Forever

    The cutie mark crusaders were lost in the Everfree forest. They weren't really sure where a rock farm could possibly be, but everything mysterious to them was usually through the Everfree. Though they had been through the dark forest many times before, they didn't have the slightest idea where anything was. It was as if the forest changed every time they went back.

    There was a chilling wind that found its way through the trees. The three fillies shivered every time the cold air rushed against them. They had to continue though if they were ever going to find out what had happened to Pinkie Pie.

    Zecora's small hut could be seen through the trees, so the CMCs knew that they were at least making it further from Ponyville. They set course for the direction opposite their home. It was going to be a long walk if they were ever going to make it out of the other side of the forest. They didn't even know how big it was, or even if there was another side.

    "Have you guys even heard of a rock farm before?" Scootaloo asked her friends.

    "No. I guess I haven't." Sweetie replied. She was already starting to doubt that they would find it, or even if it existed for that matter.

    "I've never heard of it either," stated Apple Bloom, "but I'm sure it's out here somewhere." She was the most confident out of the trio. She trusted that what Pinkie had told them was true, and she believed that they really could do anything that they wanted when they tried hard enough.

    "Do either one of you even know how big the Everfree forest is?" Sweetie asked more curiously than usual. Her doubt of finding the rock farm was growing slowly.

    "It can't be too big." Scootaloo replied. "I'm sure plenty of ponies have crossed it before."

    "I guess we'll just have to find out." Apple Bloom added.

    They pushed onward despite the unbearable cold and loud noises of the wild animals that lurked in the shadows. The breeze grew stronger as the trees became denser. It was hard to keep their direction as they navigated their way around the nature that stood in their path.

    The howling of the timber wolves was frightening, but the three fillies pushed on. They had come too far to be stopped by fear. They knew that this quest would be dangerous. None of the risks went unnoticed. Even if this was the end of their lives, at least they went out knowing that it was for Pinkie.

    Light was starting to peek through the trees. It had been several hours now but the end was finally near. The three fillies picked up their pace hoping to make it out of the forest.

    They were in the final stretches. The grass could be seen reflecting the beautiful rays of light from the sun. Their journey through the treacherous wild would be completed. Then they were heard.

    Three timber wolves sprang from the dark. They were ready to feed, and their meal had just walked right into their home. Their keen sense of hearing helped them notice when the fillies hoof-steps picked up speed. If the crusaders had kept their original pace, they could have gotten out of the Everfree unnoticed. But their excitement ultimately caused this horrifying situation.

    A quick decision had to be made. They could either fight, or run. Scootaloo was the one to make that decision because she was the first and only one to speak. "Run!" she yelled. The others agreed in their minds and not a single other word was spoken.

    The three of them galloped for the edge of the forest. They had never exerted this much energy in their entire lives. The timber wolves were still catching up however. No matter how hard the fillies tried, they just couldn't escape. The sunlight was close, it was almost blinding.

    Then something terrible happened. Apple Bloom tripped. She had screamed in horror with nopony around to hear except for her two friends. Sweetie and Scootaloo turned to help her only to watch as a timber wolf dragged her off into the trees by the tail. They quickly decided that they wouldn't be able to save her now, and resumed their sprint to safety.

    The trees were now behind the two remaining fillies. Their hooves never lost speed. They may have been in the open but they were still being pursued. Their eyes were finally adjusting to the amount of light that they were being subjected to. Just as their surrounding were becoming clear, They heard two loud cries followed by howling and whimpers. They turned only to find that two royal guards had impaled the two beasts with their spears.

    "Thank you." Scootaloo spoke. "but what are you guys doing all the way out here."

    The guards did not speak. Sweetie Belle glanced around the area to get an idea of where they were. The area was barren and desolate. Nothing but rocks. "This must be it." she said to her orange companion. Then she saw something high in the sky. A large spinning mass of black and dark blue hues. She was captivated by the sight. Her brain was being flooded with curiosity and theories as to what it was. That was when she saw it. Hooves were coming out of the center of it. She then knew that it had to be a portal.

    Sweetie was then distracted by a large thump. She glanced to her friend only to find that the young pegasus had been bashed in the head by one of the royal guards spears. "You should've never come here." said one of the guards. Then Sweetie felt a powerful blunt force strike her head. Her vision faded to black and the last thing she could see before going unconscious was the hooves from the portal finally touching the ground. She managed to make out the shape as being a very tall mare figure. She even managed to hear a guard say three words.

    "Welcome back princess."