The trip we embarked on about an hour later would turn out the toughest I've ever experienced in my live. And boy, have I had a few.

There wasn't much for me to pack. What I decided to take along largely consisted of some cupcake batter, balloons, chunks of confetti, and eye patches. In case of sudden emergencies concerning any of those things, you see. As far as preparations went, that was about all I had to handle. Since Sugarcube Corner would keep on working for a while without my support, and most ponies probably wouldn't mind me going on a trip (they usually don't), getting ready didn't take me longer than a few minutes.

Before getting back together with my friends, I took another moment saying goodbye to Pound and Pumpkin. Whenever me and the girls got out of town, these two fluffy hairballs seemed to be what I'd miss the most. I was always relieved seeing them unharmed after coming back, and I'm pretty sure they thought so, too.

That morning however, our parting didn't take very long, since both of the twins were still fast asleep. I soon figured I'd better be off, since missing an appointment made by Twilight isn't the most clever of ideas. She can get really picky about these things.

We met back at the library on time, just as Twilight had planned. Well, almost all of us, to be exact. Rarity was a good ten minutes late from needing to make sure her sister would handle the boutique in her absence. Not that I did mind in particular. I was way too preoccupied with trying to cheer everypony up. Especially Twilight herself needed a laugh now more than ever. I've never seen her more miserable since we first met, and our friend's delay, while not exactly very long, totally put her on edge.

She took a much harder blow from whatever had happened over at Canterlot than any of us. Which wasn't a big surprise, I guess.

Even Fluttershy wasn't as startled as our princess friend. And she's usually the most timid and fragile one of us. Then again, I suppose she can be pretty courageous when under pressure. Like that one time, she totally showed a massive dragon in it's place, even though it was about ten times as big as her? I wouldn't want to forget about that for the world.

But I'm trailing off again, right?

Well, like I said, Rarity came along about ten minutes after the rest of us. Alongside her waists hung two massively stuffed saddlebags, probably crammed to the top with all sorts of fashion accessories and whatnot. Though I didn't see it at the time, I could pretty much tell Rainbow Dash doing a facehoof behind me. Which was a reaction that I guess made sense.

Of course, along with all my party favors (you get the idea), I also carried a two-hundred pound, lethal, pink artillery weapon around, myself. So not judging the fashion choices of others seemed pretty fair to me.

Usually, I don't exactly judge ponies, either way. In my opinion, every essential aspect of life in Equestria can easily be sorted in either of two categories: Fun, and not fun. Whatever doesn't apply to these two isn't for me to think about. For example, the details about Rarity's fashion designs.

Twilight didn't mind either. Not because she wouldn't have, anyway. I don't think she even noticed anything about Rarity, except for her finally being with us. She seemed as mentally absent as before, and I can't deny growing gradually worried about her.

Without much of a discussion, the six of us started trotting off, towards the outskirts of town. It wouldn't take us long to get to the station, where the train to the capital would soon be waiting for us.

Nah, not exactly waiting. I mean...it wouldn't be waiting for us, nor for anypony else. That train was the first carrying supplies from Appleloosa. It would take a five minute break at Ponyville Station, and be on its way right after. By then, we either were on there, or not. Take it or leave it. Or so, Twilight told me.

Again, that pony's organization skills impressed me. Sixth sense or not, I had totally no idea how she could have known about the train coming through at this time. Who knew, maybe she had even put the schedule together herself? Leave it to Twi for coming up with a perfect plan, like Rainbow Dash had said. Which she had, hadn't she? This crazy day was messing more than enough with my head, already.

Anyhow, we arrived at the station a few minutes before the train did, so there was still some time left for me to buy some snacks at the counter. Initially, I hadn't brought any of those because there didn't seem to be any more room in my saddlebags. Only on the way over did I remember I might as well stuff my party cannon with them. There was lots of room in there...I just needed to remove them before the next time I'd fire the thing.

Rarity shot me a disapproving look, as I gulped down half of my fresh food anyway. Even with my party cannon filled to the top, it still didn't all fit in. I admit, I may have bought a little too much on purpose. But weren't we all just terribly dazed and confused this morning? Mistakes do happen, mind you. And my growling stomach might have had a small say in it just as well. Can't ever control these things.

Our other friends either ignored my mishap, or they were too consumed by their own fears and worries to notice. Especially Twilight seemed visibly shaken. Of course, she needed to get to Canterlot any minute now. Not only had the princesses been in the city, but also her parents. All that occurred to me only now, and it made the half-ton of candy weigh extremely heavily in my stomach.

Well, at the moment I didn't pay too much attention to her, either way. Instead, I glanced up at the sky, which was halfway lit up by the sun, while the other half was wrapped inside a darkness the midnight hour itself couldn't have performed more convincing. It constantly reminded me of what had happened, and how this was not a day for fun. Needless to say, I hated the sight. My only relief was that none of it had gotten obscured by clouds. The moon, as well as the sun shone down on us in their full power.

Practically, it still was half a sunny day. I took comfort in that. Nothing could have made me more glum at the time, than a dark-grayish firmament, only one half of it lightened up. Nope, one half of this day was a Sunday. I like Sundays.

We could spot the train coming from far away, already. There weren't many hills or mountains in our part of Equestria, so the poofy, gray cloud from the engine became visible several minutes before it even reached us. I had started jumping up and down, as soon as it came into view. However, another one of Rarity's glares was more than enough for me to stop mid-motion. After that, I fell back on my haunches, and started motionlessly watching the ground.

Not fun.

Inside my head the happy, cheerful side of me soon became battled by a different set of emotions. The kind I don't talk about, to be precise. Dark and grumpy me hadn't played any larger roles in my life ever since the little breakdown at my last birthday. And there sure wasn't any reason for it to come bursting back up, now. As soon as I noticed my mane going only a little limp, I immediately stuck to the thought: Stay positive, no matter what. This wasn't the Pinkie Pie my friends needed, right now. They needed the element of laughter to keep their own hopes up, not somepony who'd only get them all even more depressed.

I Pinkie promised myself not to let my own worries get the better of me. I couldn't keep bringing myself down if I wanted to be of any consolation to my friends. For now, the best thing I could manage was to stay positive. With a faint smile I looked back up, just in time to see our train roll into the station.

It was a rare sight, if any. The four cars attached hadn't lost any of their typical, bright shadings, but that was about the only aspect normal about this train. Windows were either stained, shattered, or replaced by wooden planks nailed to the wagon sides. The insides, and even some of their roofs, were packed full with crates of supplies and medical ponies, among other helping hoofs. I couldn't make out a single casual passenger in the entire vehicle, as it stopped in front of us. We could be happy to catch a free spot for the six of us anywhere inside.

Even the engine itself was crammed; there were four muscular earth pony stallions stationed in its cabin. At least three of them were more than busy shoveling a maximum amount of coal from the tender in a minimum amount of time. That's what keeps the train going super-fast, even more than usual. Twilight told me so someday, though she might have sounded a bit more professional while doing so. The three of them hardly slowed down, even after the effect of their fun little fire had been drastically stopped by the train brakes. There was no need to have it decrease in size, heat, or anything. I understood that.

A fourth pony, the one in charge of steering the train I presumed, had hastily hopped off his vehicle the moment they came to a stop. Our station's overseer, a mare named Carrot Top, came to greet him. They immediately burst into a heated discussion, where Twilight would join them after a little bit. She needed to let him know we would join in on the ride, of course.

Carrot Top is another friend of mine, by the way. As is everypony in town, but I'm pretty sure I already said so. She can be fun, but also a little strict sometimes. I guess it's simply a virtue you need when put in charge of an institution like that. Which got me thinking, would the same rule also apply to Twilight, then? I have no idea.

Speaking of Twilight, our alicorn friend quickly joined us, after no more than half a minute. The train driver had quickly nodded off her requests, so it couldn't have been to hard persuading him. Things tend to be easier in life when you're a princess. It's the part getting there that's hard. There's not much fun in all the studying either, so I never cared much for that.

Anyhoof, Twilight got back to us, meeting our expecting gazes. Well, most of us, anyways. I was kinda...occupied with realizing I hadn't packed any cake. But I'm pretty sure my other friends looked at her expectantly. Enough to make up for the expectancy they were missing because I didn't join in, or something. It's what ponies do, really.

She didn't say a word, still not up for any joy. Giving a single notion to the last train car, she trotted past us, leading the way. I admit, it took me a moment to realize what was going on. Only somewhat delayed did I start hopping towards the back entrance, following them.

Twilight stepped into the train car first. Or onto it, to be more precise. Other than its peers, the last car on the train had a small steel platform attached to it, on the back and front, respectively. Only through these could anypony enter the inside of the cabin. The opposite sides of each platform were guarded by a railing, about four feet tall. Its only interruptions were located at the sides, where ponies would climb on and off, using a small metal staircase, consisting of two small steps. And that was the one Twilight was using. Whew.

She was a mare of few words that morning. Setting a hoof onto the first step, she briefly turned around, stating: "There should be some more room for us inside." Having said so, she directed her eyes back forward, climbed up onto the wagon, and disappeared in the carriage's inside moments later.

I felt my heart sink to the height of my knees the moment Twilight looked back at us. She didn't glance behind herself for very long, two or three seconds at best. But nevertheless, these were more than sufficient to make me freeze in place. I don't think Twilight had addressed anypony in particular, not even all of us as a group. Her eyes seemed elsewhere, absent in a way. They didn't look at any of our faces, just somewhere off in the distance.

I had never seen her face like this. If anything about this day hadn't been unnerving so far, this definitely crossed the line. I had no idea what to make of it, yet. But it was the first time on that day that I realized it would probably turn out one of the longest ones in my life. The very idea sent a cold shiver down my spine. And this one surely wasn't connected to my Pinkie Sense, in any way.

Rainbow Dash was the fist to follow Twilight's lead, hovering past the door frame just inches behind her. Applejack followed suit, and Fluttershy trotted past her, eyes lowered to the floor. A feeling crept up to me in that moment, that she had looked into Twilight's eyes moments ago as well, and seen what I saw. And other than simply disturbed as I was, Fluttershy looked terrified.

When she reached the top of the stairs leading up to the wagon, she had Rarity go past herself, inside. The pegasus mare mumbled something about needing a little fresh air for the moment. Rarity nodded, and went in without any further question.

Other than me. The look on Fluttershy's face was more than enough reason for me to stay out here, alongside her for a little while. I could tell immediately how this was going to be a terribly serious moment, with no place for smiles or laughter. Only our own worries and empathies. I already hated it.

Fluttershy didn't object to me standing there, but neither did she say anything else. I'm pretty sure she didn't. Audible or not, her lips didn't move. That very probably rules out the possibility of mistaking her speech for silence. And there was nothing wrong with that. Somepony like her simply needed a little silence, a moment of patience for herself to speak up. And I wasn't going to stop her. As usual in a situation like this, I stared ahead and frowned. I tell you folks, it's harder than it looks. At least for an extrovert like me, it is.

For at least two minutes, approximately (me and time...you're probably getting tired of hearing it) we just sat there, next to each other, neither one uttering a word. The two of us stared at the train tracks beneath and behind ourselves, motionlessly. Something about these must have been extremely fascinating to my timid pegasus friend. Otherwise, why would she keep looking at them? I'm not sure what exactly she was looking for. Even though I tried, honestly.

Here's where a short lesson Twilight taught me some time ago comes into action: Trying to see things from somepony elses point of view. "Try to step into their horseshoes for a minute or two," she had told me. "Then you'll see how they view the world, from their very own perspective and personality. And how they experiencing interactions with others, even you. Try to comprehend that for a second."

At first, I had only laughed, and called her silly. One couldn't just step into somepony's horseshoes like that. Especially since most residents of Ponyville don't even wear horseshoes. Most of our town consists of dirt roads, anyway. These don't resist the clops from your hooves as much as cobbled or metaled streets would. And thus present themselves a lot more comfortable to walk on.

A second later, I realized how rude it was saying that to my friend, so I apologized. For making fun of her, mind you. Not for my ignorance of her lesson. It took a lot longer for me to comprehend those words. The first time I ever succeeded in seeing the world from someone elses eyes didn't exactly include the kind of pony I had expected for that role, if any. Not the kind I had hoped for, either.

That mare's name was Trixie. The Great and Powerful Trixie she would call herself. Mind the capitals. Some boastful unicorn mare, too full of herself, and a real meanie at times. She came to Ponyville twice, each time showing of before being shown off by Twilight's expertise. Who easily got by with a little help from her friends. Trixie had only been angry with each of us the first time, before she disappeared in a cloud of smoke, and left us for good. More or less.

Myself, and probably most others, hoped we'd never see Trixie again after that failure of hers. Only for her to show up once more, several moons later. And to our bad luck, she hadn't changed a bit.

When we defeated her this time, she reacted very differently. Trixie would show up later that evening, where she enhanced one of Twilight's magic shows with some of her own potential. The show was meant for Celestia herself, showing around some important ambassadors. So it was kind of a big deal, I guess.

Twilight's magic performance was good and all, but I think it was Trixie's fireworks to finally send them over the edge with astonishment. I hadn't expected her back so soon, and sure as hay thought she wouldn't be up to any good. But when Trixie opened her mouth to speak to Twilight, she didn't sound any more like her old self, at all. Her voice was dominated rather by a tone of sad remorse.

"It's the least I could do." Those were her exact words. "I treated you and your friends so horribly..."

I didn't exactly catch the rest of the conversation. There was too much cheering and partying going on around myself (Yay!) for me to listen to every word they said. But what I heard was enough for a sudden revelation on my part: I finally understood what Twilight had tried to tell me months before that.

Suddenly, the image of standing in a crowd that was laughing at Trixie many months earlier got replaced by the same crowd laughing at a pony that was me. In a weird kind of way, since I saw it from Trixie's point of view, including myself standing in the midst of that crowd. After that, the azure unicorn wasn't just a boastful moron to me. She was a highly misunderstood pony, who had gone underappreciated, if at all, her entire life. She then tried making up for it, while having no idea how. Constantly failing and being laughed at must have been a constant aspect of every single day she had to endure. In that moment, I felt very, very sorry for the mare. Even though she'd cast a super-mean spell on me earlier that day, and I still hadn't gotten my muzzle back.

I know, I know. Just another Tuesday in Ponyville. Maybe I'll tell you all about it later.

When the two unicorn mares shared a short, but genuine smile after their short monologue, I felt they made their peace with each other. I couldn't help myself but feel happy for Trixie. Concerning her future, I hoped for the best, and I still do so today.

That day ended for me with a sense of accomplishment. I had finally seen the world from the eyes of somepony else, and absolutely, completely understood their position. It made me happy, and I was hoping to be able looking at ponies that way again, some time. Whenever they could use it.

In a similar way, I now tried to understand Fluttershy's point of view. Only she didn't make it as easy for me. Her quiet nature made sure of that, and forcing her to talk to me wouldn't have crossed my mind in a thousand years. And thus, we remained silent for a while longer. Only when a swift, pulling force disrupted the wagon's peace, and the tracks started moving beneath us, did our provisional vigil break.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed a movement from my fellow mare. Fluttershy cast a worried glance back towards the cabin door, before she looked at me. I returned it, trying my best to force a smile, and failing horribly. She didn't get startled or anything, luckily. I can look pretty creepy at times, even though I never wanted that.

"You...you saw it, too. Right?" she asked. It was hard to fully understand her gentle voice against the rattling and pumping of heavy machinery around us, but I gave it my best shot.

Initially, I only nodded as a response. If I opened my mouth to speak now, I would probably screw up the situation completely. So I didn't. Silent Pinkie was still a lot more serious than worked-up party Pinkie, who didn't think about what she said.

"Her parents were up there," Fluttershy continued. "That - and the princesses. Everypony, who ever meant anything to her, except for the five of us...and her brother, I guess."

Again, I nodded. I felt like an idiot while doing so, but couldn't manage any better, either.

"That look in her eyes just now...that was...something." She gulped. "Twilight seemed so hollow...like something broke inside her. It wouldn't be a surprise, now. If only we could find a way to help her. I can't think of anything."

"Heh. Same here." Honestly, it was the best I could manage, right now.

"A lot of things will be different from now on, won't they? I just hope we won't lose Twilight - our Twilight - to all of this. All those worries, and all the things we'll have to face today, and tomorrow, and maybe the day after..." She trailed off for a minute, looking me dead in the eye.

"Pinkie...I'm scared."

Her last words hit me hard like a brick wall. Scared...well, it was nothing new, really. Times, at which Fluttershy is afraid of something are more frequent than those at which she isn't. But this fear was more than easy to comprehend for me. And worse than that, I did share it with her completely. I just didn't want to admit it. But there wasn't any point in denying that now, was there?

"Yes, well...I'm scared, too."

Another long silence pursued, during which we kept looking ahead. Again. For a short while, I tried counting the ties racing past beneath our hooves, but even that was pointless. Mostly, they just transformed into some brown-grayish blur from the speed we gathered. Which didn't make me feel any better.

Fluttershy's head bobbed forward a bit, then sank down, as she let it rest on her forehoofs. Which, in turn, were places firmly on the train's railing, themselves. "It's all going to be different from now on then, isn't it?" Her voice was calm, and emotionless. The kind of tone that always gives you this icky feeling of discomfort whenever she's the one using it.

"Different? What do you mean?" I asked. She kept facing away from me, slightly looking off towards the dark side of the sky, embraced by the pale light from Luna's moon. Or at least it had been Luna's. Who knew what was to happen to the celestial bodies, now? I sure didn't.

"I'm talking about us, especially Twilight. Our friendship won't be the same, if she has to lead the country from here on out. And I guess she will have to do that, if Luna and Celestia really are dead."

...and there came by another brick wall. In a way, Fluttershy started to creep me out. She wasn't always as direct. Or harsh with words, for that matter. The last time she was, that big meanie Iron Will made her do so. For a short while, he also made Rarity and myself believe we had lost that timid friend of ours. And oh dear, did I cry. That sure didn't need to happen again.

"...I-I mean, we have to assume they are, right?" she asked, turning back towards me, her eyes wet. "What's the point if everypony's just hoping for the best, trying to avoid that fear? Someone has to say it."

Something felt totally wrong about all this. None of the ponies I've met this morning acted like themselves. First there was Twilight with her incredulous depression, leading us here without any actual plans of herself, it seemed. And now Fluttershy told me she was going to say what no-one else had the courage for? What's next, Rainbow taking care of the animals for her, because they decided to switch places?

Nothing seemed to match up, somehow. And that made a terrible thought come up in my mind, one of the most horrifying I could think of. Literally.

"Fluttershy," I asked her, my voice much lower than usual. "We're still all going to be friends, right?"

The timid pegasus didn't answer my question directly; instead, she looked over at me with a glance that was questioning by itself. Her eyes were slightly narrowed, as if she hadn't understood me. Which I believe she did very well. But there was no point in arguing about that, now.

"Sorry. What I meant to say..." I took a deep breath. "We won't, like...drift apart because of this, will we? I wouldn't want that. We'll always be there for each other. You, me, and all of our friends. Please, please tell me you think so, too."

I didn't want to see her cry. Not now. I can't stand the sight of Fluttershy crying. And right then, I already felt like bursting into tears, myself. I was probably closer to breaking down than her, all things considered. The second of silence, the short glimpse that she hesitated to say something to me felt like an eternity trying to hold back tears. Which is kind of ironic, if you think about it. Wasn't I the one who came here for bringing smiles to ponies? Now, I was the one in need of being cheered up.

Fluttershy eventually broke her eye contact with me, and looked down to the floor. "I don't know," she muttered. "I don't even know where we are going with all this. I'll have to think about it, and...and we'll see in time." She looked back up at me. "Sorry, I'm...just babbling nonsense, I guess. I think I'll go inside now."

We looked at each other for a moment longer, before she turned for the door. Neither of us said another word, before she pushed it open with a hoof, and slipped inside, probably joining the others. I'm not sure how that would make anything any better for her.

As for myself, I was left on the outside platform by myself, but with a whole lot on my mind. It seemed as if I only now began to fully grasp the dimensions of what had happened. Twilight being scarred like she was this morning kept dragging all of us down. I couldn't blame it on her though. I wouldn't be off any better if the same thing happened to my family. Even if we're not very close, and barely saw each other, anymore. My sister Maud is the only one I truly care for, out of all of them. But they're still my family, and I couldn't bare losing them to a disaster like this one.

After a while by myself, I turned to go inside, as well. There wasn't anything else for me to do out here, really. Heading for the door, I shot a last glance to the warmth of the sun shining down from my right. The faintest hint of a smile formed on my muzzle at the sight, but it didn't last very long. With a dissatisfied grunt, I pushed the door open in front of me.

The silence inside felt unbearable from the moment I entered the cabin. Most of it was stuffed with crates of tools, supplies, and whatnot. About a dozen earth ponies had squeezed themselves in between, volunteer helpers from Appleloosa, probably. My five friends were well among them as well, and -

"Hey, where did Spike go?"

Twilight's ears perked up at my question. She had barely noticed my entrance before, I think.

"Huh? Oh, I left him with the library. Someone has to take care of it, after all."

She immediately lowered her head, again. I had hoped we could start a conversation, trying to get distracted a little. But I guess that was just me being naive, again. I turned my head, and looked away, while answering with a simple, "Yeah...that makes sense, I guess."

It was an awfully awkward situation. I lowered myself to my haunches at the first free spot available, then continued to stare out the window, looking forward to a long, exhausting train ride. There wouldn't be much opportunity for me to do anything else before we reached Canterlot...or whatever was left of it.

Why did I come in here, again? Next Chapter: Chapter 3 - Burnout Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 32 Minutes