The Elements of Discord

Twilight was sobbing openly and she didn't care who saw.  She didn't care if her friends were all looking to her to lead them out of this mess.  She was hurt, she was scared and she didn't care who knew it.  She just didn't care anymore.

After being soundly beaten by Despair, they had fled south toward Canterlot, putting as much distance between them and the dark harbinger as they could.  The six of them now hid in an old shack with only a small fire lit by Rarity to ward off the deadly chill.  Fluttershy was doing her best to treat Pinkie Pie's injuries, but just didn't have the supplies she needed; the others lay huddled together for warmth.

"No!  Stop it, Flutters!  I need to go...  I need..."

"Please, Pinkie, you're hurt.  You need to rest," Fluttershy pleaded.  Twilight lifted her head up to glare at the spectacle.  All she wanted was some peace right now.

"No, I can't.  Please, Fluttershy, can you..?  Can we..?"  Pinkie responded, pulling the pegasus closer, staring into her eyes.  "I can't stay here."  She hugged Fluttershy, who's stern expression immediately softened.

"O- Okay, Pinkie.  I understand."  She nuzzled the hurting pony and helped her up.

Gasping and clutching at what was probably a broken rib or two, Pinkie stood as tall as she could manage and addressed the rest of her friends, "We're going.  I don't know where or even if we'll make it, what we'll be doing, but we have to.  You've all done so much for me, now its my turn, so we won't be mad if you stay here.  Cross my heart, hope to- ow..."  She cried out as a stabbing pain in her chest stopped her from completing the motions.  "Ugh... you know the rest..."

"Just please promise me one thing," Fluttershy said, pulling one of Pinkie's hooves over her back to give additional support.  "Please stay together.  I don't want any of us to be alone when...  Its just..."  She tried to find the right words, but just couldn't bring herself to voice what she was thinking.  "Goodbye..."

Twilight watched them leave silently.  This wasn't right.  She started to push herself up, grunting against the aches in her legs.  She felt a pony but their head under her chest and push up, helping her to her feet.  "Rainbow, what are you doing?"

"Come on, Twi.  I know I'm not gunna be able to talk you out of this, so I'm coming with."

"But, Rainbow, you don't have to do that!"

"I know I don't, but I want to.  Somepony has to keep Pinkie out of trouble, besides, I can't let you of all ponies show me up, now can I?" she said back with a smirk and a wink.

Twilight knew that she had other reasons she wasn't stating.  Other reasons that she only knew about because of their encounter with Malice.  But that was alright.  It didn't matter why, but she was going to have Rainbow Dash at her side, and that was enough.

Applejack watched the pair leave apprehensively.  She could feel Rarity staring at her from across the room.

"I believe them when they say that they won't be mad if we stay here, but you do know they'll never let us live it down if the two of us do and all six of us make it through this."

"Ah know..."  Applejack sighed to herself.  And they called her stubborn.  "Well, shall we?"

"If we must," Rarity said back, standing up.

Pulling their jackets back on, they left their shelter together.