{ "submission_id": "987763", "keywords": [ { "keyword_id": "39575", "keyword_name": "applejack", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "5926" }, { "keyword_id": "18762", "keyword_name": "discord", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1882" }, { "keyword_id": "67012", "keyword_name": "draconequus", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "774" }, { "keyword_id": "123", "keyword_name": "female", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1093353" }, { "keyword_id": "165", "keyword_name": "male", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1201887" }, { "keyword_id": "6107", "keyword_name": "mlp", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "70551" }, { "keyword_id": "65504", "keyword_name": "nanowrimo", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "42" }, { "keyword_id": "1492", "keyword_name": "pony", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "106707" }, { "keyword_id": "948", "keyword_name": "story", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "14091" }, { "keyword_id": "479", "keyword_name": "twilight", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "3041" }, { "keyword_id": "1532", "keyword_name": "zebra", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "7040" } ], "hidden": "f", "scraps": "f", "favorite": "f", "favorites_count": "0", "create_datetime": "2015-12-15 23:43:43.035634+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "16 Dec 2015 00:43 CET", "last_file_update_datetime": "2015-12-15 23:42:33.877973+00", "last_file_update_datetime_usertime": "16 Dec 2015 00:42 CET", "username": "LeahBean", "user_id": "41742", "user_icon_file_name": "267562_LeahBean_leah_mouse_icon.png", "user_icon_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/267/267562_LeahBean_leah_mouse_icon.png", "user_icon_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/267/267562_LeahBean_leah_mouse_icon.png", "user_icon_url_small": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/267/267562_LeahBean_leah_mouse_icon.png", "file_name": "1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.rtf", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.rtf", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.rtf", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.rtf", "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.jpg", "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.jpg", "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.jpg", "thumb_huge_x": "180", "thumb_huge_y": "200", "thumb_large_x": "180", "thumb_large_y": "200", "thumb_medium_x": "108", "thumb_medium_y": "120", "files": [ { "file_id": "1355767", "file_name": "1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.rtf", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.rtf", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.rtf", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.rtf", "mimetype": "text/rtf", "submission_id": "987763", "user_id": "41742", "submission_file_order": "0", "full_size_x": null, "full_size_y": null, "screen_size_x": null, "screen_size_y": null, "preview_size_x": null, "preview_size_y": null, "initial_file_md5": "bc1a69d5f04c8bc7723d1863f5b8e03c", "full_file_md5": "bc1a69d5f04c8bc7723d1863f5b8e03c", "large_file_md5": "", "small_file_md5": "", "thumbnail_md5": "3deb3d7722065fe5f8124098c4413894", "deleted": "f", "create_datetime": "2015-12-15 23:42:33.877973+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "16 Dec 2015 00:42 CET", "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.jpg", "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.jpg", "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1355/1355767_Leenden_chapter_15_time_to_regroup.jpg", "thumb_huge_x": "180", "thumb_huge_y": "200", "thumb_large_x": "180", "thumb_large_y": "200", "thumb_medium_x": "108", "thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "pools": [], "description": "When a strange mind altering illness grips Equestria, it's up to Twilight and her friends to find a way to stop it. The stakes are higher then ever when they discover that one single bite or scratch can spread the infection. Can Twilight keep her friends safe or will her increasing self doubt spell doom for them all. \n\nArt (c) Jailbird\nMy Little Pony (c) to Hasbro", "description_bbcode_parsed": "When a strange mind altering illness grips Equestria, it's up to Twilight and her friends to find a way to stop it. The stakes are higher then ever when they discover that one single bite or scratch can spread the infection. Can Twilight keep her friends safe or will her increasing self doubt spell doom for them all.

Art (c) Jailbird
My Little Pony (c) to Hasbro", "writing": "Chapter Fifteen:\nTime to Regroup\n\n\tIt took the group a long time to make it back to Zecora's house. At one point on the way back Rarity stopped the group so she could bandage Big Mac's leg to keep him from bleeding out. Twilight studied the wound and grimaced, the infection was spreading at an alarming rate. By the time they reached Zecora's house, Big Mac could barely stand.\n\n\tHalfway through the journey back, Applejack was shouldering most of her brother's weight leaving weakened. Pinkie Pie moved to the front of the group so she could draw away any infected that crossed their path. Rarity worked her way through the brush acting as a scout ahead. This this time when she returned, Twilight could tell by the look in Rarity's eyes that something terrible was wrong.\t“What is it?” Applejack grunted leaning Big Mac against a tree so he could slid down into a sitting position.\n\n\t“It's Zecora darling, all of her lights are off and there iss no sign of movement inside.” Rarity kept her voice quiet as to not alarm Big Mac. “Something must have happened. I hope Sweetie Belle is alright.”\n\n\t“We need to stay calm for Apple's sake. We don't know if anything happened to them or not. They could be sleeping, or trying to lay low as to not draw attention to themselves. I'm sure Zecora and Braeburn have everything under control.” Applejack added, looking back at Big Mac, who had his head rested back against the trunk of the tree with his eyes closed.\n\n\t“Why don't we just go check it out?” Twilight whispered back. “Someone can stay here with Big Mac.”\n\n\t“Don't worry about me, it's not like I'm in any danger of the infected getting me anyway.” His voice was nothing more than a rumble now, he looked so tired and the red fur on his face was slowly because gaunt and gray.\n\n\t“You stay here, big fella, and rest.” Applejack slipped her jacket off, laying it across Big Mac's chest. “Alright, follow me girls, stay alert.”\n\n\tApplejack moved out in front with Twilight right behind her. Rarity was at her left, while Pinkie Pie was at her right. They moved in a low crouching run, covering a great deal of ground with minimal noise being made. When the came to the front door of the old hollowed out tree, things seemed calm and normal. The fire inside died out and the windows were dark. But there was no sign of any danger.\n\n\t“Twilight, follow me up to the door. You get on one side and open it when I give you the signal. I'll be on the other side to look inside. If everything hunky-dory, then great, if not then I'll herd them out towards Pinkie and she can subdue them with her shock stick thingy.”Applejack whispered orders between the girls.\n\n\t“And what about me, darling?” Rarity asked, her agitation about being excluded from the planing could be heard in her voice.\n\n\tApplejack grabbed the book tucked under Twilight's arm and thrust it out to Rarity. “Oh I got it, take Twilight's book and brain any that get past Pinkie, got it?” \n\n\t“Crude, but I like it.”\n\n\t“Ah Applejack?” Pinkie Pie added. “What if the doors barred?”\n\tApplejack pursed her lips and snorted. “I...didn't think of that. Well if it is then this'll be the shortest offensive strategy ever.”\n\n\tOn the count of three, the four girls went to work on the plan. Applejack moved up to stand on one side of the door, while Twilight took the other side. Pinkie Pie stood ready to take down any thing that came through the door with her shock baton. Rarity was right behind her with the heavy book clutch in her hands. Twilight turned the knob and prepared to push it open on Applejack's signal. With a sharp nod, Twilight flexed. “Don't open it!” A voice called from the bushes behind Rarity. Braeburn jumped out, with Scootaloo in tow, but it was too late.\n\n\tTwilight opened the door and Zecora burst out heading straight towards Pinkie Pie, her hands straight out. The ear piercing shrieking died down to a gargled the moment Pinkie Pie touched her with the shock baton, holding it a little longer than she had too, making sure the infected zebra was out before Pinkie Pie let her settle into the dirt. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy filed out next in the same fashion, so fast that Pinkie Pie hadn't had time to recover before she was taken down in a rainbow flash. The two rolled on the ground, Pinkie Pie wrestling to escape. Fluttershy headed straight for Rarity.\n\n\t“Oh dear, I'm so sorry for this.” She hammered Fluttershy as hard as she could with the book, sending her sprawling on the ground in her flowery spring dress. She settled on the ground out cold.\n\n\tBraeburn managed to pull Rainbow Dash away from Pinkie Pie, only to be shocked by proxy when she lit her up. Both of them crumpled to the ground, but Braeburn managed to hold on to his consciousness, if only barely.\n\n\tApplejack stepped in front of the door only to beat a hasty retreat, Maude sauntered out the front door in her slow fashion, she was clutching her pet rock in one hand, the other outstretched. Even her moans sounded monotone. Applejack prepared to take her out, but Maude just moved past her. She was heading straight for Pinkie Pie, who just stood their staring with wide eyes. “No.” She whimpered as Maude opened her mouth letting another monotone moan slip out.\n\n\t“This wasn't what was suppose to happen Maude, you were suppose to get better.” Pinkie Pie blinked, tears running down her face. She lifted the end of the baton placing it right between Maude's breasts, yet the gray faced pony kept coming. Pinkie Pie shook her head and pushed the button. Maude let out a low monotone cry that gargled out before collapsing on the ground next to Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie slipped to her knees and wept into her hands.\n\n\tApplejack fell back a few steps shaking her head. “No...no. Please god no.” Apple Bloom came darting out of the house in a flurry, her arms outstretched and hungry. She was gaunt and her eyes glazed in the same milky white film that had begun to haunt all of them. Just as the infected filly was about to over take her big sister, Big Mac limped up catching her small body in his arms. Furiously she bit into his shoulder over and over again, but was strong enough to break the skin. “Easy there little girl.”\n\n\t“Ah shit, cuz. You too?” Braebune almost whimpered, his face melting into a pained sadness.\n\n\t“Eyup. but it's alright.”\n\n\t“How can you say that?”\n\n\tRarity grunted and sighed out. “Because he's right.”\n\n\tTwilight looked at Rarity and gasped. During the commotion no one had noticed tiny Sweetie Belle slipping out the door, making her way to Rarity, sinking her teeth into her big sister's hand. No one made a move to help her, the damage had already been done. Rarity just winced and held the little filly there. Sweetie Bell gnashed her teeth still sinking them into her hand. “Oh god, I'm so sorry, Rarity.” Twilight sighed, her voice was nothing more than a shuttering breath.\n\n\t“Don't be, the worse part of this evening has come to pass.” Her blue eyes glancing down at her infected little sister. “And soon I won't have to worry about any of this, it's you that you should be sorry for, darlings.”\n\n\tEveryone just stared at her for a long moment. Twilight could see a second of shared jealousy between them all. Truer words had never been spoke before and it hurt to hear them out loud. In the end, would any of this matter at all.\n\n\t“Let's put them back inside and I'll keep an eye on them for as long as I can.” Big Mac said, carrying Apple Bloom towards the house.\n\n\t“No sweetie, we'll take care of them.” Rarity finally managed to get her hand away so she could pick up little Sweetie Belle. “Come on little one, time to go inside. It's getting cold out here.”\n\n\tBraeburn bent down and grabbed Zecora dragging her towards the house, while Pinkie Pie retrieved Maude, pulling her along the ground by the hands. Applejack cradled Fluttershy carrying her into the house. Twilight saw Scootaloo trying to drag Rainbow Dash into the house all by herself. She grunted and heaved as hard as she could, tears welling up in her eyes.\n\n\tTwilight took one of Rainbow Dash's arms, helping the little Pegasus pull her mentor into the house. “No one should bare this burden alone, Scootaloo.”\n\n\t“I know...” She grunted as she put her back into it. “...But she's like my big sister and I couldn't keep her safe.”\n\n\t“No one is truly safe right now. We were wrong for pretending that we could be.”\n\n\tWhen they finally cross the threshold, Twilight could see Big Mac and Rarity wrapping a bed sheet around Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, tying them together back to back so they couldn't hurt anyone, or more importantly themselves. Zecora, Maude, and Fluttershy were being tied together by Applejack, she made sure the knot was good and tight to keep them from breaking free. Braeburn moved over to help with Rainbow Dash. He bound her hands with a piece of rope he'd found, it was an unpleasant thing for Scootaloo to watch, but she refused to look away, tears streaming down her face the whole time.\n\n\t“You don't have to prove anything.” Twilight said, resting her hands on Scootaloo's shoulders.\n\n\t“I know, I just...wanna be strong like I know she is.”\n\n\tWhen everyone was restrained and as comfortable as they could be. Big Mac sat down with Rarity to his back. “Now our turn.” He was tired and fading fast, any moment now and he would change into one of those unstoppable infected. There wasn't much time.\n\n\t“Oh Big Mac, I'm so...” Applejack started to say, her fingers playing down his cheek sadly.\n\n\t“There ain't no time for this Applejack. I don't want to hurt anyone, so you need to get on this.”\n\n\t“But...” Applejack dropped the rope at her feet and shook her head.\n\n\t“Applejack!” He looked up at her with his milky green eyes twitching, his eyebrow lay back in sadness. “I love you girl, be strong, cuz we all need you more than ever now.”\n\n\tApplejack picked up the rope and started wrapping it around them making each coil as tight as the last, pulling it even tighter one final time before tying the knot. When she stepped back, a quiver came to her voice. “I love you too, you big goof.”\n\n\tBig Mac let out a low moan, turning his head to look at her. Then he lurched and pulled against the rope snapping wildly. Applejack didn't run, she didn't back away, she didn't even flinch. She just stood there looking at her brother's desperation to get at her.\n\n\t“Let's...go.” Her voice was strained as she tried to speak. Applejack turned away, walking out the door. Twilight followed right behind her, when she tried to ask if she was alright. Applejack fell to her knees, breaking down, her shoulders hitching with her sobs. Twilight's heart ached for her, she knew exactly how it felt to lose a brother. She slipped down behind her friend, wrapping her arms around her waist holding her closely. Applejack didn't fight, didn't even move. If anything she just cried harder.\n\n\tThe torrent of tears passed after a several minutes and once they were done Applejack seemed to feel better. She ran her fingers slowly along Twilight's giving it a soft pat. “I'm alright now, Sugar Cube. I've been holding that in all night. Who'd a thought. I guess it does feel better just to let it all out.”\n\n\tTwilight didn't say anything, she just got to her feet her gaze finding the others. All of their eyes were on her, each of them looking for guidance from their princess. The thought made Twilight's mouth go dry, this was one of the moments that she feared most of all. Each decision she made all night had lead them deeper and deeper into trouble. Any more decisions she could make would only turn out worse.\n\n\t“I...I'm not going to ask you to follow me, because I don't really know what I'm doing. But what I do know is, I'm going to Canterlot and see if the other princesess have had any more luck then me. I'm sorry that I can't be the princess you deserve, I wish I could be.” Twilight turned towards the direction of Canterlot, she could see the castle through the trees, silhouetted by the green moon way in the distance.\n\n\t“You are the princess we deserve.” Applejack got up from the dirt. “I've believed in you since the very beginning and that ain't gonna change”\n\n\t“I don't know you as well as I'd like to, but my family thinks your the bees knees. So shoot, I'll follow you anywhere, except maybe back to Ponyville.” Braeburn rested his hand on Applejack's shoulder.\n\n\t“I wouldn't admit this to just anypony, but you're my favorite princess.” Scootaloo stepped up, taking Twilight's hand. “I don't know how much help I'll be, but I'll do my best.”\n\n\t“There's something quirky about you that I like. I've always like it. You never run from the spoopies that bump in the night. Solid like a rock and if there's one thing a Pie knows, it's rocks.” Pinkie Pie picked up her baton and rested it on her shoulder. “I'm with ya.”\n\n\t“Thank you all so much everypony. I couldn't do this without you.” Twilight's heart throbbed in her chest, a quiver ran through her entire body. It was true that she didn't know what was going to happen, but she felt better knowing that she was going to have friends watching her back.", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Chapter Fifteen:
Time to Regroup

\tIt took the group a long time to make it back to Zecora's house. At one point on the way back Rarity stopped the group so she could bandage Big Mac's leg to keep him from bleeding out. Twilight studied the wound and grimaced, the infection was spreading at an alarming rate. By the time they reached Zecora's house, Big Mac could barely stand.

\tHalfway through the journey back, Applejack was shouldering most of her brother's weight leaving weakened. Pinkie Pie moved to the front of the group so she could draw away any infected that crossed their path. Rarity worked her way through the brush acting as a scout ahead. This this time when she returned, Twilight could tell by the look in Rarity's eyes that something terrible was wrong.\t“What is it?” Applejack grunted leaning Big Mac against a tree so he could slid down into a sitting position.

\t“It's Zecora darling, all of her lights are off and there iss no sign of movement inside.” Rarity kept her voice quiet as to not alarm Big Mac. “Something must have happened. I hope Sweetie Belle is alright.”

\t“We need to stay calm for Apple's sake. We don't know if anything happened to them or not. They could be sleeping, or trying to lay low as to not draw attention to themselves. I'm sure Zecora and Braeburn have everything under control.” Applejack added, looking back at Big Mac, who had his head rested back against the trunk of the tree with his eyes closed.

\t“Why don't we just go check it out?” Twilight whispered back. “Someone can stay here with Big Mac.”

\t“Don't worry about me, it's not like I'm in any danger of the infected getting me anyway.” His voice was nothing more than a rumble now, he looked so tired and the red fur on his face was slowly because gaunt and gray.

\t“You stay here, big fella, and rest.” Applejack slipped her jacket off, laying it across Big Mac's chest. “Alright, follow me girls, stay alert.”

\tApplejack moved out in front with Twilight right behind her. Rarity was at her left, while Pinkie Pie was at her right. They moved in a low crouching run, covering a great deal of ground with minimal noise being made. When the came to the front door of the old hollowed out tree, things seemed calm and normal. The fire inside died out and the windows were dark. But there was no sign of any danger.

\t“Twilight, follow me up to the door. You get on one side and open it when I give you the signal. I'll be on the other side to look inside. If everything hunky-dory, then great, if not then I'll herd them out towards Pinkie and she can subdue them with her shock stick thingy.”Applejack whispered orders between the girls.

\t“And what about me, darling?” Rarity asked, her agitation about being excluded from the planing could be heard in her voice.

\tApplejack grabbed the book tucked under Twilight's arm and thrust it out to Rarity. “Oh I got it, take Twilight's book and brain any that get past Pinkie, got it?”

\t“Crude, but I like it.”

\t“Ah Applejack?” Pinkie Pie added. “What if the doors barred?”
\tApplejack pursed her lips and snorted. “I...didn't think of that. Well if it is then this'll be the shortest offensive strategy ever.”

\tOn the count of three, the four girls went to work on the plan. Applejack moved up to stand on one side of the door, while Twilight took the other side. Pinkie Pie stood ready to take down any thing that came through the door with her shock baton. Rarity was right behind her with the heavy book clutch in her hands. Twilight turned the knob and prepared to push it open on Applejack's signal. With a sharp nod, Twilight flexed. “Don't open it!” A voice called from the bushes behind Rarity. Braeburn jumped out, with Scootaloo in tow, but it was too late.

\tTwilight opened the door and Zecora burst out heading straight towards  Pinkie Pie, her hands straight out. The ear piercing shrieking died down to a gargled the moment Pinkie Pie touched her with the shock baton, holding it a little longer than she had too, making sure the infected zebra was out before Pinkie Pie let her settle into the dirt. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy filed out next in the same fashion, so fast that Pinkie Pie hadn't had time to recover before she was taken down in a rainbow flash. The two rolled on the ground, Pinkie Pie wrestling to escape. Fluttershy headed straight for Rarity.

\t“Oh dear, I'm so sorry for this.” She hammered Fluttershy as hard as she could with the book, sending her sprawling on the ground in her flowery spring dress. She settled on the ground out cold.

\tBraeburn managed to pull Rainbow Dash away from Pinkie Pie, only to be shocked by proxy when she lit her up. Both of them crumpled to the ground, but Braeburn managed to hold on to his consciousness, if only barely.

\tApplejack stepped in front of the door only to beat a hasty retreat, Maude sauntered out the front door in her slow fashion, she was clutching her pet rock in one hand, the other outstretched. Even her moans sounded monotone. Applejack prepared to take her out, but Maude just moved past her. She was heading straight for Pinkie Pie, who just stood their staring with wide eyes. “No.” She whimpered as Maude opened her mouth letting another monotone moan slip out.

\t“This wasn't what was suppose to happen Maude, you were suppose to get better.” Pinkie Pie blinked, tears running down her face. She lifted the end of the baton placing it right between Maude's breasts, yet the gray faced pony kept coming. Pinkie Pie shook her head and pushed the button. Maude let out a low monotone cry that gargled out before collapsing on the ground next to Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie slipped to her knees and wept into her hands.

\tApplejack fell back a few steps shaking her head. “No...no. Please god no.” Apple Bloom came darting out of the house in a flurry, her arms outstretched and hungry. She was gaunt and her eyes glazed in the same milky white film that had begun to haunt all of them. Just as the infected filly was about to over take her big sister, Big Mac limped up catching her small body in his arms. Furiously she bit into his shoulder over and over again, but was strong enough to break the skin. “Easy there little girl.”

\t“Ah shit, cuz. You too?” Braebune almost whimpered, his face melting into a pained sadness.

\t“Eyup. but it's alright.”

\t“How can you say that?”

\tRarity grunted and sighed out. “Because he's right.”

\tTwilight looked at Rarity and gasped. During the commotion no one had noticed  tiny Sweetie Belle slipping out the door, making her way to Rarity, sinking her teeth into her big sister's hand. No one made a move to help her, the damage had already been done. Rarity just winced and held the little filly there. Sweetie Bell gnashed her teeth still sinking them into her hand. “Oh god, I'm so sorry, Rarity.” Twilight sighed, her voice was nothing more than a shuttering breath.

\t“Don't be, the worse part of this evening has come to pass.” Her blue eyes glancing down at her infected little sister. “And soon I won't have to worry about any of this, it's you that you should be sorry for, darlings.”

\tEveryone just stared at her for a long moment. Twilight could see a second of shared jealousy between them all. Truer words had never been spoke before and it hurt to hear them out loud. In the end, would any of this matter at all.

\t“Let's put them back inside and I'll keep an eye on them for as long as I can.” Big Mac said, carrying Apple Bloom towards the house.

\t“No sweetie, we'll take care of them.” Rarity finally managed to get her hand away so she could pick up little Sweetie Belle. “Come on little one, time to go inside. It's getting cold out here.”

\tBraeburn bent down and grabbed Zecora dragging her towards the house, while Pinkie Pie retrieved Maude, pulling her along the ground by the hands. Applejack cradled Fluttershy carrying her into the house. Twilight saw Scootaloo trying to drag Rainbow Dash into the house all by herself. She grunted and heaved as hard as she could, tears welling up in her eyes.

\tTwilight took one of Rainbow Dash's arms, helping the little Pegasus pull her mentor into the house. “No one should bare this burden alone, Scootaloo.”

\t“I know...” She grunted as she put her back into it. “...But she's like my big sister and I couldn't keep her safe.”

\t“No one is truly safe right now. We were wrong for pretending that we could be.”

\tWhen they finally cross the threshold, Twilight could see Big Mac and Rarity wrapping a bed sheet around Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, tying them together back to back so they couldn't hurt anyone, or more importantly themselves. Zecora, Maude, and Fluttershy were being tied together by Applejack, she made sure the knot was good and tight to keep them from breaking free. Braeburn moved over to help with Rainbow Dash. He bound her hands with a piece of rope he'd found, it was an unpleasant thing for Scootaloo to watch, but she refused to look away, tears streaming down her face the whole time.

\t“You don't have to prove anything.” Twilight said, resting her hands on Scootaloo's shoulders.

\t“I know, I just...wanna be strong like I know she is.”

\tWhen everyone was restrained and as comfortable as they could be. Big Mac sat down with Rarity to his back. “Now our turn.” He was tired and fading fast, any moment now and he would change into one of those unstoppable infected. There wasn't much time.

\t“Oh Big Mac, I'm so...” Applejack started to say, her fingers playing down his cheek sadly.

\t“There ain't no time for this Applejack. I don't want to hurt anyone, so you need to get  on this.”

\t“But...” Applejack dropped the rope at her feet and shook her head.

\t“Applejack!” He looked up at her with his milky green eyes twitching, his eyebrow lay back in sadness. “I love you girl, be strong, cuz we all need you more than ever now.”

\tApplejack picked up the rope and started wrapping it around them making each coil as tight as the last, pulling it even tighter one final time before tying the knot. When she stepped back, a quiver came to her voice. “I love you too, you big goof.”

\tBig Mac let out a low moan, turning his head to look at her. Then he lurched and pulled against the rope snapping wildly. Applejack didn't run, she didn't back away, she didn't even flinch. She just stood there looking at her brother's desperation to get at her.

\t“Let's...go.” Her voice was strained as she tried to speak. Applejack turned away, walking out the door. Twilight followed right behind her, when she tried to ask if she was alright. Applejack fell to her knees, breaking down, her shoulders hitching with her sobs. Twilight's heart ached for her, she knew exactly how it felt to lose a brother. She slipped down behind her friend, wrapping her arms around her waist holding her closely. Applejack didn't fight, didn't even move. If anything she just cried harder.

\tThe torrent of tears passed after a several minutes and once they were done Applejack seemed to feel better. She ran her fingers slowly along Twilight's giving it a soft pat. “I'm alright now, Sugar Cube. I've been holding that in all night. Who'd a thought. I guess it does feel better just to let it all out.”

\tTwilight didn't say anything, she just got to her feet her gaze finding the others. All of their eyes were on her, each of them looking for guidance from their princess. The thought made Twilight's mouth go dry, this was one of the moments that she feared most of all. Each decision she made all night had lead them deeper and deeper into trouble. Any more decisions she could make would only turn out worse.

\t“I...I'm not going to ask you to follow me, because I don't really know what I'm doing. But what I do know is, I'm going to Canterlot and see if the other princesess have had any more luck then me. I'm sorry that I can't be the princess you deserve, I wish I could be.” Twilight turned towards the direction of Canterlot, she could see the castle through the trees, silhouetted by the green moon way in the distance.

\t“You are the princess we deserve.” Applejack got up from the dirt. “I've believed in you since the very beginning and that ain't gonna change”

\t“I don't know you as well as I'd like to, but my family thinks your the bees knees. So shoot, I'll follow you anywhere, except maybe back to Ponyville.” Braeburn rested his hand on Applejack's shoulder.

\t“I wouldn't admit this to just anypony, but you're my favorite princess.” Scootaloo stepped up, taking Twilight's hand. “I don't know how much help I'll be, but I'll do my best.”

\t“There's something quirky about you that I like. I've always like it. You never run from the spoopies that bump in the night. Solid like a rock and if there's one thing a Pie knows, it's rocks.” Pinkie Pie picked up her baton and rested it on her shoulder. “I'm with ya.”

\t“Thank you all so much everypony. I couldn't do this without you.” Twilight's heart throbbed in her chest, a quiver ran through her entire body. It was true that she didn't know what was going to happen, but she felt better knowing that she was going to have friends watching her back.", "pools_count": 0, "title": "My Little Pony: Friendship Means Family Chapter 15", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "text/rtf", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "0", "rating_name": "General", "ratings": [], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "f", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "24" }