Timberjack vs. Flutterbat

Chapters

Prologue: Scars of the Past
Chapter 1: Applejack's Beginning
Chapter 2: Fluttershy's Beginning
Chapter 4: The Lavender Lotus
Chapter 5: Attack of the Timberwolves
Chapter 6: Swarm of the Bats
Chapter 7: New Dawn
Chapter 3: Search For Apple Bloom

Prologue: Scars of the Past

Prologue - Scars of the Past.

What would you do, if your world forever changed? What would you do, if your life took on a new meaning? What would you do, if you had to learn to live again? These are the questions I ask myself every night. The events of my past gave me scars. Scars that frequently made themselves known.

I jolt awake, sweating like a waterfall as I cling to my sheets. Panting for breath, I try to calm my pulsing heart. It was futile, for nothing could stop it once it began. Nothing, of course, except time.

I bring a shaking hoof to my throbbing head in an attempt to clear the fog that clouded my brain. "It was only a dream, Apple Bloom," I look out the window that adorned the far wall, the moon shining brightly in the sky above, "It was only a dream."

Apple Bloom awoke to the sound of little, filly hooves scurrying down the hall. "Ma, wake up!" The filly exclaimed as she burst through the door and jumped up on her mother's bed, tail wiggling behind her.

Apple Bloom, now finally opening her eyes, chuckled at her daughter's antics. "You're the only filly Ah know who wakes up at..." she peered to the clock on the far wall, "6:00 in the morning?!" She looked back to her ecstatic daughter and relented on telling her to go back to sleep. "All right, all right. Ah'm up."

The little filly, squealing in delight, bounced off the bed and scurried back down the hall. Apple Bloom, for her part, collapsed back onto her pillows.

"She can wait a few more minutes," Tender Taps said, rolling over to wrap a hoof atop his sleep-drunken wife.

With a groan, she willed herself to her tired hooves, "Ya, but if I don't move now, I never will." She promised little Apple Blossom she would help her with her Nightmare Night costume, and she wasn't known for going back on her word.

Grabbing her hoof, Tender Taps had a look of worry, "Sleep well?"

Sighing, Apple Bloom said, "No."

"Another nightmare?" Asked Tender Taps.

"Ya," Answered Apple Bloom.

"Want to talk about it?" Tender Taps knew Apple Bloom has been having on and off nightmares for years, but they were getting worse as of late. And as her husband, he was bound determined to help her in any way he could.

"No."

Tender Taps looked to his wife with a look she couldn't quite place, "Dear, it's been years. Don't you think you should talk to her?"

Apple Bloom knitted her brows, "If we wanted to talk to each other, we would have done it already. She has her life, and I have mine," seeing the new look Tender was giving her, she added, "end of discussion."

Sighing, Tender sat up in their bed, "Ok, but if you need me, I'm always open to talk. You know that right."

"I know," she said as she walked up and nuzzled him, "and I'm sorry. I just didn't have a good night sleep."

"And pray to Princess Celestia if you don't get your beauty sleep, Miss Apple."

Smiling, she took a hoof and booped him in the noise, "Ya, you just graced yourself with more work for today."

Completely shocked, Tender gasped, "I was joking hun!"

"Ya, but I wasn't," she finished.

Standing back to her hooves, she looked to the window and saw the sun barely starting to rise over the fields. That little filly could put a rooster to shame. She couldn't think of a day when even she would get up that early. The more she thought about it, there was only one pony who could get up as early as her daughter did.

Eyes wide, Apple Bloom shook her head and trotted her way towards the door. "One thought at a time. First and foremost, breakfast," she proclaimed to herself, pushing her way through the early morning haze clouding her mind.

Apple Blossom was a small filly with a pale coat and a red mane and tail. She had a pink bow in her hair, much like her mother did when she was younger. But, unlike her mother, she wore hers off to the side in a pigtail-like fashion.

She skipped along the dirt road as she made her way to the Ponyville Market. She needed to get supplies for her costume, and she didn't have a moment to wait. Nightmare Night was next week, and every filly and colt at school already had their costumes obtained.

Her mother had agreed to help her, as long as she did extra chores around the farm for the week. She didn't like the idea of extra work, but her costume required the utmost attention. She agreed to the terms, and the next morning, she was on her way to the market to pick up supplies for both her costume and the farm.

While she walked, she found time to think about the upcoming Nightmare Night party she would be attending. She was still overjoyed that Miss Cheerilee gave her the honor of decorating the classroom for the party. She was also delighted to know her mother would be accompanying her. It wasn't like her mom to go to events.

That thought made her pause the more she thought about it. Why had her mother decided to attend? It wasn't that big of a party, and it was just for the students. There were plenty of times her mother could have gone to an event, but she always turned them down. "Too much work needs ta be done," she would say.

Apple Blossom stopped when something in the sky caught her eye. She turned her head to see a figure flying high overhead. She would have just disregarded it as a pegasus, had it not been for the oddly shaped wings. It looked almost like a giant bat more than a pegasus. The more she peered at it, though, she confirmed she did see hooves.

She followed the figure with her eyes as it traveled into the distance. She sprang to her hooves in a gallop. Her Nightmare Night costume can wait. Whatever this creature was, it was something else.

She ran through the busy streets of Ponyville with her eyes towards the sky. She jumped, dipped, weaved, and dodged as she past pony after pony. She was surprised she hadn't hit anything yet, "Ouch!"

She fell to the ground as she ran into something. Rubbing her temples, she looked to see who she hit. What surprised her, even more, was that it wasn't a pony. It was a thing. It was a tall, tree-like thing. That in mind, she concluded it was, in fact, a tree.

She looked to her left. More trees. She peered to her right. Even more trees. It wasn't until a moment later that she finally realized where she was. It was the border of the Everfree Forest.

She ducked low and slinked back. She was told never to go into the forest, but she hadn't known why. She glanced back to the sky, seeing the creature fly overhead. In a flash, it vanished deep into the thick forest.

Then, Apple Blossom had a dilemma. She could either go home or follow the creature into the forest. On one hoof, she didn't want to enter the forest. Too many ponies had told her not to venture into it. On the other, the desire to know what this creature was, was tempting.

"I could check the library," she thought as she looked back towards Ponyville. By then, however, she likely would never get a chance to see the creature again.

With her mind made up, she turned and stood to her hooves, making her way into the forest.

The forest was dark and cold. It looked like the trees were in pain and the wind only added to the creepy atmosphere. The ground seemed to move under her hooves and messed with her balance. She got dazed from gazing at the terrain, but looking at the trees weren't any better. So she chose to study the sky. Watching at the sky, however, also proved problematic due to the leaves in the trees.

She looked back down and became aware of something exceedingly important. She didn't recognize the trees around her. Looking left and right, up and down, slantways and all ways she could think of until she finally gave in. The worst thing had officially happened. She was very lost.

Starting to panic, a look of worry pledged her face. How long had she been in here? How far had she walked? Where was the sun? Where was her mother?

Collapsing to the ground, she began to cry.

As the sounds of her weeping entered her ears, another sound joined in. It was low and menacing. It was much like a deep growl, which then turned to a bark. Jolting her head up, Apple Blossom saw the scariest creature she had ever seen. Standing in front of her, was a Timberwolf. But, not a Timberwolf?

It looked like a Timberwolf, but very pony-like, much like the flying figure. It was a deep orange with bright, green, glowing eyes that seemed to look far into her soul. She was scared, but something felt different and strangely familiar.

Accepting her fate, she covered her face and waited for the lashing to began. But it never came. The wolf walked up to her and sniffed her red hair. It jolted back following a sniff to her pink bow. Whimpering, the wolf crouched down close to the filly. It could feel Apple Blossom shaking beside her. Without pause, it grabbed the small pony and placed her on its back.

Apple Blossom lifted her head in surprise. Did the wolf just put her on its back? Looking down, she saw the wolf walking forwards at a slow pace.

While it walked, she got a close look at the pony-like beast. It had a dark blonde mane and tail with a red ponytail. It also had what looked to be a wooden collar on its neck and bracer-like wooden shielding on its legs. She glanced behind her and saw the creature had a cutie mark of three, slime-green apples. That did it on her suspicions of it being pony-like.

"Who are you?" Apple Blossom asked as the pony-like, wolf-like, creature looked back at her. After a moment, it shook its head and continued forward.

Apple Blossom was only on the creatures back for a few more minutes before she saw light up ahead. It was the edge of the forest. Squinting her eyes, Apple Blossom could see Sweet Apple Acres in the distance. How did this creature know where to go? How did this creature know this was her home? Who was this creature?

Before she could ask any of these questions, however, the wolf-like creature deposited the filly on the ground in front of it. Looking between the orchard and the wolf, Apple Blossom had another choice to make. Go home, or see who this creature was. And again before she could think on the matter further, the creature nudged her forward towards the barn.

The contact was sudden, but again strange. It felt familiar but alien. Looking towards the wolf, it began to walk back to the forest, certainly not wanting to stay any longer. Apple Blossom sprang to her hooves and called out, "thank you."

The being stopped and looked back to the filly. Its facial expression spoke words that Apple Blossom didn't understand. And she thought she could see a tear in its eye. The creature turned and entered the forest, leaving behind a very confused filly.

She looked back towards the barn as an idea came to mind. She might not have the answers she wanted, but she knew where to find them.

"Apple Blossom, where have you been?" Apple Bloom called out as she ran to the filly's side. Apple Blossom stopped as she and her mother embraced. "Ah was so worried about you."

Apple Blossom broke the hug first, looking away. "Ah know, and Ah'm sorry Ma. Ah didn't mean ta worry ya."

Apple Bloom put a hoof under her daughter's chin. "Where were you?"

Apple Blossom tried to look away, but she couldn't under her mothers gaze. "Ah... Ah went into the Everfree Forest."

Apple Bloom's eyes shrank to the size of pine needles at the mention of that accursed forest. "Why?"

Apple Blossom breathed a sigh and started, "Ah was walking ta the market when Ah saw this strange figure flying through the sky. Ah followed it into the Everfree Forest, but then Ah got lost."

She paused, and Apple Bloom noticed. "How did you get back?"

Apple Blossom looked away. "Ah ran into a Timberwolf, and it helped me back." She looked down, confused tears welling in her eyes. "But it wasn't a Timberwolf. It was different and pony-like." Looking back at her mother, she said, "who was it, Momma?"

Apple Blossom didn't say "momma" very often, but when she did, Apple Bloom knew she needed her. Apple Bloom crouched down to be eye level with her daughter, a sad smile on her face. "That was your aunt Applejack."

Author's Note

Merry Christmas everybody. I got an extra chapter out just for you guys. Tally-ho.

Older Apple Bloom

https://derpibooru.org/1557552?q=artist%3Astarryoak%2C+apple+bloom

Chapter 1: Applejack's Beginning

Chapter 1.
Applejack's Beginning.

It was a cold autumn day in the quiet little town of Ponyville. The leaves on the trees were an assortment of colors, and the sky was a slight gray tint from the rainstorm scheduled for the following evening. Ponies were trotting along the streets, going about their daily business. Amidst these ponies was an orange mare named Applejack. She's a well-known farmer from Sweat Apple Acres and friendly to most. While her circle of best friends was quite small (or non-existent), she did have one, very obnoxious, best friend.

"Hiya AJ!" A pink pony that came from literally nowhere said in her usual upbeat voice.

Applejack stumbled back in surprise, which was immediately halted due to the cart she pulled behind her. "Pinkie! How many times do I gotta tell ya, stop sneakin up on me?!" she hollered at the pink pony.

Pinkie Pie, as was her name, jumped up and down in front of the farmer with a gleeful smile on her face. "Sorry AJ! It's just that I'm so excited for this year's Nightmare Night! It's just a month away! A month I tell you!" she exclaimed from where she stood in front of the orange mare.

Applejack regained herself as she rolled her eyes with a knowing smile. If there was one thing Pinkie liked more than planning parties, it was all the sweets that came with it. She couldn't think of a single pony that could consume that much sugar and not gain a pound from it. Then again, Pinkie did tell her what her mother said it was. Extremely high metabolism or something?

"So, where ya going?" Pinkie asked as she bounced to the left of her orange friend.

Applejack continued walking on her way after she noted that none of her apples fell out of the cart, "Just headin off ta the market ta sell some extra apples, and you?"

"Bouncing around talking to you silly!" Pinkie exclaimed as she continued to follow Applejack to the marketplace.

"Of course you are," said Applejack as she and Pinkie entered the Ponyville town square. The square of the small town consisted of a few shops and eateries. There was the Gilded Horseshoe restaurant, the Ponyville Spa, and Sugar Cube Corner which is where Pinkie Pie works and lives. There was also the Golden Oaks Library off at the far end. Applejack didn't need any books that weren't already back at the farmhouse, so she never really went to the library. The market was pretty much in the middle of Ponyville as well.

"So, are you making caramel apples for this year's Nightmare Night again? I remember them being such a big hit last year." Pinkie asked as she continued to follow Applejack throughout the Ponyville market.

"Yup. I gotta few baskets of apples all ready ta go for it." Applejack then came to a stop next to her custom-made shopping stall. "Um, Pinkie? Don't want ta sound rude or nothin but I gotta get ta work here. Can we talk later?" She asked as she started setting up her pre-owned market stall.

"Okie Dokie Lokie Pokie! See ya later AJ!" Pinkie exclaimed as she bounced her way out of the marketplace.

Applejack stood there for a moment and then proceeded to set up the stall in her name. She was exhausted from all the work around the farm as of late. With Nightmare Night coming up, she was busy double-timing her apple-bucking. Her brother Big Mac was away in Appaloosa to help in rebuilding a railroad that got damaged in a storm a few days ago and granny was as old as Ponyville itself, so that left her and her sister Apple Bloom to do all the work.

With a sigh, she finished setting up the stall and got to work.

The school bell rang, and a large group of fillies and colts rushed from the building. Amongst the group of younger ponies was three little fillies named Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. The three were trotting and talking about their plans for the upcoming Ponyville Nightmare Night party.

"So let me get this straight. You think we should go as the Power Puff Ponies?" Scootaloo, an orange pegasus filly with a purple mane and tail, questioned as she walked alongside her two other friends.

Sweetie Belle, an off-white unicorn filly with a pink and lavender mane and tail, replied, "it was either that or the Three Bridleteers."

Scootaloo's eyes widened to the name, "The who now?"

Apple Bloom, a yellow-pale earth pony filly with a red mane and tail, jumped into the conversation. "Y'all never heard of the Three Bridleteers?" she questioned with a quizzical look.

Scootaloo shook her head at the question and proceeded on, "well, I guess the Power Puff Ponies isn't the worst idea, but I think I can come up with a better one," she stated proudly. In all honesty, she didn't have any better ideas, yet.

"Ya, like what?" Apple questioned again. She knew her friend well enough to know she was at a loss. The look on Scootaloo's face only proved it.

The little orange pegasus huffed indignantly, "give me time, I'll think of something."

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes as she kept walking. "Uh-huh," she then looked to the Ponyville clock tower ahead and started a brisk trot towards home. "Sorry I can't stay and chat longer, but with Big Mac in Appleloosa Ah'm needed more on the farm. We'll catch up more on this tomorrow though, ok?"

"Sure. Bye Apple Bloom," both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said in unison as they went their separate ways.

On her trot back to the farm, Apple Bloom began running ideas through her head about what to do for Nightmare Night. She had conjured up some ideas for decorating the farm, but her sister had said it would get in the way of work. Her sister was like that though. Ever since their parents passing, Applejack was more of a work mare than a sibling. She still loved her sister, but she wished she could spend more time with her that didn't involve work and chores.

As she looked up from her muse, she noticed the farm appearing in the distance. She continued her walk until she saw something else out of the corner of her eye. Sweet Apple Acres was usually a quiet farm, but its neighbor wasn't so forgiving. Across the distance was a large wooded area called the Everfree Forest. She remembered the stories her parents had told her about the enchanted forest. The stories about little fillies and colts going missing only to be found days later in the Ponyville river. She, along with everyone else, was told to never go into the forest. Then again there was a zebra that lived there.

Zecora wasn't the only occupant of the forest, but she was the only resident that wouldn't eat a pony for dinner. She had come into town one day looking for supplies, but because no one had ever seen a creature like her before, no one approached her. Accepted for Apple Bloom that is. She was trying to prove she was a big pony to her sister, which got her into more trouble than she would have liked.

Zecora agreed to tell the townsfolk how she lived in the forest mostly undisturbed, in exchange for her freedom to come and go from the town as she pleased. The townsfolks did accuse her once of fillynapping the young ponies that would enter the forest, but she explained that it was not her. It was the Timberwolves. They were said to be ferocious beasts with razor-sharp teeth and claws. With the body of a wolf but a hyde as strong as bark, they are the dominant creatures of the forest.

No pony ever saw the Timberwolves and lived to tell the tale. Apple Bloom, however, did.

One night, when the moon was high in the sky, a loud howl came from outside the barn. Apple Bloom awoke from her sleep the moment she heard it, and ran to her window to find the source. She didn't see any creature, but she did see paw prints.

Quietly running down and out of the house, she examined the prints before her. They were bigger then their dog Winona, with long claws protruding from the center of the paw.

Smiling in childish excitement, she ran down the path of paws. She didn't know what creature the large paws belonged to, but she was going to find out.

The path led her to the Everfree Forest, but not deterred from the ominous looking forest, she ran right in. After runing for a minute or two, she found she was lost. Nothing was around her.

A growl to her right told her she wasn't as alone as she thought.

"Puppy!"

Apple Bloom shook her head. She continued her way to the apple orchard to start her workday. She would usually work as close to the farmhouse as possible, but being low on hooves as it were, she had to work in the southern field today. It was the closest field to the forest, but that didn't deter her from her work. She might be a small pony, but she believed she could handle the load. What's the worst that can happen, right?

Author's Note

First fic. YAY. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Just to clarify, Apple Bloom is around 3/4 years old in the flashback and Applejack is Apple Blooms current age in the story. This is relevent for a later chapter.

Edited 9/4/2018

Chapter 2: Fluttershy's Beginning

Chapter 2.
Fluttershy's Beginning.

The air was chilly in the little town of Ponyville. The leaves from the trees were starting to fall as everyone trotted around, trying to prepare for the big event happening in the coming weeks. But far from the hustle and bustle of the small town, in a valley far to the west, stood a little cottage. The cottage was home to one of Ponyvilles best caretakers, Fluttershy. She is a super kind pegasus and a friend to all. Some ponies even call her the Angel of Ponyville. While all the praise for her work as the go-to animal caretaker was indeed welcome, she was a very modest pony. She did what she loved. There was nothing else to it.

While her life may seem rosy at first glance, she did have one downfall. Shyness. Even acknowledging her being was enough to frighten her. And now it was October, her least favorite month out of the whole year.

She was just five year's old when her parents first introduced her to Nightmare Night. After that, she couldn't sleep for months. Every time she closed her eyes an image of, well just about anything that had to do with Nightmare Night, flashed through her mind. Even now as a grown mare, she still couldn't handle the holiday.

It was still a few weeks before Nightmare Night, however, so she still had time to do a little home cleaning. She was raking a set of leaves into a pile on her yard when a whistle sound came to her ears. As she concentrated on it harder, the noise got louder. She looked up to the sky to see a rainbow and cyan colored blur coming in her direction. With little time to react, she shrunk down to the ground as far as she could to avoid being hit by the now earthbound Rainbow Dash. After a bit of struggling, the cyan pegasus managed to dig her way free from the ground. As she collected herself, she noticed a yellow and pink ball on the ground behind her.

"Hey, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash paused, looked back at the mess she made, then said with a sheepish smile, "and sorry about the mess."

Fluttershy, for her part, managed to stop her hammering heart from beating out of her chest. She knew Rainbow Dash since they were fillies in flight camp. She practically grew up with the cocky pegasus and considered her as part of her family. But it was moments like this that she could do without in her life.

"Rainbow Dash! Can you please stop doing that," the shy pegasus asked in a hushed tone. Because of her shyness, she usually talked in a whisper. Most ponies would strain to hear her voice, but Rainbow Dash knew how to listen.
"Oh come on Shy. You gotta have a little fun every now and again," Rainbow Dash then swung a hoof around her still shaking friend, "and I did say sorry this time though."

Fluttershy managed a chuckle before saying, "fair enough." She then looked at Rainbow with a questioning stare. "So, um, why are you here exactly?"

With a raise of her hoof, Rainbow said, "I was just wondering if you were busy tonight. I was thinking of some good Nightmare Night pranks I wanted to pull off. And I need your opinion before I put them into action."

Rainbow Dash was a prankster. Fluttershy knew this, but wasn't always happy about it. "Why do you want my opinion. You know how I feel about Nightmare Night and your pranks," she went back to raking the now scattered leaves as she added, "and sorry, but I can't. I'm meeting with Zecora later."

Dash knew how Fluttershy felt about her pranks and Nightmare Night in general, but you can't blame a pony for trying. She also knew about Zecora and where she lived, though, and curiosity took hold. "Why are you meeting with Zecora? Doesn't she live in the Everfree Forest?"

"Yes, she does. But I need more herbs for my animals." Fluttershy took a saddened glance back towards her home cottage. "With the fall season coming around, all the animals are starting to get Autumn Sickness," she said, almost panicked.

Rainbow Dash only questioned further, complemented by a raised eyebrow, "Autumn Sickness?"

Fluttershy looked back at her with a quizzical look, "the cold?"

The cyan pegasus's eyes widened, "oh."

Fluttershy went back to her yard work as Rainbow watched. "So, what are your plans for the weekend?" Even though she already knew the answer, it never hurt to ask.

The shy pegasus paused again, "well, tending to the animals I guess." She could see the Ponyville clock tower in the distance. "It's going to be a long weekend for me. I don't think I'll have any free time until next week at the earliest."

Rainbow Dash looked down, "oh, ok." She then perked up as she looked back to her lifelong friend, "but we'll have to plan something soon before you lock yourself up for Nightmare Night, right?" she commented jokingly.

Fluttershy only smiled at her friend, "of course we will."

And with that, Rainbow Dash gave a quick hug to Fluttershy before she sped off into the sky. Fluttershy frowned as her friend left. She wanted to hang out with her friend, but her animals couldn't wait.

After a few more hours of yard work, tidying up the house, a mess from her pet bunny, and just general cleaning, she was finally ready to head off to Zecora's. She knew the hut where Zecora lived. She had been there a few times in the past to collect special herbs that the zebra alchemist made. She was scared of the stranger that entered Ponyville all those moons ago, but she since got over it. The forest, on the other hoof, was a different story.

The Everfree Forest scared her just as much as Nightmare Night did. But when it came to her animals and friends, she would face a Timberwolf to keep them safe. One time she had a staredown with a Cockatrice to save one of her chickens that had gotten loose. Even then the forest would chill her to the bone.

She trotted along the dirt road leading to the forest entrance. The town of Ponyville agreed to make a path going towards Zecora's hut so that anyone could find it if they desired to enter the forest. Fluttershy walked this path multiple times in the past, and every time it sunk in more. She could hear the trees calling her. Feel the touch of a branch that was nowhere near her. It gave her goosebumps, but she had to push forward.

On her walk through the forest, she felt like she had eyes on her. Granted, she always felt like she had eyes on her. But this time was different. It was like something in this forest was welcoming her, inviting her in deeper. She ignored it the best she could as she trudged forward.

After a brief time, she made her way to Zecora's hut. The hut was unlike anything she had ever seen before, but a home was a home she figured. With a quick knock on the door, she heard the familiar sound of the zebra's words.

"Who is the one that I can hear?" the zebra said as she walked up to the door and opened it, "why, it's Fluttershy who's standing here."

Fluttershy smiled at her friends choice of words. Unlike everyone else, Zecora talked in rhyme. Which was both fun and annoying, especially when you needed quick answers. But she enjoyed it nonetheless.

"Hi, Zecora. I'm here to pick up the herbs I requested. If that's ok with you," she said as she crouched a little in her timid posture. She did this with most ponies, even ponies she knew.

Zocra grew a knowing smile, "why of course it's ok with me, but may I ask you to stay for tea," she asked, backing away slightly from the door to allow her friend entrance.

Fluttershy stammered for a moment in thought, "oh, I don't want to be any trouble."

"You couldn't bring me any trouble, being a pony so gentle and humble," Zecora gestured into her home.

"Well, ok. I think I can stay a little bit. But I do need to get back to my animals soon," the shy pegasus said as she made her way into the hut. It wasn't too big inside, but it was big enough for the essentials. Potions and voodoo masks decorated the zebras home from corner to corner. The perfect home for Zecora. She once asked why Zecora left her home in Zebrica, and she told her shy friend that the forest has so many different plants that she needed for her many recipes.

"What's the occasion? If there is one that is," Fluttershy asked as she made her way to the table on the right of the hut.

"There is a flower that I am in dire need, and I was hoping you could perform this deed," she asked as she set two teacups and a teapot on the table in front of them.

Fluttershy raised an eye, "what kind of flower?"

Author's Note

Well, I got this chapter up quick. Remember, any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. I hope you all enjoy the story thus far.

Edited - 9/4/2018

Chapter 4: The Lavender Lotus

Chapter 4.
The Lavender Lotus.

"What kind of flower?" Fluttershy said as she grabbed the teacup she was handed. She knew the zebra alchemist needed all sorts of flowers and plants to create her brews, herbs, potions, and the likes. She also knew Zecora worked hard on her creations. So why was she asking HER for this task instead of finding it herself?

Zecora poured some tea from the pot in her hooves into the cup as she answered. "A flower of an old forgotten tale. One of great mystery and a powerful spell," Zecora put down the pot and pointed towards the ceiling, "Deep within this forest lies, a flower greater than any prize."

She brought her hoof down as she got up from her seat and walked over to a bookshelf. Fluttershy watched her search the shelf for the book she was looking for, thinking around the zebra's words. What did she mean by, "a powerful spell"?

Zecora found the book she was looking for a walked back to the table. She flipped through the pages of the old, dusty tome, in search for the one she needed. She stopped when her hoof landed on the page in question.

"Listen here and be very focused. This flower is called the Lavender Lotus," she said, gesturing to the flower on the page.

Fluttershy looked over at the flower in question and gaped in awe. She'd seen a lotus before, many times in fact, but this looked far different from any other flower she had in her garden, "Something seems different about this lotus from the others I've seen."

Zecora gave her a knowing smile, "Very wise for you to take notice, for this flower is no ordinary lotus," a haunted look plagued Zecoras face as she looked away from the book, "This flower holds many a mystery, for years it has brought ponies misery," she looked back at the confused pegasus as she continued, "I'll tell you a story and hope it sticks, have you ever heard of the Lunar Eclipse?"

Fluttershy nodded her head, "I've heard of it before," she said, look down at the table in front of her, "My parents told me that story when I was young."

"You may have heard of its demise, but there is more to this story than meets the eyes," Zecora walked back over to the shelf and grabbed a new book. This one was a bit newer and had a picture of a ship on its cover, "The story you hear is quite tragic, but the reason she sank was due to magic."

Fluttershy looked to Zecora in shock and confusion, "What?! But the ship hit an iceberg. Even the Princess herself concluded it was an accident," she remembered hearing that after the sinking, the E.B.T. (Equestrian Board of Trade) had dubbed the sinking an accident after survivor accounts explained what happened.

Zecora only frowned and looked away, "That is the story they tell little foals, but it was the flower that stole their souls," she then looked up to meet Fluttershy's gaze, "The flower has a powerful curse, and the torture it brings will only get worse. Whoever shall own the flower then, no pony ever hears from them again."

Fluttershy was stunned at the zebras' conclusion, but something was still nagged at her from the back of her mind, "But Zecora. You said you needed this flower. Can I ask why? If you don't mind me asking, that is," she crouched back a little in her timid posture. Even knowing Zecora for as long as she did, she still didn't like asking questions.

Zecora smiled understandingly, "I did say the flower I need, rest assured it's not for greed. This flower has taken many a life, shown no barrier between pony and knife. Now it is time for its reign to cease, only then can ponies truly be at peace," she grew a triumphant smile as she pointed to the ceiling once again, "I wish to end this horrid flower, and dispose of its evil power!"

"And you want me to get it?" Fluttershy asked as she crouched even lower.

Zecora looked back to the pegasus in question and explained, "The flower was planted here long ago, over time it continues to grow. Its magic has cursed the forest wood. If I couldn't retrieve it, no pony could," she pointed to a map on the wall to their right, "This is a map of the path you'll take, but the decision to do so is yours to make. If you should not, I do understand. But if you do, you could save this land."

Fluttershy looked between Zecora, the map, and herself. She hated the forest, even on the path leading to Zecora's made her skin crawl. Taking this new path through a cursed forest, at night, completely and entirely alone, "I don't know Zecora. Why are you asking ME of all ponies to do this?"

"This forest is much like a zoo, and I can't think of any better pony than you. Your way with creatures is quite the show, every pony in Ponyville knows," Zecora put her hooves together in the saddest excuse for a beg.

With a heavy sigh, Fluttershy conceited, "Oh ok. I'll do it."

Zecora relaxed at her answer, "That's great to hear. I have complete faith in you dear," she got up from her chair and walked over to the map on the wall. She folded the paper and handed it over to Fluttershy, "Take this to help on your quest, of luck I wish you the very best."

Fluttershy took the map in her hooves and turned to leave. That is until she remembered what she came for in the first place, "Um, Zecora. What about the herbs for my animals?"

Zecora blinked, and then it clicked, "I think my brain is getting old, I completely forgot about the animals cold," she walked back to the far wall and retrieved a box, "This will hinder your trip, for I can see, perhaps it should wait for you here with me?"

"Oh, ok. I'll be back with the flower soon," she said as she turned to walk.

"Keep to the ground and do not fly. I wish you luck dear Fluttershy," Zecora said as she closed the door.

"Wait, what?" but the zebra was gone. And so she began her journey through the forest. Sighing again, she looked down at the map. It showed she first needed to go right. With a turn to the south, she started her trot.

As she walked, she thought over everything she'd learned through the zebra alchemists words. She knew she was looking for an enchanted lotus and that it was somewhere in this forest.

The cursed lotus, it seems, is actually why the forest is the way it is. She would have to ask Zecora more about it when she returned.

It was twilight when she arrived at Zecora's. But the sun was gone, and all she had was the light of the moon on her side. It was dark. So very dark.

The tree swayed in the cold autumn breeze, creaking as they moved. The leaves rustled as the wind hit them. She could hear the sound of timberwolves howling in the distance. It was like the forest was telling her to turn away. To leave and never come back.

"Come on Fluttershy. You can do this. Just one hoof at a time," if she was trudging through the forest before, she was amazed at the speed she was making now. If it wasn't for her current progress, she could have sworn she had never moved.

She looked at her surroundings. Nothing seemed out of place. Well, for a forest that is. Nothing moved in her limited vision, except the occasional branch or two. The quiet sounds were deafening. It was like she could hear everything and nothing all at the same time.

A shiver ran down her spine. She hated this forest. She hated it with all of her life. When she was little, she had heard the stories of ponies getting lost in these woods, never to be heard from again. She wondered if the flower was the cause of that too. From what Zecora had told her about it, it did seem plausible. There might be more to this flower then Zecora had initially let on.

She sighed, knowing she'd get her answers in due time, and moved along through the eerie forest.

After some time, she finally made it to her destination. Just in front of her was a small, partially hidden temple entrance with a staircase leading down into some dark and foreboding unknown. She would have missed it if there wasn't a faint light emitting from the torches near the doorway.

"Ok, almost there," she concluded as she started her walk down the staircase. The further down she went, the darker it became. She could have sworn the shadows had shadows for themselves.

After a minute of walking, she saw a light when she came to the bottom of the stairs. In front of her was a large, no, humongous cavern. She was entirely astonished at the sight that she almost forgot why she was there in the first place. Looking around, she took in her surroundings. That's when she saw them.

"Oh, my."

Author's Note

Sorry this chapter took so long to get out. I've been really busy this past month and writers block didn't help ( neither did Zecora's rhyming). I hope you all enjoy the chapter none the less. Tally-ho.

Fluttershy's walk through the forest.

https://www.derpibooru.org/876192?q=artist%3Ashiropoint

Chapter 5: Attack of the Timberwolves

Chapter 5.
Attack Of The Timberwolves.

"Applejack?!" Applebloom cried as she saw her sister round a corner. She had been walking with Sweet Step for around 30 minutes now and was losing hope of ever finding an exit to this accursed forest. Seeing her sister was comforting, but the wolves behind her weren't.

"Apple Bloom!?" Applejack shouted as she rammed into the two fillies. In a moment, all three ponies were in a tumbling mess on the forest floor.

Applejack was the first to recover as she looked at the scene before her.

Apple Bloom and Sweet Step were both on the ground while the wolves rose up around them. Their growls and barks ran shivers down her spine. If she was going to act, she had to move fast.

In an instant, she rose to her hooves and took a defensive stance over the fillies. "If y'all want ta get ta them, ya gotta go through me first!"

With a growl, the wolves lept forward, teeth bared and claws sharp. Applejack sidestepped and bucked the first wolf in the jaw. Wood flew as the wolf let out a howl of pain before scurrying away.

Applejack had not a moment to spare, however, as another wolf came in from behind and bit down on her tail. The pain was immense, but she pushed through. She spun on the spot and punched the wolf squarely in the chest. Splinters pierced her skin as the wolf's chest shattered.

Her hooves were stained green from Timberwolf blood. Her mind was in a frenzy, trying to keep her sister and this filly safe. She had to stay focused, for all of their sake.

She looked to her left as another wolf went in for the attack. She ducked to the side and delivered a bone-shattering kick, which disintegrated the wolf. Her hooves should have been aching from the blows she dished out, but years of work on the farm made the pain tolerable.

Applebloom, coming back to her senses, watched as her sister fought against monsters twice her size in a fight to the death. Her sister would swing left, sidestep right, and throw the occasional punch when she could. She needed to move. She needed to get up.

A scream to her left brought her back to reality as a wolf started walking towards Sweet Step, green drool pooling from its mouth. The look on her face said all Apple Bloom needed to know. She was petrified.

Apple Bloom got to her hooves and charged the creature down. She might not be able to buck apples out of a tree yet, but she knew how to throw a punch. She swung her right hoof into the side of the beast as it fell to the ground. Growling in anger, it stood back up and howled to the moon, calling in reinforcements. Apple Bloom walked back to Sweet Step and grabbed her hoof.

"Ya gotta get up!" She cried as she pulled Sweet Step to her hooves. The sudden movement gave Sweet Step a headache, but she recovered and looked towards Apple Bloom. "Follow Applejacks hoof prints outta the forest!"

Sweet Step blinked. "But what about you two?!"

"I'll stay behind and help my sister with the Timberwolves. But ya need to get out of here!" Apple Bloom shouted as she looked back to her sister. She knew her sister was strong, but even Applejack couldn't fight off an entire pack of Timberwolves by herself.

Sweet Step hesitated, not wanting to leave the two behind, but Apple Bloom put a hoof on her shoulder. "We'll be right behind you. Ah, promise."

Sweet Step smiled and hugged her, "Thank you." before making her way down the path Applejacks hooves created.

Apple Bloom watched as the filly run off without another word. With a sigh, she turned and observed the situation. Wolf after wolf relentlessly lunged at Applejack with vigor. She saw claw and bite marks on her sister's coat as she fearsomely fought against the wolves.

In a moment, Apple Bloom raced to her sister's side a delivered a kick to a wolf that was near inches from getting a good hit on Applejack. It tripped to its side and retreated from its attack. "Thought you could use some help."

Applejack looked to her right and saw her sister taking a defensive stance next to her. "APPLE BLOOM! What do ya think you're doing!"

Apple Bloom looked to her sister indignantly. "You can't fight them all by yourself!" She said, pointing a hoof towards the wolves.

"Doesn't mean ya'll need to get hurt fighting my fight!" Applejack then looked back to see the Timberwolves regrouping in the distance. "Ya need to go! NOW!"

Apple Bloom puffed her chest. "Not without you! If you're stayin, I'm stayin."

Applejack glared and scowled. "APPLE BLOOM! DO AS I SAY AND G... LOOK OUT!" She said as a Timberwolf sprang forward and tried to snatch at Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom was quick on her hooves, however, and sidestepped out of the way of the wolf, causing it to skid passed her and fall to the ground.

Apple Bloom and Applejack looked at the pack of wolves, now closing in on them. Applejack steeled her nerves as she saw the oncoming storm. She took a glance at Apple Bloom, who also sported a defensive position, eyes narrowed.

How could she keep her sister safe if that dang filly always ran head first into trouble? No matter the situation, it never failed. Apple Bloom constantly found herself in a position which required Applejack saving her flank.

But she knew how Apple Bloom worked. If she was going down, she was going down swinging. She was much like her sister in that way.

"Ya ready?" Applejack timidly asked, looking in the direction of her little sister. Apple Bloom looked back with a timid smile herself.

"Ready when you are, sis." Apple Bloom said as both ponies readied for a fight. They were surrounded and outnumbered. It was all or nothing now.

Sweet Step sped her way through the Everfree Forest, taking out the occasional branch or two as she passed by. Tears filled her vision as she thought about Apple Bloom and Applejack.

"Oh, why did I leave them there? Mom's going to be so mad when she finds out about all this." She skidded to a stop to check her surroundings. She was, thankfully, still on the path Applejack's hooves made.

She took a glance behind her, hoping to see Apple Bloom and Applejack running up the trail. She saw nothing. Not a single creature was in her sight.
For some reason, the forest grew colder. It wasn't like the wind kicked up or anything. Everything just froze. The trees were still. The wind was silent. The only thing Sweet Step could hear was her heartbeat, which was increasing by the second.

She felt eyes on her. It terrified her.

In a panic, she looked around again, trying to find the source of her fear. When she saw it, fear was only the beginning.

"AHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

With a howl, the Timberwolves charged forward. Barks and growls sound off while claws scrape the ground. Anger and hunger, evident on their faces.

Applejack and Apple Bloom lept forwards as well. Applejack was the first to throw a punch, as the wolf she hit fell to the ground. Apple Bloom slid in the mud and bucked a wolf in the chest. It let out a howl of pain as another wolf came in from the right. Applejack jumped in the air and tackled it to the ground. They rolled around in the mud for a minute, the wolf bitting and clawing at Applejack. The claw marks on her skin were prominent, but she ignored the pain for as long as she could.

Apple Bloom saw her sister and the wolf's struggle in the mud. She wanted to help, but she would make matters worse for her sister if she tried to intervene. She looked to her left and saw two more wolves charging her way.

Applejack saw the wolves charging down Apple Bloom. In a moment, she pushed the one wolf off of her and ran towards Apple Bloom. As she tackled the wolves to the ground, one wolf scratched at her right eye, temporarily closing it. She tussled with the wolves a moment before they got the better on her and one bit her left foreleg.

She screamed in pain as the wolf's fangs bared down on her skin. She might have a high endurance from working on the fields, but this was nothing like the pain she felt in her legs after a hard day at work. Another wolf bared down on her neck, causing blood to fly through the air. In a moment, the fangs released, showing teeth mark running along her throat.

She bucked the wolves around her until there was nothing left and hobbled back to Apple Bloom's side. Seeing her wounds, Apple Bloom started to cry. When she was with her sister, she thought they were invincible. She was wrong.

"Come on Apple Bloom! We're leavin now!" Applejack said, grabbing Apple Bloom and throwing her on top of her back. Applejack tried to run but tumbled to the ground. Both she and Apple Bloom rolled in the mud, covering both of them. The wounds on her legs and the added weight of Apple Bloom made it impossible for her to move.

Apple Bloom recovered and saw her sister down on the ground. "Come on, Applejack! Get up!" She was openly sobbing now. "Dear Celestia, give her strength." She thought.

Applejack tried to stand, but her injuries proved problematic. Scratches and bite marks covered her body. Her bones ached, and her muscles spasmed. Mud caked her hooves and dirt covered her body. She wasn't dead, but she felt it. " Apple Bloom. Go. Just get out of here while ya still can."

Saddened by her sister's words, Apple Bloom bent down and nudged her. "No, sis. I ain't leavin here without ya."

Applejack coughed again. "You have ta go. I can't move."

Apple Bloom could see the wolves closing in around them. Any minute now, they would strike them down. Refusing to leave her sister behind, Apple Bloom crouched down next to Applejack and her sister wrapped a reluctant hoof around her.

As Apple Bloom cried into her sister's fur, Applejack cooed her. "It's ok Apple Bloom. Just go to sleep. It'll be ok. Ah, promise."

Apple Bloom whimpered in her side. "Could you sing me the lullaby Ma used to sing to us, please?"

Tears fled Applejack's eyes. If this was their last moments together, she was going to make the most of it. "Sure, surgecube."

With the wolves around them, Applejack painfully began to sing.

"Hush little Apple Bloom, time to sleep.
Drift off and dream of magic sheep."

"And whenever you think you're wrong.
Just remember that you are strong."

"Hush little Apple Bloom, lay your head.
I will be there when you go to bed."

"And when you finally find your spark.
I will be there with your cutie mark."

As Applejack finish, the Timberwolves were mere feet away. She glanced at Apple Bloom, who was still convulsing in her grip, tears streaming down her face. She lowered her head a closed her eyes. Maybe she could dream of magic sheep too. "I'm sorry, Apple Bloom."

Applejack sturred from her sleep, her head in a haze. As she opened her eyes, she noticed she was still in the forest. Looking around, however, she didn't see any of the Timberwolves. Had they all just left?

She stood up, finding it much easier to do than it was last night. Her injuries had healed overnight, but the marks were still there. Her foreleg was still torn up, but she could at least walk now.

Looking up, it seemed to be morning. The sun was breaking through the leaves in the trees. She could hear birds overhead and the tranquil sounds of the forest.

She froze, noticing for the first time just how alone she was. Looking around, she saw everything a forest would naturally have, except Apple Bloom. She panicked, racing around, trying to find her sister.

"Apple Bloom! Where are you?!" She called as she sprinted through the forest. Nothing, not even a whimper made its way to her hearing. But still, she tried.

She ran for what seemed like hours, calling her sisters name all the while. She never got a reply. She stopped to catch her breath near a hollowed out tree.

As she stood there panting, she looked down and at her hooves was a pink ribbon. It was part of Apple Bloom's bow.

She picked it up in her hooves and stared at it, tears building up again. In defeat, she fell to her knees and cried in despair. "APPLE BLOOM!"

Author's Note

YAY! Got another chapter done. And what a chapter it was. For any new writers reading this, don't be afraid to write action. It's not as hard as it looks. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. See you in the next chapter. Tally-ho.

All lot of pictures for this chapter.

Applejack protecting Apple Bloom from the Timberwolves.

https://www.derpibooru.org/1565822?q=artist%3Atheravencriss

Applejack fighting the Timberwolves.

https://www.derpibooru.org/563632?q=artist%3Anaterrang

Applejack holding Apple Bloom close as the Timberwolves encroach.

https://www.derpibooru.org/721669?q=artist%3Anaterrang

Applejack finding Apple Blooms pink ribbon.

https://www.derpibooru.org/271724?q=artist%3Anaterrang

Chapter 6: Swarm of the Bats

Chapter 6.
Swarm Of The Bats.

"Bats. Why did it have to be bats?" Fluttershy asked herself as she looked across the cavern. Bats of endless numbers lined the walls, ceiling, and floor. As far as her eyes could see, nothing but bats was her vision.

She might have been a caretaker to the animals of Ponyville, but she didn't like bats. Not that she hated them. She couldn't dare hate any creature. But bats were a different story.

Back when she moved to Ponyville, she dove into every book about all kinds of animals. From dogs to cats, and birds to fish. She learned just about every creature there was to know. With a few exceptions, of course.

During her first Nightmare Night in Ponyville, she was making her way to the market to get food and supplies for the night, before it got dark. On her way, however, she saw a strange figure flying overhead. It was small, but nothing her trained eyes couldn't detect. It didn't look like a bird, and it surely was not a butterfly. Curious as to what this new creature was, she chased after it.

After a while, she came across a cave. She saw the creature fly inside and hesitated to follow. But the urge to find it was too strong. And making the worst mistake of her life, she walked inside. She got no more than a few hundred hooves before realization hit her. And it was worse when the cave walls turned green with eyes.

She ran out of the cave, screaming for dear life as the bats followed in hot pursuit. She made it back to her cottage in no time, locked the door and boarded the windows. Looking out between the wood, she concluded the bats had lost interest and flew back to there home.

She could understand all sorts of different animal languages. All the creatures she'd seen around Ponyville were kind. But these bats were nothing but mean. All the things they said in their bat tongue were cruel and full of hate.

Fluttershy could only recall one instance when a creature of any sort was that mean to her.

Long ago, when she was just a small filly back in Cloudsdale, she was picked on by a few of the other pegasi from her flight school. She felt helpless and afraid. The names they called her.

"The flightless filly. Weakling. My grandmare can fly better than you. Cry, baby."

That is until a lone filly named Rainbow Dash swooped in for her rescue. She heard of Rainbow Dash before and knew she wasn't the best filly to pick on. Or worse, be made a fool. "Leave her alone."

"Hey look, guys, it's Rainbow Crash!" One of the bullies called out in mockery of the fillies name. Rainbow hated the nickname "Crash" but had a better comeback all lined up.

"Hey Loops, did mommy forget to cut your hair again?" She said with a confident grin.

The young colt "Loops" gritted his teeth together. "You trying to pick a fight Crash?"

"Keep picking on her and find out," Dash said, lowering herself to the ground. She was ready to pounce before one of the bullies whispered something into Loops ear.

With a grin, Loops said, "You want a fight, Crash. How about a race, tomorrow at noon?"

Rainbow Dash grew a devious smile and extended a hoof, "You're on."

Loops shook it, and the gang of bullies flew off. A thoughtful grin found its way to her face. She almost couldn't wait till tomorrow. That is until she looked to her left at a stunned and still Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash walked up to the timid filly and extended a hoof, "Hi, I'm Rainbow Dash," she said closing her eyes and waited for the other girl to shake back. Only, the shake never came. Opening her eyes, she noticed the filly on the cloud, as far down as she could go.

Rainbow Dash looked left and right before saying, "What's your name?"

The yellow filly said in a whisper, "I'm F...Fluttershy."

Rainbow Dash wrinkled her nose and bent down a little, "I'm sorry, what was that?"

The filly backed up a little before saying again, "It's Fluttershy."

Rainbow Dash picked her ears a bit, but she didn't find anything to say her hearing was impaired, "One more time please."

The filly was practically face planting the ground now, "Fluttershy?"

Rainbow took a step back, a look of confusion on her face, "Um, well, it's been nice knowing ya, but I got to go."

Fluttershy looked up and saw the rainbow-maned filly starting to walk away. No, she could let her leave! Not without saying thank you at least. "My name is Fluttershy!" She said, trying to find her hooves again.

Rainbow Dash turned and gently smiled back at the poor filly, "Well, now we're getting somewhere."

Fluttershy weakly smiled back before saying, "Th...Thank you for helping me with Loops. I hope it wasn't t...too much trouble."

Rainbow Dash waved a hoof, "Na, I dealt with those boys before." Rainbow put said hoof on Fluttershy's back, "And if you stick by me, I'll make sure those three won't cause you any more problems."

Rainbow Dash thought her little confidence booster would help, but the shaking under her hoof was proof enough that it didn't. She could see the fear in Fluttershy's eyes from just being this close to another pony. Looking for something to distract the pair, more Fluttershy than herself, she thought of an idea, "Hey, want to go for some milkshakes after school. My treat."

Fluttershy was taken aback by the sudden offer. This new filly just saved her skin, and then asked her out for a milkshake. Yup, this day has officially taken a turn. But maybe for the better. "Um, s..sure."

Fluttershy shook her head. Reminiscing about days gone by can wait. Right now, she needed to find a way around the bats. Looking left and right, she couldn't see any way around. The bats completely covered the walls, ceiling, and floor. The closer she looked, however, she found them all to be asleep.

"Maybe if I walk carefully, I could sneak past them." She thought as she slowly inched her way towards the bats. Almost on the tips of her hooves, she tip-toed around the bats. One by one, more bats found their place behind her.

A small step here and a tiny step there, she slowly started making her way. She moved to the left and passed to the right. She halted the instant she sensed her moves becoming more wavered. She almost lost her balance completely and just barely saved herself from falling right in the middle of the pack.

After a few seconds of steadying, she continued her treck to the other side of the cave. She could see a faint light in the distance and hoped it to be the end of the bat covered floor. Moments later, though it seemed like forever, she finally made it across the sea of bats.

Sighing in relief, she took a moment to catch the breath she didn't know she was holding. Looking up, she gapped in awe, as she saw the most beautiful display in all of Equestria.

Standing before her was an underground lake, with specks of gold and silver lining the walls. Green moss joined in as well, as it draped from the walls and hung from the ceiling. Looking up, she found the light was coming through an opening to the forest floor above. Looking into the water, diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires could be seen on the ground beneath. And a small, tree-root made bridge connected the ground she stood on to an island in the middle of the enormous cavern.

And in the middle of the small island, perched inside a limestone bird fountain, was a lavender lotus.

She slowly walked up to the bridge, tested its durability. Once she concluded it was safe, she made her way across. As she stepped across the bridge, her eyes fixated on the lotus. Besides the room it resided in, the lotus itself was a sight to behold.

The petals were purple, and the stigma was a rich gold. The light from the hole above only enhanced its beauty. It shined, almost glowed in the moonlight. Fluttershy stood over the lotus in stupefaction of its wonderous colors. The flower moved in the water so subtilty, it almost looked alive.

Fluttershy cautiously moved her hoof towards it, shaking. She didn't understand why, but this flower put her in a state of unease. Its beauty felt like a mask, covering something dark and foreboding. Like a warning, again, her soal was telling her to turn away. Whispers were echoing in her mind, speaking contradicting words to her soal.

"Take it."

Fluttershy hoof shakingly moved closer to the cursed flower. Her heart was racing as she drew nearer towards the lotus.

"Take it!"

Fluttershy's hoof grazed the stem, inches away from fully grasping it.

"TAKE IT!"

Fluttershy's world went black, and a darkness fell over her. She could see nothing, but everything at the same time. She saw the past, and she saw the future. She saw ponies, coming and going. She saw happiness, and she saw grief. She saw life, and she saw death. She saw the light but fell towards the darkness.

Falling, falling through the universe, she saw nothing. She felt nothing. She heard nothing. All sense of life was gone, and just as quick as it left, it all came back.

"You are not her..."

Fluttershy opened her eyes and shook her head. Coming back to her senses, she looked down. The lotus was in her hoof. Sighing in relief, she turned to leave.

But a defining sound echoed throughout the cave. Fluttershy covered her ears the best she could, still holding the flower in her grasp. Looking back towards the rest of the cave, she watched in horror as a hundred bats flew her way.

Reacting quickly, she ducked behind the fountain. The bats soon filled the cave, and Fluttershy was stuck. Looking around at the mess, she tried to think of her options. She didn't have many, and everyone idea was worse than the last. She then looked up.

Seeing the hole in the ceiling, she thought of another idea.

"If I'm fast enough, I can make it past the bats."

With determination and fear on her face, she crouched down, spread her wings, and beelined it towards the hole. But she didn't make it. The bats heard her fast takeoff and swarmed in. Fluttershy saw in bats coming, but it was too late.

One by one, the bats attacked. Bites coved her body in seconds. The pain was excruciating, and she let out a cry. It was like a thousand knives stabbing all over her body. Her screams and pleas for help would not be heard, however, as more bats attacked.

She pushed as hard as she could, trying to get to the opening. No matter how hard she flew, she didn't have enough strength to make it. She dropped the lotus as they bit her wings, causing her to fly out of control and crash into the water.

She tried to breathe but found herself unable. She tried to stand, but she couldn't feel her hooves. She attempted to fly, but her wings were limp. Her marks bled and her body shut down. Closing her eyes, she prayed to Celestia that it was all a dream.

Fluttershy found herself floating deep in a dark void. All light was gone, and there was nothing in sight. She couldn't hear or feel. She was alone.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

"Anypony?"

No answer.

"Help me."

Fluttershy was lost and scared. She didn't know where she was or how she'd got there. All she knew, was that she was cold. Not like somepony left the door open during autumn, cold. No, it was more like walking in the Frozen North, cold.

She was about to ponder further until the world began to materialize around her. Looking at the new land in front of her, she gapped in astonishment.
"Ponyville? How did I get back here...?"

It looked like Ponyville, but it was dark, dim, much like the cold days before Nightmare Night began. The sky was a deep orange, and the grass was a dull greenish brown. It looked like Ponyville went through Tartarus and back.

Walking through the empty streets, she felt more alone as signs of life were far from sight. Nopony for miles could be seen, but maybe she could find her animals. Picking a direction, she made her way to her cottage.

On the way, she saw the center of town, completely deserted. The town hall was vacant, the library, was empty, even the boutique was devoid of life.

Fluttershy lowered her head closer to the ground. The Ponyville she knew was gone, replaced by a wasteland of sorrow and loss.

After a time, she made it to her cottage. All the life her home once had was also gone. The house looked like it was in disrepair and the windows were planked.

Walking up to the door, she outstretched a hoof to meet it. She then noticed that the door was cracked open.

"Angel," She called, "are you in here?"

The voice that answered her, however, wasn't angels.

"There are no angels here," It said in a sad, distant voice. "Who are you?"

Fluttershy took a step back, unbeknown to who this voice belonged to, "Um, I'm Fluttershy."

The creature in the dark looked back to her. Its red eyes showing fear, sorrow, and regret.

It looked away, "Why did you do this?" The pain in its voice was apparent.

Fluttershy was perplexed by the question pointed to her, " What do you mean? What did I do?"

The creature turned around fully, walking towards Fluttershy with careful steps. Fluttershy was still, too afraid to move. She could see the figure in the light now. It had a yellow fur coat and bat-like wings. She could also see fangs protruding from its mouth, with blood dripping from them. The part that terrified her the most, however, was the wicked smile it had.

"You killed them all."

Fluttershy gasped for breath. She jolted upright and looked at her surroundings. She was back in the cave. She didn't see any sign of the bats, and her wounds had healed, minus the scars. Peering to her left, she saw the Lavender Lotus, gently and innocently sitting on the ground.

Her mind, however, was somewhere far away when she remembered her dream.

"Who was that?"

Author's Note

I'm going to be honest. This was probably my least favorite chapter thus far. I'm sorry it took me this long to publish it, but I've been really busy these past few months and writers block didn't help matters. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I do hope you enjoyed reading it and until next time, Tally-ho.

Chapter 7: New Dawn

Chapter 7.
New Dawn.

Applejack's cries died down as her breathing calmed. She had been crying for hours to the red ribbon still in her grasp. She had fallen asleep the night prior, wanting nothing more than the Timberwolves to pounce with their claws and fangs, to finish the job. Only, the lashing never came. She awoke the next morning to see the Timberwolves had left during the night, but her sister was also gone. Jumping to her hooves with her surprisingly healed wounds, she ran through the forest, hoping to find her sister. It wasn't until she stumbled upon a hollowed-out tree where at the base was her sister's pink ribbon she would use for a bow.

"Apple Bloom," she whimpered, pulling the pink ribbon closer to her chest. She hoped, beyond hope, she would find her sister. To bring her back home. To show her that she loved her more than any sister ever could. But you can't always get what you want. "Ah'm sorry. Ah'm so, so sorry."

A low rumble could be heard in the distance. Thunder. Looking up, she could see the tall tell signs of storm clouds overhead. The weather pegasi had scheduled a storm for the afternoon, and it did seem to be that time of day.

Looking back to the ribbon grasped in her hooves, she brought it up to her teeth. With the fabric in her mouth and one last check of the area around her, she started to make her way out of the forest. One slow agonizing step after another, through the woods she went. She had a stoic gaze to the forest floor. The trees around her swayed slightly in the building wind. The ground moved under her staggered hooves, yet she trudged on. Wind, lightning, thunder, crash.

Applejack never even flinched.

Pinkie Pie bounced her way to Sweet Apple Acres, hoping to see Applejack was as wide awake as she was. Thinking back to the day prior, it seemed Applejack was a bit under the weather. And as such, Pinkie Pie had an entire day planned for the two of them.

Pinkie had been thinking a bit more about Applejack as of late. She seemed down and distant. Much like she had when her parents died. Pinkie stopped bouncing at the thought of Applejacks parents. She remembered that day. She had just moved to Ponyville from the rock farm she grew up on, hoping to start a new beginning.

She had a long journey that lasted for many days from her families farm to Ponyville. Upon arrival, the sun had just started rising over the horizon and a heavy haze shined across the sky. Aside from the rainbow that taught her to smile, Ponyville in the early hours of the morning was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.

Armed with the few essentials she had, she made her way down the valley towards town. She talked with a few of the locals and got to learn about the history of the village. She also learned about Sugarcube Corner, a bakery where only the most delicious treats were made. Pinkie didn't know this at the time, but only weeks later, the bakery would become her new permanent home.

Her stomach growled as the smell of food found her muzzle. She had been walking for days, and food was definitely the first thing she was going to try in this new town. With her first destination in sight, Pinkie walked into Sugarcube Corner.

The bell above the door chimed to signal the arrival of a new customer. "Just a moment," a voice called out from the kitchen. Pinkie Pie sat on a stool by the counter and peered about the store. Much like its name, Sugarcube Corner indeed looked to be made out of sugar. The walls looked like gingerbread, with lollypops and candy canes for decoration. It looked like a nice place to call a bakery in Pinkie's book.

True to her word, a plump mare with a cerulean coat, a striped mane and tail of crimson and a cutie mark of three cupcakes walked out from the kitchen. "Good morning. Can I get you anything? Oh!" the mare exclaimed upon seeing the small, skinny pink filly, "my dear, you look famished! Have you not eaten anything?"

Pinkie looked down towards the counter, "not really. It's been a long few days."

The mare cried back to the kitchen in alarm, "honey! I need a sampler platter, stat!"

"On it dear!" a young stallion called back. Within moments, a stallion with an amber coat, an orange mane and tail and a cutie mark of three carrot cakes came out with the platter in his teeth, "here you go, honey."

"Thank you," the cerulean mare thanked before practically shoving the tray of food and sweets in front of the pink filly. "There you go, dear. Take as much as you'd like."

Pinkie was in awe at the mountain of food before her. There were so many sweets and goodies, she didn't even know where to begin. She quickly chose the closest thing her small hooves could reach. A simple chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing and pink sprinkles.

While she ate, the mare asked, "And where did you come from deary? I haven't seen you around Ponyville before."

"That's because I just came in this morning," Pinkie said as she took another bite of the cupcake, "I came from my families rock farm, about 150 miles out or so."

The mare and stallion were stunned. "How long have you been walking? Are you all alone?" asked the stallion.

"I think I've been walking for three days. Seen some crazy things on the way here. Oh, and yes. I'm came here by myself," Pinkie said.

After a moment or two, the mare smiled and said, "My name is Cup Cake and this is my husband, Carrot Cake. Is there anyone here in Ponyville to look after you?"

Pinkie shook her head, "No. Why do you ask?"

Cup Cake extended a hoof to the small filly, who finished eating the cupcake and looked at it suspiciously, "Do you need a place to stay for a bit? Just long enough so you can get back on your hooves."

Pinkie took the extended hoof and really smiled for the first time in days, "I would like that."

Pinkie talked to the Cakes for what could have been hours that morning. She told them about her life on the rock farm and how a rainbow taught her to smile. The Cakes were very much confused by that but didn't question the little filly. She told them about her adventures in coming to Ponyville and all the ponies she met on the way, not to mention a sea serpent with a mustache and an orange colt almost as crazy as she is.

While the three talked, Pinkie got to know the town better. She even heard of towns most successful business, Sweet Apple Acres. She heard the history of the family-owned farm.

"Oh, Sweet Apple Acres is the towns most prized possession. In fact, there wouldn't be a town here had it not been for Granny Smith," Cup Cake said, "She's one of the founders of Ponyville," she sighed, "That mare just doesn't know when to quit. Then there was her son, Bright Mac. He married my friend, Pear Butter. They were two of the greatest, sweetest, and even kindest ponies you could ever meet. Just a perfect pair."

"Wait, what do you mean 'were'?" Pinkie questioned.

Cup Cake lowered her head as Carrot Cake stepped in, "Well, they're gone Pinkie. There was an accident in the forest, they didn't make it."

Cup Cake, after wiping the tear from her eye, knelt down to Pinkies eye level, "Pinkie, you can stay with us, but I need you to vow never to go into the forest."

Pinkie was perplexed, "Why?"

"Because there are monsters in there," said Carrot Cake, "we may not be your parents, and we can't tell you what to do, be we also don't want to see you get hurt."

Pinkie thought for a moment before saying, "Ok, I won't."

Cup Cake smiled, "Thank you Pinkie. I don't know what I'd do if I heard you went into the forest."

"Probably go crazy and run in there after her," said Carrot Cake, receiving a glare from his wife, "Oh honey, you know I'm right," just then the bell above the front door chimed, "I got this one honey," he said before trotting off.

Cup Cake sigh in contentment, "What would I do without him?"

Pinkie snickered, "Probably go crazy," she said, rolling around in laughter.

Cup Cake peered at the filly rolling around on her floor, "I'm going to have to keep an eye on you two aren't I?" she thought.

After Pinkie stopped giggling on the floor, she stood up, wiped the tears from her eyes, and asked, "Is there anything else I should know about the farm? I feel like I'm missing something there."

Cup Cake thought for a moment before leaning down to Pinkies level again, "You like cheering ponies upright?"

Pinkie beamed, "Yes, but not just ponies," she said, pulling a list out of nowhere, "There's dragons, griffons, sea serpents, leprechauns..."

"Pinkie," interrupted Cup Cake, "the list won't be necessary. I want you to cheer up a filly I know. She's the daughter of Bright Mac and Pear Butter. She could really use a friend right now."

Pinkie sprang to her hooves, "Oh, I can do that," said before attempting to bolt for the acres, until a hoof stopped her.

"And Pinkie," Cup Cake said, "Be nice to her. She's been through a lot and I'm counting on you to make her feel better."

"I will," Pinkie said before bolting out the door and to the left.

"Pinkie! Right!" called Cup Cake.

Pinkie ran in front of the door again going the other direction, "Thank you!"

Cup Cake shook her head, "I really hope I didn't just make a mistake."

Pinkie bounced down the path to Sweet Apple Acres. She was given the task of cheering up a filly in need and when it came to cheering ponies up, Pinkie never worked half-flanked. As she neared the orchard, she finally got a good look at the place. A white picket fence lined the dirt road leading up to the red farmhouse. To the left, there were apple trees, and to the right, there were more apple trees. She guessed there was more here than just trees, but she could tell from where she was. Then again, this was an orchard.

She made her way up to the front door and knocked, "Hello! Anypony home?"

With a few shuffled hoof steps later, a lime green mare with a white mane and tail opened the door. Her mane and tail also sported a bun style with a nice white ribbon for both. Her cutie mark was of a pie. Most likely an apple pie, she figured. She had a few wrinkles, so Pinke assumed her to be older in age than the Cakes. With a smile on her face, the mare said, "Well good morning little filly, what can I do for you?"

"Good morning to you too," Pinkie smiled, "I'm looking for a filly, around my age, who should live here."

The mare blinked, "Applejack? Are you one of her friends?"

"No, but I just moved into town and was told about her," Pinkie exclaimed, "Is she home?"

"She's probably off in the fields," the mare said while looking off to the fields in the distance, "She was up earlier this morning. If you find her, can you tell her breakfast is ready?"

Pinkie stared at the older mare, "You mean you don't know where she is?"

"Like I said, in the fields. She usually out there by this time," the mare looked back into the house for a second then looked back, "If you're hungry, I have food in the kitchen."

Pinkie loved the idea for more food, but she had another task in mind, "Thank you, but I'm good for now," she paused before adding, "Maybe later though."

The elder mare smiled, "Well, if you need anything, our door's always open. The name's Granny Smith, but ponies just call me Granny."

Pinkie blinked, "Do all ponies call you Granny. Like, even ponies older than you?"

Embarrassed, Granny Smith coughed into her hoof, "Do you have a filly to find?"

"Oh, ya," Pinkie said before running off in whatever direction she saw fit, "Thank you, Granny Smith."

The elder mare watched as the pink blur that was a pony ran off to the west orchard. Shaking her head, she walked back inside the house to find black smoke from the kitchen, "Oh, horseapples."

Pinkie trotted through the fields of apple trees in the quest to find a filly named Applejack. After everything she'd heard of the filly in question, she was more anxious to find her. It seemed that finding her, however, would be harder than it sounded. All she saw for miles was apple trees and nothing but apple trees. She wasn't even told what this filly looked like.

Then her tail started to twitch. "Look out!" a filly called from her left. Pinkie looked up to see a bunch of apples falling from the tree above. In a moment, Pinkie sidestepped to the right, dodging the apples as they hit the ground.

Pinkie peered to her left to see who called out to her. Who she saw, could only have been the filly she was looking for.

"Jee, I'm a might sorry about that. I wasn't watching where I was bucking," the filly explained as she picked up the apples from the ground.

To this, Pinkie just smiled, "That's ok, I'm fine. Are you Applejack?"

The orange filly lifted her head and tipped her hat, which seemed a little big for her, as it slid down her face. Groaning in frustration, she put the hat back where it sat and said, "Yup, and you are?"

Pinkie extended a hoof in greeting, "Pinkie Pie."

"Ok, enough backstory for now!" Pinkie exclaimed as she made her way up the path to Sweet Apple Acres. Upon reaching the door, she knocked, "AppleJack! I know it's early in the morning, but I have an entire day planned for us and I can't wait to get started!"

There was a long pause. Then an even longer pause. By the third pause, Pinkie looked at the door questioningly, "Applejack?" There was still no answer. She looked out towards the orchard to see no sign of the orange mare. Moments later, the door opened to reveal Granny Smith.

"Well good morning Pinkie, what can I do for you?"

"Huh, deja vu," Pinkie said, "I'm looking for Applejack, is she home?"

At that moment in time, Granny's eyes widened, "Actually, no. She went out searching for Apple Bloom before supper. Hadn't come back since."

Pinkie looked back out towards the orchard. If they were anywhere, they'ed be out there, "Ok, thank you, Granny. I'll go look for them."

Granny sighed, "Thank you Pinkie. And if you find them, tell them breakfast is ready."

Pinkie nodded and ran off through the orchard, "Stop deja vuing me random writing spirit!"

She didn't see anypony for hours while running through the orchard. It was almost noon and she was starting to panic. Her Pinkie Sense wasn't even going off to point her in a direction. She was in the south field when she figured it best to run back to town to file a missing ponies report when an orange silhouette appeared near the Everfree Forest. Looking in said direction, Pinkie could make out the form of a pony walking out of the forest. In a gallop, Pinkie ran her way across the fields towards the forest's edge. Who she found, and what she saw, shook her soul.

"Applejack?"

Author's Note

So, this took a while. Sorry about that. I don't have an pictures for this one. I hope you al enjoy the chapter and until next time, Tally-ho.

Chapter 3: Search For Apple Bloom

Chapter 3.
Search For Apple Bloom.

Applejack trotted her way through the little town of Ponyville, a half-empty cart of apples in tow behind her. She didn't sell as many as she would have liked, which only worsened her already sour mood. Since Big Mac went to Appleloosa, her and her little sister had to do most of the work on the farm themselves. He had only left nearly a week ago, but the work had already taken a toll on her. Especially young Apple Bloom.

Her sister often helped around the farm. Carrying buckets of apples from the distant fields up towards the barn. Feeding the many animals they had. She even started taking up apple bucking lessons to take away from her siblings already heavy loads.

Applejack frowned at the thought of Apple Bloom. Sure, they were a hard-working family, but Apple Bloom was just a filly. She shouldn't have to do as much as she did. But then again, Applejack never heard her sister complain. Maybe she didn't because Apple Bloom didn't want to disappoint her. Apple Bloom was very mighty for her age. She knew this.

"Maybe ah should talk ta her. See if in she's ok with all the things she has ta do," Applejack said aloud as she rounded the fence leading up to the farm.

As she trotted up the path to the farm, she took a quick glance to the right. In the distance, she could see a set of trees that started the Everfree Forest. She hated that forest. All the stories about foals going missing, only to be found days later in the Ponyville river. It made her sick just thinking about it. She had even seen it a few times herself.

She often helped in dealing with things not many ponies could handle. She had often helped with getting a foal out of the river. The state they would appear in was something no pony should ever have to witness. She always came across as a tough mare, but after seeing the fillies and colts the way they were, her emotions got the better of her. The first time she pulled a pony out of the river, she didn't sleep that night. Her eyes were red for days with the tears she'd shed for them.

Applejack shook her head as she made an effort to block out the memory. She couldn't dwell on stuff like that. She had to distract herself somehow. With another quick glance towards the forest, she continued her way up the path to the farm.

It took her a little longer than expected because a wheel got stuck in the mud, but she finally made it up to the barn. With a rub on her aching joints, she made her way to the farmhouse to start supper. The farmhouse was quite large and stood out on the property. There were bedrooms for her siblings and herself, a bathroom, a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen, with other workrooms in the back.

Applejack frowned while looking at her surroundings. The house was much more alive when her parents were around. She looked over to the armchair her father would sit in. He would read stories to her every night after bucking in the fields.

She looked towards the kitchen with a half smile. In the kitchen, her mother ruled. She remembered all the meals her and her family had in the past. It was like eating food from Canterlot Castles royal chefs.

With a hefty sigh, she made her way to the kitchen to start making dinner.

Apple bloom bucked the tree behind her as hard as her little legs could. Her hind legs were getting stronger, but they were nothing like her brother or sisters yet. After she hit the tree, she looked up to see how many apples had fallen. She hasn't had much luck yet in getting all the apples to fall, but she tried. With a quick glance from one side to the other, she had noted just how many apples fell.

"ONE! REALLY!?" she asked the tree indignantly. After a moment, she finally gave in. "This is ridiculous! How many trees have I hit already?" she questioned as she looked back on her work. Five. "I've hit five trees, and ah GOT A GRAND TOTAL OF ONE APPLE!?"

She frowned in exasperation. She knew she could do better than that. She had to try. With the puff of her chest, she reared back to strike the tree again. Before she did, however, she heard something.

She lowered her hind hooves and listened for the sound again. It sounded like someone was talking? Or maybe it was more of a murmur.

She peered around at her surroundings. "Who's there?" she questioned as she looked in all directions. After a bit of searching, she saw what appeared to be a pony in the distance, walking towards the Everfree Forest. From the looks of it, the pony seemed to be around her age.

It was a pale earth pony filly with an orange mane and tale. She had seen this pony in her class before. What was that fillies name again? "Sweet Step?" The name rang through Apple Bloom's mind as she watched the filly with interest. She began feeling a bit uneasy though as the small pony continued walking. She wasn't planning on entering the dark and dismal forest, was she?

Sure enough, the filly walked right into the forest, disappearing into the trees. Apple Bloom, in a state of shock, sprang to her hooves in hopes of catching the young pony. She had hoped she would never have to witness a pony when they were in the river. But seeing this filly walk straight into the forest was enough to frighten her.

"Maybe ah should go an get Applejack instead." she thought as she ran across the fields. She shook her head a moment later as she picked up speed. "No. If in I try ta get Applejack, it might be too late ta save her."

She stopped as she came to the forest's edge. "Looks like I'm on my own." Even standing where she was, she could feel eyes on her. Every part of her being was screaming at her to turn and burn back towards the farmhouse. She knew she shouldn't go in there. She knew if she did, she'd be in trouble. She knew if she did, she might not come back at all.

With a quick step forward, she entered the forbidden forest.

Applejack was working on making the dinner she and her siblings were to eat the following evening. While she cooked, she thought about Apple Bloom some more. She thought about all the time she had come into her room because she was scared. All the fun they had when they were younger. All the little-mismatched adventures. She missed it.

Their parents passing hit them. It hit them hard. Big Mac started talking less. Apple Bloom reached out to her friends for comfort. But Applejack, she completely shut down. She wouldn't commune with anyone for weeks on end.

The townsfolk rarely saw her, and if they did, they saw a broken mare. She locked herself in her room and cried for days after the funeral. After about a month, though, she was back out in the fields. The farm had never seen production as good as it was then.

Applejack was known for her work endurance, but the way she threw herself at the farm, everyone knew it wasn't healthy. A few weeks later, a strange pink pony came into town. She was one of Applejack's first friends, not that she had a choice in the matter.

Applejack cracked a smile as she thought of Pinkie Pie. She came up to the farm early on a Monday morning, shook her hoof, and said they were friends till the end. Even if she didn't know it then, Applejack needed a friend.

She and Pinkie talked for hours that day. She learned that Pinkie also lived on a farm for a good portion of her life. A rock farm, but still a farm. They talked about the good times and the bad. Applejack even talked to Pinkie about her parents. She cried that day, and Pinkie Pie was there for her.

She finished making dinner as the time reached five o'clock. She trotted into the living room and called up the stairs. "Granny! Supper's ready!" she yelled up before making her way to the dining room. She paused when she noticed Apple Bloom wasn't in her usual seat.

Now that she was thinking about it, she never heard Apple Bloom come in while she was cooking. Curious, she made her way back to the stairs and called up, "Granny, do ya know if Apple Bloom's up there?"

Granny Smith called down from the top of the stairs, "I've been asleep this whole time. How would I know?"

Applejack groaned in an annoyed response. "Right, right," she muttered as she made her way up the stairs and down the hall to her sisters' bedroom, "She probably just slept through the first call." She thought as she entered the room.

The room had a bed with a canopy on the left wall, a chest in the back right corner, a desk with a mirror on the right wall, and a wardrobe closet to the right of the door. With a brisk trot, she made her way over to her sister's bed.

She budged the blankets a bit with her hoof, "Come on sugar cube. It's time for dinner." After no reply, she tried again, "Come on Apple Bloom. Ah know you're tired, but ya gotta come down for dinner."

With no response coming from the bed, she moved the blankets to find it vacant of Apple Bloom.

With a puzzled look, she walked back out into the hallway. She stole a quick glance towards the bathroom and saw the door wide open, "She ain't there either?" Applejack then walked back down the stairs to find Granny Smith in the dining room.

"Is she awake yet? I'm starving," she asked while waiting impatiently.

"She isn't even upstairs," Applejack then looked out the door to her right at the fields outside, her expression turning to one of uncertainty, "I'm gonna go check the orchard real quick. You can start supper without us," she said as she trotted out the door.

Granny Smith eyed the retreating mare in question but then proceeded to get the food from her plate into her waiting belly.

Apple Bloom had been walking for a while. She didn't know how hard it would be to find a filly in a forest.

"It's like tryin to find a needle in a haystack, or worse, a piece of hay in a needle stack," she proclaimed as she rounded a tree.

As she walked, she felt the forest caving in around her. Everywhere she turned, the branches grew nearer. She hated these woods. She hated them with a passion.

She promised Applejack she would never enter the forest. But this filly needed her. How could she turn away when someone was in danger. Her parents taught her better than that.

She walked all the way through the forest, trying to find this lost filly. She stopped moments later to evaluate her surroundings. The more she thought about it, she didn't recognize the trees behind her, "Oh, horse apples."

While she stood there, a panting sound caught her ear. She froze where she stood, unwilling to move a muscle. After a moment, however, she began to turn her head. What she saw sent shivers down her spine.

Standing behind her was a Timberwolf. The creature from her nightmares was now standing mere feet away from her. She was frightened, but she remembered her father had taught her. She turned on the bit and moved backward, trying to create some distance between her and the beast. The wolf wasn't having any of it though.

With a growl, the wolf took a step forward. Apple Bloom took another hesitant step back, fear evident on her face. The wolf then growled loudly and lunged forward, hoping to pin the surprised filly. With a quick motion, however, Apple Bloom side-jumped to the left out of the Timberwolf's path. At breakneck speeds, she ran through the forest as fast as her little hooves could carry her.

"Ahhhhh!" she cried as she ran, the Timberwolf in hot pursuit. While she ran, two more wolves joined in. She picked up the pace and the chase begun.
With three wolves on her tale, Apple Bloom raced paced trees upon trees. She wanted this nightmare to be over. She didn't even think she would find the poor filly, much less an exit to this forest.

Just then, something hit her from the side, and she tumbled into a bush. With a quite hush, a pale hoof pushed its way to her mouth. She looked to see who tackled her, but she couldn't see past the darkness.

After a moment, the Timberwolves were right outside the bush. Apple Bloom forced herself not to scream with the wolves so close. One sniffed the air for a brief moment before the pack lost interest and carried on.

The hoof moved away from the fillies mouth as the figure moved out from the bush. Apple Bloom also jumped out to see who it was that saved her life. When she saw who it was, she was stunned.

"Sweet Step?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed as she stared at the filly in front of her. So much for not finding her.

Sweet Step took a step back away from the other filly, "You know me?"

Apple Bloom took a joyful step forward, "Ya. I'm in your classes. The name's Apple Bloom," she said as she extended a hoof.

Sweet Step took the hoof in kind, "Did you follow me in here?"

"Ya. I saw you walk in this here forest and ah...ahh" Apple Bloom was then gripped in a tight hug from the other filly. From the force of the hug, she almost fell back into the ground.

Sweet Step started crying into her shoulder, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she backed up off of Apple Bloom, "I heard your cry, and it brought me back."

Apple Bloom, now knowing she helped, pulled the other filly back into the embrace, "Glad to know ah helped," she then broke the hug and looked at their surroundings, "but how are we gonna get out now? Nothing looks familiar."

Sweet Step looked around as well, only now realizing she had no idea where she was. With a quick glance from one side to the other, she pointed a hoof in a random direction, "why don't we start there."

Apple Bloom looked in the direction the hoof was pointing. It didn't lead anywhere Apple Bloom knew of, but, "well, it's better than nothin. Lead the way." The two fillies then started making their way through the forest together. Little did they know, that a pair of green eyes were watching them.

Applejack ran through the orchard looking for her little sister. She should have been back at the house by now, waiting at the table for supper. It wasn't like Apple Bloom to be late for anything.

She ran past tree after tree, seeing her sister nowhere. She was starting to get impatient. "Where has that dang filly gone ta now?" she questioned as she went further into the fields.

She thought about all the things she would say to that filly the moment she saw her, "Where were you? You're grounded! You're getting extra chores for the rest of the week!" Apple Bloom hated that last one.

Her mood then turned a bit more downcast the more she thought, "I missed you. I was so worried about you. Don't scare me like that again," she looked down, "I'm sorry."

She flung forwards through the air as she tripped on something. After she finished tumbling on the earth, she looked back to see what she hit. It was a bucket of apples.

She climbed to her hooves as she stared at the bucket now in front of her. If there's a bucket of apples here, then where's Apple Bloom?

She looked to the left of the bucket and saw hoof marks. She followed them until she saw where they led. The led to the Everfree Forest.

"No," she panicked, "no, no, no, NO, NOOO!" she cried out as she sprinted in the direction of the forest, "not Apple Bloom too! Please, not Apple Bloom too!"

After a few moments, she entered the forest. The sun was setting, and her line of sight was less than when she left. She looked back to the ground, trying to see if she could find her sister's hoof prints anywhere. Sadly, the forest got to them first. Her hoof prints were nowhere in sight. After a moment of thought, she picked a direction and ran.

"She's in here somewhere. I know she is," she looked up at the sky above the trees. It was twilight, "I'm coming Apple Bloom. Just hang in there."

"Apple Bloom!" no reply, " Apple Bloom! Where are you?" still no reply.

She continued running for about a half hour, calling for her sister's name. She never got any reply. Even the forest itself seemed quiet. Too quiet for her.

She screeched to a stop and looked at her surroundings. Something in her gut was screaming at her. Run away! Run away it said. It was her instincts telling her she wasn't alone.

She peered to her left and right, searching for something, anything that could get her out of her upcoming mess. An opening to her right, that was it.

Without another moment's pause, she bolted for the break in the trees.

In a moment, a full pack of Timberwolves jumped from the surrounding trees and bushes, their fangs and claws bared.

She ran through the woods, trying to shake them, but to no avail. She wasn't getting away from them. She knew she might be able to fight them off, but bringing her self to do so was going to be a challenge.

"Applejack?!"

Well, maybe not that much of a challenge.

Author's Note

Well, the chapters are starting to get bigger. That's good. I had a lot of fun with this chapter too. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading this far. Tally-ho.

Applejack's run-in with the Timberwolves.

https://www.derpibooru.org/876139?q=artist%3Ancmares%2C+applejack