//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The Task // Story: The Outlands of Equestria // by CloverStarshine //------------------------------// Chapter 2 Applejack 's normal workday included bucking apples and baking pie. It didn't include falling trees and wood. She rushed to her sister's room bursting through the door. "Apple Bloom!," she yelled dodging the falling debris. "Apple Bloom where are you?!" "Applejack!," screamed the filly. She was under her bed, taking cover from the wood. "Applejack what's going on? Is it an earthquake?" "Probably so!," said Applejack, pulling her little sister from under the bed. "It's happening all over Ponyville! We have to get out of here!" The two rushed out the barn as it collapsed. "Our home!," yelled Apple Bloom. "Well better to loose that than you," said Applejack. "But where can we take cover?," asked Apple Bloom. "Maybe Twilight has a-." She stopped and looked at the village before her. It crumbled and buildings collapsed as ponies rushed, screaming. "This is no earthquake," said Applejack. "This is chaos," said Apple Bloom. Chaos thought Applejack. Could it be. Nah, even Discord's magic can't cause this much damage. This couldn't even be his magic. The only pony who would know of such things would be Twilight. So she and Apple Bloom ran to Twilight's castle, dodging holes and falling debris. But finally, they made it to the castle. "Who's there?," called a voice. "Rainbowdash?," asked Applejack. "Aj?," she asks. "Is that you?" Applejack quickly ran towards the throne room. She then saw the rest mane six, along with Spike, Discord, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. "Where's Twilight?," asked Applejack. "She's at Canterlot," replied Spike. "What's going on?," asked Rarity. "I don't suppose you have anything to do with this?," asked Rainbowdash, pointing at Discord. "Well I am highly offended Rainbowdash," says Discord. "Just because I'm the Spirit of Chaos doesn't mean I'm guilty for everything bad that happen in Equestria." "I hate to admit it but, Discord's right," says Applejack. "Even his magic couldn't make this much destruction." "Then what is going on?," asked Fluttershy. Just then, Twilight crashed into the castle. "Guys I have to tell you all something!" "What is it?," asked Fluttershy. "The problem is that-Equestria-is-dying-because-the-Flower-of-Life-is-dead-so-we-all-except-the-Crusaders-have-to-venture-to-the-Outlands-of-Equestria-to-find-this-Reviving-Seed-that-can-save-Equestria-but-the-Outlands-could-be-dangerous-and-we-might-not-ever-get-out-and-that-would-mean-Equestria-would-be-no-more," says Pinkie Pie. Twilight's mouth dropped open. "How'd you know?" "Just a hunch," answered Pinkie, smiling. "So let me get this straight," said Rainbowdash. "We have to go outside of Equestria?" "Yes," said Twilight. "And we have to go, now!" "But what about food?," asked Rainbowdash. "I'm sure Discord could handle that," said Twilight. "Wait," said Rainbowdash. "He's coming too?" "Celestia insisted," said Twilight. "But we have to go, now!" "Fine," said Rainbowdash, sighing. "Will there be danger." "Probably so," said Twilight. "What about us?," asked Apple Bloom. "You three stay here till we return," said Applejack. "Got it. And if the place starts to fall apart, run away." The Crusaders all hugged their sisters. Then, with a final goodbye, the Mane along with Spike and Discord teleported to the edge of Equestria, only to be met by the ocean. "How will we get across?," asked Rarity. "Leave that to me," said Discord. He snapped his fingers and a large boat appeared. "All aboard the Chaos Express!" "Okay he might be helpful," said Rainbowdash. "But that doesn't mean he's not annoying." Twilight just sighed. "I still don't get why I have to come," asked Spike. Why did he have to come thought Twilight. He could've stayed home safely. But they needed him to deliver messages to the princess just in case. "So we could message Celestia on our progress," said Twilight. Spike then nodded. At least he got to go on a quest with the Element Bearers. Which barely happened. So he was glad. The girls and Spike climbed aboard the ship, and sailed into the unknown. Back at the Crystal Empire, Cadence and Shining Armor armor were doing their best to protect the crystal ponies, and their daughter, Princess Flurry Heart. "Everypony calm down," said Cadence. "Calm down?," asked Amethyst Maresbury. "The Empire is falling apart! How do you suppose we calm down?" "Listen it's just a simple earthquake," lied Cadence. Last thing she needed was a mob of frightened ponies. "Just stay safe and everything will be just fine." When she entered the castle, Shining Armor asked, "Just an earthquake? Cadence what's really going on. It's not Discord is it?" "No honey it's not," said Cadence. "If I tell you, you can't tell anyone else, okay?" He nodded. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Equestria is dying. The Flower of Life is no more so, well you know. So we sent Twilight and her friends to retrieve the Reviving Seed. Which is located in the Outlands." "The Outlands!," screamed Shining Armor. "Cadence how could you've sent Twili to the Outlands?" "Don't worry," said Cadence. "They brought Discord. Also Spike so if they're in trouble, we'll know." "But she could get hurt," said Shining Armor. "Don't worry," said Cadence. "I'm sure she'll be fine." But deep down inside she wasn't sure. She hoped she would be. But Twilight's been through worse. Right? I mean, she and her friends fought nightmare alicorns, chaos gods, changling armies, vines, magic stealing centaurs, and possibly more. The castle shook once more, sending debris to the ground. She also hoped that they returned quickly. Clutching Flurry Heart in her hooves, the family ran out of the room. If the Mane didn't return with the Seed, Equestria would be no more. And so would the ponies and creatures who inhabited the land.