"Twilight...? Is that really you?" Jack asked, standing before the long robed unicorn.
"Long time, Jack." Twilight smiled, walking toward Jack. Applejack just stood there, unsure what to do. It took her a few moments to realize she was staring, noticing all the changes. Twilight was taller than she remembered, though still not as tall as Jack and her hair was a lot longer, enough to cover her alicorn. A long purple strip of hair ran down her face, covering her left eye slightly.
"Gosh, Twi... It really is you. W...Where are my manners? Won't ya come in?"
"That would be nice." Twilight laughed. Applejack, lead the way, entering the house with Twilight close behind. Twilight was amazed how little the farmhouse had changed since they were young. She could see the fireplace where they would swap stories during sleep over’s and having Mac try and scare them with shadow puppets in the fire light. She remembered granny Smith's rocking chair in the same corner not too far from the fireplace where she would watch them play. It was nice to see that not much had changed.
"Go on and have yourself a seat in the dining room. I'll put some water to boil for tea." Applejack said, grabbing the old iron kennel. Twilight nodded and sat down at the table.
"You look well, Applejack." Twilight said while Jack filled the kettle and put it over the fire.
"You don't look too bad yourself. All that fine Canterlot food I ‘spose?" Applejack said, sounding a little condescending.
"Jack... Look. I guess I should get this out of the way right now. I know we didn't part on the greatest of terms. But you have to understand that..."
"Twi, don't worry. It's all in the past. You made the right choice. I mean... Who could pass up a personal invitation from the Princess herself, right?" Applejack didn't turn to face her. "You had great potential in magic even back then. I can only imagine how you are now."
Twilight tapped her hands against the dusty wooden table, closing her eyes. "Yeah... I guess I am a little better then I was. Studying under the princess herself was an honor... Until she was gone."
"So it's true then." Applejack asked, finally turning to face Twilight. "The princess really is gone?"
Twilight didn't answer. "Applejack... I..."
"Why are you here?" Applejack cut Twilight off, shooting a harsh glance at her. "Now that the princess is gone you lookin to continue where things left off as if you never left?”
"Applejack, that's not it. You have to understand that..."
"Twelve years... And you didn't even write me a single letter. Not one reply to one of the hundreds I sent you. Why, Twi? Where you so busy you couldn't even pick up a quill?"
"Applejack, please I..."
"Or maybe the royal 'letter openers' didn't find my letters to be important enough. Just tell me why... Why did you come back to my farm? To Ponyville?"
"I..." Twilight looked down at her fingers, not wanting to look Jack in the eyes. She bit her lip as tears began to fill her eyes. "I'm sorry..."
"Sorry?" Jack said, taking a seat across from Twilight. "Sorry bout what exactly?"
"You're right. I was so caught up on becoming Celestia's apprentice I forgot about everything I left behind. My friends, my family. I regret it every day and I truly am sorry. Jack if I could reset time I would answer every single letter you sent me. It... It hurt to read them. It hurt because I wanted to come back and be with you so badly. But I was scared..."
Jack sighed, folding her hands together. "I'm... Sorry, Twi. I think I came off a little harsh on ya there. I know you only did what you thought was best. I guess I just... Missed ya. Missed ya lots. And it hurt when you left. I never thought you'd never come back."
The kettle began to whistle, catching Jack's attention. "Water's done. 'scuse me for a sec. Just a warnin, tea's gonna be a mite bit strong."
"That's okay. I like it that way." Twilight said, wiping her eyes while Jack wasn't looking.
Jack poured two cups, letting the teabags sit for a while before bringing them over. "So what made you come back? I mean... This is a bit sudden for you to just turn up like a pair of missin underwear."
Twilight took a sip as well, closing her eyes and taking her time to swallow. She opened her eyes and gave Jack a serious look. "There's something I need to show you, Jack... Something important."
"Is this like... Official royal business or somethin?"
"You can say that I guess... But not in a way you would expect. This has nothing to do with the royal council."
"Sounds dangerous. Nothin outside the law, I hope?" Jack said.
Twilight looked around, leaning over the table. "I want you to escort me into the Everfree Forest. There's something there I need. And someone there waits for us."
"Everfree? That death trap? What in the name of Equestria do you need from there? That place ain't exactly tranquil. Look I ain't no cowerd or anything... But you gotta understand that a lot changed since you moved away. Granny's been sick... Doctor says she doesn't have long. Once she passes, Mac gets the farm. You know that spells disaster and if I'm dead I can't be here to stop him from destroying what's left of Sweet Apple Acres."
"I'll make it worth your time." Twilight said as she reached into her robe, pulling out a large pouch. "Ten thousand bits. Take me into the forest and it's all yours to do what you wish. If the farm's struggling this is your chance to help. All you have to do is take me for a little stroll in the woods. What do you say?"
Jack looked at the pouch, hearing the jingle of bits within. She wasn't one for money hording but with Mac's little mistake it had been a costly month. If she didn't come up with money soon she was going to lose the farm. She knew this yet something felt wrong. There was more to this then just a stroll and Jack knew it.
"What exactly are we lookin for?" Jack asked.
"I'm sorry... I can't tell you here. You'll just have to trust me. I know this all seems really weird but please... I wouldn't ask so much of you if it wasn't important."
"Well then... I guess I'll have to take your word for it. I can't exactly afford not to. Show me where to go and I'll get ya there. Not sure why you can't just get some royal guard or somethin... When do we leave?"
"As soon as possible." Twilight said.
Jack nodded, taking another sip of tea. "Right..." she sighed.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Fluttershy yawned as she awoke from her sleep, feeling refreshed from her long slumber. It was probably the best sleep she’d had in a long time. Never had she known such luxury in her life and she almost thought she was in a dream until she looked up to realize she wasn't alone. Pinkie held Fluttershy close as she slept next to her, keeping Fluttershy warm between her bosoms. Fluttershy began to panic, her heart racing from seeing the beautiful countess right next to her. She didn't recall when Pinkie could have slipped into bed with her, only that she felt a warm feeling all night, a subconscious safety. She slowly tried to pull away, only to be pulled back into Pinkie's embrace.
"Morning, Fluttahshy!" Pinkie suddenly yelled. "Surprised? Hope you don't mind me creeping up like a bed bug! I heard you moaning and rolling so I kept you company, I did. Hoping that got rid of all the bad dreamies!"
"G...Good Morning... My Lady..." Fluttershy said, her voice shaking.
"Now, now, none of that formal stuff. Ya call me Pinkie! Like the color! Or the finger... Either way, its Pinkie to you. Did you sleep well, lassy?"
Fluttershy smiled and nodded as Pinkie released her. "Oh, yes. It was the most wonderful sleep I had since... Well... Ever."
"So glad to hear ya say that! Still, sounded like you were having quite bit of a nightmare there. Bad dreams?" Pinkie asked, opening the curtains to let the sunlight in. The view was wonderful, Pinkie could see all the way across to Port Canterlot.
"Well... I... I guess a little bit of a bad dream... I saw him again. The man from yesterday. And the things he said... About my father..."
"Your father, huh? What'd he say about him?" Pinkie turned back to face Fluttershy.
"Well... I... He said..." Fluttershy's heart began to race, her thoughts in a bundle.
"Calm down, Fluttahshy. If you feel too stressed about it don't worry about telling me now. Right now lets get you dressed in something different and have some breakfast. Nathan should have put a new outfit for ya."
Pinkie giggled and grabbed Fluttershy from behind. "Now let’s get you outta this and into some nice going out clothes!"
"No! Ms. Pinkie! Please, stop... I can... Dress and undress myself...!" Fluttershy tried to pull away and in her struggle, tore the beautiful silk nightgown down her back. From the tear, a pair of tattered wings could be seen hidden and bound by bandaging.
"Hm? Wings? Fluttahshy... You're a...?"
"I'm sorry..." Fluttershy said, backing away into a wall to hide her wings. "I know... I should have told you... But if I did I... I thought you would hate me and... I mean..."
"Fluttahshy... Now why would you ever think I thing like that?" Pinkie asked, walking closer to her.
"Because... Because of what people say about us... Pegasus... How... How we're..."
"Bad? Ne'er do wells? I know all the prejudice remarks people make about pegasi..." Pinkie stepped closer. "Let me tell ya something, Fluttahshy. There ain't a single bad bone in your body that I could tell and I got a knack for reading people. You, lassy, are the kindest person I ever did meet and don't let anyone tell ya different, savvy?"
Fluttershy could feel tears coming to her eyes, wanting to cry at her new friend’s kind words. Pinkie suddenly hugged her tightly which set the fragile girl over the edge, tears starting to roll down her face. It was a moment they shared only briefly before a loud sound came from downstairs. Fluttershy jumped at the loud popping sound, unsure what it was. Pinkie on the other hand, knew exactly what it was. The sound of a gun.
"Fluttahshy..." Pinkie said. "Get in the closet..."
Fluttershy began to shiver. "B...But... What's going...."
"What'd I just say? In with ya!" Pinkie pushed her toward the closet, going over to the nightstand and pulled a flintlock pistol out, making sure it was loaded. Pinkie ran over toward the main hall, looking down from the stair railing to see three men standing over Nathan. Each had a gun. The man in the middle had his shoulder wrapped. It was the man from last night.
"There she is! The bitch shot me!"
"Now, now... Let Nathan go. He’s got nothing to do with this." Pinkie said, hiding the pistol behind her.
"He might not have anything to do with this but you do. If you care about this man's life I think you better hand over the girl. She's all we want."
"No chance." Pinkie said.
"Thought you'd say that." He aimed the pistol at Nathan. "But I don't think you're in a position to argue. One more time... " He put his thumb on the jaw screw and cranked the hammer on the pistol. "Give me the girl..."
Pinkie looked down at Nathan who was hurt yet showed no fear. He shot a look at Pinkie and shook his head... Pinkie nodded, feeling sad but understanding what he wanted.
"Go ta hell..." Pinkie said.
The man's face grew red with anger before he pulled the trigger, shooting Nathan right between the eyes. As soon as he did she whipped out her pistol, dealing the same to him in kind, the bullet hitting him in the chest. The other two men reacted, firing back. Pinkie ran for cover, only suffering a graze from one of the bullets that skid past the flesh of her arm. She winced but tried her best to ignore the pain. She could hear the men pursuing her as she tried to reload. No doubt they were doing the same.
From down the hall, the men emerged to find Pinkie running. One of the men took a shot at her, hitting only a strange bust that stood in the hall. Pinkie hid behind the corner, finally loading up another shot. She turned the corner and took aim, firing only to miss.
"Of all the time..." She said, running down the corner. The hallway would only lead to a dead end and she knew that. If she ran into another one of the rooms and hid she might have a chance but she feared for Fluttershy's safety. If they happened to stumble upon her, she wouldn't stand a chance. Pinkie had to think of something. She tried reloading quickly as she ran, reaching the last corner before the end of the hall. She had to take a stand here. She reloaded and waited. The two men turned the corner and Pinkie fired again, hitting one of the men and sending him to the ground, hoping it was a killing shot. Pinkie knew there wouldn't be time to reload. She threw the gun aside and tried to run down the hallway, only to be grabbed from behind. The man shoved her against the wall, putting the gun under her chin.
"Shame, really... Such a pretty lass goin to waste. No worries though. After I collect on that bounty I'm going to have me every whore from here to Canterlot. I'm going to live like a king!"
A shot fired and Pinkie closed her eyes, waiting to feel the embrace of death. A moment passed and nothing came. She opened her eyes slowly to feel the man’s grip around her loosen as he fell to the ground, Fluttershy standing behind him with the pistol she had taken from the assassin last night. She stood there, aiming and shaking violently. Pinkie walked over to Fluttershy, taking the pistol away gently and throwing it to the ground. Pinkie hugged Fluttershy, feeling her shaking from head to toe.
"It's okay... Ya did the right thing. You saved my life." She took Fluttershy's hand. "Come now." Pinkie said, leading her into the main hall. Pinkie stood before Nathan, his eyes open, fearless but now lifeless. Pinkie knelt before him, running her fingers over his face, shutting his eyelids. "Sleep well, friend. Have a coin on me and have a safe trip across them seas where the ferryman takes you." She didn't fight her tears.
Fluttershy looked at the man next to Nathan, recognizing him right away. "No... He... He came back for me... Because of me he... Your friend... I... I'm to blame..."
Pinkie looked up at Fluttershy who was crying as well.
"Because of me... It was all because of me... I... I should have just let him kill me last night... My life was meaningless... The life of your friend... He..."
Pinkie slapped Fluttershy across the face, causing her to recoil. Fluttershy stumbled back. Pinkie simple smiled as tears ran down her face.
"So yer life is meaningless, eh? Is that why Nathan died? Because he felt you were trash to the thrown away? You got lots of learnin to do, Fluttahshy."
"But..."
"No more 'buts'!" Pinkie yelled. "Nathan died because he refused to let them take ya. Don't you dare disgrace his sacrifice by saying you aren’t worth anything. Because like me, this man thought you were worth dying for."
Fluttershy gasped. She had not thought of it that way. "I'm sorry... You're right..." Fluttershy wiped her tears. "He was a great man... I didn't have time to know him but..."
"Fluttahshy... Why are ya being chased? I need to know."
Fluttershy shook her head. "I don't know... All that I know is that... This man told me my father was alive... Not only that, but he wants me killed. Something about a bounty..."
"I figured... That man upstairs said something about a bounty. Do ya know where yer father is?"
"I... I might... Port Sunrise. It was in a note he showed me. Along with a strange trinket my mother owned." Fluttershy took a deep breath. "I... I have to go... To Port Sunrise. I have to find him. I know... It might mean my death but... I have to know why. Why he's after me."
Pinkie nodded, looking down at Nathan. "Yeah... He sounds like quite a fella. I think I'm gonna pay' im a visit too. What say you?"
"You're going to come with me?" Fluttershy asked.
"You know it! First I need to give my friend proper respect and bury him. The garden... He was always out in that garden. Now he can sleep there forever." Pinkie smiled. "Then we leave for Port Sunrise... And see to yer father."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Judging by the sun... It's about late afternoon, Twi. We have been in these woods for hours. How long are we walkin?" Jack asked, holding tightly to her rifle. She looked at every tree and listened to every sound. The Everfree Forest was never known for being safe and Jack was taking no chances.
"Not too much longer. If I remember, we're almost there."
"If you remember'? You sure you know where ya goin?"
Twilight didn't answer which made Jack nervous. They soon came to a rickety old bridge leading across a great gorge.
"There..." Twilight said. "Just across this bridge. Walk carefully. Take it slow. Don't look down."
"I know how to cross a bridge, Twi... Just lead the way."
Twilight nodded, stepping onto the bridge. It creaked and rocked gently as they both walked slowly and carefully, watching each step. Jack avoided looking down, trying to show that she wasn't scared. It wasn't working. She began to sweat with each step and the closer they got the further the end of the seemed to be. It was as if she would be on it forever. She swallowed her fear, keeping her eyes on Twilight who seemed to be as nervous as she was.
They finally made it across the bridge, Jack and Twilight sighing simultaneously. Jack laughed nervously. "Heh... Piece of cake..."
Twilight laughed as well, holding her hand against her chest. "Yeah... Piece of cake."
Both faced forward and not too far from where they stood they could see a large ruin ahead. It looked to be an old cathedral or castle.
"That's it." Twilight said. "That's what we're looking for."
"This? This old ruin's what all the fuss' about?" Applejack gritted her teeth. "So what's so great bout it?"
Twilight didn't respond, simply walking toward the ruin. She approached the double wooden doors, opening them slowly and walking inside.
Applejack followed, seeing a large room. It looked to have been some sort of chamber before it crumbled. At the end of the long room, stones sat upon a large statue.
"What is this?" Applejack asked.
"These, my friend, were known as the Elements of Harmony. And this is the reason I brought you here." Twilight turned to Applejack. From behind the statue, a white hooded figure appeared, standing next to Twilight.
"Welcome, Applejack." The figure said. "I've been waiting for you. It was I who asked Twilight to bring you here."
"W...Who are you? And what do you want with me...?"
The woman lowered her hood, prismatic hair releasing and flowing as if wind was hitting it, yet not a breeze could be felt.
"I am Princess Celestia. And you, my dear friend have come to begin a very important puzzle."