Stories in Stone
Lost Empire
By TDR
Shatter me
This place again.
The same village, the same warmth, she always felt surrounded by what felt like family. Safety, security, love, she knew it wasn't going to last, it never did in this dream, such comfort always ended in horror, in blood.
Wait.
How did she know that? How did she know that this was going to end in blood? That is was a dream?
“This again? What's going on?” Applebloom asks, though no one in particular seemed to notice the question.
The figures around her were indistinct, she couldn't make out faces or any real details, but she could make out masses of color, and their scent. It felt like she was wrapped in a fuzzy blanket that messed with her eyes as well.
>“This is how it started.”<
Applebloom looks around trying to see who said that, though all she managed to do in her search was pull away from the fuzzy feeling. She staggered a few steps away from the warmth, feeling the bite of the cold. Everything snapped into focus as she stumbled away.
A number of gasps and shouting in another language drew her attention back to the figures behind her. Looking back she was witness to a family of elk. Two older ones who looked to be parents or the grandparents one with an impressive set of horns and another with a slightly less regal pair though she knew one was male and one was female. Between them with her forelimbs wrapped around to small figures in blankets was a exceptionally pretty doe with a small pair of nubs for horns. This one seemed about the same age as her sister and was gripping the blankets before her tighter as she stared at Applebloom. A pair of noses and curious eyes looked at Applebloom from under the blankets. The older ones said something in another language, before pulling back trying to draw the others with them. The younger watched curiously asking something that Applebloom didn't understand.
“What's going on here?” Applebloom asks.
>“This is the other side of Blood.”<
“Who said that?” Applebloom asks looking the room spinning in place before noticing movement through a door way to her right. She yelps jumping back at the sight of a Timber wolf staring at her from the next room. The wolf jumped away as well. Applebloom peers at it curiously , the wolf mimicking the stare. It only took her a moment to realize that she was the wolf. She sat down hard, her actions having caused no end of noise from the family.
She expected they had never dealt with a Timber wolf in their house before, maybe they didn't even know what it was. Granted she was new to the whole being a Timber wolf thing herself so it was hard to say which of them were more taken aback by this. Applebloom still felt like she was breathing and she still felt like she was flesh, though she could see the wolf that was her and she could move it's claws like she was really was it, but she still felt like she was a pony too.
It was then she noticed the two young fawns. The pair had slipped out of their blanket and were slowly circling her chatting away at each other. The pretty doe hissed something at them though they largely ignored her and moved around risking a prod or a poke against Applebloom as they looked over the 'wolf'. Applebloom watched them rather amused at the small fawns bravery. One of them stopped shouting something and pointing at the other. The other looked back to her own flank and started chattering excitedly about something.
It was then she noticed that the two of them looked identical. Clearly the pair were twins, both were of a scarlet coloration with patches of white. Both had short black manes and the smallest nubs of horns on their temples. There were some decidedly odd things about them however as well. Both had hooves like a pony, their mother had cloven hooves as did the grandparents. They also both had cutie marks, though evidently one of them had only just gained it. The first had a paint brush over an easel, she evidently had hers for a while, the other had a tree with twisted and entangled roots, the branches of the tree twined and twisted around themselves as well all of it forming a near perfect circle with a line from left to right across the middle marking where the dirt was at the base of the tree.
>”We tired to tell him. But he no longer listened to us. He only listened to the darkness that fueled his own madness. This was the best we could do, we were too weak to stop him directly. These young were who he wanted most, they and their mother.<
Applebloom suddenly knew exactly what was going to happen.
She jumped up in panic, yelling at them to run, to hide, to get out of the house.
It seems all they heard was excited barking.
>” This is long done, the past is set in stone, you cannot change their fate. The fires will come, growing from the blood like a weed and cleansing the land of the diseased and sick. We do not blame the fire bringer. One does not blame the lightning for striking, or the river from flowing inevitably on.”<
“Like Tartarus I’m accepting that! There's always hope!” Applebloom snarls. The mare turned wolf rushed forward and scooped up one of the foals by the nape of her neck. She moved to grab the other as well though the mother got in her way, diving for the fawn Applebloom had snatched up. The pony turned wolf darted around the room and down the hall, with the foal in her jaws crying out as they ran. The others moved to give chase, which is what Applebloom was hoping for. It was then Applebloom heard the front door burst open and a great deal of shouting start in the other room.
There was a scream and the sound of weapons being drawn. Applebloom recognized it immediately as the start of the horror. Pushing aside the mirror she yanked a thick curtain from over a window and whipped it over the pair of them with a claw before she lept though the glass, the makeshift cloak protecting them both from the shards. She felt the foal go limp moments before she covered them, and heard the sound of the mother's last cry.
Applebloom landed hard on the ground on the other side of the house, galloping away and into the woods. Hearing more shouting she ducked behind a thick bush before setting down the fawn wrapping one paw around the tiny elk, looking her over to make sure she was alright. The fawn was shaking, her eyes locked on something as she looked though a gap in the bush. Applebloom heard a scream and crying as something landed on the other side of the bush not far from them.
Lifting her head up to look though another gap in the bush she saw the fawns twin sister laying on the ground a arrow though her back leg. A pair of larger elk advanced on the downed fawn. One armed with a club in his jaws and the other with a bow string between it's horns the faint glow of magic pulling back another arrow.
Applebloom curled her leg around the foal clutching her defensively as the club came down on the small foal with a sickening thud. She glanced up at the door of the house watching as the other three were dragged out already dead or unconscious. An older elk with massive horns the like of which she had never seen shouted something at the form of the doe. When the unconscious female didn't respond he lashed out kicking hard at her, tearing her soft skin and marring the pretty doe.
Applebloom couldn't take any more, she couldn't fight them, she didn't know how to do that in this body, plus there was the fawn clutching her leg to think about. She reached her head down gently
picking up the fawn again noting she had saved the one with the tree for a cutiemark. This was possibly the worse cutie-cena she could imagine.
>”Hope, hmmm?<”
Things became a blur after that. She wasn't sure how long she was with the foal, but she was no longer in control of the wolf. The dream had sped up so that the nights and days were little more than flashes in her eyes. It had to have been weeks, the fawn was ragged, but still healthy as she caught glimpses here and there of the timber wolf version of herself feeding the small fawn and the sight of the forest behind them in flames.
Time slowed again to normal as the pair stopped at the edge of the forest along a road. The clatter and creak of carts caught Applebloom's wolf ears and she crouched down, the fawn following her lead the small thing having learned to follow the strange tree wolf's example.
A number of ponies were walking along the trail pulling a collection of wagons that seemed loaded down with every worldly possession they owned. Most of them looked tired, a number of them had depressed looks or at least the expressions of those who were beaten down with no chance of fighting back. They looked like farmers primarily, though judging by the manner of dress some of them could have been merchants and one or two Guards. Applebloom glanced back at the fawn, realizing she couldn't care for her like this. This was only a dream, but she would be damned if she let both of the elk fawns die, she fought with herself a moment regaining control of the wolf for a few seconds. Once that was done Applebloom lifted a paw and shoved the fawn forward, hard.
The fawn yelped as she was shoved out of the bushes managing to keep on her hooves though only just. She glanced at the spot were Applebloom hid, then up to the ponies in a panic as the wagons stopped and several of the lead ponies looked down at her. The fawn cries out starting to gibber something in elk causing the stallions to look at her curiously.
“HEY MAW!” one of the stallions who had been pulling the cart shouts. The earth pony was covered with scars and had an eye patch over one eye that he had lost.
“WHAT!?” was the shout back.
“COME UP FRONT AND HURRY!” the stallion yells.
“I swear Higgs if this is another ploy so you can stop pulling and check on Sable and your foal, I will.......” A tiny pastel light blue mare, whose coat had started to gray hopped out of one of the wagons and trudged towards the front, a large gray shawl that seemed to cover the mare like a cloak was draped over her back, her bright blue hair was streaked with gray and pulled up in a bun. Her blue eyes remained sharp however hidden behind a small pair of glasses. While her voice had boomed at first it quickly softened as she noticed the terrified little elk fawn in the road.
The matron waves the others back gesturing for a few to check the woods around them before slowly approaching the fawn and saying something softly in a soothing tone that Applebloom couldn't hear from where she was. The effect was instant the fawn froze looking up at the mare, her bright blue eyes shining as she responds back to the ponies soft words in elk again. The one known as Maw moves closer as the fawn starts ranting in elk again. The older mare nods responding softly and simply, seeming some what surprised that the little elk fawn understood pony. The fawn mutters a few more things, tears welling in her eyes before the tiny thing starts bawling. Maw pulls her close wrapping her shaw around the whimpering fawn as it falls against the larger mare.
The older mare picks the small fawn up putting her on her back and walking back towards the rest of the wagons. She pauses looking at the others who were staring after her.
“She says her name is Bloom. She says she's got no one else so unless we find otherwise she's one of ours now.” Maw Pelt/Apple states as if her word was law.
The others nod in soft mummers, the others not having seen anything in the forest past the odd pile of logs and grass that made up Applebloom's timber wolf form. The one eyed pony finally smirks to himself.
“Heh one of ours huh? Guess that makes her an Apple Bloom?”
“Higgs if you have the time to try and be cute you have time to git back tah pulling!” Maw bellows from the other side of the cart.
“Yes ma'am.” Higgs shouts nearly saluting before starting to pull the wagon again starting the caravan forward again.
======================================================
[Train to Las Pegasus, 1 day after the attack on Gallopagos, 2100 hours, Thursday]
Applebloom jerks awake whipping her head back and forth, her red hair flying everywhere. She shudders for a moment before reaching up to clear her eyes. She was alone in the cabin aside from the gently snoring form of Sweetiebelle.
Okay gently was too nice of a word, particularly since Applebloom couldn't hear the train she was riding in over the snores that mare put out. Applebloom winced at a particularly loud, window rattling snore before moving over and pushing Sweetiebelle off her back and onto her belly.
The effect was nearly instant, mid dragons roar snore, the sound suddenly dropped countless octaves to a lighter, less raspy, almost squeeing sound that one might think a mouse or bunny made when it slept.
Applebloom shook her head having long ago given up on figuring out the mysteries of Sweetiebelle's existence.
The group of them had left the Crystal Empire after having lunch with Grandpa Rose and doing a great deal of shopping to replenish what Sweetie had lost from dragon fire. There had been a bit of issue at the station as evidently a number of trains had not arrived when they were supposed to, though there was no news as to why. Thankfully the overnight express to Las Pegasus was there already and ready to travel down the west coast from the Crystal Empire. The train itself was powered by crystal energy that was charged from the sun. Applebloom wasn't sure on the specifics, but the trip down the coast would take only a day at best due to the trains speed. That was even counting when it slowed down at night to conserve power. This also gave any pegasi the chance to spread their wings outside as the speed dropped considerably.
Stepping out of the cabin and closing the door slowly behind her she made her way towards the social car, expecting Pip or Scootaloo might be there if they were not in their room. Moving quietly past the other sleeping rooms she wondered briefly how any one slept with Sweetiebelle's snores. She slid open the door to the next car stepping inside, wondering how she had gotten to sleep herself with that roaring.
The car was mostly empty, there was a older unicorn stallion in a suit at one table writing something furiously on a sheet of paper. An older mare was further along at the other side of the car, though she had dozed off in the middle of knitting what looked like a foals bonnet.
Pip was also in the room, sitting at a table by the window, his gaze was fixated on something outside as if he was watching something. Applebloom noted the odd expression on his face though before she could approach or say anything about it a green streak of light flashed outside trailing by the window leaving a trailing after image.
Applebloom barely got a glimpse as it streaked past but the color was all she needed to know that it was Scootaloo. She turned her attention back to Pip approaching slowly taking note of the dopey half smile on his face as his eyes followed the green blur of flame outside the moving train car. Realization dawned on her as she recognized the look, her brother had that look when Rainbow Dash was around. Uncle Jer'rahd and Uncle Rhede had that look around Princess Luna and Velkorn.
“By the stars, yer hot for Scootaloo?!' Applebloom gasps as the bits fall into place, the lingering images of her dream fading away fully at the dawning realization.
Wrapped up in his own world Pip had not even seen her until she was practically on top of him and the sudden accusation nearly in his ear caused him to yelp and fall out of his seat with a crash. The business pony glanced over at the noise before continuing to write and the older mare woke up, looked around and started knitting again like nothing had happened.
“Applebloom?!? Wha....Ah dun know wot yer tallkin bout.” Pip stammers struggling back up to his seat.
“Don't even gimmi that, ah recognize that look you had on yer face an yer Trottingham accent comes out heavy when yer nervous or embarrassed.” Applebloom grins leaning closer to her off balance cousin.” That's why Babs dropped the hint when she did an why she was asking Scootaloo if she was seeing some pony before we left. That's why Bleu was cackling so hard, she figured it out too!”
Pip didn't say anything though Applebloom's grin only widened taking his silence as confirmation, as well as his head hitting the table top with a thud.
“This explains so much, though why her, ah didn't even think yah knew her that well?”Applebloom continues.
“How often did we meet and hang out when we were younger? All of us? Quite a bit, even before the war.” Pip mutters. “Then when Starfall took over as liaison, the Guard and the Wonderbolts started doing a number of joint exercises together. She was always there with her mother and Dash and I was always there with Da. At one point I just kinda I dunno........”
“Jeez,but she's so much older than you...”
“Two years... and not even a full two years.”Pip mutters
“Creepy stalker much tah find that out?” Applebloom smirks.
“It's simple math and ah was invited to her birthday parties when younger, and her cutie-cena. “ Pip grumbles.” So help me if you tell Sweetiebelle ah hava crush on Scootaloo …....”
“She doesn't need to, cause you just did.”Sweetiebelle states popping up between the two from under the table, causing both earth ponies to yelp and fall off their chairs.
The business pony pauses again,looking at the group of them a little longer this time before putting his paperwork away and storming out of the car. The older mare woke up again and continued knitting.
Sweetie grins about to say something when Pip rushed forward, his fore limbs wrapping around both their necks and pulling the two fillies into a choke hold. Applebloom flails realizing that Pip was mostly muscle despite his size, and with her hooves not on the ground she couldn't even call a bit of the dragon power to get away.
“Ya listen and ya listen good. Ya tell 'er bout this and oy 'll make sure yer sisters become only children.” Pip growls.
“What about Big Mac? Sweetiebelle gasps causing Pip to have his thoughts derailed again.
“What? Well ah mean okay maybe GAH... just … “ Pip grumbles. “Just oy'll do somethin yah won't like!”
“Why are you so scared of her finding out?” Applebloom gasps rubbing her neck as Pip finally lets the pair of them go.
“Ah dunno, what do ah do if she doesn't return the interest? What if she does? “Pip grumbles clearly starting to panic at the idea the two of them now knew, which was enough to worry Applebloom. “This is way out of my comfort zone. Then ah gotta deal with everyone elses reaction.... and me showin interest is practically a sure sign to sic Ma on her. Ah wouldna wish that on any one specially not some pony ah like.”
'Well you did it to Diamond Tiara.”Sweetiebelle points out.
“What...? Oh crap ah fergot ta warn her..... Ma's gonna flay her...” Pip moans.
“I'm okay with that.” Sweetiebelle adds.
“Well jus tell her, ain't like she's seeing anyone, she ain't gonna hold ya being an earth pony against yah. Heck with how she views Rainbow Dash, yah prolly have a better chance since her hero married a earth pony.”Applebloom smiles.
“Yeah, well..... ah really don't have the nerve fer this. Fighting, danger, public speaking that's nothing.....”Pip sighs. “ This though......”
“Come on you're the bravest pony I know.... wait no there's Jer'rahd, and then Lionheart did all that stuff, and there's Princess Luna and Twilight.... then Fluttershy stared down a cockatrice..... well, you're on the list somewhere.” Sweetiebelle rambles.
“You'll do fine cuz.” Applebloom pats him on the back.
“OOOOh, IDEEEEEAAA!” Sweetiebelle squees.
“Oh buck.” the two earth ponies mutter.
“Las Pegasus! You can ask her out there, there's dinners and shows and the two of you can have a lot of fun. I'm sure we can set it up that you two can be alone the whole time and you can make your move then! We only have a day so we need to plan it out though.” Sweetiebelle smiles.
“Say that ain't ah bad idea. Yah don't even have tah ask her out, tha two of us can jus split and you two ken spend the whole time with each other. Yah ken see if she really is interested in yah and then ya'll know!” Applebloom theorizes.
“So we have a plan “ Sweetiebelle grins.
“Ah'm doomed.” Pip moans slapping his face with a hoof. “Wait is this a Sweetiebelle plan or a crusader plan?”
“Well since Applebloom is on board and Scootaloo's the target it's a crusader plan.” Sweetiebelle answers.
Pip smacks his head against the table again.”Las Pegasus is doomed......”
=========================================================
[Las Pegasus, west coast of Equestria, Two Days after the attack on Gallopagos, 500 hours Friday]
The train started to slow further the next morning as it crossed from scrub land into a desert as it neared its destination. The San Palimeno desert stretched far to the south eventually turning into a jungle that marked the border of Equestria and the Zebralands. To the west was the Capricorn Ocean, the lands far across the ocean home to Japonies, Minotaurs, and several other exotic races that had settled on the far continents. To the north was a small mountain range with a great mountain at it's center that made all the others look like hills. The mountain was called Ever-rest, named after the many who died trying to climb to it's peak and whose graves now littered the trail to the summit. The range itself was covered in thick forests that eventual spilled out further to the north and north west, the beginnings of Whitetail Woods.
As the train slowed Applebloom felt a sense of something from the north, something felt odd about the mountain there, no, not the mountain, the forest, but she couldn't put her hoof on it. All thoughts of the woods were pushed aside as the train rolled up on the city of Los Pegasus.
The faint light of Celestia's sun was just beginning to creep above the horizon to the east, but it seemed little more than a candle compared to the blinding mass of search lights, glowing buildings, neon lights, and sparkling flashes that they were headed towards. All four of them and a number of other ponies were staring out the widows at the city that looked as if it had used an entire crayon box worth of colors to decorate it's buildings and structures, and then invented new colors to put up as well to add to the glaring shine. If Princess Luna ever thought any place was waging war on her night, it had to be here.
As the clacked along slowed to a near crawl as it started to pull into the station, both sides of the tracks were covered by a constant stream of billboards. The signs blinked and shown brightly advertizing casinos, hotels, various shows in the area, and a number of other things that were best summed up the mothers on the train covering their foal's eyes.
Pip and Applebloom however couldn't fail to notice what the signs hid however along the outskirts of the city. Rows of run down buildings and houses that could be near condemned or abandoned, a number of foreclosure signs and other things. It was a clear warning against falling fully into the sway of the cities lights and glamor, and the dangers of gambling. A warning that the billboards tried their best to hide from potential customers.
“Ah didn't think any pony lived like that....” mutters Applebloom.
“A large number do out of choice. They live in the slums so they can spend all their bits towards whatever vice has them. Many of them reduce themselves to this because they can't control themselves and can't limit it.” Pip sighs.
“Like Spike used tah be with ice cream.” Applebloom chuckles.” So why do you seem to know so much about this?”
“Remember back in school they did that whole 'say neigh to drugs ' thing?” Pip sighs.
“Yeah.”
“Well ah went a little gung-ho in regards tah that and tried to get da to stop drinking.”Pip sighs.
“Bet that went over well.”
“Bout as well to be expected, though I found out that half the stuff is like water to him and the other halves like fruit juice. He's got to drink an insane amount of anything to feel it. Still he only drinks when there's a celebration or at the end of a graduating class. He said he used to drink to forget a lot of things he stressed and worried over, he claims he doesn't have that now. Still he stopped going out for a long time when I was doing that, and he stopped again when Berry did that program. I don't think he's a really good meter stick for that sort of destructive behavior.”
“Ah spect not. We get a lot of that sort of thing round cider time, particularly from Dash, Pinkie, and Berry Punch. Though Berry owns a bar...” Applebloom mutters.
“Still not something I get.”
“Well not like we're old enough tah drink any way. All we gotta worry about is keeping Sweetiebelle from running off.” Applebloom sighs glancing over to the white unicorn who was staring wide eyed at every billboard muttering something about each of them a large smirk on her face. Scootaloo glanced at Applebloom from the other side of Sweetiebelle with a worried expression on her face as the white unicorn was practically vibrating in excitement.
“If she tries tah do another flash mob ah am stuffing her in her own suitcase.” Pip grumbles.
===================================================
[ Las Pegasus 800 hours, Friday ]
“So why are we staying at this place again?” Scootaloo asks curiously looking up at a massive neon sign depicting a swirling night sky with small comets trailing showers of sparks from them. A model of Equss sat in the middle of it all with the name 'Stardust' in bold lettering resting on it.
“I like that they got most of the stars and constellations right in their sign.” Pip states. “ ma would be happy.”
“They did?” Applebloom asks looking at the sign again.
“We came here cause Miss Lulumoon at the library said she got her start here. She said a magic show she saw here when she was a filly pretty much showed her what she wanted to do with her life and she got her cutiemark. Maybe Applebloom might find something like that here.” Scootaloo grins.
“Ah doubt it.” Applebloom mutters.
“Hey there's always hope.” Scootaloo grins as the group walks into the main entrance. “Though I wanted to stay at Planet Wonderbolt. They've got a collection of rare Wonderbolt memorabilia the Canterlot Museum doesn't even have.”
“Err well we can go have a look at that later if you want.” Pip mentions a bit of nervousness in his voice. The other two pause looking at Scootaloo who doesn't quite notice the looks.
“Nah that's okay, I’m not too worried about it.” Scootaloo mentions nonchalantly as she looks around. She sniffs the air a little glancing back at her small wings , one feather igniting brightly.
“What's wrong?” Applebloom asks.
“They're pumping air into room.” Scootaloo mutters.
“I thought it smelled fresher in here.” Sweetiebelle mentions.
“So what's wrong with fresh air?” Pip asks.
“Well it's purified air. Too much of it tends to make ponies a little loopy. It lowers perceived limitations a little, not much a problem normally, but it's something stunt fliers look out for as we don't need even the slightest bit of impaired judgment.”
“Why would they be pumping it in here?” Applebloom asks.
“Lowers judgment? Oh they are clever ponies.”Sweetiebelle grins not noticing Pip's wince. “It's a casino of course they want ponies spending bits to have impaired judgment.”
“Ah thought this was a hotel?” Applebloom mutters glancing up as Sweetiebelle points.
Directly across from the entrance on the other side of a massive night sky themed archway row after row of shimmering and blinking boxes sat on short tables. Beyond them a number of bright green card tables and bars sat. High on the wall a pegasus flipped tabs on a board showing numbers next to strange names like 'Santa's little helper', and 'Doc a mundo', the tag at the top of the board listed them as 'greyhound races'.
The whole area was a mess of blinking lights clattering coins and the cries of winners and losers.
All four of them stare into the room blinking in confusion.
“How tha heck did we miss that?” Applebloom asks.
=====================================================
[ Las Pegasus 1100 hours ]
As the group set themselves up in the room Scootaloo headed down stairs to take a shot at a black jack table leaving the other three alone for a moment.
Sweetiebelle grins grabbing pip and dragging him into the bathroom before grabbing a brush and some styling gel and trying to get him prepared to woo their friend.
“Gah Sweetiebelle what are you doing!?!” Pip fusses.
“Alright, here's the plan, you go ask Scootaloo if she wants to go see that Wonderbolt museum...” Sweetie states.
“Ah was gonna do that any way!” Pip complains trying to get the unicorn away from messing with his mane.
“While there ask her if she wants tah git something tah eat, according tah this flier, there’s a music an a fancy restaurant at Planet Wonderbolt, so yah could easily get tha dinner an a show.” Applebloom adds.
“Hey.. okay that's actually not a bad idea......” Pip mutters.
“Me and Applebloom will follow along and make sure you say the right thing and that Scootaloo stays near you.” Sweetiebelle adds.
“Okay now it's starting to look like hijinks.” Pip adds.
“Ah'll go ahead an make sure that everything's all romantic like fer you two when yah get there. Yah know reserve a table fer yah and all that.” Applebloom adds.
“Still sounds like Hijinks, but that's still a good idea....” Pip admits.
“And I’ll talk to the band and make sure they play something Scoots likes.”Sweetiebelle adds. “I've got the perfect love song they can sing.”
“Shouldn't I get flowers or something?”
“Not sure yah ken find honeysuckles, she loves those.” Applebloom comments.
“You know ah was a bit worried about you two trying something, but these are kinda all good ideas an advice.”
“Why shouldn't it be?” Sweetiebelle mutters.
“Well you've been dating the same colt for years now, a colt you could charm by burping loudly. Applebloom's never had a successful date that didn't end in property damage and or some sort of trauma.” Pip admits.
“Seriously do you want our help or not.”Sweetiebelle grumbles.
“Ah have so had successful dates.....least until they found out ah was related tah Big Mac an Rhede..... their reputation kinda precedes them.” Applebloom mutters.
========================
[ Las Pegasus 1800 hours ]
“This place is nuts. How do they even sleep around here with all these lights.” Scootaloo asks bouncing along on the sidewalk looking up at everything in amazement. the sun had started to set and lights of the city shown even brighter in the encroaching dark.
“Thick curtains, like in the room we have ah spect.” Pip admits smiling despite himself. It had been fairly easy to convince Scootaloo to go along with him to Planet Wonderbolt. Granted he didn't understand why she saw the appeal, her mother and father were the current heads of the Wonderbolts, and her idols great grandmother Starfall had practically founded the military application of the team. Pip decided next time they met up with Bleu to get the dragon to tell Scootaloo about the Wonderbolts first team that was part of the ESO. That would be a good way get them to stop fighting. Aunt Bleu loved to talk and Scootaloo would love to hear about the first group, even if they were just entertainers.
To be honest he would be enjoying his time more if not for the fact that the two of them were being followed. If Scootaloo wasn't so excited, she probably would have noticed Applebloom and Sweetie following them as well. Applebloom had tried to disguise herself, granted the disguise was a empty cardboard box made to hold oranges.
Still at least she was trying. Sweetiebelle had simply dressed like a ninja and was floating a small tree branch in front of her face acting as if she was fully disguised as a tree while wearing black silk pajamas.
Oddly the pair of them barely got a glance from the other ponies milling around on the street, clearly this wasn't the strangest thing they had ever seen in Las Pegasus.
“Alright here it is!” Scootaloo squees.
Pip blinks, shaking off how adorable that was, and looks up at the massive globe of a building before them. A trio of life sized wax manikins dressed as wonder bolts circle around the globe on poles jutting from the replica of Equss. The figures floated around the globe as if they were flying before vanishing into some clouds that float around the edge of the globe before they burst out again on the far side of their spin. The massive structure behind the globe seemed to be all made of clouds, though here and there Pip could see the real building underneath. Scootaloo grins, getting impatient and pushes him onward into the entrance of the building.
Applebloom pops her head out of the box and Sweetiebelle lowers the branch as they look at the building.
“Alright their in, starting Crusader mission Bravo, Unicorn, Charlie, Kilo. “ Sweetiebelle grins.
“Seriously we are not calling it that.”Applebloom deadpans.
“Why not?” Sweetiebelle asks.
“Think about what tha letters spell out.” Applebloom sighs.
“Yeah I know, cause that's what we want for the pair of them to be doing right?”
“NO, this is a first date. One that Scoots doesn't even know is a date, they are not gonna be doing that!” Applebloom shouts. “ An Pip's underage any way, they ain't old enough tah be doing that!”
“Pfft whatever I'm not changing it. Like I should take naming advice from a pony who thought hiding in a cardboard box was a good idea. There now way you will understand the intricacies of my mission naming.” Sweetiebelle scoffs.
“Hey, this is an Orange box!” Applebloom snorts.
“Yeah so?” Sweetiebelle mutters.
“No one would look for a 'Apple' in an orange box!” Applebloom explains.
=============================================================
[ Las Pegasus 1830 hours ]
Applebloom flattened herself against the side of a machine glancing out from behind it as Pip and Scootaloo paid for their tickets. Applebloom smiles noting how Pip covered the cost of admission before the pair of them went.
“Perfect, now all I gotta do is wait here tah let Sweetiebelle know when they come out so she ken get that music ready.” Applebloom grins scooting her orange box next to another machine where a old green mare was dropping bits into a one armed bandit.
The plan was simple. They already reserved a spot at the restaurant attached to the casino. Sweetiebelle should be over there now working to make sure the band played a romantic set of songs for dinner. Applebloom was watching the museum entrance to make sure that the pair didn't leave early or miss the time frame for their reservation. Pip was reluctant to use his full name or status, but both of them were sure he never would have gotten a spot in the posh place if he hadn't.
“Alright if ah stay here ah got a clear view of that museum.”Applebloom grins then tilts her head a moment. She blinks in confusion trying to figure out what her brain was trying to tell her. She thinks a moment tracing her steps backwards mentally before her eyes widen.
Applebloom bursts out of the box staring wide eyed at the old green mare dropping bits into a one armed bandit.
“Granny Smith!?” Applebloom gasps.
“Why hello there darling...... what are you doing in a boxa oranges?” Granny states looking over as she yanks down the lever.
“What am ah doing? What are you doing here? Applejack told me you were gone!”
“ What? She said ah was dead?” Granny frowns.
“What? Nah, tah Coltcune like you was saying yah was going when yah retired.” Applebloom shakes her head.
“Oh that, me an yer uncle Apple Strudel.........” Granny explains gesturing to an older stallion as he leans over from another machine tipping his hat with a hoof to her before going back to putting bits in the machine. “.... are staying at tha Coltcune hotel. We're not allowed tah gamble there any more after we broke tha bank in craps. Now then why are you here, ain't it zapapple time?”
“Yeah but we got so many ponies helping out they dun even need me there and me, Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle decided ta visit a couple of places around Equestria.” Applebloom states as both Granny Smith and Uncle Strudel get wide eyed in a panic that the CMC was here. “Pip came with us too.”
“Oh whew. Okay dear.... So what have ah missed in tha last couple o months on tha farm? How're the youngings?” Granny Smith grins as Applebloom starts firing off everything that had happened since Granny went on vacation.
===============================================================
[ Las Pegasus 1900 hours ]
Pip along with the others in the tour stared at Scootaloo as she chewed out the tour guide. Pip wasn't quite sure what had set her off, something the guide had said about Spitfire he supposed, but he hadn't been listening. Besides he was a little distracted by the orange mare going off almost as good as his Da did with the Guards he was training.
The museum was far less impressive than advertized. There were a couple of old uniforms, tons of images and a couple of ticket stubs for early shows. He could tell it was a disappointment to Scootaloo who had clearly expected more than a two room museum. There were a number of life sized wax pony replicas of the current Wonderbolt roster … oh right that's what set her off.
Pip had gotten so used to the snide comments and innuendo from hanging around Guards all the time, the mares were worse than the stallions, that he mostly ignored it. The guide, a yellow pegasus stallion in a rather inaccurate Wonderbolts costume had jokingly referenced that the statues had every detail right. He then muttered something rather ribald about Spitfire's plot to the chuckles of a few other male ponies on the tour with them. Scootaloo however didn't find it funny and was currently ripping the guide a new one, as well as correcting him on every single mistake he had made on the tour.
Pip didn't think the guide deserved the fussing about the details, but the crack about Scootaloo’s mom clearly warranted this. Granted the guide was getting off light compared to the noble who had said something like that about his Ma within earshot of his Da.
“..... how do you even call this a museum!?! You have nothing at all on the history, nor do you have anything at all on any one other than the last twenty years worth of team members. Rainbow Dash has a better collection than this in her living room and you have the gall to charge fifty bits for this sham of a tour....” Scootaloo rants.
Pip couldn't help but smirk at her raging and the look of absolute horror on the guides face and the interest that the others on the tour now had in the information she was spouting. Still he made a note that if this turned out to be more than just one half date, to not piss her off, he doubted he could take as much abuse as the guide was...... oh wait. The guide had fainted standing up.... that explained it.
Pip sighs as Scootaloo pauses for breath and noticed the pegasus was out cold and still standing there. The orange pegasus blinks tapping the guide on the shoulder watching as he fell like a cut tree to crash heavily to the ground.
“So is she really the daughter of Spitfire and Soarin?” a unicorn in the tour leans over and asks him.
“Yeah.... “ Pip chuckles.
=========================================
[ Las Pegasus 1955 hours ]
“I'm really sorry about that.” Scootaloo grumbles her ears flat against her head.
“ Yah don't have tah apologize. Ah think yah went rather easy. Yah ever heard of a Noble stallion named Stained Glass?” Pip mentions.
“No.”
“Let's just say he said something like that about Ma while Da was in earshot.” Pip smirks as Scootaloo considers this a moment and winces. “ Da didn't touch a hair on his head, but tha poor fool now soils himself every time Ma's name in mentioned.”
“Well that explains why you're not upset at least. “ Scootaloo chuckles a little.” Where are we going any way?”
Pip smirks a little. “Figured with all that ranting, might wanna get somethin tha eat. Supposed tah be a good restaurant attached to tha casino. Might be a bit fancy, but ah heard tha foods good.”
“Oh okay. Don't think I’ve had anything to eat since the train this morning.” Scootaloo admits.
Pip opens the door for her as they pair of them enter the restaurant. The foyer had a few other ponies sitting around waiting for an open table. A couple of shady looking stallions sat at the head of the group waiting spared the two a small glance, though one seemed to focus his attention more on Pip as the two passed,walking up to the small stand.
Pip gestured to Scootaloo to come along with her as he made his way to a rather regal looking black and white griffon, dressed in a suit that matched his coloration standing behind the podium. The imposing figured looked down at the pair of them cocking one eyebrow.
“Is there something I can help you children with?” the griffon asks, giving the pair a look between annoyance and boredom.
“Ah reserved a table fer two at eight. We're a couple minutes early.” Pip states glancing back as Scootaloo looks around , her ears flattening a bit at some annoyed grumbling from a couple of the stallions waiting.
“Name?” the griffon asks.
“Should be under Pip..... no wait... Sweetie woulda used mai full name......” Pipsqueak mutters with a sigh .” Should be under Pipsqueak Smalls Kaisur.”
The griffon looks down flipping open the notebook on the stand running a claw over the names seeming surprised when he came across Pip's.
“ I see. Right this way sir, madam.” The griffon comments turning and leading the pair of them into the restaurant proper.
The shady group of ponies sitting in the waiting area stare after them in shock for a moment, though one of the earth ponies in the group taps his chin in thought.
“Pipsqueak Smalls Kaisur...? Isn't that one of the foals Princess Luna adopted after the war?” the stallion muses gaining the attention of the others in his group.
=====================================================
[ Las Pegasus 2000 hours ]
“By Celestia's flappy bits, seriously they want how much for a salad?” Scootaloo gasps looking at the menu.
The pair of them were at a booth within sight of a central stage. A five creature band sat on stage playing a mixture of instruments, a sign near the edge of the stage proclaimed them as 'The Moonbeams'. Pip didn't think they were that bad, though they were playing low and slow songs for the moment with occasionally a peppier one at some ponies request. It wasn't loud enough to drown out conversation, but it dulled the back ground noise of clinking dishes and other chatter.
A grayish purple unicorn mare dressed in a suit much like the griffon at the front of the restaurant stood near the table, the white glow of her magic holding the tablet to take their order.
“Ah didn't think it would be this bad.” Pip mutters whistling lightly at some of the prices
“I could get my body weight in hay burgers for the price of one here. There was a burger joint on the corner we should head there....” Scootaloo mutters ignoring the stare the waitress gives her for that.
Pip flinches a little and shakes his head.” Nah dun worry about it. Ah'll pay fer it. Ah've not even touched what ah expected tah spend from my account.”
“We dang if you were gonna be that generous we should have brought the others.” Scootaloo chuckles.
“You heard um. They both had somethin else they wanted tah do.” Pip comments hiding behind the menu.”Oh hey this looks good. I'll take the broccoli Alfredo.”
“Think I’ll go with the salmon with the baked potato side.” Scootaloo comments. As the waitress takes it down leaving them to place the orders.
“Fish?” Pip asks.
“Yeah, the Wonderbolts do a lot of shows and I’ve been tagging along with most of them lately. We hit a bunch of festivals including ones near griffon and Diamond Dog lands. I had it once a long while back and I kinda liked it . I know ponies don't normally eat meat and it's not like it would be easy to get in New Canterlot any way. Figure if you're buying might as well. Surprised you haven’t had any before.”
“Ah have, aunt Velkorn actually cooks it from time tah time, jus surprised you've had it. Most ponies without a mixed family like mine wouldn't even think of it. Although I had chicken once too when we went tah visit the griffon kingdoms. Da ate it without issue, so did Berry and Ma, but ah don't think Brush an ah'll ever have a taste for it.”
“Ugh, I don't think I ever want to try chicken. I helped take care of Fluttershy's pets to many times.”Scootaloo mutters taking a sip of water. “So why'd you tag along with me any way? I figure you would have had something you want to do, or at least go hang out with your cousin.”
“Ehh still a year or two too young to actually gamble.” Pip comments wishing he still had the menu to hide behind. “Museum might be all I could check out.... granted ah got a show along with tha trip so ah can't complain.”
Scootaloo mutters something to herself her ears flattening. Pip glances around wondering what he could do to stop her from being embarrassed about that.
“So yer actually gonna join tha guard training this year?” Pip questions changing the subject as best he could.
“Summer of next year actually. I kinda wanted a year to myself. I'm practically guaranteed a spot in the Wonderbolts if I can make it through Jer'rahd's training. I fly better than a bunch of the team members already.”
Pip sighs in relief as she continues. It might not be the most romantic conversation, but it stopped her from asking about the why of this dinner, and ended her feeling bad about the museum. He still had to work up his own nerve to tell her how he felt, however. Sweetiebelle had said she would do something with the music that should help, he wondered what and how, but it was best not to think on what the white unicorn might do. He glanced at the stage noting the music had stopped and saw the band had left a note on their sign saying they were breaking for lunch.
============================================
[ Las Pegasus 2030 hours ]
Two dark gray griffons male and female, a yellow earth pony mare, a green unicorn stallion and a large diamond dog that was chewing on a wooden drum stick stared at the white unicorn in the room with them. Given that Sweetiebelle had already released three albums before she even hit the age of eighteen all but one of the griffons knew who she was and the the earth pony and Diamond dog were fans.
Sweetiebelle had explained the situation and while the griffon lead singers were not entirely thrilled the rest of their band convinced them to give it a shot.
“Cosmic love?” The gray griffon female, Silver Spire, asked.
“No his dad and aunt have break downs when they hear that one, I doubt it has good memories.”
Sweetiebelle shakes her head.
“Love of my life by Cowcolt Mouth?” Asks the male griffon, Gray Spire, the two griffons were twins.
“That ones about a mare rejecting him and his getting over it, not a love song.”Sweetiebelle sighs.
“Slow love slow?” The Diamond Dog , Pete, asks rubbing the long braided blue gray beard dangling from his chin.
“I don't know that song well enough to play it.” The unicorn stallion, Jellybean states.
“That's too slow for Scootaloo's taste any way, she likes faster songs. Hmmm I got it.”Sweetiebelle grins “ Do you know 'Morris Bray?”
“An The mother bucking Time? “ The earth pony mare, Sasha, grins. “Jellybean was one of the founding members.”
“Excellent.” Sweetiebelle grins.
========================================
[ Las Pegasus 2050 hours ]
Pip and Scootaloo were just finishing up their meal, the conversation having died off when the food arrived. Pip paid with the bits he got from the bank earlier along with a tip that went a good ways to improving the attitude of the ones serving them. Now near the end of their meal the band was once again taking the stage, along with a white unicorn with pink and purple mane and tail.
“Is that Sweetiebelle?” Scootaloo asks nodding to the stage.
Pip glances over his eyes widening. “Oh no, she wasn't supposed to sing.....”
A long guitar riff from one of the griffons breaks into something that sounds like hooting drawing the attention of every one in the restaurant to the stage. The music picks up as most of the band shifts around moving with the music as if lost to the beat of it already.
“I, I've been watching you,
I think, I wanna know ya” Sweetiebelle sings.
“Know yah” the rest of the band choruses still jamming out.
“Said I, I'm a little dangerous,
Mare, I'd love to show ya”
“Show Ya!”
“My jungle love, oh!”
“Ohweeoweeoh!”
A few of the ponies in the tables near the stage start nodding along with the music.
“What the heck is she doing?” Scootaloo questions as she stares at the stage watching the white unicorn practically bounce across it.
“I think, I wanna know ya!”
“Know yah”
“Ooohooo
Jungle love, yah”
“Ohweeoweeoh!”
Several members of the crowd start tinging along with the chorus.
“Girl, I'd love to show ya”
“Show yah”
“Wait a minute.
You, you've got a pretty cart
I think I wanna drive it”
“Drive it”
“What the heck is she singing? This isn't even a love song” Pip grumbles.
“Love song?” Scootaloo asks.
“I ain't playin' baby,
said I drive a little dangerous
Take you to the crib, rip you up”
“HOOAH!”
Jungle love, look out
oh yeah yeah yeah yeah
“Ohweeoweeoh!”
“Pip what's going on?” Scootaloo glares.
Pip lowers his head a moment ears flattening to his head. Well this hadn't turned out exactly like he thought. Maybe he could just run with what aunt AppleJack and aunt Starfall were always on about and just stop beating around the bush and just be honest about it.
“Come on I’ll tell you outside.” Pip sighs rising from the table.
“I think, I wanna know ya oh hoo
Jungle love”
“Ohweeoweeoh!”
“Girl, I'd love to show ya...”
“show yah”
“Wait a minute....” Sweetiebelle stalls noticing that Scootaloo and Pip were gone. She shrugs and continues on after the short breath.
==============================================================
[ Las Pegasus 2100 hours ]
Pip glances back as he steps out onto the side walk in front of Planet Wonderbolt, looking back at Scootaloo. The music behind continuing on as if Sweetiebelle was not even aware they had left..
Pip moves off to a small park with a bench across the street from the casino with Scootaloo following along slowly.
“Pip what's going on?” Scootaloo asks looking a little worried.
“Ehh the other girls found out who ah had a crush on....” Pip mutters.
“Oh? Well that doesn't explain...” Scootaloo responds.
“ Actually it does, cause it's you........” Pip mutters glanced back to see Scootaloo's eyes widen before he turns focusing on the bench, not sure if he could look at her and still talk.
“Sorta started kinda liking ya years ago, but then yah had your stuff to do and ah had mine and we didn't really hang out that much, but you kinda had the same interests as me an ah thought maybe it was nothing. Babs found out at one of tha reunions cause ah had tah tell some one and then Ma knows cause well,never mind. Then all that Diamond Tiara stuff started an the others convinced me tah say somethin here an........”
Pip trails off at a flash of green light that lit the small park. He flinches before bringing himself to look back to see that Scootaloo was gone. Looking up a green streak of fire was arcing through the night sky slowly fading, lost in the multi hued glow of the city below.
Pip stared after it a moment his ears drooping as he lowered his head with a sigh turning to walk back towards the Stardust, not feeling like doing anything else that night.
He was a block or so away from the hotel when strong hooves suddenly grabbed him yanking him into the darkness of an ally.
“Got him boss.”A voice states.
“Great! We'll make a mint with this kid.” comments another gruff voice in the darkness. “ Spected some guards with him didn't even need to bring the rest of yah.”
“Umm he ain't hurt is he? He ain't fighting or anything.” another voice comments.
“Good point , hey colt you alright?”The first voice asks moving his hoof from in front of Pip's mouth.
“Oh yeah, ah'm gold.” Pip suddenly grins wide his accent laid on thick. “Lemmi jus thank you gents fer giving me a noice distraction from wots otherwise been a shitty noight.”
=========================================
She could hear the screaming, hear the cries of pain and the sound of conflict. The ash fell heavily around her as the forest burned. Applebloom ignored it all, there were only so many times you could see something like this and have it bother you, unless of course you didn't know you were only watching it like she usually was.
Applebloom had a goal now, once again she was herself in this dream. Like last time she was trying to make it to the top of the cliff. Unlike last time she knew to avoid the edge.
>“You will not like what you see.”<
“Yah keep saying that but yah never 'splain anythin!” Applebloom shouts pushing past some soldiers who do not even notice her.
>” As we said before. We do not blame the Fire bringer. You may.”<
“ What tha buck's that supposed tah mean?” Applebloom growls skidding to a stop at the top of the cliff.
Her gaze scanned quickly around as more soldiers ran past her. To the left of her, past the tree line there was a black stain in the air, something so dark she could taste it, something foul enough that palatable disgusted her. Through the trees she could just make out a figure of an older elk pinned to a tree, he was wounded and broken, but still alive. She recognized him as the one shouting at the fawns mother before kicking her in the dream of blood.
She shook her head turning to the figure on the cliffs edge. She moved closer to him looking out over the fire ravenged land scape. Past the natural barrier of the woods, the ground suddenly gave way dropping into a massive crater that held another forest within it. The cliffs of the crater were sheer, as if the ground had simply sunk down the depth of the Manterhorn before Avianna had ripped the top off. The bottom of the crater was bowl shaped with the middle being the deepest. Applebloom couldn't believe she had run that far up so quickly. She could barely see the far side of the crater, and if the whole thing had not been on fire she probably wouldn't have been able to see it in the night like this.
In the center of this circular crater, towering over the forest both in the crater and around it, was a giant tree. The base of it easily as big around as Canterlot itself. The city she had run from filled this crater, lying among the roots of the great tree.
And all of it was burning.
As she watched the massive tree groaned and cracked, fire licking along it's roots along with flickers of spell blasts and the sound of hacking. With a sound as if the world itself was dying, the massive tree fell back and toppled smashing into the far wall of the canyon as it fell tearing up the ground around it flinging a dirt cloud into the air that obscured the entire crater and created a gust of wind that shoved Applebloom away from the edge, the shock wave from the impact sent her tumbling back to the ground as it finally hit before she could get up on more than two legs. The stallion standing on the edge didn't even blink when the great tree crashed down.
This close to the figure Applebloom became uneasy, the stallions red form was clearer, his cutie mark of three crossed cupid's arrows was readily visible, the single black leg he had, the long black mane and tail and a weapon harness festooned with daggers. There really was only one pony this could be.
“Uncle Rhede?” Applebloom questions her eyes looking up at the tall stallion as he stared into the crater his red fur was covered in dirt and ash and she could see clean rivulets running down his cheeks from where he had been and still was crying.
“What tha hay is this ?” Applebloom shouts.
> “This is the past.”<
“WELL DUUUUUUH!” Applebloom taunts
>”This is the act that doomed the world. Brought about by shame and love and anger.”<
“Stop speaking in riddle and tell me what's going on, why am ah even having these dreams!?!” Applebloom shouts into the air whirling around and coming face to face with a nose.
The nose was easily larger than she was looking up past it along the tree trunk length of a snout she met two glowing green eyes and a tangled mane of brush and limbs. The fire and the smoke froze, everything every where was still save the breath of this monstrous creature and the filly's own trembling.
The mammoth timber wolf lifts it's head up staring down at Applebloom who had fallen over on her rump staring up at it.
>”Your world is ending. Mote by mote, soul by soul.”<
“What tha heck are yah telling me fer? Go nightmare at tha Princesses!”
>” They will not win everything is doomed, this world will never be the same.”<
“Well ain't you a cheerful ray of timber wolf filled sunshine!” Applebloom shouts. “ Why tha heck are yah even telling me this stuff, let me be stupid an enjoy mai last vacation then before everyone dies!”
>”Because young one. “< The massive timber wolf leans in it's nose hairs breath from hers. >“As you said to us before. There is always hope.”<
=================================================
[Next morning, Three Days after the attack on Gallopagos 700 hours, Saturday]
Applebloom yawns sitting up in her bed and whipping her head , her red mane falling about her face.
The faint hiss of the shower in the next room as well as the fairly decent singing marked Sweetiebelle as having claimed the bathroom first.
She ran her hooves through her mane struggling to keep her eyes open as she sat up. Just when she thought her dreams couldn't freak her out any more this trip had happened. She brought an elk foal to what she assumed was her own family in the past and she found her uncle had wiped out an entire race of creatures for some reason.
She wasn't sure she exactly believed what she saw, it was all a nightmare after all, but for some reason she didn't think the dream was lying. In any event she needed to ask her uncle about it when they got back. She could wait a day or so to do that. She felt he might just have some answers at least. She should probably try to warn the Princesses as well.
She lifted her head as the hotel door opens and a orange pegasus walks in. She had large bags under her eyes, but also some rather large bags hanging from her sides that clinked with bits every step she took. Oddly she also had a small bucket held between her wings.
Applebloom blinks wondering where Pip was as Scootaloo closed the door behind her.
“Oh you're up.” Scootaloo mutters with a sigh slipping out of her bags and dropping them near the door with a thud.” Where's Sweetie?”
Applebloom points to the bathroom and Scootaloo nods walking over to the door and shoving it open. Applebloom blinks hearing Sweetiebelle fuss then scream out bloody murder as Scootaloo dumps the bucket of ice on the showering mare before storming back out.
“You ever try to play match maker with me again I will do a lot worse than dump ice on you!” Scootaloo shouts back tossing the bucket aside before hopping up and crashing down on the empty bed.” Ugh how long have we got until we need to catch the train?”
“About six hours, but we only have five til we need tah check out. What tha heck did you do last night, an where's Pip?” Applebloom asks.
“Gambled. I cleaned up at blackjack..... Need to stop at bank again on the way out I'm headed home with like four times the bits I came here with. Seriously you should do a bit of gambling, maybe get a cutiemark.” Scootaloo mutters into the pillow.
“An Pip?”
“Dunno left him at Planet Wonderbolt.”
“Well how did the date go...?”
“Don't appreciate you two making Pip do that just to try and get me a date, figure Sweetie talked you into it so I’m willing to pass on my revenge, too tired. Not thrilled with him fer going along with it either. To tired to be pissed at you and Sweetie both at the moment.“ Scootaloo curses pulling a pillow over her head.
“We didn't force Pip tah do nothing...... awww crap......” Applebloom grumbles putting it together and looking up as the pegasus starts snoring. Sweetiebelle steps out of the bathroom in a huff slightly shivering with her mane and tail wrapped up in a towel.
“Sweetiebelle ah think this back fired. Scootaloo thinks we set Pip up ta try and hook her up.” Applebloom comments.
“Yeah yeah I got that impression, along with an ice shower. Where the heck were you any way you were supposed to let me know when they left the museum I barely had time to get in with the band. Granted we tore that stage up the rest of the night.” Sweetiebelle grins.
“Sorry , Granny smith was here ah got tah talking to her an well it was nearly midnight by tha time ah noticed. Did you see Pip? He ain't with Scootaloo.” Applebloom comments a bit worried.
Sweetiebelle's response was cut off as the door was opened and a bleary eyed Pip sulks into the room shutting the door behind him. The colt was covered in dirt, what looked to be a good bit of blood and had a bandage over one cheek that almost reached his eye.
“Pip! What happened to you?” Applebloom gasps.
“Spent mosta the night at tha Guard station. Buncha stallions found out ah was a prince and tried tah foal nap me for ransom.” Pip yawns heading for the closet he claimed for himself.” Spent tha night filling out paperwork an proving credentials at the Guard post. Tha kidnappers broke one ah tha gems so ah couldn't use that tah ask some pony in New Canterlot. Ah lucked out that one of them remembered me hanging around with Da during training. Still forms.....Seems there's at least four forms fer crippling a pony and six if they might walk again, an there were ten foal nappers. Three of them ain't walking again.”
“What about the date what happened?” Sweetiebelle asks as Applebloom tries to process her cousin got foal napped, even briefly.
He pauses looking at the pair of them then over to Scootaloo with a wince.
“Thanks fer trying tah help. Dun do it again. Wake me up about eleven.” Pip sulks shutting the closet door after himself.
Sweetiebelle and Applebloom wince as the door shuts the pair looking at each other nervously.
“Well what now?” Applebloom asks as Sweetiebelle shrugs.
=============================================
[Two Days after the attack on Gallopagos 1300 hours, Friday]
“Whata yah mean it's canceled …. we got tickets!” shouts a older brown unicorn mare at the conductor, her cry accompanied by a large number of others who were gathered around the black earth pony conductor.
“I'm sorry, but like I said, an order has come down that at least for the next few days all train travel is to be halted. I don't know the details I just know that the order came from Mr. Jewel himself.” The earth pony would have continued but the shouting and complaints of the gathered crowd drown him out again.
The CMC plus Pip stood a bit back from the chaos on the other side of the platform.
“Well looks like we aren’t going any where for a while.” Pip sighs, not looking any better for his nap, though he at least had managed to grab a shower so the blood and dirt was gone.
“What da yah think happened?” AppleBloom asks, before glancing up at Scootaloo who was draped over a cloud that she had grabbed and set to floating a little more than a pony length above them as she snoozed on the fluffy white mass.
“I don't know, but I don't want to wait around here. I've got a concert to play at on Wednesday. I need to get back to New Canterlot.” Sweetiebelle fusses looking around before pointing at a line of carts and chariots heading down the road beside the train tracks. “Let's rent a cart and head back that way, we can be back in New Canterlot by dinner tomorrow.”
“More like Lunch Monday, the road wraps around the mountain to skirt the desert. It's a long walk to New Canterlot.” Pip grumbles.
“Awww poor Pippy afraid of a forced march? Isn't that what you are training to do in the Guard?” Sweetiebelle smirks.
“More like ah recall what happened last time we took a cart an not tha train.” Pip grumbles. “Help me out here Applebloom. Yah know this ain't gonna end well.”
Applebloom didn't respond at first. Pip blinked noting his cousin seemed fixated on the mountain in the distance that they would have to travel past.
“Bloom?” Sweetiebelle asks noting the odd stare as well.
“Huh? Oh sorry kinda zoned out there. What was going on?” Applebloom asks looking back at the pair of them.
“Please tell Sweetiebelle what a bad idea it is to try walking back home.” Pip explains.
“Oh well.... Ah'm not sure it is. Ah could use a little trot after riding around fer so long, feel some real dirt under mai hooves. Ah kinda wanna just head out mai self. No telling how long it'll take fer tha train tah be running again, an even then we'll have tah fight all that others who are waiting. Heck walking might be quicker in tha long run any way. You and Scootaloo've had some survival training an ah know herbs and stuff..... and Sweetie...... well we ken buy some supplies , it'll be like camping on tha road. Unless of course yah wanna try an convince tha conductor yer a Prince tah get priority fer seats.”
“ What? Yer kidding? Come on some pony has to see this is a bad idea, other than me!” Pip asks.
“Sooner I get back home the better. This trip has already gone on too long.” Scootaloo says coldly causing all three of them to flinch. The pegasus had not spoken to any of them since she got up aside from telling them she didn't want to talk about it. She had gone so far as to ignite her wings and threaten Applebloom when the earth pony wouldn't get out of her way. She apologized a bit later, but still refused to talk.
Pip took it a little worse than the others, he spared a glance up to the low cloud seeing the orange pegasus was staring right at him over the edge of her cloud.
“Right … fine... I give up...... Applebloom you up for pulling it?”Pip mutters deflating a bit.
“Yeah.” Applebloom mutters patting her cousin on the shoulder.
“I'll go pick one out.... Sweetiebelle comments as the others look off towards the mountain and the forests beyond it and the long road that would take them home.