The Town of Friendship

Twilight slowly opened her eyes as she cuddled deeper into whatever warmth had encompassed her. Her dreams had been filled with her brother, although he seemed to be constantly just out of reach. She felt in her heart that he was alive somewhere, and she swore that she would find him again someday. Her feelings were only matched by the incredible softness of her small nest, and she wanted to bury her troubles within it as much as her body.

But the sun was up, and she couldn’t fight off its dull light any longer. The clouds split the light, causing part of it to land on her nose and part on her tail. It was still a dull light, but for some reason, the dullness didn’t seem to have the same edge it had in Canterlot. She began thinking about the logistics of their trip, and she allowed the spotty warmth to soothe her soul. We’ve been going for over a week now, she told herself as she got up and stretched, we have to be getting close. She knew that the old Crystal Empire was around there somewhere, and if they could find that, then they could locate the town quite easily.

But one thing bothered her gravely, and that was the complete randomness that they were walking into. A wall of doubt weighed heavily on her mind, and she began to concern herself with the existence of the Town of Friendship. Like Rose had said, if there were such a town, everypony in Equestria would be trying to reach it. Either that, or Lilly would have snuffed it out like a late night campfire. Something deep within her constantly spoke of the town’s existence, but it was so difficult to believe. But just because something isn’t easily seen, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, she told herself, the town has to be out there somewhere. We have to reach it. I have to keep dreaming…for Shining Armor.

She turned and noticed that her still sleeping friends had formed into a knot of sorts. She stifled a giggle as she noticed Rose sleeping on Applejack’s flank. Apple Bloom had taken to sleeping on her big sister’s back, and Rainbow Dash was curled up next to Rose. They were all taking solace in the warmth of each other’s coats, and Twilight didn’t want to break up the peaceful scene. But all the same, she knew that they were close to their destination, so she gently nudged them all awake.

They all groggily forced themselves to stop sleeping and awoke to find that they had gotten a lot closer in the night than they wished. They backed away from each other, each mare trying her best to hide the flushed redness that colored their cheeks. Again, Twilight had to stifle a giggle as their small cavern quickly became rife with activity. They packed up everything they would need, and Rainbow Dash borrowed one of Twilight’s saddlebags to forage for food with.

“Do we even know if the town is out there?” Apple Bloom asked innocently right as they left the mouth of the cave.

“I can feel it in my heart,” Twilight said, “and I believe firmly that The Elements of Harmony are guiding us.”

“The Elements?” Dash asked, “but I thought they were only a legend…”

“I don’t know if they exist or not, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight responded, “but I’m placing my trust in them, and in the strength of our new friendships.”

“We’re friends?” Dash asked.

“Of course!” Twilight said emphatically before smiling.

Dash didn’t know why, but for the first time in quite a while, she felt completely safe. Indeed, she had not felt such an intense feeling of care for somepony else since she was part of the underground friendship network in Cloudsdale. But for the past months and years, all she had known was being bedded down by stallions and mares in her clouded town, and she hadn’t cared about any of them. She wouldn’t have noticed if they had all died after sleeping with her. All she cared about was making bits for Queen Lilly so she could avoid the evil monarch’s lethal strike.

As they walked along, each of them theorized what the Town of Friendship would be like. Applejack thought it would be one huge apple farm, with dozens upon dozens of apple trees neatly organized by species. She chattered about how there would be rows and groves as far as the eye could see, and one big, beautiful red barn controlling the entire operation. “After all, nothin’ makes ponies friendlier than hard work, beautiful apples, and an amazin’ home!” She said happily.

Rainbow Dash thought that the town would feature some amazing speedy racetracks, and she could meet some ponies whom she could hold friendly competitions with. She loved to compete, and she was known as the best flier in Cloudsdale before everything in her life went to hell. While she was in the underground, she would compete in illegal races. They weren’t illegal because they were dangerous, they were illegal because they were competitive. Queen Lilly hated competition, and she had outlawed it all. But Dash, as she so often did, stood against the evil regulations and held her own against many ponies. She even won the Underground Derby five times.

Apple Bloom thought that the town would be filled with fillies her age, and she was incredibly excited to meet them all. She also thought that everypony there would be just itching to hear all about their journey, and about the obstacles they had faced and overcome. She was bouncing around her sister, exhaustively dissertating about how they would find every filly in the village and tell them “the ENTIRE story!”

Rose Hoof thought that the town would have libraries aplenty, with books containing all of the knowledge that Queen Lilly had taken away from them. She was so excited by this prospect, that she began prancing along gaily. A huge smile was plastered all over her face, and the other ponies were incredibly excited about this. Rose could be rather cynical at times (it was her Manehattan way), and seeing a genuinely happy expression filled the others up with glee. “Why, I don’t know what I’ll do with so much to read!” The former secretary twittered.

“What do you think the town’ll be like, Twi?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t know,” Twilight said, “I just hope it fits the advertisement. When Rose told me about it, I was doubtful. But then I read one of my brother’s letters, and it spurred me on. I haven’t thought very much about what the town will be like, but I’m sure it’ll be a wonderful place!”

They continued trotting northward, as they left the meadows and trees of the forest far behind them. The path turned incredibly rocky, and more than a few hooves got caught. Luckily, Twilight had a first aid kit, and soon, they found themselves to be more bandage than pony. But they continued on. Mile after mile and field after field passed them, and still, they continued on. Their determination never wavered, and Twilight led them in the path that she felt her heart setting them on. Somewhere, the Elements were speaking to her, and she would follow wherever they led.

After two more weeks of walking, they finally found themselves passing the old Crystal Empire. They stopped short and breathed in as they looked at the once mighty city. Its buildings, which once housed many Crystal Ponies and spoke of life and vibrancy, were crumbling and distorted. Half of the Crystal Palace lay in the street at their hooves, and its foundations were split and rotted away. It painted an ugly picture, and Twilight wanted to pass through as quickly as possible.

“Come on, everypony,” she said, “let’s get through here.”

“Yeah,” Applejack said, “they say that ghosts abound in these parts!”

“Ghosts?!” Apple Bloom asked, “but there ain’t no such thing!”

“Ya never know…” Her sister said spookily.

“Applejack!” Twilight said harshly, “stop scaring your sister! She’s only a filly!”

AJ chuckled. “Sorry, sugar cube,” she said to her sister, “I’m just kiddin’.”

“But…it is kinda…eerie,” Dash said, “I mean, I’m not scared or anything, I’m just observing.”

They slowly trotted through the old town, keeping as close to each other as possible. Twilight knew of the legends surrounding this place, but she kept in mind that they were simply pony tales and couldn’t be true. The Town of Friendship had far more of a chance of existing than the ghosts and goblins that were said to haunt the Crystal Empire.

They were nearly halfway through when a sudden shadow appeared on the walls in front of them. Apple Bloom let out a small squeak and dove behind her sister. Dash took up a defensive stance, and Rose met her with one of her own. Twilight slowly took the lead, silently creeping towards the shadow. She was confused by it, as it seemed to dance on the wall. She tried to match it, but found it to be impossible. “Okay, guys,” she whispered, “let’s turn the corner…but stay together.” They slowly turned and then let out a scream of shock at what stood before them.