Shadows in the dark

Chapter 17

Rainbow Dash do nothing but stare out the window of the train as she listened to the cries of Applejack as Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy did everything in their power to comfort the distraught Earth Pony. But they knew it was useless.

The Apple Family was a tight-knit community all together. For Applejack to discover that her own cousin was working with Sombra clearly shattered her psyche. Big Macintosh had told them he hasn't AJ this distraught since the death of their parents a few years back. No pony had been so close to Braeburn then Applejack. The two were like two peas in a pod.

"I'll tell the rest of the family." Big Macintosh sighed before they boarded the train to Canterlot. "You gals just get her to Celestia."

Even Strongheart was devastated. Since the incident in Appleloosa, the two became good friends. The buffalo calf was just as devastated as the Apple Household.

"I want him back..." Applejack whimpered, "I want my cousin back so much..."

"We know you do, AJ. We know you do..." Fluttershy said soothingly as she rubbed her back. The pegasus exchanged worried glances with Pinkie Pie.

"First Twilight...then Shining...then Strongheart's herd...and now Braeburn and Rarity!?" Rainbow Dash angrily slammed her hoof down on the glass window. Causing it to crack slightly. "Why!?" she hollered, "Why? Why? WHY!? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO US!? WE DID NOTHING TO DESERVE THIS! THAT SON OF A BITCH IS TEARING US APART FROM THE INSIDE!" the blue pegasus slammed her hoof down on the window once more. Except this time it was much weaker. Tears poured down her face as they hit her seat like rain drops. "Rarity... Braeburn..."

Her remaining friends simply stared at her in silence just as the train came to a stop in the Canterlot Train Station. But her questions lingered in their minds. The same ones they've been asking since Twilight's death.

...

"I am so sorry to hear about your cousin." Celestia said as she Applejack a sympathetic nuzzle. "It appears that Sombra's influence on others has grown much stronger than Luna and I originally thought."

"What about Rarity?" Fluttershy asked.

"And Trixie, too!" Pinkie Pie added, "How are we going to get them back from Sombra? We don't even know where they are!" Celestia suddenly surprised them all when she smiled a small smile. The pink Earth Pony cocked her head curiously. "Um...Princess?" she asked.

"You won't have to worry about them for a while." Celestia said. "It's exactly what I hoped for."

"WHAT!?" the four ponies suddenly screamed.

"What the hay are you talking about, Princess?" Applejack asked in dismay.

"Have you gone coocoo crazy!?" Pinkie Pie screamed. Unintentionally bringing her face up to the princess's.

"No, Pinkie Pie." Celestia said as she used her magic to gently push her away. "There is a reason why I sent Rarity and Trixie to Dodge Junction." Celestia's gaze suddenly turned serious as she brought her face to the ponies. "Remember the meeting I held for the unicorns three months back?" she asked. The four ponies nodded slowly and Celestia smiled. "What I am going to tell you is top secret." Celestia took her time explaining her plan to the remaining elements. Stopping to answer questions that were randomly shot at her.

"When will they come back?" Fluttershy asked.

"It depends on how long this might take." Celestia replied. "If my suspicions are confirmed, then it's best if they stay. I taught them the strongest spells I know to protect themselves. And if anything, I can assure you that they'll come home alive and well."