Everfree Meltdown

Chapter 8: Affliction

Fluttershy was paralyzed with fear. Her skinny legs became became locked in place. Unable to utter a squeal, she just stood there awkwardly staring into the monstrous black eyes of the manticore. It began to growl ominously at her, licking its lips with delight.

"Haul flank!", yelled Rainbow Dash, as she drug her frozen friend towards the mouth of the cave.

As the two pegasi reached the exit, a large pair of paws crept into the clouded sun's dim light. The humongous brute towered over the two ponies, making them feel as if they were but little fillies again. With Fluttershy dumbfounded in terror, Rainbow Dash knew there was only one thing that she could do. She had to fight.

Dash flailed her hooves in the air. "Bring it on you big ugly oaf!"

Once more, the beast let out an earth-rumbling roar. Rainbow, knowing that she had to protect Fluttershy, adamantly stood her ground.

"R... Rainbow...", Fluttershy mumbled hoarsely.

"Run Fluttershy!", exclaimed Rainbow loudly. "Run!"

The manticore became more and more aggressive. When his boldness met its peak, he began to creep forward towards the two ponies. The predator moved slowly, in a quiet and menacing manner. With each step he took, the more terrified Dash became.

"Back off!", shouted the pegasus, as she delivered a swift kick into the big cat's growling mug.

The monster jerked backwards a few feet, snarling at his attacker. In response to the kick, the manticore swiped at Rainbow with a giant paw. The power from the punch sent the pegasus hurtling towards a large, dead elm tree. *CRACK* Poor Dash slid down the tree's rough bark, before finally meeting the cold forest floor.

"Rainbow! No!!", screamed Fluttershy.

The manticore seemed to chuckle at Fluttershy's panicky expression. He made his way slowly towards the bare tree, with plans to finish off his tiny prey.

In an act of desperation , Fluttershy leaped in front of her wounded friend, looking the cat straight in the eyes. "HOW DARE YOU!!", she wailed, gazing into the monsters beady, black eyes. The intensity of this pony's haunting stare overwhelmed the beast's predatory instincts, leaving him clueless on what to do.

"Now get out of here!", Fluttershy commanded menacingly.

The manticore complied with the pony's demands. He ran with great speed back into his subterranean home.

Once she knew it was safe, Fluttershy slowly inched her way towards Rainbow's motionless silhouette. Having no idea how hard the creature had hit her, she feared the worst. Even with the little knowledge she had in pony medicine, she knew that Rainbow had suffered several fractures on her right wing. There was no way that she would be able to fly out of here.

"Oh Dashie...", cooed the teary-eyed pegasus, as she gently gripped her friend's hoof.

Rainbow slowly opened her magenta eyes. "F... Flutershy?", she asked timidly. "What happened?" After a few seconds of recollection, her eyes widened in terror. "Where's the manticore?!"

"Sssh...", whispered Fluttershy. "Everything's gonna be alright."

Rainbow attempted to stretch out her wings. "Ow!!" She winced in pain.

Fluttershy lightly grabbed hold of her. "Be still Rainbow Dash."

Elsewhere, Twilight and the others were biding their time at the camp they had established in the clearing. The sun had made its way across most of the sky during this time of nervous waiting. Their thoughts dwelled on their pegasi friends, who they expected at this point in time to be in Canterlot Castle.

Twilight turned her head to Pinkie Pie. The earth pony had been very quiet ever since the passing of Applejack. This abnormal behavior began to worry the rest of the group.

"Hey Pinkie...", Twilight awkwardly began. "How are you feeling?"

The pink mare gave no response to anything the unicorn had just said. Not even her lifeless gaze was altered by Twilight's words of concern.

Suddenly, Rarity chimed in with more words of comfort. "Pinkie, darling... Is there anything you want to talk about?"

Pinkie Pie remained frozen in her fit of despair. The only thing that came from her was a single tear that crept silently from one of her eyes.

Twilight ran a hoof through the pink pony's cotton candy mane. "Pinkie... We want to help you..."

"Yes dearie... All we want is for you to be happy.", Rarity said sympathetically.

Once again, Pinkie Pie said nothing. She just lowered her head miserably, and began to cry softly to herself.

"Oh Pinkie...", Twilight murmured quietly to the depressed mare. "Rainbow and Fluttershy have probably already told the Princess about us."

"Yes sweetie...", Rarity comforted. "We'll be out of here in no time."

Pinkie Pie then turned her gaze to the bald unicorn. Her puppy dog eyes proved too much on the unicorn's brittle heart, as Rarity embraced Pinkie Pie in a hug of extreme affection. This genuinely lifted the earth pony's dampened spirits.

"I love you guys.", squeaked Pinkie with a faint smile.

Spike, who had remained silent up until this point stumbled forward. "We love you too Pinkie.", he said, as her joined in on the group hug which was taking place.

Pinkie opened her eyes gloomily. "I just wish that Applejack was here right now..."

The four of them stood silently, upon the uttering of these words.

Meanwhile, several miles away, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were trying to figure out their next plan of action. The rain had long since lifted, but the sun was beginning to set on the horizon.

"Okay, so we can't fly out of here now.", Rainbow stated. "But that doesn't mean we can't go on hoof."

Fluttershy's ears lowered upon hearing this. "Are you sure you're ready to walk that far?", she warned nervously. "I don't know how well my splint will hold up out here."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Splint or no splint, I've gotta get to the Princess and tell her about the others."

"Um... It's up to you Rainbow Dash...", Fluttershy replied meekly. "I'll follow you wherever you go."

Rainbow trotted over to her where her timid friend stood. "I knew I could count on you Fluttershy.", she said, ruffling Fluttershy's pinkie mane with her hoof. "Now let's get to Canterlot."

"Okay.", Fluttershy answered, a small smile forming on her face.

As the two pegasi started off towards their destination, there was an evil chuckle that was emitted from behind a large, dying pine tree. A rogue Diamond Dog wiped the sweat from his face, which was scarred from the flames of that one fateful morning.

"We'll see... about that."