The Bucks Stop Here

While AppleJack looked around for anything that would give signal to the source of the vandalism, she would pan out towards the ground looking for hoof prints.
“This just ain’t normal,” she thought to herself.

“What’s not normal!?!” A chipper voice would suddenly speak as PinkiePie pops from under a birds nest looking almost eye to eye with AppleJack. AppleJack was used to PinkiePie popping out everywhere so it wasn’t unusual not to be surprised. With the birds nest still on her head, PinkiePie would remove herself from the tree sitting beside AppleJack.
Retracing her steps as she would walk away from PinkiePie she would raise her hoof to point out the tree.

“Well, take a look.” AppleJack directed. Leaning over to get a better look to where AppleJack was pointing, PinkiePies head would tilt slightly confused. AppleJack would explain what she was to be looking at. “It looks like a beaver grew spider legs and chewed off all the bark.”
PinkiePie would appear tapping one of the branches and poking at the bare twigs. One of the bark stripping’s would become surrounded in a purple glow as it levitates from the ground.

“Have you found this on any other trees AppleJack?” TwilightSparkle would look intensively at the bark flipping it from side to side in the air with her magic.

“She says it was a spider beaver.” PinkiePie states.

“Oooh… I’ve never heard of a beaverspider before.” The soft voice would ring excitedly as Fluttershy stepped to look at the bark.

“Well, whatever it was, it doesn’t look like it ate any of the bark or the tree.” After analyzing the amount of bark left on the ground and shredded on the tree.

“Well, of course not silly, spiders don’t eat bark… They eat bugs.” Not missing a second PinkiePie corrects TwilightSparkle.
They all pause as they look at PinkiePie for a moment trying to make sense of what she was saying.

“It wasn’t no spider.” AppleJack huffed, stepping next to twilight. “What brings ya’ll out here anyway?”

“Well good morning to you too, AppleJack.” Rarity speaks trotting in with a lifted nose.

“Good mornin to you too Rarity,” AppleJack acknowledges.

“We were expecting to have a girls day, but it appears someone forgot the memo.” Replies as if giving AppleJack a calling out.

“Well, ya see, I have somethen I’ma dealin with right about now. So unless you’re fixin ta get yerself dirty, I may be a while.” AppleJack mocked back to Rarity, she had already done the dirty work but wanted to give a hintful detur with a lifted nose just to aggravate Rarity. Lifting a hoof over her face, Rarity grits her teeth to the thought. AppleJack, continuing to trot forward to where Twilight was analyzing the tree, slightly proud of herself with the comeback, looks over to Twilight with a bite of her lip facing the reality yet again.
“So, what do ya think Twilight? Any ideas?” AppleJack humbly asks, for Twilights help.

Putting a hoof to her chin, Twilight looks over the tree one last time. “You know, I am not really certain of what did this.” Looking to
Apple Jack, “But you know me, I can’t resist a good mystery,” Twilight smiles.

“Well, at least somepony is amused about this.” AppleJack sarcastically remarks, a little impatient.

“In the mean time…” Twilight looks up. “RainbowDash! You stay here and keep an eye out for anything that may come as a clue.” Rainbow Dash was being lazy, it was still early and she did not exactly want to wake up so instead she decided to bring along with her a comfortable cloud to sleep on till she HAD to wake up.

With a yawn RainbowDash waves, ”Alright, -yawn- take your time.”
AppleJack looked up at RainbowDash with a lifted brow then looked at twilight with a slight puzzle.

“Don’t ask, She’s been like this all morning.” Twilight informs, rolling her eyes.
“Spike was easier to get out of bed,” Turning to trot back to town.

“Spike,” Twilight shouts as everyone enters the library. Twilight had already started looking about her books as she entered. Spike on the other hoof had went back to sleep shortly after the girls left, he even had the quill pin still in his hand from writing the list Twilight assigned him to do just an hour or two before. Pinkie Pies eyes watered with joy as she stared over the sleeping spike.

“I had already done and tried talkin with Granny Smith. But she don’t seem to be thinkin all to focused today.” AppleJack talks to Twilight giving her all the information she had. “She did say something about the rubs. Though, not too sure what she meant about it.”

Walking to the otherside of the room and pulling out a couple books with her magic, “Well, it’s a place to start,” Twilight says, still a little enthusiastic about the mystery.
PinkiePies giggles could be heard as Rarity and AppleJack gathered around TwilightSparkle. “To Rub,” Twilight begins to read a list of definitions, “to apply pressure and friction to a surface. An abrasion left behind from the act of rubbing.” As Twilight read FlutterShys voice could faintly be heard in the back ground.

“I don’t think Spike would be happy about that Pinkie Pie.” Pinkie Pie simply giggles as FlutterShy warns.

TwilightSparkle continues to read the definitions, “To wear away at.”

“Pardon for stopping you Twi, But isn’t there a more practical way of figuring this out?” AppleJack interrupts, she was getting a little anxious. And sitting here going through books did not seem like it was going to be enough.

“We’re researching, what’s more practical than that?” Twilight adds with an attempt to put her a little bit at ease.

“I just don’t think books are going to be of any help to us this time.” AppleJack urges squirming lightly with the unrelenting desire to return to Sweet Apple Acres. “There just isn’t enough to go on to do that sorta thing.”

“Yes there is,” TwilightSparkle replies still trying to be optimistic. “We have the tree, and this bark.”

“I believe AppleJack is right,” Rarity says backing up AppleJack, “There is only but the crime scene. And just think, right now it’s only one tree. Just wait till it happens to all the other trees. Then, Oh My…” Rarity over announces adding a little sweat to AppleJacks face. “Then what is to become of SWEET APPLE ACRES?”

“Alright, thats enough.” AppleJack cries out to Rarity not wanting to hear anymore.
“You’re making me feel none better ‘bout it.” AppleJack muffles giving into Rarity. Then with a smile and a lift of her hoof, Rarity would accept the win.

Twilight would lower her head and groan as she herself admits defeat. “Fine, let’s go back and talk with Granny Smith.”

“Don’t reckon you’ll get much out of her.” AppleJack implies.
TwilightSparkle had already put her saddle bags on and was headed out the door.

“Well, were trying again. If you don’t like my books then we have only one option, and you even said she knows something.” Twilight had closed her ears and was the only one talking, she trotted out with a “lets move” attitude.

PinkiePie would lift with a smile, “Done!” Realizing she was getting left behind, “Oo.. Wait for me.” She darts back to the others before the door closes leaving Spike to sleep.

Back in Sweet Apple Acres, RainbowDash slept nestled into a comfy spot in the clouds high above the ground. The others had not yet returned and all that could be heard was the sound of a cute little pony snoring away. This would soon be interrupted by a scatter of birds that blew past her waking her from sleep and almost knocking her out of the cloud. Catching herself in flight she would watch the birds fly out into the sky. There was then a rustling rattle that turned her attention as she over looked the woods aside from the apple orchard. It came from within the forest and was not far from the orchard. This needed a closer look, carefully swooping over the woods where she heard the rattling she tried her best to look through the thick branches to the woodland floor. She was unable to see anything at first glance from where she was, she would have to go below the trees to see. Descending over the branches she pulls back on a cluster of limbs and leaves peeking through the opening through the trees. She could see clearly, but not what she was looking for. There was no trace of the sound. Dropping to the ground and stepping forward, looking side to side RainbowDash calls out into the forest.
“Show yourself, I know you’re in here.” Continuing to step forward looking around, her slight burst of courage and curiosity began fading the farther she made her way through the woods. It was very quiet and an almost omniscient shade hovered veiling the ground in a comfortable darkness easy for the eyes to relax but a little difficult to see.
“Don’t play with me…” A low grunt echoed through the trees forcing RainbowDash to hold her place. An antlered shadow would step into view and look down to the aggressive pegesi standing in a pose ready to maneuver. RainbowDash hesitated and simply watched the shadow stare. Stepping to a lighter shade of the woods the spines of his antlers would be the first seen as his forward chest comes into a light. The dark pine textured vest he wore blended well with the surroundings, giving a brighter glow to his bright green eyes that seemed to pierce her. On his hind was a symbol unfamiliar to her. It was unlike a cutie mark, instead seemed to emit a settle vibration when gazed upon. The closer she observed the mark the more it seemed to radiate. The moderately built stag quietly moves in her direction remaining a distance staying in her line of sight. RainbowDash could see his eyes, slowly rising. From the ground of her hooves his eyes would climb, gliding upwards along her nicely toned legs. Stepping around to her side, he gazed along her strong back line following the contour with each detail. RainbowDash remained still as he inspected her streamlined body. Keeping low to the ground with a strong glare locked onto him she could feel his gaze cross along the feather of her powerful wings. It was not as if a challenge was being made, however the look he gave as he lined each feather of her wings was just as interesting. Ruffling out her wings with a little flick, her volume would rise slightly showing them to be more grand than before. As he raised from her wings after lowering his eyes to her shoulders, she would loosen her neck with a faint arch exposing it, following his eyes as though pressing against a gentle touch. Dashes glare grew a grin as he followed the curvature of her neck. Then resting his eyes into hers for a brief moment, the stag would huff and slowly turn away. His eyes had wandered away is if there was nothing to see, he then made his way to a clearing entering a beaten path.
Standing straight with a drop of one ear, RainbowDash watched him walk away, pulling her head back slightly unsure. After a moment her eyes narrowed as she would finally dart after him. He did not go far as she quickly caught up to him, and stopped just a distance behind him. Sniffing in the air and to the ground, the stag would catch a glimps of her, yet would continue to do his thing seeming as if ignoring her.. RainbowDash was curious and sniffed the air as well, she did so in a casual manner but seemed more interested in his reaction than that of her own. There was a spicy, masculine, piney musk scent that blew in the wind, she was unsure about the odor but it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. She began to have a warm feeling from underneath as she watched the leaves blow for a moment. The silence was beginning to become deafening as RainbowDash stood questioning herself. Who was he? What was he doing? She had never seen him before, was he dangerous? It took her a moment to realize but, why was she still standing there? This thought was beginning to frustrate RainbowDash until she felt she had to break the silence. However, this did not happen, instead of speaking out her open mouth remained silent catching herself before she could speak. She felt a tightness in her throat deciding not to speak, she would continue standing and watching, biting her lip as the awkward moment was prolonged. There was a battle going on inside her mind and it was driving her mad, the little mare just couldn’t seem to think strait at all.
A steady mellow grunt left the throat of the stag as he turned to RainbowDash for a moment. She had been so spaced out for that moment that she would find herself now sitting. Realizing the full force of the awkwardness, she would look at the puzzled expression from the stag. In a slight pause as they looked at each other, RainbowDash would vanish in a gust of wind and head for the clouds. The instant take off was so fast some of Rainbows color remained for a moment lingering in the air, as the silhouette finally dispersed in the gust of the wind.

The stag began to step away once more as Rainbow Dash hid in the clouds above. She watched him from a distance feeling the hesitation in her muscles. What was she doing? She couldn’t figure herself out. In the chaos of her thought and a little blush she lightly shouts out, “What is wrong with me?” Lying on her back and covering her face she lets out a frustrated growl once more and wipes her face down with a stretch. Having another quick thought in her mind she turns over and carefully peeks over the cloud attempting to locate him once again. He was making his way back through to the deeper part of the woods, she had to be quick. Looking forward and finding the next cloud she darts and hides moving closer with an almost mission impossible theme.
The light brown stag circled the small clearing, his nose exploring the area. Rising up quickly as a whip of a branch smacks somewhere in the woods, his ears perked to the sound suddenly scoping the trees.

Rainbow would see him turn as his split hooves slid into the ground, her head retracted as his antlers dropped. A larger stag, darker and deeper toned, had caught sight of his location and was now hurling his weight in a deadly charge at him. Dashes eyes widened as she watched the set of knife like tines barrel in his direction.
The smaller stag remained in place as the larger quickly approached, Rainbows eyes narrowed as she quickly busted through the cloud throwing herself like a rocket. Unable to change her angle she rams her body, slaming the side of the charging stag taking him off his feet and sending him crashing into the thicket.
The impact had stirred up leaves and dust for a moment, but as it began to settle the mare would find herself stunned from the hard impact and would be left slightly disoriented.