Another day passes by and with the six of us trotting down the path, we finally see the grand sight of Appleloosa. The way here gotten pretty tricky once we had to cross the Ghastly Gorge. To be honest, hearing that we had to go south to reach Canterlot by train didn't make much sense to me, but my maps were not up to date and in the pass few years, Equestria has been entering a new age. Many railroads were made to connect surrounding cities without having to go to the middle of equestrian, making shipping and traveling easier. This boosted the economy a decent amount, now the only reason we can't go straight from Ponyville is that the tracks are out and busted so the train can't go through.

This western town was in relatively good shape with a general barricade around it. Due to the size they really don't need much of one to begin with. Macintosh said that the train that was bringing supplies to Canterlot was about to leave and we should be able to catch it. Now the problem is convincing them to hop on it towards Canterlot. Payment really isn't much of an option for us and asking nicely wouldn't do much either... maybe Macintosh could help us out a bit.

"Hey Macintosh, would you be able you help us get on the train?" I asked. He shakes his head no. "Would there be anyone that could help us?" He nodded as we were allowed into the town. Okay, that's a bit better. All bets on them helping us should hopefully be good with Macintosh on our side.

We come up to a building that appears to be where this friend of Macintosh's is. After Macintosh, we walked in slowly into a dim area. The building had cells in the back and was lit by natural light through a window. There was a stallion behind the desk, snoozing away while a bug-like pony walked up to us.

"Is there something that I could help you with?" He asked politely. His sleek obsidian shell and bright green eye gives him a different vibe, including the holes throughout his body.

"He's just here for a little visit Changer, that's all." Said the stallion who was snoozing a bit ago. His yellow coat and rust-color mane under his hat showed. "Cousins should visit more often after all."

"Just a simple supply pickup Braeburn." Macintosh stated.

"Simple doesn't explain the guests you brought with ya." Braeburn said.

"Well Braeburn, we kind of need a ride to Canterlot and were hoping to use the train you have to help us." I said.

"Just gimme a second with Macintosh and I'll help ya with your problem." He replied. A discussion later about a small caravan detachment sent with Macintosh to Ponyville for supplies and family debt, he finally turned to us.

"You want to use the train as passage?" He asked. "Sorry, no can do. Not enough room for passengers and enough guards to keep it safe."

"Its the only way there though, how else are we supposed to reach it?" I said desperately. He turned around and thought about it.

"We could strike a deal with each other." He said. "You and Changer go down to Dodge City and see what happened there. I lost word from a fellow from over there and I need to know what happened. However its going to only be you and Changer because I want it done silently."

"Isn't that on the way though?" I questioned.

"Exactly why I'm setting this deal." He said. "There might be danger and I would like to know before I send the delivery off, so that's where you come in backing up Changer and scout it out, so do we have a deal?" Extending his hoof towards me.

Not much of a option here to decline, so its the only way. "Sure, I'll accept." I said, shaking his hoof.

"Star, what are we going to do then?" Penni asked me.

"Just sit tight here and wait till I get back, it will be a quick and easy, in and out trip." I said, relieving her a bit. To be honest, I don't really know how long it would take. So now I have to go on a stealth mission this kid Changer (who is younger but also a Changeling as what they are called).

Kissing Penni goodbye, I went off towards Dodge City. The trip was short but still a few hours at most, thankfully we could both fly so it was quicker then walking on hoof. But the horror was once we reached there. The barrier was burnt and busted into splinters, along with the houses. But all the ponies there were mauled to death, intestines sprung everywhere as if it were a party of gore. The sight was horrifying and smelled rotten. Seeing the corpses on the floor and puddles of blood that looks like it was slung everywhere made me weary. But what got me the most was the lack of bullet holes but the obvious fact that a pony was behind this. This may take longer then I thought.

Checking every building out on the right while Changer got the other side, we slowly scouted the town out. The true horror is the one house we met up at was completely clean, lack of blood, or anything. I went in first with Changer following behind. It was clear besides the trapdoor there, giving off an eerie aura. I opened it, and checked out. It was clear as far as I could see, so I went down. The darkness didn't help and once again, I wished I had my father's genes for eyes. The tunnel continued down and eventually I saw lights.

The lights turned out to be a monitor, for a computer which is of the latest technology but what its doing down here is weird. I press a button on it and the screen lit up. A camera feed of the town being wiped out was on it. Ponies with bloodshot eyes and claws sharper then knives. They also have other parts of different species, now realizing those claws look like griffons but sharpen. Those wings looked bigger then they should for a regular pony. Chimeras are a creature, but these are those abominations versions. The unicorn in background controlling them gave the hint, but to see this horrifying act in process scared me. Seeing now that the town was torn to shreds by abominations like these, it scared me more to see that unicorn wearing the same sort of symbol on the cloak that I took off of Rat. Bandits having magic like that on their side makes them horrifying and also doesn't help that he isn't the leader behind it all. Once the leader goes down, it sure isn't bring the rest down with him.

After the video was done playing, it began to restart. I pressed a button and it stopped then a disc-like object came out of the computer. I took it and instantly knew that it was the video on this. I pocketed the disc and then shouting was heard. It was the time to bail out. Changer ran down the hall and I was after him. We were met with a horrifying face of an abomination waiting for us up the trapdoor. A quick shot to the face and we turned around back down to the tunnel. The door cracked and busted with splinters blasting everywhere. This chimera was a different sort from the feed. Tentacles flailing from the body and dead glaring eyes beaded at us. In the seconds of us spotting it, it charged at an incredible speed, catching up to us. The arrow in its head was seeping with ooze and clearly hadn't damage it at all. The hallway finally expanded into the room and as soon as we hit the point, we both dodged out of the way of the charging beast.

The chimera went straight into the computer and set aflame. It walked out of the electrical fire unfazed and staring right at us with those unmoving eyes. It slowly lurked towards us as we looked for an exit.

"Changer look for an exit!" I screamed. "I keep this thing distracted." Looking into its eyes. As Changer flies off, I shoot at the abomination to draw its attention. This didn't go as well as planned because it was still aflame. A tentacle from the monster slams down towards me. Dodging out of the way, I continue shooting at it. These things are almost unkillable, the easiest way would to take out the controller but I don't see her anywhere close. The monster tries striking at me again as I dodge it's attacks.

"I found the exit!" Shouted Changer. "Hurry over here!"

"On my way!" I shouted back, flying full speed. The trapdoor he found was open I flew out. Changer was close after until a tentacle grabbed his leg. He was pulled down and crashed into the floor. I looked around my surroundings to see for anything to cut at it. I looked to my right at the kitchen and found a knife. I grabbed it and flew back down full force. My vision tinted with blue as time slowed down, I hacked at the tentacle which held Changer and dodged the one that aimed for me. "Hurry out of here!"

With a nod he left and I followed after, slamming the trapdoor down. The smell of gas inside was not welcoming as all. We both sprinted out of the house but not before the trapdoor splatter over the room. Seeing the monster glisten under the moonlight with a toxic look. Then the thought hit me, as I aimed for the stove through the window. Releasing an arrow and hitting the metal stove creating a spark before the house went up into flames with a loud boom. The creature inside now hopefully in pieces and burning in that home. Without second thoughts we started to fly out of there.

In the dead of night, we came upon Appleloosa in silence. We entered the town and went straight towards Braeburn's office. Upon entering, the candlelit room was dim and we saw him sitting there.

"What did you find out?" He asked. I tossed the disk in is direction as proof.

"A massacre and monsters made of ponies." I stated. "Pony-made chimeras are what those things are and they are under controlled of those bandits."

"This is troublesome, the train will need more guards to get past that area." He mumbled. "A deals a deal so I'll send word to let you and your pals board tomorrow."

I nodded and walked out of there. I needed rest before tomorrow and I wanted to try and forget about that mess. I walked to where we were told to sleep. A small house for us to share. I entered and walked towards the bed that had both Penni and Tulip on it. The couch had Bella passed out on it with her legs hanging off. Then the recliner chair had Clover lying and snoozing off. I crawled into bed with my dear Penni and Tulip and decided it was time to drift off.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading and do please leave feedback on anything I could do to improve.