“That aut to be the last of them.” Rainbow Dash called out. Twilight looked around. Rainbow Dash wasn’t wrong, but with the fence still down, it was only a matter of time before more arrived. Silverstar was the next pony to speak up.

“Ah think it’s time we all got outta here. We all have had enough of this town.” Silverstar motioned to the surrounding townsponies, a dozen of which were quick to start saying their agreements in unison.

“Please, calm down. We aren’t staying here.” Twilight had to take a deep breath before continuing. Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie emerged from the crowd while Twilight was getting her bearings. “Everypony gather together any belongings you need and we’ll meet back here in five minutes.” Twilight ordered. As the crowd dispersed Twilight’s friends gathered around her.

“Helping these ponies is all well and good, but what do we do about Applejack and Spike?” Rarity asked. “I don’t want to stay here any longer either, but to leave them behind…”

“We aren’t leaving anypony behind. Don’t even think that.” Rainbow Dash flew right into Rarity’s face in response. Pinkie’s ears perked up at the sound not of hooves but of claws digging through the dirt. She squinted her eyes. Through the darkness she could see a distinct orange figure being carried along the ground by a smaller purple one.

“I think I see them!”

The others turned around at Pinkie’s words. Spike was carrying Applejack’s limp body on his back, her weight forcing Spike to walk on all fours. Twilight and Rainbow Dash ran ahead of the others.

“Spike!”

“Applejack!”

Spike felt his knees give way. He wanted to fall over but Applejack’s heavy breathing was enough for him to keep going. Got get her out of here. Anywhere but here. Spike thought to himself. Twilight and Rainbow Dash started to lift Applejack off Spike’s back, though hesitated as Applejack screamed in pain.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry! Let me try something else.” Twilight’s horn started glowing, as did Applejack’s body as she started to levitate off the ground. Once she was in the air, Twilight was able to get a good look at the cuts along Applejack’s body. Each and every one matched the scars Applejack had in her nightmare.

No, not a nightmare. A premonition. Wait what am I thinking? This has to be a coincidence. Twilight shook her head, deciding not to think about it too hard. Rainbow Dash turned her attention to Spike.

“What the heck happened to her?”

Spike stuttered. How do I tell them? He thought to himself. Rarity put a hoof on Applejack’s bloody muzzle.

“Goodness. If only I brought my wash cloth with me.” Rarity started to move her hoof, but bumped it against Fluttershy’s, who was reaching for Applejack’s forehead. “Of course.” Rarity backed away, allowing Fluttershy to touch Applejack’s forehead.

“Oh my! You’re burning up!” Fluttershy squeaked. Looking at Applejack’s broken legs, Fluttershy found herself breathing heavily. “What do we do?” Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow.

“You mean you don’t know?”

“Well…I’ve fixed up bunnies and birds and bears and walruses before. I don’t know how to reset broken bones on ponies.” Fluttershy admitted.

“I suppose I can try something.” Twilight focused her magic on Applejack’s legs.

“Twi…Ah don’t think GGGAAAAHHHH!” Applejack screamed in agony as her legs twisted with a loud crack. Pinkie had to hold her hooves over Pound and Pumpkin’s ears to keep them from hearing it and making them cry as well.

“AH! Sorry, sorry, sorry! That was supposed to help.”

“It didn’t.” Rainbow Dash looked around. Already a group of zombie ponies were slowly but surely making their way towards Dodge Junction. “You want me to get these ones?” she asked. A nod from Twilight was all she needed to speed off to take care of them.

“Gee, Applejack, what were they doing to you? I might need to throw two parties to cheer you up.” Pinkie looked back at the Cake Twins. “Well ok, three parties; one for escaping Dodge Junction, and two to cheer up Auntie Applejack. You like that?”

“Applejack!”

“Party!”

“That’s my kids.” Pinkie smiled. “So what do you think?”

“Not now, Pinkie. Just get me outta ere.” Applejack lowered her head. Get me as far from ere’ as ya can. Spike placed a claw on Applejack’s back.

“Do you want me to tell them?” he asked.

“Yes please.” Rarity interrupted. “Applejack, dear, you can tell us.” Applejack closed her eyes, feeling her stomach turn. She was seriously regretting lying to her friends the last time they had been in Dodge Junction. That way she felt she could get away with lying this time.

Nope. If Ah lie they’ll know. “Alrighty. Ah’ll tell ‘em, Spike.” Applejack took a deep breath. “Cherry Jubiliee didn’t want me to resist. She kissed me. She kissed me a lot. Touched me. Ah didn’t want to be touched. But Ah couldn’t stop her.” Applejack started to cry. Rarity and Fluttershy sat down next to the wounded pony, gently nuzzling her.

“Just let it all out, dear.” Rarity muttered. Pinkie’s face sank, her mane starting to droop.

“Maybe…maybe we should hold off on a party.”

Twilight looked at Spike. “Spike, where is Cherry Jubiliee?”

That auta stop the bleedin. Jubiliee had tied one of her ascots around her neck to cover up Applejack’s bite. Whoa, still a little dizzy. She thought to herself. Finding the lightheadedness too much to handle, Jubiliee quickly collapsed onto the floor in the pool of blood that had been accumulating for the past few minutes.

“There. Everythin’ is back to normal. Right Applejack? Applejack love?” Jubiliee struggled back onto her bed, only to find it empty. “Now where did ya go?” Then she remembered Spike. “That little sneak. Well, mah boys will keep him from getting’ far.” Jubiliee rolled off the bed, falling back into the pool of blood. Not the bodily fluid Ah’d like to be covered in.

“You got a lot of nerve!”

Jubiliee had barely any time to react before finding herself pinned to the wall, with Rainbow Dash right in her face.

“How did ya get away from mah boys?” Again Jubiliee had no time to react as she felt a strong punch to the gut.

“You violated my friend! What kind of pony does that!” Rainbow Dash screamed. Jubiliee let out a cough before answering.

“A pony who loves her. Ah’ve missed Applejack for a long time. Figured she would grow to love me back.” Jubiliee said though bursts of coughs. Rainbow Dash felt her rage boil hotter than ever before.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now.” Rainbow Dash asked. Jubiliee’s eyes widened, feeling nothing but horror.

“Y-you wouldn’t. It’s wrong.”

“Oh that’s rich coming from you Miss Stabby-Stabby!”

“The Appleloosans didn’t want to be mah friends. Ah had to do it to keep them from harmin’ me.” Jubiliee explained. Rainbow Dash punched Jubiliee in the neck, reopening the wound.

“You don’t know the meaning of the word friend. Hay, you don’t know what equinity means.” Jubiliee looked over Rainbow Dash’s shoulder. Twilight was standing over by the bedroom entrance.

“Princess! You wouldn’t let her kill me? Would ya?” She begged. Twilight didn’t answer right away. She knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

I forgave Discord after all he did. Can I forgive Cherry Jubiliee? Should I forgive her? Twilight looked away. “I don’t know. I’ve never dealt with this situation before.” Twilight admitted. Rainbow Dash dropped Jubiliee to the ground.

“You heard Applejack. We can’t just let this monster get away with what she did.” Rainbow Dash glared at Jubiliee, who was cowering in the corner.

“We can lock her up.” Twilight trotted up to Rainbow Dash’s side. Part of her wanted to just let Rainbow Dash kill Jubiliee. But she had to put her position as a princess into consideration.

“Does your castle even have a dungeon?”

“No, but the Castle of the Two Sisters does. We can keep her there until we can solve our zombie crisis.” Stuttering from Jubiliee caught Twilight and Rainbow Dash’s attention.

“Now what?” Rainbow Dash asked. Jubiliee shut her eyes and looked away. Rainbow Dash reached over and pulled Jubiliee’s chin to face her. “What. Did. You. Say?”

“It won’t end. Those undead ponies will be around forever.” Jubiliee said, resisting the urge to cry. Ultimately she couldn’t hold back the tears and started to weep into Rainbow Dash’s chest.

“Get off of me!” Rainbow Dash shoved Jubiliee away, the back of her head smacking against the side of the wall with a crack.

“Alright Rainbow Dash, that’s enough. I’ll take it from here.” Twilight gently pushed Rainbow Dash out of the way. Jubiliee felt her fore hooves getting heavier. Looking down she saw Twilight had conjured up some hoofcuffs on her legs.

“Princess Twilight. Am Ah a bad pony?”

Twilight scratched her mane. As much as she didn’t want to say it, the circumstances gave her no choice. “Yes.”

The forced march from Dodge Junction to the Buffalo Camp was quiet. Pinkie looked through the crowd. She could feel the negative vibe between the surviving Appleloosans and the ponies of Dodge Junction. Braeburn noticed Pinkie was lagging behind, and slowed down so he could walk next to her.

“Talk to me, cuz. Aren’t ya supposed to be the cherry one?” The cowpony asked. Pinkie let out a little laugh.

“That’s me. I’ve just never seen so many unhappy ponies in one place before. The Manehattan Ponies may have been a bunch of big ole’ grumpy pantseses but not like this.” Pinkie explained. Braeburn shrugged.

“Well, can’t say Ah’ve ever been to Manehattan before, Ah’m no city pony.” Braeburn looked ahead of the crowd where Applejack was being carried by Twilight and Rainbow Dash. “Can’t say Ah don’t understand why everypony is so quiet.”

“Too.”

“Quiet.”

Braeburn looked over at the Cake Twins in Pinkie’s saddlebags. “Well howdy little ones.” Braeburn tipped his hat. Reaching out with her baby magic, Pumpkin pulled Braeburn’s hat off his head and started chewing on it.

“No. We don’t take other ponies hats. Give it back little missy.” Pinkie ordered. Pumkin reluctantly dropped Braeburn’s hat, giving Pinkie a wide-eyed expression.

“Ah she can have it. Ah got plenty more at home.” Braeburn said. Pumkin cheered as she started chewing on his hat again. Braeburn laughed. “And to think, ya’ll were pregnant when ya wore that showpony outfit. Seems kinda silly don’t ya agree?”

“Oh I wasn’t…” Pinkie stopped herself. No. Pound and Pumpkin are my foals. “Maybe a little silly.”

Unbenonced to Pinkie and Braeburn, Rarity could hear their conversation from a few yards away. They are not your children, Pinkie. “They are actually Carrot and Cup Cake’s children.” Rarity corrected. Pinkie gave a nasty death glare to Rarity, though Braeburn didn’t notice.

“The Cakes? Ah’ve heard of em. Thar business sometimes ship baked goods to Aaaaappppplllleeeelllllooooosssssaaaa!” Braeburn whinnied. “Don’t know why ya’ll decided to bring em here though.”

“Well, unfortunately, Mr and Mrs. Cake are…no longer with us.” Rarity explained. Braeburn’s heart sank.

“What a shame. Still good on ya to take care of thar kids.” Braeburn looked back at the twins.

“Exactly. I’ll be there mommy and daddy from now on.”

Both? Braeburn asked himself. Ah she’s silly.

“So Braeburn, what was it Jubiliee was forcing you to do before we arrived?” Rarity asked. Braeburn scratched his neck.

“Well, it’s a little embarassin’.” He admitted. “They wanted somepony to work in thar cherry factories. Frankly ah’d rather work in the fields or even in the rodeo. Can’t exactly say why and Apple would want to work in a cherry factory.” Rarity and Pinkie exchanged glances.

I believe I can think of a reason. Of course Rarity didn’t feel the need to bring up Applejack working in a cherry factory. I wouldn’t dare embarrass her further after all she has been through.

Little Strongheart lept up a small rock where a rooster was already perched on.

“Is it time?” Little Strongheart asked. The rooster looked into the sky. The moon was slowly dipping beneath the horizon.

“Well it’s a bit behind schedule but I’ll get right on it.” The rooster turned back to the sky. Little Strongheart sighed. She wasn’t expecting a response from the Mane Six any time soon, but that didn’t mean she didn’t feel concerned about their well-being.

I better not have sent them to their doom. Little Strongheart scanned the horizon. A zombie ferret was eating the remains of a dead pony, but stopped once it started to move around, it’s guts spilling out onto the zombie ferret. And this is why I’m so glad I don’t eat meat.

“Oh here it comes.” The rooster waved its wings in front of Little Strongheart. “You might want to stand back. I’m gonna get loud.”

“Somehow I think I can take it…”

“COCKA DOODLE DOO!”

Little Strongheart felt her ears ringing in pain, causing her to fall off the rock. The sun rising in the sky shining it’s rays brightly in her face wasn’t making her growing headache much better.

“I tried to warn you…” The rooster started to say, but was abruptly stopped as the zombie pony bit down on it’s head.

“Back you undead monster!” Little Strongheart bent her forelegs before kicking the zombie pony in the head, knocking it to the ground. It reached towards Little Strongheart, the rooster stuck in its maw. “I said back!” Little Strongheart tackled the zombie pony to the ground, stomping on its head.

“Hey Strongheart!”

Little Strongheart smiled. “There’s a voice I’ve been hoping to hear.” Looking back over the horizon, where a large group of ponies were trotting in her direction.

“Hey Dash! Good to see you in one…piece…um…” Little Strongheart found it hard to continue at the sight of Applejack’s wounded form and Cherry Jubiliee in the crowd. “Um, you want to explain what the Dodge Junction ponies are doing here?” Rainbow Dash glared at Twilight, folding her forelegs.

“We offered a safe place to live without having to kill anypony.” Twilight explained. Jubiliee shut her eyes. “But our friend got hurt. Could your tribe help her out?” Little Strongheart examined Applejack.

“Well I think our shabuffalo can do something about these legs. But the tribe is almost ready to move out and find a new safe haven.”

Rainbow Dash set her self down on the ground. “But you said…”

“I know what I said. I tried to talk the chief into staying but he can be so stubborn.” Little Strongheart admitted. Silverstar was quick to emerge from the crowd of ponies, having been pushing his way through the crowd since the conversation began.

“Take me to him. Ah know exactly what to say to get Thunderhooves thinkin’ our way of thinkin’.” The Sheriff explained.

“Are you sure about that?” Twilight asked, thinking about the previous negotiations between the Appleloosans and the Buffalo. Silverstar tipped his hat in respect.

“Ah appreciate yer concern, Princess. But a lot has changed since ya were last here. Some of us are more than friends with members of the tribe.” He noted. Spike scratched the spines on his head.

“Now when you say more than friends you mean…” Then the young dragon caught on. Oh. How does that even work? Then he thought about his own feelings for Rarity, which made his first thought ironic. “Yeah forget I said anything."

Rainbow Dash flew in a circular motion around the shabuffalo’s teepee. Spike and the rest of the Mane Six bar Applejack and Fluttershy were sitting around the teepee, slowly loosing their patence with their pegasus friend.

“Rainbow dear, that isn’t making anything going faster.” Rarity noted. Rainbow Dash pulled on her mane.

“But Applejack has been in there for hours!” She cried. “At least let the rest of us in and not just Fluttershy.”

“Hey we should at least be glad Silverstar was able to talk the Buffalo into staying at all.” Spike chimed in. “I’m just saying.” Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but scoff at Spike’s words.

“Spike, if it was Twilight or Rarity in there you’d be pacing right along side me.”

“Hey!”

“Well it’s true.” Rainbow Dash smirked at the sight of Twilight and Rarity blushing. Rainbow Dash held a hoof against the entry flap of the teepee. “Maybe I can take a peak or two.”

“Rainbow wait.”

Rainbow Dash backed up as Fluttershy emerged from the teepee, wearing an oversized headdress. One that Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but snicker at.

“Oh this? The shabuffalo told me to wear this for the treatment.” Fluttershy explained. Fluttershy turned her head facing the rest of her friends as they gathered around.

“So what they say? Don’t leave us in suspense!” Pinkie exclaimed. Fluttershy backed up a step with a squeak. “Please?”

“Well the shabuffalo said she can fix Applejack’s legs. She won’t be able to walk for a few weeks thought.” Fluttershy explained. Twilight nodded back.

“That won’t be a problem. Once we get the train working she won’t have to.” Twilight noted. Fluttershy shrank back further. “But it’s not just her legs. Is it?” Fluttershy shook her head, slamming her eyes shut. “What is it?”

“The Shabuffalo said…she said…” Fluttershy covered her face with a forehoof. “I can’t do this.” Rainbow Dash placed a hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder.

“Yes you can.”

“Ok.” Fluttershy took a breath before continuing. “She says Applejack’s soul is hurt. S-she will have thoughts of Cherry Jubiliee ra… um, hurting her for the rest of her life.” The group fell silent and remained that way for the rest of the morning.

Mmmm. Somethin’ smells good. Applejack woke up from her nap, still feeling weak. Turning her head she found Braeburn sitting by her side.

“Howdy, Applejack. Glad yer up. Yer friends will certainly be glad to hear from ya.” Braeburn noted. Applejack chuckled.

“Yeah, Ah bet.” Applejack tried to get back up, but found it hard to sit up. Braeburn had to hold Applejack’s back to help her sit up straight. “Ya know thar’s a mare in Ponyville who sits like this all the time.”

“That’s weird.”

“Eeyup. So will Ah be able to use Bucky McGillicuddy and Kicks McGee any time soon?” Applejack asked. It took Braeburn a minute to realize she was talking about her legs.

“Oh that. Well Ah didn’t ask, but Ah doubt you’d be able to walk any time soon.” Braeburn said. Applejack slamed her head back into her pillow. After a second of silence Applejack’s eyes widened.

“G-get this pillow out of here! Please!”

Braeburn quickly pulled the pillow out from under Applejack’s head. She clutched the sheet covering her body while breathing heavily. “Sorry, Ah just remembered…somthin’.” Braeburn nodded.

“Ah understand. Yer friends told me what Jubiliee did.” Braeburn stood up and started pacing.” Ah’m not gonna lie. Ah didn’t think she had it in her to do anythin’ like this.”

“Yer not kiddin’. Ya’ll plannin’ on joinin’ us in Ponyville?”

“Braeburn stopped in his tracks. “Applejack yer avoiding the topic.”

Applejack scrunched up her face. “Well Ah ain’t talkin’ about it. And ya don’t look like no therapist to me.” Applejack realized what she just said, and whinnied. “Sorry cousin. Didn’t mean to snap at ya like that. Ah’m not myself right now.”

“Bah. Apologizin’ ain’t necessary. We all know yer emotions are actin up.” Braeburn looked outside before turning his attention back to his cousin. “Ah know Ah’ve had more than a few thoughts gallopin’ through mah head.” Applejack felt intrigued.

“Do tell.”

“Oh ya’ll don’t want to know about mah thoughts.” Braeburn felt a lump in his throught form. Especially after what ya’ll been through.

“Ah might surprise ya.”

Braeburn clicked his teeth before answering. “Well alrighty than. Before all this undead pony business started a party pony moseyed into town to help us host a party with the Buffalo in Aaaapppllllleeeellllooossssaaaa!”

“Braeburn.”

“Sorry, sometimes Ah can’t help mahself. Anyway, durin’ the party Ah met a stallion the party pony had brought in to do the music. A unicorn callin’ himself Long Play. We got to talkin’ and well… we got pretty close after that. Still are, meetin’ together when ever we can. Hope he’s alright.”

Applejack shrugged. “Ah don’t see why Ah would be bothered by ya’ll found a good friend.” Braeburn rolled his eyes.

“Well Long Play and Ah are little bit more than friends. He was rather impressed with… um… mah little pony.” Whoah here it comes. Braeburn thought to himself. He was expecting Applejack to be disgusted. But the reaction never came. “That don’t bother ya’ll?”

“Brae, plenty of mares think the same as yerself. Ya’ll have nothin’ to be ashamed of.”

“What? Oh no not that. Ah’ve been at peace with that since Ah was a colt. Ah meant mentionin’…. um, the topic of pony rides.” Braeburn explained. And surely enough once the words “pony rides” came up Applejack started to shutter. “Yeah, that’s the reaction Ah expected. Tell ya what? Why don’t Ah make it up to ya’ll.”

Applejack was starting to feel clammy. “How ya reckon ya do that?”

“Easy. Ah'll show ya how big and strong Bloomberg has grown.” Applejack bolted back up into her sitting position, still in pain but ignoring most of it.

“Bloomberg? But Ah thought they cut down the orchard.” She exclaimed.

“They did. But some of the trees are still standin’. Ah’ll ask yer friends and the buffalo if they’ll let me take ya there.” Braeburn promised. Applejack smiled for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

“Somethin’ good at last.”

“Oh come on Twilight. That sounds like a good idea to me.”

Twilight looked down at Pinkie, who was holding onto her forelegs. She turned her attention to Braeburn.

“Thank’s for putting this idea in her head.” Twilight said. Rainbow Dash hovered towards Twilight.

“I don’t see any problem here.” Rainbow Dash argued. Twilight folded her forelegs.

“It’s not that I don’t want to help Applejack, I do.” Twilight looked in the direction of Applejack’s teepee. “It’s just not safe here. Can you imagine what would happen if if the zombie ponies found out about us?”

“You put up a valid argument, Princess.”

Twilight looked up to see Chief Thunderhooves standing tall over her. “If we stay any longer we will be overwhelmed.” Thunderhooves turned his attention to the group of zombie ponies trotting around the area outside the camp. “Eventually that small number will become many.”

Braeburn trotted up to Thunderhooves. “Just a couple hours longer. Than we can all skedaddle outta ‘ere.” Rarity leaned closer to Fluttershy.

“Darling, perhaps you could persuade him. You’re cute, he might listen to you.” She whispered. Fluttershy’s eyes widened.

“What? I don’t know. That doesn’t seem right.”

Rarity scoffed. “Well don’t worry. I shall give it a try.” Rarity slowly walked over to Thunderhooves, putting on her best 'fine lady' face. “Our friend would greatly appreciate this chance. For her?”

Thunderhooves groaned. He could tell what Rarity was doing, but he was too tired of arguing to say no. “Alright. Help your friend, then we are leaving.”

“You’re too kind.” Rarity said with a smirk.

Applejack looked out from the cart her friends were carrying her in. “Are ya sure Ah can’t walk with ya?” Rainbow Dash turned around to face her friend.

“Believe me, I know how you feel.” She reassured. Rarity however, found herself shaking her head.

“We all do dear. But you simply can not hurt yourself any further.” Rarity added.

Not helping, Rarity. Rainbow Dash thought to herself. Braeburn motioned over to the Mane Six and Spike.

“Here we are.”

Applejack was expecting Braeburn would call out Appleloosa’s name again, but a good look at the town was enough to see why he didn’t. The train station was still standing but most of the buildings, from the saloon, to Silverstar’s office, to the town clock tower had been damaged in some capacity. Walking through the empty streets was understandably unnerving. Braeburn actually started to sweat. Fluttershy was the first to notice.

“I’m sorry. Your home didn’t deserve this.” She held a foreleg around Braeburn’s back to confort him.

“That’s mighty kind of ya to think. Come to think of it, Ah can’t imagine any town that deserves this.” Braeburn pointed towards several wooden poles embedded in the ground. Spike and Rarity had to look away as they got close enough to see the severed pony heads stabbed into the poles.

We’ll I can think of a few. Rainbow Dash thought to herself. She glanced over at Twilight. You know what I’m thinking about don’t you? Twilight didn’t respond, though Rainbow Dash felt she didn’t have to. Wouldn’t be surprised if you had a mind reading spell though.

“Ah see him.” Applejack called out. Twilight squinted to get a better look. The apple orchard was a few dozen yards away, but she couldn’t see any specific trees.

“Don’t ya worry, cousin. We’re almost there.” Braeburn said. Applejack bit her tongue. In a matter of minutes they had reached the apple orchard. Most of the trees had been cut down, with at least a dozen still standing. A zombie pony was lying on the ground near the tallest tree, it’s body having been squashed flat with it’s organs spilling out, though that didn’t stop it from reaching out with it’s remaining hooves at the group.

“Get that trotter away from Bloomberg!” Applejack roared.

“I got this one!” Rainbow Dash sped towards the flattened zombie pony, leaving a streak of colors in her wake, smashing its head against the ground. “I’m guessing this is it?”

Applejack readjusted herself in the cart so she could get a better view. “Yes. Golly, Bloomberg. You’ve gotten so big.” Applejack’s sorrow slowly started to fade away. When Bloomberg had been planted in the orchard it was easily five feet tall with thick leaves and a tough trunk. Now it was a third as tall with it’s leaves now an even brighter shade of green. And the apples on its branches were bigger and reder than before. “Girls. Can Ah…can Ah touch him?” She asked.. Twilight bit her lip.

“Applejack, I understand this is important to you.” Rarity leaned her head in the cart. “But a tree is not fabric. They don’t have a variety of textures or…”

“Rarity please! Ah need this!” Applejack pleaded. Rarity looked at Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

“Sure. Everypony stand back.” Twilight ordered. Twilight focused her magic on Applejack, slowly levitating her out of the cart. Applejack tried to move her left foreleg but found it hard to move without hurting it hurting. “Applejack, let me do it.” Twilight took a step forward, moving Applejack’s foreleg. Applejack smiled as her hoof finaly touched Bloomberg’s trunk.

“Ah’ve missed ya too, Bloomberg.” Applejack uttered. Spike heard the sound of hooves crunching against fallen leaves. Surely enough a zombie pony was making its way towards the group.

“Um, I everypony. We got company.” Spike backed away, bumping into Pinkie.

“Just give me a moment.” Applejack replied. Spike started to shake as the zombie pony trotted closer and closer. Twilight and Fluttershy looked around. More zombie ponies were making there way towards the group.

“Applejack…” spike stuttered.

“Ya’ve grown into a big and strong tree. Stay strong for mommy.” Applejack turned her attention back to her friends. “Ok, Ah’m ready. Let’s get outta ere.”

Bloomberg seems nice. Fluttershy thought to herself.

The trip back to the Buffalo Camp felt quicker than the trip to Appleloosa. At least that’s how Applejack felt. Maybe it was because she didn’t have to any walking. Rarity however, was starting to feel her hooves cramp up from all the walking she had done.

“When we get back to Ponyville, I am going to the Spa. I’m sure a lot of the townsponies could use it.” Rarity informed the others.

That does sound nice. Fluttershy thought to herself. Rainbow Dash shrugged.

“Whatever you think.”

Rarity looked up at her flying friend. “Oh, Rainbow Dash. We all know you love it.” Rainbow Dash simply groaned in response. Pinkie bounced between the two. Braeburn smirked.

“Applejack, ya’ll have some amusing friends.” He noted. Applejack nodded in agreement. Suddenly Braeburn came to a stop. “Whoa nelly! What happened ‘ere?” He called out.

“What? What happened?” Applejack asked, poking her head out of the cart. Most of the teepees in the buffalo camp were torn down, with several dead ponies and buffalo were strewn about. The surviving buffalo and ponies were clearing the dead away, with a few still crying over dead bodies. Little Strongheart ran up to the group as they approached.

“Your back. You won’t believe what happened.” She exclaimed. Rainbow Dash flapped her wings harder.

“It was Jubiliee wasn’t it! I knew we shouldn’t have brought her and her ponies with us!” Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof to the ground in rage.

“No it wasn’t the Dodge Junction ponies. After you left a horde of the undead creatures took us by surprise.”

“Yes, and it is because of you.”

Thunderhooves loudly stomped his way towards the Mane Six, with Silverstar close behind.

“How the heck is it our fault?” Rainbow Dash asked. Thunderhooves snorted in anger.

“I told you you’re train was loud and attracts attention.” Thunderhooves said. Silverstar looked up at the Buffalo Chief.

“Hold up, you don’t know that.” He argued.

“The horde was traveling by your railroad. These ponies were followed.” Thunderhooves and Silverstar continued to argue, butting heads together. Guilt started to fill up inside Twilight.

“He’s right.” Twilight muttered. Rarity raised an eybrow.

“Now, now Twilight. How could we have known?” Thunderhooves stood over Rarity.

“Maybe couldn’t have. But that doesn’t change the fact I warned you this would happen. Now I have lost members of my tribe because of you.” Twilight’s ears fell as Thunderhooves shadow loomed over. “We are done. Take your ponies and leave.” The Buffalo Chief demanded. Rainbow Dash flew right into Thunderhooves face.

“Hey you can’t talk to her like that!”

“Rainbow, stop. We’ll do as you ask.” Twilight said. Pinkie’s eyes widened.

“But Twilight this isn’t your fault.” She chimed in. Thunderhooves snorted again. Silverstar walked between him and Twilight.

“Hold up. Seperating now is a terrible idea. We need the princess and her friends.” Silverstar motioned to the others. But Thunderhooves didn’t budge.

“Go with them then. I will not let your princess endanger my tribe any longer.” He looked back at Twilight one last time. “It is time for you to leave.”

Author's Note

Still released on a Wednesday, so technically not behind schedule.

But on a more serious note, if you think I should forego the deadline if I'm not 100% satisfied with a chapter, let me know.