Dealing with Derps and Dinosby ACJtheBronyChaptersChapter 1: "Can You Spare the Time?"Chapter 2: "A Funeral and a Hydra"Chapter 3: "Baby Food"Chapter 4: "Apologies" Chapter 5: "Surrounded"Chapter 6: "Don't Move an Inch"Chapter 1: "Can You Spare the Time?"“Hurry up!” Rainbow Dash, the sky blue Pegasus pony cried out as she zipped from cloud to cloud, bucking them into vapor. A slow, languid voice cheerily called out in reply. “ You got it Dashie!” Derpy, the klutzy grey Pegasus said. It was Thursday, which meant that Rainbow was tasked with ensuring that the sky was absolutely clear. “Not a wisp is to be left wisped” she recalled the Mayor of Ponyville instructing her (as Thursdays were, apparently, her favorite days). More importantly, however, Thursdays were the day’s Rainbow would visit her good friend, Twilight Sparkle, in the town’s central library. Rainbow Dash’s chest heaved heavily as she swatted away the last of the cottony billows. Derpy, however, had only made a small dent in her corner of the heavens. Rainbow shouted out an exasperated sigh as she frantically swung her legs around in an attempt to rid the vast expanse of the white puffs. Derpy smiled at Rainbow. “Thanks for asking me to hang out with you today Rain—“ “Yeah, yeah” Dash interrupted rudely as she slapped the last cloud out of existence. “Aaaaaand, we’re done. See you later Derpy”! Rainbow sped off towards the library, leaving the derpy eyed Pegasus alone with naught more than her thoughts, the silence, and a confused frown on her face. She had really wanted to spend more time with the rainbow maned pony, as they had not found any time to bond recently. Derpy suspected that Dash had some ill will towards her but quickly dismissed the idea. Rainbow loved all of her friends. A grin shot across her face as a brilliant thought formed itself in her head. The Wonderbolts would be performing in Canterlot that afternoon and Derpy knew that Dash absolutely adored the Wonderbolts. Tickets would be cheap, if she talked to the right pony. It was a genius idea, but she would have to act quickly. Derpy took off towards the town, happy as a school filly. * * * * * * * * * * * Twilight, Ponyville’s faithful librarian (and, quite possibly, the most magically gifted unicorn for miles) danced giddily on her hooves as Rainbow crashed through the front door of the library. A beige safari hat sat atop Twilight’s head, just behind her horn, and a pair of binoculars dangled from a woven strap around her neck. She wore a tan jacket that’s pockets were filled to the brim with notebooks and quills as well as ink and other note taking apparatuses. The unicorn had been studying the history of large, reptilian creatures from the pre-equestrian period of the planet’s history (sparked by the unknown origins of Spike’s particular breed of dragon) and felt that it was finally time to attempt to observe some of the creatures that she had been fawning over for the past three months. Twilight had nearly perfected a chrono-manipulation spell and the eager, young unicorn was anxious to try it out. Spike, the humble baby dragon (and Twilight’s number one assistant for several years running) rushed down the stairs of the large oak library, garbed in clothes very similar to Twilight’s in both color and functionality. “I’m all ready to go!” the young dragon said. “I’m sorry Spike” Twilight spoke, a regretful tone pervading her voice. “I’ve only been studying this chrono-displacement spell for a few weeks now. I’m afraid that if I try to take any more than two passengers then I may wind up hurt”. Spike’s chin sunk into his chest as his head drooped low. He turned back towards his room, dragging his binoculars behind him. “Okay Twilight.” he sighed. ‘I understand”. Twilight reached a hoof out to him. “Sorry Spike. Maybe another time”. The door closed behind him as Spike stepped slowly into his room. Rainbow wrapped her hoof around Twilight’s shoulder, anxious to get started. “So are we gonna go or what?” Dash exclaimed, a determined look resting itself on her face. “In a minute” Twilight said, pushing the Rainbow maned Pegasus off of her. “There are some things I have to go over first”. Dash crossed her forehooves with a sigh as her flanks ungraciously crashed into the floor. “First off,” Twilight began. “This is a very dangerous spell. If you don’t follow my instructions, the both of us could wind up injured, or worse. Secondly, I’ll be casting a protection spell before we arrive in order to preserve the integrity of the time period. We’re going strictly as observers, nothing more. Thirdly, It will be crucial to document any and all findings to create a proper hypothesis of…”. Dash was nodding off. Twilight was a spectacular lecturer, but as with all great lectures comes a great nap. “And I think that covers it!” the lavender librarian exclaimed, jolting Dash from her brief slumber. “Do you have any questions” Twilight asked. The Pegasus leapt to her hooves. “Nah, I just want to get out there and see some—what were they called again?” “Sauros Equestrianos” Twilight boasted confidently, placing a solitary dignified hoof on her chest. “Whatever” Rainbow remarked, killing Twilight’s flair. “I just wanna see some big lizards”. “They’re not just lizards” Twilight corrected. “These creatures were massive in both stature and magnificence. Studying them may give me, er, us a better understanding of life before modern equestrian life forms arrived”. “Yeah, yeah” Dash said cheekily. “Let’s just get going”. Disappointed, Twilight gave a huff before bracing herself. “Don’t move an inch” the unicorn instructed. Dash stood absolutely still, a steely resolute mien forming itself between her cheeks. Soon, the two were wrapped in a violet, moderately opaque bubble. It shone and shimmered, despite the lack of sunlight in the room. It was the separation spell, the one that would separate them from the outside world of the past. Twilight’s horn began to glow brightly as loose papers and parchments fluttered around the room. At that moment, a window burst open, sending glass shards and wood paneling across the room as Derpy fell through and landed at Rainbow’s feet. She wielded two tickets to the Wonderbolts show in her hooves. “Look what I found” Derpy sang cheerily. Dash was visibly upset. “Derpy what are you doing here”! The space around the three bowed into a singularity for a brief moment before returning to its original dimensions with a barely audible “POP”. Ponyville’s library was empty. Chapter 2: "A Funeral and a Hydra"“Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh” Rainbow nervously sputtered out as her hooves involuntarily jittered around below her. She paced back and forth, in circles and zigzagged lines around Twilight’s corpse. Twilight laid limp, slumped over on one side as a mixture of blood and magic seeped from her tear ducts. Her mouth hung open and her tongue drooped sloppily out of her mouth. The saliva mixed with the magic and blood in the red dirt. Derpy was obviously confused. “What happened Rainbow?” she asked innocently. “What happened” Rainbow snapped. “What happened was you showed up at the wrong time and killed my best friend”! Derpy’s befuddled gait formed itself into a frown. “I’m sorry Rainbow” she apologized. “I—“ “You’re sorry!” the hotheaded Pegasus interrupted. “Derpy! Of all the things that you’ve messed up, this is the… the…” she struggled to find the words. “… the Derpiest” she concluded. Derpy watched as Rainbow walked her panic attack over to her recently deceased comrade. She stroked her forehooves. “Please wake up Twi,” she pleaded. “Please”. Not a response. “Dear Celestia! Why!” she cried out. “Is there anything I can do to help Rainbow?” Derpy asked. Rainbow shot a piercing glare towards the ditzy grey Pegasus and sped over on fleeting wings. She raised a hoof to strike her. Derpy recoiled. Rainbow brought her hoof back down to her side. “You’re not even worth the effort” Dash spat as she returned to the lifeless unicorn’s side. “I—“ Derpy stammered. “I don’t understand”. “Her magic must not have been strong enough” Dash reasoned through her sniffles. “She said that if she teleported any more than two ponies, one of us could wind up hurt”. There was a silence for a moment as terrifying creatures roared and growled in the distant background through the deep, tropical vegetation. “Damn it Derpy!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Why do you always have to mess everything up”? Salty tears welled up in Derpy’s eyes. She had been yelled at before, but Rainbow’s words had a way of hurting more than anything anypony could do to her physically. “Don’t you dare cry” Rainbow barked. “You don’t deserve to cry”. An indignant rage had built up in Dash’s voice long ago, but her voice was nearly breaking now. Derpy glanced down at the Wonderbolts tickets that lay on the ground by her hooves. “R-Rainbow” the grey Pegasus spoke softly through her quiet sobs. “Shut up!” Rainbow returned. “I don’t want to hear you right now”! With nothing to do and nowhere to go, the despondent derpy Pegasus plopped her haunches down in the dirt. Fifteen minutes had passed and Rainbow was just about done digging a hole deep down into the red earth. Derpy watched helplessly as a dirt spotted Rainbow Dash crawled out from the abyss and dragged Twilight’s body inside. Another fifteen minutes and the hole was refilled with dirt. Rainbow ripped a piece of bark off of a nearby tree and, using a dark, charcoal like rock, wrote Twilight’s name on it. She stuck the bark in the ground near Twilight’s head, a paltry, makeshift tombstone. “What now?” Derpy asked cautiously, afraid that Rainbow may decide to confront her yet again. “What happens now…” Rainbow started anxiously. “…is that you leave me alone while I figure out how to get back. As a matter of fact…” Rainbow was yelling again. “…leave me alone forever! I don’t want to see your stupid face, your stupid wings, or your stupid mane ever again”! The begrimed Pegasus stood and began to walk away from the site. She passed right by Derpy, carelessly trampling the Wonderbolts tickets underhoof as she passed. “Rainbow, wait!” Derpy called out. Dash was silent as she continued her pace. Derpy rose to her hooves and took after her. Twin trails of hoofprints dotted the beaten path through the heavy vegetation of the dense brush as the two pegasi pressed on in silence for some time. Finally, Derpy spoke. “I’m really sorry Rainbow Dash. Will you forgive me”. “No!” came Rainbow’s reply, almost quicker than Derpy could complete her plea. The pattern repeated itself for several minutes. Derpy would ask for forgiveness and Dash would deny her every time. Finally, the multicolored Pegasus was fed up. She turned and faced Derpy, infuriated. “For the last time, Derpy! I’m not going to forgive you so why don’t you just leave me alone”! Derpy pondered for a second before speaking again. “But why” she asked, truly hurt by Dash’s words. Dash sputtered. “Because I hate you!” she shouted. “But why do you hate me Rainbow. I didn’t mean to—“ “There you go again!” Rainbow interjected shortly. “It doesn’t matter that you didn’t mean to! All that matters is that you did. If you’re really so sorry you can go and apologize to Twilight. Wait, you can’t, because you killed her! Why don’t you just leave me alone”! With that, Rainbow Dash took to the burnt orange sky. Derpy called out after her. “Rainbow wait! Don’t leave me”! Derpy was nowhere near the flyer that Dash was; however, she quickly rose to the sky and followed suit. An extremely thick blanket of dense smoke made it hard to breathe at high altitudes and forced the both of them to glide just a few hundred feet above the canopy of the “jungle”. Dash looked behind her at Derpy, who only smiled apologetically and waved as she tried to keep up. Dash turned her head back in front of her and sighed. A simple flick of her wings propelled her forwards a slight bit faster than before. Derpy struggled to maintain her speed but managed to match Dash’s velocity. This continued for a while as Dash would speed up and Derpy would parallel her speed. Dash called back. “You might as well stop now, Derpy. I’m not slowing down”! “That’s okay Rainbow” Derpy replied. “I can catch up”. Rainbow rolled her eyes. A low rumbling emanated from the jungle floor. Dash searched around frantically as the distinct ‘CRACK’ of snapping trees echoed through the air but, there was nothing to be seen for miles. CRASH! Giant, snarling jaws arose deep from within the trees just ahead of Dash. She immediately halted and reversed, only narrowly evading the razor sharp teeth as they shut with a thunderous ‘SNAP’ mere feet in front of her. “Was that a dragon?” she wondered. What ever it was, it was larger than any living thing she’d seen, even larger than the Ursa Major that slept in the Everfree forest or the dragon she had confronted months ago when the smoke from its slumber threatened the skies over Ponyville. The thing was massive but one fact was for certain: It would strike again. Dash yelled towards Derpy. “Move it or lose it Pegasus!” she called before zooming off towards the horizon. Derpy sped her pace, although barely able to keep up. Several yards ahead, the jaws snapped again. Dash doubled back, escaping the beast’s mouth by pure luck, and by that only. More jaws in front, behind, to her sides. There was no escaping. She was trapped. A massive pair of teeth reared up from below. They were incredibly vast. Dash was stunned by their sheer size. She froze up, unable to move as the beast’s jowls closed in around her. The Pegasus closed her eyes, prepared to meet her fate. Her eyes were jolted open as she felt a smaller body slam into her. Derpy shoved Dash out of the way just seconds before the mighty reptile was able to turn her into lunch. The two careened into the canopy and slammed into the dirt back at ground level. They hid silently behind a mass of toppled trees as the monster came back to rest on the burgundy earth. It was definitely a hydra, but it was much larger than anything in present day Equestria. Dash and Derpy shuddered as the beasts thundering footsteps carried it off into the distance. Derpy smiled at Rainbow as soon as the hydra was far enough away. “This doesn’t change a thing!” Rainbow exclaimed angrily as she stormed off. Derpy frowned, but only for a moment as she quickly retook her position behind Rainbow, who was now walking at a considerably slower pace. Chapter 3: "Baby Food"Although the silence was uncomfortable, Derpy enjoyed being in the company of her most favored Pegasus friend. The two trekked on for what felt like hours before, finally, coming to a clearing. Several long necked creatures stood in the tall grass as they reached their mouths up to the trees to bite off several leaves. These creatures were herbivores but neither Dash nor Derpy were aware of the fact and they certainly were not about to take any chances. “Okay here’s the plan” Dash started as Derpy leaned in closer. The rainbow Pegasus began to explain her scheme, being sure to keep her voice low. She was convinced that the plant eating creatures in the fields were slow, judging by their stubby legs and long tails, and proposed that the best way to avoid any unwanted contact would be a speedy, low altitude flight directly across the grassy plains. Derpy had no qualms and complied with Rainbow’s proposition. “Get ready” Rainbow said in a whisper. “One… two… three”! Wings flapped fast and hard as the pegasi sped past the brush. However, they hadn’t made it one hundred feet before a large, bird-like creature with scaly skin swooped down and clutched them in its claws. Rainbow and Derpy struggled to wiggle free from the creature’s grip but their efforts were for naught. “Let me go you big, ugly Sere-, Sauro-, Seri-, ya stupid lizard bird”! Dash loosened up and slumped in the ‘bird’s’ claws. “Well this is just great” she remarked. “Where do you think it’s taking us” Derpy asked. “I don’t know” Rainbow replied. “I’ve never seen a--, a thing like this before. I have no idea where it’s going”. In the distance, a craggy spire appeared to rise from the terra firma and reached far past the low hanging cloud of soot just overhead. Large nests made from massive rods of bent arbor spotted its rocky surface as legions of these… terrible lizard birds… circled about. If their destination was unclear before, the speed the monster had accumulated upon spotting its dreadful abode quickly cast out any doubt from the Pegasus’s minds. Within a quarter hour, the ‘bird’ had arrived at a particular nest dangerously close to the top of the mountain near the thick soot polluted air. It unceremoniously dropped the two mares in and took off towards the horizon, probably to find more food. “I dare you to try that again you stupid pigeon!” Rainbow yelled after the creature, angrily shaking her hoof in the air all the while. “Let’s get out of here Derpy” she said as she flared her wings. As if on cue, another of the massive birds soared upwards and into the black cloud just as Dash finished her comment. Her wings fastened tightly to her side as she peered over the edge. Hundreds of the bird creatures circled below them by their own nests. Even if they could slip past them, they would surely be noticed and chased until they wound up back where they began. Dash backed up from the edge. “On second thought,” she said. “There’s probably another way out”. She wasn’t sure how thick the black smoke was above them, nor was she sure how long she (or Derpy for that matter) could hold their breath during a ninety-degree ascent into the, most likely, thinner air of the upper atmosphere. Her flanks met the hopelessly entangled twigs with a soft ‘THUNK’ and a crackle as the dried leaves gave way under her weight. She brought her hoof under her chin as her mind sped into overtime, contemplating another possible escape route. Derpy prodded Rainbow’s shoulder with a shaky hoof, her gaze focused on a trio of pony-sized ivory eggs opposite herself in the nest. One of them began to stir, then another, and soon, all three were fidgeting restlessly. “Rainbow” Derpy stammered. The rainbow Pegasus waved her off with a hoof. “Hang on Derpy. I’m trying to get us out of here”. Derpy poked Rainbow again, causing her to spin around to berate her. Before any insults unsettled themselves from her mouth, however, she stopped cold as her eyes fell upon the newly formed cracks in the chalky spheres’ surfaces. Three sets of terrifying, green, scaly beaks shattered through more of the rigid membrane as they called and cried out. Rainbow Dash frantically paced back and forth from one end of the nest to the other as Derpy sat in stunned silence. “This is bad,” Dash commented to herself. “Rainbow.” Derpy called out. “Oh, what would Twilight have done”. Rainbow asked herself, but no new ideas sparked in her mind. “Rainbow” Derpy tried again. The sky blue Pegasus ignored it. “There’s got to be a way.” Dash tried to convince herself as she, once more, peered over the side of the nest, down at the perilous path to the ground. “Oh” she whined. “There has to be a way”. “Rainbow look!” Derpy cried out. The infantile creatures had broken free and were steadily approaching the Pegasus duo (who were now both wrapped tightly around the other’s waist for comfort). The ravenous look in the newborn’s eyes told both Rainbow and Derpy that they had not arrived to explore the depths of friendship. “What do we do, Rainbow” the grey mare questioned worriedly. “I-I-“ Dash stammered for an answer. “I don’t know”. The beasts accosted the two pegasi and separated them. One dragged Derpy away to a remote side of the nest while the other two worked away on Dash as she squirmed helplessly under them. The first bit down furiously on her chest as the other held her down. Their teeth weren’t as sharp as they would be in several years, but with enough gnawing, their stubby fangs would soon break through Rainbow’s hide. Derpy cowered as the towering brute opened its jaws wide. She closed her eyes and swung her hoof blindly. Luck was on her side as she landed a solid blow in the animal’s temple, sending it toppling over to its side, unconscious. Feeling a new sense of steely resolve rising in her chest, she eyed the beasts that were chewing away at her friend. She had to act quickly; they had drawn blood and may have been dangerously close to hitting a vital organ. Derpy marched confidently towards them and stopped inches away from their backs. She had never heard a pony scream so loudly for help before and certainly did not expect Rainbow, of all ponies, to have a voice so bold. Nevertheless, Derpy inhaled deeply as she raised a hoof against the monsters. She swung and landed another blow directly in the beast’s temples. It stood still. Derpy’s hoof hung midair where it had ended its arc as she waited for the creature to fall. Instead, it turned towards her, considerably angrier than it was before. It growled at her. Derpy shoved her hooves behind her back as she shed a shy smile. The creatures, both the one and its sibling, closed in on Derpy as Rainbow clutched her sides, writhing in agony. Derpy’s flanks met the spiny, sprig caked wall at the edge of the beast’s roost. Why did she always have to mess everything up? The blonde pony closed her eyes as tears began to well up in them. Everything she worked at seemed to crumble in her hooves. She hardened her resolve. This time would be different. She had to make a change. Derpy began wildly bucking her hind legs in every direction with the intent to strike at least one of the aggressors. The creatures backed away, narrowly missing the grey mare’s speeding hooves. “Derpy!” Rainbow coughed out. A slow rumble began to build after the ditzy mare dealt a dizzying blow to the nest’s wall nearest the overhang. It slipped and slid slowly away from the mountains face, yet the creatures were still closing in. The nest jerked and toppled over the edge, sending the two ponies and the three newborn ‘birds’ down towards the jungle canopy in a freefall. Acting swiftly, Derpy snatched Rainbow out of the nest just moments before it crashed into the red dirt below. The birds screamed and cried out in pain as they tried to maneuver their broken wings and limbs to a more comfortable position (although their efforts would prove to be in vain). They were badly injured, but still alive. Assuming that their mother would be back soon, Derpy took Dash in her mouth and dragged the very nearly mutilated rainbow Pegasus away from the landing site. Dash looked into Derpy’s eyes as her flanks bumped into the fallen brush under the roof of the tall arbors. “Derpy” she said weakly. “You saved me”. And she had. A newfound sense of pride welled up in Derpy’s chest as a wide smile bridged her cheeks. She felt that she had finally accomplished something worthwhile. Rainbow Dash blacked out. Chapter 4: "Apologies" Chapter 4: "Apologies" Night came quickly and, even with the absence of the sun, the air remained hot and muggy. Derpy had managed to build a decent fire far away from any potentially flammable vegetation deep within a dank cave. The meager facility wasn’t ideal, but it would provide the protection necessary to survive the night. Derpy fed more wood to the hungry flames as Rainbow sat up. The sky blue Pegasus ran a hoof down her sides, which were now wrapped in a series of long, flexible leaves and padded with a greenish, cloth like moss. The tourniquet was, once again, less than ideal but still better than nothing. “How long was I out?” Dash asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Not long” Derpy replied with a faint smile as she prodded the fire with a stick. Dash looked around the cave for a moment before returning her eyes to Derpy. “Thanks… for back there” Dash began. “It was really brave of you to do what you did”. Derpy smiled again. “I’m sure you would have done the same for me.” she returned. “Yeah” Dash sighed as she turned her head. “You were bleeding pretty bad,” Derpy continued. “So I found some leaves and patched you up”. Rainbow looked back down at the bandages around her chest. “Thanks” she found herself repeating. Silence. The two sat still for a long while as the dull roar of the creatures from the world outside of the cave slowly dwindled into little more than a whimper. Dash wasn’t typically an apologetic pony, but she wasn’t beyond manners either. “I’m sorry” Dash spoke softly. Derpy looked up at the sky blue Pegasus, her eyes slightly more confused than was typical of her. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier” Dash explained. “I didn’t really mean any of it. Well, I did but I was angry and that made me… ugh… what I’m trying to say, Derpy, is that Twilight’s death wasn’t your fault”. She choked that terrible ‘D’ word out of her throat. “There’s no way you could have know that showing up like that would have such an effect. I was upset and when I didn’t know who to blame, I blamed you. I shouldn’t have because… well… because you’re my friend, and blaming each other isn’t what friends do. Will you forgive me, Derpy”? In some respects, Derpy would have been completely justified in cursing out the rainbow maned mare right then and there. She was absolutely in the right to throw her out into the darkness on her haunches to fend off the creatures of the night alone, injuries and all. Dash had not needed to sling insult after hurtful insult at her and had no right to blame anypony for an event brought on by naught but fate itself. But unrelenting kindness prevailed. “I forgive you Rainbow Dash” Derpy said as she smiled warmly, content with the fact that she had been called ‘friend’. It was at that moment when Dash realized how horrible it must have felt for Derpy to have her own apology rejected, especially when it brought on an undeserved hatred from the one she only wanted to get closer too. Rainbow would have much to think about tonight. “Why did you decide to come over anyway? To the library, I mean” Dash questioned, trying her hardest to quench any resilient embers of ill will. Derpy blushed and turned away as she produced two dilapidated pieces of paper from under her wings. She handed the tickets over to Dash who quizzically inspected them. “I—I don’t understand” Rainbow stammered. “I know how much you love the Wonderbolts” Derpy explained. “And I never get to spend any real time with you, so I found these tickets and rushed over to give them to you”. Rainbow’s eyes began to well up and tears trickled down her cheeks. She buried her head in her hooves. She had been such a stupid, selfish, inconsiderate pony. Derpy slowly trotted over to Dash and plopped down by her friend’s side. The grey mare wrapped a foreleg around Rainbow. “It’s okay Dashie”. The night passed on and soon the two pegasi gave way to sleep as the final few waning embers from the fire died out. Chapter 5: "Surrounded"Thud. THUD. THUD! The alarming reverberations from the nearness of the ground-shaking footsteps jolted the two sleeping mares awake. Whatever terrible beast occupied the cave had apparently risen from its slumber and was now making its way back to the outside world. The pegasi hurriedly scrambled out past the mouth of the cave and took cover only a few short seconds before the horrifying hydra-like beast emerged from its dwelling. The mares had scarcely evaded its attack once before, but a second fight could prove much less promising, especially with the advent of Dash’s injuries. Dash’s wings were secured under the makeshift bandages, rendering her temporarily incapable of flight and Derpy was nowhere near the skill (or strength) of Dash. Taking these facts into account, the two decide to hoof it, as it were (after the beast had receded further into the thick underbrush, of course). As they pressed on deeper into the jungle, the growling of large Sauro-Equestrian creatures lessened in volume until, finally, the air became eerily silent. The occasional, crack of a twig or rustle of leaves would snap the Pegasus’s attention to a particular section of scrub, but, ultimately, proved (more often than not) to be the byproduct of careless hoof placement. Still, neither Dash nor Derpy could shake the feeling of being watched. It wouldn’t be unheard of, seeing as they were the most vulnerable and least threatening souls out in this section of the forest, but the very prospect of being… vulnerable… was very disheartening. The brush thickened as Dash and Derpy pushed their way through the foliage. Eventually, it became too thick to step over and the mares were forced to make due with physically moving the low hanging branches out of the way with their hooves. A twig snapped. This definitely could not have been from them. The sound had come from far behind them. They were being followed. Dash knew it. Derpy knew it. The creature behind them was probably aware of their alertness to its presence. Dash parted the limbs of another bush as they prepared to walk through. SNAP! A pair of long, slender jaws emerged from the bush and snapped the top portion of Dash’s right ear clean off. Dash backed off as she and Derpy stared at the yellow, snakelike eyes that peered out from the bushes. Slowly, the creature emerged from the underbrush, the missing half of Dash’s ear held firmly in its mouth. The creature was about twice as tall as the average pony and, although it had the jerkish gait of a chicken, it’s tough scales and long tail seemed to be that of a dragon. It tossed its head back, sending the piece of ear sailing into the air briefly before falling back down towards earth and into its gullet. It swallowed whole and didn’t even bother to chew. Long, sharp talons inched closer towards the Pegasi as they stepped back cautiously. Unlike the stubbly legged, long necked creatures Dash had observed the day before, this thing looked fast, and deadly. Dash leaned her head slightly towards Derpy, making sure not to let the creature leave her sight. “We run on three” she instructed. Derpy nervously nodded in the affirmative as a tight knot formed in her throat. “One” Dash began. The creature took another step. “Two”. It was closer now. “Three”! The pegasi sped off in the opposite direction full speed, goading the ‘ear eater’ to give chase. It lifted its long snout into the air and sounded out a high-pitched, guttural noise. It was incredibly fast. Even with the pegasi sprinting at top speeds, the creature was still close behind them and was approaching closer. Dash and Derpy banked left, throwing the creature off for a moment, but soon it was right next to them. Derpy ducked and narrowly missed the beast’s snapping jaws. They made another sharp left, but the creature was on their left. “Come on!” Dash cried out exasperated. True, it was on their left, but it was on their right as well. There were two of them! The pegasi put on the breaks and turned tail, but another beast was waiting for them down that path. The pegasi made another one-eighty but still, another of the creatures was waiting for them. They were coming out of the woodwork, steadily increasing in number. Four, five, six, seven. Seven creatures in total closed in around the helpless ponies. “Get out of here!” Rainbow exclaimed to Derpy as she tried to toss her into the air. “Nu’uh” Derpy replied defiantly. “I won’t leave you here Dashie”! As much as Rainbow would have liked to buck Derpy halfway to Canterlot, she knew that she was no match for the creatures alone. Maybe, together, they had a shot. An eighth monster pushed its way into the pack. It was slightly bigger than the others and definitely had the traits and air of an alpha. Dash was genuinely afraid. Her knees knocked together. She felt a hoof reach over and take her own. Derpy embraced her even here. Whatever was to come next, Rainbow knew that they would endure the excruciating pain or horrible disfigurement together. It was comforting. “We’re not afraid of you!” Dash screamed at the top of her lungs. The alpha cocked his head to the side before bringing his razor sharp claw down on their heads. The mares winced. However, the claw passed through them, straight through them. There was not a scratch on their body. The alpha swung again and, again, the same results. Monstrous jaws bore down on the ponies’ bodies but to no avail. “What’s going on Dashie” Derpy asked. For a moment Dash pondered the possibility that they were all ready deceased but quickly dismissed the idea as she took notice of the fact that the creatures could still see them. “The spell must be wearing off” Dash pondered out loud. “What spell?” Derpy asked. “The time traveling spell”. Dash thought for a moment. “Wait. The spell is wearing off. The spell is wearing off”! The rainbow Pegasus was practically leaping up and down. “Derpy!” she exclaimed happily as she embraced the grey mare. “We’re going home”! And just like that, there was a brilliant flash of light and naught more was left but the ravenous crew of confused carnivores still snapping at air in the middle of the hot, humid jungle. Chapter 6: "Don't Move an Inch"“Don’t move an inch” Twilight instructed. Rainbow Dash was back in the library, standing in the same spot she left in only a day ago. Her bandages were gone and the missing piece of her ear had been restored. The violet aura began to wrap around the two. “Twilight!” Dash exclaimed. “Wait!” The field faded. Twilight gave off an exasperated sigh. “Dash” she complained. “I told you not to move”. Giving no heed to the unicorn’s instruction, Dash fastened herself around her neck and squeezed with as much force as she could muster. “Twi! I’m so glad you’re okay”. Twilight recoiled a bit, confused at her Pegasus friend’s choice of wording. “Don’t worry about it Dash” she said, baffled. “It wouldn’t have hurt me, I just need to concentrate—what’s gotten into you”? Dash said nothing but continued to hug the librarian’s neck. Derpy crashed through the window just as before. “Derpy!” Rainbow exclaimed giddily. “Derpy?” Twilight queried. Rainbow left Twilight’s neck and embraced Derpy in a tight hug. The blonde mare returned the display of affection. “The tickets!” Rainbow cried out. “Do you have them”? Beaming widely, the ditzy Pegasus produced the two tickets from under her wing. They were in perfect condition, as crisp, clean and white as ever. Dash took one in her hoof giddily. “What’s going on” a perplexed Twilight Sparkle asked. “Oh yeah.” Rainbow began. “I’ll explain everything later, but right now, I have to spend some time with Derpy”. “What about our expedition? Don’t you still want to see some lizards”? Twilight didn’t bother trying to hide the desperation in her voice. Rainbow shuddered at the thought of another trip back to the Pre-Equestrian period. “Sorry” she apologized. “But I kind of owe it to Derpy to see this show”. Twilight hung her head. “Maybe Spike can go with you.” Dash offered. Without missing a beat, Spike was at Twilight’s side, still garbed in his safari gear. “I’m all ready to go.” He said vivaciously. Before Twi had a chance to comment, Dash and Derpy had already exited the library. Twi stood still the puzzled look on her face expressing more emotion than she would ever be able to speak. She observed Derpy and Dash soaring off in the distance towards Canterlot. Oh, well. She’d have to ask about what had just happened at a later date. Thoughts of her trip quickly reentered her mind as the excitement rose up in her yet again. Maybe she’d meet one of those adorable bird lizard creatures she’d read so much about.
Chapter 1: "Can You Spare the Time?"“Hurry up!” Rainbow Dash, the sky blue Pegasus pony cried out as she zipped from cloud to cloud, bucking them into vapor. A slow, languid voice cheerily called out in reply. “ You got it Dashie!” Derpy, the klutzy grey Pegasus said. It was Thursday, which meant that Rainbow was tasked with ensuring that the sky was absolutely clear. “Not a wisp is to be left wisped” she recalled the Mayor of Ponyville instructing her (as Thursdays were, apparently, her favorite days). More importantly, however, Thursdays were the day’s Rainbow would visit her good friend, Twilight Sparkle, in the town’s central library. Rainbow Dash’s chest heaved heavily as she swatted away the last of the cottony billows. Derpy, however, had only made a small dent in her corner of the heavens. Rainbow shouted out an exasperated sigh as she frantically swung her legs around in an attempt to rid the vast expanse of the white puffs. Derpy smiled at Rainbow. “Thanks for asking me to hang out with you today Rain—“ “Yeah, yeah” Dash interrupted rudely as she slapped the last cloud out of existence. “Aaaaaand, we’re done. See you later Derpy”! Rainbow sped off towards the library, leaving the derpy eyed Pegasus alone with naught more than her thoughts, the silence, and a confused frown on her face. She had really wanted to spend more time with the rainbow maned pony, as they had not found any time to bond recently. Derpy suspected that Dash had some ill will towards her but quickly dismissed the idea. Rainbow loved all of her friends. A grin shot across her face as a brilliant thought formed itself in her head. The Wonderbolts would be performing in Canterlot that afternoon and Derpy knew that Dash absolutely adored the Wonderbolts. Tickets would be cheap, if she talked to the right pony. It was a genius idea, but she would have to act quickly. Derpy took off towards the town, happy as a school filly. * * * * * * * * * * * Twilight, Ponyville’s faithful librarian (and, quite possibly, the most magically gifted unicorn for miles) danced giddily on her hooves as Rainbow crashed through the front door of the library. A beige safari hat sat atop Twilight’s head, just behind her horn, and a pair of binoculars dangled from a woven strap around her neck. She wore a tan jacket that’s pockets were filled to the brim with notebooks and quills as well as ink and other note taking apparatuses. The unicorn had been studying the history of large, reptilian creatures from the pre-equestrian period of the planet’s history (sparked by the unknown origins of Spike’s particular breed of dragon) and felt that it was finally time to attempt to observe some of the creatures that she had been fawning over for the past three months. Twilight had nearly perfected a chrono-manipulation spell and the eager, young unicorn was anxious to try it out. Spike, the humble baby dragon (and Twilight’s number one assistant for several years running) rushed down the stairs of the large oak library, garbed in clothes very similar to Twilight’s in both color and functionality. “I’m all ready to go!” the young dragon said. “I’m sorry Spike” Twilight spoke, a regretful tone pervading her voice. “I’ve only been studying this chrono-displacement spell for a few weeks now. I’m afraid that if I try to take any more than two passengers then I may wind up hurt”. Spike’s chin sunk into his chest as his head drooped low. He turned back towards his room, dragging his binoculars behind him. “Okay Twilight.” he sighed. ‘I understand”. Twilight reached a hoof out to him. “Sorry Spike. Maybe another time”. The door closed behind him as Spike stepped slowly into his room. Rainbow wrapped her hoof around Twilight’s shoulder, anxious to get started. “So are we gonna go or what?” Dash exclaimed, a determined look resting itself on her face. “In a minute” Twilight said, pushing the Rainbow maned Pegasus off of her. “There are some things I have to go over first”. Dash crossed her forehooves with a sigh as her flanks ungraciously crashed into the floor. “First off,” Twilight began. “This is a very dangerous spell. If you don’t follow my instructions, the both of us could wind up injured, or worse. Secondly, I’ll be casting a protection spell before we arrive in order to preserve the integrity of the time period. We’re going strictly as observers, nothing more. Thirdly, It will be crucial to document any and all findings to create a proper hypothesis of…”. Dash was nodding off. Twilight was a spectacular lecturer, but as with all great lectures comes a great nap. “And I think that covers it!” the lavender librarian exclaimed, jolting Dash from her brief slumber. “Do you have any questions” Twilight asked. The Pegasus leapt to her hooves. “Nah, I just want to get out there and see some—what were they called again?” “Sauros Equestrianos” Twilight boasted confidently, placing a solitary dignified hoof on her chest. “Whatever” Rainbow remarked, killing Twilight’s flair. “I just wanna see some big lizards”. “They’re not just lizards” Twilight corrected. “These creatures were massive in both stature and magnificence. Studying them may give me, er, us a better understanding of life before modern equestrian life forms arrived”. “Yeah, yeah” Dash said cheekily. “Let’s just get going”. Disappointed, Twilight gave a huff before bracing herself. “Don’t move an inch” the unicorn instructed. Dash stood absolutely still, a steely resolute mien forming itself between her cheeks. Soon, the two were wrapped in a violet, moderately opaque bubble. It shone and shimmered, despite the lack of sunlight in the room. It was the separation spell, the one that would separate them from the outside world of the past. Twilight’s horn began to glow brightly as loose papers and parchments fluttered around the room. At that moment, a window burst open, sending glass shards and wood paneling across the room as Derpy fell through and landed at Rainbow’s feet. She wielded two tickets to the Wonderbolts show in her hooves. “Look what I found” Derpy sang cheerily. Dash was visibly upset. “Derpy what are you doing here”! The space around the three bowed into a singularity for a brief moment before returning to its original dimensions with a barely audible “POP”. Ponyville’s library was empty.
Chapter 2: "A Funeral and a Hydra"“Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh” Rainbow nervously sputtered out as her hooves involuntarily jittered around below her. She paced back and forth, in circles and zigzagged lines around Twilight’s corpse. Twilight laid limp, slumped over on one side as a mixture of blood and magic seeped from her tear ducts. Her mouth hung open and her tongue drooped sloppily out of her mouth. The saliva mixed with the magic and blood in the red dirt. Derpy was obviously confused. “What happened Rainbow?” she asked innocently. “What happened” Rainbow snapped. “What happened was you showed up at the wrong time and killed my best friend”! Derpy’s befuddled gait formed itself into a frown. “I’m sorry Rainbow” she apologized. “I—“ “You’re sorry!” the hotheaded Pegasus interrupted. “Derpy! Of all the things that you’ve messed up, this is the… the…” she struggled to find the words. “… the Derpiest” she concluded. Derpy watched as Rainbow walked her panic attack over to her recently deceased comrade. She stroked her forehooves. “Please wake up Twi,” she pleaded. “Please”. Not a response. “Dear Celestia! Why!” she cried out. “Is there anything I can do to help Rainbow?” Derpy asked. Rainbow shot a piercing glare towards the ditzy grey Pegasus and sped over on fleeting wings. She raised a hoof to strike her. Derpy recoiled. Rainbow brought her hoof back down to her side. “You’re not even worth the effort” Dash spat as she returned to the lifeless unicorn’s side. “I—“ Derpy stammered. “I don’t understand”. “Her magic must not have been strong enough” Dash reasoned through her sniffles. “She said that if she teleported any more than two ponies, one of us could wind up hurt”. There was a silence for a moment as terrifying creatures roared and growled in the distant background through the deep, tropical vegetation. “Damn it Derpy!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Why do you always have to mess everything up”? Salty tears welled up in Derpy’s eyes. She had been yelled at before, but Rainbow’s words had a way of hurting more than anything anypony could do to her physically. “Don’t you dare cry” Rainbow barked. “You don’t deserve to cry”. An indignant rage had built up in Dash’s voice long ago, but her voice was nearly breaking now. Derpy glanced down at the Wonderbolts tickets that lay on the ground by her hooves. “R-Rainbow” the grey Pegasus spoke softly through her quiet sobs. “Shut up!” Rainbow returned. “I don’t want to hear you right now”! With nothing to do and nowhere to go, the despondent derpy Pegasus plopped her haunches down in the dirt. Fifteen minutes had passed and Rainbow was just about done digging a hole deep down into the red earth. Derpy watched helplessly as a dirt spotted Rainbow Dash crawled out from the abyss and dragged Twilight’s body inside. Another fifteen minutes and the hole was refilled with dirt. Rainbow ripped a piece of bark off of a nearby tree and, using a dark, charcoal like rock, wrote Twilight’s name on it. She stuck the bark in the ground near Twilight’s head, a paltry, makeshift tombstone. “What now?” Derpy asked cautiously, afraid that Rainbow may decide to confront her yet again. “What happens now…” Rainbow started anxiously. “…is that you leave me alone while I figure out how to get back. As a matter of fact…” Rainbow was yelling again. “…leave me alone forever! I don’t want to see your stupid face, your stupid wings, or your stupid mane ever again”! The begrimed Pegasus stood and began to walk away from the site. She passed right by Derpy, carelessly trampling the Wonderbolts tickets underhoof as she passed. “Rainbow, wait!” Derpy called out. Dash was silent as she continued her pace. Derpy rose to her hooves and took after her. Twin trails of hoofprints dotted the beaten path through the heavy vegetation of the dense brush as the two pegasi pressed on in silence for some time. Finally, Derpy spoke. “I’m really sorry Rainbow Dash. Will you forgive me”. “No!” came Rainbow’s reply, almost quicker than Derpy could complete her plea. The pattern repeated itself for several minutes. Derpy would ask for forgiveness and Dash would deny her every time. Finally, the multicolored Pegasus was fed up. She turned and faced Derpy, infuriated. “For the last time, Derpy! I’m not going to forgive you so why don’t you just leave me alone”! Derpy pondered for a second before speaking again. “But why” she asked, truly hurt by Dash’s words. Dash sputtered. “Because I hate you!” she shouted. “But why do you hate me Rainbow. I didn’t mean to—“ “There you go again!” Rainbow interjected shortly. “It doesn’t matter that you didn’t mean to! All that matters is that you did. If you’re really so sorry you can go and apologize to Twilight. Wait, you can’t, because you killed her! Why don’t you just leave me alone”! With that, Rainbow Dash took to the burnt orange sky. Derpy called out after her. “Rainbow wait! Don’t leave me”! Derpy was nowhere near the flyer that Dash was; however, she quickly rose to the sky and followed suit. An extremely thick blanket of dense smoke made it hard to breathe at high altitudes and forced the both of them to glide just a few hundred feet above the canopy of the “jungle”. Dash looked behind her at Derpy, who only smiled apologetically and waved as she tried to keep up. Dash turned her head back in front of her and sighed. A simple flick of her wings propelled her forwards a slight bit faster than before. Derpy struggled to maintain her speed but managed to match Dash’s velocity. This continued for a while as Dash would speed up and Derpy would parallel her speed. Dash called back. “You might as well stop now, Derpy. I’m not slowing down”! “That’s okay Rainbow” Derpy replied. “I can catch up”. Rainbow rolled her eyes. A low rumbling emanated from the jungle floor. Dash searched around frantically as the distinct ‘CRACK’ of snapping trees echoed through the air but, there was nothing to be seen for miles. CRASH! Giant, snarling jaws arose deep from within the trees just ahead of Dash. She immediately halted and reversed, only narrowly evading the razor sharp teeth as they shut with a thunderous ‘SNAP’ mere feet in front of her. “Was that a dragon?” she wondered. What ever it was, it was larger than any living thing she’d seen, even larger than the Ursa Major that slept in the Everfree forest or the dragon she had confronted months ago when the smoke from its slumber threatened the skies over Ponyville. The thing was massive but one fact was for certain: It would strike again. Dash yelled towards Derpy. “Move it or lose it Pegasus!” she called before zooming off towards the horizon. Derpy sped her pace, although barely able to keep up. Several yards ahead, the jaws snapped again. Dash doubled back, escaping the beast’s mouth by pure luck, and by that only. More jaws in front, behind, to her sides. There was no escaping. She was trapped. A massive pair of teeth reared up from below. They were incredibly vast. Dash was stunned by their sheer size. She froze up, unable to move as the beast’s jowls closed in around her. The Pegasus closed her eyes, prepared to meet her fate. Her eyes were jolted open as she felt a smaller body slam into her. Derpy shoved Dash out of the way just seconds before the mighty reptile was able to turn her into lunch. The two careened into the canopy and slammed into the dirt back at ground level. They hid silently behind a mass of toppled trees as the monster came back to rest on the burgundy earth. It was definitely a hydra, but it was much larger than anything in present day Equestria. Dash and Derpy shuddered as the beasts thundering footsteps carried it off into the distance. Derpy smiled at Rainbow as soon as the hydra was far enough away. “This doesn’t change a thing!” Rainbow exclaimed angrily as she stormed off. Derpy frowned, but only for a moment as she quickly retook her position behind Rainbow, who was now walking at a considerably slower pace.
Chapter 3: "Baby Food"Although the silence was uncomfortable, Derpy enjoyed being in the company of her most favored Pegasus friend. The two trekked on for what felt like hours before, finally, coming to a clearing. Several long necked creatures stood in the tall grass as they reached their mouths up to the trees to bite off several leaves. These creatures were herbivores but neither Dash nor Derpy were aware of the fact and they certainly were not about to take any chances. “Okay here’s the plan” Dash started as Derpy leaned in closer. The rainbow Pegasus began to explain her scheme, being sure to keep her voice low. She was convinced that the plant eating creatures in the fields were slow, judging by their stubby legs and long tails, and proposed that the best way to avoid any unwanted contact would be a speedy, low altitude flight directly across the grassy plains. Derpy had no qualms and complied with Rainbow’s proposition. “Get ready” Rainbow said in a whisper. “One… two… three”! Wings flapped fast and hard as the pegasi sped past the brush. However, they hadn’t made it one hundred feet before a large, bird-like creature with scaly skin swooped down and clutched them in its claws. Rainbow and Derpy struggled to wiggle free from the creature’s grip but their efforts were for naught. “Let me go you big, ugly Sere-, Sauro-, Seri-, ya stupid lizard bird”! Dash loosened up and slumped in the ‘bird’s’ claws. “Well this is just great” she remarked. “Where do you think it’s taking us” Derpy asked. “I don’t know” Rainbow replied. “I’ve never seen a--, a thing like this before. I have no idea where it’s going”. In the distance, a craggy spire appeared to rise from the terra firma and reached far past the low hanging cloud of soot just overhead. Large nests made from massive rods of bent arbor spotted its rocky surface as legions of these… terrible lizard birds… circled about. If their destination was unclear before, the speed the monster had accumulated upon spotting its dreadful abode quickly cast out any doubt from the Pegasus’s minds. Within a quarter hour, the ‘bird’ had arrived at a particular nest dangerously close to the top of the mountain near the thick soot polluted air. It unceremoniously dropped the two mares in and took off towards the horizon, probably to find more food. “I dare you to try that again you stupid pigeon!” Rainbow yelled after the creature, angrily shaking her hoof in the air all the while. “Let’s get out of here Derpy” she said as she flared her wings. As if on cue, another of the massive birds soared upwards and into the black cloud just as Dash finished her comment. Her wings fastened tightly to her side as she peered over the edge. Hundreds of the bird creatures circled below them by their own nests. Even if they could slip past them, they would surely be noticed and chased until they wound up back where they began. Dash backed up from the edge. “On second thought,” she said. “There’s probably another way out”. She wasn’t sure how thick the black smoke was above them, nor was she sure how long she (or Derpy for that matter) could hold their breath during a ninety-degree ascent into the, most likely, thinner air of the upper atmosphere. Her flanks met the hopelessly entangled twigs with a soft ‘THUNK’ and a crackle as the dried leaves gave way under her weight. She brought her hoof under her chin as her mind sped into overtime, contemplating another possible escape route. Derpy prodded Rainbow’s shoulder with a shaky hoof, her gaze focused on a trio of pony-sized ivory eggs opposite herself in the nest. One of them began to stir, then another, and soon, all three were fidgeting restlessly. “Rainbow” Derpy stammered. The rainbow Pegasus waved her off with a hoof. “Hang on Derpy. I’m trying to get us out of here”. Derpy poked Rainbow again, causing her to spin around to berate her. Before any insults unsettled themselves from her mouth, however, she stopped cold as her eyes fell upon the newly formed cracks in the chalky spheres’ surfaces. Three sets of terrifying, green, scaly beaks shattered through more of the rigid membrane as they called and cried out. Rainbow Dash frantically paced back and forth from one end of the nest to the other as Derpy sat in stunned silence. “This is bad,” Dash commented to herself. “Rainbow.” Derpy called out. “Oh, what would Twilight have done”. Rainbow asked herself, but no new ideas sparked in her mind. “Rainbow” Derpy tried again. The sky blue Pegasus ignored it. “There’s got to be a way.” Dash tried to convince herself as she, once more, peered over the side of the nest, down at the perilous path to the ground. “Oh” she whined. “There has to be a way”. “Rainbow look!” Derpy cried out. The infantile creatures had broken free and were steadily approaching the Pegasus duo (who were now both wrapped tightly around the other’s waist for comfort). The ravenous look in the newborn’s eyes told both Rainbow and Derpy that they had not arrived to explore the depths of friendship. “What do we do, Rainbow” the grey mare questioned worriedly. “I-I-“ Dash stammered for an answer. “I don’t know”. The beasts accosted the two pegasi and separated them. One dragged Derpy away to a remote side of the nest while the other two worked away on Dash as she squirmed helplessly under them. The first bit down furiously on her chest as the other held her down. Their teeth weren’t as sharp as they would be in several years, but with enough gnawing, their stubby fangs would soon break through Rainbow’s hide. Derpy cowered as the towering brute opened its jaws wide. She closed her eyes and swung her hoof blindly. Luck was on her side as she landed a solid blow in the animal’s temple, sending it toppling over to its side, unconscious. Feeling a new sense of steely resolve rising in her chest, she eyed the beasts that were chewing away at her friend. She had to act quickly; they had drawn blood and may have been dangerously close to hitting a vital organ. Derpy marched confidently towards them and stopped inches away from their backs. She had never heard a pony scream so loudly for help before and certainly did not expect Rainbow, of all ponies, to have a voice so bold. Nevertheless, Derpy inhaled deeply as she raised a hoof against the monsters. She swung and landed another blow directly in the beast’s temples. It stood still. Derpy’s hoof hung midair where it had ended its arc as she waited for the creature to fall. Instead, it turned towards her, considerably angrier than it was before. It growled at her. Derpy shoved her hooves behind her back as she shed a shy smile. The creatures, both the one and its sibling, closed in on Derpy as Rainbow clutched her sides, writhing in agony. Derpy’s flanks met the spiny, sprig caked wall at the edge of the beast’s roost. Why did she always have to mess everything up? The blonde pony closed her eyes as tears began to well up in them. Everything she worked at seemed to crumble in her hooves. She hardened her resolve. This time would be different. She had to make a change. Derpy began wildly bucking her hind legs in every direction with the intent to strike at least one of the aggressors. The creatures backed away, narrowly missing the grey mare’s speeding hooves. “Derpy!” Rainbow coughed out. A slow rumble began to build after the ditzy mare dealt a dizzying blow to the nest’s wall nearest the overhang. It slipped and slid slowly away from the mountains face, yet the creatures were still closing in. The nest jerked and toppled over the edge, sending the two ponies and the three newborn ‘birds’ down towards the jungle canopy in a freefall. Acting swiftly, Derpy snatched Rainbow out of the nest just moments before it crashed into the red dirt below. The birds screamed and cried out in pain as they tried to maneuver their broken wings and limbs to a more comfortable position (although their efforts would prove to be in vain). They were badly injured, but still alive. Assuming that their mother would be back soon, Derpy took Dash in her mouth and dragged the very nearly mutilated rainbow Pegasus away from the landing site. Dash looked into Derpy’s eyes as her flanks bumped into the fallen brush under the roof of the tall arbors. “Derpy” she said weakly. “You saved me”. And she had. A newfound sense of pride welled up in Derpy’s chest as a wide smile bridged her cheeks. She felt that she had finally accomplished something worthwhile. Rainbow Dash blacked out.
Chapter 4: "Apologies" Chapter 4: "Apologies" Night came quickly and, even with the absence of the sun, the air remained hot and muggy. Derpy had managed to build a decent fire far away from any potentially flammable vegetation deep within a dank cave. The meager facility wasn’t ideal, but it would provide the protection necessary to survive the night. Derpy fed more wood to the hungry flames as Rainbow sat up. The sky blue Pegasus ran a hoof down her sides, which were now wrapped in a series of long, flexible leaves and padded with a greenish, cloth like moss. The tourniquet was, once again, less than ideal but still better than nothing. “How long was I out?” Dash asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Not long” Derpy replied with a faint smile as she prodded the fire with a stick. Dash looked around the cave for a moment before returning her eyes to Derpy. “Thanks… for back there” Dash began. “It was really brave of you to do what you did”. Derpy smiled again. “I’m sure you would have done the same for me.” she returned. “Yeah” Dash sighed as she turned her head. “You were bleeding pretty bad,” Derpy continued. “So I found some leaves and patched you up”. Rainbow looked back down at the bandages around her chest. “Thanks” she found herself repeating. Silence. The two sat still for a long while as the dull roar of the creatures from the world outside of the cave slowly dwindled into little more than a whimper. Dash wasn’t typically an apologetic pony, but she wasn’t beyond manners either. “I’m sorry” Dash spoke softly. Derpy looked up at the sky blue Pegasus, her eyes slightly more confused than was typical of her. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier” Dash explained. “I didn’t really mean any of it. Well, I did but I was angry and that made me… ugh… what I’m trying to say, Derpy, is that Twilight’s death wasn’t your fault”. She choked that terrible ‘D’ word out of her throat. “There’s no way you could have know that showing up like that would have such an effect. I was upset and when I didn’t know who to blame, I blamed you. I shouldn’t have because… well… because you’re my friend, and blaming each other isn’t what friends do. Will you forgive me, Derpy”? In some respects, Derpy would have been completely justified in cursing out the rainbow maned mare right then and there. She was absolutely in the right to throw her out into the darkness on her haunches to fend off the creatures of the night alone, injuries and all. Dash had not needed to sling insult after hurtful insult at her and had no right to blame anypony for an event brought on by naught but fate itself. But unrelenting kindness prevailed. “I forgive you Rainbow Dash” Derpy said as she smiled warmly, content with the fact that she had been called ‘friend’. It was at that moment when Dash realized how horrible it must have felt for Derpy to have her own apology rejected, especially when it brought on an undeserved hatred from the one she only wanted to get closer too. Rainbow would have much to think about tonight. “Why did you decide to come over anyway? To the library, I mean” Dash questioned, trying her hardest to quench any resilient embers of ill will. Derpy blushed and turned away as she produced two dilapidated pieces of paper from under her wings. She handed the tickets over to Dash who quizzically inspected them. “I—I don’t understand” Rainbow stammered. “I know how much you love the Wonderbolts” Derpy explained. “And I never get to spend any real time with you, so I found these tickets and rushed over to give them to you”. Rainbow’s eyes began to well up and tears trickled down her cheeks. She buried her head in her hooves. She had been such a stupid, selfish, inconsiderate pony. Derpy slowly trotted over to Dash and plopped down by her friend’s side. The grey mare wrapped a foreleg around Rainbow. “It’s okay Dashie”. The night passed on and soon the two pegasi gave way to sleep as the final few waning embers from the fire died out.
Chapter 5: "Surrounded"Thud. THUD. THUD! The alarming reverberations from the nearness of the ground-shaking footsteps jolted the two sleeping mares awake. Whatever terrible beast occupied the cave had apparently risen from its slumber and was now making its way back to the outside world. The pegasi hurriedly scrambled out past the mouth of the cave and took cover only a few short seconds before the horrifying hydra-like beast emerged from its dwelling. The mares had scarcely evaded its attack once before, but a second fight could prove much less promising, especially with the advent of Dash’s injuries. Dash’s wings were secured under the makeshift bandages, rendering her temporarily incapable of flight and Derpy was nowhere near the skill (or strength) of Dash. Taking these facts into account, the two decide to hoof it, as it were (after the beast had receded further into the thick underbrush, of course). As they pressed on deeper into the jungle, the growling of large Sauro-Equestrian creatures lessened in volume until, finally, the air became eerily silent. The occasional, crack of a twig or rustle of leaves would snap the Pegasus’s attention to a particular section of scrub, but, ultimately, proved (more often than not) to be the byproduct of careless hoof placement. Still, neither Dash nor Derpy could shake the feeling of being watched. It wouldn’t be unheard of, seeing as they were the most vulnerable and least threatening souls out in this section of the forest, but the very prospect of being… vulnerable… was very disheartening. The brush thickened as Dash and Derpy pushed their way through the foliage. Eventually, it became too thick to step over and the mares were forced to make due with physically moving the low hanging branches out of the way with their hooves. A twig snapped. This definitely could not have been from them. The sound had come from far behind them. They were being followed. Dash knew it. Derpy knew it. The creature behind them was probably aware of their alertness to its presence. Dash parted the limbs of another bush as they prepared to walk through. SNAP! A pair of long, slender jaws emerged from the bush and snapped the top portion of Dash’s right ear clean off. Dash backed off as she and Derpy stared at the yellow, snakelike eyes that peered out from the bushes. Slowly, the creature emerged from the underbrush, the missing half of Dash’s ear held firmly in its mouth. The creature was about twice as tall as the average pony and, although it had the jerkish gait of a chicken, it’s tough scales and long tail seemed to be that of a dragon. It tossed its head back, sending the piece of ear sailing into the air briefly before falling back down towards earth and into its gullet. It swallowed whole and didn’t even bother to chew. Long, sharp talons inched closer towards the Pegasi as they stepped back cautiously. Unlike the stubbly legged, long necked creatures Dash had observed the day before, this thing looked fast, and deadly. Dash leaned her head slightly towards Derpy, making sure not to let the creature leave her sight. “We run on three” she instructed. Derpy nervously nodded in the affirmative as a tight knot formed in her throat. “One” Dash began. The creature took another step. “Two”. It was closer now. “Three”! The pegasi sped off in the opposite direction full speed, goading the ‘ear eater’ to give chase. It lifted its long snout into the air and sounded out a high-pitched, guttural noise. It was incredibly fast. Even with the pegasi sprinting at top speeds, the creature was still close behind them and was approaching closer. Dash and Derpy banked left, throwing the creature off for a moment, but soon it was right next to them. Derpy ducked and narrowly missed the beast’s snapping jaws. They made another sharp left, but the creature was on their left. “Come on!” Dash cried out exasperated. True, it was on their left, but it was on their right as well. There were two of them! The pegasi put on the breaks and turned tail, but another beast was waiting for them down that path. The pegasi made another one-eighty but still, another of the creatures was waiting for them. They were coming out of the woodwork, steadily increasing in number. Four, five, six, seven. Seven creatures in total closed in around the helpless ponies. “Get out of here!” Rainbow exclaimed to Derpy as she tried to toss her into the air. “Nu’uh” Derpy replied defiantly. “I won’t leave you here Dashie”! As much as Rainbow would have liked to buck Derpy halfway to Canterlot, she knew that she was no match for the creatures alone. Maybe, together, they had a shot. An eighth monster pushed its way into the pack. It was slightly bigger than the others and definitely had the traits and air of an alpha. Dash was genuinely afraid. Her knees knocked together. She felt a hoof reach over and take her own. Derpy embraced her even here. Whatever was to come next, Rainbow knew that they would endure the excruciating pain or horrible disfigurement together. It was comforting. “We’re not afraid of you!” Dash screamed at the top of her lungs. The alpha cocked his head to the side before bringing his razor sharp claw down on their heads. The mares winced. However, the claw passed through them, straight through them. There was not a scratch on their body. The alpha swung again and, again, the same results. Monstrous jaws bore down on the ponies’ bodies but to no avail. “What’s going on Dashie” Derpy asked. For a moment Dash pondered the possibility that they were all ready deceased but quickly dismissed the idea as she took notice of the fact that the creatures could still see them. “The spell must be wearing off” Dash pondered out loud. “What spell?” Derpy asked. “The time traveling spell”. Dash thought for a moment. “Wait. The spell is wearing off. The spell is wearing off”! The rainbow Pegasus was practically leaping up and down. “Derpy!” she exclaimed happily as she embraced the grey mare. “We’re going home”! And just like that, there was a brilliant flash of light and naught more was left but the ravenous crew of confused carnivores still snapping at air in the middle of the hot, humid jungle.
Chapter 6: "Don't Move an Inch"“Don’t move an inch” Twilight instructed. Rainbow Dash was back in the library, standing in the same spot she left in only a day ago. Her bandages were gone and the missing piece of her ear had been restored. The violet aura began to wrap around the two. “Twilight!” Dash exclaimed. “Wait!” The field faded. Twilight gave off an exasperated sigh. “Dash” she complained. “I told you not to move”. Giving no heed to the unicorn’s instruction, Dash fastened herself around her neck and squeezed with as much force as she could muster. “Twi! I’m so glad you’re okay”. Twilight recoiled a bit, confused at her Pegasus friend’s choice of wording. “Don’t worry about it Dash” she said, baffled. “It wouldn’t have hurt me, I just need to concentrate—what’s gotten into you”? Dash said nothing but continued to hug the librarian’s neck. Derpy crashed through the window just as before. “Derpy!” Rainbow exclaimed giddily. “Derpy?” Twilight queried. Rainbow left Twilight’s neck and embraced Derpy in a tight hug. The blonde mare returned the display of affection. “The tickets!” Rainbow cried out. “Do you have them”? Beaming widely, the ditzy Pegasus produced the two tickets from under her wing. They were in perfect condition, as crisp, clean and white as ever. Dash took one in her hoof giddily. “What’s going on” a perplexed Twilight Sparkle asked. “Oh yeah.” Rainbow began. “I’ll explain everything later, but right now, I have to spend some time with Derpy”. “What about our expedition? Don’t you still want to see some lizards”? Twilight didn’t bother trying to hide the desperation in her voice. Rainbow shuddered at the thought of another trip back to the Pre-Equestrian period. “Sorry” she apologized. “But I kind of owe it to Derpy to see this show”. Twilight hung her head. “Maybe Spike can go with you.” Dash offered. Without missing a beat, Spike was at Twilight’s side, still garbed in his safari gear. “I’m all ready to go.” He said vivaciously. Before Twi had a chance to comment, Dash and Derpy had already exited the library. Twi stood still the puzzled look on her face expressing more emotion than she would ever be able to speak. She observed Derpy and Dash soaring off in the distance towards Canterlot. Oh, well. She’d have to ask about what had just happened at a later date. Thoughts of her trip quickly reentered her mind as the excitement rose up in her yet again. Maybe she’d meet one of those adorable bird lizard creatures she’d read so much about.
