Author's Note

If you don't know, I rewrote the first three chapters since I wasn't happy with them.

That's it really.

I hope you enjoy the chapter.

18. Please don't kill me

Two weeks later, they were, at last, going to get to Kirin Grove.

Leafy was jumping around in his seat, eager to get to Kirin Grove, eager to see Oak Flare again finally. He didn't know Oak Flare very well, yet they had started talking ever since Misty had left.

Despite Oak having divorced Bluebell Flare, he still went to her grave, and he still laid a collection of flowers on top of it.

"Where is her grave?" asked Nettle. She was still rattled but had changed into her washed wine red dress.

"It's in the forest," Leafy said. "It's in a really, really nice area. She used to love going there with Misty when she was young."

Nettle narrowed her eyes at the mention of Misty, and Leafy made a mental note not to talk about her again.

"We're here," sang Gina, hopping and flying around the train car.

Kirin Grove station was unusually quiet; the only sounds were the rush of wind through the branches of the forest trees and the sound of birds.

Maybe, a festival was going on. Leafy couldn't wait to see it.

Every year, when he visited, there was some festival or other, and he always took part, whether it was dancing, singing or eating.

He had never had the chance to when he had lived there.

The train station was a short distance away from Kirin Grove itself, and they walked through the brush.

No sounds reached their ears except the sounds of the forest around them.

But when they reached Kirin Grove, the streets had no creatures around.

Festival streamers hung from the trees, and stalls were left empty, with food in the middle of being made and left to the flies.

A popcorn machine made lone noises in the stillness.

"Is this part of the festival?" asked Nettle, walking into the centre of the town square.

An empty chip bag flew past, and she caught it with her magic.

"Ooh, a mega surprise!" squealed Gina, flying up to the trees. "Hello, hello, hello."

"Don't peek into the windows, Gina," said Nettle.

Gina came down to land, making a face. "There's nocreature inside, though."

Leafy walked to each stall, peeking around. He picked up a partly wrapped burrito. The sauces had congealed, and the potatoes were dry as if they had been left for days.

"So weird," he said. "Kirin Grove is never ever like this. There's always somecreature around. Are they- don't say dead. They're not dead. They can't be."

"We need to contact Princess Twilight," Nettle said, folding up the chip bag. "Something has happened to the citizens of Kirin Grove."

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Four days earlier

Her flower twining up her horn was withering. Each big spell caused the petals to wilt from her horn and turn into ash that whispered away on an invisible breeze.

They had been at the farm for scarcely more than a week.

One day, when Savarin was making crêpes again for her breakfast, and Misty was reading over some notes her marefriend had made on spells, there was a knock on the door.

"Should I hide?" Misty asked, flipping to the next page.

The following page was on pain magic. And the next one was a teleporting spell.

Savarin hummed, walking to the door to peek out before opening the door.

An earth pony walked in as if he owned the place.

He was a dark red with a brown mane and a hat on his head. His cutie mark were three round, green berries. Misty didn't recognize them.

The earth pony turned to stare at her, and his entire body sagged.

Misty rolled her shoulders, spreading her wings, causing her body to glow a deathly brightness.

"Where's Hazelnut?" he asked. "I'm her husband."

Misty smiled at him heartily. "Hazel told us a bit about you. You live in Appleloosa, right?"

"I work there, but I live here."

Savarin flipped one more crêpe onto a plate, setting some sliced tangerines on the side and dusting it with icing sugar before sitting at the table.

She was no help, so Misty talked instead: "she's dead. I killed her."

He gaped, not speaking, and let out a strangled sound.

Savarin hovered over a plate, putting two more crêpes on it, and a few raspberries Misty had materialized with her spells. She patted the chair next to her with a hoof until the husband stood up and slumped next to her.

"What do you say?" Misty asked, closing her book and sitting opposite the two of them.

"Thanks." He took a bite, tears curling down his cheeks. "It's delicious. Reminds me of the crêpes you get at Maddy's bakery."

"You've been to Ponyville?" Misty asked.

The husband brightened. "I sometimes deliver produce from Appleloosa to Ponyville."

"Your father is Black Currant, and you're Gooseberry," Savarin said suddenly, making him jump. It was the first time she'd spoken in his presence.

Misty didn't move, not willing to let him see her surprised.

"How are they?" Savarin asked. "Maddy and her family?"

"The last time I saw Maddy, she didn't talk much, but she seemed sad. I tried to cheer her up, but it didn't work. As for her son, he worked the front desk sometimes. He also didn't talk much." Gooseberry paused, looking between them before his eyes widened. "You're Maddy's daughter, aren't you? Uuuuh..."

He scrunched up his brow, thinking hard, trying to find her name. He must've seen Savarin's cutie mark earlier on her brown flank, but not everycreature knew what a savarin dessert was, nor what one looked like.

"Savarin," Savarin supplied.

Gooseberry nodded, a broad smile spreading across his face. It flickered as he remembered where he was.

Tears started to curl down Gooseberry's cheeks once again, and he choked down every last bite, taking longer than he should to eat. Once he was done, he wiped at his face until it was sticky with icing sugar and tears.

Savarin used her magic to gather up the dishes and cutlery and to dump them in the sink. She headed outside, the door closing behind her.

"Please don't kill me," Gooseberry said.

Misty stood up, dragging Gooseberry off his chair with her magic.

Only with thought could she make her mane and tail fire hurt, and she stroked the tip of her tail along his throat. Sparks singed his fur.

He whimpered. It was an excellent sound.

Gooseberry wriggled away from her touch, crouching on the floor, looking up at her through bleary eyes. "All the cities have magical barriers around them because of you. I know cities where there are no barriers, and I can help. I can be your guide. Please?"

"You're lucky I don't like colts. But, let's hear what my Savarin has to say." Misty looked around, peeking outside to see Savarin still dealing with the well. "Let's wait."

Gooseberry licked his lips.

The fur along his throat was still sizzling, and his eyes darted around frantically before resting on Misty. He never looked her in the eye, which was as it should be.

"I'm not keeping Savarin prisoner," Misty said.

Gooseberry jumped. "What?"

"I can see it in your face. She wants to be here."

"I'm not-" he began, but the door opened and interrupted him.

In walked Savarin with a bucket full of water. She set it in the sink and started on the dishes, using the acorn dish soap.

"He says he'll be our guide," Misty said. "Do you want to keep him?"

Savarin scrubbed a plate and shrugged.

Gooseberry looked at Misty, then at Savarin, panic growing on his face. "Is that a yes or a no?" he asked.

"It's a yes. You'll live," Misty said.

"It's your lucky day," Savarin added. "You're our slave now."