As Josh looked at the gruff pegasus named Hammerhead inspecting him and all the other pegasi floating in the sky, he could sense the ferocity in his voice. Every word he spoke dripped with a gruff demeanor and the fact that now he was short one of his best flyers didn't help to improve his attitude. As glad as he was to be away from Dash's nicknames for him, he couldn't deny that the cyan pegasus had serious talent and without her skill, he was more than a little uneasy about them making the quota for that days rainstorms and cloud covers.

"Alright, ladies!", he barked, "Listen up! Since Rainbow Dash is taking a break for this contest, we've got her friend taking over for her. I know the topic of Rainbow Dash helping represent the town in that eat-off is fresh on all of yer minds, but we've STILL got a job to do! Am I clear?!"

"YES, MR. HAMMERHEAD!", the pegasi said in unison. They knew better than to anger him on a day when his mood was already pretty foul.

Noticing both Josh and the cross-eyed pony next to him, Hammerhead turned his attention to them in particular.

"Josh, Derpy, listen up!"

"Yessir!", Josh nodded. But he noticed the mailmare next to him was suspiciously silent and when he looked to his side, he saw her looking up at the sky intently.

"Derpy Hooves, what the heck are you doing?", Hammerhead barked.

"You said to listen up!", Derpy remarked, "So I'm listening UP. I don't hear nuthin' from above!"

It was then Hammerhead considered heading back to his sky locker and taking out his bottle of Old Crow for a few swigs. This girl was growing to be the cause of his taking to drink more often.

"Hooves, it's an expression... ugh.... anyways..", Hammerhead groaned, rubbing his head with a forehoof, "I need you and Josh to take a couple big clouds and head on over to Meadow Viejo. They're expecting a nice storm for their dandelion crops.... Celestia knows they need one! Can you two do that?"

"Of course!", Josh said, "You can count on us! Right, Derpy?"

"Right!", Derpy repeatedly, "Where's the cloud for the job?"

Sighing, Hammerhead pointed between Josh and Derpy and, looking behind them, they found themselves looking at a giant raincloud.

"Oh! You want me to use my butt to move it??", Derpy asked excitedly.

"I.... I don't even know how to answer that...", Hammerhead asked, Josh and the other pegasi staring at them.

Josh couldn't help but turn to the pegasus on his other side, one with a pink colt and an electric-blue mane. "Any idea how to respond, Firefly?", he asked, remembering seeing her picture and name on the wall of pegasi scheduled for the day.

The pegasus shook her head sadly. "I don't, nor do I want to.... She makes my friend Pinkie Pie look like the poster pony for sanity."

"Wait, you know Pinkie Pie?"

"Well sure!", Firefly grinned, "Who DOESN'T?? My friends and I party with her down at Seaside Springs. They've got a great water-park!"

"Huh...", Josh tilted his head curiously, "Learning more and more each day."

Firefly couldn't help but giggle. "Why not join us sometime? My friend can make one amazing Mai-Tai!"

"Sure, why not?", Josh shrugged, "But right now, lets just focus on this..."

"AHEM!!!"

Hearing the loud throat clear from Hammerhead, Josh and Firefly stood at attention while their boss went about assigning the other pegasi their weather jobs for the day.

"Ok, does everyone have any questions for the assignments... ones NOT butt or muffin related???"

Immediately, Derpy's hoof went down and the other ponies, Josh included, couldn't help but give a small giggle. Seeing as none of them had any other queries, Hammerhead gave the nod for them to break to get to their assigned duties, Josh and Derpy taking the big raincloud and heading off. As he watched them head out of sight, the temptation to break open his bottle of whiskey was still weighing high on Hammerhead's mind.

"Between Derpy Hooves and Rainbow Dash.... I'm wondering if my job as a manticore tamer was better than this...."
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The trip to Meadow Viejo was not a long one, the smal town only being a few towns over from Ponyville, but there was still enough of a distance for Derpy and Josh to converse as they carefully brought the giant patch of cumulus nimbus to its destination.

"What were you talking about when you asked about moving the cloud with your butt?", Josh asked curiously.

"Oh you didn't know?", Derpy replied in all sincerity, "My butt is made of iron!"

"Iron?"

"Yeah! It's capable of bashing through trees, doors, and toilets! The doctors said they've never seen flanks like mine!"

Josh had NO idea what kind of response to give for that, so he figured it'd be best to change the topic to something that he'd been wondering for a while. "Say Derpy... when I first came to Ponyville I heard you saying "Muffin"... just that one word "Muffin"..."

"Hee hee!", Derpy giggled, "I like muffin goodness!"

"Yeah.... so why'd you just say "Muffin"? Not "I like muffins" or "Can someone get me a muffin?"

"Because I love even saying the word! Muffin, muffin, muffin, muffin!!!", Derpy cooed.

The human just shook his head as he watched the town of Hoofington pass below them. Meadow Viejo wasn't too far from them.

"Well if we do this job good, hows about I treat you to a couple muffins?", he offered.

Immediately Derpy's eyes grew wide. "Really?? You'd buy me some muffin yummyiness?"

"Sure. I heard Meadow Viejo actually has a pretty decent muffin shop. But that's ONLY if we get this cloud put right!"

"Yes sir!", Derpy saluted as the small town of Meadow Viejo appeared below them.

It was a quiet town, famous for its homemade blueberry-cranberry muffins made by MuffinTop, a unicorn with an uncanny ability for baking muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods. It didn't take long for the two pegasi to find where the dandelion crop was and even Derpy could see the flowers looked in dire need of H20.

"Those flowers look awful thirsty...", she remarked sadly.

"That's what we're for.", Josh reassured her as he prepped the cloud up for prime downpour. Rainbow Dash and Hammerhead had given him a crash course on weather duties and, while he still wasn't fully clear on some of the finer aspects of the job, he knew enough to get by. "Derpy, when I count to three, buck the cloud at the same time I kick it. Do NOT do it without me or we may end up getting shocked. We need to provide the right amount of pressure to prevent just lightning from coming out. Got it?"

"Got it!", Derpy replied with another salute and getting into position.

"Ok.. 1... 2...", Josh started to count down. But it was then Derpy noticed a bug flying onto the cloud and she tried to shoo it away.

"Go away, icky bug! This cloud isn't for you!", she called, waving at the insect frantically.

"Derpy! Don't do that! You'll end up hitting the---"

"Bbbzzap!!"

It was too late and Derpy's hoof made solid contact with the gray cloud, causing a bolt of lightning to spread out and shock both pegasi badly. Because they weren't on the ground, complete electrocution was averted, but they were both still left singed and charred.

"Oops....", Derpy blushed sheepishly as Josh spat out a puff of smoke, "Are you ok, Joshua?"

The teen coughed before giving Derpy a weak groan and motioning for her to go back to the cloud. "Let's try that again...."

Derpy just chuckled in embarrassment as she shook off her charred state and got back to her position. "Ready when you are!"

"Ok, this time DO NOT MOVE UNTIL I GET TO 3 AND I MEAN IT!!! Getting shocked really fucking HURTS!"

Seeing Derpy's lips start trembling, Josh sighed and spoke again in a calmer manner. "Derpy, I'm still recovering from having my body stitched up. I may be able to walk now and the stitches may be gone, but have electricity going through my body can't be good for my damaged heart. You understand?"

"I.. I guess.", Derpy sniffled.

As he saw Derpy trying not to cry, Josh couldn't help but feel a little bad for yelling at her. "Look, I didn't sleep much last night, so my nerves are a little on edge as well... but I shouldn't have yelled at you.... nor should I have backhanded Caramel....", he said that last part to himself.

"What was that?", Derpy asked curiously.

"I'm just still a little on edge, like I said... Tell ya what, when we get this done, I'll treat ya to a whole basket of muffins. How's that sound?", Josh offered. Immediately the pegasus brightened up.

"Yay!! Muffin goodness!!", she cheered as she got ready to buck the cloud.

"Ok... 1... 2... 3!!!"

Simultaneously, Derpy bucked the cloud at the same time Josh gave it a roundhouse. Immediately a thunderclap rang out followed by the beginnings of a downpour. Smiling in satisfaction, Josh gave Derpy a nod and watched as she leapt onto the cloud and started bouncing to make the rain come harder, even slamming her butt a few times into the cumulus. It didn't take long before a steady rain was rushing from within the cloud and leaving the two pegasus smiling in satisfaction.

"Now that's how it's done!", Josh admired as he watched the water droplets soak into the flowers below before turning to Derpy, "What do ya say we get us some Muffin goodness?"

"Yay! Yay!", Derpy cheered, clapping her hooves together as she watched Josh fly down to the ground and followed him as he made his landing and led her to Mr. MuffinTops Muffinporium right near where they had landed.

The second they set foot and hoof inside, Derpy took a big sniff and let the aroma of fresh-baked muffins fill her nostrils and make her tummy rumble in hunger. Grinning, Josh led the cross-eyed pegasus to the counter and listened to all the customers, several of whom were seated in comfy looking chairs, greeting Derpy eagerly. The sound of a TV blaring out on the wall of the shop filled the air as well, mixing together a festive atmosphere.

"Heyas, D.H.!"

"Good to see you, Hooves!"

"Nice to see ya here!"

All of them made the wall-eyed pegasus blush and giggle as Josh turned to her with a surprised grin.

"I'm guessing you're a regular here?"

"Yer darn tootin' she is!"

Hearing a jovial voice from nearby, Derpy and Josh found themselves looking at a pudgy red unicorn with a blue-colored mane and a smile that could rival that of Pinkie Pie's anyday. A red and white striped hat sat upon his head and his forehooves were resting upon the countertop displaying dozens of types of muffins, doughnuts, cupcakes, and all sort of other baked goods.

"Derpy there's like my best 5 customers! Every week she comes by during work to pick up a bushel of muffins for herself! Always polite, always knowing what she likes, always with bits on hand! A model pegasus she is!"

"Derpy??", Josh asked in bewilderment, "The same Derpy who was just asking my boss if he wanted her to use her butt to move a big raincloud over here?"

"No way!", an elderly gray unicorn cheered, "We're finally getting some rain for the dandelion crops? Thank Celestia!"

Immediately the bakery rang out with applause for the two pegasus, making them both blush.

"So you all know about Derpy's antic and none of them faze you??", Josh asked again incredulously.

"We know she's a bit out there at times..", the red shopkeeper admitted, "But she's always been nothing short of friendly and polite... just like all the ponies in Ponyville!"

"Even the Cakes?", Josh asked and immediately flinched, expecting the shopkeeper or patrons demeanor to change and for them roar at him to get out...

But nothing happened other than the shopkeeper letting out a laugh.

"Relax, young one! We know about Sugarcube Corner and the Cakes business! We have an understanding!"

"An understanding?", Josh asked, relaxing a little.

"Yeah!", Derpy replied, "They supply Ponyville with great muffins and we supply them with Pinkie Pie's creations!"

"Huh...", Josh replied, "And you guys don't mind the competition?"

"Naw!", the shopkeeper guffawed, "There's no fun if we're the only ones in business!"

Josh couldn't help but smile. "I gotta say you have one VERY positive attitude towards your fellow bakery! Sounds a lot better than the attitude EPA had.."

At this, a silence DID fill the bakery causing Josh and Derpy to both flinch as if again expecting the shopkeeper to roar at them to get out and never return and indeed when the shopkeeper spoke, his voice was full of anger and rage.

"I'm... I'm sorry...", Josh whispered weakly, "I'll just go---"

"THOSE EVIL EVIL PONIES!!"

Hearing the shopkeeper roar not at him, but at the group, Josh lowered his guard again.

"We all heard what they did to you.... They're a disgrace to equines everywhere!!!"

"So you know what they did to me...", Josh muttered icily.

"Let's just say when the news report came in.... it left me cleaning up a lot of half-digested muffins..."

Josh and Derpy couldn't help but shiver.

"Look... we've been here nearly 10 minutes and as much as I like the conversation.... me and Derpy DO have to get back to work soon... I promised Derpy I'd get her a nice big bushel, Mr...."

"MuffinTop. Call me, MuffinTop.", the keeper offered, holding out his hoof to the teen, "Of course, go ahead! Sorry to have kept you!"

"Nah, it's cool. Derpy, what types would you like?", Josh asked the pegasus with her face pressed against the glass and a river of drool pouring down her chin, a sight that made MuffinTop and the rest of the shop laugh, "Derpy!", he shouted, suppressing a laugh of his own. Hearing his voice, Derpy brought her face off the glass with a POP and blushed.

"I'll take 4 cranberry-blueberry, 4 pumpkin, and 4 buttermilk!", she cheered, rubbing her forehooves hungrily.

"Throw in a red velvet muffin and a hot cocoa for me too.", Josh added. With a nod, MuffinTop got to work producing the sweet treats as the two pegasi took a set in a set of squishy armchairs and in less than a minute, he'd brought over a basket of muffins for Derpy and a muffin and cocoa for Josh. Immediately, Derpy went to her mailbag to fetch the bits to pay him, but MuffinTop put his hoof up.

"Please, this one's on the house. A little way of thanking you for the raincloud for the dandelions!"

"Yay!", Derpy cheered as she tucked into the basket of muffins.

"Danke..", Josh smiled.

This brought a puzzled look to MuffinTop and Derpys faces, one Josh was quick to notice.

"It's German... I spent a summer there..."

"Ahhhh.. Ich lernte ein wenig deutsch ich mich in meiner Jugend.", MuffinTop replied with a smile.

"You don't say...". Josh said, rubbing his chin with a hand.

"Um.... what the heck are you two saying?", Derpy asked, her mouth bulging full of pumpkin muffin.

Josh and MuffinTop just laughed as the latter trotted back to the counter before the teen turned to his friend and picked up his cocoa. "I'll tell you later..."

But as he brought the drink to his lips, something on the TV screen caught his attention... something unpleasant.

"We're here in Rutherford with world-class eating champion, Champagne, already practicing to take on his latest competitors.."

"You mean victims, oh ho ho!"

Setting the drink down at the same time Derpy swallowed her mouthful, the two pegasi found themselves watching as the screen panned to what appeared to be the inside of a german-looking restaurant, the unicorn seated at a booth and gobbling up what appeared to be a month's supply of all the restaurant's goods.

"You're obviously referrering to the two newcomers, a miss Applejack and a miss Rainbow Dash...", the reporter, a burgundy-colored pony with a brown mane and a mustache that anyone could tell to be way too dark to be naturally brown, said as he held the microphone to Champagne's face.

"I was referring to all of those going against me in two weeks... but THOSE two... Oh ho ho!"

The sneer on Champagnes face disgusted even Derpy Hooves.

"Their arrogance has made it clear the next town to be cleaned by me.... Ponyville... I will take such joy in driving them to dust!"

"Do you really think that's necessary? I mean you're gonna be humiliating them in the contest... Destroying their l---"

"Cam!", Champagne cut the reporter off, "If I let them go, other towns will get the idea that they can besmirch my name... to challenge me, one must be willing to put it ALL on the line... and Ponyville can thank their two ponies for leading to their famine.... HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!"

"But what about the rumors of---"

"You mean that human with Rainbow Dash? It is no concern of mine that he's allowed his wench to stick her snout in where it shouldn't be!"

"WENCH?!?", Josh growled in anger as the whole shop listened to the report.

"Maybe if he kept a tighter rein over her, Ponyville wouldn't be facing the Hell I have planned... if they thought what happened in Albaneigh was bad.... wait until I get through with Ponyville.... I guarantee the mayor won't be the only one looking for escape from a rope! All because of the two bitches named Applejack and Rainbow Dash.... HA HA HA!!!!!"

Josh just looked in rage at the monitor for a few moments before turning to MuffinTop. "Rutherford... WHERE IS IT?!"

"Um.... it's two towns away to the east.... wh---"

"Dieser BASTARD!", the teen cut him off and swore before he turned to Derpy Hooves, who'd been watching the whole thing in shock, "Derpy, tell Hammerhead I'm gonna be a little late coming back from Meadow Viejo... I'm gonna pay Champagne a little visit...."

Derpy just nodded and dumped the rest of the uneaten muffins in her mailbag before giving Josh a hug and flying off. As soon as she was out of sight, Josh took to his own wings and flew out of the shop. As MuffinTop watched him vanish, he couldn't help but fear what Josh had in mind....

The state the teen looked in.... It was almost as if HE wanted to watch someone burn....
---------------------------------------------------------
Back on Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were being resting on the couch after another workout from Big MacIntosh. The pegasus had Josh's black jacket still wrapped around her, although Rarity had been surprisingly willing to clean and shine it while she was exercising. In fact, both equines noticed the unicorn had been a bit more humble than usual that morning, saying that she'd take care of the jacket after apologizing to Fluttershy for the night before.

"I swear I'd never seen Rarity so... calm!", Applejack admitted, "I'd have thought she'd be more strung up than a cat at a dog show! Especially after you ralphed on her!"

"Please don't remind me, AJ...", Rainbow Dash groaned as she held Josh's jacket close to her. The fact that he'd left her with his warmth even when he had to go to work had brought a lot of joy to her heart. But her stomach was still uneasy, even after the antacids she'd taken when she'd gotten up in preperation for the days consumptions. She was determined to eat until she had to throw up each and every day before the contest, her goal of expanding her tummys intake ringing fierce in her mind. "But how do you think he's doing on weather patrol right now?"

"Sugah, I'd say he's gotta be doing pretty darn good! Remember, he had you for a teacher!", Applejack replied, bringing a small blush to the young pegasus' cheeks.

"Yeah... but I just hope Hammerhead lets him off before we need to do todays scarf-and-barf..."

The cowpony just sighed. "I ain't planning on pukin' again, Dash. I'm just eatin' enough to where I'm a little queasy, then callin' it in. Apple Bloom's got a bottle of ginger ale waitin' fer me."

"Suit yourself, AJ...", Dash shrugged, "But this isn't some tortoise-and-the-hare race. Slow and steady ain't exactly going to win this!"

At this, Applejack had to admit the cyan-colored pegasus had a strong point. When it came time for the actual eatoff, speed and capacity were going to be factors in victory. Still she knew that if she wanted to be able to train to her full potential, she'd have to do it at her own pace. Dash was at maximum energy and that was cool with her, but AJ wanted to take it nice and slow...

Yet deep down she had the sinking feeling that Rainbow Dash's method may have a bit more logic to it.

"You're sometin' else, ya know that Dash?", she remarked, bringing a grin to the pegasus' face.

"I do what I do, AJ... I do what I do." she calmly remarked as she picked up the remote to the TV and flicked it on, a feat that was rather impressive considering she was using hooves, finding her and AJ looking at another report on Champagne, much to their chagrin.

"Ugh, can't this pony do anythin' but eat and hog the spotlight???", Applejack groaned, "He's making that Trixie look like Fluttershy!"

"Yeah, that's MY job!", Rainbow Dash blurted out, getting a laugh out of the cowpony.

"Yes, Cam, I plan on winning the EWREC for the 11th year in a row! It's going to be oh-so fabulous!", the unicorn boasted as he bit into another giant sausage, the sappiness and false bravado in his voice making both ponies gag.

"You heard it here folks!", Cam said to the camera, "Champagne's thrown down the gauntlet! He's aiming to win EWREC for the 11th year and he's got Ponyvile in his---"

It was then the sound of a door being thrust open rang on the TV and Cam and Champagne turned to something offscreen, Applejack and Rainbow Dash paying close attention.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As he landed in Rutherford, Josh was seeing pure red and he was ready to give Champagne a piece of his mind. He had made a point to make his landing right in front of the biggest German restaurant there, knowing that he'd find the unicorn there. Sure enough, even from outside Bratwurst's Best Wurst, he could hear Champagne's loud saccharine voice, as well as that of the reporter he'd heard on MuffinTop's TV.

"After calling out all those ponies... you're confident none of them will best you in the EWREC???", Cam's voice rang out, "Even Rainbow Dash?"

A few seconds passed before he could hear Champagne's answer. "Yes, Cam, I plan on winning the EWREC for the 11th year in a row! It's going to be oh-so fabulous!"

Josh didn't waste a second before he stormed into the restaurant, kicking open the door and startling Cam, Champagne, and all the patrons inside.

"CHAMPAGNE, YOU ROTTEN BASTARD!!!!!!", Josh screamed as he pushed his way through the crowd surrounding the unicorn and his feast, "GET UP! GET UP RIGHT NOW!!"

"Excuse me, but who are you?!", Cam called out, only to have the teen grab the microphone and look into the camera.

"I'm Joshua Rocket! I'm Rainbow Dash's trainer!"
-----------------------------------------
The look on Rainbow Dash's face as she saw her love on the TV screen was indescribable.

"Rainbow Dash??", Applejack called out, waving her hoof in front of her face.
-------------------------------------------
"Her trainer?", Cam asked curiously, "Then what are you doing all the way down he---"

Josh cut him off with a raise of his palm and turned his attention to Champagne.

"How DARE you call my Dashie a wench and a... a BITCH!!!", he spat.

"You think I should have called her something stronger, ho ho!", Champagne taunted, laughing in Josh's face.

"Oh you SON OF A---", Josh screamed grabbing a bottle of sasparilla nearby and clutching it so violently it shattered, spilling glass and soda on the ground, "You are so LUCKY there's cameras here or I wouldn't hesitate to BEAT YOU INTO DOGMEAT!!!!"

"Oh ho! Fighting words from a human? I'm SOOOO scared!", A pony with dark shades and a black buzzcut mane chuckled from the side of Champagne's booth, catching Josh's attention.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Call me Knuckle, I'm Champagne's bodyguard. He's got a whole array of ponies catering to his whim, heh heh. How many does your Dash runt have?"

"Ho ho, good one Knuckle!", Champagne chortled.

"You... you........", Josh sputtered, trying to find the words to express his fury, "Ugh..... Just know this, SHAMPagne... When Rainbow Dash and Applejack humiliate you in front of all those ponies at the EWREC and feed you a nice big slice of humble pie... I'll be there to SHOVE it down your throat and make you--"

But before he could finish, Champagne just burst out laughing, much to the teens bewilderment.

"HOW ARE YOU LAUGHING?!?"

"Kid, you think you're the first one to threaten me??? COUNTLESS others have made empty promises to do things to me and in the end they ALL end up watching their towns and their lives go down the drain! I'd have thought by now all of Equestria and the world would have grown to know to worship me! But you've proved me wrong and now it's my job to make sure Ponyville goes down...."

It was then that Champagne motioned for the teen to lean in and as soon as he did, the unicorn whispered to him.

"And I'll take a special pleasure in watching Rainbow Dash cry as her friends suffer..."

"WHY?! What is so fucking important about our town!? WHY are you doing this?!"

Champagne paused for a moment before he whispered again.

"The devil takes what he desires.... and I desire Ponyville... Discord.... Chrysalis.... They were weak..... I will make you all BEG for them!!!!!!!"

"You........ you wouldn't........."

"I would....... and kid....... I'd be glad to start with you."

It happened so fast no one could make a move to stop it. Champagne grabbed for a glass bottle of hot sauce and bashed it across Joshua's eyes. Immediately, red filled the teens vision as a mixture of ghost pepper and blood flowed into his eyes. He backed away, covering his eyes and screeching in agony. He tried to open his eyes to see, but all he could make out was the faint outline of Champagne... laughing... He swirled around, trying to get some semblance of where he was...

What happened next all the ponies in there would remember for quite some time.

Blinded by the pain in his face, Josh's foot made contact with the puddle of hot sauce that had come out of the bottle and sent him falling forward... into the lens of a nearby camera. As soon as his head hit the lens, the barrier between Josh and the volts of electricity was broken and the human was zapped with a massive current of raw electricity and this time....

There was nothing to stop the currents from wracking through his body.
-------------------------------------------------
"NO!!!", Rainbow Dash screamed, "SOMEPONY HELP HIM!!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally the jolts of power broke Josh off of the camera and sent him falling backwards against Champagne's table, breaking the back of his skull against the wood and knocking him out. Cam, Champagne, Knuckle, and everyone was left looking at the teen slumped against the table, blood streaming from his half-opened mouth and coating the back of the table and his wings. His hands were outstretched by his sides, held out as if begging for money, but cupped with traces of his liquid. One eye was staring vacantly into space, the other was literally bulging out of his socket, blood pouring from his tear ducts as a result of the severe electrical shock to his brain. There wasn't an orifice in his head that wasn't coated in crimson.

The teen let out a feeble cry, blood erupting like vomit out of his mouth and splattering his shirt... a single word before the darkness came.

"Daaaaasssh......"

Then all was still... and Josh moved no more.

"SOMEPONY CALL 911!", One pony shouted as Cam tried to get the camera to cut away. But in the minute that it took the inexperienced camerapony to shut off the feed, Champagne's words echoed through the whole of the restaurant.

"Pathetic....... if those two runts are weak as their freak friend...... PONYVILLE IS ALREADY D--"

It was then mercifully that the feed was cut, leaving the gray-coated anchorpony looking in horror at the screen in front of him.

"Folks, due to the graphic nature of the broadcast, we cannot continue our report...... We'll try to get a report on the teens condition soon.... It doesn't look good...... Celestia have mercy on our souls..."
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Rainbow Dash couldn't speak, she couldn't think.... She had just witnessed something straight out of a horror show. The one she had lost herself to, the one she saw as dear of a friend as the Elements of Harmonys.... was gone. Applejack just looked at her friend and wrapped a hoof around her.

"Dash..... Celestia, Dash..... Dash?!"

But Rainbow Dash couldn't hear anything... not even Applejack calling out for her family to come where they were....

All she could hear..... was the beating of her heart... and all she could feel were the silent tears streaming down her face....

It was like the world had gone dark just like in her nightmare.... and this time......

She couldn't just wake up.

Author's Notes:

Been doing a little editing on this, changing a few things about the scene with Champagne and Josh.... I still have the original on my set so if the revisions aren't liked, I can always switch back.