Sounds Of Silence

The Peaks Of Peril

[train chugging]

[brakes hiss as the four step off the train]

[train chugging backwards]

[wind whistling]

Applejack: *looks around in concern* Guess nopony else is goin' out as far as we are.

FluttershyButterscotch: Maybe they know something we don't?

AJ: *calmly* We've told you guys a dozen times. There's nothin' to be sca—

Ticket Taker Pony: [screams and startles then]

Applejack, AJ, Butterscotch and Fluttershy: [scream and gets startled]

Ticket Taker Pony: *smiles creepily* I'm sorry.

Fluttershy: [screams] You really startled us.

Butterscotch- *nods worriedly*

Ticket Taker Pony: *admits creepily* Oh, it's just that I'm not used to seeing anypony taking the train to... [ominously] the end of the line. The final destination. The last stop!

Applejack: *unamused* We get the picture. Why?

Ticket Taker Pony: *smiles eerily* Nothing but uncharted terrain and wild beasts out that way. [maniacal laughter as he goes back into the ticket booth]

AJ: *admits* Well, maybe there's a little somethin' to be scared of but we best be gettin' a move on y'all.

*the four start towards the Peaks of Peril*

*Applejack and AJ help Fluttershy and Butterscotch across a stream and keep pressing forward while Fluttershy and Butterscotch notice something*

*Applejack and AJ get their hooves soaked in mud, get attacked by Fly-ders, and jump a narrow gorge*

Applejack: [panting] Those must be the Peaks of Peril.

AJ- *relieved* Whew. *turns around* Tough goin', huh you two—?

Both- *looks around* Fluttershy? Butterscotch? [groans in annoyance and heads back the way they came undergoing the same obstacles]

Applejack/AJ: [pants in exhaustion]

[their hats fall in the water and float to a squirrel whose collecting flowers]

[squirrel chittering and gives the flowers to Fluttershy and Butterscotch]

Fluttershy/Butterscotch: *smiles* There. That should be enough flowers to keep your tree cozy.

Applejack: *angrily* Fluttershy! Butterscotch! What are y'all doin'?!

AJ- *angrily* This is no time for visitin' varmints! We're on a friendship quest, remember?!

Fluttershy: *tries to explain* Yes, but actua—

Applejack: *nudges her* Come on! We're burnin' daylight!

Butterscotch: *concerned* We know, but what we found out is that—

AJ: *pushes him* Now, we gotta get up that peak! I figure if we use some rope and elbow grease, we can make it up half—

Fluttershy/Butterscotch: *annoyed and yells* Applejack! AJ! Can you two please listen to us?! [clears throat] What we're trying to say is the squirrels told us a shortcut they take to the Kirin village.

*they move a boulder to reveal a secret passage*

Applejack: Oh. [chuckles sheepishly] Sorry, you two.

AJ- *admits* I suppose we got a little too caught up in the adventure.

Fluttershy: *calmly* That's all right. If you hadn't come back to get us, we'd probably would've talked to the squirrels all day.

Butterscotch- *smiles calmly*

*the four walk through the passage and are in awe at what they see*

Applejack, AJ, Butterscotch and Fluttershy: [gasps in awe]

Fluttershy: [a butterfly lands on her muzzle and she giggles]

[rustling]

*the four look around in concern*

Butterscotch: I hope that's not a Nirik! [gasps]

Applejack/AJ: *serious* Show yourself!

Fluttershy: [shudders]

*different warm and cool colored pony like dragon hybrids with long red curved horns step out with blank stares*

Applejack: *calmly* Well, hi. I'm Applejack, that's AJ, Butterscotch and this here's Fluttershy.

Fluttershy/Butterscotch/AJ- *smiles*

[the Kirin are quiet with their leader standing in front]

Fluttershy: *nervously* If you have any friendship problems, we're here to help.

[the Kirin still stare at them and cocks their heads to the side]

AJ: Huh. [to the others] Quiet bunch, ain't they? [clears throat] *smiles* We're from Equestria, and we're plumb tickled to meet y'all.

[the Kirin are silent]

AJ: S-So, uh... what are your names?

[the Kirin are still silent]

Applejack: [stressing] Ap-ple-jack! Flut-ter-shy! AJ! But-ter-scotch! Remember?

Butterscotch: [whispering, to the others in concern] Maybe they don't understand us.

AJ: [stressing] Do. You. Un-der-stand. Ponish?

[the Kirin leader nods her head]

Fluttershy: *realizes* Oh! But you don't speak?

[the Kirin leader nods her head again]

Applejack/AJ: *serious* Don't or won't?

Fluttershy/Butterscotch: *pushes Applejack and AJ to the side* Will you excuse us for a moment? [to Applejack and AJ] *to them* You have to ask yes-or-no questions, or they won't answer.

Applejack/AJ: *arches eyebrow* Like talkin' to Angel and Lilith?

Fluttershy: *admits* Not exactly. We can always tell what Angel and Lilith are feeling.

Butterscotch- *concerned* But these Kirin don't show anything.

Applejack/AJ: *upset* Well, how are we gonna solve a friendship problem if none of 'em will tell us what it is?

*the four look nervously at the Kirin*