The cold breeze blew past the group of girls, causing several to shudder from the cold nipping at their faces. They had huddled together as the began the long walk back to their homes, the sun beginning to set in from behind them. If they stayed out much later it would be bad for their health.

“But should we really be leaving Sunset out like that? It might be too cold for her.” Fluttershy chimed, worried for her friends safety and well being.

“We don’t have much of a choice at the moment.” Applejack replied, adjusting her hat to try and block some of the incoming wind. “Even if we really wanted to do something, we don’t have much of a plan.”

“It really does feel terrible to be leaving her there though.” Rarity interjected, her scarf blowing in the oncoming wind. “Do you really think she will be ok for the night? I heard it’s supposed to get really cold.”

“You kidding me!?” Rainbow snapped “Sunset’s tough, she can take anything that comes her way. Besides, it’s not like we haven't had cold weather before.” She gave a slight snicker and a thumbs up to her friends, hoping to raise their spirits.

“Yeah, but the weather people are saying this is supposed to be a record low.” Pinkie pointed out. “They say it’s supposed to get to below freezing tonight, or even colder! SUPER FREEZING!!!!” She was ready to burst at the words.

“Pinkie, there’s no such thing as super freezing.” Twilight Interjected, rubbing her arms for warmth. “But I am still very concerned. What if something happens to her over night? Hypothermia is a very serious issue, and not to mention the risk of sickness like the flu, she could be without any kind of help for so long.” She started to shake even harder, not from the cold so much, but at the thought of her dear friend wheezing and dying alone without any there to help her. She could feel her eyes start to sting a little as small tears began to form in her eyes. Applejack seemed to notice this as well.

“Hey, come on Twi.” She said softly to her friend, turning to face her. “Don’t you be worrying about a thing. First thing tomorrow at school we can bring this up with her” She managed to gently wipe away some of the loose tears from Twilight’s eyes. “Then we can help her find an actual place to stay. Even if it has to be with one of us for a while.”

Twilight gave Applejack a weak smile, which Applejack happily returned. Suddenly Pinkie Pie jumped into the middle of their heartfelt conversation. “She could stay with me for a while.” She gasped. “I always wanted a sister!”
Her friends gave her a confused look. “Pinkie, darling-” Rarity started.

“Don’t you have, like, Three sisters already?” Rainbow finished for her. Pinkie began rubbing the back of her head as she chuckled. “Oh right.” She laughed. This brought a small amount of enjoyment to her friends, who all began to giggle. Twilight quickly switched back to her sad demeanor though. The thought just would not leave her.

“Don’t worry Twi.” Applejack spoke again to her. “Everything is going to be fine. You’ll see.”

Twilight sighed a deep sigh before regaining her composure. “Your right Applejack. Thank you.” The girls all continued their walks until they each came to their respective homes, with Applejack's walk being the farthest. With heartfelt goodbyes and see you laters, they each prepared for the day ahead of them.

The following morning came all too swiftly for anyone liking. The sky was grey with dark clouds, blocking the beautiful and warming beams that the sun would usually provide. Replaced instead with the dark dreariness that came. Today was no warmer than the previous day had been, in fact it seemed to have been even colder. The girls followed their usual routines for the day, waking up, taking a shower, eating, and rushing to their respected positions for the walk to school. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash once again met each other and began their jog to school. Twilight took her unfortunately slow walk, Rarity and Applejack respectively got rides from their parents or elder sibling. And Pinkie Pie, with all her energy happily hopped to the school without a care for the cold at all.

“Twilight!” Pinkie yelled to her friend, who was at her locker. Twilight chuckled a little to this.

“Hello Pinki-ech.” Before she could finish she found herself both in an inescapable hug, and a weird sense of Deja-vu.

““Oh my gosh Twilight” Pinkie began “It got so cold out I didn’t even know if you would be able to get her what with how small you are, I thought I would walk out of my house and on the way to school I would find-”

“A Twi-cicle?” Twilight managed to ask through difficult breaths. Pinkie slowly let her friend out of her grasp.

“I knew it, you are psychic!” Pinkie screamed pointing at her friend. Twilight chuckled again and rested her hand on Pinkie’s shoulder.

“I’m not psychic, you said the same thing to me yesterday.” She retorted giving her friend a silly smile. Pinkie crossed her arms and gave a small pout.

“Shoot, I was hoping you were psychic, then you could have helped me find where I hid my favorite plushy.” Pinkie explained, once again striping from her winter attire to her usual outfit. Twilight shook her head and continued her walk to her friends usual meeting place.

“That’s not what a psychic is Pinkie, you’re thinking of a clairvoyant.” She joked with her friend following closely behind, skipping with each step.

“Whatever.” Pinkie exaggerated. Her face quickly became more malicious as she began to poke Twilight’s arm. “But you would totally tell me if you were psychic right? You wouldn’t just go around reading my mind would you.” Once more, Twilight gave out a small chuckle.

“Yes Pinkie.” She started looking at her friend. “If I was psychic I would tell you, and don’t worry, I don’t think anyone would want to see what goes on in your head.” Pinkie looked at her confused for a second but quickly continued to happily skip to the front of the school. There they saw two familiar faces, panting at the entrance.

“Maybe-next time-we-should-walk?” Fluttershy suggested between breaths. The combination of the cold and the distance the two had just jogged finally starting to hit her.

“Yeah-maybe-running-in-this-weather-was a-bad-idea” Rainbow Dash replied in the same way. She looked up to see her two other friends now joining them. “Oh, hey Twilight. Hey Pinkie.” She acknowledged finally regaining her composure. Fluttershy Straightened herself out as well.

“Hey girls.” Twilight replied. “Any sign of the others yet?” The conversation from the other day continued to linger in her mind, they had to confront Sunset on her living arrangements, even if it was a delicate subject to discuss. As if by magic itself, a familiar truck had just pulled up out front of the school. As the truck speed off they could make out Applejack waving as she began to walk into the school.

“Howdy ya’ll.” She greeted, rubbing her hands together for a bit of warmth. “Is it me or is it even colder outside than it was yesterday?”

“I think it’s actually about ten degrees colder.” Twilight replied pulling out her phone and checking the weather. Sure enough, the temperature for the day was an astounding seven degrees. She frowned, her brow following suit. The night before had been in the negatives, how could Sunset even call staying out in that living? Her thoughts were cut short by the sound of the main hall doors opening again as Rarity entered.

“My, it’s so chilly out there.” she started, unraveling her scarf from her neck. “Why couldn’t it be warm again, I miss my nice outfits from spring and summer, even fall.” Her friends all began to snicker. “What!” Rarity demanded, a little bit of blush growing on her face.

“It’s nothing Rarity.” Applejack Replied. “So, just one left huh?” She looked at the group, most of which looked away with some frowns on their faces, except for Pinkie who was just happy to be there.

“Well she did say last time the buses ran a little late.” Twilight perked up, not wanting to sound too upset. “Maybe they’re having the same problem.” She really just wanted to think of the most positive reasons for Sunset to take longer to get to the school then them. However, several minutes passed and still no sign of her.

“RRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!”

The loud bell had pierced the practical silence like a hot knife through butter. That was the warning bell, to let the students know classes would start in three minutes. Twilight began to look worried as the serious thoughts from their walk home began to come back to her. What if she was sick, or someone had done something to her, or what if she was-was. Small tears began to well in her eyes at the thought.

“Oh come now Twilight” Applejack rested her hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure she’s alright.” Twilight sniffed, then using her sleeve, wiped the tears away.

“Yeah, your right. I’m sure she will be here any minute.”

Lunch is usually meant to be a nice relaxing period to just refuel and let off excess steam. Today though was not the case. The school day was now half over and still, there was no sign of Sunset. Twilight began to worry more and more as her friend continued to be missing. Even some of the others girls started to really become concerned.

“Still no word from her?” Rainbow asked Rarity, her hands on her phone anxiously.

“Nothing.” Rarity placed her phone down. “You don’t really think something happened to her do you?”

“I don’t even want to think about what could be happening” Fluttershy squeaked from behind her own hair.

“Regardless, we need to check on her first thing after school today.” Applejack announced. “Even if she is fine we can’t let this keep happening. Ah mean, look at us. We’re worrying ourselves to death. Ah for one can’t take it.” Her friends all murmured to each other and gave nods of agreement.

“I hate having to wait so long, but I guess it is for the best. We can’t all just disappear without a word to the teachers or Principal Celestia.” Twilight acknowledged. For now all they could do was wait.

The remainder of the day was slow and boring. Twilight had already began to grow more attached to CHS then she had ever felt at Crystal Prep, but even so. She was one of the brightest students at the school. In fact, she could probably be teaching the courses there if she was interested. So for her, the classes were always more of a formality. Staring at the clock on the wall she began to count the minutes left until it was time to leave.

“13 minutes left” She thought to herself. “That's about 780 seconds. Not too much longer until we leave. Applejack already said she would get Big Mac to give us a ride this time to Sunset.” Twilight had become so lost in thought she didn’t even hear the teacher calling her name.

“Miss Sparkle!” Twilight jumped, she looked around the room with everyone staring at her. “Well Miss Sparkle-” the teacher spoke, adjusting his obviously fake toupee. “If you’ve finally come back to earth then maybe you could tell the class the angle of the triangle on the board.” He smirked at the girl with a small hint of malice.

Twilight adjusted her glasses and quickly glanced at the board. “The angle for angle cda is 32 degrees.” Her teacher looked at her dumbstruck. He was sure she wasn’t paying attention.

“Very well Miss Sparkle. But please do pay attention.” He said with a sense of anger in his voice. The class ended not too long after and Twilight hurriedly moved out of the room towards her locker. Quickly throwing on her winter clothes for the trip outside she rushed to the front entrance, her friends all waiting.

“Hey Twi” Applejack Greeted. “Just waiting on Big Mac, he said he would be a little bit with traffic being slow and all.”

“That’s fine.” Twilight acknowledged. She looked around her group of friends and noticed the look of unease on everyone's faces. “So still no word from her?” She hesitantly asked. None of her friends seemed to want to look up. She sighed. “I’ll take the silence as a no.”

Big Mac soon pulled up in his truck once more, ready to give Applejack and her Friends a ride. Applejack jumped into the front seat as she was ready to give the directions, the other five barely managed to cram themselves into the back seats, leaving their school books and backpacks in the back of the truck for later.

After a roughly ten minute drive, the group came upon a familiar location. “This looks like the place.” Applejack said nervously. Big Mac, looking skeptical, pulled the truck over to the curb and parked. Letting the others all pile out. “We won't be too long Big Mac.” Applejack waved to her brother. “Just wait here for a little okay.”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac acknowledged. He shifted into park and turned on the trucks radio as he waited. Looking back Applejack gave a small grin to the sight of her brother head banging to whatever song her was listening to. Pinkie quickly once again lifted the side of the chain fence to let her friends in, as they approached to the spot they had found Sunset before they heard an unfamiliar voice.

“That’s right, squirm all you want. I like when they give me a little bit of a fight.” The voice was low and raspy, belonging to a man they had never heard before. The group looked around the corner in horror at what they saw. The small camp fire was kicked apart and the small shelter that Sunset had made had been destroyed. Twigs lay everywhere and the tarp seemed to have blown away.

Kneeling where the shelter had once been was a raggedy man who seemed to be struggling to pull something away. As the girls looked in bewilderment they noticed a familiar pair of boots pinned down under the man’s weight, squirming to get free.

“This is going to be fun, don’t you worry your pretty little head” The man spoke again. This was the point that broke her. Applejack swiftly strode to the man, followed quickly by Rainbow Dash. She reached down and grabbed the man by the shoulder and shock. The man slowly turned around with a sound of disgust in his voice.

“Find yer own prey, this one's mine” He said before making eye contact. In almost an instant, the man was on his side, holding his now red and painful cheek. Applejack shook her first, stinging from the impact she had made.

“The hell is wrong with you.” The man yelled at the girls. “Wrong with us!?” Applejack asked shocked.

Her friends had now all rallied around her, letting Rainbow Dash stand next to her. They knew those two were the best fighters out of all of them. “You were assaulting our friend. Did you think we were just gonna walk away?” Applejack could feel her rage raising as the man stood up. He looked around at the girls and gave a snide smirk.

“Friends with her, heh, whatever you say.” He laughed as he walked in the opposite direction rubbing his face the whole time. “Friends with a homeless girl. That’s rich!”

Applejack took a deep breath and turned towards Sunset. “Sorry you had to find out like this Sunset, but we needed to know you were safe, we kinda followed you and need to talk.” There was no reply. Applejack leaned down closer to her.

“Hey Sunset?” She asked shaking her shoulder. Something was wrong. She looked even closer at her friend. Then she gasped in horror. She reached out her hand to touch Sunsets face. It was ice cold, then she quickly moved to her forehead. It was burning up. She looked over Sunset carefully. Her normal tan skin was starting to look...blue.

“Sunset!?” Twilight leaned next to her was well. She took far less time to realize what was happening. Her worst fears were coming true. She cupped her hands over her mouth as tears began to form once more.

“Applejack, what should we do?” Rainbow Dash had rested her hand on her shoulder. Applejack turned to face her companions and noticed the looks of horror and disbelief they each shared. Applejack quickly shook her feelings away, this was a time to take action, not feel sorry. Gently she reached under her unconscious friend and lifted her up.

“We need to get her somewhere warm so we can help her. Pinkie, go get the fence ready for us.” Pinkie saluted and rushed to the where they had entered. “Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash. Grab any of her things you can find. We are taking everything with us.” The three girls nodded in agreement and began searching the remains of the destroyed shelter for valuables. Such as Sunsets cell phone, her guitar, and some other assortments they figured she would want. “Twilight!” Applejack yelled.

Twilight was lost in her despair. Everything else around her to seemed to have stopped moving. Here she was, looking at her first real friend, who was dying and there was nothing she could do. What could she do? Maybe if she still had Magic she could do something but for now, she was just a weak little girl. She was powerless, worthless.

Applejack nudged Twilight with her foot, shocking Twilight just enough back into reality. “Get up Twi, we have to go now, we can’t keep Sunset out here any longer.” Twilight looked into Applejacks arms and saw the limp cold body. She stood up and pressed her pointer and middle fingers to Sunset’s neck. Bubump. Bubump. A pulse, this was what Twilight needed to feel. Her friend was still alive, if just barely.

Twilight shook her head, snapping back to reality fully. “Sorry Applejack. Let’s get out of here.” Applejack gave her a weak smile and began to walk back to her brother. The others following behind her with Sunset’s belongings. When Big Mac saw the group approaching he quickly turned off his radio and stared in shock. Quickly he opened the door for his sister.

“What happened?” He asked, a tinge of fear and sadness in his voice.

“Long story, tell you on the way.” Applejack replied, watching as the others piled into the car’s back seats. She gently lowered Sunset onto their laps. “Hold her, make sure she’s okay.” She ordered.

“Well, what do we do now?” Rainbow asked. Sitting in the middle she gently rested her hand on Sunsets abdomen, which felt smaller than it should be.

‘I’m not sure” Applejack replied, thinking as hard as she could. They needed to take her someplace warm where she would be safe. But where? They had to think fast.

Twilight rested her hand on Sunset’s face, gently stroking it. “We can take her to my place.” she suggested. Her friends all turning to look at her. She shrunk a little in her seat. “It’s not to far from here.”

Applejack let out a small sigh. “Guess we don’t have a choice. Mind giving Big Mac directions?”

Author's Note

Alright, so let's get a few things off the bat right away. Once again, I finished this chapter within my deadline I set for myself but could not get any of my friends to proof read it. I even offered to pay them to do it but no one seemed to want to. Now about this chapter a little. I am honestly not too happy with how it came out. It kinda feels a little dry to me. I know I wrote it but I was really just not into this chapter as much as the first two. That being said I am really looking forwards to working on the next one. This is where things are going to get fun. Anyways, I hope you guys like it as much as you can and once more, please leave comments for me. Every time you guys tell me how I can improve I really do take it to heart and try to follow your advice as best I can. Next chapter might be a month from now, a lot of work has come up and writing might be tough. If I do change this in the future I will make a blog about it. Enjoy.