Occult Rising

Wind sat in silence as the train rumbled along. Her mother catching up with Pinkie and Applespice looking out the window daydreaming. After what seemed like forever, Applespice broke the silence.

"What's wrong, Windy? You've been so quiet since we left Appleoosa." Applespice said.

Wind just shook her head and looked at the floor.

"Come on, Wind. I'm no fool, I can tell something's bothering you." He said.

Wind looked up at him with sad eyes.

"It's just..." Wind began.

"Yeah?" Applespice asked.

"Well, while I was asleep in Appleoosa, Luna came to me and gave me a prediction about our quest." Wind said.

"What was it?" Applespice asked.

"She said... that no matter what we do, someone I love will be lost on this quest." Wind said.

"Lost how?" Applespice asked.

Wind just looked at him as tears started to stream from her eyes.

"Oh." Applespice said as he wiped her face.

"I'm sure it will be ok." He reassured her.

Before he could say anything else, the train grinded to a halt.

"Griffonstone. Last stop." The conductor said over the intercom.

They all exited the train car and stepped out onto the platform.

"Where to now, mom?" Wind asked.

"Well, we have to head to the gorge. That's where we'll most likely find what we're looking for." Dash said as she lead the group away from the train station and into town.

"Do you think we'll run into Gilda?" Pinkie asked excitedly.

"I don't know, Pinkie. She's probably busy." Dash said as she kept moving toward the gorge she had been stuck in once before. Just as they neared the gorge, a familiar voice rang out from behind them.

"What are you dweebs doing here?" The voice said from behind them.

Dash turned to see her griffon friend standing there wearing a brown jacket with white fur around the neck, a white t-shirt, and a pair of purple pants that matched her eyeliner.

"Heya Gilda!" Pinkie yelled as she tackled the griffon in a hug.

"Agh, touching." Gilda said as she pried herself out of Pinkie's grasp.

"Hey, Gilda." Dash said as she avoided eye contact with her friend.

"What happened to you? You quit calling and we never hang out anymore." Gilda said as she approached Dash.

Gilda pointed at Wind who was staring down.

"Who's that and why's she glaring at me?" Gilda asked.

"That's my daughter Wind Storm." Dash said.

"Daughter? So, that's what happened. Someone finally managed to tame you huh?" Gilda asked.

"Yes, Gilda. I settled down and started a family. Now, if you don't mind, I have to go rescue my husband." Dash said as she tied the end of the rope to a sturdy tree a few feet from the edge of the gorge.

"Wait. Why are you going back into the gorge?" Gilda asked.

"Because, we know that my husband is being held down there in El De Rodeo." Dash said as she secured the harness around herself.

Wind, Applespice, and Pinkie all secured their harnesses as well.

"El De Rodeo? That lost pony city of gold? Why would it be here?" Gilda asked.