Strange Bedfellows

Rarity and Applejack had greatly enjoyed what the lake had to offer—the water was crisp, clear, and tasted absolutely divine! It was like drinking from a pool of pure delight to the two parched ponies. The vegetation growing along the shoreline was lush and flavorful, even by the standards that both ponies were used to. They ate and drank their fill, Rarity forgetting all about the bubbling she’d seen the lake doing earlier. In fact, she’d even forgotten about the predicament they were in—the food and water allowed her to drift into bliss. When they’d both finished, Applejack smiled over at Rarity.

“Boy, Rarity,” she said, “I’m sure glad you spotted this little lake—I was fixin’ to faint there for a few minutes.” Rarity took a short drink from the lake, sighing with pleasure.

“It was quite a find, wasn’t it?” she said. “I feel better than I have in ages!” The unicorn looked down at the water, rolling her neck. “Honestly, my muscles could do with some unknotting—since there’s no spa around, I suppose sitting in the lake for a bit will have to suffice.” She giggled. “It’ll be relaxing, if nothing else.”

Applejack gave her a look. “Sugarcube,” she said, “you sure relaxing’s what we wanna be doing right about now? We’ve still got a long way to go before we hit the peaks, y’know, and I’d like to get moving.”

Rarity pouted. “Applejack,” she said, “It doesn’t hurt anypony to take a few minutes out and relax. Pleeeeease? I promise you’ll enjoy it!” She gave Applejack her patented puppy-dog eyes, quivering her bottom lip.

Applejack faltered, looking between Rarity and the lake, before finally giving a sigh and smiling. “Your darn eyes,” she said. “It’s no wonder everypony in Ponyville talks about ‘em being irresistible.” She paused, then chuckled. “I mean, y’know, in a begging kinda way.” The two ponies laughed, forced and awkward.

Rarity was the first to get in, and was amazed by how good the cool water felt on her tired muscles. She dipped her hair into the water, running her hooves along it a few times to try and knock out the dirt and grass that had been tangled in it. She could feel the dirt clumps in her fur being lifted out, and the grass stains disappearing. It made Rarity happier than ever to know she was slowly working her way back towards her famed perfect appearance.

Applejack was impressed by the feeling too—her muscles, though more conditioned than Rarity’s, tensed up at first, but once she’d gotten used to the cold, the feeling of them unknotting was really quite soothing. She reached back and undid the hair band holding her ponytail together, letting her long, frazzled locks of blond hair seep out along the water, clumps of dirt unlatching themselves. The earth pony removed her hat as well, not wanting to get it wet.

“Applejack,” Rarity said, her eyes shut in bliss.

“Yeah?” Applejack responded.

“I wanted to apologize if I’ve been, well…less-than-helpful thus far in our ordeal. I know it’s been very stressful for both of us, and I’ve just been bombarding you with my concerns the entire time. I’m sure it hasn’t helped much.”

Applejack shook her head. “Rarity,” she said, “you ain’t always been helpful, that much is true. When we first got to the desert, you whined about how the dust was gonna mess up your mane. When we climbed that hill, you lagged behind and almost got yourself hurt.” Rarity bit her lip, stung by her friend’s honesty. “But,” Applejack continued, “having you around is a lot better than bein’ out here by myself. Without you I woulda had to sleep in the mud last night. Plus you’re just saying the same stuff I’m thinkin’. If you want the honest truth, I’m worried about all this too—I just ain’t sayin’ it.”

Rarity was relieved, and moved closer to Applejack, wrapping her front hooves around her. “Oh, Applejack!” she said, giggling. “Without you I might have been seriously hurt on that hill, and I might not have even gotten past the desert—I’m glad you’re with me as well.” She smiled. “Give me just one more moment to wash my mane out and we’ll be off—like you said, we still have a good deal of ground to cover.” She ducked her head under the water, disappearing from sight.

Applejack leaned against the shore of the lake, letting out a yawn, and closed her eyes for a moment. A hot tongue brushed her legs, and she immediately scrambled backwards onto the shore, glaring down at the water. “Rarity!” she said, “This ain’t the time for any kind of foolin’ around!” Her cheeks grew hot. “Especially not that kind!”

Rarity rose from the water with a splash, confusion on her face. “Applejack, dear,” she said, “what are you talking about? I am most certainly not fooling around—I’m trying to clean my mane.”

Applejack wasn’t convinced. “Don’t try and be cute with me!” she snapped. “You were licking my legs!”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Applejack, I did no such thing!” she said, trying to keep herself from giggling. “That’s just silly. You must realize that.”

Applejack’s gaze softened. “Well, something was treatin’ me like a popsicle and I don’t much appreciate it. Though, uh…if it wasn’t you, then who was it?”

Rarity paused, pretending to let the dramatic tension sink in, then giggled. “Oh, Applejack,” she said, unaware of a bubbling behind her, “I’m sure you were just imagining it. This isn’t a horror show, you know—it’s not as though some horrible creature is going to rise out of the water behind me.” Just as she finished talking, a massive, five-headed hydra erupted from the water behind her, each of its glistening maws opened wide.

Applejack’s eyes went wide, and it felt like her heart would stop. “Uh...you might wanna rethink that, Rarity,” she said, raising a hoof to indicate the awful beast.

Rarity wheeled around and screamed at the sight of the massive, five-headed reptile leering down at her, each of its mouths slavering. She wanted to faint—her vision was blurring—but she knew if she did, she and Applejack would both die.

“Rarity, run!” came Applejack’s voice, snapping Rarity out of her stupor. The earth pony tried to shout again, but was drowned out by the hydra’s angry roar. The pair bolted as fast as they could, all the sounds around them drowned out by the blood pounding in their ears. They hurried to the cover of the forest.

Applejack had seen a hydra before—in fact, the whole group had, at Foggy Bottom Bog—but this one was much bigger, and much meaner-looking. Its eyes were a thick shade of yellow, and its skin was midnight blue. The first hydra had been, in a way, almost cute, with little teeth jutting out from its lips; this hydra had rows and rows of glinting, razor-sharp, murderous teeth. Its two tails whipped back and forth as it chased the two ponies, slamming into trees and scattering them like bowling pins. Every time its feet smashed into the ground, its thick yellow claws dug into the dirt, leaving ugly rake marks.

In short, it was a beast from any pony’s darkest nightmares.

Rarity could feel the ground vibrating underneath her as the hydra advanced, each footfall nearly sending her stumbling. The abomination slammed into the trees, snapping them in half—several pieces of bark thunked off of Rarity’s flanks and back, and she whined in pain, trying to keep pace with Applejack. Her lungs burned; it felt like the hydra had been chasing them forever! All she could see in front of her was more and more trees, along with Applejack, who was going full-tilt dodging the whippy branches above and tangling brambles underhoof.

Applejack could hardly see what was in front of her—every time the monster bellowed, her vision blurred and her heart hammered worse and worse in her chest, feeling like it would explode outwards. Her hat had fallen off in the chase, carried off by a wayward gust of wind, and now her hair, uncontained, fell into her eyes. The forest was beginning to thin out, and a gentle slope marked the edge of the woods. Light streamed onto Applejack’s face and blinded her as the pair of ponies left the forest. Her vision blurred as she tried to look at the terrain around them.

The forest emptied out into a mountain pass, covered in loamy, thick dirt, which spiraled upwards, deeper into the mountains. A highland, her brother might have called it. If her instincts were right, they could follow the trail to the peaks of the mountains.

The hydra roared in rage. Thinking the hydra had lost them, Applejack chanced a look backwards. She was only able to catch a glimpse of Rarity’s exhausted face before, with a yelp, she tripped on a rock, going head over heels into the dirt. She spat out a dirt clod and looked up. Her blood froze at the sight of the rampaging hydra as its five heads all snapped out, hoping to grab her up and make her a snack. Hazed by fear, Applejack froze where she lay, the hydra getting closer and closer…

“Applejack!” came Rarity’s voice, breaking the earth pony’s stupor. “Hurry!” Applejack scrambled to her feet, the loamy soil giving easily to her hooves, causing her to slip and slide all around. The hydra continued barreling toward her, letting out a chilling roar, knocking dust from the walls of the mountain pass. The earth pony, heart hammering in her chest, darted away, throwing herself full-tilt at the curving path just as the hydra’s jaws closed on the spot where she’d been seconds ago. The path was thin and bordered on both sides by the rocky walls of the mountain—it looked hoof-worn, as though ponies passed through often. Rarity ran between the walls for cover, calling Applejack’s name.

It was easy for Applejack to catch up—she was, after all, much more athletic than Rarity—and she didn’t dare look back again as she ran. Eventually, they put some distance between themselves and the hydra, and were able to slow to a walk. Once she had caught her breath, Applejack asked, “Rarity, you reckon that thing can follow us up here?” Rarity smiled back at her friend.

“Of course not, dear!” she said, indicating the path. “It’s far too narrow for that horrid thing to chase after us.” As she spoke, the beast bellowed in rage, its tails slamming angrily into the walls as its five heads snapped unsuccessfully at the two ponies. Rarity giggled to herself, slowing to a trot. “I’m certain we’re quite safe here,” she concluded, smiling.

Applejack’s eyes scanned the rock walls cautiously. “I ain’t too sure about that…” she said. “If this here path’s been used by ponies, then what’s to stop ol’ hydra from having a tunnel or something that empties out here?”

Rarity paused a moment. “I…suppose that’s a valid point,” she said, worried now, “but even if that were so, the hydra just can’t maneuver in here; it’d be useless to have a passage that doesn’t allow you to do anything.”

“Suppose you’re right,” Applejack replied, “but keep an eye out, all the same. I doubt that’s the last we’ll be seein’ of that thing; you remember how far that other one chased us, and this one’s twice as mean.”

Rarity nodded. “I’ll keep watch,” she said, “don’t you worry—I don’t plan on letting a hydra be the last thing I see. They’re so ugly!”

Applejack couldn’t help but chuckle. “Is that all you’d have to say about it? You’re about to die and the last thing you think is ‘Oh, it’s so ugly’?”

Rarity pouted. “Very funny,” she said, “but at least I’d be thinking something halfway sensible. You, on the other hand, would probably just be thinking, ‘This here critter reminds me of an apple tree—lotsa branches with big ‘ol bulbs on the end.’”

Applejack she glared. “Real cute,” she said, “Real, real cute.”

Rarity snickered. “I thought it was a rather good imitation, myself.”

Applejack looked around. “Well, imitate all you want, Rarity, but it looks like this place stretches on a good ways, and daylight’s startin’ to run out. Running into that hydra during the day was bad, sure—running into it again at night’ll kill us.”

Rarity nodded. “Right,” she said, “we’d better keep moving, I suppose.” With that, silence reigned over the pair as they walked, the pass stretching out before them for miles.

Overhead, the sun shone brightly, casting shadows and providing some cover from the heat. The path continued sloping up and curving all around wildly—whoever had worn this path down certainly couldn’t have had an easy time doing it—the terrain got rocky quickly as they advanced, leaving behind the easily-traveled, loamy soil. The air also began to thin out, and flecks of snow dotted the ground.

Rarity’s mouth had dried out once more, owing to the cold, sharp air, and every minute that passed felt like an hour. Without clocks, the only indication the two ponies had of the time was the rising and setting of the sun. Around the time the shadows were lengthening on the ground and the orange fingers of the sun were receding under the horizon, Rarity was hungry again.

“Applejack,” she said, “I know it may not be a very big concern right now, but how much further does this pass go, do you think? I’m thirsty, and famished…”

Applejack sighed. “Rarity,” she said with a small chuckle, “you sound like a foal, carrying on like that. I’m hungry too, and this cold air’s making me real thirsty, but we gotta just keep going. We’re closed in here, and if we start back now, it’ll take us a day to get back. We just gotta hope there’s something decent at the end of this trail.”

Rarity whined. “I really hope there is…” she said. “I’m starting to miss Pinkie Pie more and more…I’d give anything for one of her cakes right now, fluffy and covered in yummy icing…” She blushed. “Oh dear, I must sound awfully piggish, but I think I could eat one of those all by myself!”

Applejack smiled. “I know what you mean; Big Mac’s probably sitting down right about now and stuffing his face on one o’ Granny Smith’s apple pies, or maybe some apple brown betty, or—”

“Applejack, do you see that?!” Rarity cried, starlight glinting off her eyes. “I think we’ve almost reached the end of the passage!”

Applejack’s head snapped forward, and she gasped at the massive snowfield in front of her. “Rarity, I think we just might be outta this place!” The ground beneath them was covered in snow, and it crunched beneath their hooves as they raced forward.

Rarity was smiling. “I’m so glad we made it, darling!” she cried. “I was beginning to worry we’d never reach the end! We can finally see the surrounding area!”

Applejack nodded. “It’s about darn time somethin’ went our way, I figure,” she said. “Better sooner than later, too!”

The pass emptied out onto a large, flat part of the mountains—a plateau, not quite a peak. The entire area was covered in pillowy snow, though now it was half-melted, sloppy and slippery; Rarity and Applejack had trouble getting purchase. To the south, long jagged cliffs overlooked the bottom of the mountain, as well as a massive, uncultivated expanse of grassy flatland. The rest of the plateau flattened out further away from the cliffs, and was easier to traverse. In the distance, they could see the moon over their heads.

Applejack moved towards the cliffs, looking over the edge at the ground below. There was nothing to catch a fallen pony except jagged, unforgiving rocks. Seeing no settlements on the flatland, Applejack sighed, shaking her head as she turned back to Rarity.

“Rarity, there ain’t nothing on this side—it’s just a big ‘ol meadow that stretches for miles. Let’s go check out the other sides.”

Rarity jumped when she heard Applejack’s voice, lost in the spectacle. “Oh, right,” she said. “Yes, we do still need to look for a village…after all, we’ve already seen possible signs of civilization—the hoof-worn path, especially.”

The earth pony nodded. “I’m willin’ to bet there’s a town or something around here somewhere.” She trotted past Rarity, towards the opposite set of cliffs. The earth pony looked up at the clouds, which were beginning to gather in the absence of the sun. “But we’d probably better hurry—looks like it’s gonna start snowin’.”

Rarity followed close behind, looking around. In the distance she could see a long, craggy rock wall, a large cave dimpling the outer edge, near the cliffs. The unicorn shuddered at the look of it, but shook it off and continued forward.

The snowfield made for easy going—thankfully, the snow got thicker and easier to walk on as they went—and soon the two mares were staring out over a huge savannah, with towns spread out across the surface. Applejack and Rarity’s eyes widened, joy welling up in their hearts; it was impossible to tell how well-developed the towns were from here, especially with the snow, but they were looking at the first sign of civilization for days!

“Applejack,” Rarity cried, “I think we’ve finally found some sign of hope!”

Applejack smiled in return. “Looks like it, Rarity,” she said, “but don’t be gettin’ too excited just yet—we can only hope they’re ponies, and not something else that won’t take kindly to us bein’ around.”

Rarity nodded. “Yes, I suppose you’re right, Applejack,” she said. “But still, they’ve made villages! They must have some kind of civilized minds.”

Applejack shrugged. “I guess—just don’t be huggin’ ‘em or anything.” The two ponies laughed.

Rarity smiled. “Alright, alright,” she said, “I’ll refrain from giving anypony one of my signature hugs.” She tried to say more, but stopped short, her mouth going dry as a massive, angry roar flew from the cave they’d passed.

Neither pony could speak. “Applejack,” Rarity said finally, “that isn’t what I think it is, right?”

Applejack turned slowly, seeing a huge black shadow through the snow. “I think it is, Rarity…” she said. “I told you that hydra wasn’t gonna give up…”

Rarity swallowed hard. “He seems to have followed us up here through a passage inside the mountain—I guess we should be thankful he hasn’t seen us yet. We should get going before he does.”

Applejack nodded. “Good thinking. There oughta be a way to get down from here, if there was a way up—start helpin’ me look.” Quietly, the earth pony began to sidle to the left, her eyes sweeping along the craggy cliff face for a path. Applejack felt her hooves trembling as she walked. Her breathing sped up alongside her heartbeat, and she silently wished the beast wouldn’t find them..

Rarity began searching as well, biting her lip as her blood ran cold. She stopped. “Applejack,” she said, “what if the hydra knows where the way out of here is?”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “What’re you talkin’ about, Rarity?” she asked.

Rarity bit her lip. “Well, what if it’s hunted ponies up here before? It’d have to know where the path out of here is! After all, I’m sure it’s gotten evaded by many ponies using that path in the past. And if it can’t see where we are…”

“It’ll have to assume we know the way out!” Applejack grinned, “Nice thinking, Rarity! If we lay low for a little bit, that monster might just lead us to the exit!”

Both ponies dropped down on their bellies, watching the beast intently as it walked, two of its heads sweeping along the ground, sniffing for prey. Slowly, Rarity and Applejack crawled, praying not to alert the monster. It meandered along, allowing the ponies to keep up with relative ease. Across the snowfield, near the edge of the cliffs, the hydra stopped, looking around intently.

Rarity poked her head up, staring through the hydra’s legs. Between them, she could see a gap in the rocks which seemed to darken and get lower. “Applejack,” she hissed, pointing, “I can see the pathway—it’s much wider than the other one. I think the hydra can fit inside.”

Applejack nodded. “I see it too, and probably so. Do you wanna just make a run for it, or try to sneak around?”

Rarity gritted her teeth, weighing the options. Running would draw the hydra’s attention, and they might both get killed by it if they didn’t maneuver correctly. On the other hand, if they snuck around, they could get spotted by the hydra too early and be forced to run along the snowfield—it’d easily outsprint and kill them both. There was only one way around the hydra.

“Applejack,” Rarity said, “I think we’re going to have to sneak around. If we run, the hydra might get us both.”

Applejack nodded. “Agreed,” she said, “just go slow, and I’m pretty sure the hydra won’t even know we were here.”

With that, the pair slunk low along the ground, eyes riveted to the hydra. The monster’s heads swept along the ground, puffs of snow rising as it snuffled, searching for the ponies. Anxious now, the hydra’s tail kicked snow up as it swept back and forth.

Applejack and Rarity made progress quickly, coming up next to the entrance of the mountain pass in mere minutes. Both ponies stopped breathing as the hydra’s heads hovered close to them.

“Rarity,” Applejack whispered, “do we run for it?”

Rarity gulped. “I’m not sure. Its heads are blocking the dang entrance…if we run for it, it might just snap out and get one of us.”

Applejack shook her head. “Granted,” she said, “but if we sit here any longer, that thing’ll probably find us. Ain’t a whole lot of choices left.”

Rarity hesitated, the sighed and nodded. “Alright,” she said, “we’ll make a run for it. On three?”

Applejack grinned nervously. “On three.” She looked up at the hydra as a head shifted out of the way, revealing the passage behind it. “One…” The hydra stomped backwards a bit, staring down around itself. “Two…” It snorted, incensed at not finding its prey. “Three!”

Both ponies took off, the hydra’s roar exploding in their ears as they ran past it. One of its heads swept down, slamming the ground in front of the two ponies. They skidded to a halt as their route was blocked, doubling back towards the cliff overlooking the villages.

“Think we can outmaneuver him?” Rarity shouted, the ground shaking below her as a head smashed down behind her.

Applejack shook her head. “Too big; he’ll just smack one of us straight off the cliff! Hate to say it, but we gotta grit our teeth and fight it!”

Rarity didn’t have time to respond; the two ponies whirled around to face the hydra as they reached the edge of the cliff, the beast’s heads each giving a toothy smirk. Rancid breath sprayed into the ponies’ faces as the hydra let loose a deafening roar.

“Rarity, ain’t you got some kinda magic or something you can use on it?”

The unicorn’s mind raced, searching for a spell that could help them here. “I can’t think of anything!” She screamed, the hydra getting closer by the second, “All I can do is illusions and light shows!”

That was when it hit her; illusions and light shows! Rarity closed her eyes, her horn glowing, trying to force magic out despite her fear, her horn fizzing and popping in protest. Applejack glanced over at her, her heart hammering in her chest.

Time seemed to stop as Rarity’s horn erupted with the hydra inches away. A blinding flash of light exploded from Rarity’s horn, and the hydra bellowed in pain, stomping back several feet. Adrenaline flooded Rarity’s veins, and she screamed above the din. “Run!”

Applejack and Rarity bolted from the spot, past the hydra; the beast hissed loudly and whipped its tail around. Applejacked whooped, smiling at Rarity.

“That was definitely somethin’, Rarity!” she cried, “You made that hydra lo—ungh!” Applejack was flung through the air as the tail smacked into her, and she thudded down next to the cliff, groaning in pain.

“Applejack!” Rarity cried in horror, rushing over. “Applejack, are you alright?!”

The earth pony waved a hoof at Rarity. “I’m fine, I’m fine…” she said, forcing herself up, “He just got a good hit on me—couple bruises, nothing else. Now then, let’s—wagh!” The ground shifted beneath the two ponies as the hydra angrily stomped the ground, thick cracks running through the surface. The cliff nearly split in half with the pressure, and the hydra refused to let up.

“Run, run!” Rarity cried, and the two ponies tried to navigate the rough, cracked ground, tripping and stumbling, unable to get away quickly enough as the cliff cracked and split from the mountain, big pieces crashing on the jagged rocks below.

Applejack, thinking quickly, grabbed Rarity by the hoof and made for the hydra.

“What are you doing?!” Rarity screamed, gasping the cliffs behind her crumbled into nothing. The hydra struggled to keep itself righted.

Applejack pulled Rarity over to the hydra’s tail. “Jump on!” she cried, doing just that and scrambling up onto the hydra’s back.

Rarity had no time to argue—the cliffs were going down, and the hydra with them, so she jumped up alongside Applejack, clinging on for dear life as the hydra went over, spilling headfirst over the side of the mountain, straight towards the field.

Screams ripped from Applejack and Rarity’s throats as the unforgiving ground rushed up to the meet them. The hydra joined the ponies on its back, a throaty cry of dismay filling the air for a few spare seconds.

And then everything went black.