The Fillycaust

Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Spike the baby dragon walked through the barren desert to Appaloosa. The sun mercilessly beat down upon them and the scorched sand under their hooves. The vast desert was normally traveled by train, but the railway had long since been shut down and the only way to reach the Earth Pony settlement now was to walk.

The grueling journey wasn’t an easy one. Each pony could only carry a limited amount of supplies to keep a steady pace going. Food had to be carefully rationed to make sure everypony had enough to survive the harshness of the desert. Thankfully, with Twilight and Rarity’s magic they could find hidden water holes buried underneath the sand which helped if their water supply ran low. The group also needed to be completely aware of their surroundings. Patrols of bounty hunters roamed the desert in search for traitors and Earth Ponies heading toward Appaloosa.

Twilight had called Spike from his duties in Canterlot. She figured she could trust her number one assistant and make good use of his skills. It turned out that the baby dragon also despised Princess Celestia’s actions against the Earth Ponies. He too had only followed her out of fear, although he would never admit it to Twilight.

“I just didn’t have to opportunity to leave.” Spike lied.

“Well I’m very happy that you decided to join us Spike.” Twilight smiled. “You’re doing the right thing.”

“That’s all I ever do.” Spike said cooly. He winked at his crush Rarity who shook her head and turned away.

“How are you holding up Sweetie Belle?” Twilight asked turning to the white unicorn filly.

“Well my legs are kind of sore, but I’m okay.” Sweetie Belle answered.

“You’re doing very well Sweetie Belle.” Rarity complimented. “I, however, can’t wait until we arrive in Appaloosa. I need a bath at once! This sand is chaffing my poor delicate hooves.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. Even in the desert all Rarity seemed to think about was fashion.

The group had set out as quickly as possible after Twilight and Rarity’s decision to leave. When Spike arrived they waited until nightfall to slip out of Ponyville unnoticed. They traveled all night trying to put as much distance as possible between them and Ponyville. Twilight knew that eventually word of her desertion would reach Princess Celestia’s ears. Her greatest fear was that the princess herself would go looking for her.

“So Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Applebloom are in a Canter Camp?” asked Spike. “That’s not good, I’ve only heard bad news about the camps.”

Twilight had never been to any of the Canter Camps herself, but she too had heard the rumors. Everypony knew that the ponies who went to the Canter Camps never came back. Oh, I hope their all right. Twilight thought. I don’t know what I’d do if I found that I sent them to their deaths as well.

“Spike!” Rarity hissed leaning close to him. “Don’t talk about Applebloom around Sweetie Belle.” Twilight heard her whisper in his ear.

“Oops!” said Spike. “My bad!”

Rarity frowned. “A moment ago you said that you only ever do the right thing.”

Spike scratched his head and blushed. “Yeah well... I... uh...”

Rarity walked over to Sweetie Belle and began to talk with her. Twilight couldn’t hear the conversation, but she guessed Rarity was trying to comfort her little sister and keep her mind off of Applebloom and the Canter Camp.

Spike looked up at Twilight. “Hey uh Twilight... Do you mind? My feet are kind of sore.” he said gesturing at her back.

“Gee Spike.” said Twilight. “And I was beginning to think you were a big strong baby dragon.”

“Twilight!” Spike moaned. “Cmon!”

“Fine.”

“Yeah!” Spike cheered and hopped up on Twilight’s back. “Say Twilight,” he whispered making sure Rarity and Sweetie Belle couldn’t hear. “how’d you find out that our friends were sent to the camps?” Spike asked.

Twilight was taken aback by the question. Just like she couldn’t tell Rarity that she murdered Fluttershy, so to she couldn’t tell Spike that she had sent her own friends to a Canter Camp.

“Well.” Twilight began trying to think up a lie. “You see I heard about it from... uh... Cheerilee.”

“Twilight.” said Spike. “Cherilee’s an Earth Pony... Didn’t she go into hiding?”

“Oh yeah! My mistake!” Twilight laughed. “I meant... I meant Cherry Seed! Ugh I get their names mixed up all the time!”

Spike raised an eyebrow. “Cherry Seed? I don’t think I’ve ever met her before.”

“Yeah she’s... She’s a Pegasus in Celestia’s army.” Twilight lied. “She was part of the raid on Fluttershy’s cottage.”

“Poor Fluttershy.” Spike said in a depressing tone. “I almost didn’t believe it when you told me. It still doesn’t seem like she’s gone... What monster would do such a thing to her? She was only trying to protect her friends!”

Spike’s words really stabbed at Twilight’s heart. “Yeah...” she said softly. “Whoever did it was a real monster.” I’m not going to argue there. Twilight thought. I still can’t even believe I did it... It was like I was a different pony...

“Was it that Cherry Seed you were talking about?” Spike asked.

“No... I don’t think it was Cherry Seed.” Twilight said.

“Is there something you’re not telling me Twilight?” Spike asked.

“Twilight! Spike!” Rarity yelled. “Look!”

Twilight looked up to see Rarity pointing at a small cloud of dust in the distance. Six tiny black specs were galloping their way, and fast.

“Bounty hunters!” gasped Twilight. “Quick everypony, get down! I’ll cast a spell of invisibility so they won’t see us!”

“I’ll cast a spell to clean up our hoof prints in the sand!” Rarity shouted. “I’ll be right back Twilight!”

“There’s no time Rarity!” Twilight protested, but Rarity had already begun the spell. Twilight turned to Sweetie Belle who was hiding behind a cactus.

“What do I do Twilight?” the filly asked shaking.

“Come over here Sweetie Belle I need to cast a spell so they can’t see us.”

Sweetie Belle ran up to Twilight and stood next to her. “What about my siser?” she asked.

Twilight looked back at Rarity who was still trying to sweep away the tracks. “Rarity! Please, come here!”

The white unicorn looked up at Twilight and then back at the incoming bounty hunters. The six dots were exceptionally closer and had quickened their pace, a sure sign that they had spotted Twilight, Spike, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle. “They’ve already seen us Twilight.” Rarity said softly.

“No Rarity! Over here now!” Twilight cried. “There’s still time.”

Rarity shook her head. “Take Sweetie Belle to Appaloosa Twilight.” she said. “Make sure she’s safe.”

“Rarity!” Twilight exclaimed realizing that she was planning to stay and distract the bounty hunters.

“No Rarity!” Spike cried. “You’re not going to stay! I’m not going to let you!”

“Be quiet Spike!” Rarity hushed. “This is my decision!”

“But Rarity!” Sweetie Belle sobbed tears already streaming down her face. “You can’t!”

Rarity smiled. “Oh don’t worry about me Sweetie Belle, this mare knows how to handle herself!” She turned to the bounty hunters. “Run Twilight! Take Sweetie Belle and run!”

Twilight felt tears build up in her eyes. Rarity. She thought. You are always so stubborn. She didn’t want to leave her friend but it was painfully obvious that the bounty hunters had spotted them; they were now shouting and hollering in their direction, and they had gotten so much closer that Twilight could even make out that they were all unicorn stallions. Maybe we can fight them off. No, I can’t risk putting Sweetie Belle in danger.

“What are you doing just standing there Twilight?” Rarity screamed. “Get out of here now! There’s no point in all of us being taken!”

“Come on Sweetie Belle.” Twilight said. “Get on my back with Spike.”

“No!” Sweetie Belle argued. “I’m not leaving my big sister!”

“I’m staying with Rarity too!” Spike agreed. He jumped off of Twilight back.

“I’m sorry Sweetie Belle.” Twilight said under her breath. “I’m sorry Spike.” Twilight used her magic to pick up Sweetie Belle and Spike and hold them down on her back. She then began to run as fast as she could, tears streaming from her face Sweetie Belle and Spike kicked and thrashed angrily about trying to break free from the spell, but it was no use.

Twilight knew how much Spike cared for Rarity. Ever since he had first seen her all he ever wanted to do was impress her and make her happy. It was also unimaginable how horrible Sweetie Belle was feeling to have to leave her older sister behind. They’ll never forgive me for this. Twilight thought. I’ll never forgive myself for this...

Rarity!” Sweetie Belle screamed. “Rarity!”

“Why is she doing this?” Spike sobbed.

“To protect you two.” Twilight answered.

Twilight sprinted as fast as she could in the direction of Appaloosa, forcing herself not to look back. Then, only about five or so minutes after they left Rarity, a scream was heard far behind them.

“No!” Spike screamed. “Rarity!”

“What happened?” sobbed Sweetie Belle. “What did they do to her?”

“They’ve got her...” Spike whimpered. “They’re taking her away...”

“Are any of them following us Spike?” Twilight asked. She didn’t dare waste anytime to look behind her.

“Does it even matter...” Spike said solemnly.

“It does matter Spike! Rarity stayed behind to protect us, it’s all for nothing if we get captured too!”

After a few moments Spike spoke. “It looks like two of them are taking Rarity. I think the other four of them are coming after us.”

What do I do now? Twilight wondered. This isn’t good at all! She studied her surroundings and saw a pile of boulders far off in the distance. If I can make it there then maybe we can get out of their sight and be able to hide.

Twilight ran as fast as she could. She definitely wasn’t the best sprinter, but she knew she couldn’t let the bounty hunters catch up to her. Her legs ached and her lungs gasped for air not to mention the spell she had cast on Sweetie Belle and Spike was slowly draining her energy as well.

“Their gaining on us Twilight!” Spike shouted.

“Do you think we can make it to those rocks ahead?” asked Twilight

“If we hurry, but seriously Twilight they’re really close!”

Twilight thought of one way she might be able to run faster, but wasn’t sure if she was willing to risk it. “Spike, if I release the spell can you promise me to stay and make sure Sweetie Belle doesn’t leave either?” she asked panting.

Spike was silent. Twilight could tell that he wanted to go back and help Rarity, but he surely had to have realized by now that such an attempt was futile.

“Spike if we make it to Appaloosa we can get a rescue team to help save Rarity.” Twilight assured.

“I...” Spike paused. “Okay Twilight... I promise.”

Trusting in Spikes word, Twilight released the spell. To her surprise Sweetie Belle didn’t even attempt to run away, but Twilight could hear the filly crying softly behind her. Without the spell draining her stamina Twilight could run much faster. But is it enough? She wondered.

The sun was starting to set in the horizon and the once distant boulders were getting closer and closer. Twilight didn’t know how long she could continue galloping, it felt like her heart was going to give out at any second. Never before had she ever exerted herself like this before. She had exceeded what she thought to be her limit, but she kept on going somehow. I’m almost there. She reassured herself. I’m almost there.

Finally they reached the scattered mess of boulders just as the last ray of the sun had disappeared into the horizon. Twilight ran behind one of the bigger rocks and collapsed from exhaustion, Spike and Sweetie Belle falling off of her back as well.

“Twilight!” Spike shouted as he picked himself up. “What do we do now?”

“We... Need... To... Hide...” Twilight said in between breaths.

“Hide where?” Spike asked looking around.

From behind them the hollering of the four bounty hunters grew louder.

I have to do the invisibility spell. Twilight thought. They saw us run into this jungle of boulders but they didn’t know where we went from here. Maybe if they can’t find us here they’ll keep on running past the rocks assuming we kept going...

“Spike, Sweetie Belle, get... behind me.”

The baby dragon picked up the crying filly and ran up to Twilight. “Yeah what now Twi?”

“I’m going to... cast... an invisibility spell.” Twilight said gasping for air. “You... need to... stay still...”

Twilight put her magic to work. A purple light illuminated around her horn and covered the three of them in its glow. The amount of energy it took to cast the spell almost made Twilight faint from exhaustion. The world around her grew dim but she refused to give into the blackness. I must protect them. She thought. For their sake and Rarity’s sacrifice.

About five minutes later the four bounty hunters had reached the boulders. Their hooves making clopping sounds every so often when they stepped on a rock. Spike covered the whimpering Sweetie Belle’s mouth.

“Shhh.” he said softly. “We need to be quiet Sweetie Belle.”

“Do you think their hiding here?” asked one of the bounty hunters. “Or did they just run past it?”

“Damned boulders.” said another one. “I don’t know, I couldn’t see behind these stupid rocks.”

“We have to find her!” exclaimed a third voice. “That was Twilight Sparkle! Princess Celestia’s student! I’m sure of it!”

“It seems unlikely that one of the Princess’s most trusted officers would be a traitor.” said the first voice.

“No it was definitely Twilight, and that white unicorn back there was one of her friends.” the third voice confirmed. “I used to be a guard at the palace and I’ve had to escort that mare more times than you know. It was her alright.”

“Wait did you hear that?” asked a fourth voice.

Twilight’s heart stopped. Did they hear us somehow? She wondered. No that’s impossible! We didn’t make any noise!

“I hear it too!” the first voice screamed. “Ambush!”

Just then all hell broke loose. The rocky terrain was engulfed in flames as somepony cast a spell. The explosion broke apart boulders and sent debris flying everywhere. There was shouting that seemed to come from every direction. One of the bounty hunter’s screamed, “Retreat! Run away!”

Twilight lost control of the invisibility spell in the confusion revealing her position. Her ears were ringing from the explosion and she looked around in a daze.

“I think we got them all!” shouted a familiar voice. “Wait who’s that?”

Twilight’s eyes focused and she saw her old friend Rainbow Dash hovering in front of her. The Pegasus was looking directly at her with a look of shock on her face.

“Rain... Rainbow Dash?” Twilight said.

“Twilight?” the cyan pony said in disbelief. She flew down to them. “And Spike and Sweetie Belle?”

“Rainbow Dash!” Spike laughed. “You just saved us!”

“Hold on!” Rainbow Dash growled backing away slightly. “Twilight, I’ve heard about what you’ve done. You’re on Celestia’s side, you’re an Earth Ponies murderer!”

Twilight opened her mouth to speak but Spike spoke first. “No!” he yelled. “Twilight’s not helping Celestia anymore! Her, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and I all left for Appaloosa! We’re not on the princess’s side! Honest!”

Rainbow Dash studied them all. “Well where’s Rarity then?”

“She’s back there!” Sweetie Belle sobbed pointing her hoof in the direction they had traveled from.

“She stayed back to hold those ponies you just fought off.” Spike explained. “Please you have to help her Rainbow Dash!”

“What’s wrong with Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked studying the purple unicorn.

“She sprinted the whole way here trying to save us.” Spike said. “She’s exhausted.”

Rainbow Dash looked behind her. “Hey guys over here!” she yelled.

A Pegasus who Twilight noticed was one of the Wonderbolts, Soarin, flew down and landed besides Rainbow Dash.

“Where are the other two?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“One of them was getting away.” Soarin replied. “Braeburn and Silverwood went after him.”

Twilight recognized the name Braeburn. He was Applejack’s cousins, an Earth Pony who had settled in Appaloosa a while back.

Rainbow Dash sighed. “Soarin, I need you to take these three back to Appaloosa. They’re friends and Celestia defectors.”

“How am I supposed to bring all three of them back?” Soarin complained. 
 “That’s not my problem. Sweetie Belle you said Rarity was in that direction?” Rainbow Dash asked pointing her hoof.

Sweetie Belle nodded.

“Don’t you worry kid, I’ll get her back safe and sound.” Rainbow Dash said cooly. She turned to Twilight. “I believe you Twilight. But don’t think this changes the fact that you supported Celestia. I’m not going to forget that so easily.” She took to the sky and darted away in a flash.

Soarin watched Rainbow Dash fly away and then turned back toward Twilight, Sweetie Belle, and Spike. “Awww man...” he sighed. “I have to carry you three back and I haven’t even eaten yet...”