Chapters Chapter I: "The Earthquake"
Since the morning this day turned out to be bad for Scootaloo. At first she came out of the club house, where she usually spent the night, avoiding the watchful supervision of her mother superior, but then immediately slipped on the wet ladder because of yesterday's rain, nearly getting a concussion. But the troubles were not over. It was just a warm-up. Finally, when she reached the school, she as usual left her scooter near the Cheerilee's blackboard and then sat at her desk.
First nothing foretold troubles, but when Scootaloo decided to get a little more comfortable on this wooden chair, something went wrong and the chair leg broke off, like it was rotting here for a thousand years or even more. From the all sides came a deafening laughter, as Scootaloo was mentally swearing at the whole world. The impact to desk was so strong, that the filly barely held back tears. She had a gut feeling that it was somepony's trick and guessed whose, but against him there was no evidence.
Most likely, it was the new colt in class, who behaved as if he was a king or god there. His name was Falcon Lover. According to his joyful, malevolent smile and pleasured face it was possible to understand that he was who arranged this trap. If at the same moment miss Cheerilee didn't walk into the classroom, Scootaloo without any hesitation would suit a good thrashing to the one, who did this.
"Good morning, kids!"
"Good morning, miss Cheerilee!"
"I hope you all had a nice..." Cheerilee saw Scootaloo's broken chair. "Oh my Gosh, Scootaloo! What happened to your chair?"
Scootaloo realized that it was her chance to make a right Cheerilee's look of newcomer.
"Falcon sawed the leg of my chair!"
"Who?! Me?!" responded white pegasus with gray-blue mane.
In the teacher's eyes Falcon Lover was a diligent student who studied for good marks and was kind to his classmates. But he was like this only when teacher looked after him. As miss Cheerilee needed to go out of classroom for a few minutes as this "diligent student" turned into a creature, which was worse, than any demon could be. He managed to keep in fear even Diamond Tiara, the one who should only complain to her father or mother, and all problems would be solved. Nopony knew what he said to her, but now little filly didn't even want to start a conversation about complains. At all she has become closed after this incident.
But let's get back to Scootaloo, which was listening to Falcon Lover's justifications.
"I didn't even think about it!" continued young colt. "Of course, me and Scootaloo clash sometimes, but verbal sparring is how it ends and we put up with each other!"
"Yeah, right!" sarcastically added orange pegasus. "Put up with each other! First, you'll promise an eternal peace and kidness, and after two or three weeks he'll again arrange some stupid joke!"
By the Scootaloo's sight it was clearly understandable, that she barely was holding herself to not to accidentally lash out and attack offender. However, it seemed that Cheerilee did not heed her words and remained unconvinced, though she tried not to hurt Scootaloo. That's why she decided not to blame anypony and just make both foals shake their hooves and hug, and then replaced broken chair with a new one. It was frustrating for both foals, but for teacher they decided to pretend they didn't feel anything bad, then asked for forgivness and forgave each other.
"I'll deal with you after school..." flashed through their heads.
"See? Starting a fight is bad," Cheerilee summed up. "And now get back to your desk. Let's begin the lesson!"
Cheerilee got to the blackboard, took the chalk and started to draw something new. Her drawing was similar to layout of pony's hoof, and next to it there was a huge set of formulas and equations. This day definitely will be one of the most difficult for Scootaloo, especially taking in account that Rainbow Dash left for a week in Cloudsdale and filly didn't have anypony to train with.
"Alright, students, what do you think we'll learn for today?" asked Cheerilee.
Lilac unicorn with yellow mane raised a hoof. It was Derpy's daughter - Dinky Whooves. "Oh! I know! It should be how ponysaur's arms were transformed into hooves!"
Cheerilee couldn't help but chuckled a little because of this adorable and zealous assumption. However, Dinky had a great idea for the next lessons to come.
"No, Dinky, sorry. We'll touch this theme a little bit later. Today we're going to learn how do we grab different things by our hooves. Let's start from the beginning..."
This lesson was the great interest even for Scootaloo, who usually was not very interested in school curriculum. So it could be called a nice exception to the rule. She absorbed the lesson material with such passion, that she forgot even her resentment to Falcon, which in the meantime was planning after-school meeting with filly. He was pretty smart, so he could afford himself to be distracted by something else. If his temper was more friendly, he would be a priceless pony.
Here rang the bell, indicating the end of the lesson.
"Have a nice day!" said Cheerilee to students. "Scootaloo, Falcon Lover, come here, please."
Foals, to their surprise, glanced at each other, but didn't make teacher wait and approached.
"Just want to sure, that you both don't have any problems between you. At this week you seemed a little more aggressive, than usually you are," Cheerilee said it in a very gentle tone. "If you really have some problems β go on, I promise, that I won't scold you. You can pour all your heart out."
"I've already said everything! He's just a bully from nose to tail tip!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"Is it true, Falcon?" asked Cheerilee, not losing her tone.
The white pegasus just shook his head from side to side.
"Listen, you have nothing to fear," Cheerilee continued. "Now we are talking not as teacher to student, but as friend to friend. If that's true, say yes. If that's false, nopony will blame you in both ways."
This rant already has sown doubts in little pegasus. He looked away, so he would not stare into the teacher's face, which was full of kindness and affection. Foal bit his lip, hesitating to answer. He looked at Scootaloo, expecting to see a gloating face, but he saw only doubt and some comprassion. She, probably, remember the story with Babs Seed and didn't see Falcon as a ruthless marodeur and rude bully, like was before.
He took a deep breath, so that it was easy to see the fluffy fur on chest, which distinguished the pegasi from other ponies; and then exhaled. This helped him to gain courage, but he still hesitated as droplets of sweat rolled down his forehead. Pegasus had already open his mouth to finally confess his bullying, but a deafening crackle killed his words halfway down in his throat. Trio turned their heads to the source of noise and all three saw a big crack along the wall. A few moments later, the crack continued to grow and in front of stunned ponies soon divided the school building into parts on the floor, like it was a drawn line. Suddenly everything calmed down. Dead silence stood and seemed to presage something horrible. And so it proved.
Crackling rock formations, oak planks, stone walls - everything mixed into one deadly hum. The plaster on the ceiling began to fall off and, if it was larger, would easily crush the helpless ponies, who had numb limbs because of fear. Cherilee was first, who woke up from the dream, which could kill them all.
"Scootaloo! Falcon Lover! Quickly, let's get out of here!" screamed Cheerilee.
These words made foals wake up and then they followed their teacher. The risks were many, and the falling flag near the entrance to school almost slammed Falcon, if he didn't react quickly enough. Playground turned into a real mess. Where once was a swing, stood a strange pillar with two iron sticks. The carousel turned into a half-disk. The fence was scattered in all corners of the playground.
"Everypony's okay?" asked Scootaloo.
"Yeah, I suppose," said Falcon Lover. "I'm sorry, Scootaloo... I didn't mean to hurt you."
Then he realized what he had just say and bit his lip. He didn't want to say this. But sometimes adrenaline in the blood can go against the will of the host.
"I'm sorry, too..." also unexpectedly said Scootaloo.
"Now I see that you really put up, kids."
A smile shone on their faces. Foals once again exchanged their glances, but this time they were filled with kindness and friendliness. Under such circumstances, everyone takes off its mask and reveals true face. That's when you can see a real nature of a friend or familiar. And between two foals finally something like friendship was born. Nothing seemed to prevent this happy acquisition of a new friend. But only seemed.
The ground shook under their hooves even more, than in previous time. It was shaking so much, that it made Falcon's legs buckle and fall down, almost stunning him, so sparkles fell out of his eyes. The middle of school building began to gradually fall down, as the crack in the ground more and more began to diverge, crumbling small pieces of soil at the edges. Under such pressure, several trees have already turned into a kind of shrubs. It was no longer an earthquake, which just crushed the folds of rocks and houses, but a real formation of the canyon or rupture! "Shores" of gap tear aside with incredible speed, swallowing everything in the bottomless abyss. The spectacle was both terrifying and breathtaking.
But suddenly behind the trio there was a crackle of fossilized soil. This made Cheerilee turn around and find what she was afraid of.
"Oh my Gosh! Kids, run!" exclaimed Cheerilee.
And as if by magic after these words, trio felt the ground started to slip away from them under their hooves. Without wasting time, three ponies quickly darted to the opposite side from rupture. The heart was pounding like a mad; sweat was pouring like a hail; adrenaline was flowing through the blood - all this only for sake of one goal: to get out of here as soon as possible. Scootaloo was the first, who got out from the danger zone; Cheerilee was the second. Falcon Lover barely had time to catch hold of the newly formed edge of the canyon. However, it didn't help him. Although he couldn't fly, but the little wing effort to raise the body could be enough, if one of them wasn't broken. He fell of the edge.
Mare and filly screamed, instinctly running to the edge. Fortunately, they didn't see a falling body into the endless abyss. Falcon managed to grab a small ledge. But here he won't last long, if not to hurry up to help him.
"Miss Cheerilee, insure me, please!" asked Scootaloo with entreaty in her voice.
Realizing what Scootaloo wanted to do and that there was no other way to save this foal, Cheerilee nodded. The lesson seemed to portend this difficult situation. Grabbing two Scootaloo's hind legs, Cheerilee layed down on the edge of precipice. Orange pegasus hung off the cliff and carefully went down.
"I'm comin'!" shouted Scootaloo.
Classmate's voice cheered Falcon and he looked up. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"What are you doing?!" the white pegasus shouted in shock.
"I'm just gonna save you!" - simply said Scootaloo.
And here within Falcon something clicked. It was madness! She returned to save him even after all insults he made to her!
"Take my hoof, quickly!" said Scootaloo.
Not believing himself and almost crying, but yet he accepted this hoof of help.
"Miss Cheerilee, pull us back!" shouted orange filly.
Teacher didn't need to hear it twice and pulled back and after some efforts foals were out of rupture's jaws, which intended to swallow them. All three ponies were breathing heavily and just sitting in silence for a minute. Nopony dared to start a conversation. Finally, the first words were heard. It was Falcon Lover.
"So... Why did you returned to save me?" asked Falcon, not believing himself. "You both could just easily die."
"Friends always do crazy things like this, am I right?" Scootaloo tried to joke.
At this words, a small blush appeared on Falcon's face. He didn't expect such an attitude to him. Yeah, he asked for forgivness, but felt like it was little for real forgivness. Tears of gratitude appeared in his eyes. Through it was easy to see how his pupils sparkled for a second.
"Th-thank you, Scootaloo... I-I'm really sorry for all those things I've said to you before and..."
"I've already forgived you." Scootaloo shut his mouth, not letting to end the sentence.
On the Falcon's face re-appeared small, but honest smile. His eyes became even more wet, he felt in the chest like something cold and violent was melting, and something warm and lovely was replacing it. It was his heart, his soul β call it however you want. Scootaloo just melted an ice in the heart Falcon had. But then sudden Cheerilee's voice caught foals' attention.
"Kids, look!" said Cheerilee with shivering voice.
And there was something to see. A giant rupture cut the town into two parts. The width of this abyss looked to be about three hundred meters, and the length was measured in dozens of kilometers. Equestria has never seen a cataclysm of this magnitude. The sight was terrifying. Ponyville was just torn apart: town hall probably fell into the abyss, some houses teetered on the verge, you could clearly see how several ponies vainly was trying to climb the walls of the gap. It was scary even to think about the amount of victims, especially when you see another pony, which was falling down. Here it is βan alive breathing creature, and after one second it turned just into a void dead body. Although the dead from such height were not visible, but when this horrible picture appeared in imagination of our characters, they involuntarily shuddered with horror and cold, that ran on their back. But the worst thing is that nopony could know about it in advance. It happened suddenly, completely unexpected for everypony. Half of the dead didn't even know what they were died from. And when rescuers will arrive is still unknown.
"This is horrible..." said trio in unison.
Each of them thought about their friends, relatives and families, if they were still alive, but nopony could vouch for that. In such mayhem none of them could say for sure. Cheerilee was sitting on her rump, covering her face with a hoof, so the students didn't see how she almost cried. Even an adult can't bear to be so terrified. What can we say about foals, whose eyes were filled with tears only at the single thought of what could happen to their friends and family. Unable to withstand such pressure, they turned away, but it didn't helped even a bit.
"Let's go..." said Cheerilee, don't even knowing where to go.
There was not a single cloud in the sky, what created a huge contrast with yesterday's rain. It was evening and amber sunrays illuminated the ruins of the once happy town. The black silhouettes of destroyed houses standing on the abyss' edge and the sun's glares coming out of the empty broken windows created an incredibly beautiful and terrifying picture at the same time. Various birds: nightingales, starlings, thrushes, orioles, wagtails; sang and chirped so romantically as if nothing happened a few hours ago.
Finally the foals moved away from the shock and horror, that caused them this cataclysm, but sad thoughts will haunt them for a very long time. They fully trusted themselves to Cheerilee. A light breeze by its weak impulses seemed to try to comfort trio with those weak consolations that everything will be fine, putting an invisible hand on their shoulders. This overnight won't be easy for anypony.
From this moment the travel of our characters began, full of sadness and longing for friends and families.
Author's Note
If there are any syntax or grammar mistakes, I'm sorry. English ain't my native language and I'm kind of mediocre in it.
Chapter II: "First Night"
As it was said before, it was going to evening and our trio needed a sanctuary. Sleeping under the open sky isn't a great idea. However, nopony cared, given the events of past day. Particularly strong Cheerilee was worried about her old mother, who because of her age could barely drag herself onto the floor. But now she will experience herself not just as a good and fair educator and teacher, but as caring and attentive mother towards Scootaloo and Falcon. And the first step for her was to find a shelter where they could spend the night with a roof above their heads.
The sun was still climbing down, so it was the time to search for place, like was described earlier. Fortunately, Cheerilee didn't have to look for a long time and after one hour or so they'd find the house of Berry Punch, the main drunkard of Ponyville. Just a few hours ago Cheerille could see how vainly scrambling purple pony with a grape mane fell into the bottomless abyss and disappeared in it forever. However, Cheerilee knew, that if she was alive, she would welcome guests, and therefore, having throw away all doubts and superstitions, she announced with an extremely sad sigh.
"We will spend the night here..."
Cheerilee opened the door and let foals come in first. All the way they were silent and didn't say a single word. Everypony was immersed into their own thoughts. Cheerilee thought about getting to the other side of rupture and what might happened to her mother. Scootaloo was worried about for the life of mother-superior and her closest friends. Falcon... Falcon had nothing to worry about, because he himself said, that his parents live in Las Pegasus, and once rupture went in the opposite direction from it, it was unlikely he had anything to worry about. But you can't tell this by his expression. There was something on his mind after all.
The house was in such condition as if nothing happened, except that most of the skillets, cutleries and bilets for the moonshine fell onto the floor and in some windows there was cracked glass. The rest of the house seemed unharmed, which was quite unnatural. But anyway, this place was suitable shelter to spend a night or even an entire life, if it wasn't isolated to the rest of Ponyville.
The night had already come into its possesions and the sun almost disappeared behind the horizon. However, due to the fact that in the sky wasn't a single cloud, the night was surprisingly bright. It even seemed like abyss itself emited a light, albeit with a slightly different shade. Blue moonbeams passed through the window shutters, leaving behind a luminous flux, and on the floor reflecting the shutters. The night finally covered all Equestria with its dark embrace, notifying every pony that it was time for dream. For some ponies - an eternal dream.
"Good night, miss Cheerilee!" said Falcon and Scootaloo.
"Good night, kids!" Cheerilee responded.
Once again, looking at snuggled up to her and to each other little fluffy pegasi, who seemed to guessed her thought and didn't mind it; Cheerilee yawned and closed her eyes, covering all three with a soft blanket. It seemed like nobody and nothing could disturb the peace of this tranquil and touching scene. And so it was.
This time Princess Luna was especially kind to all her subjects and even if some dream turned into a nightmare, princess of the night quickly ended it and began a serene oblivion. Today ponies have already had a lot of horrors.
In the house of dead Berry Punch reigned unbreakable peace and silence. On the floor now there was no garbage and this house could well go as if nothing happened near it, but only if the windows didn't opened a breathtaking view to a newly formed canyon. In the bed there were three peacefully sleeping ponies and this scene could be mistaken for a happy family. But would that be a mistake? Blood makes relatives, but only unbreakable friendship and love can create a really happy family. And in the hearts of our characters this noble and tender feeling was more, than enough. Despite all the past events of this day, all obstacles that the harsh life placed in front of them, a sweet sincere smile did not slip from their faces all the night.
Tossing and turning in the dream, Cheerile hugged foals, respiration those had even more happier smile and they clung to her fluffy purple body. This sudden warm and at the same time tickilng touch made Cheerilee shiver, but not wake up. Sometimes Scootaloo, like a little fox, tickled her nose Cheerilee's flank and Falcon's forehead, which because of dream didn't mind. After all, who doesn't want to luxuriate, especially next to such, though she didn't admit it, a cute and fluffy creature?
About in this way th whole first night was the complete opposite of yesterday's events and seemed to be some sort of compensation for what happened a several hours ago. But the time came for dawn. With the first cries of the roosters, the summer sun began to rise from its oblivion simultaneously illuminating more and more areas, cities, residents and wild animals. Finally, the sunrise's rays penetrated through the windows into the Berry Punch's house, announcing that it's the time to wake up, falling onto the trio's faces. If the soft blue moonlight didn't prevent them from sleeping at all, the scarlet rays of dawn seemed like to say: "Squad, get up!"
The first reaction to this call was that all three wrinkled their faces, trying to hide from the pesky rays, who strove to dazzle accustomed to the darkness eyes. But there was nowhere to go, given the weakness that appeares after a long dream. The first, oddly enough, woke up Scootaloo. For a long time she hasn't sleep as good as now - beds in the club house and in the orphanage are just awful compared to the one, on which she slept tonight. Noticing that her friends are still sleeping, she decide not to wake them up and luxuriate a little more in the rays of rising sun. Fortunately, the rupture was located on the other side relatively to the room, and the window looked out directly onto the Everfree Forest, where Zecora lived, so Scootaloo could at least temporarily forget about the horrors of this cataclysm.
Sunrise was truly beautiful. Play of the sun rays with water droplets in the air created a unique set of colors and charms of nature, so Scootaloo could very easily distinguish several solar circles and at least one sunlight spot on the wall, which was created by the near-standing mirror. The whole room was pretty empty, but that didn't bother filly, because she was looking at what was outside the window.
Words cannot express what Scootaloo felt at that moment; you have it to feel it by yourself to understand. It was a completely new feeling for her that she never have experienced it before and it only intensified when she was looking at Cheerilee or Falcon. No, it's definetely wasn't the usual joy of meeting the sunrise. It was something more she had for world, for nature, for ponies, for friends, for Cheerilee, for Falcon... It was the kind of love. No, hell no! Not at all! It was a love, but quite unlike the love that reigned in Equestria. It was something different, special, much deeper, than any other feelings, it went deep into her heart and settled there. Some warm feeling she never felt before. It's... family happiness! It was clearly understandable that every member of this trio loved each other with all heart.
Being in such wonderful ecstasy, such feeling in a unique way the unity and love with the entire world, Scootaloo waited for the awakening of her friends, if not family. This day brought them in so far as she was close with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, for whose good fate she was praying by her whole body and soul and hoped at least one more time to see them alive. She would give anything for it.
They could forget about the bridge to the other side: Scootaloo, when the others woke up, tried to attract the attention of ponies, which were standing on the opposite side of the abyss, screaming and throwing small stones at them. When little pegasus threw one of the pebbles with such force that it was able to fly to the middle of the rupture, there was something out of the ordinary. Pebble, having reached a middle, collided with something and rebounded with a vengeance. Scootaloo barely had time to dodge her own projectile, as she heard the trumpet roar, very similar to the trihoof's signal from the recently released "War of the Ponies" movie. This rumble came from the other side of the abyss and when she looked there, the little pegasus saw a dark indigo circle strictly crawling along the line of the barrier. As soon as the trumpet roar died down, the circle disappeared. This simple obversation, a completely random experiment, answered one of many questions in the head, but generated even more. But now one thing was clear: their chances to move to the other side are simply insignificant, and probably they will be up to the end of their days tormented in guesses what happened with those who were so dear to them. In one moment, in one throw all Scootaloo's hopes collapsed like a house of cards.
It was then that Cheerilee ran out of the house, to who this sound almost gave a heart attack. But then she saw Scootaloo, which was sitting on her rump with spreaded legs and tucked tail. At first glance, there was nothing remarkable, but her drooping head said that something was lurking here. Something she had on her mind was not clearly so.
"Is something wrong, Scootaloo?" she asked uncertainly.
"We... We'll never get back to the oter side..." Scootaloo responded sadly.
Cheerilee shuddered, but continued to ask.
"Come on! Who told you that?"
Instead of answering, Scootaloo rose up, took a small stone, and, with all strength left in her after this emotional shock, threw a stone on the other side of rupture. At first, Cheerilee thought that she wanted to throw out all accumulated anger and stress, but she wasn't right with this opinion. A deafening roar once again scattered around the neighbourhood, and the barrier swept the same dark indigo circle.
"The hour is not easier..." flashed through Cheerilee's head.
"Now do you see?" said Scootaloo with such trembling voice that it seemed like a stream of tears would gush out of her eyes.
Cheerilee was truly sympathized with her. See this filly in the moment, when she was up to erupt salty streams from her eyes was intolerable spectacle even for the most stale creature. Cheerilee wished to help, but she couldn't; this was what drove her to rage and smelled her soul with hundreds of invisible daggers, and the thought that she was unlikely ever be able to see her mother again only increased the torment by slowly turning those daggers in a circle. But hope dies last and supports life in the breathless body until the ever end.
The wrath of powerlessness and helplessness went away, giving Cheerilee's thoughts in order. Finally wrath was gone and Cheerilee spoke, putting one hoof on the filly's shoulder and the other on her own chest.
"Listen, Scootaloo," Cheerilee said, seriously looking into Scootaloo's eyes. "I promise you that we will get to the other side and I will keep my word, whatever it takes."
And a little hearted smile flitted across Scootaloo's lips. She admired how Cheerilee was willing to sacrifice herself for her. The whole Cheerilee's guise talked about it; it was enough to look into her shining green eyes to understand. They were like a pair of flawless emeralds saying, "Look at us!" and never let go back when you'll look at them. Scootaloo just looked into those eyes as she responded.
"And I swear that I'll be your good companion and exemplary dau...~"
At the last word, she faltered and fell silent. These words involuntarily fell off her tongue from the very depth of her feelings; from a dream she never knew about. There was a minute of awkward silence. Cheerilee didn't need words to understand what was happening in Scootaloo's soul, it was a fierce battle. Fortunatealy for little pegasus, she decided to save the situation, breaking a silence with good-natured chuckle and gentle smile filled with love.
"Alright, now let's go to the breakfast. Falcon at the doorstep is waiting for us," she said, moving to the house.
All three came inside with a bright smile on their faces.
Chapter III: "The Road Most Traveled"
Breakfast was quite succesful: in the house, surprisingly, was stored, though not very much, but enough provisions for one time. However, there was no point to stay here anymore, unless they wanted to starve themselves, because after breakfast they found that there was no a single crumb left.
They need to move. But where? Do they have friends who can help them and shelter at least for a while, until the situation is clarfied? Of course, they probably would have been warmly received in any city or village, but residents can have a lot more troubles, than they are, if this rupture affected their region. But, if they'll stay here, they will starve themselves, and this is not the best prospect. Nopony knew what to think as Falcon spoke.
"I'd like to confess it under different circumstances, but I don't seem to have a choice. Just promise to react less violently, okay?" Falcon asked imploringly.
Still not quite understanding what he was talking about, but suspecting something, Scootaloo and Cheerilee nodded, what mean consent. Falcon waited for a couple of seconds and continued.
"Remember when I said I was born in Las Pegasus? I lied..."
He got silent. By his lips it was easy to understand that he was hesitating. On his tongue twirled some words, that he didn't dare to pronounce. Finally, taking a deep breath under the mares' testing gaze and once again rising his soft fur on the chest, he quickly rammed.
"I was born in Hollow Shades..."
This name, like a bolt from the blue clear sky, struck them. Hollow Shades, a batpony's town in the middle of forest. Not surprisingly, he used a very bad reputation among the residents of Ponyville and other cities, especially given a gossip of the old mares, which they told to their grandchildren. There was a lot of rumors about this place, but not even a single hint of hospitality. That's why the life of batponies still well known only by Princess Luna. I must say, most ponies treated them unfairly, but this will be discussed later. Let's return to our characters.
As it was said before, this name made them shudder and even jump up a little. But nothing more. They instinctively also shared the fear this place was catching up, but they didn't understand and didn't share the prejudices. Cheerilee is due to the fact she had a logical and mathematical approach for everything, so she delved into the very essence of the question and wanted to go into this place for a long time, but couldn't because she had to look after the class. Scootaloo wanted to look cool and awesome in front of her friends and classmates, so if they'll threw her this challenge, she would without hesitation went there. Besides, she was familiar with one batpony-guardian and he seemed to be not wild and bloodthirsty, as it was expected.
Unfortunately, the secret fear in the heart will not go anywhere and even the closest acquaintance or relationship is unlikely to be able fix it. Although our characters were not afraid, but were a little shocked.
"You was born where?!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"In Hollow Shades. My parents told me not to tell this to everypony, but... I see that we have no other choice."
Cheerilee pitched her brains and weighed all pros and cons, before she spoke.
"In my opinion you're right, Falcon. But I don't understand one thing. In Hollow Shades batponies are living?" asked Cheerilee.
"Yes, but what's the problem?"
"You're a pegasus! Maybe it's just prejudice, but how can other type of pony live without a sunlight?"
Falcon didn't seemed to anticipate such statement, but then quickly remembered something.
"My mum and dad are batponies. They say I was born that way to my late grandfather. He was pegasus. Sometimes nature gives us such surprises..." he said, not understanding all parabolas in Cheerilee's head.
Cheerilee knew examples of such oddities. Just look at Cake family: despite the fact parents are earth ponies, their children are pegasus and unicorn; what is pretty strange. However, the fact remains and they must accept it, what they did a long time ago. Genes love to fool around.
"I believe you," said Cheerilee and Scootaloo in unison.
Falcon's eyes flickered, his lips curled into a sweet smile.
Meanwhile, the morning dew had evaporated, the sun was slowly approaching its zenith, so little by little it was to move on the road. After collecting all the things that they thought could be useful on the road, they bitterly left the house, like somebody or somepony leaving the house of the deceased after the last meeting. It was especially painful to see an empty house without the owner for Cheerilee. Berry Punch was good friend of her, though teacher didn't like the fact that Berry drinks too much alcohol.
"Farewell, good friend of mine! Thank you very much for you hospitality! I'm sorry we had to take some of your stuff, but there's nothing we can do against. You're in better world now, and I hope you feel good there and you'll don't get angry for us. Thank you again, and when the time comes, we'll meet again.
Your sworn sister and friend~
Cheerilee."
Writing such a letter-confession, she attached it to the door of the house, and went without looking back, knowing that if she'll look again, she would not be able to go away. This place was very dear, almost sacred for her. It was home of her sworn sister who oathed always protect younger purple filly no matter what. And yesterday herself the defender fell into the abyss, that consumed her completely indifferent, not giving to deaths even a single value. But this is only a cataclysm. It is his destiny - destroy, separate and kill.
All these thoughts about powerlessness and unawareness infuriated Cheerilee, so that she even had to go behind foals to not to inadvertently dispur her stress and anger on them. Fortunately, over the years of teacher job she learned to control herself, so therefore she relatively quickly calmed down.
Falcon led this small squad of three ponies, because at the moment only he knew the way to Hollow Shades, and the map wasn't in Cheerilee's hooves. From the outside it was pretty interesting sight, but let's delve deeper into our characters' minds. If you remove all shells and facades, everypony was occupied by one similar structure of though: as soon as possible to get up there, where they all were going. However, Scootaloo and Cheerilee also wanted to meet Falcon's parents, and indeed look at Hollow Shades, where they wanted to go a long time ago.
All this time they moved in parallel to the rupture and, judging by the look of Falcon, everything was arranged favorably. Ahead of the hill trio could see the thickets of the forest, which was a mad fusion of decidous and coniferous trees. Indeed, such a wild crossbreed can't or can hardly be found anywhere else in Equestria. There was everything: common oaks, pines, blue spruces, redwoods, cypresses, lemon trees, mangos, avocados, junipers, lurch... The list goes on forever, discovering more and more new species of flora. It was like the Eden garden: every fruit grew as if didn't need polination. From afar they noticed the chipmunk, who immediately picked up some hazel's nuts and disappeared. It was when then that this heavenly place struck them with its magic and regeneration. In just a few seconds in place of broken nuts there are grew a new beginnings of fruit!
It's difficlut to even imagine the surprise of our characters at that moment. Scootaloo because of this attack even stumbled and fell into a bush, scaring away all the flock of bats who apparently decided to spend the day here; they realized it when they saw a giant orange pegasus filly falling into their lair.
The fauna here was no less diverse. Here's only a small part of all those animals, which they met on the way to Hollow Shades: squirrel, partridge, red deer, eagle owl, raven, varan, viper, osprey, oriole, buffalo, and even the one they did not expect - tasmanian devil and at least one condor! But I can not say that predators were very aggressive. Tiger, that blocked the trio's road, very gently and obediently walked away at the first Falcon's request. Scootaloo and Cheerilee was ready for anything, but this mutual paradise they didn't expect and couldn't.
The sun was slowly setting under the horizon as our characters got to the village. There was almost no sunlight at sunset and there would've been a total darkness around if the village had not been illuminated by the hung kerosene lamps, which surprisingly acted no worse than a standard bulb. Cheerilee didn't come up with a single logical explanation for this phenomenon, so she decided to leave this mystery for later, promising to get even with it. In addition, she was waiting for a meeting with Falcon's parents, so that strangeness can be forgotten for a while: she had seen enough of them in the forest.
"So, who are your parents?"
"Oh, my dad is a conductor in the temple choir and at the same the chief cleric. He is also very respected pony here. He sometimes spends day and night in his cell at the temple, but I can without obscures go there if it's not locked."
"Whoa! I'd love to meet him. And what about your mum?"
"She is a dressmaker. She sews clothes for everypony, and by my father's request she has learned to make clothes for worship. It's now just the time of the evening service. Do you want to come into the temple? The whole village must be there."
"No, thanks," Scootaloo broke into the conversation. "I'm an atheist and wouldn't want to violate my principes, though I'm very curious to see this." she said sincerely.
"I'm sorry, Falcon, but I will stay with Scootaloo." Cheerilee responded.
"Sorry for what? It's your choice and also you're my teacher. Anyway, do you wanna wait in the house of mine?"
Both mares nodded in unison and Falcon led them into his home. The house was a complete copy of the ponyville houses, except it was made in pronounced gothic style. All the houses were extinguished and only the lights of the street lamps with its dim light illuminated the road. Falcon went into the house and first of all pulled the rope near the entrance, then the light in the lobby lit up.
The room was very spacious and well furnished. It was impossible to say that this family bathed in gold, but they were clearly not below the poverty line. Right behind the lobby was a living room, where Falcon led the mares. This room was furnished no less beautifully, than the previous one and left behind the warmest feelings and impressions. As soon as they entered the house, they already felt a sense of warmth, but then in air was feeling of happy family and kindness.
On the floor was planted a scarlet carpet with gold ornaments. On the walls hung two paintings by the famous artist Ponitan. In the right corner on the top of wardrobe layed a cigarette case and ashtray; obviously, they belonged to the father. Also nearby was a soft light green armchair, beside which stood a high coffee table with one leg, on which stood a photo in frame with a young batpony couple and a four-year-old pegasus. It's not difficult for the reader to guess it was Falcon's family. In the left corner there was a large soft sofa, and a little further a helix staircase leading to the second floor and to the roof.
"We've arrived. Terminal station. You're hungry, aren't you? I am gonna get something for you, and then I have to go back to the temple, okay?"
Without waiting for an answer, he retired to the kitchen, and a minute later brought out a delicious-smelling apple pie and a can of sea buckthorn and gooseberry.
"Well, I need to go. Make yourself at home. I'll come back soon!"
And with that, he ran out of the home, leaving duo in the complete silence. Has not passed even a minute as Cheerilee cut a piece of the pie that the top was drizzled with strawberry jam for herself and for Scootaloo. They never met before such a beautiful blissful taste. The perfect combination of dough, apple puree and strawberry jam... This feeling was intensified by by a brutal hunger due to the fact they didn't eat anything in the period of 10 AM o'clock to the present time.
In this bliss they waited for arrival of Falcon and his family.
Chapter IV: "Cleric and Beast"
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. 