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?
The morning after the attack, Applejack led Twilight and the others in to get whatever they could from the scene she'd discovered. The reactions were generally disgust over all upon seeing the torn up corpse and shredded pieces strewn about. Twilight gathered what she could and set it all into a shroud so they wouldn't have to bare witness any longer than necessary before heading back to Ponyville. The group traveled silently, only speaking up at the coroner's office when asked questions.
That was three days ago.
Today, almost everypony in Ponyville wore black as they gathered to bid farewell to a good friend. Given the circumstances, the funeral was closed casket. Ponies took their seats as Mayor Mare and Twilight made their way up to the podium.
"Fillies and gentlecolts, we have gathered you all here today to remember the life of one of this community's best friends," Mayor Mare said, "Zecora was kind, she was always willing to help out whenever and however she could. This community will never be the same without her, but we will be sure to never forget her."
Mayor Mare then stepped back to give Twilight a little chance to speak.
"And forget, we shall not," Twilight said, "Zecora was a good friend of mine, and of all of you. Can't find a magical way to fix something? Zecora would almost always have either a potion or advice. Got caught in a patch of poison joke? Zecora gave us the cure-all for that. Want somepony to hang out with and all your friends are gone or working? Zecora was always willing to fill in if she could. She shall forever be a shining beacon of friendship in this community."
The crowd was silent during the whole speech, with only a few sobs here and there. Even Twilight had to fight back the urge to cry, but let a few tears slip by now and then. Row by row, ponies walked up, laying their hooves on the casket, and giving one final, silent farewell. As the last pony took their seat once more, Twilight walked back up to the podium to bring a close to the session. Moments later, the casket was lifted up and carried over to the Ponyville cemetery, where it was then lowered into the ground as Twilight gave a final speech.
"Creators above, please take in this zebra friend of ours. She passed on early, but carries with her a great kindness and love for all. Let her not stray from the path as she reaches your gates. Grant her a new life among you so that she may continue to bless those that are living until the day that we pass to join her once again," Twilight said as the casket lowered more and more.
She'd finished the speech just as the casket touched the bottom of the grave, after which, ponies began to fill it in with dirt once more. Moments later, ponies started silently filtering away. The rest of the day would be solemn and gray.
Author's Note
Short little chapter. Turns out I'm probably not the best to go to for funeral scenes, but I gave it a shot! What'd you guys think? Have any ideas to possibly make it better?
It's been a week since the attack, and things are almost back to normal. While most of Ponyville is able to enjoy life once more, their mourning done, those that know what happened are still haunted by it... the worst case being Applebloom. Ever since that nice, she's had the same nightmare every night since the attack, reliving that same gruesome event over and over, and the wear and tear is starting to show.
This one, particular morning was going to be different. As Applebloom woke up, the light was harsh, though she thought nothing of it since that was normal for most ponies. She got out of bed, stretched and headed downstairs for breakfast. Upon walking into the dining room, however, everything started to change. Everypony in the room just stared, making the filly feel slightly uncomfortable.
"Ya feeling alright, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked after for too many moments.
"Ah think so, why?" Applebloom said.
"Uh, cause yer eyes look like Spike's," Applejack explained.
"What'da mean?" Applebloom asked as she walked over.
"They're uh... well, diamond shaped," Applejack explained, "Soon as ya finish breakfast, we're heading straight to the doctor ta see what's wrong."
And now she was worried. Not only had Zecora died a week prior, now something was wrong with her and she didn't know what it was. After breakfast, Applejack took Applebloom straight to Ponyville General. The walk was horrifying as Applebloom did everything she could to keep her eyes hidden for fear of being seen as a freak if somepony else saw them. Once they reached their destination, she was taken to an exam room where a pony by the name of Redheart checked her over and did all kinds of scans to see what was wrong. In the end, it was fruitless. Applebloom was perfectly healthy.
Though every test showed that Applebloom had perfect health, Applejack wasn't satisfied. She was certain something was wrong, so she tried asking for a do-over. Instead of outright turning her down, Redheart instead suggested visiting Twilight, saying it may be a magic issue, not a medical one. With a heavy huff and deep sigh, Applejack took Applebloom and went to the castle.
Letting herself inside, Applejack called out, hoping Twilight would answer. Getting no answer, she and Applebloom started roaming the castle, finding only dead ends. Defeated at the castle, Applejack decided to take Applebloom home and go find Twilight herself, not wanting to deal with any possible negative repercussions of having Applebloom's eyes seen by others. The search took a while, but finally came to an end when Twilight came flying down from Cloudsdale. Applejack waved her down just as she touched down.
"Where've you been all day? Ah've been looking all over fer ya," Applejack said.
"I was helping Spitfire with an investigation," Twilight said, "Princess stuff, you know how it is. So, what's up?"
"I need ya to take a look at Applebloom fer me," Applejack said, "Something's up, and the docs can't figure out what it is, said it might be magical."
"What's wrong with her?" Twilight asked as the two started off.
"Her eyes look diamond shaped, like Spike's eyes," Applejack explained.
"That's... unusual," Twilight said, "Anything else?"
"Nope, not that ah've noticed," Applejack said.
Eventually, the two reached the farmhouse and Applebloom was called downstairs. Not having the materials to do a proper examination, Twilight decided to teleport herself and the Apple sisters back to her library. Applebloom took a seat while Twilight did her own scans and tests. Eventually, the subject of Applebloom's nightmares came up, prompting Twilight to ask about the events from a week ago.
"Now, why do ya need ta know about that?" Applejack asked, "I'd rather my sister FORGET about that night."
"I need to know what she saw that night," Twilight said, "I have a theory, but I need one more piece of info to confirm it. Now, I know it's not something you want to think about anymore, Applebloom, but I need you to remember what you saw a week ago. What killed Zecora?"
"It was too dark ta see real good," Applebloom said.
"Any details would help," Twilight said, trying to pry.
"Well, ah remember this thing ran in front of us twice, and threw me into a tree the first time. After that, ah remember getting up and seeing some black beast eating Zecora. Ah didn't get a good look cause next thing ah knew, I had tripped over Zecora's head," Applebloom explained, almost in tears by the end.
"I see... and there's absolutely nothing else you can tell me about this beast?" Twilight asked.
"Enough, already!" Applejack said harshly, "Thanks fer the help, Twi, but ah don't need my sister further traumatized by this."
"All ah can remember is it was big and black, and it stood on two legs when it ate," Applebloom said.
"Bipedal, huh? Interesting," Twilight said before comparing her notes with the book she had in front of her, "That's what I was afraid of. Looking at these notes, everything matches up. The eyes, the beast, the fact that it's been a week, and the night of the attack was on a full moon."
"That's all well and fine, but what does it mean fer my sister?" Applejack asked.
"Applebloom has lycanthropy," Twilight said.
"Like a what?" Applejack asked, cocking her head to the side.
"Lycanthropy, the werewolf disease," Twilight said.
"Right... I asked for help, not some fairy tale lesson," Applejack said.
"I'm being serious, Applejack," Twilight said, "The rest of Equestria knows werewolves only as myth, it's part of an agreement policy between us and their colony past Equestria's southern most border. I didn't believe Celestia when she first told me soon after I became a princess, but they do exist."
"Sure they do," Applejack said, pulling Applebloom close, "Like ah said, ah didn't come here to listen to fairy tales."
"It's not a fairy tale, but I'd rather not get into that with you," Twilight said.
"True or not, ain't there anything you can do?" Applebloom asked.
"I can enchant some glasses to keep your new eyes from public view," Twilight offered.
Applejack couldn't say no to that. It wasn't a cure, but it was more than she felt she was currently getting. Once at the store, Applebloom settled on a simple looking round pair. Nothing too crazy and detailed, nothing eye catching, they were good enough for her. After buying and enchanting the glasses, Applebloom tried them on and her eyes immediately changed back to normal. Taking them off changed her eyes back to the draconic look.
"Well, never thought ah'd have ta wear glasses," Applebloom said softly, looking down at her new glasses with a slight frown, "But they work, so that's good enough ah suppose."