Being a hero is overrated.

Apple Bloom kept her hooves over her mouth, desperate to muffle her breathing and whimpers. How did Applejack go out and face danger like this all the time? Didn’t she get scared? Apple Bloom thought her heart would explode! Assuming the ugly lizard thing didn’t find her first.

A hiss pierced her ears, prompting her to fold them back lest they give her position away. She lay under the steps leading into what remained of BonBon’s candy shop, trembling in the dark as the beast crawled about nearby. If she peered between the boards she could make out the thing as it rummaged through the trash cans in the alley by Quills & Sofas, undoubtedly in search of little fillies to eat. She pressed herself as tightly into the side of the building as possible. Please go away. Oh Luna, please make it go away!

She knew she’d done the right thing. Applejack would have been proud, after whipping her for putting herself in so much danger. But she’d seen them chasing Rarity. She’d known that if the first one missed, the second wouldn’t. They’d needed a distraction, and Apple Bloom had acted without thinking about it. Now she was cowering in the shadows, alone and defenseless and silently begging the thing to just go away!

She didn’t even know if her friends had escaped. It might have all been for nothing. What good was being a hero if you didn’t know if you’d done anything? How does Applejack not go mad?

Apple Bloom bit her lip and held her breath as the monster turned from the trash cans and sauntered into the street, snake-headed tongues flicking out of its mouth. It turned one way, then another, its wicked eyes searching. It uttered not a sound, and Apple Bloom’s agonizingly long wait was accompanied only by a veil of silence. Then, the head stopped. Its tongues flicked out once. Twice. Again.

It turned to the steps.

No.

It cocked its head.

No no no. Please, no.

It approached, head lowering as it peered her way.

Applejack, I could really use your help right now!

She closed her eyes tight and tried not to breathe. It hadn’t seen her. It wouldn’t see her. She was safe. This was just a terrible nightmare. Even if Snips’ and Snails’ blood had felt so real on her hooves, it hadn’t been! She’d wake up and see them at school tomorrow acting like the dummies they were. Scootaloo and Sweetie would laugh at her for being a scaredy pony, and she’d laugh too because this wasn’t real!

A low hiss filled the air. Whimpering, Apple Bloom dared to peek past her hooves.

A lone reptilian eye met hers from between the steps.

She opened her mouth to scream… and heard nothing. Even as she registered this fact, the reptile backed away, its head whipping to the side. It stared down the street for a second or two, then turn and ran off, disappearing around a street corner. Apple Bloom watched it go with wide eyes. What the hay? Did it not see me?

Carefully, she crawled out from under the stairs and took a look around. There was nothing; no ponies, no monsters. She was all alone. She tried to call out and found her voice still muted. This brought a new, terrible idea to the forefront of her mind: the last time this happened, the world turned to this rotting, terrible nightmare. Did the silence coming back mean things were about to get even worse?

She turned towards where the monster had looked before running off and gave an unheard yelp; a wall of white flew at her like a wave of fog! She covered her face and closed her eyes… and felt nothing. A moment passed. She peeked over her fetlock to find that Ponyville was once again covered in that pale white… whatever. “What the—” She winced at the sound of her own voice, which seemed oddly loud.

Turning a circle, Apple Bloom found that the world had indeed gone back to that pallid, strange state it had before. The only notable difference was that the change hadn’t undone the aging of everything; walls were still collapsed, wood still looked moldy and rotten, and the grass was as dry and crinkly as ever. The white didn’t purify or heal anything. On the contrary, it gave everything a mute, lifeless appearance. Apple Bloom was once again reminded of a world drawn on a piece of paper that she could somehow traverse; visually two-dimensional, but physically real.

She stood in the middle of the street, taking in her surroundings. “Okay… let’s try to think like Applejack. This is weird, but at least I don’t see no monsters. That’s a plus.” Sitting, she tapped her forehead in an effort to get her brain cells working. “I didn’t see no monsters last time everything was like this. So maybe they don’t like the white?”

Despite having no way to prove the idea, it still gave her some comfort. No monsters meant no violence. An image of Snips and Snails getting sliced up by that bladed… thing resurfaced, and she frantically tried to think of anything else.

“Sugarcube Corner.” She cantered down the dilapidated, familiar street. “Scoots. Sweetie. Rarity and Pinkie. I j-just gotta hook up with them again. Pinkie and Rarity’ll know what to do. They always do. Just like Sis.”

Aside from the crunch of her hooves on the dry grass, Ponyville had fallen into an eerie silence. The warped walls and sagging roofs spoke of years of neglect and abandonment. Apple Bloom kept well clear of the buildings, half certain that she’d be snatched up by ghosts otherwise. If she did, would they be the ghosts of ponies she knew? Friends from school, adults who had always been so nice, longing to have some sort of contact with the warmth of life?

“T-too many spooky stories durin’ sleepovers,” Apple Bloom grumbled. “Stupid Twilight and her stupid book.”

Her spirits rose the moment she saw Sugarcube Corner, even if its formerly glorious façade made it look more rotten and nauseating that delicious. ‘Baked Bads,’ indeed. But her friends had made it inside, she knew they had! All she had to do now was get to them and never, ever leave them again. She stepped through the smashed front door, ears folding back at the sight of the once bright and cheerful dining room. Most of it was remarkably intact, save for a few tables and chairs that had collapsed from rot. The glass display was covered in dust, and a cursory glance revealed only greenish-black lumps that had her holding her stomach and retreating.

“Hello?” She turned in place, taking in every corner of The Corner, but nopony graced her vision. Her gaze fell upon the stairs, which we covered in gouges and splinters. The giant lizard thing must have chased them up there. “Sweetie Belle? Scoots?”

Her hoof hesitated over the first step. Heart beating faster, she leaned forward and perked her ears towards the top of the staircase. Not a sound came back down. What if the monster was still up there, waiting? What if she got upstairs and found…

That image of Snips and Snails came to her, and she retreated from the stairs. She closed her eyes and covered her ears, desperate to keep away the screams echoing through her skull. “It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s n-not real.”

She remained that way for a while, repeating the line like a mantra. If she kept saying it, it might be true. Scootaloo and Sweetie would be upstairs wondering why she’d not come up yet. Rarity and Pinkie would be considering coming down to look for her. She shouldn’t leave them waiting. They might get hurt if they came down.

I might get hurt if I stay down here.

The thought was enough to let her open her eyes and start up the steps. The world was so… white. The monsters didn’t like the white. Yeah… there were no monsters now. The giant lizard wouldn’t jump out from around the corner to gobble her up. Everything was fine. Perfectly fine.

“P-Pinkie?” She reached the top of the stairs, stepping into an empty hallway. “Rarity? Girls?”

No monsters. Everything safe so far.

No friends. Much bigger negative. Apple Bloom took a firm hold on her courage and moved at a trot, intent to check every door. At least, she had meant to, but the doors were all blocked by a wall of rusty, pale iron.

She paused before what used to be the door to the twins’ room. There were no less than three plates of iron taking up the space, held together by ancient-looking rivets and crummy weld jobs. Despite the shoddy appearance of it, an examination of the edges offered no cracks through which she might peer. “Now why would the Cakes block off a p-perfectly good room?”

Unless it wasn’t inhabitable anymore? Just a casual glance around reminded her of the poor disrepair of the place. Which led to other questions, like what had happened to all of Ponyville in the first place. Or why the Cakes didn’t seem to be at home – I really hope they weren’t eaten! – or why monsters seemed to have come out of the woodworks. All questions she’d asked before, but Apple Bloom needed questions. She needed thought processes, things to focus on. Without them, she’d not be able to take a single step.

One question rose in the back of her mind that proved pertinent to her current situation: what were Pinkie and Rarity doing back in Ponyville? Hadn’t they left on the train to Canterlot with Applejack and the others? Apple Bloom continued down the hall, determined that such questions would be posed as soon as the two of them were found. From what she could see, only one room remained unblocked by ugly metal, and that was Pinkie’s room at the end of the hall.

Not wanting to frighten her friends, she took the time to stop before the door and knock. “Girls? Are y’all in there?” She lifted an ear to the door, but heard nothing. “I’m coming in. Please don’t zap me, there ain’t no more monsters out here.” I hope. Casting one last glance to confirm the validity of her statement, she pushed her way inside.

She stared at an empty room. No Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle, no Rarity or Pinkie Pie.

Her hind legs gave out and she sat heavily on the moldy, pale floor. A claw pierced her chest, but she fought down the sensation and her abrupt desire to cry. “Y-you’re a big girl, Apple Bloom,” she whispered at her hooves. “So they’re not here. N-no biggie. It don’t mean nothin’. Ya just gotta find them.” Climbing to her hooves, she began to search the room on the mild hope her friends were simply hiding.

Under the bed she found nothing but dust and a surprisingly large number of books – who knew Pinkie was such a heavy reader? Heck, she even had a copy of the entire Encyclopedia Equestrica. Curious as this was, books were not what Apple Bloom was after, so she tried elsewhere. The closet held some moldy, moth-eaten clothes but no hiding ponies. The wardrobe had nothing but the ever-familiar Party Cannon, surprisingly dust-free and looking as shiny and well-kept as it ever had. Apple Bloom chose not to question it, for it was related to Pinkie, and making sense of anything Pinkie-related was an exercise in futility.

There sat a large blue chest at the foot of the bed. Apple Bloom seriously doubted her friends would hide in that, but she’d exhausted her other options. With little hope and less eagerness, she pushed open the lid to discover a vast collection of party supplies; unblown balloons, blowouts, noisemakers, bags of confetti and more, all dusty but generally in good condition. One more Pinkie-related mystery, and one not at all related to her friends.

Something white – well, white-er – caught Apple Bloom’s eye. It was a piece of paper taped to the bottom of the lid, marked with a strange, alternating pair of hoofwritings, one sloppy and the other sharp like scratches. Seeking to distract from the ever-bubbling anxiety in her heart, she took the paper down carefully and read. Her interest instantly peaked when she realized it was intended for her.

Apple Bloom! Sorry we couldn’t stick around, but I’m so sorry this place does crazy I cannot stop it weird stuff and makes time you must silly, so do when you you’re catch up we part won’t be here. I He is promise Rarity and important Scoots and Sweetie are okay. I’m helping Pinkie Now this is important so read it twice, but cannot act if you don’t I’ll know and so will Luna she’s right see? When you meet him in a any minute now moment, take him to Twilight’s to the library. He’ll want to wait no don’t wait they will come! but don’t let him! You won’t make it if he never fight only flee waits, and you’ve gotta make it or Applejack Equestria needs them will be a very unhappy death pony and Maw is I don’t want coming anypony unhappy and oh I’m Pinkie you must running out of hurry time so hurry up and go downstairs go Apple Bloom before space gets loopy again and you end up dead somewhere else!

Pinkie and Luna

Apple Bloom read the letter again. Then again. On the fourth try, she thought it was starting to make sense. The sloppy stuff was Pinkie, no doubt. The other one… Princess Luna? She couldn’t imagine why Luna and Pinkie would write together in such a chaotic way. It might make sense for Pinkie, but it struck her as the opposite of what the princess would do.

There were the different tones, too. Pinkie’s hoofwriting appeared… well, like Pinkie. Excited, eager, perhaps nervous. Luna, on the other hoof, seemed deathly serious, perhaps frightened. She tried to make sense of it all, only to remind herself that at least half of this was Pinkie-related, so that would be a dead end.

Still… who was this ‘him’ they both referred to?

Her ears perked to the sound of the door opening downstairs. A loud, familiar voice began calling from below, the ancient floorboards muffling the sound beyond comprehension. All Apple Bloom needed to know was that she wasn’t alone anymore, and that thought sent her scrambling for the door. “Up here! Hello? I’m up here!”

She came to a stop at the top of the staircase, a wave of relief washing over her at the sight of a pony she knew and could trust. Filthy Rich stared up at her with eyes originally hopeful, but which lost their luster once he realized who he was seeing. The reaction faded in an instant, however, and hope returned to his expression as he ascended the stairs. “Apple Bloom. Thank goodness you’re alright! Is Diamond Tiara with you?”

“Mr. Rich! Am I glad to see you.” She met him halfway and jumped up to hug his neck a bit more tightly than she’d intended. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know where Diamond is.”

“I… I see.” She dropped from him, just barely catching his frown before it switched back to a smile. “But you’re alright from the looks of things, and that’s the first bit of good news I’ve had all day.”

“I know what’cha mean.” Apple Bloom leaned sideways to look down at the dining room, but saw nopony else with him. “Y-you didn’t happen to see Rarity or Pinkie when you came in? Or maybe one of the crusaders?”

“Miss Pie and Miss Belle? Aren’t they supposed to be in Canterlot by now?”

She sighed, ears drooping along with her head. “Guess that’s a ‘no’. I dunno what happened to them, but they ain’t in Canterlot.”

Mr. Rich hummed, rubbing his chin in thought. He caught her glance and attempted to smile, but it twitched in the corners. “W-well, I don’t know what’s going on, but we should be okay here. And who knows, maybe Diamond will come over; she always loved Sugarcube Corner. Let’s just wait for a bit.”

As he went back downstairs, Apple Bloom considered all she knew. He had to have been through the darkness once already, so he certainly knew about the monsters and weird location jumps. And that smile of his… She wouldn’t tell him, but it was obvious he was as clueless and worried as she was. Maybe more, considering he had no idea where Diamond Tiara was. Apple Bloom wasn’t inclined to help that filly on the best of days, but she didn’t want her to die.

She shivered as the memory of Snips’ and Snails’ final moments flashed through her mind yet again. No, she definitely didn’t want somepony else to go through that, not even an enemy. And there was Pinkie’s and Luna’s note to consider, as strange as it had been.

Her mind made up, she trotted down the stairs and approached Mr. Rich, who stared out the window forlornly. “Mr. Rich?”

He turned away quickly to rub at his face, then gave her what was probably meant to be a comforting smile. Did he really think she wouldn’t notice the red in his eyes? “Don’t worry, Apple Bloom. I’m sure the others will show up soon.”

“Beggin’ your pardon, but… I don’t think so.”

The tortured shadow of a look that passed across his face was gone in an instant, but his recovery smile proved even more feeble than the last. “N-now, no need to be negative about it. Things will straighten themselves out before too long, just you wait and see.”

How strange; Apple Bloom’s insides had tied themselves into knots over the entire situation, and yet she seemed to be the one holding herself together. Shouldn’t that be his role? Confidence in dangerous situations was for grownups, for crying out loud! Still, she sucked down her frustration and reached up to pat his shoulder. “I think we need to go.”

“No.” The answer came quick as a whip, but with little confidence. He turned his attention back to the window, ears splayed. “She might come here. She m-might. Besides, we don’t know what’s out there, and I’m not letting you traipse around town.” With a shudder and a nod, he concluded, “Yes, best to stay here.”

Apple Bloom grimaced; this wasn’t going to be as easy as she hoped. “But why would she come here? It would make lots more sense for her to head back to y’all’s place.”

He tensed, but the whimper still escaped his throat. “I… can’t find it.”

She cocked her head. “What?”

“I can’t find it.” This time when he looked at her, she was met with wide eyes and small pupils. The stallion’s voice shook. “I… I can’t get home. Spoiled must be beside herself with worry, b-but I can’t get to her.” He closed his eyes tight and shook his head. When he looked at her again, at least some of his control had returned. “But I can’t go home without Diamond anyway. I’ve got to find her.”

Apple Bloom wilted. He wasn’t making any sense. He also seemed scared out of his wits. Shouldn’t a big, rich businesspony like him be more in control than this? Then again, running around a town full of monsters was a lot different than sitting through board meetings. But she had to get out of here. She didn’t know why, but she believed Pinkie’s and Luna’s letter.

“Just sit tight, Apple Bloom.” He patted her head with a trembling hoof. “If Diamond hasn’t shown up in an hour or so we’ll… w-we’ll head out, alright?”

The lie was obvious; he had no intention of going anywhere. Apple Bloom sat and chewed her lip. What would Applejack do in this situation?

An answer came quickly, prompting her to look from the front door to Mr. Rich and back. Direct, simple, impossible to ignore. Perfect. She marched for the door, head held high and doing her best to channel her sister’s composure. He’d get angry, but she’d dealt with angry adults before. They were nothing compared to ugly, hungry lizards.

Just when she reached for the door handle, a knocking made her jump and give a quiet shout. She sucked down a few huffing breaths, a hoof to her chest, and lamented the loss of the composure she’d just built up for herself.

Then she was roughly shoved aside by Mr. Rich, who frantically opened the door. “Diamond?”

The pause lasted long enough for Apple Bloom to stand. A deep, feminine voice spoke, sounding so broken and lost that she it made her feel miserable. “I am afraid not, Mr. Rich.”

Curious and concerned, Apple Bloom stepped past the sagging stallion to get a look at the visitor. What she saw was almost enough to make her heart stop: tall, dark, green mane, fangs, and holes in her legs. Though she’d never seen an image of her, Apple Bloom had heard enough about Queen Chrysalis from her sister to identify her. For an instant she considered slamming the door.

But she paused upon seeing the changeling queen’s face. Chrysalis might have stood tall, but her chin touched her neck as she stared at the ground. Her mane was a mess, she had cuts and bruises all over, and… were those tears? Not quite, but there was no mistaking it; Equestria’s most reviled foe looked as if she were on the verge of a breakdown.

Ugly bug lady or not, Apple Bloom couldn’t bring herself to fear this sad looking creature. Mustering her courage, she took a step closer. “A-are you okay? Uh, your majesty.”

Chrysalis’s dull eyes settled upon her. “You know who I am, little one?”

Apple Bloom nodded, one rear hoof inching back towards the door. “M-my sister told me about ya. Queen Ch-Chrysalis.”

“Queen.” Those big green eyes drifted back to the ground. “I was a queen.”

“Er… yes?”

Abruptly, Mr. Rich gasped. He grabbed Apple Bloom’s shoulders and pulled her back into the shop, reaching frantically for the door. “Y-you keep away, you… you menace!”

“Wait a minute!” Apple Bloom broke free and jumped forward just in time to catch the door.

“Apple Bloom! Don’t you know who this is? We gotta—”

“Hold on!” She hopped forward to keep out of his reach, then looked up at Chrysalis once more. “Your majesty, why are ya here? What’s wrong?”

Chrysalis stared at her for a few seconds, then gained a wan smile. “I had to come. I have to help. See this through to the end. It’s the only thing left for me to do.”

Mr. Rich spoke from the door. “Help? W-with what?”

The queen gazed past Apple Bloom at him, her smile fading quickly. She said nothing for a time, her eyes shifting in tiny motions. At last she spoke. “You will die if you stay here. You cannot die. It is important.” She looked to Apple Bloom. “Will you let me escort you to the library?”

“No, we will not!” Mr. Rich began to pull Apple Bloom back by the tail. “G-get out of here, you witch. We want nothing to do with your kind!”

Apple Bloom’s mind raced a mile a minute. The library. Pinkie and Luna wanted us to go there. Does she know that? Is she helping them somehow? Maybe things are so bad that the changelings are offering to help. Maybe things are bad for them too. I know I shouldn’t trust her, but we can’t stay here. She realized the door was closing and jumped forward, grunting as it banged into her side.

Mr. Rich yelped and grabbed her once more. “Apple Bloom, stop!”

“No, you stop!” She swatted his hoof away and pushed the door open once more. “Ya should at least hear her out before slammin’ the door in her face.”

“I’m not letting her have you! Granny Smith would never forgive me if I—”

“Actually—”

They paused in their debate, turning to find Chrysalis unmoved from her place on the steps. She flinched back from their attention, transparent wings buzzing lightly as she glanced away. “I am not here for the foal.”

Mr. Rich went pale. “W-what?”

She looked to Apple Bloom with sorrow in her eyes. “I am sorry, little one. I do wish for you to come, and I will help you survive where I can, but the fate of the world does not rest in your hooves.”

“And you’re saying it rests in mine?” Mr. Rich snapped. “Lies. I’m not a hero.”

Apple Bloom cocked her head at him, then gave the same miffed expression to Chrysalis. “I don’t care about who saves the world or why, I just want it done.”

“A proper sentiment,” Chrysalis replied with a nod before focusing her attention upon Mr. Rich. “It is not that you will personally save Equestria. Rather, there are events that must transpire in the appropriate order for it to happen, and one of those events requires you to reach the Ponyville library. You not being there will be a disaster.”

Mr. Rich scowled and took another step back. “I don’t believe you. Even if I did, I can’t go anywhere without Diamond. I’ve gotta stay put, just in case she shows up here.”

“Diamond?” Chrysalis lowered her head, brow furrowing in thought. “Ah, yes, your daughter. Her role is important too. Do not worry, she will be safe, and you’ll meet up with her in time.”

“Uh, your majesty?” Apple Bloom waited until Chrysalis was looking at her to continue. “How do you know what’s going to happen? Did you talk to Princess Luna?”

“Luna? No. My information comes from Discord.”

Apple Bloom’s ears perked and she grinned. “That’s great! If somepony as strong as him’s on the case, we’ll have this solved in no time.”

Chrysalis opened her mouth, only to close it again. She stared at Apple Bloom for a long time, lips set in a frown and sorrow in her eyes. At last she gave a smile, though it appeared strained. “Of course. Now, will you please come? We need to get there before the Veil returns.”

“The Veil?”

“The darkness.”

“Oh.” Apple Bloom’s ears drooped once more. She’d half hoped that it wouldn’t come back at all, but perhaps that had been foolish. “Alright then, I guess—”

“No!”

They turned to Mr. Rich, who stood to his full height and leveled them both with a glare. “We’re not going anywhere with you. Apple Bloom, come inside. Now.”

How the hay is he supposed to help save Equestria? With a scowl of her own, Apple Bloom jumped out of his reach and stood between Chrysalis’s forelegs. “I’m goin’.”

His jaw dropped and his eyes bulged. “Y-you… You can’t be serious. This isn’t a game!”

“You think I’m playin’?” She stomped her hoof. “I know how serious this is! I saw two of my friends ripped…” Her confidence wavered as the images flashed in her eyes.

“Th-they… They’re dead. I saw them. There was so much b-blood.” She pressed against Chrysalis’s leg, the closest warm object she had, and trembled. “I know how big this is. I know. B-but I also think that if we stay here, w-we’ll die too. I don’t care if she used to be the enemy. There are worse things than changelings now.”

She looked up at him, taking in his pained expression. “I’m gonna go to the library with her. P-Pinkie said I should anyway. Please come with us. I don’t want you to die here.”

He stood still for some time, mouth working as his eyes shifted from her to Chrysalis. He turned his head to slowly pan the area, then looked back at the Corner’s ruined dining room. At last, he sighed. “Alright, but only because I refuse to leave you alone with… her.” He stiffened and tried to shoot a menacing look at Chrysalis, but the shivers running through his legs gave his fear away. “I’m watching you. You harm a hair on her head and I’ll make you regret it.”

“I do not doubt it.” Chrysalis nudged Apple Bloom, prompting her to pull away, and then turned from them. “Come. Quickly.”

Apple Bloom followed, making sure to stay close to the changeling queen. She was the only thing that kept Mr. Rich following, and she couldn’t risk him snatching her away. It dawned upon her just how awkward the situation might have seemed to an outsider. If AJ could see me now…

The route Chrysalis took them on was not the route to the Golden Oaks Library. It wasn’t any route at all, really; paths that should lead to one building or street invariably led to someplace entirely different. Sometimes Apple Bloom wondered if they were still in Ponyville at all. Though the buildings were dilapidated, they should still be recognizable, and a lot of them weren’t. What was this world doing to her home?

At least Chrysalis seemed to know where to go. Not once did she hesitate or slow down, always striding with certainty. Mr. Rich grumbled constantly, his head swinging about as he kept searching for threats or signs of his daughter. The world remained that chalky white, the colors faded and dull. Apple Bloom might have found it interesting, but worry and paranoia drove her focus towards other things. Not a single monster appeared before them, but she watched every corner and shadow attentively just in case.

It was this prolonged study of her surroundings that kept her from noticing something about their guide. She blurted out the observation the instant she noticed. “Aren’t you supposed to have a horn?”

Chrysalis groaned, the first sound she’d made since their departure. “Why do they always notice the horn?”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. It’s just…” She pursed her lips, eyes narrowing as she thought. “It was stolen by Discord, okay?”

Apple Bloom’s ears flattened against her head at the frustrated tone. She resolved not to press her, but the topic still brought some curious thoughts to mind. Why would Discord steal her horn? Was it to make sure she behaved? ‘Do as I say and I might give you your horn back?’ It seemed cruel; she tried to imagine how Twilight might react to losing her horn. The image was… depressing.

At least it gave her a bit more reassurance, increasing her certainty that the changeling queen’s aid was no trick. A quick glance at Mr. Rich, however, showed he probably felt no such encouragement. The stallion set his jaw and never stopped glaring, even when not looking at Chrysalis. His legs moved with a visible tension as if he might bolt at the first sign of trouble. Curiously, she suspected that he’d be bolting towards the trouble. He reminded her of a manticore getting ready to defend its cub.

As she turned forward, Chrysalis abruptly grunted and pressed a hoof to her forehead. Apple Bloom paused to watch her face twist in pain. “Are you gonna be okay?” Did not having a horn hurt?

“Do not worry about m-me, child.” Chrysalis sucked in a deep breath and set her hoof back down. “My fate has already been determined. I am merely… remembering.”

“Oh.” As they resumed walking, Apple Bloom couldn’t resist the question. “Remembering what?”

“Many things,” she replied quietly. “Things I need to remember. Things I don’t. Everything and nothing. It gets… confusing. Sometimes I don’t think my brain is able to handle it, but I keep going. Somehow.”

“Oookay?” When Chrysalis said nothing further, Apple Bloom followed her lead in the matter. The response was a whole lot of nothing, in her opinion. Maybe she was going crazy from horn loss? Perhaps she should be pitying the changeling queen. Wait, if she didn’t have a horn, was she still queen?

“We have arrived.”

Apple Bloom finally bothered to take in her surroundings. Sure enough, the Golden Oaks Library stood tall before them, nestled between two unfamiliar buildings on the corner of Rosepetal and what should have been Cherry Street, but looked like an entirely different road. “How did the library get here?”

“You ask a lot of questions,” Chrysalis groused.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” The changeling sighed and set a hoof to Apple Bloom’s shoulder. It felt curiously normal compared to what she imagined a changeling’s hoof would feel like. “Keep asking questions. They may just save your life someday.”

Mr. Rich stepped closer, his eyes no less accusing than before. “Alright, we’re here. Now what?”

“Now you two must go inside. And soon, before the Veil comes.” Chrysalis turned from them. “I have other errands to complete.”

Apple Bloom cocked her head. “You mean you’re not coming with us?”

“I can’t.” Already, Chrysalis was walking away. “There are others that need my help.”

“B-but… But there’s strength in numbers!” Apple Bloom watched her go, an empty feeling in her chest. “I don’t want you to go.”

Chrysalis offered no response, and soon she’d disappeared around the corner. Apple Bloom sat and stared at her hooves, a strange sense of guilt washing over her. Had she said something wrong?

“Well, that was… odd.” Mr. Rich nudged her with his hoof. “I don’t know what she’s up to, but we should head inside.”

“Yeah.” With one last look towards where Chrysalis had gone, Apple Bloom followed him into the library. Now that she was paying attention, she noticed the place had been little affected by the ruination that had harmed every other place in Ponyville. If anything, the great tree looked larger. Perhaps that made sense; if the weird changes made time speed up, a tree would only get bigger, right? Or maybe Twilight had put some enchantment on it?

The front door seemed as sturdy as ever, but the hinges were rusted solid. They had to work together to pull the door open, and together again to close it. The interior hadn’t fared so well as the outside of the tree, it seemed; bookshelves were sagging and splintered, the books were yellowed and crumbling, and everything had been coated in dust.

They wandered the library’s main floor, each going their separate ways but remaining within one another’s view. Apple Bloom kept her tail between her legs as she rounded a familiar corner to an open space. There stood a blackboard, somehow still standing despite the rot in the wood. Equations and notes were still present in Twilight’s neat, familiar hornwriting, though the chalk had faded.

She didn’t notice it at first. A little flowerpot filled with dry, lifeless dirt. It was set upon a windowsill facing what would have been the afternoon sun. She stared at its chipped, cracked surface. So familiar. If she closed her eyes, she could hear Twilight’s encouragement. And the first time she’d used a potion to make a flower grow… Sweetie making a broom float for the first time, and Scootaloo working so hard on her scooter.

They’re all right. Both of ‘em. Pinkie and Rarity wouldn’t let them…

She shook her head forcefully and wiped away the tears before they could properly form. Twilight was fine. Her sister was fine. Her friends were fine! They’d have more lessons, and she’d find ways to make better potions. Applejack and Twilight believed in her, so she wouldn’t lose faith in them! She opened her mouth to call for Mr. Rich.

No sound came out.

Past experience and Chrysalis’s warning lessened the impact considerably, but did nothing to reduce Apple Bloom’s alarm. She hurried back into the center of the library, even as the churning sensation returned to her stomach. The chalky white nature of the world began to darken and dim, the bookshelves twisting and rotting all around her. Relief washed over her upon spotting Mr. Rich coming from the direction of the kitchens. She dove under his legs and he pressed her close, providing what little protection he could.

Apple Bloom closed her eyes tight and waited with tail tucked. His smell gave the illusion away, but she tried to imagine he was Big McIntosh guarding her from the monster in the closet like he used to do when she was not so much younger. Her insides swirled, but it wasn’t so powerful this time. Because she was prepared?

After what seemed like an eternity, sound returned to her ears in the form Mr. Rich’s heavy breathing. She promptly gasped, realizing she’d been holding her breath the entire time. As her stomach righted herself, she dared to ask, “Are th-there any m-monsters?”

It took a few seconds for him to respond. “Well, no, not really.”

Her ears perked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I guess it depends on whether you consider Discord monstrous.”

“Huh?” She opened her eyes and looked around. Standing where the familiar wooden statue of a horse’s head had once been now sat a bust statue of Discord, his gaze forlorn. “Oh. I, uh, don’t suppose he’s the real deal, huh?”

Keeping huddled together, they stared at the statue for several seconds. It did nothing, remaining perfectly still, even if Apple Bloom was certain his eyes were boring into her own. After a while, Mr. Rich relaxed. “I don’t think the real Discord is one to stay so still for so long.”

“Naw, I guess not.” Gradually, Apple Bloom stepped out from under him and took in her surroundings. The library was even more of a wreck now than it had been, some of the bookshelves having collapsed in on themselves. The books were now little more than ugly piles of detritus and long vines, so dark green as to almost be black, grew on the walls.

She wilted at the sights all around her. To think, the library had once seemed like such a safe place.

“I… guess we should wait here?” Mr. Rich trotted to a window, its glass warped and giving it the look of frozen water. Wiping dust away as best he could, he peered outside. “Last time it was like this, the monsters came out.” He sucked in a sharp breath and turned for the door, but caught himself after only a couple steps.

“What’s wrong?” Apple Bloom went to peer through the window, but could see nothing through the warped glass.

He looked to her, then to the door. He began to tremble. “D-Diamond. My sparkling Diamond might still be out there. W-what if she’s all alone? I gotta find her!” He started for the door again, but stopped for a second time. He turned to Apple Bloom, his face twisted with worry. “I can’t leave you alone, we don’t know for sure that this place is safe. B-but I don’t want to bring you out there…”

Apple Bloom saw his pained frown. Guilt built up within her for the situation she’s put him in, but it warred with anger at the thought he had to watch over her like a baby. Then again, a glance around the library confirmed that the place was pretty scary. “I guess it’s better we stick together, right?”

He groaned and rubbed his face with both hooves. “I just don’t know what to do. I gotta find Diamond! She’s my—” When his hooves dropped, his eyes went wide. “Apple Bloom!”

The alarm in his voice and the way he was looking past her was all the warning she needed; she galloped forward and jumped behind him. Half fearing what she might see, she poked her head out to look where she’d been standing.

It was… a cloud? It looked like fog, only it appeared as a light-consuming blackness that flowed over the ruins of the library. Just upon looking at it, Apple Bloom felt a weariness that seemed to seep into her very bones. It had a looming presence, rising to the very ceiling of the library as it spread, and yet it also appeared to have a distinct center point where the darkness was thickest. Staring into that center brought forth a queer feeling, like Apple Bloom had become old and brittle with time. So compelling was this sensation that she checked herself just to make sure she was still a filly.

“It… it was a trap all along,” Mr. Rich whispered, his voice husky and frail. “We n-never should have… should have trusted that bug.”

The tiredness in his tone brought Apple Bloom out of her haze, and she quickly stepped forward to look upon Mr. Rich’s face. It had gone pale, his eyelids drooped and his shoulders slumped. He wheezed and his legs wobbled as if barely able to support his weight.

Looking back, she yelped at the sight of a long, black tentacle stretching out from the center of the fog. She pushed against Mr. Rich’s legs, managing to shove him back a few inches. “Snap out of it. Mr. Rich!”

“I… I’m so tired…” His hind legs gave out. He stared at the black shape, mouth hanging loosely as he panted. “I feel… old. So, so old…”

The tentacle was coming closer! Apple Bloom began panting as she pushed against the stallion with both forelegs, despite how feeble she felt. “We gotta move! Mr. R-Rich, please!”

“Don’t… think I… can…” His head began to lower.

Apple Bloom’s pulse raced. Somehow she knew that if he fell completely, he’d never get back up. She looked over her shoulder and shouted; more tentacles were wreathing out of the fog, which moved closer at a steady, creeping pace. “K-keep away!”

The thing ignored her. No, not ignored; the tentacles had shifted and were groping for her directly now.

“Apple… Bloom…”

She grabbed him by the cheeks and pressed her muzzle to his, glaring into his dull gaze. “Diamond Tiara! We gotta find Diamond Tiara!”

“Diamond… Tiara?”

“Yes!” She trembled as a chill air passed over her backside. Tears tried to burn their way out of her, but she blinked them back and maintained eye contact. “You’re sparkling Diamond is all alone out there!”

“Diamond? Diamond…” Slowly, his eyes widened. “Spoiled. Diamond.” His gaze went past her, and the paleness of his face vanished in an instant. “Apple Bloom!”

He snatched her up and backpedaled, the horrid cold fading from her as he did. When he threw her onto his back she latched onto his mane and held on for dear life. The two of them were out the front door in seconds. Apple Bloom thanked Luna’s lucky stars that the fog monster didn’t seem able to move beyond that sedate pace, and within seconds they’d left the library behind.

Now that the pressure wasn’t on her to act, Apple Bloom buried her face in Mr. Rich’s mane and sobbed. That cold that had run through her backside… It had been so much more than just a chill. It had been something deeper, something darker, and all her instinct screamed at her to keep away at all costs. She’d felt as if her body were withering away. And the sense of loneliness that ate at her…

She cried and cried, paying no heed to where Mr. Rich took them. If only Applejack could be there, or Big McInstosh. Even Granny! It had felt so… so wrong. Her sister could do all the heroing and adventuring she wanted, Apple Bloom had had her fill!

After some time, the terrible sensations faded to a light buzz in the back of her weary mind. She lifted her head, which felt like it weighed a billion bushels. She realized she’d been crying in Mr. Rich’s mane, and suddenly felt guilty for the mess she’d made. Ears folded back, she muttered a feeble apology.

He tilted his head back. “You okay back there?”

“No.” She sighed and tried to sit up straight. Her legs wobbled, but held. “I’m not. B-but I gotta be a big girl and take it, right? At least until AJ and her friends make things right again.”

He glanced back at her. For once, he looked like his usual confident, charming self. “You’re a good girl, Apple Bloom. You saved my life back in the library, and I won’t soon forget it.”

Staring at her hooves, she replied, “What else could I do?”

“You could have left me behind,” he said. “You didn’t. You helped get me out of whatever spell that… uh… fog thing had me under.” He hummed as he looked ahead once more. “I wonder why it didn’t affect you?”

“It did.” She shivered at the fresh memory, glancing over her shoulder as the phantom of a chill ran up her spine. “Made me feel real old and weak.”

Now that she got a good look, she realized they were on a stone road, the bricks all churned up into lopsided ruts. It looked uncomfortable to walk on. Buildings loomed all around them, their size hidden behind a blanket of fog. The sight of the thick clouds set Apple Bloom’s heart to pounding and she whimpered.

“It’s alright,” Mr. Rich whispered. “It’s just normal fog. It’s not out there.”

“Are you s-sure?”

“I’m sure.”

He sounded confident, at least. Apple Bloom tried hard not to think about the possibilities, instead focusing her attention forward. All she saw was more streets and shadowy buildings. “Where are we?”

“Well…” Mr. Rich paused to brush his mane and scratch the back of his head. “I think we’re in Mareami.”

“Mareami?”

“I recognize the street names?” He gestured to a nearby sign that Apple Bloom couldn’t make out. “Well, the ones I went up to check. Mrs. Rich and I got married here. If I’m right, this road’ll lead us to the hotel we were in.”

Apple Bloom shook her head in a futile attempt to clear it. “But how’d we end up in Mareami? I know you were scared, but ya weren’t runnin’ that fast.”

“It makes about as much sense to me as it does to you.” His next words were so quiet she wondered if she was meant to hear them. “Dunno how I’ll find Diamond now.”

“We’ll find her, Mr. Rich.” She hopped off his back, stumbling over the loose rocks. “You can’t give up hope. If we can get all the way to Mareami faster than a pig eats up slop, there’s no reason to think we can’t get back just as quick. Things’ll turn out just fine.”

Mr. Rich looked away from her confident grin. “You’re just like your sister, you know that?” He turned back with a smile of his own. “I’m sure Applejack would be proud of how you’ve handled yourself so far.”

Heart swelling, Apple Bloom strutted at his side with head held high. “Of course! I learned everything I know from my sister. Why I bet I even—” A hoof pressed against her lips. She blinked and looked over it to Mr. Rich. His face had turned ashen as he looked past her, and she hurried to follow his lead.

A swarm of darkness flitted through the fog. Yes, a swarm, for Apple Bloom could see the individual entities moving about. In the eerie silence, they reminded her of the bats that used to fill the orchards. The dark mass grew larger.

No. Not larger.

“Run!” Mr. Rich tugged on her mane. She needed no extra prodding.

The creatures pursued them through the wrecked streets on silent wings. The unnatural quiet of their movement left a sense of impending dread in Apple Bloom as her hooves pounded the uneven pavement. Were they catching up? Falling behind? She had no means of knowing, and the thought only pushed her to run faster. When she glanced over her shoulder, she saw nothing but darkness, roiling in her wake like a tidal wave of hideous possibility. She might have screamed were she not devoting every ounce of energy to getting away.

Mr. Rich ran ahead of her, but only just enough to guide her through the streets and between buildings. His head whipped back frequently, his small-pupiled eyes darting from her to the swarm to the path ahead. He said nothing through his exertion.

Apple Bloom wished he would say something. Applejack would have been saying something! Her blood pounded in her ears and her legs ached from the sheer amount of effort she’d put into them over the last several hours. How long could they keep this up? Another look back forced a yelp through her dry throat, for the darkness had only grown larger! Tiny winged things flapped on its edges like spots of living shadow, their animal nature given away only by the occasional flash of bone-white teeth.

“Hey! This way!”

The unfamiliar voice jarred Apple Bloom from her panic long enough to let her get a proper look at her surroundings. They were passing by a large plaza with what appeared to be an assembly area. On the other side was a tall building of marble covered in cracks and grit. There, standing in front of a pair of double doors, was a turquoise pegasus waving frantically to them. The mare spread her wings and flew for them with surprising speed, passing over their heads within a matter of seconds.

“Get to Town Hall, it’s safe in there!” she shouted as she darted past, a bolt of lightning in her wake.

Neither pony saw any reason to argue the point, hurrying to turn in the direction of the open doors. Apple bloom looked back to find the black mass of creatures dividing in two, a smaller group moving in pursuit of the pegasus.

“We can make it,” Mr. Rich called to her, his voice hoarse. Sweat poured off his body as he panted. He had begun to slow, but his face showed a renewed determination that gave Apple Bloom courage.

They could do this. They weren’t going to get eaten by those… those things! She’d see Applejack again and tell her how she was brave and survived this nightmare. She was going to make it. “I’m going to make it!”

The pegasus shot past them, a wave of silent darkness consuming her electric wake. “Less talk, more run!”

Though her legs ached and her lungs burned, Apple Bloom pushed even more speed into her legs. She began to pass Mr. Rich up, turning her head to him as she did.

“Don’t… wait… for me…” he huffed, his gaze locked on the doors.

Survival overrode all other considerations; she ran ahead and didn’t look back. Her eyes widened at the sight of a pimple-faced unicorn grasping the doors to close them. “W-wait!”

He looked to her, body trembling like a leaf in a storm, and pulled the left-side door closed.

Apple Bloom’s heart nearly burst at the sight of his orange aura wrapping around the other door. “Don’t! Please!”

He froze, eyes darting from her to what was undoubtedly the darkness on her tail. She prayed he would show some decency and not succumb to the fear that radiated from his eyes. Oh please, don’t close it! Don’t, don’t, don’t…

The pegasus appeared out of nowhere, slamming into the unicorn. The two disappeared into the darkness of the town hall, leaving the door wide open. Apple Bloom whooped at the sheer joy of knowing she would get out of this alive, bounding up the steps two at a time. She slid to a stop and grasped the door. Then she turned back to the courtyard and nearly had an accident between her hind legs.

Mr. Rich was at the bottom of the stairs. Only darkness and teeth could be seen at his back.

“Mr. Rich!”

“Close it, close it, close it!” He screamed as he all but flew through the door. Apple Bloom grasped the handle and pulled. The big, heavy door barely budged. Her mouth opened in preparation for a scream as the tooth-specked darkness filled her vision.

Turquoise hooves grasped the handle over hers, jerked the door back so fast it slammed into her face and knocked her onto her back. Its closure sent echoes through the building and vibrations in the hardwood floor. For a time, she could only lay on her back and stare at the solid stone ceiling, mind numb to the sting in her muzzle or the steadily slowing thud of her pulse in her ears. The heaving of her chest gradually faded to normal breathing and the ache in her lungs barely registered. Everything was muted in comparison to a single, dominant thought.

I’m alive.

A flaming orange mane filled her vision, then similarly orange eyes. “Hey, kid. You alive?”

I’m alive.

“I’m alive,” she whispered, feeling her lips turn up in a grin.

The pegasus matched it tooth for tooth. “Sure are. Ya did good, kid. You and the old dude.”

Apple bloom tilted her head up to see Mr. Rich collapsed on the floor a few feet away, rasping and coughing and looking as though he might pass out any second. She was too relieved to see him in one piece to take in his exhaustion, though. “W-we made it.”

The pegasus ran a hoof through Apple Blooms mane, not losing her pleasant smile. “Yeah. I’m Lightning Dust. You just take the time you need, okay?”

“Th-thanks.” For the first time in what seemed like ages, Apple Bloom allowed herself to relax. She closed her eyes and, this time, welcomed the darkness.

Applejack, you can do all the adventuring you want. I quit.

Author's Notes:

Not as happy with this one as I've been with the others, but if I don't give in and post it I'll never move on.