The Price of Friendship

Three Little Fillies

“You think your friends are really your friends? They say they are, but be honest with yourself, what do words mean without feeling? Would they stand by you regardless of the battle at hand, taking a stand against harm or unfortunate circumstances. You have no idea, I can see it in your eyes. You are feeling nervous now, saying to yourself, “What does this creep know?” I can only laugh at you because I could say the exact same thing. What do you know about me? Who are you really inside? I know more than you ponies would care to acknowledge, but I know where the boundaries are between thought and fear, and you are standing right on the edge. I see you staring lazily at this paper, my eyes peering through the shadows. Look around all you want, yet you'll never find me. Who am I you might ask, that's a interesting question, but I don't think I know you enough to give you that answer. Is your subconscious slowly pushing it's way to your head? You feel shivers down your flank. You feel that cold chill down your neck, and my whispers in your ear. You better leave soon because if you dont, I'll be the last thing you see.”

The Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle laughed loudly, “Pfffft! What is this bologna!” they said in unison, crumbling up the paper as they tossed it on the ground. Applebloom scratched her head in confusion “Ima be honest with y'all. I didn't get half those words!” she said with a fake smile, the others looked at her with blank stares, “What..?!” she said, annoyance growing in her expression, but the others just snicked and walked on. They were exploring Zone 1, the first layer within the Everfree Forest, and although it was off limits to young fillies, it was virtually harmless. Sweetie Belle pointed to a big rock about thirty feet in front of them, she raced to it jumping on top, “Girls! Hehe, guess who I am!” she shrieked wrapping her hooves around it trying her best to imitate her big sister, “Blah blah blah, diamonds, blah blah, fabric, blah blah, prince charming.” The three began to laugh again, it was such a wonderful day to spend with friends. The sun was out, the setting was beautiful, and nopony knew where they were. Nopony at all.

A couple hours passed and they were laying on their backs gazing at the sky, birds flew gracefully in the summer wind, and clouds painted the scene like it was a canvas. They all smiled at each other, “You know, guys..” Scootaloo spoke up, “You are probably my best friends ever. I'd do anything for you all”, she turned to look at her friends who were smiling happily, “And I'm thinking of quitting Cloudsdale's School For Gifted Fliers..” her words became softer and she turned away from the group. Applebloom got up and put her hooves on her flank, “You gotta be kiddin' me! You'll be a riskin' yer whole life! Why in the world wouldja wanna do that for!” she glared at the young pegasus as she spoke up, but she knew Scootaloo wasn't listening. Sweetie Belle sighed and sat up, “Scoot, what would giving up your whole flying career be worth!” she said trying to reason with her, but Scootaloo kept her back turned. The sky began to turn pink as took it's first steps to into night.

A few moments passed and Scootaloo turned around with tear stained eyes, “C-Can you all keep a secret...” she sounded ashamed of herself, “Of course! Whatsuh matter?” Applebloom spoke up fearing for her friend. Her head hung low as she continued, “.. It's t-the flight instructor..he..he always keeps me after..he says he wants to teach me more, but he doesn't..” her face was bright red as a thin line of tears raced down her cheek, “..He touches me..in bad place..he tries to kiss me too.” her head hung low as tears fell onto the ground “And he told me that if I ever told anyone he'd fail me for good..that he'd hurt me.” the last words flowed out of the young fillies mouth as she collapsed into Sweetie Belles lap. The two fillies were shocked at what their friend had just told them, and they softly lifted the weeping foal into their arms and hugged her tightly, “Shh..don't cry, buddy, we'll figure it all out I promise! Friends to the end.” Sweetie Belle said with added reassurance, and Applebloom nodded stroking her mane. The sun sank lower beneath the horizon, and before they knew it, darkness found it's home in the Everfree forest.

Applebloom jumped looking around, she shook Sweetie Belle quickly, “U-Uh hey, girls..” she said trying to get their attention. Scootaloo looked up and seen the moon baring down upon them, she wiped her tears away and stood up, “Let's hurry home guys..we've been here far too long. Ohhhh my mom is going to just kill me!” she said in frustration. The Cutie Mark Crusaders huddled together as the marched slowly to the exit of the forest, but something was wrong. They were positive they had reached the spot where Sweetie Belle had spotted the big rock, but it was gone. They looked at one another and smiled faintly, they couldn't explain it no matter how hard they tried, and they didn't want to admit that they were lost. They kept on walking in the direction they assumed was correct, their eyes wide as they peered through the sickening darkness, goosebumps forming on their skin as they heard animals growling in the distance. “W-Where are we..” Sweetie Belle spoke up, her head twisting around in all direction, “Shush! I got this” Scootaloo said looking around trying to spot a hint of familiarity, but to no prevail. Suddenly, Applebloom stopped in her tracks pointing at something in the foggy blackness, “Y'all are not gonna believe me..” her voice was hoarse, “But since when did tree's learn how to write..?”

In front of them was a sheet of paper, fresh as can be, nailed delicately into the crimson bark of an oak tree. They walked closer, and examined it more; carved above the note were the words “Three Little Fillies In The Dark All Alone.” with a winking smiley crudely etched beside it. The three of them looked at each other, as their bodies went cold. They were all thinking the same thing: don't read it, just don't read it. They stood there idly as the paper waved in the wind, then Applejack reached out and grabbed it. The other two held their breath as they gazed at her, “Don't do it! Just throw it on the ground” Sweetie Belle spurted out, but Applebloom rolled her eyes. “It's prolly just Applejack or one of her friends tryin' to get back at us for sneaking into the forest. They are hiding around her I guarantee yah!” she said puffing out her chest scanning the woods for any sign of mischief. She frowned and shook her head, not a single thing in sight, “O-Or not.”

Applebloom look at the others, then forced her eyes onto the paper, squinting as best she could and read to herself,“But Each False Step Brings Them Farther From Home. They Shiver. They Cry. They Go West. They Go East, But Sooner Or Later They'll All Face The Beast.” Applebloom's heart stopped and she zoned out, her friends' lips were moving as they tried to signal her, but the fear had completely overtaken her body. Scootaloo frowned, “I said what does it say? What's the matter with you?” she said tilting her head to the side, but Applebloom just stood staring off into space, the paper slipping out of her hands drifting softly into the underbrush. Sweetie Belle knelt down to pick it up, when Applebloom's hooves, suddenly, slammed down upon the note with urgency, “Don't..” she whispered, as Sweetie Belle cowered away slowly. Scootaloo gulped and turned to face Applebloom, “R-Relax..besides..I think we better get moving.” she said, her confidence dwindling away. Although hesitant, they all agreed it was best the continue. Hopeful, they took one last look around, praying that it was all a joke, and that somepony was going to come for them and take them home. When the unsettling disappointment sat in, they continued walking into the thick foliage.

Fanged teeth grinned from the cover of darkness, as something watched the girls prod off into their inky demise. Nine hours until daylight and yet there was so much to do. It leaped onto a tree branch and began to pursue them. It was hungry, but first it still had it's games to play. A split tongue slid against velvet lips. This wasn't the first time something waltzed foolishly into it's domain, for not more than three years ago a young mare came in looking for something to surprise her boyfriend with, a flower of some sort. It slid behind, its tail puncturing her spine as it ruptured out from her stomach, her body alive as she fingered her wound gasping for life. The something flung it's victim to the ground as she tried to crawl away, but it wouldn't allow it. The creature slowly mounted her as it slid it's bulbous penis inside her innocent cunt, her screams bellowed out as it tore her apart from the inside, blood gushing out from both holes. Yes, the memories were still fresh in it's mind, and soon those three would face a similar fate. Something squeaked from behind it and it  turned around. The babies were hungry, and she nuzzled their bladed faces gently. Food was coming my beautiful ilk..coming soon.

"Three little fillies in the dark all alone, but each false step brings them farther from home. They shiver. They cry. They go west. They go east, but sooner or later they'll all face the beast.."