Deep in the Everfree

by InfantHorizon

Rating: teen
Tags: Horror, Adventure, Dark, Thriller
Length: 5716

The Cutie Mark Crusaders just wanted a place to hang out that nobody knew about. But, even in the Everfree Forest, they weren't alone. Only your choices will determine who survives.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were all in agreement: The clubhouse they had wasn't good for secret meetings if everypony knew where it was. So, Scootaloo found a hidden part of the Everfree Forest, with beautiful scenery. When Fluttershy wasn't looking, they snuck out and searched for it. Little did they know, the forest was home to the worst beings imaginable, the fiercest beasts possible, and the best hunters in Equestria: Timberwolves. And the fillies were the perfect prey.

An interactive story. You decide who survives, and who dies, based on the choices you make. Good luck.

Give criticism in the comments. I have the right to delete any comments with a reference to NSFW content or excessive and unnecessary rudeness or explicit language. You have been warned.

Note to the reader: Does an ending confuse you? If so, make sure you go back and try the other options. Some endings actually build upon the other choices that you didn't make, and you won't understand why the outcome is what it is until you uncover these details.

Wonder why the cover art says InfantHorizon? That's the name I used to use, and the name I continue to use for darker stories.

This story won a contest hosted by Epicken!

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2016-01-31 21:10:01 UTC

Deep In The Everfree

Deep In The Everfree

By InfantHorizon

**The following is an interactive story. Your choices determine who will live and who will die. When you see an asterisk (*), a choice is to be made. However, you can read the entire story and take the default choices if you so wish. Good luck.**

1. Hideout

“Come on,” Scootaloo said, “don’t be such a chicken!”

“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle said, “look who’s talking…”

“Shut up,” Applebloom grunted, “let’s just get this over with. Fluttershy’s gotta be lookin’ for us.”

The other two crusaders nodded. The fillies wandered deeper into the woods knowing nothing about what lied ahead. For the Everfree Forest was a dark and dangerous place, full of creatures never seen elsewhere. The chance of coming out decreases tenfold with every hour that passes within the forest. They had already been inside for three hours. They didn’t realize it, but this would be a bad night for at least one of them.

The fillies pushed onward, searching for the beautiful hideout Scootaloo had spoken of. Supposedly, it was secluded, yet large enough for the three of them to comfortably hang out. Magnificent waterfalls crashed about the place. Exotic birds came out and sang in the daylight. Beautiful rainbows littered the sky with happiness. And Scootaloo had seen it all.

However, it hadn’t taken her more than five minutes to find it the first time, and they were pretty sure they had been circling the same path for hours. The fillies weren’t even so sure they could get back out if they retraced their steps. And, although each one of them pretended to be tough and fearless, the immature cowardice which was bound to be existent for ponies of their age was stronger than ever. In addition to their fright, Fluttershy was most likely worried sick by now, as she was foalsitting for them.

The twigs snapped and the leaves rustled about as the hooves of the Cutie Mark Crusaders smashed across the cold, hard ground. The moonlight gave them little visibility, and the dark black fog gave an eerie feeling that could whittle away anyone’s mind had they stayed within it long enough.

Despite these harsh conditions, these poor fillies mendaciously exerted their bravery unto each other, thus making the other two do the same. Nobody was able to call off the search, do to pure embarrassment. Peer pressure can sometimes take a toll.

The three girls approached a cliff. A long distance away was the other side of the ground. Looking down, they could see a path below as well. However, this drop was extremely steep. The rocks looked extremely unstable, so climbing down would be a huge risk. A long bridge connected the cliff to the other side of the chasm.

“Which way do we go, girls?”*

Bridge*

Cliffs*

Choice 3

"Goodbye, Scootaloo."

"NO!"

Applebloom, with Sweetie Belle still attached and sobbing, plummeted into the chasm. A large rock jutting out the side of the cliff broke their fall. With a loud crack, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom smacked into it, rolled off the side, and collapsed on the ground, limp.

"No," Scootaloo cried, "no no no!" She looked up and saw the timberwolf, still making an effort to get across. It was going around, and at the speeds timberwolves were capable of running, Scootaloo guess it wouldn't take the thing more than two minutes to tear her to shreds. She wanted to mourn and grieve for her lost friends, but she needed to first save herself. She darted off into the woods.

2. Search

Crash! Fluttershy jumped up and looked around. "H-hello?"

She slowly slipped out of bed and made her way into the guest room, the loud creaking of the floor getting louder and more atrocious with each and every step. "Fillies? Are you in there?" After a pause with no sound, she whimpered a bit. "Applebloom? Scootaloo? Sweetie Belle? Hello?"

Fluttershy put her hooves on the door and pushed. They had locked the door. She took a step back to open it, and her front hoof got covered in something sticky. She put it up to a wall torch nearby. Her hoof was red. Breathing quickly, she looked at the ground. It was coming from their bedroom.

"Fillies!" She yelled, slamming into the door with all of her might. The door came down with a thud, sending splinters into her shoulder. She let out yet another whimper, then looked on the ground. She wiped her brow when she saw the source of the liquid. With a sigh of relief, Fluttershy discarded the now-empty juice box. However, it didn't take long for her worries to grow once more. The girls had left.

Bed sheets were everywhere on the ground, pillows had been torn apart, and the window had been cracked open. The safety locks she had used to prevent just this were clearly a waste of bits. The mare thrust her head out the window, making sure she didn't cut her neck on the sharpened glass. Looking down, she saw a rope hanging on her wall, with a red brick at the bottom. That would explain how they got out, but had they gone?

She answered her own question in a matter of seconds. The only place they ever go when they leave her house. Fluttershy absolutely hated the Everfree. Unfortunately, she knew both Applejack and Rarity were out of town, and Twilight had family visiting. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash probably didn't know much about the forest, either. Fluttershy went downstairs, creaked open her door, and...

...set off for the Everfree Forest.*

...went to Pinkie's house*

Choice 5

She raced down to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. The timberwolf was still headed her way, so she had to act fast. "Applebloom," she cried, "Sweetie Belle!" Fluttershy shook the two fillies. They groaned in pain, which in her case was good. They were still alive. "Oh my goodness, don't you ever scare me like that again!"

Sweetie Belle stood up, and Fluttershy almost gagged. The skin that collided with the rocks has been torn away, as if it were mauled by a bear or something of the sort. Her left half was covered in dark, sticky blood. Her white fur had been turned a shadowy, crimson color. Applebloom was the same.

"Please," Applebloom said, "take us home. I promise Ah'll be good."

"No," Sweetie Belle coughed, "Scootaloo is still out there."

"No way," Applebloom said, "she's gotta be dead."

"Don't say that," Fluttershy squealed, "she's out there still! And last I checked, a big s-scary monster is out to get us! So let's find Scootaloo and get out of here!"

Applebloom followed the two out the small passage. She and Sweetie Belle both had difficulties climbing the slope with the blood-caked bruises enveloping their bodies. She tripped a total of six times just climbing out. The timberwolf was no where in sight, meaning it wasn't after Fluttershy.

"Wait," Sweetie Belle whined, "that thing is after Scootaloo? And she's alone?"

"Oh my," Fluttershy said, "we need to hurry!"

3. Shelter

Scootaloo was bawling as she galloped, her mind cluttered with thoughts which all eventually led to the general topic of death. She knew her friends were dead- she watched them die, of course- but there was no way in Tartarus she was going to suffer the same fate. She had a cutie mark now, and Luna be damned if she didn't make use of it.

She came across a small cave, with two dimly lit torches outside. With no where else to go, she wandered inside. It was dimly lit on the interior as well, and from the looks of things, somepony was living there. Not a good pony, either. The smell of iron instantly raised red flags for Scootaloo. She wasn't sure if it was safe to continue. That being said, a timberwolf was much too big for the entrance of this cave. It was safe from that thing, and come morning, she could simply leave.

Leave the cave.*

Enter the cave.*

Choice 6

Scootaloo decided it wasn't the best place to take refuge in. After all, whatever monstrous pony lived in there probably wasn't going to give her the warmest greeting, unless the warmth came from the splattering of her own blood. Outside, all was silent. She had only the ambiance of the forest to judge her situation on. The timberwolf must have seen her go this way. The things had eyes sharper than knives, and noses more sensitive than an orphan's emotions.

She looked around. "I can't see a damn thing," she muttered, her eyes straining to see through the heavy black fog. "What the hell is going on here, anyway?"

A loud, ferocious roar pushed through her ears. The beast was close, very close, and she had no where to go. Scootaloo took cover behind a nearby rock, pulled some leaves over herself, and sobbed. Footsteps shook the ground, twigs cracked with every step the beast took. The timberwolf lowered its head over Scootaloo, roared, and huffed out air. Scootaloo took a deep breath, and remained as still as possible. The timberwolf sniffed at her. She knew it sensed her blood. It roared once more. The creature raised a claw in the air, preparing the strike that would surely demolish her. Scootaloo shut her eyes tight and braced herself.

"Hey! That's no way to treat a guest!"

The timberwolf lowered its claw and turned away. It whimpered before running off. Scootaloo opened her eyes. She peered over the rock and saw a dark, hooded figure. It was clearly a mare, judging by the voice. It seemed awfully familiar, too. The figure turned to face her.

"Hey, what are you doing in this forest all alone?"

"I..."

"Nevermind. Come on inside. It's safer."

"I really should get home."

The hooded figure levitated a knife in front of her. "I wasn't really asking you."

Panicking, Scootaloo...*

Followed the mare.*

Ran.*

Choice 7

Panicking, Scootaloo followed the mare. The hooded unicorn lowered the knife into a sheath on the side of her robe. The inside still reeked of blood, and their were tainted bones all over the ground.

"I'm sorry," Scootaloo smarted off, "I'm not entirely sure how this place is any safer. You seem pretty... nasty, to say the least."

"Now now, I won't take offense," she started, "but say that again and I might have to cut off some flesh."

Scootaloo quieted down and followed her deeper into the cave. They went down so many pathways, she wasn't even able to keep track of the trail they had been taking anymore. Finally, they reached a large opening into a room. Inside, there were cages all over. Most were empty, but one was covered by a curtain and two of them held timberwolves. They were only pups, and had not been pleased with the newest guest. They glared at Scootaloo with eyes of hatred. The mare noticed Scootaloo's fright.

"Don't worry," she said, "they won't bite you." The mare gave a short, evil chuckle. "They can't." Her horn lit up in a light-blue color, and the aura appeared around the timberwolves' heads as well. They started barking, howling, and clawing at themselves. They were clearly in pain from the spell she was performing.

"You see," she began explaining, "I've been living here for quite some time now. I've come to learn several things about this wretched forest. These mutts just need a little discipline. Then, they do all of my bidding. These are still pups. They're immature. When they grow up, I'll use them for whatever I want.

"I've had ponies in and out of this cave for years, and not a single one understands. They won't let me return to Ponyville, nopony does. So, I use these hounds to round up poor, unsuspecting ponies and take them in here, where I force them to bow down to me. And if they don't, they become food. So far, nopony has taken me up on the offer."

"What offer?" Scootaloo asked, the uneasiness in her stomach growing intensely.

"You need only to steal a book from dearest Twilight Sparkle. One that can remove the curse I have upon me. It is titled Movens Igitur Malum Vires. It prevents me from entering the town, you see. The townsponies have seen me as a threat. I only want to go back in, to redeem myself."

"And if I don't?"

"Good question." With a spark from her horn, the curtain flew off the covered cage. Scootaloo screamed.

Inside was a cyan pegasus, her mouth gagged with cloth. She had whip marks all over, and the rag in her mouth was soaked in blood. Her rainbow mane was nearly unrecognizable, as it had been caked in blood as well.

"Rainbow Dash!"

"Now," the unicorn said, "you have six hours to bring me the book. If you don't, I'll finish the job with her. And when I'm done with her, I'll move on to you. So, what will it be, friend?"

"I..."*

Don't get the book.*

Get the book.*

End 2

"Let's take the cliffs," Scootaloo said. "That bridge looks awfully unstable."

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom looked at each other with extreme terror, though neither of them wanted to explain the fears they withheld. Instead, yet another case of negative peer pressure caused them to follow Scootaloo down the cliffs. The orange pegasus slowly climbed her way down, making sure to give herself stable rocks to balance on with each and every step.

With a loud crack of rocks, Scootaloo touched the bottom. She looked up to see Applebloom and Sweetie Belle taking their sweet time. "Come on," she yelled, "hurry up! We don't have all night!"

"I'm trying," Sweetie Belle said, "I'm just- Applebloom!"

The earth pony shrieked as the rocks gave way, her entire body accelerating towards the bottom. With a loud and bloody smack, Applebloom was no more.

Scootaloo cried out to her remaining friend. "Sweetie Belle, you've got to hurry! Please, please please please make it!"

Sweetie Belle was sobbing as she continued down, knowing that going back up would only increase her chances of death. It wasn't long after, however, that a large roar emitted throughout the forest. Flinching, Sweetie Belle kicked the side of the cliff. A large boulder slightly above her broke loose and smashed her horn. The large boulder, along with her limp body, came crashing down.

Scootaloo screamed one last time as the boulder collided with her.

Fluttershy came running to the scene, knowing not of the beast on her trail. As she saw the sight she gagged, only to turn around and scream. Behind her was a timberwolf, and its jaw was closing on her. Crunch.

BAD ENDING. Stats:

Survivors:

Rainbow Dash (Unmet)

Pinkie Pie (Unmet)

Hooded Mare (Unmet)

Deceased:

Applebloom (Fell from a cliff)

Sweetie Belle (Skull broken by a boulder; Fell from a cliff)

Scootaloo (Crushed by a boulder)

Fluttershy (Mauled by timberwolf teeth)

Survival Rate: 3/7 Survived

Character Discovery Rate: 4/7 Discovered

Choice 9

“Sweetie Belle, no!” Scootaloo rushed over to the cliff and reached out a hoof. Sweetie Belle grabbed on.

Applebloom started kicking her back legs around to find some footing on the planks. When her hooves met a piece below her, she hoisted herself up the bridge, like a ladder. Sweetie Belle slipped a bit from Scootaloo's grasp. Applebloom pulled herself over the rock and cried.

“No, I’m coming! Don’t let go!”

Scootaloo and Applebloom grabbed each of Sweetie Belle’s hooves. She was now dangling above the drop with nothing but her friends supporting her. She cried as the two fillies started pulling her up. A large cracking noise shot out of the rock. Scootaloo and Applebloom started to fall as the tip of the rock broke away.

“Scootaloo!” Applebloom cried. She was now hanging over the side of the rock as well, still holding on to Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo knew she wasn’t strong like Rainbow Dash. There was absolutely no way she could bring them both up.

“Applebloom, I can’t pull you both up.”

A tear rolled down Applebloom’s eyes.*

"Goodbye, Scootaloo"*

"I'm so sorry, Sweetie Belle"*

End 3

Fluttershy went to Pinkie's house. Before knocking on the door, Fluttershy took note of the message on the door to the bakery.

GONE TO DASHIE'S

--PINKIE

Fluttershy turned around and sighed. Rainbow Dash's house wasn't much farther away, but it had better be worth it. Time was being wasted. She flew upward, the icy wind in the sky hitting her face like hail. As she neared the cloud house, she saw the familiar balloon Pinkie always used to fly herself up. However, Pinkie was in it, not inside Rainbow's house. She spotted Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy," she yelled, "Rainbow Dash has been taken!"

"What?" Fluttershy sped over. "W-what do you mean?"

"There was a bunch of blood, and broken glass, and she's not here! And I found a note. It just says 'Everfree Cave'! What do we do?"

"Um, I g-g-guess we have to go... um... in the cave...

"What?"

"We have to go in the... cave?"

"Well come on, then! Silly goose, we can fly right over!"

"No," Fluttershy said, "no. I lost the fillies. I was going to ask you if you had seen them."

Pinkie Pie gasped. "You lost them again? We need to go find 'em!"

Without warning, Fluttershy was grabbed and dragged into Pinkie's balloon.

As the pair landed in the Everfree Forest, Fluttershy felt chills crawl up her spine. "I don't like this," she said. "Not at all."

"Me neither," Pinkie said, "but we can't leave them here. Let's get goin'!"

Fluttershy slowly inched her way through some bushes. Unfortunately, even without trying the duo stumbled upon the cave before the fillies. A hooded mare was standing with her back turned, talking to some timberwolves. They seemed docile.

Cautiously, Pinkie and Fluttershy went inside the cave. Inside were the bloodied bones of other ponies and the powerful smell of iron. Fluttershy nearly gagged, but Pinkie Pie merely hopped along. Reaching a room with a covered cage, the two realized they were in the right spot. Around the room were other cages, though they weren't covered. Instead, they helped timberwolves. Puppies, specifically, and they appeared to have been abused by the hooded mare.

Fluttershy, wincing, removed the cover on the cage. Rainbow Dash, gagged with a blood-caked cloth, was standing inside. Fluttershy cried. "Rainbow Dash!"

"Mmmf!"

Pinkie Pie stuck her tail into the lock. Click.

"Pinkie," Fluttershy said, "how did you-"

"No time for chit-chat," she barked. Pinkie Pie helped Rainbow Dash step out of the cage and removed the cloth. "Thank Celestia," Rainbow said, "you guys are awesome. Let's bail."

Pinkie Pie smiled. "The exit is this way, Dashie!"

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash followed the pink mare back the way they came. When they emerged, however, Scootaloo and the hooded mare were waiting for them.

"Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said, "I'm so sorry."

"Wait," said Rainbow Dash, "what did you do?"

The mare chuckled and removed the hood, levitating the spell book in front of her. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie gasped simultaneously.

"Scootaloo just gave the Great and Powerful Trixie a way into Ponyville. Say goodbye. Forever."

Her horn flashed, and all was dark.

REAL ENDING. Stats:

Survivors:

Rainbow Dash

Pinkie Pie

Hooded Mare (Trixie)

Applebloom (Location Unknown)

Sweetie Belle (Location Unknown)

Scootaloo

Fluttershy

Survival Rate: 7/7 Survived

Character Discovery Rate: 7/7 Discovered

End 4

Did... did you really just do that? I... okay.

Fluttershy raced toward the beast, the stupidity of the reader controlling her every movement. The timberwolf slashed at her until there was nothing left.

STUPID ENDING. Stats:

Survivors:

Rainbow Dash (Unmet)

Pinkie Pie (Unmet)

Hooded Mare (Unmet)

Scootaloo

Deceased:

Applebloom (Fell from a cliff)

Sweetie Belle (Fell from a cliff)

Fluttershy (Mauled by timberwolf claws)

Survival Rate: 4/7 Survived

Character Discovery Rate: 4/7 Discovered

Choice 10

Scootaloo entered the cave. The smell of iron was very prevalent, and she knew right then and there something bad was going on. It wasn't long before somepony called out to her.

She got closer and closer until finally, the hooded mare  held out a knife and said, "follow me."

Panicking, Scootaloo followed the mare. The hooded unicorn lowered the knife into a sheath on the side of her robe. The inside still reeked of blood, and their were tainted bones all over the ground.

"I'm sorry," Scootaloo smarted off, "I'm not entirely sure how this place is any safer. You seem pretty... nasty, to say the least."

"Now now, I won't take offense," she started, "but say that again and I might have to cut off some flesh."

Scootaloo quieted down and followed her deeper into the cave. They went down so many pathways, she wasn't even able to keep track of the trail they had been taking anymore. Finally, they reached a large opening into a room. Inside, there were cages all over. Most were empty, but one was covered by a curtain and two of them held timberwolves. They were only pups, and had not been pleased with the newest guest. They glared at Scootaloo with eyes of hatred. The mare noticed Scootaloo's fright.

"Don't worry," she said, "they won't bite you." The mare gave a short, evil chuckle. "They can't." Her horn lit up in a light-blue color, and the aura appeared around the timberwolves' heads as well. They started barking, howling, and clawing at themselves. They were clearly in pain from the spell she was performing.

"You see," she began explaining, "I've been living here for quite some time now. I've come to learn several things about this wretched forest. These mutts just need a little discipline. Then, they do all of my bidding. These are still pups. They're immature. When they grow up, I'll use them for whatever I want.

"I've had ponies in and out of this cave for years, and not a single one understands. They won't let me return to Ponyville, nopony does. So, I use these hounds to round up poor, unsuspecting ponies and take them in here, where I force them to bow down to me. And if they don't, they become food. So far, nopony has taken me up on the offer."

"What offer?" Scootaloo asked, the uneasiness in her stomach growing intensely.

"You need only to steal a book from dearest Twilight Sparkle. One that can remove the curse I have upon me. It is titled Movens Igitur Malum Vires. It prevents me from entering the town, you see. The townsponies have seen me as a threat. I only want to go back in, to redeem myself."

"And if I don't?"

"Good question." With a spark from her horn, the curtain flew off the covered cage. Scootaloo screamed.

Inside was a cyan pegasus, her mouth gagged with cloth. She had whip marks all over, and the rag in her mouth was soaked in blood. Her rainbow mane was nearly unrecognizable, as it had been caked in blood as well.

"Rainbow Dash!"

"Now," the unicorn said, "you have six hours to bring me the book. If you don't, I'll finish the job with her. And when I'm done with her, I'll move on to you. So, what will it be, friend?"

"I..."*

Don't get the book.*

Get the book.*

End 5

Scootaloo turned and tried to run. Unfortunately, the hooded mare's knife was already touching Scootaloo's neck before she even started to move. Without even realizing what had happened, the filly's neck was slit, leaving her bleeding body on the ground.

COWARDLY ENDING. Stats:

Survivors:

Rainbow Dash (Unmet)

Pinkie Pie (Unmet)

Hooded Mare

Fluttershy

Deceased:

Applebloom (Fell from a cliff)

Sweetie Belle (Fell from a cliff)

Scootaloo (Throat slit)

Survival Rate: 4/7 Survived

Discovery Rate: 4/7 Discovered

End 6

"No."

"No?"

"I'm not getting the book."

"Fair enough."

The hooded mare flashed her horn, and all went black.

COWARDLY ENDING. Stats:

Survivors:

Pinkie Pie (Unmet)

Hooded Mare

Fluttershy

Deceased:

Applebloom (Fell from a cliff)

Sweetie Belle (Fell from a cliff)

Scootaloo (Killed with magic)

Rainbow Dash (Killed with magic)

Survival Rate: 3/7 Survived

Discovery Rate: 6/7 Discovered

Choice 1

“I really don't think it's safe to climb down that. I don't remember the hideout being so far down, anyway. Let's take the bridge.”

The other two fillies nodded. As Scootaloo stepped her first hoof on the bridge, a loud, menacing roar erupted behind them.

Sweetie Belle paused. “Hey, uh, what was that?”

“Nothing,” Scootaloo said, gulping down her trepidation. “Keep going.”

They continued onward across the rickety bridge. Another roar made them pause for a moment. The girls picked up the pace a little bit. When Scootaloo got over the edge, she turned around to watch their progress. The other two were going slower than she was, particularly due to a phobia of heights. “Keep it up,” she said, “you’re doing great!”

Just then, a large, shadowy figure came out of the forest. A timberwolf, Scootaloo was sure of it. And it was headed for the bridge. “RUN!”

The two on the bridge spun around, looked into the timberwolf’s eyes, and sprinted across the bridge. As the timberwolf stepped on the bridge, its claw cut the rope anchoring the bridge to its side of the cliff. The whole bridge began to swing down below them. Sweetie Belle made a leap for the cliff and grabbed on with her hooves. Applebloom grabbed on to the bridge, which swung hard against the side of the rock. Applebloom screamed. Sweetie Belle followed suit.

“Scootaloo,” Applebloom cried, “pull me up!”*

"I'm coming, Applebloom!"*

"Sweetie Belle, no!"*

Choice 2

“I’m coming, Applebloom!” Scootaloo rushed over to the bridge and yanked hard at the bridge. “I can’t pull it up, climb a little bit and I’ll grab you!”

Applebloom started kicking her back legs around to find some footing on the planks. When her hooves met a piece below her, she hoisted herself up the bridge, like a ladder. Scootaloo reached out a sweaty hoof and wrapped it around Applebloom’s. As Applebloom was slowly pulled over the large rock, Sweetie Belle let out a shriek. Applebloom and Scootaloo watched in horror as the rock began to crumble away. Sweetie Belle frantically moved to the side to get herself a better hold of the cliff.

“No,” Applebloom cried, “I’m coming! Don’t let go!”

Scootaloo and Applebloom grabbed each of Sweetie Belle’s hooves. She was now dangling above the drop with nothing but her friends supporting her. She cried as the two fillies started pulling her up. A large cracking noise shot out of the rock. Scootaloo and Applebloom started to fall as the tip of the rock broke away.

“Scootaloo!” Applebloom cried. She was now hanging over the side of the rock as well, still holding on to Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo knew she wasn’t strong like Rainbow Dash. There was absolutely no way she could bring them both up.

“Applebloom, I can’t pull you both up.”

A tear rolled down Applebloom’s eyes.*

"Goodbye, Scootaloo"*

"I'm so sorry, Sweetie Belle"*

Choice 4

Fluttershy went downstairs, creaked open her door, and set off for the Everfree Forest. Upon entering, she could already feel a dark mist surrounding her. The clouds were instantly recognizable as unnatural, and the only light shining through was a small sliver from Luna's moon. She hoped she was not too late.

She began calling out. "Girls? Girls! Where are you?"

A loud crack of a twig caused her to jump. "Scootaloo? Is that you? Applebloom?"

"Eek!" A shadowy figure leaped from her left and knocked her over. Fluttershy's head collided with a nearby stone, causing blood to gush from her cheek. The creature kicked her as it made its way to the other side of the path, once again concealing itself in the bushes. Fluttershy got up, and put a hoof up to her cheek. The scrape really stung, and she was pretty sure she had cracked a tooth. "Just a deer, Fluttershy, just a deer..."

She continued onward until she met a dead end. "Dang it! Oh, when I get my hooves on those fillies..."

Somepony screamed off in the distance. Not only that, but it sounded just like Sweetie Belle.

"I'm coming," she yelled, "hold on!" Fluttershy leaped off the trail and began running. Twigs and branches smacked and cut her all over, and several tall plants attempted to trip the poor mare, but she kept going regardless. A large vine, moving on its own, smacked her to the ground and grabbed hold of her hooves. After struggling a bit, the mare managed to slip out of its grasp and continue galloping. More screaming echoed in her ears. She was being blinded by her own tears and the wind, but even then she would not stop. Until, of course, she had to.

She got to the edge of a chasm. There they were, dangling from the cliff, screaming. Scootaloo was trying to pull them up, but Applebloom couldn't hold on anymore. Fluttershy gasped as the two dangling fillies dropped to the bottom, their limp bodies smacking the bottom in a matter of seconds. Scootaloo cried for a moment, then raced away. Fluttershy screamed at them, but they didn't hear her. Frantically looking around, she found an easy way to the bottom. However, a large Timberwolf jumped out of the trees nearby and started charging right for her. Fluttershy had to act fast. She...*

raced down to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.*

bravely rushed towards the creature.*

End 1

"I'll get your book."

"Excellent. I can't get there myself, but I can give you this." The hooded mare levitated a glass bottle off the floor. Inside it was a brown, mucky liquid. "It'll taste like crap, but it can take you anywhere you want to go. Drink. Just imagine the place, you'll get there. You'll have to make it back on your own, though."

"Okay, just don't hurt Rainbow!"

"I wouldn't dream of it."

Rainbow Dash grunted. The mare chuckled, and turned back to Scootaloo. "Enough ridicule for now. Come on, drink it."

Slowly, Scootaloo gulped down part of the drink. It took her full concentration to keep herself from gagging on the muck. The world started spinning and, sure enough, she was in Twilight's library. All was quiet.

Cautiously, Scootaloo inched her way around the room, looking at every book she could find. After throwing several of the books off the shelves, she found the one she needed. She was also very surprised she hadn't been caught by Twilight yet. She would be eventually, though. The books on the floor were a sure sign, and there was no way she could organize all of them the way Twilight had them.

Just then, some moaning came from the second floor. Twilight's bedroom. Scootaloo... woke up.

Panting heavily, she looked around the room. Her two friends, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, were right beside her. Fluttershy's cottage was still and quiet. With a heavy sigh, Scootaloo promised herself to never go back to the forest. Some things are best left forgotten.

DREAM ENDING. Stats:

Survivors:

Rainbow Dash

Pinkie Pie (Unmet)

Hooded Mare

Scootaloo

Sweetie Belle

Applebloom

Fluttershy

Deceased:

None

Survival Rate: 7/7 Survived

Character Discovery Rate: 6/7 Discovered

Choice 8

"I'm so sorry, Sweetie Belle." Sweetie Belle nodded, closed her eyes, and let herself fall as Applebloom released her grip. Hitting a large, sharp rock with her spine, the now bloodied unicorn went lifelessly still.

Scootaloo, now holding less weight, was able to pull up Applebloom. Panting, the two fillies rolled over and stood up. Applebloom hugged Scootaloo. "It's okay," Scootaloo said, "it's okay."

"Scootaloo," Applebloom cried, "she's dead! She's dead, and its my fault! I let go, I-"

Scootaloo interrupted Applebloom with a kiss. Surprised, Applebloom stepped back. "What are you doing, Scootaloo?"

"Applebloom," she said, "you're all I've ever needed."

"Scootaloo, I..." Applebloom looked down at her hooves, still shocked by her friend's death and the kiss. "Let's just go home, Scootaloo."

"Yeah," Scootaloo said. "Yeah."

2. Cave

Fluttershy saw them. Scootaloo and Applebloom were safely across, but Sweetie Belle was nowhere to be seen. Looking down, the pegasus saw the unicorn's limp body lying in the abyss. "Oh my goodness," she said to herself, "I need to get them home... Oh gosh, what will Rarity say when she finds out...?"

A large roar blasted in her ears. Fluttershy turned around, and spotted a pack of timberwolves. Even one was enough to tear a pony to shreds, and just the thought of them scared her half to death. She turned around, screamed, and jumped. Flapping her wings, she managed to make it across. The timberwolves were running around the chasm, grunting ever so loudly with each step they took. Fluttershy knew these animals far too well, and she knew something with them was wrong. Never before had she heard of timberwolves being so intelligent, so determined to catch prey, or so energetic. The entire way over, they hadn't even shown a sign of tiring.

Fluttershy landed just as the fillies began walking away. "Girls," she yelled at them, "what are you two doing?"

The two Crusaders turned to her. "Oh Celestia," Scootaloo said, "am I glad to see you!"

Applebloom hugged the mare. "Please," she said, "get us home. Please."

"Sorry girls," Fluttershy said, "I'm afraid we have more to deal with tonight than you two being lost. There's an entire pack of timberwolves after us. We need to move."

"Now it's a pack?" Scootaloo's eyes widened. "It was only one before!"

"You mean there's another?"

"Yeah," Applebloom said, "it was gonna get us!"

"We need to go," Fluttershy said, "let's go."

They didn't get very far before finding a path that had been blocked by a log. The fillies began to worry. They assumed there was no way around. Considering her options, Fluttershy decided there was only one way to go.*

Actually, I didn't want to add this into the final cut. So, secret time loop ending. Yay!