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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 Twenty:\nThe Last Leg of the Journey.\n\n\tApplejack threw her shoulder against the wooden door, sending it open in a shower of splinters. Pinkie Pie hauled Braeburn into the maintenance shed, leaning him against the wall before she stepped back out the door to help. Twilight was several steps away from the building, pulling Scootaloo in tow. A group of thirty of the advanced infected were gaining on them fast. Another few seconds and it would be all over for them.\n\n\tTwilight could hear the snarling beast growing closer, she wanted to run faster, but if she did she would lose Scootaloo and she'd much rather give herself over than let that happen. “Crab apples!” Pinkie Pie snatched a large wrench from just inside the door, hopping down from the platform, running in the direction of Twilight and Scootaloo.\n\n\t“Pinkie Pie!” Applejack reached for her, but it was too late.\n\n\tPinkie Pie didn't look back, she just breezed by Twilight and Scootaloo in a flash of pink, swinging the heavy wrench at everything that moved. Applejack jumped down off the platform meeting Twilight halfway there. She scooped up the tiny filly in her arms starting back towards the shed. Twilight turned and saw Pinkie Pie swinging the wrench wildly. Some tried for her and got knocked down, the others backed off and started circling her with some strange semblance of a pack mentality.\n\n\t“Pinkie Pie!” Twilight called to her, the desperation straining her voice.\n\n\t“This is your journey now, princess. Your pretty purple butt better save me because if you don't, I'm coming for you.” Pinkie Pie hollered back, catching one of the infected upside the head, sending it down into the dirt, she laughed maniacally and continued her assault against them.\n\n\tTwilight took a few steps backwards, before running the rest of the way into the maintenance shed. Twilight watched for as long as she could, before Applejack told her to let it go, as she was closing the door, she saw one of the infected clawing Pinkie Pie's arm, but got a hard smack in return. The crazed pink pony's laughter only grew more demented and so did her attacks.\n\n\tTwilight leaned against the door, trying to keep her composure, while Applejack barred the door with a heavy railroad tie. Wedging it in such a way that it would take ten men to get passed it. She leaned against the door next to Twilight exhaling, her knees trembling. “I don't know if I can keep doing this, Sugar Cube.”\n\n\t“Me neither.” Twilight dropped to her knees, breathing so hard that her throat was raw. “How are we going to get to Canterlot now, there's no way we can outrun those thing.”\n\n\tApplejack opened her mouth to speak, but heard Braeburn coughing. The jolt of the cough forced him to slide down the wall, he was struggling to keep from falling over. “Guys...” His voice was strained into a raspy whisper.\n\n\t“Crap, I thought I could have just a moment of peace before having to deal with this.” Applejack straightened up, starting to limp towards Braeburn, who was slumping over. His chin rested against his chest, his eyes closed. His hat fell into his lap and rolled onto the floor. The sensation caused him to twitch, but he didn't move beyond that.\n\n\t“Could you help me look for a rope please. I don't wanna have to knock that poor bastard out.” Applejack didn't wait for a reply, she just stepped down the stairs into the work shop. It smelled of wood, axle grease, motor oil, and coal. It was the smell of hard work and years of progress. Twilight swelled with pride at the thought of pony engineering that lead to this valuable discovery.\n\n\t“Wow!” Scootaloo exclaimed, struggling to pull a tarp off of something. A cloud of dust filled the room causing her to cough and let loose of one harsh sneeze. “There's a bunch of them.” She headed off to the next one, pulling the tarp off of it.\n\n\t“Look what we have here?” Applejack whistles as she gave the handcart a once over. Twilight had read about them once. The small cart was only used in case of emergency, a small maintenance crew would use them to get to trains stranded somewhere on the tracks.\n\n\tThe see-saw style handles were well oiled. The break was tight and well maintained. Applejack took a closer look at a small mechanical box built into the base of the controls. “Wow is right kiddo. This here is an automatic pumping machine. All you have to do is pump the throttle a few times and push this here button and whoosh. It'll power the cart all by itself.”\n\n\tApplejack climbed up on the cart's platform to examine the gas tank. “Eyup, just like I thought. They keep this baby gassed up and ready to go in a moments notice.” She hopped down and put her hands on Twilight's shoulders. “You wanted to know how you're gonna get to Canterlot...well there you go. All you have to do is pump it a few times and turn it on. It'll take you right to the castle if you need it to.”\n\n\t“That's a great stroke of fortune. When can we leave?” Twilight looked back at Scootaloo who had pulled the tarp off of all four of the other hand carts. Twilight could hear her running around in the back of the room digging through stuff.\n\n\t“We...we aren't...it'll be just you and Scootaloo from here on out, Sugar Cube.” Applejack sighed softly, her finger lacing with Twilight's pulling her around so their eyes could meet.\n\n\t“What?” Twilight's eyes went wide, her mouth curving into a frown.\n\n\t“I can't just leave Braeburn here alone, I made a promise and as you know, I'm and Apple, and Apples always keep their promises. I'd be betraying everything I'm made of, if I broke that promise.” Applejack pulled Twilight into a hug, draping her arms around the princess' neck.\n\n\t“I know...I just don't know if I'm going to be able to do this without you.” Twilight closed her eyes, looking away from the taller female. “I've made so many bad decisions and you were always there to pick me up and straighten me out, but what's going to happen to me if you're not there.”\n\n\t“That's enough of that, Sugar Cube.” Applejack touched her chin and lifted her face so they could lock eyes again. “I was strong because of you. I didn't pick you up for your sake, I did it for mine. I'd have given up a thousand times over if it hadn't been for you. I know damn well, that every one of your friends feels the same way.”\n\n\tTwilight wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded. Whether she believed what the larger filly was saying didn't matter now. All that matter was she had to try her best to finish this thing. If not for her, then for all of her friends who were counting on her. Twilight looked into Applejack's eyes and whispered. “Thank you, for everything.”\n\n\t“Anytime...and thank you for being the best friend a pony could ask for.” Applejack leaned close to touch her lips to Twilight's forehead. Twilight closed her eyes at the feeling of her soft yes firm kiss against her fur.\n\n\t“Hey you guys,” Scootaloo ran up carrying a lunch box and a few other items clutched in her hands. “I found some really cool stuff back there. There was this fridge and it had some snacks and drinks in it. Then I found this wicked helmet.” It was a construction worker helmet that was too big for her, she rapped on the side of it, filling the room with a hearty hollow knocking sound. ”And best of all...” She held up a coil of rope triumphantly. “I found some...”\n\n\t“Guys...” Braeburn grunted. There was panic his voice as if he were scared, it cracked his voice sounded raw with words he fought to speak.\n\n\t“Alright you two.” Applejack said, grabbing the rope from Scootaloo. “It's time. Now you two get yourselves to Canterlot and don't worry about me.” She backed away, turning to run up the stairs to where Braeburn was leaning.\n\n\tTwilight ran to Applejack taking her hand. “Wait.” She whispered, reaching back behind her neck unclasping her necklace. “I want you to have this.”\n\n\t“Twilight don't be silly. I...”\n\n\t“No, I insist. Please let me do this for you.” Twilight leaned close wrapping the chain around the filly's neck, clasping it. She lowered the locket, helping to rest against Applejack's chest. “Keep it for luck.”\n\n\t“Oh Twilight.” Applejack pursed her lips, tears finding their way back to her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Twilight giving her a hard squeez. “You be careful, Sugar Cube.”\n\n\t“You too, Applejack.” Twilight pulled away, heading back to the handcart before climbing up on it. She pulled Scootaloo up next to. “I'll miss you.” Twilight grabbed the break lever and gave it a firm pull. The cart rocked forward and started rolling away slowly.\n\n\tApplejack watched as they slid away into the dark tunnel ahead of them, calling after them. “I'll miss you too. You better take care of yourselves, you hear. I'll see you when all of this is over.”Twilight watched as she knelt down in front of Braeburn covering her face in one hand. Her shoulder hitched as the tears started once again.\n\n\tWhen the shed rolled out of sight Twilight started pumping the handle as hard as she could, a cool breeze kicked up around them the faster they went. At the end of the tunnel was the dull moonlight. Soon they would be out and on their way to Canterlot.\n\n\tThe small tunnel was filled with a loud screech that seem to drown out the sound of the cart rumbling along the tracks and then there was nothing. Scootaloo knew what happened, she started crying into the crook of her arm. Twilight pulled the little filly close, hanging her head. Tears stung her eyes and coursed down her cheeks. She knew as well, Braeburn turned and now it would only be a matter of time before Applejack did too.", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Chapter Twenty:
The Last Leg of the Journey.

\tApplejack threw her shoulder against the wooden door, sending it open in a shower of splinters. Pinkie Pie hauled Braeburn into the maintenance shed, leaning him against the wall before she stepped back out the door to help. Twilight was several steps away from the building, pulling Scootaloo in tow. A group of thirty of the advanced infected were gaining on them fast. Another few seconds and it would be all over for them.

\tTwilight could hear the snarling beast growing closer, she wanted to run faster, but if she did she would lose Scootaloo and she'd much rather give herself over than let that happen. “Crab apples!” Pinkie Pie snatched a large wrench from just inside the door, hopping down from the platform, running in the direction of Twilight and Scootaloo.

\t“Pinkie Pie!” Applejack reached for her, but it was too late.

\tPinkie Pie didn't look back, she just breezed by Twilight and Scootaloo in a flash of pink, swinging the heavy wrench at everything that moved. Applejack jumped down off the platform meeting Twilight halfway there. She scooped up the tiny filly in her arms starting back towards the shed. Twilight turned and saw Pinkie Pie swinging the wrench wildly. Some tried for her and got knocked down, the others backed off and started circling her with some strange semblance of a pack mentality.

\t“Pinkie Pie!” Twilight called to her, the desperation straining her voice.

\t“This is your journey now, princess. Your pretty purple butt better save me because if you don't, I'm coming for you.” Pinkie Pie hollered back, catching one of the infected upside the head, sending it down into the dirt, she laughed maniacally and continued her assault against them.

\tTwilight took a few steps backwards, before running the rest of the way into the maintenance shed. Twilight watched for as long as she could, before Applejack told her to let it go, as she was closing the door, she saw one of the infected clawing Pinkie Pie's arm, but got a hard smack in return. The crazed pink pony's laughter only grew more demented and so did her attacks.

\tTwilight leaned against the door, trying to keep her composure, while Applejack barred the door with a heavy railroad tie. Wedging it in such a way that it would take ten men to get passed it. She leaned against the door next to Twilight exhaling, her knees trembling. “I don't know if I can keep doing this, Sugar Cube.”

\t“Me neither.” Twilight dropped to her knees, breathing so hard that her throat was raw. “How are we going to get to Canterlot now, there's no way we can outrun those thing.”

\tApplejack opened her mouth to speak, but heard Braeburn coughing. The jolt of the cough forced him to slide down the wall, he was struggling to keep from falling over. “Guys...” His voice was strained into a raspy whisper.

\t“Crap, I thought I could have just a moment of peace before having to deal with this.” Applejack straightened up, starting to limp towards Braeburn, who was slumping over. His chin rested against his chest, his eyes closed. His hat fell into his lap and rolled onto the floor. The sensation caused him to twitch, but he didn't move beyond that.

\t“Could you help me look for a rope please. I don't wanna have to knock that poor bastard out.” Applejack didn't wait for a reply, she just stepped down the stairs into the work shop. It smelled of wood, axle grease, motor oil, and coal. It was the smell of hard work and years of progress. Twilight swelled with pride at the thought of pony engineering that lead to this valuable discovery.

\t“Wow!” Scootaloo exclaimed, struggling to pull a tarp off of something. A cloud of dust filled the room causing her to cough and let loose of one harsh sneeze. “There's a bunch of them.” She headed off to the next one, pulling the tarp off of it.

\t“Look what we have here?” Applejack whistles as she gave the handcart a once over. Twilight had read about them once. The small cart was only used in case of emergency, a small maintenance crew would use them to get to trains stranded somewhere on the tracks.

\tThe see-saw style handles were well oiled. The break was tight and well maintained. Applejack took a closer look at a small mechanical box built into the base of the controls. “Wow is right kiddo. This here is an automatic pumping machine. All you have to do is pump the throttle a few times and push this here button and whoosh. It'll power the cart all by itself.”

\tApplejack climbed up on the cart's platform to examine the gas tank. “Eyup, just like I thought. They keep this baby gassed up and ready to go in a moments notice.” She hopped down and put her hands on Twilight's shoulders. “You wanted to know how you're gonna get to Canterlot...well there you go. All you have to do is pump it a few times and turn it on. It'll take you right to the castle if you need it to.”

\t“That's a great stroke of fortune. When can we leave?” Twilight looked back at Scootaloo who had pulled the tarp off of all four of the other hand carts. Twilight could hear her running around in the back of the room digging through stuff.

\t“We...we aren't...it'll be just you and Scootaloo from here on out, Sugar Cube.” Applejack sighed softly, her finger lacing with Twilight's pulling her around so their eyes could meet.

\t“What?” Twilight's eyes went wide, her mouth curving into a frown.

\t“I can't just leave Braeburn here alone, I made a promise and as you know, I'm and Apple, and Apples always keep their promises. I'd be betraying everything I'm made of, if I broke that promise.” Applejack pulled Twilight into a hug, draping her arms around the princess' neck.

\t“I know...I just don't know if I'm going to be able to do this without you.” Twilight closed her eyes, looking away from the taller female. “I've made so many bad decisions and you were always there to pick me up and straighten me out, but what's going to happen to me if you're not there.”

\t“That's enough of that, Sugar Cube.” Applejack touched her chin and lifted her face so they could lock eyes again. “I was strong because of you. I didn't pick you up for your sake, I did it for mine. I'd have given up a thousand times over if it hadn't been for you. I know damn well, that every one of your friends feels the same way.”

\tTwilight wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded. Whether she believed what the larger filly was saying didn't matter now. All that matter was she had to try her best to finish this thing. If not for her, then for all of her friends who were counting on her. Twilight looked into Applejack's eyes and whispered. “Thank you, for everything.”

\t“Anytime...and thank you for being the best friend a pony could ask for.” Applejack leaned close to touch her lips to Twilight's forehead. Twilight closed her eyes at the feeling of her soft yes firm kiss against her fur.

\t“Hey you guys,” Scootaloo ran up carrying a lunch box and a few other items clutched in her hands. “I found some really cool stuff back there. There was this fridge and it had some snacks and drinks in it. Then I found this wicked helmet.” It was a construction worker helmet that was too big for her, she rapped on the side of it, filling the room with a hearty hollow knocking sound. ”And best of all...” She held up a coil of rope triumphantly. “I found some...”

\t“Guys...” Braeburn grunted. There was panic his voice as if he were scared, it cracked his voice sounded raw with words he fought to speak.

\t“Alright you two.” Applejack said, grabbing the rope from Scootaloo. “It's time. Now you two get yourselves to Canterlot and don't worry about me.” She backed away, turning to run up the stairs to where Braeburn was leaning.

\tTwilight ran to Applejack taking her hand. “Wait.” She whispered, reaching back behind her neck unclasping her necklace. “I want you to have this.”

\t“Twilight don't be silly. I...”

\t“No, I insist. Please let me do this for you.” Twilight leaned close wrapping the chain around the filly's neck, clasping it. She lowered the locket, helping to rest against Applejack's chest. “Keep it for luck.”

\t“Oh Twilight.” Applejack pursed her lips, tears finding their way back to her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Twilight giving her a hard squeez. “You be careful, Sugar Cube.”

\t“You too, Applejack.” Twilight pulled away, heading back to the handcart before climbing up on it. She pulled Scootaloo up next to. “I'll miss you.” Twilight grabbed the break lever and gave it a firm pull. The cart rocked forward and started rolling away slowly.

\tApplejack watched as they slid away into the dark tunnel ahead of them, calling after them. “I'll miss you too. You better take care of yourselves, you hear. I'll see you when all of this is over.”Twilight watched as she knelt down in front of Braeburn covering her face in one hand. Her shoulder hitched as the tears started once again.

\tWhen the shed rolled out of sight Twilight started pumping the handle as hard as she could, a cool breeze kicked up around them the faster they went. At the end of the tunnel was the dull moonlight. Soon they would be out and on their way to Canterlot.

\tThe small tunnel was filled with a loud screech that seem to drown out the sound of the cart rumbling along the tracks and then there was nothing. Scootaloo knew what happened, she started crying into the crook of her arm. Twilight pulled the little filly close, hanging her head. Tears stung her eyes and coursed down her cheeks. She knew as well, Braeburn turned and now it would only be a matter of time before Applejack did too.", "pools_count": 0, "title": "My Little Pony: Friendship Means Family Chapter 20", "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": "20" }