Chapter 13: Along the Way

As I boarded the train at Ponyville, yet again, with my friends on our way to the refugee camp, knots were forming everywhere in my stomach. I was furious at Pinkie for rushing off and gathering everyone to come with me and Nurse Red Heart without even letting me think about it. I made my way over to my seat followed by Scootaloo, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash. Pinkie came to join us but I turned away from her and she took the hint for once.

"Dude are you feeling okay? Don't seem to happy that we're all here," Dash asked rather harshly.

I leaned my head against the seat and prepared myself for the lurching start of the train, sighing to myself in frustration.

"No, Dash, it's not that. I'm fine with you all being here, except for you Scoot," I said and she looked at me in surprise.

"What!? Why? I didn't do anything!" she said confused.

"No hun, you're not in trouble, you're just much too young to see some of the stuff that is going to be at the camp. And since we left in such short time I couldn't find a sitter for you because some pony brought everyone along," I directed towards Pinkie, although she didn't hear me over her laughing with Rarity about something.

"Hey it'll be okay. I'm sure they have an area that won't be too bad right? She can stay there with one of the others," Twilight said.

"And why can't you watch her Twi? You're good at babysitting," I asked.

"That came from good practice babysitting you, and that's a permanent job," she said giving me a sarcastic glare..

I felt a warm smile form as she smiled at me with those huge eyes of hers, always warm and caring, but also knew when something was wrong. I was brought out of my daze as Scootaloo poked my in the stomach and I realized Twilight was blushing, as was I a bit.

"So uh..so who's gonna watch me?" she said a little awkwardly.

"I'll get Fluttershy to do it, I can probably guess that you'll tag along with me and Twi huh Dash?" I asked.

"As much trouble as you get into without me? Of course I am," she laughed.

Scootaloo frowned a bit but then Dash prodded her in the sides, "Buuut, before that. How about I tell ya about some of my new moves squirt?" she asked.

Without question Scootaloo jumped up like lighting and followed Dash to another seat and began talking, leaving Twilight and I by ourselves. I rested my head against the head rest and closed my eyes, the rolling and lurching of the train keeping me from rest. I felt a nuzzle on my shoulder and looked to see Twilight staring at me again.

"Yes?" I asked with a grin.

She rolled her eyes and rested her head on my shoulder, I thought that was it and I closed my eyes again before she spoke up.

"Evan are you and Lyra dating?" she asked barely above a whisper.

My eyes shot open but I kept calm and turned my head towards her. She wasn't looking at me but I felt her grow warm and I could tell she was blushing.

"No Twi..we're not..any reason you brought that up?" I asked.

She looked up at me and I was right about her blushing, her face was a light red all over, but she also seemed relived to a point.

"Well you two have been spending lots of time together recently, and she obviously likes you a lot, so I just kinda wanted to know.." she said shyly.

I smiled at her and gave her a look, "Alright so whats the real reason Twi?"

Her face reddened more when she spoke, "Well the next Grand Galloping Gala is coming up soon, and I was maybe wondering if you wanted to..be my date? Uh, not date, well yes date but its not a date!" she said, becoming more and more embarrassed.

I laughed to myself and began to rub her mane which got her to calm down quite quickly, although the embarrassment seemed to stick around.

"Of course I'll be your date Twi. I'm flattered," I said and a bright shy smile formed across her face. A sly grin formed on mine as I chuckled and added, "And I'm fine if it is a date by the way Twi."

She froze for a few seconds before the red returned and she began to rest her head on my shoulder again, breathing heavy.

"You owe me a few lessons in human magic for that," she said.

After that everything was relatively quiet except for a short conversation I had with Nurse Red Heart concerning human medical terms, diseases, and operations. I told her all I knew, which wasn't much, but if she decided to stay there was no doubt she'd be one of the best. After that I was left to my own thoughts and a sleeping Twilight on my shoulder. All of the others had fallen into naps as well, except for Applejack who was staring out the window. I myself could come nowhere close to sleep on this rickety transport, so I decided to carefully bring out my computer and browse the world.

I began searching random things, like the newest hover and repulser board champion competitions and repulser car racing. As I looked up the small hopeful things in the world still Applejack had made her way over and sat next to me, and I knew a deep conversation was about to be had.

"She really likes you ya' know. Can't walk into a room with ya without gettin all bright eyed and giddy," she said, directing the comment towards Twilight.

"Thing is, she really worry's about ya too. You hold everything inside, and I'm not one to poke and prod, but Sugarcube somethin' happened recently didn't it? She's always with you in the first place, but she's been really protective too," she asked.

I thought to myself for a few moments, thinking over everything that had happened in the recent past before I responded, I turned back to Applejack and smiled.

"I know she likes me A.J...I've known that for a while. But I just can't do anything like that right now, too many things could happen," I replied.

"Like what?" she asked.

"Humans can last a good time A.J. but not that long. We're in the middle of a war, something could happen at anytime. I've almost died a couple times in the time I've lived here, and the fact that I lived is pure luck. Next time I may not be so lucky Applejack, I don't want her to have to face that kind of hurt," I said blankly.

"Now why would you say a darn thing like that!? You don't know that!" she gasped but quickly went quiet.

"You're the Element of Honesty Applejack, you can't tell me I'm not telling the truth," I said.

She stared through me, searching for anything, but her ears went down in resignation.

"Well that don't mean it has to happen. Just because something might be true, doesn't mean it's always right," she shot back.

"Very true, very true. But something is happening A.J. , something bad. Davian has told me about it, and I have no reason to not trust him anymore," I insisted.

"What do ya mean? What's happening?" she asked.

I looked at my friend in thought, she was everything someone needed in a friend. Loyal, trustworthy, kind and caring, but she was innocent to the large world outside Equestria.

"Applejack I want you to promise me that if something does happen to me, I want you to look after them, Twilight and Scootaloo. It'd put a lot of worry to rest in my head," I said.

She looked shocked at my request and didn't respond for a few moments.

"I promise," she nodded and spoke again, "but I want you to promise nothing will happen to you."

My heart sunk a bit at her statement, I was never one to make a promise to something I possibly couldn't keep, but I know she'd never let it go if I told her that.

"Yeah A.J I promise. I promise," I said.

She nodded and smiled at me, but her eyes told a different story, one of worry. She got up and made her way back to her seat and began looking out the window again. I looked down and realized Twilight had moved from my shoulder to my lap and it brought my heart close to melting. I began softly rubbing her mane and thoughts began processing in my mind. I decided that I'd block them out today, I promised myself that I'd begin to try to revert back to my old self, the one that didn't have some bleak outlook on life every second. I'd apologize to Applejack later and blame that whole conversation on nerves, which I needed to get rid of before we reached this camp.

I gazed out the window next to me and took in the beauty of the landscape that was passing by me so quick. The endless meadows and ponds lead way to the thick untouched forests that blanketed the land, it all seemed so alien to me, even after living here for a good while. I felt a rustle on my lap and looked down to see Twilight sleepily opening her eyes.

"Why did you stop rubbing?" she asked in a daze.

I chuckled and said sorry, then began rubbing her mane again, laughing to myself.

"Good human," she said with a sleepy wink.

"Well excuse me princes-," I said before the train blew its horn, signalling arrival.

Everyone instantly woke up shocked and looked out the windows facing our destination. I looked along with them and before my eyes laid the refugee camp. Chain link fences blocked the inside away as four guards stood near the entrance, two humans and two Royal Guards, one of Celestia' and one Luna's. We stood up and gathered our things before stepping off the train and made our way to the front gate. Behind the fences I could see metal and wooden housing alike; some makeshift tents were propped up here and there. Beyond that the rest was blocked by a solid metal wall, which was I guessed the medical side.

"That's where you'll be going," I said to Nurse Redheart. "Everyone else is going to stay in the housing section, alright?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Applejack, look after Scootaloo if I decide to wander," I said to her, moving closer. "And I'm sorry about earlier, just forget all of that okay?"

"Sure I'll look after her, but I don't forget a promise," she said, smiling sternly.

I nodded and turned to Nurse Redheart.

"So are you ready? Still want to do this?" I asked.

"Well I won't find out standing out here will I?" she asked sarcastically.

"Well then let's go everybody, stay together and don't wander around okay?" I said.

With that we all made our way towards the entrance, guarded by the two humans and equestrians. One human raised his hand as we neared looked to all of us.

"Volunteers, visitors, or refugee?" he asked, the last one directed towards me.

I stepped forward and spoke up for the group.

"All visitors and one volunteer," I said pointing at Nurse Redheart. "We came with her as moral support on whatever she chooses to do, if that is allowed sir."

The guard eyed me surprisedly, looked to his friend who gave a shrug, then looked to the Royal Guards next to him who nodded, recognizing who all of us were.

"Well alright then, you're free to explore; be careful with some patients, as some have...lost a lot," he said, his eyes showing pain beneath them as he stepped out of the way. "Welcome to Camp D-24, Emergency Housing for Displaced Families and Children."