CHAPTER 5 I’m sorry

Dear Reed Trails,

I hope this letter finds you well. Firstly, congratulations on your recent marriage to Ms. Vapor Trails. I trust that you are both enjoying the blissful journey of married life.

I'm writing to you with a request, one that I wouldn't make lightly. However, the circumstances compel me to reach out to you. Anon, our mutual acquaintance, has recently been involved in an accident. While he is physically recovering, he is struggling emotionally and has distanced himself from those who care about him, including myself and our friends.

I understand that your commitments with the Weather Patrol are demanding, and I respect that. However, I implore you to consider lending your support to Anon during this challenging time. Your presence and friendship could make a significant difference in his recovery. I understand the importance of your position, but please know that Anon needs you now more than ever.

I'm willing to compensate you for your time and assistance if necessary, although I hope your compassion and friendship will be motivation enough to help Anon in his time of need.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my request, Reed. Your support would mean a great deal to both Anon and myself.

Warm regards,

Princess Celestia

As Reed finished reading the letter, he couldn't shake the worry that gripped his heart. Anon's situation weighed heavily on his mind, stirring a mix of emotions within him. He folded the letter and set it down, his thoughts drifting to his friend's well-being.

In that moment, he felt a comforting presence envelop him, a familiar touch that brought a glimmer of solace. It was his wife, Vapor Trails, reaching out to him with a supportive gesture. Her hooves on his back and wings around him offered a sense of reassurance amidst the uncertainty.

As Reed felt Vapor's tender kiss on the back of his head, a soft warmth spread through him, easing the tension that had gripped his shoulders. He returned the affection with a gentle hand, caressing her soft fur and earning a contented coo from her. Vapor Trails, his loving wife and a talented Wonderbolt, had been a beacon of support and love since they first met three years ago.

Their meeting at an air show had been a stroke of fate, bringing together two souls destined to find solace in each other's embrace. Reed was drawn to Vapor's caring nature and unwavering kindness, qualities that resonated deeply with him. And now, as he leaned into her comforting touch, he couldn't help but feel grateful for her presence in his life.

“Reed? What are you going to do?” Vapor asked “Well… hearing Anon in this matter is… not good” he said, Vapor nodded understandingly, her hoof gently caressing Reed's back as she leaned in closer. "I understand, Reed. Anon needs you, and you wouldn't be able to forgive yourself if you didn't try to help."

Reed sighed, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders. "Yeah... I owe it to him. And to myself. I can't just ignore this."

With a determined expression, Reed unfolded the letter once more, his gaze fixed on the words written by Princess Celestia. He knew what he had to do, even if it meant facing the ghosts of his past. "I'll leave for Ponyville tomorrow," he declared, his voice resolute. "I'll find Anon and do whatever it takes to make things right." He said before kissing his soon-to-be-wife and walks out the door.

"Hello Mr. Trails!" greeted the mailmare cheerfully, though her attention seemed divided as she crashed into a nearby lamp post, earning a chuckle from Reed. "Good to see you're up and early, Miss Do," he laughed, exchanging a light-hearted moment with the familiar face.

Entering his new office, Reed was greeted by Spitfire, a familiar face from his days in the Weather Patrol. "Well, well, mister man finally shows up," Spitfire teased with a sly grin as Reed entered, the other Wonderbolts and weather ponies settling in. Reed chuckled before clearing his throat. "Alright team, let's get down to business," he said, laying out the map.

"I've received an order from the princess for an important task, so I'll need somepony to cover for me on the roads to Canterlot," he explained. Spitfire raised an eyebrow at that. "What does she want? Work-related or... no," she trailed off, sensing there was more to it. Reed shook his head, avoiding her gaze. "It's not... but it's up to only me to save it," he admitted.

"Well, I guess I can have a bolt watch over while you're off. Where's it at?" Spitfire inquired.

"Ponyville," Reed replied, placing a pointer on the small town. The group all directed their attention to the spot and sighed collectively. "Okay, so it's not too far. Maybe talk to the rookie, Rainbow Dash. She's becoming a Wonderbolt soon," Spitfire suggested, with a few others nodding in agreement. Reed rubbed his chin, considering the plan. Eventually, he nodded, picking up the pointer and looking over to Lightstep.

"Light, you take over for today and tomorrow. Weather team? Lightstep will be in charge while I'm gone for these two days. Listen well... or else Captain Spitfire will have to show you how they punish a Pegasus," Reed declared, eliciting snickers from the Wonderbolts. The weather team all nodded and dashed out the door to begin their weather route.

"Okay, Captain, Soar? Good day," Reed said, acknowledging the others before nodding at Lightstep. "Be good," Reed added with a smile.

"Always, boss!" Lightstep replied enthusiastically before trotting over to the map with the Wonderbolts. As he left, Reed checked the time: 3:13 PM. He had an hour before the train showed up.

"Twilight, may I have a word with you?" Reed's voice was calm yet firm as he addressed the princess.

“Re… Reed?” Twilight muttered, a bit surprised by his unexpected appearance. The ponies had grown accustomed to Anon's presence, but Reed was a new face to most of them. Fluttershy hid behind her mane, Applejack gave him a quizzical look, Rarity played with her mane nervously, Pinkie smiled up at him, and Rainbow Dash greeted him enthusiastically. Twilight, however, seemed a bit apprehensive.

“Um… hello, Mr. Trails… how are you doing this fine day?” she asked tentatively as Reed smiled brightly in response.

“Oh? I’m great! It’s an honor to meet ya, lass. Tia had told me lots about ya,” Reed said warmly before picking Twilight up in a hug. Twilight yelped a bit in surprise but then slowly began to pat his back, feeling the sincerity in his gesture. "Thanks for trying to keep him calm," he added, his voice softening. Twilight smiled and hugged him back, appreciating his gratitude and the unexpected kindness in his gesture.

“Uh, Cap? What are you doing here, if you don’t mind me asking?” Rainbow Dash asked, hovering a bit above them. Reed put Twilight down and grinned at Dash.

"Tia sent me a letter. Anon has been... down lately and has been refusing to see anypony," Reed explained, his hands slipping into his jacket pockets. Twilight glanced away, feeling a pang of guilt, while Rainbow shrugged a bit. "But it's nice to meet you too, Skittles," he added, giving Rainbow a playful nickname. Her grin faltered momentarily at the unexpected moniker.

"Spitfire has told me a lot about your whole 'sonic rainboom' thing and is wondering about recruiting you soon," Reed said, making the sky-blue Pegasus pump a hoof and bump it with him.

"So you're here for Anon?" Fluttershy asked, peering through her mane up at the man. He smiled lightly and knelt down, resting a hand on his knee. "Sure am. Just hope he's ready to see me... I'm the main focus on this matter," he said, looking away. Twilight stepped in and nodded towards the table."Would you like some coffee?" she offered. He nodded; he wanted to gather all the information about what Anon had been doing, hoping he could help with anything.

"Thanks for the pot... now we can talk... maybe try and understand some problems," Reed said, sipping from the mug as the six ponies all looked at each other. They explained Anon's years in Ponyville, how he worked all the time and occasionally hung out with Rainbow Dash at the bar. This piqued Reed's interest. "Why does he go to bars?" Reed asked, making Rainbow shrug. "I don’t know, why?" she replied. Reed rubbed his face in frustration. "Humans don’t get drunk from cider... not even their strongest can do anything," he explained.

"Wait, what?! How?" Rainbow said, surprised. Reed leaned back, annoyed. "I drink cider sometimes... but it can’t get us drunk due to our anatomy," he clarified. Applejack caught Rainbow by her tail before she could storm out. "Now hold on there, Rainbow. Ya can't just go blastin' off like that," Applejack said, her tone firm but calm.

Rainbow huffed, struggling against Applejack's grip. "But AJ, he's been lyin' to us this whole time! All those nights at the bar... it was all just a joke to him!" she exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice.

Applejack tightened her grip on Rainbow's tail, pulling her back slightly. "Now, Ah reckon we all need to sit down and talk about this rationally. Jumpin' to conclusions ain't gonna help nobody," she reasoned, her eyes locking with Rainbow's.

Reed listened intently as Twilight filled him in on Anon's recent struggles and his refusal to communicate. His expression grew solemn as he absorbed the information, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "He's not talking to anypony?" Reed asked, his voice tinged with concern. Twilight shook her head, her own worry evident in her eyes. "No, he's shut himself off completely. We're all worried about him," she admitted, glancing around at her friends for support. Reed remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the table. His mind raced with thoughts, trying to process everything he had just heard. Finally, he looked up, his expression serious.

"Look, I know I haven't been the best friend to Anon lately. But hearing all this... I never realized how much he's been struggling," Reed admitted, his voice heavy with guilt. "I'll be the first to admit I've made mistakes. But if there's anything I can do to help him now, I'll do it."

Twilight took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say. "Reed, there's something else you should know," she began, her voice serious. "Anon mentioned something about other humans being dead. He said it was because of you."

“I… see… he hasn’t told you has he?” He said, Twilight raises a brow and puts her coffee to the side and looks at the human. “Told me what? He said about more humans but nothing else—“

Reed's sudden movement startled the ponies, and Twilight's voice trailed off as she watched him slide the door open. "Hey, wait! Where are you going?" She called after him, but he didn't pause. "He needs to stop this charade... he can't keep hiding this anymore," Reed said, his tone heavy with determination, before striding out the door. The mares exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what to make of Reed's cryptic words.

Twilight, sensing there was more to Reed's words than met the eye, turned to her friends with a perplexed expression. "Did you catch what Reed meant by 'this charade'?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "I don't know, but it sounded serious," Fluttershy said softly, her eyes reflecting her worry. Rarity furrowed her brow. "Indeed. It seems there's much more to Anon's situation than we realize."
Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably. "I wonder what he's been hiding from us." Twilight sighed, her mind racing with questions. "Whatever it is, I think it's time we find out the truth. Anon needs our help, now more than ever."

Reed strolls through the town, ponies dotting the landscape until his gaze fixes on a peculiar house, distinct from the others. Anon's home stands out amidst the sea of houses and ponies. Reed approaches the door, lifting his hand hesitantly before pausing, taking a deep breath, and then knocking.

"Well, no going back now... but this has to end," Reed mutters to himself. "Anon, you showed me the truth about this world... now I have to help you."

He inhales deeply as he hears footsteps approaching the door, the anticipation mounting. Slowly, the lock clicks and the door creaks open. Anon stands on the other side, a cast noticeable on his hand, his demeanor... off. Reed blinks in disbelief for a moment. This can't be the same person, can it?

"Reed," Anon said coldly, causing Reed to flinch involuntarily. But then, he took a breath. "Anon... we need to talk," Reed said simply, prompting the human to blink in surprise for a moment. "Sure," Anon replied, stepping aside to allow Reed inside. They both walked in quietly; the living room was tidy, furnished with a simple couch and coffee table—a modest space indeed. Reed turned to Anon, surveying the room. "Um... not bad, Anon. I heard you were living comfortably—"

"What do you want?" Anon interrupted, slumping down onto a chair. Reed hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before walking over to the couch and sitting down, his gaze fixed on Anon's face. The glare remained as Reed took a moment to formulate his response.

"I... I came to check on you, mate," Reed began slowly. "Celestia sent me a letter about your injury and..." He trailed off, unable to find the right words, then faltered as Anon glanced down at his injured hand.

Reed cleared his throat, feeling the weight of the silence pressing down on him. "And... I wanted to make sure you're alright," he added, his voice softer now, tinged with genuine concern. Anon's expression softened imperceptibly, a flicker of something passing through his eyes before he masked it with a stoic facade. "I'm fine," he replied curtly, his gaze fixed on his injured hand.

Anon's gaze sharpened as he looked back up at Reed, a hint of accusation in his eyes. "What happened to getting 'tired of dragging me?'" he questioned, his voice tinged with bitterness. Reed winced at the reminder, shifting uncomfortably as he avoided Anon's gaze. "I never... I never meant what I said, Anon... So much happened to you and me... I was... afraid," Reed admitted quietly, his words heavy with regret.

Anon raised an eyebrow, studying Reed's expression carefully. Reed shook his head, his features hardening with determination as he met Anon's gaze squarely. "No, this was more on you. I should have done better," Reed insisted, his voice firm with conviction.

Anon sighed heavily, the tension in the room palpable as he rubbed his cast hand wearily. His eyes caught the glint of something on Reed's finger, and he frowned slightly, realization dawning. Slowly, he reached out, gently grasping Reed's hand to examine the engagement ring adorning his finger.

"Married?" Anon asked, surprise evident in his voice. Reed chuckled softly, a hint of warmth in his eyes as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Not yet... got the wedding planning going on. Vapor Trails is her name... such a lovely mare," Reed explained, pulling out an image of Vapor from her flying show. Anon took the picture, studying it intently for a moment. A wistful expression crossed his face as he sighed lightly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "She is beautiful," he remarked, handing the picture back to Reed.

Reed nodded gratefully, feeling a pang of relief at Anon's response. He rubbed his arm nervously, a sense of awkwardness settling between them as Anon rose from his seat. The atmosphere in the room seemed to shift, tension dissipating ever so slightly as they both navigated the unspoken complexities of their relationship.

"Look... Reed... I have coffee brewing... you want any?" Anon asked, attempting to ease the tension in the room. Reed lifted a hand dismissively. "No need... I was at Twilight's before I showed," he replied awkwardly, instantly regretting the slip of his tongue. Anon paused, his gaze scrutinizing Reed's face as he slowly sank back into his seat, a small frown creasing his brow. "Uh huh..." he muttered, the air thick with unspoken questions and unresolved emotions.

"Are you... not mad at her, are you?" Reed asked tentatively, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He sighed in relief as Anon shook his head. "No... I'm not. I just hope she's not mad at herself," Anon replied, his gaze returning to his injured hand, a shadow of concern crossing his features.

Reed saw an opportunity to offer some reassurance. "Anon, I'm sure she understands. Accidents happen, and I'm sure she knows it wasn't intentional," he said earnestly, reaching out a hand to place it gently on Anon's shoulder. "You both care about each other deeply, and you'll work through this together." Reed said before chuckling.

"Remember that one time I broke my hand?" Reed asked, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. Anon chuckled softly, a fond smile playing on his lips. "Heh... yeah, Ame called you an idiot every time she saw you on that day," he recalled, a reminiscent glint in his eyes. Anon glanced away, his expression softening with a mixture of amusement and longing. "I miss that," he admitted quietly.
Reed snorted in amusement. "What? Me getting a broken hand?" he joked, attempting to lighten the mood. Anon chuckled again, the sound echoing softly in the room. Suddenly, he grew more contemplative, his gaze shifting to the wall as he lost himself in thought, memories swirling in his mind like fragments of a forgotten melody.

"I miss... them," Anon admitted softly, his voice thick with emotion as he struggled to contain his tears. Reed nodded in understanding, his own emotions raw and unspoken. "I missed it too, but this is who we are now, Anon," he said gently, a solemn expression on his face as he placed a comforting hand on his jacket.

Anon choked back a sob, his hands trembling as he rested them on his legs, tears cascading down his cheeks in silent streams. The weight of loss and longing hung heavy in the air, a poignant reminder of the bonds they shared and the memories they cherished.

"I'm sorry, Reed... I got to—"

"No," Reed interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. Anon looked at Reed, surprised by the interruption, and saw a small smile on his face. Reed continued, his expression earnest as he explained, "Anon... when we got trapped here, I got scared. Of losing you... My father was a piece of work and was never there for me, except you and Ame... You were my siblings. And at that moment, I acted fast."

"Anon! It's inside!!!" Ame's panicked shout echoed through the room, mingling with the screams of terrified children. Outside, both Reed and Anon watched in horror as they witnessed the wooden wolves leaping over the fence, their jaws snapping hungrily. Without hesitation, Anon and Reed dashed forward, propelled by instinct and adrenaline.

Reed grabbed Anon's arm, pulling him back with urgency. "We kick the door on my mark," Reed instructed, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Anon nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on Reed as they prepared to act.

"One... two... three!" Reed counted, and in unison, they launched themselves at the door, their combined force shattering the glass as they burst inside. But their triumph was short-lived as they felt the bus begin to tilt dangerously backward, teetering on the edge of the cliff.

"Oh, shit!" Reed cursed, panic rising in his chest as the gravity of the situation became painfully clear.

"No, Ame!" Anon shouted in anguish, his heart wrenching at the thought of his sister's safety. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, gripping the side of the bus desperately. But as he tried to hold on, a sharp shard of glass pierced his hand, causing him to cry out in pain.

Anon's gaze locked onto the bus with horror as it continued to tilt backward, inching closer to the edge with each passing moment. And then, with a sickening lurch, the bus plummeted over the cliff, disappearing into the abyss below. "AME! AME, NO!" Anon's anguished cry echoed through the air as he reached out desperately towards the plummeting bus, only to be yanked back by Reed, who held him firmly.

The children's screams faded into silence as the bus disappeared over the edge of the cliff, the sound of its impact lost amidst the vastness below. Anon and Reed rushed to the edge, their hearts pounding in their chests as they peered down at the wreckage below.

The bus lay in ruins, its twisted metal frame a stark reminder of the tragedy that had unfolded. Wolves and humans alike lay scattered on the ground, lifeless and broken. Anon's eyes searched desperately for any sign of his sister, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"We've got to get down there," Anon insisted, his voice trembling with urgency. But before he could move, Reed grabbed his shirt, his own voice choked with emotion. "Anon... she..." Reed faltered, unable to find the words to convey the devastating truth.

Anon shook his head in denial, his mind refusing to accept the reality of the situation. "No, no... she's still down there... she's still..." his voice trailed off into a broken whisper as the weight of loss settled heavily upon him. In that moment, Anon and Reed clung to each other, seeking solace in their shared grief. They had lost more than just a bus; they had lost family, friends, and the innocence of their childhood. And as they held each other close, they knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

"I... I was stupid to think about stealing from the Apples... and I was stupid about us being apex predators," Reed admitted, his voice thick with guilt and self-condemnation. "Anon... this is my fault and—"

Reed's words caught in his throat as he choked back a sob, his hands trembling as he buried his face in them. "I am a monster... I killed them," he gasped, the weight of his confession bearing down on him like a suffocating burden.

The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of their shared anguish as tears streamed down their faces. Reed's cries echoed through the room, a raw expression of his torment and remorse.

Slowly, Anon gathered the courage to speak, his voice steady despite the pain in his heart. "Reed... it's not your fault," he said gently, reaching out to place a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "We were all just trying to survive, and sometimes... things don't go as planned. But we'll get through this together."

Author's Note

Aw a cliffhanger! Hate them! Sorry if you guys want more but uh… I have the next chapter on the works, and you might like it.