"Twilight. Twilight, wake up."

"5 more minutes, Mom," the purple pony mumbled, turning over in her sleep. Starlight rolled her eyes.

"Wake up," she said. "It's morning."

Twilight rubbed her eyes and sat up slowly. Through the opening of the tent she saw her student looking at her, her face backlit against the rising sun.

"Morning," Starlight said, smiling.

"How long was I out?" Twilight asked, slowly stepping out of the tent.

"About 9 hours."

"Wow," Twilight answered as she stretched her hind legs. "I must've been really tired. I'm surprised I didn't pass out since we left Manehattan."

"You did," Starlight answered.

"Really?"

"Yeah. It happened about 5 hours after we made it out of the city. You-" Starlight said, trying not to laugh. "You face-planted into the ground."

Twilight raised an eyebrow in disapproval.

"Well, if you were as tired as I am, wouldn't you do the same after traveling for a whole day without stopping?"

"Touché," Starlight answered, rubbing her foreleg. "Well, there's no time like the present. I'll pack the tent up so we can keep moving."

"Okay. I'll keep watch," Twilight answered. Starlight nodded. Looking around, Twilight's gaze was met with a huge open field. The night before, her instincts were telling her that this was the worst to set up camp. Apart from a few trees here and there, there was absolutely no cover. And no cover meant asking to get caught.

"Alright. Let's go," Starlight said, putting the rolled-up tent into her bag.

Twilight nodded. As the duo began walking, the sun began to bathe the land around them in a faint yellow glow.

"Boy," Starlight began. "Am I glad that we survived another night without getting caught. Especially in a field like this."

"I know," Twilight answered as she glanced at the few trees that dotted the otherwise open field. "But I made sure my invisibility spell lasted all night, too."

"But they still could've followed our scent," Starlight said.

"True. But, let's not focus on the negatives of what we're doing. Focus on the positives," Twilight said, smiling warmly.

"Agreed."

About 4 hours later, the duo came upon an old oak tree. Its thick branches spread out in every direction offering shade and protection from the sun's heat.

"Hey," Starlight said as she turned to Twilight. "How about we stop over there and sit in the shade for a bit?"

"Sure. It's getting pretty hot," Twilight answered, wiping sweat from her forehead. As they stepped into the shade, they felt a cool breeze in their faces, as if the tree itself was welcoming them with open arms to sit down and relax. As Twilight sat by the tree's trunk, she felt her stomach rumble.

Glad I remembered to bring food with me. she thought.

"Starlight."

"What is it?" she asked.

"Are you hungry? If so, I brought some apples with me," Twilight offered, opening her saddlebag.

"I'll take one," Starlight replied, sitting down next to her teacher. "Sure is a nice day."

"Yep," Twilight answered, levitating an apple to her student. "You know, I don't think I ever asked you."

"Asked me what?" Starlight replied, biting into the fruit.

"I never asked about what else you did when you went on the run," Twilight answered. "I mean, I know you said you were following those Changelings that tried to kidnap me, but what else have you done before you found me?"

"Well," Starlight began. "I'm not gonna tell you everything. If I did that, we'd be here forever. But I will tell you a little bit of what I did before we ran into each other."

"Are you sure you're not staying?" Shining Armor asked.

"I'm sure," Starlight answered.

"Don't you think it's dangerous to keep traveling all by yourself?"

"Shining, I know you mean well, but I'm going with my gut. Trust me, I'll be fine," Starlight said.

"I'm just worried about Twily."

"I know you are," Starlight answered, putting a hoof on his shoulder. "But there's nothing you can do right now. You try to go to Canterlot, you'll get killed."

Shining Armor lowered his head.

"I know. But I want you to stay here for at least a few days."

"I appreciate your generosity, but-" Starlight began.

"'But' nothing," Shining Armor said, cutting her off. "You're staying here for a few days. Please. Do it for my sister."

"Alright," Starlight said. "But when I leave, don't try and follow me. The Queen already has Princess Cadance and Twilight. I don't want her to get you or Flurry Heart as well."

"Thank you," Shining Armor replied, relieved.

"I'm gonna go sit by the falls for a little bit," Starlight said. "I'll be back soon."

"Alright. Just be careful."

Starlight nodded and began walking. Soon, she came to a hill overlooking Neighagra Falls and sat down under a tree. Usually, the falls would be packed with ponies from all over Equestria taking their weekend day trips or week-long vacations. Now they were empty and lifeless, completely devoid of ponies. Just like almost every place she'd been to, save for the Changelings running rampant everywhere. She watched a little branch flow down the river until it became overtaken by the massive waterfall, eventually plummeting into the lake below. She sighed.

"I really wish there was something I could do," she said to herself. "I wanna help them. But taking on the Queen and the whole Changeling army is a death wish. Maybe one day I'll find a way to save my friends. But for now, it's just me, myself, and I."

As she stood up, she felt her stomach rumble.

"It's almost lunch time. I wonder what food this camp has."

"You heading out?" Shining Armor asked.

"Yep," Starlight answered.

"Thanks."

"For what?" Starlight asked.

"For staying," Shining Armor replied. "Twily really taught you well."

"You're welcome, Shining Armor," Starlight answered. "You keep yourself, Flurry Heart, and all these other refugees safe."

"Don't worry about me," he said. "I'm doing my best."

"Good," Starlight said, smiling warmly. "By the way, I found some extra tents and took one for myself."

"That's okay," Shining Armor answered. "We've got plenty."

"Thanks. I'll see you later," Starlight answered.

"Good luck!"

I think I lost them. Starlight thought, ducking down into the bushes. I'm not sure if they're after me, but I need to be careful.

*CRACK!*

Starlight looked around. Someone or something had stepped on a twig. Slowly, she started moving out of the bushes towards a field of tall grass trying to make as little sound as possible which was made harder because it was raining fairly hard.

Maybe it's my imagination. she thought. But as she went to take another step forward, she heard something that made her freeze.

"Hello, Princess."

*CRACK!*

What was that?! Starlight thought. And did that thing say 'Princess?' Chrysalis captured all the princesses. Unless...

*CRACK!*

This time, the cracking noise was followed by a groan. Someone was groaning in pain. The pink unicorn could not deny the sound.

That was Twilight! she thought. I gotta help her! But how?

About 10 minutes later, Starlight came to another patch of thick, tall grass. Ducking inside, she stopped and listened to figure out if the pair of Changelings that had struck Twilight were close by. After waiting for about a minute, a faint voice met her ears.

"Maybe we should rest here for the night and regroup with the General tomorrow."

What am I gonna do? Starlight thought. She looked around and noticed some big rocks sitting a few feet from her. Channeling her magic, she quietly picked up one of the rocks.

"You know the rest," Starlight said.

Twilight was in awe. To be on the run alone for a few months was one thing. As for how her student was on the run alone for a few months and practically made it across Equestria without getting caught, she couldn't even fathom that.

"I still can't believe you were by yourself all this time," Twilight said.

Starlight chuckled.

"Neither can I."

"And you ran into my brother as well," Twilight said, her ears drooping. "He must be worried sick about me. I hope he's alright."

"I'm sure he's fine, Twilight," Starlight said. "Anyways, I think we should get moving again."

"You're right," Twilight said, standing up. "Let's g-"

*CRACK!*

Twilight and Starlight jumped.

"What was that?" Starlight whispered.

"I don't know," Twilight answered. "But it sounded really close."

"Yes. So much closer than you think," said a low, raspy voice.

Twilight and Starlight turned around slowly. And their eyes fell upon what they hoped they'd never come across. Standing at least 8 feet away from them was a large group of Changelings. All of them were smiling wickedly, barring their razor-sharp fangs.

"Don't try to run, my little ponies," one of them said, cackling. "You're hopelessly outnumbered."

Author's Note

Oh no! It looks like our heroins are in a bit of a bind! 😨 Stay tuned to find out what happens in chapter 7!