Early autumn and already the leaves of the Everfree were changing, their hues now golden oranges, glowing amber under Celestia's sun and deep reds that burned with passion. These trees rustled softly in the brisk breeze, all uniform in this manner. All that is but one.A single tall oak did not conform to the simple manner of its peers but this was not from any fault of its own. For a tree has no say in the manner when a strange creature decides to hide out in its shady arms.
Very little could be seen of this Everfree creature beyond what little amount of its face peered forth from the green leaves. Sharp brown eyes could be seen gleaming in the rays of light that shone through the forest. These eyes, from what could be observed, spoke of intelligence and could be seen flitting side to side, taking in all of its surroundings. These seemed like that of the most cunning of predators indeed.
These eyes froze up though and and fuzzy ears, lined with long tufts of fur, perked forward as a thundering made its way throughout the forest. This was a sound that had grown familiar to regular denizens of the enchanted forest, it was a sound of warning, a sound telling every creature to hide. With this thundering the forest would clear itself, every manticore, fruit bat or out of place diamond dog scurrying for cover. But this particular creature was new and had no such experience with this noise. Instead of pulling deeper into the safety of the thick leaves, he drew forward, hanging precariously onto the edge of the branches.
And that would be his downfall. In quite the literal sense. For down this creature went. With a crisp crack of those branches black padded paws clutched out for any saving branch. The only thing to save this creature though was his own particular luck and the pile of leaves that came with it.
An annoyed grunt came out of the pile, leaves having settled both around and on top of his soft body. leaves where quickly shredded out of his way and once more those gleaming brown eyes reappeared, wreathed again by leaves. Though he reemerged to a sight most befuddling to himself. A sight of summer green, skeptical gold and carefree purple. He came across the terror of the Everfree.
~
Gasps of surprise left the three crusaders as the sight of the tumbling ball of fur dropped right in front of them. Before any of the young foals could even think about getting an adult or simply leaving the area all three were inching forward, Sweetie Belle at the lead. A tentative hoof reached out to the creature, the pristine white inching ever closer to brushing up against its fur.The hoof was trembling, like a leaf grasping onto its tree during the October months. And then contact was made. Bright green eyes, previously worried and filled with apprehension, shot open with delight .
"It's so fluffy!" Sweetie Belle squealed and wrapped both hooves around the unknown creature in a tight hug before either of her two comrades could so much as squeak out any protest.
Sweetie's face was buried deep within the thick fur of the red panda, snuggling it hard, soft cooing noises barely making their way to her fellow crusaders' ears. And then those same green eyes popped back up, a light with an idea.
"Oh, can we keep him, can we? Please?"
Apple Bloom was about ready to reach out at this point anyways to the creature, seeing how Sweetie Belle had remained unharmed thus far. Biting her lip she slowly stroked the deep red fur left exposed between Sweetie's hooves. It did feel soft to her, and thick like one of Granny's sweaters. Apple Bloom felt herself slowly nodding.
"So...What should we call this critter?" Apple Bloom looked at the creature, still holding suspicions despite those warm brown eyes and obviously soft fur, " Ah mean if we're gonna keep it we gotta give it a name."
"I shall call him Fluffy and he shall be mine and he shall be my Fluffy. Come on, Fluffy, come on, little Fluffy."
"No!" Two voices rang out simultaneously, abruptly crushing the young unicorn's dreams.
"Sweetie, we don't even know if that thing is a he. Or a she! Or even an it! And we ain't naming it Fluffy!"
Before Sweetie could even muster up the tears for her patented, and quite successful, puppy dog eyes Scootaloo interjected with her own two bits.
"Yeah, and such an awesome creature obviously needs an awesome name to match. Not something namby-pamby like Fluffy."
"No." This was a simple flat no, delivered by only the mouth of young Apple Bloom this time as she turned away from her peers. "No, we need to think up something ...special. Think about it, do either of ya even recognize this here creature? What if its the only one of its kind in the whole Everfree? Maybe even Equestria!"
It seemed this was a day full of eye glinting for Apple Bloom, when she turned back to her friends, had quite the obvious glint gleaming in both her wide orbs.
"Girls, we're going to be exotic animal caretakers!"
This, of course, lead to a wild cheer of yay, all three sets of hooves being thrown up into the air in excitement.
"...Oops." Came the soft whispered voice of Sweetie Belle.
Yet again three sets of hooves went into the air, this time circling wildly to catch their hastily thrown new found pet.
Crash
Three heads crashed together with a mighty bang, Scootaloo's right eye just nearly avoiding impalement on the horn of her friend. Then another crash as their newfound, and yet unnamed, pet landed solidly on Apple Bloom's back.
"Ah got him"
Author's Note
Well I had nothing else to do and I have literally gotten six hours of sleep in the paste week...definitely not my best work. And I feel I rushed it. Once I rediscover sleep I intend to go back and touch this up.
