Chapters “Fluttershy!” Rainbow screamed as she rocketed forward towards her friend. As fast as she was, the monster that was barreling down towards her had much less ground to cover. A nightmarish thing that ran upright on two thin legs. It's body only a thin metallic skeleton and it's face a spade shaped blank plate of reflective metal. It's long arms ended in five scythe like claws easily as long as a pony. She could feel the air pulling at every feather and hair on her body as she accelerated. Squinting her eyes against the sheering wind she frantically thrust her wings. Almost there! Time seemed to move in frames as she and the monster came within feet of their mutual target. Fluttershy curled helplessly into a ball, shielding her face with her forelegs as the monster swung it's long nails down towards her.
“No!” With a fierce shout she stretched out her forelegs and gave one last desperate push of her wings. Shutting her eyes tight she could only hope for the best. Her hooves made contact with Fluttershy's soft fur. In a blur of movement Dash wrapped her legs around her friend and retracted her wings, her momentum pulling both of them tumbling along the ground. The two pegasai rolled to a stop, Dash's body curled around Fluttershy's, protecting her from the impact with the ground. Shakily, Rainbow stood and looked down at her friend with panicked eyes.
“Shy! Fluttershy, are you alright!? Come on, open your eyes please!” She pleaded as she stared at down her limp body. Dirt and debris littered her main and fur. No, no. Come on, you have to be alright. Wake up, wake up.. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open as she look up at her savior. Her eyes, at first filled with relief and gratitude, turned to fear and terror as a red drop splashed down on her cheek, staining her butter colored fur crimson.
“Y- you're bleeding.” She spoke, her voice quivering with guilt. She gave a repulsed squeak as more of her friend's blood dripped onto her staining her pale yellow fur, staining it a deep crimson. Tentatively raising a hoof, Rainbow traced the flow of her vital fluid up her cheek. The stream ran down her muzzle into her mouth, spreading the harsh, revolting iron taste across her tongue. Dash winced in pain as she touched what was left of her severed ear, less than half of which was still attached to her body.
“Rainbow Dash, look out! It's coming for you!” Twilight called out as she creature sped towards them. Her horn ignited into a violet light as she ripped a boulder beside her from it's foundations in the earth. Following through with a swing of her neck she sent the rock hurtling through the air towards it. The beast turned on a dime, striking down it's claws on the rock only seconds before it would make impact, slashing through the solid stone almost effortlessly. It stared at Twilight, though it had no eyes she felt it staring almost into her, analyzing her like she were under a microscope. A frozen chill ran down her spine as she staggered back. It slowly spread it's arm out revealing it's hollow chest, thin rib like spikes angled down towards it's pelvis, protecting it's central column that ran the length of it's torso. It placed one of it's small, steely feet feet forward. Twilight couldn't help but think by all rights such a thing shouldn't be able to run. Just as she thought thins it exploded into a rapid sprint right for Twilight, claws bared toward her.
“Twi! Fly away!” Dash called out as she and Fluttershy took to the air, supporting one another, her ear still leaking blood. Twilight's horn again lit up as she charged her spell. What is this thing?! Why can't my magic touch it?! What ever it is we have to keep it busy until the town is evacuated. Gritting her teeth she began to activate her teleportation spell. Suddenly, a high pitched whistle screeched from the monster, the sound painfully reverberating her her head. Shutting her eyes she tried to block out the pain to focus on her spell.
“No! It's not working!?” Her eyes shot open, terror filled her expression as the creature was only steps away from her. It's astonishing speed covering the distance between them much faster than Twilight thought possible. No time to fly away! No! No I don't want to die! She shut her eyes as the guillotine of it's claws swung down. Then, a loud metallic sound rang out close to her ear, slowly she opened her eyes as a light grey blur slammed into the monster's face.
“Get away from that thing sugar cube!” Applejack called as Rarity dropped a stone within perfect bucking range of her hind legs. With a powerful kick the farmpony sent the rock flying at Twilight's assailant.
“Come on!” Pinkie Pie said as she ran past, gabbing a hold of Twilight's hoof, pulling her away from the distracted attacker. The two came skidding to a halt by Applejack and Rarity as Fluttershy as Rainbow Dash descended beside them.
“What is this thing Twi?!” Dash grunted, separating herself from Fluttershy. Staggering to Twilight's side, sore from her tumble, she glared at the monster.
“I- I don't know... It shorted out my magic somehow. I've never seen anything like it.”
“Why is it destroying the town? Why is it coming after us?” Fluttershy said softly, still in shock from her near death experience.
“Ah don't know, but it's com'n back!” Applejack crouched, ready to charge.
“Everypony scatter! Keep it busy!” Twilight commanded as she glanced at the far end of Ponyville where the townsponies were evacuating. The next moment the six separated, running and flying in different directions. The monster came grinding to a halt, it's eyeless face moving back and forth between the running ponies. Twilight and Rainbow hovered closest just out of reach while the others fled further away. How intelligent is this thing? I hope not very. With a mechanical turn of it's head it locked on to it's next target. It's thin arms raised as it readied to sprint. Twilight could see it's joints were connected to thin, flexible tubes that protruded from it's metal bones.
“No.. Rarity!” Twilight warning came to late as the monster ran towards her at blistering speeds. No! It's not just attacking randomly, It's choosing the best target! I have to- Before she could finished her thought a rainbow blur zoomed by followed quickly by a powerful gust left in her wake.
“Help! Get this brute away from me!” Rarity screamed. She kept her head forward, too afraid to turn to see how close it was, but she could hear it's foot steps coming close. They pounded against the hard ground like pistons and she could even hear the air whistling around it's body as it approached. Her heart thundered in her chest and her muscles burned as she struggled to out run her pursuer. A blood chilling scraping sound came from right behind her, the sound of metal grinding against metal as it extended it's claws. Oh Celestia! This can't be it! No! It can't end like this!
“Get down!” A familiar voice hollered. Against her instincts to keep running, Rarity dropped to the ground only an instant before a powerful gust nearly picked her right back up. A loud crash followed as Rainbow slammed head first into the creatures chest knocking it back, but to everypony's amazement it remained standing, it's feet digging into the ground leaving a deep trail several meters long.
“Ah got ya partner!” Applejack said as she swung her lasso landing it perfectly around Dash's torso, whisking her away as the monster's claws slashed down in the space she vacated only a moment ago. Rarity bolted up and ran towards her friends. Rainbow was in a daze, the impact of her head on it's ribs leaving her only barely conscious and bleeding from her forehead. Twilight watched fearfully as it turned towards them with slow mechanical jerks. That didn't even leave a dent! What in Equestria is this thing? What does it want!?
“Applejack, take Rainbow and run. Fluttershy, you have to fly Rarity somewhere high up, keep in the air as long as you can!” Twilight stepped forward, staring down the monstrosity.
“Twilight, you can't mean you're going to try and fight that horror!?” Rarity exclaimed as she looked at it's claws glinting in the sunlight, one of it's blades stained with blood from Dash's severed ear.
“Rarity is right! Rainbow hit that thing with everything she got and it didn't leave so much as a scratch and look at what happened to her! With out yer magic ya just can't fight it!” Despite Applejack's protest she took her injured friend onto her back and readied herself to run.
“Twilight please! W-we should all run! T- that thing tried to kill us! We need to get out of here.” Fluttershy was already airborne and staying higher than it could reach. Her body was trembling and her wings were flapping on pure survival instinct.
“We can't all run! That thing takes the easiest targets and the town is still evacuating! If we run it'll just go after them! Somepony has to keep it busy!” Twilight growled as she steeled herself against her mortal fear, readying to hold her ground even at the cost of her life.
“Then I will stay as well.” Rarity stepped up. “I won't let my friend face that abomination alone.”
“I'm staying too...” Rainbow groaned as she slid off Applejack's back and on to her hooves. “I won't leave you alone to face that thing Twi.”
“I'm not leaving either! If y’all are staying then I'm staying.” Applejack lent Dash her shoulder for support.
“I..” Fluttershy squeaked as tears welled up in her eyes. “I- I can't-” Before she could mumble out her next words, a deafening, high pitch shriek echoed from the distant hills, ringing in their ears much the same as what the monster did to Twilight. It slowly rotated it's head like an owl, looking in the direction of the sound before turning it's body the same way.
“I- It's leaving...” Twilight said bemused. The six mares watched as the monster turned around, it's spine bending and it's leg's joints sickeningly twisting and reshaping until it stood on all fours, balancing it's weight on the tips it's ten claws before it broke into a rapid sprint, running faster than anything any of them had ever seen. It ran, ignoring the town and it's terrified residents. They stared as it sped into the distance, they almost dared not to breath for fear that one movement would entice it back. Gingerly, Fluttershy landed beside Rarity. All eyes were glued in the direction that the monster had vanished, leaving just as suddenly as it appeared. After minutes of petrified stillness, somepony spoke, breaking the tense silence.
“Has anypony seen my ear?”
The cleanup was slow and tedious for the small town. The monster had vanished as quickly and unexpectedly as it came, leaving a path of destruction in it's wake. Thankfully, no pony was injured, save one pegasus' now disembodied ear. The buildings and homes however didn't fare as well, leaving Ponyville looking as though a hurricane had come through. Spirits were low and the towns residents were afraid and confused as the began the slow rebuilding process without even knowing why their homes were destroyed. Twilight watched as the disheartened ponies took to their tools and materials, once in a while they to would look to her, seeking answers she only wished she herself had. With a downcast expression she looked down at the ground, unwilling to meet any more pleading and worried eyes.
What's going on? Why did this happen? Who's responsible? Will it happen again? Are we safe? They all have the same questions and fears, and I'm powerless to do anything about it. No book, neither in my library or the library of the Royal Sisters, had any information on what that could have been. An escapee from tartarus? A monster from the ever free forest? A new enemy or an old one? It seems intelligent enough to choose it's targets but it attacked seemingly without reason. The approaching sound of flapping wings took her attention.
"Twi," Dash said. Her wings drove a light breeze as she landed, which lightly flowed against Twilight.
“Oh, Rainbow, you're back,” she said with a deep melancholy. “Did you find anything?”
“Sorry Twi, we didn't. Me and a couple other pegasai searched around, and believe me it wasn't easy to find volunteers to look for that thing, but it just disappeared!”
“I thought so... Thank you anyway Rainbow, I know you've been through a lot today. You should go to the hospital and get yourself checked out. Did you manage to find your ear?” Twilight looked up Rainbow, her sky blue fur was stained with browning blood, the remains of her ear had finally clotted and the bleeding stopped. Her swift actions saved both Fluttershy and Rarity during the attack, but it nearly got her killed. Twilight felt guilt welling up in her chest as she thought of just how useless she felt. I couldn't do a thing.
“No luck with my ear, and no need to thank me. That thing tried to kill my friends and got close to doing in three of you. You couldn't have stopped me from trying to track it down!” Her naturally cocksure voice was laced with aggression, and rightfully so. Twilight however doubted that there would be anything Dash could do if she had found it. Listening to her voice, Twilight was relieved they had found nothing.
“What would you have done Rainbow, if you had found it? No, we can't go after that thing until we know more.”
“So you really couldn't find anything at all about it? Twi, that thing destroyed the whole town and we didn't even put a scratch on it! It took everything we had just to not get cut to pieces. Fluttershy is petrified, she can't stop shaking. There's no telling how long she'll have nightmares about it. Rarity isn't much better off either. To be honest Twi, I'm even a little scared. It took barely ten minutes for it to turn Ponyville into a disaster!”
“I know Rainbow Dash, I'm scared to,” she returned her gaze back to the town below. Her voice carried a serious gravity that almost made Rainbow shutter. “That thing could be anywhere. I'm going to address the town, you should get yourself to the hospital so your wounds don't get infected.”
“Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you? I don't feel comfortable leaving and laying in a bed while you and the town could be in danger.”
“Thank you Rainbow Dash, but Ponyville needs you to be at full strength if that thing comes back. The town can't afford to lose you and neither can we. You saved our lives today Rainbow, and we'll need you alive if you're going to do it again. Try to fight that thing in your state, and we'll lose something a lot more important than some houses and you'll lose more than an ear,” taking a deep but unsteady breath her horn began to glow in a violet light, “go and get some rest, I'll keep everypony safe.”
“Alright Twi, but be careful,” Rainbow said, giving one last worried look at Twilight before she took to the air.
“Attention everypony!” Twilight called down to the town, her voice amplified by her magic. The busy and distressed ponies turned towards her, all hoping for some sort of closure or context to the ordeal they had all gone through. “The air team couldn't find any sign of where that thing went off to. For now, we have to assume it will be back. We'll need to keep a patrol in the air around the clock to give us warning before it comes back. What ever it was, it can't fly so I want as many pegasai on patrol as possible. If it comes back stay in the air and take any pony you can carry with you, especially the fillies and colts. If anypony has to leave their home leave in pairs of at least two, do not go anywhere alone. I will be meeting with the other princesses to try and get to the bottom of this, for now, stay safe and stick together.”
Almost with a collective sigh, the town went back to work, their worries unanswered. Twilight knew they would follow her instructions, but she needed to give them something soon. What in Equestria is going on? I need to talk to Princess Celestia, maybe she'll- Her thought was brought to an abrupt end as a circle of blinding yellow light enveloped her. What's going on?! What is this? Shutting her eyes tight she prepared for the worst as she felt her sense of orientation shift.
“T-Twilight?” a meek voice spoke softly. “What's happening? Where are are we?” Fluttershy, still shaken from the days events was nearly curled into a ball, her hear ducked down and her eyes shut tight. Her mane obscured her face. She reminded Twilight of how she was the first day they had met, only worse. She felt more sympathy for her friend than she knew what to do with.
“It's alright Fluttershy,” Twilight gently reassured, “we're in Canterlot, in the Princess' castle.”
“How did we end up in Canterlot?! One minute I'm flying to the hospital like you said, the next I'm here. Did you bring us here Twi?” Twilight turned to the confused and agitated voice of her friend Rainbow Dash who sat just behind her. Along with Rainbow were the rest of her friends, all looking equally confused.
“She did not bring you here Rainbow Dash, it was I. I am afraid we have an emergency,” Princess Celestia said, her grim tone taking the six mares aback. Twilight stepped forward and spoke.
“Princess, do you know-”
“About the attack on Ponyville? Yes, and it's not only Ponyville, several other small towns have been besieged by these creatures. Ponyville was fortunate not to have any casualties, the others can not all say the same.” She closed her eyes solemnly, giving her thoughts and silence to the lost lives.
“Princess... you mean they- that thing, it killed ponies?” Twilight felt tears pooling in her eyes. At the same time as she grieved for those that were lost, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmingly grateful that she herself didn't lose anypony she loved, and that only made her feel more guilty.
“Princess Twilight, with a heavy heart and great sadness, I must tell you, we are at war.”
“W-war?” Fluttershy's said as she trembled, her fearful look growing more and more terrified. Twilight could only imagine that the reality of what almost happened to them was becoming clearer to her with the news of other ponies deaths.
“I- Princess, I think it was looking for something,” Rainbow Dash spoke up with an unusual unsureness. Her eyes were looking up as though she were still completing the thought that had compelled her to speak. All ears were on her now. Even Celestia, Twilight noticed, looked surprised. After a moment longer of thinking she seemed to finally notice that everypony was waiting on her to speak. “Well, at first it didn't go after anypony, just started breaking things and moving on. When we tried to stop it is when it started attacking us.”
“Do ya think that's it Twilight? It was just looking for something?” Applejack asked. Thinking back on the attack, Dash's reasoning seemed to make sense to her. Twilight turned her eyes back to Celestia, the others slowly followed, waiting on baited breath as Celestia seemed to ponder her answer. With a sigh she conceded and began to speak.
“It was centuries ago, Star Swirl the Bearded was just a young and talented stallion. As well as being a respected and adept spell caster, he was also an avid explorer and archeologist. One-”
“Just like Daring Do!?” Rainbow interjected excitedly. The princess, less than amused shook her head in disapproval.
“One of his explorations brought him to a deep underground catacomb that had never before been written of or explored. For more than a week he was lost in the dark labyrinth, spending his time combing through the hieroglyphs until he came upon a chamber in the deepest reaches of the maze. At the chambers center was only what appeared to be a single, blank circle of paper. However, despite it's muggy conditions, it looked as though it had been made only recently. Days later he returned to the surface and made his way to my castle with great haste. Once before me he presented me the seemingly benign parchment, his eyes filled with panic as he retold to me a vision he received upon retrieving it. He told me that it was truly a map, a map that could show the location of seven powerful relics. These relics, from a savage, bygone time and place, belonged to an age when raw power was authority and one life could decide the fate of millions. These relics were of the most powerful sort, each capable of great destruction and death.” The faces on the six friends were growing increasingly dark as a they thought of the destruction they had already witnessed.
“W-what are they?” Twilight shuttered to think such things could exist, things designed solely to end lives.
“The relics are tools of destruction. They are the bow, the chariot, the hammer, the torch, the spear, the sword and the scythe. It has been foretold that something someday would come for them, seeking the none more fervently than the scythe, the symbol of death its self. As prophesied by Star Swirl, if the scythe is unleashed it will be the end of all life as we know it, and no magic can stand against it.”
“Then... what do we do? If that thing is what's after those relics, then there's no way to stop them! Magic has no effect on them at all!” Twilight said in a panic. Though she tried to suppress her fears for her friends sake, the seemingly insurmountable threat was overwhelming her. Her body was shaking and she felt waves of nausea run through her. We barely go away with out lives! And we were the lucky ones! What can we do? There has to be something! Come on Twilight keep it together! She shut her eyes tight trying to quell her frantic heart. Suddenly, a hoof came to rest softly on her shoulder. Her eyes opened to see Applejack by her side with a reassuring look. Then, a wing wrapped around her from her other side. Turning she found Rainbow grinning at her with her trade made confident smile.
“Don't worry Twilight! We've faced plenty bad before came out a-okay!” Pinkie bounced over, throwing her hooves around Twilight's neck.
“Pinkie Pie is right! We've faced danger before and we'll do it again!” Rarity said as she stepped behind beside Applejack.
“Y-yeah... You've saved us before Twilight. We have faith in you,” Fluttershy said, sounding almost unconvinced.
“My little ponies, It is told that the only things that will stop the forces that seek the scythe are the other six relics. I believe that these monsters are searching for the relics, and are destroying everything in their path at the same time. The map is kept under the highest security magic that only I have access to. I would like you six to locate the relics and stop this calamity before it begins,” Celestia said as her horn burst into light. The space between Twilight and Celestia became divided by a golden rift suspended in mid air. A circular paper floated out of it towards Twilight before the rift closed. She quickly surrounded it in her magic and examined it.
“It's blank?” Twilight said bewildered.
“Yes, in all these centuries I have yet to make it reveal anything. That is why I would like you to take it. You and your friends have a good history of solving difficult problems.”
“We'll do it princess.”
“We will!?” Fluttershy squeaked.
“You bet we will! We'll get to those relics before those things even know what hit them!” Dash boasted, lifting herself a tail length off the floor.
“I thank you all for your bravery. It will be dangerous, but I know you will all prevail. You must go and begin your quest immediately. I am sorry for my haste but time is of the essence, as we speak another village may be under attack. I will send you back to Ponyville so you may prepare for your journey.”
“Wait, Immediately?” Twilight said with a worried note as she glanced at Rainbow Dash,“but, we just barely made it out of that fight alive and Rainbow is injured. She needs a doctor.”
“I'll be alright Twilight, I'll just clean it when I we go back before we leave. You heard the Princess, right now more ponies could be dying, being cut to pieces by those things. We're the only ones that can stop it. We don't have time to be slowed down by a small cut and a bump on my head!” Dash's eyes burned with hot intensity as she thought about her friends being those ponies, it made her blood boil to think about it.
“Rainbow...” Twilight said, caught of guard by her anger and determination. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. She's right, those things may be slaughtering ponies right now. Ponies with family and friends. We can't take our time, one way or another we have to find those relics. “Okay, we'll leave as soon as everypony has their things settled at home. This will be dangerous girls, but if we're together we can do anything!” With raised morale from Twilight's words, they nodded their agreement, though Fluttershy's more tentatively than the rest.
“I know you six can do it. I will send you back so you may begin. You all have my thanks and gratitude,” Princess Celestia bowed her head before her horn again began to glow. A bright circle lit up around each of the six mares before they vanished in a flash of golden light, leaving Celestia looking forlornly at the space they had occupied. “And my sincerest wish, that you may all someday forgive me. I am sorry.”
The six mares trotted through the spacious grasslands, coalescing into smaller groups of conversation to keep themselves occupied. Their hooves and wings were sore and the day was only half over, hours of walking lay ahead. Twilight held the blank map suspended in her magic, examining it as she had on and off for hours. A frustrated growl escaped her throat as she rolled the map back up, stuffing it into a pouch in her dull green bag that rested on her back.
“Still nothing?” Rainbow Dash said, prompted by Twilight's outburst. Twilight had told everypony to stay together just in case, and Dash didn't want to fly on ahead with the ever present chance that one of those things would come after them. She had watched her friend hold the map in every position possible, looking at it in different angles under different levels of light, but nothing changed. Her attempts to unlock it's secrets through her magic also failed, much to the small herd's surprise. Twilight turned to Rainbow with an exasperated sigh.
“No, not a thing. If all we have to go on is that they haven't attacked anything in the west, we could be searching for a very long time.”
“We don't have a very long time Twi! Ponies could be dying right now!”
“I know... I'm doing the best I can Dash. I know that if I don't get this map to work many more ponies will die. I- I just don't know what to do, I've tried everything, really I have. ” Tears began to well up in Twilight's eyes as she thought of the lives that could be right as they spoke, being snuffed out. She shut her eyes tight, squeezing small drops from their corners. I failed. I failed the princess, I failed Ponyville... All those poor ponies that- that died. A tender hoof was gently placed on her shoulder, pulling her mind away from the crushing guilt she was drowning herself in. Opening her eyes, Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash, her face wore a reassuring smile, one that instilled both confidence and compassion.
“I know Twi, I'm sorry. We all know what's at stake, and you of all ponies don't need to be reminded of it. Princess Celestia was right, if anypony can figure out that map it's you. It'll come to you, just take it easy.” Rainbow retracted her hoof, but held her eyes and smile on her friend. With a sniffle, Twilight wiped her eyes with her foreleg and returned a grateful smile.
“Thank you Rainbow, you're right, we just need to keep calm. Like I said, with the six of us together we can do anything.”
“That's right we can! Especially with me on this mission!” Dash boasted, taking to the air and gesturing to her chest with her hoof. With a lighthearted giggle Twilight shook her head, the two proceeded forward, their spirits raised. Though, for the yellow pegasus that walked only a short distance behind them, her spirit was anything but elevated. Nervously, Fluttershy's eyes darted back and forth, scanning the horizon and her surroundings. Her ears twitched at every unknown sound.
T-this was a bad idea, we shouldn't be out here like this. Celestia should have sent the entire royal guard or the Wonderbolts or anypony else. I can't face that thing again, I just can't! I want to be home, I want to be safe! Dash nearly died saving my life, now because of that, she's permanently disfigured. I shouldn't be here, I'll just get somepony killed. Why? Why did they bring me? If that thing comes back, I don't know what I'll do. I- I just want this to stop! Fluttershy began trembling as she thought back to their first encounter with that monster. She could replay it perfectly in her mind, as much as she wished she could just forget it. She especially remember the blood, dripping onto her from her friend. Then, the claws. Those long menacing claws that haunted her thoughts. I don't want to go through that again. As Fluttershy struggled against her mounting panic, Pinkie Pie jauntily bounced up to her.
“Hey, why the long face?” She gave an exaggerated frown.
“I- I'm just scared, like always.” She lowered her head in shame.
“Aw, don't worry! Aunty Pie promises she wont let any scary monster hurt you!” Her frown broke into a happy grin as she pulled Fluttershy into a tight hug. Though the pegasus didn't share her enthusiasm.
“That's what I'm afraid of...” she whispered. As Pinkie tried to comfort Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity took the rear of the group.
“Ah can't stop worrying about Apple Bloom.” Applejack said, breaking the lengthy silence between the two mares.
“I know how you feel, I shutter every time I think of poor Sweetie Belle being all alone with those things on the loose.” Rarity concurred, turning her head towards the now distant Ponyville with a fretful look.
“According to the letter the princess sent us before we left, looks like none of the places that those things attacked got hit twice. Guess Dash was right, they were looking for those relics. It didn't find anything in Ponyville so they should be safe.” Applejack prayed she was right as she imagined what that thing could do to her family. She knew that leaving their town alone to search for the relics had left them all weary and worried for the folks back home. All their friends and family. But they also knew that some of them had friends and family outside Ponyville, and that all of them could be in danger. It was a tough choice, but she knew they were doing the right thing.
“I really hope you're right Applejack I-” Rarity began, but was cut off as she bumped into Fluttershy, who was standing frozen facing towards her.
“Fluttershy dear? What's the matter?” Fluttershy didn't answer, only staring off far behind the mares with a petrified expression. Her lips quivered and her breathing became rapid and shallow.
“I- it's... No! I- I have to-” She sputtered, fear overwhelming her ability to speak.
“Everypony run!” Rainbow's voice echoed through the valley. All eyes but Fluttershy's looked to her, floating in mid air with her hoof pointed to where Fluttershy's eyes were glued. As what was happening dawned on everypony, they whipped around. Rapidly approaching the herd was the metallic monster, its long claws drawn. It was too late to out run it, it was already nearly upon them.
“In the air now!” Twilight commanded. On cue, as they had practiced, Rainbow and Twilight flew towards their flightless friends. Rainbow grabbing Rarity and Twilight following behind carrying Applejack. Looking back, Dash's heat skipped a beat. The monster was only meters away and Fluttershy was paralyzed with terror. She stared at it as it came closer, her eyes wide and heart pounding.
“Fluttershy! Fly away!” Dash screamed, fighting her instinct to save her friend. No! I can't drop Rarity! There's nothing I can do! Gritting her teeth she ascended higher into the air, out of reach of the menacing claws. She took a deep breath and shouted, “Pinkie! Save her!”
“Got it!” Pinkie called back only a moment before tackling Fluttershy as hard as she could, sending her flying more than two of her own body lengths. Deftly, Pinky back hopped just as the shiny steel blades sliced into the earth. She skidded back, her hooves sliding along the smooth grass. The beast lurched back, its head swiveling towards Fluttershy before it ripped its long nails from the dirt.
“Twilight do something!” Rainbow cried pleadingly as she turned toward Twilight who hovered in the air beside her. With an unsure glance at the monster her horn began to light up. As she thought, no sooner than as she began her spell, the high pitch whistle screeched from the thing, even as high up as she was it held the same painful effect as her horn fizzled out. A splitting headache struck her as the sound blared into her mind. In her reflexive wince of pain she nearly dropped Applejack who was holding on to Twilight for dear life. Twilight's eyes reflected the fear in Dash's as she looked helplessly back at her friend. With a determined growl Rainbow bared her teeth.
“Rarity, hold out your back legs and hold on tight!” Before Rarity could question her, Dash dived at high speed towards the monster.
“You get away from her you meanie!” Pinkie yelled as the creature stomped up to Fluttershy, who could one sit and stare as it approached and drew back it's claws. Tears silently poured down her muzzle and she mouthed the same word over and over. 'No'
“Now!” Dash yelled as Rarity swung her hind legs out, locking her joints for maximum impact and preparing for the pain she was sure she was in for. With a loud ding her hooves struck the back of its head, which consisted of the back side of the thin plate that made up its face and the central column that ran it's length. She winced as the pain shot up her legs, but the force of the impact was enough to knock it off balance as it staggered forward, catching it's self with it's claw in the ground. Struggling under the weight and speed, Rainbow furiously flapped her wings, lactic acid searing at her muscles. Pinkie swiftly darted around the beast and grabbed hold of Fluttershy, yanking her nearly limp body away and throwing her friend onto her back. Rearing onto her hind legs, Pinkie put her hooves under Fluttershy's wings and spread them.
“Fluttershy! Fly!” Her five friends screamed simultaneously. Her eyes were shut tight and she and Pinkie remained grounded. They all watched helplessly as the monster stood. Suddenly, Fluttershy's eyes shot open and her body flooded with adrenaline as it's claws slid against one another, producing that dreadful sound.
“No!” Fluttershy yelled in a chilling, high pitched screamed. On instinct she wrapped her hooves around Pinkie and ascended into the air towards her friends faster than any of them had seen her fly before. In only a moment, they were all out of it's reach, and breather a mostly collective sigh of relief.
“So what's the plan now Twilight?” Applejack looked up towards her friend who was the only thing keeping her from the ground.
“We fly west until out wings give out. I want to put as much distance between us and that thing as possible,” Twilight said looking back down at it. It paced around in a circle, looking up at them with it's soulless mask.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Applejack concurred, shooting an angry look down towards it.
“Rarity, you alright?” Rainbow said apologetically. “Sorry, I just didn't know what else to do.”
“Yes, I'm alright dear. I'm just thankful we all got away in one piece.”
“Yeah, so am I.” Rainbow looked from her passenger back to Twilight. “Twi, we should get moving. My wings are already sore and we need to cover a lot of distance.”
“You're right. Let's get moving. I don't know how much longer my wings have either.” With a nod from Rainbow Dash, Twilight turned westward, their original course. A shout from Applejack stopped her in mid air.
“Twilight the map!” Applejack watched as the rolled up paper fell by her, plummeting towards the ground.
“I got it!” Pinkie yelled triumphantly as she swung her legs out, catching the map between her back hooves mid fall. Lifting her lower body she brought her lets up in front of Fluttershy's face. “Here,” Pinkie said amiably to the still shaken pegasus.
“O- okay...” She said softly as she took the parchment between her teeth. Twilight wiped her brow with her foreleg and gave a silent sigh before beginning to glide forward once again. Rainbow followed close behind.
“We are supposed to be heading west correct?” Rarity mused out loud.
“That's the plan. Why?” Rainbow said keeping her eyes forward.
“Because I think Fluttershy is heading south.” At once they all came to a stop and turned. Indeed, Fluttershy had separated from the group and was flying south fast with Pinkie Pie.
“Where in Equestria is going on with her?!” Dash growled impatiently.
“I don't know but we need to follow her. Come on!” Twilight said. Banking in the direction Fluttershy was speeding off to, Twilight and Rainbow followed as quickly as they could.
She's flying fast and in a straight line. Where does that mare mare think she's going? She's been acting really shaken since the first attack but this doesn't make any sense at all? Fluttershy, what's happening to you? Worry overtook Dash's anger as she hastened to follow her friend.
She glided silently, her dull eyes blank, devoid of any feelings or thoughts as she soared over the canopy of a small forest. Pinkie, having long since given up on trying to talk to Fluttershy, hung there quietly, picking shapes out of clouds. Suddenly, with a rush of air, she found the pegasus falling into a high speed dive towards the trees as she retracted her wings.
“Um, aren't we going maybe a teensy tiny bit too fast?” Pinkie looked wearily at the rapidly approaching canopy. Fluttershy remained stoic and mute. Her face remained expressionless as they plunged through the trees. Branches and vines smacked into their faces until the ground came in to view. Just inches before the pair would have slammed at full speed into the ground Fluttershy's wings flourish open like a parachute, breaking their fall. With one powerful beat of her wings she elevated once more before easing into a gently glide. She released Pinkie, the pink mare tumbling on the ground before coming to a stop. Shaking off the dirt and twigs she spat out several small leaves that she had inhaled.
“And I thought train food was bad! Bleh!” Pinkie quipped as she got to her hooves. “Fluttershy?” She called out, looking around the dimly light woods, the tall trees selfishly obscuring the sunlight. A rustle in the brush behind her caught her attention as she saw a flowing pink tail slip deeper into the forest.
“Pinkie! Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash called amidst Rarity's grumbles and they landed in on the forest floor, followed closely by Twilight and Applejack.
“Rainbow Dash, next time to you think you could at least try to avoid some of the branches?” Rarity scoffed.
“You think that was bad? I think I ate a caterpillar!” Pinkie counted as she tried to hack up the suspected insect.
“Girls, we have bigger problems!” Twilight intervened. “Pinkie, where is Fluttershy?”
“Oh, she went that way!” Pinkie pointed her hoof where she said her friend's tail vanish.
“What are we waiting for! Let's go!” Rainbow Dash said as she took off after her friend, every thought of what might happen to her playing through her mind as she tore through saplings and branches. Hang on Fluttershy, I'm coming for you! Behind her she could hear with wings and hooves of her friends trying to keep up. A small pink and yellow figure up ahead caught Dash's eye, slowing down accordingly she landed right beside her. The blank map was laying crumpled on in the dirt beneath her. She was nearly curled up in a ball as she looked over a particularly large fallen log.
“Fluttershy, what's-” A swift hoof pressed against Dash's lips silencing her, but Fluttershy's eyes didn't avert, they were fixed on what lay over the log. Two monsters paced back and forth. They were far enough away that Dash knew, had they noticed them, they would still have time to flee. The trudging through the growth came louder as Twilight and the others caught up. Dash turned to them, gesturing with a hoof to her lips to keep quite. The urgency in her movement brought them to a stop as they all wearily looked around. With her head, Dash motioned them to come closer, cautiously they approached.
“What is it Rainbow?” Twilight said in a hushed tone.
“There's two of those things, those monsters, just up ahead.”
“Then we need to leave. Fluttershy, do you still have the map?” Twilight turned to Fluttershy, but no answer came. Instead, with a motion of her hoof, Fluttershy beckoned her to look over the downed tree. After a moment of debate within herself, she gave in and peered over. It was just as Dash had said, two of those monsters were pacing back and forth at regular intervals. Squinting her eyes, Twilight saw what lay beyond them. A raised stone structure jutted out from the leafy floor, mushrooming into a flat platform surrounded by a luminescent field of light. Within it was an object Twilight had never seen the likes of. No matter how she looked at it, the strange object, both in composition and structure, was unique to her. A long dark, metal object, at least as long as an average pony, with an elongated but thin circular tube extended from its other, wider end that possessed several part protruding from it. A flexible strap was anchored to it's sides.
“What is that?” Twilight asked in awe and confusion, not expecting and answer. To her surprise, an answer came.
“That's a relic. It's the bow.” Fluttershy said with an almost entranced voice. All eyes turned to Fluttershy, her own eyes fixated on the supposed relic.
“H-how do you know that sugar cube?” Applejack looked over to the relic, no matter how she looked, it bared no resemblance to a bow.
“The map told me,” Fluttershy said simply.
“It told you? Like... it talked?” Twilight held back her astonishment.
“Not exactly, but it showed me... It's really hard to explain but you have to believe me, that's the bow and we need to get it!” She faced Twilight, her voice earnest and her eyes alight with conviction. For a long moment, Twilight didn't know what to say, the jarring shift in her friend's actions and demeanor making her unnerved.
“Alright... we have the element of surprise, they don't seem to have noticed us yet. Rainbow, we'll distract them and give you an opening, as soon as you see it, grab the relic and we'll all run. Fluttershy, will you be okay? Maybe you should wait here.” As much as it pained her, Twilight knew that she was unstable. Fluttershy had nearly cost both Dash and Pinkie their lives, they way she was acting, she didn't want to risk anypony else. With a fearful glance at the monsters guarding their target, Fluttershy shook her head.
“No, I think I should wait here...” she said, looking at the ground in shame.
“It's alright Fluttershy, you found the relic, we'll do the rest.” Turning from the downcast pegasus, Twilight looked to her friends. “Is everypony else ready?” With a unanimous nod affirming it, they were ready.
“I only have one shot with my magic, I'll use a spell to separate them, then move in.” Readying herself for a fight, Twilight began charging her horn. Suddenly, the blaring whistle sounded and her magic fizzled out as pain surged through her head.
“No! They know we're here! Move n-” Before she could say another word, a monster leaped up from behind the tree, claws ready to tear into their flesh. Screams rang out as the six scattered, ducking behind trees and under the log.
“Dash! The relic!” It's automatic! They don't even need to see us to sense magic! But, I got at least one spell in back in Ponyville!?
“I'm on it!” Rainbow flapped her wings, jettisoning into the air, leaving behind her characteristic colored trail as she raced towards the relic.
“Right behind you Dashie!” Pinkie yelled, running right behind Rainbow. The second monster sprang from their side, and charged at them.
“Pinkie Pie look out!” Dash yelled, looking back at her friend right in the beasts path, fighting herself not to turn and help.
“It's okay! I've got it!” Suddenly Pinkie came to a dead stop just before she would have collided with it. It's momentum so great that it slid along the ground right past Pinkie. In a blur it spun around and charged once again. Pinkie stayed put as it sprinted for her until it was less than a meter away, right within range of it's claws. Stomping its foot forward it drew it's arm back, preparing to swing down with all it's force. Then, with breathtaking acceleration it's arm released, swinging down at the mare. Merely a split second before being cut to pieces, Pinkie launched herself between its legs, getting behind it and keeping herself tight against the back of it's leg.
“bleh!” Pinkie jeered, sticking her tongue out,“bet you can't catch me!” The monster sung its leg back, trying to turn bring her into range of it's deadly blades, but the small pony proved too agile. Rainbow Dash, satisfied that Pinkie could take care of herself, brought her eyes forward with a cocky smile. The stone structure was only feet away now. Looks like we're getting better at this! Those things aren't so tough! With renewed confidence she sped up, reaching her hooves out towards the bow. The moment she made contact with the glowing sphere surrounding it, it pulsed with an intensely bright light. A surge of energy tore through her body, singeing hairs and kicking her backwards, slamming her to the ground and leaving her in a daze. Her body convulsed as residual bolts electrocuted her muscles.
“Rainbow!” Twilight cried as she watched her friend get thrown by the immense energy. She ran to her friend's aide as fast as she could.
“Twilight, watch out! It's coming after you!” Rarity screamed as her pursuer detached and made a bee line for the alicorn. Twilight dipped under the space between the ground and the fallen tree, but the monster simply sliced through it with it's razor claws unabated. As she ran towards Dash, from the corner of her eyes she could see the one Pinkie was distracting losing interest in her and also running at Rainbow. No! They aren't after me! How could I be so stupid, they go after the easiest target! In a streak of orange, Applejack rammed herself head first into the leg of the creature that was nearly at Twilight's tail. She focused all her weight on the back of its knee's joint, successfully toppling it.
“Keep going Twilight! Ah can keep this one busy! Save Rainbow!” Applejack called out as she stepped between it and her friends. Following Applejack's lead, Pinkie to slammed full force into it's knee, knocking it down as well.
What do we do when I get to her?! She can't fly in her condition and we can't keep these things busy forever. With Dash out we only have two fliers, these things will catch anypony on hoof, somepony would have to get left behind! All of us can't get out of this! What do I do? I can't lose anypony, I just won't! Her eyes became cloudy with tears as she came to a stop beside Rainbow Dash, crushing hopelessness, nearly bringing her to the ground.
“I'm so sorry... I did this, I- I think I just cost us our lives. Forgive me girls... forgive me.” Through her hazy eyes, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure by the stone alter that housed the bow. She was reaching out a hoof towards the bubble of energy.
“No! Fluttershy don't touch it!” Twilight's plea came too late as Fluttershy's hoof made contact with the white sphere. She shut her eyes tight, unwilling to watch. After a moment, when no sound came, she reopened her eyes, then stared in amazement. The pure white sphere had changed to a light yellow, matching that of Fluttershy's coat, then the bubble vanished. She stared at the object for a long moment, taking in it's every detail. Before she knew it, her hoof was slowly reaching for it.
“Their coming for ya! Get out of there!” Applejack warned as the two monsters charged.
“Fluttershy, we have to go!” Twilight grabbed Dash's coat at the back of her neck between her teeth, and pulled. Fluttershy seemed completely enamored with the bow as she took it into her hooves. Twilight stopped, terror struck as the two monsters jumped at once at them from opposite sides. There was nowhere to run. Twilight threw herself over Rainbow Dash and shut her eyes tight. Suddenly, a loud crashing sound rang from above her. Looking up all she could see was a blur of yellow and silver. Fluttershy had lunged at the monster, slamming the bow into it's head. The sheer force of the impact from the fat end of the unusual bow crumpling its faceplate like paper as the hit sent it skipping across the forest floor, coming to a stop only by slamming into a tree.
“Fluttershy?” Twilight said in slack jawed bewilderment. Her friend landed between the injured monster and herself. The remaining creature had been knocked away, it slowly stood as though the impact had stunned it. Fluttershy stood on her hind legs, her tail and wings keeping her balanced as she held the long, metal bow, ready to strike with it's blunt end. In a flash, the monster with the disfigured face jumped up and ran at full speed towards her. Just like Pinkie, she didn't move. Waiting for the moment when it reared back it's claw for the strike, and so it did. However, she held her ground. With a twirl of her bow she intercepted the claws, dinging loudly against her weapon, but it didn't even scratch. Almost effortlessly, she repelled it's arm and ducked low, narrowly avoiding the second swipe of its other arm, it's blade cutting off fine strands of her mane. Without missing a beat she dropped her one hood and swept her hind leg under it, forcing it to crash to the floor once again.
“Fluttershy! Behind you!” Rarity called from behind a tree. Is that truly sweet, timid Fluttershy? I knew she was capable of bravery but nothing quite like this! What in Equestria has gotten into her?
Without turning as the other monster charged she pulled back on a mechanism on the bow. As she plunged the metal piece back into place it clicked with a very distinct sound. The beast swung it's claw without the wind up, in one fluid motion. Twilight almost again shut her eyes, but, something compelled her to watch. As though she had eyes in the back of her head she fell to the ground, rolling in the dirt out of the way of the blades. The moment she was on her back she aimed the hole of thin cylinder at the creature as it turned towards her for round two. It was only in that instant that Twilight could see her face. It was stark and focused, her eyes narrowed and her body steady. Suddenly...
Bang!
A deafening crack exploded from the bow. Shrapnel was sheered from the monsters body as was torn to pieces by an invisible force. The force was so great that it's mangled body was sent flying along with its various parts that were no longer attached. Carefully, Twilight followed the trajectory of the hole that was made in the creature. At the end of that path, a deep circular hole was left in the trunk of a large tree. Quickly, Fluttershy got to her hooves, and hurried over to the remaining monster that was just now beginning to stagger to it's feet. Before it could, she was there, hovering the tube of the bow over its face. It was only now that her expression changed. Fear, anger, remorse, compassion and rage all torrented through her eyes as tears began pouring from their corners. Her breathing became rapid and shallow as the it looked down the metal tube, and then at her. Her breathing sped up even more and her body trembled. Clenching her jaw, she somehow pulled a small mechanism at the bottom of the bow and the explosion rang out once again.
The monster's face and neck were unrecognizable as shards of metal imbedded themselves into the ground and nearby trees. It went limp and fell to the ground, leaving Fluttershy standing over it. Tears flowed down her cheeks, dripping on to it's body and the forest floor. The bow was held tight in the position she had fired it, her face contorted with anger and regret.
“T- Twi... Fluttershy, she did all that.” Rainbow Dash sat up, her pain all but forgotten as she stared stupefied at her once meek friend.
“Y-yes... she did.” Twilight whispered in equal astonishment.
“Help me over there Twilight, she needs help.” Dash got to her hooves and, with Twilight's shoulder to lean on, limped to Fluttershy's side.
“Shy, it's okay,” Rainbow said softly, detaching from Twilight. “It's over now.” Dash placed her hoof on the bow, which she found surprisingly warm, and lowed it's end to the ground. “You did what you had to, you saved all our lives and, I'm proud of you Fluttershy. So don't cry okay?”
“Y-yes... I didn't have a choice. It was them or us. I- I did the right thing Rainbow. It was the right thing.” Her breaths steadied and she dropped to all fours, bringing her head through trough the strap, allowing the bow to rest against her side. It seemed a perfect fit. She began to wipe away her tears as Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie joined her around the metal corpse.
“That was amazing Fluttershy,” Applejack said trying to lighten the mood, “how did ya know how to use that bow?”
“This isn't a bow.” Swaying her body slightly she brought the not bow into her hoof and stood it on it's wide end. She smiled up at it before continuing. “This is the Blue Jay fifty caliber anti material high precision rifle. It it's the most advanced gun of it's kind, in the right hooves it can hit a target over three kilometers away. It's shell is made out of ultra high strength compressed carbon nanotubes, making it harder than diamond but lighter than titanium. It's skeleton is made out of high quality steel alloys. The barrel is lined with high durability ceramic that resists warping at extreme temperatures to ensure accuracy. It uses the most advanced quantum compression and decompression to store over a thousand rounds in minimal space. The exit velocity of the standard anti personnel round is four-thousand feet per second. It comes equipped with three types of rounds including depleted uranium high kinetic rounds.” She practically cooed as she spoke, her eyes enamored with her rifle as though under a trance.
“How do you know all that?” Twilight voiced one of the many questions on everypony's minds, evident by the agreeing nods and dumbfounded looks. Fluttershy didn't take her eyes off the rifle for even a moment as she responded.
“I- I don't know. It's like with the map, it just... told me. I knew how to use it perfectly as soon as I touched it. It felt great, I wasn't afraid. I could do anything!” Then, her eyes drifted to the mangled scraps left over from the confrontation. She stared at them for a few, drawn out seconds before her expression again became stoic before she continued, “and I did... Let's leave, we have six more relics to find and there are bound to be more of these things.” She swung her rifle onto her back before spinning around and trotting off, leaving her bewildered friends worried and confused, and all looking instinctively to Twilight.
“I don't know girls, but she's right, if the other relics are anything the that bo- like that rifle, we can't let these things get to them. I'll see if there's more to that rifle once we stop for the night, until then, let's follow her.” Twilight reason, sound as ever, put her friends at ease as they followed her and Fluttershy through the trees. Fluttershy marched ahead, her mind flooded with power and adrenaline, but also, an unexpected clarity.
That was amazing! I- I've never felt anything like that. I knew how strong I could be. I was fast, I was brave and I was accurate. I know I can do it again and again. With this rifle, I'll never be scared again. With this rifle, I'm free.
The six mares pressed westward with Fluttershy now far in the lead, occasionally she would scout the distance, scanning the horizon through the scope of her rifle. Despite Twilight and Dash's concern for their friend's sudden personality change, Fluttershy would not hand her rifle over for Twilight for examination. After three failed attempts, Twilight conceded and begrudgingly gave up. They were now closing in on Appleloosa, the largest town in the west that had yet to be attacked. With aching backs and sore hooves, they marched on in relative silence until...
“Rainbow Dash, would you mind carrying the map?” Twilight spoke, her voice carrying on the breeze that flowed over the parries. Rainbow Dash, who trotted beside her came to a stop, looking bewildered.
“Yeah... sure, but why? Is it getting heavy or something.” She cocked an eyebrow.
“I think I know why the map isn't working now but it worked for Fluttershy, I think it's because the map chose to show it's self to her.”
“The map chose to show her?” Her furrowed brow raised higher. “You sure about that?”
“I think so. I think that if we all take turns with the map it may happen again. I've tried everything else I can think of, It's worth a try right?” Twilight said. Wearily, Dash looked to Fluttershy who stopped and was again scanning their surrounding as she waited for them to catch up, her rifle slung over her shoulder.
“Is it?” she questioned. “As soon as she got a hold of that map it's like she couldn't control herself, and now that she's got that thing, she's almost like a whole different pony. Do we really know what we are getting into?”
“I know, Rainbow, but what choice do we have? You saw what that rifle is capable of, she took down two of those monsters with it and didn't even get a scratch. If the other relics are anywhere near as powerful as that then we need to make certain that they don't get a hold of any of them.” Twilight shuttered to think of the devastation those things could cause if they had Fluttershy's rifle. Just one of them destroyed an entire town, and with just that one rifle she was able to completely overwhelm two of them like they were nothing.
“Speaking of which, I think we should come up with a name for those things. Just calling them monsters or 'Those things' is going to get somepony confused, especially in a town like Appleloosa where they haven't been attacked yet.”
“You want to name them?!” Twilight gasped, her mouth ajar. Suddenly a blur of pink caught Twilight's eye. Turning her head, she found Fluttershy had quickly closed the gap between them and pressed her hooves against Twilight's lips.
“If you don't want to get us killed, then keep your voice down!” Fluttershy commanded, glaring into Twilight's eyes before finally releasing her lips. “Appleloosa is the last town that hasn't been hit, that means that the Scrapt are bound to be around here, I'd rather get the drop on them than the other way around.”
“S-sorry...” Twilight felt a niggling of anger towards Fluttershy's attitude but she knew she was right.
“Scrapt?” Rainbow Dash asked, bemused. Her eyes followed Fluttershy as she turned her back without responding, beginning to walk towards a large hill. She came to a stop halfway between the small herd and the hill.
“Yeah, the Scrapt. Might as well call them that now, since that's what they'll be if I come across them.” Fluttershy's tone was an even mix of cockiness and anger.
“Oookay then...” Rainbow Dash glanced at Twilight who glanced back at her, both with the same perplexed look. Without another word Fluttershy galloped up the steep hill, climbing to the top, she settled her rifle on the ground, a tripod extending from its base. Pressing her eye against the scope, she began scanning the distance as she did periodically since getting her rifle.
“You sure she's okay Twilight?” Applejack asked as she came up behind Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Twilight turned her head to see Pinkie Pie and Rarity with her, all glancing up at the top of the hill.
“I don't know. She wouldn't let me lay a hoof on her rifle, and she's been completely different since getting it, like she's possessed…” Twilight wore a fretful look as considered the implications of this.
“Well, she did save our lives.” Rarity inserted.
“Yeah, but still, this ain't right, she's not Fluttershy anymore.” Applejack frowned.
“Come on guys, quit talking about her likes she's not here.” Rainbow Dash interjected. “Look, yeah, she's not acting like herself, can you blame her? She just had a near death experience, and now, with that thing, her rifle, she feels strong, what's so wrong about that huh?” Rainbow Dash looked disappointed in her friends, though deep down she felt as they did, concerned for her oldest friend.
“Look, you've seen what that rifle is capable of, imagine if one of those monsters…” Twilight paused hesitantly before continuing. “The Scrapt, got a hold of it instead of Fluttershy?” All her friends looked uneasy, Rainbow Dash gulped at the thought. They knew the devastation those things could cause on their own, if they had a weapon like that, they felt like there would be no way to stop them. “Getting those other relics is our only choice.”
“Ohh! I think Fluttershy is trying to play charades!” Pinkie Pie squeaked excitedly, gesturing toward the top of the hill. The turned their heads up to see Fluttershy motioning with her hoof. Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Applejack looked at each other uncertainly before Twilight sighed and trotted up the hill.
“What's up Fluttershy?” Twilight asked as the rest of the group caught up.
“I see Appleloosa, it doesn't look good...” Up to this point, Fluttershy's personality and tone had been
completely different but as she said those words, the same tone of compassion and kindness shone through with plenty of worry and
“We were too late.”
How could I let this happen… Twilight repeated over and over again as they trotted through Appleloosa, her eyes scanning back and forth the closer they got to the center of town, the worse things looked. Suddenly, a high pitched scream rung out, stealing Twilight's attention. Looking up, she saw that somehow she had fallen behind the rest of the group who were stopped, frozen in their tracks several meters ahead of them.
“What is it?!” Twilight shouted and she galloped to be beside her friends until she too came to a dead halt. Her mouth went dry and her mind went blank, nausea welled up in her stomach at the sight before them.
“No...” Rainbow Dash whispered, the shock and trauma in her voice made the rest of the group feel even more terrified. This is the first time any of them had seen it… death. A young stallion lay butchered in the street, long, gaping slashes ran through his abdomen and blood soaked the ground. It was at this moment Twilight looked down, following the pool of blood until she realized their hooves rested in a drying puddle of his blood.
Suddenly, Rarity began hyperventilating, her body trembled so fiercely they could feel it through the ground in their hooves. They all wished to comfort her, but they couldn't bring themselves to even move.
“N-no… no… this can't… this can't be.” Rarity's voice was barely audible. She began to stagger back, shaking her head meekly, as though trying to deny the reality of what was before her. Suddenly, she broke into a horrible crying fit before bolting away faster than any of them had seen her run before.
“Rarity!” Twilight called out, spinning around, her hooves pulling away from the sticky earth beneath them. It was too late, she bolted away, running out of sight behind the wreckage of the fallen buildings.
“Applejack, go get her.” Fluttershy said in a commanding tone. She jostled her shoulder, re-situating her rifle and began walking, stepping around the dead body with a stoic face.
“R-right.” Applejack said hesitantly, looking to Twilight for reassurance. Looking back and forth between Fluttershy and Applejack, she finally gave an uneasy not and, without another word, Applejack took off after Rarity. Twilight turned her attention to her friends, still frozen, staring helplessly at the mangled body.
“Pinkie Pie, are you...”
“I'm, I'm going to be okay.” Twilight was surprised, her voice was heart broken and traumatized, but sincere. Tears stained her pink fur, but Pinkie and a strength in her eyes, something Twilight had never seen before. She believed her, she believed Pinkie would be okay, in her own time. As satisfied as she could be with that answer, she turned her attention to Rainbow Dash.
“Dashie…” Twilight said softly. The endearing nickname slipped out from her lips unintentionally, but after hearing her own words, she felt they were right and appropriate. Rainbow Dash didn't respond, she didn't speak, her face was blank, but not with the hardened steel of Fluttershy's, it's was pure grief and shock. Rainbow Dash looked absolutely destroyed. Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, a trembling voice came from the rubble.
“Princess? I-is that you?”
Twilight turned around to see Sheriff Silverstar slink out from behind a demolished house, he looked tired and beaten, but his voice had a hint of hope now. Behind him, the remnants of the town's inhabitants filed in, every pony looking worse off than the last. It was at this moment that Twilight realized to her horror that much of the ponies left mares and the young.
“Yes… it's me.” Twilight spoke weakly. She felt the weight of a crushing guilt fall over her.
“Thank Celestia you've come. What is going on? Those thing, those monsters, they just came and started destroying everything. When we tried to stop them they...” His voice trailed off and his head fell. He couldn't bring himself to finish what he was saying.
“How many were there?” Fluttershy cut in, walking swiftly towards him.
“Um, I don't know, it all happened so fast and-”
“That's not good enough! Do you want more ponies to die on your watch? Tell me how many you saw!” She demanded, putting her face in the sheriff's face. Her presence was imposing and overbearing and commanded respect, she was absolutely nothing like the Fluttershy they knew.
“Fluttershy stop this, can't you see he's-”
“Six, there was about six of them!” Sheriff Silverstar blurted out. Seemingly satisfied, Fluttershy began walking away, inspecting the town. Twilight stared at her, her mind racing. Worry for her friends, grief and guilt over the loss over life and how helpless she was to prevent it, but worst of all, the words of the sheriff hit her like train. S-six? Six of them. Oh Celestia… six of them. We barely escaped with our lives from one of those things. H-how many more are there?
Twilight looked back at Rainbow Dash, hoping for some solace, but she found only more hopelessness as Rainbow stared down at the dead body, her broken look completely unchanged. She was traumatized.
How are we going to make it through this?
