Orange Skies Over Everfree

by RJTaylor

Rating: everyone
Tags: Adventure, Zecora, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Trixie
Length: 4782

Rainbow Dash has went missing, the mysterious Unrequited Oasis has gone and somepony seeks revenge.

Following the outbreak of bad news the mane 6 head to the Everfree Forest alongside Zecora in an attempt to restore the forest to it's former peace.

A mysterious plant that Zecora has collected has gone missing. The plant is capable of trapping it's victim in their dreams making them unaware and in a state of sleep. The victims cannot be simply woken up and there is a high risk of them being suspended in their dreams forever.

Meanwhile, a raging fire is spreading amongst the forest driving some of the more violent animals to hunt for those who have destroyed their homes.

Published 2012-03-06 18:23:25 UTC
Last updated 2012-02-20 21:24:32 UTC

Chapter 1

Pinkie Pie guarded the door as the other 5 crowded around the table in the centre of Sugarcube Corner. “Pinkie, you know what to do” Applejack openly spoke, “Aye, aye captain” Pinkie replied before concealing herself from view. “Well y’all know why I’ve asked ya here, Applebloom’s birthday is next week and I just want her to enjoy herself” Applejack started “I have got a couple a’ ideas of how I would like things to happen.” She paused. A sudden flurry of words leapt from her mouth about how she had already planned to surprise her younger sibling. Before she could showcase her final idea Pinkie interrupted her. “Somepony’s coming, but I can’t tell who”. “Quick, everypony hide!” Twilight shouted. Rainbow Dash headed for the ceiling, Fluttershy for the counter, Applejack the underneath of the table, Rarity dashed into the closest cupboard, Twilight hurried to the storage room – only to be covered in flour and Pinkie descended into her previous hiding place. A familiar voice called “Ponies”

The ponies’ heads became visible again; it wasn’t Applebloom at the door. “Zecora, what brings you to Ponyville” Asked Twilight. “Ponies I regret that I am the bearer of bad news but the place which I call my home faces danger of which I am confused” Zecora responded. The confused expression on the face of Rainbow Dash told a story but she spoke up anyway “huh?” Rarity explained quickly “The Everfree Forest is in some sort of danger” Rainbow Dash soon changed her tone “Well why are we still here, come on lets go!” She flew off without any further warning, Twilight looked to her friends who remained behind and after a slight nod the group soon followed the path which their flying friend had previously taken.

The cyan Pegasus was soon spotted, suspended in the air just above the tree tops at the border between Ponyville and the Everfree Forest. Despite her friends’ calls, she remained silent, seemingly in another world. Not connected to Equestria in any way. After a moment she looked down at her friends and back to the sight which seemed to imprison her, she remained near her friends for a few seconds before rushing to what seemed to be the source of the trouble.

It was a complaint from Rarity broke the newfound silence “I say, what is that awful odour?” It was Zecora who answered, “That young pony is the devious scent of the rare Unrequited Oasis, and it has a similar effect to Hearts Desire as it will fulfil even the most farfetched dreams, but with a devastating cost.” She paused “Unrequited Oasis will trap all who ingest the extract from its leaf in an eternal slumber in which all of their desires are attained at the cost of their connection with Equestria. Their body will remain motionless but they will still live. There is one known cure but that is even more legendary than the plant itself. I hope we do not require the use of this cure” The head of the zebra dropped, before she warned “Be careful everypony, this plant has a grey appearance and is often found amongst shrubbery, avoid it at all costs.”

Chapter 2

The group headed into the forest. In search now of both the danger and Rainbow Dash. As the group searched Twilight asked “Zecora, how exactly did you know there was a possible danger here in the Everfree forest” Applejack supported her question with her own “Do you even know what this danger is?” She simply responded, “I have no idea what these evils could be, I only know of them as the local animals were acting stranger than normal. I was in a deep slumber when I was awaken by the roars of an Ursa Minor, I believe it may have been the Ursa Minor that you have told me of, I just hope that the mother is not woken and that they do not decide that the cause of their awakening was due to something in Ponyville” The Ponies paused for a moment remembering the horrific events involving an Ursa Minor, which could possibly be providing a second problem for them.

A second complaint about a strange lingering odour arose from the group, but this time Applejack was the pony most curious about the smell. Again Zecora was the one to respond “I do not recognise this scent, although I think it may be related to the cause of the disturbance. Fluttershy, would you kindly take to the skies in search for the cause of this putrid odour.” She looked uneasy about it, but she agreed to fly above the treetops in search for the cause of the strange smells that the group had experienced. She was greeted by a low orange glow which after asking the group she was asked to fly a little closer to see what the source of the glow was. “FIRE!!!” Fluttershy’s screams were so deafeningly loud that they could have been heard from Canterlot. She soon rushed back to the protection of her friends. Pinkie Pie just continued smiling and bounced around asking “Ohh did you see anypony roasting marshmallows or cooking cupcakes or . . .” She was interrupted by Applejack’s hoof, soon followed by a question aimed at the cowering Fluttershy, “Fluttershy, sugarcube, dya’ even have any idea what kind of fire this was? I mean it could have been Rainbow Dash . . . roasting marshmallows?” The shivering yellow pony replied “It was a wild fire, it must have been, I hope that . . . the . . . animals . . . are . . . okay” Tears were visible in the blue eyes of Fluttershy.

She was reassured that the creatures that she showed some affection for, despite their residence in the creepy Everfree forest , would have escaped in time and not have been affected by the fire which raged in the forest. It was not long before the ponies and Zecora began growing concerned about what they though was a small fire. They made their worries clear with comments regarding the flames which could have been the cause of the animal outrage but they still continued until they saw the contained orange glow in the distance. Was this the fire? They continued towards the glow and the scent of burning became more and more apparent, they were expecting to have to combat these flames somehow. But when they got closer, they heard an almost silent sobbing; they investigated the source of this cry. When they arrived at the fire they learned that it was just a camp fire, but there was a more overpowering stench lingering, Unrequited Oasis.

Chapter 4

Elsewhere in the forest a menacing laughter could be heard, the culprit, none other than ‘the great and powerful Trixie’. She was working at a cauldron, experimenting with liquids and storing these potions in containers as if to be readied for later use. She filled a total of 5 bottles and concealed them before releasing another menacing laugh, packing her things, extinguishing the fire and leaving the area.

Fluttershy had not spoken much since seeing the fire which she would later find to be a campfire which once provided light for Rainbow Dash, but she would not allow Zecora to face blame for what she intended as a good deed. “Um, I think that, “She cleared her throat “Zecora, you couldn’t possibly have done this intentionally, you only meant to make others feel better why should you feel bad about it” As she spoke she fought the tears of seeing her unresponsive, colourless friend lying in front of her. She continued to protest Zecora’s innocence in hope to convince the zebra that it was not her doing. Without success. Rarity added “Zecora I know somepony who would never accuse you of any wrong doing and that would be Fluttershy” She said as she pointed to the Pegasus crying beside their friend. Tears swelled within the eyes of the white unicorn, “You could never have possibly done anything like this, meaning harm to those who would class you as a friend. You can trust us to help you, if you will help us” A smile broke upon the face of Zecora, which was streaming with tears. “If you ponies think such things I would be glad to help you once more”

The arrogant mare Trixie had left something at the place where she had prepared the potions, her hat. As the wind picked up, the hat had landed upon the pile of embers, protecting them from the cold wind which previously prevented the ashes reigniting causing the hat to set alight. The flames quickly spread amongst the spilled liquids on the floor, eventually reaching the shrubbery around the base of a rather large tree which soon was in blazes.

At this point even Pinkie Pie was crying. She lunged herself onto the back of Applejack who was leaning upon a teary Twilight Sparkle for support. The ponies had lost a dear, loyal friend. It was Fluttershy who was first to speak after the floods of tears from the group “Zecora, what is this cure which you mentioned before?” She soon replied “The cure! It will take one brave pony that is willing to enter the dreams of this Pegasus to awaken her, the risks are great and once Rainbow Dash has been awakened it will require an instant remedy. Unfortunately, I cannot be the one to enter the dreams of this pony.” A determined look broke onto the now standing Applejack. “If I even stand a chance of reviving this pony, I’ll do it” Twilight rested her hoof upon the golden shoulder of the now dry eyed Applejack. “Are you sure you want to do this Applejack?” Pinkie followed Twilights’ question with her own “Do you think it will be scary? Ohh are you scared? Do you think you will see a monster? Do you want me to sing a so . . .” “That’s quite enough Pinkie” Applejack interrupted. “I am certain that I will do this, for Dash’s sakes”.

Chapter 6

Applejack opened her eyes slowly, only to see she was floating in a world inhabited by clouds, it seemed that she could control her position through thought, meaning she was in complete control of her movement if the skies of Rainbow Dash’s dream world. A light blue blur swept past the confused Applejack leaving her helplessly spinning through the air, colliding with clouds as she moved. When she finally came to a halt she looked around for the Pegasus occupying the skies at break neck speeds. Upon closer inspection the earth pony realised she was in a stadium, surrounded by what seemed like thousands of eager fans of racing. A familiar blue outfit was visible from almost anywhere. The Wonderbolts. Of course, this was Rainbow Dash’s fantasies the Wonderbolts would play a massive part of what was due to happen.

The flames now spread closer and closer to the young, arrogant purple mare roaming the forest in hope of ambushing her nemesis and her friends. Animals large and small rushed past her as the blaze began to consume more and more of the green leaves but the unicorn continued. A pack of wolves howled against the moonlight, warning all who entered the forest of the dangers which had risen, much like the flames; which were now visible amongst the skyline of treetops. This pack of wolves was continuously on the move. Tracking all who entered and attempting to find an escape route from the fiery cell in which they had been imprisoned.

Applejack began making her way to the Wonderbolts stationed in the luxury seats in the stadium; she thought that as this was Rainbow Dash’s dreams, she would be closely linked with the Wonderbolts. “Um, I’m looking for a light blue Pegasus, ya seen her?” Applejack asked and it was Spitfire who responded “You mean Rainbow Dash, the pony of legends, the talk of Cloudsville, the very beacon of flying ability? Yeah she’s performing right now” Applejack turned to face the centre of the stadium only to see, who she thought to be Rainbow Dash performing her routine which consisted of the legendary Sonic Rainboom. At that moment the flyer broke the sound barrier and burst into rainbows as she continued to complete the obstacle course. The cheers of the crowd grew wild and the pony came to a slow stop in the centre, rising to the centre of attention trailed by a crown of colours. It could have only been Rainbow Dash.

Back at Zecora’s hut the ponies huddled around their unconscious friends, watching the time in worry that it would take longer than the remaining 20 minutes to find and wake Rainbow Dash. “Do you think she’ll be able to do it within the next 20 minutes?” Rarity asked, she sounded worried. “If I know Applejack” Twilight began, “Which you do” Pinkie added, “Thanks Pinkie” Twilight continued “Well like I was saying, if I know Applejack she’ll be able to find and wake Rainbow Dash in no time” She smiled at the worried Rarity, who eventually smiled back and agreed almost to reassure herself.

Chapter 7

The pack of hungry wolves grew closer and closer to the still roaming Trixie, yet she continued to search the areas which had not been blocked because of the effects of the fire. The beasts finally encountered the aspiring enchantress at a point where she could not continue through the forest. She slowly backed from the growling predators that continuously followed her movement. She finally spoke, her shaky voice said “Ha-ha, hi I don’t plan on staying for long, so if you would kindly just wait a second I would gladly leave you alone” At that moment she sent streams of smoke upwards, clouding herself from the rabid animals for mere seconds as she ran away.

Applejack leapt towards the masked figure in the centre of the stadium “Rainbow Dash! I didn’t expect anything different from you” The Pegasus soon responded “I think you’ve got the wrong pony, I’m not Rainbow Dash, she’s next door at the Wonderbolts flight training school, I’ve always dreamed of seeing her perform live but the Wonderbolts are normally very private. Sorry about that” Applejack slowly responded awkwardly “Uh yeah sorry, I’ve been looking for her for a while, you said she’s next door?” She darted away from the stadium and into the flight school. There she saw hundreds of ponies who all seemed to be practising a routine unique to each of them. Her search began, she asked most of the ponies all wearing the trademark Wonderbolt outfit if they had seen her friend. But none of them had. “This is gunna be a lot harder than I thought” She admitted.

Trixie was now running as fast as her legs could carry her, the hungry, angered beasts followed closely. A small hut became visible and she began running towards it. It was none other than Zecora’s hut. Trixie had attracted wolves to helpless ponies in a grave situation already. And worse than that, she had previously placed them in that situation due to her petty grudge against Twilight Sparkle and the use of Zecora’s only supply of Unrequited Oasis. Unaware of the resident of the hut she burst through the door, slamming it behind her and barricading it with her body. It wasn’t until she calmed down and looked forward that she realised that she had finally found her rival and her friends. “What are you doing here Trixie? I thought you had left us alone for good” Twilight asked. Trixie replied between pants “I have encouraged some wolves to attack me somehow; I mean . . . the wolves must have been envious of my magic so they ambushed me, the cowards, they could never face my magic properly in battle. I have conquered an Ursa Major before what would a couple of wolves be to a great wizard like me?”

Chapter 8

“Rainbow Dash? RAINBOW DASH!?!” Applejack was growing impatient as she bolted from one Pegasus to another trying to find her friend. After what seemed like an eternity of searching, she collapsed from exhaustion. Only to be greeted by mocking comments from the other ponies. The once bustling room fell silent, Applejack found enough strength to lift her head. The silence was soon broken by cheers. A familiar voice spoke aloud “Presenting to the new students of The Wonderbolts College of Flight, your mentor, the awesome Rainbow Dash!” The volume of the roars continued to grow in the room. Applejack jumped to her hooves in search of Rainbow Dash who had personally announced her presence in the room. There she was standing at the front of the room, Applejack had finally found her friend, but the room was too loud for the Pegasus to hear her friend’s shouts.

The sand slowly trickled down the egg timer as the wolves surrounded the lone hut in the forest whilst the flames crept towards them. The group was in grave danger. There was five minutes before the last grain of sand would fall down symbolising that Unrequited Oasis had claimed its second victim. There was silence in the room as the flames cracked outside and the wolves growled. Trixie’s face showed confusion but the other 5 faces showed worry, Fluttershy was crying almost silently and Rarity and Pinkie comforted her. Twilight watched the timer as Zecora watched the lifeless bodies of Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Trixie was the first to break the silence “Why is everypony so quiet?” Twilight just stared at the intruder until she finally said “This was your doing wasn’t it . . .” She concealed her rage. Trixie responded as if she was innocent “What was my doing?”. Twilight burst out “You did this! You poisoned out friends, you burned the forest and you brought these wolves! You silly little foal, I swear you will regret this. But for now we just need to hold our place and hope.” The silence returned to the room before Trixie could admit that this disaster was her doing.

Applejack fought her way forwards until she reached the hooves of her friend Rainbow Dash. She tackled her from her podium and pinned her down she spoke into her ear “Rainbow Dash you are dreaming you need to wake up, both of us are at risk” The Pegasus pushed her friend from the top of her, “Applejack what are you doing here in Cloudsville? How is this even happening?” Applejack simply replied “No time to explain, you have to wake up. WAKE UP!!! YOU HAVE TO WAKE UP!!!” The eyelids of the cyan pony fluttered, and some of the colour on the cutie mark of the lifeless Pegasus had returned and brought with it hope to the group at Zecora’s hut. Applejack continued to shout into the ears of Rainbow Dash “YOU ARE DREAMING!! YOU NEED TO WAKE UP!! EVERYPONY IS WORRIED ABOUT YOU, WAKE UP!!!” Again the eyelids of Rainbow Dash fluttered, and her cutie mark returned to its full colour. It was Fluttershy who was first to notice; she spoke up between breathing “I think she’s waking up”

Chapter 10

The pegasi burst through the ceiling and began gathering clouds to shower upon the burning forest; within moments the flames had been extinguished. Pinkie and Applejack worked together to hand the new brew from Zecora’s cauldron to the pair suspended above Zecora’s hut so that they could dispose the wolves. When the flames were extinguished and the wolves were sleeping the group fled from the door which Trixie previously guarded making their way back to the library. When they paused for a breath Spike greeted them and Trixie was no-where to be seen. They all breathed a sigh of relief. The forest was safe and so were the ponies. Zecora had stayed behind as she was already home. And all was quiet once more in the Everfree Forest. Too silent, a quiet snoring was missing. Zecora rushed to the town once again.

“Beware ponies, the quiet snore of the Ursa Minor can no longer be heard from the forest on this night” The friends leapt from their seats and bolted through the door and to the outskirts of Ponyville preparing themselves for a second encounter the Ursa Minor. To their expectations roars could be heard and soon enough the Ursa Minor had made it’s way to the outskirts of Ponyville but this time something was different. Twilight attempted to lull the beast back to sleep as she did before but she lacked the recourses. They were replaced after the last incident so she was confused. Especially when a purple mare showed up besides the group with the water tower in a similar style to how Twilight had used it before. Trixie was seeking redemption, she had tamed the rampaging Ursa Minor and returned it home, everypony was shocked. Zecora simply laughed at this sight. The young wizard had actually conquered an Ursa Minor like she had previously claimed. It was Rainbow Dash to break the silence brought from pure shock, “Oh great, I guess she’ll be staying around to bask in her glory”. Trixie turned to the Pegasus with a smile and said “I have caused enough problems here I wont be staying around for long”. Twilight appeared the most shocked by this news, but even more shocked when she found herself thanking Trixie for what she had done. The arrogance returned in a joking tone as Trixie left saying “The great and powerful Trixie, the conqueror of an Ursa Minor”

Chapter 3

Upon notice of the odour Zecora’s face was stricken with worry and when questioned about why she looked so worried she remained in silence. The group began getting impatient, they had lost Rainbow Dash searched for a disaster which turned out to be a campfire and a silent Zecora was riddled with worry. They knew something was wrong but they did not know what it possibly could have been.

After searching the area and distinguishing the petty campfire which failed to light the now gloomy night which had descended during the search, they soon found a familiar face surrounded by a strange silver liquid. At this point Zecora looked as if she had seen a ghost. A motionless, unresponsive Rainbow Dash lay in front of the ponies, colourless, similar to the liquid which surrounded her. Zecora finally spoke after what seemed like an eternity of silence from the Zebra. However, she held her head low whilst talking. “Ponies, it seems the life threateningly dangerous Unrequited Oasis has been used against your friend. She cannot move, she will not respond, she cannot hear you.” Zecora lowered her head even more; the eyes of the ponies that had crowded around their motionless friend followed her. “I cannot help but feel that this is somewhat my doing”. Twilight objected immediately “How could you have possibly been related to this horrible accident?” however, Applejack was not as quick to defend the zebra; rather she questioned her relation to the incident. Zecora sat silently for a while avoiding eye contact, whilst the ponies continued to stare at her. She spoke slowly “I have recently collected Unrequited Oasis in hope to understand the positive effects in an attempt to provide a cure for night terrors for the younger fillies and colts of Ponyville.” She stopped, and the faces of the ponies suggested horror. “Whilst I visited Ponyville in search of you ponies I think somebody has stolen the plant I collected and this is why your friend is unresponsive”. Applejack rose in Zecora’s defence “This was none of your doing Zecora, but who could possibly do this”

Elsewhere in the forest a menacing laughter could be heard, the culprit, none other than ‘the great and powerful Trixie’. She was working at a cauldron, experimenting with liquids and storing these potions in containers as if to be readied for later use. She filled a total of 5 bottles and concealed them before releasing another menacing laugh, packing her things, extinguishing the fire and leaving the area.

Chapter 5

The fire was now raging at the north east section of the forest, burning trees and shrubbery alike. The blaze soon consumed the remains of several campfires, further fuelling the flames which sent creatures small and large in all directions.

The group returned to Zecora’s home, carrying the lifeless Rainbow Dash. With aid from the ponies, Zecora began brewing the antidote. “Winter’s essence and the root of hearts desire, frog’s venom and Hydra tooth. Finally mix the potion with a dragon’s scale and viola a route to the dreamland in which Rainbow Dash resides unwary of what has happened to her” Twilight took notes as the other 4 ponies stood in shock of how rapidly Zecora had created a concoction which was able to create a temporary portal to the land of dreams. “A small sip and you will enter a great slumber, once within the dreams of Rainbow Dash you will have approximately 35 minutes to inform the pony of her state which should wake her from her slumber. Are you sure you want to do this Applejack, if something goes wrong after you drink this” Applejack did not let Zecora finish “Of course I’m going to do this, Dash would risk her life for anyone of us” Zecora responded “Well then, drink from this cup and enter a deep slumber, if you succeed I will wake you, if not . . . you shall also be trapped alongside Rainbow Dash”.

Chapter 9

Zecora’s eyes immediately met the fluttering eyelids of Rainbow Dash, she then rushed to her shelf to fetch a powder. The zebra sprinkled the powder onto the heads of the sleeping ponies. The world where Applejack and Rainbow Dash was began becoming distorted and the ponies soon experienced the feeling of falling. Pinkie confirmed this as she mentioned how “Dashie’s wings are twitching, just like my tail” She paused to gasp “Does that mean that something is going to fall? Do we need to get to cover? What’s going to fall?” The final grain of sand fell into the bottom of the timer, at this time Twilight collapsed into tears and Zecora glared at the intruder who was still guarding the door. “Not only have we lost Rainbow Dash, but Applejack too” Twilight exclaimed. Her head collapsed back onto her hooves. A flood of tears leaked from all of the ponies’ eyes and Zecora simply closed her eyes and looked away from the lifeless ponies.

The fire could have consumed them and none of them would have noticed. When they rose, Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked confused. Their friends were all hiding their faces and openly sobbing and the familiar face of Trixie guarded the door. “Uhh guys, why are y’all crying?” It was Pinkie who responded to the newly revived Applejack’s statement “Well you and Dashie are both goners, you’re going to be asleep forev . . .” Her face lit up and she wiped the tears from her eyes before she pounced upon her friends. The other ponies rose to their hooves and wiped their eyes dry. It was Rarity who addressed them first “That was not funny, playing tricks on us like that” She laughed. But it was Trixie who was the one to remind the happily reunited friends of their current situation. Twilight took charge, being the natural leader she was. She left Applejack and Pinkie to deal with the attacking predators, Fluttershy and Rainbow to extinguish the flames and Rarity and Zecora were told to plan their escape. At that moment, Trixie had remembered her plan to ambush the ponies with the remaining Unrequited Oasis. She offered to help Applejack and Pinkie with the potions she had brewed but Zecora interrupted her “So it was you who had stolen my Unrequited Oasis, and attacked this young pony. As much as I dislike you right now, I guess you could be of use. hand me those potions.” Without hesitation Trixie handed Zecora her potions, the zebra them emptied them into a cauldron, she then added several ingredients as she said “As useful as this potion is, eternal slumber is a fate I would not like to wish upon anyone. I have weakened the dosage so that you can dispatch of those wolves without causing harm.” These very words caused a small smile to appear on Fluttershy’s face.

It was time.