FaR- Chapter Eight
They must have been walking for hours. At least, it felt like hours to Applejack. Beside her, walking across the Appleoosan desert was none other than Little Strongheart, one of the buffalo tribe that roamed said desert. Little Strongheart, although not so little anymore, knew almost everything there was to know about the desert.
Several times already the proud buffalo had split open a cactus for the duo to drink, and harvested a strange desert flower for them to eat. For an average pony survival in the desert was like scrounging at the bottom of the ocean; for the buffalo ponies it was more like a walk through Ponyvillle market.
The sun rested between the sky and the ever distant mountain peaks, casting an eerie orange glow across the land. On the opposite horizon Luna's moon had just made its first appearance, helping Applejack realize just how tired she was. Walking through the desert for hours on end was not Applejack's idea of a good afternoon, and shortly into the walk Applejack was beginning to wonder how the buffalo tribes could survive on a usual, scorching hot desert day.
Thank Celestial that today was not as hot as the other days I've encountered here in Appleoosa. Applejack thought to herself, focussing on putting one hoof in front of the other. In her tired, worn out state even walking had become a mental test for the orange earth-pony. And pray to Luna that the night is pleasant as well.
"Beg your pardon, Ms. Strongheart," Applejack had grown to calling her new friend by this, instead of the contradictory 'Little Strongheart'. "But how much farther do you reckon it is to where you believe Rainbow Dash is hidin', exactly?"
Strongheart did not answer right away, but instead nodded her towards a rock formation not too far away. "That is where I believe your friend resides. I've seen her rainbow trail several times departing, and entering that place; usually several times a day." The buffalo paused for a moment. "However, I have seen no such activities since last night. That is why I am worried."
"Ah see." Although the news sounded grim on the surface, Applejack took relief in any hope at all. Looking towards the rock formation Applejack estimated it to be only another hour away, at the most.
Suddenly a flash of light shot through the sky above them. A rainbow, to be exact. The way it shun through the twilight sky was a beauty that Applejack could never have imagined. Something was wrong, though... The rainbow wasn't straight, it was crooked and chaotic. The moment of awe was replaced with horror.
The rainbow lurched through the sky like a lightning bolt, crashing into the rock formation with a loud explosion. Before the explosion had a chance to bombard Applejack's ears she was already running across the desert. She ran as fast as she could, ignoring the muscle spasm and aches that shot through her body. Behind Applejack Ms. Strongheart kept an even pace, never falling more than two hooves behind.
It was amazing how quickly a situation could change.
Ah've found you, Rainbow! Tears pooled in Applejacks eyes, but she refused to slow down to wipe them. Ah've finally found you, and Ah'll be dammed if Ah ever lose sight of you again!
-Author's Note-
Hay! I'm sorry it's so short, but this was originally planned to be part of the previous chapter! I promise to have the next chapter up sometime tomorrow! ...Maybe tonight If I can't sleep.
-End Note-