Bites Of The Dead

by Vinyls_Account

Rating: teen
Tags: Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Adventure, Tragedy, Sad, Main 6
Length: 20482

monsters and deaths

Everything seamed peaceful, nothing was wrong. Then, everything was dead or dying around them. What will Twilight and the others do to solve this? The real question is.... what can they do?

Published 2012-06-02 17:04:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-10-03 04:08:24 UTC

Pains Of Today

It was a nice day out, there was not a noise to be heard.

"FLUTTERSHY, HURRY UP!" Twilight begged.

Not a cloud in the sky, the sun was bright.

"TWILIGHT, THERE CATCHING UP TO ME!" Fluttershy screamed.

There was a rainbow over the sky, even though there has been no rain for over a week.

"FLY FLUTTERSHY, FLY, GET OUT OF HERE, I'LL BE ALRIGHT!" Twilight demanded.

So serine, almost as if it was a gift to make up for hard times.

"THE TREE'S ARE TO THICK, I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET NEARLY HIGH ENOUGH!" Fluttershy replied.

The beauty of it was almost breath taking, it would have been the perfect day to do anything.

"JUST KEEP RUNNING FLUTTERSHY!" Twilight enforced.

Not a sound to be heard...

"TWIIIIIIILIIIIIIIGHT!!!" Fluttershy screamed in agony

The blood curtailing scream made Twilight stop in her tracks and turn around, Fluttershy was on the ground with three of those...things on her, one of them was biting into her side, she struggled but the giant dog like things were to strong.

"HELP ME TWILIGHT!" Fluttershy pleaded.

"FLUTTERSHY!" Twilight's horn lit up with her purple magic, it grew bright and brighter, as if it was charging. "GET OFF HER YOU BEASTS!" she blasted a shot of magic at each of the dogs, They flew back. Twilight positioned herself on top of Fluttershy in a protective way before the dogs had a chance to recover. "come at me you freaks!" Twilight raged under her breath.

When the dogs got back on there... hooves, they jumped at twilight, one by one, and each time they did, Twilight would blast them right back, she would do anything to protect her friend. after a little bit, the dogs gave up, they ran into the depths of Everfree Forest.

"Fluttershy, are you ok? how hurt are you? GASP!" Twilight looked down to see a massive oval bite mark, on fluttershy's side abdomen.

"I...It hurts Twilight... Please, help me." Fluttershy begged almost pitifully.

"Its ok Fluttershy, I can heal this." Twilight promised already tired from all the blast she gave out. Her horn lit up again, this time with a calmer light, she placed it just above the bite wound.

"ooooh." Fluttershy relaxed. "That feels nice."

They were there for quite a while, stuck in silence and fear. It was difficult for twilight to keep up the spell though, she used up more energy than she thought, there were a couple of times where she lightened up a little, then realized what she was doing and got back to healing. The healing spell itself was slightly complected. It was not much of a healing spell, it was more of a time spell, you would focus your magic on the spot that required healing and let time flow through, using the horn as a time gate.

"Alright, Its healed as well as time could heal it, there is a big scar, but you will need to live with that." Twilight gave a sigh of relief... "We need to get moving Fluttershy."

"B, But I'm so tired, can't we just take a quick break?"

"Fluttershy... are you ok?" Twilight started go get worried

"Ya I'm fine, I'm just really tired, I... I think i'll take a quick nap. alright?" Fluttershy weakly managed to mumble.

"Fluttershy, Come on, don't do this, do NOT fall asleep." Twilight yelled at the dying pony.

"Its ok twilight, I'll wake up soon."

"NO FLUTTERSHY, DON'T FALL ASLEEP, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF CELESTIA, DO NOT FALL ASLEEP!" Twilight was crying. "DO NOT FALL ASLEEP"

"mmmmm. Good night Twilight. Oh, and tell Angel to not eat all the carrots please." Fluttershy said with a smile as her last breath escaped her lungs.

"Fl, Fl, Fluter... No... no, no no no no no NOOO, NOOOOOOOOOOO FLUTTERSHY, WHYYYYYYYYY!" Twilight screamed out in agony, Tears were pouring down her face now. She never worried about her friends dying, she would always brush the thought off when ever something like that would come to her head, thinking they were to young to die naturally, and nothing, until today would or could kill anypony.

Right then one of those dogs came back, he slowly approached, cautious for any on coming blasts. When there were none, he started to circle them, getting closer and closer. Twilight knew that the beast was there, she just could not do anything at the moment under her sobs. She looked up with her teary eyes at the beast, not so far away now. At first glance it looked normal, but after staring at it for a little longer, she saw a pink bloody strand of hair hanging from its mouth.

"Oh, so you've come back for seconds have you?... RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Twilight shouted as she shot a huge bolt of magic. The bold went right through the dog and snapped a tree behind it. It was still standing, but clearly weakened, that's when the tree fell on it, making the beast motionless. When she new the beast was dead after staring at it for a while to make sure it was actually gone, she went back to crying

"I did it Fluttershy, I killed your killer, even if he was a beast, I got revenge for you.... Oh Fluttershy, please come back" her tears picked up again, this time they were coming in rivers. She laid on Fluttershy, almost as if to get as close as she could.

A sort time after she finally got sense of what was happening. "Come on Twilight, Pull yourself together." Twilight tried to calm herself "She's gone now, not coming back... Oh god, She's not coming back. NO NO NO no no, now is not the time think about that Twilight. Come on, you need to get up... GET UP!"

As soon as she said that she jumped off of her lying position she had put herself in on Fluttershy. She ran, as fast as she could, she needed to get away from her, She felt if she stayed there any longer she might never leave. She was heading to the place they were originality heading heading, Ponyville. She ran with tears in her eyes.

Not a sound to be heard.

Moving On

As twilight was running, she heard a howl in the distance. She stopped in her tracks.

"Fluttershy... NO!" She kept on running. "I need to get to Ponyville, Its just a little further, everybody is waiting for me. Its not to much further."

The howls duplicated, more and more of them started to join in, getting louder and louder.

"How many of these things are there?" Twilight grunted to herself.

Soon the howl's started to sound like Blood curdling screams ringing in her ear, it was so close, so loud. It was almost agonizing.

"Come on Twilight, you're almost out of the forest. COME OOON!" With that last burst of energy Twilight Bursted out of the thick Everfree forest. The howl's faded. She slowed her pace, but she never stopped running, not only could the beasts catch up to her, but she felt her running was the only thing that was keeping her away from her friend fluttershy, if she stopped, she new she would have to go back.

Ponyville was just in the distance. It was different though, normally you could see things happening even from that distance, but this time was even worse than before she left, the town was barren. she ran all the way to the the library, where she had put up a protective shield spell around it. The shield was very strong, it could only be opened from the outside by only one way, if a unicorn jabbed there horn into the barrier and released a certain flow of magic, which only Twilight and Rarity knew, anypony could get out simply by walking through. When Twilight was inside, she saw Pinkie crying uncontrollably on Rarity's shoulder, both were locked in a tight hug.

"There were so many of them, they kept coming." Pinkie weeped.

"Its ok sweaty." Rarity tried to calm her. "Twilight's back, see? Its alright Pinkie, We'll be ok.

Pinkie continued to cry. "B, But Spike, he..."

Twilight's heart skipped a beat. "what happened to spike, Where is he?"

Pinkie cried even harder

"...We were being chased." Rarity said. "spike was riding on my back. They were catching up to us, Spike he... he saw that, and... and he jumped off me, he stood there, his backs to us. He told us to go... I refused for a little bit, he told me it was the only way... He told me he loved me... He told me to tell you that it was an honor serving you, and that he hopes he completed his last task just to your expectations as he all ways does." The pain in Rarity's face was unbearable. We ran... We left spike there." Rarity's eyes were locked shut and her face was scrunched. "...We were a ways away, I felt this immense heat, I turned around and saw massive fire ball, I have never seen anything bigger, or more majestic. other than his screams that was last this we ever got out of him... It was beautiful.

Pinkie's cries were now shrieks of pain. Twilight couldn't believe her ears, not only had she seen Fluttershy die in front of her eyes, now the sole being who she could trust anything with was now gone.

"No, no not spike to," She felt like crying again, but her mind was stronger than her emotions. [no, I need to stay strong, I've already cried to much, and we don't need two messes of ponies right now.] She looked at a photo on the wall of her and Spike. "Good job spike, you preformed admirably." She looked down. "I wish I can be as strong as you one day."

"Twilight." Rarity interrupted. "Wheres Fluttershy?"

Twilight looked at her, after a moment of silence Pinkie paused from her sobs.

"Twilight... you're saying."

"Hey guy's let us in!" Rainbow Dash's voice filled the room. "We don't have a unicorn with us, so we cant get in!"

"I'll get that." Twilight said happy for an interruption.

As she walked out the door she checked to see if there were any beasts near by.

"Its alright" Apple Jack said. "none of 'dem Beastie's out 'ere right now"

"Alright, here I come." She fazed through the barrier with ease, then opened it up for the three of them to get in.

When they were inside, Rainbow dash called for Fluttershy.

"Its alright Fluttershy, Its just us. You can come out now".

"She's not here." Twilight said with a disturbed voice.

"Not here, What do you mean? Where is she?" Rainbow dash interrogated.

"She's in the Everfree forest. Well, I guess she's not anywhere now." Twilight looked down.

"What do you mean she's not anywhere!?" Rainbow Dash raised her voice. "What are you talking about!?

"She's dead!" Twilight yelled out. "Attacked by the dog things."

The room got dead silent, the four shocked ponies just stared at her in utter bewilderment.

"A- And you just LEFT HER!?" Rainbow Dash was in a rage now.

"Of course not." Twilight retaliated. "I drove the dogs off of her, and healed her wounds."

"THEN HOW IS SHE DEAD!?" Rainbow furiously screamed.

"There must be a poison in there bites, soon after I healed her, she said she was tired... and went to"sleep."" Twilight replied.

"WELL WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP HER THEN!?" Rainbow was more mad than she ever had been.

"You can't use magic to heal poison, you need an antidote for that." Twilight answered.

"UHG I CAN'T TAKE THIS, I'M GOING UPSTAIRS." She stormed off in mixture of rage and confusion.

"Ah'll go comfort her, Ah'm sure you did the best you could Twilight" Apple Jack said running up the the stairs.

Pinkie was crying more than ever now, and there were faint sobs coming from upstairs.

"What are we going to do Twilight?" Rarity asked still clutching to Pinkie Pie.

"I don't know." Twilight admitted. "lets all try and get some sleep, I'll think of something tomorrow." Twilight didn't realize how tired she really was until she said that. "You to take the spare bedroom over there, I'll go upstairs too." she said

"Alright, come on Pinkie." Rarity urged

After they closed the door Twilight started to turn the light out. After they were all extinguished, she stumbled upstairs. she was about to open the door to her room, when she heard that the sobs were coming from there. She decided it was probably best to leave them alone, so she went to the end of the hallway, got some blankets out and lied on the floor.

"Oh spike..," she said almost without noise, "Good bye, I'll miss you."

Plans

Twilight woke up in the morning with sunlight shining down on her face, she laid there for a while, not making a noise. It was very sunny again, a very nice day, Twilight could see a rainbow even though it hasn't rained for days. it was so siren outside, it was almost to beautiful for the hard times at hand.

What was that dream I had? Twilight thought. For some reason I can't help but feel that was important somehow. She continued to lay there thinking about it "UHG, forget this!" Twilight jumped out of her blankets, walked down the hallway and down the stairs.

When Twilight got downstairs, she looked around, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were playing a game of cards. Rarity and Apple Jack were in the kitchen, Rarity was chopping up some fruit, and Apple jack was frying up Hash browns. none of them had noticed Twilight yet, and none of them were making a noise other than the cooking. Twilight went and sat down in a chair near the stairs.

"Oh good morning Twilight." Rarity said seeing her sit down "I hope you don't mind, we thought we would take the liberty of making food this morning."

"Its fine Rarity" Twilight replied. "Thank you." There was a pause. "So how long have you guys been up for?"

"'Bout an hour." Apple Jack answered. "I got everypony up to help out... some more than others."

"What can I say?" Rainbow Dash commented "I'm 20% cooler then all of you, so I get to break more often." She said with a cocky smile.

"Break?" Rarity laughed. "You haven't done anything all morning."

Rainbow Dash just shrugged and went back to her game.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Twilight asked.

"We figured you would need the most sleep out of all of us." Apple jack answered. "Considerin you're the one that went through the most out of all of us, watching Fluttershy leave and hearing Spike was gone soon after."

As soon as Apple Jack said that she knew she had made a mistake. There was a long pause, everypony continued what they were doing without making a noise. Finally Pinkie Pie broke the silence, she started crying again

"Oh Pinkie." Twilight said. "It'll be ok, you still got us right?

"I, I know that." Pinkie managed to get out. "B...But its all sooo saaaad, WHAAAAA!"

"Its alright Pinkie, everything will be fine." Twilight tried to reason with her. Pinkie kept on crying. Twilight looked over to Rainbow Dash and saw that She was close to tears herself. "Are you alright Rainbow? Fluttershy was your closest friend, and..."

"I'm sorry" Rainbow Dash interrupted.

"Sorry for what?" Twilight asked.

"Last night, when you told me that Fluttershy had... I lost it, I got mad for no reason at you, and I was wrong." Rainbow Dash apologized. "I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course I forgive you Rainbow, you're my friend to yano." She left the broken Pinkie to give Rainbow Dash a quick hug then went back to Pinkie. "I would have done the same thing in your position, and it takes guts to do what you just did, that is something that I could probably could never do."

"Thank you." Rainbow said. her hair was covering her eyes, but Twilight could see a single tear roll down the side of her cheek. Twilight gave a smile in return.

"Hash browns 'er ready" Apple Jack yelled out in pride.

"Oh good, I just finished cutting up the fruit too." Rarity clacked her hooves in approval.

"Well then, lets eat, there's plenty for everypony." Apple jack proclaimed.

Rainbow Dash said nothing, she just got up and went to the table.

"Come on Pinkie, don't you want to eat?" Twilight said in a soothing voice. "i'm sure you're hungry." Twilight used her magic to bring over a tissue, and wiped Pinkie's eyes with it. "there, you see." Twilight said with a smile. "You're fine now, come and eat."

Pinkie nodded her head and they both walked over to the table. Rarity had set out an array of all kinds of different fruits. There were apples, pears, bananas, kiwis cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes, cherries, oranges, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, and so much more.

"I guess you and Rainbow were successful in finding food huh Apple Jack?"

"Yep we were." Apple Jack replied. "We got a lot of apples, but that was expected 'Ah guess."

They all started to dig in, no one was talking, and they all had a frown on there face.

"So I guess you and Pinkie Pie didn't fine anyone." Twilight stated the obvious

"No." Rarity said staring at her food. "we didn't, the job we were assigned was unsucsesfull." She was gritting her teeth

"What about you Twilight." Rainbow added. "Did you guy's find anything?"

"We only confirmed, our suspicious. The dogs are coming out of the Everfree Forest, and that is were most of them are massed." Twilight admitted

"How many of 'em you figure there are Twilight?" Apple Jack questioned

"I don't know, probably thousands." Twilight blurted out. "There was this one point after... When I was running alone, one howled, and soon after it seemed the entire forest was screaming in my ear. You don't know how many times I tried to doge an invisible dog because I couldn't tell where anything was coming from."

"So that's what that was." Rarity interrupted. "That almost scared Pinkie to death."

Everything went quiet again when Rarity said "death". Everybody look over at Pinkie to see if she was going to cry any further, she seemed ok, for now.

"Anyways." Twilight broke the silence. "From what I gathered, they will attack at any time of day, but the night time is when there most active, maybe there nocturnal, and the ones that come out during they day are just looking for food, or something on those lines."

"So I guess that means we travel by day then, don't it" Apple Jack pointed out.

"Yes it does." Twilight answered. " But we wont be leaving for a couple of days, we need to get a lot done. I'll be assigning jobs to all of you. Well, most of the jobs will be done by me and Rarity because were the only ones who know how to make practicable things for the journey. For today, I want the three of you to do as much as you can, but there wont be much for you to do other than assisting me and Rarity, but tomorrow... Tomorrow we train."

Plans -part 2-

"Train, what do you mean by train?" Rarity asked.

"Through my studies, I have read a couple of blacksmithing books." Twilight remarked. "I believe I could make weapons for Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie."

"Wh- Weapons?" Pinkie was shocked.

"You mean... Like swords?" Apple Jack said in awe

"Yes, that is exactly what I mean." Twilight replied with pride.

"But why just those three?" Rarity asked. "What about the two of us.?"

"We have our magic." Twilight answered. "That's better protection than any sword could give, and thats what we will be training while those three practice there moves."

Yet you couldn't protect Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash thought while giving a quick death stare to Twilight without her noticing. No dam it, stop thinking like that Rainbow, your not like that, you've already apologized.

"Are you ok Rainbow?" Twilight asked. "I thought you would be the most exited about this."

"Yeah, I'm fine" Rainbow Dash answered. "I'm just... Really tired is all."

"I believe it." Twilight inputted. "We've all been through so much already, and its only going to get worse from here on out.

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash replied. Shut up Twilight, I don't know how much more of you I can take... RRRAAAHH WHY DO I NEED TO THINK LIKE THIS!?

"But to travel, we don't nearly have have enough supplies as in stuff to keep us warm." Twilight said. "So Rarity needs to get all of her sewing supplies and fabrics and everything else to make that stuff, oh and also all the metal you can rummage up for the swords. Rainbow Dash, you and Apple Jack will need to go to protect her, is that alright with you?"

"You can count on me!" Rainbow Dash saluted Twilight. Good, a break from her is probably the best thing for me right now, even if it is just to Rarity's shop and back.

"Great." Twilight said happily. "I know you will help out some how. Now come on everypony eat as much as you can. These are amazing hash browns Apple Jack, They have so much flavor!" Twilight said amazed.

"Thanks, my mom made these for me and my siblings whenever something special would happen, like Christmas, or completing something. I figured that this morning was a special enough morning for these." Apple Jack replied

"I guess your right." Twilight answered

After they all stuffed there faces, Rainbow Dash, Apple Jack and Rarity set out for there mission. Rainbow was the first one to leave the library, before leaving the barrier however, she flew around to see if she could see any of the beasts. After looking for about two minutes, trying to do a thorough job, she landed and signalled for the other two to come out.

"'Ah think its best if you don't fly from now on." Apple Jack pointed out. "We ain't want none of of 'em beasties seeing you and coming after us do we?"

"Your probably right." Rainbow Dash admitted as they phased out of the barrier together. "Now come on, we need to make this as quick as we can." As much as I hate to admit it.

The three of them ran as soon as they left the shield, Rarity's shop wasn't far away, it was even visible from the library, but it was in the plaza, the most wide open space in all of Ponyville, it is also where the general population was in Ponyville. If there was a dog anywhere in town, that's where it would be. the three of them lined up against a wall, Apple Jack in front, and Rainbow Dash in back

"Now be quit ya'll." Apple Jack ordered "'Ah'm gona look around the corner and see if any 'em beasties are there."

After a short while Rarity got impatient. "Well what do you see Apple Jack?"

"There's one of 'em." Apple Jack sounded disturbed. "Its distracted though, Eatin something..."

"Well what are we going to do then?" Rarity worried.

"Ah think we can we can sneak around him." Apple Jack said without hesitation.

"Are you crazy?" Rarity blurted "Do you know what those things did to Spike?"

"And Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash added.

"Yes, and Fluttershy." Rarity noted.

"Quiet now." Apple Jack demanded. "Don't want him to hear us, and yes of course I know what they did, but we need to get in there, and from what Ah've seen, these things are pretty stupid. Its stuffing its face right now, if we're really quiet, we can do it, I know it."

"How could you know that?" Rarity was getting slightly mad.

"I don't know how." Apple Jack admitted. "But I just do."

"I think we should do it." Rainbow Dash said bluntly.

"But its crazy!" Rarity was trying to control her voice.

"Its our only chance. Twilight was right." Rainbow winced. "we need more supplies, and your shop is the only place we can get it."

Apple Jack saw Rainbow Dash winced and stared at her with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "You see Rarity... We need to do this.

Rarity stood there for a while, looking back and fourth between the other two ponies, finaly she said "Fine... We need to be really careful though."

"Right." Apple Jack affirmed. "Now no more talking, not even a peep!"

As the three of them walked out, Rainbow Dashes heart was beating rapidly. Oh shit, why am I doing this, this is idiotic. rrrrrrr, just don't make a noise. None of them had ever gotten a chance to get a close look at the beast, they were always running from them. What Rainbow Dash saw made her raise her lip in disgust. The beast had rotting flesh hanging from its body, it was a black colour with shades of brown and red mixed in, showing more in some parts than others. It had more of a muscular cow body shape, long and big legs with pitch black hooves, and of course there dog like head. It had a long red horse like tail and a red mane that went down its neck and over to the right side. there was also a large bite mark on the left of its neck. after what seemed like an hour to Rainbow, they finally got to the door without alerting the beast. Apple Jack being in front stopped in front of the door, with her back hoof she tapped Rarity, then signaled with her head to open the door. Good idea Apple Jack, Rarity can open it quieter than either of us with her magic. Rainbow Dash thought with a smile. Rarity's horn lit up with her light blue magic, which also surrounded the door and the nob, she also put a bubble around the door to block the sound. The door opened smoothly without a noise. After they got in Rarity closed the door the same way.

"I almost died from anxiety there." Rarity sighed.

"No time for that Rarity." Apple Jack panted. "Now hurry, get all your stuff, we can't stay here long."

"Right, I'll go upstairs and get my stuff, you guys get all the metal for Twilight you can from down here and anything that you might think useful." Rarity said trotting away.

"Alright Rarity, will do." Apple Jack replied.

Looking around for items, Apple Jack noticed Rainbow Dash, staring at a photo of the six good friends, Rainbow Dash was stroking fluttershy with the tip of her hove. "Are you ok Rainbow? When we were talking about what to do out there, 'Ah saw you flinch when you talked about Twilight, do you still blame her?

"I want to killer her." Rainbow Dash blatantly admitted.

"W, What kill her? Apple Jack worried. "you can't do that, Twilight is our best hope of survival!"

"I know I can't." Rainbow said as she slumped is a corner and put her hooves on her head. "And Its not me that wants to kill her, its these thoughts that's creeping itself into my head, like, I know Twilight did her best to protect Fluttershy, but my brain just keeps giving these these thoughts like "Twilight didn't even care for Fluttershy" or "Twilight wanted Fluttershy dead." and when i get those, I have thoughts of getting revenge for Fluttershy. I hate myself for it, but." Tears started gathering in her eyes. "But I just can't stop... DAMN IT." She slammed her hove on the wall.

"Rainbow Dash!" Apple Jack had a tone of anger in her voice. "We can't make noise's like that!"

"... Sorry." Rainbow Dash simply said

"Is everything alright down there?" Rarity called out "I heard a noise."

"We're fine." Apple Jack called back. "Rainbow just hit something."

"Alright then, be careful down there." Rarity said satisfied.

There was a long pause with Rainbow Dash quietly sobbing in the corner and Apple Jack just standing there, unsure what to do Jeez Apple Jack thought. She's more messed up than I thought...

"W.. Why am I so weak?" Rainbow Dash sobbed. "I, I know Twilight is good, bu-but I can't help but think of all the made up bad of her. Like really, I thought she burned down your farm at one point."

"You are not weak Rainbow Dash!" Apple Jack said with an empowering voice. "Your just messed up, most ponies would have completely shut her out by now, you even have the courage to apologize to her for being rude, you're the strongest pony I know."

Rainbow Dash looked up at her "You.. You think?"

Apple Jack went over to Rainbow Dash, went down to her level, put a big smile on her face and put her hooves on Rainbows shoulders. "Of course I do."

And with those simple four words, Rainbow Dash threw herself into Apple Jacks arms, her crying was unstoppable now, the two with there arms locked, just sat there for what seamed like a long time to them. A bird chirped somewhere off in the distance.

Escape

Rarity came running down the stairs "Alright, that should be good for upstairs, how are you guys doing dow... Oh, I'll go back upstairs." Rarity claimed after seeing them.

"No." Rainbow Dash said going to her usual floating position breaking the hug. "Were done, we'll get started down here."

"Alright then, as long as your both ok." Rarity made sure.

"We're fine." Apple Jack confirmed.

"Good." Rarity said with a smile. "I'll help down here to then."

While the three of them were scavenging, Rainbow Dashes and Apple Jacks eyes would meat often, every time Apple Jack would give a smile, but Rainbow Dash would look away in shame. Apple Jack wasn't one hundred present sure what that meant, but she new it could be nothing good. I guess Rainbow Dash still has some bad thoughts to Twilight. She'll get over it... I hope. The bottom of the shop didn't have to much to loot, just some metal, a couple dozen yards of fabric, needles and thread, and couple food items.

"I guess we should get out of here." Rainbow Dash said satisfied with the work they did tearing apart Raritys shop.

"Agreed." Apple Jack said. "pick up all the stuff now Rarity, you'll be going first just in case."

"Sure" Rarity complied. Her horn glowed with her magic, and soon after the room was filled up with items with Raritys upstairs spree it seamed.

"How much stuff do you need Rarity!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"Hey! A girl needs her accessories." Rarity said with a pout.

"Whatever." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

"It's all down here, we can get going now." Rarity said

"Ok, this is what were going to do." Apple Jack said. "Rarity, you open the door to let Rainbow Dash out, she'll check to see if the beastie is still there, hopefully its gone, but if it is there we're gona hafta do the same thing we did before." Apple Jack laid out.

"Lets do this!" Rainbow Dashed pumped her arms

Rarity opened the door, Rainbow Dash flew out and hid on top of the building, to avoid any spying eyes. After looking around for about a minute or so, she flew back in. "There's still that one dog thing, its farther away though, we can totally make it past him." Rainbow Dash told them.

"Good, like Ah said, Rarity will go first, I'll go second and Rainbow dash after." Apple Jack explained. "And have the all your things floating over us Rarity."

The three of them were calmer this time walking out of the house sense they knew they could do it, doing once already. The beat was further away this time, feeding on another fallen victim. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but keep her eyes on it. Apple Jack felt confident enough to whisper.

"Watch out for this rock Rainbow."

Rainbow Dash wasn't really listening, she was to enthralled by the beast not to far away from them. "uhuh." was her reply. after taking a few steps, she kicked the rock with deadly accuracy, she couldn't of been more centered on it. She tripped and fell on her face. "OOF!" she exclaimed. Both Rarity and Apple Jack looked back at Rainbow Dash with terror on there face, soon after the three of them wiped there heads over to the dog, for he had turned to them and had his head up in the air howling to the sky.

"He's calling the others!" Apple Jack realized, "We need to get out out of here, NOW!"

Rainbow Dash got up and started running after them passing giving her enough time to see the beast start charging before running around the corner again. Rainbow wasn't to far behind them, they never left her sights, being the fastest out of the the, she caught up quickly.

"What are we going to do Apple Jack!?" Rainbow Dash questioned.

"I duno!" Apple Jack admitted. they paused for a while "... If we stop to open up the barrier, the beastie will get us... Oh, Rainbow Dash, fly over to the library, get Twilight to open it up for us when we get here."

Rainbow Dashed winced at the idea. "I'm not leaving you alone, maybe we can fight it!"

"Even if we could," Rarity interrupted. "All the other ones knows where we are now, we'll me swarmed in minutes, its the only way Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow Dash looked down and pause for a moment... "Fine." She said as she sped off.

"Rarity, get all the stuff in a straight line in front of us." Was the last thing Rainbow Dash heard as she flew away.

It didn't take long for Rainbow dash to get to the library, with her wing speed, it only took her a few seconds. She landed and screamed out.

"TWILIGHT GET OUT HERE I NEED YOUR HELP!!"

"I'll get her!" Pinkie Pie yelled back. "She's downstairs doing that blacksmithing thing!"

"PLEASE HURRY" Rainbow Dashed begged.

After waiting for what felt like an age to her, she heard hoof steps rumbling closer. "HURRY UP TWILIGHT!" Rainbow Dash screamed. Silence. She could start seeing figures in the distance. Rainbow Dash started to bang on the purple wall of light. "Please Twilight... hurry up please... I don''t want to loose anyone else." Rainbow Dash almost cried. Suddenly she heard clacks echoing through the house.

"I'm coming!" Twilight yelled.

"Come on." Rainbow Dash yelled. "Open up the barrier for us, Apple Jack and Rarity are being chased.

"Right!" Twilight said as she jumped out of the barrier. She stuck her horn in and let the magic flow from her.

"I'll go see what I can do to help them!" Rainbow Dash told Twilight.

"No Rainbow Dash!" Twilight rejected. "Get in the barrier, it closes as soon as I walk in, and who knows how many are coming, if you go I'll have to keep it open and wait for you, who knows what could get me at that time."

"But..." Rainbow Dash tried to argue.

"NOW!" Twilight yelled out.

Rainbow Dash looked back at the two rapidly approaching ponies and the lone dog not far behind. She turned away in shame and walked into the barrier and sat on a tree root which the library was made of.

"HURRY UP!" Twilight yelled at the running ponies.

"Come on Rarity, one more push, were almost there!" Apple Jack told Rarity encouragingly, who was breathing heavily and had a pained look on her face.

"I... I can't" Rarity objected.

"YES YOU CAN!" Apple Jack enforced. "You can and you will, you need to! Think of Pinkie pie and Rainbow Dash, they need you to be there right now, they can't afford to loose anyone else right now!"

Her pace still slowed

"Don'y let spike's sacrifice go to waist Rarity!" Apple Jack yelled out to Rarity.

That last line seamed to give Rarity a last burst of strength, her pained faced morphed into anger as her paced quickened, she even was slightly gaining a little bit of distance between her and Apple Jack, the dog was still behind them however snapping at Apple Jacks tail, barley missing every time. The supplies were flooding in to the library now.

"RRRAAAAAAA!" Rarity yelled as she jumped through the now phaseable barrier.

As soon as Rarity got in Twilight went in at the same time as Apple Jack, trying to calculate the perfect time for the two of them to get in without the dog. Twilight was a little late. The dog got half way through, the Barrier solidified on it. It was stuck half way through with no way of getting through, all it could do was back out. Just before Apple Jack got away however, the dog managed to take a good chuck out of her tail, about half, the dog was just standing there hopelessly gnawing on it for some food that it wasn't going to get. Rainbow Dash was leaning on the tree now, giving a huge sigh of relief. Rarity was collapsed on the floor trying to get her breath back.

"Are the three of you ok!?" Twilight asked. "Did any of you get a bite!?"

"We're fine." Apple Jack assured. "Well... 'sides my tail." she looked back at it with a sense of incompleteness.

"Your tail can't reach your blood stream, or anything like that." Twilight told her. "Still though, we should cut off that part throw it out just in case." She grabbed a pair of scissors with her magic, that Rarity brought over, and used it to cut the spot off.

"There." Twilight said picking it up with her magic, she walked outside to throw the hair out the barrier, the dog was still there, it wouldn't stop barking. Not a single noise could be made out past the demon like barks.

Pains Of The Past

Rarity was lying on the floor in a very unladylike position, gasping for air. Her mane was hanging in every which way, normally unheard of from the very elegant pony. Pinkie Pie went up to her to see if she was all right, her hair seemed oddly flatter than usual, lacking its typical puffiness as some hairs even hung down over her face. Not even the sight of the completely out of character Rarity brought a smile to Pinkie’s face. Apple Jack was still staring at her tail, with mourning frown of her face, she flicked her tail every few seconds to get used to the weight behind her. Twilight walked back into the library.

"Rarity, I need you to get all the bits of spare metal you managed to rummage up and bring them downstairs please," She said.

Rarity stared at Twilight for a few seconds, then closed her eyes and tried to get up. About half way up, her legs wobbled and she fell down again, breathing heavier now.

"Uuuhh... Once you recover of course." Twilight added as she walked over to a chair.

Apple Jack looked around the room satisfied with her weight testing. "... Where's Rainbow Dash?"

The room became dead silent. Everypony was looking around the room in hopes to see those vivid rainbows. After a short while Twilight threw an order.

"Apple Jack, look outside. I'll check upstairs." She ran there.

Apple Jack ran outside, and around the barrier, careful to keep distance from the ever annoying dog still trying to get in. "RAINBOW DASH!" She called out. "THIS AIN’T FUNNY, WHERE ARE YOU!?" after a round, seeing that Rainbow Dash was not in the barrier, she took a look outside, almost instantly she saw a trademark rainbow streak in the sky. "Damn it Rainbow." she muttered. Apple Jack ran back inside, and to the bottom of the stairs, and called out for Twilight.

"Ah found her Twilight!" She called out. "She's flying off in the distance!"

"Shit!" Twilight exclaimed. "What’s wrong with her?" She ran back down the stairs. "We need to search for her, who knows how many of those things are out there right now."

"Right!" Apple Jack declared. "Let’s go."

"Give me two seconds." Twilight said running down the stairs.

"We ain’t got no time for this Twilight!" Apple Jack yelled after her.

"Don't worry!" Twilight replied. “You'll like this.”

Apple Jack gave a simple angry grunt. It seemed like ages before Twilight came back up. When she did, she was carrying something with her magic.

"Is that...?" Apple Jacked looked in awe.

"Yep!" Twilight smiled. "It’s your sword! Lift up your front right hoof." Twilight said, knowing Apple Jack was right hoofed.

When Apple Jack did as she was told, Twilight put the leather strap under it and the around her neck. The blade was sheathed in an ugly piece of leather, but that did not bother Apple Jack. The hilt, coming out of the sheath, was a bowl shape.

"The blade is locked in the sheath right now." Twilight explained. "To get it out, all you need to do is put your hoof on the hilt. It will attach to your hoof and unlock, then you can pull it out. Try it."

Apple Jack slowly lifted her hoof around her neck and to the hilt. This was unreal; although she had used plenty of farming tools before, she had never even seen a real life sword before, let alone actually used one. Something that was invented for the sole purpose of death, Apple Jack almost wanted nothing to do with it. She hesitated, closed her eyes, took a deep breath and relaxed herself. She blasted her eyes open and shoved her hoof in the hilt. There was a clicking sound, and Apple Jack felt something surround her hoof. She slowly pulled it out and put it in front of her face. The blade had a dull colour to it, but by just staring at it, she could tell that it was very sharp.

"Wow." Apple Jack was enthralled by the blade.

"I'm glad you like it Apple Jack." Twilight became serious. "But we need to hurry. Just put the blade back in the sheath, and it will release your hoof."

"Right." Apple Jack said while following Twilights "let's go!"

"You two stay here," Twilight said to Rarity and Pinkie Pie, "just in case Rainbow comes back."

"We shall." Rarity said, regaining some of her strength.

"Let’s do this!" Twilight said as her and Apple Jack ran out the door.

The dog was still there, barking as loud as ever.

"Oh shut up." Twilight said to the beast as she shot one of her magic bullets at it, knocking it back some meters and silencing it.

Following Rainbow Dash was fairly easy, all they had to do was follow the rainbow path she left behind. Twilight and Apple Jack were very cautious though, they knew that the beasts were stirring from the first one’s howl. Oddly however, they did didn't even see one let alone run into one.

"They must all be at the library." Twilight concluded.

"Ah hope Pinkie's all right." Apple Jack worried.

After about a half hour, the rainbow above them landed in front of the place which haunted Twilight: the Everfree forest.

"Not here, Rainbow Dash," Twilight wined "What are you thinking coming here..."

"What 'er we going to do Twilight?"

"I think we need to split up. It'll be dangerous, with them being all riled up, but we need to do this as quickly as possible." Twilight couldn't look at Apple Jack.

"I agree, let’s go." Apple Jack started running into the forest.

"WAIT!" Twilight yelled. "ONLY STAY FOR AN HOUR OR SO, THEN GET OUT!"

"'KAY!" Apple Jack yelled back.

"Hmp" Twilight grunted to herself amazed at Apple Jacks enthusiasm. "Better get going."

Twilight ran in a slightly different direction than Apple Jack, but unlike her, Twilight had an idea where Rainbow could be. It wasn't too far into the forest, about a fifteen minute run. Twilight arrived to a clearing in the forest, all there was, besides grass was an old fallen tree, she looked around and saw nothing; she hung her head in failure. "Damn, she's not here." She said. Twilight was about to walk away when her ear picked up something faint, "Crying?" She said. "Rainbow Dash are you here?"

"GO AWAY!" The voice came from behind the log.

"Rainbow Dash!" She happily yelled out. "You are here! Come on, we need to get out of here!"

"I SAID GO AWAY!" Rainbow's voice was clearly distraught.

Twilight paused for a moment unsure what to do, then slowly walked around the log and to her sobbing friend.

"Are you ok Rainbow?" Twilight asked. "What's wrong? You know you can talk to me." Twilight put her hoof of Rainbow Dashes shoulder.

"NO!" Rainbow Dash jumped into the air and floated out of Twilight reach. "DON'T TOUCH ME, YOU MURDERER!" Rainbow was giving Twilight a death stare.

"Murderer? What are you talking about?" Twilight asked, confused. "I never killed anypony."

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" Rainbow Dash screamed. "YOU KILLED FLUTTERSHY!"

"Fluttershy? I didn't kill Fluttershy, Rainbow, those dogs did." Twilight started to back off.

"AND THAT'S YOUR FAULT!" Rainbow was in a rage now. "YOU SHOULD HAVE PROTECTED HER BETTER! IF I WAS THERE I WOULD HAVE MADE SURE FLUTTERSHY GOT AWAY BEFORE I RAN, BUT YOU AND YOUR SELFISHNESS, YOU HAD TO RUN AWAY WITH HER, YOU KNOW FLUTTERSHY IS WEAK, YOU KNOW SHE'S SLOW, YOU KNOW SHE'S SCARED OF EVERYTHING!” She kept pushing Twilight back.

"I... I." Twilight started to tear up. "I didn't"

"DIDN'T WHAT TWILIGHT? DIDN'T KNOW? DIDN'T REMEMBER? DIDN'T THINK OF IT!? HEH" Rainbow chuckled. "THAT WOULD BE A FIRST!

Twilight was crying now. "I didn't think it was possible."

Rainbow threw her arm up in a rage. "OF COURSE ITS POSSIBLE, THIS IS LIFE, LIFE CAN DIE." She got face to face with Twilight. "AND YOU LET IT HAPPEN!" She turned her back to Twilight. "If I was there, I would’ve protected her!"

After Rainbow Dash said that last line, Twilight noticed something happening to Rainbow Dash. She seemed to weaken, her wing flaps slowed down.

"I... I couldn't protect her." She said weakly. "I couldn't protect her or anypony." Rainbow Dash collapsed to the ground and started bawling. "I couldn't do anything to save them, not Fluttershy, not Apple Jack, not Rarity... I couldn't do a thing. I even ran away from the situation, I can't protect anyone... I'm so weak.

When Rainbow Dash said that, Twilight realized what was wrong, she couldn't believe it, probably the strongest pony out of all of them was calling herself weak, and it wasn't just a thought in her head either, she truly believed that she was the weakest pony ever.

"If your weak Rainbow Dash" Twilight said calmly. "Then I must be an ant or something."

"What are you going on about now?" Rainbow Dash said annoyed.

"Well, for starters, you are not weak, if that is how you were thinking this entire time, then the fact that you could control yourself when I even looked at you is amazing." Twilight said. "You even apologized to me, even though you were having those thoughts."

Rainbow Dash's crying slowed a little bit.

"And how you could go on a mission in your state of mind, or how you actually accepted my ordering you into the barrier." Twilight had a smile on her face now.

Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight, her crying was now just sobs again.

"You are not weak, Rainbow Dash. I'm honestly jealous of your strength. It’s amazing really." Twilight was showing a cocky smile now, like if somepony was showing off a new item of theirs.

Rainbow Dash looked away from Twilight. "You don't mean that, you can't mean that. I just exploded at you, you should hate me right now, the fact that you’re still trying is beyond me."

"I don't hate you Rainbow Dash, I can't hate you." She corrected. "This spot here proves it, don't you remember that time?"

"...Yeah." Rainbow Dash simply said as she went into her memories.

Thank you for reading, time for shout outs! =D

Thank you to: AceSparkleGirl, scbb92, Thespurgin, Lordofdarkflames, clubbzz, Lazlo, abilene1, psycho pony guy, and BlizzardRainbow for favouriting this!

Special thanks to: AetherToast, and Lazlo for watching me!

And Special Special thanks to: SpikeThePony of the site Funny Junk for proof-reading this chapter!

It really means a lot to me, and it really encourages me to continue writing. Also thanks to anyone who even gave this a read!

Memories Past

It wasn't a very nice day out, the sun was hidden by clouds, and it seemed it could rain at any moment, which it has been for the past week. The ground was wet, the rivers were overflowing, all the flowers were dying from over hydration, and everything just had a tint of grey to it. Twilight was looking out the window.

"Will the weather ever get better, Spike?" She asked

"I hope so," Spike said longingly. "All this rain has dulled my scales a little."

Twilight gave a little chuckle. "Oh Spike, your scales are fine, stop making such a fuss over nothing.”

"I’m serious Twilight, they don't have that shine anymore like they used to have," Spike frowned.

"Whatever." Twilight said as she rolled her eyes and looked back out the window. "Hey, could you go get us some tea, Spike?"

"Sure, Twilight," Spike said proudly. "It'll be right out."

He ran out of their bedroom, down the stairs, and into the kitchen, where he started to boil the water. Spike put some mint leaves in a small bowl and ground them up with a rounded block of wood, clearly worn from use. After it was to his satisfaction, he put the ground up leaves in a tea pot, and then brought out a cutting board, a knife, and an array of berries. He started chopping, and when he was about half way through, he headed frantic knocking on the front door.

"Coming!" he yelled out as he jumped off the stool he was standing on to reach the table.

When he opened the door a flash of yellow dashed above him, he turned around to see Fluttershy desperately searching the main room.

"Twilight! Twilight where are you!?" She called out with her meek voice

"She's right upstairs" Spike answered the question that was not asked to him. "I'll go get her."

"Oh, please hurry, Spike!" Fluttershy begged as Spike ran up the stairs.

Spike ran up the stairs and opened the door to Twilights room. "Hey Twilight, Fl-"

"Oh." Twilight interrupted. "The tea's done already? That's a new record for you, Spike!"

"No Twilight." Spike admitted. "The tea is not done."

"Then why are you here?" Twilight integrated.

"Because Fluttershy is downstairs waiting for you, it sounds important." Spike answered

"Well why didn't you say that before Spike?" Twilight lifted an eyebrow.

Spike sighed. "I don't know, Twilight, I'll try better next time." He rolled his eyes.

"Good!" Twilight exclaimed satisfied. "Now come on, finish the tea while I go talk to Fluttershy."

"Ye-e-es, Twilight," Spike spoke sarcastically. Twilight took no notice however, aggravating Spike slightly. He quickly dismissed those emotions remembering who he was talking to.

"What's wrong, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked just before taking the last few steps of the stairs.

"Oh it’s just terrible, Twilight!" She sounded very distraught. "Rainbow Dash is going to kill herself!"

"KILL HERSELF?!?!" Twilight yelled out. "Where is she!?"

"Everfree Forest," Fluttershy replied.

"Let's go!" Twilight said as she opened the door with her magic then ran out.

"Oooooh wait for me please." She was so quiet Twilight could not hear her. "Ooooh this is bad." She closed the door and ran off.

".... WHAT ABOUT THE TEA" Spiked screamed out in anger. "Oh my Celestia!" He cussed as he flung his arms up accidentally flipping over his cutting board spilling all the berries onto the ground. "For Luna's sake!" He cussed more as he got an old rag and started to clean up the mess he made.

Twilight and Fluttershy were running in the Everfree forest now.

"How much further Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.

"Almost there," Fluttershy answered running behind Twilight.

Soon after they came to a clearing, it had lots of grass a couple of flowers, but what was most notable was the massive tree that had fallen down right through the center of the clearing. On top of the tree was a familiar blue coated pony with the ever recognizable rainbow mane. Rainbow Dash was laying down facing away from the other two.

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight said with an array of emotions.

"Is that Twilight I hear, Fluttershy?" Rainbow said emotionless.

"Y... Yes." Fluttershy said meekly as she backed off a step.

Rainbow Dash paused, not moving an inch. It seemed as if not even her hair moved.

"Ra... Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy said. "Are... Are you ok?"

"WHY!" Rainbow Dash screamed at the top of her lungs, jumping up on her hooves finally facing the two other ponies. "THIS WAS OUR SPOT FLUTTERSHY!" Rainbow Dash flew over to Fluttershy, their faces met. "HOW COULD YOU BRING TWILIGHT HERE!? SHE'S NOT YOU! SHE'S NOT ME! SO WHY IS SHE IN OUR SPOT, HUH!?"

"I- I don't" Fluttershy was backing off rapidly, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Stop it Rainbow!" Twilight asserted herself in between the two Ponies. "Fluttershy brought me here ‘cause of what you're about to do!" She spoke quickly.

"IT’S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" Rainbow Dash was in a complete rage now. "WHAT DO YOU CARE ANYWAY'S, HUH?! ALL YOU EVER DO IS STUDY, STUDY, THEN STUDY SOME MORE!, YOU HAVE NO TIME FOR YOUR FRIENDS EXCEPT WHEN YOU THINK YOUR GOING TO DISAPPOINT CELESTIA BY NOT GIVING HER ONE OF YOUR LETTERS! WHY ARE YOU EVEN HERE?! YOU WERE ASSIGNED HERE TO LEARN ABOUT FRIENDSHIP! AND YOU TOTALLY FAIL AT THAT, JUST GO BACK TO FANCY-PANCY HOME BACK AT CANTERLOT. She turned around and crossed her arms. "Do us all a favor." She mumbled under her breath.

Twilight held her ground through that onslaught of verbal abuse, but each word was like a hammer slowly driving a nail through her heart. “Is that how she really thinks of me?” she thought. “How all of them think of me?... No, Fluttershy wouldn't go to me then, she's just trying to psyche me.”

"Rainbow Dash," Twilight spoke calmly. "I know you're feeling down right now, but just talk to me, I'm sure I can help you."

"Help me?" Rainbow Dash had a fake curiosity to her voice. "Like you of all people could do that. Remember? You don't know anything about friendship!"

"Even if I don't know how to be a friend," Twilight flinched at saying that. "I at least know how to be a therapist. I can help you."

Rainbow Dash froze for a moment except for her wings, almost as if they just sucked all the power she had to move anything else.

"I don't need therapy." She finally said, then flew back to the fallen tree, and laid back down. "I just need to die."

Twilight wasn't affected by that statement; she prepared herself for that beforehand. "Why do you want to die Rainbow?" she asked. "That would hurt any of us more than what you’re going through right now." Twilight covered her mouth with her hoof. “Crap, crap, crap!” she thought. “I should not have said that.”

Rainbow Dash stood up on the log, the full force of her anger was now bursting at Twilight. "MORE THAN I'M GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW?! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH! MY PARENTS ARE DEAD, AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO SAY THAT SOMEONE ELSE CAN FEEL WORSE THAN I DO RIGHT NOW!"

They stared at each other for a little bit, Twilight had fear on her face now from the explosion happening in front of her.

"Wow." Rainbow Dash laughed. "I knew you were bad at friendship, but this is saying something." She went back to lying down. "Just do us both a favor, and leave me alone."

"Your parents are dead?" Twilight asked. "How did that happen?"

"Flying accident," Rainbow Dash spoke quickly.

"But, why do you need to die? You barely even knew your parents. Remember, they abandoned you after you got expelled from flight school." Twilight asked confused.

"Yeah, for protecting Fluttershy." Rainbow's voice had a bit of shakiness to it.

"That doesn't matter, what matters is that you are overreacting. Why do you need to follow them? Why do you need to be with them now of all times?" Twilight had a light voice.

Rainbow Dash didn't say anything; she just laid there, silently.

"Rainbow, are you ok?" Twilight asked.

Rainbow mumbled something nearly inaudible under her voice.

"What?" Twilight blurted out.

"Because I need to know," Rainbow Dash raised her voice just enough for Twilight to hear, but she also heard the tears she was hiding by facing away from her and Fluttershy.

"Know... What?" Twilight was almost scared to ask.

"Know... Know if they were ever proud of me... Ever since I could fly all they've ever done was train me until I was old enough for flight school, They wouldn't let me get a job, They wouldn't let me hang out with friends, just every day, train, train, train, train, train some more, then go to sleep, wake up at the crack of dawn and go back to training. They wanted me to join the Wonderbolts, not for me, but so they could be famous in some way. I didn't care though. All I ever wanted to do was make them proud..." Her voice was cracking from the tears. "And I failed at doing that. The only reason I've made it my life goal to join the Wonderbolts is so that my parents will accept me again."

"Why?" Twilight asked cockily.

"What do you mean why?" Twilight’s comment made Rainbow Dash angrier.

"Why are you still caring about them? They abandoned you, so forget about them." Twilight hated how she had to be so mean.

Rainbow Dash turned her head, revealing all the tears she had bean releasing. "I can't forget about family!" She said with a raised voice.

"Then why are you forgetting about us then? About Fluttershy, Apple Jack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and I." Twilight stopped for a moment to see how Rainbow Dash would react.

"Wh- What are you talking about?" Rainbow Dash asked weakly.

Twilight Started to slowly walk towards Rainbow. "We have been there for you, whenever you felt bad, whenever you felt good, whenever you needed help, whenever you could do it by yourself. When you ever needed to talk, we were there. When you needed to simply be with someone, WE were there. When you needed comforting, WE were there. Whenever you needed ANYTHING, WE WERE THERE!" Twilight was Right in front of the tree, and below Rainbow Dash, staring her right in the eyes. "RAINBOW DASH, WE WERE THERE, FOR YOU!" She stopped for a moment staring at Rainbow Dash. "Why would you leave the people who love you, for the people that used you? We are your family now Rainbow Dash. You are my sister, I love you... We all love you!

Rainbow Dash stared at Twilight with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. "I...I- I," She fumbled. She had never heard anything like that before, not even from her parents. "I." She said again. Tears were swelling in her eyes. She couldn't look away from Twilight, who just stood the smiling. Finally Rainbow Dash could no longer take it, her tear glands burst, she jumped off the tree and tackled Twilight to the ground, hugging her tightly.

"I'm so sorry!" She said brokenly through her tears

"Its ok, Rainbow Dash" Twilight said lovingly. She then waved at Fluttershy to come over and join them.

Fluttershy walked over, put her hoof on the sobbing sky blue pony, and said. "Don't forget about me, I'm part of this family too."

Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy and put her under herself, beside Twilight. Hugging them both tightly, she cried.

A flock of birds called out above them.

Rainbow Dash was lying behind a fallen tree, head hung low, Twilight Sparkle was standing behind her with a warm smile on her face.

"Don't you remember that time?" Twilight asked.

"...Yeah." Rainbow Dash simply said.

They stood there in silence for a long time, neither of them moving. Twilight wondered, hoped if Rainbow Dash would have a good reaction. Finally Rainbow Dash stood up.

"You cared for Fluttershy just as much as I did..." Rainbow said. "... She was your sister too..."

Twilight stood in silence. Rainbow Dash turned around, stared at Twilight and lifted her hoof.

"You're right," Rainbow said. "You can't hate me, and I can't hate you, no one can hate family. Sister?"

Twilight replied with a smile. "Sister," she said, as she pushed away the raised hoof for a hug.

"All right," Rainbow Dash blushed. "That's enough."

"Sorry." Twilight said as she broke the hug. "Now let's go, we shou-"

Suddenly a weak voice came from the edge of the clearing "Help... Me." It said. Twilight and Rainbow Dash simultaneously turned their heads to the voice, there they saw a yellow filly with a red mane, and a ripped bow tie.

"Apple Bloom!" Rainbow Dash called out as she sped over with her wings.

"How bad is she?" Twilight asked running soon after Rainbow Dash.

"Not good." Rainbow admitted. "She's got a bite mark."

"Oh no," Twilight said in horror.

In the distance Apple Jack's voice rang in the distance. "RAINBOW DASH, WHERE ARE YOU!" Twilight and Rainbow Dash stared at each other as if looking for answers; finally Twilight knew what to do.

"I FOUND HER APPLE JACK!" She called out. "COME OVER HERE!"

"What are you doing!" Rainbow asked with an angered tone. "Do you want her to see this?"

"Apple Bloom's about to die, she needs Apple Jack by her side right now, just like how I was by yours." Twilight pointed out

Rainbow Dash swung her head downwards, realizing she was right, she flew over to a nearby tree and rested against it, eyes closed.

Apple Jack ran into the clearing. "You found her Twilight?." She looked in search for Rainbow Dash, seeing her by the tree she gave a sigh of relief. "Oh good, but we need to get out of here, there's a bunch of 'em.."

"We can't," Twilight interrupted.

"Why not?" Apple Jack looked in confusion.

Twilight looked over to the dying filly. "That's why." She said.

Apple Jack looked over and took a couple of steps back in fear. "A… Apple Bloom?" She said.

Rainbow Dash had her eyes still closed to the pain on her face, Twilight looked away in shame. Apple Jack stared in utter disbelief.

Silence.

Wow, long chapter this time, oh well. SHOUT OUTS!!!!

Thank you to: Skylar Dawn, and Rainbow_Dashie for faving this!

Special thanks to: Rainbow_Dashie, and AceSparkleGirl for watching me!

Super ultra mega special thanks to SpikeThePony of Funny Junk for proof reading this! (You all should be jealous of him, he gets to read the new chapters before you!)

And last but not least, thank you to Deathscar for giving me the idea for Rainbow Dash's troubles in the flashback. Check him out, he has really great stuff!

Decisions

Apple Jack laid beside Apple Bloom, stroking her mane. "What happened? All this time Ah thought you..." She trailed off.

Apple Bloom looked longingly at her sister. "Us Crusaders went to get our cutie marks in beastie hunting... We failed again."

Apple Jacked jumped in realization. "Y-your friends, where are your friends?" She asked. "Where's Sweetie Belle and Scootalo?

"They... They fell down." Apple Bloom said tiredly. "Ah... Ah kept running." She started to cry. "Ah... Ah abandoned my friends... Ah'm horrible." She tried to stand up. "Ah... Need... To... Help... Them."

Apple Jack moved her back down. "No, Apple Bloom, you can't."

"Why not?" Apple Bloom asked. "Are they dead?"

Apple Jack was thrown back by this question. "N- NO!" She finally answered. "...no, they’re fine, they’re just... going to sleep now. Ah bet you're a might tired too, you should get some rest, I'll see you in the morning."

"Oh." Apple Bloom said weakly. "That's good. Ah guess Ah am tired, good night sister."

"Ah love you." Apple Jack whispered. "Ah love you so much."

"Ah love you too sis." Apple Bloom closed her eyes. "Good night," she said as her last breath escaped her lungs.

"Good night lil' sis... I'll always love you." apple Jack concluded. She hung her head over Apple Bloom as if to cry.

Rainbow Dash's pained face became unbearable to look at. Twilight walk over to Apple Jack and put her hoof across her back and around her shoulder, in a semi hug.

"I'm so sorry Apple Jack." she comforted. "You must feel terrible right now."

Apple Jack remained motionless, as if the full blow of Apple Blooms death hadn't set in yet. Everything was quiet. Finally Apple Jack stood up, moving Twilight leg off of her.

"Ah'm fine." She said quietly. "We need to go... I saw a small group of 'dem beasties roaming around..." Apple Jack started to walk away, her head hung slightly, and her eyes closed. "Who knows where 'dey are right now."

Rainbow Dash finally opened her eyes, just to look in shock at the seemingly ok pony, Twilight did the same.

"A-Apple Jack." Twilight said consciously. "Are... Are you sure you're ok?"

"Ah’m fine!" Apple Jack defended.

"Bu-but your sister..." Twilight said confused.

"No point over crying over spilled milk!" She yelled out as she started to run.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash were in disbelief. They kept turning their heads to each other and back to Apple Jack trying to figure out what they exactly heard.

"I... What?" Rainbow Dash finally spoke.

"I... I don't know... I just don't know." Twilight admitted.

Apple Jacked yelled at the two lagging ponies. "Hurry up ya lazy bones!"

At hearing that both Twilight and Rainbow Dash got their bearings back. They dashed to Apple Jack, who was running slower so they could catch up. Apple Jack tried to make conversation.

"So, Rainbow Dash," Apple Jack inquired. "It seems you've gotten over your hate for Twilight, am Ah right?"

"Yep!" Twilight answered happily in Rainbow Dash’s place. "Everything is cleared up, and we're back to being sisters again!"

"I still blame you, you know." Rainbow Dash blurted out.

"... Waitwha?" Twilight said quickly after realizing what Rainbow Dash still said.

"Yeah, I meant what I said back there." Rainbow Dash put it bluntly. "It's just that now, I know that you understand about Fluttershy just as much as you do me, so I forgive you!" She said smiling at Twilight. "Well, forgive is too strong of a word, I can't forgive you for letting Fluttershy die, but I can look past it... Whatever the word for that is."

"Oh... I see" Twilight said with a confused smile.

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "We are still sisters!"

Twilight’s confused smile turned into a real one. "Thank you, Rainbow," she said simply

Rainbow Dash replied with a warm smile. They looked forward expecting to dash off with their new found energy. That idea was quickly slashed when they saw Apple Jack ahead of them running with her head hung low.

For such a smart girl. Twilight thought to herself. That was such a dumb move... She decided to try and talk to Apple Jack. "Apple..." was all she got out.

"Ah’m Fine!" Apple Jack interrupted with an annoyed tone.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash stared at each other with worry.

"Let’s hurry up... Rarity and Pinkie Pie must be worrying about us by now..." Apple Jack said.

***

Exiting the forest, Twilight told the others to be careful.

"Who knows how many of those dogs are out here now," she reasoned, although she hadn't seen any yet.

They ran slower than they did in the forest, because they were tired, and so that if they needed to run the other way quickly, they would have plenty of energy left. The three weren't talking at all, there was an eerie silence, almost as if time stopped around them, and they were moving through a frozen field. Then they started to hear a sound, it was very faint, and barely audible, but then it started to get progressively louder. Twilight recognized what it was first.

"They're doing it again... same as when Fluttershy died. They're howling." Twilight said with a low tone.

"What does that mean?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I don't know... But it’s a lot farther away this time... almost as if there leaving this place!" Twilight realized.

"Why would dey do that?" Apple Jack asked.

"Think about it!" Twilight said with a very happy face. "We are the only ponies left in Ponyville, they've ran out of food and are going to a place where there's more, it's simple animal instinct!"

"So where do you think they're going?" Rainbow Dash asked,

"To a place with the most food!" In saying that Twilight smiley face became a frown of horror. "Canterlot," she breathed. She started to run again, to the library. Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack followed.

"What's wrong with that?" Rainbow Dash wondered. "That place is a fortress, and they have your brother there to put up barriers like he did when the changelings attacked. Granted, he failed last time, but that was because they drained his power, but I doubt these things can steal love like they can."

"Even so," Twilight argued. "He's still weak from that time; it was only three months ago, and who knows if he's even alive still." Twilight flinched realizing what she said. "So the barrier is going to fail soon, and with all the dogs moving there from the Everfree forest, and who knows where else in Equestria, how long do you think they can last? They need us, we are the elements!"

"But what can we do?" Apple Jack asked. "Fluttershy's gone, without all six, we can't do no big magic beam thing."

"As true as that is," Twilight answered. "the elements, when on the right ponies, will give immense magical strength to the holder. Even an earth pony like you, Apple Jack, could have magic capabilities that can rival me now."

"Oh," Apple Jack said in awe. "That does sound mighty fun."

Twilight gave a slight chuckle.

"So," Rainbow Dash concluded. "If Apple Jack can have the abilities you do now, you must be really scary with the element on then."

"That's right," Twilight said proudly. "Of course I haven't had the time to test it out, but if my calculations are correct, than I should have the power to rival even Celestia."

"No way!" Rainbow Dash imagined the destructive power.

"Way." Twilight giggled. "But again, I haven't had the time to test it out, so this is all simple assumptions. Now come on girls, let’s hurry to the library,” she said with a hopeful smile as she started to sprint.

Some of you might think this chapter is short, but it's 4 in the morning, and I won’t have time to work on this till probs next weekend, after exams are over, so I hope you're not too disappointed.

SHOUT OUTS!!!!

Thank you to: Ponified_Dread for faving this, it really means a lot to me!

Special thanks to: SpikeThePony of Funny Junk for proof reading this chapter!

Personality

Feeling better, Rarity was at her sewing machine putting the final touches on a tarp she had been working on.

"Alright!" she said to herself. "That's two blankets, five coats, three pillow cases, two half mattresses, one tent, three tarps, two saddle bags. seven hats- very stylish hats I might add." She said with a giggle. "And one red dress, finished with flowers, glitter, rolls, ruffles, and folds, for me to wear when we reach... wherever we are going." She went to her makeshift fabric holder station, which she made quickly, refusing to put anything on the floor, and put her hoof to her chin. "Hmm... What should I make next?" She asked herself. "Ooooh I know! I'll make shoooes!"

She picked up a template from one of the cupboards and some high quality fabrics with her magic. She went back to her sewing machine and started on the first pair. She started humming a tune to herself when suddenly there was a loud crack, and immense pain in the back of her head. She collapsed on the floor, hoofs grabbing at the place where the pain came from. Her vision was blurry, her mind was in shambles, and everything was going black. The last thing she saw before she blacked out was a giant, evil smile, with pink lips.

***

Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, and Rainbow Dash were running, trying to get to the library as quickly as they could, knowing they needed to leave as quickly as possible to Canterlot, to hopefully prevent its destruction.

"I hope Rarity isn't completely fed up with Pinkie Pie by now." Rainbow Dash pointed out.

"I miss the old Pinkie Pie." Twilight said. "All she ever does now is cry, we could have really used her for our own sanity right now."

"Ya'll can't blame her." Apple Jack criticized. "She finally found something she couldn't laugh off, she's just realizing all the real dangers in the world. She'll come around eventually.

"Hopefully sooner than later," Twilight agreed. "But until then, we need to stick together, if anyone had any problem with anything, we need to talk to that person about it, no matter how simple or severe it is." She looked over her shoulder. "Right, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow Dash blushed and looked away in embarrassment. "I guess." She said simply.

Twilight smiled, and looked back ahead of her. "Good!" she called out satisfied. "But we should slow down now, we're getting close to the library, and there might be some dogs there."

"Good point." Apple Jack replied.

Approaching the final corner to the library, beside what was Berry Punches house, they lined up. Apple Jack in front, Twilight behind her, and Rainbow Dash in last.

"Ah'ma look around now" Apple jack whispered to her friends, then stuck her head out. "What?" Apple Jack yelled, she walked out into the open. "There ain’t no beasties here, not a single one!"

"What!?" Twilight said in a mixture of confusion and thought. "How could that be?" Both she and Rainbow Dash walked out to where Apple Jack was. "All the noise we made, the dog calling the others, there should be plenty of them, but not even the one I shot is here."

"What do you think is happening Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I don't know." Twilight admitted. "But I get a bad feeling it’s something big."

There was a silence, the three of them pondering what Twilight had just said.

"We should get back." Apple Jack finally said. "Rarity and Pinkie Pie're waiting for us."

"Right," Twilight agreed. "Let’s go."

Twilight opened up the barrier for the three of them to get through, and when she opened the door, what she saw nearly made her give up. Rarity was tied to the horse statue, being forced to stand on her two hind legs. Her mouth was taped, and she was sweating all over. Pinkie Pie was also on her hind hoofs, but she wasn't tied up, she leaned against the statue, holding herself up with one hoof and in her other one, she was holding a knife. She was spinning it around; the tip was touching Rarity's cheek.

"Oh good girls, you're back!" Pinkie said jumping back down to all four hoofs. "I was getting impatient." Her voice was different, it was more seductive, and womanly; it also had a murderous tone to it.

Her mane no longer had any curls to it. It was completely straight, and hung down the side of her face.

"Pinkie Pie, What are you doing?" Twilight spoke slowly.

"Oh." Pinkie said. "I am no longer Pinkie Pie. That crazy… party... pony, is gone. You may call me Pinkamina!"

"Pinkie Pie, this is..." Rainbow dash tried to speak.

"I am not Pinkie Pie!" Pinkamina said with a death stare.

"... Pinkamina..." Rainbow Dash said cautiously. "This is crazy! Let Rarity go now!"

"Oh I'm afraid I cannot do that right now." Pinkamina gave a slight grin towards Rarity, who cowered in fear.

"What d’ya mean?" Apple Jack asked. She started to walk forward."If ya just.."

"DON'T come any closer" Pinkamina hissed, and raised her hoof with the knife and pointed it at Apple Jack.

"Ah'm sorry." Apple Jack said as she backed off.

"Enough!" Twilight demanded. "What do you want!?"

"Aww," Pinkamina teased putting the knife back down. "You're no fun, can't we play a little? Maybe throw a party?"

Twilight just stared at her.

"Fine," Pinkamina sighed. "You were the most boring out of everyone, always caught up in your studies, but I guess it's just business.

"Get on with it!" Rainbow Dash demanded.

"Well for starters." Pinkamina rolled her eyes diagonally as if she was thinking to herself. "I'm going to be leaving this place, figured I would be better off alone than with a red neck, someone who's only had friends for about two years now, out of her twenty three year life," She glanced at Rainbow dash with an disapproving frown. "You, and this stuck up bitch who only knows how make pretty dresses!' Her voice got high and sarcastic. "Now!" She said with an empowered voice. "My saddle bag is right over there." She pointed beside the door. "It's packed and everything! All's I want is your sword Apple Jack. Twilight, being overly caring for her "friends" had to go and help Rainbow Dash in her time of need," She said with a over dramatized tone, “didn't get any others done. So if you give me yours, I'll be out of your hair and we can go on living what short lives we have."

"Ooooor We could tie you down and forget about all of that!" Rainbow Dash said jumping into the air.

"Uh uh uh." Pinkamina said in disappointing tone. “I wouldn't do that if I were you." she put the knife up to Rarity's throat. Rarity whined in fear in response. This brought a smile to Pinkamina's face.

"Now there's no need for that Pinkie..." Apple Jack stopped herself. "Pinkamina. Look Ah'll take the sword off now." She leaned forward, causing the sheath to slide down. When it fell off her head, she caught it by bringing her hoof up. Having it hang there she said. "Here ya go."

"Slide it over here." Pinkamina demanded.

Apple Jack followed her instructions.

"Good," Pinkamina hissed.

Pinkamina let go of Rarity, dropped the knife, and reached for the sword. Using the distraction, Rainbow Dash flew over as quickly as she could, and tackled her to the ground. Twilight cast her magic, making chains of energy, and preventing her from getting up.

"LET ME GO NOW!" Pinkamina demanded.

"Good job Rainbow Dash." Twilight complimented. "I was worried we were actually going to have let her go."

"DON'T YOU DARE IGNORE ME!" Pinkamina hopelessly ranted.

Rainbow Dash replied with a smile.

"Mmmmmm" Rarity said.

"Ah got it" Apple Jack walked over and ripped the tape off of her face, and started with the ropes that tied her down.

"You won’t believe what she did to me!" Rarity started to rant. "I was so scared! If you girls hadn't come, I don't know if I would be alive right now, my, she wouldn't even let me wash my mane, UHG, Its all filled with blood and guck..."

"Can we put the tape back on her?" Rainbow Dash interrupted.

Twilight and Apple Jack laughed, Rarity gave a look of disbelief. "HMF" She grunted as she brought her head up and to the right.

"Why'd you take it off in the first place anyways?" Pinkamina joked.

"Ha. Good one Pinkie" Rainbow Dash laughed and turned to Pinkamina, who was giving her a death stare. "Pinkamina" Rainbow Dash corrected herself.

Ya'll better be happy, I skipped a study session for my finals just to write for you guys... Aww who am I kidding, I love it!

SHOUT OUTS!!!

Thanks to... Dartmaul15 for giving me a fav!
Special thanks to... Ponified_Dread and Skylar Dawn for watching me! (Freakin stalkers these days eh?)

super ultra mega special thanks to... SpikeThePony of FunnyJunk for proof reading this chapter!

And thank YOU for the read, I love you all!

What Now?

Twilight moved Pinkamina to a more comfortable laying position, still being courteous to the friend that she hoped would soon return. Twilight gathered everybody around the table, including Pinkamina. With Rarity's "need" to take a shower, Twilight almost needed to chain her down to just so she would listen to her plans. When they all were gathered, and calmed down, Twilight finally spoke.

"I'm going to get straight to the point: Canterlot is going to fall, I don't know in how long, could be tomorrow, or in a month from now." Her face was serious, and her voice was like a knife. "But what I do know is that they need us. We need to leave as soon as we can, but this time there is no train to take us there, so we need to walk." Twilight used her magic to pick up an old rolled up piece of paper from one of the shelves. She plunked it on the table and used her hooves to open it up, revealing it was a map. Obviously we can't take the direct route, because Canterlot is on a cliff face. So we are going to have to take the indirect rout around the mountain." She used her hoof to roughly trace where they were heading. "On the other side there is a gradual incline, and then a path that cuts along the cliff...."

"Uhg!" Rarity grunted. "All that walking, my hooves will get all yucky!"

"Rarity" Apple Jack warned.

"Since when does the fate of Equestria come before my hooves?" Rarity said dramatically.

"Since always," Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

Rarity leaned back in disgust and put her hoof on her breast "I cannot believe what I just heard! I will have you know..."

"Shut up you stupid city girl!" Pinkamina spoke.

Rarity looked each of her other three friends with a shocked face, as if looking for the support to help defend herself. When nopony did anything, she leaned back in her chair, made a pouty face and crossed her arms in anger.

"HA" Rainbow Dash was amused. "I guess Pinkamina really is on our side!"

Pinkamina gave a death glance at Rainbow Dash. "The only way I would ever be on your side is if you decided you wanted to join the dogs; then I might have some fun!"

"Alright, then." Rainbow Dash gave in annoyed. "Jeez take a joke."

"As I was saying," Twilight continued, “there is a path that cuts along the cliff that leads to the front gates of Canterlot. I'm not going to lie, I don't know how dangerous it’s going to be, one... Or all of us could die."

"That is a risk we're ALL willin’ ta take, sugar cube!" Apple Jack proclaimed slamming her hoof on the table.

"That's right!" Rarity continued "And I know if we work together we can accomplish anything!"

Rainbow Dash flew in the air. "YEAH!" She proclaimed. "We're a team, we can do this!" She put her hoof in the center of the table as if for a group handshake.

This was quickly dashed by Pinkamina who said. "Huh, It’s funny. It almost sounds like you're including little old me on this "Team" of yours."

"Y’know..." Rainbow spoke disappointingly at the interruption. "I am really starting to miss Pinkie Pie right now."

"I bet you are." Pinkamina smirked in response.

"Grrr," Rainbow Dash growled. She stuck out her tong, and with her hoof brought her right eyelid down.

"Yeah," Pinkamina replied. "You're so mature," she said sarcastically.

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash started to threat.

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight interrupted. "Stop this!"

Rainbow Dash looked over in shock at Twilight and brought a hoof up to point at Pinkamina. "But she..."

Twilight would have none of it. "Rainbow Dash!" She said again. "Sit down!"

"Fine…" She grunted floating back down to her chair.

Twilight turned her head to Pinkamina. "And Pinkamina, let me clear some things up for you. Yes, we are taking you, You might not be Pinkie Pie right now, but she is in you somewhere. We are going to do our best to get rid of you, so we can get our friend back."

"Oh great," Pinkamina rolled her eyes. “That sooooo makes me feel better."

"I wasn't trying to make you feel better." Twilight explained. "I figure you know our general feeling towards you, so why bother hiding them.”

"Hmph" Pinkamina grunted.

"Aaaww, don't feel bad,” Twilight encouraged. "We are probably going to treat you more like a queen than a prisoner."

"Aaah" Apple Jack interrupted. "We are?"

"Of course we are!" Twilight clarified. "Right now she might be an annoying psychopath, but she's still Pinkie Pie."

"I am not!" Pinkamina interrupted. "That Goddamn stupid good-for-nothing party pony is no longer here, and she will NEVER come back!"

Those words rang in Rarity's head. Not to long ago she was tied up and nearly tortured by this crazy pony. Thought ran through her head. Can we keep her with us? Even if she is dear Pinkie, how long will it take to bring her out? This last thought nearly drove her insane. Can I forgive her even if Pinkie does come back? She was so deep in her head that she didn't realize the angry looking face she was making, Apple Jack did however.

"Are you alright, Rarity?" Apple Jack asked. "You seem a bit out of it."

Rarity looked up in surprise, she quickly when back to her usual warm smile though.

"Oh, I'm fine dear." She answered. "I guess I'm just a bit tired. Actually, speaking of that, Twilight are we done here? I really need to get this blood out of my hair and get my beauty rest. The sun is already setting."

"Almost, Rarity." Twilight answered. "I just need to wrap up. Alright so, this trip will take us two nights and three days." She pointed to a spot on the map. "Here is the midway point; it is the border between the forest, and a large field, that connects with the backside of the mountain. It is also where we are going to make camp for the first night. Here is about half way around the mountain, so on the next day, we will walk the rest of the way around, and the up about two thirds, where the path starts." She again traced the general path they were going to take. "There, we will camp for our second and final night."

"Aaah, Twilight?" Apple Jack interrupted.

"Yes, Apple Jack?" Twilight responded.

"Well, you said that out first night will be the half-way point, so why do we have to stay another night?" Apple Jack asked.

"Good question!" Twilight smiled. "The path through the cliff is actually fairly treacherous, when we arrive there, the sun will be setting. To be able to cross, we need the full light of the sun, and even at that, it is still high risk."

"Ah see, makes sense now." Apple Jack admitted.

Twilight smiled in response. "And that wraps that up. Tomorrow, we are all going to pack our bags, oh and Rarity, if there is anything else you need to make, that comes first priority, if it starts becoming a bit too much work, we will pack your bags for you."

"Thank you, dear." Rarity replied. "Can I shower now?"

Twilight chuckled. "Yes, go"

At those words Rarity seemed to almost teleport to the stairs she was so fast. "Thaaaaank yoooou!" She called out running up them.

"Twilight is it ok if I use your bed tonight?" Apple Jack asked.

"That's fine Apple Jack, I'm going to sleep downstairs tonight. Well, actually, I won’t be sleeping much; I need to finish those swords up." Jokingly, she continued. "Rainbow Dash over here distracted me from that."

She waved her hoof at Twilight. "Aaah shad up."

Twilight gave a chuckle, then remembered. "Ah Pinkamina, almost forgot about you, one second." She went to a corner of the wall, and brought her head down. Her horn lit up, and a couple seconds later a beam shot out, a box formed around the corner. "This is your room for tonight Pinkamina. In here you can move freely."

"But I can barely stand up in that!" Pinkamina complained.

"It's this or stay chained up" Twilight smiled.

Pinkamina gave a disgusted stare at Twilight, as if trying to determine if she was serious or not. When she realized she was serious, she hung her head and said. "Fine..."

Twilight gave a smile. Putting a board of magic under Pinkamina, she lifted her up and moved her into the box. She then locked the box, so she couldn't get out, and released the chains on Pinkamina's legs.

"I'll get you a blanket and a pillow." Twilight said, still worrying about Pinkie Pie.

She went over to the closet and got those items, when she dropped them in however, Pinkamina tried to make a dash for freedom. Her plan didn't go the way she hoped though. She slammed her face on the purple wall of magic and fell backwards putting her hooves to her face in pain.

"Sorry." Twilight laughed. "I forgot to tell you, it’s the same type of barrier as the one outside, without me or Rarity to unlock it, you are stuck in there." she gave a smile and tuned away. "Well then girls, good night" Twilight walked to the stairs. "I've got a long night ahead of me."

"Don't exhaust yourself now" Apple Jack worried.

"I'll try." Twilight concluded as she trotted down the stairs.

"Aah Rainbow, would you mind taking the guest bedroom tonight?" Apple Jack asked

"Uuuh, sure." Rainbow Dash answered. "Actually Rarity's going to want it, I'll wait for her and see if I can sleep with her. In the meantime I guess I'll just chat with Pinkamina."

"Kill me now." Pinkamina said annoyed.

"Alright, then. Night" Apple Jack said running up the stairs.

"Good night. Oh please tell Rarity to hurry up!" Rainbow Dash begged.

"Will do!" Apple Jack called back.

"So Pinkamina." Rainbow Dash flew over. "Think you could answer a couple of my questions?"

Pinkamina started to get herself comfortable. "Depends." She said simply.

"Alright." Rainbow Dash started. "My first one is, are you planning on giving Pinkie Pie back to us soon?."

"Oh you haven't figured it out yet." Pinkamina laughed. "Me and Pinkie Pie are the same, I don't ‘Choose’ to give Pinkie Pie back, she just comes back if the situation is perfect, and by perfect, I mean once in a blue moon, and all the planets align on the same day, and the sun explodes, the moon get hit by a meteor, and leaves our orbit..."

"Ok I get it." Rainbow Dash interrupted. "So then if what you are telling me is true, what brought you out?"

"Pinkie Pie's weakness." Pinkamina plunked herself onto her makeshift bed, facing away from Rainbow Dash.

"Weakness?" Rainbow Dash questioned.

"She found something she couldn't laugh off, so she retreated into me." Pinkamina clarified.

"So we can make you retreat into Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow Dash continued.

"Heh. You would have an easier time having idol conversation with Fluttershy right now." Pinkamina teased.

Rainbow Dash got angered by this, her face even shone bright red. "Why, you!" she said. With the help of her wings, she lifted herself up to hind legs, and brought her right hoof up.

"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity called out with a demanding voice. "Stop this now!"

Rainbow Dash turned her head to see Rarity standing there, with a wet mane hanging off the side of her head. "But she..."

"Whatever she did she probably deserves it, but you need to remember Pinkie Pie is still in there." Rarity continued.

Rainbow Dash just stood there for a moment, as if fighting the urge to come down hard on Pinkamina.

"You must be tired Rainbow Dash." Rarity spoke again. "Come on, let’s go to Twilight’s guest bedroom and go to sleep alright?"

"You're right." Rainbow Dash said quietly dropping to all four hooves again.

Just before Rainbow Dash closed the door to the guest bedroom, Pinkamina spoke.

"Weakling." Was all she said.

"Good night Pinkamina." Rainbow Dash replied, closing the door.

To anyone who read the other version of this chapter, I am sorry, that was a monstrosity and is gone forever.
SHOOOOOOOOOUTTTT OOOOOOUUUTTTSSS

a hug and a thank you to: vincoono for faving this.

five hugs and five thank you's to: SpikeThePony of funnyjunk for proofreading this chapter.

Wow guys chapter 10! We are in to the double digits! so much more to write and so many more characters to kill =D I can hardly wait!

Morning

Rainbow Dash slowly opened her eyes. They were still blurry from sleep. She pushed herself up into a sitting position, careful to try and not wake Rarity up who was sleeping right beside her. She wiped the sleep out of her eyes and looked out the window.

"Another sunny day" She mumbled. "If this keeps up even Cloudsdale will have all the water sucked out of it."

She quietly slipped out of bed, and then walked to the door. As slowly as she could, trying to make as little noise as possible, she slipped out, and closed it at the same speed as before.

"hmm, no one’s up yet." She said looking around the room.

"Hey! I'm not no one!" A voice came.

"Who...? " Rainbow Dash managed to get out.

"Me you idiot," The voice came again.

Rainbow Dash wiped her head to where the voice came from. What she saw first was purple box of energy. Investigating more, she saw what was on the inside. A pink pony, with straight hair, smiling at her.

"There you go." The pink pony smiled.

Realizing who it was, with all of the events of the past days suddenly came rushing back to her, She felt weak

"Oh right... I forgot about you." She said.

"Aww, Dashie." Pinkamina used Pinkie Pies voice. "You're soooo mean. How could you forget about lil' old me?"

"Shut up!" Rainbow Dash turned around, to not show Pinkamina how much that actually hurt her.

"Come on Rainbow, I'm just teasing." Pinkamina laughed. "I thought you were harder than that.

Rainbow Dash didn't reply, she walked over to the kitchen instead, and started making herself a bowl of cheeryoats.

"Ooo could you make me a bowl?" Pinkamina clacked her hooves in excitement.

"I guess." Rainbow Dash mumbled

"Yay!" Pinkmaina exclaimed.

"You're cheery this morning." Rainbow Dash said curiously.

"Hmm." Pinkamina smiled. "Maybe it's cuz I want you to like me more so I can trick you into believing that I've changed, so you can help me get out, then I can break your right hoof, kill you and escape." She said in one large breath.

"Uuhh?. Rainbow Dash said with a gaping mouth.

"I'm kidding! Geez take a joke, why don't you?" Pinkamina said disappointing

"Riiight... Anyways here's your cheeryoats." She picked up the bowl with both of her hooves, and flew over above the box. She put about half of it in so she could still hold onto it. "All right Pinkamina... Get ready.

Pinkamina put her hooves on the bottom of the bowl in a catching manner. "Ready."

Rainbow Dash let go of the bowl, it wiggled in Pinkamina's hands for a second, and then she got balance of it.

"Thank you, Rainbow Dash!" Pinkamina sang.

Rainbow Dash flew back over to the kitchen, and started eating in silence. Eating at the same time, Pinkamina stared at Rainbow Dash giving a toothy smile. After staying like that for a while, Rainbow Dash finally got fed up.

"What do you want from me!?" She yelled.

"Nothing." Pinkamina smiled.

"Then stop looking at me." Rainbow Dash turned her head and closed her eyes, to tell Pinkamina she was done with her.

"Would you let me stare at you, Dashie?" Pinkie Pie’s voice came.

Out of reflex, and a pain in her head, she turned her head to look for what she knew deep down she would not find.

"HA!" Pinkamina laughed. "You're so gullible Rainbow Dash."

Something cracked inside Rainbow Dash. "You piece of shit!" She yelled in anger. She flew up, put her hooves in front of her, and dashed to the purple box. She got about half way when a voice called out.

"RAINBOW STOP!" Twilight said.

Rainbow Dash spread her wings and twisted them around to create drag to stop herself. The force that she made to get moving made her drift quite a distance, she stopped about a foot in front of the box. She breathed heavily out of anger.

"Come on Dash!" Pinkamina spat. "Stop being so weak!"

Twilight was standing just in front of the staircase. "Thank Celestia!" She sighed. "I didn't know if you were going to stop or not."

Rainbow Dash stood there is silence, staring at Pinkamina. Pinkamina stared back at Rainbow Dash, with a curious look, as if waiting for her to do something.

"Look Rainbow." Twilight started. "I know Pinkamina is a little... aggravating at times, but we need to keep her safe. Pinkie Pie means more than a way to vent."

"Y..." Rainbow Dash stuttered "You’re right." She turned away from Pinkamina and started walking towards Twilight. "That’s the second time I've done that. I just don't know what gets into me."

"It’s alright Rainbow Dash." Twilight comforted. "But you need to control yourself; I might not be there next time."

"I... I know." Rainbow Dash blushed.

"Good! Now get Rarity and Apple jack up, we got a lot of work today!" Twilight smile "I still have one more sword to make, until I reach three, and..."

"Wait." Rainbow Dash interrupted. "Why are you still making three? You're not planning on giving one to Pinkamina are you?"

"No of course not!" Twilight responded. "I'm making one for Pinkie Pie when she gets back!"

"You're wasting your time making it then." Pinkamina sang.

Twilight looked over Rainbow Dash at Pinkamina. "Shut up." was all she said, she had the biggest smile on her face. "Now Rainbow, go wake up Rarity and Apple Jack, I'll make myself food, aaand clean up this mess." She said looking over to a spilled bowl of cheeryoats.

"Riiiiight. I'll go wake them up now." Rainbow said.

She trotted over to the guest bedroom, and slammed the door open.

"Rarity, wake up!" She called out.

"AAAH" Rarity jumped. She looked around the room hopelessly, for she had an eye cover on. "Are we being attacked?! Where's the fire?!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha" Rainbow dash laughed, "It's ok Rarity." She wiped a tear from her eye. "nothing’s happening, but it is time to get up."

"Uhg, Rainbow Dash!" Rarity wined lifting her eye cover. "You can't do this to me."

Rainbow just chuckled some more and ran upstairs. On the way to Twilight bedroom where Apple Jack was sleeping, she thought: How am I going to wake Apple Jack up now? The door slam probably won’t work on her, because of all of the noises on the farm. Maybe if I'm really quiet, sneak up on her, and shake her like a crazy pony! Yeah, that will work, OH, I can even call it an earthquake! That'll scare her tail off! She slowed down as she approached the door, and as slowly as she could, opened it. Getting it open without sound, she poke her head in. Her heart dropped from what she saw. Apple Jack was not in bed, she was leaning out of the window, hoof on her head, crying. Rainbow mind was to full of thought and questions to say anything but.

"A-Apple Jack?"

Apple Jack jumped in surprise, she whipped her head over. " Ru, Rainbow." her voice was normal but a little shaky. She wiped tears from her red eyes. "Ha ha, Ya scared me there." She wore an obviously fake smile. She started to walk to the door. "Is it time to get up already? Ah think Ah might take a shower, Ah'm all caked up with mud."

Right when Apple Jack was about to leave, Rainbow Dashes mind finally cleared, she forcibly put herself in Apple Jacks way.

"Rai... Rainbow Dash." Apple Jack stuttered "Pl-please let me pass."

"I'm sorry." Rainbow Dash responded.

"S-sorry for what? You didn't do anything, now please Ah need to shower." She tried to force herself past Rainbow.

"I'm so sorry, I should have known, I get it now." Rainbow continued.

"Get out of mah way." Apple Jack demanded.

"NO!" Rainbow Dash rejected

This made Apple Jack jump back in surprise. Rainbow didn't move, she looked right into Apple Jacks eyes.

"You are so strong Apple Jack, you held in all of your feelings just try and keep us happy. You probably hate me now, here I am crying my brains out over one friend, when you have lost your entire family. I'm so sorry, why was I so stupid?

"Ah... hate you?" Apple Jack repeated.

"Please Apple Jack, you can't hold anything back anymore, let it out, even if it’s not to me, go get Twilight or Rarity even, just don't hold this in anymore, it will destroy you!" Rainbow Dash pleaded.

Apple Jack remained silent, she was so confused. She had been doing this to help her friends, but now they don't want her to help them?

"Ah thought Ah was doing you a favor." Apple Jack spoke.

"You were, and I thank you so much for that, without you, I don't know how I could be right now." Rainbow Dash started to walk towards Apple Jack. "But now it's time for me to do you a favor. You lost your brother, your grandmother, and even your sister, and who knows about any of your other family." Rainbow Dash put her hoof on Apple jacks head, behind her hat. "I know I can't replace real family, but I consider you my sister, we are close enough to be flesh and blood, so why can't we?" Rainbow Dash smiled.

Apple Jack turned around, bringing Rainbow Dashes hoof off her. "But if Ah don't stay strong, who will? Ah am hardened, Ah can survive this."

"Twilight looks fine." Rainbow pointed out.

'She's seen and lost too much, she could break down at any time." Apple Jack rejected.

"Look, that doesn't matter Apple Jack." Rainbow changed the subject. "Letting your true feelings out is not a weakness, in fact it can take a lot of courage sometimes. Please Apple Jack, you helped me so much, now let me help you."

Apple Jack paused. "M... My sister died."

Rainbow smiled. "I know Apple Jack, and I'm so sorry for that."

"My brother was killed right in front of my eyes; Ah ran away Ah abandoned my family so Ah could survive." Tears were welling in Apple Jacks eyes.

Rainbow Dash was quick to react and ran over to Apple Jack, and snuggled up beside her. "Hey! Don't dwell on that! Remember when I did? I was no use to anyone; I was locked away in my own self pity. If you need to deal with it we will, but not now, please we need you now more than ever."

"But, mah family is gone." Apple Jack was crying again.

"I know," Rainbow dash faced Apple Jack again. "and I know how bad that can feel, but, Twilight said it best, we are your family. Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie- who is currently on vacation- and I. We all love you just as much as we would if you were our real sister. Even Fluttershy loves you, she might not be here now, but I know she is trying her best to protect us. So don't think of us as accomplices, whose company you enjoy, we love you, so love us back."

Apple Jack looked at Rainbow Dash with teary eyes; she put a hoof around Rainbow in a half hug. "Thank you Rainbow." Apple Jack said quietly. "Ah needed that. I'm not ready to show you my emotions yet, but you are right, Ah do need to love you guys more." She broke the hug and walked to the door. "Ah'm going to take a shower, tell Twilight Ah'll be down in a bit... sister."

"No problem" Rainbow Dash replied with a smile.

A squirrel was eating some nuts on the windowsill.

Guys i'm so sorry for the late update, there's just been a lot of shit coming at me. I'll try to get it moving along as best as I can, but there is no doubt I'm going to be bad with updates for a little bit.

Again i'm sorry, my notifications wiped themselves, so if I have missed a shout out to anyone, please leave a comment and I will be sure to add it to the next chapter.

huge thanks to: SpikethePony of Funnyjunk for proof reading this chapter.

Thank you for all of your support though guys, I love all of you. and I hope you don't hate me for being late >.>

a day in the life

The Wait

-Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash

After breakfast was over, Rainbow Dash felt Apple Jack practically squirm trying to hide that she had so recently been crying. Rainbow knew that Apple Jack wanted to hide her feelings, but wouldn't be able to hide it for much longer. Seeing her dilemma, Rainbow said, "Hey, Twilight, Rarity. I think that Apple Jack and I ought to go out and make sure there aren't any more of those dog things about. Besides, we need to test out our swords on something."

Twilight responded, "So soon? Alright, I'll be out to teach you some basic-"

Rainbow interrupted, "Nah, I think that we should learn ourselves. Besides, don't you need to finish Pinkie-"

"PINKAMENA!" shouted the pink pony in question from across the room.

"PINKIE PIE'S sword?" finished Rainbow, screaming over the other pony's protests.

"I suppose I should. Besides, it's probably better for you two to get a feel for your swords before I train you any," responded Twilight. "Make sure you shout from a long ways off if you find any of the dogs." Twilight contemplated for a second before continuing. "We really should come up with a name for them sometime. See you later."

Rainbow quickly grabbed the tired Apple Jack and dragged her out of the house. Once they passed through the purple barrier and ran far enough to be out of earshot, Rainbow said to Apple Jack, "Come on, we should get somewhere safe. Let's go back to the boutique. There's no reason for Twilight to search for us there, we can talk in peace."

Apple Jack responded, "But Ah doan wanna talk right now. Ah ain't got nothing Ah wanna talk about."

Rainbow said, "Course you do. Besides, even if we don't talk about anything, we can still use Rarity's models to practice with our swords."

The pair walked across the town using the same path as before. Rainbow Dash tried to keep a positive mood throughout the trip, but the occasional splotch of dried blood on the ground made the task nigh impossible. There wasn't a single howl to be heard, nor a dog creature to see in the town. After fifteen minutes of walking, the pair arrived at the town square, and continued into the shop.

Rainbow began, "Look, AJ, I know you really don't want to talk right now or show any of your pain. But I think that if you don't tell me and the rest of us how you actually feel, you're going to eventually break, and we really can't deal with that right now. So tell me how you feel."

Apple Jack groggily shook her head and said, "Ah really ain't got anything ta tell ya that ya doan already know. It'd be pointless ta talk.”

Rainbow Dash replied, “I know it seems pointless, but it really can make you feel better. Tell me how you feel!”

“Ah feel hurt! Ah feel alone! Ah feel like when mah family died, a part of me died with ‘em! Ah watched mah sister die in mah hooves, and when she went, all mah worst fears became real. Ah should be dead, not them! Ah feel… Ah feel so scared,” lamented Apple Jack.

Rainbow Dash was holding Apple Jack in her hooves now as she silently began sobbing. In a rare moment of wisdom, Rainbow Dash spoke, seemingly with an angel’s voice, “There’s nothing wrong with fear. Only stupid ponies never feel fear. Death and fear walk hoof-in-hoof. Death is a natural, inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. Just think of the positives- they don’t have to live their lives in constant fear of monsters and starvation. Just cry it all out.”

Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash spent the rest of the day in the boutique before trudging slowly back to the library.

-Twilight and Rarity

Shortly after Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack left, Twilight started downstairs. Rarity quickly caught her and whispered in her ear (to avoid aggravating the now-silent Pinkamena), “Twilight, would you mind if I brought my materials downstairs with you? I… well, to be honest, I don’t feel very comfortable around… her, right now.” Her voice spoke of slight guilt at the mention of the discomfort.

“Well, of course. It gets lonely having to work all alone. I hope you don’t mind the heat of the forge. Should I help you bring down your materials?” asked Twilight. Rarity’s anxiety was not missed by the typically oblivious purple unicorn, but was instead politely ignored.

“That would be lovely. Let’s go then,” replied Rarity. The cloth and other clothing-making materials were enveloped in a combined cloud of purple and blue, and floated down the stairs, followed shortly by the unicorns mastering the items. Once downstairs, Rarity and Twilight carefully guided the materials away from the shimmering heat of the forge, onto a table in the middle of the small, bowl-shaped room. The heat of the room was suffocating, but survivable, if one could distract themselves from it.

After releasing the materials, Twilight quickly walked over to an anvil near the forge and used her magic to pick up several lumps of metallic ore. She dragged them in front of her face and line them up, and examined each piece for minute cracks and color veins. At the same time, Rarity contemplated what to make next. Having exhausted all the obvious practical things to make (tarps, tents, blankets, a dress, and a hat), Rarity was at a loss as to what she should create. Having run out of ideas, Rarity asked Twilight, “Well, dear, what do you think I should make?”

Twilight snapped out of her pinpoint focus and said, “Huh? Oh… I don’t know. You’ve made tents and everything else we need for the journey. Why don’t you make yourself a dress?”

Rarity was quick in answering, “Darling, I’m already a step ahead of you. I’ve made myself a beautiful dress and a hat for when we reach Canterlot. I don’t think I have enough time to make more dresses… Oh, I know! I’ll create covers for the sword sheathes! I’ll have them perfectly decorated to match everypony’s personality! Rainbow Dash’s is easy- just make it as cool as I possibly can! For Apple Jack… I’ll just spruce up something simple and strong! And Pinkie Pie,” Rarity stopped suddenly. She felt her mood darken considerably almost instantaneously. Twilight, who had by now gone back to inspecting the ores to let Rarity stay in her groove, dropped the ores, practically tasting Rarity’s dread.

Rarity tried to cover her slip, saying, “I think I’ll make something pink,” as fast as she could, but her voice betrayed her emotion. Knowing that not even Twilight could be that oblivious, she continued, “Oh, Twilight. Do you think she’ll be herself again soon?”

Twilight thought for a while, and said, “I really hope so, Rarity. I think it’s only a matter of time, but still… how much time?” To distract herself, Twilight went back to examining ores, and this time selected a few medium-sized lumps. She dumped them into the heart of the fire, and moved the mold to beneath a small hole near the bottom of the forge. Rarity followed suit, and began selecting cloths to use. Taking a few sticks roughly the size and shape of the scabbards, she began wrapping the cloths around them, occasionally shaking her head as her fashion senses cried for her to try new designs.

After a few hours of work, both Rarity and Twilight had completed their work. They nodded to each other, recognizing that they would have to face the pony that was once Pinkie, and brought the fruits of their labor upstairs. Pinkamena was still quiet, but was shooting death glares across the room in the suddenly terrifying silence. Ignoring the venomous glances, Twilight and Rarity went to the kitchen to begin making dinner.

-Pinkie, Pinkamena, Charles, and Unknown

Even though the pests Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack left, regardless of the fact that Rarity and Twilight weren’t preaching at her, Pinkamena was in a foul mood. Her cheerier side was being more obnoxious than she should have been, considering the condition she was in.

Inside her mind, a painfully flowery voice rang out, seemingly quietly. “Hell-ooo! Aren’t you going to try to suppress me some more?” Had that voice had control of the face, it doubtlessly would have been distorted into smile that would break even the hardest of hearts. Too bad the current master of the face (and the rest of the body for that matter) was lacking in a heart.

Within the stage of the mind, swirling thoughts took shape as Pinkamena looked inward. In the mind, Pinkamena became a gray version of the real pony. Her hair was even more droopy than in reality, giving off a dark aura was well as being completely still, regardless of the mental image’s movement. Another, brightly colored image took shape. Instead of being pink, this image was a wide variety of neon colors. When the image came into complete focus, Pinkamena saw exactly what she expected to: the cheesiest smile plastered to a ridiculously happy face.

“You came to visit me!” shouted Pinkie. “It’s been so long! Well, not really. It’s only been one night. But still! I love it when my friends visit me! The more the merrier! Have you met Charles?”

Pinkamena said in a voice that could wither flowers in an instant, “First, I’m not your friend. Only weak ponies need friends. That’s why you have so many. Second, who the hell is Charles?” Only after completing the question did a brownish… something materialize. It reminded Pinkamena of Discord (a perfectly hateful creature that Pinkamena could only watch from the back seat), except that it seemed less concrete in shape.

The strange being spoke, “I’m Charles. Pleased to meet you. I think…” Its voice was deep and wavy, and when it spoke, several mouths opened, regardless of the definitely singular voice. “It’s strange, as you can imagine, being conscious when you’re being formed. Your thoughts become more concrete as the moments pass, and emotions take shape slowly. Yes, I’m quite sure of it now. I’m quite pleased to meet you.”

Pinkie could barely contain her excitement. “I got really bored just sort of sitting here in darkness, so I thought, ‘Hey, it’d be great if I had some company!’ And then I was all like, ‘Too bad that stinky mean Pinkamena won’t talk to me any, and no one else lives here.’ Then I thought, ‘Wait, if Pinkamena and me both live her, why can’t anyone else?’ So then I spent all night making up a personality that was different from me, but only slightly! That’s how I made Charles!”

Pinkamena rolled her eyes. She looked at the strange being again, and said, “Look, Charley or whatever you’re called. I’d love to spend some time corrupting your mind and generally torturing you, but I’m a bit busy trying to think of a way to escape an inescapable magic prison, and I already have one irremovable nuisance begging for attention, so I’ll make this quick.”

The blob-like existence began speaking, “Make what quick?” However, almost before the last word left its innumerable lips, the creature faded out of existence, melting into the infinite darkness that was the mind.

Pinkie, for once, seemed slightly unhappy. “Well, what’d you do that for? Charles was a nice person! Oh, maybe when I’m in control again, I’ll bring him back! In the meantime though, I am still lonely. I know! I’ll bring someone here that you can’t kill!” Before Pinkamena could ask, a tear in the darkness split open, and a very unusual creature spilt out. The creature seemed to stand on two legs almost seven feet tall, and had strange claw-like things extending from its hooves. Furthermore, the creature had what seemed to be a pair of gigantic white Pegasus wings on its back.

In a dazed state, the creature immediately began analyzing the situation. “Okay… that felt a little too much like a cross-dimensional rift for my comfort. Darkness all around… Shit, I’m in a multi-mind. And away from the multiverse I’m supposed to be guarding. Still, it doesn’t feel at all like the void, so that’s a year of recovery time saved.” At this point, the creature took notice of Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie.

Pinkamena was the first to speak. “Well, Pinkie, you’ve outdone yourself. You’ve successfully created a creature that exhibits some basic intelligence. Now get rid of it.”

The new creature responded, “Well, that’s not exactly what I’d call civil behavior. Hang on, did you just say ‘Pinkie?’”

Pinkie shouted, “Yep, that’s me!”

The stranger’s wings fluttered slightly, as if chilled. “Well, that explains how I’m here. Sort of. I must be in a parallel of my multiverse. That implies that it’s relatively close, which means that I can return, when I charge enough void energy.”

Pinkamena was even less happy than before. “Blah, blah, blah. You blabber more than Pinkie’s last attempt at not being lonely. Prepare to get fizzled.” After a moment of nothing happening, Pinkamena’s dark face shifted in turn from neutral, to one of exertion, to one of confusion, to one of frustration, and finally to one of terror. “You actually exist. You’re real! What are you? WHAT ARE YOU!?!”

The stranger at this point took a look at Pinkamena, and shook his head. “This must be a frightful parallel if it grants you such power over Pinkie. Still, your power here means nothing to me, and likewise, mine means nothing here. I am not granted authority in this plane, so I shall take my leave.”

The tear in reality again ripped open, but before the stranger could leave, Pinkie grabbed onto his leg, and begged him, “Please, don’t just leave me alone with her! I had a friend with me in here once, but she killed him! Please don’t leave me alone…”

The stranger was moved with pity, and said, “All right… I’m assuming this friend of yours was a construct, to have existed here?” Pinkie nodded her head. “Fine. I’ll restore your friend, and make him untouchable to Pinkamena. Let me find the echoes… there.” From the tear in reality, Charles poured out, but this time he was completely vivid. “Your friend is restored. Don’t tell anyone. He will never be powerful enough to overpower either you or Pinkamena, though. My power here is quite limited. Anyway, I do need to be going.”

As the stranger began to step through the gap, Pinkamena’s rage filled the mind. “DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!?! THE HAPPIER PINKIE IS, THE WEAKER I BECOME! I swear, stranger, that one day I will find a way to make you suffer…”

The stranger paused, turned for a moment, and said, “No, I don’t think you will. Goodbye, Pinkamena, Pinkie.” The stranger then stepped through the gap, which then disappeared.

Pinkamena was in full rage now, but was still weakened by Pinkie’s new happiness. To suppress her, Pinkamena created several torture devices and began to torment Pinkie. However, before she could get into the motion of things, Pinkamena sensed physical movement outside the mind, and was forced to withdraw. Because of Pinkie’s new power, Pinkamena had to keep more focus. in staying control, however it changed nothing in the situation.

Back in the mind, Charles said, “What just happened?”

This chapter was written by Spike_the_pony. I apologize for having taken so long with it, but it’s finally here. Normally, I just edit these things, but this one is all mine. Anyway, the chapters ought to be rolling out at a more normal rate from now on, as Vinyl’s_Account is going to be writing from now on. Please ignore any and all logic errors between this chapter and any others.

Shout outs to all the regular customers, and I hope you all enjoy it.

Also keep an eye out for that stranger. You never know when and where he might turn up…

Vinyls_Account note: hope you enjoy, and im sorry for the delay, i'll try to get back to my chapter a week schedule, but school is hectic lately, so im sorry if i mess up in advance