Equestria Girls: Fallen Canterlot

by Feather Book

Chapter 5: Homeless

“Come on, Caramel!” Sunset called up to the gate tower. “We just need to speak to Applejack. It’s important.”

“Then you should have said it earlier,” Caramel called back. “I’m sorry, Sunset. I really am. But you’re not supposed to be here. I could get into trouble for even talking to you!”

Sunset groaned and stomped her foot. “Just let us speak to her! That’s all I want. Then we’ll go.”

“Sunset, you know the rules. Please, I don’t want to see you get into any more trouble then you already are.”

Twilight sat on the curb a short distance away from Sunset. She didn’t care that the ground was burning at her skin though her skirt. She felt numb. She was separated from home, and this time there was nothing she could do.

While they had made it back to Apple Creek, Twilight could barely recall the journal. She knew that Sunset and Spike attempted to calm her down as she rushed around the statue; desperately trying anything to bring the portal back. She only stopped when her panicked breaths threatened to cause her to pass out. Her mind ached from mentally scouring every book she had ever read and every magical theorem she had ever devised. But it was no use. Even if she knew the correct spell, there would be no way for her to cast it.

Stranded. The word ran through her mind as she thought of home. Her friends had no idea what happened. They surely must be panicking by now and without any way to contact her, then would they fear the worse? She had promised Celestia to return, but now would she ever do so? Her stomach churned as her heart ripped itself apart.

Spike nuzzled into her side, startling her for a moment before she pulled him into a hug. At least she wasn’t alone.

Caramel continued to argue with Sunset. “You’ve only been gone for, what, three hours? They haven't changed their minds.”

“I’m not trying to get back in, Caramel! I want Applejack to come out.”

As before, Twilight tuned out their shouts. Showing up again was a risk; Sunset had made it clear that they would never get back in and that Night Sentry didn't take kindly to those who loiter around the gates. But they had to at least let Applejack and Fluttershy know what happened.

Her arms squeezed Spike a tad tighter as she let out a soft sigh. “I’m sorry Spike.”

“I know you are,” he sighed in return. “But you should stop apologising for things that aren't your fault.”

“I’m just so glad you’re here with me. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Probably scream and sulk in a bush.”

A single chuckle escaped her lips as for a moment she smiled. “I’m not really that bad, am I?”

“Well, you are known to panic,” Spike said with an amused chuckle.

“Yeah, I suppose I am.” She paused for a moment and smiled down at her assistant who was curled happily in her lap. “What about you? You seem to be taking this well.”

His smile faltered for a moment as his eyes darted away. “W-Well… One of us has to stay calm, right? I mean, it’s not like I desperately miss home and I’m absolutely terrified of this place or anything…”

Twilight gave him a sympathetic smile. How could she have been so foolish? Spike was still a baby dragon, and yet not once had he panicked or sulked like she had. “Oh, Spike… You’re so much braver them I am.”

“I’m just doing what you need, Twilight,” he said with a small blush. “Anyway, we’re trapped here now and panicking won’t help, so what are we going to do about it?”

Twilight leaned back and thought for a moment. She licked her dry lips and closed her eyes against the sunlight. “Firstly, we need a good source of fresh food and water, as well as shelter. After that, well… There’s nothing to be done about the portal. Perhaps Starlight and Princess Celestia can come up with something on their side?”

“I’m all for food, but what if Starlight and the princess can’t do anything? We can’t just camp outside the portal for the next thirty moons!”

Twilight frowned. Spike had a point. while Cranky Doodle could survive in the school, it wasn't what she would call homely; at least not anymore. She wasn’t even sure how he was able acquire enough sustenance to sustain himself. Other than the farms of Apple Creek, she hadn’t seen any sign of fresh food or water, but those were now out of the question. Shelter too would be an issue. Apple Creek had walls and armed guards for a reason, and Sunset had yet to explain why she was so nervous about being out after dark.

“I bet that if we find the journal we can find a way back.” Spike said.

“How are we going to do that?”

“Well, that demon thing must have a lair, right? What if we were to find it and steal the journal back?”

“Are you kidding, Spike?” Twilight almost shrieked. A thought of Spike facing off alone against the demon flashed through her mind. “Did you see how dangerous that thing was!”

“Yeah, but you’re Twilight Sparkle! You went up against dragons, changelings, Discord, Tirek, the Sirens, Nightmare Moon, King Sombra—”

“Okay, I get it. Thank you, Spike,” she let out a small sigh and glanced down at the ground. “It’s just... I had my magic then. I don’t know what I would have done without it.”

“Yeah, but none of our friends have magic like you do, Twilight. Well, except for Starlight. But they've helped save the world just as much as you have. They didn’t need magic to do so, and neither do you. I know you can do it, Twilight. I believe in you.” Spike smiled up at her with bright, hopeful eyes.

Twilight finally smiled and nuzzled the top of his head. “Thanks Spike, I needed that. You really are the number one assistant in two worlds.”

“It’s no problem, Twilight.” He said, grinning. They waited in silence for a few moments until a low rumble sounded from the dog. “Say, Twilight… Can I have another one of those oat biscuit things Mrs Cake gave us?”

Twilight couldn’t help but smile and laugh.

Sunset returned as Spike and Twilight were enjoying their snacks. Her frown softened as Twilight offered her a biscuit and she happily accepted.

“I guess it’s bad news?” Twilight asked.

Sunset sighed and nodded. “Caramel has always been a sticker for the rules. We're not even supposed to contact anyone inside.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Why’s that?”

Sunset shrugged. “They just don’t want exiles to keep coming back, I guess.”

Twilight placed Spike to the side, grabbed her bag and rose to her feet. “How many people have been exiled for magic before?”

“About eleven people, I think. Sadly, some did go mad, but most I helped escort to Magicland.”

Twilight thought for the moment. “Magicland is full of magic users, right? Surely they know something about how magic works here? Perhaps they could help us figure it out?”

“Last time I checked, they know only about as much as I do,” Sunset said with a small shrug. “But we can ask around. We’ve got to head there anyway. There’s no other safe shelter unless you fancy being a slave to a crystal obsessed tyrant.”

Twilight’s mood soured as her hands gripped tighter to her bag’s straps.

“You’re thinking about trying to take him down, aren't you?”

Spike stood on his hind legs and swung his forepaws in the air. “We did it in Equestria. I’m sure we can do it again here!”

“I mean, it would be nice to do so,” Twilight added.

“Twilight, stop. I know what you two managed to do back in Equestria, but there’s no way you could repeat that here. Things just don’t work the same.”

Twilight shook her head. “I know you’re right, Sunset. But what he did to the Crystal Ponies was just…” She paused, struggling to find the right words. She let out a small sigh and hugged her arms around herself. “I saw what Sombra was able to do to Equestria if he won. I just can’t stand by and let happen here.”

Sunset wrapped an arm around Twilight’s shoulder. “The world would be a better place if more people thought like you, Twilight.” She let out a small sigh. “But that’s a problem for later. First, we’ve got to find a way to contact Applejack.”

Twilight raised her head to meet Sunset’s eyes. “But how are we going to do that if we can’t get in?”

A sly grin crossed Sunset’s face. “Caramel won’t let us in, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get in. We just won’t be using the front door.”

---

Applejack sat outside Sugar Cube Inn, drumming her fingers on the plastic table. She had yet to drink the fresh cider that filled the bottom half of her chipped glass. A few flies had attempted to taste it, but they were half-heartedly waved off.

The town was quickly regaining its shape. New shanty homes were going up fast and the damage to the brick houses had been covered over. Hard Hat was busy organising his work crew as they shored up the most unstable of the damage and prepared the salvaged bricks to repair what damage they could.

Not that it mattered to Applejack. Even the best construction workers left in the world couldn't salvage what remained of her house. She let out a deep sigh and rested her head on the table. She could still see the flames dancing around the crumbling frame of the only place she called home, the very home Granny Smith had helped to build when she was but a young girl; the home her father was born in, and where she had been born too. While she was more than grateful for the house gifted to them after being forced into town, it never felt like a home; nothing could ever replace what they had lost.

But now they had nothing. Once again, they were homeless and they weren't the only ones. She still had no idea where they would stay tonight. Would they now have to live in a shack of wood scraps and metal? She certainly didn’t take that house for granted, but the thought of Apple Bloom and Granny Smith now having to sleep essentially on the streets…

“Darn it all,” she muttered to herself.

“Mind if I have this seat?”

Applejack looked up at Mrs Cake who flashed her a comforting smile.

“Oh, uh, sure.” She lifted herself upright and smiled as politely as she could manage.

Mrs Cake gently sat herself in the creaky, metal garden chair and placed a small plain muffin on the table. “Here, you look like you could use a pick-me-up.”

“That’s what the cider was for,” she sighed. “But thank you.”

“You’re welcome, dear.”

Applejack took a bite of the muffin. The sweet pastry melted in her mouth as the taste of lemon and sugar tickled her taste buds. “Wow… Ah don’t think I’ve had something that sweet for a long time.”

“We keep a few supplies of the good stuff safe for times like this,” Mrs Cake whispered with a chuckle.

Applejack shared in the chuckle and placed the muffin to the side. “I’ll save the rest for Apple Bloom.”

“Good idea.”

The two sat in silence for a few moments as Applejack found herself starting at the quickly warming glass of cider.

“It’s difficult, isn’t it?”

Applejack lifted her head to catch Mrs Cake’s eyes. “Whaddya mean?”

“I mean all that’s happened: Losing your home, having your friends be…” She winced to the side and shook her head. Her gloved hands rubbed against each other. “At least everyone in your family is still in once piece.”

Applejack glanced back down at the cider. “Ah’m being pathetic, aren't I?”

“Oh, not at all, dearie.”

“But Ah am. Ah’m just sittin’ here mopin’ about when Ah could be up there doin’ somethin’ about it. Ah mean… You and Mr Cake are still going on. Ah should too.”

Mrs Cake smiled softly and took a deep breath. “It still hurts, Applejack, it always will. Just be thankful that you only lost a house. If anything were to happen to you kids…” A painful grimace flashed across her face.

“We’ll stay safe,” said Applejack. “We’ll pull through this. We always do.” Applejack leaned back in her seat and looked back other the town. A frown crossed her face as she spotted Night Sentry storming up the main street towards the farms with several guards in tow. “Ah best get going. It looks like trouble is brewin’ again.”

Applejack quickly thanked Mrs Cake, leaving the cider and muffin in her care, before jogging down to the street. Applejack swerved her way through the busy crowds. The sounds of construction work slowly died down as those around her began to exchange nervous glances as a wave of whispers spread through them. Applejack ignored the mutterings, keeping her eyes on the guards. Whatever the news was, those guards must be going to the source.

She followed the guards out of the shantytown and up the street towards the farms and quickened her pace. A crowd had gathered around the edge of the large mass of apple trees where her house once was.

The guards pushed themselves through to the centre of the crowd, and Applejack followed them. Her heart hammed in her chest as she shoved the unsuspecting townspeople out of the way, driving herself to the first row. Her eyes widened at the sight. “Apple Bloom!”

“Big Sis!” the younger Apple cried. She sprinted out of a terrified Fluttershy’s arms and leapt up at her sister, grabbing her in a tight embrace. She shook and sniffed as Applejack wrapped her arms tightly around her.

“Ah’ve got ya, Sugarcube.” She looked up at Night Sentry with a scowl. “What’s going on here?”

Night Sentry kept his expression reserved as he glared down at the two. The guards shuffled around for a moment before cautiously spreading themselves out into a circle around the three girls.

Applejack moved in front of Fluttershy, who was staring at her shaking hands, and held Apple Bloom back as she glared up at the guard captain.

“I would like to know that myself,” Night Sentry said. His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the crowd for a moment before returning his gaze to Apple Bloom and asked, “Apple Bloom. Could you please explain what happened?”

Apple Bloom shuddered and held on tighter to Applejack, burying her head into her sister’s side. Applejack felt a fire burning inside her as she snarled at Night Sentry. “What are you up to this time! Was Sunset not enough?” she shouted.

Night Sentry’s frown deepened for a moment. “Applejack, please. I don’t want you or your family to be harmed—”

“Well, that didn’t stop ya from kicking Sunset and Twilight out now, did it?”

His face grew sterner as he glared down at Applejack. But Applejack only pushed herself upright to meet his eyes. He was still a good few inches taller than her, but that didn’t stop her from trying to glare down on the man. How dare he, she thought. “Ah don’t know what yer trying to pin on Apple Bloom, but it ain’t gonna work.”

She wouldn’t let him kick out another member of her family. This time, they would have to get through her first.

---

“Sunset?” Twilight hissed. She pressed herself tightly against the dead bark of the tree she was hiding behind. Sunset crouched down by her side behind the skeletal remains of a bush as she observed the small gap in the town’s wall where the river flowed. “Sunset?”

“Yes, Twilight?” Sunset replied. Her tone was soft, calm, and determined. She ran the length of climbing rope though her hands, letting it fall into a neat ring on the ground.

“Are you sure this is safe?” Twilight asked. She too glanced back at the gap in the wall. It wasn’t much of a gap, rather the brick and metal wall came to a stop at the edge of the dry riverbed. Metal netting and rows of barbed wire were stretched over the gap to the wooden palisade on the Sweet Apple Acers side of the river. “What if we get caught?”

Sunset scoffed. “They’ve already banished us, Twilight. Sure, they won’t be happy, but they can’t do any worse.”

Twilight’s brow furrowed with doubt. “But what if they do? What if they lock us up or get those Witch Hunters involved?”

“They don’t have the resources to lock us up. As for the Witch Hunters…” Sunset paused for a moment and chewed her lip. “I’m sure we won’t have to worry about them.”

“What do Witch Hunters do anyway?” Spike asked.

Her glare on the fence hardened as her hands tightened around the rope. “They hurt innocent people just because they have magic,” she growled. “And some people in town think those Witch Hunters are doing a good thing. I doubt they would think that if they saw what I saw...”

Twilight glanced away for a moment. The pure disdain in Sunset’s voice was not lost on her. She couldn’t begin to imagine what these Witch Hunters could have done, but as Sunset stared distantly at the wall, Twilight couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She rested a comforting hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Everyone here is afraid of magic, and when people are afraid, they make mistakes, like trusting in these Witch Hunters.”

Sunset relaxed herself and sighed. “You’ve got that right. People are just scared of what they don’t know or understand.”

“That’s true,” Twilight said. A pang of guilt struck her as she recalled the time Zecora first came to Ponyville. How could she and her friends have been so judgemental? All it took to dispel their fear was for Apple Bloom to show some kindness to her.

Perhaps all the towns people needed to stop being so judgmental of magic was to have someone show them how magic can be used for good?

Twilight’s eyes widened as she grinned. “Sunset, I’ve had an idea!”

Sunset raised an eyebrow. “An idea for what?”

“An idea to win over the town. To show them what magic is really all about. But we’ll need the others. We’ve got to help show them that magic is something good.”

Sunset simply shook her head. “I’m afraid it won’t be that easy. They’ll probably riot. You know how they acted when we admitted what we had done.”

Twilight rubbed the back of her head. The pain had faded but she could still feel the rotten apple juices dried into her hair. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh. “We’ve got to try, Sunset. I don’t have my hopes up about it, but we need to teach people that they shouldn’t fear magic. We could use magic to help make everything better for them.”

“Twilight, we’re already getting Applejack in trouble by breaking back in. I don’t want to risk her getting kicked out. Especially after taking the blame from her.”

“Night Sentry wanted you to go, not Applejack. I don’t think he’ll go after Applejack if we get caught. And we won’t get caught… right?”

Sunset shook her head defeatedly. “Fine, you can bring it up with AJ, but it’s up to her if she goes through with it.”

Twilight smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Sunset.”

Sunset flashed a brief smile of her own before turning back to the hole in the fence. “It looks clear. Come on.”

Together they sprinted across the open ground between the trees and the wall. Twilight pushed herself tight up against it as Sunset knelt by the meshing and barbed wire. She peered in and glanced all around before sliding down into the cracked riverbed.

She crossed over into the middle point where the small stream still ran and carefully tied the rope around the lower wires. She then took the far end of the rope and looped it through the fence slightly above her. She grabbed hold of the end of the rope and began to pull.

“Come on…” she grunted to herself as the wire began to twist and bend.

Twilight poked an eye around the corner of the wall. The stream flowed down for several meters before it reached the wooden bridge. The apple orchard stood on the far side. The leaves were still a brilliant green as fresh crimson apples gleamed in the sunlight. Twilight frowned for a moment. She was sure some of the trees were damaged in the fire, and many of them had already been harvested. But now they looked as healthy as ever.

“Twilight, can you give me a hand?” asked Sunset as she strained on the taut rope.

Twilight only nodded and jumped down into the river. She grabbed hold of the rope behind Sunset and started pulling. Even Spike grabbed the last inches of rope in his mouth and pulled with all his might.

Soon a small gap began to emerge from the water. Thick mud rose with it as droplets of brown water fell back into the stream. “Okay, I think that’s enough,” Sunset said. Her voice was strained and she panted deeply as she tied off the end of the rope, ensuring the tension remained. “Spike, you go first, then you Twilight. I’ll follow.”

They nodded and after Spike had crawled through Twilight slid her bag off her back and pushed it after him, carefully keeping it above the water. Finally, she pressed herself down into the river. The water was warm, but fresh and it soothed her sunburnt skin. She kept her head down as not to get her hair caught in the wire. Once she had made it under she crawled out onto the riverbank and panted for breath. Her clothes were soaked and weighed her down, but she didn’t care; the sun would dry them quickly.

Sunset swiftly followed Twilight and joined her on the riverbank. She kept her head down and glanced side to side. A small cluster of half-dead shrubbery concealed them from the farms, but to Twilight’s surprise no one was currently tending to the plants or animals…

Her eyes widened. The plants had fully regrown. Fruits, vegetables and grains all stood ripe and healthy under the clear blue sky. There wasn’t any sign that only a few hours ago they had been burned to ashes.

“Twilight… You know that plan you had?” Sunset carefully said.

Twilight simply nodded in response.

“Well. I think Apple Bloom beat you to it.”

“I think so too,” she said. The implications ran through her mind. She used magic on a scale that most ponies could only dream of and the results were simply breath-taking, but one question still gnawed at Twilight’s mind. “Where is everyone?”

“I don’t know. Something’s wrong… We should find Apple Bloom.”

Twilight nodded as she turned her eyes up to the top of the hill. The large apple tree stood over the crest as shadowy figures appeared against the sky. Twilight froze up at first, but relaxed when she realised they were looking at something just out of sight. Suddenly, distant shouts and angered cries rolled down the hill.

Twilight gulped and stepped out of the undergrowth. “We’ve got to see what’s happening.”

“Just keep your head down, Twilight,” Sunset said. “We can’t be recognised.”

Twilight paused for a moment as she thought. After the spectacle of the trial she was in little doubt that they would easily be identified. Her eyes skimmed over the thick plants until she spotted an old table with a pile of straw, sacks and rough fabrics lined over it. She hurried over and lifted an old coat from the table. It was heavy and smelled foul, but it would easily cover her.

“Stealing from a scarecrow? Good idea,” Sunset chuckled as she lifted the half-built figure from the ground and pulled a coat for herself off its wooden bones. Both Twilight and Sunset tucked their hair away and swapped hats in an effort to further hide themselves.

Once Twilight was satisfied with her appearance she swiftly jogged up the hill towards the corner of what use to be Applejack’s house. The crowd was thinner here and the shade of the trees shrouded the corner in a cooling shadow. Twilight carefully pushed herself through the spectators, but she couldn’t help but hear the cries and silent mutterings.

“They’re witches. All of them are.”

“What did you do to our crops!”

“I can’t believe it. They were always so good…”

“We should hand them over to the Witch Hunters.”

Twilight gulped and forced her way through to the front row.

The crowd stood a good few feet away from Applejack, who was busy staring down Night Sentry. Fluttershy stood behind them cowing with Apple Bloom, although it was Fluttershy who was doing the most of the shaking.

“Applejack,” said Night Sentry as he held his hands up in a calming manner, “let’s just calm down and discuss this somewhere private—”

“Ah ain’t moving an inch!” Applejack snapped. “Mah sister did nothin’!”

More mumbles rippled through the crowd. Twilight glanced to Sunset who’s face conveyed the same sense of worry that rumbled in Twilight’s gut. She spotted a few individuals collect small stones from the ground as others carefully slid rotten fruit between them. She was about to turn to them when Sunset grabbed her arm. She silently shook her head and nodded back to Applejack.

Night Sentry had turned to the crowd and raised his hands to the crowd, gesturing for them to move back. “Everyone, go back to what you were doing. We can handle this from here—”

“Night Sentry!” bellowed Granny Smith, enraged voice drowning out the surrounding crowd as she stormed into the circle, with Big Mac and Cheerilee close in tow. A pair of unfortunate guards were pushed aside as she marched up to the guard captain and pointed an accusing finger at him. “What in tarnation is going on here?”

An annoyed scowl flushed over his face. “That’s what I’m trying to find out, Granny Smith.”

“Yeah, by bullying Apple Bloom!” snapped Applejack.

“All I’m doing is trying to keep the peace.”

“What are ya up too?” Granny Smith snarled. “Tryin’ to get mah grandkids kicked out too?”

Night Sentry took a step back, removed his hat from his head and bowed his head sincerely. He said something in a low voice that Twilight couldn’t make out as the crowd started shouting and screaming.

Twilight gulped as the guards nervously shuffled back letting a few brave members of the crowd encroach on the group.

“They’re witches!” a person next to her snapped. “I bet everyone in that house was a witch!”

“Why didn’t the council investigate them better? That Sunset girl couldn’t have been the only one.”

“I heard they’ve been keeping food for themselves. That’s why they’re always so well fed.”

One bystander managed to slip past the guards as they wrestled to keep order. A boy, no older then Apple Bloom and with purple hair, broke through the guards and stood at the edge. He stared fearfully at Apple Bloom and then glanced up at Night Sentry. “I saw her!” he cried in a loud and clear tone. “I saw Apple Bloom use magic! She showed me it!”

“T-Tender Taps?” Apple Bloom stammered as tears rolled down her face. “P-Please…”

The boy regarded her for a moment and then glanced away. “She… She was talking to the trees and they started to grow back like nothing I’ve ever seen. Then she… She did something to the ground and all the plants started to grow.”

Apple Bloom choked out a sob and said, “Tender… Please… Yer mah friend,”

He looked back up at her with a hardened resolve, betrayed by the tear that escaped his eye. “I’m no friend of witches.”

The crowd erupted into a roar of shouts and cries. Twilight scanned them as the child’s words carried them into storm of anger. Both Amethyst Star and the Cakes had managed to make their way to the front of the crowd. Amethyst Star looked on with a grave glare whilst Mr and Mrs Cake huddled together and watched fearfully.

“Banish them all! They all should go!” one woman cried.

“No! Hand them to the Witch Hunters!” a scared man bellowed. “They deserve it!”

“They’ve had a convent right under our noses! Who knows what they’ve been doing with their magic!”

“They want to destroy us all! That’s why they brought the demon to us!”

“We should be careful,” Sunset whispered. “This could get worse at any moment.”

“I know,” Twilight half-replied as she stared at the tight circle the Apples had formed around Apple Bloom and Fluttershy. Fluttershy was doing her best to console the sobbing young Apple. Night Sentry continued to attempt to calm down the crowd as Applejack and Granny Smith glared at him.

Twilight shook her head and took of her hat. She heard Sunset call her name, but Twilight was already sprinting towards her friends. She darted past the startled guards and skidded to a halt next to Applejack. Sunset followed and stopped next to her with Spike close behind.

Applejack eyed them with a mixture of shocked relief. “Twilight? Sunset? What are ya doing here?”

“I could say the same thing!” Night Sentry snapped. “How the hell did you two get back in here?”

“We had to speak to Applejack. It was a genuine emergency,” Twilight answered. She turned back to Applejack, asking, “Are you all okay?”

Applejack didn’t take her eyes off Night Sentry. She kept a stern face but up close Twilight could see her jaw quivered as her fisted hands shook. “They haven’t tried anything yet…”

“Girls,” said Night Sentry, “I don’t know what is going on, but—”

“Of course you do!” Applejack snapped. “You probably set this all up just like what yer did with Sunset! What did you do bribe Tender Taps with, huh? What was it?”

“Applejack,” Apple Bloom croaked from behind.

“Ya stay out of this, Sugarcube. Let me deal with this varmint.”

“No, Applejack. He… Tender is telling the truth.”

Applejack turned to her sister, her eyes widened as her expression hardened. “He’s what now?”

Twilight looked softly down at the younger Apple. “You used your magic to try to help, didn’t you?”

Apple Bloom sniffed and wiped her tears on her sleeve. She stepped forwards and nodded. “Ah just couldn’t stand seeing those trees… my friends suffer like that. They’re just like… well, not people. More like dogs. They were all in so much pain but Ah knew I could help them. So, I did.”

She glanced over to Tender Taps for a moment before diverting her gaze back to the ground. “Tender Taps was there and… Ah wanted to share it with him. Ah thought… Ah thought that…”

Applejack wrapped an arm around her sister and gave her a tight squeeze as more tears flowed from her eyes.

“Ah just scared him, and he started panickin’ and then Ah started to panic. Then… Ah don’t know how but Ah made all the plants grow. All of them.” She looked up at Night Sentry and then glanced towards the towns people. “Ah’m so sorry. Ah didn’t mean any of it. Ah just wanted to help.”

Twilight closed her eyes and sighed. She turned her attention back to the crowd. Some looked on with sympathetic looks, but they were few and far between the fearful glanced and scowling glares. Slowly, their voices began to rise again.

Twilight stepped forwards. “Everyone, can I have your attention? Please, listen to me. It’s important.”

The crowd’s shouts only grew louder as hateful slurs were bellowed against Twilight and Sunset.

Twilight wilted back as the guards gave each other a panicked look as they attempted to hold back the crowds.

Mrs Cake shook her head and then cried, “Everyone, listen to her. Please, I want to hear what she has to say.”

After a few moments, a begrudging but respectful silence fell over the crowd.

Twilight flashed a smile to Mrs Cake who returned with a kind nod. Twilight took a deep breath and began to speak. “I know you’re scared. Dark magic has done so much harm to you and your world, so I don’t blame you for blaming magic.”

She glanced to Sunset who was beaming at her. Twilight returned the smile and turned back to the crowd.

“But magic can be wonderful too. Magic can do so much good. It can help others. It can make your lives easier. It can protect you from harm. I know this to be true and you only have to look at your farms to see the evidence for yourselves. Just a few hours ago they were nothing but ash, but look at them now! There’s more than enough food to feed the whole town! Magic has done so much good for my friends and I. It’s brought us closer than I ever thought possible. So please, let us show you what magic truly means.”

Twilight’s eyes scanned over the crowd. Some were listening with honest interest whilst others continued to glare. Twilight’s eyes settled on Mrs Cake and smiled at her.

Mrs Cake didn’t smile back. She glanced away and shuffled back into her husband’s arm. She slowly shook her head as tears came to her eyes. “I’m sorry, Twilight,” she said.

While she scarcely heard the words, the pain in Mrs Cake’s voice was like a stab to the heart. “Mrs Cake, please, you can trust us. Let us show you the true meaning of magic.”

“I do trust you girls… But I can’t trust magic. Not after… Not after what it did.”

Twilight faltered for a moment. Murmurs were shared through the crowd. Her words became more desperate. “Mrs Cake, everyone, please, just give us a chance! My friends and I have had magic for a long time, and we can share it with you. Please, don’t blame the magic. It isn’t magic’s fault that it was used to hurt you.”

Mrs Cake shot a glance at Twilight before her face contorted into a pained sob. She wrapped her arms around her husband and buried her face into his chest.

Sunset to place a firm hand on her shoulder. Twilight met her eyes. They were full of sorrow as she shook her head.

Twilight glanced back to Mrs Cake. Her eyes traced over her flame scarred skin and the clothes that hung loosely from her gaunt body. She wept openly into Mr Cake’s chest as he did his best to console and remain balanced on his walking stick.

Twilight’s heart sank as the realisation kicked up. Magic did this to them. They weren’t just driven from their home, magic hurt them and…

Her heart skipped a beat.

“S-Sunset…” she slowly and cautiously whispered. Her voice shook as her eyes didn’t dare leave the Cakes. “Do the Cakes in this world have… children?”

Twilight felt Sunset tense. After a moment, she whispered, “They did.”

Twilight’s blood ran cold and her knees gave out. She stumbled forwards and was sure she would have collapsed if it wasn’t for Sunset grabbing her. Twilight didn’t care; she felt her lungs burn as her breaths came fast and deep. Her eyes stung as she looked at the family and shook her head. No… No, please. Anything but that! “I’m… I’m so sorry,” she choked.

Mrs Cake gave a small nod. She glanced at them one last time before she turned and disappeared back into the crowd with Mr Cake close behind. The crowd themselves looked on in silent contempt, many shaking their heads and whispering bitterly to those next to them as a few other sobbed.

“P-Please!” Twilight choked. “Please… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for what magic has done to you all. But please don’t blame Apple Bloom for it! She hasn’t hurt anyone. She just wanted to help you all.”

“Why should we listen to you?” one townsperson cried. “You’re the one who brought the demon here!”

The crowd erupted into a wave of angered jeers and shouts, soon a few rocks and pieces of fruit began to land at their feat. Twilight backed up until the group huddled tightly together. Twilight’s her chest rapidly heaved as the crowd started to encroach.

Bang!

Twilight’s heart jumped into her throat.

The crowd froze.

Night Sentry held his smoking gun in the air. “Everyone go home. Now!” he ordered.

The crowd looked among themselves for a moment and begrudgingly began to dissipate, many shooting hateful glares at the girls as they left. The crowd parted around Filthy Rich who leaned on a cane and had a long coat wrapped over his back. He stared at Twilight with half-closed, sunken eyes.

Cheerilee pushed herself past the guards and ran over to their side, asking if they were okay. Twilight let the others answer as she continued to stare back at Filthy Rich. His hands began to tremble as he slowly limped his way forwards. His cane tapped loudly on the asphalt with each step.

Twilight held her breath as her eyes never left his own beady, blood-shot, piercing glare. A look of tired scorn was etched over his face, along with a hint of deep sadness.

He stopped and his eyes carefully passed over all of them. He closed them and sighed deeply. “Granny Smith, Applejack, Sunset... I am so sorry for what has occurred, but I am afraid things have become rather difficult.”

“Filthy,” Granny Smith said softly, “we don’t want any trouble. Ya don’t have to do anythin’.”

“If I had it my way, then I would never say this… But I am afraid that you must go. All of you.”

“Yer kicking us all out!” Applejack snapped.

He took a deep and steady breath. “Yes. It’s for your own safety, I know none of you would ever harm the town…”—His eyes met Twilight’s with an exhausted glare—“intentionally. You heard the people, they’re practically crying for your blood.”

Twilight glanced away and swallowed the lump in her throat. Sunset’s hand dug deeper into her shoulder as she too began to shake.

“Filthy Rich, please don’t do this,” Sunset pleaded. “There’s got to be some other way.”

“I agree. Surely that’s too extreme,” Cheerilee added.

“I must agree with Filthy Rich,” Night Sentry declared, not at all to Twilight’s surprise. He glanced down at them with a small frown. “If the town wants you gone, then myself or the guards can’t do anything to stop them. I’m afraid some of them would even join in. Especially against you two who dared to break back in.”

Twilight winced under his spiteful glare.

“I don’t say this lightly,” Filthy Rich said. “But please, for your safety and for the safety of the town, you should go. At least until things calm down.”

Cheerilee shook her head. “Filthy, they can’t go. The town needs them! Who would look after the farms?”

“The Apples aren’t the only ones who can look after a few crops,” Davenport said as he strolled over and crossed his arms. He turned his nose up at the group, refusing to meet their eyes. “Besides, we have no need of their kind around here.”

It took several deep breaths for Twilight to calm herself. As she steadied herself on her feet, she pushed her arm away from her chest and let out one final long breath. “Filthy Rich, please… I know this must be hard for you, for all of you, but believe me when I say that magic isn’t evil. Magic is something that can be used for good.”

Filthy Rich glared down at Twilight as his grip on his cane tightened. “Twilight, I haven’t slept in over twenty-four hours. Do you want to know why? It’s because I’ve been cleaning up the mess you made with that demon you brought to town. The mess that left thirty-seven seriously injured,” He paused as his lips quivered and his grip tightened further. “And left eight dead.”

No, was the only word that ran through Twilight’s mind. No, no, no, no, no! She shook her head and took step back.

Filthy Rich glanced to the side as his eyes glistened. “Eight,” he croaked. “Eight dead… Including my dear sweet Spoiled Rich.”

Twilight was faintly aware of Cheerilee's gasp as the woman ran to Filthy Rich’s side.

Dead. The word stung at her like a thousand parasprite bites. Back home, ponies had always got hurt in monster attacks, that was unavoidable. But being killed? Twilight supposed she was fortunate that nopony had received such a fate. But now, that luck had run out.

And it’s all my fault, she thought.

Her knees gave way again as the world around her spun. Her stomach lurched and threatened to release its contents. The argument around her was drowned away as she fell back into Sunset and Applejack’s arms.

All she wanted to do was to help. All she wanted to do was to save people.

All she did was make things worse.

---

The town’s gates closed behind them with a metallic thud. Twilight silently walked down the street with Fluttershy at her side. Sunset and Applejack were storming ahead as Granny Smith, Big Mac and Apple Bloom followed closely behind them.

Magicland; that was their goal now. Sunset had promised that she would get them inside, but said that it would be up to their mayor whether they would be allowed to stay.

Not that Twilight cared that much. Her legs numbly followed her friends as her eyes remained fixated on the ground.

She couldn’t think. She couldn’t feel. She couldn’t stand to look at anything beyond the ground directly in front of her.

“Twilight?” Spike said from Fluttershy’s arms. “Twilight?”

She turned her head to meet his concerned eyes.

“Hey… How are you doing?” he softly asked.

“I don’t know, Spike,” Twilight whispered. “I just… I don’t know how to feel. Everything that’s happened… It’s just been too much.” She couldn’t help but yawn. She had been struggling to keep her eyes open for the last hour, but she feared what she would see if she were to close them.

She glanced off to the side, watching the cracked sidewalk pass by her. Her arms she kept wrapped tightly across her stomach as she hunched over herself. It hurt to think. Every time she attempted to engage her mind she saw the demon, or rather something akin to it. It still hurt to remember the demon itself. She saw it, flying over the burning town as its residents lay dying in the street. Only, this wasn’t Apple Creek. It was Ponyville. Home.

Twilight saw herself standing among her friends, each of them pleading out to her to do something. But she couldn’t. She was helpless. She had no magic, she had nothing to help. She gritted her teeth as she held back the fresh onslaught of tears.

“You’re thinking about the demon again, aren’t you?” Spike asked.

“I can’t help it, Spike!” she cried. “I just… How can I stop?”

“Have you forgotten our talk earlier?” he asked. “We can still do it. We will find that thing, get the journal back and make that demon regret hurting our friends!”

Twilight took in a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah, I remember.” She glanced back at the Apples who followed them. “I just wish we didn’t have to get anyone else involved.”

“T-Twilight.” Fluttershy’s soft voice was barely auditable through her scarf. “If it helps then I forgive you.”

Twilight would have met her eyes as she smiled if they weren’t hidden under a thick pair of sunglasses. She felt like she wanted to smile, but only tears came. “T-Thanks, Fluttershy. It… It does help.” After a few silent moments, Twilight wiped the tears away. “It’s not fair. You, Big Mac and Granny Smith didn’t do anything.”

“An Apple never abandons their family,” Granny Smith said. “Ah say good riddance. They didn’t want us there anymore. None of ‘em did. So long as we’re together, then that’s all what matters. And don’t yer go blaming yerself for what happened, Apple Bloom. Ya did nothin’ wrong. Ah’m proud of what ya did for the trees.”

Twilight glanced back at them. Apple Bloom clung lovingly to her grandmother’s side as they walked. Big Mac smiled softly down on her.

Twilight finally felt a small smile of her own break out. They may have all been banished, but as long as they were all together, then they were home. If only the rest of her friends could be here with her.

By the time they reached Canterlot High, the sun was beginning to dip below the western mountains, bathing the world in a warm orange glow. Twilight stared at the base of the statue, hoping beyond all might that it would reopen or that some clue would reveal itself.

She wasn’t sure how long she had been staring at it, or even why she was. It was nothing more than a solid lump of rock now.

“I did the same thing once,” Sunset said. Twilight hadn’t even noticed that she had walked up to her side; or had she been there all along? “Staring at the portal like that. Of course, it wasn’t because I missed home… Anyway, Twilight. I promise we’ll get you back. I don’t know if we’ll find a way to open the portal, but we’ll look for one. If the worse comes to the worse then we’ll just find somewhere safe to live until it opens naturally again.”

Twilight glanced at her for a moment and then turned back to the pedestal. Her brow furrowed in thought. The sincerity in Sunset’s voice brought a spark of warmth to her, but then again, she would do the same for Sunset if their positions were reversed. “We should leave a message in case Starlight or the others come through.”

“That’s a good idea,” Sunset agreed. She paused for a moment. “I’ll just go and find something to write it on.”

Twilight faintly nodded and once again placed her hand against the stone surface. She sighed, closed her eyes and let her head fall against it. She could see her library in her mind, all its books were scattered around as her friends scoured them for any clue as to open the portal. They would never give up on her. She let a small smile cross her face as her hand clawed at the stone.

“It will be okay, Twilight,” Apple Bloom said, startling her from the dream. “Ah’m sure you’ll get home.”

Twilight glanced at her and gave her a small smile, she twisted some more to look at the ruined tents lying before the school’s entrance. “Applejack?”

“Yeah, Twi?” the farm girl said as she walked over to her side.

“Are you any good with a shovel?”

“A shovel? What’re ya thinking of?”

Twilight turned to the confused girl. “There’s something I need to do.”

It was hard work digging in the dry, solid dirt, but eventually a shallow grave had been dug under the shade of a small grove of dead trees. The bones were carefully laid inside and Granny Smith lade a wooden cross to mark the grave. Twilight would have been fascinated in knowing the origin of such an odd tombstone design, but she had neither the time or energy to inquire about it.

They stood around the grave in a respectful silence for a few moments. Eventually Sunset placed her hat back on her head and said, “We should get a move on. We need to find shelter before it gets dark.”

Everyone nodded and slowly left, leaving Twilight, Spike and Applejack behind. “Did you know who they were?” Applejack asked.

Twilight just shook her head. “I’m just glad they’re finally at rest.”

“Me to, Twi. Me too.” Applejack placed her hat back on her head and wrapped an arm around Twilight’s shoulders. “Come, yer exhausted. Let’s find a place to sleep.”

Twilight smiled and stumbled along with her. Her eyes were growing as heavy as her arms. She glanced at the message Sunset had painted on a sheet of metal and left at the base of the statue. It was a simple one, quickly explaining that the world was dangerous and that they had gone north to Magicland.

Twilight’s stomach twisted itself in hunger as each step became more difficult. If not for Applejack, she doubted she could have made it through the maze of ruined streets and rotting homes. Sunset stopped every now and again to carefully examined the path ahead. She lead them between the wrecks of cars and over cracks and fissures in the ground. Occasionally they would move off the road and sneak through the back yards of the silent homes.

Twilight silently scanned the ruins as they went. A cold chill crawled up her spine as shadows moved in the corner of her eyes. Metal clanged some distance away, bringing the group to a startled stop. “Sunset…” Twilight whispered. “I think we’re being followed.”

“We are,” Sunset replied. “Don’t worry, we’re safe in numbers.”

If her words were meant to be calming, then they had the opposite effect. Applejack’s grip around her shotgun tightened and Big Mac carefully unslung is rifle from his back. Granny Smith’s hold on Apple Bloom tightened as the girl pushed herself closer to her grandmother. Spike’s ears stood on ends as his tail tensed. Twilight just continued to walk at a brisker pace, her eyes refusing to blink.

The final rays of sunlight had vanished below the horizon as the sky turned from a band of orange and purple to a deep inky black. Sunset paused in the centre of a suburban street. The road was lined with many large homes that still stood in a good condition. She glanced up at the closest house. The last flakes of its white paint fluttered in the gentle breeze as it’s dark and intact windows loomed over them.

Sunset tried the door. “It’s locked. This place looks good for the night. AJ, can you give me a hand?”

Applejack moved up to the door and with a single shattering kick the door swung open. Sunset pulled out a flashlight and her gun and entered closely followed by Applejack.

Twilight stood with her arms wrapped around her. She turned her eyes to the darkened streets. The shadows were like dark stains across the street under the pale moonlight. Dead trees swayed in the wind, drawing her attention. She could feel them—eyes in the darkness glaring at them.

Twilight almost leapt out of her skin when Fluttershy appeared next to her. She too jumped back and mumbled a quiet apology.

“I-It’s okay, Fluttershy… Sorry, I guess I’m just a bit jumpy.”

Fluttershy nodded softly. “There’s nothing out here at the moment,” she whispered. Her eyes darted between Twilight and her own twiddling fingers. “There aren't even any animals.”

“Are you sure?”

Fluttershy just nodded again.

“It’s all clear,” Applejack said from the door. “Y’all can come on in.”

Twilight eased herself inside and looked around the dusty hallway. The thick stale air choked at her as she looked at the faded photographs that lined the walls. She glanced through a door into what appeared to be a living room. It was spacious and carefully decorated in a way that Rarity would surely have been impressed with, but the matching colours were hidden under dust and damp as an unnatural sense of stillness settled over the place. Twilight didn’t dare breathe out of fear of disturbing the place.

“Twilight, you should go and get some sleep,” Sunset suggested. “Applejack will take the first watch, I’ll go next. You just rest, okay?”

“Are you sure it’s safe here?” Twilight asked.

Sunset grimaced and gently shook her head. “No. Nowhere out here is safe. But this place is better than nothing. There were some bedrooms upstairs. Let’s find you one.”

Twilight let Sunset escort her up to the first floor and into a bedroom by the stairs. Two beds sat on either side of the room and a pile of moth-eaten stuffed animals sat between them. Pictures of rainbows, princesses, and unicorns lined the pale walls and a dressing table sat in one corner next to a small bookcase. Twilight couldn’t make out the titles of the books in the dark, but the sight brought a sense of familiar comfort to her.

She yawned loudly as Sunset brushed the thin layer of dust from one of the beds. Twilight unzipped Sunset’s old jacket, neatly folded it and placed it on the bookcase before she climbed into the bed. Spike hopped up next to her and nuzzled up against her side.

The bed welcomed her like a heavenly hug. It might as well have been a cloud bed with how soft it felt. Her body instantly relaxed and began to drift off.

She remained awake long enough to watch Sunset draw the curtains over the window and then climbed into the opposite bed. “Goodnight, Spike. Goodnight, Sunset,” she whispered as she closed her eyes.

She fell into a deep slumber before she could hear a reply.

---

Applejack leaned back in the soft armchair she had dragged from the living room into the hallway. She carefully placed the half-consumed bottle of cider she found in the kitchen on the ground and rested her hands on her shotgun. It was carefully resting on her lap; the breech was open and two shells were ready inside.

Her eyes stared at the narrow slits of pale moonlight that shone through the windows in the door. The hallway itself was shrouded in a thick darkness. Applejack could barely make out her hand in front of her face, let alone the couch that she had used to barricade the door with. Her hand brushed over the flashlight she had at her side, but with batteries in short supply and the risk of drawing unwanted attention, she hoped to not need it.

Her hand tightened its grip around it as her ears strained against the silence. She briefly wondered if this was what it’s like to be blind and deaf.

There were no creaks in the wood, nor was there a sound from outside. Her hand dug into the grip of the flashlight, desperate to stimulate any sense. The faint ringing deep within her ears often rose up to be the only sound she heard. She shook it away and tried to focus on her own breaths and the gentle snores of Granny Smith.

Finally, a faint squeak sliced through the silence from the staircase to her right.

Applejack leapt out of the seat, swinging the flashlight around to shine at the offending step.

Fluttershy let out a fearful squeak and shielded her eyes as she fell against the wall.

“Fluttershy?” Applejack lowered the light and blinked her own eyes into focus. “What are you doing sneakin’ around like that?”

Fluttershy trembled and glanced away from the light. She squeaked softly and tightly wrapped her arms around herself before sliding down the wall to perch on the steps.

Applejack sighed and rested herself on the banister. “Hey, Ah’m sorry for startlin’ ya, Fluttershy.” She paused for a moment as Fluttershy glanced out at her from behind her hair. “Can’t sleep?”

She slowly nodded. “I… I’m hungry, Applejack.”

Applejack took a step back and carefully stared down at Fluttershy who only winced and glanced away.

"Oh," Applejack muttered. There was a moment of pause as she rubbed at her wrist. Applejack had made sure to share out the meagre supplies they had earlier, but how could she have forgotten Fluttershy? Although, she wasn’t the easiest of people to cater for. Applejack shook her head and said, “Ah guess… If ya want, that is, Ah could…”

“No!” Fluttershy suddenly snapped. She winced and glanced away again, running her hands up her arms as she pulled her legs tighter against herself. “I-I mean… Please, don’t do that. I don’t want that.”

Applejack cold only feel sympathy for the girl. Fluttershy shook as she held herself in a tight ball. She was doing the same thing all those years ago when Applejack found her in her barn. This time, fortunately, nothing had happened... yet. “Fluttershy, Ah’ve got to do something to help.”

Fluttershy started to play with a bang of her hair. “I want to go outside.”

“Outside? What, out with the monsters and all those crazy mad folk? Ah can’t let you do that. It’s not safe.”

Fluttershy shrunk down a bit. “Nowhere is safe, Applejack.”

Applejack stared down at her for a moment before sighing. “Fluttershy, sneakin’ out to feed your animal friends back in Apple Creek was one thing, but here… Ah promised nothing bad would happen to ya. But if ya go out there then Ah can’t do that.”

“Please, Applejack,” Fluttershy gasped. “I… I can’t be in here. I’ve got to get out.”

Applejack moved to sit on the stairs next to Fluttershy. Her hands once again found their way to her wrists. “Ah know that your… condition ain't easy to cope with, Fluttershy; just hang on in there. But if it’s really that bad, then Ah’ll help.”

Fluttershy shook her head. “N-No! I’m not doing that again. I can’t. Please Applejack, don’t make me do it.”

Applejack frowned. “And ya want to go out there and do what?”

Fluttershy grimaced and looked away. “I won’t go far. I promise.” She looked back with large pleading eyes. “Please Applejack. Please let me out.”

Applejack met her gaze and leaned back. Her stubbornness melt away under those two cyan orbs. She let out a low sigh and nodded with a small smile. “Okay, Fluttershy, Ah will… Ah…”

She blinked and looked away, a small buzz rippled away from her mind as she shook her head. Why did she say that? A faint dizziness overcame her as her head fell into her hands. “Did ya just...?”

Fluttershy gasped and snapped her head away, placing her hands over her eyes. “I… I’m so sorry!” she choked.

Applejack glanced up and rubbed her temples. “Is it really that bad?”

“I… I can’t risk it getting any worse,” she desperately said, wrapping herself in a tight hug. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

Applejack glanced off into the darkness and sighed. “You know, we should have told Sunset long ago. She probably can help a lot more then Ah can.”

Fluttershy glanced at her from the corner of her eyes. She shivered in her place and shook her head. “She can’t know. No one can.”

“Fluttershy, ya can trust her. She’ll still be yer friend.”

Fluttershy turned her gaze away and buried her head into her hands and knees.

Applejack stared at her for a few moments. Why must she be so stubborn about it? She thought. She needs help, more than Ah can provide. She shook her head and sighed. What should Ah do?

She knew full well that Fluttershy wouldn’t last more than a few minutes if left alone against whatever horrors waited outside. From Sunset’s tales, she knew that she wouldn’t either. The back of her head still felt tender from where the demon had sent her into a wall. The fact that she was still able to walk after that was a miracle, but she did not want to try her luck again anytime soon.

She met Fluttershy’s eyes again. There was a deep sense of determination behind them, along with a deep fear. It had been over two years since Applejack had seen that look in her eyes. They had managed well enough in Apple Creek, but out here…

Applejack could only feel sorry for what Fluttershy was going through.

“Okay. Ah’ll let ya out. But ya gotta stay close by, okay? Knock three times and Ah’ll let ya in, and scream—actually scream—if ya get into trouble, an’ Ah’ll be out quicker than a fox to a chicken coop.”

Fluttershy lifted her head enough to nod. “Thank you,” she whispered with a small smile.

Applejack stood and carefully dragged the couch away from the door, letting it swing open on its broken hinges. Fluttershy carefully glanced outside for a few moments before shakingly nodding. “It doesn’t look too scary… Thank you, Applejack. I… I promise I won’t go far. I just need some time.”

“Yeah, Ah know. But if ya ever want to talk then you can always come to me.”

Fluttershy gave her a kind smile before slipping out into the darkness. Applejack waited several seconds before carefully sliding the couch back up against the door, locking it tight. She didn’t return to her chair, instead she moved to the large window in the sitting room. She peered out from behind the heavy drapes and scanned the shadows for any sign of her friend, or for any sign of something certainly unfriendly.

The street stood still and empty under the dazzling stars that glistened in the clear sky like a scattering of diamonds. Applejack’s eyes grew heavy as she rested her head against the windowsill. She glanced at her watch; only two hours until she was due to swap places with Sunset.

She sighed to herself and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The house had long since returned to its eternal deafening silence and Applejack wished desperately for anything to break it. Her fingers softly drummed against the windowsill. An old song began playing in her mind. Once upon a time, you came into my world and made the stars align…

Her gaze turned downwards as she sighed. How long had it been since the Rainbooms last sung together? She closed her eyes and pictured herself back in the music room of CHS with all her friends. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Twilight—the human one—they were all there. It had been so long since she had seen their faces or heard their voices.

She sighed again and gazed longingly out the window. The moon was three-quarters full tonight, but it shone brightly in the night sky.

The song came to an end. We shine like rainbows…

A tear rolled down her cheek as a new tune took hold in her mind. It was a softer and gentle melody, more like a lullaby then the upbeat feel-good music they use to play. Her eyes grew heavy as she let the angelic tune play out in her mind. It was clearer now: a sweet song sung by a voice so gentle and pure that it could hardly exist in such a wasteland, yet there were no words, at least none she could make out. It calling out to her, soothing her troubled mind and her body relaxed in kind.

It was growing louder now. Easing the painful thoughts away as it grew closer. Applejack smiled gently as her eyes began to close…

No!

Her eyes shot open. A shadow moved outside.

Applejack fell back from the window and gasped as she hit the ground. She forced herself to the side, grunting with the effort. Her breaths grew heavy as she struggled against the growing weight of the air that was beginning to push down on her like a cider press. Her arms and legs felt especially heavy. She dug her fingers into the carpet and dragged herself along towards the hallway. The closer she got the heavier her eyes grew and the harder it was to move.

She dragged herself around the corner and stared down at the door. Something large was outside. She could hear it shuffling around and scraping at the wood.

The shotgun! He eyes would have widened in worry if they could. She had left it by the window, along with her flashlight. She tried to move some more, but her arms and legs refused to budge. She wanted to scream and cry out, but nothing more than a small squeak left her throat.

And that music was still there. The heavenly singing just would not stop. It passed so clearly through the door and filled the air that Applejack would have thought she was listening to it though a pair of headphones.

There was a slam at the door. It rattled and shook as the couch was knocked backwards. The slam was followed up by another, along with the harsh scratching of claws against the wood. A third slam was all it took to break the door off its hinges.

Moonlight poured in over the shadowy mass that stood in the doorway. Strong darkened limbs of twisted bone and flesh reached through the gap and pulled the door out the way as another pair ripped at the door frame.

Applejack held her breath and stared out from her half-closed eyes.

The monster didn’t move, but two new shadows appeared. These were smaller, about the same size as Apple Bloom, and were human in shape. The singing finally stopped.

“See, I told you I saw them!” a young feminine voice said with a slight squeak. Its owner hurried inside around the edge of the ruined couch and stopped in front of Applejack.

Applejack could only stare at her pale, bare feet. They were small and crossed with many scars, some still fresh, and were coated in dirt and grime. The girl bent over her and hummed to herself. Her breath brushed against Applejack’s hair and smelled of dirt and sweat.

“You’re right. This is great!” the second figure said with a rasping tone, this one’s gender was harder to identify. “So, is she asleep?”

“Not yet, but she soon will be,” the girl replied with a small giggle. “The others are all asleep upstairs; they’ll be out for hours!”

“Well, come on then! Let’s go!” the second voice said. Applejack’s vision blurred as the two shadows thundered up the stairs.

Tears burned at her eyes as they begged to be closed. She refused to give in. She wanted to scream and shout out in rage, but only a faint sigh escaped her mouth. She tried to move, but her body refused to comply. Everything felt so heavy. Her breaths were long and gentle. It felt so good just lying there…

She could hear them upstairs banging and shouting to each other. The words had become muted and her vision blurred. That thing was still in the doorway. Its painful rasps soon echoed her own breaths.

“Careful! You’ll drop her!” the girl said.

“Hey, you should try carrying the heavy half!” the second voice retorted.

Their footsteps were heavier on the stairs. They reached the ground and stumbled towards the door with a limp body in their arms. Applejack managed to grit her teeth as she watched the shadows carry the body out of the door.

“Dad, could you please help?” the girl asked.

The creature outside moved and let out a low groan. A twisted and gnarled limb of blackened flesh jerked through the sliver of moonlight and scooped up the body then rested it on its back.

Applejack’s breath caught in her throat. She could recognise that shadow anywhere.

Her eyes felt as if they were going to burst. Her heart strained itself as it attempted to beat faster.

She tried to scream, but no sound came.

She was tried. So very tired.

It took the last of her energy to finally raise her hand by an inch.

Darkness overcame her. The image through the doorway was burned into her restless dreams: that of Apple Bloom, sleeping soundly on the monster’s back.

Author's Note:

I'm sorry for the delay. Sadly I don't think I can keep up a regular scheduled from now on, but I'll do my best to update as often as I can.

This chapter retrod some ground that really should have been covered in the previous chapter, sorry for that, but the group is finally out and on the road! And they've already encountered their first danger...

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts, comments, suggestions, speculation or anything else you have to say. I hope you enjoyed.

Comments

[Fangren]

Ohhh, dear. Looks like Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, and I guess Sweetie Belle's dad, are...not right anymore.

[thatguyvex]

Alright, re-reading that last scene things I think make a lot more sense now than they did my first tie through. I do like how the harder realities of the events transpiring in this world are hitting Twilight and she's gradually coming to grips with things. And the mystery with Fluttershy only continues to increase and make me eager to see how that pans out. I'm as eager as ever to see where this story goes, so keep it up!

[DDDDDDDDD23]

Twilight does not seem to get that she is in a different world. Magic there is like the animals that are released by travellers that destroy environments.