Wraithborn

by datdamnface

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Sad, Comedy, Adventure
Length: 6491

Well….there's alot I can say about myself. I've sailed the 5 seas, seen the everwinds, made friends with dragons, you know, the sort.

But what you need to know is i'm not quite equine.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-04-21 02:37:17 UTC

Prologue:....I

'Doctor' Whooves strolled idly through Ponyville. Another beautiful Autumn day passed all around him. Marigold and Crimson trees lined the Promenade as citizens meandered through the town, each to their own. He began whistling to himself.

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Most people simply refer to me as Mr. Hooves. Well, it was a nice day, I'll give you that. You know? Autumn has always been one of my favorite seasons. Something about it just makes it...solemn for me.

I was just taking a stroll through Ponyville, nothing better than a walk to clear the mind eh? So here I was with nothing to do, just an average day right? Just an average Pony huh?

When I said that I didn't have a destination...I kinda lied. See the thing is, one of my friends Ms. Cheerliee asked me to come in since the class was learning about mechanics and well, I was the town mechanic. Clocks, carriages, doo-hickeys, you name it, I fix it.

I just had one stop to make first. It was a little hill, just past Sugar Cube corner a ways. To most ponies...they would just see a small clearing in a patch of forest. Within this patch they would see flat stones and pebbles piled upon each other.

I saw a graveyard.

You know what they say right? Let sleeping dogs lie. Well, they didn't say you couldn't spend a little time with them could you?

I'm sorry, where was I? Oh right! I was making my way to the schoolhouse, just finishing my visit to my friends of course. Though...I...I don't know if it was just my imagination but...I saw a butterfly landing on one of those graves.

Ah! Sorry! Sorry! I'm getting too sappy aren't I? Anyway, by now I was just making my way up to the schoolhouse.

Though I was a bit solemn. Visits to loved ones can do that to a stallion. So! I was just now passing through the door to Ms. Cheerliee's class who was just finishing up Basic Algebra.

"Class! This is Mr. Whooves! Say hello!" She chirped, the schoolkids all said their greetings, albeit it with serious lack of luster. Could ya blame em' though? It was late afternoon and they were just a couple minutes from leaving when I rolled in.

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Applebloom sighed as the brown stallion walked in. "This is Mr. Whooves! Say hello!" She chirped, Applebloom grunted her acknowledgments. Suddenly she felt a hoof tap her back. Turning she saw it belonged to Scootaloo who was desperately trying to suppress a grin.

"Hey Applebloom! Remember? Splashy-stallion?" She whispered snickering. Applebloom allowed herself a smile.

"Behave yourselves you two!" Shouted the ever watchful Cheerliee as she spotted the two conversing.

"Be thankful Mr. Whooves is taking time off from his work to visit us." She said. Applebloom chuckled sheepishly as she offered a meek apology. Turning her head back to Mr. Whooves she saw something.

A strange look passed over his face. If she could compare it to anything, she swore it to be the same look Applejack got when she visited their mother's grave. A sort of thousand-yard stare.

"Mr Whooves? Would you like to introduce yourself?" Quipped Cheerliee instantly snapping the stallion's gaze back to the class, that stare gone, replaced by a smile.

Even though she was young, Applebloom saw it was fake.

"Well....I'm from Trottingham and well...I used to always help my dad out....."

She stopped paying attention to his speech and more to him.

It was as if...it was as if his body lost his definition. It was like staring at mist, the way it changed and shifted. The chestnut brown seemed to mix with his dark-chocolate mane as he talked. Apparently somepony else noticed as well.

"Umm...Mr.? Why is your coat doing that?" Interrupted a voice from the crowd. Applebloom watched, her attention now perked.

Mr.Whooves looked down and sighed, instantly that wispy quality left him and he took the shape of a normal stallion.

"I guess y'all must have seen my normal form." He chuckled. Ms. Cheeriliee just stuttered.

"W-w-w-w-w what was that?" She asked, apparently the teacher was shaken.

He turned to her. "Hey Cheer? Promise me whatever you do, don't freak out." He said, Cheerliee just nodded, voice apparently not working.

And he sighed again.

And with it, his form left him.

(A/N: This idea had been plaguing me for some time now and I just had to get it out there. I know the intro sucked BIG time but the story I have planned for this is going to be so awesome! [rainbow kiss face] And I decided to take a different route with the good doctor because I could. I mean seriously, what if he isn't a reincarnated Timelord?)

Chapter 1: My boyhood

(A/N: I have written this chapter with my eyes closed. I'm not kidding i'm writing this with my eyes closed, it helps visualize what i'm trying to portray.)

Applebloom's eyes shot open as Mr. Whooves fully changed. it was like...It was like he became a ghost. His eyes were twin pieces of faintly glowing light, wispy and insubstantial. His fur and coat bristled and seemed to disperse under her gaze, again like staring at mist. If one observed him out of the corner of their eyes he would have looked normal, but as she stared at him straight on, she saw that he was indeed not normal. The whole class seemed to hold it's breath, a faint breeze seemed to stir even though the windows were closed.

Cheerliee screamed, Mr. Whooves chuckled slightly, easing a bit of the tension that had gathered due to his sudden revelation. "A faey! I can't belive it!" Screamed Ms. Cheerliee in glee, confusing both the class and it's guest of honor.

"Why yes, how did you know that?" He asked snapping back into his substantial form, his eyes returning to their light cobalt blue.

"Well ugh...I...I studied them! In College! Majored in Mythology." She stuttered trying to hide a nervous blush. Mr. Whooves just chuckled at this.

"Cheerilee you and I both know you're a horrible liar." He said playfully jabbing the schoolteacher on the shoulder with a hoof. She just flattened her ears, her blush visibly growing to a nice cheery red.

"Well if the class is interested I could tell them about Faeys." He said, obviously luring the teacher. Cheerliee took the bait hook line and sinker, letting out a little squee.

Applebloom and Scootaloo both groaned, looks like they were going to be in school for a long time listening to some old stallion's story about his life.

That's what they thought anyway. Until Mr. Whooves began, clearing his throat and laying down on the floor. "Well let's see, I've been all over Equestria, and the land before it. You know, before Equestria was relocated because of the Windigo Spirits? It's been a hell of a ride for me along the way." He said, stopping for a moment to laugh at the outraged expression on Cheerliee's face as he openly cursed. Despite her reservations, Applebloom found herself smiling, maybe this was going to be interesting after all.

After the conglomerate of foals settled down, Whooves took a deep breath as he started.

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The broken forest canopy hung overhead as he silently crept through the undergrowth. Plant mass gave way under hoof as he silently treaded through the brush. His eyes were dead set on the prey, an Elk, alone in  the high woodlands he called hunting ground. The young teenager crouched as he readied a bow and notched an arrow. The wind swayed to the east, masking his scent to the unwary animal. The young one readied himself, exhaling softly into the cold as he stopped all movement. Instantly he felt the nipping chill on his spine, slowly it gripped his whole body. Hairs stood at attention as they were suddenly subjected to the now biting cold as it wrestled away all heat from the young boy. He himself didn't notice his bodies immediate discomfort as he entered tunnel vision. Time slowed down as he honed in on his target with a single stone tipped arrow. Pulling the string back he used a hoof to line up the arrow similar to how a pool player would line up a shot. Time stopped, all he heard was his breathing as he let go of the now tensed string, sending the deadly projectile on it's way. He watched in anxiety for a few seconds. It felt like a few millennia as he waited for it to strike. Would it be a glancing blow? Would it cripple the beast? Or better yet would it be a killing low? His azure blue eyes locked onto the male elk as it turned it's head to the projectile, for a moment it seemed to move out of the way, almost succeeding in dodging the deadly needle. But alas it was too late as the arrow struck home, right through the left side of the beast's skull as it lodged itself in it's brain. And the beast fell with a groan, the hunter let a held breath escape as he made his way over.

Another successful kill. Brush Hunter smiled softly to himself as he trotted over to the fallen beast. "Rest in peace friend, for your life shall not go to waste." He muttered as he used a hoof to force the beast's eyes closed. His clan looked upon the act of last rite he passed upon his kills with scorn. After all, who apologizes for their kill? Especially if it was needed to keep one alive. He didn't see it that way though, he saw each life as a life, not something to be taken, but rather a gift to be given. It saddened him that he had to commit such crimes against nature, but it was the only way to keep the clan alive.

Working quickly he cut away the skin from the meat underneath in nice even strokes. A lifetime spent honing this skill lent him deft hooves as he dissected the dead animal. Taking the fat, fur, skin, and bones, he left the meat for the ones who would actually use it. Smiling and satisfied with his game, he used his hunting knife to scrape away most of the large chunks of meat from the skin.

After a good half an hour of this he swiped away the sweat that had condensed upon his brow as he nodded in approval at his work. The fur was still matted with blood and gore and the skin still had small chunks of meat attached but those could easily be dealt with once he got back to camp. Taking one last look at his work he stored his things as he set off for camp with a smile. The guys would definitely be glad to hear this.

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"Wow! A full Elk? How'd you manage that?" Joked Skin Tanner as he whistled in appreciation, looking over the flayed skin and fur in front of him he grunted and smiled softly to himself. "Good Job Hunter, guess your father was right to give you that name ey?" Chuckled the older stallion softly. Brush just beamed in appreciation at the praise he received.

"Thanks Skin! I thought the buck would notice and get away like last time but this time I made sure my scent was downwind!" He explained, Skin Tanner smiled at the smaller stallion in front of him.

Skin Tanner was one of the Camp's oldest members. Gray now streaked the old stallions mane where once green held domain. His coat was a dark oak brown and his cutie mark was a patch of leather. His smile showed parenthesis and crow's feet lined his eyes, testaments to his age.

"Hey. Don't tell anypony this, but If I have any extra scraps i'll be sure to make you a new jacket, that old one's getting a bit too small for you." He winked as he whispered to the younger one, his left hoof came up in a mock attempt to show he was whispering a secret.

Brush Hunter's eyes shot open as he did so. A mixture of glee and confusion. "You'd really do that for me?" He asked looking up to the older stallion who looked at him in confusion. "Why of course dear boy! Why in the name of the mother spirit wouldn't I? You've always met your quota! And if you ask me, I think you deserve more respect than the other's let on." He said surprised at the humility the lesser stallion displayed, the boy was young for a hunter yes, but he was skilled and quick-witted. Never had the old stallion seen a hunter adapt that quickly when he startled his quarry. That boy carried himself like a true wraith. He hadn't even hear Brush enter into his tent when delivering his daily quota.

"Thanks Skin. That...that really means alot." Said the smaller buck rubbing his spikey light oak mane with a hoof. Skin Tanner gave a fatherly smile.

"Now go on boy! I don't think you've had any time to yourself as of late. Am I right?" Inquired the stallion, letting a small smile show when the boy became thoughtful.

"...Between housework, lessons, and hunting...you're right." The boy finished on a somber note looking at the floor. What he didn't see was a look of sorrow pass over the old stallion's sea green eyes.

"Well today is your lucky day! Go on! Git!" He said lightly nuzzling/shoving the younger and bewildered stallion out of his little shack. After the flaps closed he chuckled to himself. "He's earned it." He said shaking his head as he trotted back to work, these hides weren't going to clean themselves.

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  'Brush Hunter' slowly plodded through the teaming camp as foals ran through the busy stalls, playing. Silently he thanked the mother spirit for giving him some off time. Hunter wasn't a pony to complain but all the work of late...really wore him down.

He shivered and used a hoof to draw his tattered brown cloak tighter around his lithe frame. Once the issued coat had protected him from the perpetual cold of the mountain, but after years of wear and abuse it was nothing more than leather on his frame. It mattered little though, all the folks of the mountain grew somewhat accustomed to the cold, after all, they did call the mountains home.

"Hey Brush! Off day?" Asked a familiar voice off to his left a ways. Brush stopped and used his acute sense of hearing to pick out the sole voice from the throng of noise and when he did, he smiled from ear to ear.

"Alloy! Did the blacksmith give you an off day as well?!?" He shouted incredulously, straining his neck to catch site of his foalhood friend. And when he did, his grin nearly split his jaw.

There, pushing through the teaming crowds was a medium sized draft horse with bulging muscles. Easily the stronger buck parted the crowds as it they were water as he too spotted his friend. Brush in turn slinked through the crowd as if it was brush he was making his way through. Through years of hunting, the lithe earth pony had long since learned to quiet his hoofsteps. The general thud of hooves hitting dirt blocked out whatever little noise his hooves made as he ducked, lunged, side stepped, and twirled through the crowd.

Eventually the two met up half-way, each with jaw splitting smile as they hugged each other. "Oh man you don't know how good it is to see you again!" Said Alloy giving the now smaller Brush a bone-crushing hug.

"I know! Let go! You're killing me!" Wheezed Brush as his vision began to fade. Alloy quickly saw the harm he was doing and promptly let go, dropping the stallion whom he had lifted in his excitement back to the ground.

"Wow brother! All that time in the forge must do you some good huh?" Asked Brush after regaining his breath. Not much of a braggart, Alloy merely smiled.

"Hey! I saw the way you made your way through those ponies! I had to focus just to see your shape brother!" Replied Alloy with just as much gusto.

From there the two began talking about different things, about their different career choices and the challenges they faced on a daily basis. Alloy complained about blazing hot and humid air courtesy of the constant flame of the forge and the mist of the cooling water used to cool down infernally hot metals. He talked about the laborious task of swinging a hammer that weighed as much as mammoth bones day in and day out.

Brush Hunter talked about the dangers of bears, mountain lions, and foxes who constantly stalked him as he stalked his prey. He talked about the biting cold and frozen earth. He complained about missed opportunities and game that barely escaped. He talked about the long hours he had to wait as he stalked his prey. He talked about cunning it took to measure how far the arrows would go and if the wind was right to even approach prey due to the prior warning it gave via scent.

As the two friends reconnected and made up for lost time, they found themselves drifting to a foalhood playground. A sort of sanctuary which nopony knew about.

It was a grove of black trees buried deep within the forest.

"Hey I remember this place." Said Alloy looking up to the canopy which due to it's pigmentation, blocked out almost all sunlight.

In his reverie, he didn't notice his friend suddenly dematerialize and drift away as a horse shaped brown cloud of mist.

"Remember how we used to play together Brush?" The buck suddenly noticed his friends disappearance and felt a niggling sense of panic at the back of his mind.

"Brush?" He called again, only to be met with nothing. This part of the forest was quiet, even more so for a forest. One could clearly hear one's breathing if one concentrated.

"This isn't funny Brush!" He called out again, by now panic had fully blossomed as the stallion tried his hardest to creep through the gray undergrowth, ears and tail flattened. Unbeknownst to him, his foalhood friend was watching from inside

a tree, snickering.

"OOOoooo! Allloooooy! I amm the mooootttheer spiiiiriiit!" He said in a mock ghost voice. Alloy let out a yelp as he turned around and smacked what he thought was nothing. Instead it was the head of Brush who was now flying through the air courtesy of the blow.

All the fear from the unnatural silence left Alloy as his eyes grew wide. "Brush! Brush! Brother i'm sorry!" He said rushing over to the still body of his best friend, fearing the worst.

"Aww quit crying you big baby, A bear cub hits harder." Joked Brush, eyes still closed as he let the smile spread across his face. Suddenly he shot forward until he was face to face with his best friend. "RAAAAH!" He shouted in a scare tactic attempt. It succeeded somewhat. Alloy was so startled that he punched Brush right in the face, hard.

"Owww....okay. I take it back, you hit harder." Moaned Brush now gently rolling around in the grass holding his face. Despite himself, Alloy hat to chuckle.

"Your fault for scaring me. You know how i've always been." He said, barely keeping the chuckle out of his voice.

"Daaaah! I thought that quick reaction might have gone away." Moaned Brush still holding his nose with a hoof. Though this time he had gotten back up and was now glaring at Alloy who in turn gave a nervous chuckle.

The two stared off for a few terse minutes before they erupted in laughter.

"Aww man you got me good." Said Brush collapsing on the forest floor with laughter. Alloy soon followed him, holding his gut.

The two continued for a good while before they stopped and looked up into the sunlight through the cracks in the black canopy overhead.

"It's nice to see you again though." Said Alloy. "I see you've managed to hone your powers." Said Alloy remarking in the sudden disappearance of his friend.

"Yeah. I usually practice when I'm out in the woods." He replied not taking his eyes off the canopy.

Alloy turned his head to look at his friend after that last remark. "How can you...you know. Kill other beings? I mean I know you do it to get the essential parts. And don't get me wrong, the whole camp is grateful for you hunters and your hauls. But how can...you know...take the shot?" Asked Alloy sidestepping the words that he viewed as 'disgusting'.

".......It's easier after the first couple times." He replied not taking his gaze off the canopy. "I admit, it's hard. But that's why I don't go charging in like other hunters. They befriend those they're about to kill. I...I just do it. Get it over with. It's easier that way. Then...there's no one else to judge you." Replied Brush Hunter silently.

Alloy knew what his friend was trying to get at even through the jumbled words. The two sat in a comfortable silence for a while. And before they knew it, both had dropped off to sleep.

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"And I usually would hang out with Alloy from time to time. That is when i'm not hunting." Said Mr. Whooves. The class had become silent, enraptured by the older stallion's tales of boyhood.

"Where did ya live then?" Asked Applebloom, even though the tale had been nice, he hadn't been to particular on those details.

He seemed to wince at the question. "Well....I lived on Freedom Mountain, just past Everfree Forest." He said, his voice seemed to carry a solemn note.

Applebloom scrunched up her nose at this. "Ah've never heard of Freedom Mountain. And waddya mean it's past EverFree forest? I've seen it and I don't think there's a mountain past there!" She said.

He seemed to sadden at this, his ears deflated as he sighed deeply.

"I know." He replied simply.

Suddenly the spell was broken as the bell rang, signaling the end of the schoolday.

"Alright kids! Say Goodbye to Mr. Whooves!" Chirped Ms. Cheerliee. The class let out a collective "aww" of disappointment. Both Ms. Cheerliee and Mr.Whooves seemed taken aback by this as they stared at the saddened foals.

"I could come again tomorrow if that's okay." He said turning to Ms. Cheerliee who visibly brightened at this.

"I'd be honored if you came again." She said simply.  The class let out a collective 'YAY!' As he announced this.

"Hahaha! Alright! See you kids!" He said leaving ahead of the mob children swarming the hallway.

(A/N: :3)

Chapter 2: Faey

(A/N: To my readers: I'm not all madness and mayhem you know. There is a method to my ways...most of the time)

Sadness and solemnety gripped me as I made my way through the schoolhouse. And when I 'made my way through the schoolhouse' I mean literally, through the walls.

Years. I've had years to practice this. Millennias to be precise. Walking through things isn't the only power a Son Of Wind has.

Among the ye olden days of Equestria, back then it was called Ekem. Before there were the 3 tribes of ponies: The Pegasi, the Unicorn, and The Earth Pony, there were....there were...others

There were the Beastborn. The multiple nomadic tribes with the blood of beasts running through their veins. It was a rag tag group of ponies, they were the outcasts, those who abandoned by their own tribes. They included dragon ponies, werewolf ponies, even some griffon and basilisk ponies. It is said, that some could even transform into the half-blood of the creature they were mixed with. Actually, I have seen them transform before, and all I can say is that I was glad they were on my side. They used to live on the outskirts of the world, in areas so devoid and inhospitable you'd have to be mad to travel there. But it was said that they were kind and that they had mysterious and wonderful artifacts. From personal time spent with them, I can guarantee that whoever said that, was correct. They mainly kept to themselves, sending out caravans that traded pelts, skins, coats, salts, meat for the caravans heading towards Griffon and Dragon lands, and those lands beyond. If I remember correctly, they also worshipped a goddess by the name of PALEM. In the olden tongue, that stood for "The Forsaken."

There are also the those that call themselves the Earthborn. These are ponies with special capabilities granted to us by the Mother Gaia. There was a tribe for each ability, I was part of such a tribe. We were called the Windfolk. We, the ones with the ability to walk quietly amongst the plains between the very winds of life and death. It was for this ability that we were forsaken from cities. We- I am no different from any other pony except for a few....attributes.

Along with the Windfolk, or Wraithborn, a title forged from fear and spite from others, there are others, the Lightning born, winged  ones who can control the weather, the Waterborn, or those who live in the streams. Nymphs and sprites are they with beautiful upper bodies, the most dashing of mares and stallions. They lure unweary travelers into their waterways where they drown them and eat the meat. They hunt in packs so anyone who sees one, might as well just run. For there will always be more waiting in the wings.

Then, there are the Stonefolk, or as they like to call themselves "True Earthborn". Their tribe is many, and they are what we know now as "settlers" back then we looked down upon such foolishness. Why would you sit around and wait when your food supply is getting away? But in time we were proven wrong as their numbers swelled. It was said that some of them used to have the power to contort the very earth itself, making fissures and mountains and casting stones and other assorted rocks at those who faced  them in combat. What truly make them unique however, is the fact that they worshipped no god, they still payed homage to Mother Gaia, but they did not worship her as openly as we would our own gods and goddesses. They cast her aside in the name of "science".

But the most disturbing aspect is, they hate others tribes, those bound to the elements. They hunt us at every opportunity, calling us "unworthy" of holding the name "Earthborn".

I......I used to believe that we could keep running forever, that we could avoid them and everything would be fine. That they would never catch us.

I was wrong. And even to this day, I still remember in clarity, the day it all came tumbling down around me.

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"And ah'm tellin' ya there's no such thing as Freedom Mountain!" Shouted Applebloom pointing to the Everfee Forest.

"Yeah sure, sure!" Mocked Scootaloo dismissively waving a hoof.

"Do ya see any mountain over there?" Again Applebloom pointed in the general direction of Everfree Forest, now hidden as the moon hung high over the sky.

"Well...maybe it was destroyed or something! I dunno!" Retorted Scootaloo jumping 180 degrees to face her friend, her back arched and her wings splayed in a defensive fashion.

"Well even if it was, I don't see it, so it can't be real!" Shouted Applebloom shoving her face into Scootaloo's.

"WELL MAYBE THER ARE THINGS YOU CAN'T SEE!" Shouted Scootaloo pushing back against Applebloom.

"Um...guys?" Sweetie Belle had been silent, watching her two friends up until now.

"WELL MAH GRANNY ALWAYS TOLD ME, IF YA CAN'T SEE IT, IT AIN'T REAL!" Applebloom screamed back, stretching her neck and thrusting her head forward.

"Guys! Calm down!"

"WEL MAYBE YOUR GRANNY'S WRONG!"

"Guys!"

"I CAIN'T BELIEVE YOUR SAYIN' THAT! NOT AFTER THAT ZAP APPLE INCIDENT!"

"GUYS!" Sweetie Belle finally shoved the two apart, holding each in a hoof as they desperately tried to fight again.

"FINE THEN! DON'T BELIEVE ME!" Scootaloo turned and stalked off with a harrumph.

"WELL FINE TO YOU TOO!" Retorted Applebloom spinning and walking in the opposite direction leaving a very scared and sad Sweetie Belle by her lonesome.

"......Guys?"

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I made my way home after my little lecture. My soul weary with more than a thousand years worth of memories....some good...other....not so. These were ghosts I had locked away in my mind..and heart. And as I trekked home to my little apartment, I couldn't help but lose myself in thought.

That often happened if I wasn't at the Time shop, affectionally named "The one stop Clockshop" by some of our regulars. The thrumming, the clicking of clocks...they helped soothe my soul. There was something about them. A clock never asked questions. All they did was beat, they ticked. They helped keep track of the time, but more importantly...they were a constant. They wouldn't betray you, they wouldn't try and backstab you, they wouldn't leave you abandoned in the cold with your intestines hanging out, barely clinging to life.

After a good half an hour of walking, I reached my little apartment. Nothing special. Hell, I've even forgotten which street it's on, I just use the landmarks to make my way around town. I'm a bit absent minded like that, but...then again..I try not to think too deeply. Not about anything...not anymore.

As soon as I headed up the two or so flights of stairs to my room, I simply went inside, closed the door, and sat in a recliner. I didn't turn on the T.V.

No, tonight was a thinking night. It was a night of...solace. Tonight was a time to think back on my long life. And the long road I've traveled.

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Rarity had just finished a bit of stitching on her latest project, a three piece Tuxedo with a red contraband around the midsection and a fedora with a single purple plume, also fit with a contraband, this time blue. It had been a commission from one of Canterlot's greatest Jazz musicians, and Rarity just couldn't refuse.

"Haaaah! All done!" She whipped her sweaty brow and stepped back to admire her hoofwork. The tuxedo was edgy and yet classy. The black material amazingly poignant under the light, the red mid-contraband served as a sharp contrast to the midnight black blazer and the blue band on the Fedora softened the sharp look of the Tux, the plume had been added as a sort of fashion statement.

C'est Magnifique she whispered, exhausted. Just then the chime rang it's sweet two-note message, announcing the arrival of yet another pony, who exactly however, was yet to be determined.

Curious, Rarity trotted over to the storefront where she expected either a late night customer or a friend in need, coming to her in their hour of need.

What she found however, was equally enthralling as it was curious. A sad Sweetie Belle.

"Hey Rarity." Said the dejected filly as she soddenly dragged her hooves in a sad fashion across the parlor towards her room. Rarity watched her with a raised eyebrow.

"Sweetie Belle? Something the matter dearie?" She inquired, Sweetie Belle didn't answer her, but instead continued walking until she was walking up the steps to her room.

"Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle! You even eaten dinner!" She shouted, cuffing a hoof to reach the youngster who was well out of site by now.

"I'm not hungry!" She called back. Now Rarity was worried, if something got Sweetie down, then it must have been serious.

"Hold on sister, I'm coming." She grumbled under her breath as she steeled herself before heading upstairs.

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The Apple family always believed in a wholesome family meal, no matter how long an individual member took to actually show up. Sometimes it would be Applejack who would run late, a long day of harvesting done. Sometimes Big Mac as he braved a harsh storm to plant seeds or till the earth. Or even Applebloom as she did an extracurricular activity or as she helped her older siblings around the farm. No matter how late anyone got home, they would always find the scent of warm homemade food guiding their tired bodies.

"Hey Applejack, hey Big Mac, hello Granny." Applebloom greeted her grandmother and siblings as she mopped/walked to her seat at the table where Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny Smith were eyeing the youngster wearily. Applebloom wasn't one to get down so easily, so whatever happened, must have been big.

"Something the matter sis?" Asked Applejack never taking her eyes off the youngster as she dug into some Hasbrowns and Mashed Potato.

"Aww, nothing." Muttered Applebloom toying with her food, flipping the little square potato pieces over and over again.

"I'd say that ain't nothin'." Said Big Mac as he a piece of a Braeburn Apple off.

"Well...me n' Scootaloo were arguing. In class taday, Mr. Whooves said that there was something called Freedom Mountain back behind Everfee Forest, but I don't see it. Scootaloo said that it was there, so me n' her got into it." She muttered.

Applejack merely frowned. "Freedom Mountain? I don't see any mountain, 'specially past the Everfree. You sure about this Mr. Whooves character? Seems awfully shady." She remarked, putting down her dish and fixing Applebloom with a gaze.

"Yeah, I'm sure. He's a friend of Ms. Cheerilees! But! But! He did this thing with his body and he-"

Granny Smith smacked her silverware hard against the table, drawing attention to herself. The matriarch had been watching  the conversation silently.

"I agree with Applejack, first thing tomorrow, we go on over to yer school and watch this stallion for ourselves. No knowing what lies he's feeding you children." And with that, the Matriarch excused herself and headed into the kitchen to wash the dishes.

"I agree with Granny. First thing tomorrow, me n' Big Mac'll head down to the school and see this guy for ourselves. I just don't know about him." Applejack tapered off as she too excused herself, leaving Big Mac who was still eating and Applebloom who had her ears down and her head hung in shame.

"But he walked through the walls." She mumbled incoherently, more to herself then to anyone else. But little did she know, Big Mac had heard her. And his eyes flew open.

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Contrary to popular belief, Scootaloo could fly, she just chose to walk and use her makeshift scooter to travel. Now however, she used her wings like a hummingbird, and flew up to Rainbow Dash's cloud house, or rather, her sister's cloud house.

With a sigh of both melancholy and relief, she pushed open the door, made of cloud, and proceeded into the main living room. Also made of cloud.

"HEY SQUIRT!" She heard Rainbow yell from upstairs as Scootaloo flopped onto the couch, it sank under her weight, comfortably.

"HEY DASH!" Scootaloo yelled, from upstairs came the sounds of heavy metal. No doubt Dash rocking out as she usually did.

Suddenly, the muffled sounds of clashing brass and ripping Guitars increased as the door to Rainbow Dash's room flew open, and it's owner peeked her head from upstairs.

"Something wrong kiddo?" She asked, worry and intrigue painted all over her face.

"Ah nothing, me n' Applebloom got into a fight. That's all." Replied the filly as she crossed her legs and sighed once more.

"Really? What about?" Rainbow Dash's voice came from closer this time around as she no doubt moved closer.

"Well..we were at school. And Cheerliee's friend, some guy named Mr. Whooves said that there was something called Freedom Mountain past Everfee Forest, well, Applebloom said it wasn't true, but I know it is." The youngster turned to face her mother/sister.

Rainbow Dash however, was rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

"Dunno. Probably depends on how old he is. Tell you what, I'll go talk to Twilight and see what I can do. And maybe I'll drop by tomorrow to see this dude. He sounds suspicious."

Scootaloo lit up. "You'd do all that for me?" She asked, Rainbow Dash merely gave her a playful noogie with a wry grin. "Of course I would! What type of sister or friend would that make me if I didn't?" She asked rhetorically.

Scootaloo however, was long out of sight as she skipped happily to her bedroom, content with the knowledge that her sister was helping her.

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Rarity frowned sourly. "Sweetie Belle! Come out this instant! I know something's bothering you! I'm your sister for pete's sake!"

Still no response. Grumbling softly, she headed back into a nearby utility's closet and fetched a skeleton key. Always handy in these situations.

Forcing her way in, she was surprised to find a very still filly siting on her bed staring out her window, her gaze pointed in the direction of the Everfree Forest.

"Sweetie Belle! I know something's bothering you and I'll have you tell me this instant!" She proclaimed stomping a hoof for emphasis.

Instead of answering her question, Sweetie Belle turned to her sister. "Hey sis? Is there something called the Freedom Mountain?" She asked.

Rarity merely frowned further. "No. Not that I know of. Why, did somebody say anything about a mountain?" She asked moving to her sister.

"No, no. It's just that Scootaloo and Applebloom were arguing over it. And I kinda want to know myself." The little filly merely sighed remorsefully, her pink and purple curls bobbing a bit.

"Well.. I don't know darling. I'll have to ask Twilight. Who said that anyway?" Asked Rarity.

"Well...we had a guest today. It was Ms. Cheerliee's friend, Mr. Whooves. He said that there was something called The Freedom Mountain."

For some reason, Rarity felt a shiver in the back of her spine any time Sweetie Belle said that word. "Sweetie Belle. I don't know what they're teaching you in that awful class. But whatever it is. I know from the bottom of my heart that it isn't right. I'll come first thing tomorrow to see if everything's alright. I should most definitely ask Twilight to come as well, in case there's some funny business."

Sweetie Belle, who had been waiting patiently to get a word in edge-wise, simply sighed. Once Rarity was on the war path, there was no stopping her.

"Alright sis." She said solemnly jumping behind the covers of her sheet, intending for some goodnight's rest. Rarity pecked her on the forehead and walked out.

"Goodnight Sweetie Belle. Sleep tight." She chirped, closing the door quietly.

"Goodnight Rarity." Replied Sweetie as she drifted off.

(A/N: Yeah, turns out it was a little more than two hours work :L)