Put Out the Light, P2

"How is she doing?"

"She's alive... that's all that matters. But I think she may be coming down with a fever. She's been pushing herself too hard..."

"I've noticed... She doesn't exactly know when to quit."

Slowly, Twilight's eyes began to creak open, and the world around her blurred and shook. A terrible throb came through her skull and she winced, her ears laying flat against the top of her head. Moaning miserably, Twilight curled her legs up against her belly, feeling nauseous. A hoof brushed against her bangs. Though it pained her to look, Twilight forced her eyes to focus and looked upwards. The faces of Rarity and Pinkie Pie began to come into view. She opened her mouth to speak, but Rarity put her hoof in front of it.

"Easy now, darling. You need your rest." The unicorn tried to smile, but not much came of it. When Twilight tried to sit, Pinkie pushed her back down and then pulled a cloak over her as she shivered.

"What happened?" she managed to ask. The memories of earlier began to flood through her mind like wave after wave of poison. Her insides curdled and she flipped over, coughing as though she was going to vomit. She could still hear Applejack's helpless plea. Guilt weighed heavy on her shoulders and she screwed her face shut.

"Trixie grabbed her," came Rarity's soft answer. "Right before you were going to take us out. I'm... I'm so sorry, Twilight."

The unicorn remained still, focusing on her breathing. If she tried to do anything more, she really would end up being sick. Her body moaned in agony beneath her cloak and another tremor ran through her. She furrowed her brow, her head still throbbing, and once she was able to settle herself, Twilight managed to pry open her eyes and observe their surroundings.

They were still in the Everfree Forest, that much was certain. Deep within it, from the looks of things. The trees were tall, their branches low-hanging and thick. No noise was heard around them, except for the crackling of their campfire, which sent all sorts of shadows dancing along the tree bark. To their right, Applejack lay silently, her eyes closed and her legs drawn in tight. Rainbow Dash sat behind her, propping up her wooden leg on a small rock. The less pressure she kept on it, the better. Across the way, Big Macintosh and Fluttershy sat side by side. The stallion, silent as ever, stared straight on into the fire, his eyes glazed over. His normally healthy red coat was now paled. Twilight didn't notice before, but she could have sworn that he was loosing weight around his chest. Then again, their bare diet they had been living off of probably wasn't nearly enough for a steed like Big Macintosh. In the back of her mind, she hoped that the plants in the Everfree Forest weren't toxic. They could at least live off grass for now.

Another surge of pain made Twilight cringe, shutting her eyes tightly. However, all that seemed to do was plaster over her blacked out vision the final scene before they magicked their way from the barn. Apple Bloom's scream still rang in her ears. If she had just got them out of there in the first place... Guilt soured the inside of her mouth and she hid her face shamefully under the cloth. She felt a hoof against her shoulder, but she didn't react.

"No one blames you, Twilight," came Pinkie's voice. Twilight said nothing. "We all know that you tried your best to get us out safely." Again, no response. Pinkie tried to pull the cloak back, but Twilight bit it, refusing to let it be pulled further.

"My head hurts," she managed to say. A pause came from her two friends, before the cloak was pulled back just a bit, this time by Rarity. The scarred pony approached her and leaned her head down.

"I'm... not very good at this, but I'll do my best." Closing her eyes, she let a blue mist form around her horn before touching it to Twilight's head. At first, the purple unicorn felt a prick of white hot pain, and she hissed in response. But then, a cooling feeling settled over her, and she let out a sigh, her body relaxing. She wasn't completely fixed, but there was certainly a change. Her tired eyes reopened and she passed a weak smile to the pony above her.

"Thank you." With limp legs, she hoisted herself sitting. It caused her to wobble a bit, but Pinkie Pie leaned against her side, keeping her propped up. Twilight thanked her as well, managing to catch her balance and letting Pinkie leave her. Now that she could look about without having her skull nearly fracture, Twilight turned her gaze to Applejack. Her back was turned to the others, so Twilight couldn't tell if she was asleep or awake. "Has she said anything?" Her voice had grown quieter now.

"Not since we got here," said Pinkie.

Twilight looked to Rainbow in hopes that there was a better answer to her question. The pegasus said nothing, and instead merely gave a shake of her head. There were so many things she wanted to say. If there had possibly been a way that she could have switched places with Apple Bloom, Twilight would have done it in a heartbeat. Just thinking of what the little filly could be going through... Or worse, if she was even alive. That though made her eyes burn, but she restrained herself. Despite the sentiment of no one blaming her, she couldn't help but blame herself. Her eyes found their way up to he heavens above. All that met her was a sweeping blanket of cloudy gray. Was it really so long ago that they had stars? Twilight missed them. She missed sitting in her balcony, staring up at them as they twinkled and winked. She could still remember those nights where she could not sleep, and so she and Spike had sat together, sipping hot cocoa, and wondering just how many stars there were. Her memories took her even further then, bringing her back to her days as a child, growing up in Canterlot. It was perhaps her youngest memory yet.

"Mother, how may stars are there?"

Little Twilight's question was answered with a gentle chuckle. "Millions."

"Millions? As in... 'millions' millions?"

"There is only one kind of 'millions'."

"Huh..." She folded her front legs and laid her cheek upon them, leaning against the window sill. Though her mother had tried coaxing her into bed, Twilight was too fascinated with the evening sky to sleep. At least that night. "Has anyone ever tried to catch them all?"

"No... They're all too far away. Not to mention that there are so many of them."

"What do you think they are?"

"Why... what do you mean, Twilight? They're stars."

"Yes, but what do you think stars are? Are they magic? Did the Princess make them?"

"Hm... Perhaps that's a question best asked to the princess herself, my little pony."

Twilight's big eyes turned their way towards her mother and she brightened. "You mean I'll get to meet her some day!?"

"Why not? Anything is possible, Twilight." Her mother approached her then and leaned down, touching their snouts together. "Just remember that. Anything is possible..."

"Anything is possible."

Twilight didn't notice that she had said that out loud, but now there were a couple pairs of eyes staring at her. Rarity let her ears droop. "What was that, dear?" she asked kindly. Twilight looked up, surprised and snapped out of her memory.

"Oh... nothing. Just... just thinking." Thinking of a time that was innocent. Back before all of this happened. Back before the world had gone cold. Twilight would give anything to have those days back again. She could still feel her parents' warmth, remembering all the lessons that they taught her, before she started learning on her own. All those letters to Princess Celestia... She had kept them after the princess had sent them back to her. When Ponyville was pillaged, Twilight didn't even think to grab them, running out just as the library was set aflame. Even though she remembered every word by heart, Twilight longed to read them through again. Just for the sake of reminding herself what she still lived for.

As the others laid down for rest, Twilight noticed Big Macintosh get up to leave the circle. All eyes, save his sister's, watched him go. None of them had the heart to tell him to stay close to the fire. However, just as Twilight was about to suggest that someone go talk to him, someone did. Fluttershy, who was ready to get at least a couple hours sleep, stood and followed, fearless of the shadows around her. All that seemed to matter was being by Big Macintosh's side. When would they find their happiness? Twilight hoped that, some day, the two of them would perhaps be together out of want, and not necessity.

Beyond the fire's reach, Big Macintosh had made his way behind a tall red-wood, before sitting himself down in the dark. Fluttershy hesitated, her steps unsure the closer she got. However, after debating with herself, she pushed forward to Big Macintosh's side. He neither rejected nor accepted her presence, but a flick of his ear let her know that he acknowledged her. Fluttershy was satisfied with that, and sat herself beside him. He remained wordless, as always. It didn't bother her.

"Are you all right?" came her tiny voice.

Big Macintosh thought for a moment. Then, as her answer, he turned from her, his shoulders hunching and his head lowering. It broke her heart in half. However, she swallowed her melancholy and inched towards him. She had to be strong. For her friends, she had to. For Big Macintosh especially. He and Applejack had lost so much to begin with. And now with Apple Bloom gone... Fluttershy took a breath and leaned in. "It's... it's all right." The stallion tilted his head to look over at her. "I don't mind if you cry. You can."

That seemed to strike a cord with the work horse. His eyes grew weak and his knees wobbled slightly. He shut his eyes tight and turned away yet again. But Fluttershy was not fooled. She could tell by the way his back shook that he was struggling with his tears. Knowing that Big Macintosh was crying made her own resolve break. First, it started as a whimper. Then, as her eyes closed, uncontrollable, silent weeps came from her. Thinking over everything that had happened was bad enough. But the more and more she thought of what had happened to the Apple family, the more and more wretched she felt. She wanted so bad for things to be fixed. Why did this have to happen? Why couldn't things just go back to the way they were? A hiccup escaped her, but she hardly noticed. Her head was spinning and her tears were now coming at an alarming rate. She almost didn't realize that she was crying into Big Macintosh's chest until she felt his chin on her head. Her eyes didn't need to open to know that the two of them were locked in an embrace. With her breath breaking, she leaned forward as much as possible, and felt a strong, helpless arm rest along her shoulders.

The two of them cried themselves to sleep there beneath the red wood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The once gleaming city of Canterlot now sat against its mountain side, gloomy and faded, as though time itself had sped up, and deteriorated the castle away. The once vivid and colorful city streets now were run by rigid and relentless guard regimes. They marched through the streets, their eyes focused and their steps certain. Nothing got past the guards, and these days, one would greatly favor death than being captured by the notorious unicorns. For there was no variation to their race. And indeed, the ponies that did remain in Canterlot, the common ponies, were unicorns as well. It was as if no other race existed here.

Suddenly, through the bleak and dismal city, a trumpet sounded. Guards made way as the gates to the palace grounds opened. Stepping in, proud as could be, was Trixie, her general's cape fluttering impressively behind her. She proudly led her team of unicorn guards into the palace walls, up the steps, and in through the front gate. After demanding an audience with the queen, the internal guards were quick to announce her to her majesty, and Trixie and her group were instructed to meet Queen Luna in the main hall.

Their hoof falls echoed loudly against the stone and mortar walls. Where once beautiful stain glass windows sat, telling stories of old and new, now were covered by thick curtains. The decorative flowers and plants all either had died or been removed, and the vibrant carpets and tapestries were replaced. Now, the only light source in the hall were the torches that lit the way with eerie, blue flame.

Halting her band a few feet from the royal chamber doors, Trixie awaited her queen to appear. After a few tense seconds of waiting, the doors loudly forced their way open, and out stepped Queen Luna. But the mare that stood before Trixie and her soldiers was not the Luna that her once regal sister adored. Instead of her royal blue coat, a mare of dark black stood before them, her once powder cyan mane and tail now flowing freely, the stars themselves sewn into them. Her eyes, which were once so gentle and sweet, now had something undoubtedly evil about them. They bored holes into Trixie as the unicorn bowed before her.

"Your Majesty," Trixie began. "We have located the where abouts of Twilight Sparkle and her friends."

There was a pause. Trixie wasn't sure if she should continue without permission, and so she carefully tilted her eyes upwards. Luna ruffled her wings and held them firmly to her back. "Why do I not see them here? Did you kill them?"

"No, Your Grace," came Trixie's answer. "But rest assured, I know now for a fact that her friends live."

"Then you let them escape?"

"N-no!" said Trixie quickly. "W-well... I mean... t-technically yes, but not all!" She jerked her head, and one of her soldiers came forward. The limp body of Apple Bloom sat in his teeth. The little filly was tossed to the floor. A rag doll was treated better. Luna's sharp eyes stared at the creature with disdain.

"This is all you brought?" Her tone was biting. "A corpse of a child? If that is all you can do, General, perhaps I should give the job to someone who can bring me results."

Trixie began to panic. "N-now wait just a moment... ah..." She shifted from hoof to hoof. "W-we have a good idea of where they might be, Your Highness! I think they vanished into the Everfree Forest!"

"And you did not hunt them?"

Trixie shrunk before Queen Luna, her legs shaking in her armored hooves. "W-well... ah... not... not really... no."

A very tense silence passed between the two of them. During that time, Trixie's coat began to cover itself with sweat, her heart pounding in anticipation. Finally, Luna's eyelids lowered and she turned her gaze back to the dead Apple Bloom. "Get this filth off of my floor." Quickly, a couple guards rushed forward to cart Apple Bloom away. Luna turned to Trixie. "As for you." Trixie hunkered down even more, fearing punishment. "It is clear that you cannot handle your responsibilities as a commanding officer."

"I assume this is sufficient evidence, Your Majesty?"

A male voice came from a shadowed corner, causing every eye but the queen's to turn. The voice itself was deep and impressive, and was clearly not belonging to a pony. Out stepped an impressive gryphon, a royal crown circling his head. He had deep, dark brown feathers that melted easily into his impressive lion's coat. His beak, which was as black as his eyes, curved itself into a metal tip. A cape sat along his shoulders, covering his large wings. "Clearly you are in need of assistance tracking these last few rebels down. This may be the chance that we need for a proper treaty."

Luna said nothing, keeping her eyes on Trixie. In that time, a smaller, thinner gryphon stepped out to announce the one who spoke. "My I present His Highness, King Solman! Ruler of the gryphon nation and army!" Just as soon as he had come, the harold left, leaving the silence back where it was. Finally, the alicorn turned to her visitor.

"Very well. I will allow you and your soldiers this one chance. But be warned. I want Twilight Sparkle and her friends alive. Those elements they're connected to are still incredibly powerful. I need them breathing if I'm ever going to extract it from them."

Solman lowered his head in understanding. "I have just the gryphon for the job. Lieutenant!" Stepping aside, he allowed yet another gryphon, female this time, make her way into the light. She wore armor, much like the soldiers, but with different crests, representing her own nation. Her feathers were a harsh, alabaster white, save for the purple tips of her feathers, and her lion body a brownish gold. Currently, she carried her helmet beneath her arm. With a grin, Lieutenant Gilda bowed politely to the pony queen.

"So... where is my dear old friend Dashie anyway?"