Chapters January 12 th , Monday
I'm going to visit the forest soon after classes are done. After this lesson of Visual Arts, I've been given the assignment to draw some nature. And that's what I'm going to do.
Apparently, someone had told a pony about my journal and my adventures in the Everfree Forest. Granted, she's a cute pony but Sweetie Belle can't handle a menacing sight... can she? I mean, I don't think I've seen her inside of it, heck, I don't think she's touched on that subject at all. Well, except perhaps, Pony Society in Its Environment (PSIE), but regardless, I have no clue whether or not she mentioned it at all. Maybe her sister set a ban on entering the forest. Well, I clearly don't know.
I swear I saw something moving in the forest and it's definitely not a Timberwolf. Something is definitely in there. I know it. I want to find out what that is in there. It's nothing I've ever seen before... especially if it has devilish-red eyes. There's no way such a thing exists... and if it does, I wouldn't want to find out what it is. I'm going to the library.
Nothing. Nothing on what this thing is. I'm starting to get paranoid now. It saw me! There's no way that if I go back and that monster is out there. Maybe this Zecora pony knows what's hiding in those woods. I need something to rest my mind... but I need someone to lead me there.
I'm on the way to Sweet Apple Acres. I'm actually really flustered right now, inviting a girl on my own. I mean, it had to come sometime. I just didn't imagine for it to be like this. I'll report once I get an answer.
I'm pretty sure she and the Crusaders saw me blushing until I lost all my warmth. I bet Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were already planning a wedding or something, seeing how they're usually keen to find a relationship. Hah, that reminds me of that one time Apple Bloom received a package in-class thinking that it was from her special somepony. I thought that Sweetie Belle would get one from Button Mash but I guess he was too busy pushing buttons all day. I shouldn't judge him. Anyways, I got a yes and now we're on the way towards the Everfree Forest, staying quiet.
I should really talk to her.
Apple Bloom's life is pretty interesting! She's more intriguing that I thought she was. Her family's really large and she has cousins, aunts and uncles around the whole of Equestria - some are even overseas! But what I didn't know that she's actually part-pear. It's a strange concept but apparently, there was a feud between two families: the Pears and the Apples. Strangely enough, her mother was a Pear and her father was an Apple. So unique but so cool!
January 13 th , Tuesday
January 14 th , Wednesday
Come to think of it, I don't write much in my book about school. It's pretty dull, I guess. I can't wait to get out of classes though and talk to Apple Bloom and her friends. Obviously, that's for experimentations and not for useless chatting!
January 15 th , Thursday
January 17 th , Saturday really surprised this morning. Apple Bloom's at the door right now and my parents are resting soundlessly. I'm going to see what she wants.
Turns out she wants to go out. And what I mean by that is go out to the Everfree Forest again. I shouldn't keep her waiting. I'll go tell her that I'm grabbing some things in my room. Hopefully, my parents don't ground me as soon as I'm home.
The wind's starting to pick up now and we're already a little bit left until we reach the forest's entrance. Apple Bloom has been peeking over my shoulder for the past few minutes trying to see what I'm writing but I don't think she will find out what's in this book.
We're here in the forest, just trekking through the bushes, watching out for any unknown plants or animals. Apple Bloom has given me some information about what lies in the woods. Turns out there's this plant called Poison Joke . Apparently, her sister became small or something, making her the physical 'big sister'. It's a pretty funny concept but I really wouldn't want to tread on them any time soon.
Zecora's actually has some decent stuff in here. There's Dragon Snout (plant, not actual snout, a rare one too), Nuzzle Leaves - the softest leaves in Equestria, mixtures, ailments and all kinds of herbs! She has a kind of speech that I like too. It's very unique and it fascinates me how many words just rhyme with, 'potion' when she's talking. I should really purchase a camera so I can stick some pictures into this journal but for now, it will be just writing.
I advised her to sell her herbs and ailments in Ponyville as an exclusive medicine but she suggested that it was a bad idea. Apparently, she doesn't want to share her findings since the herbs she collects are difficult to find and harvest. I guess that's a reasonable explanation. Ponies would be begging for these potions though.
Okay, unfortunately, don't have any insight on what this new creature is that's lurking in the woods but I know a whole lot about Timberwolves thanks to Zecora here. I'll write it down somewhere.
It's getting late and I had no clue where my journal went so I stayed for a little bit in Zecora's Hut with Apple Bloom. While I was searching, she told me some really cool stories of when she met this healer that cured this tree-transforming thing. Her name was Mage... something I couldn't quite remember. I'll tell you soon enough if I meet her again. I probably will sometime.
January 18 th , Sunday I don't want to leave the house. The smell of eggs brush against my nose though and I'm starting to get a bit hungry. I wonder what they're cooking downstairs. I hope it's scrambled.
Breakfast was delightful. I was hoping to grab some apples from the local orchard, y'know, the fresh kind, but my parents don't want me journeying every single day . Strangely, they prefer to have me home.
I'm hoping to fill out this book before the month is over. I want to start a collection of journals. It'll take some bits but if it's worth the research, I'd gladly spend.
Apple Bloom is at the door again, screaming out my name. I better go check.
Now I have a filly in my room, looking at all sorts of nerdy stuff, fiddling with literally everything she can see. My sculptures, my Wonderbolt statue that I owned, the scraps of paper I threw from this book. (There's nothing much on it, it's just like messy writing I decided to discard)
I'm very lucky to have no one else at home except for me and her. My parents just left before she came over so that's a relief. Apple Bloom wants to head out into the forest today but I don't want to leave the house. I end up telling her what I saw in the woods but she thinks I'm lying and that she can 'sense a liar'. Isn't that her sister's job? Anyways, I stay in my room as she messes about with my figures. It's pretty cute, but she's a filly so... I don't know.
January 19 th , Monday
January 21 st , Wednesday
I was this close in getting a detention from Miss Cheerilee. It wasn't me doing anything, it was more like that I did basically nothing at all during that game. I negotiated, telling her that the ball was nowhere near where I was and I was off the hook. She probably thought I was slacking since I was writing half the game's performance in my book, as well as looking back at earlier pages in the book. I had completely forgotten about that time when I received this invitation from Sweet Pie (the classmate I used to hate) to go to her birthday. She got all emotional when I told her that I would be busy at night and I couldn't get over the guilt.
Looking back now, I should've gone to her party, have a bit of fun, y'know? Come to think of it, her birthday is actually in a few days! Maybe I could catch up with her then.
January 22 nd , Thursday
English was okay at first until I realised the assignment had to be done in a group project. Okay, it's selfish but I prefer working on my own regardless of the subject. For this week's project, we have to construct a presentation of Composers, using the information we have gathered from this month's texts. It shouldn't be too difficult considering that members I've got, but still.
Button Mash seems too busy playing on his Joyboy, Sweet Pie is blushing a whole lot, sitting in between Rumble and I. Apple Bloom is actually working on the project in the field we're in with the whole group (except for Button Mash). We decide that we're all going to take part in a speech while Button Mash will change visual slides on an easel.
It seems like a good idea actually, a conclusion I wouldn't have thought of. Maybe being in a group isn't so bad after all.
January 23 rd , Friday
January 24 th , Saturday
The project's going well and Button Mash actually passed by today, gaining the same letter from Sweet Pie and talking about the project. He was pretty nervous when talking to me, looking around strangely, asking if I felt like being watched by anyone around town. I think paranoia has gotten over him so I said that I haven't noticed anything like that at all. That is unless if he was talking about the Everfree Forest. I do live quite close to that place.
That's probably why Apple Bloom visits regularly. Hold on, I hear knocking.
Go figure. It's Apple Bloom.
January 25 th , Sunday clearly says it's a public party. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are invited too but I don't imagine talking to them anytime soon. They seem to be very good friends if nothing changes so I wouldn't want to ruin their close friendship. Plus, I'm a colt so...
I arrived at the party; hooves were already in the air and the sound was close to deafening as soon as I stepped inside. Now, I'm in the bathroom, because I 'needed it'. I just wanted to write what has happened so far. It's pretty interesting.
I had no clue that Sweet Pie owned a pool in their backyard. Mares and stallions already jumped in... some with very questionable covering designs; only very few I paid attention to. Button Mash was there chatting up with Sweetie Belle with fancy apparel at his side; pretty surprising if you'd ask me. Apple Bloom was already in the pool, without her large bow and finally, Scootaloo was hanging out with Rumble on the rooftop.
Their house is really large compared to the other buildings in Ponyville. This must be twice the size of the town hall! Sweet Pie was really nice in bringing me in. She gave me some fruit punch and a cookie from the dining table filled with treats galore. Nothing fried though, which is good. Sweet Pie seemed to be very nervous though even though it was her birthday at her home. It must be teenage hormones... or something. I really have no clue.
I haven't talked much about the forest lately but I still catch glimpses of green orbs floating around the treeline every time I stare out into the woods. I'll probably go there tomorrow afternoon.
January 26 th , Monday
Speaking of venting, the Everfree Forest looms with a strange smell and overarching eyes. The rigidity foliage brush against my hooves as I trudge through the forest, trying to find what's been staring at me. Soon, I smell a cool breeze as it waves against my mane and thin coat, making me shiver both from discomfort and the feeling of being watched.
I begin to pick up the pace with ambling and breathing as my eyes dart around, scared of what is to come out of the thick trees and bushes. I'm going to find somewhere to rest, hopefully in a safe tree. I'm a long way into the forest.
There's rustling in the trees so I hop down, trying to get a better view of what's lurking in the green. I should really head back home now. The air seems to be new to me. It's nothing like I've ever felt in a while. It's cold.
There are also many flashing lights at the treeline. Are they security? I better steer clear of them.
January 28 th , Wednesday
I was twenty minutes late to my first class but I was excused. Yesterday, my first class was learning Early-Modern Pony, y'know when ponies used the words, 'thy' and 'shall' a whole lot. I already knew the fundamentals so I wasn't penalised for a detention or a heavy lecture on why I shouldn't be late to classes.
Everyone was really slow in that class so I just jotted down some notes and stared out onto the fields where I could catch a small part of the Everfree Forest in my sights. It was a good thing that the sun shone on the left side of the classroom too.
I still need to document whatever is in the forest before this month is done. That's a promise. I'll do anything, but I'm running out of space for my book. I'll probably purchase a new one and write everything there once I have full knowledge of what's in there so I can properly document. I won't write on the last page though. I mean, who even writes on the last page?
The forest is nearly the same as always every time I visit. There's no one here except for me and the ghoulish noises that sprout out from the dense green. I will tell you if there's anything in here after I climb out of the woods.
I was so close to writing "There's nothing in here anymore. I think everything's gone to hibernate" but something is definitely in this forest and it's freaking me out. A small was low-sounding bell echoed in the deeper parts of the forest. As I looked over there were those same green orbs that glared straight into my soul. The eerieness combined with the situation made me worse and so I fled, but every time I looked back at the monster it kept coming closer but in ways unimaginable. It was moving whenever I wasn't looking and it seemed to be teleporting. Is that thing a unicorn? Lost alicorn, possibly? Whatever it is, I'm not going into the denser parts unless I'm older or with somepony else.
This only makes me wonder what other things are in that cursed forest. Maybe I should talk with Apple Bloom to have another visit with Zecora or to the library?
The sun's already setting across the horizon, casting a shadow on Twilight's Castle so it's probably time I head home... and away from this forest.
For some off reason, I can sense something staring directly at me and it's not helping that there's no one around me. My writing speed has quickened and my breaths are more ragged and swift. I should stop.
January 29 th , Thursday
I have been listening to a lot of music lately just to pass time and forget about that terrifying sight in the forest. I'm still trying to figure out what to do or what that thing was. I sure hope it wasn't Zecora; she doesn't have magical abilities, right? She's only used her mouth to combine her herbs and mixtures from what I can recall. Could it be... no. The Changeling Queen? But how come I never heard that sound whenever a creature teleports.
The creature had glowing green eyes though and a dark structure as it neared towards me in the woods. I really hope nightmares don't come forth. Princess Luna could help me in explaining what this is if I do end up with a foul dream. It seemed to be creeping. Some predator I don't know about? If it is, I had the guts to go out there where no one would usually go.
I'm headed to the library after lunch.
For some reason, Button Mash was at the library but he wasn't looking for anything but me. He asked me the same question and I emphasised something in the Everfree Forest since I was desperate to find out what that thing was. He then bolted out of the library, leaving me in a confused state as he bumped into Bon Bon on the way out and chatted with her briefly as I peeked through the windows of the establishment. The duo paid no attention towards me anymore and trotted as a pair. Huh, never thought those two were friends, y'know, since they're aged differently.
Come to think of it, I like talking to stallions and mares than having much enjoyment with colts and fillies, well, besides him and the CMC, I guess. Time to get back to work.
There's literally nothing in these books about this creature. If it is Queen Chrysalis, I should report it... but I could get fined if it's a false accusation. Should I talk to Button Mash?
January 30 th , Friday some information after this book ends.
Button Mash is actually really useful! He's told me that there's something in the forest that ponies can't find out about. Something about a breakage in the forest? Could it be a magical force letting new creatures into our world? Now I need to find out what that thing is in the woods. But I need help.
I've decided; my second book will have my experiences solely on the Everfree Forest. What I need to do now is set an expedition. I may be young but I've trekked for a while. I think I can do it.
January 31 st , Saturday
I'm set for an expedition, and a way to get out of this damned house. You can't hear them but my parents are yelling again. I hate it so much, I wish they could just stop. I'm leaving them.
I'm taking my sleeping bag with a small tent as well as toiletries and a pack filled with food. My school supplies are inside as well because I still need an education. My new book is with me as well. It's a black notebook like this one but it has an integrated bookmark. The sun hasn't even risen yet and the noise is insane; it's smashing my eardrums.
Goodbye, mom and dad. I have no clue if I'll ever see you again.
My breath is dull, knowing that I've just left my parents... the ponies who took care of me when I needed it the most but now, they're just constantly fighting. Is it because of me? I hope not. I mean, my mum gave me dad's old suit when he was younger and it "looked pretty professional" according to Sweet Pie. Either way, I've left and I'm headed to the forest, maybe get some tips on how to live life out in the woods. Zecora can definitely help. It's pretty early though so she might still be sleeping or harvesting some herbs.
I arrive at her shack as I familiarise myself with the similar smell and looks. I peer through her windows and she seems to not be in her hut. I guess I should find a good camping ground. A clearing should be fine. Where do I find one?
Well, I found this massive slope leading into a cave with a stone tree with colourful gems. They seem to be cutie marks stuck on the tree; almost like the cutie marks on Applejack and Rainbow Dash! I wonder if they have some connection. Regardless, I'll set my tent above the stone to avoid any floods or rock collapses. It's a recognisable spot as well and good for work if I need some bits. If those gems are there, maybe I could work as a miner and harvest gems.
But then again, I want to discover this whole forest.
I fear that I'll never get used to the smell. I've fixed my tent to the dirt and set my sleeping bag. I feel like resting, the sun's only reached an eighth degree on the eastern side. It must still be pretty early.
What will I do if ponies start looking for me? Will I run or pay the price?
My first ration is gone. My sandwich was very delectable with a combination of lettuce and tomato with the aroma of a daisy. My bag is sitting on the stand of the tent as I glance at the thin fabric of a ceiling. Maybe I should listen out for a noise, or possibly set a trap or
Looks like someone paid me a visit! Zecora actually frightened me when I was writing the previous sentences. She came over and enquired about my trip to the Everfree Forest and how it's dangerous to trek on my own, especially considering at I'm a colt. Sure, my plans could have some - no, a lot of faults but I can survive on my own. I'm a smart pony.
She left, handing me a few potions she brewed recently. One is written in ink with the words, "Health," another with, "Recovery," and, "Repel". I guess they'll be important sometime during this expedition.
I wish I brought some of my friends with me. I'm really alone here and it's really creeping me out. To fill the silence, I'll set some traps just in case anything wants to jump at me.
I've set up tripwires attached to mud to impair the creature's movement and it may hit their eyes if I'm lucky, enough for me to pack essentials and escape. I heard the cracking of sticks and leaves. I'll be back.
There's nothing, and it's not helping that the sun is going down. I can't see much in the dark. I didn't bring a light source either. At least, I have a sleeping bag so I don't get cold.
...I feel like my parents are looking for me again. It's around the time that I'm usually home from my adventures (or from the library, and possibly from the store). Anyways, I should be worried about how I'll get food or fresh water. There's a river nearby, hopefully with some apples that I can harvest. Yea, maybe that can work.
I'll have to do that in the morning. It's already dark out. I wish I had a horn right now just to make things glow a little bit. The only light I have to work on is Luna's moonlight, which looks amazingly stunning when you look gaze without any artificial light. I can admire this for hours.
I heard that familiar rustling again but I can see anything out in the distance. I'm just staring through some mesh from where I think I heard the sound but all I see is the twisted trees, intertwined bushes and bubbling mud.
I hear voices. It feels like their talking to me, or trying to talk to me at least. Is there somepony out there? There some noises like heavy breathing. Is somepony hurt? Who'd be out here at his time of night? I can feel my heart trying to escape my chest. It may be Zecora or Apple Bloom.
I yelled out, "Who's out there?" There's growling.
January 8 th , Thursday really best if you take in the sights of the forest. It sort of brings a feeling of fear and curiosity. I'll explain that when I get there.
The breeze has begun to increase its waves, causing my mane flow with it. That's not the thing we're here for though. And like I said before, there's nothing to deduct about the Everfree Forest besides of its evergrowing features. I feel like it'll hit Ponyville soon in several years. I'm surprised a zebra lives there on her own! I know right, it's fascinating but come to think of it, it could be pretty lonely. Maybe I could visit her sometime and I could know more about the forest. Okay, enough chatting about occurrences that will probably never happen and let's take a step in the forest, shall we?
January 9 th , Friday did find some plants as I was venturing through a small gap that had lead to a clearing. Anyways, this thing almost appeared to be a part of the tree but it glared with neon-green eyes. It hung its head close to the coarse dirt and was crawling towards me. I need to know what or who this thing is.
I'm in the library right now, scratching away at some parchment for some notes and for this entry. I'm currently studying about this creature that I saw and thankfully, it is catalogued in some Biology book I found called Strange Encounters: Everfree . It's a pretty interesting book as I flick through the pages, trying to anything that could describe what I found. The creature is a Timberwolf. This thing would usually hunt in packs but I guess this one I found was a rogue or it recently lost its comrades or something, I don't know. At least I know what I'm dealing with: wooden-structured body, it can smell from miles away and it tends to ambush wandering ponies.
With the helpful information on-hoof, I trail back to the Everfree Forest as it nears dusk, the time I would usually be home. I'm thinking of how to lure these things out. I'm not quite sure how to do it yet but I can assure you that I will do it on my own... well, I might ask some ponies for help. Regardless, I have some experiments I would like to try: First, I need to know what it likes. In the field guide, it said that it liked meat but I had no clue what type. Would it have been pony, fish, beef? I don't know, but I'll find out soon.
The trap is now set and I shall wait for as long as it takes. I suppose I could pass the time by writing in this journal but what is there to write about? My boredom? No. My regretting for going outside in the cold? Maybe. The glowing night sky? I guess. But then, this would turn into a novel and I would have to rewrite everything into a story about my life. Huh, that actually doesn't sound half bad. I should do that soon.
My trap works! A group of Timberwolves sniffed their way out the forest and they gazed at the food I supplied. I was trembling though, hiding behind a translucent bush as the Timberwolves scavenged the lamb meat that I placed. Hopefully, I can bring a mountain of lamb to have enough time to sketch it. I mean, I have the Biology book I could use but I would like to draw it as it eats. It would be a rare sight.
January 10 th , Saturday
I'm here in the forest, just travelling through fallen branches and muddy swamps. It's a good thing I've got magic. This would be much harder if I couldn't write as I trekked through the dense forest. The smell was unique, a good type of unique and this isn't what your normal forest would be. I had my stuff at the ready: a small multi-tool that I could use to defend, small pieces of lamb to lure the Timberwolves away and extra aid kits I may use while I travel. I have some food as well but I doubt I'd be setting up a picnic while I'm in here.
I had to stop writing halfway through the previous passage. There's definitely something here watching me in the shadows. I'm being paranoid that it's a pack of Timberwolves after me. Maybe, they could smell the lamb I brought. Either way, I'm just sitting in a tree, writing about the experience. It's starting to smell strange now, it's disgusting. Raw meat mixing with bad breath and rotting teeth. Even the thought makes me shiver. I need to check my surroundings again. Wouldn't want anything to jump out now, would we?
I didn't even know that my heart could pump this quickly. A pack of Timberwolves chased me through the forest as soon as I climbed down the tree. I'm safe now, just outside the forest and near Sweet Apple Acres. I had no idea that I ran that far to make me end up in a different clearing. Unfortunately, my leg is bleeding from an accidental stab from the branches. It's fine but Apple Bloom decides to take me in and now I'm sitting in their barn alone in their dining room, writing. My leg is doing fine, I guess. It still hurts when I press on it but I think it's healing... I hope. This will probably be the end of today. I should get home soon. The sun is going down.
January 11 th , Sunday has been in there a few times but I wouldn't want to be responsible for something I would not have planned (like injuries). Screw it. I'll tag her along someday, just not today. She's probably busy with the Crusaders anyway so...
So I gained the courage and I asked Apple Bloom to come with me. I thought the Crusaders would be with her but apparently, Sweetie Belle is in Manehattan and Scootaloo is with Rainbow Dash, pranking or something. Anyways, we're walking through the forest. She was very close behind me and I was just casually ambling, searching for any Timberwolves. She asks me why I'm looking for Timberwolves and I answer. She seems impressed but I don't think it's much. I just want to see them for myself. But then, she thinks it's really dangerous without any proper protection.
After complying, we ended when Apple Bloom wanted to stop and turn back. We were about to find the Timberwolves' habitat after we found some footprints but then she chickened out. I was mocking her for the behaviour and quickly regretted it as I try to dodge Apple Bloom's death stare. Maybe I should invite her again sometime. However, I managed to find some information about the zebra who lives in the forest. Her name is Zecora, a zebra who speaks wisely and in rhymes. So it should be fun talking to her soon... if I find her.
January 17 th , Saturday
Hey, I know you probably won't read this since it's the last page and all (because I know you don't like writing on the final page) but I like you. You're a very intelligent student and a nice friend to talk to. It's wrong of me to read your whole journal but you need to know that somepony a lot of ponies cares about you. You've written some... things about your parents in this book and I want to tell you something. My parents are gone but I still love them to the core because they made me into who I am. I appreciate them being there for me even if I don't see them.
I also appreciate you admiring me as well. Gets my cheeks flustered every time I read it. I hope you find what you need in your adventures because I'd want to know all about 'em.
Signed, Apple Bloom
This is the new author writing. The previous writer, unknown, is currently missing and I'm using this book to try and find where this pony has gone. My first lead is the Everfree Forest, my next is the so-called Cutie Mark Crusaders, his friend Button Mash and finally, the parents.
I've only had very few pages, Page 100-105 including.
If you're a new reader having acquired this page, I'm an investigator, given the task to find out what happened to this missing author. I believe this writer is a colt, taking his studies in Cheerilee's Schoolhouse and has spoken with him before with his book exposed.
It has been days ever since the writer had gone missing and if I don't figure out sooner or later, another kid would end up deceased in the forest - I can't let that happen.