Mommy? (Third ending) [AnonFilly][Incomplete]

>Trains, always had a terrifying aspect to you.
>They rattled a too much to your liking, they always placed a fear of going off track to you.
>Though, you suppose that this night on the way to the Crystal empire they might actually be soothing.
>Why were you on the way there?
>Why, to visit uncle Shining Armor and Aunt Cadence.
>Mommy, decided against leaving you with Fluttershy.
>To the reason why, you couldn't deduce.
>Something with here being afraid of you for some reason.
>Or was it for you.
>Anyways.
>Currently, you were stuck looking out at shimmering lights out in the light sky, while the rumble of the train tried to lull you to sleep.
>With the comfort of Ms.Hornet of course.
>You don't know how you'd get buy without her.
>You wouldn't.
>Eyes growing heavy, sleep was close to claiming you.
>The only thing keeping you from sleeping was mommy's voice.
>Unable to find out what she was saying, but by the tone, you could tell she was upset.
>Maybe you could help comfort her?
>Wary of doing, you drag yourself out of the sleeper cab's bed.
>Slowly trotting over to the door to the next car, where mom was suppose to be sleeping, you try to raise yourself to see if would be a good idea to comfort her.
>Though little fillies did not have a height advantage, you included.
>Grabbing Miss Hornet off your back, you raise her up the circular window.
"Is it safe?"
>She shifts up and down by your hoof.
>Please don't be mad.
>Twilig-...err.. Mommy, before your incident had problems with you barging in.
>First birthday, was proof of that.
>Well...here goes nothing.
>Opening the first door, you feel the cold air of the tundra sting you.
>Even more so, since you were covered in a freezing sweat.
>Nervous, of what mommy might say.
>Taking steps towards the second door, you pause.
>Breath in.
>And out.
>Here goes nothing.
>Entering "Her" sleeper car, you find all the lights are still lit.
>She has her back to you, she's muttering to herself.
>Shutting the door, caused her ears to perk.
>your heart is pounding out of your chest.
>Twilight turns her head at you.
>Her mane is disheveled.
>The voice you've known to be filled with anger and dangerous malice, sounded fearful speaking to you.
>"O-Oh, Hey there little filly. Uh, W-What can I do for you?"
>Odd, it's almost as if she didn't recognize you.
>Though, she didn't seem immediately angry. This allowed you release the vise around your heart a bit further.
>Taking a couple of steps toward her, she seemed upset about something.
>Maybe use something to take her mind off it?
"I-I had a bad dream mommy, would alright if I slept with you tonight?"
>She winces and cringes and you mentioning 'Mommy'.
>Maybe lying made it worse, she seemed even more distraught.
>"Er...N-not sweetie bun, Mommy's tired tonight."
>Sweetie bun?
"Then why do you have the lights on?"
>Scrunching her mouth, mommy seems to stutter on her words.
>"Well it's because...Uhm, I l-like to...sleep with them on. YES, Because I like to sleep with the lights on."
>This answer didn't satisfy you.
"But-"
>She cuts your off
>"No more questions sweetie, tomorrows a big day, and a filly need plenty of sleep for big day."
>Tacking it with a nervous laugh, she guides you back to your sleeper car.
>You stop her at the open space between each car.
>Dared to ask her a million bit question, you were unsure of what response it would entail.
"Do you love me Mommy?"
>NO wait, that was a dumb question.
>She looked at you with nervousness, as if searching for something, and not finding it.
>"I-I do, yes."
>Doubt was set in your mind.
>Getting onto your rear hooves, you wrap your forehooves around her.
"Don't be nervous Mommy. You being nervous, makes me nervous."
>Maybe comfort and confrontation is all you needed to sooth her.
>Twilight refused to return the hug though.
>"T-Thank you, S-so much."
>Her breath quivered in and out.
>"S-so...m-much"
>Something fell onto your back, it felt wet.
>Tears, maybe?
>She tried to tear away.
>"I-I don-..Y-You"
>HISS.
>Mommy lunged forward, bend on forcing you to the floor.
>Like predator and prey.
>Though the floor she tried to force you on, was actually the chain railing of the inter-car hallway.
>Heart leaping into your mouth, you tried to hold your grip on to Mommy.
>But your were flailing.
>Catching nothing but air.
>A blur a greys and whites seemed to whiz by as you somersaulted through the air of out of the train.
>A little part thought, that maybe Twilight might use her magic and grab you.
>Maybe laugh a little at the incident.
>Nope.
>All you did was make first impact into the tundra snow.
>Soft, and muffled.
>Almost like a feathered pillow.
>Second impact.
>Hard, rough, and dull.
>Third and fourth ripped each other apart in time as you skipped on the snow, like a stone on the lake.
>Eventually, after chilled, pain filled eternity you managed to come to rest to see the fleeting train.
>you sat as the train fled your sight.
>and as you grayed out, your weakened form tried to reach toward the train.
>Your attempt at a holler of help came out as nothing but a whisper of death.
>L-Lights out.
>All that came to you were nightmares.
>Ones filled with betrayal, images of death, and abandonment by your mother.
>Though such dreams could only be short-lived as you jolted awake in the snowy tundra.
>More or less you had awakened as your body tried to prevent you from freezing to death.
>An all or nothing approach so to speak.
>The freezing, paralyzing cold was all that could be thought of as you shook violently.
>And as your body provided futile attempts to warm your coated body, you pry your eyes open to see the same scene from last time.
>Empty, dark railroad track, all caked in by the tundra's punishing snow.
>Survive.
>That all you must do.
>Survive.
>Shakily raising your weakened body, you take a moment to think of a plausible plan to escape this situation.
>The only that could be thought of?
>Start walking.
>Taking your first steps forward, the only chance you'd have of surviving is if you manage to walk your way to the Crystal Empire.
>A few steps up the way, you see your friend again.
>Miss Hornet.
>You had almost forgotten about her.
>Picking her up by your teeth and placing her onto your back, you two begun the treacherous journey.
>Step
>Step
>Step
>Snow
>Snow
>And more snow,
>It had seemed like hours had gone by, and walking through it all, never seemed to changed, the only aspect that would change. Is the rising sun in the distance.
>It, the only source available, was providing you a substantial amount of warmth.
>Well at least so much so that you wouldn't freeze completely.
>Crunch
>Crunch.
>Crunch.
>This seemed endless.
>At this point in your walking journey you had stopped shivering from the cold.
>The worrisome thing is that you aren't sure if it's from the cold, or from the sun providing heat.
>Only time would tell.
>If it were the first, you'd soon collapse and die.
>Push on.
>You couldn't let this kill you.
>in the distance you could heal the angelic call of the angels.
>Though, why did they sound so high pitched?
>Drowsily, you turn your head towards the noise.
>It's sound getting louder and louder.
> Bright lights in the distance, they get brighter and brighter.
>The call gets louder and louder.
>They have come to claim you.
>The angelic train?
>Sudden realization kicks into your mind
>A train!
>Having a sudden kick of adrenaline hit your tiny body, you yelp as you jump out of the way.
>The train screams by as you narrowly escape it by jumping into the shallow tundra fields.
>IT WAS A TRAIN!
>THAT WASN'T THE ANGELIC CALL OF ANGELS!
>IT WAS THE WHISTLE TRAINING TO GET YOU OUT OF THE WAY.
>Panting like a wild dog, you watch as the train slows and grinds to a halt.
>Crunch
>Crunch
>Crunch
>The sound of crunching snow approaches.
>"V'hat are you doing here itty-bitty pony."
>Through the blinding tundra you could make out the a grey griffon with black splotches on his coat.
>To the fact if it was his coat's natural design or simply coal was unknown to you.
>He also wore a stripped blue and white hat. Giving you clues that he was the engineer.
>"V'hat's with the silence itty-btty pony? Cold got the tongue?"
>Didn't that saying go some way else?
>Plus not only that but the cold has got something more than your tongue.
"I... I'm lost."
>He looked at you quizzically.
"V'here did you come from pony?"
>You opened your chapped lips to speak.
"I-..."
>"Spear! Spear, where'd you go. I swear to Celestia's sun if you play another abominable snowman prank again I'll shove you into the engine!"
>Another thickly-accented voice pierced the white blanket.
>A female one at that.
>"I found a itty-bitty pony Sickle!"
>Why does he keep calling you that?
>Pretty soon a pale red with a light orange bellied, petite griffon pierced the blinding the snow.
>She seemed to struggle seeing through the blind as she covered her face with a clawed hand.
>She or Sickle as she seems to be called. Stepped up to be along side Spear.
>Relinquishing her arm back to her side, she take a squinting look at you.
>Not a second later she turns to Spear and slaps him on the back of the head.
>"You idiot, you decided to just stand here and let her freeze. Come little pony."
>At this point you were lost as to what was happening. Maybe it was because of how odd the situation was, maybe it was the hypothermia kicking in "
>Following the the female griffon, Spear trails behind you while muttering.
>"piz`da"

>The reddish-orange feline-avian hybrid led you over to an abnormally small sleeper car in the train, to which conditions were questionably livable.
>"Sorry, little pony, it's all we have for now as we're not set up for guests right now."
>Turing your head to her, she patted your thick mane as she stared at you with sympathy.
>"You can sleep in Spear's bed, for now, he still needs to pay me back for an… earlier incident."
>You gave no audible response and merely nodded, with the adrenaline draining from your system, tiredness was trying to claim you.
>Leading you in the army forest green bed, you threw yourself onto your side and collapsed, tossing Miss Hornet ride beside you as you ignored her.
>The Need for sleep was…so bad that it felt wrong.
>The last thing that came to your vision was the griffon bringing the matching blanket over you, tucking you in as you finally passed out from the first ordeal.
>…
>Despite your trial, your body, did not grace you with any dreams. The only darkness which seemed to tease you about your near death.
>Clikety-Clack Clickety-Clack Clickety-clack.
>However, as time seemed to slip by in a mere flash, you felt the massage of the bumps in the tracks soothe you.
>Kinda contradictory to before, they terrified you, in fact, you should not want to be on one whatsoever after getting knocked off by your mom.
>But yet here you are, yet again.
>what was up with her anyway? She didn't act like herself; it even felt like she didn't recognize you at all.
>While you pondered, the sunshine which comforted you before, was now annoyingly beaming down on your backside. Making that section of your comfortable cooling body and bed, irritatingly warm.
>Despite your body's protests, you pry your eyes open to see slightly, snow-soaked Miss Hornet, staring at you with the button-eyes.
>You smile.
"Together to the end, right?"
>Her stitched smile agreed.
>She'd never leave you.
>She needed to guide you.
>Creeeeeak, slam!
>You jump slightly as you turn to the griffon from before, who now wore bags over her eyes.
>She carried a plastic grey tray over to a table next to the bed across before laying it down.
>"To the end of what, little pony?"
>You remain silent.
>The griffon looked at you half-expectantly awaiting your response, before giving in and pouring a tear pot of steaming liquid into a brown cup.
>"Still with the caught tongue?"
>She doesn't look at you as she takes a sip.
>The golden liquid from the cup almost seems like heaven in your eyes.
>She looks at you again, half-interested once again.
>"Spear, says you are lost. Are you not?"
>What was it that kept your tongue from moving.
>You shouldn't distrust her, but fear of you, unknown in nature, couldn't help but stop you.
>A few seconds later, your stomach agreed with the sight of the golden liquid by grumbling loudly.
>"Would you like some tea? Your belly is screaming for it, no?"
>Silence.
>She sighs tiredly.
>"Listen, little pony. Let me tell you a saying from back in my home country, so you understand, yes…"
>She grabs another cup and fills it.
>"It goes 'hunger is not your aunt, and it will not bring you a pie.' it is a silly saying, is it not?"
>Tilting your head, you look at her quizzically.
>She sighs, with her tired look making her seem as if frustrated.
>She's got persistence, you'll give her that.
>Most ponies would have given up on you.
>Hell, you gave up on yourself in a fashion that was… unsuccessful.

>"What it means is, you need to help yourself to fix problem, okay? and you cannot be saying no to help when you need it."
>She rolled the table to you as she forcibly placed the cup in front of you on it.
>"Now, would you like some tea?"
>You stare at it momentarily, before breaking eye contact and guiltily staring at your bed.
"Y-yes, please."
>She picks it up and hands it over to you, slowly you grab it while avoiding eye contact.
>Sitting up, you looked deep into the cup as it reflected back a golden filly, ragged and unkempt.
>Make the first step.
"Where are we going?"
>"Griffonstone, to pick up cargo."
>Glacing at the window, you saw the passing of a forest.
>Probally far off away from the Crystal Empire.
"And then?"
>"and then what?"
"Where are we going after that?"
>There was a short pause.
>"You're going to the protective services…" She emphasized.
>It instantly depressed you that she was dropping you off as soon as she got the chance.
>Though you suppose you had to understand.
>You were a burden.
>Like how you've for most of your life.
>"Me and Spear, we'll probably head to Baltimare, as most of our customers need goods there."
>"…Sorry, but the freight business is no place, for a bitty pony like you. Especially since we don't know where you live."
"Okay…I understand-"
>"But…"
>But?
>"If you tell us where you live, we may drop you off there."
>You looked up at her with a glint of hope in your eyes.
>Although you still had doubts, there's no way they go out of their way to help you.
>For the longest time though, you opened your mouth to speak. Spending more time than necessary to tell Sickle.
>She waiting expectantly, the tired look supposedly replaced with curiosity.
>What was her endgame?
"My mom said…she was going to the Crystal Empire for work. I-… wanted to go with her, but she didn't want me going, but…"
>"You begged."
>You nodded.
>Leaving it at that, you decided not to tell her that your mother was the one who pushed you off the train in the first place.
>She looked out at the door to the engine room.
>"V'ell, we're way past that, so It'll have to be done on the way back."
>She got up, as she headed back.
>But one question plagued your mind.
"Why are you helping me?"
>The griffon froze and turned her head toward you.
>"Because it's…the right thing to do." She stated unconvincingly as she dodged her intent.
>Much more hastily, she made her way out, intending to avoid further questioning.
>Maybe ask her further later.
>You weren't in a position to push the subject.

>You learned a little bit about Griffonstone in Geography in school you never had time to learn much about it.
>Not many ponies go there.
>And as Spear and Sickle talked to some even more ragged looking griffons, you could clearly tell wh,.
>If you had learned about what a great depression looks like, the situation in Griffonstone wouldn't compare.
>Makeshift housing, angry folks, and even a homeless griffon here and there.
>Though you suppose it couldn't be all bad.
>There were some young griffons by what looked like a rusted park, playing saag with a set of ball and jacks
>Maybe while they took care of business, you could try to make new friends.
>Yeah, that's it.
>Take the initiative.
>Walking over you puff out your chest in an attempt at being brave, when all it did was puff the fluff of your chest hair.
>The first two seemed similar, almost as if they were twins.
>They were made up of two grey and thinly built guys with a lighter shaded underbelly.
>They almost could be compared to pigeons actually.
>The last one of the group had a dark feathered head a neck with a silver body.
>As you approached the bunch bravily, you could clearly tell she was female.
>"Hah! I knew you wouldn't be able to pick up six." Said one of the twins in a shrill voice
>"Auhgggg, I don't get how two pipsqueaks like you are able to get more than me."
>Just as you were nearly there, you confident chest deflated by this point. One of them teasingly stuck a tongue at her.
>"Small things still have great potential. So that means these small things won, and you know what that means."
>The female griffon rolled her eyes in annoyance.
>They still haven't noticed you yet.
>"Oh come on. You won't actually hit m-"
>The left brother reeled back and threw a punch into her shoulder.
>"There's one for the road."
>The right one followed suit, throwing a similar taunt.
>" and one for the way back."
>They weren't kidding, they through a hell of a punch as she stumbled back.
>Only to be stopped by tripping over you, leading for you to fall back with her.
>Defesively, you shut your eyes and scrunched your nose tight.
"Oof!"
>Recovering, you opened your eyes to see the female griffon on top of you in a very compromising position, causing you to blush profusely.
>Meanwhile the griffon on top of you shook off the damage to see where she landed.
>When her eyes fell on your blushing face, it too followed suit.
>"Hah, I knew you liked icky girl ponies Tracer."
>This was very awkward.
>What do you do! What do you do! What do you do!
>You've never been in something like this.
>It seemed like the griffon was in the same boat, as she stared awkwardly at you, blushing and all. Unable to think of an exit strategy.
>Well, only one way to evoke change out of someone was simple.
>Boop
>A simple boop of her beak would do.
>Probably.
>Or make her very angry.
>She looked away nervously as pushed herself off of you, apologizing.
>"Sorry about that. I didn't expect a pair dweebs to ACTUALLY HIT ME" She said, apparently yelling the last part at the two laughing twins in anger.
>Shaking off the last of the sexual tension awkwardness, you stand up, dusting off the dirt now affixed to your fur.
>Not that it mattered, it was already matted and unkempt from the fun in the tundra.
"It's okay. What are uh…you guys playing."
>The griffon was put off by your interest in them.
>"Oh, just a game we made up call punching ball and jacks."
"I'm guessing the loser get punched?"
>She turned to glare at the twins in violent anger.
>"Yeah, though I didn't actually expect those wimps to actually do it to me."
>Maybe it's not a great thing to ask but…
"Could I join in?"
>Apperantly so did the griffon as she looked at you skeptically.
>"Are you sure? This game isn't really meant for a tiny, weak pony like yourself."
>Ouch.
>So much for the friendly nature of griffons.
>Though you won't give in now!
>Persistance is key.
"Well…what about another game?"
>"Like what?"
>…
>Shoot, what game could you play?
>You didn't really know a lot off the top of your head.
>Being a sheltered, unpopular kid does that to ya'.
>Well sheltered was a light term.
>It was more like forbidden from talking or hanging out with other ponies outside for most of your known life.
>Until, well…your attempted suicide.
>Although, your mom tried her best to turn everything around by being with you, those memories couldn't help but still feel fresh in your mind.
>With her pushing you off the train is the most prominent one.
>"Hello earth to pony, hello earth pony."
"What about hide and seek?"
>You spitballed that suggestion outta nowhere as you snapped back to reality.
>She shrugs after a second.
>"Sound fine to me. HEY FRY, BREADCRUMB, WANNA PLAY HIDE AND SEEK."
>You chuckled slightly at the oddly fitting names, considering the twins' fur and feather design looked like a pigeon's.
>"Sure, but the pony's 'it'"
>They dashed off quickly before anything else could be said.
>Turning away to go and hide, she looked at me one last time.
>"Know the rules?"
>You nodded.
>"Great, SEE YA."
>As she ran off you shut your eyes to count.
>1…2…3…4…5…6
>As you measured the seconds in your head, you tried to develop a strategy to find them.
>10…11…12…13…14
>Maybe they'd work for the collapsed library you saw earlier, or maybe in one of the nests that sat atop some of the branches.
>Celestia, you hoped not. That would be a struggle to get through.
>But you had to expect it, especially from those twins.
>They looked like they loved to play dirty.
>28…29…30!
>As you opened your eyes, you ran down the main road of the town, towards where you heard them scamper off to.
>As you looked to your left and right, looking for signs of them.
>You couldn't help but be awed at the collapsed damaged and collapsed wooden homes.
>Though houses were a better term to call them.
>Most them looked more like shacks that had a hop of being temporary.
>Maybe the library was the best bet.
>It was big, and had plenty of hiding spots most likely, considering the rubble.
>You also noticed the atmosphere of the town had a grey, cold atmosphere to it.
>Unwelcoming and warning those to stay away.
>You shivered as the cold wind nipped at your body.
>Where to go first?
>Okay, it seemed like it'd be best to get the big and prominent place out of the way first.
>The Library.
>Rushing to the right, you quickly made your way over.
>When you did, there were few words to describe it.
>Bare, desolate, and sad.
>Trudging through the mist of scattered hay, rubble, and books you glazed over all the nooks and crannies of thew once great structure.
>Where could they be?
>Looking was not cutting it anymore, with all this loose rubble they could be anywhere.
>Even in it.
>Flipping bits and pieces all about would get you no there though. All it'd do was waste more time.
>Just about to leave the fatigued place, you heard the sound of rubble shifting above you in the partially standing the second floor.
"Those weekly little…"
>You knew they'd be sneaky.
>Well, Tracer, at least that's what you assumed her name would play a bit fairer than the twins Breadcrumb and Small Fry.
>You hoped at least.
>Okay, it seemed like one of them was up there, and with no wing or magic to help you; you'd have to hoof it up there.
>Looking around the rubble you tried to look for the most straightforward way up.
>Looking at a line of bricks you saw that it made a climbable, jagged staircase to the second floor.
>Narrowing your stride, you climb up the makeshift stairs.
>Not sure if this is safe.
>Considering this place in shambles, you had serious doubts in the wall holding.
>Maybe if they think you give up, they'll move again?
>For the longest time in forever, you felt like having fun still.
>For the longest time in forever, you smiled back.
>Although it was more of a slight grin, it was nice to actually have interaction with other.
"Oh no, how will I ever find that griffon in a place like this"
>You made sure to drag out that statement as long and as loud as possible while adding a hint of despair.
>Through the damaged and many collapsed bookshelves of the remaining second floor, you hear a shuffle through a pile of books in the corner.
>Gotcha'!
>Slowly and quietly approaching you prepare to make the jump on them.
>This was nice. No one to put you down for you being you.
>Images of Diamond Tiara and her posse quickly flash to mind. Her pushing, and shoving you. While you try desperately to hide from her reign of terror.
>No one to beat you senselessly for wanting help.
>Your once abusive mother flashed over. The many beating she inflicted on you, while strangely calling you Anon. Neglecting even more so, and bluntly telling you to get over it whenever you cried for her help.
>You shake off the pricks of tears and tightening throat.
>No one to pity you and look at you like a sick puppy.
>Miss Rarity had the best intentions. But it seemed more for her to cure her own regret and guilt than to befriend you.
>Fluttershy looked at you like a sick critter more than a pony. Not that you could blame her, it was part of her nature to be caring and sensitive.
>But here, you honestly had a fresh start. A place to shape your own destiny as you desire.
>Maybe it was time to forget mom and think about a new life here.
>Here you'd have friends.
>Other's who'll care for you.
>Ones who'll miss you.
>No longer stuck in a constant rut that's placed between two big stones.
>But who'd take care of you?
>Oh, well. You'll think of it when it comes up.
>But with these thoughts, it brought a bigger smile and warmth to your face, with the prospect of new and better life finding it's way onto the horizon.
>Pulling back the rubble and books you spook the twins.
"Boo!"
>Only to reveal a pile of racoons fighting over a stale piece of the pie.
>"Hisss."
"Whoah"
>You stumble back in shock, only to trip on a piece of rubble falling on your butt in the process.
>Shaking your head, while you scratch it you shake off the shock.
>"Guess that wasn't them. Maybe they're back in the city."
>Just as you began to think of a new plan it seemed nature has other ideas.
>CRRRRRRACK!
"Huh…WHOAH"
>Oh Celestia, no!
>The floor underneath you seemed to give out and collapse.
>But with quick reflexes saving you marginally, you hold onto the edge of the remaining deck by your fore-hooves.
>You struggle to try and get a better grip which only seems to be doing the opposite of what you want to do.
"No no no no…Grrrrrrr, come on get up, GET UP."
>With the edge of the floor pushing on your lungs, as well as the adrenaline, rushing through your system struggled cries for help try to come out.
"H-Help! Anyone? Somebody help me, p-please; I don't want to fall!"
>An unfortunate side-effect of hooves is that they don't provide good grip. This was a fast approaching lesson as your hooves moved closer and closer to the edge.
>"H-help!"
>This is it.
>You new shot at life, and you blew it.
>It's not like it'd be any better than the one you had before.
>or that'd you even follow through on staying.
>Think think think. How do you get out of this?

>Before you could even be being to think about what to do, the sound of beating wings and approaching steps you.
>Unable to look up, without causing your leveraging chin to let go of you, you were still able to apparently able to tell it was of the twins you have opted to call the pigeon brother.
>With a nonchalant and mocking tone he asks "How's it hanging'?"
"Please help me up. I-…I don't want to die."
>Unable to see the upper half of him, you see his lower half sit. Causing you more grief and panic.
>"Are you sure, it though I heard someone say the afterlife is pretty inviting."
>His arrogant attitude was not helping.
"This isn't funny, stop p-playing and help me-…Grrrrr, help me up."
> his humor would have no end though.
"I don't know; some people get a kick out of that kind of stuff. I thought maybe you would too, and I'd hate to interrupt someone having a fun time."
>Your chin giving out, you whimper as you dangle by your hooves while losing sight of the griffon.
>Death was quickly approaching, your whimpers threaten to turn into tears. How strange, not that you think death in a different light than a couple week ago.
>Maybe it was the circumstance was different.
>Back then you had a choice of when and how.
>this time you do not.
>"Alright, Alright, quit your blubbering. I gotcha'"
>You feel two claws strongly grip your hooves to hoisted you up.
>Getting dragged back up on to your hooves, a few shaky breaths escaped from the ordeal.
>You should not be this afraid of this, you've gone through it before.
>"Man, you no-wing ponies, can be such wimps."
>That little…
>Giving him a hard glare, you give him a strong right hook to the shoulder.
>"Ouch, hey what was that for."
"That was for leaving me to die like that you ass."
>Still sniffling and blubbering, you had to show that you were not going to take that.
>Maybe work on your assertiveness while you’re at it.
>Yeah, it is all coming together quickly.
>The new assertive filly, Nonny.


>"Sign here and here please."
>Giving a few more scribbles on the last of the paperwork, the empire of Griffonstone had a new task assigned to you.
>A shipment of coal and stone was to be delivered to the Crystal Empire, as part of a trade deal.
>In return the ponies were supposed to load some cars with gems.
>Supposedly you were told it was part of some trade deal, though that is all they could say to you.
>Not that you cared if you and Spear get paid for the work.
“All good, yes?”
>The Import Officer, who looked as grey and hollow as his dedication to his job, gave an ugly look back.
>Here he goes again.
>” Just bring her back on time, da’?”
>Snatching away the clipboard, he gives off a look of superiority.
>Like his fucking title makes him the goddamn king.
>” Your country appreciates efficiency…”
>He leans in with his smug look.
>” We can’t afford to replace the inefficient and the invalid all the time, now can we.”
>You gave a mockingly enthusiastic salute.
>As soon as he turned back, your craw morphed into the international symbol to ‘fuck off.’
>Piece of shit, government crony.
>It’s not like you could afford it either by you and Spear living paycheck to paycheck, barely coming along with all the debt, bills, and expenses you had stacked on you.
>By this point home was a forgotten term in your mind as you lived mostly on the rails.
>No matter how or when you finish the job, he always judges your work like you are a damn child.
>Speaking of which, you should probably go to grab that filly. Gods only know how cock-grabbingly happy that officer would be to report you to the head of National Productivity if you left late.
>Catching a flight above the city you looked below to scour to where the filly had gone off to.
>Seeing as she had no wings it unlikely she’d get very far.
>That and some of the ‘friendly’ citizens don’t have an excellent track record with ponies. So she had to be close by.
>Ah!
>There she is, you spotted just at the foot of the rubble of the old national library.
>Around her appeared to be three other griffons.
>and Judging from your approaching view, of the brawl with one of the grey ones, they didn't seem to be friendly.
>Goddamnit. You can't give the pony back to the parents broken.
>Their Sun and Moon gods tend to not like other species hurting their dainty little ponies.
>Well, what could they even do? Send us back to the stone-ages?
>Rusing in, you prepare to break up the fight when the sounds of laughter become more and more profound, rather than the music of a violent brawl.
>Okay, regular ponies and griffons should not be laughing when fighting, at least not in this type of 'fight.'
“Bitty Pony? V'hat is you…”
>Speaking up managed to catch her attention as they stopped, with her atop of the grey griffon kid, ready to deliver a final blow with a confident smile.
>Looking to you, she seemed to get happier at the sight of you.
>”Oh, hey Sickle! I didn’t expect to see back so soon.”
>She seemed –more jumblement–.
“Yes, V’ell some things came up and…sorry, what are you doing?”
>Remebering what she was doing, she stepped off the griffon.
>”Oh! We were uh, What was it called? Wrestling! Yeah, Breadcrumb and I decided we wanted to wrestle.”
>She looked off to the side at the griffon, giving a quick glare.
>"Didn't we?"
>Odd, well Pony behavior was odd in general to say the least in most situations.
>With their stoning of criminals, to the need for such colorful treats.
“Okay, But why?”
>”Ohhhh, no reason.”
>Giving her quizzical look you tried to figure out this little pony’s mind.
>This only seemed to make her nervous as she shifted nervously back and forth before changing the subject.
>”Anyways. What came up?”
>Snapping out of your borehole, you came back to the task at hand.
“Well, we leave a lot sooner than expected. We’ll get a chance to go to the Crystal Empire for a job.”
>She perked up in shock.
>”Oh? O-oh.”
>She looked like she didn’t expect it, or more rather disappointed at the new events.
“What’s troubling you bitty filly?”
>”Nothing. It’s just…”
>She stopped a moment to consider her words.
>”I thought we were going to have more time to you know, hang out.”
>As much as you’d love to let the little filly have a taste of relief and joy to get over her mysterious weight. Time and work continue to move on, no matter if it is with or without you.
>And being [i]with[/i] a filly would mean being [i]without[i] a job
>Although you’re not looking forward to the three days of isolation you’ll have to undergo on the train either.
“Sadly Bitty filly, Life is life. Work is work. Both are simple, but neither can be always enjoyable or go as planned.”
>She didn’t seem to understand how to digest what you said.
“We leave by sunset, go and play with the others for the time being.”
>Sombered by the news, she gave a sad nod being perking back up and running off with the griffon trio.
>She won’t like having to leave this early, but she needs it. There’s no way you can handle taking care of a filly too long while balancing your own personal life and a job.
>At least she’ll have a bit of time to have fun with the other griffons.
>As you walked back to the station to plan out the venture with Spear, you couldn’t help but wonder what the filly’s story was as she seemed very reluctant to tell you.
>Maybe with the few days you’ll have on the train will give an opportunity to ask, or even pry.
>To make sure she’s safe, of course.

>”Wow you live all the way in the Crystal Empire!”
>It seems that your vacation destination caught Tracer’s interest as you were muzzle to beak with her.
“N-no, I was just going there with my mom and me kinda…”
>How correctly do you phrase it, so it doesn’t sound like you have a piece of work mom?
“…got separated er....lost”
>She backed off as her excited looked became confused.
>”Lost. How do you get lost on a train?”
“Well, I…Uh”
>Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, it’s a train you nimrod.
>One of the pipsqueak pigeon brothers spoke up as well
>”Yeah, how dumb do you ponies have to be to get lost on a train.”
>”She’s not dumb you idiots, trains have lots of stops.”
>Just like children she begins to show the twins as she fights to defend your sacred honor like the fair maiden you are.
>Wait, fair maiden? Where did that-
>”…So tell us that you didn’t get lost on the train like that.”
>Bliking back into reality, Tracer looked at you, expectantly waiting for a response.
“I…What?”
>She rolled her eyes and huffer as she had to explain again.
>”Tell these dumb peckers that you just simply got off the wrong stop and that you didn’t do something dumb.”
>She’s gonna be disappointed.
>You wince as you rub the back of your neck while trying the avoid the menacing glare and odd looks as you explain what happened that night.’
“Yeah, about that. I actually fell off the train on the way there. Well, not so much I fell off but more that I was pushed by somepony.”
>The interest of the trio was piqued, to say the least with all of them staring intently at you, waiting for more. The twins impatiently decided to fling question after question at you.
>”Was it a psycho killer on the train?”
"W-What?"
>”Did you anger a crazy dragon mobster?”
>"Was the conductor a serial killer in disguise?"
>"Oh my- Did he try coming at you with the shovel?"
>"You idiot that's the engineer."
>"Oh."
>”Were they-“
“Stop!”
>Best to cut off the torrent of questions before they become unstoppable.
>Although you didn't expect it. You thought maybe they'd scold you and make fun of you some more.
>Not in this case you guess.
“Listen, don’t know who pushed me. Okay?”
>It wasn’t a complete lie.
>Your mom did act like someone else entirely.
>Tracer, who was sitting idling behind the twins was the next to speak up.
>”Then why are you going back when the killer could be there waiting for you.”
>It’s a lot more complicated than that. You wish you could tell them the truth without the fear of attack for going back to your possibly-gone-killer mother.
“I doubt she’ll be waiting for me if she thinks I’m dead.”
>”She?”
>Whoops, a slip of the tongue.
>”You saw her? What did she look like?”
>Averting your lying eyes, you come up with another way out.
>”I only heard her voice, I didn’t see her. I-It was dark outside.”
>You could tell the three were boring holes into your skull with their eyes. Trying to figure out the veil in front of your lies.
>”For all you know she could be waiting on the train. Why not let us come with you.”
>Wait, what?
>With a nervous grin, you try to give them pushback
“T-that won’t be necessary, I’m a pretty strong filly who can take her on.”
>Small Fry spoke up again.
>”But it like a mystery that needs solving. Why don’t you let us help out?”
>What are they, Scooby-doo and the Mystery Gang.
>Wait, who are they?
“R-really, it’s fine. Plus, I think you’re parents wouldn’t like you guys running away with me.”
>You have a nervous laugh as you tried your best to dissuade them.
>However with little to no effect, Breadcrumb spoke up too.
>”I don’t think it’ll be an issue when someone’s life is at stake. Afterall, your Mom’s gotta be risking life and limb to find you.”
>Small Fry gave a long dramatic gasp.
>”What if she kidnapped her and is holding her hostage? We need to go and save her!”
>”Oh my gosh you’re right. She could be in her evil lair while the crazy lady gets her laser ready to cut her in half.”
>”Not If I stop her first with a little help from lefty and righty.”
>”YEAH! And then I’ll swoosh in with a big sword and give that crazy bag a little swish-swish-swoosh and cut her in half.”
>”What do you’ll think she says after we save her first.”
>”Probably…”
As the dialogue began to drown out from the rising blood pressure and impending aneurysm in your head. Something probably said that this prissy kid-talk from these two needed to stop.
“ENOUGH!”
>A shocked glace from twins, Tracer, and even a few passing griffins stopped indicated your effectiveness.
>With an awkward chuckle, rub of the forehead, and a hard squint of the eyes to ease a migraine, it came time to try and pry these two’s emotional attachment on you.
>That they somehow developed in you in such a short amount of time oddly enough.
“Look, as much as you guys want to help. I’m fine. Really. I doubt a crazy supervillain kidnapped my mom, or that  some malevolent Robert is out to get me, or even that someone tried to kill me.”
>You gave a quick huff.
“So just let me be, alright? It was nice playing with you all, but I have to do this alone. Also let's not forget the fact that Sickle would never let you on, even if your parents said yes.”
>Open your eyes, they all had a wide-eyed look, and with a short pause Breadcrumb, followed by his twin spoke back up.
>“Yeah, that’s fine.”
>”Sure, do whatcha’ you need to do. I’m sure you’ll get home okay.”
“No, I’m sure you guys don’t need to follow m-…wait really?”
>That’s shockingly understanding.
>”Yeah, you need to go home alone.”
>”Plus like you said, there’s no way that lady would let us on her train.”
“Alllllright. Well….Do you guys wanna play some more?”
>The twins shared a look before returning to you.
>”Sorry Greenie, but we have to get home.”
>”Yeah, our pop wanted us home before sunset for dinner.”
>Meanwhile Tracer who was sitting idly and silent behind the two looked completely lost.
>”What are you guys talking about you don’t h-HUMFH.”
>They both snatched her beak shut as they gave her an odd look, to which she looked even more confused before looking shocked again and speaking again.
>”Um, yeah, I think I have to go too. I just remembered I had to go home and do uh…bird…stuff.”
“O…kay.”
>As the twins hiked off, so did Tracer as sped off the keep up with them.
>Do they just not like you anymore because you told them off?
>Maybe this ‘being assertive’ thing was not working out that well.
>Well, not much else today. Those griffons were supposed to help you get through the day without boredom.
>Might as well as head back and –dunno– play with Green Hornet?
>You need more friends.
>Although, it doesn’t make much sense to find someone else.
>In such a short amount of time till sunset, there wouldn’t be enough time for everything.
>Introductions would be too killer and awkward enough to go through a second time.
>Not to mention the back-stories, the laughter, the sob stories, the awkward pause after said sob story, then followed by an off-topic story from the odd guy in the group.
>It’d be too much to bear!
>Even if you did get through that, there’d be no time to get through all the trials and tribulations all friends go through.
>the last near -death situations after doing something crazy with your them.
>The fights after going ‘too far.’
>and finally the emotional rebound.
>Then the cut to black and credits.
>Ah! The fact you managed to get it all done in such a short amount of time was a miracle in it of itself that could never be pulled off again.
>Boop!
>Oh, you’re here.
>Stepping back, you were back in front of the passenger car you and Sickle slept on.
>Sighing heavily, you step back on as you prepare for boredom.
>There must be something you can do in your spare time.
>There was a nagging idea in the back of your head that seemed to scream at you on what to do in such a scenario.
>Weird, it felt like an idea you have done thousands of times before, but couldn’t remember doing.
>All that came to mind was happiness for a while, getting excited, then feeling ashamed at what you’d done.
>Huh, wonder what it was. Maybe then you’d have something to do.
>”Tea?”
“Huh?”
>Dropping out of the intra-day fantasies you’ve subjected yourself to, Spear stood in front of your gaze with a grin and a tin cup.
>These dozing off sessions were meant to be as a means to pass the time on the trips but left you oblivious to the world around you.
>”Tea, don’t you want some?”
>Spear, who seemed cleaner than usual seemingly managed to escape the fourteen-hour long labor in the engine room to offer a small treat.
>With a claw out he held a cup of steaming tea. In it had a few swirling leaves of various shades of green, and with it had an oddly refreshing smell.
>”I put a little of mint for taste. It’s good da’?”
>Before you could answer he pushed the dainty cup onto you as he forced you to take it.
>”Try it?”
“Um sure.”
>Pulling yourself out of the covers and into an upright position you take the warm and inviting cup of tea. It seemed like one of the few things to provide you warmth in this cold climate.
>With yourself taken care of, Spear, jubilant and as innocent as you met him slammed himself down beside you. While the old thing creaked loudly in protest.
>God this trip was boring.
>If you could barely make it one day, the rest of the trip was going to kill you.
>Looking at Spear though, he seemed careless and enjoyed every moment it as he hastily slurped down his cup of tea.
>Wonder how he got paired up with Sickle? Although Spear doesn’t care much about the circumstances, Sickle seemed like she couldn’t be bothered with much more of it.
>That and she wasn’t much of pony, griffon either.
>Looking back down, you take back a swig of tea as it’s warm comfort providing a cooling calm afterward.
>”It’s good, right?”
>You nod.
“Um-hm.”
>He gives a relieved sigh.
>”Thank the gods, I vasn’t sure I made it right. I make my own all the time; we never have itty bitty guests though.”
 “Don’t you have friends you make tea for?”
>He gave another deep chug of the tin cup before putting on the floor.
>”I have a few friend, yes. But no time to be with them. No time for tea as you see.”
>You wondered how the CMC was doing. Probably out doing crazy things, like always.
>Though they weren’t friends much. You don’t hang out with them often.
>Good acquaintances maybe?
>…
>Back at Spear, he looked intently at the cup while rubbed it with his thumbs
“What do you do with them then?”
>The question immediately generated a frown.
>”Ehh, not much, we hang out, play games, and talk about things too.”
>Seeing as a frown isn’t the usual response for reliving the past with friends, you decided to pry even further.
“Talk about things? Like what?”
>”Just–things–“
>Another pregnant pause gave heed of the air around.
>”What about you? What things do you do with your friends?”
>Friends? What friends? Other than the majority of moderate acquaintances and odd enemies you had, there was no time to have them.
>Though you suppose you could consider your mom’s friends like Fluttershy and Rarity your friend too, at least to allow you something to talk about with Spear and have him open up more.
“Well…”
>Gulp.
”Not much, I mostly just hang out by myself…”
>You might as well come out with it. Keeping it to yourself does you no good.
”…I really don’t to go outside much, so I just stay home.”
>Spear’s typically silly smile-filled face looked at you with genuine concern.
>”What do you mean? Ponies like to hang out, it’s, uh, how you say? Your niche.”
>There were exceptions to that rule, you suppose fell under that.
“I guess not for me.”
>”What was that?”
“Nothing.”
>Clearing your throat, you try to ask you questions again.
>”So what was it again you talk with your friends.”
>He looked at you with mouth agape before he turned away and chuckled.
>Looking back he gave you a green flash of a smile.
>”Okay, you caught me. I really don’t have many friends. Other than hanging out with Sickle and working, I really don’t do much.”
>Well that made things less awkward, now that the loneliness stalk had two peas in the pod.
>”Although if you want, we can be friends.”
>He seemed sincere as he lent his claw in friendship.
“I-I, Y-you. I don’t-“
>Although the sudden push for friendship caught you slightly off guard.
>It wasn’t exactly every day for you that someone suddenly up and decided “Hey! Let’s be friends.”
>Although your faltering seemed to cause some second-guessing as Spear’s sincerity and smile faded quickly.
>As quick as he saw, his claw disappeared, he quickly looked back down onto the floor with insecurities building on his emotions.
>”Sorry, I guess it’s a bit sudden to ask that. Especially for a strange and big ‘Ol kit like me.”
>Ah shit, you made him feel like shit.
>Even you planned on it, you’d feel like crap later if you didn’t say yes.
“No…No,no,no it’s not that. It’s just you asked that really suddenly I wasn’t…”
>You took a deep breath before looking him in the eyes.
>They were already glossing over.
>Please don’t make the big griffon cry.
>Else the bigger griffon will get pissed.
>Walking in the tundra wasn’t on your itinerary.
”…going to say that. You just, just…”
>Trippig over your word you began to get increasingly frustrated as you squinted your eyes.
>Breath, take deep breaths and center yourself.
>Looking back again, you give back the same smile he had.
“I’d love to be your friend.”
>He seemed to look over in confusion before it turned to sickeningly-sweet glee.
>”Oh happy days…”
>He leaped on you as he crushed you in a hug, forcing all the air out of your lungs.
>Do these griffons not have a sense of their own strength?
>”…I knew I make one! You bitty ponies are easy to make friends with."
>Running a claw through your hair, he gives you a noogie. Sending your messy mane everywhere.
“Heh, heh. Yeah.”
>”Hey you know what we can do first, as friends?”
>You expectantly wait for his answer.
>”Actually, Come, wiz, me. I’ll show you.”
>Hopping off, he beckons you to come with towards the rear of the train, where lay some of the spare coal cars.
>With a smile he opens the door towards the coal cars, allowing you to go first.
>With wavering uncertainty that’d have hairs on the back of your neck standing you go through. Anxious as to what the big reveal is.
>Stepping through, the familiar rush of cold, stinging wind greets you again, sending your hair and ears flopping in opposing wind.
>Hopefully on better terms this time.
>Hearning the slam of the door behind you, Spear walks past you while beckoning you to come with towards the dusty, black piles of fuel.
>What is he up to?
>Shviering at the sudden cold and anxious to head back inside, you ask
“S-so, what are we going to do?”
>Ignoring you, he picks up a lump of coal, analyzing it carefully and hucking it up in the air several times like a baseball.
“S-spear?”
>He looks toward you with that same sticky smile, as he holds up the coal piece.
>”Tell me, v’hat do you see bitty filly?”
>What…what kind of question is that? You’re not slow. It’s a piece of coal obviously.
>Unless it was rhetorical, but in case it wasn’t…
“A piece of coal?”
>Sudently he jumps in your face.
>”WRONG!”
>INstictively, you jump back in fear.
>Thank god you weren’t up against a rail this time.
>”It’s makeup!”
“Makeup?”
>Like cheap eyeshadow he runs it under his eye leaves a black streak on his silver coat.
>”See? Makeup”
>O...kay?
>Seeing your confused look, he hastily puts a piece in your hoof.
>”Try it!”
>heastatnly, you run it under the same spot under your eye, smiling nervously to see his response.
>Smiling, it seemed the following suit peased him.
“Now what?”
>He grabs you suddenly by the waist, taking you off guard as panic sets in.
>”Now this.”
>And although flight would be a concept entertaining and breathtaking to you if were a pegasus.
>Being tossed on a moving, open, train car was breathtakingly terrifying.
>Luckily he seemed to lack oomph your toss sending you into the pile of hard, rocky coal.
>Did you mention hard?
>Poking your head out from underneath the pile revealed a new black coat atop your typical
>”geaNIMO!”
>Above your view showed the belly of Spear as he more a less belly-flopped on top of you.
>Crushing you between him and a hard place once again.
>Managing to push away the big oaf, you come back out gasping.
>”Sorry, heh. Guess I didn’t see you.”
>With a bit of confusion and a bit of lasting terror you gave him this odd look of ‘why.’
>”v’ee need to cover our selves. I think it’s time we had a bit of fun.”
“I-I don’t…what.”
>”I think some of us are too serious, right. Let’s change that.”
>…
>Tip toeing back to the front of the engine car, You and spear held your breaths as tensions held high.
>Everything about this plan would need to be absolutely right, else Spear, and possibly you, would be evicted from the high-moving train.
>Being a frozen comatose filly was not a fun filly.
>But you digress.
>The reward for pulling this off was too great to pass up.
>No matter the risks involved.
>Slowly and carefully, Spear pried open the steel door to the engine compartment as quietly as possible.
>To which, with a metal, rusted and fatigued door, was neigh impossible.
>Turning back to you, Spear gave you series of claw gestures, followed a nod of understanding.
>You really didn’t get what he was trying to point out, but the plan was simple enough.
>”AUUUHGHHHHH.”
>Leaping into the air, both of you tackle the dozing conductor.
>However, now she only looked to be in shock, as she watched in fear as the two mysterious creatures above her leaped on.
>”Ahhhhhh!”
>Yanking the fire iron out of the red-hot bellows of the train, Spear brought the glowing tool up to Sickle’s throat.
>”P-please, take whatever you want. O-okay, no one has to get hurt.”
>She hyperventilated as she bargained away for her life.
>”W-what is it you want, money? Gems? Food! Do you want food?”
>She gulped as You and Spear let the scenario play out.
>”A-are you f-from the five-nine? Look I promise I’ll pay you back, I just need time, Okay. I made a payment yesterday, you’re boss should k-know that.”
>Slowly, you watched as Spear slowly leaned on Sickle’s overturned body.
>”OH Gods, please No. Anything but that.”
>Her breath became rapid and uneven as the severity of the situation grew.
>Okay, this was kinda becoming not fun anymore.
>With his blackened beak next to her head, she shivered in anticipation as she grew more fearful as to what was to happen next.
>”Gotcha.”
>Most of the fear and terror in Sickle’s eyes blinked away for confusion as she looked up at the ceiling.
>”Huh? S-spear? SPEAR!”
>With world-renowned rage she quickly turned the tables by flipping Spear onto his back while he laughed his joke away.
>”AUUGGGGH, SPEAR, YOU DRAGON’S ASS! I TOLD YOU TO KNOCK THAT OFF! THAT’D I SEND YOU OFF TO SOMBRA’S TUNDRA IF YOU DID”
>”Uh uh uh, you told ME, not to. You never said to friends and me. See companies are different altogether. A lawyer back in baltimare told me so.”
>Ah damn. The colors matched what he was.
>A fuckin rat.
>With laser guided precision, she locked onto you.
>”YOU? You dragged the filly into this!?”
>”What? She seemed into it.”
>That was until how terrified she looked.
>While you got more and more rope into the argument, you smiled as awkwardly and innocently as possible.
“Heh heh heh. G-gotcha?”
>”Gotcha? GOTCHA! You asshats terrified the heavens and seven layers of hell out of me! I –huff– I honestly thought you were someone else.
>defensively, Spear held his claws up as he tried to defuse the tense air.
>”Isn’t that the point? But look it was a joke, Sickle. It’s not our fault your sour about it.”
>Running a claw into his beak she sought to push her point.
>” It isn’t bad enough that I have now TWO pranksters on board, now I have three more mouths to feed. You know we can’t afford that much food Spear!”
>Still on his back, Spear tilted his head.
>”Three more? What do you mean?”
>She pointed towards the open door of the car to reveal three blackened figures.
>With that new facts, there was a long pause. Before all Spear, Sickled, and You exclaimed.
>”WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!”
>…
>The rushing wind from outside, blew away the specs of coal off their bodies to reveal their real identities.
>The phoenix-like colors of her body revealed Tracer, and the two silver and grey like runts to be Breadcrumb and Small Fry.
>Recovering from your shock, you became the first one to speak out.
“What are you guys doing here?”
>Breadcrumb, Looking at you as if some kind of idiot was first to speak up for the trio.
>”Well Duh! Ain’t it obvious? Someone’s out to get ya, and we need to tag along to find out who?”
>Oh Celestina, this conspiracy again?
>Unaware of your conversations with the bunch, Sickled spoke up.
>”Wait, someone’s out to get you?”
“W-what, no! No one’s out to get me. And how did you guys even get on boa-“
>”Well how do you know? All you just know has someone pushed you. For all, you know it could have been a changeling.”
>Shit, shit, shit, shut the fuck up breadcrumb. She doesn’t need to hear this.
>This is supposed to be a simple drop off type scenario, no third-parties needed.
>Both Spear and Sickled, fully endowed with attention to the theories spoke out in shock.
>”Changeling!?”
>Once again, you pathetically try to quell their worries.
“N-No, no changeling. I highly doubt that it’s that.”
>”BUT somebody DID push you.”
“YES, I mean NO. I-I mean…”
>This happened so fast.
>You should have never told that gossiping bunch. Kids have horrible mouths.
>But STILL. Who’da thought, that they’d sneak on board?
>”Well?”
>An Angry Sickled stood in front of you, waiting for an explanation.
>Not so much, in an ‘I pissed at you’ sort of way, but ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this, I’m your mother’ type of way
“I-I…I…”
>Tapping away her claw, she awaiting an answer.
>Each tap intensifying your anxiety ten-fold each time.
>>”How could you not tell me about this!?”
>”Sickle, goes easy on her.falling from a train is not the best thing to go through. She just wanted to be tough.”
>You sat head, bowed while the two bickered at each other like an old couple. Shameful at your actions.
>”Oh bullshit, not telling an adult you scraped your knee is toughing it. NOT telling someone tried to kill you is idiotic.”
>Meanwhile, the trio sat still at the doorway, unsure of what they caused.
>You just wanted to deal all this nonsense later. All this ‘who killed who’ was for you to figure out. It’s bad enough you burdened Sickle and spear with the whole childcare business.
>Anything more, would have been an overreach of generosity.
>”So what if she did. What if they threatened her and she felt scared?”
>A long pause grasped the room.
>”AUUUGHHH!”
>CRRRRSSSHH!
>A loud whistle of wind breached the cab as wind broke through the newly opened window.
>”Things would have been simpler if we’d known in the first place. I would have gone back and grabbed some-"
>"WHAT! Grab, what Sickle! Your Dining set? Your grandad’s old musket? WHAT! Tell me what exactly you would have gotten.”
>It was now Spear’s turn to get angry.
>Seeing the big lug for once getting angry, despite the short time you been with them, was a shock to you. Causing you to avert your gaze further from the hard scene.
>”I-…I would of-…I don’t know! Okay! The point is we’d of been ready for some pathetic mercenaries, or serial killer, OR whatever it was if she said something.”
>Heat was rising to your face as your heart racing. Now that the attention was being directed more towards you.
>Gulp.
>With renewed anger, she violently yanked you by the hoof with a claw.
>”You are going to tell us everything, YOU HEAR ME? EVERYTHING! I’m tired of playing little miss patient, good griffon with you…”
>You began to shiver in fear as you felt something rise out of you. Heartrate obviously being one of them.
>Taking another claw, she smashes her grip around your jaw and cheeks as bring your gaze to me here firey ones, lifting you to lift off your forehooves.
>”…look at me when I’m talking to you..”
>”SICKLE, LEAVE HER ALONE!”
>Shock and fear was plastered all over your face as it all played out. In your face, there was no averting her gaze as she let out a harsh whisper.
>”You got that? You’re going to tell me it all, whether you like it or not. Because guess what? I could have left your sorry ass back in that tundra and not of thought twice. Hm? Cause then I would have had to put up with these games.”
>faded memories flashed into your head. Helplessness suddenly gripped you harder than the fear did.
>’…I’m sick of your shit anon, sick of it…’
>’…I’M SORRY, PLEASE DON’T DO THIS…’
>The small snippets all seemed to hit you instantly, overwhelming your wind and all your senses.
>Your minuscule heart, skipped a beat as it pounded in your ears.
“GET THE FUCK OFF ME!”
>TWACK!
>THUD
>With back hooves playing Jell-O, the only support that came for your upper half was your forehooves.
>You panted hard, as you stared wide-eyed at the floorboard.
>Mind empty, eyes wide, and tensions high, shakily you lift your head to see Sickle sitting.
>Supporting her leaning upper-half with a claw, while the other tried to hold her composure by holding her facial graze.
>Like a mirror, she matched your shock in tandem with yours.
>For once, in what felt like forever, minus the wind. It was quiet.
>Slipping on the air around, you hastily come back onto all four hooves as you push past the trio, fleeing.
>Why couldn't it be simple.
>Just forego the explanation, go home, go back to therapy and presto.
>No, of course, it couldn’t be.
>It never is.
>There really wasn’t many places to run to on a moving train.
>Slamming the door to the sleeping car, you can only pray that she’d work tirelessly in the engine room.
>Lest you get another shout-down from the slapping the anger right out of her.
>Grabbing  Miss Hornet from her spot atop the bed, you take her under with you as you decided to hide.
>As much as you like to cry at the moment like this.
>You can’t, you were all cried out.
>it never got you anywhere anyways.
>Only in more trouble.
>Just lay there. Cold and emotionless at what happened.
>Deal with consequences later.
>It’s better this way.
>
”…What exactly just happened?”
>While you caressed the red mark on your cheek, Spear, looked just as shocked as you did.
>”I believe the term ponies use is ‘You’ve been bitch-slapped’”
>But why though?
>Sure, you went all out on her in a blind rage.
>You expected her, to break down crying at worst or blurt out her story at best.
>But she just…snapped. The quiet little filly you’ve had in your care the past couple days actually showed anger in hitting you.
>Though, suppose the retaliation wasn’t entirely unexpected or undeserved.
>Needless to say, this would hamper your efforts in getting her home, or do anything at all involving her.
>Your mouth gapped at the air around like a fish out of the water as you struggled to find the right question.
“But…why?”
>Spear meanwhile just shrugged off the question.
>”Dunno, you kinda pushed her over hard. Children can be impulsive, so it was only a matter of time before she took on her impulses.”
>One of the little nyphms that snuck on board finally spoke up now that your argument was an aftershock.
>”I don’t think she’s gonna let you help now though.”
>Ruffling feathers, you run a claw along your head.
“No…No I don’t think so either.”
>You jump at a mysterious hand gripping at your shoulder, causing you to flinch your head towards Spear.
>”You Okay?”
>With as must certainty as you can muster you respond.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine, I’m fine.”
>He had on such a grave look of concern with your illegitimate reply not making it better.
>”Yelling says against that.”
>You brush him off as well.
“Yeah, well that’s what happens when you take in fillies all willy-nilly. They become your responsibility. Plus I’m sure whoever’s looking for her has a good reward for finding her at least. You know? So we can get by a couple days longer.”
>He just stared at you hard, unsure of what to make of your motives.
>”Hm.”
>Getting back up you make a hasty getaway.
“I’m going—”
>”Don’t tell me you’re gonna try to talk to her now.”
”It’s either now or never. It’s best to heal the wounds while they're still fresh.”
>”Sickle…”
>He looked as if he wanted to push the envelope further.
>But he couldn’t. You wouldn’t stop.
>He knew you wouldn’t.
>Making way past the younglings into the frigid outdoor air, you tried to compile together of list of things you could say.
>’Hey, I’m sorry I did that.’
>To more casual things such as
>’Sorry I almost bit your head off back there.’
>To simply just doing nothing and sitting next to her at her bedside.
>Last thing you needed was an overbearing mother bitting your head off for yelling at her ‘precious angel’.
>Well, maybe overbearing is an overstatement.
>Fillies don’t precisely get tossed off trains with helicopter parents at their side.
>Grabbing on to the cold, rough, door latch, you had a thought.
>What should you expect from her mother?
>You don’t exactly don’t have a whole story here to go off of.
>Gods, what should you expect at all?
>Well…seeing as your gonna have gone from square two to square one in trust, winging it is likely going to be the plan of action.
>You barely got her talking only recently, so getting her to tell her tale is going to feat just worthy of a miracle.
>Tugging on the door to the car was met with resistance.
“Eh?”
>CLK, CLK
>She…locked it. DIdn’t she.
>Course she did, you more or less sent her to the poor griffon’s equivalent of a room.
>And course tantrum throwing fillies lock their doors.
>Why? You’ll never know.
>It was fair to assume that ponies would be open to help from others. Especially in times of need such as this one.
>But when emotions get into the fray, it’s ‘Oh no. No sharing for me. I’ll just make my problems worse by bottling it up inside.’
>Tch, well, no matter, if she locked this, may as well try the other.
>Opening your majestic wings you let the wind pull you up and over the car.
>Landing quickly onto the coal car, you give a tug at the rear car door.
>CLI-CK
>Groaning open you step in and give a quick glance over the small room.
>Beds, attire, small kitchen, and painfully tiny bathroom.
>But no filly.
>Shuting the door behind you, it couldn’t hurt to look over the room and try and coax her out of whatever hole she’s in.
>Which is better said than done, considering you just yelled at her not ten minutes ago.