Trials of a Doktor: Stepping Back
The second in the series of fictions following Jack Doktor.
Prologue
In a charred area of the world, six ponies stood. They stood in the exact same spots as they did nearly a year ago, during a horrible time. A time when their lives were changed forever, and terrifying images and phrases were burnt into their minds. The six glanced at each other, and they gave a small smile to themselves, then looked at the ground. While the rocky ground beneath them was burnt and blackened, they all remembered the times they had on these grounds. The purple unicorn in the group looked up at the rest, and sighed sadly.
"I never thought we would ever come here again," she said, remembering the past, then shook her head, "but anyways, AJ, what have you been up to?"
The mentioned mare chuckled at the unicorn's attempts to change the subject, "well, if'in you be wonderin' Twi, the past year's been mighty rough. When... all of this happened, we lost ol Granny Smith during the chaos... but, we've begun working at the apple orchard at Apploosa. Other than the usual worry, it's been fine from there. How about you Rainbow?" Applejack said, as she turned to her cyan friend.
"I went back to Cloudsdale, but they never needed me there, so I bounced around to Manehattan and Fillydelphia and such. Nothing big." Rainbow quickly answered, using a false bravado to lure them off. "Enough about me though, how about you Rarity?"
Rarity smiled, "Well, if you must know, I have moved to Canterlot along with my business, I have many wonderful customers!" Rarity noticed a lack of... enthusiasm in the group, especially in a certain pink pony, "Pinkie Pie, darling, how have you been?"
The usually talkative pony was quiet, and looked at the ground when the group looked at her. "I... it's been... I..." The party pony stuttered quietly when she did speak, and was given a hug by Fluttershy, the normally shy pegasus.
"Pinkie, it's okay if you don't want to talk, we'll understand," The yellow pegasus said kindly, while hugging the depressed pony. Suddenly, Pinkie burst into tears, and began to sob on Fluttershy, occasionally choking out small phrases of how hard it's been. Eventually, the pink pony stopped, and regained herself, and Fluttershy gave her a small smile.
"Well, if Pinkie isn't up to speaking, I've been in Canterlot as well, tending to the Castle Gardens' creatures. It's very nice, and I have a little room in the castle as well," Fluttershy told them, grinning wide.
Twilight smiled, "Well, I have been-" she began, but was interrupted by Rainbow.
"Come on Twilight, we know what you've been doing, you returned to studying with the princess and you live in Canterlot again!" Rainbow said, then added, "I'm right aren't I?"
Twilight thought for something to say, but the pegasus was right, and she nodded. Rainbow then stuck her tongue out playfully, and the group laughed, even Pinkie. Before long, the group was smiling and talking about how they've spent the last year, nearly separated from each other. When the hours passed, the group got up, and said their goodbyes to the charred area they were in, and began to take the scenic route to Canterlot. As they left the area, they passed under a sign, pointing to the destroyed area, and it said one thing.
Welcome to Ponyville!