A/N: Oh My GOD! How long has it been since I updated last? SHOOT, I can't remember! SO SORRY! Writer's Block you see, terrible stuff that is. Anyway I'll try to update faster! Don't give up on the story yet! Thanks to my reviewer taz2723, who also won the Cookie or Cupcake; and 3Sarena3, who pushed me to focus on the story more than ever!
Night was approaching quickly, although it was hard to tell because of the downpour. The only reason Applejack could tell that the dark was approaching was due to the fact she could fell it in her hooves. She shivered in the rain as she trailed behind Twilight and her brother, and started wondering what would happen if Rarity would've come along. Applejack could picture her squealing, "Mud! Mud! MUD! I HAVE GOTTEN MUD ON MY HOOVES! My mane is all wet and messy and I have got MUD ON MY HOOVES! Of all the worst possible things! This. Is. The. WORST!"
Applejack chuckled to herself, causing Big Macintosh's head to turn around and look at her skeptically. She waved him off to show that he shouldn't be worried in her even if she threw up on Twilight an hour ago. But that was because I was dizzy, she reminded herself.
The trio trudged on for what seemed like ages before Twilight found an abandoned cave. The cave had moss covering the entrance and wispy, unnatural green grass that flew down from the top of it completely covering the entrance from sight. Applejack didn't even know what Twilight was pointing her hoof at before Big Macintosh told er that he thought Twilight had found a cave.
"Right, that makes sense, should keep us hidden from those vermin's Claire and Ashton if they ever do come looking for us," the Earth Pony replied after her brother spoke.
Once all of them were in, Twilight magically made a fire glow to life immediately warming them to the bone, and Applejack noticed the floor was an uncomfortable granite rock that was ice cold. "Uh, Twilight?"
Twilight lifted her head that was bent down to examine the fire to see if it was working properly, and her eyes replied, "Yes?"
"Are we staying here for the night, or are we going to rest here for a while? 'Cause I think it would, uh, be best if we just stayed here for the night."
Twilight looked at Applejack, and then at Big Macintosh, and then back to Applejack in bewilderment thinking, what was the point of setting up a fire in a cave if we wouldn't stay the night? So she nodded her head.
A few minutes later, Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Twilight were all were lying next to the campfire trying to sleep. Applejack fell asleep first leaving only Big Macintosh and Twilight still wide awake.
Finding nothing to say, the Red Stallion stated, "Well, I can take the first shift of night-watch."
When Twilight looked at him curiously, he replied, "Just in case Ashton or Claire comes 'round. I'll wake you when it's your turn, okay?"
Twilight nodded before closing her eyes and drifting off to a heavy sleep...
A sleep that was bombarded by nightmares of Zecora's death, and a lot of other horrors; at one time she dreamt that she was drowning in a rushing, white-water river. Try as she might to wake up, she couldn't, and the water that dragged her under was so cool against her coat and mane, it felt real. Then she realized that she was being held under by Claire, who laughed menacingly as her hoof pushed her deeper into the rapids. Twilight thrashed about trying to wiggle free; this just made Claire laugh harder and push her farther and harder underwater.
Twilight's lungs felt like they were going to explode and she screamed for help, even though she knew it was no use. She closed her eyes and screamed harder and hopefully louder until the air rushed all out of her lungs. Then, suddenly, there was a shaking so hard it felt like an earthquake. Then, just as suddenly, there was a loud, demanding voice that shouted, "Twilight! Twilight wake up!" It sounded oddly like Big Macintosh.
Oh how the she struggled to wake up, she didn't want to disappoint him, but the darkness of the dream slowly started to consume her mind. Screaming once again, she pushed forward trying to be free. "No, no!" Twilight shouted. "No, NO!"
"Twilight, wake up! It's just a nightmare, wake up!" the voice demanded again, softer this time.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!"
"Try harder! Try harder, you need to wake up!"
"I can't! I…can't!" Twilight started crying out of frustration. All she could see was pitching black; all she could feel was the icy water still sliding roughly over her body. She wanted to wake up so bad, so very bad, but she couldn't.
"Concentrate, concentrate," she whispered to herself trying to focus. However, the more she focused the harder it was for her to do it. Twilight moaned in despair…
Slap!
Twilight woke up with a jolt, not realizing where she was. For a second, she thought she was still underwater; then Big Macintosh's face slowly came into view. His face, she discovered, was concerned, etched in worry.
"You had a nightmare," he said as nonchalantly as possible. "You were screaming and thrashin' about, and everything. Then you started crying really hard, and shivering so I tried to wake you up. Only, you shouted, 'I'm trying, I'm trying!' then I said, 'Try harder, try harder, you need to wake up!'
"Then you mumbled something like, 'I can't! I can't!' So I kind of slapped you so you could wake up," Macintosh explained. Upon seeing Twilight's eyes widen, he added, "Not hard or anythin' but enough so you could wake up. I'm sorry if I hurt you, I shouldn't have done what I did. Sorry…"
Twilight's muzzled his next sentence with a quick kiss that Big Macintosh had not expected. A few seconds later, she pulled away and whispered, "I forgive you."
"Twi-Twilight, you can talk, now. You can talk!" Big Macintosh exclaimed.
Both their eyes widened at the revelation. "I can… talk…" Twilight whispered to herself.