Chapters Ch: 1 - Two Steps Forward
Fluttershy stuffed an extra scarf into her saddlebag and did a quick sweep of her home to ensure everything was well in order. She pat her pet bunny on the head and fluttered into the front room.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Fluttershy asked the sweetest baby dragon, who used his arms as perches for the many birds that flew freely through the home.
"Don't worry about me. I've got it all under control. Spike's Pet Watching business is back and better than ever!" Spike exclaimed just before stumbling forward and face-planting.
Fluttershy cringed and bit her lip as her pets fluttered away. Twilight Sparkle then placed a hoof on her shoulder and chuckled.
"Don't worry about a thing, Fluttershy. I'll make sure there aren't any complications. Are you about ready? Your train should be arriving soon." Twilight checked the wall clock and shrugged.
"Yes, it'll be here soon, but I'm still waiting for—"
"Let's move out!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she skidded up to Fluttershy's door. "We don't wanna miss the train!"
Twilight giggled, then her eyes popped open. "Oh wait! I wanted to mention so etching about those caterpillars you guys are looking for. I read a small article about them in Strange and Rare Insects , a book of mine. Apparently these caterpillars were poached back in the day due to their valuable cocoon shells. After metamorphosis, the cocoon loses all of its luster and color, but during metamorphosis they can be harvested and preserved, then sold as jewelry for high prices. Tragic, because now they're officially endangered and nearly impossible to find."
Fluttershy lowered her ears and glanced to the floor. "Oh... I see. I didn't realize that."
"Psh, who cares about some lame little worms anyway? There's plenty of awesome wildlife and scenery for us to check out while we're up there. So let's get a move on." Rainbow Dash tightened her saddlebag and took flight.
Fluttershy smiled and nodded. "You're right."
Twilight held her hoof up and waved them off. "One last thing; the researcher said that seeing the caterpillars was—and I quote—a truly magical and life changing experience. I wish you two the best of luck. Make sure to take lots of pictures!"
Fluttershy tapped her camera with a nod and trotted up to her friend. "I will, Twilight. And thank you so much for your help. I know my pets will be in good care with you around."
"And me!" Spike added mid-pursuit of a ferret dragging an angry cat's toy in its mouth.
"And you too. Thank you, Spike." Fluttershy giggled with Twilight, then Rainbow Dash stepped up to her.
"I'm gonna miss you too, Twi. Try not to go on any epic adventures without me!" Rainbow Dash hugged her and tapped her back.
"I'll try not to," said Twilight as she returned the farewell-hug. "You two need to get going, though."
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy each nodded to the other and headed out the front door. They took flight and carried on towards the train station.
"I'm looking forward to this. I haven't been up to the lake since I was just a little filly. I barely remember it, but I know it was awesome!" Rainbow Dash beamed as she hurried along.
"I've never been there before, but I know that there are all sorts of wonderful animals that don't live around here. I can't wait to see them." Fluttershy closed her eyes and hugged the camera hanging around her neck. "I can't wait to make a scrapbook to show all the great memories and moments we have on the trip. The Northern Circle is supposed to be one of the most beautiful places in Equestria."
"That's right. I wish I could remember it better, but it guess that doesn't matter. I'll make plenty of new memories with my best friend." Rainbow Dash slowly landed on the road and trotted up to the train platform. "It's too bad we might not see those caterpillars you're so interested in."
"Yeah." Fluttershy sighed. "It's okay though. The trip with you will be more than enough to make this a great vacation. Pretty bugs or not."
"Take me with you!" a mare cried out from behind them.
"Pinkie Pie? What are you doing? You can't come with us, you don't even have a train ticket." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as her enthusiastic friend latched onto her with a constricting hug.
Fluttershy covered her mouth and giggled. "I'll miss you."
Pinkie Pie then turned and grabbed ahold of Fluttershy. "You don't have to miss me. Let me hide in your bag!"
Fluttershy pulled away as her friend shoved her muzzle into her saddlebag. "I don't think you'll fit..."
Rainbow Dash chuckled and nudged Pinkie back. "Hey now. We'll be back in a week. You already said goodbye a billion times at the 'Goodbye Party' yesterday. Just try not to think about it. We'll miss you, but we'll be back before you know it!"
Pinkie Pie wiped her tears and sniffled. "Will you write?"
"No mail service."
Pinkie Pie's mane flattened as she fell to the floor.
"Oh quit it, you. You've got a big party welcome party to plan, don't you? We'll be back soon, and we need to be welcomed, right?" Fluttershy smiled and tilted her head.
"Oh my gosh you're right!" Pinkie Pie jumped into the air and zipped out of sight.
"Nice one." Rainbow Dash wrapped a wing over her friend's back.
"Thanks. Oh look." Fluttershy pointed a hood down the tracks towards a passenger train rolling in.
The steam engine car screeched to a halt, and two conductors switched places. A moment later, the doors slid open.
"All aboooooard!" the conductor shouted.
Rainbow Dash took one last look at Ponyville, then followed her friend onto the train. With a plume of steam and a echoing whistle, the doors slid shut and the train departed.
"Next stop: Winterburg Station!"
Rainbow Dash took the window seat and sat her bag in her lap. "What sorts of animals live there?" she asked.
Fluttershy beamed and quivered at the thought. "All kinds . Snow foxes, white squirrels, seals, walruses, lots of different rabbits, snowy owls... not to mention the mysterious creatures that live in the forest there. There are all sorts of rumored magical critters like wisps, fairies, treefolk and who knows what else? I don't think we'll see those things, but some ponies say the forest is enchanted."
"Hope we see some cool stuff. I want to find a frost troll and beat it up!" Rainbow Dash punched her hooves together, and Fluttershy winced.
"Oh my... That'd be scary. I just want to stick to nice, cute animals instead." Fluttershy nodded and pointed the camera at Rainbow Dash, whe stuck her tongue out and grinned. "Say cheese."
With a flash of light, Fluttershy giggled and Rainbow Dash rubbed her eyes.
"One memory down, a million to go."
Ch: 2 - Lost in the Woods
The massive steam train plowed through the snow-covered tracks as it slid into Winterberg Station. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy stretched their legs while they stepped onto the platform, each yawning after the ten-hour trip.
Rainbow Dash glanced up to the posted schedule as the train slowly rolled away. "Oh wow. The next scheduled train to arrive is our ride home, then the station will be closed for the winter."
"We better not miss it then..." Fluttershy frowned.
Rainbow Dash hopped into the air and circled the small station. "Yup... We'll be trapped here for sure if we miss our ride. No way we could fly through the blizzards that are on their way. Scary to think about, ya know?"
Fluttershy squeaked, "Yes..."
"Aw, don't worry. Chin up and move out." Rainbow Dash waved towards a road and flew ahead.
Fluttershy stepped off the platform and the crisp snow crunched beneath her hooves. She tightened her scarf and fluffed her wings before she pressed on through the cold. As Rainbow Dash left her sight, she picked up the pace. She trudged on, then took flight, her eyes darting from side to side for a glimpse of rainbow-mane.
"Rainbow?" she quietly called out. "Where are—oomph!"
Fluttershy fell onto her rear and shook a pile of snow from her mane. "Rainbow!"
The culprit hovered next to the single green branch of an otherwise white, snow-covered evergreen, holding her sides in a fit of hysteric laughter. "Baaaa-ha ha ha! I got you good, 'Shy!"
Rainbow's laughter slowed as a small snowball collided with her chest.
"Humph. That wasn't very nice. How do you like it?" Fluttershy stood up and shook herself off with a wiggle of her haunches.
"Aw..." Rainbow Dash fluttered down to her side and swept her back clear with a wing. "I was just playin'.
Fluttershy stuck her tongue out and continued walking. "I know. You just scared me a little."
Rainbow landed next to her and trotted along. "You can get me back later."
Fluttershy nodded, then spotted a small white fox burrowing through the snow at the base of a tree. She pressed her foreleg into Rainbow Dash's chest and carefully reached for her camera.
"Ouch. What—"
"Shh!" Fluttershy hushed, then whispered, "there's a snow fox over there."
It perked its head up in time for Fluttershy to snap a perfect picture, then it shook its body and created a small cloud of snowflakes. As they settled, it was nowhere to be seen.
"Amazing!" Fluttershy hugged her camera and beamed at the sight.
"I've never seen one of those before. Weird." Rainbow Dash shrugged and carried on.
Fluttershy hopped to her side. "Of course not. That lovely little guy doesn't live as far south as Ponyville. Their snow coats would melt, then they'd look..." Fluttershy covered her mouth and giggled at the thought.
"Gotcha. Oh look..." Rainbow Dash hopped into the air and glided to a fork in the road.
Two signs pointed down opposite directions, each with a name carved into it. Pointing to the left: Winterburg , and to the right: Circle Lake.
Fluttershy merrily skipped along and headed down the smaller of two trails towards the lake. "Almost there, right?"
Rainbow Dash darted to her side and nodded. A warm smile eased onto her face while she watched her friend snap dozens of pictures of wild critters scurrying about, including; a white squirrel with cheeks stuffed full of acorns, a flock of mud swallows fluttering to the south, and a rabbit frantically bouncing deeper into the forest.
The snow drifts laying across the trail were becoming taller as they advanced. Each pegasus took flight and flapped down the apparent trail until the snow had covered its existence completely. Rainbow Dash scratched her head and pointed between a large pair of evergreen trees.
"I think it's this way," she said as she fluttered forward.
Fluttershy nodded before taking a picture of a groundhog burrowing into a snow mound. She then lowered her camera and tilted her head at the sight of something larger. Her eyes met with a creature standing at the precipice of her field of vision, and with a dull flash of blue light, it was gone. She shook her head and wiped her eyes, then chuckled.
"You alright?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You're missing that weak flier picking at its wing." She pointed across the snow to a small bluejay preening itself.
"Oh!" Fluttershy snapped a photo, then shrugged. "I think I just saw a deer in the woods. She had really pretty blue eyes, but vanished before I even realized what I was looking at."
"Vanished, huh... Okay then." Rainbow Dash crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out with a chuckle.
"Quit it. I'm being serious..." Fluttershy pouted.
Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes and glanced through the trees. She turned around and searched for a trail, then nervously laughed. "Okay, don't freak out, but I'm not sure where we are."
Fluttershy widened her eyes and dropped the camera, which dangled at her chest. "We're... lost?! When did this happen? I though you knew where we were going... Oh my... Ohhhh dear. This is not good." She covered her mouth with both hooves and began to hyperventilate.
"No! We're just off course. Don't worry about it, I'll just fly up and..." Rainbow Dash looked up into the impossibly thick ceiling of evergreen needles and gulped. "Okay, well it can't be much further. Let's just keep moving and try to spot the trail."
Fluttershy chewed on the tips of her hooves as she followed her friend. They headed through the dense forest while the wind whistled through the trees. Distant echoes of old creaky tree trunks swaying in the wind sent chills up her spine, and she squeaked. "Oh no... I..."
Rainbow turned around and grabbed Fluttershy's shoulders. "Listen up! I need you to not be scared, okay? This forest isn't that big, and it's not far to the lake. Once we hit the shore, we'll head to the left, which is east." She pointed to her right. "We left Ponyville at seven in the morning, that means it's about five o'clock right now. Look where the light is coming from. This general direction is northwardly, so even if we're off trail, we'll hit the lake soon. The problem is that the sun will set soon, so we have to hurry unless you want to spend the night camping in the woods."
Fluttershy slowly nodded and steeled her nerves. "Okay... I can do this. I-I'll be brave."
"Thank you. Now let's get to our cabin so we can relax by a fire, okay?" Rainbow Dash offered a quick smile before turning to lead the way.
Fluttershy stayed at her heels as they went. She took deep breaths and ignored the fur standing on her spine as she heard what she thought were whispers directly behind her. A low rumble stole her attention, and she glanced into the forest. A deep blue glow slowly faded into the darkness, and she shuddered.
"Come on. Keep up, Shy." Rainbow Dash waved forward and shook her head.
"Okay..." Fluttershy squeaked.
Rainbow Dash stopped and examined a tree. There were deep gouges freshly carved into its trunk. "This is weird."
Fluttershy bit her lip and closed her eyes. "L-Let's hurry, please."
Rainbow Dash scratched her chin and poked at the damaged tree, then shrugged and moved forward. She spotted another marked tree and flew up to it, then peered deeper into the woods where another gouge could be seen marking a dark brown trunk. "I think these are a trail... Wanna follow it or keep heading north?"
"Uhm, I..."
"Shhh! Listen. You hear that?" Rainbow Dash placed a hoof to her ear and squinted.
Fluttershy cringed and covered hers as she heard a deep hum in the distance. A dim flicker caught Rainbow Dash's attention, and Fluttershy frantically flapped to her side as she darted towards it.
"You see that? I think there's somepony over there. Let's go check it out," Rainbow Dash said as she tapped the next marked tree.
Fluttershy stayed close behind and kept her eyes on the snow beneath her. "I don't know if we should... I mean, what if we're trespassing?"
"It's a national park. Nopony own private property out here. This is Celestia's land," Rainbow Dash explained.
Rainbow Dash rubbed her hoof into another deeply gouged tree trunk and glanced around before shouting, "Who's doing this?!"
The only answer was a chilling howl from above the treetops. Fluttershy looked back over her shoulder and gazed between the trees into the twilit distance. "W-Which way should we g-go now?" Fluttershy asked with chattering teeth.
Rainbow Dash let her scowl slip into a wobbly frown at the sight of her best friend shivering. She glided to her side and pulled her closely before she rested her chin on Fluttershy's cold, pink mane. "Hey, let's get moving. It's not much further."
Fluttershy stopped flapping and supported her weight on Rainbow Dash while she held onto her. Her body stopped shaking and she smiled before looking up into her eyes. "Promise?"
"Of course. You can count on me!" Rainbow a Dash beamed and gazed out into the forest to find her way. Each direction radiated a dim, off-white glow, and the pegasus scratched her head.
Fluttershy widened her deep teal eyes and breathed over her front hooves with a puff of white. The powdery snow serpentined along the forest floor while zigzagging between the trees. "Which way is the wind blowing?"
"To the east, probably," Rainbow Dash answered before raising her hoof and pointing past a thick tree truck. "Follow me."
Fluttershy took a deep breath and flew in Rainbow Dash's trail. As they went, a low pitched hum grew louder and louder. Fluttershy tried to ignore it by humming a song, but her heart began to race as it got louder still. She began to breath heavily and she covered her ears at the brink of panic.
"Stop it!" she shouted and snapped her gaze backwards.
Rainbow Dash flinched and lowered her ears. "Stop what?!"
Fluttershy opened her eyes while both mares hovered in silence. She shook her head and glanced around. The humming noise was absent, and she gulped. "That noise was scaring me..."
"What noise?" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Probably just squirrel or something."
Fluttershy fidgeted and glanced from side to side. "It stopped... Is it just me or is it brighter now?"
"Yeah, I can tell where the sun is again," Rainbow Dash noted. "Looks like the trees are thinning out finally. The lake must be getting closer."
Rainbow Dash led the way as they reached the edge of the woods. They fluttered above the icy lakeshore and bumped hooves.
"See? No problem. I'd never get us lost." Rainbow Dash beamed while Fluttershy took a deep, calming exhale.
"Thank you. So now which way?" Fluttershy asked as she glanced down the shore.
"This way." Rainbow Dash pointed towards a wooden dock protruding into the ice in the distance, then flew ahead.
Before Fluttershy joined her, she looked back into the woods. The wide opening that led them there was nowhere to be seen, and she scratched her head. Without a second glance, she darted forward.
Rainbow Dash whistled and zipped up to a tall log cabin. "And here we are!"
Fluttershy caught up and landed near the front porch. "Oh my. It looks so peaceful out here... I love it."
The log cabin sat near the icy lakeshore, covered in snow and icicles on each log's round protrusion. To the west was a vast lake bordered by tall, snowy evergreens for miles. Behind the cabin was a tall mountain with a dazzling icy peak and trees patching its cold, gray stone surface.
A small gust of wind howled through the air, and Fluttershy shivered as snowflakes began to dot her mane.
"It wasn't supposed to snow today..." Rainbow Dash grumbled as she pulled a key from her saddlebag and attempted to unlocked the door. The key stuck and Rainbow yanked back on it, snapping the head off. "Darn it! Cheap lock!"
"Uhm... Are you sure this is the right cabin?" asked Fluttershy.
"I don't see any other cabins around here. You wanna go back and look?" Rainbow Dash asked as piercing wind chilled their coats.
Fluttershy shivered and shook her head, then Rainbow Dash turned around and bashed the door open with her hind legs. The two then entered and shook the fresh snow from their coats.
"This place isn't quite like I remember it... I barely remember it. Anyway, can you believe how cheap it was to rent this place for a whole week?" Rainbow Dash trotted through the front room and twirled around after latching the door shut.
"I'm glad it wasn't too expensive. It looks nice, too." Fluttershy glanced around and noted the large brick fireplace pre-filled with cut logs. "It's chilly in here."
Rainbow Dash shrugged and circled back before poking around the firewood pile. "Huh, I should have requested extra firewood because I know you'll need it. I knew I was forgetting to do something..."
"Oh, well... I'll be fine if you want to try and preserve it for now." Fluttershy tightened her scarf and smiled.
"Nah. Don't worry about that. I want you to be comfortable." Rainbow Dash struck a match and tossed it beneath the logs onto a small pile of kindling. "I'll just go chop more if we need it. No biggy."
Fluttershy smiled softly and nuzzled her friend. "Thank you."
Rainbow Dash glanced up and away with a crooked smirk. "Don't mention it."
While Fluttershy warmed herself by the fire, the kitchen caught her attention. A bundle of basic provisions sat just past the entrance, and she stepped over to investigate. There was flower, sugar, wheat, various seeds, and a barrel of oats all propped into the corner. The wooden stove had a layer of dust coating the surface, and pantry was empty.
"Looks like we're the first visitors in a long time," Fluttershy said as she opened a cupboard and a miller fled for its life.
"Yeah probably. Most ponies rent these cabins early in the summer when it's warm enough to swim. Nopony wants to freeze their tails off mid-winter except us." Rainbow Dash placed a wing over her friend's back and chuckled. "Looks like we'll have to find that trail and hike into town to pick a few things up, huh?"
"Looks like it. Unless you want to eat oats all night." Fluttershy giggled and brushed her hoof under Rainbow's chin.
"I don't." Rainbow Dash flicked the barrel with her tail. "Let's go check out the bedrooms and unpack, then we'll head out to town later. This snow covering the trail is really annoying me, though. We'll have to be extra careful."
Fluttershy nodded and trotted towards the stairway with Rainbow Dash close behind. They walked up the creaky steps, and Fluttershy gulped as the entire cabin creaked beneath a howling gust of wind.
As they reached the top, Rainbow Dash rushed into the master bedroom. "Called it first!"
Fluttershy giggled and followed her friend into the room, where she dropped her heavy saddlebag onto the floor with a deep breath of relief. "That's okay. Where's my room then?"
"Right out there and to the left. No wait, that's the bathroom. To your right is your bedroom." Rainbow Dash stretched out on the large and comfortable bed.
Fluttershy lifted the bag with her teeth and headed back towards the stairway, then opened the door to her right. Inside was a small bathtub with a shower curtain eerily draped over it. She tilted her head and leaned closer. Something was in the tub, concealed by the curtain. She took a wary step forward to investigate.
"Oops."
"Eep!" Fluttershy cringed and bit her tongue.
'Haha! Calm down there scaredy cat. Let's check your room out." Rainbow Dash chuckled and stepped back down the hallway.
Fluttershy glanced back at the tub and gulped, then chased after her friend. Rainbow Dash pulled the door open and each mare stared with wide eyes. The smaller bedroom was completely empty aside from an enormous pile of chopped logs.
"Guess we found the extra firewood we need..." Rainbow Dash huffed and let her wings fall limp.
Fluttershy scratched her head and sat her bag down. "That's alright. I don't mind sleeping on the couch downstairs."
"Forget that. The bed in my room is huge! We'll share it, alright?" Rainbow wrapped a wing over her back and leaned in with a shiny grin.
Fluttershy blushed and nodded. "Okay... but only if you really don't mind."
"Don't mention it. I did say I'd keep you warm if it got too cold up here." Rainbow lifted her friend's bag and carried into the master bedroom.
Fluttershy gave a quick nod and followed her into the room, then hopped onto the bed. "It's pretty chilly in here."
"Yeah it is. I think these windows are a little drafty. Plenty of blankets to keep us warm, though!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she dived into the covers.
Fluttershy fell backwards and giggled at the sight of a mound moving towards her from beneath the blankets. She scooted back and lifted them up to join Rainbow Dash. It was dim beneath the layers of comforters, but enough light permeated the fabric to leave each mare visible.
"Warmer already, right?" Rainbow Dash asked as she breathed over her front hooves.
Fluttershy nodded and scooted closer until their hind legs were touching. "It is."
The two made eye contact, and as Fluttershy reached up to touch Rainbow's cheek, she gulped and jumped out from beneath the covers.
"Hey, we should get downstairs. Can't leave that fire unattended for too long, you know..." Rainbow Dash scratched her head and shrugged before darting down the steps.
Fluttershy sighed and climbed out as well, then made the bed up nice and neat. She then dug through her saddlebag and lifted out her personal friendship journal. After turning a few pages, she took a quill into her mouth and began to write.
It's only the first of five days, and it's already been quite an adventure. Sure it's a little chilly up north, but Rainbow Dash being with me makes it more than bearable. I hope I see an icicle bear while I'm here. And maybe even a snow gollum. Oh my, that'd be scary, but so exciting! I can't wait to go exploring the forest after we rest up. I think it's really as enchanted as I've heard. I was scared while we were lost, but there is definitely something magical hidden in there. I wonder who that deer is... I hope we see her again too. I hope we see lots of great and magical creatures, oh, and especially the caterpillars!
I want to remember this week for the rest of my life.
Note to self: Buy a walk-in freezer to breed snow foxes.
Fluttershy gave a quick nod before shutting her journal.
"Come on, Shy! It's nice 'n toasty down here for ya!" Rainbow Dash called out from the first floor.
Fluttershy giggled and tucked her book away, then headed downstairs to join her friend by the fire.
Rainbow Dash stared up at a huge portrait hanging above the fireplace. A stallion with an angry expression wearing a classic business suit loomed over them, his piercing eyes staring down into her soul. "Yeah, so I think this is the wrong cabin after all."
"I think so too. What should we do about it?" Fluttershy asked.
Rainbow Dash shrugged. "I'm not sure. I mean, it's obvious that nopony's been here in a while. Even these cobwebs have cobwebs. I'm guessing we're in a less visited part of the lake."
Fluttershy yawned and curled up on the couch. "Well we did pay for a cabin. It's all the same, right?"
"Right. They got their money, so it shouldn't really matter. I doubt anypony will ever find out anyway. We're good." Rainbow Dash stretched out and joined her friend on the sofa. "Let's take a nap and then explore this place a bit."
"Hmm... Sounds... nice," Fluttershy muttered between deep breaths, her eyes closed.
Rainbow Dash closed her eyes as well and rested her chin on Fluttershy's chest. The two drifted off to sleep in front of the warming fire, and the snow continued to fall outside.
Fluttershy stood in front of the cabin window with drooping ears and a pouted lip. Snow was piling up outside as the unexpected winter storm raged on, and Fluttershy squeezed her camera with a deep sigh.
Rainbow Dash poked at the burning logs with a iron rod, and embers stirred into the air. "I can't believe they did this... I read the schedules twice before we planned this trip! Dumb newbies messing everything up!"
Fluttershy took a deep breath and fogged up the window before she turned around to face her friend. "It shouldn't last too much longer, right?"
"Probably not, but it's gonna get dark soon, and we don't have any food. I don't know about you but I don't feel like heading out into subzero temperatures tonight," Rainbow Dash said as she groaned and jabbed into the flames.
Fluttershy gave a mirthful frown before her attention was drawn to the kitchen once again. "I think we have everything we need to bake... something."
"Bake something? Like a cake?" Rainbow asked.
"Sure! Or cookies, maybe." Fluttershy skipped into the kitchen and began rummaging through the few provisions scattered throughout.
Rainbow Dash followed her and scratched her head. "So... do you know how to whip up a cake from scratch?"
"Uhm, no? But I do know how to make sugar cookies... I think," Fluttershy said as she rounded up the ingredients.
Rainbow Dash skeptically watched for a moment before heading to the oven and inspecting it. "Think this thing still even works?"
"I don't see why it wouldn't. It's just a wooden oven with a stone kiln. Not much to it," Fluttershy explained, then dug for a mixing bowl.
Rainbow Dash smiled and blew the bangs from her face. "Sure could use Pinkie Pie right around now, huh? I bet she'd have everything we need tucked into her mane."
Fluttershy giggled at the thought and shrugged. "I bet you're right, but we'll make do on our own, somehow."
"Hey," Rainbow Dash called as she placed a wing around her friend's back. "We're not alone if we have each other. This storm won't get us down, will it!"
Fluttershy gave a quick now and sighed. "I just hope it doesn't ruin our whole week... I was really hoping we'd be able to go explore the forest, and I want to take more pictures of cute and magical animals too! Like a... like a snow golem! Ooh, and maybe even a—"
"Yeah I get it!" Rainbow Dash shouted with a hoof over Fluttershy's lips. "Look, if it isn't one-hundred percent cleared up by the morning, I'll go push those clouds away myself. Deal?"
Fluttershy widened her eyes and clapped her front hooves. "Yes!" she shouted, then recoiled. "Of course, only if it isn't too much trouble..."
"For me? No trouble at all. Now the average pony might die trying." Rainbow Dash forced a laugh and turned away with a gulp. She faced the window and watched the heavy snow flakes flickering though the light provided the fire inside.
"You're the best, Dash." Fluttershy went back to her equipment-scavenging and lifted a splintery old wooden bowl into her hooves.
Rainbow Dash cringed and lowered the bowl down. "You know what? Don't worry about it tonight. When we go into town tomorrow, we'll buy a few supplies and you can bake me those delicious sugar cookies you were talking about, alright?"
"Oh, okay. Sure," Fluttershy said with a smile. "So what should we do?"
Rainbow Dash blushed as her stomach growled. "How about we roast some oats on the fire so that they taste a bit better?"
"I like oats... What's wrong with oats?" Fluttershy scooped a few onto her hoof and slid them into her mouth from the barrel, then chewed them up with a grin.
"I guess I don't like whole oats... Sheesh. I like cinnamon-apple oatmeal, but that's it for oats." Rainbow Dash rubbed her rumbling stomach and scooped a pile of oats into the wooden bowl, then trotted back into the living room by the fire.
Fluttershy stood still for a moment, then spotted a dusty old kettle sitting on top of the stove. She pumped the faucet and rinsed it out, then filled it with fresh water before joining her friend by the fire. "Look what I found?"
"A pot?"
"A tea kettle," Fluttershy corrected.
Rainbow Dash shrugged and choked down a bundle of warmed oats. "Okay cool. You bring tea or something?"
"No, but I thought we could make oatmeal. It'll be plain-flavored, but at least it'll be sweet and taste better for you." Fluttershy smiled and lifted the kettle over the fire using the iron prod.
Rainbow Dash watched as her friend balanced it atop a burning log for several long moments, and soon it began to steam.
She pulled it out and set it on the floor, then used her scarf to hold it as she poured the hot water into the wooden bowl. "I'll bring you some sugar."
Fluttershy opened the sack of sugar and used a scoop within to carry a generous mound to the steaming bowl. She dumped it in and began to stir as the oats swelled up and absorbed the hot water. "There ya go."
Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and lifted measuring scoop full of soft, cooked oats to her lips.
Fluttershy widened her vivid teal eyes as they shimmered in the firelight. The scent of sweet oatmeal filled her nostrils when Rainbow Dash carefully breathed over the scoop to cool it, then took a bite.
"Well?" Fluttershy asked. "Do you like it?"
Rainbow Dash placidly chewed and gazed into Fluttershy's eyes without expression. As she swallowed the bite, a smile eased onto her face and she nodded. "Not bad! Definitely better than plain old boring oats."
"Yes!" Fluttershy thrust a hoof into the air and beamed. "I'm so glad you like it. Now you don't have to feel miserable on vacation."
Rainbow Dash scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Shy. But I wasn't miserable just because I had to eat some oats. It's gonna take a lot more that that to get me down with you around here."
Fluttershy blushed and leaned into her friend on the sofa. "Still, I want you to like your food."
Rainbow Dash stroked the top of Fluttershy's mane and silently gagged with her tongue sticking out. "Thanks, and you should eat up too. Here, try it."
Rainbow Dash took one more big bite and forced it down before passing the meal over.
"Oh, are you sure you don't want to finish it? I can always make more for myself later, and I like the oats anyway," Fluttershy took the bowl as Rainbow Dash adamantly shook her head.
"Nope, I don't usually eat much on vacation anyway, because I need to... uh, watch my weight since I'm lazing around all day." Rainbow gave a quick nod and crossed her hooves. "Yup, it's all yours!"
"Okay, thank you." Fluttershy inhaled the bowl's sweet, sugary aroma before taking a big bite. "Mmmm, delicious."
Rainbow Dash rubbed her slightly satisfied stomach and turned away while Fluttershy finished off the bowl.
"Ouch," she squeaked. "I think I... I got a thplinter in muh tongue."
Rainbow Dash tilted her head to examine Fluttershy's tongue, and sure enough a tiny sliver of wood stuck protruding from the tip. "That's what you get for using these old bowls, ya goof. Here, lemme get it."
Fluttershy squeezed her eyes closed and held her breath while Rainbow Dash carefully clasped onto the splinter with the tips of her hooves and pulled it out. "Oh... Thank you."
Rainbow Dash tossed it towards the fire and shrugged. "No problem. It happens."
Fluttershy swirled her sore tongue around in her mouth before she curled up on the couch. "Remember earlier this summer when we watched the butterflies migrate?"
"Of course. How could I forget watching... butterflies moving around?" Rainbow Dash teased.
Fluttershy giggled and leaned upright. "I mean, remember what happened? Why didn't we talk about that?.
Rainbow Dash lowered her wings and shrugged. "Talk about what? You mean the neck thing?"
Fluttershy rubbed her neck and blushed. "Uhm, yes? It's kind of a big deal, and I want to... I have to know what you... Humph." Fluttershy covered her red face and turned away.
Rainbow Dash groaned and rolled her eyes. "Come on, can't we just forget about it? It wasn't a big deal, alright?"
Fluttershy huffed from behind her mane. "It was a big deal to me..."
"What can I say? I like you, and I wanted to do something to show it," Rainbow Dash explained.
Fluttershy looked up through her silky pink mane and blinked several times. "You like me? I thought so. And Dash, that's kind of a weird thing to just do without warning."
"Psh, you liked it." Rainbow Dash grinned and raised her eyebrows.
Fluttershy blushed yet again and let her mane slide to one side. "Okay, maybe I did. I don't really remember how I felt."
"What?" Rainbow Dash dropped her grin and widened an eye. "It wasn't that long ago. I remember it like it was yesterday!"
Fluttershy leaned over the arm of the sofa and bared her neck. "Maybe you could remind me?"
Rainbow Dash quickly shook her head and bit her lip. She eyed her best friend who was sprawled across the couch with her head tilted to one side, then took a deep breath. "Is that what this is about? You had a taste of me and now you can't get enough."
"You caught me." Fluttershy giggled and opened her eyes while her head dangled upside down over the arm of the couch. As Rainbow Dash climbed over her and nuzzled her neck, Fluttershy spotted a dazzling blue gem decorating the spine of a lone book sitting on a dusty bookshelf. "What's that?"
Rainbow Dash breathed into Fluttershy's soft coat and shrugged. "We'll check whatever it is out later."
With tingling chills running through her body, Fluttershy gently pushed on Rainbow Dash's head, who leaned up and frowned.
"Alright, alright... What is it?"
Fluttershy wiggled out from beneath her friend and hopped over to the bookshelf where she grabbed the mysterious book. "I saw this thing sparkling and I just had to look at it."
"A book? Since when are you such an egghead? Is it about bunnies or something?" Rainbow Dash scoffed.
"It says Daring Do on it." Fluttershy held the book out and grinned.
"What? Gimme that." Rainbow Dash snatched it away and read over the cover. "Dr. Whinniam H. Research Journal... Lame. Let's get back to it then, shall we?"
Fluttershy wriggled the book from Rainbow Dash's hooves and shook her head. "Look what's on the spine. I think this is a piece of an Aurora Cocoon. Maybe this journal will tell us where to find the caterpillars."
Rainbow Dash lifted a hoof to persist, but the sight of Fluttershy's eager smile as she opened the book stole her intentions. She sighed and scooted up next to her, then supported one half of the journal as they leaned into one another.
Fluttershy cleared her throat and began to read,
Today marks the first of the year, and the elusive Aurora Cocoons should be in full exertion. I will record my daily findings in this journal for research purposes.
Day one came and went, and all I've managed to find are buried shells and fragments of hatched cocoons. After extensive testing via my limited travel kit, I've concluded that these fragments yield no magical properties. I must find the cocoons whole and the pupa must be mid-metamorphesis. I presume this is when the energy is most prevalent. I'll head back into the forest first thing in the morning.
Day two was unsuccessful. During my trek into the forest, I encountered a strange energy that seemingly disoriented me. My drawn maps were taking me to uncharted areas and eventually to the lakeshore. I have no idea how to get back to town, but I found this log cabin on the lake. This is a beautiful area, and as far as I can tell nopony has visited this cabin in decades. I'll stay here for tonight and perhaps the duration of my expedition.
Fluttershy scratched her head and glanced around. "Rainbow Dash, this is very strange."
"Tell me about it. It sounds like the same weird woods thing happened to us, and led us to the same weird cabin." Rainbow Dash frowned and turned the page.
"Not only that, but these entries are marked at almost seventy years old. Good thing oats don't go stale..." Fluttershy giggled and continued reading.
Day three will prove to be fruitless. A sudden blizzard has trapped me in the cabin, and I'm low on provisions. I'll be forced to dig myself out and make the trip back into town if I plan to survive out here.
I've purchased the basics that I need to survive along with a few perishables. These supplies will last long enough to complete my expedition. I was lucky enough to find a trolley available, so if worse comes to worse I have a large barrel of oats to sustain me.
This cabin is lonely.
Day four is a mystery to me. I don't understand what I'm experiencing in the forest. After a several hour hike into the depths of the woods, I ended up back at my front door. I am an experienced navigator, and I'm absolutely certain something is strange is happening. I'm forced to consider the possibility that a third party is tampering with my expedition. I will be vigilant for this trickery tomorrow.
Day five, and I am now certain that there is magic within the forest preventing me from reaching the grotto near the center. I tracked the movement of the forest via the appearance of trees behind me as I hiked and altered my path accordingly. I also noted a trail of carved out gouges, but those are presumably nothing more than a decoy. As I reached the center of the forest, it grew dark and the
"Well? Then what?" Rainbow Dash tilted her head.
Fluttershy shrugged and ran her hoof along a subtle tear-line. "I don't know. The page is missing..."
"Okay, this is seriously some freaky stuff here..." Rainbow Dash shuddered as she turned another page.
Day nine. I've stored an abundance of fragmented shells. At the very least I won't leave this place empty hoofed. One thing has me concerned however. I spotted a deer with blue eyes the other day, and I'm beginning to suspect that she has something to do with the magical interference, though forests themselves have been known to be enchanted. My concern is that I spotted what I believe to be her skulking around outside my cabin. I don't know what she's planning, or if she's alone.
I'll write one last entry before I depart. The others down at the lab are going to love this.
"And that's it. The rest of these pages are all blank." Fluttershy flipped through the book and gulped.
"What do you think happened to that doctor Whinnywhatever?" Rainbow Dash quickly glanced over her shoulder at the sound of a creaking floorboard.
Each mare sat frozen in place, then the entire cabin creaked beneath a gust of wind.
"It's just the... the wind, right?" Fluttershy asked with chattering teeth.
Rainbow Dash flattened her ears and nodded. "Of course. The wind."
"So what do you think happened here? Should we be scared?" Fluttershy winced and hugged Rainbow.
"Me? Scared? You're joking..." Rainbow Dash scoffed and shook her head. "No little blue-eyed deer is gonna scare me, and I'm a master of navigating. You ever try directing ponies to safety through a mile-tall thunderhead? I have, and it takes skill. I can get us to those caterpillars, no problem."
Fluttershy looked up into her friend's deep magenta eyes and smiled. "I'm lucky you decided to do this with me, because I couldn't imagine being here right now without you."
"Would I ever leave you hangin'? You're gonna have the best vacation ever with me around, and I'll make sure you get plenty of pictures of everything!" Rainbow Dash patted her mane and chuckled. "But it's pretty dark in here now, isn't it... Did you notice any candles or lanterns?"
Fluttershy shook her head and shrugged. "Maybe there are some in the upstairs closet?"
"Maybe. Let's go check it out." Rainbow Dash lifted Fluttershy to her hooves and trotted to the stairway.
Fluttershy followed close behind, then began to shake as the light from below flickered and cast large shadows along the walls. As Rainbow Dash dug through the junk-filled closet, Fluttershy pushed the bathroom door open. Her eyes stayed fixated on the shower curtain draping the tub, and she stepped forward. With a deep breath, she steeled her nerves and bit down on the corner of the curtain, the stepped back to drag it off.
As she pulled, it slid over the tub and onto the floor. Fluttershy blinked and stepped forward to investigate.
"Whatcha doin'?"
Fluttershy's body stiffened like a board and she cringed with a twitching eye. "Y-you..."
"Sheesh, so jumpy. Look what I found!" Rainbow Dash balanced an oil lamp on her hoof and grinned.
"Oh good." Fluttershy took the lamp and fluttered downstairs where she used a twig to light the wick. The lamp contained a small flame within a glass shell, and Fluttershy returned to the staircase.
As she peeked into the bathroom, she spotted Rainbow Dash gazing into the tub. She stepped up to her side and rested the lantern at the edge of the tub, which illuminated the dazzling contents within. Filling the tub were hundreds of thousands of tiny blue crystals that glittered and sparkled like magic.
"Is this the collection of cocoon shells?" Rainbow a Dash asked with wide eyes.
"These are just shell fragments. They never found whole cocoons, remember?" Fluttershy reached in and lifted a large piece of shell. "These are beautiful. This is what's on the spine of that journal."
"You really like these, huh? We'll get you a whole cocoon to take home, okay?" Rainbow a Dash puffed her chest out and nodded.
"Oh no, I couldn't. A picture is enough, because I don't want to hurt the little creature living inside," Fluttershy explained.
Rainbow Dash shrugged and poked around at the shells. "I bet Rarity would like this stuff."
Fluttershy nodded and dropped her fragment back into the pile. "We'll have to bring some back for her."
Rainbow Dash stretched her legs and yawned. "I'm gettin' sleepy. Wanna get sone rest? The sooner we get to sleep the sooner we get to head out and search for bugs and snow monsters to take pictures of."
Fluttershy yawned as well and nodded towards the bedroom. "I'm not too tired, but I wouldn't mind laying down and getting comfortable."
"Wait right here." Rainbow Dash took the lantern and glided down the steps. Moments later the light from the fireplace was extinguished, and she returned to Fluttershy's side. "Alright! Let's hit the hay."
Fluttershy lifted the blankets and climbed in while Rainbow Dash sat the lantern on a nightstand next to the bed. She lifted the blankets for her friend to join her, then instinctively wrapped a foreleg over her chest.
Rainbow Dash widened her eyes and rolled onto her side. "This is a weird vacation, but I like it."
Fluttershy giggled and closed her eyes. "I like that you're here with me during these strange parts. I'd be scared if not for you."
"That's right. There's nothing to fear when I'm around." Rainbow Dash tilted her nose up with a cocky smirk, then flinched as a heavy gust hit the building. "Heh... Stupid winter..."
Fluttershy blushed and nuzzled Rainbow's chest. "You're so warm."
"Well I'm a high-flier and in great shape. I can keep you warm no problem," Rainbow Dash explained as she wrapped her wings and forelegs around her friend.
"Oh, thank you. I'm not so good with the cold," Fluttershy said as she sank into Rainbow's toasty hug, then stifled a yawn. "Maybe I'm a bit sleepy after all..."
"Rest up. We've got a lot to do tomorrow."
