Like any other day starts the day that changes Sunset’s life forever.
“Aaaaaapplejaaaack!” Sunset calls out throatily as she marches into the classroom with the other early students. She drops her bag on a desk to make sure she has Applejack’s attention. “You gave me the flu.”
“No I didn’t,” Applejack says before blowing her nose.
Pinkie pops up beside Applejack and waves her finger. “Yeah – oh no she di’n’t.”
“’Sides, you ain’t even sick. Come back to me when you’re blowin’ snot rockets like a cowboy spits in them poorly done Hollywood Western movies.”
“Nanana-nasty!” Pinkie sings happily, unawares.
“I’m serious, AJ. Listen to me!” Sunset protests, sounding both upset and already tired of being sick. “Hear that? I always get a sore throat two days before I get major sick and I hate being sick.”
Sneaking in, Rainbow slings her arm on Sunset’s back and leans into the conversation. “Sunset, my dude, you never get sick. I think it’s time to pay your dues.”
Sunset sighs, though it’s a sound more like a frog puking. “But that’s just it. When I get the cold, I really get it. It’s like it all comes at me at once.” She points at Applejack accusingly. “And I’m blaming you.”
Before rednosed Applejack could argue her innocence with nosey Pinkie and Rainbow watching, Rarity walks in wailing, “Aaaaaaaapplejaaaaaack!”
“What, y’got a bone t’pick with me, too?” she challenges, watching critically as Rarity approaches. “You’re gonna hafta get in line.”
“Yeah!” Pinkie cheers.
Rainbow tries to poke Rarity when she passes but gets pushed aside instead. Rarity slams her hands on Applejack’s desk and bends over. “You made me sick, you feverish brute!”
“You ain’t even – ” Applejack coughs a few times, and Rarity pulls away “ – y’ain’t even sick!”
Rarity crosses her arms tightly. “I can feel it coming in, it’s the tickle in my nose and bones. I have a sixth sense for these things, you know.”
Applejack struggles with incredulity for a few moments. Rainbow takes the chance to slide her other arm over Rarity and say, “Rares?”
“I’m not being ridiculous, I’m being thorough,” Rarity snaps quickly.
“That ain’t it, chief.”
“Did you say handkerchief?” Pinkie pulls out a handful of polka dotted cloths. “’Cause it sounds like we’ll need them lickety-split.”
Applejack groans and drops her face flat on the desk. Over her head, Pinkie starts showing off her collection and Rarity tries to match one with her outfit.
But bad news comes in threes, and it follows Twilight as she cries out, “Applejack!”
Applejack snaps her head up, but the discarded hankies on her hat stay balanced. “Oh, don’t you dare, sugarcube.”
“Dare what?” Twilight asks, out of breath. She stops by the group and looks around. “What is everyone else doing here? None of you are in this class.”
The intruders look at one another as they grumble excuses, though Pinkie’s chirping, “Sneaking up on AJ!” cuts through distinctly.
Twilight shakes her head. “Well, it’s probably a good thing.” Her face darkens. “And maybe the only good thing today.”
Raindrops escape sparingly from the overcast sky. Sunset knows this means rain, soon.
What she doesn’t know is why ghosts of a tempestuous frost loom over them.
“Windigos,” she mumbles, and the word sinks heavy with realisation.
“Oh,” Twilight says at Sunset’s right. “So not Nuckelavee, then? That’s the only thing my research came up with.”
“Yeah, you sure, Sunset?” came Rainbow’s voice from behind. “’Cause I Googled ‘evil horse ghost folklore’ and got nuke-lava, too. Sounds Japanese.”
“It sounds nothing remotely like Japanese,” Rarity debates.
“You sure? Aren't animal spirits from cute horse land who are thwarted by magical girls in the end a Japanese thing?”
“Y’all’re gettin’ off track. Sunset, I’m hopin’ these big horses are friends o’ yours?” Applejack asks more than hopes.
Sunset doesn’t answer right away; only after Twilight touches her shoulder does Sunset turn to the rest of the team assembled there. “These are Windigos. They're something like a really old bedtime story in Equestrian culture. If you want to give the foals nightmares, that is.”
Applejack raises her eyebrows but nods, and Rarity starts to say something before someone passing by calls out to her. They wave, and Rarity returns her attention to Sunset.
“It’s quite odd, though. Menacing horse-ghosts staring down at us, and yet none of the other students seem all too bothered by it.”
“Maybe they can’t see them?” Fluttershy asks softly. She, though diligently early to her own class, joined the group when Rainbow Dash texted her.
“Maybe,” Sunset says softly, thoughtfully, not entirely because of her throat. “But that’s not our biggest problem right now.”
“It says here Windigos are man-eating creatures.” Twilight reads off her phone, her glasses slipping down her tipped nose. “And they mimic human voices to try and lure their prey.”
The others flinch in surprise, and Rainbow voices their concerns. “Yo, that’s pretty brutal. Is that really what we’re up against?”
“Yikes!” Pinkie adds, hiding behind Applejack.
“I don’t know,” Sunset admits, and something from that answer lingers in her expression. She raises her voice, though it comes out partly choked. “But if what we’ve seen is anything to go by, then they’ll probably behave more like they would’ve in Equestria.”
“And that is?” Rarity prompts.
“They feed on fighting and hatred, and bring fatal winter weather with them. Listen, everyone.” Sunset squares her shoulders. “I don’t know why the Windigos are here right now, and I’ve only ever read about them a long time ago. But I do know that we have to fight them before they bring the next ice age.”
“That’s what we do,” Applejack says, grinning and then sniffling.
Rainbow throws a fist up. “Yeah! We got the kick if you got the ass. To, um. Kick.”
A bell rings behind them, and Fluttershy waits until it ends to say, “But you said they feed on fighting.”
Rarity nods. “Yes. If fighting them head-on only makes them stronger, then what will we do?”
“A therapy camp-out, maybe?” Pinkie suggests. “With lots of snuggling to send off all those angry vibes?”
Sunset shrugs, and feels a little helpless doing so. “I wish I could say it’s that easy, but look: at that size they’re probably feeding off the entire city. I don’t know if we could arrange a good-feels event for everyone.”
“We can try,” Applejack says. “We got Pinkie to plan a big-ol’ shindig, and Twilight can organise events. If we all lend a hand, we can do it, y’know?”
The others agree loudly, and it brings a half-smile to Sunset’s face. “Maybe. We’ve done crazier, huh? But let’s wait until Princess Twilight gets back to me through the journal.” She starts walking back to the school, waving the others to follow her. Though her solemn look returns with her back to them, she doesn't let it show in her voice when she says, “Let’s get back to class before second bell rings.”
“Seriously?” Rainbow groans, but chases after the rest as the trail after Sunset. “There are man-eating-or-emotion-eating horse ghosts having a staring contest with us and we’re gonna blink because of detention?”
So the team spends the day in their classes – except Pinkie, who decides to join Applejack’s classes for the day, no questions asked – in an anxious jumpiness, a container filled with buzzing, uneasy excitement waiting to be let out. They catch glimpses of the monsters at the doorstep, and shiver at the distant sound of cold howling that echoes close to their ears.
It isn’t until last period that the group has something to do with the build up. Everyone’s phone rings upon receiving the same text in the group chat, and under their desks they secretly join in at once.
Twi says she doesnt no y the wendigos r here but she thinks its cuz od all the magic thats been back n forth, and the wendigos have been following bit by bit, Sunset types. When she reads her own message over, the feeling of being responsible washes over her again.
After all, she was the first evil magic to cross over from Equestria.
So they’re been on the coattails of all the other magic that we’ve had to face? Rarity responds.
Pinkie sends a surprised emoji, and Sunset continues. Something like that. In the past theyve just appeared when the Equestria was at its unkindest.
Twilight sends a link to a webpage on folklore and follows with, As spirits that feed on negative emotion, I would suspect they stick close to the evil magic and have to find a new home when we get rid of it. Maybe they’ve been quietly amalgamating and growing without anyone noticing.
Watever it is were gon b slap it back to dat horse land!!!, Rainbow texts. Then follows it with, no offense sunset.
Everyone else withholds their answers and watch Sunset’s typing bubble eagerly. After a minute longer, they all read: Twi says we have to weaken it and send it back so she can handle it there, because she doesnt want it to grow again or continue to be a silent threat on this side. I kno its pretty last minute but Pinkie cud u get as much of the town together for a party? Twilight and I r gonna figure out a way to do sumthing about the ‘feelings of hatred’.
We’re going to minimize misery and maximize cohesiveness and contentment in the community? I like the sound of that, Twilight answers.
Leave it 2 me!!11! Pinkie follows with a plethora of confetti animations.
I’ll help with decorations, Rarity texts.
we could host it at the farm. Applejack suggests. big family place n all.
Dash just got caught texting in class, Rarity informs. She attaches a short video taken at a low angle of Rainbow surrendering her phone and shouting about the fate of the world while the teacher treats it like it’s an everyday thing – which, fairly considered, it is.
Then lets focus on class and regroup as soon as school ends, Sunset texts, and the others nod despite the digital barrier.
The clock seems to tick time by slowly as the final minutes pass, Rainbow turning around to wordlessly ask Rarity what happened every once and a while.
But as all things do, school ends with a bell’s ring.
Except making people group together happily on a storm-ready afternoon is like climbing up a snow-capped, windy hill. Sunset and Twilight break away to figure out the best way to retaliate against the Windigos, leaving Applejack and Pinkie to gather people and their families. Rarity eventually comes, huffing about Rainbow getting her phone back and making them late, and the two are sent after Fluttershy to help get supplies and start setting up.
But determined are those who have something to fight for, and Applejack and Pinkie have a burning sense of loyalty to the town. Something of this shows, brightly, and their many antics – advertising, daring, arguing, challenging to a dance showdown at high noon – win over the masses.
Rarity, with her eye for design, sets up the field, equipped with outdoor roofs and stalls from the barn in case of rain. Of course, it’s only an eye, and so Rarity’s arms and legs are Rainbow Dash and her stubborn pride, a storm of its own. The more delicate pieces to put together are tasked to Fluttershy’s gentle touch, in hopes of resonating that easiness into the ambiance.
Almost two hours of working against the Windigos from right under them finds them at Sweet Apple Acres, music and talking and eating surrounding a swinging party. Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy take in the last-minute Feels-Gooood banners Pinkie painted, the take-out the local restaurants offered as a return favour when Applejack came around, and the loud voices that could be joyful or furious for all they knew from where they stood.
Under the judgement of the feeding Windigos, Sunset and Twilight run towards their friends with excitement.
“Cat therapy,” Sunset wheezes between coughs and, almost miffed, looks at Applejack. “Principal Celestia says she knows a cat lady.”
“And team building exercises,” Twilight adds, excited. “Like the ones the companies in Silicon Valley always advertise!”
“Is there a winner? Pfft, why am I even asking?” Rainbow points at herself, grinning with a glint in her eye. “If I’m here, of course there is.”
“You sure ‘bout that, sugar?”
“Yeah, snotface.”
Applejack rolls her sleeves up. “How ‘bout I make you eat your words?”
Sunset points at Rainbow and Applejack as Pinkie gets between them. “There, that. That’s what Windigos feed on. We can’t forget that behind all the competition and arguments, we all really just want to get along.”
“Sometimes we forget to think about others when we’re talking about ourselves,” Twilight continues without missing a beat. “It’s easy to assume that everyone else understands. It just gets lost in the noise at times.”
Applejack and Rainbow look at each other apologetically, and Pinkie grabs both by the shoulders. “Welp, that’s what a good PAR-TAY is for, right, friends?”
The group hears a swell of squeals and sees people gather around fluffy puffs like cotton clouds.
“Looks like the kitten cavalry has arrived,” Rarity remarks.
Just as she does, the girls feel a ghostly whinny creep over their shoulders, and collectively look up. The Windigos above kick and buck at the clouds around them, opening little holes for sunlight to seep through.
“Looks like it’s already starting to work,” Sunset chokes out. She regards the group. “Listen, I’m gonna wait by the portal so I can help Princess Twilight lead them back to Equestria.”
“I’m coming with!” Rainbow says at once, but Sunset shakes her head.
“No, I don’t think that’s wise. We already bring so much magic back and forth, there’s no telling what would follow you there if any of you go.” Sunset shifts on her feet, holds her arm in her hand. “I belong there, so I don’t think I’d disturb anything if I go back.”
“You may come from there,” Rarity starts, pulling Sunset into a side hug. “But you belong wherever you feel you do.”
“I mean, I just can’t help but feel like all of this – any magical outbreaks we have to deal with – wouldn’t have happened if I just stayed behind.” It’s a sad conclusion, but one Sunset’s been prone to fall back on when the light shines on it again.
Rainbow hangs off Sunset’s other shoulder. “Yeah, well, lots’a stuff wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t come. Most of it had to, if you think real hard about it. You think either worlds wouldda been a better place if all of us hadn’t met and become the superheroes we are?”
“Exact-a-mundo!” Pinkie joins. The others add on in their own ways as they pull together in a group hug. “So don’t get mopey about Windi-gopeys and let’s do something dope-y!”
They laugh and step away, Rainbow rubbing her nose. “Geez, hope I don’t catch AJ’s cold from that hug.”
“Well I hear it ain’t just me,” Applejack counters, not unkindly. "And anyways, Sunset. You may always be a magic horse at heart, but that heart is here, at home. Now let's get crackin', eh, y'all?"
Twilight nods, then looks back at Sunset, all-business. “We can see the Windigos much clearer here than by the school. We’ll send you a signal when they look weakest. What should…”
As she trails off, Fluttershy hops in place like a little rabbit. She claps and says, “Oh! I got fireworks! They – um, I just thought they were good for celebrating. And bringing people together?”
“Sounds like we’re gonna end this with a bang, then, eh, firebug?” Rainbow says, elbowing Fluttershy.
Sunset gives the group one more firm nod, which they all return. She starts to speak, gags and rubs her neck, then tries again. “Let’s do it like we do, team.”
They do, with as much heart as always. The girls staying behind join the crowds, help Twilight set up the events and get lost in them themselves. They send Sunset pictures of smiling, of laughter, of cohesion and closure to unresolved and unimportant issues that had built up over time.
Each photo and every happy text lift Sunset’s spirits with the rest of the town’s, a gathering of joyous scraps that collect and fill in the absence of hatred. Almost quickly, like a candle suffocated, do the Windigos whinny and starve and claw for something that isn’t there, not today.
The clouds part where the Windigos strike and the sunset’s colours bleed through, and though it’s early for fireworks, it’s never too early to save the day.
At least Sunset thinks this as she sees and hears the sparks in the sky. She opens her journal, sat on the statue, writes Twilight to let her know to start things from her side, and sets off to save the world she changed.
“Applejack, puh-lease wipe your nose!”
“It ain’t my fault,” Applejack protests, rubbing her sleeve against her nose. “’Ts colder than I expected.”
Twilight shakes her head. “No, it’s later than we expected.”
The group sans Sunset stands gathered around the mirror portal with midnight drawing over them like an omen. Though the Windigos melted away with the last of the clouds, drowning in the sound of fireworks and cheers, Sunset still hadn’t shown.
“Maybe someone took her phone for using it in class,” Rainbow grumbles, though the humour passes over all of them.
“You don’t think,” Fluttershy starts, her voice mousier than usual, “it’s because she chose to?”
Rarity hums. “She did seem to feel guilty over the magical mayhem bit.”
“Well I really hope that in that smart noggin’ of her’s there’s room for some common sense,” Applejack grouses. “’Cause none of this is her fault, and we all know that.”
“Yeah!” Pinkie cheers, teeth chattering. She hops over to the statue and leans until she’s a breath away from the mirror. “YOU HEAR US, SUNNY? We want you back, ‘cause we love you and all that magical mayhem you don’t bring but fight off anyways!”
The rest of the girls share a look before joining in, shouting like they were drunk on the moment in midnight.
So it goes, it is to a group of people shouting how much they loved her that Sunset returns.
“Is everything okay – oh. Oh…” she trails of when the words reach her. She’s barely out of the portal when Pinkie runs around from the other side and barrels at her.
Sunset catches Pinkie and falls backwards into Applejack, who tries to hold them up while Rainbow drags Fluttershy to pile on in. “Leave it to the little pony to come out of the wrong side of the portal!”
“What’s – whoa! – what’s that supposed to mean, Dash?”
“It means she’s jealous,” Rarity answers, coming from Applejack’s side and joining the hug.
“That ain’t it, chief.”
“We’re so happy you’re back,” Twilight says, holding her glasses in one hand as Pinkie drags her down into the barely standing dogpile. “What took so long, though?”
“You better not have planned on staying there,” Pinkie warns.
On Applejack’s insistence, they untangle and stand up, huddled for warmth and listening to Sunset. “I won’t lie, I did consider it. But I know at the end of the day, I believe in you guys and the things you say. And you say you believe in me, so…”
“That’s right, sugarcube!” Applejack slaps Sunset’s shoulder. “Don’t matter if it’s crazy magical horses or crazy magical horse ghosts, your horse-heinie stays here with us.” She finishes this with a loud sneeze that grosses Rarity out.
Sunset smiles brightly as everyone laughs along, and coughs before saying, “I guess you could say the family that sticks together gets sick together, huh?”
“Indeed.”
“Indeedily!”
Fluttershy and Twilight nod in agreement, and Rainbow shrugs. “Geez, save the world by day and still get stuck with a cold by night, eh?”
Sunset shrugs as well, contentedly, and says croakily, “Hey, what can I say? I’ve been a little hoarse lately.”
Author's Note
Does 3000 words of a mini/spedup season finale-stakes episode ending in one of the oldest puns in the book count as feghoot? Because this is my entry into the Feghoot competition.
Two notes: 1) forgot the eqg comics did a ~~thestrals~~ wendigos thing already but oh well; and 2) all I could see writing the cell phone scene was Persona 5.
