From All Fronts

The sun had fallen past the horizon, and the moon now hung in the deep blue sky. The pale light of the moon and stars lit up the wealthy city of Canterlot, and its golden castle. The refugees of Ponyville had long since been hoarded into the castle’s ballroom, and were chatting nervously. The royal guards were standing ever vigilant, waiting to protect their city from any foreign intruders.

In the top of one of the golden towers was a lone blacksmith; a stallion with a black mane, and an anvil cutie mark. He was the pony in charge of the royal guard’s armory; he was in charge of weapon crafting, as well as distribution to authorized ponies. He was very highly regarded by the guards and Princesses, for he was one of the only blacksmith ponies in Canterlot. For that reason, he usually had multiple guards outside of his room, as well as at the bottom of the spiral staircase. Today however, there weren’t any guards outside of his room, for the guards were occupied elsewhere.

There were still a couple of guards at the bottom of the staircase, but those guards had failed to stop a certain mare from entering the blacksmith’s office. An orange mare, who now stood at the opposite end of his desk, glaring coldly at him.

“I need a weapon. Right… now.” Applejack spat bitterly at the stallion.

“I’m not allowed to give weapons to civilians, ma’am. Especially right now. Princesses’ orders.” The stallion stated curtly.

“Oh-ho. I’m sure they will make an exception fer me.” She shot back at him.

“Ma’am, please.” He said in an uncaring voice. “The royal guard is handling this situation-”

“I don’t care!” Applejack slammed her hooves onto the desk. “I am not a filly! I don’t need a lecture! All I want is a weapon, so just fork one over!”

“Ma’am,” The stallion answered calmly, “I know that the present situation upsets you, but I am not authorized to give you weaponry. I don’t even know who you are, and you don’t have special authorization to request any.”

Applejack took her hooves off of the desk, and took a deep breath. “My deepest apologies.” She said in a haughty voice. “My name is Applejack. I’m a Ponyville refugee, the Element o’ Honesty, an’ a multi-time hero of Equestria.”

The stallion tilted his head to the side questioningly. “So you’re the Applejack? The Element of Honesty?” Applejack nodded slowly. “So you, one of the heroes of Equestria, want humble old me to give you a weapon?” He finished sardonically. Applejack nodded again, shooting him a smirk, and then the blacksmith sighed deeply. “I’m terribly sorry miss, but I still can’t help you.”

Applejack’s smirk died, and she began to scowl at him. You gotta be kidding me… She thought furiously. So being an Element of Harmony isn’t enough? “Why not?” She growled.

“I already told you, Miss Applejack.” He kept up his emotionless stare, which would make the royal guards proud. “I’m not allowed to give out weaponry to civilians, and being an Element of Harmony doesn’t change that. In fact, that rule goes double for you.” Applejack’s glare morphed into a confused stare. The blacksmith noticed her stare and clarified, “The Princess specifically told the royal guard to protect you six mares from any harm. And that includes me.” He grew a stalwart expression, and Applejack listened intently. “The Princess needs you, more than me, or any royal guard. And so, by not giving you a weapon,” He pointed a hoof at Applejack, “You, an untrained civilian, I am obeying that order. I am protecting you from poking your eye out, or running out and getting killed.”

Applejack stood on her hind legs, and slammed her hooves on top of the desk. The stallion flinched a little bit, and Applejack shot him a glare that could melt ice. “I… don’t… care… WHAT the Princess told you!” She shouted at him. “I’m not askin’ fer a weapon because I feel like I have to! All I want, is to be able to protect the ponies I love!” Her expression fell remarkably, and she muttered pathetically, “I’ve already failed that goal once.” She gnashed her teeth together, and released the ribbon in her hoof. Then she backed away from the desk, leaving the ribbon in plain sight of both of them.

The blacksmith’s confusion was visible, even through his stone-faced stare. “This is…” Applejack began, all of her anger and confidence melting into misery. “…My little sister’s ribbon. It was…” Applejack grimaced. “…A gift. From our mother.” The stallion’s stalwart stare began to soften, but he didn’t speak. “After my mother passed away, this ribbon was the only thing that my little sis had to remember her by. She never took it off. Not once.” The stallion tilted his head, understanding beginning to dawn on him. “Now, there is an invasion goin’ on in Ponyville, an’ my sister never took off her bow…” Applejack’s eyes began to fill with tears.

The stallion gave her a pitying look as realization hit him like a train. Applejack looked to the floor, and her tears started freely rolling off of her face, and splashing on the ground. I can’t stop seeing it… She thought despondently. The entire scene just keeps happening, over and over, every time I close my eyes…

*******

The sun was near the western horizon at this point in the day. The apple trees were all bucked, and a cool breeze blew through Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was resting underneath one of the trees, with her Stetson covering the front of her face. She was smiling, and she felt elated to finally be able to rest after all of the hard work she had done.

The rest of the Apple family was back at the house, relaxing and laughing, since they didn’t have any work to do. It was a perfectly serene afternoon, and Applejack was wondering what her friends were up to. Maybe I’ll head into town later. She thought to herself blissfully.

Then, out of absolutely nowhere, she heard a screech. Her ears shot up when she heard it. It wasn’t a pony’s screech; it sounded more like a bird’s. She moved her hat out of her face and back onto the back of her head. Then she looked upwards, and began to scan the sky for the source of the sound. She couldn’t see much of the sky from where she was lying, so she groggily got up to take a better look. She dragged herself to a more open area of the orchard, and looked towards the sky again.

For a few moments, there was nothing. She became annoyed, and started to turn away, when the screech sounded again. She turned her head back up, and suddenly something shot through the sky. What the hay was that? She thought perplexedly. Rainbow Dash? Her suspicions were shot dead when three more streaks shot by overhead. They were soaring in the direction of the Apple family’s house.

Applejack’s eyes flared open, and she began to sprint towards her house. What’s going on? She hurriedly wondered. Are those pegasi? The Wonderbolts, maybe? She broke out of the orchard, and into the ground where their house stood. When she did, her heart stopped beating.

Her house was standing where it normally did, but it was all wrong. Her house was encircled by winged, brown and white creatures, in both the air, and on the ground. They were griffons, about twenty of them. Her eyes lit up in a protective fire, and she charged at the creatures surrounding her home.

She was within about twenty hoof-lengths of the house, when she noticed what the griffons were flocking around. About half of the griffons were hovering around a certain spot, pecking at two large objects. When she looked closely, she saw what they were, and instantly wished that she hadn’t.

They were corpses. They were pecking at a pale green, elderly mare, and a brown-furred dog. Granny Smith? Winona? The fire in her eyes flared, and all she could feel was a blazing rage. She looked to her right, saw a group of about three griffons in one spot, and decided to make them her target. She charged at them, but when she saw what the smaller group was pecking at, the fire in her eyes died, and she stopped dead.

The group was flocking around another corpse, but a much smaller one. They pecked at the body of a small, yellow filly. They were peeling off pieces of her, which they devoured greedily. Apple… Bloom…? Applejack couldn’t peel her eyes away from the scene, and she just watched in horror. She wanted to scream, to attack the monsters that were devouring her sister, but she couldn’t find the strength to be angry. She was rooted in place by her own despair.

The sounds of the world began to fade out around her, and everything was replaced by a high buzzing noise. She almost didn’t notice when a screech of agony resounded from nearby. The two smaller of the three griffons eating her sister looked up to see what the sound was.

Very close to them, a griffon’s body flew by and crumpled into a heap, not moving even slightly. The two griffons bellowed in rage in the direction it came from, and Applejack turned to look as well. She saw her older brother Big Macintosh, standing tall and confident, with more emotion on his face than she’d seen in six years. He had a look of pure, primal rage, and was looking right at the two griffons.

The two griffons flew at him with their beaks open wide, and they attempted to grab him, but he was much stronger than they were. He moved much faster than a stallion like him should have been able to, and he caught them both by their necks, knocking the wind out of both of them. He slammed them both on the ground with all the strength of a full-grown earth pony, and he crushed their jugulars. They were dead instantly, and their blood spurted onto his two front hooves. After he was satisfied with his work, he whipped his head around, and charged at an advancing group of three griffons.

Applejack was still rooted in place, and turned her gaze to the large griffon, who was still peeling off pieces of Apple Bloom. He looked up and met Applejack’s gaze. The black scar that was once his right eye seemed to be staring right into Applejack, and she flinched, as she was expecting him to lunge at her. But instead of charging her, the griffon grew a sadistic grin. While still staring into her eyes, he slowly leaned down, and brushed his beak against Apple Bloom’s throat. Applejack slowly shook her head, pleading with the merciless beast, but to no avail. When he was sure that he had her attention, he opened his mouth, and bit down roughly on her throat. He made a display of ripping up her flesh, and took a needlessly long time biting down. Finally, he lifted his head back up, and proudly showed Applejack his prize; a strip of flesh that she refused to identify. Then he tilted his head back, and swallowed the piece loudly and messily.

When he tilted his head back, he gave Applejack a clear view of his work. Fighting back the urge to throw up, she subconsciously looked at her sister. Apple Bloom was covered with bite marks, most of which were still bleeding. Her throat was torn apart, and it was almost unrecognizable. She couldn’t look away, and her eyes drifted to her sister’s face. She was staring right at her, with cold, lifeless eyes. Applejack met her gaze, and regretted the decision immediately. Apple Bloom’s eyes bored into her skull, and turned Applejack’s anger and revulsion into horrible, unending sadness.  She looked into those dead eyes for so long, that she painted a perfect mental image of them, which refused to leave her, no matter how hard she tried.

Applejack felt the urge to throw up coming back, and then the griffon shot her another wicked sneer. He slowly reached towards Apple Bloom’s body. He inched closer and closer to her head, and seemed like he was going to touch her mane. After following his talons with her eyes for what seemed like an eternity, the griffon wrapped one of his claws around Apple Bloom’s ribbon, and brutally yanked it off of her head. Her head bobbed up when he tugged it, and then fell back to the ground with a thud when it let go of her head. Then, he tossed it, and it landed right at Applejack’s hooves. Finally finished with his torturous game, the griffon laughed, a noise reminiscent of a cat scratching on a chalkboard.

She reached down, and picked up the ribbon in her front hoof. She was absolutely frozen, and multiple emotions were fighting for dominance in her head. Her eyes became flooded with tears; tears of sorrow, anger, hopelessness, revulsion, and self-loathing. The tears began streaming down her cheeks like a mountain river, and they splattered on the ground beneath her, as her eyes began to lose focus.

Suddenly, she was lifted into the air, and onto something warm. She felt completely numb, and barely even noticed that she was now moving very quickly. All she felt were the tears streaming down her face, and the ribbon clutched tightly in her hoof. She almost didn’t hear when the thing carrying her shouted to her, “There’s too many, we can’t stay here, AJ! We hafta get outta here!” She spaced out after she heard those words, and the next thing she remembered, she was getting off of a train, and arriving in Canterlot.

*******

Tears were now rolling down Applejack’s face as the memory reasserted itself into her thoughts. “My… my sister is dead.” She said to the blacksmith, trying her hardest to talk past the lump in her throat. “She died because I couldn’t protect her. So… please… just lemme have a weapon. I can’t let anypony else die.”

The black-maned stallion was looking at her sympathetically, but he didn’t falter. “I’m sorry. Truly, I am. But, my orders are my orders, so I can’t give you anything. Please, just return to the ballroom, and trust the Princesses and the royal guard to handle this.”

Applejack looked up and met his gaze with her flooded eyes. “Trust the guard?!” She shouted at him. “Those griffons killed my sister! And as far as I know, they’re still at my house! Am I supposed to just sit an’ wait fer more ponies to die?!”

“Nopony else has to die. You’re not thinking clearly, Miss Applejack. Trust the guard to get rid of this threat.”

“I am thinkin' clearly…” Applejack pleaded. “I can’t just sit here…”

“You have to. I’m sorry, Miss Applejack.” He said dismissively.

Applejack lowered her head and backed off. “…So… that’s yer final decision, then?” She asked in a defeated tone, and then the blacksmith nodded. “Fine, then.” She turned away, and walked over to the heavy doors. “This doesn’t change my mind, though.” She threw open the doors, and stormed down the spiral staircase.

I don’t care what the Princess says! Applejack thought as she stormed down the castle halls. There’s only one thing I want to do, no, that I have to do right now. And him not giving me a weapon won’t change that!

*******

The ponies of Ponyville had been moved to the inside of the castle as night had fallen, and most of them now sat in the castle’s massive ballroom. They were chatting away, trying their best not to give in to panic again.

Twilight sat on the left side of the ballroom, sitting amongst her friends, although most of them weren’t sitting near her. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were sitting further left along the wall. Scootaloo was wearing a defeated look, and Rainbow Dash looked just as broken. To Twilight’s far right were Rarity and Sweetie Belle; Sweetie Belle sniffling miserably, and Rarity stroking her back with a forced look of comfort. Spike was in-between Twilight and Rarity; not speaking, and visibly lost in thought.

On the other side of the ballroom was Pinkie Pie, who was with the Cake family. She was trying to act calm and cheerful, but her deflated mane betrayed how she was feeling. As hard as she tried, Twilight couldn’t see Fluttershy anywhere, as well as Applejack. Even though the latter didn’t surprise her, she was still worried about the two mares. Cadence was the only pony sitting close to Twilight, and she also wore a blank stare.

After surveying the crowd silently for an unreasonably long period of time, she noticed something off about the crowd of ponies. They weren’t just ponies from Ponyville, there were pegasi from Cloudsdale, as well as a few earth ponies from Appleloosa. Why are they here? She thought suddenly. What else is happening right now that I don't know about? This observation, in addition to the lack of moment from her friends, caused Twilight to break out of her idle state. She stood up, and turned towards the stairs leading upward.

“Twilight, where are you going?” Cadence asked, rising to her hooves as well.

Twilight turned her head back to look at her and declared, “I want answers, and the Princesses are going to give them to me. So I’m going to the throne room.”

Cadence padded up to Twilight and pleaded, “Please, let me accompany you. They can’t possibly turn both of us away.”

Twilight nodded, and then began her trek to the throne room. Nopony in the ballroom seemed to care that they were leaving, so they turned and walked up the stairs, exiting the room. Unlike earlier that day, the two alicorns weren’t joking or giggling. Instead, they walked side-by-side in silence. They reached the throne room quickly, since they both walked with purpose. The oversized doors to the throne room were standing tall behind six royal guards; different ones than earlier. The two Princesses approached them, and Cadence spoke.

“Please, open the doors for us. We need to speak with the Princesses.” Cadence ordered them. They complied instantly, and four guards lit up their horns and opened the doors. One of the remaining guards addressed the two Princesses.

“At once, Princesses Twilight and Cadence.” He pointed his spear at the throne room. “Princess Luna and the Royal Advisor are in the throne room currently. Princess Celestia has yet to return, but I believe that she will shortly.”

“Thank you, Captain Longsword.” Cadence answered as she and Twilight strutted past him. They entered the lavish throne room, and even though she had seen them before, Twilight was still impressed by the depictions of her and her friends, in the form of stained glass. There was stained glass of their triumph over Nightmare Moon, the defeat of Discord, and the salvation of The Crystal Empire. She was amazed how the glass had seemed to paint itself after these events had taken place. When she was done admiring the artwork, Twilight turned her head to the golden throne, and the two ponies in front of it.

In front of her was a deep blue alicorn with a wavy mane of stars, and a gold-color unicorn with a pale red mane. The unicorn was wearing an expensive-looking purple robe, which bore a sun symbol on either side, and was giving his full attention to the alicorn.

“…When she returns, we must inform her…” The alicorn spoke, and then noticed the Princesses. “It appears we have visitors. Princess Cadence, Princess Twilight.”

“Princess Luna!” Twilight exclaimed, much more excited than any of the other ponies in the room. Luna grew a soft smile, and addressed Twilight directly.

“I’m happy to see you as well, Twilight Sparkle. I trust that you and all of your friends are safe?”

“Yeah, we are.” Twilight said happily, and then returned to her serious composition. “But, not everypony is unharmed.”

Luna’s smile faded. “So, there’s been an injury… I assume that you didn’t come here just to say 'hello?'”

Cadence stepped closer to the Night Princess. “We came to hear a full explanation. Please, Luna, shed some light on this situation for us.”

The dark blue alicorn nodded in understanding. “Of course.” She turned to the gold unicorn. “Introduce yourself. It’s rude to just stare at them.”

The unicorn stepped over to the two mares, and took a deep bow. “My apologies, Princesses. I am Weaver, or Spell Weaver if you would like my full name. I am the Royal Advisor. I’m very happy to finally meet you two, though I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“Oh, um, nice to meet you too.” Twilight responded awkwardly. “Um… you can stop bowing now.” Spell Weaver smiled and returned to his hooves.

“Of course. Princess Celestia did tell me you were a little awkward about being royalty.” Twilight blushed, and Cadence let out a light chuckle. “So, you two would like an explanation?” The Royal Advisor asked, and Cadence gave him a nod in confirmation. “Ahem. As we all know, we have been invaded. Ponyville has been taken over by griffons, and Princess Celestia has taken it upon herself to evacuate all of the citizens. She has a small army of royal guards with her to make sure that you all get here safely, and I believe that the last train has arrived by now. Meanwhile, she has put Princess Luna and myself in charge of you citizens. So we have deployed the guards that you have seen around the castle to protect all of you.”

After he finished, Cadence tilted her head, and appeared confused. “We already know all of that though. Is that it? A small army of griffons just randomly attacked Ponyville? Because Celestia sounded pretty convinced that we were being invaded by a lot more than that.”

The gold unicorn frowned. “Well… actually…” He began, but stopped himself when he noticed a brilliant flash of light from behind Luna. The four ponies looked in its direction, which revealed the form of a tall, pearly-white alicorn.

“Thank you Spell Weaver, but I will handle the remainder of the explanations.”

“Princess Celestia!” He exclaimed, before taking a comically deep bow.

“Sister!” Luna chirped as she ran over and embraced Celestia.

“Princess!” Twilight shouted, and then composed herself. She attempted to not seem like a star-struck filly, like the so-called Royal Advisor was.

Celestia chuckled, and then smiled warmly at them. “At ease, all of you.” Twilight stood upright, Luna let go of her sister, and Spell Weaver stopped bowing.

Cadence, however, was looking at Celestia with an unimpressed stare. “So, are you going to explain?”

Celestia took a seat in her throne. “Yes, I shall. Advisor, may you please send for some chairs for our guests?”

Spell Weaver bowed deeply again. “At once, Princess.” He replied before he ran out the doors of the throne room, and into the halls.

Celestia chuckled after he was out of earshot. “He really is dedicated, isn’t he?” She turned her attention back to the other ponies, and began her explanation. “As you guessed, Princess Cadence, there is more to the story. Griffons did invade Ponyville, but that isn’t all. Twilight, you noticed in the ballroom, didn’t you? That there were more than just ponies from Ponyville in there?” Twilight nodded, putting pieces of the puzzle together in her head. “There were ponies from Cloudsdale and Appleloosa as well.” Celestia continued, not waiting for an answer. “And that’s because… they were invaded too.”

Twilight’s mouth hung open, and she looked mortified. “But,” Celestia continued in a disheartened tone, “They weren’t attacked by griffons.” Twilight and Cadence looked at her in shock, and Luna’s eyes fell to the floor. “Cloudsdale… was taken by changelings. And Appleloosa… was attacked by diamond dogs.”

“W-what?” Twilight stuttered, her jaw hanging open.

“We’re being invaded… by diamond dogs, griffons, and changelings?!” Cadence shouted in disbelief. Luna didn’t look up, and Celestia nodded sadly.

“…W-why?” Twilight asked in a horrified voice.

“I… do not know, my student.” Celestia answered in a sorrowful voice. “I just do not know. It all happened at once, I was not aware of any reason for all of them to invade us. I do not know what they want, or if they have something against us, but they did what they did.” Celestia raised her head up high, and gave a grin to them that radiated confidence. “But whether we know why they have attacked or not, we do know one thing. They won't be staying. You have nothing to be afraid of, Twilight. Luna and I will show them that ponies are a force to be reckoned with.”

Twilight smiled as she felt Celestia’s confidence. I should have known… She thought, feeling relieved. She’s Princess Celestia, she can handle this.

But then, Luna raised her head, and addressed Celestia. “Sister… I have some upsetting news.” Celestia looked over to her discouraged sister. “Saddle Arabia… was attacked by changelings. All of the residents either fled to another town… or died in the attack.” Celestia’s eyes shot open, as did the other ponies’. “They’re not the only region; the cities of Fillydelphia and Manehatten were also attacked, though none were as severe.”

Spell Weaver chose that moment to burst into the throne room, carrying three plush chairs in his magical grip. “Twilight…” Celestia began, “…Why don’t you go and bring the ponies in the ballroom to their guest quarters? I am sure that you and your friends are all exhausted after today.”

“W-what? But I-”

“I need to speak with my sister and Cadence. Spell Weaver, please escort Twilight to the ballroom.” Spell Weaver nodded, set the chairs next to Luna and Cadence, and then turned to Twilight.

“You need to rest, Princess. Please, let me show you to your room.” Twilight shot Celestia a dirty look, and then followed the unicorn into the hallway. He shut the door behind them, and asked Twilight, “Do you really need me to accompany you, Princess?”

“No, I can walk myself. Celestia just likes to treat me like a filly.” She forced a smile at him. “Thank you, Weaver.”

“Very well, then.” He replied, and turned back to the doors. Before he entered, he said, “I hope that we can have a more pleasant conversation some other time. Please, try to get a good night’s rest, Princess.” Then he entered the doors, and the six royal guards returned to their positions.

Twilight turned away from the guards, and her forced smile melted into an angry pout. She stormed down the long hallway. “Of course they kick me out.” She muttered angrily. “Twilight can’t possibly help us!” She said with a very bad impersonation of Celestia. “She’ll just be a burden! It’s not like she’s a Princess or anything!” She slammed her hooves onto the tile floor. Then she took a deep breath, put a hoof to her chest, and made a swiping motion in the air to calm herself.

Make everypony go to bed, huh? She thought rationally. Well, I guess that is a pretty important job. Not to mention, I’m exhausted. She chuckled pathetically when she remembered how she was just acting. Of course she was right. She’s Celestia.

She rounded a corner, and came across one of the castle’s intersections. She knew the correct path to the ballroom, but something caught her eye down one of the other hallways. She saw an orange pony wearing a Stetson, who was holding a long object in front of her face. Applejack? She thought curiously. What’s she doing? As if she had heard her, Applejack stopped examining the mystery object, and darted down the hallway. She’ll be all right. She’s gonna need time before I can talk to her. Twilight decided to leave her be, and continued down her original path.

She walked the halls, and eventually found herself outside of the castle’s ballroom. Ok, I can put these ponies to sleep. Rainbow Dash always said I was an expert at that. Twilight chuckled at her own joke, and then opened the doors to the ballroom.

*******

The castle halls were infuriating to Applejack. I know that Twilight was heading to the ballroom, but I don’t wanna talk to her. She wouldn’t like what I’m doing. But sweet Celestia, could this castle be any bigger? She continued to dart down the blue tile hallways, down the much lengthier route to the outside of the castle. Even though she was trotting as fast as she could, she was more weighed down than normal.

Speaking of Celestia, she really should have more guards in these halls. She thought accusingly. If you go out of your way, you can avoid all of them. After running through a few more long hallways, she stepped out onto one of the castle’s balconies to catch her breath. She closed the glass door behind her, and leaned her hooves on the pearly white guardrail. She took a deep breath, and inhaled the cool night air.

It’s a good thing there aren’t that many guards hanging around, though. They might tell the Princess on me. She looked down to her sides, and the two swords that were strapped to them. These were just hanging on the wall. Convenient how they were made with grips, so even I can hold them. I'm gonna give them back, but I don’t think that they would believe me if I told them that. She took another deep breath. I just need these right now. I’ll return them as soon as I can.

She sighed and looked up at the starry sky. I wish I was a pegasus right about now… She thought wistfully. I could just fly down to the courtyard from here, I wouldn’t hafta keep running down halls. She sighed again and opened up her saddle-bag. She removed a curved knife from the bag, and she fumbled it in her hooves. Eventually, it fell, and just clattered on the ground.

This one though… I don’t think I can use it. Not like it is. It’ll hafta do, though… She shook her head disapprovingly. This would be so much easier if that blacksmith had just given me what I wanted… She looked into her bag again, looking at its other contents. The other residents of her bag were her favorite rope, and the hot pink ribbon.

Her ribbon… Ugh, it’s happening again. She felt the lump in her throat come back. No, now’s not the time for crying. She shook her head, and pulled the rope out of the bag instead. This knife can still be of use to me. I’m better with my rope anyway. She took the rope in her teeth, and leaned down towards the curved knife. She meticulously took the end of the rope in her hooves, and proceeded to carefully wrap it around the hilt of the knife. It took her a few tries, but finally, she had the knot formed, and she pulled it taut with her teeth. She whirled it in the air experimentally, and the knife stayed attached to the end of the rope.

“Hehe, now this I can use!” She announced proudly. Break time is over. I have to get there without being seen. She stood up, and stuffed the rope back into her bag. When she did, she caught sight of the ribbon again. This time though, she removed it, and held it in her front hoof. I… I won’t forget you. Don’t worry, this ribbon will serve as my reminder of you. Of all of you.

She closed her saddle-bag, tightened the swords at her sides, and then slung her bag over them. Then she reached up towards her Stetson, and tied another knot. After she did, she entered the castle halls once again, and took off like a rocket; the newest addition to her Stetson flowing wildly as she ran.

*******

Twilight was successful in her endeavor, and the refugees were now sleeping away in their guest rooms. Luna’s moon now occupied the sky, letting the ponies know it was time for them to rest. The Princesses hadn’t left the throne room, and were resting in the beds there, save for Luna, who was keeping watch over the night.

Twilight and her friends occupied three of the guest rooms: Twilight and Spike in one, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Pinkie Pie in another, and Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and Fluttershy in the last one. Scootaloo’s parents were nearby, but she had insisted on sleeping with the two mares. Each one of the mares was offered a room all to themselves, but Twilight had instantly rejected the idea. She said there were ponies who needed rooms more than them.

Rarity sat wide awake in her chamber, lying next to a lightly snoring Sweetie Belle. I simply cannot sleep. She thought groggily. This bed is heavenly, but it’s still no use. As comfy as it is, I’m still wide awake. She rolled over on her purple-laced pillow.

No surprise, though. It's a miracle that anypony can sleep after today. She covered her eyes with one of her forelegs. Especially Sweetie Belle. After that… horrid news.  She removed her leg from her eyes and sat up. The look on Applejack’s face… it still horrifies me. And there’s still no sign of her! Rarity got out of her bed, and quietly stepped into the hallway. How can everypony just brush off the look on her face…?

Rarity quietly padded down the hallway, and entered one of the castle’s bathrooms. She used her horn to illuminate the room, instead of the light switch, in order to not draw attention. She used the blue light to look into the bathroom’s mirror. My goodness… I look awful. She thought miserably. My mane has lost its sheen. And these bags under my eyes are putrid.

She used her horn to pick up a rag, and wiped her eyes with it. When she drew it away, the rag was covered in cyan eye shadow and black eyeliner. I messed up my makeup as well. I suppose it’s because I was crying earlier. How unlady-like. She chuckled quietly to herself.

She walked out of the bathroom, and silently closed the door behind her. I really do need to get my beauty sleep. She continued to monologue in her head. She looked down the hallway, and noticed the door to one of the castle’s balconies. Maybe some fresh air will help…

She walked out the door onto the balcony, and shivered in the cold night air. She looked up into the sky, and grew a small smile. The stars are gorgeous tonight. She thought dreamily. She turned her gaze over to the castle’s courtyard, and then all of Canterlot. The city looks beautiful as well, with all of the lights. They look like… twinkling stars… Rarity laughed at herself. Twinkling stars? Come now, Rarity, you can do better than that.

Her eyelids were starting to become heavy, and she was ready to head back inside, when her eyes drifted over to the train station. It was completely abandoned, save for the active street lights. There were no ponies in sight, not even royal guards. I suppose they are all guarding the castle… Wait a moment. Rarity looked at a certain bench underneath one streetlight, and she could make out a silhouetted figure sitting on it.

Is that a pony? She wondered. It’s simply freezing out here! And the castle still has plenty of space! She focused her vision, making sure she wasn’t insane. It is a pony! Is it mad? It could freeze out there! She stepped away from the railing, and scratched her chin with her hoof, having an internal debate.

Well… I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway… She considered. Sweetie Belle is already asleep… and Pinkie is with her… and that poor pony could be frozen! She raised her head up dramatically, even though nopony else could see her. That settles it! I’m going to go talk to that pony, and make it go back to the castle with me! Rarity looked over the guardrail one last time, and stared at her mystery pony. She wiped her eyes and focused her vision again, and noticed that the pony was wearing a Stetson, with a pink ribbon tied around it.

Is that… Applejack?! Rarity leaned over the guardrail as much as she could, and could make out the pony’s blonde mane. What is she doing out there? She could catch a cold, or worse! Wasting no time, she turned around, and ran down the castle hall back to the room she was sleeping in. She opened the door to her room, and lit up her horn. She grabbed her saddle-bag, carefully pulled her pillow off of the bed, and then pulled two blankets out of the closet. She scanned the room slowly, convinced that she hadn’t woken up either of the sleeping ponies.

She crept out the door, shut it behind her inch by inch, and then took off towards the courtyard. She darted down the hallways, but stopped running every time she passed by a door, being courteous of the sleeping ponies. As she finally neared the courtyard, she was pulled over by a royal guard.

“Ma’am, is there a problem?” He asked sternly.

“Oh, no there isn’t.” Rarity sang, and then batted her eyelashes. “I’m just going to the courtyard, I shall return soon.”

The guard looked unconvinced, but then he shrugged. “Very well, ma’am. Have a good evening.” He walked past her, and resumed his patrol.

Rarity continued her adventure, and stepped onto the grassy field of the courtyard. “Brr… I should have worn a coat.” She said to herself. She trotted through the courtyard, making sure to avoid any and all dirt patches. It took her a couple of minutes to reach her goal; the train station.

When she did, she looked around her at the benches. She looked for any that were underneath active streetlights. She had to look for longer than she had hoped, but she found the bench occupied by the hat-wearing pony.

“Applejack? Is that you, darling?” Rarity called out as she slowly drew closer to the pony. The orange mare’s ears perked up, and she turned to face Rarity. “It is you!” My word, she looks worse than I did! She thought to herself. “Have you been sleeping at all, dear? You look simply exhausted.”

Applejack stared into Rarity’s sapphire eyes, and then turned away from her. “Go back inside, Rarity.” She muttered bitterly.

“And why are you sitting out here by the train station?” Rarity asked, ignoring Applejack’s order.

“Waitin’ fer the train.” Applejack said matter-of-factly.

“The conductors won’t be here until tomorrow morning! Applejack, darling, it’s freezing out here! Why don’t you just wait for the train inside the castle?”

Applejack continued to avoid Rarity’s eyes. “I don’t want to. I’m fine out here. Really, just go back inside.”

Rarity lowered her eyebrows in frustration. Stubborn mare… She’s hiding something, isn’t she? She thought angrily. She’s such a horrible liar… Rarity’s eyes drifted underneath the bench Applejack was sitting on, and her eyes went wide in shock. Beneath the bench was Applejack’s saddle bag, and two regal-looking blades. “Applejack, dear… are those… swords?” She pointed underneath Applejack.

Applejack finally turned back to Rarity, and met her eyes with a cold stare. “You shouldn’t be out here, Rarity.” She growled.

“Why do you have swords, Applejack? Tell me!” Rarity yelled at her.

“No.” Applejack answered coldly. “Go back inside.”

“I will go inside as soon as you’ve gone inside as well.” Rarity retorted, holding her ground.

The two mares stared into each other’s eyes for a few more seconds, and then Applejack gave in, and looked down at her hooves. “I’m not going inside, Rarity. I can’t. I have to wait out here. An’ I’m not cold, I’m fine.” At that moment, a cold wind blew through the station. “J-just g-go back inside.”

Rarity glared at the stubborn mare, and then she noticed that Applejack was shivering badly. The poor dear… She really is freezing. But for some reason, she won’t come inside with me… Rarity sighed deeply. “If you insist.” She lit up her horn, and levitated the blankets out of her saddle-bag, and onto Applejack. Then she set the pillow next to Applejack’s head.

Applejack’s head snapped back to Rarity with a look of pure surprise. “Wha…?”

“Stay out here if you must, but I’m not going to stand here and watch you catch a cold.” Rarity looked into Applejack’s emerald eyes and smiled endearingly. “I noticed that you were shivering, darling.”

Applejack tore her eyes away, a rosy blush appearing across her face. She reached behind her, and pulled the blanket over her completely. “…Thanks, Rares.” She said quietly.

Rarity gave Applejack a warm grin, and took a seat next to her. “No need to thank me, dear.”

The two mares both looked at the gorgeous night around them, and they both silently watched the stars. After a few minutes, another cold breeze blew by, and Rarity shivered terribly. Applejack noticed immediately, and quickly covered her with one of the two white blankets. Rarity gave her a thankful smile, and the duo returned to their stargazing. They sat like that, wrapped in their blankets, in a comfortable silence, and were simply enjoying each other’s company for a long time. Eventually though, the question floating in Rarity’s mind refused to be ignored any longer.

“Applejack, where are you going when the train arrives?” Rarity asked, shattering the comfortable silence. “The castle is the safest place to be right now, so I’m curious where you could be heading.”

Applejack sighed, and looked up into the night sky before she replied. “I’m goin’ to Ponyville.”

Rarity grew a worried expression, and it showed through her voice. “Ponyville? But Applejack, aren’t those griffons still there?”

Applejack didn’t meet Rarity’s eyes. “Yeah, I reckon they are.”

Rarity’s eyes widened, and her voice became strained and panicked. “You’re going back? And you’re bringing swords with you? Applejack, are you going to fight them?!”

Applejack turned to look at Rarity, and she was wearing a miserable expression. “You shouldn’t be out here.”

“Answer the question!” Rarity shouted at her.

“It’s really cold out here-”

“Stop trying to push me away!” Rarity shouted even louder.

Applejack sighed deeply. “Rarity…”

After waiting for an answer that didn’t come, Rarity shot off of the bench and glared at Applejack. “You are planning on fighting them! I can’t believe this! Have you lost your head?”

“Rarity…”

“I don’t know how or where you got those swords, and I don’t care. We are both going back inside the castle this inst-”

“Rarity!” Applejack hissed venomously. Rarity looked stunned, and Applejack took the opportunity to keep talking. “I already made up my mind. I’m goin’ back to Ponyville, and ya can’t stop me.” Rarity gave her a hurt look, but Applejack wasn’t swayed. “I really appreciate the blankets, though. Really, I do.” She said in a thankful tone. “And I appreciate how ya kept me company an’ all, but you should really head back inside, an’ get yer beauty sleep.”

Rarity sighed heavily. “I should have known better. If you have set your mind to something, I can’t sway you.” She grinned weakly at Applejack. “Well, if I can’t convince you, I’ll wait for the train with you.”

“No, Rarity.” Applejack snapped.

Rarity looked desperate. “Why… why not, darling?”

“Cuz I know you. If ya stay out here, yer gonna spend all night tryin’ to convince me this is a bad idea.” Rarity flinched. Then Applejack put her hoof on her shoulder, and looked into her eyes. “Listen, Rares, yer sister is still in the castle, an’ she’s waitin’ fer you.” Rarity looked like she was about to object, but Applejack silenced her. “She needs ya, Rarity. She needs you to come back to her.”

Rarity looked down, and then Applejack turned away, and looked at the railroad. “An’ right now, my sister is waitin’ for me in Ponyville.”

They stood in silence, and both of them just stared off into space. I really can’t convince her then… Rarity thought somberly. Then she looked away from the ground, and in Applejack’s direction. “Do you honestly believe that you can win?”

Applejack stood silently for almost a minute, and then shot Rarity a confident smirk. “Who do ya think yer talkin’ to, Rarity? O’ course I can.”

Rarity looked deeply into her eyes. “Please, just promise me one thing.”

Applejack kept smirking, and tilted her head to the side. “Yes?”

Rarity leaned in closer to Applejack. “Please, no matter what happens, just come back.”

She looked absolutely stunned, and then smirked again. “I’ll try my best, Rarity.” She said confidently.

Rarity smiled, and then turned back to the castle. “Alright, then. If you insist, I will head back to my room.” She started to trot away, and then turned back to the orange mare. “Goodnight, Applejack.”

She could hear Applejack chuckle. “Night, Rares.”

Rarity had walked to the castle courtyard, out of Applejack’s earshot, when she had a sudden thought. You let her push you away. She slowed down, and said out loud, “What are you talking about, Rarity? You heard her, she’ll be fine. I would simply be a nuisance to her, so she told me to leave.” Rarity’s inner voice wasn’t quite convinced. Fine? She’s going to fight a small army of griffons. By herself. “So what?” Rarity stopped walking and argued against herself. “If anypony can handle herself, she can!”

You don’t actually believe that. The inner voice shot back. You saw the look in her eyes, she’s blinded by anger. Not to mention, she was lying through her teeth. “Stop it, Rarity.” She scolded herself. It’s a hopeless fight. She isn’t going to win. That’s a one-way train for all you know. She’s going to… “Stop it!” Rarity shouted, helpless against her own doubt.

She going to die. Your friend is waiting for the train to her demise. “No! She’s…” Rarity said weakly. She’s going to die, and you did nothing to stop her. “No…” You just walked away. Her conscience spat at her. “NO!” She screamed, beginning to cry. You coward. The inner voice hissed. “Shut up!” Rarity started to wail. “Just… shut… up…”

She collapsed onto her stomach, and starting sobbing heavily. Any of her makeup that was still on was washed away by the fresh stream of tears. She cried until she heard hoofsteps coming from the castle. Rarity picked herself up, and wiped her tears away with her hooves as fast as she could. She had perfect timing, for a group of royal guards chose that moment to burst into the courtyard. “Ma’am, is something wrong? We heard you screaming!” The lead guard asked worriedly.

“Y-yes, I’m alright. Thank you, gentlecolts.” Rarity put on her best smile.

“Ma’am, it’s very late. Please, return to your quarters and get some sleep.” Another one of the guards advised.

“I will, thank you again.” Rarity thanked them, and then walked past them into the castle’s ballroom.

You didn’t tell them about Applejack. You didn’t tell them to stop her, you just walked away, again. Rarity’s inner voice twisted the knife one last time. Coward.  The voice repeated that one word, as Rarity sauntered miserably back to her room.