-I'm so sorry, Apple Bloom.
-...
-I want you to know that I will be eternally grateful to your sister for helping me all this time. She was and will be an important pillar of this community for the-
-Starlight.
-... Yes?
-She suffered? Did... Did she become one of them?
-No. You know she would never allow herself to become one of them... She left on her own terms.
-You're not lying to me? My sister didn't really suffer?
-I could never do that, Apple Bloom. In fact, she left me the hat... She wanted you to carry on what she started. To look away from the past and concentrate on keeping what you have safe.
-… Thank you, Starlight.
-That was an intense experience- Starlight exclaimed, trying to clear the tense atmosphere between them. That brought the earthling out of her reverie, who growled in response, alerting the unicorn- Hey, are you still thinking about that?
The cowgirl sighed reluctantly, being caught.
-I'm so obvious, aren't I?- The redhead questioned with exasperation, to which the blue-eyed one showed a sympathetic expression.
-Oh, my dear, anyone in your position would have reacted the same way. I don't envy you right now- She exclaimed confidently, making her companion in those darkened corridors, slightly illuminated by oil lamps, raise an eyebrow.
-Strange, I would think that an old hag like you would long to have my innate physical vigor and my great mental palace- Replied the earthling with a challenging intonation, to which Starlight laughed quietly.
-Not at all. I'm so confident in my skills that I think I can get to the market before you- Remarked Starlight, prideful, confident in her abilities. The cowgirl rolled her eyes, smiling skeptically.
-What's your bet, then?
-Hmm. A can of tomato sauce- The redhead clicked her tongue.
-Heh, I'll be eating bread with tomato sauce in no time- Said the orange-eyed terrestrial, to which the purple-haired girl snorted doubtfully.
-We'll see about that- The unicorn began to warm up her muscles, being imitated by her companion. They both stared at each other, one with superiority and the other with determination.
-I'll eat that sauce on a bun tonight in front of your eyes. I'll enjoy it like you can't imagine- Whispered Apple Bloom, to which Starlight smiled energetically. The unicorn suddenly shot down the hallway, leaving the cowgirl stunned- Cheater!- exclaimed the terrestrial, angrily, beginning her pursuit of her companion.
-The fish that sleeps is carried away by the stream!- She answered smugly, having taken a good lead.
-...
-...
-I would say that we can logically conclude that it was a draw- Alleged Starlight, breathing heavily and resting her hands on her knees. The cowgirl, in better physical condition, raised her left eyebrow.
-Having cheated and taken a good advantage over me?
-Of course.
The redhead gave her a moderately gentle punch on the arm, causing Starlight to let out a small whimper.
-Hey! What was that for?
-Hmm? Did that little punch hurt ya?
-... I'm just questioning that detrimental action against my physical integrity.
-Surely... Anyway, I want my tomato sauce- Apple Bloom demanded with a victorious, grander smile. Starlight snorted with indignation.
-Not even a please? What a lack of manners.
-Bite me. I just want what we bet-
The cowgirl's last word died in her mouth as she visualized someone behind the unicorn. The aforementioned noticed this and turned around, facing Scootaloo, who was approaching the two of them with heavy footsteps. Her hands were hidden behind her back. Starlight swallowed dryly.
-Dear Celestia...
When the pegasus slowed her gait, the space between them fell abruptly silent, the bustle of the marketplace a mere background sound to the tension between the three of them.
-I... Hello…
It was a terrible first attempt to break the ice by the Pegasus, but served the terrestrial to know that her friend didn't want a confrontation.
-Hey, Scoots… How are you doing?- Apple Bloom asked in a serious but not firm tone. The Pegasus nodded slightly.
-I'm feeling like shit, but thanks for asking- She exclaimed plainly. The redhead frowned slightly.
-Did you talk to the relatives yet?
-… Yeah, I did- She exhaled all the air contained in her lungs, exasperated, in uneasiness- It was hard to tell two elderly that they couldn't even bury their daughter- The unicorn noted a mark in the left cheek of the Pegasus. A mark she knew far too well. It came differently sized, but the red mark always was the same.
-It's rough, Scootaloo. I know that- Starlight mentioned with a neutral intonation, to which the pegasus frowned.
-What a surprise coming from you.
-Scootaloo- Apple Bloom warned firmly, to which the purple-haired one hissed with her tongue.
-Yeah, yeah, I know. Spike explained what went down in Crystal City - She turned her gaze to the unicorn, who now had a reluctant expression- He also asked me that I should stop blaming you for all the evils that make me uneasy, so... so let's make peace and move on, what do you think?- Scootaloo extended her right hand, forcing a fake smile. Starlight diverted her blue orbs for a few moments to Apple Bloom, who only lifted her shoulders, leaving the decision to her. The unicorn returned her gaze to Scootaloo. Behind that facade of countenance, the pegasus' purple eyes glowed with intensity, sharpness, definitively a chilling look that made Starlight smile wryly.
-Liar- Muttered the unicorn. Her voice didn't reach far enough to Apple Bloom, but Scootaloo could read her lips, frowning, her posture shaking a little, being discovered. Before she could retract, Starlight held her hand firmly.
-I agree- Said, concluding the handshake. Scootaloo hissed her tongue discretely with disdain, neither of them backing down in the stare contest.
-...
-...
-...
-... I stopped by Twist's room to talk to her, but she didn't answer me. She sure doesn't want to talk to me- Scootaloo huffed with frustration- Hell, even I wouldn't want to talk to me... So that's why I'm asking you two to go and talk to her. She must be devastated.
Starlight and Apple Bloom shared a meaningful look. At once, the redhead smiled encouragingly.
-Sure, we'll do that. Thanks for asking us, Scoots- exclaimed the terrestrial with an energetic smile, getting both the unicorn and the pegasus to compose a similar gesture.
-Thank you, Apple... Thank you too, Starlight- Expressed the pegasus, removing her other hand from her back, glimpsing the other two women that it was a bottle of lemon liqueur- This was one of Spiral's favorites, I think Twist's too- She extended it to the cowgirl- Use it.
-Of course.
With that said, the pegasus turned and waved goodbye, disappearing from the other two's sight after a few seconds. Apple Bloom and Starlight looked at each other doubtfully.
-How odd.
-For real. She was like a bull on fire a few days ago- The redhead took a closer look at the bottle- I guess she's run out of wood for the fire.
-Now she's in the gray rain- The cowgirl raised an eyebrow with a skeptic smile.
-Gray rain? What's that supposed to mean?
She fell silent when she noticed the shadowed countenance of the unicorn, who kept her gaze on where the pegasus had disappeared.
-It's hard to have come out alive from a situation where others perished... But it's far more difficult to deal with the loved ones of those dead- Starlight reflected in a neutral tone, recalling her own experiences. Apple Bloom said nothing, giving the blue-eyed girl a small digression. Suddenly, however, the unicorn began to move in the direction of the corridors, alerting the cowgirl.
-Hold your horses!
Soon they were both walking side by side. Without much to say to each other, really, for a particular common goal was clear to both of them. Apple Bloom glanced sideways at Starlight. She was walking steadily, a serious expression on her face. The same as those days after the expedition... Memories of those days assaulted her, as well as recent ones. She frowned but said nothing.
In a short time, they arrived at their destination. The orange-eyed girl was the one who took the initiative and knocked on the door of that room.
-Twist? -Absolute silence, no answer from the other side- Twist, its Apple Bloom. I'm with Starlight...
-We have a bottle of lemon-flavored liqueur. It was Spiral's favorite, so we imagine it's yours too- Revealed the unicorn confidently. However, just like the previous failed attempt, only the reign of silence responded. The two looked at each other with concern.
-Twist, we're sorry about what happened to your brother... But we're here for you- Said Apple Bloom with an affable tone, hoping that the girl with glasses would answer her call. The purple-haired girl looked at both sides of the corridor, noticing that no one was there. She frowned, returning her gaze to the front of her.
-Twist, open the door, please- She asked in a firmer tone, knocking on the door repeatedly.
-Will it be open?- The Earthling placed her hand on the knob and moved it, opening the wooden door. Apple Bloom and Starlight again shared a worried glance- Twist, may we come in?- The redhead swallowed dryly, going in first to investigate the place. She was closely followed by the purple-haired unicorn, who felt a pang in her stomach as she tried to mentally prepare for whatever awaited for them in those rooms- Twist?
The two went into the main room. Apple Bloom took an oil lamp to iluminate the place, soon discovering it was empty, with no sign of struggle or disorder. This was a good sign for both of them, who inevitably had imagined a worst-case scenario.
-Where could she be?- The unicorn asked herself, though the earthling picked up on the question. A quick glance at the main piece of furniture in that place made her notice an anomaly. She approached the shelf, visualizing some photos of Twist, of her brother Spiral, of her entire family... However, within the dust pattern, there was a strange shape where the absence of dust made the redhead think about a possible lost photo.
-Maybe she ran away- Starlight averted her countenance towards her, surprised by that conclusion- One of the photos is missing- That addition made the purple-haired unicorn understand her theory better. She brought a hand to her chin, reflexively.
-Maybe.
-Did you check her bedroom?- The earthling inquired, to which the unicorn shook her head. With a visual command from the redhead, the blue-eyed unicorn turned her attention to the second door of that room, heading there after a few seconds. As she stood in front of the door, she inhaled and exhaled deeply, again preparing herself to face the worst. She pulled the handle and opened the door, facing absolute darkness. When the light came through, she could see that the place was in the same condition as the main room. She sighed with relief and disappointment simultaneously. She turned around and closed the door behind her.
-Anything?
-Nothing... Where could she go?
-No idea... But we must find her before she does something stupid.
-I agree. Let's find the others and organize ourselves better- Proposed the unicorn with solemnity. Her companion nodded, accepting the agreement.
-Let's go.
They both headed for the exit door. Starlight was in front with the oil lamp, so Apple Bloom lingered a few more brief seconds. However, as she stepped into darkness, the earthling could visualize how the adjoining door to the entrance hallway was slightly open, a small beam of light seeping in. She frowned.
Starlight, who had continued walking, soon noticed the absence of her companion. She raised an eyebrow and turned around, visualizing the entrance to Twist's room.
-Apple Bloom?- She called, but there was no response from her friend. She approached the porch, swallowing dryly- Apple Bloom?- She stepped back inside, discovering the redhead standing just below the frame of an adjoining brightly lit room. She was relieved to see her there- Hey, what's up?- she questioned with a friendly gesture, but had no answer, so she approached the redhead- Apple Bloom.
She stood next to her friend, preparing a little joke to ease the tension. However, her words died in her mouth when she noticed the expression the orange-eyed terrestrial had. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, as a shiver ran through her body- What's wrong, Apple Bloom?
A shadow wobbling like a pendulum at her friend's feet caught her attention. The unicorn averted her gaze into the room.
A pair of dull fuchsia eyes slightly bulging out of their sockets was the first thing she saw. That made her stomach churn in nausea and she nearly expelled all of her breakfast. She quickly averted her gaze to the floor, unable to bear the sight. On the floor, she discovered a photo on which was eternally engraved the moment Spiral hugged Twist with a big smile. Next to it, a necklace, the same one that Scootaloo had given her when she gave her condolences. Starlight leaned against the door frame, grieving at what was in front of her. She took an overwhelmed, completely shocked Apple Bloom and left that room, sighing, her heart torn apart.
-Dear Celestia, Twist...
So, yeah, we finally arrived to one of those chapters. I wasn't so sure to put it out like this because its a heavy subject, but I tried my best to not be gruesome while making sure that you all knew what happened. Anyway, if you liked the chapter or not, you can leave a Review! Its F.R.E.E after all!
¡Hasta la vista!