Tim sat on the edge of the bed in the dimly lit bedroom, already dressed for the day, the elbow of one arm resting on his knee and the hand of the other slowly running back and forth through his salt and pepper hair. It was still a couple of hours before daylight but he was wide awake, the contents of his pack neatly laid out across the foot of his bed. It wasn’t much, but it was most of what he had left in the world, with the exception of his camping gear. There were a few pairs of jeans, all worn and faded, a dozen or so flannel shirts, most with patches on the sleeves that were hastily sewn on and a handful of assorted long johns, socks and undergarments. Next to all of this sat an antique, double bladed Case knife, his camouflage baseball cap and an old tri-fold wallet that he hadn’t carried in years. He turned toward the items and picked up the black leather wallet and run his thumb over the worn wallet’s surface- smooth from the years past that he had carried it in his back pocket.

He slowly unfolded the wallet. Inside was around fifty dollars cash and some old receipts that were pressed and creased from years of being tucked away, untouched. He slid out his old driver’s license, noticing it had been expired for about ten years. Behind that was an old bank card and a few discount-member cards from a few grocery chains and sporting goods stores. Putting them back in place, he saw an old photograph- one had carried ever since it was given to him. He delicately removed the picture from its plastic holder and brought it closer to his face, absentmindedly tossing the wallet down onto the bed. Gazing at the picture, the corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smile while his eyes grew slightly damp. The woman in the picture was posed outside, her hands resting upon a weathered fence post that was slightly before her and her simple black dress clinging to her body in all the right places. Her golden hair was done beautifully, the soft and subtle curls outlining her smiling face. Her glasses sat perched on the end of her nose just-so and her slight use of makeup made her bright blue eyes stand out even more than they usually did. Without a word, he brought the picture of his passed wife up to his lips and kissed it softly. As he lowered the picture, a lonely tear edged itself out of the corner of Tim’s eye, slowly tracing a path down his tanned cheek before getting stopped in his short beard. He wiped his face as his smile grew wider. Looking down, he reached for his wallet to put the picture back but stopped, noticing what was now face-up and catching a the small amount of light the bedside lamp had to offer.

His badge. Seeing the old Sheriff’s Badge put a solemn expression on his face. He picked up the old wallet and brought the thing closer to his eyes. He spit on the golden shield and rubbed it on the chest of his blue flannel shirt before looking at it again. He showed the hint of a prideful smile before realizing he was still holding the picture in his other hand. His smile grew more as he looked at the picture of just a minute longer before sliding it back in the wallet in its rightful place, direct opposite of his badge. “Love you bunches, Ann,” he said as he slowly closed the wallet and grabbed his pack, sliding it into one of the side pockets. Feeling the weight of the pack, he remembered the one thing he left inside it.

Tim reached into the pack without looking and felt the cold wood and steel of his old Ruger revolver. Nodding with approval that the .44 magnum was still safe in his pack, he stood from the bed and stepped over to the closet, opening the door. Looking up, he saw a high shelf with a small trace of dust on it and raised the pack over his head and slid the pack far back on the shelf. Grabbing his coveralls off the hanger on the closet’s doorknob, he folded them up and put them in front of the pack, feeling confident that the hiding place was sufficient. Turning back to the bed, he put his old ball cap on his head and slid the old, but sharp, knife into his pocket. He picked up his clothes from the bad and placed them in the closet as well, closing it and heading toward the bedroom door. Opening it, he took a step back as a hand positioned to knock passed just a few inches from his face, surprising the orange clad blonde in his path.

“Hehe… didn’t hear ya movin’ in there,” Applejack said as she slightly blushed and rubbed the back of her neck with her hand. “Just wanted ta see if ya was ready for breakfast, we kinda missed ya at dinner last night.”

Tim smiled at the blushing blonde standing in front of him. “Sure thing. I’m sorry about skippin dinner last night, I guess that nap I took after we got back from the woods yesterday lasted a bit longer than I planned.” He motioned his hand down the hall and bowed his head slightly. “After you, Miss Apple,” he said, allowing her to take the lead toward the stairs and down to the kitchen. “Oh,” Applejack began, turning to face Tim, “After we eat, we’re gonna head on inta town and meet up with Twilight at her library, iffin’ yer up to it, that is.” Tim just nodded as he stepped past Applejack and into the pleasant smelling kitchen, briefly laying his hand upon her shoulder while doing so. “Sounds good to me,” he said with a smile, “C’mon, let’s eat so we can get goin.” Smiling back at him again, Applejack nodded and followed him into the room to join the rest of the Apple family at the table.

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“That is one BIG tree…” Tim stated as he and Applejack rode on the horse drawn cart into town just past a large sign that read “Welcome to PONYVILLE.” It was still early morning, but the sun had been up for almost two hours now and was already warming the cool, but comfortable, night air. Applejack turned her attention to the aforementioned tree and nodded.

“Eyuup, that’s a good sized tree alright. ‘Course it has ta be seein as how Twi lives there in her library. We’re just a tad bit early; the others won’t be there till later on,” she stated as Tim turned to face her as he gestured a hand toward the tree in the distance.

“Wait, you’re tellin me that tree is the library and Twilight lives there? And who are the others that are coming later?” Tim asked before turning back to their surroundings, noticing more and more of the pastel painted cottages and unique looking businesses that apparently made up the small town. Applejack pulled the reins of the cart to the right, easing the large red workhorse pulling them into a turn onto a road which seemed to be the main street of town. “Yessir, Twilight’s been livin there in tha library for a good while now since she moved here from Canterlot. A few of our friends from Ponyville will be comin’ over to the Library to talk with you and Twi both.” A sour frown appeared on her face as she continued. “Twilight’s hopin to shed some light on why ya here and bring ya up to speed on what’s all went on.” With that, the conversation between the two ended and they quietly continued on to the giant tree library.

Pulling up to the impossibly large tree, Tim hopped down from the cart and offered his hand to Applejack, who accepted it and stepped down as well. Together they unhitched the cart from the workhorse and turned him out to graze on the lush, green grass surrounding the library. Applejack lead the pair to the large wooden door at the base of the tree and knocked as Tim could only look up and admire the sheer mass of the tree and see the random windows and balconies jutting forth from its trunk and branches. Hearing the door open, he brought his gaze down and noticed the preteen boy standing there. The smiling young man before him was sporting spiky green hair and was wearing a neon purple shirt over a pair of long black shorts. His lightly tanned skin looked smooth but a bit leathery, like a man who had worked long days in the sun for many years. This struck Tim as a bit odd but he smiled back at the boy none-the-less, tipping his ball cap to him.

“Hiya Applejack! Twilight said you’d be showing up this morning with a guest!” the boy stretched his hand out to Tim. “Hi, there! The name’s Spike, nice to meet you.” Tim smirked a bit at the boy’s squeaky voice and took the hand into his own, noticing the rough texture of the hand offered to him. “I’m Tim, nice to meet you as well, Spike,” Tim stated as he watched Applejack ruffle the boy’s hair and walk through the door past him. The boy huffed a bit and Tim followed Applejack through the door into a large, circular room lined from floor to ceiling with what seemed like hundreds if not thousands of books and scrolls. There was a staircase that led to an upper level that was closed off by a door, as well as a few scattered doors and an entryway on the main floor. In the center of the room, there was a large table surrounded by chairs with a map laid upon it, its edges being held down by an inkwell and a few random books. It was in one of these chairs that a familiar woman sat, sipping from a small china cup of hot tea and looking at the map. Tim smiled as he walked across the room and approached the table.

“Glad to see you’re doing well, Twilight, it’s been a while,” the man smiled down at her. At hearing his voice, the dark-skinned woman looked up and smiled. “Tim! So good to see you!” she exclaimed as she stood up and wrapped her arms around her visitor. Tim winced slightly, seeing as the difference in their height resulted in Twilight hugging him low around his chest. Hearing this, Twilight released her embrace and put a hand to her mouth. “Oh! I’m so, so sorry! Here, let me help,…” she the laid a raspberry-glowing hand on Tim’s side and instantly he felt a warm, tingling sensation radiate from her hand and into his ribcage. The sensation slowly crept across his chest as he felt the pain seep away from him. As Twilight removed her hand, the feeling dulled slightly but remained present, causing him to bring his own hand to where the woman’s hand once was. He felt the warmth in his hand and noticed a faint glow through his shirt. He gave a questioning look to Twilight.

“Don’t worry, it’s a simple healing spell I have been studying as of late. I know our town doctor had tended to your injuries at Sweet Apple Acres but this spell is a bit more potent- it should have you back to your old self in no-time!” Twilight smiled at Tim and motioned to the chair next to her. “Please, sit, we have a few things to discuss as I’m sure you’re aware of. Applejack, great to see you! I want to thank both of you for all you done for me the other day,…” her eyes shown with a small bit of worry, “I really taxed myself casting a spell of such magnitude, I don’t think I can thank either of you enough.”

Applejack stepped over and hugged Twilight, stroking her hair softly. “Aw, think nuthin of it, suga’cube. That’s what friends do for each other, and Ah know you’d a done tha same for me.” The tall blonde released her friend and sat in the chair next to Tim, titling her Stetson back on her head and leaning back on the chairs back legs. Tim took a look at the map on the table in front of him, noticing a series of black circles dotting the map; quite a few of the circles had been crossed or scribbled out. Twilight saw Tim observing the map leaned over the table, tracing her finger along a string of crossed out locations.

“These towns and cities are places we have already visited in our search for clues, but they all resulted in dead-ends,” Twilight began, but was interrupted by Applejack clearing her throat.

“Uh, Twi, Ah think ya might just need ta back up just a hair. Maybe to tha beginnin’?” the southern woman spoke out. At the comment, Twilight blushed just a bit as she brought her hands together in front of her waist, subconsciously wringing them together. “Oh, sorry… That would be logical, wouldn’t it?” Twilight sat down at the head of the table next to Tim. She sighed deeply, crossing her legs and resting her clasped hands on top of her knee. She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them, she once again had a look of worry on her face.

“A few months ago, strange things began happening in the larger towns all over Northern Equestria. Things have always been so peaceful under the rule of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The Princesses have been overseeing our land for almost four thousand years and they control the day and night, respectively,... we have always been under their protection. They were just small occurrences at first, things such as damage to buildings and small scale robberies. Yes, we had these things happening before, but they were very rare, though when they became more commonplace- almost daily- citizens became greatly concerned. Soon, businesses, as well as homes, were being broken into and vandalized, some even burned to the ground. Canterlot posted more Royal Guards throughout the land, but it resulted in resources being spread thin. Then the crimes became more serious, as well as more violent,” Twilight paused briefly, shuddering ever so slightly, which Tim noticed with a raised brow.

“Government Officials were being assaulted in their homes in the middle of the night, some even being murdered. Banks were being robbed in the dead of night and anyone who may have been a witness was either slain or stricken with madness, talking complete nonsense or speaking unknown languages. Guard Stations were being burnt to the ground, men and women burned alive in their barracks.” Tears slowly began to streak down Twilight’s mournful face. She fished a handkerchief out of her pocket and wiped her eyes before she continued. “My brother, Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard, burned to death at an outpost just west of Canterlot. It was after his death when the gangs began springing up in the larger cities. Guards were pulled from the southern cities and towns, such as our beloved Ponyville, and were deployed in the larger cities such as Fillydelphia, Manehattan, Baltimare as well as Canterlot. Then the Princesses began to take measures into their own hands.”

“The sisters began going from city to city, patrolling the cities all hours of the day and night. As soon as they would arrive, the crime would stop, only to get more severe in a town farther from Canterlot. The Princesses followed the calls of help and moved across the land.” Twilight then pointed to the far north-west corner of the map. “Here is the city of Las Pegasus. Both Princess Celestia and Luna were en route to the city under the protection of both the Royal Guard and the Lunar Guard when apparently their caravan was attacked. Myself being a student of Princess Celestia, I have always been in communication with her, I always received updates and instructions from her during her travels, but when I had not heard from her for a few days, me and my closest friends,” she motioned a hand to Applejack, who merely nodded, “set off to Las Pegasus to see if assistance was needed. What we found on the way there was nothing short of a massacre.”

“Apparently the crime waves were nothing more than a lure into a trap; I cannot believe I nor did the Princesses realize it sooner. We found the Royal Carriages burnt to nothing but hollow shells, still smoldering from the fires. The bodies of their Guards were found scattered amongst the road, armor and weapons strewn about in the throes of a battle. Alongside their bodies were the charred remains of others, there was nothing left to be able to identify them other than some very strange and unique body armor. It was like nothing I have ever seen from any of the other nations and it reeked of dark magic. We scoured the scene but could not find any trace of the Princesses. I even tried a seeing spell to try and locate any sign of their magic but to no avail. Shortly after that, it was as if all the vandalism and robberies and assaults simply stopped, but then the missing person reports started rolling in from the north. Guards, Royalty, citizens,… no-one was safe.” Twilight looked to Tim who was staring at her intently, hanging on every word she spoke. “That’s where you come in. I studied spell after spell for weeks on end trying to find the Princesses or anyone who could help us, and all of my hard work led me to you.”

Tim just stared back into Twilight’s eyes, his elbows resting on the table and him chin in one hand. His tone was cold and blank, unreadable by Twilight. He then looked to the map, then to Applejack, who was now sitting close to the table, her arms folded in front of her and resting on the table. He turned his gaze back to Twilight at the head of the table, who was looking at him with purple, pleading eyes. Tim then leaned back in his chair, pulling the brim of his cap down tight on his head before sighing and crossing his arms across his barrel of a chest. He looked deep into Twilight’s eyes, lost deep in thought. He was processing everything that the dark skinned woman had told him and mulling it over in his mind. He was trying to figure out if he was here to be a detective, a bodyguard or some sort of mercenary for these women, and he was about to pose that question when a loud knock at the door broke the silence that settled over the room. They all looked to the door and the young man Tim remembered was named Spike suddenly dashed out of the doorway on the far side of the room.

“I’ll get it, Twilight!” he shouted as he rushed to the front door and pulled it opened. Behind the green-haired boy, Tim could see a small group of women standing out on the front step. “Hey, girls!” Spike squeakily greeted, “Come on in, Twilight’s expecting you.” He turned to face the three at the table. “Twilight, the gang’s all here!”

Twilight stood from the table and smoothed the wrinkles out of the front of her shirt. “Well, I think it was about time for a small break anyhow,” she stated as she slowly walked from the table to the door. She motioned for the women to come in as she laid a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “Spike, be a dear and fix some tea for all our guests. Girls, please come in and have a seat, I would like for you to meet Tim, the man who is here to help us.”

Author's Note

Well, I hope I answered a few questions there but didn't seem too rushed along. Another long list of work to get done this week and I'm fighting a cold to boot... Hope yall enjoyed and please, like/dislike and comment. Thanks!