Into The Forest

Fluttershy put the finishing touches on wrapping Rarity’s leg. “Alright. That’s the best we can do for now, Rarity.”

Rarity was wrapped in a blanket. Her mane was messy and wet, and her face was smeared with dirt. “I stepped in a bear trap.” She sulked. Fluttershy started to wipe Rarity’s face with a cloth. “This is so humiliating,” Rarity continued. “Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!”  She suddenly noticed that Rainbow Dash was sitting next to her and she had been filming her the whole time. “Do you MIND?!” She hissed. Rainbow quickly stood up, bringing the camera out of her face.

“Does anypony know where we are?” Applejack asked, trotting out from behind Rainbow. “Because I certainly don’t.”

The cyan Pegasus nodded. “Agreed. We can follow the river up a ways, but the tracks won’t be good once the sun goes down.”

Applejack turned to her fellow athlete. “Well, didn’t you guys bring a map?” Rainbow Dash handed her camera over to Fluttershy.

“Yeah, well uh, I sorta kicked it into the creek.”

“YOU DID WHAT??!” Everyone except the Pegasi shouted.

Rainbow Dash burst out laughing. “Kidding!”

Fluttershy smiled sheepishly at the rest of the group. “We actually never had a map.” Everyone rolled their eyes.

“Well, we accidentally spilled water on our map.” Applejack sighed.

Twilight Sparkle looked around at her friends, and then turned to Rarity. “Do you think you can move on that leg?” She asked.

Rarity sighed. “Not very fast, I’m afraid.”

Rainbow dash began to shiver. “Man, we’re gonna freeze our flanks off!”

Twilight stood up. “Okay. This is what’s going to happen. We’re gonna set up camp for tonight. It’s too dark to try to fly out of here, and it’s best if we stay together.  We’re going to back ourselves up to the water so that we don’t have to worry about a 360 degree perimeter. We will build a fire, and at first light, I will fly out of here, and I will come back with help.”

Pinkie Pie gave Twilight a worried look. “But Twilight, it’s not safe to go out all by yourself!”

Twilight turned to the pink mare. “Pinkie, everypony has to stay here. Half of us are injured, and Fluttershy is the only pony who is able to take care on everypony’s wounds. Plus, you have to stay here and help her.  I’ll be twice as fast on my own.” Rarity shakily starts to stand up.

“Twilight’s right,” She grunted. Fluttershy and Applejack started over to help her, but Rarity Politely refused. “I’m fine, Darlings, I’m fine. It’s best if we set up a perimeter, and I shall take watch.”

Rainbow shook her head. “No, Rarity, you’re hurt. I’ll take watch.”

Applejack also shook her head no. ‘”You’re hurt too, Rainbow. I’ll take watch.”

Rarity held up a hoof. “No girls, I insist. Both of you are hurt, and you need rest. I won’t be able to sleep a wink tonight anyways, so it’s only fitting. Besides, I still have magic. I will take watch. Twilight will set the camp and protect the herd. I shall alert you if anything goes wrong.”

Applejack slowly nodded. “Alright.” She said hesitantly.

Rainbow took Pinkie’s camera out of her mane. “Well…at least take one of the cameras with you,” She said, handing the camera to Rarity. “It would mean so much to us if you see anything… just point and shoot.”

Rarity frowned at Rainbow Dash. “What do I look like to you?” Rainbow paused, and smiled.

“A marshmallow!”

Rarity rolled her eyes. Applejack walked up to her. “Here”, she said, taking off her Stetson and putting on top of Rarity’s head. “It’s gonna be cold tonight.”

Rarity adjusted the hat. “This actually feels rather delightful. Where did you get it?”

The Farm Pony grinned. “Got it from my Pa,” She said proudly. “He won it from an apple bobbing contest.”

Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie pie sat around a campfire. It was already nighttime. Fluttershy kept the camera rolling as their ordeal continued. “This fire is really impressive, Applejack”, Pinkie complimented. “I had no idea you could make fire with sticks! My parents would always scrape rock together to make a fire!”

Applejack smiled. “Well, I don’t quite know how your parents did that Pinkie, but rubbing two sticks together to start a fire has been around for years.”

Fluttershy sighed contentedly. “I love the outdoors.”

Rainbow Dash glances at their tracking device and frowns. “Uh, nothing’s beeping on the Bigfoot tracker.” Pinkie was confused at first.

“Huh?”

Then the realization dawned on her, and she looked at Applejack with wide eyes. “Ew, Applejack. That’s what you ran off to do?”  Applejack blushed a deep red and covered her face with her hooves in embarrassment. Twilight and Rainbow Dash however, looked amused.

“Wait,” Rainbow snickered. “What did you even use to –“

“Forget about it.” Applejack cut off, irritated. “We’re not talking about this. Ever.”  A silence followed, with everyone smiled knowingly at Applejack. The Blonde mare blushed even more. “You can all kick rocks!” There was a noise off in the distance. Twilight stood up.

“Everypony stay put,” she said, as she left.

***

Not too far away, Rarity was sitting under a tree, shivering and jumping at every noise. She was still wearing Applejack’s hat. Using her magic, she trained Pinkie’s camera to herself. “It’s so…cold,” She shuddered. “My ankle is a little worse off than I let on.” She turned the camera to her leg. Blood was seeping through the bandage. “I’ve lost quite a lot of blood.” She turned the camera back to herself. “It’s time to be honest,” The unicorn said earnestly. “I’m no Element of Generosity. Not tonight..”

***

Back at the campfire, the four ponies were huddled together, silently watching the flames. Pinkie could sense the tension and fear in the group, and decided to try to lift their spirits. She started to sing softly…

Close your eyes, Give me a hand, darling

Do you feel my heart beating? Do you understand?

The others were watching Pinkie with silent curiosity. Feeling comforted, Fluttershy leaned her head on Pinkie’s shoulder, and started to sing along with her.

Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming?

Is this burning an eternal flame?

Applejack looked over at Rainbow Dash, who looked back at her with a blank expression. The two finally joined in the song.

I believe it’s meant to be, darling…

***

Rarity continued, with tears streaming down her face. “I would like to apologize”, She whimpered. “I’m sorry, Sweetie Belle, that I didn’t spend as much time with you like I should have… but I’m fairly certain… that you are going to grow up to be a fine young lady. Mom and Dad… I’m sorry that I didn’t visit you as often as you would like…you did a fine job of raising me… and I’m sorry if you felt insulted when I insulted you clothing choice…”

***

At camp, everyone got into the song, singing in a perfect melody…

I watch you when you are sleeping

You belong with me Do you feel the same?

Am I only dreaming? Or is this burning

(Burning) An eternal flame?

Say my name..

Pinkie stood up on all fours, lifted her head up proudly, and delivered the next part of the song while the rest of the ponies vocalized.

Sun shines through the rain, My whole life… so lonely—

“Hey, Guys!” The singing immediately stopped as Twilight appeared from behind them with a fake smile plastered on her face. “Hi. Yeah, how about we don’t attract attention ourselves by singing a song?”

Rarity was getting worse by the moment. She shudders as she looks around at the darkness. “I’m going to die out here,” She whimpered. The fashionista sniffled, and looked into the camera lens again. “Girls… you are… the best friends I could ever…ever…” Rarity collapsed on the ground. The camera was still on the unicorn, although it was on the ground beside her. Suddenly, a big hairy creature came up behind her. The creature lifted her up over his shoulder, and carried her off into the night.