It was the weekend, and Applebloom had spent almost all day studying advanced potion making with Zecora. All things must eventually end, and the setting of the sun signaled the time to go home. The two walked back along the same path that Zecora took every day to go to Ponyville, talking the whole way about this and that. Occasionally, Applebloom would ask about certain potions she'd read up on but didn't get to, and Zecora was more than happy to explain what they do and how they are made, mentally making a list of new lessons.

It was about halfway into their walk back that things went wrong. The forest got quiet, moreso than usual, putting Zecora on alert for any movement. Applebloom quickly caught on and asked what was wrong, but Zecora didn't answer. Spooked, Applebloom got as close to Zecora as she could for comfort and security, but it was not to last very long. Zecora's alertness paid off as a shadow jumped across her vision, startling her to a pause. She didn't even notice as Applebloom flew away from her. She was soon brought back to reality when Applebloom's cries of pain reached her ears.

Zecora didn't even think, she just acted and flung Applebloom onto her back before taking off. What that shadow was, she did know, nor did she care to find out. Her focus was all on helping out the filly on her back. The tree line was in sight, they were almost out. Unfortunately, it was not to be. The shadow once again crossed Zecora's vision, startling her once more into a pause. This time, however, the shadow did not just leave... it stayed to finish the job. It grabbed Applebloom off of Zecora's back, but before it could do anything, Zecora turned, reared up, and bucked it as hard as she could.

The kick did little more than irritate the beast. It tossed Applebloom aside and gave Zecora its full attention. Zecora knew she'd have to fight her way over to Applebloom. The fight did not last long, however. With both it's claws free from holding a filly, it grabbed Zecora as she charged in full of anger and blind to the danger she was in. The beast ended the fight with a simple snap, then another, then pulled with all it's might, to be rewarded with Zecora's head coming off of her body. Interested only in the main course, the beast tossed the head aside and began feasting on the body.

Applebloom awoke not long after being flung away. As she opened her eyes and lifted her head, she called out for Zecora. What she got was not what she wanted. Standing up, she saw the beast from earlier eating something. She dared not get any closer and instead backed away from it, tripping over something in the process. Coming to, she noticed, much to her horror, that she had not tripped over a log or rock or anything of the sorts, but instead over the very head that was tossed aside. She had to bite down on her own leg to keep from screaming. She closed her eyes and repeated over and over again that none of this was real, hoping and praying that Princess Luna would soon show up to banish the nightmare away... but such relief would not come.

Able to finally realize that she was not stuck in a nightmare, Applebloom got up and just ran. She didn't have any particular direction in mind, she just wanted to get as far away from the beast as possible. She had no idea how long she'd run, but when she ran out of breath, when she could no longer push herself to run, she sat down and looked around to see where she'd gotten herself. She was happily surprised to find herself out of the forest and near her family's orchard. She caught as much breath as she could and then lightly ran to the house.

Beating on the first door she came to, she cried out name after name for help. When the door finally opened, her older brother, Big Mac, stood in the doorway ready to welcome her back inside. The frightened filly wasted no time rushing inside for comfort.

"Where's Applejack?" Mac asked, closing the door.

"What do ya mean? ah ain't seen her," Applebloom said.

"She went out ta pick you up about an hour ago," Mac said.

"SHE WHAT!?" Applebloom cried out, running for the door again, "We gotta go help her! She has no idea what's in there!"

"Now hold on there, Applebloom, what are you talking about?" Mac asked.

"Ah don't know what it is, but it came out of nowhere, and then ah hit a tree, and when ah woke up, ah tripped over Zecora's head, and..." Applebloom said, studdering, "We gotta go-"

BANG

The sudden noise made both ponies jump and look at the door to see Applejack standing in the doorway. Before anything could be said, she took notice of Applebloom and ran over to embrace her in a tight hug.

"I'm so glad you're ok," She said, on the verge of crying.

"Good to see you too, but can I breathe please?" Applebloom said as she was squeezed nearly to death.

"Right, sorry about that," Applejack said, letting go, "Ah went out there ta pick you up, thinking you lost track of time, but Ah... I uh..."

"Ah know what ya found," Applebloom said, slumping down.

"What's going on in here?" Asked a voice from behind the trio.

"Nothing, Granny, Applebloom was just telling us about her lessons today is all," Applejack said, trying to sound convincing.

"Well, save it fer in da morning," Granny Smith said, "I'm trying ta sleep."

And just like that, the trio shut up and soon went upstairs to go to bed. It took a while, but Applebloom finally managed to fall asleep, much to the relief of her siblings. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting and sad day for Ponyville.

Author's Note

A young Sthephen King, I am not, but do you guys like this so far?