Applejack galloped as fast as she could through the streets of Ponyville. Her eyes frantically searched for the gingerbread house she knew her pink friend would be in. Turning a corner, she slammed into a dark brown stallion sending them both to the ground. She was helping him up to apologize, tears streaking down her face and her body twitching like Pinkie after a cup of coffee.

She was about to say something to him when she spotted the bakery ahead, bolting away from the stallion she made her way to the door and pushed it open hard enough for the bell to fall off and land next to her. Mr. and Mrs. Cake were behind the counter with frowns of their own which turned to shock when they saw the state Applejack was in.

Rushing over Mrs. Cake lifted her by the shoulder and led her to a booth where Mr. Cake stood by.

"Applejack, dear what's wrong?" Mrs. Cake asked. "Did something happen to you? You don't need to go to the hospital, do you?"

N-No... Ah need to see Pinkie. Is she here?" She said wiping her eyes.

"She's not actually..." Mrs. Cake said looking at her husband. "We don't know where she went, or even if she's alright."

"W-What do ya mean by that?" Applejack asked looking at them.

"Well," Mr. Cake said rubbing the back of his neck. "One second her and Rainbow Dash were in front of us, Rainbow pointed at some sort of hat, and then when Pinkie touched it, they were just gone. All that was left was a few scorch marks from whatever happened to them."

"Ya mean that stupid storm sent them someplace else?" Applejack said feeling the color drain from her cheeks. "Dangit! First ma'h sis and her friends, now Pinkie and Rainbow. Ah don't suppose yall know where Rarity or Twi is, do ya? Or Shy?"

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy was supposed to be here this morning at six to pick up some oats, Twilight was ordering Spike's birthday cake but she didn't come either, and we haven't seen hide nor hair of Rarity. If you like, my husband can check while I stay here with you. Right dear?" Mrs. Cake asked as her husband nodded.

As he ran out the door, Applejack let her head hit the table. Pulling her hat over her head, she just cried until Mrs. Cake put a hoof around her shoulders.

"Applejack, I'm sorry about your sister, but I'm sure she's going to be just fine." Mrs. Cake said. "And until we know where she is, there isn't a point to cry about it. We should be hoping we don't have to cry at all when she gets back."

"A-Ah know, but ah know where she is. She's probably with Isaac again."

"Who? You mean that human that helped them when they were sent into his world? Oh, I hope they're not having to fight more of... Whatever those things were. I'd have a heart attack if I saw one."

"Ah'm just worried, that's all." Applejack said. "Ah know they can take those things easy, but ah just want to know what they're doin' there or if Isaac is with 'em. Not that ah don't trust him, but... He said it himself that those Markers mess with your head, make ya do things ya don't want to do. Ah don't want my little sis to do somethin' she'll regret. Ya know what ah mean?"

"I can't say I do, but I could imagine-who is that?" Mrs. Cake said breaking her sentence to stare out the window. "Why, it's Spike. I wonder what he's running so fast for?"

"Ah think ah know." Applejack moaned letting her head hit the table again.

They let a few seconds pass before Spike came running in, slipped across the floor, hit a booth, got up and ran to them carrying a flyswatter. As he looked up at them, he just held out the flyswatter while his own tears boiled off his cheeks.

"Spike," Mrs. Cake said patting a spot next to her. "It was Twilight, wasn't it? She's... Gone?"

"Y-Yes! One second I see this huge spider, as big as Rarity's cat just standing there, and then when Twilight tried to swat it, they just vanished. It's that stupid storm causing all the trouble... Even Rarity and Fluttershy are gone." He finished wiping his nose.

"Ah knew it. Ah knew it!" Applejack said slamming a hoof down. "Everypony ah need is..." Her eyes focused on Spike for a second before her mouth formed an 'O'. "Spike, do ya remember how ya sent those letters to ma'h sister and her friends when they were with Isaac?"

"Y-Yeah, I think so." He said. "I'm guessing you want me to start writing?"

"Ah wanted ya to start five minutes ago. Ah say it's time we figure out if they're alright."

Author's Notes:

Merry Christmas!