The Good, the Bad and the Unfriendly

“You know it’s times like these when I wish I had a guitar or something to play.”

“Can you even play the guitar?”

“My granny could, I figure I could just teach myself and give us some music for the road.”

“I think I’d take silence over whatever bad music you make.”

“Oh shut it, brat.”

“We can’t be that far from Appleloosa now anyways, can we?”

“Nope, should get there just later today.”

Applejack and Diamond Tiara were enjoying another early morning together in their wagon. They were now on the main road leading directly to Appleloosa just a little ways south. It was just them on the road right now, with no other wagons joining them despite Appeloosa recently becoming a fairly hot destination. Applejack saw that as fortune smiling on them, she didn’t want to be bothered by strangers or accosted by anyone right as they were so close to the town. But it did make things just a little bit boring and a little too quiet and that’s why she wanted a guitar. It’s strange. Quiet didn’t used to bother her one bit but now with Diamond Tiara here it just felt a little too unfriendly if things were quiet in the wagon for too long.

Diamond Tiara came up from behind her and hopped onto the bench next to her. “I’m tired of sitting back there. If we’re getting to Appleloosa soon I want to be able to see it coming.”

“Heh, well you can keep me and the horses company too,” Applejack grinned and tussled Diamond Tiara’s hair, much to the young girl’s annoyance.

“Stop that!” Diamond frowned and swatted her hand away before trying to fix her hair.

“Still acting like a princess even with all the time you’ve been out on the road like this,” Applejack chuckled.

“That’s right!” Diamond huffed and folded her arms under her chest.

Applejack rolled her eyes but decided to stop teasing the girl. She had felt slightly awkward ever since that night, hearing Diamond Tiara ask in her half-asleep state if she could call Applejack her big sister. She just didn’t know what to do about it. She missed Apple Bloom so much. She still loved that girl. And now… she did find herself loving Diamond Tiara too, she could admit that, but it wasn’t the same. Was it right to Diamond Tiara? Or Apple Bloom? Applejack didn’t want to feel like she was just trying to replace her little sister or make herself feel better. Until she figured this out she was going to do her best to ignore what Diamond Tiara had said.

The good thing was, the young girl didn’t seem to recall what she had said at all. And if she did she had been doing a better job at concealing it than Applejack ever could.

Suddenly, Diamond Tiara perked up and she squinted her eyes as she caught sight of something in the distance. “Hey, what’s that?” She pointed down the road.

Applejack followed her gaze and through the shimmering air saw something slightly ahead of them down the lonely road. No, not something, someone. To Applejack’s surprise there was someone walking down the road. Out in still the middle of nowhere.

“What in the hell?” Applejack scratched her head. “You remember seeing any dead horses or broken down wagons on the way?”

“Nope,” Diamond Tiara shook her head.

“Me neither. What’s someone doing walking out here? The last little hole in the wall we passed was two days ago,” the sight of this stranger walking, in this heat, with no cover, far between towns, set Applejack a bit on edge. She looked to the right and left of the road, looking into the distance to see if there was anything out there, but came up with nothing. Whoever this walker was they didn’t seem to be bait for a trap or nothing like that. Nor part of any sort of group that had come across misfortune.

They could obviously hear the sound of the wagon and the horses pulling it too but they hadn’t stopped to look back or anything either. They just kept walking.

“Well, I’m not surprised there are plenty of weird people out in the country,” Diamond Tiara shrugged.

“Me neither but I aint about to let my guard down just yet. We’ll catch up to them in a little bit, you just get back in the wagon for now, okay?” Applejack said.

Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes but jumped back behind the bench again anyways. “Fine but I’m not going to hide or anything.” She said as she stayed watching from right behind Applejack.

“That’s okay, but you just be careful too.”

Applejack kept the wagon rolling on down the road, her eyes never leaving the walking figure in front of them. As they got closer she realized something else that was a bit surprising: it was a woman. Applejack wasn’t sure if that made her more or less worried. What kind of crazy lady would be walking out her all on her own. Sure, Applejack might not be one to talk when it came to traveling alone, but she still used to do it on a horse. When they were about a hundred feet away from each other, Applejack could make out that she was a very tall woman with long, multi-colored hair, and a large jacket. If she was armed, Applejack couldn’t tell just yet.

But she wasn’t going to just have them drive right on by the woman and act like she wasn’t there.

Applejack raised two fingers to her mouth and whistled loudly to get the walking woman’s attention. “Hey there! Hold up for a second!”

The woman stopped walking but she didn’t fully turn around at first, only when Applejack’s wagon had gotten closer did she turn to the side and step back a little so she was out of their way. Applejack then got a look at her face—and she was certainly a striking and very attractive woman. Another surprise. As Applejack’s eyes glanced down to her waist she saw the two guns she held. Didn’t mean she was dangerous but it did mean Applejack was going to be slightly on-guard.

“Easy there girls, you can stop,” Applejack said to Winona and Silver, pulling their reins a little to get them to stop with Applejack now directly beside the tall woman, peering down at her from atop the bench while Diamond Tiara looked at her from inside the wagon. Applejack and the woman silently appraised each other for a clean minute before Applejack opened her mouth again. She wore a blank expression on her face that she was hoping didn’t betray anything. “You out walking here all alone?”

“I am,” the lady said, just as even an expression on her face as well.

“You alright?” Applejack raised an eyebrow.

A small smile tugged at the lady’s lips. “I am, yes. Thank you for asking.”

“Just a little concerned is all. You’re a bit of an unusual sight.” Applejack looked down the road for a second. “You heading to Appleloosa?”

“That’s right,” the lady glanced south too. “I’m assuming you are as well?”

“Sure am,” Applejack said, and paused, looking the woman up and down and trying to get a better feel for her.

“You’re really tall,” Diamond Tiara suddenly said.

“Diamond...” Applejack frowned.

The tall lady just giggled though. “It’s alright, I know I’m a bit taller than most women.”

Applejack sighed and rubbed the back of her head under her hat. “Yeah… what’s your name anyways? I’m Applejack and this is Diamond Tiara.”

“Celestia, pleased to meet the both of you,” Celestia said.

“Please to meet you as well I’d say. I didn’t know what to expect when I saw you but you seem alright,” Applejack said.

“I like her,” Diamond Tiara said.

“Thank you,” Celestia laughed slightly again.

Applejack bit her lip, looking back in the wagon that had plenty of room in it, and then looking back down the road where Appleloosa was still out of sight. “Aw geez… would you care to come with us? We’re both going to the same place after all and it’d be a lot easier on your feet.”

“That’s very generous of you,” Celestia’s eyes widened slightly.

“Yeah well, I’ve been kind of selfish for a bit too long, trying to make up for that and all...” Applejack went red in the face.

“Well I’m hardly going to turn down such an offer. The both of you seem alright as well,” Celestia winked up at Applejack.

“Heh, thanks,” Applejack chuckled and then threw a thumb back at the wagon. “Hop on there through the back. Watch your head.”

Celestia nodded and walked to the back of the wagon before jumping up on through the back flap and taking a seat leaning up against the canvas. Diamond Tiara watched her and raised an eyebrow as she got an up close look at the tall lady. And a particular part of her anatomy.

“And I thought Applejack’s were big,” Diamond said as she stared at Celestia’s chest.

“Hey,” Applejack reached back with a frown and flicked her ear.

“No matter, I’m used to looks,” Celestia smiled, trying to get comfortable sitting like this with her gun belt on. She took a look around the wagon, that was now running fairly low on supplies and other things. “It’s just the two of you traveling together with this wagon? Pardon if it’s a bit of a personal question but the two of you don’t look related.”

Applejack winced. “Bit of a long story, no we aren’t related or anything but we’ve been traveling together for a while now. Just trying to make our way in the world and all.”

Celestia nodded, understanding from Applejack’s tone and Diamond Tiara’s sudden silence that there was much the two of them didn’t want to talk about. “I see.”

Of course Diamond Tiara was too curious to really give the same favor.

“Why are you going to Appleloosa?” The little princess asked.

Applejack narrowed her eyes as she glanced back at Diamond but didn’t say anything. Celestia though didn’t seem too bothered, only unsure as to how to answer.

“I suppose...” the tall lady thought as she looked up towards the roof of the wagon. “I’m just going there to meet my little sister.”

Applejack jolted, something both the other two noticed. “Y-You don’t say?” The former farmer said.

“Yes...” Celestia said cautiously. “She and I have a strained relationship I’m afraid. If this is a sore subject though I’d be happy to talk about something else. It’s not exactly my favorite thing to talk about either.”

“Um, sorry,” Diamond Tiara apologized.

Celestia smiled warmly at her and shook her head. “Nothing to apologize for, dear. I’m not bothered talking about it but I wouldn’t want anyone else to be uncomfortable. I have plenty of other things I can share with you if you’re curious. I’ve been alone for a long time so I wouldn’t mind at all the opportunity to make some small talk.”

Diamond Tiara seemed to muse for a second before a slight blush came to her cheeks. “Are they heavy?”

“Diamond, for the love of-” Applejack groaned.

“Yes, they are,” Celestia laughed, throwing her head back a little and giving Diamond a brief view of the necklace she wore.

“What’s that you’re wearing?” Diamond Tiara perked up. Naturally with her upbringing she had an eye for jewelry. Although with the brief look she got she couldn’t tell if the golden chain was real gold or not just yet.

“Hm?” Celestia raised an eyebrow at her. “You mean my necklace?” She reached into her shirt and pulled it and the sun medallion on the end of it all the way out. “This was a gift from my parents.”

Diamond Tiara’s face lit up. That was a real expensive piece of work, no doubt about it. “Wow… that’s gotta be one of the most valuable pieces of jewelry I’ve seen.”

Applejack looked back to check it out too and her eyes went wide. “You’ve been traveling all alone while carrying that around? I can’t believe you haven’t been robbed. Or worse.”

“Some people have tried. But I’m rather capable of taking care of myself,” Celestia smiled.

Applejack glanced down at the twin guns she carried. “I bet.”

Celestia chuckled lightly. “Anyways, thank you again for letting me ride in your wagon. My feet were very sore. Do you know how far away Appleloosa is?”

“At the speed we’re going I imagine we’ll get there in just a few hours,” Applejack smiled. “We got some dried food and water if you need anything right now. Feel free to help yourself, that’s the kind of hospitality I’d like to start giving to people again.”

“Thank you,” Celestia said and saw Diamond Tiara still ogling her out of the corner of her eye. “Are you looking at my medallion now or my chest still?”

Diamond Tiara blushed and turned away.

After that the conversation in the wagon, when there was any in the first place, mostly turned to trivial things. The three travelers talked about nothing to pass the time until they got to Appleloosa, the shared goal looming over all their heads. Applejack and Celestia both knew that they had very different things to do when they got into town but neither was going to pry further into the other’s life if they weren’t going to talk first. Diamond on the other hand was much more animated when it came to speaking with Celestia, hearing about what she had been doing on the road and telling her of Applejack’s exploits at the same time.

And as soon as the sun reached directly over their heads, the town of Appleloosa appeared in the distance. It was a sight for sore eyes at this point for Applejack. She didn’t truly know what it would hold in store for her and Diamond Tiara but she was hopeful. When Celestia saw it she quieted up a little though, her face becoming blank and a cloud forming in her mind. Something even Diamond noticed as all her responses to Diamond’s questions became polite but curt.

“How long do you think you’ll be in Appleloosa?” Diamond asked her as the two of them sat behind the driver’s bench and watched the city.

“It’s up to my sister,” Celestia replied without looking her direction. Her eyes were unblinking.

“Good luck with that,” Applejack said.

As they approached from the road, they also ended up coming alongside a bend in the river that Appleloosa had been built near and many had started to prospect for gold in. It came along the right side of the road and had numerous tents set up all up and down it. Though as they rode by it they couldn’t actually see anyone down by the river doing anything. And all the tents looked empty and unattended.

Applejack frowned when she noticed that and looked to the town, not seeing or really hearing anything from it either.

“You’ve noticed?” Celestia asked.

“Yeah,” Applejack nodded.

“What’s wrong?” Diamond Tiara asked, looking between the two of them.

“There ain’t nobody out around the outsides of town. And it’s awfully quiet. Nobody by the river either,” Applejack said.

Diamond Tiara frowned as she peered harder at Appleloosa. “You think something happened in town?”

“I dunno, but it definitely doesn’t look like the bustling town it should be,” Applejack said.

Celestia meanwhile briefly thought that maybe her sister had something to do with it before quashing that thought. She wouldn’t care enough about anything going on in Appleloosa.

As they got closer to the outskirts of the large town it became clear that they hadn’t just missed something or been mistaken. There wasn’t a soul walking around down the streets and no matter what window they looked into they didn’t see anybody looking back. Applejack didn’t want to call it a ghost town just yet but it was beginning to worry her more. Which was just great, a big town like this wasn’t supposed to have issues like this or be a dangerous spot. She wanted to be able to stay somewhere safe with Diamond Tiara for a while.

“Hold on, I see two others,” Celestia suddenly said.

“Where?” Applejack looked around.

“Coming from the river,” Celestia pointed.

Applejack looked and indeed saw that two other figures were walking up from the river, heading towards town. Both women by the looks of it and one of them carrying what looked like a rifle or shotgun on her back. The one with the gun seemed to notice something was off too as she stopped after coming up from the river bank. The other one tried walking right past her until a hand on her shoulder yanked her back.

Since they seemed just as lost and confused as Applejack, she decided that they probably didn’t have anything to do with this either. Applejack whistled loudly once more today to get their attention.

While they had looked like they might’ve just been about to get into an argument, they instead both looked over to see Applejack’s wagon coming down the road. The women with the gun raised her hand and waved back while the other folded her arms over her chest. The two of them then walked a little more from the river and to the road, where they met up with the wagon only a little ways outside of the town proper.

The three in the wagon checked out the duo and saw them to be two young women only about Applejack’s age. One of them with her hair in a ponytail and the other letting it long and loose.

“Are you an Appeloosa native?” The one with the gun asked.

Applejack shook her head while Celestia and Diamond Tiara were quiet behind her. “Can’t say that I am. The three of us are all travelers who happened to be coming here. You two the same way?”

The women sighed. “Yeah… but the town is a bit too lonely for my tastes.”

“We noticed that too,” Applejack nodded. “So who do I have the pleasure of meeting? My name’s Applejack.”

“Celestia,” Celestia said.

“Diamond Tiara,” Diamond Tiara smiled.

The women smiled back up at them. “Starlight Glimmer, and this is-”

“Trixie Lulamoon!” Trixie loudly exclaimed, stepping out in front of Starlight. “Traveling magician extraordinaire! Perhaps you’ve heard of me?” She flashed a grin at them.

“Aren’t you a bank robber?” Celestia raised an eyebrow.

“That’s all in the past,” Trixie waved her off.

“Ugh,” Starlight face palmed and shook her head. “Forgive Trixie, she’s an idiot. You three wouldn’t happen to be bounty hunters or anything would you?” She asked with a worried grimace coming over her face. “We’re not exactly on good terms with the law right now but I promise you that we aren’t vicious criminals or thieves or anything like that.”

“Naw,” Applejack said. “I don’t know what your full story is and I aint saying I’ll just trust you willy-nilly but I’ve heard of you, Sheriff Glimmer. Only recognize you by name and I don’t know why you’re in present company-” Applejack glanced at Trixie. “But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt for now considering all the good things I’ve heard. I think we unfortunately might have bigger problems today anyways.”

Starlight frowned and looked down the road, they could clearly see into the empty streets of Appleloosa from where they were. “I think you have the right of it. Mind if the two of us tag along with you for now? If we have some time later we can get to know each other some more.”

“Don’t mind one bit. Specially if you’re good with that rifle.”

A grin popped up onto Starlight’s face. “No need to worry there. And no need to make room for us either, Trixie and I will walk alongside your wagon. Wouldn’t want things to get cramped in there.”

“We will?” Trixie asked, shoulders slumping.

“Yes,” Starlight glared at her. “Now quit complaining and let’s get moving.”

“I hear that,” Applejack grinned and whipped the reins to get Winona and Silver on the move again.

Now they entered the town of Appleloosa through the main road and everyone kept their eyes out for, well, anything. They passed by a bank, a post office, numerous family owned shops and places for food, a florists, and each and every store was just as empty of people as the last.

“Just what in tarnation happened here?” Applejack scratched her head.

“It doesn’t look like anyplace was robbed or the owners took anything with them when they went… wherever they went,” Starlight said. “Things are too neat for any sort of panic or something like a Buffalo Men attack.”

“Should we yell and see if anyone responds?” Trixie raised an eyebrow.

Starlight shook her head. “I don’t think we should bring attention to ourselves like that.”

Applejack nodded. “I think you’re right, in fact-” Applejack paused as her eyes found a stable connected to what looked like either an inn or a big department store on the side of the road. “I was thinking maybe I should hitch up the wagon here and we all continue on foot.” She glanced back at Celestia. “What do you think?”

“I think that’s a smart idea,” Celestia agreed.

“Right,” Applejack had Winona and Silver turn and head over to the stable. “Sorry girls but we’re gonna have to part ways for a little while. You all be good though, Diamond and I will be back for sure.”

The stable was empty too aside from the hay that lined the floor. Naturally the wagon was too tall to fit inside it so Applejack left it by the side and unhitched Winona and Silver, taking them to the nearest holding cage and putting them inside. Winona in particular wasn’t too happy about this but she could sense why Applejack was doing it. A salt lick inside the stable and plenty of water did wonders to make the horses okay with the accommodations. And after that brief detour was taken care of, the five women went to walking down the streets of Appleloosa.

Applejack kept Diamond Tiara slightly behind her and all of them stayed on one side of the street closer to the buildings so they weren’t quite just walking out in the open. Starlight Glimmer kept her rifle on her back but she was thumbing the strap for it like she wanted to take it off her shoulder and carry it. Trixie could tell that Starlight was on edge over how empty the town was and it was making her feel uneasy as well. Celetia’s eyes were like a hawk’s as she kept a vigilant watch over the buildings and down the alleys between them. The tall lady’s almost supernatural sense for danger wasn’t going off just yet, but she didn’t need it to know that things were wrong here.

“Umm… is there anything we’re really looking for? Or any place we’re going?” Diamond Tiara asked from behind Applejack.

“If I knew where the sheriff lived or the jailhouse was I’d say we go there,” Starlight said.

“Or something like town square or town hall or whatnot,” Applejack said. “But I don’t think any of us knows where anything in this town is.”

“If we don’t have an actual destination in mind then The Great and Powerful Trixie suggests we at least go some place we can get a drink and something to eat,” Trixie said.

Starlight rolled her eyes. “That’s not a bad idea honestly but you clearly just want to get some food.”

“I think it’s smart,” Trixie frowned at her.

“Well really, we could all use some water—and maybe something a little stronger too. And it’s not like we’ve found anything out here yet,” Applejack said. “I’ll keep my eyes peeled for a saloon or bar or something. Having plenty of energy might be pretty useful if things turn out to be bad here.”

“Appleloosa probably has a rather large hotel too, that might be a good bet to figure things out too,” Starlight said.

The group was still in the outer streets of the town anyways, far from the center and where you’d expect to find most of the people and business. The more they got closer the more they all figured they’d eventually come across something or someone. At this point, Diamond Tiara was probably the most worried of the group, remembering that the last time Applejack had gotten so serious ended up with them being chased by Buffalo Men and almost killed by that Sunset Shimmer woman. The same feeling of trepidation and foreboding was here in this town too. Diamond glanced at both Celestia and Starlight Glimmer, they wore the same kind of tough and serious expression as Applejack. This Trixie person though looked more like Diamond did, but when she caught Diamond glancing at her she still managed to give the younger girl a confident wink.

Diamond just gulped and tried not to sweat. She was scared. Scared for herself and for Applejack.

“There,” Applejack suddenly said, almost making Diamond jump.

The younger girl looked up and saw Applejack pointing to a saloon close by. It looked just as empty and lifeless as the rest of the town and as if to put the cherry on top, a tumbleweed blew down the street right in front of it, carried along by a slight breeze. Not inviting. Not fun like a saloon for a booming town should be.

“Let’s mosey on in,” Applejack said and led their group of five right up to the swinging double doors.

Though they paused for a moment just outside it, the blonde still pushed them open and the five walked on in.

It was a good thing it was the middle of the day and plenty bright outside, cause not a candle or lantern was lit inside. That being said it didn’t look wrecked either. Tables and chairs were mostly where they should be, with only a few chairs actually lying on the floor, and all the bar stools were still right in front of the bar. And speaking of the bar it looked to be well-stocked. Since there was clearly no one else in here, Applejack shrugged and walked over to the bar to get some drinks and maybe some food for everyone.

“I guess we might as well take a short break in here,” Starlight said, taking one more look around the saloon to make sure she hadn’t missed anything.

“Trixie is happy with that idea,” the magician smiled and walked up to the bar with Applejack.

“Don’t you dare have any more than one glass Trixie,” Starlight frowned at her. “We don’t need any of us getting drunk.”

“That goes for you too, squirt,” Applejack narrowed her eyes authoritatively at Diamond.

“I wasn’t gonna...” Diamond huffed.

“You seem a bit too young to drink at all,” Starlight said to her, glancing between Diamond and Applejack.

The chastened Applejack rubbed the back of her neck. “It was kind of for a certain occasion. I don’t normally let her drink stuff like whiskey...” She had to avert her eyes from the former Sheriff. “Well not all the time at least.”

“Uh huh,” Starlight was unimpressed but let it slide anyways. Not like she had much moral high ground anymore anyways.

Applejack walked behind the bar and started looking for something a little better to drink, like water or maybe some kind of juice. Trixie began rooting around the other end and found something that she deposited on top of the bar with glee: a large jar of pickles.

“I found food!” The magician proudly exclaimed.

Diamond Tiara was hoping for better. Celestia on the other hand didn’t seem to mind at all, taking a seat right in front of Trixie and helping the hapless girl twist off the lid. Starlight wryly grinned in amusement and leaned up against the wall of the saloon while Applejack at last found a bottle of sarsaparilla. Grabbing up a few glasses from behind the bar, she got ready to pour everyone a drink.

When the doors to the saloon were thrown open and a black clad figure came tumbling in, literally rolling across the floor like an acrobat before jumping up in the middle of all the girls and pulling a sword from the scabbard at her side. She leveled it first at Applejack, then turning to the others as her eyes darted over everyone in the saloon, before slowly lowering the sword as a befuddled and disappointed expression came over her face.

“Hey… none of you are Lightning Dust,” Rainbow Dash said.

“And just what in the world is your deal?” Applejack asked with an annoyed look.

“Are you from Appeloosa?” Starlight asked, it looked like she had been considering training her rifle on the rainbow-haired girl ever since she tumbled in. “What’s with the sword and outfit?”

“Uh, sorry,” Rainbow Dash grinned awkwardly. She put away her sword and held her empty hands palm up to try and defuse things while the other girls curiously looked at her. “No, I’m not from Appleloosa or anything, I just got here actually. Name’s Rainbow Dash.”

“Great, so we’re still at square one,” Applejack snorted.

Rainbow Dash frowned and took a second look at everyone here. “What did I walk into? I figure you guys don’t have an answer for why the town’s so empty either?”

“Nope, that’s why we’re taking a break in here,” Diamond Tiara shrugged.

“And I’ll ask you again,” Starlight more seriously looked at Rainbow Dash. “If you aren’t a native then why are you here and why do you have a sword of all things?”

“Psh, cause for one, swords are awesome!” Rainbow Dash cheekily grinned at her. “And two, cause I’m a trained swordsman and this thing is what I use to fight for justice with!” She patted the hilt of her saber.

“Weirdo,” Trixie said and took a big bite of crunchy pickle.

Rainbow Dash snorted. “Whatever. I’m already used to people not being able to appreciate the awesomeness of swords anymore. And anyways, I’m here in town cause I’ve been looking for someone I have unfinished business with.”

Celestia’s eyes perked up at that, the familiar reason getting her interest. Though she still stayed silent for now and didn’t say anything to the new arrival.

“That Lightning Dust person?” Applejack raised an eyebrow.

“Lightning Dust is a murderer,” Starlight Glimmer said, earning a surprised look from Rainbow Dash. “I’m a sheriff—former sheriff—and I’ve heard of her. You know her?”

A dark expression wormed its way onto Rainbow Dash’s face as she punched her fist into the palm of her hand. “Oh yeah, I know her. And I know she’s here in Appleloosa too. You see, I’ve been chasing her across Equestria for a long time now and she finally left me a message to come meet her here. We’re going to have ourselves a duel and I’m going to kill her like the dog she is.”

“Can’t say I sanction something like that exactly but if you did kill Lightning Dust it would certainly help Equestria,” Starlight said. “It doesn’t make me happy to learn she’s here though. I doubt she’s why the town’s the way it is though, something else has to be going on too.”

“That’s what I thought,” Rainbow Dash nodded. “So I’ve been kind of looking around.”

“That Lightning Dust didn’t say anything about where or how to meet her?” Applejack asked.

“Nope,” Rainbow shrugged.

Celestia meanwhile bit her lip. Her little sister had left basically the same sort of message and now she had no idea when or if she was actually going to be able to finally meet her. She didn’t know if what had happened in Appleloosa may have had to do with her sister too. Her inner turmoil was going unnoticed by everyone except for Diamond Tiara, who was concerned by the tall lady’s even quieter than normal demeanor.

“Well whatever,” Applejack said and pulled out a sixth glass from the bar. “You’re a little strange but you don’t seem like a bad gal or anything. Have a drink with us too.”

“Awesome,” Rainbow Dash grinned and gave her a thumbs up.

And right as Applejack was about to pour from the bottle of sarsaparilla again, the saloon doors were pushed open. Though much more calmly this time. Another girl about the same age as Dash and Applejack had entered, and just like Dash she held a sword at her side. Indigo Zap’s eyes went wide as she saw the surprisingly busy saloon and she froze just inside the door.

“Well this aint good...” the Shadowbolt said.

Only Starlight and Rainbow Dash recognized her face but they were all that was needed. It wasn’t Rainbow Dash who first confronted or said anything to her friend though, that was the work of the former sheriff. Starlight’s eyes narrowed and she whipped the rifle off her shoulder with startling speed, leveling it at Indigo Zap while the others looked on in surprise.

“Indigo Zap of the Shadowbolt Gang. What a funny coincidence to meet you here,” Starlight said.

Rainbow Dash drew her saber and pointed it at Indigo as well. “What she said! What are you doing here, Indigo?”

“A Shadowbolt?” Applejack glowered, walking from behind the bar and getting in front of Diamond, but for now letting the others take charge of the situation.

Indigo spat on the ground and frowned, raising her hands over her head. “This is just my luck, isn’t it?”

“Drop the sword and take a seat,” Starlight ordered.

“Who even are you?” Indigo raised an eyebrow at her but did as Starlight commanded anyways. She wasn’t stupid enough to let her pride or ego get her shot.

“I don’t think that’s important right now,” Starlight said. “Let me take a guess about something too; the rest of your gang is here and you Shadowbolts are responsible for why this place is a ghost town?”

Indigo let out an annoyed sigh and didn’t look like she was going to answer until Dash came up and put the tip of her saber an inch from Indigo’s eyes. “Answer the question.”

“Yes. You’re right,” Indigo glared at Dash. “But ghost town isn’t quite true. All—almost all—the people are still here. They’re just being held a few places. Sunny didn’t just go on a slaughter spree or anything.”

“Why did the Shadowbolt Gang even come down to Appleloosa in the first place? A big town like this isn’t your usual prey,” Starlight asked and relaxed her position a little, putting the gun back over her shoulder.

Indigo leaned back and relaxed slightly. “A little while back word came out of Appleloosa about some guy by the name of Cranky Doodle finding a huge gold nugget. By chance, we were pretty much the first ones who heard about it. So we came down to Appleloosa to get that golden nugget and knock over as much of the town as we could. We only arrived here a couple days ago.”

“Why are you even still here?” Applejack asked.

“Because Cranky Doodle is a stubborn bastard and no matter what we do he won’t tell us where he’s hidden away the nugget. Sunny has beaten him black and blue but he won’t open that mouth of his. She’s… considering killing some of the people of Appleloosa in front of him if he won’t say anything by the end of the day. Children first.”

Applejack’s hands balled into fists as she glared at Indigo Zap. “I had heard plenty of bad things about Sunny Flare but I didn’t think-”

“Believe me. What you’ve heard isn’t half of it,” Indigo said.

“Well this is just fantastic,” Trixie threw up her arms. “This was supposed to just be a nice little town to make a new life in and we happen to arrive right as this is happening.”

“Sorry Trixie, but we can’t just let this continue either. Not just for our own safety but because it’s the right thing to do. Maybe it’s my old self as a sheriff coming out but we need to rescue the villagers and put a stop to the Shadowbolt Gang,” Starlight said and then frowned, looking at the others in the saloon. “Uhh, who’s with me?”

“I guess I am,” Applejack sighed, running an exasperated hand through her hair. “I just can’t let this kind of thing go anymore.” She felt someone’s hand grip her other and looked down to see Diamond Tiara smiling up at her.

“I’m glad,” Diamond winked at her.

“Don’t know why… and you won’t be taking part in any fighting. I’m making sure of that,” Applejack said.

“I generally keep to myself, but if the people here are in need I don’t want to turn my back on them either,” Celestia said, glancing at Applejack. “Plus, I should repay someone for helping me earlier today. And if they’re going to do something dangerous it’s only right that I join in.”

“Thanks,” Applejack smiled at her.

Rainbow meanwhile grumbled and bit her lip. “I… I can’t. I’m really sorry and it’s totally something I would normally help with but… I told you already that I’m in town for a different reason. And it’s to deal with someone just as bad as the Shadowbolts.”

“What the heck are you talking about?” Indigo looked up at her.

Rainbow glared at her old fellow student. “Lightning Dust is here, Indigo.”

Indigo’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re kidding? Why the hell is she here?”

“Coincidence,” Rainbow shrugged. “But she found out I was chasing her done and said to come here so we can settle things. I’m going to go through town and find her.”

“If she was here I thought I would’ve already found her by now...” Indigo muttered. “That’s why I walked in here just earlier for that matter. It’s my job to go around town and see if we missed anyone, see if anyone’s been hiding or whatever. I heard voices in here but I sure as hell wasn’t expecting this.”

“That leads me to another question,” Starlight interjected. “What’s the rest of your gang doing?”

Indigo Zap silently glared at the sheriff until Rainbow Dash lightly slapped her on the cheek with the flat of her blade.

“Answer the question.”

Indigo snorted. “Fine. You’re a pain in the ass as always, Dash. The gang’s divided in half right now for the most part. My friends Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, and Lemon Zest are with a few others at Cranky Doodle’s house. Watching him, beating him, looking for the nugget, that kind of thing. Meanwhile there are some others at the Grand Appleloosan—that’s the big hotel a bit further into town down mainstreet—guarding most of the people that lived here. That’s where we rounded them up. There’s another chick there in charge though, not a Shadowbolt, some of you may have heard of her, Sunset Shimmer? We ran into her on the way here and she’s working together with us now.”

“Sunset Shimmer is here too?” Applejack faceplamed while Diamond Tiara paled. “Great, fucking great.”

“She has quite the reputation.” Starlight frowned.

“I don’t like her either if that counts for anything,” Indigo shrugged. “Anyways, Sunny is...” Indigo grimaced and looked down at the floor. “Sunny’s at city hall.”

Starlight narrowed her eyes at Indigo’s sudden downturn in mood. “And?”

Indigo wrung her hands together, clearly uncomfortable. “She’s there with most of the young kids in town. She rounded them up and separated them from their parents to make sure the adults didn’t do anything stupid. And… she keeps saying stuff about how the crying is getting on her nerves and she’s just going to start shooting them no matter what happens with Cranky now.”

The others in the saloon all gave each other worried looks, it was Applejack who broke the silence.

“So we’ve got three places to go and three places to go at once. Cause if we do it one by one then the rest of who we’ve got to take care of is going to hear the gunshots and start taking hostages or just outright killing innocents,” Applejack dragged her hand down her face and tried to ignore the sweat. “Sunny Flare had to have someone with her as well, right? She couldn’t keep watch over all those kids on her own.”

“There are one or two others at city hall with her,” Indigo nodded.

“It sucks but I think you’re right, Applejack,” Starlight said. “We’re going to need to split up. I wouldn’t mind tackling any of these bastards but getting the chance to put down Sunny Flare sounds especially good.”

“No,” Applejack bluntly said. “I’ll take care of her and help the kids.”

Diamond Tiara looked up at her with concern, fully knowing just how much something like this must get to her, while Starlight raised an eyebrow.

“Well, like I said that’s fine with me. I wouldn’t mind taking care of Sunset Shimmer either,” Starlight said.

Applejack nodded at her. “That leaves actually rescuing Cranky.”

“I’ll handle it,” Celestia calmly said.

“Heh, knock yourself out but going to his house by yourself is a death wish,” Indigo said.

“I’ll handle it,” Celestia repeated, a bit more firmly. And her simple confidence went a long ways, making both Applejack and Starlight think that this women was possibly in the least amount of danger of them all.

Rainbow Dash sighed while the rest decided on things. “I’m really, really sorry guys. But I have to find Lightning Dust.”

Applejack just smiled at her and patted her on the shoulder. “It’s okay, you do your thing, it’s obvious Lightning Dust needs to be taken care of too.”

“Um, what about Trixie? What am I doing?” Trixie asked as she raised her hand, a confused look on her face.

“You’re coming with me. But I’m sure as hell not letting you come into the hotel with me and getting involved in any of the shooting. Not up close at least,” Starlight smiled at her friend.

“Trixie isn’t sure she likes the sound of that...” the magician gulped.

“I’m not letting you out of my sight. That’s just asking for trouble,” Starlight said.

“Fair point.”

“Um, Applejack-” Diamond Tiara started.

“No,” Applejack shot her down immediately. “You’re staying here. Or back with the wagon. We don’t even have a spare gun for you.”

“I just don’t want to worry about you...”

Applejack reached down and patted her head. “And you don’t have to. We’ll all be fine.”

“You’re just saying that,” Diamond frowned at her.

Applejack shrugged. “Better than saying we’re all going to die, aint it?” She winked at Diamond.

Diamond Tiara folded her arms over her chest. “That’s not funny.”

“I guess we should get on the move as quickly as possible?” Starlight asked.

“Yep,” Applejack said.

“Hold on,” Rainbow Dash said. “I know I won’t exactly be joining up with you guys and all, but I want to take Indigo here with me.” Rainbow hooked a thumb at her and reached down to pick the discarded rapier off the floor while sheathing her own saber. “We’ve got history together too, I’ll tie her up and make her come search for Lightning Dust with me.”

“Oh, that’s just great,” Indigo rolled her eyes.

Starlight shrugged. “I don’t have a problem with that. So long as we aren’t leaving her to go back and tell Sunny Flare or whoever about us.”

“Well before we all head out then-” Applejack said as she went back to the bar and started to finally pour out some glasses of sarsaparilla. “How about we share a drink?”

Rainbow grinned and walked up to the bar, giving a high-five to Applejack when she got there. “I may have just met you, but you’re a pretty cool gal.”

“Likewise,” Applejack grinned back.

Starlight, Trixie, Celestia, and of course Diamond Tiara all came over to get a glass of their own. The six girls knocked back their beverages and felt the delicious liquid run down their throats. For some of them it was the first thing they had had all day and boy was it good. Slamming the empty glasses back onto the bar, the six of them shared a last look with each other before they split up.

“Well-” Applejack said, taking a deep breath. “I never thought I’d be saying this, but I reckon it’s time to save the day.”