Forest Encounter

The sound of Apple Bloom's hooves pounding against the ground echoed on the red cement racetrack. Her reddish hair flowed through the air, carried by the strong wind. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle weren't far behind her as they raced towards the white banner they had put up, tied tightly to two wooden spikes hammered into the deep ground. Apple Bloom was ahead, galloping faster than she ever had in her life. The white banner was in her sight; getting closer and closer each long stride she took; until she leaped forward and broke the white banner in half, Scootaloo on her tail with Sweetie Belle in tow.

"Great job!" said Scootaloo. She took a curious peek at her flank. "No cutie mark for me, You, Apple Bloom? Sweetie Belle?"

The two other fillies shook their heads, frowning.

"So, girls. Any new ideas for some more Crusading? It's only three o'clock and Applejack wants us back at six for dinner," Apple Bloom asked, flashing a look at each of the other two fillies as she said so.

"Oh, I know, I know!" piped up Scootaloo, with sudden enthusiasm. She pointed towards a small-looking pine forest behind a convenience store. "Let's go inside and find some animals. Maybe we have the same talent as Fluttershy. Maybe we're good at taking care of animals!" She pulled out a camera from her saddlebag lying near the track. "And if that doesn't work out, maybe we have the talent for photographing!"

"That's a brilliant idea!" said Sweetie Belle. "We can find squirrels, bunnies, deer and insects all over the Charles Forest. I used to take nature classes there when I was really, really little. Everywhere you looked, there was an animal at work building a den, or some bugs flying around looking for food."

Apple Bloom flipped her saddlebag onto her back, strapping it in place. "Then it's decided. We're going to be Cutie Mark Crusader Animal Caretakers!" She threw her hooves up in the air with joy, as did the other two fillies.

"YAY!" yelled the little foals as they galloped off into the forest, unaware that inside, there was something waiting for them..