Beheaded

Twilight Sparkle stayed with Skywing the rest of the night and until they woke up to comfort her. The unicorn was desperate to know what happened to Applejack, and perhaps try to visit Cloudsdale to see Rainbow Dash.

"Twilight, I sense you'd like to go now," murmured Skywing. She was still sniffing, thinking of the horrible things that could be done to Macintosh if he ever risked more trouble. Twilight nodded, searching for a spare saddle bag she could borrow. Skywing took one with her mouth and tossed it to Twilight, who stuffed a jar of the bland cider and wrapped bowl of soup inside. She wanted to get more information before trying to change her future, and perhaps she could sniff some things out from Applejack and take a few books from Midnight Glimmer's secret library to do so.

They trotted outside and Twilight Sparkle's mane quickly became damp as the moist air grew around her. She glared at the square, seeing one pony dragging an empty cart along. Skywing's eyes flashed open and she galloped for the pony, shouting for food.

"Please, Carrot Top! Do you have anything left? Do you?" Fluttershy's daughter asked, her blue eyes filled with hope and desire of some carrots to eat.

"Sorry, Skywing. I just sold my last one. I'll come back with some more from my house if you got enough bits," Carrot Top answered, holding out her hoof. Twilight Sparkle expected Skywing to plunk some bits in her hoof and wait, but she just shook her head sadly. The two ponies continued to trot away from the square, onto the path that led to Sweet Apple Acres. When they were far enough from the center of Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle piped up.

"Why didn't you accept Carrot Top's offer? She said she has some at home." Skywing shook her head again sadly, mumbling some soft curses and prayers. She tried to talk, but tears started to well up in her eyes. Twilight Sparkle didn't realize how much Ponyville changed.

"Because you can't trust nopony anymore. Carrot Top is one of those ponies who will take your money and gallop off to swim in her fortune. She may seem sweet, but once Discord took over every pony's changed. Carrot Top is the richest pony in town, and she sells her carrots off to starving ponies all the time. I usually come really early to wait for the cart rush. It only includes three carts, though. Carrot Top selling carrots, Sweet Blush selling useless jewelries, and Blueberry Dash selling her blueberries. All of them are bland, but the carrots are the most desired," Skywing rambled. Twilight began to see there was a ruthless society built in Ponyville. The rich provided the peasants but took things from them also. When Twilight met Midnight Glimmer, she looked healthy and didn't complain about having any food. What if she was a rich, trickster pony like Carrot Top? She hoped her granddaughter to be efficient and kind.

to be continued