The Ever Changeling Forest

by Sweetie Belle writes

Rating: everyone
Tags: Adventure, Diamond Tiara, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Silver Spoon, Snails, Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Queen Chrysalis
Length: 5027

Cutie Mark Crusaders make there way into the Everfree Forest but it seems someone is already there.

When the Summer sun celebration is closing in and the Cmc still don't have there cutie marks, Sweetie belle
recalls what Diamond tiara said and feels like it's worth a shot to check out the Everfree Forest, so the Cmc head to
explore the forest in hopes to finally get there cutie marks.

Published 2012-05-16 12:44:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-07-15 19:19:06 UTC

Everfree or bust

Everfree or bust

The Cutie Mark Crusaders where playing as they always do running around town searching for ways to obtain there beloved cutie marks. Which each of them seemed more eager today to get them than ever before, seeing as the Summer Sun Celebration was drawing near in just a few more weeks?

Applebloom who was the most impatient of the bunch, had been rambling on about getting there cutie marks before the event took place. She had a feeling that herself and her friends would be the only ponies at the celebration that would not have their cutie marks, the shame and embarrassment of showing up there without a cutie mark on their flanks would be worse than any of the three could ever conceive.

As Scootaloo and Sweetie belle watched as Applebloom was ranting on about how their lives would never ever be fulfilled, and shame of being blank flanks will haunt there sides forever, most of the words she was using went right over the two filly's heads. Scootaloo never really payed any attention to Applebloom when she acted as such seeing as she had a similar reaction to when the cafeteria ran out of apple fries last month, but she knew that they must get there cutie marks before the celebration.

Sweetie belle who was the most optimistic of the three always tried her best to keep the others heads up, she never really liked seeing anypony sad and especially her three closest friends. As she started to sweep her mind for an idea of sort that would allow them to get there cutie marks easily, and then It came to her like a bag full of apples.

Sweetie belle was jumping around making what sounded like high pitch squeals as she grabbed her friends in her hoofs she was smiling as if she knew something that the others did not or they did not recall. Applebloom who was being spent around at a rapid rate by the over convivial Sweetie belle. Sweetie belle let go of both her two best friends as they landed on their flanks, as where Scootaloo and Applebloom where giving her a death stare.

Sweetie belle who now was circling her friends was finally ready to let her friends in on what she had remembered, the only word that came out her mouth was Everfree Forest. Both Applebloom and Scootaloo seemed to turn pale just hearing that ominous location coming from their friends mouth, that forest was home to many deadly creatures, as Scootaloo noted. Three little filly's and a deadly forest does not go together as Applebloom shouted.

Sweetie belle was listening to her friends concerns about going into that abnormal forest, both Applebloom and Scootaloo where both on the same side, of not going there but they were a little curious about why she would think going into the Everfree Forest would get them there cutie marks. Sweetie belle looked a little disappointed seeing as how fast her two friends shot down the idea. Sweetie belle kicked a rock on the ground as she said. '' guys remember last week, in class when we were arguing with Silver spoon and Diamond tiara and they told us to go get lost in the Everfree Forest''.

Both the filly's where nodding in agreement, but they still did not see how going into the Everfree Forest would help them get there cutie marks, and anyway nopony never , ever goes into there really it's just too dangerous. Sweetie belle jumped up shouting. ‘‘Exactly'' Nopony has ever really stayed in the Everfree Forest for a long period of time, and we have already been there before when we were chicken hunters.

Applebloom was now looking at Scootaloo for a disturb look on her face but she was smiling as her wings where fluttering. Scootaloo was pumped after hearing Sweetie belle's words, she had a feeling that maybe going into the Everfree Forest could lead them to getting there cutie marks, but now they just had to convince Applebloom, who was still just sitting there on her flank she was in deep thought over whether to do it or not. Both her two filly friends where telling her this maybe there last chance to obtain there cutie marks.

After a minute of nonstop bickering from the two Applebloom finally gave in and shook her head in agreement of the plan to go into the Everfree Forest. Now the three filly's where almost ready they had a plan they were going to meet up tonight after everyone was asleep in there house and seek out after everyone was long asleep.

The three fillies’s where now at the edge of the Everfree Forest. The forest if you was looking into it seemed to get darker and darker the further you looked into it. Applebloom was the first one to make it there than Scootaloo , and lastly Sweetie belle her dismeanor seemed to change from earlier today, but they were all ready to take on the dangerous forest to get there cutie marks.

This was going to be a task that was going to test the fillies, mind,body and spirits but this forest was knew to test friendships along with other things in that matter. Sweetie belle read many books before they where bout to met up at the forest she did not wanna go into there knowing nothing about this place other than it has home to deadly animals. Sweetie belle just before getting ready earlier today made a quick stop by Twilight's place to pick up a specific book along with a faded map that seemed to be out dated seeing as they where going to spend a long time in here she saw no point an not recording everything they will come across.

With everything in order the three filly's where finally ready to enter the forest, Sweetie belle decided she will be the one to take the lead as she put one hoof over the edge of the dirt path and stepped onto the high grass of the forest edge as she started walking Applebloom and Scootaloo followed behind.

End of chapter 1

What could be the real reason nopony really wants to go into this forest the Cutie Mark Crusaders will soon find that out for themselves. This forest holds many secrets and its up to the CMC to discover them.

A change in the night

A change in the night

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Forest explorers!'' What a joke. The white coated filly said talking to herself as she was making her way down the dirt path leading her deeper within the darkness of the Everfree Forest. Sweetie belle has been walking for hours it felt like as she was dragging her hoofs along the ground, as her tail flickered slowly.

''Come on guys where are you... this is not funny. If you guys are mad about the whole story crack that’s ok cause you guys have the right to be scared'' This is stupid, the filly shouted her voice echoed through the forest you could hear in the distance as her voice was beginning to fade away after a few seconds. The filly noticed this sound of her voice that was echoing than faded ''Is that what I really sound like?'' A smile came upon Sweetie belle's face as she began shouting abominable words.

The no pony could have this much fun with just hearing an echo repeated over and over again, but this wasn't the case seeing as Sweetie belle stood there for a few minutes just to hear her voice bounce off the nearby trees and listen to it fade away. The enjoy that this filly was having was almost unbearable.

Sweetie belle had a tear right under her eye from all the laughing she was doing ''Oh this should not be this fun, but it's
so much fun I don't really want to stop'' The filly sighed as she remembered she still needed to locate her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders who had now must be many miles ahead of her. '' Yah I should get a move on I must find Applebloom and Scootaloo ...'' The filly started to hoof away slowly from the spot she had been standing at for half an hour but as the distance grew from that amazing spot she kept on looking back as she was getting farther away from it.

Sweetie belle was standing still on the dirt path next to a few broken trees as she turned her head back again to the spot. ‘’Could one more time really hurt all that badly? and the guys I'm sure aren't that far away'' After thinking it over within her mind she could not hold it back anymore as she ran as fast as she could to that magical spot. ''Ok one more time... but what to say'' The filly wanted to pick of something very funny she could say but nothing was coming to her.

The filly stomped her hoof on the ground in anger she seemed to be a block she would not think of anything, nothing was coming to her. Just than a light bulb went off within her mind ''That’s it!'' The filly shouted, as she was jumping around she heard the echo fade from her outburst. ''This will be so cool, that even Rainbow Dash will be jealous'' 20% cooler watch this is going to be 175% cooler.

The filly was now trying to calm herself down before shouting her last awful phase. ''It's all about the technique just like Fillybob Hoofmane told us before on TV'' Sweetie belle took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as she shouted as loud as she could. '' ''

But there was nothing just silent other than the noises that where usually coming from the forest, bugs and forest water dripping from leaves upon the trees to the ground. Sweetie belle was just standing there in the middle of the spot; she was looking around moving her head left and right circling the whole area. ''What was that I know I heard something, I'm not crazy I'm sure it was something’’?

Sweetie belle's fur on her coat was standing on its edge as she was still looking around for anything that would explain where that sound came from, but she saw nothing but trees and leaves that where on the ground. ''Maybe I'm going crazy... hearing voices or maybe ....it could be......No'' The filly was shaking her head as she stomped her hoof on the ground again.

''I should get going anyway got to find my Applebloom and Scootaloo anyway'' As the filly started to turn her back and walk away she came to a complete stop as if she was frozen in the place, a drop of sweat beated down her face and down the side of her neck, as her heart began to beat rapidly. Sweetie belle turned around this time she heisted she was now making a few little hoof steps backwards.

Just than a voice broke the silence of the of the Everfree Forest ''So where do you think your going, you did not even get to let me hear that phase you was going to say, you said it will make a pony jealous so it must be really good would you like to share it with me?'' The voice felt like it was coming from everywhere at the same time left, right up, and down but it felt like it was all focused right at Sweetie belle .

A flick of green embers fell upon the ground around a nearby tree, the leaves that where on the ground where easy turned into ashes as a cloud of smoke started to spin around picking leaves off all the trees as they started to form a figure as more leaves started being added you could see the shape it was taking sometype of pony with wings, Sweetie belle thought. ''What in the world is this....what are you ...?)

As the flare of the leaves disappeared, a tall black looking pony was there looking right at Sweetie belle, her eyes where a bright green if not for her scary looking disposition you would say they were beautiful but looking at her wings and unicorn horn that was a different story her unicorn horn was jagged and her wings looked like that of insect, but the thing that really catched Sweetie belle's eyes where her hoofs they were hole of holes.

The monster of a pony now started to make her way to the small filly that was lying on the ground in shock as if she saw some type of monster. '' I am Queen of the changelings, but you can call me chrysalis.''
The dark colored pony now was right in front of the filly looking down at her, the filly was shaking in fear of not knowing what the pony was about to do to her.

The changeling queen gave a smile as she reached out her hoof at the filly who was on the ground '' Let’s go we got to find your friends before it gets to late this forest can be really dangerous '' The look on Sweetie belle's face was on of confusion not know what to do she to hold of ponies hoof as she started to walk with her. ''So you live here in this forest?'' the pony asked.

The queen gave a smile as she turned her head away.''You could say that, but it's not just I ''
Sweetie belle voice dropped''you mean there are more of you living in the forest?'' The pony just gave a quick laugh as she keep on walking on the dirt path. ''I will answer all your questions in due time first we need to locate the foo.. I'd mean your friends now let’s keep moving.''

When the fun ends

The overall feel of the night was uneasy to say the least, it felt like as If the world was watching as Sweetie belle followed the over sized ailcorn deep within the forest not really knowing where she was taking her. This was one of many problems that was running through her mind but she was never a pony that would really speak her mind seeing as she did not wanna cause any unnecessary problems with anypony even in grade school she was always one to hold back her tongue so she would not say anything that ponies would considered out of line.

This was not the case for Applebloom and Scootaloo more so Applebloom she was a filly that if there was something on her mind or you where bugging her she would make sure you was aware of it which in most cases that meant by yelling at you are talking you to death aka nagging. She was a strong little filly much more able to take the cruel jokes from other ponies about not having a cutie mark. As for Scootaloo she was a bit different she was never a fan of talking things out as are teacher Ms.Cheerilee would have liked us to do, no not at all she was more of i'm going to get you back type of pony. Always planning pranks or jokes that would most of the time backfire or go way to far outline but this was Scootaloo a headstrong Pegasus pony what should you expect.

This was never Sweetie belles way she was a thinker always wanting to know things in and out before doing something but this plan...I mean I'm not even sure if you could call this a plan going into the Everfree Forest just three filly's not the best idea that I've come up with now where lost and I'm following a crazy looking alicorn and the only thing I know about her is her name. Chrysalis or something like that I was not really able to catch it when she told me I was still in shock from her just appearing out of nowhere.

Maybe what is really idiotic is going with her I mean what are the chances this monster of a alicorn would know where my friends are this could be something more or maybe I'm just over thinking things again. Sweetie belle was looking worried and nervous as they where getting deeper into the forest the moon that was lighting the path was now fading as the heavy trees where covering the sky blocking almost any light from shining down on them. The alicorn looked back now and again to make sure the filly was still following her and to make sure she was not walking to fast they have been walking for sometime now almost a few hours, the path was getting a little more difficult not for her but she was sure it would be hard for a small filly like her to tackle.

How are you hanging in back there?
The alicorn shouted to Sweetie belle who was now a good hoof or too behind her she seemed to be struggling just a bit but she seemed as if she was doing ok. Sweetie belle shouted at the alicorn 'I'm doing good just a little weak from walking for this long you now? And if I may ask where exactly are we going and how do you know my friends will be this way this is a big forest after all.''

Chrysalis Just gave a smile as she stopped right her her tracks to wait for the filly to catch back up with her, the night sky if you could see it pasted all these dead looking trees was quite amazing the sky had a different look to it tonight more of in ominous look but being in the Everfree this was normal. Chrysalis looked back down to see finally the filly had catches up with her again as she was dragging herself across the ground on her belly she was waving her tail at the ailcorn giving the sign that she was ready to move out.

Chrysalis looked at the filly as she turned her head looking down towards the path and just said this to the filly '' All your questions will be answered in time just have a little faith in me I will get you back together with your friends'' Sweetie belle was unsure how to take that putting faith into a pony she did not even know felt a little stupid and this whole forest was making her feel more uneasy by the second but what else could she do this was the only option at the time but she was already planning something in her mind just in case she needed a back up plan. What was the back up plan who knows even Sweetie belle was not sure what it was going to be but she was sure to make one just in case.

Reluctantly Sweetie belle stood back up from the ground onto her hoofs and started to walk along the path with the alicorn again hoping she would make it there soon all this walking was making her wish she was a Pegasus pony like Scootaloo so she could just fly rather than walk, walking was killing her almost to the point where she was about to start whining as she hears her sister Rarity do a lot over the most pointless things. One time Sweetie belle remembered when she took some of Rarity's high class fabric and made it into a Cmc flag it was the most awesome flag in the world but Rarity did not think so highly of it she just yelled at me for days and told me never to do that again but that would not stop me from doing it again next week.

In Sweetie belle's day dreaming she was almost left behind again by the alicorn as she ran after her, Sweetie belle started to noticed something a light really far in the distance and most of the trees where now gone as the air started to change getting a little more dense as she could almost make out a few figures but as she got closer turns out it was not just a few figures she saw it was an army. Sweetie belle was shocked as she was searching her mind for what to make of this they look like the alicorn that she was following but smaller.

Chrysalis gave a big smile as she turned around to face the filly with opened wings saying just this ''Welcome to my hive..Hive of the Changelings'' Sweetie belle who was now backing up one hoof at a time trying to easy her way closer to the edge of the forest again to try and make a run for it but it was to late she was already blocked off by 10-30 changelings this was not good she thought to herself. Sweetie belle looked at the alicorn with a stern look just asking one thing. ''So what is it you are after hmm?'' Chrysalis just smiled as she looked back at the filly '' That's an easy one,all we want is our love and the love of everypony in Equestria than once we have that I will take over this land and rule it everypony will bow before me and it all starts tonight''

The alicorn now started to laugh in her evil tone of voice as she flew high up into the air looking right at the town of Ponyville her smile turned into a frown as she said ''Now we will take all the love from Ponyville my lovv...'' The alicorn was cut off by a loud yell '' Not tonight it won't be or any other night'' A voice said, than a second voice said ''Got that right we won't let this happen '' The voices sounded like they where close as a red blur jumped out of a nearby tree landing on the changelings that where blocking Sweetie belle. Applebloom just gave a smile as she reached out her hoof at Sweetie belle ''You ready to save the world?'' Sweetie belle had a tear in her eye as she smiled and grabbed Appleblooms hoof '' Of course what else does the Cmc do anyway than save the world? Now lets stop some changelings ''

End of Ch4

Once a full moon

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Forest explorers!'' Here we go taking on the mysterious deadly forest with its chilling winds
and lifeless trees surrounding us as if we were little chickens being stalked by the a lion''

Chattering sounds were heard from behide the bright orange filly that has now taken the lead of the group.
''Come on Sweetie belle there is no need for you to be scared we have not even been in the forest for more than ten minutes''
Sweetie belle who was a few hoof steps behide Scootaloo, was otherly silence other than just trying to keep pace with her and not to fall behide. ''Hey that was not from me and I'm not scared.''

Sweetie belle was now yelling at Scootaloo she was reminding the Pegasus filly whose idea it was to come into the forest,
''Now if your brain can remember that long ago you will recall it was my idea.'' Scootaloo had busted out in a chicken clucking sound her laugh was one of the worse things you would ever hear in your life, it makes so ponies think of sun rise.

Sweetie belle did not seem to be amused by the laughing, from her fellow crusade member. ''Stop laughing,''
Sweetie belle shouted with a high pitch tone her voice it was very outstanding she was able to control her voice really
well from the time she spends practicing.

Scootaloo who now has come to a complete halt in the middle of the forest, she was looking at the filly who was now
Red in anger the expression of Sweetie belle's face was priceless as the orange filly just fell on the dirt of the ground laughing at the pony.''Come on! You are really mad you’re such a marshmallow.''

This made Sweetie belle's rage erupt as she just stomped her hoofs and walked passed Scootaloo.''I'm leading the way now
you just stay out of my way.'' The filly was still lying on the ground as she looked to see Sweetie belle making her way down the path. Scootaloo was scarching her mind for a reason why Sweetie belle always took things so seriously.''What's that ponies deal you have any idea Applebloom?''

Applebloom's legs where shaking uncontrollably as she tried to give her friend a reply to her question but her voice was
Cracking and had a really high pitch behide it ''I..I..Dooon't knooow, you know someponies are just scardyponies, but good thing me and you aren't scared right?''

The filly had now made her way back to her hoofs where she was now looking at the pale Applebloom. ''Are you ok? Your looking kinda white'' Applebloom now was starting to break into a little sweat as if the questioning from her friend was making her feel uneasy. ''Oh I'm good as a bushel of apples ''

Applebloom started walk to try and keep her sight on Sweetie belle who was really far down the trail, not wanting to have too much distance from her other friend.''Come on Sweetie belle is leaving us in the dust, and you know she is the most scared out here so we should make sure she is alright all the way up there maybe even walk side by side to keep her safe.''

Scootaloo gave Applebloom a concerned look, as she started to walk alongside her. The sky above was full of beautiful stars and a full moon that was able to light up the trail the three filly's where fellowing. They were not sure where the trail was going to lead them but it's better to walk on a trail than wander aimlessly through a thick forest full of animals right/

Scootaloo and Applebloom after having to run for a good second or two had finally catches up with the current leader Sweetie belle who had now seemed to calm after storming off leaving her two fellow crusaders behide. Scootaloo was looking at Sweetie belle waiting for her to say something to her but the filly was silent. Along with that the forest had now grown silent as well you could hear nothing this cause a little fear to slip into Scootaloo's mind.

The silence broken by a question from the leader as she was still hoofing her way down the path. ''So have you heard of the legend of the Everfree Forest before?'' Leegeeend,what legend the two filly's replyed.
A smile now made it's way upon the face of Sweetie belle.''Oh your telling me you never heard of the tail of the Everfree Beast before?''

Applebloom's whole body started back shaking from hoof to hoof as she tried to force herself to ask a question, but when she tried to speak you could tell she had a bit of anxiety behide ''A beeasst.....there is...no. such thing''
Sweetie belle turned her sight away from the two crusaders as she took a deep breath of the fresh night air.

''You don't have to believe me, but you should know the tail away just so if something happens you won't be blaming me''
Sweetie belle's was trying to hold back her laughter before turning back to face her friends, she was planning this after the incident with Scootaloo.

Sweetie belle now was trying to calm herself and gather her thought's she seemed to have snapped
seeing as she was now talking to herself but the fact that she was talking to herself did not mean anything it's just the fact she was talking in different voices and in third person.''Sweetie belle's plan is working...Sweetie will teach them a lesson''

Scootaloo and Applebloom where watching as there friend was muttering something over there to herself, Applebloom was still shaking from what she was just heard from Sweetie belle, as she looked at Scootaloo for some reassurance she gave her a smile. The smile was able to help Applebloom calm down just a bit.

Sweetie belle turned around yelling and pointing her hoof to the sky. ''The Beast of the Everfree it feeds on the light of the moon, it grows more powerful on the nights when the moon is full, and once every fourth week it comes out to hunt and feed off the unsuspecting victims that enter this evil place.''

Both the filly's fur seem to be standing on edge from neck to tail, this was odd for Scootaloo not being one to scare so easy, but you could tell her had some fear in her body just by looking into her eye's. Sweetie belle now made her way closer to her two friends stepping slowly hoof by hoof. ''Now the only way the beast won't come after you is if you show no fear. ‘’

Sweetie belle now was right next to her friends she lower's her head right next to them both.
''And lastly if you come face to face with the beast you shou.....ld yoo...u should......'' Sweetie belle used her unicorn magic to brake a tree branch above them making it fall right in front of them ''Runnnnnnn''

Both Scootaloo and Applebloom ran off in the same direction upon the branch landing next to them. Sweetie belle was just rolling on the ground laughing she was wiping the tears from her face now. ‘Who’s the chicken now, I guess I really should go and catch those two before they get more lost.''

Sweetie belle now was hoofing her way down the path to try and catch up with Applebloom and Scootaloo she seemed to be in a good mood jumping and singing a song, as she disappeared into the darkness of the forest.

(But from the shadows a voice called out as the pony was hoofing away. ''Fooooood'')