We start by getting everyone to a location furthest from town. That will serve as our staging ground for the evacuation. Max exclaimed.

“Sweet Apple Acres. It's not super far but it's far enough to work!” Pinkie Pie proclaimed.

Good, let's get everyone going that way. Max offered.

Pinkie Pie nodded and took off down the mostly empty street. At first, the town seemed abandoned, as there was no one around, but there were ponies in the windows, their terrified faces half-hidden behind curtains. In the distance, ponies ran this way and that, a veritable stampede of horrified individuals running around seemingly aimlessly.

“Everyone we have to evacuate!” Pinkie Pie shouted. “Go to the Apple family farm, hurry!”

No one seemed to stir, fear and confusion controlling these ponies as if they were mere puppets.

Keep going, try the market. Max encouraged.

Pinkie Pie nodded, and put her head down once more, running off towards the heart of the panic. Around the corner and down another street Pinkie Pie found the market, or at least she assumed that she was in the right space. Shattered stalls trampled by the panic-stricken hooves of terrified ponies littered the streets, and confused masses of individuals moved about as if in a daze.

“EVERYPONY, GO TO SWEET APPLE ACRES!” Pinkie Pie shouted, hopping up and down on her back hooves while waving her forelimbs. “WE ARE EVACUATING!”

No one seemed to pay Pinkie Pie any mind, too wrapped up in their own panic-induced plans to even glance her way. Most present seemed intent on fleeing the town, though they weren't always running away from Canterlot and some were even running to it. If they weren't sprinting away from town in some random direction they were barricading their homes, nailing boards over their windows, or piling into root cellars by the dozen.

Pinkie Pie ran over to the closest group of ponies.

“Hey, Octavia, Vinyl, everypony! You have to go to Sweet Apple Acres,” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“What, Pinkie? Didn't you get taken away by the guard?” Octavia murmured.

“They were demons who hurt the guard captain but that doesn't matter right now. You guys need to go to Sweet Apple Acres right away!” Pinkie Pie declared.

“We were planning on going to Manehatten. I have an apartment out there and if worse comes to worst we can board a ship to neighpone,” Vinyl offered.

“The road to Manehatten goes right past Canterlot, you’ll never make it. Trust me, we have to get as far away as we can from there,” Pinkie Pie stressed.

“Wait, Pinkie… you, you ate that creature’s brain,” murmured a member of Vinyl and Octavia’s group.

“That wasn't me, well it is. It's complicated but I’m a good guy! I’m the element of laughter remember?” Pinkie Pie declared, chuckling awkwardly in emphasis.

“I think we are going to stick with our Manehatten plan, thanks anyway Pinkie,” Octavia stated firmly.

Pinkie Pie opened her mouth to speak but noticed that the small group of ponies was subtly backing away from her. Their ranks were closed, and they seemed ready to run at a moment’s notice, their large fear-filled eyes staring directly at her.

“Oh,” Pinkie Pie muttered. “I see.”

“No offense Pinkie, but we really must go,” Vinyl Scratch repeated.

“Just remember not to trust anyone, especially if they have a symbol on their body. Anyone possessed by a demon has one of these, and if you see one run! Don't try to fight!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“Thank you Pinkie, we’ll be going now,” Octavia stated firmly.

Pinkie Pie winced, watching as the group hastily backpedaled before turning tail and fleeing the moment they were far enough away.

“What now?” Pinkie Pie muttered.

Before Max could answer her, a new voice could be heard over the crowd, this one familiar, and brash.

“Pinkie Pie!” shouted the voice.

“Rainbow Dash?” Pinkie Pie muttered, spinning in place.

The pink earth pony looked up to find a speeding rainbow blur approaching her, skidding to a stop and kicking up a multihued cloud in the process.

“Pinkie Pie! Oh, thank the stars I found you,” Rainbow Dash professed. “It seems like the whole town went crazy when those guards took you in. What happened to them anyway?”

Just say they were bad guys. Max interjected.

“They were bad guys. I kicked their butts but they got away,” Pinkie Pie answered.

“Damn. With them still out there we’ll have to stay on our guard,” Rainbow Dash muttered.

“That doesn't matter right now. What matters is that we have to get everyone to Sweet Apple Acres so we can evacuate. We have to get as far away from Canterlot as possible!” Pinkie Pie proclaimed.

“Woah woah woah. Run? We can't run, we’re the elements of harmony, or most of them anyway,” Rainbow Dash interjected.

“You don't understand these aren't like the other bad guys they don't just want to beat us they want to kill us, or… or worse,” Pinkie Pie whispered in a low tone.

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to speak, but reluctantly closed it, remaining quiet for several seconds.

“Okay, maybe this is serious. We better go back to the library,” Rainbow Dash whispered.

“Why the library? We need to get everyone as far away from town as possible,” Pinkie Pie declared.

“I know, I know. But that's where Mrs. Cake was gathering everypony, and it's also where Twilight left that experimental aircraft she was working on before she left for Canterlot,” Rainbow Dash replied.

Pinkie Pie gasped. “Of course! We could use that to get out of here faster! Good thinking Rainbow Dash.”

“Heh, I’m not just a pretty face you know,” Rainbow Dash remarked, waving towards the library. “Come on, we better get moving.”

“Lead the way!” Pinkie Pie proclaimed.

Rainbow Dash did just that, flying just fast enough for Pinkie Pie to run after her without getting left behind.

“Hey, Max do you think this will work?” Pinkie Pie whispered in a low tone.

I don't know. These things… they won't ever give up. Nor will they stop. Max replied grimly.

“Never? So… we can't beat them?” Pinkie Pie asked, her voice filled with despair.

We’re reaching the end of the knowledge forced upon me but I think we can. The words ‘The Conduit’ keep popping up but I can't seem to figure out what it all means. Max remarked. I think we have to destroy the conduit, but I can't be certain how, or even what it is, or where it may be for that matter, now that I’m thinking about it.

“I guess we can figure that out later,” Pinkie Pie offered weakly. “We gotta focus on everypony in Ponyville.”

Good thinking Pinkie Pie. Stay focused, and stay alert, more were on the way. Max declared.

“Right,” Pinkie Pie proclaimed.

“Who ya talkin' to there Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Pinkie Pie blinked in surprise. “Oh uh, no one. Just my imaginary friend.”

“Oookay then, let them know they gotta leave too. Nopony left behind and all that,” Rainbow Dash offered.

“Err right, oh look we’re here!” Pinkie Pie pointed out.

Rainbow Dash followed her friend’s hoof to where the library loomed large before them. The usually empty and quiet building was the scene of much commotion, with many ponies gathered out front. There was also a single non-pony, who was running back and forth from inside, ferrying snacks or other supplies.

Pinkie Pie didn't give Spike more than a moment of focus as her mind was quickly counting and naming each of the individuals there. Starting with her friends, Rarity and Fluttershy who were joined by several of Fluttershy’s animals and Rarity’s sister, Sweetie Belle. A few other notable faces were visible amongst the crowd, like a rather shell-shocked Mrs. Cake, her children Pound and Pumpkin, as well as a familiar green lizard.

“Gummy!” Pinkie Pie shouted.

Sprinting over to the alligator sitting placidly on Mrs. Cake’s back, Pinkie Pie scooped up the critter and nuzzled it affectionately.

“Oh thank goodness you’re okay Pinkie. After what I saw with…” Mrs. Cake shook her head. “How did you escape?”

“That doesn't matter now. How many did you get to join you?” Pinkie Pie asked, glancing around at the large group of ponies clustered around the library.

“Twenty or thirty I think,” Mrs Cake muttered absently. “Most folks were too panicked to think straight but I gathered who I could.”

“I’ll get Spike, and start unloading the airship!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“Okay, good thinking!” Pinkie Pie yelled back.

“I know we have to run, but where would we even go?” Mrs. Cake whispered in a low tone. “If it's not safe there, then where is?”

“A map,” Pinkie Pie declared. “I need a map.”

Inside. Max offered.

“Right,” Pinkie muttered.

Trotting inside, the earth pony quickly located a globe, snatching it off the table and heading back outside once more.

“Okay, so we’re here and the furthest town to the west is Hope’s Hallow in the middle of the Wandering Wood,” Pinkie Pie declared, tapping the globe. “We gotta go there!”

“That's several thousand miles,” Mrs Cake muttered. “I don't know if we can make it.”

“I…” Pinkie Pie stuttered, suddenly at a loss for words.

We have to try. Max offered.

“We have to try,” Pinkie Pie declared.

“I suppose,” Mrs. Cake murmured.

“Pinkie Pie, darling. Please tell me we are not getting running away because some bad guy showed up threatening everyone again,” Rarity interrupted. “I swear these ponies would panic if you so much as dropped a bag of potatoes.”

Pinkie Pie hesitated.

Tell her a bit about what happened. She doesn't get it, but she has to. Max encouraged.

Pinkie Pie took a breath. “This is serious Rarity. There are monsters out there that want to eat us, not just cus they are hungry but because they want to kill us, painfully.”

“Surely you’re overexaggerating, right?” Rarity whispered.

Pinkie Pie shook her head. “I’m afraid not. This isn't like the other times, we have to get out of here, run as far away as we can.”

“But what then, do we just… hide?” Rarity asked.

“I’m sure the princesses and Twilight can figure something out. Until then we have to save as many ponies as possible,” Pinkie Pie declared.

“Oh my, you really are serious, aren't you? It's so strange you being the voice of reason. No offense darling,” Rarity quickly added.

Pinkie Pie smiled. “None was taken, and I’m just as weirded out as you are.”

Maybe check on your animal friend. She hasn't stopped staring at us the entire time. Max offered.

Pinkie Pie glanced over to where Fluttershy sat off to one side, away from the others amidst a small crowd of animals.

“Hey, Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie greeted, trotting up to the mare. “How are you holding- woah.”

The pink pony stopped when the animals formed a barrier between her and Fluttershy. Teeth bared, and claws extended they growled in silent fury, though Pinkie Pie could tell that they were terrified. Only loyalty to Fluttershy kept them in place, with Harry the bear standing tall in the center of the group, anchoring the smaller critters.

“Hey Flutters call off your friends, I’m just trying to check on you!” Pinkie Pie shouted.

“I don't think you should come any closer, whoever you are,” Fluttershy declared, peeking out from behind Harry.

“What do you mean? Don't you recognize me?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“You look like Pinkie, and you talk like Pinkie but you aren't Pinkie,” Fluttershy retorted, in an uncharacteristically bold move.

“Huh? Have you been reading too much Nietzsche again?” Pinkie Pie pressed.

Fluttershy’s eyes narrowed. “You may even joke like her, but you aren't Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie isn't a predator, Pinkie Pie doesn't stink like blood.”

“Look, Fluttershy it's a long story but I’m still me, see?” Pinkie Pie declared, doing a handstand as if that would help her case.

“Hey, Pinkie! Could you help us out back here?” shouted Rainbow Dash’s distant voice.

“Uh yeah, just a sec!” Pinkie Pie replied, hopping back down to four hooves again.

Pinkie Pie hesitated for a moment, glancing at Fluttershy with the clear intention of refuting her case further.

Leave it for now. We don't have the time. Max interrupted.

“I guess,” Pinkie Pie reluctantly admitted.

Turning back around, Pinkie Pie trotted through the crowd, and around to the back of the library. There she found that Spike and Rainbow Dash were tugging at a large flat boat whose deck was covered by an enormous deflated balloon. Big enough to fit nearly a hundred ponies on, and with a small hatch space accessible from the deck, it was simple but looked like it could do the job.

“It's stuck. Can you give us a hoof?” Rainbow Dash added, tugging the thing in emphasis.

Pinkie Pie glanced over to where the ship was wedged halfway in, halfway out of the large, seldom-used workshop at the back of the library. To get it out they could have pushed it back in, moved the angle, and tried over again, but it was close enough that a bit of force could probably work as well.

Just brute force it. Max suggested. It looks strong enough that it won't break.

“Okay, I’ll grab it here,” Pinkie Pie offered.

Spike and Rainbow Dash got into position, grabbing onto different parts of the boat.

“Alright,” Spike began. “On three, one, two-”

Pinkie Pie tugged, and with little struggle freed the boat from its prison. In the process, she also left a large scratch along the one side, though it barely even removed the top layer of paint.

“Wow, you are strong,” Spike muttered.

“Haha, yeah. You know me, I got that earth pony strength,” Pinkie Pie distracted. “Say, Twilight didn't send any warning about… anything did she?”

Spike’s face darkened and his shoulders fell slack. “She sent some weird garbled message telling me to pack my stuff and run, but after that, the magical fire spell suddenly broke.”

“Broke?” Pinkie Pie asked.

Spike nodded. “When I was little Twilight but an enchantment on my fire that let me send and receive letters from Celestia. It's actually a mix of dragon magic, and her own spell but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that she sent through some kind of rune that upon reforming dispelled the enchantment.”

Spike belched up a plume of green flame. “It's just plain old dragon fire again.”

“Maybe she was trying to protect you from something,” Rainbow Dash offered.

Spike shrugged. “I don't know. I just have to hope that it was part of some plan and I’ll see her again soon.”

“I’m sure we will Spike, but before that can happen we gotta move,” Pinkie Pie encouraged, tugging at the boat.

“Right, I’ll get everyone together. You and Spike prepare the boat,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed before flying off a moment later.

“I’m gonna check to see if the wheels are working. Why don't you hook yourself up to the harness? I think Twilight left a couple in the workshop,” Spike offered.

Pinkie Pie nodded. “Can do Spikeroni!”

The earth pony bounced over to the workshop and began to look around, immediately noting the vast emptiness. Expanded from what had once been a simple shed, the place had rapidly grown only to end up forgotten just as quickly. A thick layer of dust covered just about everything, including a harness that would hook up to the front of the airship.

After giving it a shake in order to banish the layer of grey dust, Pinkie Pie trotted out to the front and hooked herself up. As she got into position, her mind began to wander, and she couldn't help but wonder what Twilight had been up to. She hadn't told her friends much, nor had she visited since discovering something strange and intriguing within one of the Canterlot caves.

At first, they had gathered in the rebuilt and reconstructed library once every few days to hear about what she had been up to. Tales of her discoveries were vague, but semi-frequent, though she peppered in a fair few questions about them. Together they’d write a letter back, and the entire process would begin again, and again until it stopped suddenly.

Pinkie Pie remembered the awkward explanation Spike had given them about how Twilight was too busy to respond for the next little while.

I wonder if she accidentally let them out, or perhaps discovered some of the venom of Baal and drank it foolishly. Max remarked.

“I doubt that,” Pinkie Pie whispered. “Twilight may be a bit hair-brained at times but she is the most careful pony I know.”

“Did you say something?” Spike asked as he emerged from under the airship.

“No, just thinking to myself,” Pinkie Pie murmured, pausing to jingle her harness. “I’m ready by the way.”

“Alright, everyone else is moving. Wheres the other harness?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I think it's at the back of the shop. I’ll go check,” Spike offered.

“It's fine, I can do it alone,” Pinkie Pie interrupted. “Just have everyone walk in front of me.”

Good thinking, very noble of you Pinkie. Max commented.

“Alright,” Rainbow Dash murmured hesitantly. “Come on everypony lets go!”

The mass of ponies began to move slowly towards the edge of Ponyville and the dirt road that led to their destination. Though lethargic at first, the moment a piercing scream could be heard from somewhere in town, everyone began moving a little faster. Even Pinkie Pie, burdened though she was, pushed herself even harder than before.

The strap system strained against the immense weight, even with two sets of wheels helping things along. Pinkie Pie herself knew at the back of her mind that this was too heavy, even for her, yet she was able to push forward. With strength beyond that of even an earth pony, she was able to keep pace with the lightly jogging convoy that had formed before her.

I’ll give you a bit of my strength though I’ll be keeping most in case we run into more demons. Max exclaimed.

“Thanks,” Pinkie Pie murmured between grit teeth.

Pinkie Pie’s muscles bulged slightly, the weight immediately growing lighter.

One hoof in front of the other, Pinkie Pie reached the dirt road and kept on trotting onward. The convoy kept up their pace, their steps hasty, but not so hasty that they stumbled, or broke away from the pack. All the while Rainbow Dash continued to monitor from above, flying in a lazy circle around the group in order to keep watch. Spike hung back slightly, the dragon continually glancing back, ensuring he kept a close eye on the road behind them.

Free to simply pull and do nothing else, Pinkie Pie kept her head down until finally, Sweet Apple Acres appeared in the distance. A familiar orange shape was trotting towards them already, the stetson-wearing mare also wearing a confused frown on her face. She talked briefly to Rarity before falling back, stopping once she was jogging alongside Pinkie Pie.

“Woah there, what's going on?” Applejack asked. “Rares mentioned some kind of monster attack.”

“It's more serious than that,” Spike interrupted, falling back alongside the farm pony. “Demons are killing tons of people, and we need to get out of here.”

“Demons?” Applejack scoffed. “Now that doesn't sound right.”

“Trust me,” Pinkie Pie exclaimed between clenched teeth. “They are out there and they are coming. We have to go.”

“We can't just abandon the farm. Surely we can put up some kinda fight,” Applejack offered.

We don't have time to do this again. Convince her. Max stated.

Pinkie Pie nodded and trotted to a halt. She then grabbed Applejack’s hoof and held it tightly. “Applejack listen to me,” Pinkie Pie began, her tone low and serious. “I would not ask you to do this unless I believed there was a good chance that if you didn't, everyone you know and love would die.”

“You… You're serious,” Applejack muttered.

“Dead serious,” Pinkie Pie replied, only to wince. “Sorry about the pun.”

“It's fine,” Applejack dismissed. “You just go get the airship going in front of the barn. I’ll talk to family and get them ready to move. They won't like it, but heck, if Pinkie Pie is taking it this seriously then it's gotta be real.”

“Thank you Applejack,” Pinkie Pie whispered.

Great work. Max complimented.

Pinkie Pie smiled and began to move once more, dragging the airship toward the large red out building.

“Alright everypony, get together, we gotta launch this sucker and quick!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“I’ll inflate the balloon,” Spike offered. “You guys get everything ready. The moment it's filled enough to start rising, get on. We’ll moor it to that tree.”

Pinkie Pie hauled the airship until it was directly in front of the barn. At which point she nearly collapsed, falling to the earth and laying on her side in the dirt.

Take a breather. You deserve it. Max commented.

Pinkie Pie merely grunted, the mare picking herself up just long enough to remove herself from the harness and plop down near a tree. Under the shade of the old oak, Pinkie Pie watched as the group of refugees got to work, guided by Spike and Rainbow Dash. It would have been an endearing sight of a community coming together if the circumstances were different.

“Do you think… do you think running is the best idea?” Pinkie Pie whispered.

For them? Absolutely. Max answered.

“But what about us?” Pinkie Pie inquired.

I’m not so sure. Max admitted. We alone have the power to permanently kill these things and though I am loathe to put my life on the line, it seems as though ending this thing is our responsibility.

“After everypony is safe and we figure out a way to stop these things then we’ll hunt them down,” Pinkie Pie declared, pounding her hooves together.

My thoughts exactly. Max agreed.

Pinkie Pie grimaced, her mind conjuring images of her sisters and parents. She silently hoped that they were okay back on the rock farm.

It's sheltered, and far from Canterlot. I’m sure they are okay. Max remarked.

“True,” Pinkie Pie muttered.

Applejack is coming back and she looks scared. Max remarked.

Pinkie Pie looked up to find that Applejack was sprinting towards them, a terrified expression on her face. The pink mare hauled herself up and met her halfway alongside Rainbow Dash as well as Rarity.

“What's the matter, darling? Are they not coming?” Rarity inquired.

“They are, but that's not what's got my knickers in a twist,” Applejack replied. “It's Apple Bloom, she’s taken off all by herself.”

“What, how did this happen?” Rainbow Dash demanded.

Applejack winced. “It's my own darn fault. I mentioned that I didn't see Scootaloo in the group and she said it was okay, and that she was going to go pack.”

“And when you went to go check on her she was gone,” Spike assumed.

“Yup,” Applejack muttered. “I shoulda known she’d do something like this. She never just goes along with what I say. Never.”

“I’ll get her back,” Pinkie Pie offered.

“And I’m coming with you,” Rainbow Dash declared.

She can't. Max stated.

“You can't,” Pinkie Pie shot back.

“And why not?” Rainbow Dash challenged.

She would die, but more importantly, the airship doesn't have any kind of propulsion. She’ll need to pull it. Max pointed out.

“The airship doesn't have any propulsion,” Pinkie Pie proclaimed. “You need to be there to pull it.”

“I…” Rainbow Dash cursed under her breath and kicked the ground. “Darnit you’re right.”

“You sure about this Pinkie? I could come with ya,” Applejack offered.

Pinkie Pie shook her head. “You guys have to stay here. Only I can survive tangling with these guys.”

“I don't rightly know what you're talking about but I believe ya,” Applejack exclaimed, pausing to extend a hoof. “You bring my sister back quick now, ya hear?”

Pinkie Pie smiled, and clopped her hoof against her friends, making a loud clop. “I will, and when I get back we’ll all go somewhere safe where we can figure this out.”

“You better, now come on you lot. Let's get this bird in the air,” Applejack ordered.

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