When the Sun Sets

The soil was buried in a fluffy white. It was what Fleetfoot expected upon regaining consciousness, and her predictions came true once more. The avalanche crushing her was all she remembered before everything turned to darkness. Any signs of the weather backing off would've been appreciated, however, but only the snowfall vanished. The whistling wind still whipped about.

A groan left Fleetfoot's lips; sharp twinges coursed throughout her body. But she could breathe easily soon enough.

Her black boots and Wonderbolts uniform stayed intact as if nothing had happened, this earning a slightly arched brow from Fleetfoot. Finding out what they were made of always puzzled her. Fleetfoot's prized scarf didn't fare as well, however. Its form was now a mangled mess of threads.

Of course the most important of the three would be the one damaged. It was to be expected. At a young age, Fleetfoot learned if at least one of a series of items were at risk of being damaged or lost, the best one would always bite the dust. She avoided eating buttered toast over carpets for this reason. Her past classmates and friends during her youth all experienced the destruction of such goods at least once, some ponies going through it twice or thrice.

But what prodded her mind most of all was the earth beneath her. The snow seemed to slide past her, almost as if it was sentient, and she knew whatever her chest rested on wasn't snow. It was fleshy and warm. The yellow legs beneath her moved irregularly, at least from where she reclined.

"Rarity, do you think we're lost?" asked Fluttershy, inhaling and exhaling quickly. The sounds of chattering teeth reached Fleetfoot's ears. "P-please tell me we're not lost."

Shrugging, Rarity pursed her lips. "I wish I knew, but it's just some ghastly caverns and rocks," she murmured. She sighed and placed her hoof on a snow-covered boulder. "We've been wandering for hours, but no sign of anypony else has come up."

Fleetfoot's eyes widened; her breath was taken away.

She'd been out cold for that long?

While keeping up with the strongest ponies was beyond her reach, she had to rank among the more skilled ponies, and a strong pony wouldn't stay out cold for so long in her eyes unless they were tucked in bed. She'd rather release her stomach's contents or endure the more traumatic parts of life again than look weak.

She couldn't appear weak. Not again.

A plumping sound split the air, Fleetfoot noticing a makeshift bag next to Rarity. Holes pierced the aquamarine cloth, food and drink items visible in these gaps. Fleetfoot gazed back at the ground beneath her, then to her scarf, and exhaled. At least she knew where the rest of it had ended up.

"Um, Rarity?" Fluttershy muttered. "I think Fleetfoot is conscious."

"She is? How marvelous!" Rarity's eyes glowed like stars; a radiant smile adorned her visage. "Please tell me she's okay!"

"I-I am," Fleetfoot weakly replied. She tried ruffling her wings, a searing pain forcing them closed once again. Gritting her teeth, she swiveled her head toward Fluttershy. "But I've been better."

"Do you think you can walk?"

Pushing herself off of Fluttershy, Fleetfoot landed upright, a soft thud echoing for the briefest of moments. She took a few short steps; the environment which surrounded her cleared up. Aside from the thick blanket of snow, rugged cliffs extended from the ground and reached for the heavens. The orange, blue sky and the stars decorating it were visible. Deep scars ran along the wall's surface; many of these were in three parallel lines, though a few were long gashes. Such carvings couldn't have been the work of an ancient artist, the etchings of the past all distinct in style if she recalled correctly. Just then, Fleetfoot's heart rose up to her throat; her eyes caught debris resting atop the snow.

For once, being the only living beings for miles was something she'd consider a positive.

For once, the abnormal was preferred over the normal. Fangs against flesh made the hairs of her coat stand up at the thought.

Fluttershy's cheeks turned pale. "I can carry you more if you want," she offered.

"I'll be able to walk," said Fleetfoot, grunting. She took another few steps forward; her wobbling legs urged her to accept Fluttershy's idea, though they regained their composure seconds later. Anything to avoid further embarrassment was preferable.

"You could always try flying. If trotting is too much, that is. Just don't hurt yourself, okay?"

Fleetfoot rolled her eyes. "I won't hurt myself. There are other things to worry about." While also mentioning what her eyes caught may prove useful, how old the scars were and whether she could avoid frightening Fluttershy to death rang in her mind. Not jumping to conclusions couldn't have been hammered into her head more. "Anyway, my wings are a bit sore. I'll be grounded for a bit."

"They don't look mangled." Fluttershy scrutinized Fleetfoot's wings for a few seconds; she then cracked a smile. "They'll heal soon. I'm just glad you're okay."

"I'm also glad—to an extent."

"We were so worried about you."

"I don't know why you'd be worried about me." Fleetfoot shrugged. She knew she'd end up repeating such a phrase ten dozen more times before the end of their journey, likely more, that is if the journey even had an end. "You've got bigger problems than the well-being of somepony like me."

Rarity's brow sagged, her visage twisting into a frown. "You need to stop with this self-deprecation," she growled. "Such melodramatic behavior is unhealthy. Try adding some flair or glee into your life, dear."

"Sounds like somepony I know," whispered Fluttershy. She snickered and blushed.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Rarity smirked for a split second; she then glared at Fleetfoot once more. "But seriously, please don't act like that."

"I'm being truthful. Nothing wrong with that, right?"

"Sometimes, ponies can be a little too truthful. And when you're more dramatic than I am, that's when you need to find a relaxing place and meditate." Rarity swiveled her head around; after a minute of studying the scenery, she stared back at Fleetfoot. "Well, as tranquil as you can find. I hope you like snowy hills."

As much as Fleetfoot loathed admitting, Rarity had a point. Her brief interactions with Rainbow Dash proved she'd behaved poorly in the past. Always finding herself on what she heard was the antagonistic side grew exhausting after a point. She winced and then exhaled. "Well, I'll keep my mouth shut. I'm not in the mood for meditating."

Fleetfoot surveyed the scenery once more. Out in the distance appeared to be a hole in a wall, the wide semicircle seemingly having no end on the other side. The stalactites and the stalagmites within glowed like fireflies. Just gazing at them for even a few seconds chilled her spine; the beating of her heart filled her ears. Despite this, anything to shield themselves from an upcoming snowstorm would help.

"Rarity, Fluttershy, I have an idea!" Fleetfoot blurted out. Staying silent could wait. "We'll trot through that cave to the right." She paused for a moment. "I don't know if it leads to someplace—or anywhere to be honest—" Fleetfoot's throat tightened "—but it's our best chance at getting somewhere."

"A-are you sure that's a good idea?" Fluttershy questioned. She twirled her hoof around her mane, lips pursed. "What if something scary lives there? What if it's filled with traps?"

"You're a strong pony if I recall correctly." Fleetfoot turned toward Fluttershy and made eye contact. "Anyway, fly around for a bit to see if it leads anywhere."

"I'll try."

Fluttershy flapped her wings, slowly ascending a second later. With Fleetfoot and Rarity remaining earthbound, the latter trudged forward with a stern expression. A verbal lashing was likely in Fleetfoot's future, her muscles tightening to brace herself; at least she knew there were worse situations out there, freezing to death in a blizzard only marginally worse.

"Fleetfoot, do you mind if we chat?" said Rarity. "And before you ask, this has nothing to do with your character."

"It's not like I can say no," Fleetfoot muttered. Her head hung low. "Fire away."

"Can you provide me with a little information about Spitfire, please?"

Blinking, Fleetfoot then raised an eyebrow. She sat down; the snow was as soft as a pillow. "Why—why do you want to know this? What makes you want to know so much about Spitfire?"

"I'm just concerned about her, if I must be honest." Rarity's cheeks turned a bright pink. A faint chuckle escaped her mouth. "I never apologized for my wretched actions in that flying competition." Rarity pressed her hooves together. "Even when I bumped into her again during that mess in Canterlot, I never had the courage to apologize." Cringing, a soft sigh left Rarity's mouth. "I hope she's okay."

"I thought you weren't fond of us Wonderbolts. Um, back when we were an active organization, that is."

"It's complicated, not to mention how judging every Wonderbolt as being the same would be preposterous. Just because I'm not fond of you doesn't mean I loathe you or anypony else. We all could improve in some regard."

Rarity nudged closer to Fleetfoot and massaged her shoulders. The motion was rough and circular, more like treatment at a spa than anything. While such rubbing ached at times, Rarity's still managed to loosen Fleetfoot's muscles up a tad. "It's just—Spitfire is quite the unique mare. I couldn't help but think about her again when we last crossed paths," she continued.

"Maybe so, but where are you going with this?"

"Like I said, I'd like to meet her again and apologize. I thought you might know something, that's all." Rarity ceased massaging Fleetfoot; the tightness in the latter's muscles returned a second later, her aching bones close to being crushed. "Do you know what she's up to nowadays?"

"She's kind of doing her own thing." Shrugging, Fleetfoot twisted her head; she locked gazes with Rarity. "Don't know the specifics, but it's kind of what she did as a Wonderbolt. It's more to do with protecting others."

"How intense." Rarity leaned an inch closer to Fleetfoot, eyes unblinking. "And how about—"

"Most are doing either what Spitfire or I are doing. Protecting ponies or collecting resources. Rinse and repeat."

"Where's her home?"

"Cloudsdale, obviously." Fleetfoot propped herself back up. "She does deal with the issues over in the Everfree Forest, so she might show up there."

"Well, I guess if we don't bump into her again, I'll make sure to apologize once this whole mess blows over."

Cocking her head, Fleetfoot then paused for a few seconds. A bemused expression adorned her face. "You seem so—confident about that. Why the heck would you think that? Are you crazy?"

"I just have this tingling sensation in my heart, dear. I wish I had some concrete evidence to back me up, but I don't have anything like that. Not even an investigation will help me piece it together."

"I think I found something," Fluttershy called out from above. Rubbing her eyes, she then hovered a few inches forward. "It looks like a few cabins together."

"What direction are they in?" questioned Fleetfoot, ears pointed toward Fluttershy.

Fluttershy pointed straight ahead and then descended toward the earth. "They're that way, but far away." Her hooves touched the snow. Crunching sounds, much like a muffled version of hooves stomping autumn leaves, polluted the air. "It looks—it looks like we might have to go through the c-cave." Her cheeks turned pale. Fluttershy's pupils shrunk and her eyes widened. "I hope it's a short cave."

"Remember, try to face your fears and be brave," Rarity suggested. "You've got a warrior's spirit resting inside of you, Fluttershy. You're one of the strongest, most dazzling ponies I know."

"But what if something tries to eat us?"

Fleetfoot stretched a foreleg out to Fluttershy; a soft sigh then departed her mouth. "Just calm down," she said in a blunt tone. "Even if something dangerous lives there, we could probably flee from it and head toward where we're going. Not to mention, anything in there is probably hibernating."

"But what about monsters that live in caves?"

"I don't know why they'd be out right now," said Rarity. Clenching her teeth, she then tugged her mane. "Even something that lives here would find the cold dreadful."

"Even yetis?"

No amount of fur could keep you warm here, darling." Rarity rubbed her hooves together. "Maybe the cave will be comfortable—a nice change of pace from the outside. If we stick together, we'll be fine."

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but Rarity's right," Fleetfoot added. The blood in her veins froze as her shoulders sagged. However, something about the yeti seemed familiar. She'd heard the name uttered before, likely by Spitfire blabbing on about what creatures to be weary of during missions, though the context was nothing but thin air in her mind. What she did recall, however, was something rather vicious. It was something she quivered at the thought.

"Let's group together," said Fleetfoot. She took a few deep breaths. "Just be careful, okay?"

"I'll try," muttered Fluttershy. "Just—please don't get mad if I get scared, okay?"

"No guarantees." Exhaling, Fleetfoot took a few short steps, the weight returning to her legs. "Let's head on over to the cave."

Fluttershy gulped; she then nodded. "Oh, okay."

With a few quick nods, the trio marched toward the cave in the distance. The snow covering the earth was thicker than ever, the white mass covering half of Fleetfoot's legs at some point and slowing her to a crawl. Its slushiness required every ounce of strength to lift a leg at times. A few dozen steps were all it took for aches to course throughout Fleetfoot's limbs. Rarity lagged ten or so yards behind, scowling as she seemed to whisper profanities. At least her moving lips suggested as much; Fleetfoot wouldn't blame her. Fluttershy, however, stayed airborne, flapping her wings. Aside from trekking forward, shivering was all Fleetfoot could do in response.

She'd tackle Fluttershy and tie her wings up if she could. The snow and her twinging wings had different ideas.

Mumbling gibberish was the next best thing to Fleetfoot. Anything to release some tension would work.

"Are—are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Rarity, huffing and puffing as she tried to keep up.

"It's better than waiting to die," Fleetfoot retorted, brow sagging. "Do we even have a choice?"

"I hope we do." Rarity's head hung low, shoulders sagged. "The wind is just too violent. It'd eat up my dresses if any of them were here. At least my mane is already a mess."

Both Fleetfoot and Fluttershy swiveled their heads toward Rarity; she blushed and giggled. "Well, I'm glad you're all okay, but that goes without saying," she continued.

"We should get to the cave soon if all goes well," said Fleetfoot. She shuddered. "Though things going well almost never happen."

"Again with the pessimism. Dear, is everything alright?" Rarity surveyed the environment, then brought her gaze back to Fleetfoot. "I mean, not counting how Equestria is in trouble and how we're stranded."

"Take a wild guess." Fleetfoot flicked her tail. Muttering anything specific wasn't required. Celestia's disappearance and what transpired for Equestria were terrible enough to no longer require any explanation. As for Fleetfoot herself, she wished to avoid going into detail about why the Wonderbolts ceased operations or why her personality became more bitter than espresso. Telling such stories to ponies as far away from friends as anypony could be spelled disaster.

Fleetfoot blinked. At least they hadn't crossed over into becoming enemies.

However, she wouldn't bat an eye if such a claim ended up true.

"I guess that speaks volumes," whispered Rarity.

Fluttershy glided up to Fleetfoot without warning, her cheeks pale and pupils shrunk to the size of pinpricks. "Fleetfoot, I-I think something's n-nearby," she stuttered. "Look below you." Shuddering, Fluttershy then landed and whimpered incoherent phrases.

Doing as instructed, Fleetfoot noticed a series of indents within the snow. They all followed an irregular pattern, though none of them were simple lines or in the shape of hooves. The entire series bore the outline of a paw-like shape from what she could tell, three straight lines extending from them. Shifting her eyes about, nothing out of the ordinary revealed itself.

Yet, Fleetfoot knew she was being watched. Her heart thrashed in her chest, its beating the only sound reaching her ears.

Such was the case until she'd heard creaks splitting the air. Fleetfoot dug her hooves into the snow, her leg muscles tightening.

Jumping up in surprise, Fluttershy wrapped her forelegs around Fleetfoot. "Who's there?" she asked, her tone high-pitched. She released Fleetfoot from her embrace and then planted her hooves onto the ground; whimpers left her mouth. "Are you friendly?"

Fleetfoot ruffled her brow. "Of course not," she scoffed. "You saw those prints, right?"

"I-I know, but some scary animals are nice."

"Yeah, and I'll become pleasant to be around." Exhaling, white smoke bellowed from Fleetfoot's nostrils. While Fluttershy may have had anecdotal evidence, the stories about her calming bears and caring for eagles coming to mend, the tension swirling around Fleetfoot suggested whatever lurked didn't fit with those stories. "Just because it's possible doesn't mean you shouldn't err on the side of caution."

Without warning, a shriek pierced the air, Fleetfoot and Fluttershy shivering in unison.

"Rarity!" Fluttershy bellowed as loud as she could. "Are you okay?"

"What does it look like?" Rarity screamed. "Help me!"

Standing over Rarity, its paws pinning her to the ground, was a wolf-like creature. However, its entire body consisted of just a skeleton made of icicles; a purple flame flickering where its eyes would've been was the only other feature. Fleetfoot gasped at the sight. She knew some creatures had been known to prowl about the coldest environments, but making eye contact with something far attached from the living carried a distinct, cold fear. And for some reason, a tightness akin to dark magic filled the air, the specific tension in the air recounted in history books she read in school.

None of that knowledge would save her now, however.

The creature snarled, its jagged maw slightly opened. In a flash, it leaped toward Fleetfoot. A cold paw struck her cheek, Fleetfoot collapsing onto the snow in a heap.

"Fleetfoot!"

Drifting in and out of consciousness, all Fleetfoot could muster was a groan. A hazy, yellow blob approached her. It paced around her, unable to remain still; limbs flailed about until the earth shook, the world becoming blurrier by the second.

"Fleetfoot, wake up!"

She gently closed her eyes, the world turning a pitch black once more. Yet, muffled screams and barking still reached her ears.

Her muscles loosened. A floating sensation consumed Fleetfoot. Everything became silent for a few seconds, touch and smell followed soon after.

Why did it have to happen again?

Passing out wasn't an option. Fleetfoot's muzzle scrunched; noise returned to her as she groaned. The snow's soft, bone-chilling texture and the pungent aroma of sweat also came back.

"Fleetfoot, speak to me!"

She couldn't let Raindrops down, the only pony who cared about her at home. It was the same story for Princess Celestia, her whereabouts unknown. And the same even applied to the Wonderbolts she spent time with in the past. For as much trouble as she found herself in, they carried a sense of nostalgia nonetheless, the breeze against her mane and the crowds warming her heart at the thought.

Even if she was rotten to the core, they were all counting on her in some way. So were Rarity and Fluttershy.

Fleetfoot's eyes shot open; weight returned to her body once more.

She sprung upright and scowled at the beast; their eyes locked.

The monster charged at Fleetfoot. Its howls sent a chill down her spine.

Fleetfoot raised her foreleg up. Her muscles locked into place.

The monster leaped once again, mouth open.

Then, Fleetfoot punched its maw; cracking sounds reached her ears.

Whimpering, the monster crashed into the ground. Snow kicked up into the air.

"Run!" Fleetfoot shrieked at the top of her lungs. Both Rarity and Fluttershy remained static, dumbfounded. "Don't worry about me! Just save your own hides!"

"No!" Rarity shrieked. "We stick together!"

Fleetfoot tilted her head. "What?"

"B-but we can't leave you," said Fluttershy. "I can't bear to leave you here." Her shoulders sagged. "I'd never forgive myself if I did. You know that."

"You're kidding, right? Have you lost your mind?"

The skeletal monster slowly pushed itself upright, its lower jaw now hanging by a thread.

Fluttershy's breathing quickened, pupils shrunk. "I haven't. We can't let you get hurt."

Digging its bony paw into the ground, the creature then charged at Fleetfoot. The purple wisp in its eyes flared up.

Fleetfoot ducked as the wolf dived at her. She thrust her hoof into its maw; fissures ran along the monster's bones.

And before it crashed into the earth, Rarity enveloped her horn with a bright aura. A crystalline-like structure sprouted from the earth and pierced the monster's ribs.

In a flash, the wisps disappeared. The skeletal structure separated, turning into normal icicles. It was as though any trace of a beast had vanished.

Fleetfoot shook her foreleg, her hoof aching a tad. Studying the icicles only produced an arched brow. Was there somepony else out there? Did they create this monster? And if so, how? The creature's appearance unlike any sentient being, even far from the timber wolf it seemed to mimic, coupled with the flames in its eye sockets twisted Fleetfoot's mind at the thought. And the inanimate remains being like any old ice pick eluded her further.

"Why didn't it finish me off?" Fleetfoot whispered to herself. "I was almost unconscious again, and it wasn't even close to me when I got up. Why?" The answer to her question merely consisted of a shrug.

"I don't know," replied Fluttershy. "But thanks for helping fight it off." A smirk decorated her visage. "We owe you one."

"I did what I had to do." Fleetfoot took a deep breath, tapping her hoof on the slushy ground. "Still, something felt off about that thing."

Fleetfoot gulped, throat tightened. Somepony had to be out there. The coincidences were too many for it to be anything else. Surveying her surroundings, nopony aside from Rarity and Fluttershy appeared in her sights. No other animals or monsters even patrolled the area. Everything else was a vast white with the occasional, decaying trunk trying to break the snow's surface.

Trudging to the left, a grim expression adorned Fleetfoot's face. She caught her breath and her muscles loosened. "We need to get to the cave," she said. "Now."

Fluttershy nodded; her lips were sealed.

"Are you sure?" asked Rarity. She trotted up to the two pegasi. "What if it's dangerous? What if the scent is appalling?"

"It's not like we're safe here," Fleetfoot retorted. She crossed her forelegs. "You do want to live, right?"

"Of course I do." Rarity placed a hoof to her chest, eyes shimmering. "We just need to ponder our choices and—"

"I think that thing decided for us." Fleetfoot turned away from Rarity; she flicked her tail. "Are you following us or not?"

"I guess it depends."

"Fleetfoot's right," said Fluttershy. "You know she's right. We'll be lunch if we don't go there." Fluttershy motioned a hoof to Rarity. "You've reminded me to be brave in the past. Now it's my turn." She glided toward Rarity, their faces inches apart. "We need to face our fears. We need to get to safety, and fast."

With sagging shoulders, a sigh escaped Rarity's lips. "Okay, maybe I'm scared."

"It'll be less scary in there than out here," said Fleetfoot. Then again, how anything could be scarier than the monster she held off was unimaginable. Though Fluttershy being the braver of the two mares at the moment suggested anything was possible. "Let's go."

"If you insist."

"We should also set up camp once we make enough progress." Fleetfoot wiped her brow. "We'll probably need to rest up at some point."

"Good idea," Fluttershy added. "But we should be careful about what we eat and drink." She glanced over to the cloth Rarity bore. "Not much of our supplies survived the avalanche. Only more common food and a few bottles of water survived."

"You mean we'll have to ration things?" asked Rarity. She rolled her eyes. "Having nothing exquisite to eat is the worst. Could it possibly—"

Fleetfoot poked Rarity's lips, her face donning a scowl. "Don't say that!" she shouted. "You know that's just tempting fate!"

Stepping back a few inches, Rarity's pupils shrunk. "No need to be so confrontational."

"Look, let's just get some progress in the cave. Time is of the essence."

Specks of snow precipitated from the clouds overhead. At least the wind died down, only a slight breeze remaining. However, as Fleetfoot approached the cave's entrance, a faint glow pulsated from within. It was as though some sort of sapphire lighted the interior. Stories about precious stones lighting caves weren't unheard of in Equestria. Her experience as a Wonderbolt saw her traverse a wide array of caves, some of which lit by a magical stone. What they all had in common was the beating of her heart picking up the closer she got. This cave was no different.

Her blood froze when her hooves touched the bedrock. Only adding to her confusion was how its rough, coarse surface was slightly warm; snow kept its distance from the rock. The two mares beside her simultaneously turned pale. There was no turning back now. For all she knew, another creature would slither toward them and pierce their flesh if they stayed outside. Just thinking about it sent squirms through her body.

At least Fluttershy's scouting suggested the cave had an end. How long it winded for, however, was anypony's guess. She'd pass out again if it coiled for miles.

Even worse was how Fleetfoot knew something mischievous or terrible would be waiting for them. She just didn't know who or what resided in the rocky abode. Something always awaited her.

Fleetfoot hoped she wouldn't regret her decision. She wished she'd be wrong about awful incidents for once.

Either way, retaining normalcy somehow felt further away than ever.