Shadows in the dark

Chapter 26

Fluttershy fell into Rainbow Dash's arms in a sobbing mess while Scootaloo held Angel. The group stood outside of her home with Changeling corpses strewn around them. Star Knight walked out of her home, having finished off the last of the Changelings, and dropped the bloody pipe he had brought along. His mane was slightly messy, and blood covered his face and parts of his neck. Rainbow looked about the same, but covered in less blood.

"It was horrible..." the yellow pegasus whimpered in her friends arms. Clinging onto her as though her life depended on it. "Just horrible. They came out of nowhere..."

"Ssh." Rainbow Dash hushed her friend gently as she stroked her pink mane. "Everything's going to be alright, Shy. We're here now. We're going to find the others and we'll pull through this together." the blue pegasus added fiercely as she hugged her.

Angel whimpered in Scootaloo's arms and the filly gently patted him in between his ears. "Poor, Angel." she murmured sadly.

"Dash! Shy!" a voice suddenly called out.

The group looked over in the direction of the call and Rainbow Dash's eyes glittered happily when she saw Applejack and Pinkie Pie running down the path over to them. Fluttershy looked over as well and gasped in pure joy. "Pinkie Pie!" she cried happily.

"And AJ, too!" Rainbow Dash added. Both mares ran over and it wasn't long until they were captured in each other's tight embrace. "You're both alright!" Rainbow Dash said after pulling away from her tight hug with Applejack.

"My family's farm was attacked." Applejack explained. Her ears then flattened and she lowered her head sadly. "Granny Smith's gone..."

There was a brief moment of silence between all of them until Fluttershy walked over and nuzzled behind her ear affectionately. "I'm so sorry to hear that, AJ." she said softly. Pinkie Pie walked over and embraced her in a hug.

"Thanks, girls." Applejack said after wiping away a few tears. "But there's more important things to worry about. We still have Spike, Trixie, Sweetie Belle and Rarity to find."

"We all know that Rarity is at the hospital still." Rainbow Dash said.

"And Trixie, Spike and Sweetie are at the boutique." Pinkie Pie added.

"W-where's Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo suddenly asked. "Is she alright?"

"I don't know, honestly." Applejack replied. "She, Babs and Strongheart went into town to find you and Sweetie Belle."

"Oh, no!" the filly suddenly cried. "I have to find and help her! The Cutie Mark Crusaders always stick together!" Scootaloo was about to attempt to take off when Star Knight stretched out his hoof and stopped her.

"It's not safe to go alone, little filly." he warned. "You're going to have to bring some of us with you. Two, at least." Having been in the Guard for almost a year or so, he knew about this kind of stuff. It wasn't wise to go out alone during a battle like this.

"Pinkie and I will go." Fluttershy suggested softly.

Rainbow Dash nodded. "Applejack, Star Knight and I will head over to Ponyville Hospital and get Rarity. You three head out to the boutique. Apple Bloom and the others are more than likely to head out there first."

"Got it." Scootaloo said after placing Angel on her back.

Rainbow Dash looked down at her number one fan and gave her a concerned look. Despite all that has happened, there was still a flicker of determination in the young mare. Behind those frightened tears is a very strong mare who is dedicated in helping her friends and becoming just like herself. She wouldn't forgive herself if something happened to her. But she knew she had to let her go.