Clouds hugged the city of Fillydelphia and encased it in a biting winter cold. Small, snowy flurries floated down to gently touch the ground. The rooftops of Fillydelphia University glimmered in the dim afternoon light, covered in a layer of ice. The normally red brick walkways were buried in a thick blanket of snow.
It had been like this for almost three months now, and it was nearing the end of winter. The season had been cold in more ways than one. Merely five years after Luna's return, king Leon of the Griffin Kingdom declared war on Equestria, and had been invading ever since. They'd already taken Manehatten, and many in Fillydelphia feared for their safety.
Were it not for her faith in the Alicorn sisters, Twilight Sparkle would fear for her safety as well. But she could not afford to be afraid.
"So the scarcity of the native Saddle Arabian animals and crops was the main reason behind the early research into transformation spells?" Spellbound proposed. She's always sat at the front of the room, and is one of the brightest students in the class.
"That's right, Spellbound." Twilight confirmed with a nod. "The fact that so many ponies wanted a variety of food made early scientists put all their time in effort into ways to acquire these exotic creatures without trading with Saddle Arabia." She pointed to a map of the world, using a wooden rod to point out the blockades on Saddle Arabia's ports.
"Seriously?!" Greenpeace shouted from the center of the classroom. "There could have been serious medical breakthroughs if Mexicolt hadn't started that trade embargo and that stupid war." Greenpeace was known for being starkly anti-war, and had been down-in-the-dumps the past few months because of the situation with the Griffon Kingdom.
"War is never a good thing, Greenpeace, you're right. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Thanks to that blockade, we as unicorns have mastered transformation magic." Twilight explained. Greenpeace simply rolled her eyes and crossed her forelegs disgruntledly. As fascinating as it was, Magic in History wasn't Twilight's favorite class to teach. It was much more of a history class than it is a magic class. Besides, she only had two hours a week.
Twilight turned her head at the sound of a tall stallion entering the classroom.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Miss Sparkle." The man wore a black suit and a short brown mane, and a pair of aviator glasses sat precariously on his snout.
"Please, call me Twilight." Twilight insists.
"Can I speak to you privately, Twilight?" He asked. Twilight glanced at her students, who were blankly staring at her and the mysterious stallion.
"Excuse me for a moment." Twilight apologized, and stepped into the quiet hall with the stallion.
"I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the mayor is having Fillydelphia evacuated. He thinks the Griffons may be invading within the week. The evacuation is not mandatory, but all citizens must be informed. I'll let you tell your class." He said somberly. "Again, I'm really sorry."
Before the stallion could walk away, Twilight shouted after him.
"Wait! Where will we go?" She asked.
"There are several shelter camps scattered across the southwest regions of Equestria. Around Ponyville." The stallion explained, and walked away.
Twilight was in a state of shock. She had been so sure that Equestria would make a comeback, but now... It wasn't all lost, but the Griffons having gotten this far, the war seemed so real now. Shaking off her own emotional reaction, she shook her head and regained her composure. She walked back into the classroom.
"Please, don't panic." She began, her own voice faltering. "As a precaution, the mayor is having Fillydelphia evacuated." The room erupted in frightened chatter. She spied a single tear run the down the terrified face of Greenpeace. Ponies began packing their bags, and Twilight did the same.
***
After stopping by her house to grab a few things, Twilight and Spike caught the first train to Ponyville. She hadn't been there in more than two years, and going back would have been nice under other circumstances. Or if she were actually gong to stay in Ponyville. Word on the train was that the shelter camp was west of Ponyville a few miles, between the town and White Tail Woods. Until she actually arrived, though, she had nothing to do but reflect silently, watching the landscape race by outside her window.
Three years ago, Rainbow Dash finally achieved her dream of becoming a Wonderbolt. They were all incredibly happy for her, but it was inevitable that Rainbow would not be in Ponyville much anymore. The prediction proved true.
Shortly after, Fluttershy was offered a job as head nurse at the Canterlot Animal Hospital. The pay was excellent, and animals were Fluttershy's passion. Seeing as Rainbow Dash followed her dreams, Fluttershy followed suit and moved to Canterlot. At first she came to visit frequently, but less often as time went on.
Rarity and Twilight received their offers about year later, around the same time. Rarity was commissioned to design her own line of dresses exclusively for Marecy's, in Fillydelphia. The University there also contacted Twilight about being a head professor of magic. Since they were both eager to pursue their passions, they left. Applejack was fine being on the farm, as she'd made several new friends around town. Pinkie Pie was of course sad to see them go, but she was friends with everyone in Ponyville. They all liked to visit every once and a while, but the six hadn't been together all at once since Rainbow Dash left for the Wonderbolts.
"Twilight?" Spike said, snapping Twilight from her reflection.
"Yes, Spike?" Twilight answered. She almost felt uncomfortable speaking above a whisper, since the train was filled with a solemn silence.
"How long are we gonna be at this camp thing?" He asked. Twilight sat for a moment, hearing nothing but the sound of the train rolling down the tracks. The truth was that she didn't know how long it might be. No one knew. War was unpredictable; it began and ended for arbitrary reasons, and victors were chosen by the most particular of factors.
"I don't know, Spike." She finally decided. "But if we end up staying longer than we want to, Ponyville is just up the road." She felt deeply sorry for the poor dragon; he'd dutifully followed her wherever she decided to go, from Ponyville to Fillydelphia, and from Fillydelphia to here.
"Maybe we'll see Rarity." Spike pondered optimistically.
"That's the spirit." Twilight said, wrapping a foreleg around Spike, who shortly afterwards fell asleep. The remainder of the train ride was spent in a quiet uncertainty.
***
"Please be careful exiting the train! The dining hall will be on your right!" A voice called as Twilight and Spike shuffled off the train with one suitcase between them. "Please see any of the ponies with clipboards to get your room numbers assigned. Thank you for your patience!"
There was no train station. The train had simply stopped on the tracks in front of the camp. The camp itself was made of several large, white tents. The spaces between them were bustling with ponies. The noise was a welcome, albeit chaotic, change from the heavy silence in the train.
"Right this way, pard'ner." A voice came from the distance. It was strikingly familiar, as though it came from a foalhood friend. Twilight's head snapped in the direction of the voice.
"Spike, did you hear that?" Twilight asked.
"Hear what?" Spike asked, looking around frantically.
"Listen!" Twilight instructed. They stood with statue-like stillness for a few tense seconds.
"Head on over to the dining hall, if you're hungry, Sugarcube." The voice came again.
"Sounds like Applejack." Spike observed, cocking an eyebrow and looking at Twilight. Twilight's heart fluttered at the thought of seeing an old friend again. What were the chances that it was really Applejack? She did live close by.
"You're right! Come on, Spike!" Twilight beckoned, tossing Spike onto her back. She awkwardly pushed through the crowd until she found the source of the familiar voice. It was, impeccably, Applejack.
"Applejack!" Twilight called. Applejack's head turned to look at Twilight. Her face lit up and in an instant she hugged Twilight closely. After a moment, she released Twilight, cleared her throat, and adjusted her Stetson.
"Howdy, Twilight!" Applejack greeted. "I had a feeling I might be seein' you round here."
"It's so good to see you." Twilight said with a smile. "It's been so long."
"It's great to see you too, Twi." Applejack said. She held up her clipboard and looked at it pensively. "I think I'll put you in tent 168. I just have to move some ponies around first..." She said, holding a pencil in her mouth, making swift movements across the paper. "You're probably pretty hungry, huh? The meal tent is just up the way."
"Yeah, I should probably let you get back to work. Come on, Spike." Twilight beckoned. "It was great seeing you, Applejack!"
"I'll stop by and meet y'all later!" Applejack assured.
***
The camp was far bigger on the inside than it had appeared from the train. Twilight had been skeptical that tent 168 was actually the hundred-and-sixty-eighth tent in the camp, but she certainly wouldn't be surprised, having seen the rows upon rows of tents.
Twilight had retired to Tent 168 shortly after she ate dinner. She thought she recognized some ponies she had met in Fillydelphia, but with such numbers it was hard to be sure. The inside of her tent was small, but well insulated. In the center of the room sat a lantern. Around it were three sleeping bags. Twilight found her suitcase next to the sleeping bag furthest from the tent's entrance. She found two other bags next to the other two sleeping bags. She had already been assigned roommates.
She sat down on her sleeping bag and retrieved her copy of the best selling Sci-Fi thriller Contact from her bag. Her horn glowed as she lit the lantern in the middle of the room. Spike curled up next to her, his most recent issue of Power Ponies on the floor in front of them.
It could only have been half an hour before a gentle voice came from the door.
"But... Are you sure there isn't some kind of mistake? Why would they be moving me?" The voice sang. Twilight looked up to see the familiar form of Fluttershy standing in the opening in the tent, talking to a volunteer. Twilight's heart soared at the sight.
"Sorry, ma'am, I just don't know what to tell you. I was told you were relocated." The volunteer explained.
"Fluttershy!" Twilight called, standing quickly.
"Twilight?" Fluttershy answered, turning to face Twilight. They approached one another, pausing to look each other over briefly before embracing.
"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked curiously. "I thought you were living in Canterlot."
"Oh, I was. But I was offered a Job in Fillydelphia about a month ago. In fact, I was thinking about getting together with you and Rarity sometime." Fluttershy chuckled. "I guess I ended up seeing you anyway."
Twilight chuckled sadly. "I guess Applejack put us together on purpose!" Twilight realized. "I wonder who the third pony is."
"This is preposterous." A familiar voice came from the tent's opening. "I'll probably have to spend a whole week decorating this place."
Twilight and Fluttershy turned quickly to see Rarity standing in the opening, complaining to a volunteer.
"Are there really three ponies to a room? What if I don't like them?" Rarity said. She finally turned and spied Twilight and Fluttershy. Her face lit up with glee, and she ran to embrace the two.
"Twilight, Fluttershy, it is so wonderful to see you both!" Rarity cooed. "It's simply dreadful here, is it not?" Twilight smirked and rolled her eyes, waiting a moment, looking between her two friends.
"As long as I have you girls here, I think this place is wonderful." She said.
"You're welcome!" A satisfied voice came from the opening. It was Applejack, wearing a smug grin. "I pulled some strings and got you three together."
"Thank you, Applejack." Fluttershy said. "I'm much more comfortable with ponies I already know."
"Why don't you come in and hang out with us?" Twilight offered.
"Why thank you kindly, Twilight!" Applejack said, and joined the others. "So, how's life in Fillydelphia?" Each pony sat down in succession.
"Oh, it's pretty good! I just started teaching Advanced Transformation Spells." Twilight explained.
"Oh, my, that sounds complicated!" Fluttershy observed. Twilight noticed lines of fatigue under Fluttershy's eyes, made more obvious by the latern's bright light in the dusk.
"Well, it is advanced. But most of my students have really caught on. It's really great to see so many young unicorns interested in magic." Twilight explained. "What about you, Rarity? I haven't seen you in a couple of months. How's the business going?"
"Oh, well," Rarity began, an obvious hint of disappointment in her voice. "It was going magnificently. But after the war started, they started having me design uniforms for the military. They're...practical." She managed.
"Everything okay in here?" A familiar voice came from the tent opening. The four turned their heads to find Rainbow Dash standing at the entrance. Her face lit up as she recognized her friends. "Twilight! Fluttershy! Rarity! Applejack! How'd you all end up in the same place?"
"Oooh!" An excited squeal came from behind Rainbow. "All my friends are here too?! Wow, this day is fantastically amazing!"
The familiar form of Pinkie Pie emerged from behind Rainbow and plopped down next to the other four ponies.
"Rainbow! Pinkie! What are you guys doing here?" Twilight asked.
"Well I'm volunteering as a security guard." Rainbow explained. "I'm not really sure about Pinkie Pie, though." She admitted with a curious look towards Pinkie.
"I wanted to cheer everypony up! Being away from home is never fun. Well, unless you're at a party. Ooh! Maybe I could throw a party. What do you guys think?" Pinkie asked, looking to her friends, who stared blanky for a moment, and then laughed all at once.
"Sure, Pinkie. If you can get the supplies and venue to throw a party, we'll all go." Twilight promised. Pinkie smiled, satisfied.
"It's amazing we all ended up in the same place!" Rarity pointed out.
"I know! What are the chances?" Fluttershy agreed.
"So, Rainbow, how is life with the Wonderbolts?" Twilight asked. Applejack and Pinkie Pie winced a bit at the question.
"Well, actually..." Rainbow said, looking at the ground, obviously hiding some sadness. "After a few months, I realized they had... Questionable morals." She decided, looking up with a sad smile. "So I left. Went back to Ponyville."
"Oh, Rainbow... I'm sorry, I didn't..." Twilight began.
"Hey, don't worry about it." Rainbow said sincerely. "How's life in Fillydelphia?"
"Pretty good." Twilight replied. "Lonely." She added. "But I do love all the research I'm getting to do on magic." She turned to Fluttershy. "You said you got a job in Fillydelphia too?"
"Oh, yes!" Fluttershy replied. "It's really the same job I was doing in Canterlot, but now I'm at the Fillydelphia Animal Hospital." She explained. "Well, I was." She added. "How is life on the farm, Applejack?"
"It's swell, if not a little uneventful." Applejack said. "Applebloom's old enough now to be a real big help."
"Still no cutie mark?" Rarity asked.
"Nope." Applejack chuckled. "Hasn't stopped her from trying, though. I'm surprised there's anything left for her to try." Applejack shook her head, laughing quietly to herself. "Anyway, she's all grown up, and Daisy's on the farm now, and even Granny's helpin' out, now that she's got that new hip. There's really not much for me to do."
"Things got serious with Big Mac and Daisy, huh?" Rarity asked.
"Married and everythin'. Now don't go tellin' nobody I told y'all this, but I think they're...expectin'." Applejack confessed.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Fluttershy commented.
The six talked like this into the night, before finally deciding to go to sleep. It was as though they'd never been apart.
***
"Oh my goodness, that just can't be true, can it?" Fluttershy asked. She hadn't touched her food; after the news she'd just heard she had no appetite.
"It's just a rumor as far as I know, but I heard it from some other volunteers." Applejack explained.
"What about our homes? What about our lives?" Twilight asked, panicked.
"They said Leon's letting folks come back, and be citizens of the Griffon Kingdom." Applejack said solemnly.
"Surely they know nopony in their right mind would want to be a part of such a barbaric nation?" Rarity pondered.
"What are we gonna do?" Twilight asked, her panic growing.
"There's always Ponyville." Rainbow suggested.
"Yeah, you're always welcome back home!" Pinkie assured.
"Thanks, girls. It really means a lot. I just don't know if I'm ready to move somewhere new, with nothing left." She rested her forehead on the table, and put her forelegs on her neck. There was a familiar solemn silence for a moment. "I need a vacation." Twilight's muffled voice came.
"Now there's an idea." Applejack chuckled.
"Sure, why not?" Rarity asked.
"Wait, seriously? We're doing this?" Rainbow asked.
"I know a beautiful forest south of Equestria. Ponies used to live there, in ancient times, so there are plenty of ruins and other sights to see." Fluttershy suggested.
"We could go camping!" Pinkie gasped. Twilight looked up from the table.
"I'm in." She declared.
"Me too." Rainbow said, smiling.
"Me three!!" Pinkie shouted.
"You know I'll go." Applejack said.
"Even though it's camping, it does sound nice." Rarity admitted.
"This is going to be wonderful!" Fluttershy peeped.
"Spike? You've been awfully quiet." Twilight turned to the dragon, who was quietly watching the six talk.
"Me? Eh, sure. I could use some fresh air." Spike conceded.
"Oh, this is gonna be so much fun!" Twilight sang happily. "We should leave tomorrow morning. That is, if Applejack and Rainbow Dash don't have to stay."
"I'm only scheduled until today, actually. So, I'm free." Rainbow said.
"I'll tell the other volunteers somethin' came up." Applejack assured.
***
With their bags packed, the six took the first train south, which took them to Dodge Junction. Fluttershy had said the walk from there to the jungles in the south was only an hour or so. They chatted as they walked.
"So, I don't know about you girls, but I am so excited to explore the ancient ruins. Can you imagine? A different language, a different society, different everything!" Twilight pondered happily. Rainbow rolled her eyes.
"I'm just happy to be somewhere quiet." Fluttershy said with a small laugh. "I like Canterlot and all, but I miss the sound of the woods."
"Well, there are plenty of sounds now, Fluttershy." Rarity said. They had entered the woods several minutes ago. "How ever did you come here?"
"Oh, I was commissioned by the Equestrian Society for the Preservation of Rare Creatures to collect data about the rare insects in these woods." Fluttershy explained.
"Insects?" Rarity asked with a wince.
"Don't worry, Rarity. They're not common." Twilight said. "As a matter of fact, I've read Fluttershy's findings on the subject."
"Hey y'all, this place looks great for settin' up camp." Applejack suggested. The six came to a stop, surveying their surroundings. There was a clearing, where the light shone through, illuminating the ground.
"I'll go grab some firewood." Rainbow offered. "Be back in a jiffy."
Walking through the trees to the right of the clearing, she found a peaceful brook, which made a quiet trickling noise as it flowed. Rainbow found a log lying across the stream and walked across it. After briefly looking back, she spied what looked like a huge rock just beyond the treeline.
What she saw when she passed the trees made her audibly gasp.
"Guys! You have got to come see this!"
Author's Note
More coming soon! Likely in the next two weeks. Sorry if the pacing seems a bit off, I wrote this in tiny bits at a Dunkin Donuts in the mornings before school on my iPhone.
