"Now, come on, darlin', let's get you up!"

Fluttershy had flown hard and fast through the forest in an effort to get to Ponyville as quickly as possible, and without exposing herself in the open lane. However, whatever was creating the explosions had rocked some trees lose, and a few had knocked Fluttershy about as they fell. Thankfully none of the trees landed on the light yellow pegasus, but the hurt it caused her was immense enough.

Applejack had found her about half an hour later, on her own scramble with Big Macintosh alongside her into town.

Big Mac could hear Applejack mumble to herself as the two continued running into town, Fluttershy atop his back.

"Can't imagine what on earth is goin' on here! Are those pegasi havin' a party or somethin'?! Twilight should know somethin' about this, or at least Celestia if nopony else."

It was confusing for everpony as they looked up at the black smokey sky. Nopony knew how many hours it had been. Maybe it was a whole day since the bombings first happened. The sun and moon never showed up.

Twilight was awoken from her shock slowly with the encouragement of Pinkie Pie and Rarity, giving her water and soothing words amid the hellish downpour.

Mr. and Mrs. Cake were busy back in the kitchen, and needed all the floor space to themselves checking the appliances and gathering what food they could, so Sweetie Belle and Spike kept the twins occupied.

Soon the Mr. and Mrs. returned, storing their dried goods in the back room and stockpiling the expendables in a corner. Sweetie Belle happened to notice Mr. Cake was carrying a knife in his belt. Mr. Cake noticed her gaze and turned to her. "It's just a precaution, Sweetie."

Everyone's worry about the obvious point Mr. Cake made was broken as Twilight spoke.

"Spike, take a note to the princess."

Spike got up slowly, as though Mr. Cake's precautionary measure sparked some fear in him great enough to keep him from standing, and ran over to her.

He found some paper in the back room and a quill.

"Princess Celestia, we beg of you an explanation." Twilight said, then coughed.

Pinkie Pie looked at Spike, shook her head, then Rarity took up the slack as Pinkie held up a glass of water for Twilight.

"If there's anything at all you can tell us about this absurd phenomena, feel free to let us know."

Spike cocked an eyebrow at the last part of the sentence, and looked at Rarity. Her expression was mixed with worry as well as anger. She too was just as unstable about the whole situation as everypony. Spike rolled up the scroll and blew on it, watching the smokey trail fly up into the sky. Spike wondered if the note would get lost, or if the sky itself, so alike to the smoke the note form usually took, would swallow it up.

Everypony quickly looked to the door as half the Apple family came bursting in.

"Anypony in here?" Applejack hollered, her coat covered in dirt and grime.

In the dark, it would have been hard to see the group, especially since they weren't in the front room, so Applejack was about to turn and leave when Rarity spoke up first.

"We're in here, Applejack!"

"Who's 'we'?" Applejack asked, stepping inside so Big Mac could get inside.

"The Cakes, Pinkie, Sweetie Belle, myself, Spike, and Twilight." Rarity answered.

"Alrighty, then I'll leave Big Mac and Fluttershy here; there may be a few ponies trapped in their homes."

"Wait, AJ."

Big Mac leaped in front of the door, barring Applejack's route of exit.

"I'm not gonna' let you go by yourself."

"And ahm not lettin' yuh go out there, Big Mac, so, stand aside!"

Big Mac didn't budge. "Yer overthinkin' this, AJ. Just calm down for a second."

Applejack obeyed her brother's request, sitting quite forcefully on her haunches.

"Ah'll go lookin' for other ponies, you wait here with Mrs. Fluttershy."

Applejack didn't reply, but took Fluttershy on her back and walked her over to the group, sitting her up against the wall.

Applejack turned to the door, but Big Macintosh was already gone. She turned back around, silently furious at her brother, then said, "Ahv been wonderin' if the barn at Sweet Apple Acres would be better. The Corner is right in the middle of town!"

Mrs. Cake spoke up, "wouldn't it be more dangerous trying to leave Ponyville?"

Applejack frowned. "I recon it might be, especially with the wounded."

So the group sat there, hunkering down in the sweet shop as the sounds of explosions echoed all around them.

-------------------------

Big Macintosh ran to the nearest home and didn't bother to open the door. Plowing through it, Big Mac scattered brick, wood, and insulation. Looking quickly around the dimly lit room, Big Macintosh searched of any ponies who may be trapped inside. He couldn't find any here, and left just as quickly as he'd entered.

Running down the street, his heavy hooves ripping up cobblestone from it's place, Big Mac galloped on, undaunted by the occasional explosions that would have knocked any smaller pony off their feet. After perusing the block, Big Mac considered abandoning the search. It seemed like everypony had vacated.

But Big Mac had to be sure. He turned towards the last row of apartment homes and tore up the earth in a blind dash. Then something flew into view, something that worried Big Mac. The dark something, masqueraded by the dim light, suddenly grew bright and charged at Big Mac. Big Mac threw himself onto his belly, and the bright something flew over him. Whatever it was was very hot, nearly scorching his mane.

Looking up, Big Mac beheld four pegasi hovering in formation in front of him. All of them were clad in rubber suits similar to those the Wonder Bolts wore. They also wore goggles too, but these looked a bit different. Big Mac couldn't place it, but it appeared that some fascet of the eye protection these ponies wore looked like more than simple eye guard. It looked like there were tiny barbs in the sides of the goggles.

Big Mac didn't have any more time to think, because he saw the pegasi striking metal to flint and igniting something inside their bags. Big Mac wasn't sure what these pegasi were doing, but he knew it couldn't be anything good.

Leaping out of the way, Big Mac nearly missed a barrage of fireworks, the explosion of which still propelled the large stallion into a nearby house.

Big Mac tore the door open and leaped inside. To his horror, a trio of ponies hollered upon Big Mac entering. Saving his own hide would be hard enough, but having to take care of this family of ponies was stretching it.

"Get up! Yuh gotta' get outta' here!"

The trio wordlessly did as they were told, the mare of the group occasionally yelping in fear.

Big Mac ran through the dark house, knocking over a table and a vase.

"Sorry ma'am!"

Big Mac made for the side window, shut his eyes, and dove through. Falling a few feet, Big Mac landed on his neck, rolling over and flopping flat, lying still.

The trio of ponies behind Big Mac left their home through the hole Big Mac made, and didn't stop as they ran through the back alleys off to the forest.

Big Mac shook his head and got up, a little shaky this time. His eyes widened as the pegasi from before came into view, like hummingbirds.

Gritting his teeth, Big Mac ran through the streets, the pegasi in pursuit, dodging potholes and broken structures. His priority now was to keep the pegasi from finding the family he'd rescued. If that meant his death in the process, so be it.

-- To Be Continued.