future by our guests from Ponyville! Buffaloes will be able to continue their stampeding, and we, appleloosans, will be able to replenish our stocks of produce! But for making this possible they need your assistance. They need some things to make the necessary device and place to work. So, who can provide his workshop for temporary use?”
“For how long?” asked tall and beefy stallion, judging by the clothes, local blacksmith.
“Only for this night,” answered Zet’rar.
“Well then I guess I could do it,” said local watchmaker.
“Good! Thank you, Quartz Crystal,” said sheriff. “And about second part. Our guests need the following items: twenty six light bulbs, one mercury thermometer, one silver spoon, two iron horseshoes, a coil of copper wire, one bottle of acid, one empty metal flask, one alarm clock and one powerful battery.”
“Wait a second…” Max uttered quietly when he heard the list.
“So, my friends, do you have any of this?” asked sheriff.
“I think so, but we aren’t sure about the last item,” answered the watchmaker.
“Maybe you have something like it?” Zet’rar began to worry. “We need any energy source.”
“Energy source? Well, there are some magic energy crystals in the town.”
“But are you sure about them?”
“Quite sure. In fact, these crystals are batteries too, but of other type.”
“Then… okay, but tell, please, how powerful are these crystals?”
“One crystal is enough for three years of work.”
“Excellent! Thank you!”
“Okay, folks, bring the stuff!” commanded sheriff.
Appleloosans dispersed and soon started to come back with the items. One pony brought the thermometer, other – the spoon, third – the acid. And almost every third inhabitant of the town brought a light bulb. All things were put in small cart, which sheriff himself gave to researchers. Then watchmaker escorted them to his workshop and allowed to use all the tools. Lads sincerely thanked him and all others and bowed.
“Do ya need any help, guys?” asked Applejack when other ponies and buffaloes went away. “It looks like ya goin’ to do something really difficult.”
“Don’t bother, Applejack!” answered Zet’rar. “Yes, it looks quite… complicated, but we’ll perfectly handle it ourselves!”
“Yes,” confirmed Max. “Now have a rest and tell other not to worry.”
“But ya are goin’ to work all night! Somepony should assist you!”
“It’s not quite so,” said Allegro. “Indeed, we are going to work for rather long time, but we’ll probably finish it at three or four o’clock. So we’ll also have some time for sleep.”
Max gave a nod.
“Well then…” uttered Applejack. “Good luck! And remember: the hotel is situated directly opposite the town hall! Yer room is 3B!”
“Got it! Thank you!”
Applejack smiled and went away. Max and Zet’rar saw her off, and when she disappeared from the sight, they entered the workshop and locked the door.
“Zet, pal, allow me to ask one question,” said Max while his colleague was approaching the worktop.
“Yes?”
“This stuff… It looks suspiciously like the components of plasma bomb.”
“Well, congratulations! You guessed my plan!”
“What??? Are you fucking nutz??? These things are prohibited in all galaxies!”
“But, actually, the law doesn’t apply to this planet.”
“Well, yes, but it doesn’t change the situation.”
“I understand, but, Max, chill! Relax your buns! Everything will be just fine!”
“And how you’ll make it?”
“Well, at first, I will make relatively small and low-powered bomb – that’s why I asked for a flask. And, at second, I will use much safer design.”
“What is it?”
“Gremlinovich’s modification.”
“Whose modification???”
“Gremlinovich’s.”
“I was right. You are nutz.”
“Why?”
“You see, Jan Gremlinovich is just a known colleague from another department for you, but I know him personally and perfectly. We were roommates for fifteen years when we were studying in Radun’ Central University. He was born insane!”
“Well, yes, he does sometimes act weirdly, but you must admit that he is great technician and amazing in improvement of stuff.”
“Well, it’s so.”
“I’m very glad that you agree. Now, release your claws and start to help: break the bulbs. I need this tungsten…”
The night passed, and lads finished their work almost at the predicted time: five o’clock. When the bomb was ready. Researchers put it in the safe place – buried it behind the watchmaker’s workshop – and went to the hotel. There they said receptionist to tell Applejack in the morning that at ten o’clock everything will be prepared, took the key from their room, rushed there and, when their faces met the pillows, fell asleep.
But then it turned out so that five hours of sleep wasn’t enough to replenish their forces.
“Where the heck are they?” growled Applejack, walking back and forth in front of company of sheriff, her cousin, watchmaker, chief and young buffalo. “It half past ten already!”
“Maybe they were talking about eleven hours?” supposed Little Strongheart.
“No! They left a message that everythin’ will be ready at ten! And now they are late for…”
At this moment they heard sound of a gallop, and from behind of the corner of the nearest building a dust cloud appeared. It quickly approached, and in a moment later disheveled and panting Zet’rar and Max appeared from it.
“Where have ya been?” exclaimed Applejack.
“Our sincere apologies…” exhaled Zet’rar.
“We overslept,” said Max.
“I see…”
“Did you make this… device?” asked chief Thunderhooves.
“Yes,” nodded technician and took it from his saddlebag.
“Ehm… A flask coiled with wire and with attached alarm clock?” watchmaker and Applejack raised their eyebrows.
“Well, having such materials it was the most ergonomic design.”
“Okay.”
“You know, it doesn’t look like an explosive device at all,” noticed sheriff.
“But it is,” answered Zet’rar.
“And how powerful is it?” wondered Braeburn.
“Approximately one and a half megaton.”
“It doesn’t sound so great…”
“Believe me, it’s more than enough!” said Max.
“So, what are ya gonna do with this thing?” asked Applejack.
“Well, we just need to return to the landslide, set the clock and put the device in one of the caverns what Zicht had found. After this we just have to retreat to a safe distance, or, better, return to the town,” answered Zet’rar.
“Do ya need any assistance?”
“No.”
“We just need one more watch to synchronize the time,” said Max.
“Okay,” said the watchmaker and gave his pocket watch to lads.
“But you can go with us to watch the process,” added Zet’rar.
“Them Ah’m with ya.”
“And me!” exclaimed Little Strongheart.
“Good. In an hour and half we’ll return. Say other citizens to get ready.”
“Let’s go!” exclaimed Max and lands together with Applejack and Little Strongheart rushed to Wry Canyon.
Braeburn, Silverstar and Thunderhooves saw them off and went to tell their people to prepare. When all citizens were informed, they began to wait. In an hour and half, as they said, Applejack, Little Strongheart and researchers returned to the town.
“All set?” asked sheriff when the team stopped.
“Yes,” nodded Applejack.
“The device was adjusted. Explosion will happen in next few seconds,” said Zet’rar.
“Thank you, mister Crystal,” said Max, giving the watch back.
“You’re welcome,” smiled watchmaker.
“One more thing,” Zet’rar addressed appleloosans. “We apologize in advance for broken windows and tableware.”
“What?”
“Three, two, one…”
Mighty thunder shook the earth and the sky. In direction of the canyon ground heaved and in a second collapsed down with another thunderous sound. At that time the child of explosion reached the town – Appleloosa was hit by the shockwave. Wind blew so hard that it seemed to be flying rock wall. Gusts just knocked down. Even mightiest buffaloes hardly managed to stand up straight. But the shockwave spread not only through air. At the same time, when strong wind hit the towns, all buildings shook like from an earthquake. Boards and planks clattered, windows rattled, furniture in all the rooms rumbled. It was a nightmare. But the shaking continued only for several seconds, then everything calmed down. Things stopped to shiver, ponies and buffaloes could stood on their hooves again.
There was absolute silence for a moment, but then…
“Wow! That was whole two megatons!” exclaimed Zet’rar.
“That’s a shake…” uttered Braeburn.
“Holy… Do you realize what you’ve done?” sheriff shouted to researchers.
“We know, and we apologize. It appeared to be more… radical than we expected. But look from the other side: now the problem is solved for sure!”
“What makes you to think so?”
“Explosion of such power just wiped the blockage out,” said Max.
“Certainly,” nodded Zet’rar.
Sheriff took a deep breath.
“Blowing Blizzard, you are the fastest among us, can you run there and take a look?” chief Thunderhooves addressed one of the members of his tribe.
Blowing Blizzard gave a nod and ran away. Soon all appleloosans recovered, calmed down and went to their homes, stores and workshops. A great clean-up should be done: because of that shockwave a lot of utensils and other things fell down. Some stuff got broken. And it was necessary to replace some old windowpanes that were crackled.
Approximately in an hour Blowing Blizzard returned.
“Chief! Chief!” he exclaimed when he ran back.
“What have you seen?”
“It’s just unbelievable! The blockage, it’s just vanished! The canyon is free again! And now it’s four times wider than it was!”
“Incredible…”
“Ah was wrong. That was a powerful explosion…” uttered Braeburn.
“How could you create such powerful device?” sincerely wondered watchmaker.
“Well, you said yourself that one crystal is enough to power a device for three years,” said Zet’rar. “Now just imagine what happen if all this energy will be released in one moment.”
“I understand, but still: where did you get such technology?”
“Let’s say that it’s a part of europonian military legacy.”
“Oh…”
“Ehm, is there any need in other kinds of our help?” asked Max.
“A-ah guess not,” answered Braeburn. “Consequences of the quake are mostly eliminated already, so… The rest we’ll handle ourselves.”
“Well then, if there’s no need, I think we have to pack up. The train leaves soon,” Max spelled and looked at Applejack. Applejack looked at him and gave a nod.
“Ya’re right,” she uttered. “It’s time to say goodbye.”
Buffaloes and appleloosans thanked researchers again for solving the problem, but sheriff – together with some other townsponies – reprimanded them and told to warn next time. Lads promised that they won’t repeat the same mistake again.
Ponyvillers and applelossans nodded to each other and Applejack with researchers returned to the hotel, took their bags and went to the railway station. Braeburn, sheriff Silverstar, chief Thunderhooves and Little Strongheart escorted them to the platform. The train was about to depart, so appleloosans and buffaloes briefly thanked ponyvillers for help again, they hugged each other, and then Zet’rar, Max and Applejack got into the car. The engine had been started, and train began to move away. At first slowly, but then it started quickly gather the speed. Appleloosa train station was left behind, but ponies and buffaloes waved each other until they turned into a spots near horizon to each other. When it became impossible to distinguish the silhouettes, Applejack and researchers moved away from the window, and in Appleloosa Little Strongheart, Thunderhooves, Silverstar and Braeburn left the train station.
Several hours of rhythmic rocking of the car, sound of the wheels and chuffing of locomotive, and they were home.
“That was really interesting adventure,” said Zet’rar, stepping on the platform.
“Ya, guys, made it so,” grinned Applejack.
“Heh, there is surprisingly beautiful wife of the Moon here,” noticed Max, looking at the crescent glowing above the town.
“Agree,” nodded Applejack and yawned. “Gosh, it’s so late already… What time is it, by the way?”
“It’s 11:04 p.m.” Zet’rar looked at the station clock.
“Heh, at such time Ah usually see the second dream.”
“And for some other ones it’s only the beginning of the shift,” said Max.
“Yeah… Well, thank ya again, guys. See ya tomorrow!”
“Pardon us, miss Applejack, but we won’t let you go alone at such time.”
“Yeah. We’ll escort you to the farm,” said Zet’rar.
“Oh, it’s not worth it! Ah can return alone.”
“Sorry, but we, as gentlecolts, cannot allow this to happen.”
“Thanks!”
“And by the way we can visit the castle,” added Max.
“What?” surprised Applejack.
“Yeah. Looking at the town I noticed that there are lights in its windows. Maybe Twilight and Spike and other our friends, if they have already arrived, are still awake.”
“It may be so.”
“Let’s take a look then,” said Zet’rar, and they left the station.
They passed through the town and got to the place. Applejack and lads climbed the stairs, and bearer of the Element of honesty knocked on the door. They didn’t expect quick response, but soon after the knock familiar voice from inside said “Come in!” They smiled, looked at each other and opened the door.
“Applejack, Allegro, Zicht, you are back!” exclaimed Twilight when they entered.
“Yep, sugarcube. Just off the train, Ah can say,” smiled Applejack.
“Welcome back!” said other members of Team One, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.
“Ya have returned too?” Applejack asked her pegasus friend.
“Yeah. I’m back since the morning,” she answered. “I just had to attend one of the Academy routs.”
“And I got free only now,” said Pinkie Pie.
“I see. And Fluttershy and Rarity are still in Manehattan?”
“Yes,” nodded Twilight. “They will arrive only tomorrow.”
“And what about you? How was your trip to Applelossa? Did you solve that problem with buffaloes?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Yeah. Thanks to Allegro and Zicht we just blew it up,” grinned Applejack and looked at her companions.
“Blew it up?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Can you tell us what was it?” wondered Twilight.
“A landslide blocked the canyon that buffaloes use to get to other regions. They didn’t tell about it ‘cause they thought that we’ll deem it inconsiderable. But now everything is fine: the blockage is removed, and buffaloes can continue their stampeding.”
“Good to her it.”
“And, by the way, why do ya meet so late?”
“Because of me,” Pinkie Pie apologetically smiled. “I succeeded to put Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake to bed only an hour ago.”
“I understa…” Applejack yawned, hasn’t finished the sentence.
“You also want to go to bed, right?” said Rainbow Dash.
“Yeah. It’s late, we all usually sleep at this time usually.”
“I understand,” said Twilight. “Well then, we’ll meet again tomorrow, when Rarity and Fluttershy come back.”
Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie nodded in agreement.
“Good. Guys, please, escort my friends to their homes, and then you can be free,” finished Twilight.
“Sure,” said the lads. Girls gave a nod.
Twilight said goodbye to her friends and went to the second floor. Researchers put off their uniforms and together with other bearers of the Elements left the castle. The lights in the castle went out, girls of Team One went home, and lads parted to accompany Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash to their houses.