Lunar Cycle

Chapter 2

It has been a month since that night, nopony has heard from Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, or Rainbow Dash. Rarity meets up with Fluttershy at her place like they have been doing since the others disappeared. She runs this time, for there is big news.

"Did you hear? Somepony saw Twilight today! They said she has no clue what happened, or where she was," Rarity exhaustingly blurted when she got through the door.

"What?" Fluttershy says in her quiet little voice as she turns toward the door,"Really? We should go see if she's really back then."

"Yes, we shall indeed. But first I need to catch my breath," Rarity says falling to the floor panting, "Oh and I've heard the others may be back as well."

"That is wonderful, we'll have to see if we can find them all. Maybe we can see if they can tell us where they've been." Fluttershy says, as sh e goes back to tending to the little animals who have come back out from hiding after the sudden commotion.

"Whew, alright let's be off" Rarity says after picking herself off the floor a few minuets later.

"So why do you think they disappeared? What do you think happened?" Fluttershy asks as they cross the bridge in front of her cottage on the way to Twilight's library.

"My answer hasn't really changed from last time you asked me that. As I said then, perhaps some sort of time travel spell, remember last time? Ohh dear, Twilight was soo worried about last time." Rarity speculates.

"So Twilight doesn't remember anything?" asks Fluttershy.

"Not that I've heard, oh, it's the darndest thing. Isn't it?" Rarity continues, "I belive they mentioned, they said Pinkie remembered something, I believe."

"I hope they are all okay, oh I wonder what happened." Fluttershy says.

They soon arrive at Twilight's library home, and knock on the door. Moments later the door is opened, and Twilight looks out and smiles. She looks the same as ever, certainly nothing major could have happened, Rarity thinks.

"Rarity, Fluttershy! What brings you two here?" Twilight asks.

"We heard that you were back from...where or whatever happened. Can you remember anything from the past month?" Rarity asks back.

"No, I don't remember anything, leaving or anything like that. I just woke up in the Everfree forest and walked back to Ponyville. Then I was told that I had been gone a month." Twilight replies, Rarity and Fluttershy glance at each other. "you guys want to come in?"

"Thank you for the offer darling, but I'm afraid we must decline. We were planning to see if the others were back." Rarity responds.

"oh ok, I saw Rainbow earlier, as well as Pinkie. They both seem to be out and about. Good luck finding them. If you see the, tell them I said hi." Twilight says as she turns and closes the door.

"Did something seem....off to you?" Rarity asks after they are a good distance from Twilight's house.

"K..kinda, I'm not too sure though." Fluttershy says.

"Well if everything were 'normal' then would Twilight not try to figure out what has happened?" Rarity points out.

"well I guess so..." Fluttershy says
"but then what do you think is wrong?" as they approached SugarCube Corner.

" Well....... That I'm unsure of darling...." Rarity says " but something has happened, I we need to find out what!"

A pink mare bounces up to them and gasps excitedly.

"Oh hey guys how's it going? I'm doing pretty good, I just got back from Hoofington, not much to do there, but I had to deliver some stuff for the Cakes and...." Pinkie says ecstatically.

"Pinkie, dear, you've been gone for a month. It took you that long to deliver some things for the Cakes?" Rarity asks.

" Well duh, I just said that didn't I? " Pinkie snorts and giggles.
" Well yes....alright see you later Pinkie" Rarity says, feeling as though something is off.
" See you Pinkie" Fluttershy says. They start walking aimlessly, not sure of they want to keep looking for their friends, or if they should just figure out what is going on.

"Maybe we're blowing this out of proportion? Maybe Twilight really doesn't know what happened, and Pinkie was just delivering some things for the Cakes." Fluttershy says as they reach the small park where they have picnics and play with their pets. The wind blows softly and ominously. Easing them of their tensions.

" Perhaps you are right. Maybe we are just being to critical about this, our friends are back we should be happy" Rarity says. The sun begins to set, casting longer shadows over the swaying grass. A rustle in the bushes and trees is heard, different from the one bring made by the breeze. Rarity turns toward the sound, then turns back. Dismissing it.

" Let's go find the others and..." Rarity begins, when all of a sudden a pony with an orange coat, a tattered hat to match her scraggly mane, and an eye-patch over her left eye; comes busting out of the bushes and tackles Rarity. Rarity yelps as she is hit to the ground.

" You, have they gotten to you?" The pony a yells.

" What are you talking abou... Applejack? Is that you? What happened?" Rarity asks looking at Applejack's current state.

"oh good they haven't gotten you, oh it was awful. Twilight, Ah think Rainbow, and me where taken to an awful place." Applejack ( Applepatch? Hehe) says. The sun shines it's last few rays as the full moon peaks out over the horizon, rising by the moment, leaving the sky in many shades of purple, blue and black.

" but Twilight is back? And she seems.....fine....kind of " Fluttershy says.

" They tortured us, would have killed me if Twilight hadn't come along, I don't know what they did, they may have brainwashed 'er. And oh gosh, Pinkie, she...."Applejack begins.

"What about Pinkie?" Rarity asks, wondering how Pinkie fit into all of this.

"She...she's one of the torturers." Applejack chokes.