Falling Stars

Chapters

Chapter 02: The Guide
Chapter 03: Dream Catcher
Chapter 04: Trail Blazer
Chapter 05: Encore
Chapter 06: Hunter Killer
Chapter 08: Hearts of Iron (pt.2)
Chapter 09: Hearts of Iron (pt.3)
Chapter 10: Swarm of the Millennium
Chapter 01: A Star Falls
Chapter 07: Hearts of Iron (pt.1)

Chapter 02: The Guide

Luna trotted down the luxurious aisles of the Royal train car, amazed at how quickly and efficiently her sister organized everything. In the amount of time the chariots made the journey too and from Ponyville, Celestia had all supplies and resources secured and ready for transport to Canterlot’s mountain railway system. Two platoons of Royal guardponies escorted the supplies, moving through pre-planned routes for maximum security. When they reached the train platform, they had everything loaded and ready to go in 10 minutes flat. Garret and Gene arrived not much later after that, having left to retrieve Spike and some of Twilight's requested reading material. All in all, it was exactly thirty minutes from the time they finished their briefing to the time the Train started it’s long journey to the Frontier Region.

Luna passed a door decorated with a carving of Princess Celestia. She paused a moment and marveled at her older sister. 1000 years of ruling by herself had turned her into quite the leader.

She heard voices in the next room and recognized them belonging to Spike and Twilight

“I don’t get it.” Spike said unpacking Twilight’s bag of books.

“Who could Celestia be talking about?”

Twilight was in the middle of sorting through her immense pile of books when she responded.

“I was actually hoping you could help me remember.” She opened the book entitled “Old Mares Tales” and found the page about the Land of Twisted Metal. She bookmarked the page and put it away then noticed Luna peeking in from the doorway.

“Oh princess Luna, I didn’t see you there!” Twilight bowed her head low in respect.

Luna felt conflicted about seeing Twilight treat her this way. On one hoof she was indeed Royalty and this type of behavior from a loyal subject was appropriate, but on the other hoof she wondered if she could ever know who her friends were if they constantly treated her like Royalty. Could she even make friends at all?

No. My sister considers them friends. I should as well.

“Please don’t be so formal with me Twilight. If Celestia says that kind of treatment is unnecessary for her, then who am I to receive such treatment myself.”

Twilight giggled softly as she lifted her head. “You’re our friend too princess”

Luna tried not to look too pleased with herself after that last statement.

“Is everything here to your liking?” She asked.

“Oh yes princess! Everything is superb. You didn’t have to give us the luxury of riding in the palace’s royal train cars.”

Secretly Twilight had always dreamed of riding on one of the Royal Train cars since she was a filly. She remembered trying to sneak on board the Train car one time and getting caught. She barely escaped trouble that time. Though she couldn’t remember how she escaped.

“It was all my sisters doing so there’s no need to thank me.” Luna paused before adding: “Please call me Luna.” The two ponies exchanged smiles. Luna turned around to leave, but Twilight stopped her.

“Pri… Luna can I ask you something?”

Luna looked over her shoulder.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Princess Celestia mentioned that only one pony has ever made it to The Land of Twisted Metal. You wouldn’t happen to know who it was she was talking about, would you?”

Luna shook her head. “I don’t. She didn’t tell you?” She was surprised that her sister would have left out something as important as to who their guide was.

“Well…” Twilight said trying to find words to explain. “…she says that the pony is an old friend of mine from my filly days in Canterlot, but I don’t remember ever having friends before I came to Ponyville. She was very cryptic about it.”

Luna sighed and then nodded, she understood her sister’s methods well. “All I know is that we are meeting up with the rest of the expedition team in Appaloosa. Maybe this pony is one of them.”

Twilight shrugged. “I sure hope so. This mission is too important to spend time hunting down a guide.”

*************

Meanwhile, in Appaloosa.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie demands to know where you’re hiding him!” A pony with a light blue coat and navy colored cape asked the bartender with intensity. This was the fourth time she asked, and by this time her patience had completely dissolved.

The bartender was not the least bit intimidated, and continued polishing a glass. “Now ya’ll could have asked nicely. We say please round these parts. But ya know what? Even if ya did, I don’t know nothin’ about Trot Steamer the Trail Blazer.

Trixie’s eyes narrowed. She knew a liar when she saw one. Deception was her forte after all.

Trail Blazers were the ponies of legend in the frontier region. They were cunning colts and mares, who carved out their names into this vast and dangerous land known as the Frontier Region. They had a lust for adventure that not even the mysterious lands of Equestria could satisfy. Being called a Trail Blazer was synonymous with being called a hero in the frontier region. It was not a title someone could claim. It had to be bestowed upon them by the people, as stories and rumors of these brave ponies and their deeds moved from town to town. Trixie understood all this. She also understood why the locals would protect such “heroes”, even if they were criminals.

“Ok then, lets start over.” With a sly look on her face, she pulled from her cape a scroll sealed with red ribbon. It unrolled itself and clearly display the royal seal of Princess Celestia.

“I am on a royal mission, assigned by the Princess of the sun herself. If at anytime I feel that my mission is in jeopardy, I am authorized to use any force necessary to remove the jeopardizing factor.”

A faint glow covered the bartenders’ mug. It lifted out of his hands and zipped across the bar, smashing against the far wall. “That means dealing with liars who are trying to hide known fugitives!”

The bartender furrowed his brow while Trixie let out an aggravated snort, ready for anything. At that moment the door to the salt bar swung open. A grey stallion with short white mane, only slightly larger than Trixie walked into the salt bar. He was wearing beaten, empty saddlebags and an equally beaten bandanna tied around his neck. He had dirty white rags tied around his hooves and an x like bandage applied onto the bridge of his nose. Trixie took note of the sudden visitor, seeing that the color of his coat and mane didn’t match the description described in the letter, she dismissed him as a random patron and returned to stare down the bartender.

“What’s going on here Malt?” The stallion asked, feeling the tension in the room as he saw the mare and the bartender glaring at each other.

“Lil’ miss great an’ powerful here’s lookin’ for Trot Steamer! Ya seen him?” His voice was loud and mocking in tone. The fire in Trixie’s eyes grew to dangerous levels.

The grey colt looked down and saw shards from the mug. He frowned.

“Listen miss…” The patron took a few steps forward cautiously, but a burst of magic prevented him from moving any further. Trixie barely nodded her head. Every table in the bar sprung up and formed a barrier between the grey colt and Trixie.

“This doesn’t concern you stranger. I am on royal business from the princess herself. If you don’t know where Trot Steamer is, then I suggest you leave now before you get hurt.”

The grey colt snorted. “You mean a Stallion with an orange coat and pink mane?”

The barricade of tables were blown apart quicker than if they were trampled by an entire heard of buffalo. The light blue mare moved dangerously quick towards him causing the grey colt to back up several steps.

“Tell me.” She said threateningly.

“I’ll make you a deal.” The grey colt said smiling politely. “Meet me at the town square tomorrow at dawn, we’ll duel and If you win, not only will I tell you where he is, I’ll lead you to him myself.”

Trixie’s eyes narrowed “I don’t trust you.”

The grey stallion only returned the gaze. “I give you my word.”

Trixie knew her victory was assured. The stranger wasn’t even a unicorn. He would be no match against someone with her magical skill, and that wasn’t her going on some ego trip either. At the same time she could tell that the colt in front of her was not trying to deceive her. He either must be really brave, really stupid, or both.

"What's your name?" Trixie asked, watching him closely.

The stranger paused a moment before answering plainly.

"Grey."

Trixie blinked. "That is the plainest name for an adversary."

Grey rolled his eyes.

She moved towards the door.

“It's a Deal, and if you don’t show up. I’ll be back for the bartender.”

“Oh Jolly.” Malt the bartender said lazily as he picked up a broom with his teeth and began cleaning up the mess.

She gave the bartender and the grey colt one last look before exiting the doors of the bar.

Once outside, her tough demeanor faded and she sighed long and deep. Trixie began the long and lonely walk to her inn when she noticed a streak of red and gold in the corner of her eye. A magnificent flaming bird swept down and landed on her flank. Trixie gave her companion a look and sighed again. “Yes Philomena I know that could have gone better.”

The phoenix squawked and nodded.

*************

Back at the Salt Bar the grey colt watched until the unicorn was out of sight before turning around to help his friend Malt straighten tables.

“Now why’d you have to go and do that? Could’a just saved yerself a whole lotta pain and trouble if ya just told her.”

Grey laughed. “And risk her blowing up the bar? Not a chance.” Malt and his friend picked up the last of the overturned tables and put it in place. Malt walked behind the bar and poured himself and his friend a round of sugar water.
They sat in silence a while before Grey spoke.

“You know...You didn't have to protect Trot like that. I'm pretty sure he can take care of himself.”

Malt shrugged. "If ya say so.”

They continued to sit in silence, sipping on sugar water. Malt suddenly burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"Grey is such as stupid name"

"Shut up."

Chapter 03: Dream Catcher

Maybe it was habit, nerves or both, but Twilight was up before the dawn. She unwillingly gargled on her drool before pushing herself up from what served as her pillow the entire night. ‘The book entitled Old Mare’s Tale’ was sparred the majority of Twilight’s drool, but many of her notes weren’t so lucky. Twilight groaned as she realized much of her work from her previous night was now stained with her saliva, nothing irreparable, but it was still a nuisance, not to mention gross.

She noticed the absence of snoring and whispered out into the darkness.

“Spike?”

There was no response. She tried again but to no avail. Twilight comforted herself with the thought that spike had just left for the bathroom but she wanted to check his bed just to be sure. Spike set up his own sleeping basket on the ground by the foot of her bed. All Twilight had to do was peek over the edge to confirm her suspicion.

As she moved to get off her bed she heard the fluttering of paper. Casting her light spell, she turned to catch the pages of Old Mare’s Tales, move. She tilted her head curiously and noticed that the book had turned itself to the short story about the Land of Twisted Metal. She blinked, trying to register what she saw. Twilight leaned in to inspect it further and caught a glimpse of the illustration, it was a crude drawing of jagged mountains and in the center of the jagged mountains was an insignia that looked like a closed eye. She blinked once and the insignia disappeared.

She rubbed her eyes trying to make sure she was seeing correctly, but before she could take a second look, the sound of a basket being thrown across the room jolted her out of her bed.

“Spike?” She cried out, her heart beating incredibly fast. She tried to increase the radius of her light spell, but the darkness around her was unnaturally thick and it only grew thicker. Twilight noticed that it was getting harder and harder to maintain the light spell and soon noticed that the darkness was pushing against her light. Very quickly the darkness became so heavy that it forced Twilight to her knees.

“Don’t let them get me Twilight.”

Shocked, Twilight looked up and saw spike looking out of the train car window.

“Spike! Whats going on? HELP!” She said crying out desperately to her assistant.

Spike’s head fell limp, and turned to face her slowly. His eyes were black and his mouth moved unnaturally.

“Don’t Let the stars get me Twilight.”

Twilight was at her limit. The pressure forced her to the ground and her light was reduced to a mere spark, barely brighter than a dying candle. Her chest could barely heave for breath

“The stars are coming Twilight. They will tear us apart. They have no mercy.”

Twilight could barely breathe, the pressure was so great. little by little she could feel herself being consumed by the darkness. A feint melody started playing in the background.

“You have to stop them Twi...”

The demonic spike froze, and Twilight could feel the pressure lessen to the point where Twilight could breathe. Spike now fully faced Twilight and placed both of his hands around his head. He screamed sounding very unlike the baby dragon Twilight knew and loved. It was foreign and demonic. The volume of the shrilling scream threatened to shatter windows, Twilight recognized the melody as a nursery rhyme her mother used to sing. Twilight realized that whatever it was that was controlling Spike was trying to drown out the melody.

“Twinkle, Twinkle little star...” Twilight sang along, the pressure lifting from her with each verse. Twilight didn’t know where the music was coming from, but she didn’t care.

“...how I wonder what you are...”

Twilight couldn’t here Spike’s screaming anymore. It was being completely drowned out by the simple nursery rhyme. The music wasn't overpowering or loud, yet no amount of screaming from the demonic Spike could drown it out. Twilight was able to lift her head now, and her magic was now flowing abundantly from her horn, causing much of the darkness to shrink away. Twilight was able to catch a glimpse of the night sky outside her window. Hundreds if not thousands of lights streaked downward through the sky and somehow she knew what they were. Stars.

At that moment she watched in terror as Spike threw himself out of the train.

***

“NO!” Twilight yelled, sitting bolt upright. Her bed was wet, but not from drool. Fresh sweat and tears poured from her face and body. She saw the Old Mares’ Tales book sitting next to her closed. She yelled and kicked it off her bed with a violent stroke of her rear leg. Twilight then poured everything she had into her magic. The candles and lights in her room flared up like dragon fire, threatening to set the whole train ablaze.

“Spike!” She called out, moving swiftly over to the foot of her bed. The basket was empty.

“Oh no.” She looked over to the window and noticed that it was closed and unbroken. She galloped to the door and almost rammed it open. She ran down the hallways and knocked on everyponys door. There was no answer. Her heart was beating faster and faster. She finally reached the luxury compartment and swung it open.

“Spike? Anyone?” She yelled.

“Twilight? Are you ok?” Asked a baby purple dragon sitting next to the car door. All of her companions were in the luxury car, including the two guards and Luna who were all looking at her with worry. Twilight looked into her assistants eyes. They were cute and kind and no longer the black terror she witnessed before. Sighing with relief, she hugged him with all her strength.

“Yes...I’m Fine...just a terrible nightmare.”

Spike kept trying desperately to break from her hug.

“Eeeewww Twilight. You’re all wet and sticky.”

Twilight released him and turned to assure her friends of her sanity, but by the look on everyone's faces she saw that none of them looked surprised.

“Why are all of you up?” She asked. But deep down she already knew the answer.

“Rough night?” She laughed nervously. All of her friends simply nodded in complete silence.

***

It turns out everyone had a nightmare that night. They were each different in their own way, but they all held the same variables in common: A possessed loved one, the loved ones message about the falling stars, and the nursery rhyme Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star being played on what sounded like a guitar.

Luna and Twilight were engaged in rapid fire discussion with Spike trying to follow along with his quill and parchment the best he could.

“This can’t be a coincidence.” Twilight said to Luna, pacing back and forth. “The possibilities of all of us having dreams with the exact same parameters, even WITH extensive hypnosis or even seeing unintentional suggestive stimuli, the possibilities are astronomical

Luna nodded. She looked calm, but her own dream nearly drove her insane. It had felt so real. A demonic Celestia with her coat slowly being burned off. She shook the image from her mind.

“It had to be magically induced. We’ll send my sister this report immediately, Celetstia will know what to do. ”

Pinkie Pie was unusually quiet. Never a good sign. She sat by the window, gazing up at the starry sky muttering something to herself.

Rarity and Applejack were doing their best to sooth a weeping Fluttershy. Applejack tried telling her a story about how Big Mac lost a bet and had to stroll down Ponyville in one of Granny Smith’s old Girdles. This did nothing and Fluttershy continued to cry. Rarity gave Applejack a disapproving look and instead put both of her arms around the poor filly.

“There, there...” She cooed. “Cry all you want. Were here for you.” Fluttershy leaned herself into Rarity, still not taking her fore hooves away from her eyes. Applejack frowned and joined Rarity in embracing the sensitive pony.

Rainbow Dash sat down on a mattress in front of Garret and Gene. The two stalwart royal guard ponies seemed the least affected by the nights events. Their presence was comforting to her, but of course she would never admit it. She decided to start conversation with them to get her mind off of her own nightmare.

“So.” She began, while hiding her nerves very well. “You two were the same ones at the get together for the Princess right?”

There was a pause, before the guards nodded simultaneously.

“That’s what I thought, It’s hard to tell you apart sometimes. All you Royal Guard ponies look alike.”

The guards did not respond.

“Did you guys have dreams too?” She asked not wanting to make eye contact.

Once again no response. Dash was beginning to get irritated, and raised her voice.

“Well? Yes or no?”

“I nodded yes.”

Rainbow Dash turned her head to look at Garret surprised. “Oh. Sorry. I wasn’t looking.” Almost immediately after Dash finished her sentence a thought struck her.

“Hey! You talked to me!” Rainbow Dash smiled widely, perhaps the first pony on the train to give an authentic smile since the beginning of this chaos. Garret opened his mouth and then closed it again. Gene gave him a sidewards glance before sighing.

Even if this was the only thing Rainbow Dash would get out of this conversation, it was still a significant improvement. Not to mention a significant victory for her ego. Feeling rather pleased with herself she stared at the two guards in what would soon become a staring contest. The guards remained stoic. It quickly became a game of who could move first and every time dash saw an eye twitch or even a chest rise from taking a breath, she called them out on it.

As dash turned her head to look out the window, she noticed a deck of playing cards sitting at the corner of the table.

“Say. Are you guys allowed to play cards?” As expected she got no answer from them, but she did get a response from a revitalized Pink pony.

“Omigosh did somepony say cards!?”

Rainbow Dash raised the deck in her hooves smiling.

“Care to sit in for a game of “E.R.S.” Pinkie Pie?”

Pinkie bounded herself onto Rainbow Dash. The guards looked on unamused.

“Would I?! Cards right now are the perfect thing to get our minds off of those awful-waffle dreams.”

“Did ah hear someone say E.R.S.?” Applejack said walking up to the table. “Hey Fluttershy! Ya wanna sit in fer a game?”

Fluttershy, who was feeling considerably better thanks to their comfort was about to exit the luxury car with Rarity following her closely. “Oh. No thank you, I think I’m going to go wash up in the bath car.” She looked pleadingly at Rarity. “Uhm Rarity...would you go with me? I’m kind of scared.”

“Oh absolutely darling! A bath right now sounds perfect!” Rarity said following her. She stopped by the door and looked at Twilight, or rather smelled her. Out of all of them, Twilight was the most affected, physically by the nightmares.

“Care to join us darling?” She asked, which sounded more like “You smell worse than a hydra bathing in tar.” For the first time Twilight was aware of how badly she needed a good cleaning. She laughed and replied. “Sure.” With a nod, Twilight left. Leaving Luna and Spike to investigate the ruckus at the table.

“There ya’ll are! Come an sit!” Applejack said scooting over to allow Luna and Spike to squeeze into the already crowded table.

“I don’t suppose ya’ll know how to play E.R.S?” she asked. Luna looked confused. “Uhm...E.R.S?” She asked. Pinkie cut off Applejack’s attempt to respond.

“It’s short for Equestrian Rat Screw and its sooooooo much fun! Though It’s best to play with a stomach full of cupcakes. The sugar helps a lot and makes the game that much more intense!”

Luna merely nodded her head unsure of how to proceed. This was the first time in over a thousand years that she played a game with someone other than her sister.

Applejack and the rest of the group took turns explaining the rules and within minutes they were playing the game. Hooves struck the tables as the game went on through the night. Luna wasn’t very good at first but after she got the hang of it she was able to beat out rainbow dash and even Pinkie Pie in a couple of swipes for the pile.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were the reigning champions of E.R.S. Back in Ponyville. After everyone else was eliminated, they took the occasion to settle their rivalry for the E.R.S. throne. After several rounds of Pinkie and Dash going back and forth Dash finally found herself slipping up and eventually lost the title to Pinkie Pie.

“I...hate...losing.” Rainbow Dash said out loud, putting on a sour face.

Pinkie Pie suppressed a chuckle. “Oh cheer up Dashie! You’ll get me next time.”

Rainbow Dash was sour. She turned away and looked at the guards in front of her. A plan formulated in her mind and the sour frown turned into a mischievous grin.

“Hey Princess Luna?” Dash asked not taking her eyes off the guards. Garret and Gene only returned her gaze. Wondering what she was up to.

Princess Luna was in the middle of being taught how to shuffle cards by Spike and Applejack when the voice of Dash reached her. “What is it Rainbow Dash?”

Dash held her stare with the guards. “Didn’t Princess Celestia say these two gentlecolts have to follow your orders?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?” Luna said unsure of where this was going. Rainbow dash gave the guards one last smirk and moved over to Luna’s side. She whispered something into her ear causing Luna’s expression to turn from confusion to the same mischievous smile as Dash. She cleared her throat in a very Celestia like way.

“Gene. Garret.”

“Yes your majesty!” The two guards said as crisply as they addressed the princess of the moon.

“I order you two to loosen up.”

The guards paused in their reply.

“Your majesty?” They asked, again simultaneously.

Luna tried to keep a straight face. All the ponies around the table knew what Luna and Rainbow Dash were up too. Pinkie Pie’s grin almost split her face in half. It wasn’t that they wished the guards any harm or embarrassment, but no pony could deny that with the guards being so stiff, it made getting to know them difficult, and even more difficult to befriend them.

“You heard me. Take a load off and play a game of A.R.S...” Spike gave Luna a nudge and corrected her.

“Sorry. I order you to sit down and play a game of E.R.S. with us.” Every pony at the table turned to see the guards reactions. Gene and Garret visibly adjusted their posture, as if unsure how they should be sitting.

“Well?” Luna maintained the tone of command.

It was Gene who responded. “At your command your majesty.”

All ponies around the table cheered, Rainbow Dash looked especially pleased with herself. The guards shot her a dangerous look, to which she responded only with a grin. As Spike was dealing out the cards Pinkie Pie got an Idea.

“I know how to make this game even more interesting.” Pinkie Pie said slyly. “The winner gets to give each loser a single dare and they have to do it no matter what.”

Rainbow Dash gasped.

“That’s brilliant Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of this sooner. She knew that this could be the chance of a lifetime to humiliate these guards, and get a big laugh. Maybe she would make them do funny poses? Or perhaps sing? The possibilities were endless.

***

It was a slaughter. No pony could have predicted the power and skill the guards possessed in the game of E.R.S. When it was announced that dares would be given to the losers of the next round. The guards gave each other a look and nodded. They knew what was at stake: Their pride. Their honor. Their dignity. All would be taken away if they did not at least make sure that the mare with the rainbow mane was soundly and swiftly defeated. Their reflexes were superb and their ability to work together without communicating and memorize the different patterns of cards was second to none. They were trained for combat after all, and what was a game of E.R.S. but another medium of battle?

Spike was the first to be eliminated. Then Applejack. Then, to everypony’s surprise, Pinkie Pie, then Luna. Garret fell to Rainbow Dash, but it was of little consequence. Shortly after, a swift white hoof defeated the Rainbow maned behemoth sending her packing and leaving Gene as the victor.

The Look on Rainbow Dash’s face was priceless to any pony who was watching. Every muscle on her face was defiant and she refused to look at the guard who claimed victory over her. The price of her loss was to “put on a dress and act like a lady for the rest of the night.”

“Hey! What is that supposed to mean!? Rainbow Dash said taking offense that they didn’t even consider her a ‘Lady’

It was only too obvious that Gene was enjoying this. He wore a smile that gave everyone a the glimpse into the crack of the Royal Guards shell. Everypony else tried to hold back their laughter as they watched Rainbow leave the car and comeback in the only dress she could find: a mare butlers outfit, complete with a saddle apron and a head dress.

Gene exercised his self-control for everyone else. Pinkie Pie who was noble in their struggle was asked to sing “I’ll never be your beast of burden.” In the most stallion sounding voice possible. Applejack was asked to speak like a Manehattenite to which she had no problem doing (much to everypony’s surprise). Spike was ordered to wear applejack’s hat and Garret was ordered to clear his throat.

“HEY!” Rainbow Dash yelled flying upwards almost slamming herself on the ceiling. “What kind of a dare is that!?”

“I don’t think your being very lady like miss Dash.” Gene said looking at her with satisfaction. Pinkie Pie only nodded and maintained her deep stallion voice. “Now now Rainbow Dash. It’s da’ rules.”

“That it is darling. Surely you wouldn’t mind entertaining our victorious friends who beat you at your own game.” Said Applejack causing Rainbow Dash to gape in awe at the Applejack turned Rarity. She returned to her seat and sat in the most lady like position possible.

Lastly it was Luna’s turn to receive a dare. She and Gene made eye contact for a brief moment. Gene smiled and trotted around the table to the Princess. Everypony watched in anticipation. Luna was nervous. The dare couldn’t be that bad could it? I mean I am a princess and the Royal Guards are sworn to protect us. Gene wouldn’t abuse this power of a dare.

“Your majesty.” Gene said after clearing his throat. “I apologize sincerely for this, but I dare you...” Everyone leaned in curious all except Rainbow Dash who knew the guard wouldn’t dare a Princess to do anything stupid. Gene cleared his throat again. If she didn’t know any better, Rainbow Dash would say that the guard was nervous.

“I dare you to extend your hoof.” There was a slightly audible groan of disappointment filling the room. Princess Luna felt relieved and extended her right hoof.

“Like this?” She asked.

“Like that.” Gene responded. In one motion he held her hoof and kissed it.

The groan of disappointment turned to silence as everyone, including Garret, stared at Gene and Luna with jaws open. Luna was bright red as Gene released her hoof and trotted back to sit next to Garret who wore so much expression on his face that he almost looked like a different colt altogether. Gene coughed awkwardly.

With that, their terrible dreams were forgotten. As the sun rose and filled the train cabin with its natural warm glow, a new day had dawned and everyone exchanged their faces of shock for other reactions appropriate to the situation. Such as teasing.

In Appaloosa. A lone unicorn mare walked the dusty and deserted streets, looking for the grey colt who dared to challenge her. She knew full well what was at stake and this grey colt could be the key to fulfilling her mission.

Chapter 04: Trail Blazer

Loose dirt kicked up into the air as a light blue unicorn mare trotted down the streets of early morning Appaloosa. The streets were quiet. If any other pony passed through this particular frontier town that morning, they would have assumed it deserted. Frontier towns such as Appaloosa never really slept, there was always something that needed doing; new fences to fix, new resource issues to address, but now it looked as if everypony had abandoned it to the wild tumbleweeds. In other words Appaloosa had turned into a ghost town.

This strangeness did not bother Trixie. There was only one pony she was interested in seeing. The pony called Grey, who dared to challenge her and her mission. If all went well, the duel would not last long and she would be hot on the tail of the Trail Blazer before the royal guests would arrive to claim him.

She heard the fluttering of wings above her. It was her companion Philomena flying ahead, probably to see for herself if the grey colt had kept his promise. Sure enough as Trixie entered the town square, she saw the dark grey colt with white mane standing there expectantly. His appearance was only slightly different from the night before. The bandages were still applied around his hooves and he still wore the torn up saddlebags. The only difference was that he wore a dirty train engineers hat along with the x shaped bandage applied above his nose.

“Nice bird.” He commented, following Philomena with his gaze. “She yours?”

The great and powerful Trixie stopped a safe distance from him, but not too far, in case he decided to run.

“That bird is a Phoenix! And she is not mine. She belongs to her royal highness Princess Celestia. She is also my partner!”

“Is that so?” Grey replied finally taking his eyes off the bird and turning his attention to the unicorn mare in front of him.

“Now do you understand who you’re dealing with? I am on a royal mission to find Trot Steamer. You say you know where he is. If you tell me now, I will spare you the humiliation of losing to me.” Her brows furrowed.

“Not to mention a lot of pain...”

Grey, examined Trixie with curious eyes. He knew the look of wanting to prove oneself well, and this particular pony was nearly bursting at the seems with the desire to do just that. But there had to be more to it. What could have possibly made this mare so bitter? He mentally shook himself. Now was not the time for such thoughts. He had more pressing concerns on his mind such as; why are the streets deserted?

He wondered if yesterday Malt had spread the word of their little encounter and people left to avoid trouble. But that would be impossible, sheriff Silver Star would never allow such a conflict to take place at all, which in all honesty, he was counting on. Now it seemed he had no choice but to continue with the duel. Or he could just tell her about Trot Steamer, but what would he risk if he did? Jail time? An auditing?

Trixie watched the wheels turn in his head, gauging how much her intimidation act worked, if at all, but she quickly lost patience.

“Well?” She nearly shouted.

“A deal is a deal. If you beat me in our duel, I will lead you to him.”

Grey didn't even finish his sentence before, Trixie’s horn started to glow, but the grey colt raised his hoof and waved it frantically. “Woah, Woah! Not here. If you’re as great and powerful as you say you are, I don’t want any damage done to this place. Follow me.”

Trixie raised an eyebrow and lessened her magic output but she didn’t lower her guard. She nodded up at Philomena. The phoenix understood and flew ahead of the dark grey colt, looking to see if this colt was leading her into any kind of danger.

They moved passed the sheriff's office and through an apple orchard. Eventually they came to a clearing. What they found there, caused their mouths to drop. The clearing was lined with rope, and makeshift bleachers had been built. Filling these bleachers, was every resident of Appaloosa. In the center of the ring was a yellow pony dressed in a brown vest and a cowboy hat.

“Ladies and Gentlecolts! The main event has arrived! Yeeeeehhaaawww!””

The crowd went wild. Ponies jumped, cheered and waved their hats in the air. Even the little foals were getting into it.

The two ponies were dumbstruck. Grey spotted Malt by the edge of the clearing leaning on the ropes. Malt shrugged his shoulders.

“Whatcha lookin’ at me for? It's Breyburn’s idea...”

Breyburn continued to yell out to the crowd.

“Remember ya’ll! This ere entertainments sponsored by Malt’s Salt Bar! Don’t forget to support our local waterin hole ya here!”

The crowd cheered again and Grey shot Malt a dangerous look. Malt returned the look with an awkward grin through his mustache. Grey turned to apologize to the light blue mare, but Trixie was nowhere behind him.

Trixie had already stepped into the wide ring, leaving her cape hanging over the rope. She looked over her shoulder at him.

“Are you going to duel, or run away?”

Grey took note of the subtle excitement in her voice. It was well hidden, but it was still there, the look in her eyes was undeniable.

Long had Trixie decided to leave her life of show business behind. But she could not deny the effects of the crowd. Her spirits soared when the crowd cheer. Sparks flew from her horn, and the crowd edged her on.

Grey sighed and crouched under the ropes. As he walked to the other end of the ring Breyburn walked over to him.

“Ya’ll put on a good show now ya hear?”

“Breyburn...” Grey replied, his voice low and dangerous.

Breyburn only laughed. “Oh come on now... The town’s itchin for some excitement! Ever since mah cousin Applejack and her friends helped us with the buffalo situation, things have been getting a tad bit quiet around here.”

Grey said nothing.

“By the way do you wanna be called by somethin else? Grey is just so...” Breyburn said placing a hoof on his friends shoulders.

"No!"

"Awright! No need ta get testy! Sherriff Silver Star’s watchin so I wouldn’t get to scared about that mare tearin ya a new one.

“I'm not scared...” Grey muttered under his breath, while trying hard to believe it.

Trixie pawed the ground in anticipation. Breyburn shrugged and ducked out of the ring. Grey resigned himself to dueling this unicorn. As he saw the look of fire in Trixie’s eyes, he couldn’t help but feel his own fire growing. Whatever it was that this unicorn was keeping bundled up, it was about to be released in the following moments. It inspired him to take some of his own baggage and bring them to bear. He stomped the ground and pawed it, lowering his head to signal that he was ready.

Trixie was a little taken aback by Grey’s sudden display of gusto, but it didn’t bother her much, the advantage still lay with her. She was a unicorn and he was a bellow average sized earth pony stallion. Still, she would not underestimate him.

The two duelers stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, before Breyburn yelled at the top of his lungs.

"BEGIN!”

*****

“Heeeellooooooo? Anypony Hoooooome?”

Pinkie Pie was hopping around the train station of deserted Appaloosa, looking everywhere for a single mare, colt, filly or foal. She checked under the train, in the outhouse and even inside some tool crates, but no pony could be found. The rest of her friends had spread out through the town, trying to find any clue as to the whereabouts of the Appaloosa citizens.

“I don’t get it. Where did everypony go?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed coming back from flying through the town. Applejack met up with her at the town square.

“Ah don’t know. But this can’t be a good sign. Maybe we should check the Apple Orchard?” Applejack replied, suddenly feeling worried about her cousin Breyburn, not to mention the apple tree Bloomberg she loved so much.

“That might be a good idea. If we can find any animals. Maybe they can tell us where everpony went.” Said Fluttershy coming out of the sheriff's office, followed closely by Rarity.

“Certainly not the best start to our expedition, but I think we should wait and see what the others have found first.”

Princess Luna and Twilight were walking the perimeter of the town. Both Gene and Garret flanked the two on either side, their wings outstretched, alert for anything that might happen.

“This isn’t good. First those crazy dreams, and now Appaloosa has turned into a ghost town?”

“It certainly is strange isn’t it.” Luna said, observing a ball of tumbleweed blow across the desert. She noticed Twilight looking around nervously, and decided to calm her nerves.

“We shouldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. Perhaps the citizens are at some sort of event, like an outing?”

“You’re right princess. I shouldn’t get all paranoid just because of a few coincidences.”

“I thought I ordered you to call me Luna.” The princess declared in a mock tone of command. Twilight couldn’t help but giggle.

“Sorry Luna, old habits.” They met up with everyone in the center of town, and just as Twilight and Luna were about to share that they had found nothing at all...

*FWAKOOOM!*

The ground shook from a massive explosion. A mushroom cloud of dirt and debris formed in the direction of the apple orchard.

*****

“HOLY TAP DANCING FILLIES!”

Yelled Grey as he emerged from a large newly formed crater. He was covered by so much dirt and debris that it looked like his coat had turned completely brown. Breyburn sat at the edge of the roped clearing with his hat missing and his jaw wide open. Malt came out from behind an apple tree, dusting himself off. “Ahm beginning to think this wasn’t such a good idea.”

Grey stumbled a bit as he tried to get his bearings, looking around for any sign of his opponent. The faint glow of a horn alerted him. He squinted and was able to make out a dark silhouette moving through the cloud of dust towards him. Trixie was closing the distance between them slowly, the intent to kill fully apparent on her expression.

“Do...you...yield?” She asked.

Grey felt his courage falter. His legs shook. What kind of mare was this? It was the first time he met a unicorn with this much power and killer intent. But then he reminded himself that there was a first time for everything…except quitting. Grey steeled himself against the unicorn and stood in defiance. The crowd watching in the bleachers took this time to recover from their shock. They started clapping at first, then cheering at the spectacle before them.

“He..Heh...Heh...” Grey laughed as he watched Trixie suppress her enjoyment.

“You like that don’t you?” He said mockingly. “You enjoy the attention the crowd is giving you. Admit it.”

Trixie stared at him, and replied with the same intensity as before. “Do, you, yield?”

Suddenly a brown blur entered her vision. It turned out to be Grey's ruined saddlebags, thrown at her with remarkable speed. She swatted it away with a blast of telekinesis, but just as she did Grey was upon her. Trixie only had time to widen her eyes in surprise as he struck her with the full force of his body. They tumbled and rolled down the crater. As they landed. Grey found himself on top of the unicorn breathing heavily.

“ADMIT IT!” He yelled with a fire that burned in his lungs.

It was Trixie’s turn to feel fear. She limped up and away from him. Grey let her go. She repositioned herself a few feet in front of him.

“No pony can move that fast...” She thought. “There ...must be some sort of trick to his method. There has to be.”

She focused on her magic once more. Hundreds of apples rose from their trees and lingered in the skies. Grey looked up and realized what she was planning. Like rain, the fruit fell down with dangerous velocity.

Grey bent, rolled, sidestepped, even ran around the slope of the crater. By the time the last apple fell. Grey had managed to dodge all but four apples, each leaving significant bruise marks on his flank and back. Grey managed to catch one of the last falling apples with his engineer hat. Using it as a sling he redirected the projectile back at Trixie. The apple broke on her forehead, casing the unicorn to stumble backwards in pain.

Trixie was panting by now. The amount of magic she was using was beginning to take its toll. The crowd cheered again, this time for Grey. In fact they started chanting. But it wasn't Grey's name they were chanting... It started quiet at first but it grew to a loud and pulsating chorus.

“Steamer! Steamer! Steamer! Steamer! Steamer!”

The words suddenly registered in Trixie’s mind. She had been deceived. Looking up she saw Trot Steamer the Trail Blazer struggling to climb out of the crater. He finally reached the top and stood amidst the cloud of dirt that had yet to completely settle.

“YOU!” She yelled angrily. Realizing that the colt she was looking for had been him all along.

“Yeah.” Trot Steamer said panting “Me.”

“The deal still stands. Want me? COME AND GET ME!”

****

Everypony moved as quickly as they could towards the enormous cloud of dust forming over the apple orchard. Twilight gave Rainbow Dash a look. Dash understood and nodded. She zoomed ahead of the group to scout. They had just entered the apple orchard when they spotted Rainbow Dash flying back to them, followed by what looked like a flaming ball with wings. Applejack was in the lead, and stopped by the apple tree named Bloomberg to catch her breath, Everypony else followed suit. Luna and the guards landed behind all of them. Luna perked up her ears and listened intently. She heard the sound of battle mingled with... cheering?

When Rainbow Dash returned, Twilight called out to her in between heaves of breathing.

“What did you find? What’s going on?”

Rainbow Dash stayed in the air as she yelled out what she saw.

“There’s some sort of contest going on!”

“Oooo a contest! I love contests! Are they bobbing for apples?” Another explosion rocked the orchard and everypony turned their heads to look at her. “What? That game can be so intense sometimes!”

Rainbow Dash shook her head. “It’s not that kind of contest Pinkie Pie! It looks serious!” She turned to her side. “But look who I found!”

What was originally thought of as a streak of flame manifested itself into a beautiful red bird. Everypony recognized her immediately.

“Oh Philomena!” Fluttershy squealed happily. “It’s soooo good to see you!” The bird touched down on her hoof and greeted her with a happy “squawk.”

“My sister sent her out to contact our expedition team. If she’s here, that means our team is!” Luna exclaimed walking in front of Fluttershy to greet and possibly have a word with the phoenix. But she wouldn’t get the chance, the phoenix took off into the air again and zoomed around all of them. With a burst of fire she streaked above the tree line and back towards the commotion.

“Well we’re not making any progress standing here. Lets go!” Twilight said and ran at full speed. Everypony followed.

****
Trot rolled back up to a standing position, just barely dodging Trixie’s latest attack. He looked at her and noticed the signs of fatigue his opponent was showing. He gathered himself, before calling out in a loud voice.

“Do YOU yield?”

The question caused Trixie to visibly twitch in anger.

How dare he...

How dare he!

She thought to herself shaking sweat from her head and mane. Her third and final thought was expressed loud and directed towards the source of all her frustration.

“HOW DARE YOU!” She took a step forward but it was difficult. Trixie knew she was at her limit. The beginning signs of magic strain were setting into her body. She looked at her opponent, staring him down. Trot Steamer stood at the opposite end of the ring, breathing hard but not looking anywhere near the end of his rope as she was.

Though her face was defiant, her heart had already sunk. She was going to lose and she knew it. She could feel tears well up in her eyes. But she closed them, and shook them off, stomping the ground in determination. Not this time...No, not this time... She pleaded with herself remembering the night she ran away in shame and tears. A night she had never truly recovered from.

The lie of the Great and Powerful Trixie had been revealed. Then it was known for all to see that the great and powerful Trixie wasn’t so great and powerful after all. She tried to fight the wounds from opening again by remembering her vow after the defeat. She would work hard and truly become a great and powerful unicorn, then the lie would become reality, thus wiping away her shame.

But today all her studying and training wasn’t enough. Trot Steamer had indeed lived up to the title of Trail Blazer. She was going to lose, and not only let herself down, but the princess as well and in turn all of Equestria.” She could not bear the thought.

"Please yield, please yield, please yield." Trot said repeatedly in his mind, not knowing if he could fully dodge another of Trixie’s explosions. He watched as the mare shook her head and realized that she was fighting another enemy this time. Herself. He frowned, but didn’t want to insult her pride by feeling sorry for her.

A sudden cry erupted from the crowd. It was a young brown foal wearing an overly large cowboy hat.

“Not yet Trixie! You can do it!”

His father next to him pounded his hoof on the makeshift railing.

“Come on now girl! You ain’t beat yet!”

Several more members in the crowd cheered and waved their hats in the air. Trixie opened up her eyes in disbelief. Feeling the joy she once shunned fill her up again.

Trot was taken aback by the crowd’s cheering. He looked down at Trixie and was surprised to see her smiling. He thought he saw a single tear run down her cheek. He smiled as well. Maybe this fight was needed. Maybe she needed an opportunity to rediscover what she loved?

“Show business.” He grinned.

“Looks like they love you Trixie!” He called out grinning widely.

“Sh...Shut up!” was her response. He noticed something warm in her voice, confirming his suspicion. It was time to tear down the wall.

“Well lets give em a show and end it already!” He yelled preparing to advance, but jumped away as he felt an odd sensation. He could feel rope snaking around him. He dove away just in time to prevent being tied up, and was shocked at what he saw. The rope that once surrounded the clearing had all come to bear upon him. He rolled, dove and ducked, urging all of his muscles to work overtime and prevent himself from being caught up in her trap.

“You sly mare.” He yelled, feeling irritated about letting his guard down.

“Come on.” Trixie said loudly to herself straining the glowing light around her horn. “Just a little more.” She could feel herself slipping.

The ropes managed to coil themselves around one of Trot’s hooves. He shook it off but another rope took its place. He knew that if he kept this up defeat would be inevitable. There was only one option left for him.

The effects of magic strain was beginning to affect her hearing. The world around her grew silent. Her vision was the next thing to fail.

It only started to fade when she saw Trot galloping to her at full speed. Her magic rope wrapping around him, trying to restrict his movements. Trixie saw him a mere inches away before her vision went dark. Finally she felt something hit her.

The two duelers tumbled onto the ground and slid into one of the many craters that now littered the clearing.

****

“Woah...”

Twilight and her friends stood in awe, at the devastation before them. There were craters everywhere. Smashed apples littered the scene.

“See!” Pinkie Pie declared, pointing at all the smashed apples. “I told you bobbing for apples could be intense!” But everyone ignored her. What caught their intention instead was at the far end of the devastation, a grey blur had just knocked another light blue pony over and into a crater, followed by a swarm of sparkling rope. The crowd was silent, peering into the crater watching who would emerge.

“This ain’t a contest.” Applejack said realizing what was going on. “This is a duel!”

Twilight turned to her eyes wide. “But dueling is illegal in Equestria! Some pony could get seriously hurt!”

Applejack shook her head. “Maybe in the main lands of Canterlot and Ponyville people would care...but out here...mah cousin says they happen often. Kinda like a sport.”

“How barbaric!” Rarity put a hoof to her mouth, aghast. Applejack snorted. Rarity noticed movement around the crater.

“Hey Twilight? Isn’t that?”

Twilight and the rest of her friends each drew a deep breath. “IT IS!” She yelled. “That’s Trixie!”

The crowd murmured.

Emerging from the crater was a blue horn followed by hooves and then a head of mane. The poor pony seemed to have trouble climbing out, many in the crowd were worried. The pony fell limply over the side. She was unconscious. Pushing her out of the crater was Trot.

He used his head to push her out with all of his might, digging his front hooves into the dirt to gain traction. He would use his back hooves to help but they were tied together tightly by rounds of rope, a lot of which still lay at the bottom of the crater. With one last effort, He was able to get her all the way out. With a little more effort, he got himself out as well and collapsed next to her breathing heavily.

“Nice try miss great and powerful... Nice try...”

He did it. He beat a unicorn as powerful as the mare next to him. Just one more adventure underneath his Trail Blazer belt. He felt accomplished and extremely relieved, who knew what that mare had in store for him had he lost. He heard the approach of several hooves. Looking up he saw two powerfully built Royal Guard Pegusi standing over him.

“Well....Buck...Me...”

Chapter 05: Encore

"Seriously. You could have just asked nicely..."

Trot mumbled as he lay on an uncomfortably shaped mattress in Malt's salt bar. Both he and Trixie were sitting together in private, resting their wounds in the quietest part of the bar: the backroom. Boxes of salt and food lined the walls. Though at first glance it looked dark and musky, It actually felt pleasantly comfortable.

After the duel, the appaloosa citizens left and resumed their normal business around town, he and Trixie were escorted by the Princess and her friends to the Salt bar, until more appropriate accommodations could be found. He had a couple of ice bags sitting on his back, nursing some of the bruise marks acquired from his opponent an hour ago.

"How was I supposed to know you weren't a wanted criminal? The princess' language was so... vague! Not to mention foreboding..." Trixie recalled the letter she received, as delivered to her by Philomena.

To my faithful servant, Trixie.

You have been a great help to me as Ambassador to the frontier region. I can't thank you enough for your voluntary services to me and the people of the Frontier Lands these past few months. But today I must impose on you a mission of great importance, and perhaps even great danger.

I need for you to locate Trot Steamer, a Trail Blazer dubbed by the ponies of the west. I have enclosed a description, and what records we have of him here in Canterlot. He was last seen in Appaloosa, not too far from where you are now. Find him, and if necessary, subdue him. My sister and several of my friends will be arriving in Appaloosa to claim him tomorrow. I cannot say why.

I hereby grant you the authority to use any force necessary to deal with any obstacle you encounter in fulfilling this mission.

I wish you luck.

Princess Celestia.

P.S. I know I granted you authority, but please be gentle. For me. Please?

Trot burst out laughing, not caring if his ribcage ached.

"Yeah i think you failed that last bit."

Trixie ignored the laugh.

"The great and powerful Trixie, does what is necessary, and your friend Malt was less than cooperative... Even when I did ask simply." Trixie crossed her forehoof's and adjusted one of her own ice bags with her mouth. She was still recovering from overusing her magic and even simple telekinesis took a great deal of effort to accomplish. Trot was busy adjusting his own ice bags, to compensate for his laughter earlier. He must have bruised half his ribs trying to dodge so many of Trixie's attacks, Trixie couldn't help but feel impressed. The ponies of Appaloosa called him a Trail Blazer for a reason and her duel with him let her see only a faint glimpse as to why.

"You're not angry about all this are you? About, me tackling you and...knocking you unconscious...beating you at the duel."

"It was a respectable duel." She responded, her nose high in the air. "The great and powerful Trixie is gracious in defeat...most of the time. Besides…it was fun." That last part was barely audible, but it was enough to make Trot smile.

"Well the great and powerful Trixie isn't so bad after all." He paused before adding. "Friends?"

The atmosphere suddenly got very quiet and awkward. It was obvious Trixie wasn't expecting the offer.

"I will consider it."

Trot's smile didn't fade.

"Works for me."

The door to the back room opened. Gene and Gerret walked in, followed by the Princess. They positioned themselves on either side of the door and stood at attention. Princess Luna knelt down in front of them.

"How are you feeling? Better?"

Trot nodded politely. Trixie made a move as if to get up, but Luna stopped her with a raised hoof. She gave Gene a nod, who then reached into his gold armor, pulling out a white scroll tied in red ribbon. Trixie instantly recognized it as her letter from Princess Celestia.

"I have to apologize for my sister. I am sure she didn't intend for such misunderstandings to occur."

The letter floated down to Trixie who accepted it with outstretched fore hooves. As she did this, she watched Trot out of the corner of her eye. She felt a little uneasy being around him. There was something about him that just seemed…dangerous. Luna nearly jumped when he addressed her.

"Excuse me, your Highness. I accept your apology. But you still haven't told me why you wanted to find me in the first place." He tilted his head curiously. "Did you need my help with anything?"

The guards eyes narrowed suspiciously. They too were on edge. Especially after seeing the last part of the duel. No pony could move that fast. It looked almost unnatural.

Luna took a breath and smiled. "Yes. We do. We need a guide."

Trot looked at Trixie and then back at the Princess. "All this for a tour?"

"Not a tour. An expedition. An expedition of great importance, and possibly great danger."

Trot thought for a moment before shrugging his shoulders.

"Fine then. Where too?"

"Listen I can understand why you wo…what did you say?"

"I said Ok. Where do you need to go? East? South? 30 degrees north by north west? My cutie mark is a compass like that found on a map. This is what I was born to do."

Luna opened her mouth and closed it a couple of times, trying to untangle her tongue at how easily he agreed. She finally managed to get her words straight.

"Actually, we don't know. The place were trying to go is…well… a legend. An Old Mare's tale if you will…"

Trot raised an eyebrow, intrigued at what sort of adventure the monarch would have in store for him.

"We need to go to the Land of Twisted Metal, or….at least…..west, far west beyond the frontier region. We're looking for something."

Just like that, his intrigue dissipated. Any form of excitement, or good feelings that came with today's events, vanished into thin air.

"A…and what makes you think I can take you there? If it's just an old mare's tale?"

"It's real." Luna said plainly. "Well at least the land is, i don't know about all those stories and legends, but the land itself is real. The unknown region's beyond the frontier lands has been called several names in the past, and "Land of Twisted Metal" was one of them. I could never understand why though. But perhaps you can tell me?

"Why would I be able to tell you?"

"Because our records show that you've been there before. Several frontier towns have testified to it."

Trot laughed slightly.

"All exaggerated stories I assure you." He said confidently. "Sorry to disappoint you princess but I've never been there."

Luna's heart sank. It would make sense. Ponies in the frontier region have been known to exaggerate the truth. Especially when it came to their heroes.

"Your lying."

All heads turned to Trixie, even the guards broke their stance of attention to look at the mare.

"What?" Trot asked blankly.

"You may have fooled me with an Alias, But I know a lie when I see one…No matter how good of a liar you are."

There was silence. Trot got up and moved towards the door. The guards immediately stepped in front of Princess Luna who took a step back more so because of her guards aggressive motion to defend her.

"Easy now." Trot said a little too cheerful for the tense atmosphere. "I just want to talk to Twilight Sparkle."

"You know her?" Luna asked, stepping forward as much as the guards would allow.

"Yup. Though i doubt she remembers me. It's been a decade and a half."

The guards still didn't budge.

"I promise I'll be back."

Still no movement.

Trot rolled his eyes.

"If you don't trust me. You can come with me. Keep me tied up for all I care. I just want to see an old friend. I'll be back. I promise. I ALWAYS keep my promises.

Both Gene and Garret looked at each other, then at the princess. Luna nodded. The guards parted allowing trot to pass. Garret gave Gene a look, before following him out of the room. Luna had qualms about letting him go, but at least it left her free to discuss a few matters with Trixie.

Malt's bar was fairly crowded. The duel earlier in the morning had earned him a good number of patrons, at least for today. Malt, sat at the bar entertaining the pink mare known as Pinkie Pie. He remembered her from her ridiculous dance routine some months ago.

"Oooo what's this?" Pinkie pie asked looking at a small dish of white substance. At first glance she thought it was sugar.

"It's salt." Malt responded, cautiously pushing the white substance forward. The pink pony took one lick before recoiling in disgust. "YUCK! That doesn't taste like sugar at all!"

Malt raised an eyebrow. "Ah jus' said it was salt. It's not supposed to taste like sugar."

He was taken aback when Pinkie Pie went back for another lick.

"YUCK!" She declared again.

Malt observed the pink pony for a moment while stroking his mustache. "If Ya hate it so much, then why do ya keep lickin' it."

"It's just so…NEW!" She said excitedly, licking the plate yet again and wincing at the flavor.

"I've got to tell my friends about this!"

"Speaking ah which. Where are your friends? Ah haven't seen em around since the duel."

Pinkie Pie sat up and thought for a moment. "Well Rainbow Dash is most likely napping, Fluttershy and Rarity are getting us rooms at the Inn, Applejack left with her cousin and Twilight…is talking to that pony over there!" She said pointing her hoof over her shoulder. Malt followed Pinkie's hoof to see Trot talking to a lavender unicorn with a Royal Guard pony closely behind him. Malt felt his heart stop as he saw the look on Trot's face. He knew that look all too well.

At the table Twilight had just spilled her drink in shock, she let the contents spread across the table and spill into the floor, not taking her eyes off of the stallion standing in front of her.

T…Trot Steamer!?

Twilight exclaimed in the crowded bar. It took some convincing, but Trot finally got her to recognize him.

"Yup that's me." He said.

"But your coat was orange!…and your mane was…"

"Bright pink…Yeah I know…"

Twilight looked him up and down. He looked so different.

"What happened to you?"

"That's actually kind of related to what I'm about to ask you." He looked behind him. Garret was standing at the ready.

"But first i want to talk about you. How's everything been since 15 years ago?"

Twilight was taken aback by the question. How do you relate the last 15 years of your life to a pony you haven't seen in just as long? An even bigger question was, how could she allow herself to forget somepony like him? Twilight smiled and sat back down at the table, leaving the spilled drink to drip on the floor. She was ready to tell Trot everything. She owed him that.

Outside, and behind the salt bar. Braeburn was backed against a corner with Applejack closing in on him quickly.

"Now now cuz…" He said sinking to his haunches "Ain't No need to punish violence with violence."

Applejack didn't intend to physically rough up her cousin, but his smart remarks weren't making it easy to restrain herself.

"Ah can't believe you gone and took advantage of the situation like that!"

"Hey now!" Braeburn replied trying to defend himself. "There wasn't no fee fer watching them duel! Ah jus went ahead and organized the darned thing."

"Without their permission!?" Applejack exclaimed pressing her forehead against her cousin's, all the while starring daggers at him. "I understand duels are part of yer culture here in the frontier. But Ah remember a certain 'relative' o mine saying they were bout honor and settling disputes in a way tha' wouldn't involve nopony else…"

Braeburn gulped. He did remember describing a duel to Applejack. He described it as the equivalent to the Iron Pony Competitions in the East. He was caught red hoofed, but he still tried to explain himself anyway.

"Nopony else was involved. They just watched! An besides many ponies round town were goin tah watch anyway, might as well there be someone tah set boundaries! The ring was my idea ya know."

Applejack sighed. This was as far as she wanted to get in scolding her cousin.

"Well yah did good on that. But that don't excuse you from takin the struggle of two ponies and profitin from it."

"I swear on my mother's grave that I didn't earn a single bit from it."

The Salt Bar got free advertisin! And auntie Pumpernickel is alive!"

Braeburn ignored her last sentence

"That there was Malt's Idea! Not mine!"

Applejack backed off of her cousin, finally giving him space to get up on all four hooves. Braeburn allowed her cousin to cool off for a moment before he asked the question everypony in town was burning to ask.

"I don't mean tah change the subject but, what are ya'll doin here? Ya show up unannounced accompanied by royalty and their lackeys..." Applejack's temper flared up once more.

"Garret and Gene are Royal Guards and I'll have you know that they are mah friends too! So Ah'd appreciate a little respect!"

Braeburn extended his hoof in front of his cousins face.

"Awright, awright Ah take it back. It's just that you know we don't like royalty as much out here, as ya'll do back in Ponyville. We emigrated out here fer a reason ya know."

Braeburn hated to bring Politics into their discussion but it couldn't be helped.

"Can ya tell me why you were looking fer him? Or is this some sort of secret mission?"

Applejack considered this for a moment. There was nothing in the princess' instructions that said this mission had to be secret. But she still wanted to exercise caution just in case.

"Ah can tell ya, but ya have to promise not to tell anypony…"

Braeburn nodded.

"And not to use duels as means tah profit off of anypony…" Again he nodded, but only after a little thought.

Applejack took a breath.

"Alright. Were on a mission to the land of Twisted Metal. We gotta find something that sorta... fell outta the sky. And I guess your pal Trot Steamer is the only pony who knows how to get there. We kinda..."

Braeburn stopped her suddenly.

"Woah there cuz! You didn't just use "The Land of Twisted Metal" and Trot Steamer in the same paragraph now did you!?"

Applejack cocked an eyebrow. "So what if Ah did?"

The look on Braeburns face made Applejack nervous. It was a look of incredible dread.

"No, no, no, no, no, no! Ya can't do that Applejack! Ya can't even mention that place round him!"

"Why not? He got a complex or sumthin?"

"Ya'll could say that! This is bad cuz!"

Braeburn was restless. How long did he have until the princess, or anypony for that matter mentioned anything about the mission to him.

"You're going to love me!" Twilight cried out, mimicking the face of Fluttershy at the gallery. Both trot and Twilight were laughing. Garret only sat and watched in silence. Twilight had told Trot what studying underneath the Princess was like. And then she began to tell the story of how she met her friends, defeating nightmare moon, and most of the escapades of the past year culminating with Fluttershy's outburst and the disaster at the gala.

"You certainly have been busy haven't you?"

Twilight nodded. She wanted to ask how he was doing. She hadn't seen him in 15 years, the last time he saw her was in the royal train yard as an apprentice to his father Boy Steamer. She used to come there everyday one summer, until…

"Say Twilight, do you remember the last time we met? On the royal train platform? You were trying to sneak into the train car."

Twilight's eyes grew wide.

"Yes." She replied nervously.

"How about all the mean things I did to prevent you from getting on that train?"

Twilight's ears flopped. She looked away before pawing the ground sadly

"Yes…"

"and the fact that you succeeded boarding the train anyway as it started it's journey to Stalliongrad?

This time Twilight didn't respond, but chose to avoid Trot Steamers gaze at all costs.

"Do you remember how I stopped the train?…"

Twilight nodded. All of the memories were flooding back to her.
"You jammed the pistons with your tool box…and then took the blame and didn't tell the operators that Princess Celestia's number one student broke important safety and security regulations."

Trot nodded sadly.

"You could have been expelled from the magic academy."

Twilight tried her best to look Trot in the face, but finding that she couldn't, turned her attention back to her spilled drink. She remembered now, that stage of her young life. She became fascinated with trains as she read them in the books. She stopped by the train yard every day for one summer and always begged a young Trot Steamer to let her board one. The result of her escapades caused Trot to be fired by his own Dad and sent away from Canterlot.

She remembered why she forgot him now. It wasn't something she was proud of.

"Look. I'm really sorry…If it weren't for me.. you…"

Trot silenced her with a knock on the table.

"I accept it Twilight." He said warmly. "I accepted it fifteen years ago…but right now I am asking you to remember why I did such things to you. Why I constantly tried to turn you away with harsh words. I remember that I made you cry…and I know now there were probably better ways to turn you away…but I was a little colt myself at the time."

"I am asking you if you understand that I said and did such terrible things to you for your own good!"

Twilight nodded.

"I need to hear you say it."

"Yes. I understand Trot. I'm sorry."

Trot sighed in relief. "Good."

Garret watched the exchange. Where was he going with this conversation?

Trot stood up slowly, stretching his sore muscles and craning his neck.

"Since you understand that…I know you'll understand what I am about to do next."

Garret could not react fast enough. Trot disappeared from his vision as the whole room spun. He heard a solid thunk before his vision turned black.

"So you want me to join you?" Trixie asked, trying to hide the pleasure in her voice.

"If it's not too much to ask." Luna said laying down in front of her, while Gene stood by the door. "I don't know what we might encounter out there. We could always use a unicorn with your talent to help out. My sister has told me great things about your potential. Trixie's mouth twitched into a grin trying desperately not to feel elated by the honor.

"As a servant to her royal Highness Princess Celestia, I am obliged to say ye.…"

Her sentence was cut off by a loud crash in the main room. Gene readied himself and took guard positions in front of Luna and Trixie. The door swung open. revealing Trot standing there smiling.

"I'm back. As promised."

"TROT!" Trixie cried out in surprise. "What in the HAY was that noise?"

Trot didn't respond. He walked casually up to Gene. Who spread his wings in a show of force. Trot's grin didn't fade. With dexterity and speed a pony could never be capable off, Trot tumbled forward and used the momentum of his roll to buck gene with both of his hind legs. Gene was stunned as he slammed against the wall. His breath barely left him before the Trail Blazer followed up his double buck, with a swift tackled at full force, sending both of them crashing through the wall in an explosion of splintering wood.

Gene lay on the ground outside immobile, a trickle of blood dripping from his mouth. Trot stood up immediately and came face to face with his friend Braeburn and a mare he assumed was one of Twilight's friends.

Braeburn stepped back, knowing the look on Trot's face full well. Trot eyed Applejack, another pony to be part of the "mission", she was still stunned by what had happened. He walked up to her unafraid and pressed his own forehead against hers. He wanted to make sure they understood he meant business.

"As long as I still have breath in my body, I will never allow anyone to be claimed by that horrible place…do you hear me?"

Applejack's head reacted on its own, nodding. With that Trot galloped at full speed towards the distant mountains.

"Gene!" Luna cried as she knelt next to him.

"Princess…are you hurt?" He asked, not fully aware he was saying it.

"He didn't hurt me! He hurt YOU!" She cried out. Her horn glowed as she tried to heal the serious injury with her magic.

Trixie limped outside to join Luna in treating the guard, shaking her head in disgust.

"Okay… now he's just showing off…."

Applejack realized her knees were trembling. She steeled herself immediately realizing the gravity of what had just happened. Her voice yelled out and she yelled in frustration.

"DAGNABIT! What the hay did he do that for!?" She was more angry at herself. For a brief moment she was scared of a colt. A COLT. She could forgive herself for fearing ghosts…or even Zecora…BUT A COLT? She turned to Braeburn who knew what was coming.

"You'd better explain this... right NOW!"

Trot Galloped at full speed towards the mountains. He knew he could hide among the numerous caves there, and after that head east past Appaloosa and perhaps north to Stalliongrad. The thought made him frown in distaste. He hated the cold, but he would do whatever it took to make sure the path to the land of Twisted Metal died with him.

He thought of Twilight and how she must have felt seeing him take out that royal guard. But he had hoped their conversation would cause her to understand the necessity of his actions. Now that the threats were gone, namely the two guards...there would be nopony able to catch up to him, or much less stand up to him in a fight. Except for maybe the princess.

He jerked his head back trying to see if she was pursuing him, but instead of seeing the princess however, he saw a streak of rainbow barreling towards him.

"What the hay?!"

He increased his running speed. But the rainbow was gaining on him. He looked closely and realized it wasn't a rainbow, but a light blue pegasus pony with rainbow mane. When she got close enough, he heard her yell.

"YOU DO NOT HURT MY FRIENDS AND GET AWAY WITH IT BUDDY!"

Trot shuffled his feet in mid run and sharply changed direction.

"Oooo you're good…" She said out loud, but it was more a mocking statement than a compliment. Normally she would be impressed by such a maneuver, but after seeing what he did to Garret and Gene she didn't care WHAT he could do.

Trot darted towards the apple orchard. Maybe he could lose her in the trees.

He heard a loud BOOM and turned around to see a shockwave of rainbow color spreading in every direction. He barely had a chance to get out of the way as the light blue pegasus slammed into the ground in front of him. Rainbow Dash took off into the air unhurt.

"Who are you ponies!?" Trot grit his teeth and watched the blue pegusus circle him.

"YA LIKE THAT!?" She yelled. Visibly angry. "It's called a SONIC RAINBOOM chump! You ain't going NOWHERE!"

Trot relaxed himself…trying to think of a plan to lose her. He turned his attention to the apple orchard and took off at full speed.

"HEY!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, flying after him, but was unable to get to him in time, before he made it to the tree Line. Dash swore and pulled up over the trees, but they limited her vision from the air. Not being able to see the stallion from where she was, she had no choice but to fly low in between the trees. Her flying skill was excellent, but she still had to fly at a safe enough speed so as not to crash into any of them. She kept her eyes peeled for the grey stallion hoping she didn't lose him. At that exact thought Trot leaped out from a tree.

"GOTCHA!" He yelled as he pounced on his pursuer. Rainbow Dash hit the ground hard. She had no time to recover before rope was being tied around her wings.

"GET OFF OF ME!" Rainbow Dash struggled to get up, but the Trail Blazer was too strong.

"I don't know how fast you are on foot, but I'm not taking any chances!" He said tying a second rope on Dash's rear hooves. Satisfied with his work, he stepped back and prepared to resume his escape, but two apples flew directly at him and made contact with the side of his head. The force of impact caused him to stumble. He looked up at the source of the attack. It was Applejack.

Applejack snorted and pawed the ground, very angry.

"Get him AJ!" Rainbow Dash yelled, already struggling and biting the ropes to free herself.

Applejack didn't need to be told twice. She bucked the tree behind her and several apples fell, bucking all of them with precision. The fruit collided into Trot, who was not expecting the speed at which the apples flew. He winced in pain and dodged to the right behind a tree to avoid more apples.

"I'm not going to be able to take much more of this…" He said to himself. With that he darted further into the apple orchard.

"Come back ere ya varmint!" Applejack was hot in pursuit but not nearly as fast as the trail blazer.

Applejack knew she had to do something or else she was going to lose him. She had an idea as she spotted the left over rope from the duel.

Trot was at his limit. His muscles ached with exhaustion, and his new injuries didn't help him either. He felt a rush of wind as a rope lassoed around his neck. It tightened and he was yanked backwards, the rope cutting into his skin. He steadied himself to look at the orange pony behind him. The rope was tied to her tail

"Now ah suggest ya'll come peaceably. I don't want tah have to beat you into submission now."

Trot looked at her confused. Then he started laughing. The laughter brought a chill to Applejack's spine, but she dare not show him fear again.

"If that's the case then you're making a big mistake…"

"Excuse me?"

"…you're not getting anything but a fate worse than death in that place!"

Trot took a step forward. He almost looked desperate. Applejack didn't like this. Braeburn had told her he never was the same after coming back from Twisted Metal. Even more so than the change of his mane and coat. It felt like he was carrying a weight, a weight so heavy that nothing his two best friends did could lift.

"Have you ever killed anyone Applejack?"

Applejack was taken aback by the question, she also realized the oddity in his language. He had said Anyone…instead of Anypony. And how in the granny's old birches did he know her name? She swallowed hard but answered bravely.

"Can't say Ah have! "

"Good…" He bit the rope around his neck, but didn't try to cut through it with his teeth. He Yanked her forward at least a few feet before Applejack could react with her own tug. They were about equal in strength, but Trot soon found his strength waning. He was just too damn tired to fight anymore. In a last desperate attempt, he let go of the rope. Applejack, not expecting the sudden lack of tension fell back a few steps, giving Trot just enough momentum to close the distance and…

CRASH!

A bright blue blur knocked Trot off his feet, inches from tackling Applejack into the tree behind her. The wind from Rainbow Dash's tackle blew her hat clear off and into the distance. But Applejack had more important issues to deal with.

"A little help here AJ!"

Applejack jumped on the Trail Blazer, and held his head down.

The last thing Trot saw before he fell unconscious was applejack's face. They locked eyes for a moment, and Applejack heard him sing a tune that caused her skin to crawl.

"Twinkle, Twinkle, little star..."

Chapter 06: Hunter Killer

The soft tune of a guitar echoed in Trot's mind causing him to stir on the dark floor of his subconscious. The ground felt ice cold, yet incredibly comforting for reason's Trot could not understand. Lifting his head and opening his eyes he found himself alone in the black nothingness within himself.

The tune changed from the familiar melody of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to a single chord, and then nothing. If Trot didn't know any better, he would have thought the guitar was being tuned. Another cord was strung, followed by an elderly voice.

"Much better..."

Trot suddenly became very aware of the nothingness around him. More importantly, he was aware of the fact that he was aware. A lucid dream. It took him a moment to recognize the sensation, and when he did a stone formed in the pit of his stomach. Something like this had happened to him before, several times in fact and there was no denying that it was happening again. He dreaded what would come next: The ripping. The tearing. The moaning. The roaring. The laughing.

"Easy boy..." Said the disembodied voice.

"I won't let them hurt you."

Trot looked around him, trying to find the source. His experience told him not to trust the voice, but he detected no malice in it. The voice sounded very old, and weak, but also wise and peaceful.

"I wont be able to stop them for very long..." It continued along with several strums of his guitar.

Trot opened his mouth to speak, but no matter how hard he tried he could not force words out of his mouth. He then realized that he wasn't breathing. The sensation of not breathing and yet not needing air fascinated him until a terrifying thought struck him.

I'm dead

"No your not dead. Though yer friends certainly think so." The voice responded amused.

The guitar music transitioned from simple chords into a full out song, the like of which Trot had never heard before.

"You'd better go to them. They need you to guide them now more than ever."

Trot tried to protest, but the lack of a voice gave him nothing for his effort. He had already sworn that if there was a breath left in his body, he would never allow anyone to be claimed by…

"The enemy is coming."

Trot froze.

"You'd better go. Now."

The next thing he knew, he was falling through the emptiness. His voice returned as he screamed, and inhaled sharply only to scream again.

A moment later he found that he wasn't falling, but lying down on a cold wooden floor. It was dark, and Trot had to take several breaths before he could calm down enough to think clearly. His heart rate lowered to a reasonable enough level to try and get his bearings. He didn't know where he was but he could hear the low rumble of thunder. He tried to lift his head, but he only got half a foot before...

*Thump*

His head hit the ceiling, after not even lifting two feet off the ground. He pushed and felt around with his hooves, and realized he was in a wooden crate.

It wasn't a wooden crate, it was a coffin.

"No! No no no no no no no!" He yelled out repeatedly as he kicked and attacked the wood surrounding him. The previous fear and panic returned as adrenaline shot through his body.
"HELP!" he yelled in terror, but knew no one could hear him. He crashed and thrashed even harder, until he was rewarded with a loud crack, and then a cool breeze.

Hope filled his being. He hadn't been buried yet. He yelled out for help once more for good measure, but focused most of his strength on trying to break from his wooden prison. After relentlessly kicking and thrashing at the coffin, the wood gave in. Trot scrambled out of his death bed, and with some effort climbed out of a six foot ditch dug out for him in the apple orchard. He panted heavily as the rumble of thunder echoed above him. He pounded the ground with his hoofs and cried out to the sky in triumph and relief, grateful to be alive.

It started to rain, but only lightly as Trot came to grips with what just happened to him.

"Trixie…Guards…Running…Rainbow…Exhaustion...Apples…Buried alive" He said, piecing together key words from his recent memory. As he tried to gather himself, the disembodied voice came back to him as clearly as if the pony who said it was standing next to him.

"Go to them."

His heart raced as he spun around trying to find the source of the voice. There was nothing, but the hole that was to be his tomb. In the distance something brown was being tossed by the wind, and he felt a strong urge to follow after it. After a brief chase, the brown object caught itself on a low tree branch and Trot was able to get close enough to recognize the object as a hat. A very familiar hat belonging to the very pony that foiled his attempts at escape. He took it down with his teeth and looked at it for a while.

Allowing himself a small grin, he put the hat on his head for safekeeping. Turning his attention to the town beyond the apple orchard, he galloped at full speed.

Twilight flung a book entitled, "Feats of the Trail Blazers"clear across the room with her teeth. She was too angry and frustrated to have the sense to use her magic. It collapsed into a growing pile of books, that were the results of her relentless studying for the past couple of days. She pounded her hoof on the table several times as she looked on at the last book remaining on the table. She scowled at it. It was only the love for her princess that prevented her from blasting the book "Old Mares Tales" into oblivion with her magic. Without this book, they had little to no chance of making it to their destination. In that moment she grew tempted. Perhaps it was best that no pony every came across that land. Especially after what happened to Trot.

She pounded her hoof on the table and gave one last frustrated yell before allowing herself to curl up on the floor in silence.

There had still been no reply from the princess. No reply from her letter detailing the dreams on the train, and no reply from her letter detailing the most recent events about the death of the Trail Blazer.

When Applejack and Rainbow Dash brought him back to Appaloosa in bonds, There were many that wanted to question him, including Twilight herself, in fact she was first in line. But then they realized he was not breathing. Nothing could be done to revive him by either the physician of Appaloosa, or Luna herself. Shortly after, Philomena left carrying a letter and report back to Canterlot, written by a grief stricken Twilight.

There was a knock on the door but Twilight didn't care.

"Twi?" Spike asked through the door concerned.

He received nothing in response. The purple dragon attempted to knock again but Fluttershy stopped him.

"Let her be Spike." Fluttershy said, looking on at the door as if she could see through it.

Spike was in mid knock but lowered his claw in obedience.

"I can't stand to see her like this Fluttershy. She needs a friend right now."

Fluttershy shook her head.

"No…no she doesn't."

Spike looked at Fluttershy in shock.

"How can you say that Fluttershy!" The butter yellow pegasus looked as if she was going to shrink behind her pink mane, but in the last moment she stood tall.

"L-listen Spike, there are some wounds that wont heal any better if we keep pressuring to help…Sometimes we need to give ponies time to mourn."

Spike lowered his head trying to wrap his mind around the thought. Twilight had been in this state for two days. 'Wasn't that enough time to mourn?' But he trusted Fluttershy.

Spike turned towards the door once more, and gave a much quieter knock. "Were here for ya Twilight. Just let us know Ok?"

In the room, Twilight could over hear the conversation happening just outside her door. She thanked Fluttershy with all her heart as she started sobbing into the floor.

Rainbow Dash was curled up into a ball on the stone floor, her rainbow tail wrapped around her like a small blanket. She looked at the silhouettes cast by the Iron bars around her, the final touch of the prison she so deserved. She covered her eyes with her mane, and then pressed it firmly against her eyes with her hooves, trying to block out the outside world.

She heard what sounded like hoof steps coming closer, until it stopped right outside her cell. The iron gates opened and closed as she heard somepony step into the cell.

"Sherrif Silverstar told me I could find you here."

Rainbow Dash didn't respond. She could not recognize the voice, but she didn't care. It could be the manager of the wonderbolts offering her a spot on the team, and she still wouldn't move from that spot.

"The sheriff doesn't blame you for the Trail Blazer's death, yet you stay here."

Rainbow Dash grit her teeth.

"I killed somepony. This is where I deserve to be."

"But neither you or your friend are to blame. The doctor said..."

Rainbow Dash did not want the pony to finish his sentence, whoever it was. She wanted to blow up in his face. In fact, what was she waiting for? She could use an outlet right now. She burst up from her little ball to face the pony.

"Listen buddy, I attacked him! If it weren't for m…" She stopped in mid sentence realizing who it was.

A Royal Guard pegasus was standing over her. His gold helmet was gone and replacing it was fresh bandages. His expression was stoic and his posture firm. Rainbow Dash was taken aback at the sight of him, or rather the sound of him. For the past few days she had really only heard the sum of about a sentence of words from the guard.

"Garret?" She asked softly, still slightly in shock.

Garret nodded, and sat in front of her.

"You…you talked to me."

Garret nodded, and after pausing to think, added: "Yes."

"Is this you trying to make me feel better?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Garret didn't give an answer but just stood there in silence. Rainbow Dash could almost see the wheels turning in the Royal Guards head as he tried to come up with an answer. She riddled herself with why the guard could so easily talk to her one moment, and completely revert to his Royal Guard antics the next.

Rainbow Dash watched a few of Garret's failed attempts to explain himself. The rainbow maned pegasus decided to change the subject.

"How's your head?"

"Better" the guard replied, obviously thankful for the change of subject.

"That's good."

Rainbow Dash pawed the ground. She had hid from the rest of her friends. The only other pony to have found her was Rarity, and after failing to comfort her, ran off to find Applejack. Even Malt and Braeburn had been here, but they didn't deliver the harsh words she so desired, but rather comforting words about how they didn't blame her for Trot's death. But even after all this she was inconsolable. Maybe it was just the shock of Garret freely speaking to her that knocked her away from her self loathing. Yeah, that was it.

"How's your brother?"

"He's alright. His injuries were far less serious than we first thought. He wont be able to fly for a week but he'll be fine. The Princess is looking after him now."

Rainbow Dash tried to suppress a goofy grin, and failed."That's the most you've ever said so far."

Garret rolled his eyes, while Rainbow Dash laughed quietly.

"Listen…uh…thanks. Really."

For a split second Rainbow Dash could have sworn she saw a smile.

"Applejack! Where have you been!?" Rarity asked as she found Applejack returning from the Apple Orchard. She was more worn and ragged than she usually was. Mud caked the bottom half of her coat, and her mane was out of her pony tail, several twigs and leaves sticking out of it.

"Ah…Ah can't find it."

"Darling…what's wrong?"

Why did I say that? Why in the world did I say that? Rarity thought, scolding herself. She knew exactly what was wrong with her. Rainbow Dash was taking the recent events very well compared to Applejack. While Rainbow Dash was regretful and sorry, Applejack was in denial…but at the same time…not? It was hard to explain. She had never seen her tough apple farmer friend act this way before.

"Mah pappy's hat…Ah can't find mah hat. I…It fell off when Ah was chasin' Trot an…"

"Hush darling I know…" Rarity said hugging her friend around the neck. Applejack tried to resist but it was futile. Rarity would not let the mare out of her grip.

"Rarity…Stop it please."

"Applejack. You didn't kill him...you didn't..."

"Yes ah did."

"No you didn't..."

"YES AH DID!" Applejack gave a mighty shove, knocking Rarity off balance and onto the ground. Applejack immediately regretted her actions. But before she could apologize, a crack of lightning caused both of them to jump. When Rarity regained her composure she looked to face the Apple Farmer.

"Doctor Herb Cart said he died from exerting himself too much…Who caused him to exert himself huh?"

Rarity just stood there silent, closing the distance with her friend again.

"It was me Rarity…Not Rainbow Dash. Ah killed him."

Applejack looked up to see Rarity siting close to her, listening. Applejack felt like she could share the weight with her friend, but she didn't want to. The pain of having killed somepony was just too intense. She waited for Rarity to speak, but she just said nothing. Applejack lowered her head, then after thinking for a moment decided to apologize to her friend for being rough, and at the same time thank her. As she opened her mouth she saw something in the corner of her eye.

Something Large and Black was heading their way.

"Rarity? Do ya see that?"

Every citizen gathered to look at the stranger that had just arrived into town. A towering black pillar, that looked more like smoke than anything else.

The pillar gave a strange moan. It didn't sound like a moan of hunger, or a moan malice, it sounded much darker. Several of the townsfolk backed away, not knowing if the pillar of smoke meant any harm. Sheriff Silverstar emerged from his office and after surveying the situation, approached it.

"Ah am the sheriff of this here town. State your business."

The pillar of black smoke only moaned in response.

"Sheriff? What's going on?"

The sheriff turned around to see Rainbow Dash and Garret emerging from his office behind him.

"Good ta see ya out of that cell…It looks like we have a visitor."

As soon as he finished his word, something that looked like an arm came out of the black pillar and swatted the sheriff away. Silverstar flew back and crashed into a nearby window. The whole crowd gasped, as the pillar of black smoke condensed and twisted.

After a few seconds the black pillar had morphed itself into a massive creature, easily as tall as 4 ponies stacked on top of each other. It was covered in thick blue armor, with spikes protruding from its back. It stood on two legs and had two arms. A thick and large shield rested on its left arm, and attached to its right arm was what looked like a cannon. Once it finished forming, It hunched itself over, placing the shield in front of itself, making a large thud as it hit the ground. It leveled the contraption and pointed it at Rainbow Dash. The cannon started to glow a bright and sickly green.

Sensing the danger Garret spread his wings, before yelling at Rainbow Dash:

"FLY!"

The creatures weapon discharged, missing Rainbow Dash and Garret as they flew in separate directions, the green ball of fire that flew through the air, exploded on contact and leveled half of the Sherrif's office.

The citizens of Appaloosa turned and ran as the creature's weapon trained itself on them. But it refrained from firing, scanning the crowd and the surrounding buildings looking for a specific target.

Twilight was startled by the sudden explosion. She jumped to the window to take a look outside and saw a strange creature taking notice of her. Twilight jumped back just in time, before the whole side of the inn exploded in green flames.

"What is going ON!?" she yelled as she ran for her life. Several explosions rocked the inn as the monster fired rapidly, tracking Twilight through the building.

Twilight jumped an entire flight of stairs as she heard another explosion right behind her. The heat was so close, she almost thought she had been caught in the explosion. She landed hard on the floor below. A nearby door swung open revealing a light blue unicorn in a bathrobe.

"WHO DARES DISTURB THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!?"

She looked down at Twilight and raised an eyebrow.

"Why is half your tail missing?"

"Trixie, there's no time! We have to get out of here now!"

Trixie raised a hoof, pondering her words.

"Fine." She said before closing the door and emerging a split second later in her navy blue cape.

Twilight resisted the urge to face hoof, and realized that the attacks on her had stopped. She had a sudden thought and turned to look at Trixie who had just stepped over her.

Where's the princess!?"

The creature roared as a large wagon flew and collided with its back. The creature turned its attention from the inn to look behind him and see Princess Luna standing in the center of the road. Her eyes were bleach white and her horn glowed radiantly.

"Leave…NOW!" She yelled. Her voice sounding more like nightmare moon than the actual Luna.

Using her magic, she levitated a cart filled with heavy rocks and smashed it against the creature. It had a short lived effect of knocking it off balance, before it recovered. Luna concentrated harder. The stones that fell on the ground flew back up and surrounded the behemoth. At the same time, all rocks shot themselves down at it with terrifying speed, but they were ineffective and merely glanced off of the creature's blue armor plating.

The creature brought his shield to bear and aimed his cannon at the princess. The weapon discharged three times and all three shots exploded on impact, but Luna was still standing. The shield she quickly erected, stood strong, and it was about to be tested to it's limits. In a matter of seconds the creature closed the distance and swung his shield up and down against the magic barrier. The creature was strong and Luna focused all her magic on keeping the barrier alive.

Several meters away, the townsfolk arrived armed with their pastries.

"Ready!?" Braeburn said raising a hoof. The townsfolk readied their pies.

"Fire!" The pies flew high, most of them hitting their mark, but the creature ignored them.

Malt came galloping into town from his bar and stopped next to Braeburn as the townsfolk continued to launch pastry after pastry at the creature.

"Braeburn! What the hay is going on here?!"

Braeburn turned from his target to explain the situation to Malt.

"Some darned pillar o' black smoke arrived and turned into that… THING and started attacking the town! Give us a hand will ya!"

"What on earth are you trying to do? Feed it!?" replied Malt.

Braeburn shrugged.

"It worked on the buffalo."

Rainbow Dash and Garret were circling the sky, trying to find ways they could intercede from the sky. Rainbow Dash noticed that the creature had turned it's attention away from the princess. Her eyes widened as she realized why.

"LOOK OUT!" she yelled out at the crowd of ponies still flinging pastries.

The creature noticed the crowd in the midst of the pie firing line. It trained its cannon on them. The crowd scattered just in time to prevent themselves from being incinerated. Princess Luna lowered her shield to attack again with her magic but the creature was ready for her. It swung its heavy shield up, over itself and back down, but It hit nothing but air as a white streak took Princess Luna away.

"Are you all right Princess?"

Luna blinked as she looked into the face of Garret.

Luna nodded.

Garret released her and she used her own wings to fly. Touching down behind the clock tower, they met up with Pinkie Pie, Spike and Fluttershy who escaped the inn just after the creature fired upon it.

"Uhm…Princess…What..What is that thing?" Fluttershy asked, obviously scared. She caught a glimpse of it, after it started attacking the town and knew immediately that it was not attacking out of some misunderstanding.

Luna shook her head. "I wish I knew… But we have to get it away from the town."

"Guys do you hear that?" Pinkie Pie exclaimed trying to gain their attention.

Spike ignored her "Well how do we do that? Bait?"

"Guys?" Pinkie said again.

"Oh no no no no no." Fluttershy exclaimed. "We can't ask somepony to endanger themselves…"

"Guys! Really! Listen!" Pinkie Pie was now jumping in front of their faces.

"I'll go." Garret said bravely, spreading his wings.

"GUYS! PLEASE LISTEN!!"

"What is it Pinkie Pie? I don't hear anyth…" Luna stopped herself, realizing what she just said.

"Exactly…" Pinkie Pie said quietly.

It was complete silence. The firing had stopped and so did the screams and yells of ponies. The group moved around the building. One by one, they peaked around the corner dreading what they might find. Their jaws dropped.

The creature was starring down the road, and so was everypony else. Rainbow Dash almost crashed into the ground below her, because of her wings freezing up from shock.

Trot Steamer stood at the other end of the road, facing down the blue behemoth. Applejack's hat sitting securely on his head. Trot looked the monster up and down, after realizing what it was. He gulped.

"Oh this is bad…This is very very bad…" He said quietly to himself. At the very least, his wounds and sores were gone, but he had the feeling he was going to be getting whole lot worse with this encounter.

The creature assumed a fighting position and aimed it's cannon to fire at him. Trot was nothing but a blur as he dodged the green ball of fire, rolling into a standing position. The creature took aim at him, ready to fire another shot.

Trot felt something inside of him come to life, almost like turning on a switch. He smiled and readied himself. He was afraid, very afraid…but he was used to it.

The monster charged him, swinging his shield up and back down again, only to connect with the solid earth. The citizens of Appaloosa watched as the Trail Blazer catapulted himself around the creature. Spotting a crate of mining tools, he sprinted over and managed to pull a pick-axe out with his teeth before the crate exploded. The creature charged at him again. After a brief moment of dodging, Trot was able to get behind him, and slam the sharp point of the pickaxe into an exposed section of pink flesh. The beast roared in pain and anger, as it swung wildly at its attacker. Trot had to let go of the pickaxe in order to avoid getting smashed into the soil.

As he rolled yet again to dodge another attack, He spotted Braeburn in the distanced, accompanied by Malt and Rainbow Dash.

"Don't just stand there gawking! Help me kill this thing!"

The request took the party by surprise, not so much by the fact that a pony they thought was dead just spoke to them, but more so by the fact that he requested help to 'kill'.

Rainbow Dash was the first to recover from the shock.

"You heard him! C'mon!"

With Rainbow Dash in the lead they headed towards the Appaloosa Blacksmith.

The beast was getting smarter. Trot had several close calls as it started targeting the ground, trying to kill the colt from the resulting explosions instead of a direct hit.
One of the explosions got too close, and the resulting heat burned the left part of his flank and hoof as well as part of his tail. Trot collapsed in pain, and tried to move, but he was too late. The beast loomed over him. Trot lifted his hoofs up in a last attempt to defend himself, but he knew it was useless. The metal shield came crashing down on him.

Trot opened his eyes and realized that he was still alive. The space around him glowed a bright blue. It was a magical barrier.

He turned his head around and saw Twilight and Trixie in the distance, concentrating.

Trot immediately saw the danger of what they were doing.
"Stop! You guys are going to be sitting ducks!"

"Don't you tell me what to do you blasted SHOW OFF!" Trixie yelled.

"Coming back to life?! HA! Oldest trick in the book!" Trixie focused on her magic.

"Trixie! Please focus!" Twilight commanded, before adding silently to herself. "I'm not losing a friend!"

The creature trained its weapon and fired.

"NO!" Trot yelled.

The green explosion engulfed both unicorns, but as the blast cleared the two ponies were left unscathed. A pale shield enveloping both of them.

"See?" Trixie said casually. "Told you I could do it! Piece of cake!"

Relieved, Trot looked back at the monster. It looked back at him. "Well…" Trot said mockingly. "Looks like were in a bit of a stalemate here."

Suddenly, he heard the sound of whistling winds followed by sickening piercing sounds. The creature roared and doubled over as several farming tools kept whistling itself down on its exposed back.

"Or not…" Trot said, he looked up and saw the princess, her eyes white, with a pale aura glowing around her. The farming tools came flying out of a wagon pulled by Braeburn, with Rarity and Rainbow Dash took the tools out of wagon for Luna to concentrate on taking hold of them with her magic, and sending the lethal ends hurtling towards the Monsters exposed back.

It took several farming tools, and almost a minute of attacking before the creature went limp. Wide eyed and panting she sat on her haunches, while Fluttershy and Garret attended to her.

Trot was released from the barrier that protected him, and moved up to the dead creature. Gripping a pitch fork from its back, he pulled it out with his teeth. Locating an exposed piece of flesh near the neck he plunged it in repeatedly, until he was satisfied. The corpse of the monster then began to disintegrate, like ash blowing in the wind. Trot didn't show any sign that this disturbed him at all. Discarding the tool, he spat on what was left of the monster.

"Woah…" Spike said watching in awe from a distance. Pinkie Pie covered his eyes.

Trot looked around wildly.

"Wheres the other one?!"

Nopony answered him, not knowing what he was talking about.

"Where's the OTHER ONE!?" He called out again, looking from Twilight to the Princess.

"There was only one. Was there supposed to be more?" The Princess asked, worried.

Trot looked around, scanning everything with his keen eyesight. Nothing.

"This thing is called a Hunter…they always fight in Pairs!" He shouted again, frustrated.

"WHERE IS THE OTHER ONE?!"

Just as Trot finished that sentence, an explosion rocked the town.

"Rarity!? Where are ya!" Applejack yelled into the darkness, the only source of light was the trees that were completely engulfed in flames.

"Rarity!" She called out again, running through the smoke. Unable to see 10 feet in front of her, she tripped over fallen timber, coughing as she inhaled a good amount of smoke from the fire around her. The ground beneath her began to shake, as the black figure she saw earlier, approached. She was dead still, and almost yelled as a large blue plated foot nearly crushed her. The Hunter was plowing through the trees slowly, looking for its prey. It suddenly froze, and Applejack feared that it had noticed her. But to her greater horror, she realized that the monster had noticed something else.

Rarity lay on the ground unconscious against an untouched tree. The apple tree Bloomberg stood defiant against the monster. It stood as defiant as any tree could, protecting the mare that lay unconscious behind it. Applejack felt helpless. The monster in front of her was terrifyingly powerful. One shot from its cannon had leveled a good chunk of the orchard, and it crushed entire trees like they were twigs. Yet as it aimed at Rarity, she got the courage to stand.

"You are not hurting mah friend! Get away from her! IM HERE! YA SACK OF CODFISH!" The hunter turned its attention toward Applejack. Great...now what.

The Hunter considered her for a brief moment, but decided to fire on Rarity anyway.

"NOOOO!" Applejack yelled as Bloomberg and the space around it was obliterated in green fire.

"OH CELESTIA! NO!! NOT RARITY! NOT MAH FRIEND!" Applejack yelled dropping to her knees, tears running down her cheek. The Hunter trained its cannon on her, ready to fire without hesitation after the cannon charged. From the smoke, a white Pegasus jumped over the flaming remains of Bloomberg. Gene, the royal guard, threw all of his weight against the monsters cannon, knocking it just high enough for the shot to overshoot Applejack by several meters.

Applejack's legs felt like lead. She wanted to move, but she was frozen in fear. Applejack watched like a helpless filly as the poor royal guard stood his ground against the towering monster.

Gene was without his armor, combine that with all his injuries and his all out attack against the monster's weapon, he was left staggering in pain. The monster swung its shield at Gene, and missed by only a few inches as Gene stumbled backwards, falling over debri. He was a sitting duck. Gene waited for the end, but it wouldn't come. At that moment, rain began to fall. The monster looked up and saw something that would make any mortal tremble. The Princess of the Night, and all her wrath. With a sudden crack, a continuous bolt of lightning struck the Monster. Finally a blinding light and then silence.

Applejack awoke on the cold soft mud, with rain soaking her already drenched mane. She could hear several voices and hooves moving around, splashing on the newly formed puddles. She thought she could hear Twilight barking orders, and the sound of Fluttershy constantly repeating "Oh my goodness, Oh my goodness!"

"Hey Wake up! Are you alright?!" cried a vaguely familiar voice.

Applejack opened her eyes to see her cowboy hat bobbing up and down.

"Pappy is that you?" She mouthed.

"Oi! Wake up! Rarity! Get over here she's delusional!"

"Oh dear! Applejack!"

At the sound of Rarity's voice. Applejack's eyes shot open.

She was laying in the hooves of Trot Steamer. The pony she thought she had killed. Or maybe she did...and she herself was dead. Dead or not she needed to get out of the stallions hooves. She twisted and fought her way out of his grasp. She fell back on her haunches, as soon as she broke free. Rarity was in front of her, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so sorry dear applejack! I used an illusion spell to distract the hunter! I thought you had already run away! Please forgive me! I didn't want you to get hurt."

Applejack was stunned. Happy. But stunned. Her eyes darted from the destruction around them to the Trailblazer. He smiled awkwardly and took the hat off, placing it firmly back on her head.

"Your welcome."

AUTHOR's NOTE:

"Thanks to everyone who commented and encouraged me to continue writing this. I hope you enjoy the story as it progresses. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Expect the next chapter by the end of this week, if real life doesn't get in the way first lol. "

Chapter 08: Hearts of Iron (pt.2)

Trot and Fluttershy returned to find everypony at the camp acting strange. Twilight refused to make eye contact with Trot and instead buried her face into a book while eating a strange cherry pastry. Applejack on the other hand, wouldn't stop staring him down. Her emerald eyes, full of contempt, as if he had somehow, insulted her pride. Even the normally docile and quiet Luna was in a rather Irritable mood, and Trixie was...well...Trixie.

"Welcome back show off." Trixie greeted in a rather snotty manner. Trot, who by now understood that this was her way of saying she was genuinely glad to see him, grinned in response.

"It doesn't feel welcoming. What's got everypony in such a bad mood?" Replied Trot

A small, but mischievous smile appeared on Trixie's face, causing Trot more than a little bit of discomfort.

"Nothing. Just had a...oh how did Rarity phrase it..." Trixie gave her muzzle a few taps with her hoof, trying to remember what Rarity had told her privately.

"Intimate discussion about the possibilities of the heart. In other words...mare talk."

That little bit of discomfort grew to a sizable stone at the bottom of Trot's stomach. Trot didn't know exactly what "mare talk" meant, but considering what these mares had done to him the past few days, such as causing him much physical pain and burying him alive, it couldn't be anything good. He looked around to confirm the results of this so called mare talk. Twilight was indeed reading her book, but he only now noticed that the book was upside down. Applejack was still giving him the death glare and the princess nearly lost it when Gene peaked his head out of the supply wagon, telling him to..."Get inside and go to sleep or, Celestia help me, I will send you to the MOON!"

Fluttershy was having troubles of her own. Rarity wouldn't stop bombarding her with questions about their early morning trip and she seemed quite uncomfortable with whatever questions we're being asked. Trot broke out of his trance when the only pony who seemed to be acting herself in the camp, Trixie, shoved him in the chest.

"Are you going to tell us what you went into town for, or are you going to be looking like that all day?" Asked Trixie, impatiently examining her hoof

Trot swallowed his unease and wiped a little bit of sweat from his forehead.

"Well, Fluttershy needed medical supplies...and I left to get these..." He gestured with a nod over his shoulder at a wooden cart full of brown packages

"And WHAT, pray tell, are 'these?'" Interrupted Luna, stepping up to join Trixie in inspecting the brown packages. Trot sighed deeply. This was going to be a long expedition.

“I’d be glad to answer that princess, but don’t you think we should start our journey? We’re delayed enough already…”

Luna raised an eyebrow at him with suspicion. A few days ago he fought so hard NOT to be a part of this expedition, and now he seemed so eager to get there. The experience of being buried alive must have done something to him, or perhaps the encounter with the Hunters convinced him of the importance of this mission. Either way, Luna recognized that Trot was right. It’s about time they got this expedition started.

“Very well, Trot, we shall leave as soon as Garret and Rainbow Dash return.” Luna left and Trixie followed to rally the others.

Trot nodded in recognition hoping that he didn’t sound bossy. The last thing he needed was to get on the Princess’ bad side. He suddenly felt what could have been a tap on his back to get his attention, but instead felt close to a punch.

"OW! What is it with everypony being rough today!"

Trot turned to see that it was Applejack, who was almost muzzle to muzzle with him still looking as if she wanted nothing more than to pummel him into the ground.

“Now listen 'ere Trot. Ah don’t like you.”

“I can tell.” Responded the Trail Blazer.

Applejack turned and walked away. She stopped and turned around again.

"And ya better not have layed a hoof on Fluttershy while you we're in town. Otherwise, I'll make sure ta bury you dead next time."

Something inside Trot snapped, and figured now was as good a time as ever.

“Hey Applejack! Do you remember what I told you the last time we fought?”

Applejack continued to walk away, ignoring him.

“You won’t last ten seconds in the land of Twisted Metal, not unless you know how to kill.”

His voice was growing steadily louder and louder, until he earned everypony's attention.

"So hold on to whatever it is you're holding against me. Because by this time tomorrow I am going to teach each and everypony here how to take a life."

And with that statement, the camp was dead still.

"And that...Is a promise."

Rainbow Dash and Garret returned, resounding success in their mission. The buffalo had agreed to help with the rebuilding of Appaloosa, meaning that they could leave without having to worry about another attack, or helping the Appaloosans rebuild the town which would delay them even further.

Rainbow and Garret were sparred from Rarities probing and teasing due to Trot's earlier declaration. Promising everypony that he'd teach them how to kill, shook everypony's mindset out of the Mare talk, and Applejack was sorely wishing she had kept her mouth shut.

With Garret and Rainbow's return, the Expedition finally set out past Appaloosa. Some ponies came to wave goodbye at the heroes who saved their town. Two ponies in particular followed them for a while until they were past the orchards. Braeburn and Malt flanked Trot on either side.

"Now you ain't gonna go crazy on these ladies again are ya?" Asked Braeburn nudging his friend.

"Ha! Ah might go crazy on your cousin. The darn mare just hate's my guts." replied Trot half-joking.

"Mah cousin?" Braeburn tilted his head curiously.

"Why Trot! Ah'm surprised at you! Ah thought you we're the most chivalrous of us. Goin' crazy on a mare only after ya just met..." Malt said laughingly. It was always in his nature to crack jokes on these subjects.

Trot showed a look of annoyance.

"Malt...I will buck you into Celestia's sun if you don't shut up right now."

Malt grinned through his mustache, and Trot couldn't help but grin back. Malt wouldn't be malt if he couldn't pull a wise crack out of his flank at the worst of times.

"Hey, where's Braeburn?" Malt asked.

It was strange how they just now noticed Braeburn had left their company. But only after a few minutes did Braeburn return.

"Man Trot, ah don' know what you did, but I've never seen mah cousin so wound up." Braeburn was scratching his head.

Trot gave one of his trademark sighs and just shook his head in response.

They finally said their goodbyes where the badlands ended and the desert truly began.

Malt and Braeburn watched as they marched west.

"Hey Braeburn?" Malt asked.

"Ya ol' buddy?" Braeburn responded.

"Ya think he'll be alright?"

Braeburn paused for a moment before responding with something, he hoped, sounded confident.

"Of course he'll be. This is Trot we're talking about! He's the stallion that saved Dodge from a Scorpio Major, took down the thieves guild of Stalliongrad, helped solve Appaloosa's drought, outsmarted the Trail Blazer Daring Do, and discovered a Land that was thought to be a myth!"

"Ya and look where that last part took im'..."

They were quiet for a moment. Braeburn took out a coin from his vest pocket.

"Heads we follow im', and tails we don't."

"Agreed."

The journey was uneventful and quiet for the most part. The only exception was when Spike finally decided to wake up and Twilight scolding him for being asleep for half the day. As punishment, he had to make sure to do all the chores that came with setting camp that night. Spike grumbled something about not being woken up, and Twilight retorted that it's not her responsibility to wake up him up anymore. The day continued onward, and finally settled into dusk. Spike continued to grumble as he helped pitch the tents and start the fire, even having the responsibility of first watch with Garret.

But by nightfall he was past it, chatting happily with the Royal Guard who seemed to have opened up a lot after the events of Appaloosa. Trot retired to his tent, saying something about preparing himself for the next day which caused everypony else to be a bit on edge. Back at the campfire everypony else ate their dinner in silence, until Rarity decided that they had enough quiet for one day.

"So Rainbow Dash. Tell me about Garret." Rarity commanded.

Rainbow Dash tilted her head confused.

"Why would you ask me? Ask him yourself, he's right over there." She pointed a hoof towards spike and Garret who were patrolling the perimeter.

Twilight face hoofed.

"Not again Rarity, haven't you caused enough trouble?"

Rarity giggled.

"Yes Twilight and I'm truly sorry. I didn't intend for our little mare talk to sour everypony's moods. So I thought I'd make it up to you all for all the trouble."

"Trouble? What Trouble?" Asked the oblivious Rainbow Dash.

"Ya don't wanna know sugar cube, ya don't wanna know." Applejack chimed in before scarfing down her dinner in two bites.

Pinkie Pie, who had been respecting her friends desire to be quiet jumped at the chance to speak.

"Omigosh you missed it Rainbow! They were talking about you and they were talkin about Ga..." She couldn't get the last words out of her mouth. A faint blue dome surrounded her head. And Pinkie continued to talk, oblivious that nopony else could hear her rapid fire, but lengthy explanation. Luna chuckled to herself as she completed her spell before addressing Rainbow Dash.

"As Applejack said, you don't want to know. I think now is a good time to to discuss some serious business about this trip."

Rarity protested. "But Princess, can I give my formal apology first?"

The princess sighed, and then smiled. She's been waiting for the right moment to reveal her findings from the previous night, but waiting a few more moments couldn't hurt. Pinkie was still talking rapidly when Rarity returned with several small boxes. She opened them with her magic and levitated what looked like leg bands to everypony around the campfire

"Rarity...these are...really nice!" Twilight exclaimed, admiring the fine stitching and the peculiar symbol stitched in the center.

"Why thank you Twilight. I figured, that since we are the expeditionary force under the banner of Princess Celestia, we should have something that distinguishes us." Everypony slipped on their bands, their moods brightening considerably.

"Is that symbol what Ah think it is?"

"Why yes Applejack! I'm glad you noticed!" Rarity clapped her hoofs happily.

The leg bands were a dark purple and stitched together with a sturdy fabric. In the center was a rather abstract design of a shooting star in silver and gold.

"Why Rarity...they are lovely." Said Fluttershy closely examining the stitching. "This is very durable fabric too...and the stitching is superb."

"Impressive. It matches my cape." Was Trixie's only response.

Rarity nodded. "Yes...The design is to help us focus on our goal, and not on stallions or hurt feelings." Fluttershy gave Rarity a small hug to show her friendship and just like that everypony's feeling of unrest left them. With everyone in a good mood, Applejack felt a sudden desire to confront Trot and apologize for her rudeness earlier, but she didn't want to interrupt whatever kind of preparation he was planning.

Rarity, however, was not exactly finished yet. She pulled her saddlebag which was laying on the ground towards her.

"I also have something special for you Pinkie. In addition to your armband."

Pinkie tried to thank Rarity but Luna's silence spell was still in effect. Luna laughed and released her from her prison of silence

...thank you, thank you, thank you Rarity! What else ya got?

Rarity pulled something hoof sized from her saddlebag and unwrapped it, revealing a amazingly delicious looking cupcake.

"Here you are darling, We've been ignoring you all day, and I feel partly responsible. I was saving this as a personal snack...but you can have it since you love cupcakes so...."

Rarity stopped.

"Pinkie? What's wrong?"

When Pinkie saw the cupcake nopony could have predicted her reaction. Her eyes dilated, but it wasn't from excitement or joy from seeing her favorite sweet. She looked horrified... almost disgusted.

Pinky finally snapped from her daze.

"Uhm...I appreciate it Rarity...but I'm not in the mood for cupcakes right now."

"WHAT!?" Everypony yelled, catching the attention of the sentries and even Gene who finally woke up in alarm. Twilight and Fluttershy flanked her on either side. Feeling her temperature and taking her pulse respectively.

"Pinkie, you can't be serious." Twilight said worryingly.

Pinkie sighed.

"I just lost my appetite for cupcakes is all. Ever since that one night on the train..."

Immediatley, Fluttershy and Twilight stopped, their ears drooping.

"You never did tell us about your nightmare." Fluttershy squeaked softly.

"And I'd rather not..." Pinkie quickly responded.

"Does it involve cupcakes?" Trixie added in.

Pinkie's ear drooped and she backed away from everypony, her hair, quickly deflating. Twilight gave Trixie the death glare. Which Trixie responded with a cocked eyebrow.

Trixie snorted. "What? It's an obvious question."

Twilight thought of some way to respond to Trixie, but right before she could say anything...

"If you guys are worrying about nightmares...you're in for a big surprise..."

Everypony jumped upon hearing Trot's voice.

Twilight begins to speak but stops as she sees him. Trot was wearing what looked like royal guard armor, but it was made in strange dark brown leather and covered more of his body than armor worn by the royal Pegasus.

"since were passing out gifts...I think It's time I passed out mine as well." Trot tossed each of them the brown packages he brought from Appaloosa that morning.

"Open them when you wake up tomorrow and then put them on."

"What on earth are you wearing?" Asked a horrified Rarity, as she gazed upon the fashion disaster that stood before them.

But Trot didn't answer and instead took his seat by the campfire, deliberately choosing to sit next to Applejack. but refused to make eye contact or even acknowledge she was there. Luna took the opportunity to finally begin the meeting she had been waiting all day to call.

"Well, since you're here now Trot, I'm assuming we can discuss this expedition in all seriousness?"

For a brief moment Trot asked himself whether or not the Princess was mocking him, but he quickly tossed the notion aside. Now was not the time to be so sensitive. He nodded, and everypony including Garret and Spike sat down to listen, though still being watchful of their surroundings.

"So Trot, what can you tell us about the Land of Twisted Metal?"

Trot raised an eyebrow.

"Well what do your legends say?"

The princess drew breath trying to proceed calmly. "Well Trot, anything the legends say are secondary to what you've been through, and since you had a change of heart and decided to lead us on this journey, you should probably share all you know with us."

"Fair enough." Trot replied getting comfortable next to the fire. "Though first let me tell you all that I am bound by oath not to say certain things..."

"To whom?" Luna asked suspiciously.

"Not allowed to say. You'll know soon enough though. We're bound to run into them sooner or later, or at least I hope so...If those Hunters got through then..." Trot grew quiet not wanting to bring up the possibiliites

"Don't you think that piece of information might be something important?" Luna interjected.

"Sorry Luna... I'm keeping my promise."

Princess Luna was about to protest more, but backed down when Pinkie Pie placed a hoof on her shoulder. One look at her told Luna enough to say how much the pink pony respected promises, and considering her reaction to the cupcake Rarity gave her, it was probably best not to upset her anymore tonight. So she decided to change the subject.

"Then what can you tell us Trot?" Luna asked.

Trot shrugged. "Not much."

Luna face hoofed, this was going to be a long night.

In the distance something watched the campfire glow. Green acid sputtered in its mouth and fell on the ground, burning a small crater into the dry soil. Every instinct told it to attack, every muscle and every fiber in it's being wanted to spring up and kill them in their sleep, but it is not what was ordered. Without making a sound, it burrowed under ground and started making its way west.

Perhaps tomorrow it would be allowed to strike.

AUTHORS NOTE: A much shorter chapter this time around, but the story is really going to be picking up from here though so stay tuned. Also don't forget to comment and rate, It's the only way I can get feedback and Improve. Next up: CHAPTER 09: SWARM OF THE MILLENIUM

Chapter 09: Hearts of Iron (pt.3)

The strumming of a guitar opened Trot's eyes, greeting him with the familiar dark nothingness he experienced while he was buried alive. He looked around, taking in the darkness, re-acquainting himself with this familiar sensation. He checked to see if he could draw breath. There was nothing to breathe, but his lungs didn't need it.

"Oh great..." Trot whispered to himself quietly. "Not needing air? Check. Creepy guitar music? Check. Now all that's missing is..."

"Me..." replied the familiar old disembodied voice. It chuckled and Trot felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

"Who are you?" Trot asked, trying to sound brave and wasting no time trying to sort out this mystery.

"Ah assure you, Ah'm a friend." The voice responded, pausing in his strumming to tune the guitar again, before resuming to play a more upbeat tune.

Trot tried to pinpoint the source of the guitar playing through the darkness, but soon found out that the music was everywhere at once. He tried several more times but finally understood that it was useless. He had the strangest feeling that more than this mysterious voice was observing him.

"Why don't you trust 'em?" The voice asked in what Trot assumed to be sincerity.

"They don't trust me." He responded quickly. The playing stopped and the voice responded in a way that almost sounded like scolding.

"That's bull son and you know it. Is this because that cowgirl was givin' you a hard time? Get over yerself."

Trot felt offended, but deep down he knew it to be true. Fumbling with his words for a moment, he finally came up with a reasonable enough response.

"Even if she didn't act that way towards me, I still have my suspicions. I'm not sure if I even trust you to be quite honest."

The voice chuckled again.

"Ah don't blame ya kid. If disembodied voices were speakin' to me in mah sleep, Ah'd be suspicious too."

Trot tried to suppress a grin and failed. He didn't know who this voice belonged too, or how he was communicating to him in his sleep. Maybe he was just plain losing his mind.

Something other than the playing of the guitar sounded off in the distance. The sound was low at first but then it grew until it was finally audible. Grinding. Moaning. Tearing. The sound made Trot's stomach curl and his heart almost drop out from under him.

"Looks like Ah'm running outta time." The voice said quickly. The strumming of the guitar increased at a quick pace, as if the music fended off whatever was coming through the darkness.

Trot didn't know where to go, the horrific noises seemed to be coming from everywhere.

"Please don't let them get me! Get me out of here! Wake me up!" Trot yelled into the darkness.

"Ah'm trying mah best son... listen carefully. Two thing's ah need to tell you before ya go."

"Just tell me quick! Get me out of here!" Trot was trembling now. The noise was drowning out the sound of the guitar. It was so horrifying, so loud and clear that it almost felt like he could feel the monstrous noise wrapping around his body. Trot curled himself into a ball; he knew there was no point in resisting.

"This is the first thing Ah'm going to tell you. Ya can’t linger in that spot for much longer, when ya wake up, run for the mountains and don’t stop. The second is about the mare's your travelin' with.."

"Tell me!" Trot finally yelled as the blood-curdling noises closed in around him. It was almost impossible to hear what the voice was trying to tell him. But despite all the tearing and moaning, Trot was able to hear the voice's final words, which almost came like a whisper. Then finally, almost as if those last words were the queue for the darkness to act, the impenetrable blackness took him.

"Last night was fruitless." Groaned a disgruntled Luna as she rolled off of her cot and strolled out of her tent, into the faint morning light.

Twilight, who had woken up hours ago and was already busying herself with reading a book comfortably on her own cot, heard the princess and followed her out to cheer her up.

"Don't say that princess. I'm sure Trot will come around eventually..."

Luna sighed. "I certainly hope so. I'd rather not walk into a mysterious land and be blind as to what we'll experience."

Luna noticed Gene coming back from his patrol of the perimeter and gave a quick good morning before proceeding with her question.

"Did you find anything useful in what the old mare’s tales had to say about The Land of Twisted Metal? Trot said they did a better job of explaining it than he ever could..."

Twilight retrieved the book from hers and Luna's tent with her magic.

"I did princess... but there is just so much lore to sift through." Twilight began flipping the pages, trying to find one particular piece of lore that stood out." They can't all be true, much of the information contradict each other. But one in particular I thought was rather strange."

Luna raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what is the tale called."

Twilight scratched her head. "Well in this story, The Land of Twisted Metal goes by a different name." Twilight held the book up so that the princess could read for herself.

"The Graveyard of Worlds?" Luna read, eyebrow still raised, before a light went off in her head. "Oh! I remember this one. Isn't this the story about the battle of good and evil? And how if a world succumbs to evil, it dies and ends up in the graveyard?"

Twilight nodded and continued to speak.

"The Graveyard of Worlds is said to traverse different universes to test the souls of the inhabitants. But the twist is, the Graveyard doesn't leave UNTIL the world succumbs to evil."

Luna read the last few lines of the story and shuddered. "Everything decays. That which was once alive, dies. That which was once light, darkens. That which was once straight, becomes twisted. All will suffer... All will die... All hail the graveyard of worlds."

Luna felt a bad taste in her mouth after she recited that phrase. "It certainly did a good job in scaring little foals into being good."

Twilight chuckled for a bit, remembering when she first heard of this tale. It was even funnier when she remembered that Princess Celestia was the one who told it to her as a filly. Twilight's horn started glowing as she took another book from her saddlebags.

"Here is another piece of lore I found interesting. It has a similar theme, except it portrays good and evil in the form of the mythological creatures such as angels and demons. This particular passage was quite interesting." Twilight cleared her throat and read it aloud, but not too loud as some ponies were still sleeping.

"The battles raged, both in the heavens and on the earth, and when the demons claimed the earth for their own, the angels charged from the heavens in balls of fire..."

"Falling Stars." Luna said, and twilight responded with a nod before continuing.

"There really is a lot more to it than that... but it does mention that when the angels and demons were done fighting, all that was left of the earth, was a land of burning embers and twisted metal"

Luna was oddly silent, but Twilight didn't notice; she was in too much of a good mood from being able to share her knowledge to the princess. She closed the book and tossed it back into the tent with her magic.

"It's farfetched I know, but it's all we have to work with. Maybe if we all apologize to Trot... Princess?"

Luna was staring off into space, deep in thought. Twilight waved a hoof in front of the Princess's face and Luna's eyes finally focused.

"Twilight. It may not be so far fetched after all." said Luna circling the remains of last night's fire, thinking.

"Last night I neglected to mention what I discovered a few nights ago. I know every star in my domain by heart, but when I counted them earlier, I noticed that not one of them was missing."

It was Twilight's turn to raise an eyebrow, sitting down on a nearby grain sack to hear the Princess' explanation. It could be possible that some of these Old Mare's Tales could be true, the legend of Nightmare Moon certainly was.

"When I first saw what fell from the sky, I was certain that it was a star. It gave off so much energy that there was no other way it could be anything else…but now… “

There was a loud crash behind them and Twilight and Luna spun around to find a stack of pots and boxes toppled over and Applejack flailing underneath her tent cover.

"Dagnabbit! A little help here ya'all!" Applejack called out as she struggled to break free from the clutter. Luna and Twilight immediately rushed over to help their friend. The noise, though loud, did not wake up anypony else. Luna and Twilight freed Applejack from the tangled mess with their magic. When Applejack finally stepped back from the boxes and tent fabric, Twilight and Luna both froze and stared at her in awe.

Applejack was wearing something similar to what Trot was wearing the night before, except it was slender and the armor covered her neck and chest almost completely. Only her muzzle and her mane were exposed. Her hooves were almost entirely covered by greaves, and the colors were a dull, neutral grey; except for a small hint of purple, which turned out, to be Rarities armband tied around her mane. Applejack cleared her throat to get their attention.

"Well how do I look?"

Twilight and Luna looked at each other before Twilight answered her.

Twilight was the first to speak.

"Uh...you look. Intimidating."

"It also looks heavy." Luna added.

Applejack shrugged a little, and retrieved her Stetson hat from the tangled campfire sheets.

"Not really. Ah mean it's awkward an all, as proof of me trippin' over my own feet just a minute ago, but ah' figured it would make it a lot easier for Trot to accept mah' apology." Applejack said tilting her head away as if she wanted nothing to do with apologizing. But if she truly felt that way, then why put on the armor Trot gave her? Thinking about it just made her head hurt and she'd much rather get it over with. It was for the sake of their team after all.

Luna suppressed a giggle, not wanting to sound insulting towards Applejack. But she did want to encourage them to make amends and get along. She gestured with her head towards Trot's tent.

"Well maybe you could do something nice for him?" asked Luna. "Why not wake him up and give him an apple?"

Applejack looked aghast.

"Breakfast in bed!? Ain't that goin' a bit too far princess?" Applejack pleaded, hoping the princess wasn't about to order her to do just that.

Luna looked Applejack straight in the eyes wanting to make sure Applejack understood what she was about to say.

"Wasn't it too far when you told him you didn't like or trust him to his face? And in front of all of us?" Luna exclaimed.

"Well that was because...well..." Applejack struggled with herself for a moment.

Luna read her emotions well. Applejack thought she had killed Trot, and felt terribly guilty for it, and then Rarity insinuates that she had feelings for him, and that somehow Applejack was afraid of him. Both possibilities, humiliated Applejack in a way she probably wasn't very accustomed to. She was in a deep battle with herself, and the struggle was tearing her apart.

"Fine then." Applejack turned around and took an apple from one of the unloaded food boxes and carried it in her teeth as she grumbled. She held it in her hoof to declare one last thing to the princess before she entered into Trot's tent.

"But consider this the last time Ah give im'...or ANY stallion for that matter, breakfast in bed."

Luna held her laughter until after Applejack went inside. But then she realized something, where did Twilight go?

Trot struggled in the dark as he exited the dream, he was falling back into consciousness, but the darkness kept trying to catch him and bring him back. He felt something heavy grip his shoulders, and he struggled against it. He tried hard to open his eyes, but the darkness was holding them shut. The grip on his shoulders tightened and he was being shaken. Finally, Trot's eye's snapped open, standing over him was a green eyed monster, it's skin felt cold to Trot's skin and its yellow mane only complimented how terrifying it looked.

"AAAAAAAARRRGGGGHHHHHH!" Trot yelled in terror. He twisted and bucked with all his might and the monster was knocked out of the tent. Not wasting any time he grabbed a nearby pocket shovel with his mouth and charged out from the tent. He swung up and down but stopped just in time to see Applejack's eye's looking up at him in surprise and horror. Trot dropped the shovel and looked down at her confused.

"TROT!"

Both Applejack and Trot turned to see Twilight Sparkle, her own armor half on, followed by a shocked Luna, two combat ready Royal Guards and the rest of their friends wearing a shock expression on their faces.

Applejack got up quickly, an amazing feat considering how heavy the armor she was wearing, was She shoved the apple into Trot's mouth with a hoof. "Ere! Breakfast!" She yelled before running off.

The Trail Blazer just stood there confused.

"TROT HOW COULD YOU!?" Twilight yelled.

Princess Luna chimed in; Her eyes glowed a dangerous blue.

"She went so far as to serve you breakfast in bed as an apology and you respond by attacking her!?"

Trot looked at each of their faces, knowing full well that his next few words would decide whether or not he would live to see breakfast. He spat out the apple and let it fall to his hoof.

"Breakfast?" He looked at the apple, and his eyes grew wide. He suddenly remembered those green eyes from when he woke up. If that was the case than that meant he...

A blue blur stopped him from finishing his thought. Rainbow Dash plowed him into the ground so hard that it created a sizable dust cloud and a small crater. The cyan Pegasus had Trot’s chin in her hooves. She stared him down.

“Nopony hurt’s my friends!” She yelled before a bright blue aura lifted her into the sky.

“Take it easy Rainbow.” Trixie declared, tossing her nightcap aside to show her horn.

“Let me go ya showmare! Let me go!”

Trixie huffed and struggled to hold Rainbow Dash still in the air. Fluttershy took to the air to try and calm her friend down, but Rainbow Dash wouldn't hear any of it.

Everypony was looking down at Trot accusingly and Trot knew the amount of trouble he was in, even though it was all just a misunderstanding.

"I can explain! I had a nightmare and..." He quickly began, but was silenced by a hoof as Rarity took Rainbow Dash's place holding Trot down. Her eyes were narrow and her usually sweet and elegant voice was filled with righteous fury for her friend's safety. Trot felt the sudden urge to buck her off him, but he realized there was only one thing he could do to explain to them the truth.

"Oh your night's will be FULL of nightmares once were done with you ruffian!" She declared, her own horn growing.

"I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! GENEROSITY!” He bellowed thinking it was the only way they would listen to him.

Rarity didn't back away, but she was definitely confused enough that Trot could writhe himself out from under her hooves. Every pony else just stared at him. Trot took the opportunity to get back on his hooves and to look around for a viable route of escape.

"You're are the elements of Harmony, but I know more than that! You've all had a nightmare on your way to Appaloosa." He said quietly. "And just before you were consumed by it, a nursery rhyme played on a guitar saved you.”
Trot stopped before saying the next think on his mind.

"Who told you?" Princess Luna asked. Her eyes faded back to their original colors. She looked around at everypony else, but they were just as surprised as her. She knew for a fact that nopony would tell Trot about their dream because, just like Pinkie Pie, most would rather forget their terrible dream. Luna watched as Trot tried hard to explain.

Trot tried hard to find a way to describe the old disembodied voice, but he was finally able to come with up with the perfect description.

"I had a nightmare... and in that nightmare... there was this mysterious voice, and it sounded like he was playing a guitar. He told me." He said, hoping they would believe him. Pinkie Pie shuddered and backed away behind Twilight upon hearing about the guitar player.

Twilight turned to ask Pinkie Pie what was wrong, and that was the only opportunity Trot needed. He picked up the apple with his teeth and bolted through the gap in their circle. Trot dashed around the large rocks that surrounded the campsite.

"HALT!" Garret and Gene yelled simultaneously, but it did nothing to slow the Trail Blazer. It was of little use, however; Trot had already vaulted over the supply wagon and made his way over a sand dune, following Applejack's hoof mark's on the sand. The guards were about to give chase, but Trixie stood in their way blocking their path while still holding Rainbow Dash with her magic.

Trixie gave the two guards a menacing look.

“Bring it on.” Gene and Garret both snorted and was about to challenge Trixie's blockade. With hooves planted firmly on the ground, Gene and Garret readied to charge at Trixie. But before they could act, Luna broke in.

“STOP!”

Gene and Garret halted. They were forced to obey the Princess’s orders. Trixie and the Princess locked eyes for a brief moment, and Luna realized what Trixie already knew. Trot had plenty of opportunities to harm them and get away with it in the past few days. Trixie had no doubt in her mind that he was not their enemy.

"Ow..."

Applejack flinched as her hooves passed over the bruises underneath her armor. She shuddered at what would have happened if Trot had hit her straight on.

"He got me good." She said out loud to herself, trying her best to keep her pride intact.

"That's what I get for letting ‘mah guard down Ah suppose..." Applejack tried chuckling to herself, but her voice died mid laugh. She sat there silently watching the sunrise. The warm light reflected off of her armor. She was thinking about her nightmare, thinking about their mission, thinking about Trot. She shook her head and pulled her Stetson further down over her head. A few moments passed before she noticed the Trail Blazer behind her.

"Applejack?"

Applejack spun around, shocked to see the Trailblazer a short distance away, peaking from around a large boulder in the sand, looking very much like he didn't want to intrude. Applejack only looked away and pulled her Stetson down further.

"Are you ok?" Trot asked, daring to take a step out from behind the rock. Applejack felt something nudge her hoof; she looked down and noticed that it was an apple. Trot had rolled it to her from a distance.

"Look..." he began while inching closer. "...I'm really sorry I attacked you. I had a nightmare and well...you just looked like a monster wearing all the combat armor in the dark. I brought you your apple back in case you yourself were hungry..."

Applejack took off her Stetson hat and looked at Trot with an expression that said quite plainly: 'are you kidding me?'

"Now let me get this ‘ere apology straight." She said not breaking eye contact with the Trail Blazer. "You attacked me, and are apologizing by sayin’ that ah look like ah monster in the dark and givin' me back the apple ah gave you this mornin? You sure know how to make a mare feel special, dont'cha Trot?"

Trot was speechless and resigned himself to the simple fact that he was an idiot. He lowered his head and didn't say anything more. Applejack took a deep breath and swallowed hard, she took a few steps towards Trot and sat next to him, much to his surprise.

"You know. This is all mah fault though...Ah shouldn't have treated ya like ah did yesterday. There was no excuse for it. The truth is..."

Applejack shuffled her footing, fighting herself. Was she really going to admit it? Especially to him?

"Ah shoot!" She finally yelled out. "There's no point in hidin' it. Everypony saw me bolt the scene from you back there." Trot just watched and listened not sure what he should be doing right now.

"The truth… is Ah'm scared o you Trot! I am terrified of you! And ‘ah was acting like ah usually do when Ah'm scared. ‘Ah fight back. ‘Ah deny! ‘Ah attack!" Applejack was pressing her forehead against his, as if to make sure Trot knew she meant business. It very much resembled what Trot had done to her when they first met after Trot broke through the back of Malt's salt bar. She held his gaze for a few moments before Trot breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well… That's a commendable way to face your fears. Though to be quite honest, I'm pretty scared of you too..." Trot picked up the apple with his hoof and cut it in half. Applejack didn't have a single clue as to how he achieved that, but accepted the other half of the apple anyway.

"Friends?" Applejack paused for a moment, looking at the apple then back up at Trot. She lowered her gaze but nodded, trying hard not to smile too widely. Trot waited for her answer patiently, but just as she looked like she was going to accept his friendship. Trot caught something in the corner of his eye. Applejack saw it too and both of them turned to face the creature that had just appeared in front of them.

It was larger than both of them, but not by much. It stood on four legs but had two bladed arms sticking outside its back. Its skin was covered in armored scales and its mouth consisted of pincers. The ferocious looking monster stood still, its red eyes staring both of them down. Applejack's blood ran cold; she didn't dare break eye contact with the creature. She found herself inching closer to Trot.

"Applejack..." Trot stated, his voice suddenly deadly serious.

"Do you remember that promise I made to you last night?"

Applejack steeled her voice as she responded. Of course she remembered, how could anypony forget what he promised; even if they were staring down a terrifying looking monster. "Yes ah do..."

Trot spoke back in cold voice.

"Well it looks like you're going to be getting a crash course in how to take a life..."

"Trot what is that thing?" Applejack asked her voice faltering.

Trot stood before the horrible creature. It’s eyes were filled with nothing but bloodlust. Trot felt a lump form in his throat. The monster growled and hissed as it slowly approached the two. How could this be? Why were they here? First the hunters… now them? Trot’s mind was filled with all these thoughts. He didn’t have much time to think, he just needed to act. Trot’s voice cracked before he could speak.

“Zerglings…”

The ground underneath them shook and at once, seven more of the zerglings emerged from the ground around them. They were surrounded.

Applejack and Trot were side to side, each facing away from the other, in order not to get ambushed from behind. Trot took a deep breath. The voice in the dream had told him to get everypony moving towards the mountains as soon as he woke up, but he forgot. He was distracted, and now he would have to deal with the consequences.

Trot spoke in hushed whisper to Applejack, as to not aggravate the creatures surrounding them.

"Applejack, listen very carefully to what I have to tell you."

Applejack only nodded in response. The feeling of fear had a strong grip on every portion of her body.

"Stay close to me… Show no fear, and for the love of all that is good and holy in this world... don't hesitate."

Chapter 10: Swarm of the Millennium

<< First off, I'd like to apologize for the wait of this chapter, I know I said that there would be shorter chapters and quicker updates, but I didn't anticipate losing my job. :rainbowlaugh: So I had a wave of other priorities that brought upon this long wait. Hopefully I can get this situation under control quicker. So I hope you guys enjoy it. Feedback and Comments are greatly appreciated. >>

Trixie stood tall, her navy cape fluttering slightly in the desert breeze. Garret and Gene stood before her, waiting. They could have flown around her and continued after Trot but they didn't. There was something other than their princess' orders to halt that held them fast.

"Look at yourselves." Trixie snorted in disgust.

"Your all acting like a bunch of school bullies."

"What are you talking about?" Rainbow Dash declared, taking to the sky.

"Did you see what he did to AJ? He knocked her clear out of his tent!"

"What we saw?" Trixie interrupted, cocking an eyebrow and closing the distance between her and Rainbow Dash.

"How about what actually happened? Rainbow Dash. What about that? Could it be possible that a LOT more is going on then what we saw?!"

Rainbow Dash snarled, and swooped down stopping just short of Trixie. They were so close that they were almost touching muzzles. Trixie could feel the intensity of the stare from the cyan Pegasus, but she forced herself to hold her ground.

"I saw my friend get hurt by somepony who just last night declared he would teach us all how to kill today! Can you blame me for making sure he doesn't turn Applejack into a demonstration!"

Trixie considered this for a moment. Seeing her opportunity, Rainbow Dash darted around her, but didn't get far before a light blue aura surrounded and grounded her, dragging her back to her original position. Garret and Gene looked to Luna for orders but Luna paid them no attention, her eyes were fixated on Trixie, but her thoughts had wandered elsewhere. Something didn't feel right. Something in the back of her head told her to be on guard. But she wasn't sure if this ominous feeling was because of Trixie or something else. She shuffled her stance casually, the sand feeling strangely uncomfortable.

The Great and Powerful Trixie brushed a strand of silver hair out of her face before responding cooly.

"No. I suppose I can't. But I know what traumatizing, or life changing events can do to someponies..."

Twilight approached Trixie carefully, eyes darting from Trixie to the subdued Rainbow Dash, who was thrashing about with such tenacity that Twilight could see Trixie straining to keep control.

"Trixie." She began carefully. "You don't mean that time when we..."

Trixie Interrupted her, not allowing Twilight to bring up the past.

"Trot Steamer is a Trailblazer. Not just any Trailblazer, but the only pony who has ever ventured into the Land of Twisted Metal. But the experience changed him. Wanting to teach us how to kill proves that. He doesn't need your hate or distrust right now. He needs your help." Trixie let the statement hang in the air for a few seconds to let the reality of what she had said sink in.

Even Rainbow Dash stopped her struggling and turned her head away in quiet resignation. Seeing that there was no need to restrain her any longer. Trixie let the aura around her fade away.

Everypony was surprised when a soft and quiet voice added to the discussion.

"Uhm...I don't believe Trot is a bad pony."

Everypony turned to hear Fluttershy speak. The poor girl barely spoke, so when she did decide to add something, everypony turned to listen intently to what she had to say.

"Earlier...When we were gathering supplies, I talked with him...and well...he was very kind and encouraging. He told me how much he didn't want to go on this expedition. But he felt that he had to. If it meant stopping evil creatures like those...'Hunters' from coming back and causing harm to everypony.

Fluttershy flew to Trixie's side, as if to side with her.

"What i saw...What I felt when I was with him...Was like talking to a wounded animal. Like a bird with only one wing..." Fluttershy shuddered at her own analogy. The idea of seeing such a helpless animal, broke her heart. Just like that, the voice that could soothe wild beasts, ended the standoff.

Gene was amazed, as all mares attitudes suddenly changed, even rainbow dash stopped struggling. Despite the change of the situation, Gene still needed to be released from her order to stand down and pursue Applejack and Trot. If anything, to explain that the situation had changed and that they should return to camp. Gene looked up to the princess.

"My princess? May we proce--" Gene stopped in mid sentence.

Luna was frozen to the spot. Her eyes, fixated dead ahead. Dead and blank. Her mouth opened and closed, as if trying to form words. Gene spun around in shock. Garret did so a split second later, and everypony else looked on in horror as the princess spoke.

She mumbled, loud enough that only her two guards could hear. Soon she stopped shaking, her eyes focused dead ahead and she spoke loudly and diffinitivley.

"Assimilation Successfull."

Jagged claws burst from the ground.

Applejack's head hurt. Despite her armor, some sort of impact managed to knock her out cold. She could barely hear Trot, yelling at her from somewhere not far away.

"Applejack! Wake up! You have to wake up now!"

Applejack's eyes fluttered open, trying to make sense of her surroundings. But her vision had not completely cleared itself yet.

"T...Trot? Wha...What happened?"

"You hesitated, that's what happened!" Trot's words were mixed with a sigh of relief and agitation.

At the word 'hesitate' Applejacks' memories started flooding back to her. They were surrounded, and outnumbered, by at least half a dozen of what Trot had called, zerglings. They circled them, waiting and watching. Applejack knew that they could tear them apart limb from limb if they wanted to, but something gave them pause. Suddenly the first creature attacked. Trot expertly sidestepped and bucked the monster in the ribbcage, avoiding it's extended claws that were aiming for his throat.

She remembered being frozen in fear, being so stiff that Trot had to shove her out of the way of a pouncing zergling. After it's failed attack, the creature backed off and resumed to circle them. Trot was in the middle of telling her to "snap out of it", when the ground gave way and they plummeted through the sand and onto a rocky floor.

Applejack jumped up as the flashback finished. She didn't care if her head hurt anymore, all she could think of was finding Trot and hoping to Celestia that they were out of danger. She swung her head left and right looking for him and almost immediately found him Stuck to a wall, subdued by some sort of mucus like substance.

In the initial fall, Trot was able to catch himself, and land without receiving too much damage. But as soon as he recovered, he was pinned to the wall by something in the shadows.

"Don't come any closer! Stay in the sunlight! You have to be able to see them." He cautioned. Fear and anxiety obvious in his voice. Trot noticed some movement in the shadows to Applejack's flank.

"Behind you!" He yelled, just in time for Applejack to jump out of the way, of a charging zerg.

Applejack panted heavily. The zerg quickly surrounded her, following the same pattern as before. Applejack had no choice, she had to fight. The horrible creatures would tear her to shreds, but what other choice did she have? She was surrounded and outnumbered, and if she didn't act soon she might as well lay down and let them devour her.

Trot didn't know why he was still alive. The zerg were merciless killers, and almost never took prisoners. Unless...

His eyes grew wide, suddenly understanding their motives. He watched the zerg circle around Applejack looking for an opportunity to strike her. One of them managed to catch her in her blind spot and almost sent its claw straight through her armor. Applejack bucked in retaliation but the zergling had jumped back and continued to circle her along with the other zerg.

Trot had to help her somehow. "Applejack! You have to listen to me! You can do this! Fight them!"

"Ah can't." She replied almost yelling. "There are too many of them."

"Just listen to my voice!" At that exact moment, Trot saw one of the Zerg double back and move behind her. He saw exactly what it was trying to do and warned Applejack.

"Applejack! To your right!"

Applejack spun around and kicked without looking, and to her surprise her kick connected. The power of her buck was magnified by the iron greaves she wore, and it was strong enough to send the sizable creature barreling back and slamming against some of the collapsed stone. It slumped to the ground before standing up in an apparent daze.

"You are NOT weak!" Trot exclaimed. He couldn't help but feel hopeful when he saw the damage Applejack had done.

Applejack could not believe it herself, but the fear inside was slowly leaving her. Feeling her kick connect, combined with Trot's encouragement, gave her just enough confidence to feel like she could do this. Applejack took a deep breath and bent low, mimicking Trot's fighting stance.

"LEFT!" Trot yelled.

Applejack turned and bucked.

Gene launched himself back while Garret took to the skies. The girls who were still around Trixie watched in shock as several terrifying creatures emerged from the ground around Luna. For a moment they looked like they were going to rip her apart with their ferocious claws, but their focus was directed solely on them.

"EVERYPONY! GET BACK!" Garret yelled. The girls obeyed only to find out that more of those creatures were emerging from behind them. They were surrounded.

"Around me girls! Don't panic!" Twilight yelled, although she herself was on the verge of panicking. She and Trixie were pressed together side to side with Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Spike and Rarity squeezing in on them. Rainbow Dash hovered in the air above them, while Garret flew down and pounced on Gene, who looked about ready to make a suicidal attempt at reaching the princess.

"Unhand me brother! or have you forgotten your oath!?" He struggled against Garret who kept him firmly pinned to the ground.

"I will never forget my oath to protect the royalty of Equestria! But we cannot protect her by rushing to our deaths!" Garret grunted hoping to slap some sense into his brother. This seemed to calm Gene down slightly, which allowed Garret to successfully drag his brother back towards the huddling mares.

Garret looked over at the Princess, careful not to let his grip loosen on Gene should he decide to take matters into his own hands again. Her eyes were glowing white, and her demeanor was calm, as if the monstrous creatures around her were her closest friends. Garret noticed something coiled around the princess' hoof, sticking out from beneath the sand. He didn't know how... but there could be only one explanation about what was happening to their beloved princess.

"Mind control..." He growled, loud enough for Everypony to hear.

At that moment, the monstrous creatures all attacked at once. The girls screamed in terror, not knowing how to react.

"Trixie!" Twilight yelled, horn already glowing.

"I know!" Replied a shaken Trixie. And the two unicorns unleashed their spell.

A bubble of magic exploded outward from the center of their huddled mass. All the monsters were thrown back at once by a massive light blue and purple sphere. The sphere remained and acted as a barrier between the ponies and certain death. The monsters only took seconds to recover from their shock and began to test the bubble for weaknesses. So far there were none, and the ponies relaxed however slightly. Spike was the first one to break from the huddle, wiping away a drop of sweat from his forehead. The rest of the mares followed suit reacting to the sudden ambush in their own way.

Garret let go of Gene, who got up and immediately started pacing the perimeter of the bubble. Garret himself moved passed Pinkie Pie and Rarity to reach Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight and Trixie weren't straining to keep the barrier up, despite the attempts by the monsters to claw their way through. They were holding off pretty well against the beasts. Surrounded by the protected bubble, the ponies recollected themselves.

"Our princess is being controlled." Garret stated plainly, and calmly at Twilight Sparkle who sank to her haunches in exasperation.

"I know, I heard you... But what are those things?" Twilight replied

Garret shook his head; indicating that he didn't have the slightest idea.

"I bet Trot would know..." Rainbow Dash grumbled, landing next to a curled up and crying Fluttershy. She nuzzled her a couple of time's but Fluttershy would not move from her spot.

"It makes sense..." Trixie said, hoping to direct the discussion away from Trot.

"If they had the ability to subdue minds, it would make sense that they would target the strongest of us. But why not all of us?"

Garret pointed a hoof in the direction of Luna and Trixie walked up to the wall of the bubble, to get a better look. There was what looked like a tentacle griping the hoof of princess Luna. Twilight soon joined her and inspected the tentacle herself. She frowned as she watched two of the creatures stand guard next to her. Twilight noticed that Luna was beginning to move slightly. Her head tilted to one side, and then to the other although it looked like her muscles were straining. Was she fighting it? Twilight couldn't tell.

"They are not going to get away with this..." It was a voice she didn't recognize. She turned and was surprised to see that it was Gene. She had heard him speak before, but never with such anger. The royal guard wasn't bothering to hide his rage, and Twilight couldn't blame him. She herself found that her fear was replaced with her own feelings of anger and feelings of injustice. Why did creatures like this even have to exist? Why couldn't they just leave them alone?

"They won't." Twilight speaking with every ounce of determination she could muster.

"We need a plan." Trixie added, after doing a lap around the circle barrier. Twilight nodded in response, but before she could even begin to think of a plan of action, something hit the barrier with such force that it threatened to break through it. Twilight and Trixie refocused their attention on the barrier, but the force was too strong. Both Twilight and Trixie had their eyes closed in concentration so neither of them saw what hit them. But everypony else did, and a cry from Rainbow Dash was the only indication as to who struck them.

"Luna, NO!"

The Princess was slowly walking forward. Her horn seemed to glow a brilliant white and purple. With each step she took, the force against the barrier grew stronger and a mere seconds later a crack appeared in the barrier.

Applejack panted heavily, she was doing damage but not enough.

"The little critters just keep coming." She said out loud to herself. She was growing weaker by the minute and recognized what they were doing. They were wearing her down, trying to drain the last bit of strength from her. But then what? Applejack had a feeling that these creatures were playing with their food. As she sidestepped another swipe from one of her closest attackers, she risked a glance at Trot, who was still struggling against his mucus-like shackles. She had to reach him somehow, but that would involve breaking through the circle of monsters and charging through the darkness of the cave, which Trot had consistently warned her to stay away from.

The zerglings stopped their attacks and circled Applejack once more. She used this time to quickly come up with a plan to reach Trot. It was a long shot, and she didn't like the plan one bit, but there was no other option.

Applejack purposely fumbled in her step, showing signs of weakness, after a little while longer she started to breathe heavier, and finally after one of their attacks nicked her on the left side of her armored flank, she collapsed to her knees barely able to keep herself standing.

"Applejack don't give up!" Trot yelled out now on the verge of panic.

Applejack pretended not to hear him and continued to sink lower to the ground. The zerglings stopped circling her, and after a moment's pause they all moved in on her slowly. Just as one looked about ready to finish her off, Applejack sprang into action. Trot watched in surprise as Applejack used her crouched position to launch a kick that sent the offending zergling sailing through the air. Before the zerglings could react, Applejack sprinted through their gap. One of the zerglings dove for her, but their claws merely glanced the side of her armor.

Applejack's heart was pumping. Fresh sweat poured down her forehead threatening to block her vision. She charged to where the sunlight ended and the shadow of the underground tunnel's began. To her great relief, nothing in the dark was waiting to ambush her. She reached Trot and looked over her shoulder, the zerglings had surrounded them both. More zerg from the shadows moved to encircle them

"Impressive Applejack." Trot whispered, watching their odds for survival dwindle with each extra zergling that came to join the fight.

"I don't suppose you have a plan to get me out of here?" Applejack, tugged on the gooey like substance with her teeth, and then subsequently gagged and spat the contents of it out of her mouth. Her mouth burned as the taste lingered, it didn't take any sort of genius to know that this slime was toxic.

"Ah...Ah'll think o' somethin..." She said nervously, watching the massive amount of zerg closing in around them.

"Well you'd better think quick, otherwise lets hope all they do is kill us..." Trot swallowed, trying to look defiant against certain death.

"Whaddya mean?! How can anything possibly be worse than death?"

Trot didn't answer.

As if on cue, a strange gurgling noise reverberated around the cave. Trot felt his hair stand on end. From the shadows emerged a large, grotesque, wormlike creature. Its head was discernible from its terribly disfigured body. A jagged hard shell covered its face, with two orange glowing eyes visible around the sides of its head. Its mouth was an array of different sized tentacles that didn't seem capable of staying still. Close to it's head were two massive claws that carried the majority of the creature as it crawled its way towards them.

There was no mistaking it. It was an Infestor. Trot scowled, and struggled against his bonds. The infestor moved towards him, the gurgling noise increasing in intensity. The creature was only a few feet away from him when it suddenly let out a mangled howl of pain. Applejack had leapt over it's claws and delivered a well placed buck to the creatures exposed eye, before retreating back to Trot.

"Don't you touch him! " She growled menacingly. Applejack didn't know what caused her to act, or where this sudden burst of courage came from, but she didn't care. Trot tried to stop her, but his instructions fell on deaf ears.

"Ah'm sorry sugarcube." Her voice was steady and devoid of fear. Something that unnerved Trot very much.

The Infestor gave a garbled order and all the zerg around her attacked at once.

Applejack only had time to brace herself, as the claws came tearing down after her, then, the world exploded.

The magical barrier was at it's breaking point. Princess Luna relentlessly sent beam after beam of magical energy, each shot getting closer to destroying the barrier. Trixie and Twilight's efforts to maintain the barrier were supplemented by Rarity who stressed her own magical ability to it's limits. Despite their efforts, the magical barrier was still failing. Twilight and Trixie Reduced the size of the barrier so they could focus and consolidate more of their energy, but the bubble was now so small that everypony was piled on top of each other to stay within the magical barrier.

"We need to do something or we're done for!" Trixie exclaimed.

"Tell me something I don't know!" Twilight retorted, trying to balance coming up with a plan and maintain the magical barrier. Think Twilight! She thought.

Forget any sort of complex strategy! Just think of your basic needs! Twilight grit her teeth. Survival. But that wont happen if I can't maintain the barrier. The problem is the Princess. Snap her out of it? Unlikely. I don't know what method they are using to control her, besides that tiny tentacle attached to her hoof. Divert attention? Fine. How?

"Twilight!" Pinkie Pie yelled at her to try and get her attention, But Twilight ignored her, focused on her multitasking.

"I can't...I can't take much more of this..." Rarity said out loud, tears escaping her closed eyes.

"Don't give up! Concentrate!" Garret commanded, letting go of his brother to lay a comforting hoof on the lady like unicorn who was not used to using her magical ability to this extent.

Twilight thoughts continued to race.

How? Think Twilight! Mass Teleport? No, too much magic needed. Split up? No. None of my friends are going to get hurt today! We have to stand together! But Maybe...The air? Rainbow Dash! She is the fastest among all of us, but what can she do to get Luna's attention away from us? That will have to be up to Rainbow Dash. I trust her. But what if she gets hurt? Well all get hurt if I don't do anything now. I trust her abilities! I trust her!

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight half-yelled, the strain of using her so much magic made it difficult to speak. Rainbow Dash made a gigantic effort to pull herself free of Spike and Fluttershy who were hanging onto her for comfort at the bottom of the pile.

"What's the plan! I'll try anything!" She replied, panic evident in her voice even though she tried to look brave and collected.

"Get to the sky and draw the Princesses' fire! I don't care what you do! Just don't get hurt!"

There was only a slight pause in hesitation before the cyan pegasus saluted. "I'm on it!" She spread her wings and was about to take off before Trixie stopped her.

"Wait for a lapse in her attacks!" Trixie grunted.

"What do you take me for, a foal? Of course i know that!" Rainbow Dash gulped, watching Luna smash the barrier with powerful magic beams in rapid succession. Any opening to fly through the barrier unscathed was paper thin.

"I can feel her attacks coming! Wait for my signal!" Trixie once again spoke, digging her hooves into the dirt and sand.

Rainbow Dash looked at the beams of light and then back down at Trixie who who seemed to be in some serious pain. Again, Rainbow Dash gulped and then gave a shaky sigh.

"Don't make me regret trusting you Trixie!" Rainbow Dash spread her wings and gave them a few flaps to warm them up. She spared one glance around her and noticed. Garret, trying to hold Rarity upright. Dash felt something flip inside of her, but shook it off. She had to focus.

"Wait for it!" Trixie yelled, feeling each of Luna's attacks break on their barrier. She could trace the magic from the damage she received to its source. It was just a matter of being well practiced in the art of magic. She had no doubt Twilight could sense the same thing as well, seeing as she was fluctuating the barrier strength to just before the attacks connected to preserve energy. But Twilight was the stronger of the two and needed to focus on maintaining the barrier. This was solely up to her. The Great and Powerful Trixie swore to herself that she wouldn't let her new friends down. Feeling the right moment approach, Trixie opened her eyes and shouted with all her might.

"Now!"

Rainbow Dash took to the air with a burst of speed, just barely dodging a few stray magic beams from Princess Luna. She flew higher and higher, before leveling off and then darting towards the ground. She did a fly by, complete with agile barrel rolls to dodge a series of Luna's attacks, but after a while the princess just went back to bombarding her friends. Rainbow Dash growled, she had one idea that could maybe buy the others some time. It involved kicking up the dirt and sand with her flying speed to create some sort of dirt cloud her friends could maybe use for cover. But this involved getting dangerously close to the ground, and with that many monsters surrounding her friends, she doubted if it would do any good. This left one option. Rainbow Dash gulped, but decided to try it anyway.

Rainbow Dash propelled herself high into the sky, for a brief moment enjoying the wind in her mane. She hovered for a moment before saying silently to herself.

"So much for not getting hurt."

Rainbow Dash dropped sharply towards the ground, flapping her wings as hard as they could go. Her mind focused, her body ready and eyes fixated on Princess Luna.

"Go after the Trail Blazer ya said! It would be fun ya said..." Malt whined in an almost sing song voice, dragging his hooves across the barren desert. Two saddlebags were strapped across his flank and a empty canteen hung around his neck. Several hoof-steps away, Braeburn rolled his eyes, and only increased his pace.

"Ah never said it would be fun! Now hush and try to keep up will ya! We gotta find some trace of where they went!"

Malt grumbled but picked up his pace to match Braeburn's. They had been traveling for a full day, in the hopes of catching up with the expedition. But so far all they had managed to find was sand, dirt, rocks, and more sand. Braeburn stopped and held up a hoof to block out the rising sun from his eyes. He spotted mountains in the distance and wondered if that was where the Expedition had gone.

"Ya know, the coin we flip landed on tails the first three times. Maybe that was the fates warnin' us not ta go on this 'ere adventure."

Braeburn had just about had enough. "Then maybe ya shouldn't have kept flippin the darn coin!" He yelled out exasperated.

"Heads we go find Trot, and Tails we don't! Yet we both kept flippin' it hopin' for it to be heads!"

Malt grunted and then collapsed on his haunches, giving a sigh of defeat that ruffled his already messy mustache. Braeburn sat next to him staring at the sunrise.

"We come too far to back down now. We WILL find Trot. Why? Because were his friends." He gave Malt a pat on the back before standing up.

"Friends don't leave each other behind." Malt looked up at Braeburn with an annoyed look on his face.

"Ya wan't some crackers with that cheese?" The annoyed look remained, but Malt got up nonetheless. Braeburn rolled his eyes once again at his friend's comment and turned to continue on their journey. Then they felt the ground shake. Off in the distance was a giant mushroom type cloud formed that nearly blocked out the sun. It looked colorful, almost like a rainbow.

"Mother of Celestia..." Braeburn and Malt said simultaneously. After a moment's hesitation, they darted towards the rainbow colored mushroom cloud.

NOTES: *Back in the day, there was a bug in starcraft 2 where an infestor could perform its neural parasite ability while being burried. Im taking that bug and running with it.*

*I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and again, sorry for the delay. Comments and Feedback are greatly appreciated.*

Chapter 01: A Star Falls

****

In the peaceful night of Equestria, everything was still. It was late, and nearly ever pony was sleeping tightly in their cozy homes. The land was silent, save for the sounds of the soft breeze, or the scuttle of a rabbit across the grass. It seemed that this peaceful scene could not be interrupted. But as things were quiet and serene on the ground, the sky’s tranquility had been broken. A streak of light invaded the night sky, crashing towards the earth. The light shone brilliantly and only grew with intensity as it fell through Princess Luna’s night sky.

The Princess of the Night herself stood alert, on a thin patch of clouds overlooking Equestria. The falling star was hard to miss as it burned through the atmosphere, streaking beyond the horizon. Worried, she closed her eyes and followed the star with her magic, just as a witch would look into her Seeing Eye ball. Seeing the falling star in her mind, she asked the mysterious astral body:

“Where did you come from my star? Why are you falling?"

And suddenly, without warning, a flash of memory mingled with her magic. The vision of the falling star had started to fade, and instead an old memory was forced into Princess Luna's mind. Luna tried to focus back to the falling star, but it seemed as if an outside power was forcing in a new vision. In her thoughts, Princess Luna could see the earth from what she thought was her former prison on the moon. Things were different. She could not see anything around her. Only the sight of darkness and the shining Earth lay out in front of her. She could not even see the stars or the planets out in the distance.

But then, just when the vast darkness of the void seemed to be impenetrable, a small light shone just to her left. Slowly, another had appeared to her right. As Princess Luna looked around at these lights, she noticed two more small lights shining behind her, parallel to the ones in front of her.

Then she realized. These were the stars that set her free. Finally the vision had ended, and Princess Luna found herself sitting back to where she was. With an expression of shock, she watched as the falling star in the night made contact with the earth.

****

Celestia’s eyes fluttered open. Her ear twitched towards one corner of the room and then towards another. Something was wrong. She tilted her head up and off her mattress, her senses slowly kicking in. Something was terribly wrong. At that moment she was hit by an immense blast of pressure. The ground underneath her shook and shot her up into the air. Celestia landed with a loud thud.

“Goodness!” She cried out on the floor. Feeling relatively unharmed, the princess extended her wings and lifted herself up from the floor, setting herself back down on the mattress. The doors to her chambers burst open and two Pegasus ponies clad in blue and gold stood at the ready.

“Your highness! Is everything all right?” Cried the first. The other Pegasus scanned the room for any kind of trouble.

“Everything is fine…yes thank you.” Celestia paused before adding: “It was just a dream.”

The guards just looked at their princess and then at each other. With a subtle shrug and a courteous bow, both of her guards turned around and moved to exit the room.

“Yes your majesty. Have a good night’s rest.”

Right before the two guards left, Celestia needed to ask them a question.

“One moment please.” Her two most loyal servants stopped and turned around crisply to face their princess.

“Did the two of you feel…anything... a moment ago?” Celestia asked.

The two guards looked at each other then back at Celestia.

One of the guards spoke

“What do you mean your majesty?”

Celestia smiled and waved a hoof.

“It’s nothing. Carry on.”

With the doors shut, Celestia was left alone to worry. Her guards confirmed her suspicions. The powerful tremor she felt was not an earthquake, but a single scream. The peace and harmony of Equestria had been assaulted, and it lashed out to defend itself. The deep and powerful magic that bound her to this land had awoken and Celestia knew nothing good ever came from such an occurrence.

This was the first time in a millennium that Celestia had felt fear. The last time something like this happened was a thousand years ago when her sister rebelled. The memory caused the bottom of her stomach to drop from underneath her.

“Luna!” She closed her eyes tight, concentrating on her magic to find her sister. She searched through trees and mountains, arching over the night sky in her mind before her concentration was interrupted.

“Celestia!”

Her sister’s voice brought sweet relief to Celestia. She broke the spell as her sister flew in through the open window.

“Luna! Thank goodness.” Celestia exclaimed. She walked towards the window where her beloved sister was standing. Celestia thought how silly it was for her to think that her sister would betray her again.

“Sister! I saw something fall,” Luna said running over to hug her big sister.

“It was a star!”

Celestia rubbed her neck along Luna’s mane, just glad that she was all right.

“Tell me everything Luna. I’m Listening.”

****

Twilight Sparkle was up before the sun and finished breakfast before the rooster could declare it morning. Her routine was organized to achieve maximum efficiency. After all, she wasn’t Princess Celestia’s number one student for nothing. After breakfast came her morning review. She hummed quietly to herself as she walked out of the kitchen and into the library’s main room. Twilight shook her mane and succeeded in releasing the last bit of weariness from her body. Now she was ready to begin reviewing her lessons from last night.

Her horn glowed a pale white as she focused on “Known Herbs and Plants of the Ever-free Forest.” It gently slid between its neighbors, but stopped before it could come out all the way.

Strange… Twilight thought. Maybe she was more tired than she actually felt. Twilight put a little more juice into her magic, but it barely had any effect.

Twilight suppressed an angry snort, so as not to disturb her young assistant, who was sleeping on the balcony above her. She focused with all her might on retrieving her reading material. With her level of magic, this simple spell should have worked as intended with almost no effort. Instead, it took all she could to move the book another centimeter off the bookshelf.

“Maybe I should just go back to bed.” Twilight wondered if waking up early every morning was the cause of this hindrance in her ability. Finally relenting, Twilight took a step away from the bookshelf, her horn glowing a pale grey all on its own.
Without warning, the grey pulsating light expanded to encompass the entire library.
Spike stumbled down the stairs; the recent commotion had woken him up anyway.

“Twilight? What’s going on?” He asked half awake.

“I don’t know spike!” Twilight responded.

“My horn just started doing stuff on its own!” The glow pulsated three times, and on the third pulse, all books were pulled violently from their shelves.

The books levitated in the air without moving before piling into a half circle around them. It was then Twilight understood.

“Unicorn magic…” She mouthed, awed at what was transpiring around her.

“What?” Spike asked, now fully awake after seeing all of his work for the next couple of days lying on the floor. Cleaning everything up was not going to be easy.

“Unicorn magic spike! My horn is acting on its own! I’ve only heard stories, including how Rarity got her cutie mark, but I know that it’s trying to tell me something! All I have to do is let it…” Twilight was unable contain her excitement. She paced as she waited for her horn to take action again. After about ten seconds of nothing, she scanned the room and noticed that all the books within the library were on the floor, except for one book on a top shelf by the staircase.

Twilight managed to get the book down to her level without magic. She blew off the dust and read the title out loud.

“Old Mares’ Tales.”

Intrigued, she opened the book to the only pages that her uncontrollable magic allowed: The story of Nightmare Moon, and a short story about “The Land of Twisted Metal.”

She remembered this one from when her family used to gather around and tell creepy stories by the hearth. For some reason her horn was leading her to these stories. Unable to stop herself from feeling excited she immediately started reading about the mysterious land.

There was a sketch above the title of the old mare’s tale. It was a silhouette of jagged edges. Twilight guessed them to be mountains. On top of one of the center mountain there was a weird insignia resembling that of a closed eye.

Spike started working on cleaning up. But no sooner had he reached down to pick up the first book, when he burped shooting out green flames from his mouth. The fire quickly dissipated to reveal a note hastily tied with red ribbon.

“Twilight! A letter from the princess!”

Twilight’s horn stopped glowing. But she was too distracted at the news to notice.

“Well read it Spike!” She said turning around to face him. Spike cleared his throat.

“My most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

I am dispatching chariots to Ponyville as soon as I am done with this letter. There is something I need you and your friends to accomplish. I’m sorry if this comes as very sudden, but the safety of all Equestria could be at stake. I promise I will explain everything once you and your friends reach me.

Sincerely, Princess Celestia.”

****

“That’s it!?” Cried a cyan Pegasus with rainbow mane. Rainbow Dash flew alongside three separate flying chariots carrying Twilight and the rest of her friends. The chariots were being pulled and guarded by more than a dozen royal guards. The chariots all flew in a tight formation, but Twilight still had to yell for her friend to hear her amidst the roaring wind.

“The princess is asking for our help Rainbow! I’m sure she has her reasons for not telling us right away.” Twilight responded putting the scroll back into her saddlebag.

“Maybe it’s a PAAAAARRTTYYY!” Cried an over-hyped pink pony one chariot over. The wind could do nothing to muffle the mighty voice of Pinkie Pie and everyone who heard it turned to look at her, including some of the guards.

Sitting next to her, Applejack suppressed the urge to face-hoof. She put a hoof on her friends back and tried to let her down slowly.

“I seriously doubt that, sugar cube. Why would princess Celestia send us such a serious letter if it were ‘fer a party?”

“You don’t know what the princess is capable of Applejack.” Pinkie Pie said amidst a fit of giggles.

“Oh that’s right! You don’t know.” Rainbow Dash joined in, stifling her own fit of giggles.

Twilight was just as confused as Applejack. ‘Pinkie, what are you talking about?”

“Oh Twilight. Princess Celestia likes to have fun just like anypony else. Where do you think we got the idea to replace all your ink bottles with disappearing ink?”

Rainbow dash couldn’t control her self any longer and burst out laughing.

“Yeah! At her get together she mentioned how she played that prank on you years ago.”

Twilight could not believe her ears. She remembered that odd day of her filly days. One day Twilight was given the task to transcribe all of the Princess’ conversations for practice in writing with magic. The results were disastrous due to the simple fact that her notes kept disappearing. Now she knew why the Princess was very lenient with her punishment and looked overly pleased with herself that day.

“I was panicking all week!” Twilight replied fully aghast.

“I know! She told us!” Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash squealed together.

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash’s laughter was contagious and Applejack couldn't help but laugh herself. When the laughter died down Applejack sighed and smiled. Hoping against hope that it truly was all a joke. She had resolved long ago that she would break all four of her legs if it meant protecting the people she loved. She leaned over the right side of her chariot, to check on her other friends who have been relatively quiet for the entire trip. She cupped her hooves around her muzzle to yell out.

“Hey Fluttershy! How’s Rarity doin’?”

The wind did a pretty good job of silencing the words of the quiet mare. Applejack had to read the mare’s mouth to understand her response. “Um..She’s fine…I think.”

***

Rarity had a near panic attack when Twilight went to fetch her with the guarded chariots.

“An audience with her Royal Highness!? At this hour!? In Canterlot!?” Rarity screamed out.

“Sorry Rarity, but the princess says it urgent and--” Twilight didn’t get to finish her sentence. Rarity launched herself into the bathroom, furiously trying to wash off her over night beauty products.

It was several minutes before the Royal Guards moved over to Twilight’s side.

“Miss Sparkle, I apologize but we must be quick. It’s the Princess’ orders.”

Twilight Sparkle sighed deeply and nodded her head. “Fine, lets go get her then.”

She finally gave in, but allowed the Royal Guards to go in first. They were wearing armor after all.

***

Rarity kept herself down to avoid the whipping wind from ruining her hair. She was in the midst of checking herself for any last imperfection she might have missed when the chariots began to descend.

The chariots landed on a wide balcony of the Royal Palace. Rarity was among the first to disembark. She cleared her throat and approached the guards who were pulling her chariot. “Gentlecolts, I do believe I owe you an apology.”

The two Royal Guards who braved her domain merely shrugged.

“There’s nothing to apologize for ma'am.” Said the first guard. Sporting several hoof marked sized bruises on his face and neck in addition to the several dents in his armor.

The second guard turned his head to the side and spit out a loose tooth before responding.

“We would die for our princess ma’am.” His helmet was missing, revealing a patch of frazzled mane.

Rarity smiled awkwardly. “I’m sure your devotion and love for Equestria knows no bounds. I promise I’ll fix and return your helmet as soon as I am able.”

“There is no need, I can get another one from the Royal armory.” The guard responded. The two guards gave a slight bow and moved inside the palace, bringing the chariots inside.

Twilight passed them and winced as she saw the injuries of the two brave souls who dared to rip Rarity from her beauty products. She turned her attention to their surroundings and immediately recognized their landing space. They were on a staging platform for the royal guard flying patrols. She used to come here to watch the Royal Guards perform aerial maneuvers with the princess.

Not long after they landed, they heard the flutter of great wings, and the ponies looked up to see Princess Celestia descending from her royal chambers, closely followed by her sister Princess Luna.

Everypony bowed low and deep in respect, but Celestia would have none of it.

“Rise my friends, you don’t have to be so formal with me.”

Twilight smiled at that comment, feeling rather pleased with herself.

Pinkie Pie was the first to rise and nearly jumped on the Princess. “Ooo! Ooo! Your Majesty! What’s the surprise! Is it a Party? Does Luna know what it is?”

Pinkie Pie drew the biggest intake of air, in one of her trademark Pinkie Pie gasps

“Is it her birthday!? Is it, is it, is it?” She said hopping around Luna who was a little taken a back by the pink blur.

Celestia laughed, but it almost sounded forced. Twilight noticed that her long magical flowing mane seemed less colorful and felt much less alive and extravagant. Something unpleasant twisted inside Twilight’s heart.

“I’m afraid not Pinkie. The situation is much more serious than that.” Her expression was that of happiness but it was difficult to hide what she really felt.

“Is everything alright Princess?” Fluttershy asked, walking up to her with those eyes that could heal even the most broken of hearts.

“No. I’m not alright.” Celestia made eye contact with each Element of Harmony, remembering each of their concerned faces. Even Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing and sensed the seriousness of the situation. For the first time in a while Celestia saw her wear a frown.

“I am calling you here today to ask for your help. The peace and harmony of this world has been disturbed and all of Equestria could be in Jeopardy.” That unpleasant feeling in Twilight’s heart grew to include her stomach. In all the years she was her student, this was the first time in she saw the Princess this disturbed.

Luna cleared her throat, wanting to get straight to the point. “Last night a star fell from the sky and hit the earth. This is something that has never before happened in the history of Equestria.”

Celestia nodded. “Therefore I am hereby ordering an expedition to the place where the star fell. We must find out why it fell, and if evidence suggests, find out who is responsible.”

Twilight instinctively raised a hoof and Celestia nodded, giving the ok to ask a question.

“Sorry princess…but do we have reason to suspect foul play? And if so who could possibly have the power to cause a star to fall?”

Celestia turned to her sister, who responded. “The star fell under my watch. I know everything about the heavenly bodies in my domain and there was something very unusual about this star. For one thing the star remained intact during its descent. Nothing the firmament could do to tear it apart worked.”

Fluttershy looked incredibly disturbed.

“Why would something do that to a star?”

“It’s for protection.” Celestia said plainly. “Everyday thousands of rocks unwillingly pass through our skies, but very little, if any at all actually make it all the way down.”

“It’s why we see meteor showers.” Twilight said smiling at her friend, reminding her of that spectacular event they experienced not to long ago. “If the firmament wasn’t in place we would be showered by rocks daily, nopony would be safe.”

Luna nodded, and Fluttershy smiled shyly. “Oh. Now I understand…thank you.”

Celestia continued. “So now you understand the importance of knowing exactly what happened. Twilight, you and your friends will be part of this expedition. I believe the elements of harmony will be important assets in facing any challenges ahead.”

“Leave it to us princess!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed while lifting off the ground and doing a somersault. The idea of going on another adventure resonated pleasurably in her mind.

“Calm yourself now Dash.” Rarity added. “Were still in the presence of Royalty.”

Rarity cleared her throat. “We would be more than happy to accept such a distinct honor. Where do we find this star?”

“My sister can answer that one.” Celestia said glancing over to Luna.

Luna nodded and stepped forward to address them. “It fell to the far west, beyond the frontier region.”

“Beyond the Frontier Region?” Applejack asked slightly surprised. “Well, this is going to be some expedition if were goin’ that far.”

“The Land of Twisted Metal!” Twilight exclaimed out loud.

“Oh that’s just an old mare’s tale.” Rarity said making a gesture with her hoof.

“So was Nightmare Moon!” Twilight exclaimed excitedly. Luna smiled awkwardly while tapping the ground with her fore-hoof.

“Twilight is right. That is the most likely place the star has fallen according to what Luna has told me. As expected of my most faithful student.” Celestia said causing Twilight to blush furiously.

“Who else is coming on the road trip?” Pinkie asked, forgetting the serious nature of their expedition.

Celestia cleared her throat.

“Gene! Garret!” She called out. To Rarity’s surprise the two guards who sustained her…resistance…flew to her majesty’s side.

“Yes your highness!” They said.

“These are two of my most loyal guards. You met them during our little get together at Ponyville.” She cleared her throat and turned to her guardsmen. She took note of their injuries before asking: “Are you two ready for travel?”

“Yes your highness!” They said again in unison. Celestia nodded. “Very good. You two will be taking commands from my sister from now on, are we clear?”

“Yes your highness!”

“Please take care of her during the expedition.” Celestia said with emphasis.

“Tia!” Luna exclaimed realizing what her sister was planning.

Celestia nuzzled her sister neck. “You don’t think I would let you miss the chance of making friends and going on a great adventure, do you little sister?”

Chapter 07: Hearts of Iron (pt.1)

*** AUTHORS NOTE: This chapter has been long delayed. I originally intended for this to be a longer chapter (around 8,000 words). But quite frankly it was taking too long with real life happening at every turn. Go figure right? So I had to cut it down. This chapter went through three different drafts, trying to find the best way to tell the story, but in all honesty it was taking too long. So enjoy the chapter for what it is, and expect shorter chapters but quicker updates. Enjoy!

Princess Luna gazed up at the night sky with a blank expression on her face, mulling the attack on Appaloosa over and over again in her mind's eye. It was clear that those blue plated monsters that Trot called "Hunters," did not stumble into the frontier town by accident. They were selective in their attacks, only targeting those ponies who were attached to this expedition. There was no question that this expedition was going to be dangerous, but now Luna was beginning to wonder if it was too dangerous.

Whoever sent these Hunters, had to be the same pony responsible for those terrible dreams a few nights back, but who could hold the power to accomplish such things? Who could hold the power to command such powerful minions?

Luna tore herself away from these worrisome thoughts and focused her attention on an important task. Something she had never thought to do until now. Her eyes glowed, and she focused her attention on the North Star. After a dreary sigh she began to count.

Gene limped his way up the sandy hill. yThe poor guard’s injuries made walking, difficult and even painful at times but duty to his princess drove him forward. There was no way he would let the princess be alone, not after the recent attack.

"Princess?" Gene called out in vain. Luna wasn't able to hear him because of the immense focus required to perform her task. Her loyal guard Gene set himself down behind her, standing vigil even with his extensive injuries.

Minutes went by, then an hour and the Alicorn and the Pegasus spent the entire time in silence. One oblivious of the protection of the other, and the other thankful to still be able to stand and fulfill his duty.

Luna's task lasted until Celestia's sun broke the horizon. It was tiresome, but Luna was able to accomplish it, and now she was one step closer to unraveling the mystery of the falling star. She turned to return to the others, and nearly screamed when she saw Gene standing behind her.

"Gene! What are you doing here?" She exclaimed in surprise, but quickly stopped herself from continuing by placing a hoof to her mouth.

Gene was on his feet, but sound asleep. The Royal Guard was snoring silently and Luna had to prevent herself from laughing. Luna couldn't help but feel Impressed and Annoyed at the same time. If she had it her way, she would have tied him down, or placed him underneath a sleeping spell , anything to stop this stubborn Royal Guard from making her worry about his injuries. She smiled, and levitated his sleeping body next to her as she walked back to camp.

"Earth pony to moon princess! Come INNNNNN moon princess!"

Pinkie Pie was beside Princess Luna, trying anything she could to get her attention. She tugged on her hair, poked her in the ribs, and even started playing several musical instruments in rapid succession. Pinkie had Princess Luna's attention at the blast of an annoying Tuba, but the hyperactive Pinkie Pie didn't notice. To Luna's relief Twilight came to her rescue and tackled the party pony to the floor.

"Pinkie Pie! Don't do that! It's rude!" She reprimanded, keeping Pinkie pinned to the floor.

"What? I was just going to ask her what she'd like for breakfast? Apple Pie, or Cherry Chunga?"

"Twilight, it's alright, I just didn't get enough sleep last night." She paused before adding…"And I'll give that Cherry Chunga a try…I've never even heard of it."

Twilight couldn't understand how her friend could be in her arms one second, and then standing beside her the next, but Pinkie Pie always had a certain knack for defying physics. Even the Law of magic was not a boundary to the party pony.

"Okie Dokie Lokie!" She replied happily before trotting off to the supply wagon to fetch some supplies.

With Pinkie Pie gone, The Princess was left alone with Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Trixie. The rest were either still asleep, like Gene, or had left earlier in the morning to take care of some last minute tasks before the expedition officially began. Trixie sat the furthest away from all of them, but for the most part she was at least approachable and open to conversation however slight. Applejack was busy tending to the fire, laughing quietly to herself at Pinkie's antics. Rarity however was doing nothing but observing Luna.

Rarity couldn't help but noticed how she looked like she was daydreaming, or constantly looking over her shoulder at the wagon where a certain royal guard was catching up on his sleep. Rarity smiled knowingly, and excited energy flowed through her like that of a little filly. Applejack noticed Rarity's strange behavior and with a feeling of dread, decided to comment.

"Uh, Rarity…ur scarin' me with that look on your face. What are ya up to?"

Rarity flipped her hair and glanced at Applejack innocently.

"Whatever do you mean Applejack? I only just realized that this expedition could open up some amazing opportunities…"

Applejack was curious but was afraid to ask. Twilight however jumped at the chance to discuss the expedition.

"I know what you mean! I know that we may be facing many dangers…but think about what we are going to see! The land of Twisted Metal is something so obscure in pony history! It's so exciting that we'll be the first ones to study it…"

Rarity cut her off by waving a hoof.

"Oh Twilight, I'm not talking about that kind of opportunity…"

Confused Twilight took a seat next to Trixie.

"What kind of opportunity then?"

Rarity cleared her throat and batted her eyelashes.

"Why romance of course."

Applejack face hoofed, Trixie snorted, and Twilight's confused expression didn't change at all. She opened her mouth and closed it a few times before she could string together a proper response.

"Rarity, what are you talking about? We're on a dangerous quest of to save Equestria. Yesterday we were attacked by two giant blue monsters, and the day before that we've had some sort of attack on our minds. How can you possibly think that this is the time to pursue one of your fantasies..."

Once again, Rarity waved her hoof, batting away Twilight's retort away like it was a fly.

"Why, I don't need to pursue anything darling. Things just so happen to be playing out in a way that I couldn't help but notice."

Applejack resumed stoking the fire, praying to Celestia that the subject would pass quickly, and thought she would help end the conversation.

"Aren't we supposed to be waiting for the others to get back? Why don't we start talking about something useful while we're eatin' breakfast."

Rarity ignored her attempt at changing the subjects and continued what she considered playful teasing.

"It isn't the first time we've gone on an adventure to save Equestria. However, It IS the first time I have ever seen Rainbow so enthused about waking up early. Especially, since it involves accompanying a certain Royal Guard, to meet the Buffalo.

"Pfft! So what?" Applejack declared giving up on the fire and reclining on a sack of grain.

"In case ya forgot, she's good friends with little Strongheart. Why wouldn't she go with 'im?"

Rarity giggled to herself, delighted at how uncomfortable the conversation was making Applejack. She grinned as she decided to probe her suspicions. Rarity positioned herself by the fire and for a moment it looked like she had completely dropped the subject... until...

"Trot isn't so hard on the eyes either Applejack."

Applejack froze. A second went by before she tilted her hat upwards, making eye contact with Rarity.The stinkeye she gave her was all she needed to know, Rarity hit her mark.

"Hey!" Twilight exclaimed, tapping her hoof on the soil and doing her best to be restrained. "What's that supposed to mean?"

The outburst surprised Rarity. Did she detect a hint of jealousy in her bookworm of a friend? This was only too good for Rarity to pass up. She feigned a look of shock, placing her hoof on her chest.

"Oh my, how could I have forgotten! My apologies Twilight, how could I have forgotten that he was your long lost friend, separated by some tragic event until the mystery of the falling star brought you together." The drama in her voice was abundant, but it's effects were clear, a slight shade of pink appeared on Twilight's cheek.

"That's not what I…What? I don't even…"

"Now don't go putting any ideas into her head Rarity." Applejack finally stood on her feet getting on her feet and moving in between Twilight and Rarity as if shielding Twilight from the attacks of a Manticore.

"That stallion there is dangerous. You can't trust him."

"Applejack! Don't be so harsh on the 'stallion.' He saved our lives after all…" Rarity exclaimed in the same dramatic tone, feigning sincerity while she prepared to move in for the kill.

"Although if I didn't know any better…I'd say you were afraid of the Trail Blazer."

"What did you say to me?"

"I for one, think the Trail Blazer is worthy of pursuing." Everypony in the campfire turned their heads to the one pony who has been silent this entire time.

Trixie cleared her throat.

"Any stallion brave enough to face off against the great and powerful Trixie, deserves some admiration." She smirked, looking at the reaction on everypony's faces. She caught Rarity’s eye and for a brief moment the two shared a feeling of comradeship, as they playfully teased on.

Acting on Trixie’s sentence, Rarity turned to make a point. "As you can see, things are already progressing quicker than I could have hoped for…" She paused for dramatic effect, but Pinkie pie appeared out of nowhere before she could continue.

"Ooo!Ooo! Don't forget that last night Luna left to watch the stars and Gene followed to make sure she was alright and safe! Then she came back the next morning carrying him on her back, I wonder what happened between them, that’s called romance right? I also heard…"

Nopony knew how much marshmallow Pinkie's mouth could hold, but combine that number with the amount Luna tried to shove inside the pink ponies mouth and the Pinky Pie was finally silenced.

"Ahahahaha!" Luna laughed awkwardly, earning her odd looks from her companions. "I am reminded of a sleepover Celestia once had, where all she talked about was her IDEAL stallion. It was great fun but not very practical. Time to move on to serious business."

In one motion Pinkie Pie gulped down all the marshmallow in her mouth. "but you and Gene were…”

"I said serious business.” Luna looked so serious that even Pinkie shrank back in fear.

Seeing that she had everypony's attention, she continued in a very Royal Tone.

"Let's not forget that were on a dangerous mission here. We were lucky last time that no pony got seriously hurt, but we wont be as lucky next time if we keep dawdling on about crushes and forget our mission. When Trot and the others get back, we are going to have a long talk everything."

A few seconds of silence passed, the playful mood completely dissipating.

"Okie Dokie Lokie!" Pinkie suddenly declared and acted as if not skipping a beat, before hopping away to serve the cherry chungas.

The door to Appaloosa’s general goods store swung lazily open, as an equally lazy pony stepped out into the morning sun. Trot allowed the suns rays to melt away the last chills of the desert night. Usually, a simple pleasure like feeling the first rays of a sunrise did a lot for his mood. But with the task that lay before him, it felt less like a comfort and more like a long sorrowful goodbye.

“Um…Excuse me. If I could just get through…” sounded a timid voice from behind him.

Trot turned his head to watch as his butter yellow companion tried her best to squeeze past a line of ponies paying for their groceries.

“Sir...Uhm....could you...”

“Hey! No cutting in Line miss.” The cashier yelled.

“MEEP!” Was Fluttershy's response as she flattened herself against a store shelf, desperately wanting to faze through the wall and disappear to the other side.

Trot heaved a heavy sigh, and walked back into the store to fetch her.

“Excuse me, she just needs to get through.” He declared politely while at the same time expressing his annoyance.

The Cashier raised an eyebrow, confused, then looked at the Pegasus moping on the floor.

“Oh! Trot! I didn't know she was with you!” He exclaimed while ringing up another patron."Go ahead lil missy! Sorry for the misunderstandin'.”

Fluttershy tiptoed out of the store, keeping her head low and trying to hide her face with as much of her hair as possible. Trot felt something awful grip his heart. Out of everypony in the expeditionary force, there was no doubt she would be the most vulnerable. It made him sick, thinking about the horrors he’d seen and what they could do to the innocence that walked next to him. Fluttershy squeaked a quiet thank you, and Trot welcomed it with an awkward smile.

“It's a good thing we got these extra supplies. Did we get everything we need Fluttershy?” He asked in an attempt to lift her spirits.

“Oh! I’m sorry! let me check.” Fluttershy replied as she took a look into Trot's saddlebags. She carefully counted all the ointments, herbal remedies, bandages and other first aid supplies they had come to get this morning. She nodded and, to Trot's relief, looked like she had gotten past the incident at the grocery store.

“Uhm...Thank you for carrying it all.” squeaked Fluttershy as she tilted her head, trying to hide her face.

Trot shrugged. “It’s my pleasure. I usually carry more than this when I go adventuring anyway. Now on to the final stop of the day. The blacksmith.”

Trot led the way down a busy Appaloosa street. Everypony recognized their hero, and almost everypony greeted the Trailblazer as he passed. Trot was used to the attention, but all it did was make Fluttershy even more self conscious. By the time they were half-way down the road, Fluttershy's face was almost completely covered by her hair. Trot sighed in resignation, and set his eyes on the blacksmith shack in the distance. He wanted this errand trip to be over quickly for her sake.

Then, without warning Fluttershy spoke: “Are you angry at us?”

Trot froze in his tracks. Not really knowing if his ears were functioning properly. He turned around to Fluttershy who immediately shrank away.

“Oh, I’m sorry…I didn’t mean....I'm just...well...It must have been awful..."

Fluttershy tapped the sand with her hoof nervously. Trot understood that they didn't have all day, Yesterday, the princess was adamant about not delaying the expedition any longer than necessary, but this was Fluttershy, the most bashful mare in all of Equestria, If he stopped her now who knows when she would speak up next.

“What must have been?” He asked shifting his stance. It took Fluttershy two tries before she could finally respond.

“Being um... buried alive?”

Trot raised an eyebrow and nervously started rubbing his short mane.

"No I'm not angry. I can't be angry. After all, you didn't do it on purpose."

At this, Fluttershy brightened up considerably, even going so far as to look Trot in the eyes when they spoke.

“Oh Thank Goodness. I was so worried that you wouldn’t like us very much after what we did.”

Trot smiled and resumed walking, confident that they could now carry a normal conversation.

“No…I was the one who overreacted. I never wanted to go back to that place. EVER. But it didn’t justify me hurting your friends.”

Fluttershy nodded.

“Apology accepted. But you changed your mind about helping us, why?” Fluttershy asked. Her confidence had increased considerably since she and Trot left the store.

Trot gestured with his head for Fluttershy to take a look behind them. Fluttershy turned around and after a moment recognized the destroyed inn Twilight was in during the attack. Sheriff Silverstar was sitting in a wheel chair on the front porch of the inn and was busy talking to the owner who was also bound to a wheel chair.

“That’s why.” He said quietly, choosing not to reveal that a disembodied voice told him about the Hunters when he was buried alive.

“The evil’s of the Land of Twisted Metal are leaking out into Equestria…I thought everypony would be safe and secure, but I know now that security is an illusion. No pony is secure. Not ever. That’s why I have to go back, even if it kills me.” Trot said.

They reached the entrance to the blacksmith and Trot was about to enter the blacksmith lounge but Fluttershy lagged behind.

“I wish I was as brave as you.”

Trot looked around and saw how Fluttershy's eyes were glued to the half destroyed inn. Trot sighed and walked up next to her.

"I mean...when those monsters attacked...I didn't know what to do. All I could do was sit back and watch as my friends were almost...almost..." Fluttershy said softly. Her soft and gentle face was filled with worry and sorrow.

Trot didn't look at the mare so Fluttershy didn't have to turn her head away. He could almost feel the anxiety and doubt emanating from her very being. Was this the reason she volunteered to come with him? Was this her way of trying to make up for not being able to fight?

Trot cleared his throat before speaking “Fluttershy, let me share with you something that I learned a long time ago."

Trot heard a sniffle and assumed that meant it was OK to continue.

"Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the conquering of it."

The statement caught Fluttershy's attention, even though she still hid her face behind her mane. Trot continued:

“If you weren't afraid of something, how much bravery would you need to confront it? How much would you have to steel yourself to confront something"

Fluttershy thought for a moment, forgetting her sadness. She shuffled her hooves and turned her head

"I'm no Philosopony.... But I will tell you this..." Trot caught Fluttershy's eye's before

"I believe you have the opportunity to be the bravest pony alive. It doesn't matter how much you're afraid of something. It only means that you have much more fears to overcome. And your friends, including myself will be there to help you conquer each and every single one of them. Understand?"

"Fluttershy allowed herself to smile, letting Trot's words of encouragement soak through her."

"Atta girl!" Trot exclaimed placing a hoof on her shoulder. "Now let's go see the blacksmith, I've got a surprise for everypony."

Fluttershy tilted her head curiously. "What's the surprise?"

Trot laughed a little to himself "Can't tell ya. If I did it wouldn't be a surprise!"

Fluttershy giggled, brushing away the last tear on her cheek before batting her eyelashes and saying.

"Pretty Pleeeaaase?"

Trot froze. The over-all adorableness of the pony was too much. Trot instead just ran from Fluttershy and into the Blacksmith lounge, not knowing how to say no to her request.

"Confound these mares..."