The forest had been much larger than Twilight originally thought, and by the time they reached the southwestern edge, the late afternoon had turned to dusk—the sky now painted in vivid hues of yellow, orange, and red.

The girls had all long since fallen into their own contemplative silences, for better or for worse. Rainbow had opted to take the lead, and it was her that called out to the others when they finally made it past the treeline.

Even then, not much was said as thick forest gave way to miles and miles of lush green wide open fields, and a dirt path could be seen coming from out of the forest.

In the far distance, they could just barely make out a thick haze of smoke lazily drifting upwards from over the horizon, though they were still too far away to see the source.

At Fluttershy's request, Twilight and the others all landed just outside the forest. Once they we're all back on solid earth, the yellow pegasus galloped a little ways back into the forest to meet with Bright Fang.

They had all wondered what the wolf would do, or if it was even a good idea to bring him with them at all. According to Fluttershy, Bright Fang's mutation wasn't quite the same as theirs.

His physiology wasn't malleable like the six mares, and he couldn't disguise himself if they had to go into another town. He would most certainly cause a panic if anyone saw him, but all the same, Fluttershy didn't want to leave him.

In the end, Bright Fang had made the decision for himself. With a few whines and barks aimed at Fluttershy, he nodded towards the others before turning around and running back into the forest.

When asked to elaborate, Fluttershy had mentioned that while Bright Fang wouldn't be traveling with them, he'd 'still find a way to be there when they needed him'.

There was nothing more beyond those cryptic words, so after a brief bout of confusion, the girls once more took to the sky, making their way towards their next destination.

There was some debate over whether or not it was a good idea to head in the direction of the smoke, and cases were made between each of the mares.

"The smoke isn't thick or dark, so I don't think it's because of a raging fire or anything like that," Twilight was saying with a thoughtful look, "it might be the smoke from some kind of... industrial facility."

"If I never see another big fancy facility again, that'd be just fine and dandy," Applejack muttered, flying alongside the others in her griffon disguise, "If you all want my opinion, I say we just move on."

"But what if somepony... ah, somegriffon is hurt or needs our help?" Fluttershy argued, "what if that's only the start of some terrible fire that's only going to get worse and—"

"It's a giant metal city."

Fluttershy blinked at Rainbow's blunt statement. She looked over to the the cyan mare to see that she was staring ahead with wide-eyed disbelief.

She and the other girls followed her gaze. As they passed over the edge of the horizon, they could indeed see what was for all intents and purposes, a massive city made of metal in the far distance.

Even in the waning light of dusk, they could see the glint of tall silver, grey, and bronze structures. One particularly large rectangular building with three tall cylindrical concrete chimneys was to blame for all the smoke.

Unfortunately the girls couldn't make out much more than that in the growing darkness. Still, what they had seen had given them more than a small amount of pause.

"Wow," Pinkie cried with a hint of excitement, "you don't see cities like that in Equestria! Not even places like Manehattan or Detrot are that big and... clunky? Clanky? Metal-y?"

"Industrialized," Twilight replied flatly, "the word you're looking for is 'industrialized'."

"I don't know if I'd even like to see cities like that in Equestria to be honest," Rarity replied, eyeing the city with distaste, "all that smoke and metal... and don't even get me started on the horrid structure of the city itself. Such a dreadful mishmash of garish architecture offends my delicate sensibilities."

She finished her rant with a haughty huff before turning to the others. She blinked and furrowed her brows at the looks she received.

"...What?"

"Geez, Rares," Applejack replied, shaking her head in bemusement, "are you a seamstress or an architect?"

"Oh please, darling," Rarity sniffed, "a true lady strives to find beauty in all things, and even from this distance and in this darkness, I can tell for certain that... that... travesty of a city is in no way beautiful."

"It's no Canterlot, I'll give you that much," Twilight agreed, turning back to the distant city, "but at the same time this might be what a lot of other big cities look like now."

"Riiiight, the whole 'dead for sixteen years' thing," Rainbow replied with a nod, before frowning, "now I'm kind of wondering what Cloudsdale looks like."

"If it's even around anymore," Fluttershy add quietly, "a lot of things can change in sixteen years, especially after a war."

"Ah geez, Fluttershy," Rainbow whined, "why'd you have to go and say something like that?"

Fluttershy winced and looked away.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow," she replied, "I didn't mean to ruin the mood, I'm just worried about what we'll find when we return home."

"No," Rainbow sighed, "no, you're right Fluttershy. We can't expect everything to be cool once we get back."

"Actually," Twilight began hesitantly, "I've... I've been thinking... and... well..."

"Well what?" Pinkie asked, flying next to Twilight and tilting her head curiously, "what'cha thinking about, Twi?"

Twilight looked over to Pinkie, then swept her gaze over all the others and saw that she had gained their attention as well. She bit her lip and looked away before speaking again—her voice low and unsure.

"Well... it's just that," she shook her head and looked back at the others, "should we really just leave Griffonia as it is now?"

"What are you talking about, Twilight?" Applejack asked warily, "we need to get back to Equestria and make sure our friends and family are okay... and if they're not... we need to at least see what happened to our home."

"I know that, Applejack," Twilight replied carefully, "I know getting back is important... but is it as important as making sure this virus doesn't spread anymore than it most likely already has?"

That caused all the other mares to slow to a stop mid flight.

"So... what," Rainbow asked slowly, "are you saying we should... stay here and... do something about it?" she shook her head and frowned at the winged lavender mare, "Twilight, what the hay can we do about it?"

"Rainbow's right, dear," Rarity agreed, "we hardly know a thing about this virus, let alone how to stop it from spreading."

"Frankly, I don't think the six of us alone can do much anyhow," Applejack added, "we'd have to go back to that facility for starters, and I don't wanna do that. Besides, we don't even know where it is."

Twilight wanted to argue against them. She wanted to go home just as much as any of them, but the more she thought about the consequences of leaving the problem alone, the more she wanted to stop it.

At the same time, she knew her friends had all made good points. The virus needed to be stopped, but for all their power, they had no plausible way of doing so.

"I think it's worth trying."

Each of the other girls turned to Fluttershy, who turned to face Twilight with an encouraging smile. She nodded once and turned back to the others, her voice quiet, but full of conviction.

"I don't like what I... what we've become... I hate it," Fluttershy said with a slow shake of her head, "and I don't want anypony or anygriffon else to suffer the same thing."

"I dunno, Flutters," Rainbow replied, rubbing the back of her neck, "we're not exactly suffering here. If anything we're the ones causing the suffering."

"And that's better?!" Fluttershy growled, her glare making Rainbow Dash flinch, "I don't want to hurt or kill ponies, Rainbow Dash, and don't you tell me we aren't suffering!"

Rainbow opened her mouth to respond, only to snap it shut as the irate yellow pegasus shoved her face right in front of her.

"Did you already forget that we almost lost you?" she cried angrily, "Svanhild almost took over and I could've... I might never have seen you again..."

Rainbow stared at the other pegasus.

She saw Fluttershy's expression go from furious to miserable in an instant. All the fight left the mare and she turned away from her cyan friend.

"Fluttershy, I... I didn't—"

"Whatever you all decide to do, I'm siding with Twilight on this," Fluttershy muttered without turning back around. Her expression hardened as she looked at Twilight, "even if you decide to go back to Equestria... I'm... I'm staying here... and I'm going to find a way to stop the virus."

The rest of the mares went silent, completely stunned at what Fluttershy was saying and unsure how to respond. After a long moment, it was Pinkie that finally broke the tense silence.

"If Fluttershy's staying... then I'm gonna stay too."

Applejack gave Pinkie an incredulous look.

"Wha—Pinkie, you can't be serious?" she cried, "Fluttershy staying here is already crazy enough, but you... don't you wanna see if everypony in Ponyville is okay? What about your family on the rock farm? What about the Cakes?"

"I'm sorry Applejack," Pinkie replied with an apologetic smile, "I really, really, really wanna see them all again, but if we don't do something about this nasty virus, they're gonna suffer too eventually."

"But they might already be suffering!" Applejack argued, "who knows what this war's done to them? Who knows what it's done to the rest of the town?" she grit her teeth and looked away, "...I wanna know what happened to my family."

"I know you do, AJ," Pinkie replied calmly as she flew over to Twilight and Fluttershy, "but you don't need me there to do that."

"But... I... you..." Applejack sputtered indignantly before turning a pleading gaze in Rarity's direction, "Rares, you agree with me right? We both got sisters we need to look after!"

"That... that's true," Rarity relied, casting an uneasy glance in Twilight's direction, "I do miss Sweetie Belle terribly, and... and I've tried not to think about it... but..." she clenched her eyes shut and shook her head, "I can't... I need to know if Sweetie's okay. I'm sorry, Twilight."

Twilight had been silently watching her friends take sides up to this point, and if she was being completely honest, she wasn't sure how to feel about it.

She had been touched that Fluttershy had agreed with her, but to actually decide to stay in Griffonia on her own rather than go back to Equestria?

Twilight was both shocked and proud of the mare.

Twilight herself had been ready to give in and head straight back to Equestria with the rest of her friends, but if Fluttershy was willing to stay here, and if Pinkie was willing to join her, then she couldn't very well back down now.

Did she miss Spike? Her parents and brother? Celestia? Cadence? Horribly so, but at the same time, if they were all okay, she didn't want to see the virus spread and infect them either.

There was no guarantee they'd survive the process, and even if they did, Twilight didn't want this for them—just like Fluttershy and Pinkie, she didn't want this for any of them.

But maybe it was actually better this way.

If Rarity and Applejack at least decided to go back, they'd be able to find out more. If Spike, Celestia, and her family were all alive, they'd be in a better position to find out. They'd also possibly be in a better position to find out more about Sombra and Luna.

"You know what?" Twilight replied, giving both Rarity and Applejack an understanding smile, "it's alright, Rarity... and Applejack?" she turned to the disguised mare in question, "I think it might actually be in our best interest to split up for now."

"What?!" Applejack shouted in disbelief, "Twilight have you spit your bit? We can't split up now!"

"Sure we can," Twilight replied, "Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and I will stay here in Griffonia and try to find a way to stop the virus, and you, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash can head back to Equestria to find out what happened and if everypony is okay."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Rainbow Dash interjected, waving her hooves, "I didn't agree to any of this!"

"Go with them, Rainbow," Fluttershy said, giving Rainbow Dash a warm smile, "I know you're more worried about what happened to our home than you let on."

"Well, yeah... of course I am," Rainbow conceded, "but... but what about you? What about all of you? Do you even have a plan? What about me? Fluttershy, weren't you worried about Svanhild? What if she tries to take over again?"

"I don't think she will, Rainbow, at least, not for a long time," Fluttershy replied with a shake of her head, "I can sense that she's still there, but it's like she's gone... dormant. I don't think you'll have to worry about her for now."

"For now?" Rainbow cried, "but what about—"

"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy said sternly, "I know you're stronger than this—stronger than Svanhild. I fully believe that the only reason was able to take over at all was because she caught you off guard."

"But... but I..."

Rainbow Dash struggled with herself for a moment. It wasn't like her to be so scared, and she had indeed tried not to think about what had happened with Svanhild, but just the idea that Fluttershy wouldn't be there to keep Svanhild at bay was making her fall apart.

It was pathetic.

Fluttershy was right, she was stronger than this. She knew Svanhild was here now, and she already had each and every one of Svanhild's memories.

She didn't doubt for a second that Svanhild would stay asleep in her brain forever, but even if she did wake up and try to take over again, she had nothing else to distract Rainbow with and as long as Rainbow kept a figurative eye on the griffon in her head, she could push her back down.

She couldn't just rely on Fluttershy. It was her decision to do what she did to Svanhild, and she had to be the one to step up and take responsibility. She was Rainbow Dash, and she wasn't going to let some angry griffon get the better of her... not ever again.

With this in mind, Rainbow's fearful expression turned solemn and determined as she looked back at Fluttershy.

"You're right, Flutters," she finally replied, "I know what's up now, and if Svanny tries to control me again, she's gonna find out I don't go down so easy when I'm prepared."

Even with her newfound conviction, there was still some lingering doubt, but she had decided that she'd cross that bridge when she came to it, and if Fluttershy had faith in her then she'd do everything she could not to let her friend down.

Still...

"That doesn't mean that you still won't need me, though," Rainbow pressed, "what if something happens to you and I'm not there to pull you guys out of the fire? What if that Jeger jerk comes back? What are you gonna do then?"

"Aw shucks, Dashie!" Pinkie replied before Fluttershy could respond. She flew over and gave Rainbow what would've literally been a bone crushing hug to anypony else, "we got Twilight! She'll think of something! And if she can't, then I will!"

"But... I don't know," Rainbow Dash replied, looking back towards Applejack and Rarity with an unsure frown, "I don't wanna leave you guys hanging... but... gah! Come on, don't make me do this!"

"Just go with Applejack and Rarity, Rainbow Dash," Twilight pushed, "we'll be fine. We'll look out for each other, just like I know you will for those two."

"But..."

Rainbow Dash snapped her desperate gaze towards Rarity, who had placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. The white pegacorn gave Rainbow a tight smile and a nod.

"Come on, darling," she said in a soft, reassuring voice, "I think it's best we leave them to it. They can take care of themselves, I know that, Applejack knows that, and I know you do too."

Rainbow Dash looked at Rarity for a moment longer before turning to Applejack. Applejack caught her look and sighed before shaking her head. She looked back up at the conflicted cyan pegasus with a weary smile.

"Frankly, I'd rather we all go back together, but it looks like those three are gonna be as bull headed about staying as... well... as bull headed as I am about going."

Her smile fell and was replaced with a serious frown.

"I know having to choose is tearing you up something fierce, RD," she continued more quietly, "but trust me when I say we'll see them again. This ain't the end, this ain't goodbye. This is just us doing what we gotta do... and Rares and I could really use your help."

Rainbow opened her mouth, closed it and looked back over to where Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were to see them all smiling and nodding encouragingly.

She grit her teeth and fumed silently for a moment before letting out a loud angry groan and jabbing a hoof in Twilight's direction—glaring at the mare with all the fury of a worried mother.

"You better keep Fluttershy safe you hear me?" she growled, "and don't think I'll forgive any of you if something happens and you all can't make it back!"

"We'll be fine, Rainbow," Fluttershy assured once again, "we'll be careful not to get caught up in anything too big, alright?"

"Pinkie Promise me!"

"You know I can't do that with the way things are right now, Rainbow," Fluttershy replied, her smile turning sad, "I wish I could... but it's not possible."

Rainbow wanted to be mad—even more mad than she was right now, but she knew deep down that it was pointless. Fluttershy's inner strength had shone through, and now there was nothing she could do to convince her long time friend to change her mind.

"...Alright then," Rainbow finally said, her shoulders slumping in defeat, "just... please be careful you guys. I know we're tough to kill, but... we could still be... if you have to fight another infected like us..."

"We know, Rainbow," Pinkie finished, "now go on. We all got things to do, and the sooner you all get back, the sooner we'll know if everypony's okay!"

Twilight turned to look at the city as she spoke.

"We'll lay low and start our search for answers in that city," she turned back to Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow, "once we're done here in Griffonia we'll head back to Equestria and use Fluttershy's ability to find you all. Try not to draw too much attention to yourselves as you go, alright?"

She paused for a moment before speaking again—her ears folding back and her voice quiet and melancholy.

"And... if you find Princess Celestia, Spike, or my brother... tell them I'm okay... and that I miss them all. I don't know if they or my parent are okay, but if they are..."

"I understand, and of course we will, Twi," Applejack replied, giving Twilight a warm, reassuring smile as she tried to adjust a stetson that wasn't there. She frowned in annoyance before turning southward, "now come on, Rares, RD... let's get a move on."

The two mares in question gave Twilight, Pinkie, and Fluttershy one last worried look before following after Applejack. The three remaining mares watched them go until they were dark specks in the distance.

"Do you really think this was a good idea, Twilight?" Pinkie asked quietly as she stared in the direction her friends had gone, "I mean, I know we're doing the right thing by trying to stop the virus, but we really don't have any idea how to do that."

Twilight didn't answer right away. Instead she frowned and turned back to the city of metal and smoke and steam and concrete. When she next spoke, it was with equal parts trepidation and determination.

"I don't know how we're going to do it, Pinkie... but we need to stop it here, and we need to stop it now."

I wonder if any of you saw this coming. I sure as hell didn't, lemme tell ya.