“Walnut, I don’t think I’ll ever meet another pony like you.” Shadow said happily. While he was still torn up over Twilight, Walnut had shown him things aren’t always as bad as they look. Walnut had also convinced him that Twilight was probably looking for him right now.

“I hope not. It’s way too dangerous for any pony out in that storm.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this great big world, it’s that love conquers all things.”

“But if you have nothing to love, how do you conquer all things?” Shadow asked the ever-wise Walnut.

“With lots of brute force!” at this, the two howled in laughter.

“Walnut. I’ve only known you for two days, but I feel like I want to know you even longer. Can we be friends?” Shadow asked the old pony.

“Well, you’re eating my food, drinking my wine, and sleeping in my house. What are we, married?”

“You’ve got a point there, old stallion.” Just then, a thought occurred to Shadow. “Old timer, you say this farm is an exercise in futility, right?”

“A what now?”

“Hopeless.”

“Oh. Well, I wouldn’t say hopeless, but nothing really grows too well out here except buried vegetables. Potatoes, carrots, turnips, whatever.”

“You ever wanted to see Ponyville in the flesh?”

“Not particularly, no, but a bit of travel wouldn’t hurt.”

“I’m not talking travel. I’m saying pulling up stakes and moving to ponyville.”

“I can’t do that, son. My wife, She’s buried on this here land that we sweated and bled over for 15 years, easily. It just wouldn’t feel right leaving her here. I’ve already arranged for me to be lain next to her.”

There went that idea. But Shadow wasn’t ready to give up on this old timer just yet.

“How’s about you come visit me, in Ponyville? Meet my wife, my kids, and my adopted sons.”

“That’s an awful long trip, son.”

“Then, let us come visit you. They’ll need to meet the pony that helped save my marriage and myself.”

“Well, does it look like I’m going anywhere fast? Maybe, if you’re lucky, I’ll build y’all some guest rooms.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

With that, they clinked their glasses together and drank deeply, each of them happy they had found a friend.

***

While Shadow and Walnut were making merry, Twilight and Rarity were having a much less pleasant time. Even though their little cave was warm and dry, either one would fall asleep, another crack of thunder would jolt them both awake, and they would try sleeping again, usually for no more than a couple minutes. Needless to say, the pair were quite happy to see the storm finally break and the warm ball of light in the sky. Over the course of the night, the two had finally cleared the air, albeit slowly and painstakingly.

“So Twilight, where do we go now?” Rarity asked, trying to tidy her mane fruitlessly.

“Well, that pony mentioned a farm just on the other side of this ridge. It’s our best bet to ask there if they’ve seen Shadow come through this way. Celestia knows where he may be by now.”

“I don’t think I could ever chase a Stallion this way, Twilight. The weather is unbearable enough. Forget about food and supplies and what not. I’m a seamstress, not an explorer. I make clothes for a living. Not outdoorsy things.”

“Well, Shadow taught me that you’re not limited by what you can do, just your effort and imagination. Like the crusaders, for example. They’re still full of potential.”

“And your magic also saved us from that horrible storm last night.”

“Well yes, but what else could I do? We could have been seriously hurt or gotten incredibly sick.”

“Exactly. You showed yesterday that you’re more than capable of being useful in any situation.”

“Thank you, Twilight.”

“I think we found it” Twilight shouted gleefully. As it turned out, the farm that was spoken of was right beneath the ridge they were on, they would have spotted it last night if the weather wasn’t so horrible. A rough path led down and into the plains outside of the homestead. It didn’t appear to be a farm at all, but more a stone house with a miniscule smattering of vegetable plots and some cows and chickens milling about.

“Are you sure that what we’re looking for, Twilight?” Rarity asked uncertainly. “There are some rather strange ponies in places like these. They may be cannibals, or zombies, or…”

Rarity found a purple hoof inserted into her muzzle. “Does it look like there’s another building for miles around? and you see the vegetables, don’t you? For Celestia’s sake, there’s a pony right there collecting water.”

“I guess so..” Rarity said around Twilight’s hoof.

“Good. Even though we look like barbarians, were not. Let’s introduce ourselves.”

***
When they felt they were in earshot, Twilight shouted a friendly greeting to the dark brown pony by the well. She held her bags up, then set them next to her. Rarity did the same. They then made the final 10 or 15 foot approach to the fence around the property.

“Hello, Sir, Excuse me. My name is Twilight Sparkle and This is my friend, Rarity. We were hoping you could help us with some information.” Twilight smiled as friendly as she could muster, and to her relief, the other pony approached the fence, and them.”

“Pleasure to meetcha, Miss Sparkle.” Black Walnut grunted, his voice stern but friendly.

“You too, Mr….?”

“Black Walnut, ma’am. There’s not a thing I don’t know about these parts as far as landmarks and whatnot, so what can I help you with?”

“I’m not looking for landmarks so much, As I am looking for a Pony. A very unique pony, with black stripes and a wine-red coat. Have you seen him?”

Black Walnut knew exactly who she was here for when he’d heard her name, but for the moment, let it lie.

“Well, I do have a guest staying with me inside. Perhaps he knows more. He only just showed up here a few days ago. Chances are if anyone saw a pony, it’d be him.”

“Well, we certainly would like to meet him, if that’s alright, Sir.” Twilight asked nonchalantly.

“What type of gentlepony would I be to refuse a couple pretty mares like yourselves a rest? Come on in, I’ll fire up the coffee pot.”

At his compliment, both mares blushed profusely. Few rustic ponies could speak like that, much less make them blush.

“Don’t forget your bags, ladies. Hate for the timbers to get to them or summat.”

Twilight lifted both bags to her, and levitated them along behind her. Rarity was still being standoffish, but she would come around with a few minutes to get used to the stranger before her.

“Well, welcome to Walnut’s miserable little farm, ladies.” With a little flourish, Walnut popped open the door to his kitchen, and thankfully. Shadow was not in the immediate vicinity. As much as he wasn’t a sympathetic pony, he enjoyed playing little games like these.

“Make yourselves comfortable, I’ll go find our other guest. I’m sure he’s still sleeping off last night’s festivities. It appears he loves storms as much as I do. Flatout enjoys it, I’d wager.”
Walnut trotted up the shallow stairwell that led to the upper floor, then proceeded further down the hall, and, finding the door he needed, knocked hard and loud.

Shadow jolted awake, to a loud knock on the door. That was the most sleep he’d had in twenty four hours, and was thoroughly enjoying it.

“Gah, Walnut, it’s too early!” Shadow shouted, his head throbbing slightly. He thought to himself, “Whatever I drank was definitely not pure.” and answered the door, leaning heavily on the door frame.

“We have guests. Make yourself pretty and come on down. They’re two rather pretty mares who look like they could use a hot meal and a cold drink.”

“What are you, my father?”

“Son, I’ve bedded so many mares, it’s quite possible.” Walnut chuckled loudly, eliciting a groan from Shadow.

“Alright, alright, I’ll be right down.” Shadow didn’t quite understand why he needed to meet these guests, but Shadow didn’t mind. The more the merrier. Walnut’s jokes got old, quick. Much like Walnut himself.

After Shadow had “tidied up” He trotted happily down the stairs, and could have sworn he heard Twilight’s voice in the next room. At that moment, he thought he might have finally lost his marbles. Why in the wide world would Twilight come all the way out here, especially with no idea he’d left, and two foals at home. He shook his head, trotting into the kitchenette.

***

“Fluttershy! can you two make any bigger a mess?” Applejack said, running over to the foals’ high chairs, where there was gobs of what appeared to be oatmeal and milk all over the table.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to feed them, Applejack.” Fluttershy squeaked, dodging another oatmeal bullet that had been thrown with near-expert precision.

“I’m used to feeding my animals, not foals.” She squeaked again, catching and earful of brown goo.

“They’re foals, Shy. All they eat is foal formula! check the fridge!” Applejack yelled a little louder than she intended.

“Star? Star, where are you?” Applejack called, looking for the midnight blue colt, who, as of yet, had not been seen.

“I think he’s in our room!” Spike called from the kitchen, hurrying to clean whatever new messes he could. There were four of them here. How Shadow and Twilight did this on a daily basis, Spike would never know.

“Pinkie, stop making them laugh!” Flutters squealed, noticing that Pinkie was behind the oatmeal tossing contest.

“And miss out on a round of oatmeal airplane? heck no!” Pinkie giggled in delight.

“Star, come on, young’un! we ain’t got time to play hide n’ seek! The crusaders will be here any minute lookin’ for ya!” Applejack called, heading deeper into the building.

With the relative quiet of the deeper recesses on the homestead, Applejack heard light snoring in the room on her left, figuring it must have been Star, who should have been awake an hour ago.

“Star, it’s time for school.” Applejack knocked lightly on the doorframe, trying not to startle the young colt too badly.

“Aunt Jackie, I think I’m sick!” Star faked a cough, hoping she would buy it and let him sleep.

“Not likely, little partner!” Applejack hoisted him gently by his tail like she had to do to Applebloom on so many occasions.

“Hop to it now. The crusaders are gon’ be here any second. I don’t need them causing a ruckus on top of those two foals in the kitchen. Good Celestia Above…” Applejack sighed. She’d never been so happier that she only had Bloom to worry about.

“But Aunt Jackie!” Star whined, trying ever so desperately to stay home.

“Star, please, help me out here. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now and I need as much cooperation as possible from everypony.” Applejack laid down, getting eye to eye with the young colt. “I know yah miss Twilight n’ Shadow, and I know you’re worried about them, but they’re big ponies. Why, they’ll probably be home by time you get home, little man.”

“I guess so, Aunt Jackie. But I have one more question, Then I promise I’ll get ready.”

“Shoot.”

“What’s coo-op-er-asian?” Star said, enunciating each syllable as well as he could.

“Help, little guy. Now get to it. I’m sure I can find something for you to eat before ya go. Maybe even some...Apple Pie.” Applejack said, tipping a wink to the little colt.

“Dessert? At breakfast! yayy!!” Star screamed in delight. Twilight would never let him eat pie in the morning.

“But only if you’re ready in five minutes.”

“10 seconds flat!” Star screeched, imitating Rainbow almost to perfection.

“Hyuck hyuck, you got it, little pardner.” Applejack left the room with a smile. That little colt’s attitude was infectious.

“Aunt Jackie?”

“Yeah, pardner?”

Star was thinking about asking another question, but he decided not to. After Applejack had gotten out of earshot, he talked to the walls in his room to get it off his chest.

“Walls, do you think Shadow is OK?”

He knew walls couldn’t talk, but he felt like they could maybe listen.

When the walls didn’t cave in on him, he assumed that was a sign that Shadow was alright, and that was more than enough for him.

As AJ entered the kitchen, she realized the ruckus had calmed down somewhat. Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Spike had all started cleaning up the kitchen after finally getting the foals to settle down, who were both drinking happily from bottles. “Great job, ponies and dragons. We’ll be A-ok if we can keep this up until Twilight gets back.”

“I hope that’s soon. I don’t think I could handle another round of “oatmeal airplane.” Fluttershy said, who was effectively coated in oatmeal.”

“Hehe, Not so easy as your critters, huh, Shy?” Applejack chuckled.

“Even Angel Bunny is more tolerable on his worst days.”

“That was super-duper fun!” Pinkie Squealed. “I’ve never been beaten at oatmeal airplane, but those twins are amazing at it!” Pinkie finished, snorting and laughing.

“I’m wondering why you actually have a name for that fiasco.” Spike grunted, plopping down at the table with a plate of pancakes.

“Well..”

“Another time, Pinkie.” Applejack told her, sitting down at the last available seat.

“Aunt Jackie, I’m ready!” Star squeaked as he entered the kitchen.

“Good gracious, ten seconds flat, young’un” Applejack chuckled, pulling an Apple Pie from her bags.

“I figured you ponies and dragon would be hungry, So I slipped out last night after everyone calmed down and grabbed this.” She said, cutting the pie into equal chunks for those assembled, Star included.

“Not exactly rib-stickin’ good, but better than nothing.” They ate in silence, and without missing a beat, the crusaders had arrived on the scene, happy and laughing. After hellos and goodbyes were said, the three mares finally had a moment to themselves.

“Do you think Twilight and Rarity are OK?” Flutters asked, all the weariness in her voice finally evident.

“I bet my cupcake eating trophies they are 100 % ok.” Pinkie Said softly, The worry evident in her voice.

“Ladies, Twilight is one of the smartest ponies I know. And don’t let Rarity fool you. I taught her a long time ago that getting dirty is ok in certain circumstances. This is one of them.” Applejack said confidently.

“I don’t think there’s a better pair of ponies to hunt down Shadow. I’m still not sitting right with what he did, but if Twilight thinks he’s still worth it, I’m behind her all the way. You both see the , way they look at each other. Nothin’ can tear those two apart.”

“You’re so totally right Applejack…” Pinkie tried being as boisterous as usual, but she just didn’t have it in her. She barely was able to stifle a yawn.

“Girls, Y’all can go on home if’n ya like. Shy desperately needs a shower and you both need some sleep. I’ll handle this here.” Applejack said, placing each of her forehooves on each of her friends’ shoulders.

“Are you sure, Applejack?” Shy asked, stifling a yawn herself.

“Go, girls. I’ve got it. I’ll take me a little nap on the couch after these foals nod off. The crusaders and Star aren’t due back for hours.”

“OK, Applejack. We’ll leave. Since Sugarcube corner is closer than Shy’s cottage, have Spike come get me if you need me.”

“Thank you, Pinkie. Goodbye girls.”

“Bye, Applejack.” The mares said in tired unison, Pinkie following Shy out.

“Well, nothing really to do, huh, kids?” Applejack asked the two drowsy foals before her. While she didn’t have kids of her own, she wouldn’t mind it.

“Shadow, you idiot. Why’d you have to screw up so badly?” AJ asked the empty building around her.

The only given answer was a groan from the beams around her.

Author's Note

Wow yet another update! Well here is another message from Southpaw!

_____________
Southpaw here!
Hai guyz! I decided there was too much angst is the last two chapters, so I left this one on a slightly more lighthearted note, with AJ, Shy, and Pinkie babysitting a houseful of kids. I like how it turned out and had a lot of fun writing the “house, foal, and everythingsitting” bit. And hooray for mama-ish Applejack! I always felt, from day 1, that AJ would be a bit more “take charge and be responsible” type, especially when it comes to the young’uns, while also humbling her by giving her and Star a bit of a “moment.”