Twilight shoved the necklace into her bag and lead the group out of the cave. "Where to now?" Wind asked. "I guess there." Twilight said as she pointed off into the distance towards yet another looming cloud. "Judging from the position of that cloud to our current location. It looks like its looming over Appleoosa." Dash said. "How do you know that?" AJ asked. "I'm a weather pony. It's my job to know that stuff." Dash replied. "Right. Forgot about that." AJ said. "To the balloon!" Pinkie yelled as she ran up the hill and got in the basket. Just then lightning struck the balloon and it exploded in a flash of light and cloth. Pinkie was thrown out of the basket and slid down the hill. She came to a stop just in front of Twilight. "Well shit." Pinkie cursed. "Looks like we're taking the train." Twilight said as she lead the group to the train station. She approached the ticket window. "Excuse me, when does the next train to Apploosa leave?" Twilight asked the teller. "It doesn't." He said. "What do you mean, it doesn't?" Twilight asked. "All train routes in and out of Appleoosa have been shut down." The teller replied. Twilight huffed and took a seat on a bench next to her friends outside. "Well now what?" Rarity asked. "How we supposed to get to Appleoosa? Walk?" AJ asked. "Did y'all say ya was heading ta Appleoosa?" Someone said from behind them. They turned to see a guy standing beside a pickup truck. He had striped orange hair with a brown Stetson planted on his head. He was wearing jeans, cowboy boots, a orange button down shirt, and a brown vest with a red apple on the lapel. "Braeburn?" AJ asked. "Applejack? Well Ah'll be. What are tha chances ah'd find y'all here." Braeburn said. "No time fer that cuz. We gotta get to Appleoosa fast." AJ said. "Well, ah'd be more than happy ta take ya. Hop in mah truck and we'll head out." Braeburn said. "Thanks cuz." AJ said as she hopped in the passenger seat. The others climbed into the back. Once everyone was seated, Braeburn started the engine and headed towards Appleoosa. While the truck rumbled along, AJ and Braeburn chit chatted in the cab. "So, crazy weather right?" Braeburn said. "It ain't just normal weather cuz. It's from a whole heapa dark magic around Equestria." AJ replied. "Dark magic?" Braeburn asked. "Ayup. That's why we gotta get to Appleoosa. And fast." AJ said. "Well, ah'm drivin' tha speed limit cuz." Braeburn said. "Braeburn, in case ya ain't noticed, there ain't too many cops around right now." AJ replied. "Ah ain't gonna speed cuz. I don't care what's at stake." Braeburn said. "Braeburn, Equestria is about to be destroyed and you're worried about a speedin' ticket?" AJ asked. "Applejack. Ah ain't goin' ova tha speed limit." Braeburn replied. AJ and Braeburn continued to bicker back and forth for what seemed like forever. "Guys!" Twilight yelled through the sliding window in the back of the cab. "What?!" They both said at once. "We're here." Twilight pointed ahead of them.
The two cousins looked forward. Sure enough, they had reached Appleoosa. Everyone got out of the truck. "Where ya reckon we oughta start lookin'?" AJ asked. "Let's ask Braeburn if he's seen anything out of the ordinary around." Twilight suggested. She turned to Braeburn, who was leaning against the side of his truck. "Braeburn. Has there been anything unusual around Appleoosa lately?" Twilight asked. He stroked his chin. "Not that ah can think of. Ah've kinda been away from here fer a while. Maybe ask tha mayor?" Braeburn replied. "Good idea. Thanks cuz. Let's get goin' y'all." AJ said as she made her way to the town hall. They entered and went straight into the mayor's office, with the secretary nowhere in sight. At the mayor's desk sat a familiar guy with white and red striped hair. He wore a pair of khaki pants and a blue and white vertical striped vest that was adorned with a pin that showed an apple slice. Applejack immediately recognized him. "What the hell are you doin' here and what have ya done with mah sister?" She asked, her anger already rising. "Why hello there Applejack. How are you and your friends?" He replied. "Ah ain't got time for yer games, Flim. Where the hell is mah sister?" AJ asked again. "Don't worry about her, Applejack. She's with Flam. He's taking good care of her." Flim said with a smirk. AJ noticed a small glint of gold peaking out from beneath the neck of his white undershirt. She grabbed him around the neck and pulled his shirt color down, revealing a gold necklace with a blue gem in the shape of half an apple. AJ snatched it of his neck and threw it to Twilight. "Where is your brother?" AJ demanded. Flim just laughed. "You're too late. Starswirl's plan is nearing completion and then no one will be able to stop him." He said with a smirk. "Wind do your thing. And make it hurt." AJ said as she stepped away. Wind stepped forward and placed her hands on his head and channeled her magic into them. Her eyes glowed as a vision flashed into her mind. She saw Flim standing in the mayor's office with another guy that looked almost exactly like him, except the other guy had a red mustache. The one with the mustache had Applebloom tied up and slung over his shoulder. "So, brother. What should we do with this one?" The mustached unicorn asked. "Well, she is that damned Applejacks sister. Perhaps we should hand her over to Starswirl. I'm sure he'll have a use for her." Flim said. "Excellent idea brother. I'll head out and take her to him straight away." The mustached unicorn replied. "I shouldn't be gone more than an hour brother." He said. "I'll hold down the fort here." Flim replied. Wind saw a clock on the wall and it indicated this took place about an hour ago. Wind released him and fell down, just as the door swung open. "I'm back brother, did I miss any..." He stopped once he saw AJ. "Oh, um, hello miss Applejack. Wasn't expecting to see you here." He said as he laughed nervously. It was the same mustached unicorn from Flim's memory. Wind stood up and grabbed the collar of his undershirt. She slammed him against the wall. "Where's Applebloom?!" She yelled. "Who?" He asked, obviously lying. She snatched the necklace from him and threw it to Twilight. She performed her mind reading spell again. She could see Flam teleporting to a large city, Manehattan. She saw him meeting with a hooded woman and trading Applebloom for a large sack of bits. Wind fell again and Dash caught her. "Easy honey." She said to her daughter. "We... have to get... to... Manehattan..." Wind said breathlessly. "Let's get going then." Twilight said as she moved toward the door. "Not just yet." AJ said as she moved closer to Flim and Flam. They stood beside each other, looking nervous. AJ roundhouse kicked and knocked them both out cold. They crumpled and hit the floor in an unconscious heap. "Now we can go." AJ said as she followed Twilight and the others out the door.