She held her breath desperately, in a panic Steak Diane had crawled into one of the many cardboard boxes that littered the room. She didn't have enough time to break through the branches in the roof and crawl through, or find any other means of escape. She didn't want anypony to know she had been camping there. If they found her… If they learned she had been living on their farm, on their property, what would they do to her? She feared they would drag her back to that pony.. The one who wanted to eradicate her. She shuddered at the thought then froze, and prayed that her movement did not give away her location.

The front door creaked open. Its hinges hissed out loudly as if it were trying to warn Steak Diane of what was coming. The floorboards creaked as the pony walked across the floor. Steak Diane panicked as she realized her cover had to have been blown. She had cleaned up and taken care of the shed as a “thank you” for letting her stay there. That, and the wooden pallet stacked in the window gave away immediately that somepony had been inside. The box she had been hiding in was laying on its side, another perched on top. She couldn't see the front door, but with the small opening was able to see that the pony was inside. A set of yellow hooves pattered around the couch. They picked up the cushions, moving them almost like they were getting interrogated for any signs of a squatter sleeping on them. A stray hair, a tuft of fur, any sign at all could have given her away. Thankfully Steak Diane didn't shed much, and even though she only had a moment to react, she did make sure to pick up any stray coily hairs. When she thought she was in the clear her hope could not be more quickly squashed. All her efforts to remain hidden seemed useless as the pony began to approach the boxes she was hiding within. There was no point in hiding if they opened the box she was in. There was a couple stacked around her, so the likelihood of them opening hers was slim… but not impossible. Her eyes stayed open wide, as they started to shuffle around in the box that was only a little in front of hers. Her hiding spot was out in the open. She wanted to cry, but she didn't dare let out a single noise…

“There's my spare hat! I knew I kept ‘er back here!” The pony spoke in a thick accent, they had stood up on their hind legs, and rummaged through the box directly above her. Steak Diane's heart was racing. She started to have a hard time controlling her breathing, each breath caught in her throat. She kept herself as silent as possible as the pony continued to shuffle through the box, they produced item after item from within and dropped them onto the floor. They dropped a wrench, a bag of tacks, and a measuring tape just a few inches from the pastel ponys face. Then in an instant, they dropped back down onto all four of their hooves, and walked away. The sound of their hooves slowly grew quieter, and quieter, before the door creaked again. She waited quietly inside the box for a while longer, it's better to be safe than sorry, she thought. Slowly she opened the flaps of the box and crawled out. Thankfully, nopony lingered around to catch her.

She sighed in relief, and then walked to the center of the room and opened the front door again. “Steaky that was reaaaaal close.” She said to herself. Steak Diane stared out into the field, the endless rows of apple trees had completely hidden the pony who had come into the shed, not even their tracks in the sand stayed for long as wind whipped through the thicket.

“I don't think I can stay here anymore.” The words hurt to say, as for Steak Diane this really felt like this was her home, her only ever home. Sure it was dingy and dangerous but… it just felt right. The taste of apples that lingered on her tongue was a comfort, and the silver greywood’s color seemed to soothe her, its color reminding her of something from long long ago. Though she couldn't point to exactly what it was, it still felt comforting. She wanted to stay there more than anything, but it was more obvious than ever it was not safe anymore.

Steak Diane turned away from the door back to the boxes, a plan already baking in the party pony’s mind. She knew if she were to leave she might be spotted and potentially hurt - so if she disguised herself then potentially she could sneak out of the apple fields and into town. Maybe then she could try to find her friend Binkie Bye, or well figure out where she could have gone. If she was able to, maybe they could reunite! If she had a friend, and travel companion, maybe things would be okay. They could have each others backs and be safe! Maybe finally she could stop worrying about something that happened in the past she couldn't even remember!!! The more Steak Diane thought the more overwhelmed she got, she could feel her tail twitch as she dug through the boxes. A tear started to form in her eye. When Steak Diane was woken up from the dream she had last night, she had been completely shaken. But with the sound of somepony outside she hadn't had lingered on it, but now that the pony had left it was all flooding back. As she shuffled items to the side her hooves grew more uncoordinated, her thoughts were so overwhelming, her hooves reacted more to them than to what was in front of her. She felt something heavy, something overpowering, something dreadful.

Fear. Those eyes that loomed down from the sky, the name she said to her, what did she mean? The pony had called her “Pinkie Pie”, but her name was Steak Diane. Did she have the wrong mare? If so, then why did everything feel so personal? The party pony whipped back her tears, her fear now manifesting into frustration. Without thinking, the pony pushed over the stack of boxes in front of her, allowing dozens of tools to scatter across the floor in front of her. When her front hooves chattered back onto the floor they couldn't hold her, they shook so heavily her legs slid out from underneath her causing her to fall into the mess she made. She felt so embarrassed, these past couple weeks her thoughts have just been so overwhelming, she just wanted to just forget everything at this point. The stress isn't worth it.

When Steak Diane finally pulled herself off of the ground she looked at the mess in front of her. For the past two weeks she had been trying her best to keep the place neat and tidy but now… she messed it all up! Unfortunately for her as well, it seemed like every box was just filled with tools, spare machine parts, chemicals, and other farm dohickeys she didn't know the purpose of. Quickly she scrambled to pick up everything and try to put them back in place. As she made her way across the room she spied the present that was in the corner… she had found it when she initially arrived but never opened it. You're not supposed to open somepony else's birthday gift after all! Steak Diane looked around, then back to the package. The poor present seemed abandoned, and if she was going to leave she didn't want to leave it there. So without much hesitation she unwrapped the box.

“Oh! How cute!!” She squealed, pulling out a small blanket. She recognized it as the kind traveling merchants would keep their saddlebags on so it wouldn't rub against their backs as they walked. It was a drab dark brown, stripped with tan, yellow, and purple. “Ooooo pretty tassels!!” Steak Diane cheered as she unwrapped the blanket, folded up in the center lay a dark brown saddle bag. She opened the pockets, and found a few stray bits. It may not have been a lot, but the pony felt like she had hit the lottery! She jumped up, and did a little dance where she stood.

“I'm gonna buy myself a cupcake~” She stopped herself, “do they sell cupcakes in town? Mmm there's only one way to find out!” The pastel pink pony cheered. She pulled the blanket and saddle bag onto herself. For the most part, the blanket covered her cutie park and most of her body… disguise acquired. There was just one last thing she wanted to do before leaving. She swept the sand out of the building, fluffed up the couch cushions, reorganized all the tools, then managed to manifest some confetti from her hair to sprinkle around! Of course after she quickly gathered it all up again but it was the thought that counted! Once her work was done and the shed looked spotless she headed outside the shed. Once she was a couple paces away, the pastel pony turned around to wave goodbye. Then she dipped into the outside of the field, and followed the apple trees into Appaloosa.

As she approached the outskirts of the town, she was quite frankly a little surprised, although she remembered the apple tree fields had belonged to… something? She wasn't quite sure what. The small farm village that lay in front of her was almost exactly how she imagined it to be. Only a couple small buildings; a general store, a saloon, a boutique, a large clock tower, then a couple cottages. The city was completely framed around small apple trees, they were almost used as decorations. Sat at the very far west of the village was a train station. The streets were filled with ponies, and every building seemed to have a pony hung outside of them! Despite the fact it was midday even the saloon seemed packed with excitement. There was one thing that felt a tad off however. The train station laid barren, seems like nopony even acknowledged it. Steak Diane nervously adjusted the cover on her back, she wasn't sure why but she felt like there were already eyes on her. She hung her head low, trying to cover her face. She planned on seeing if there was a place for her to stay whether it be a bed and breakfast or an abandoned home, it didn't matter what it was. She was just going to be there for a single night. Once she got some rest she planned to figure out where to head next from there. She didn't want to linger any longer than she already had been. Steak Diane was worried shed run into-

“Well howdy there little filly! What're you doin this far out west!” A yellow stallion greeted her, an eager grin on his face spread wider than anyone the pastel pony could have ever made. In a strange way it reminded her of her friend Binkie Bye. before she could even respond the stallion had grabbed her hoof and shook it wildly.

“I-I-I’m-” The stallion stopped shaking her hoof to let her talk. The pastel pony took a deep breath in, winded from how hard the hoofshake was. “I'm Steak Diane, I'm looking for a place to stay for the night.”

“Well you've came to the right place! We've got the best dang hostel in this side of Equestria! Follow me, I'll show you the way!” The stallion beamed, and before Steak Diane could say anything he had locked their legs together and started to drag her along. She looked around nervously for a second, but nopony paid her any mind. She was so anxious that she would run into that pony in that town, but if this was a norm for them thankfully she shouldn't have any attention drawn to her.

Despite her request to just be led to the hostel the stallion processed to just drag her around town. He moved through the town erratically, rather than starting with the building closest to them the first stop was the saloon. The doors were a rustic batwing style and so Steak Diane could see inside. The whole building was painted a dark brown. Decals of apples were etched along the wall behind the bar, where a couple ponies sat. There were a couple ponies playing cards, and a chess board sat dormant on the front deck on a weather worn table betwixt a pair of rocking chairs.

“This is our Saloon, it was built here before the train tracks! Lovely stallion named Hard Cider runs the place! I would definitely stop by before you leave tomorrow, or today! Who knows, it's early in the day ya hear!”

“Oooo, okie dokie lokie! Well which way is it to the -”

Before she could get the words out the station started to trot away with her in tow. She was so caught off guard she didn't even take notice that she was being pulled to the other side of the town. When they stopped she was presented with a large cherry oak wood building that towered over the two. It was one of the largest ones in the town - a large sign hung from the side of the building in the shape of a bonnet. It matched one of the many the mares had been wearing around. It was a boutique, and seemed rather busy! Even though they had been there for just under a minute, a couple ponies had entered, and one had left. The pony that left was teal, with a mane of the near same shade. She looked over at the two, then did a double take at Steak Diane. She stood for a moment staring at her, all the world around Steak Diane seemed to immediately fade into the background. There was a look of recognition in the mares face, she seemed so confused. Steak Diane didn't know the pony, which made her anxiety spike. The mare stared at her for a moment longer, then shrugged and walked away. She watched her walk away, unblinking, then finally took a breath. Steak Diane turned to look at Braeburn but it seems like he hadn't noticed the interaction. So much so that he seemed to have been talking the whole time.

“If you look there you can see we got a new display being put up right now! Yeup we really got the best collaboration we could’ve hoped for!” He adjusted his hat, and beamed with pride.

The pastel pony changed her focus again, watching a stallion levitate some dresses onto a mannequin, each one adorned with hundreds of gems. Seeing that many she thought she could probably buy a whole caravan to sleep in! She could take it around the country, until she was reunited with her friend. Her eyes followed their way down to the corner of the display window where there sat a card reading out the designer's name. Steak Diane’s breath caught in her throat. Rarity. She turned her attention back to the stallion who seemed to not notice her discomfort, and had continued to ramble onward.

“-by the best art-tese on this side of ‘questria!”

“Can we move along from here, I um, I’m not all too interested in fashion!”

“Well golley, that surprises me, that there tapestry you're wearing seems a lot like a creation from m’ cousins friend Rarity!”

She realized then she didn't actually check for a tag or anything, so she really hoped that it wasn't true, that it wasn't hers. After what her friend Binkie Bye said she did to her she didn't want anything to do with her. The pastel pony tried to remember what it was Rarity had done, she couldn't quite remember... Thankfully the stallion just continued to drag the pastel party pony along without a second question.

Next she was brought to the general store adorned with a large salt shaker sign, Steak Diane assumed it matched the mark of the pony who owned it, otherwise it wouldn't make too much sense. She assumed he was going to give her some history on the place or something because he actually paused entirely for what seemed like the first time in the past twenty minutes! At this point she put together what he was doing, although partly it was to be nice and show the pony around town, he's also hoping that she’ll buy a couple things while she's there and stimulate the economy some… little does he know she only has a couple bits. Though the more she thought about it the more worried she became that she wouldn't have enough for a bed. She shook her head, the banners shuffling around in her hair, seemed to bring them both back to reality. Besides it was a hostel, how much could a bed be?

“I erm, actually need to grab somethin real quick, sorry bout that, I’ll be right back out! Less you wanna come in and get somethin too.” Braeburn admitted looking a little embarrassed.

Steak Diane nodded, “Okie Dokie Lokie! I won't go anywhere, as still as a statue!” She let out a slight giggle. Then she watched as his face changed slightly. There was a flash of recognition, the same that had been on the unicorn mare's face earlier. Unlike with the last encounter he did not waver as easily, and she watched as his face turned from confusion to annoyance. Each second that passed made her more and more anxious.

“You know of any pink mares that look like you but a bit more erm,” he waved his hoof in the air for a moment trying to find the right words, “pink?” He concluded on.

“Nope!” Steak Diane quickly squeaked out, she wanted this encounter to end as quickly as possible. Although she could tell that her reaction did not waver his confusion in the slightest. Thankfully the confrontation was ended as a large stallion bumped into Braeburn. He had been standing in the general store's doorway this whole time! Steak Diane looked around, it seems like he was being a bit more disruptive than he realized… There was a pony standing a couple feet away trying to decide if now would be a good time to mosey through or if they should wait.

“Oup, sorry there cousin!” The stallion said backing up to get out of his way. He was a deep red with straw blond colored hair, held in his teeth was a bag with a couple goods, the stallion looked over and Steak Diane, then turned back to the stallion and nodded. Wordlessly he sauntered on pass, heading to the train station in the distance. Braeburn was flushed with embarrassment, and muttered something under his breath then looked back up at the mare. “Well dagnabbit I didn't even realize my little cousin was in town, colt of few words ha! Next time I outta make sure I actually catch em for sure. W’ dont get to see each other all too often on acounta the family business n all!” He chuckled. Then after a moment of hesitation actually entered the building.

Steak Diane lingered outside for a while, waiting for the stallion to come back out. She ended up taking a seat on the deck and really observing her surroundings. At this point she probably could just wander off and find the hostel herself, but the idea of being alone, wandering around a strange town, makes her… nervous. Instead she just watched as ponies trotted to and fro. Everypony seemed easygoing, the only acknowledgement she got was from a pony entering the store, who just tipped their hat at her. After a while she got up and started to pace around the front, she would not admit it but she had gotten reeeeeaally bored. She looked up at the clock tower that hovered over the town, and almost on cue it chimed to signify the time. It was now four P.M.

Steak Diane didn't realize how long she had been in town. At that point it had been nearly two hours, and she had to assume nearly forty of it had been at this general store. She sighed, growing slightly weary. She had been up since sunrise - so around 6am. Every hour had been incredibly tense, and she just couldn't wait to be able to rest. She followed the shape of the tower to its base, and noticed by the side of it there was a big bulletin board. She looked back to the entrance of the store, then got up and started to trot over to it. Braeburn wasn't coming out anytime soon, so she might as well go check it out. Steak Diane was thankful that there wasn't really anypony hanging around it, she really didn't want to draw any attention to herself if she could avoid it. All of this avoidance has been eating her up, she desperately wanted to just blabber someponys head off. Holding everything in is making her stomach hurt, at least while she was sleeping in the shed she could talk to herself. She didn't really feel great, but she was about to feel worse.

“Have you seen this pony?” Captioned one poster was pinned to the direct center, it was a drawing of her. Steak Diane felt like the world was crashing down on her, as if she was standing on the only piece of land that remained, and if she took a single step in any direction she would be dead. The picture was already bad, but the words that lined the bottom of the page only made the pony feel smaller. “If you have seen her, report to Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville so she can take care of it.”

Take care of it.

Take care of her.

The pieces all fell together, Twilight Sparkle had to have been the pony who wanted to “exterminate her” before. The one who chased her out of town, the one who hurt her friend Binkie Bye, and probably the one who messed with her memories! Without thinking the pastel pony ripped the poster off the board violently, it looked like it hadn't been on there long, the ink hadn't even been smudged by the wind. The party pony was starting to hyperventilate, she was so scared, she hoped that nopony had seen it. She only needed to be there for a night, then she could figure out where to go next. It would be okay, she just needed some rest. It would be okay, she just needs to find out where to go next. It would be okay, she just needed to meet back up with Binkie Bye. It would be okay she just needed to meet back up with… with…

“AUGH!!!!” Steak Diane let out a groan in frustration. She was so SICK and TIRED of not being able to remember who she was after. She had this feeling of longing, this feeling of emptiness that slowly corroded away at her insides, it made her feel less and less like herself. When she thought about it for too long it hurt even more. She WAS Steak Diane. There wasn't anypony else she could be. Sure Binkie Bye looked a lot like her, but she wasn’t her. Other than appearance they weren't anything alike at all. She is Steak Diane, and there is nopony else she could be. She's lived her whole life as such… traveling from place to place, alone.

She has always been alone.

Steak Diane suddenly heard the sound of somepony approaching, and quickly tucked the wanted poster into her mane, then turned to see a very flustered braeburn tucking a small box into his vest pocket.

“Sorry about that yall i got a bit distracted there talkin’ to uh, a friend o’ mine.” He apologized, his coat now had the slight smell of smoke - which was incredibly nauseating mixed with the cologne he wore and the smell of apples. It wasn't noticeable before but the mix of everything was now even more overwhelming as his boundless vigor. “Whatcha lookin at over’ere?”

The stallion moved next to Steak Diane looking over the board with her, the spot where she had torn the paper off felt obvious to her, but to him it seemed like nothing was amiss. In an attempt to cover her tracks she quickly grabbed a tab hanging off a flyer for a cookbook. “I saw this one over here and I um, wanted to grab this cookbook next time I was in town!”

“Well that sounds like a plum deal! I'll tell Cherry bout that ‘n I know she’ll be happy to hear!” he grinned at the sentiment. He bought it. Steak Diane knew she wouldn't have to be worried about him thinking she was a criminal or anything. But jeez… it would be hard to explain it when she doesn't even know what she did wrong. Still, despite the fact he didn't notice the missing poster she still felt her fear begin to brew more and more as Braeburn looked at the other posters next to her. He put a hoof on her shoulder, she tried her best not to react and waited for him to say something first. “Sorry about all of that, let me take you to the hostel now!” the stallion tipped his hat, and began to trot forward. This time without dragging her behind him.

It didn't take long to get there, really it really didn't take long to get anywhere in the town, but if Steak Diane realized how close they were she might have just gone ahead and trotted over there. The building was rather small, and it was built out of the same silver greywood that the shed had been. “How ironic…” The pony thought.

The front door matched the rustic style the rest of the towns had, with small hearts etched into it. They looked hoof carved, delicately carved swirls followed down the sides of the batwing doors, curling into the hinges. Although the steps onto the deck led straight to the front door, there was a lot of love and care put in to make the outside as inviting as the inside. To the left there sat a very weathered swinging chair that creaked in the breeze, hoof embroidered pillows were neatly tucked next to each handlebar. There was a small coffee table sat across from it, decorated with a variety of small cacti in multi-colored pots. To the right there were two small wicker basket chairs, and a small wicker table sat in the middle of it. There was a small rug that had been slightly upturned because of the wind, its colors nearly matched the ones of the blanket on her back. How strange.

“Alrighty! Well I hope you have a nice time here, give me a hollar if ya need anythin friend! I live over in tha apple fields!” Braeburn said, patting Steak Diane on her back. He tipped his hat, then walked away. She stood there for a moment, watching the stallion disappear into the distance. He, well, he didn't get too far because immediately he stopped to talk to another pony. Steak Diane let out a small sigh and then giggled, she barely knew the pony but she felt like she could guess what he would spend the next hour doing! She turned back to the door in front of her, and walked in.

Despite the fact the door style was very open, when she walked in Steak Diane was imminently hit with the smell of incense and herbs. There was an older earth pony sitting at the front desk. She had a small spray bottle in her hooves that she was using to water a cactus. The room was rather small. Next to the front entryway sat a worn bench that looked like it had been there longer than the building! There was a pin board on the west wall that was adorned with photos and notes from ponies who had stayed before her. A large doorway was behind her, a pink and purple bead curtain dangled down from the opening, shielding the rooms in the back. The pastel pony walked up to the front desk, getting the ponies attention. The elderly pony sat down her bottle and turned to face her.

“Well howdy honey how can I help you today?” Her voice was soft, and soothing.

“I um, I was wondering how much a bed would cost? Just for a day! Er well, for a night!” Steak Diane nervously said with a small giggle. “OH if you have any open beds that is.”

The older mare looked at her strangely for a moment, then smiled. “You're not from around these parts aren't you baby?” It was like she knew Steak Diane's whole predicament without her saying anything. Steak Diane didn't even say anything, but the older mare was able to just… confirm it somehow! “Don't you worry honey I wont charge you for the night. I have a feelin you'll be out of here by tomorrow and won't be back, no point in asking for bits you don't have.”

“I-I, are you sure?”

“Of course baby, here.” The older mare pulled out a small key and passed it to her. “I have a feelin that you won't be using the lockers, but if you want to you'll have number 3. Your bed will be in the second room.” Before Steak Diane could even say a rebuttal and insist on paying the mare had walked out from behind the counter, watering can in hoof, to take care of her plants outside.

“T-thank you!! What's your name?” Steak Diane hollered after her, the mare turned her head to look back at the pastel pony.

“Fig Tree, dear.” As she said that, she walked through the door, and around the corner out of view.

The name fit, Steak Diane thought so at least, as her coat was the same color as the inside of a fig, and her mane the same as the outside of the fruit. When the elderly mare departed, she turned and walked through the beaded curtain into the depths of the building.

The outsides were quaint but Steak Diane found herself a bit overwhelmed with how far the hallway seemed to stretch. At the end of the hallway there was a flight of stairs that seemed to lead to a second floor that wasn't visible from the outside. Steak Diane walked past the first room, then the second, third, and forth. Between the first set of doors were a small communal bathroom, and between the second set was a janitorial closet. There were lockers lining the opposite wall - although the pony didn't plan on leaving any of her things in it like Fig Tree had said. The stairs railing was hand carved, much like the front entry batwing door. They appeared to be different from the rest of the wood, it was slightly darker and more pigmented - it was made of an old apple tree! Engraved into it were small dreamlike swirls, despite how deep each mark was made it still stood sturdy. Without much hesitation the pony made her way up to the second floor.

There was a small hallway, two doors to the left and then another batwing door at the very end of it. Although the set up seemed almost a bit… strange, the plaques on the doors showed what everything was. The first one being an entry into a small public library, and the second belonging to Fig Tree. She decided that she would come back to the library at some point, but trotted past it for now. She walked to the end of the hall and pushed open the door. It opened to a small balcony that sat high above the city. There was a small telescope perched on the railings, and a small daybed pressed up against the side of the building. There wasn't actually enough room for it, and it was practically pressed against the railings. It was a tight squeeze but it was cozy for sure. In the distance the clock tower chimed, it was five now. Almost like clockwork, ponies started to leave some of the shops and head into the main road. For a moment Steak Diane lingered on the balcony, she thought of staying there and watching the ponies walk about, but she wanted to head back downstairs and sit in an actual bed.

As she made her way down to her room, she could hear the chatter of ponies in the lobby. It seems like whoever had been in the rooms prior has gone out for dinner. The thought of dinner made her stomach growl. However she wanted to take the opportunity to be alone first.

Like she expected, the room was empty. There were two sets of bunk beds, one was painted white and the other black. The black one had a large bag slouched up against it, it smelled like earth and grass. This room really, really smelled like incense more than the rest of the building and the culprit lay on the coffee table in the center of the room. Although put out, there sat an incense try which still slightly smoldered. Next to it there was an open book, and a large unlit lantern. Under the table was a pale green rug as well! The room was well decorated, with some pastel green hearts painted on the walls… They matched the beads that draped in the doorway. There was a closed window against the back wall, though its pale green curtains remained open letting the light shine in. When she pictured the hostel, she imagined not having much privacy, but each bunk bed had a small curtain that could provide some! Though they were only on the bottom bunks, she assumed it was just because it was easier to attach. Thankfully for her, and her joints, she could have both privacy and comfort as long as they weren’t occupied. Pulling the curtain back the coast looked clear - the white bed sheets matched the painted frame almost to a T, and were tucked neatly into the bed frame. The pillow looked so soft and comfortable she leaned her head into it immediately. Although the couch was something to sleep on, it was also cold, worn, sandy and moldy… And worse of all it was uncomfortable! She can imagine sleeping in some awful places, but here she finally was comfortable. Just to have her head on the pillow was the most comforting thing she had ever had… and in a moment… found herself drifting off….

…

“Heeey man you're half hanging off the bed.”

“AH!” Steak Diane shot up and hit her head on the top bunk, “Aaa, I bit my tongue!” Aaaaand she bit her tongue. Steak Diane pulled herself out backwards from the bunk and looked up at the pony that loomed over her. She had a dark green coat, her orange dreads were tied back behind a bandana. She had a slight smile on her face. “Oopsies, seems like I was more tired than I thought hehe…” Steak Diane chuckled.

“No worries bunkie, it's all chill~” Her words were soft, somehow even softer than Fig Tree’s! “Names Tree Hugger, looks like you're bunking across from me, preeeetty cool.” She nodded along to her own words.

“I'm the one and only Steak Diane!” The party pony extended a hoof, which Tree Hugger bumped.

Steak Diane now sat on the floor and watched as Tree Hugger then made her way up to the top bunk and laid down. She rested her head on her right hoof and left her left legs dangling down off the bed. Steak Diane felt like if she were to lay like that she would feel uncomfortable, but when Tree Hugger did it she looked chill. “What a far out name, ~Steak Diane~, sounds soooo rad. Diane sounds like a good middle name. More ponies should have those. Imagine, Tree Lovean Hugger. Flutter Shy Swallowtail. Flower Magical Wishes. Yeaaaah.”

“Hmm yeah! That could be a good middle name.. Ooo do me do me do me!!”

“Right on! You see my vision, alright let me think,” she began to hum, “mmmmm, I’m starting to see it….” She's now sat back up, waving her front legs gently in the air, as if she was channeling something. She leaned her head back some, and closed her eyes. “I've almost got it… mmmmmm” She moved her legs back down, pointing them at the mare. “Oh yeah, I feel the energy in this.~ Steak Teacups Diane.”

“Teacups? Ooooo I like the sound! But why?” Steak Diane replied with confusion.

“The universe works in mysterious ways, very mysterious. It's like mother gaia spoke through me.When I saw you in my head I pictured 5 teacups.” Steak Diane had no clue what that meant, but it sounded cool so she nodded along like she understood. Tree Hugger had started talking about the grand universe, and how she can feel this great energy from it, er her. Although she nodded along, she was greatly confused. She could feel her head start to spin, and after a while Tree hugger could tell she was losing the pony. “You look ready to rest, thanks for listening to me man, I appreciate it.” Tree Hugger motioned her hooves to the bunk, “and don't worry, there's nopony else bunked her.”

As she said that Steak Diane realized how heavy her eyelids felt. She yawned, yeah, Tree hugger was right, she was tired. She worried for a moment that she came across as rude, but Tree Hugger was not phased, she had taken the lantern up to her bed and already had the book on her lap. Taking the cue she dipped under the curtain and into her bed. The very few noises that were present before muffled themself. She snuggled under her blankets and for the first time in as long as she could remember felt comforted.

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For the first time in a long time the pony did not dream. As much as it was a comfort to not be met with the same pony… no, the same entity she had last night - it was also a disturbance. Steak Diane woke up in a sweat, shooting up. She nearly hit her head on the bunk above her, only avoiding it by a quick twitch of her tail. For a moment she sat in place, despite not dreaming she almost felt like she woke up from a nightmare. So much for getting a good night's rest… fully pulled back onto her flank. Steak Diane stared at the pillow below her, it was drenched in sweat. She felt… gross. Although it had never been on her mind, it really dawned on her how long she had gone without any sort of personal care. Although the shed she had stayed in had water she never had washed her hair - or teeth, she still had the taste of rotten apples in her mouth. She grimaced when she realized how hungry. Taking all of this as a cue she got out of bed.

She hadn't realized behind the curtains that it was still dark out. As she crept out of bed she took care to make sure as to not wake her “bunkie”. Steak Diane envied the other earth pony. She seemed so.. Calm. If she had gotten some proper rest she is sure she would be prepared for the day! Despite the fact it was easily the best night of rest she had gotten in, what felt like years, she longed to go back to sleep. The bead curtain was an obstacle, however she passed through it without making much of a sound. The pastel pony walked with a slow gait down to the communal bathroom. She could hear a pony in the first room snore, and quietly she thanked Fig Tree for not booking her in that room. But with how tired she was Steak Diane could easily picture herself sleeping through the disturbance…

The bathroom had a proper style door, no batwing and no beaded curtain. Although it had remained propped open, she quietly shut it behind herself. There was a set of small sinks built into the wall near the front of the room, and a wooden divider that hid where the toilets and showers were. Above the sinks was a long and large mirror, it felt like it was way larger than it needed to be. As she approached it, she had a thought, and before she could process what it was - she said the answer out loud to herself.

“What… Do I look like this?”

Sure she recognized the face on the poster yesterday as her own, but it felt more like a simulacrum rather than a direct portrait. There had not been a moment in the past... who knows how long it had been since Steak Diane had seen herself. She had stepped more than a hoof into the room after she said it. She couldn't explain why but she was scared to move forward. She was scared to see herself. Would she even recognize the mare in the mirror? While stopped she tried to think, desperately clawing at the idea of what she looked like. She could look down at her body, her hooves, her matted fur. She could see her oily and coily hair that had been tightly wound and tangled into knots from stress. She could see the brightly colored party banners that hung from the tighter tangles that begged for release. She moved without thinking, prying the parchment she had shoved into her mane yesterday from where it was still held and unraveled it. Looking back was her face, the mirror image of her, there was no way it was her though. The pony was smiling, a grim cartoonishly plastered on her face, her hair was bouncy, joyful and happy.

Steak Diane could not smile. Staring back from her in the mirror was a grim expression. A pony who looked like she had been beaten to a pulp and brought back to life. Her pink fur had been dulled almost to near unrecognizability. Her hair hung loosely, it almost looked like it wanted to free itself from her scalp. The pony that looked back at her, couldn't be her, right? There was just no way… the pony that looked back at her started to cry. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and out of view. Steak Diane touched her face and felt the same wet mark that only barely could brighten her coat. In that small, quiet hostel bathroom there was only one thing the pony could do and that was to weep. All she wanted to do was reach through the mirror and hug the pony who looked back at her, clean her dull - almost grey fur, and fix things. However she didn't know how, she didn't think there was a way how, so she did the best thing she could and pressed her forelock against the mirror - and wept for the pony that was there. For herself.

“W-who am I?” She hiccuped, softly weeping. She closed her eyes, and pulled back from the mirror to look back at the reflection, but something was different. What looked back at her caused her to fall back onto her haunches. She screamed, but no noise left her mouth. The lanky ink blue nightmare began to stretch out of the mirror, extending its hooves to her. Its hair flowed behind her, glistening like the night sky. And as Steak Diane tried to scoot backwards, but found herself pressed up against the wall of the bathroom.

“Think Steaky, think!” She tried to cry out, but no noise left her mouth.

“Hold still.” The voice echoed, bouncing off the tiled floors and reverberating like she was in a room of glass. “ACH!”

Steak Diane bit down hard, causing the figure to react and flinch backwards, and instead of running away this time she sprinted forward, and crashed into the mirror in front of her. The glass gave, but instead of a wooden wall she continued to fall into an endless dark abyss. She started to fall, spiraling downwards, shards of glass following her trail as she fell faster and faster. She felt her face start to heat up, as she fell faster and faster, she could feel the impact coming. Steak Diane embraced it.

When she woke she shot to her hooves, this time no twitchy tail could stop her, and she hit her head roughly on the bunk above her. She groaned slightly, the thud didn't hurt as bad as what happened in her dream but she still felt the fear coursing through her veins from it. She didn't know what was about to happen but she could feel some sort of “end” feeling building up inside of her. This time she shot out of bed, the sun was barely rising and peeking its head through the curtains of the room. Tree Hugger still slept lazily, unperturbed by the distraught party pony. Leaving the room she did not walk slowly - although she was careful not to be rude - she had a mission to complete. She galloped up the steps like there was fire under her hooves. She had one location in mind. The library. She made sure to tread carefully on the second floor, she didn't want to wake the mare who let her stay there without fee, and pushed open the library's door.

The room was a lot darker than the rest of the building. The walls were lined with bookshelves made of the same apple tree wood as the staircase. There was a dark purple shag carpet that lined the floor. The room was small, perhaps the size of a storage closet. She felt engulfed in its walls. The shelf's were lined with books, that was normal, but there was something weird about the room. A small table sat underneath a light fixture. Propped open, almost like it was waiting for her, was a large and heavy looking book. It was propped open to a page about myths and legends. Compelled, Steak Diane started to flip through. The first couple pages yielded not much of anything, other than a brief confusion on what the heck a “smooze” is. Then after she flipped through a good bit of the book she stumbled across something that stopped her in her tracks.

“The mirror pool,” She began to read out loud, “After speaking a spell which has been lost to time, it opens up a door into an… alternate reality? Through this door it connects the caster to that world's versions of themself. However, if the pool is used too much it may become unstable, and branch out too far. This will lead to doors being opened up to worlds that should not be reached.” Steak Diane paused, continuing to read in silence. All those weeks ago she remembered talking with her friend Binkie Bye and she had managed to describe this exact thing. The rest of the conversation was a blur to Steak Diane however… no matter how hard she thought she couldn't remember much more. If just this part of the book opened up such a vivid memory then what else could it.

Steak Diane's theory proved itself correct immediately. Each page flip, almost each word was like she was living through the eyes of somepony else. She remembered being in a small town, surrounded by ponies that looked like her. They danced and spun in the middle of the streets and climbed into buildings. She remembers hearing her own voice chanting “fun” over and over. She remembers being pushed away from a blue pony she was hugging. She remembers when she met Binkie Bye and them having to run from somepony deep in through the forest because of what they were going to do to them…

She shut the book. The entourage of memories that flooded her head scared her - shook her to her core. She didn't even realize she was crying until droplets formed on the book's cover. Steak Diane was more confused than she had been before, although she knew these memories were her, it didn't feel real, they felt more like a dream. All of the memories were so short, they really felt more like she was watching a film from a film reel that was beyond repair. It didn't put all the pieces together, but the pastel party pony had a path in front of her, and all she had to do was put it all together.

However, she wouldn't have the time for it… Steak Diane was scared as well. She looked over the book one last time, then exited the library. Initially the party pony planned on going back downstairs but instead turned and headed back over to the balcony. The sun had mostly risen now painting the sky in a calming blue. There was a slight breeze that sent a slight chill over Steak Diane. Despite the slight nip in the air it was almost refreshing. Steak Diane watched as ponies started their morning duties; a couple colts were already outside playing out by the general store, some pegasi zoomed by overhead with some clouds, a couple mares pranced around the center of town - one with a boombox on her back, a unicorn carried some boxes to the boutique in her magic. Unlike yesterday, a train sat perched in its station, it seemed like it had sat idly for only a little bit. She thought if she had been there any sooner she might have seen it roll in. Though as she looked over the train station, she felt her back right leg start to tremble.

“Looks like I've got the Steaky Shakeys… now what for?” Although before her memory was fuzzy, she had spent the past two weeks trying to figure out what her Steaky Shakeys all meant, now however she knew. And she knew something dangerous was over there. Almost like clockwork she watched a gaggle of 5 brightly colored ponies step into the town and disperse.

They were organized, they knew what they were looking for. And if her shaky leg was right, it was her.

Before she could even see where they were going to go she quickly ducked back inside, and down the stairs. She ran into her room and began to gather her stuff. Her bunkie Tree Hugger was awake so there was no need to try to be quiet. Steak Diane didn't pay much mind, quickly trying to count the amount of bits she had to see if she could hop on the train and get out of there. She didn't get the time to plan on where she would go but that doesn't matter - she just had to leave. Two, six, twelve bits. Twelve should be enough, right? She deposited the bits into her mane so she could just shake them out later and chucked the bag and blanket back over her back.

“Hey man, what's the rush, everything okay?” Tree Hugger said, with a twinge of concern in her carefree voice.

“I uhhhh, i gotta catch the train before it leaves!” She lied. Tree Hugger hummed slightly, then stood up.

“Wherever the wind takes you my friend, it's with a reason.” She wrapped an arm around Steak Diane, “Travel safe, friend.”

“You too, Tree Hugger.” Steak Diane could only let out a whisper. When Tree Hugger retraced her arm, the pastel pony was gone. If she had hesitated for even a moment longer it could have been dangerous. Heading through the beaded curtain, and into the lobby she quickly looked around, ducking under the windows on either side of the walls and approached the front door. The coast looked clear so far, or so she hoped. She pushed through the doors and down the front stairs and ducked behind the deck. Peering her head around the corner she could see across the pathway two ponies - one purple unicorn and the other a rainbow haired pegasus. She knew one as Rainbow Dash - when everything came flooding back her name did too, but the other… seemed scarily familiar. Her ears perked, and listened.

“Look, while we’re split up like this I know we’re going to find her!”

“I know Rainbow but… I don't understand how I would have missed one! I counted every one and there was no probability of error!”

“Didn't we already see that one got away - you said that AJ couldn't even wrangle her! Psht, I know I'll be able to, just watch me!”

“Right… it wasn't all her fault though, it was foggy and when she hurt her leg… I just hope that this is the only one. When I was with Applejack I could have sworn…”

“Twilight you're being a little.” there was a pause. “Dramatic? I dunno, this isn't some big deal! We just find her, squash her, and get her on that train no matter what it takes.”

“Right, yeah, let's put an end to this problem once and for all.”

Steak Diane's only escape dissipated in front of her, if the train wasn't going to be safe to get to… then what is? She had to think of a new plan and think of one FAST. she couldn't run straight out into the desert, because there is nowhere to hide. She couldn't book it into a random building because at this point Rainbow Dash had flown up into the air, and even if she managed to avoid all the other ponies she would see her. She didn't even know where the other three were! If she went back inside she would be cornered, there would be no escape! Not only that, but she would put everypony inside in trouble too! She only had been thinking for a second before she came up with a plan. On the same side of the town as the hostel there was the boutique - if she could sneak behind the buildings and get inside maybe she could get a proper disguise! Perfect!! Steak Diane rubbed her hooves together, and closed her eyes for a second. She channeled her Steaky Shakeys to see if there was anypony around. Thankfully, none of her senses went off. The pastel pony reared up, and started to run.

The sand was hot under her hooves, she knew that running could bring attention to herself, but she calculated everything as perfectly as she could. The unicorn, Twilight, the one who wanted to Exterminate and put an end to her was too occupied watching Rainbow dash fly around. With that, she was in the clear. Once she got behind the building, she took a step back, factoring where the blue pegasi was. Once she started to turn and loop around to where the train station was she was able to slowly creek onto the boutiques deck, and inside. The room was bustling, there were a good five or six ponies inside the small room. A loud chatter could be heard from the front counter. Steak Diane took another look outside the window, then turned her attention to the discount hat rack. This was perfect! If she could ball up her hair into a hat, then that would be one distinguishing feature. Steak Diane picked up a black beanie, it was labeled as only being a single bit! If that was going to be the case with everything, then she could easily make a full outfit! Next she would just need to pick up a shawl, or some sort of dress… maybe they could have-

“Oh! Well what perfect timing. This will make things a whole lot easier.” The white unicorn was right next to her, in her face. Steak Diane took a step back. The unicorn looked unenthused. “Now now, there's no need to back up, here darling, why don't you just come with me to my friends and well erm…” She waved a perfectly manicured hoof in the air and looked back to the counter, trying to find the correct word. “Straighten this misfortune.”

“Misfortune? So you're going to exterminate me and call me a misfortune?” Steak Diane hissed. The unicorn looked very taken aback. She looked like she was going to say something again but taking the opportunity Steak Diane backed up further. The unicorn huffed.

“So you want to play that way, fine! I'm only trying to help.” Her horn lit up.

“If you want to help me then you can tell your friends to leave. Me. ALONE!” she didn't mean to, but she exploded in a shout. Without thinking she tackled the unicorn, she just needed to escape. Before she could cast a spell her horn went back out as she hit the ground with a thud. Steak Diane took the opportunity to bolt, she didn't even look back. Once she was outside the danger of the situation only grew more, as the door slammed behind her drew the attention of the circling pegasi. She looked down at her, then did a double take. That small moment of hesitation gave Steak Diane a moment to run. She moved fast, she had to. She knew that she was not going to be able to escape on the train or even disguise herself, she knew she only had one more option. The apple farm. She felt the presence of the rainbow pegasi looming just behind her, but she knew once she made it into the trees she knew she would be okay. The threshold was only a couple more steps away at this point, she knew she could make it, she had to.

“OH COME ON!” There was a thud behind her in the sand, but she didn't dare hesitate or turn her head. She already knew what must have happened, and the shout that followed it confirmed everything. She had gotten away from her, there was no way she would be able to find her now, she had already Zig-Zagged her way out of sight. She knew where all the dead ends and hiding spots were in the orchard from living in it for so long. Although up until the day prior she had never run into any incidents it would be a lie to say she never got close to one a couple times. Farmers being on the field too early or her accidentally waking up later contributed to that. She eventually slowed to a trot, and took a deep breath. At this point she should retrace her steps. She remembered getting to the log cabin so maybe she could retrace her steps and make her way to Binke Bye. She had heard Rainbow Dash mention that she was able to get away. Steak Diane hoped more than anything that she really did. She knew that once they were together, that hole in her heart that longed for somepony would be filled and she would finally feel sound.

Eventually she was able to slow down more. Her joints ached. It seemed like everypony she had met had an almost bottomless supply of energy. She was almost surprised that they didn't need to sleep for most of the day to be able to keep it up. She even recalled that Binke Bye was able to bounce like it was nothing. She sighed, at this point she knew she was halfway into the forest and followed a trail she had found into a more secluded area. Once she felt like she was far enough away she slumped into the sandy turf. Her ankles ached, and all she could want right now was something to eat, but getting up into the tree would be too tedious. Her stomach growled and it caused her to let out a small whimper.

Above her, almost as if it was responding she heard a small shuffle. She immediately shot up and turned around to see what was behind her. Thankfully there wasn't a pony but instead a small cardinal who was staring down at her. It cocked its head back and forth, chittering some.

“Um, hi there little birdie!” the pastel pony whispered, “I’m hiding right now, but I'm hungry. Can you pass me an apple?” she took a hoof up, pointing at a very unripe apple. The bird twitched its head, and ruffled its wings then stopped its beak down some. It was almost like it was confused. “I stand by my principles!!” Steak Diane whisper-shouted. The Cardinal looked away and let out a couple chirps. Then after a moment it pecked down a bright red apple. “Oh! Thaaannk yooouu!” She whispered. The cardinal took flight, and Steak Diane watched as she slumped back down onto the ground and began to eat.

She only got a couple minutes of rest before she heard the sudden rapid thudding of hooves. Although the sand muffled most sounds, she could hear it. That meant two things, number one that whoever it was is right on her tail, and that she had to RUN!!! Steak Diane hopped up as fast as she could, and started to book it.

“Oh no you don’t! Fluttershy fly ahead!” That accent. That was the one who chased her and separated her from Binkie Bye, oh now this was personal. She juked around a corner, turning so slightly she was able to doge whatever was trying to get her from above. She turned her in, watching a yellow pegasus have to halt and stop herself from crashing into a tree. Steak Diane curved again, now starting to double back. She just had to throw them off her tail. From far off into the apple forest she heard the pony call again. “Dagnabbit come’on Shy we can't lose her!”

She thought she was going to get away but only started running faster. Somehow, the ponies' hoofsteps were faster than before and Steak Diane was getting really tired. She tried to doge around another corner but she followed closely behind her. Tears began to well in her eyes. She didn't want to die. She wanted to live, she wanted everything to be okay! She wanted to go back! She wanted to -

“Eek! Stop!” The yellow pegasus squealed, she braced for impact as Steak Diane barreled towards her. She hoovered in the air slightly, but was directly in her path. Steak Diane tried to stop, skidding in the sand, but suddenly was dragged down onto her face. Sand kicked up into her nose, causing her to choke and sneeze for a moment. As she was trying to clear the sand from her windpipes, she didn't realize that she was surrounded. An orange pony - presumably “AJ” - was now standing over her, pulling the lasso in her teeth harder. The yellow pegasus directly next to her face. Steak Diane squirmed, trying to wiggle her way out of the rope that was tied around her legs. The orange mare was pulling her in, closer and closer, much like a fish caught on a hook.

“Let me go!! I don't want to play this game anymore!!” Steak Diane cried out as she continued to thrash around. She huffed again, trying to blow the sand out of her nose.

“There there, it's going to be alright.” The yellow pegasus purred out. Her voice was supposed to be soft and calming, but to Steak Diane it felt like an insult. Before she could spit anything back she felt a hoof suddenly on her back, and with cartoonish speed she was hogtied. She was flipped onto her back, causing her already limited vision to be even smaller. She started to thrash around harder, desperate to escape. The two ponies looked down at her, their expressions were muddied by the tears that streaked down Steak Diane's face. Her tears were partly from the sand in her eyes, but more from what she knew what was going to happen next.

“No! No no! I don't want to die!!” She cried out, trying to desperately undo the rope tied around her hooves. The orange mare looked down at the pony then back up to her friend and let out a hardy laugh.

“Applejack I don't-”

“Wooh-boy now this is funny, she's lookin’ just like how she did when we did that surprise party all those months ago!”

“Party?! What party?! Do you mean my funeral! Yeah all fun and laughter now that you're going to execute me!!” She boomed. Her shrill voice wavered as she continued, “Don't you meanies know to pick on somepony your own size! Don't you have any party to attend that's NOT the killing Steak Diane one!!!” Tears rolled down her face harder now, she sniffled, snot staining her muzzle. She had to shut her eyes now, her tears made them burn. The last thing she saw was the two monsters staring down back at her.

“Um.. do you need a hoof?” The pegasus whimpered out, a small sniffle followed her words. It was hard to tell over Steak Diane's bawling, but she was crying too.

“No Shy, you on ahead girl, I've got her myself. Tell Twi we've got her ‘n all that.” She sounded relatively calm despite everything.

“No! No no no!!! What could you possibly want from me!! I don't have anything!! Let go of me!!” Steak Diane protested between sobs as the mare hoisted her up onto her back.

“I, er, I think Twi would be better and explain’ this whole mess, now can ya’ stop thrashin around and make this easier for the both of us?”

“Why should I?! You party pooper, what makes you think you can kill a pony and get away with it! Y-you can’t! I have friends I need to get back to, a-and I…” She hiccuped, “I DON'T WANT THE PARTY TO BE OVER!” She yelled.

The mare did not respond, fear was thick in the air, almost suffocating, but something else was more palpable. Guilt.

The walk into town was a difficult one. Steak Diane would thrash around as an attempt to get away, and knock herself off the orange mare’s back. Then the mare would have to grapple her, and try to get her back on her back. After the third time, the mare started to complain that Steak Diane was embarrassing her. In response she bucked herself off her and tried to squirm away again. This time she was done fighting, and instead of going through the process of hoisting her back up for a moderately comfortable ride she took the lasso in her mouth and dragged the pastel party pony along behind her in the sand. Steak Diane kept her eyes squeezed tight, she could hear the chatter of ponies around her as she was dragged through the center of town. She knew they were all talking about her, she could feel the hundreds of eyes all looking at her. She could imagine the friends she made, all of them, they were all watching.

“There you are Applejack! Fluttershy told me you were on your way with her! Now we can finally wrap all of this up.”

“Took long enough, I didn't bring any spare eyeliner and I look completely dreadful after she knocked me over.”

“You look bad? Rarity, I slammed right into a tree trying to grab her! I'm gonna be bruised for the next week. I think we have some bigger priorities other than some smudged makeup.”

The other pony just huffed in response, Steak Diane opened her eyes for the first time since they left the orchard. They stung from the sand and from the midday sun. She let out a sight groan in pain then in an instant started to thrash around and escape. “I'm not going to let you exterminate me without a fight!!” She yelled, terrified.

The mare who held the lasso in her teeth sighed and dropped it. She put a hoof up to her face and sighed. “She's been like this the whole darn time, Twilight can you talk some sense into her? Dang I wouldn't be surprised if she left a bruise on my back with how hard she was fighting.”

“Of course Applejack!” her voice was overly cheerful. It made Steak Diane feel sick. The mare trotted over. Twilight. The one who said she was going to exterminate her, the one who said she was going to get rid of her. When the unicorn approached her, she shot up and head butted her directly in the snout. “Yeowch!” She recoiled, putting a hoof up to her face. “You know what, I might just make this easier for us all real quick.”

The unicorn's horn lit up with a bright pink. Steak Diane winced, trying to wiggle away. “No, No please.” She whimpered, “I'm not ready for the party to be over! I don't want to pop all the balloons!”

“Oh calm down Pinkie Pie, this will just make the ride a bit easier for all of us.”

“Who…” Before she could get another word out, she was blasted in the face by the unicorn's blinding light, it was cold. Steak Diane could only assume it was the embrace of death. It enveloped her, blinding her. Then everything went dark.

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When Steak Diane started to stir awake, the first thing she heard was the sound of the train's wheels as they chugged, its mechanical parts hissed and whirled. Her face was pressed against the cold metal of the train's wall. The crick in her neck made her know she was still alive, and not on the train to tartarus. She longed for the bed in the hostel, she longed even for the moldy couch back in that shed. She wanted to be anywhere but… well, wherever she was. Her ears perked up, she heard the sound of the car door sliding open, then the gaggle of her hunters as they reentered the cart. They laughed and chattered like nothing was wrong. Like as if she wasn't there. Steak Diane shut her eyes tighter, hoping they would just walk past her.

“Hehehe, you silly, you squinched up your nose like a little foal!” She heard herself say, “Hey girls she's awake!”

“Why wont you just leave me alone… I don't want to play.” Her voice was barely audible.

“Hehe! Leave you alone? Why would we wanna do that? I meaaaan, we're just wrapping up the oopsie I made! And now we get to hang out before we’re back to Ponyville! Yippie!” She cheered, her voice was so loud and chipper it made Steak Diane’s ears hurt.

“Pinkie give her some space, clearly there's something not right with her.” Twilight said plainly. She trotted up in front of her. “You can open your eyes, you don't have to hide away.”

“Why should I!” Steak Diane hissed, “Why would I want to look my killers in the face!”

There is a loud groan that comes from the left of Steak Diane that causes her to flinch. “See Twi this is what I was telling ya! She clearly thinks we're some sorta band of criminals!” She exclaimed, she sounded irritated. “Clearly your guess is right, she must be all sorts of jumbled up from everythin!”

“Seems like it, now Pinkie Pie can you tell me the last thing you remember.” Twilight asked.

There was a long pause, then Pinkie Pie chirped, “Oh wait me or her?”

“No Pinkie Pie, I’m talking to her, I'm trying to figure out how bad her memories got…”

“Scrambled and sloshed upside-down?”

“Scrambled. With how overworked the pool was there had to have been a couple ponies who got a little, erm, messed up when they came through.”

“Okie dokie loki!” There was a thud, it sounded like she had hopped up onto the chair next to Steak Diane's head. “Helloooo~ “ She cooed.

Finally she opened her eyes to see that the purple unicorn was only a couple inches away from her. Her eyes stung, she wanted to shut them again and curl back into a ball but she knew she couldn't. “I dunno why you're calling me that, that's not my name! Not even close! You're about fifteen guesses away!” She wiggled, trying to sit comfortably, but with how sore her entire back was that would be difficult. “And you yourself said you were going to exterminate me! I heard it myself! You were… somewhere and I heard you say it!!!” She tried to flail her hooves around but it did nothing. “You said you were going to exterminate me, squash me, put an end to this ME problem!”

“What?! No, I… Rainbow Dash, this is what I was trying to tell you! You can't just say things like that, it'll hurt someponys feelings!”

“What? Described pretty well what we had to do.”

“And I saw you!” Steak Diane squeaked, “You, you blew them all up like fireworks!”

“Pinkie pie thats-”

“That's not my name!!! It’s Steak Diane!!!”

Twilight took a step backwards, and looked over to the rest of the mares. She sighed, looking back at Steak Diane then motioned for one of the ponies to come over. The yellow pegasus slowly walked over, slightly hiding behind the unicorn. Then finally she fully turned back to Steak Diane and started to lecture. “Now this is just what I hypothesized. Your time out of your world has made you forget well, just about everything! I'm particularly surprised you were able to remember what Rainbow had said. Or well, that you remember much of anything happening. This could have been really bad. Now look, what happened was an accident, if you give me a moment, and trust me, I can use my magic to try to unlock your memories. I need to know where to start first, so can you tell me what you remember from where you came from?”

“Where I came from? I've always been from here-” Steak Diane tried to say but was cut off.

“I need you to think really, really hard, isn't there anything important you remember from home?”

“I…” She started and then stopped. Even in all her memories, all the ones she recovered, there was something that still didn't add up. The figure that had been in her dreams every night, the one who kept waking her up. The figure that danced around the rims of her memories, the mare of mystery. When she thought about it for too long, that deep feeling that yearned for her would eat the insides of her, it left her cold and empty. She felt it begin to degrade her insides again. It was like she had to chase somepony through the fog. In front of her she can see the silhouette, yet her figure shifted and changed as the weather moved, it muddied her even more than the distance would have already. It was almost as if she was chasing something imaginary. Each step closer she fell more, and more behind. She didn't want to lose her again, she couldn't. She looked up, staring the mare directly in her eyes. “Her! I, I don't remember, I can't, but I know she is somewhere!” She pleaded.

“Who is she?”

“I, I DON'T KNOW! She, she…” She sniffles, trying to hold back tears, “Please bring me back to her, I have to get back to her.”

She hadn't noticed, but Twilight’s horn had been lit up while Steak Diane was silent. She had casted a spell on her, a matching pink glow illuminated around her. Steak Diane's eyes darted around, trying to figure out what was about to happen. She looked terrified. Whatever she was casting it was strong, strong enough to force her to lift her front hooves off the ground. The spell held her tightly, it kept her bound in place, she couldn't move, she couldn't speak anymore, all she could do was think. She closed her eyes and watched the figure dance around in her mind, the silhouette never drew closer, but she could tell it was looking back at her. Finally, she stopped. The pony opened her mouth to speak when suddenly everything was coated in a blinding white. Steak Diane's eyes shot open again to see the unicorn had returned back down with all 4 of her hooves on the train carriage's floor. The unicorn panted, catching her breath. She shook her head, trying to come back to her senses. The white unicorn came to join her, putting a hoof over her shoulder.

“Are you alright darling? I could go fetch a glass of water for you.” Twilight shook her head in reply, she was clearly trying to put everything together. The other unicorn retracted her hoof and then continued. “That seemed to go better than we expected, Fluttershy didn't even have to use her stare!”

“It just doesn't make any sense!” She announced, “There is a strong mental block that's preventing you, and me, from accessing any of your memories! It had to have been caused by the pool, maybe it was trying to make you adjust to living in this world better?? I'm not too sure, but this could be really bad.”

“What do you mean by really bad? Like really really bad? Or really really reeeeeeaaaally bad?” Steak Diane asked with a slight falter to her voice.

“That means that the pool could have permanently damaged your memory, and so even when we send you back you might not remember anything at all.” She stated bluntly. “But I ran the math, there's only a small chance you won't regain them when I send you back through the pool. So if everything goes right then you should be back in your own world with no memory of any of this soon.”

“Wait just a second, you're not going to kill me?! And go back a sentence, what do you mean no memory of any of this! I don't want to forget any of this!” The past couple weeks have been painful. Yeah, she was on the run for what she thought was a murderous force of evil, but turns out she had just wasted her time. It wasn't really a waist though… she had made some friends she wouldn't want to forget. She wanted to find her universe's version of Tree Hugger, and Fig Tree, she didn't want to forget them! She would never be able to reunite with Binkie Bye, but she would like to remember her.

“I tried to-” AJ started, then huffed. “No, we ain't gonna murder ya, we've been trying to bring ya back home!”

“Applejack's right. We could have been a little safer with how we handled everything but I don't want to time travel again.” She shot Rainbow Dash a look for a second and continued, “now about your memories… It's about equivalent exchange, to get something you need to leave something.” She said, trailing off some. She used her magic to levitate over a small chalkboard that she began to scribble on.

“Ooo are we playing pictionary?” Pinkie Pie said.

“Is it… a boat? no wait a bird, wait wait it's a duck!” Steak Diane continued.

“Ooo now that's a goodie!” She squealed in response.

“Um.. that doesn't look anything like a duck…” Fluttershy quietly added.

“Okay here's the math,” Twilight began talking, but Steak Diane and Pinkie Pie both tuned her out trying to figure out what animal it looked like. Midway through her lecture Twilight looked back at the two, and Rainbow Dash who was lazily fluttered overhead of the two stopped in place. She made a motion like she was pretending to sleep, causing Twilight to roll her eyes. “Okay simplified version,” She started erasing the chalkboard and replacing the numbers with some figures, “Now, what is most likely about to happen is that we send you home, and you don't remember anything from here because your memories get exchanged with your old ones. There's a slim, 5% possibility that you forget some things from your original world, but remember some things from here. However… worst case scenario you would forget most of well… everything. But that is rather unlikely, we took all the precautions against that happening. If we would have casted the spell from too far away, like back in Appaloosa it could have made it have a higher possibility to happen. That's why we had to bring you back to Ponyville.”

Almost on queue the train horn blared, signifying its approach back to Ponyville. Most of the ponies returned to their seats, however the Rarity approached Steak Diane and sat next to her. Using her magic she untied the lasso from around her hooves. They burned from how hard she had been fighting against the rope, leaving small red marks across all 4 of her legs. She hissed slightly, and wiggled her wrist trying to bring circulation back to them. “Applejack you ruffian you tied these way too tight, look at this poor mare these might scab!”

“I-I er, I could've been nicer yeah, but she kept running away from me!” She tried to justify but the unicorn's glare cut through her, “sorry lass, hope I didn't getcha banged up all too bad.”

“Yeowchies, don't worry! There's no hard feelings, only soft feelings!” She chimed back, causing a slight chuckle to come out of the earth pony.

After a minute, the train slowed to a stop, and the doors opened. The seven ponies excited the cart. Steak Diane leaned on the white unicorn some for support, as the rope burn around her ankles made her steps wobbly and uncertain. Carefully they made their way across town, and down towards the cavern with the mirrorpool. It had been out of town, not all that far, but a little bit passed where the cottages had ended. Twilight remarked that she was surprised an outbreak like this hasn't happened before, much to the chagrin of Pinkie Pie. Twilight continued, and mentioned needing to do another read through of Ponyville's history books, which caused Rainbow Dash to laugh. Fluttershy mentioned her home being nearby, which made Pinkie break out into laughter. She said something about a bunny army but Steak Diane felt distracted. Pinkie Pie… she was like her in every way, but cartoonishly full of energy, she wished she could have that much.

Before she knew it she was at the mouth of the cavern, a sense of Déjà vu washed over her. She could imagine it, the dozens of versions of her that played and circled around the pool. She could hear them laugh, and giggle. It was almost nostalgic, it felt like a lifetime since Steak Diane was there last. Rarity helped her down the slopes, and before she knew it she was facing down at the pool. Her reflection stared back at her. She looked up and back around to the ponies, and Pinkie Pie stared back with a grin. Twilight began preparing her spell, taking a sample from the mirror pool's water.

“Are you okay darling?” Rarity asked. Steak Diane didn't say anything for a moment, she wasn't sure if she was. She closed her eyes, and she could envision the pony she wanted to see again in front of her. Her silhouette was dark still, but she knew more than anything she wanted to be reunited with her.

“You betcha!” She replied with a smile. “I've never been more ready for anything in my life!” as she said that she looked up to Twilight and gave her a hoofs up. “I'm ready when you are!”

“Good luck Steak!” Pinkie Pie cheered, as Twilight's horn started to ignite.

Before she could say anything, she was gone.

Author's Note

woof! sorry this took so long, i went back and forth on chopping this up, but i like my stories to follow the rule of thirds so i didnt. so for a compromise there will be an epilogue yaaaaay!!! but this one was fun to do, i hope yall have enjoyed steaky and her terrible life haha!
I would like to give a big thanks to my friend Amepix for helping me edit and spell check this whole dang story without her it would be very.... grammatically upsetting, thank you <3