Act 1: The tree
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Fluttershy and the botfairy

Act 1: The tree

"Good morning, Applejack!"

Princess Twilight Sparkle was spending her short vacation from royal duties at Sweet Apple Acres- now that the town had a new librarian, she didn't have her own place in Ponyville anymore.

She had just gotten up, yet as usual, she found Applejack and her family already hard at work. Today, they seemed to be pulling out beautiful saplings that were growing all over the property, or cutting them down with machetes when they had to. Twilight had noticed fairly quick that her sleep shedules and that of the farm ponies did not overlap, especially now that she had so much sleep to catch up on. So much sleep.

"Hey there, Twilight", the workhorse grunted as she was pulling on one especially persistent specimen.

"Is there something I could help you with?", Twilight asked, "And please, no more comments about me being a princess."

Applejack chuckled "Thanks, sugar cube. I won't say no to a few extra hooves and teeth. I'm warning you, though, your magix won't help you with these fellas."

There was a ripping sound, and Applejack landed on her back, the sapling and a whole lot of roots on her belly. "They're spell-proof."

"Spell-proof? We'll see about that..."

Twilight concentrated and pointed her horn towards a little tree just a few steps away. As her mind was reaching out to it, she suddenly felt something like a barrier, and her magic bounced off so hard it almost would have knocked her off her hooves. For some reason, a vision of Pinkie Pie eating cheese with blueberries on top was flashing inside her mind.

"Wow. It really IS spell-resistant."

"Of course it is", Applejack laughed, "would I lie to you?"

As Twilight debated whether she should actually go on using nothing but her teeth - ever since that strange nightmare involving a dentist, she was kinda paranoid in regard to her dental health - a yellow-coated pegasus appeared on the horizon, accompanied by a flock of little birds. She was heading straight for the farm. Applejack was shaking her head.

"Oh great, here comes Fluttershy. Every year it's the same. I really should have invested in some earplugs."

Twilight Sparkle raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"

"Because very soon, she shall commence the nagging", the workhorse said.

"Fluttershy will be nagging at you? Are we talking about the same pegasus right now?"

"And how!" Applejack pointed at a pile of murdered saplings. "She doesn't like what we're doing here. You see, those are birdberries. Every summer, they are sprouting all over the place. And I mean all over the place...."

Pulling a little tree out of her stetson, she added: "Fluttershy thinks we should leave them alone..."

Applejack grunted as she unrooted yet another sapling. "As if this work wasn't hard enough as it is. There is just no reasoning with that mare..."

Twilight Sparkle was shaking her head.

"I'm surprised. I mean, you and Fluttershy, you are both earth-bound and nature-loving ponies, I'd expect you to have the right chemistry..."

Applejack sighed. "Well, that's where the trouble starts. I'm all about TAMING nature, she's all about 'preserving' it. Even the most annoying parts."

Fluttershy had arrived. Her avian escorte had setteled down in the branches of the apple trees.

"...Hello Applejack, oh, and hello, Prin..."

"TWILIGHT."

"...Uhm, hello... Twilight."

"Hello, Fluttershy."

"Howdy, Fluttershy", Applejack sighed, knowing all too well what would come next.

A little red bird was pulling Fluttershy's mane, so she would speed things up.

"... I, that is, my little friends and I, we really think... of course I know what your position on this issue is, but still I... There must be another way."

"No, Fluttershy", Applejack said, without even looking up from her work, "There isn't. I've already told you. Many times."

"...Oh, I see... but..."

Fluttershy gathered all her courage, hopped into the air and, with a few flaps of her wings, landed right between Applejack and her next victim.

"... You know... birdberries are very important trees, Applejack, and in all of Ponyville they won't grow nearly as good as over here, and if they are growing back every year, maybe there's a reason for it..."

Applejack groaned. "OF COURSE there is a reason for it. They want their land back. But I intend to keep it. So move out of the way, please, I need to be swinging that machete."

Fluttershy leaped out of the way, but only because she was startled so easily. "... Their land?"

"Yesh, Fluttershy", the workhorse said paitiently, her voice distorted by the machete between her teeth, "All of thish wash full of birdberriesh when my family firsht shettled here."

"... I see... but if that's the case, they really ARE supposed to grow here... Maybe you can compromise. Let a few of them grow on the orchard with the other trees, I'm sure they'll get along..."

Applejack spat out her weapon. "NO, Fluttershy, they most certainly won't. Birdberries are evil. They suck the earth dry and strangle almost every other plant. They're a magnet for mosquitos."

Applejack didn't know, nor did she care to find out the details of the relationship between mosquitos and birdberry trees. As some of you may know, only female mosquitos are drinking blood, and only do so in order to produce eggs. Male mosquitosand single females are sucking plant juices, Equestrian birdberry being one of their favorites. Quod erat nosferatu.

"...And their berries are giving ponies hallucinations as intricate as they are entertaining. That's why I'm getting rid of these plants."

This of course raises the question how Applejack could possibly know that.

-"I think auntie Fluttershy is raising some very good points here, sis", Apple Bloom said. She had overheard the conversation while unloading a bunch of saplings onto the pile.

Earlier that day, she had asked her friends Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle if they wanted to help her, with the result that the two other foals were sitting in their tree house producing a cartoon documentary about the evils of child labour. Also, giant robots. It didn't really make this chore any more enjoyable.

"Nice try, Apple Bloom, but you're not getting out of it that easily."

"Awww, Applejack! I hate this work! It's the worst! Have you seen the roots of these things? And they always grow back!"

"And that's why we have to keep on cutting 'em down. Back to work, missus."

Apple Bloom turned around and cried out.

"I swear, that one wasn't even there a minute ago! It just popped out behind mah back! This is CREEPY!"

Applejack shrugged. "That's the birdberry to ya."

Fun fact: The birdberry tree (Sorbus Aucuparia Equestria) is the only plant known to match the little pony (Microequus Sapiens Fausti ) in cunning and preseverence.

Fluttershy wouldn't give up that easily. She pointed to the area where Big Macintosh was working. "...Oh, but what about that other place, the meadow behind the orchard? Why do you have to cut those down too? They can't 'strangle' anything over there..!"

-"Yeah, Applejack! Why do we have to cut those down too?", Apple Bloom said.

The workhorse face-hoofed. She really had to keep her little sister and that birdberry-hugger separated.

"The thing about birdberries is", Applejack slowly said, "They're called birdberries for a reason. Do I really have to go into details as to how they spread their seeds all over the place?"

"Bird poo?", Apple Bloom proposed.

"Yes, Apple Bloom. Bird poo."

The little birds in the trees looked increasingly agitated.

"... Uhm... my little friends don't like how you are suggesting it was all their fault. Maybe you should apologize..."

Applejack was starting to lose her patience. "And maybe they should stop... you know... all over the place."

A short conflict situation ensued, during which the Apple family managed to chase the angry birds from their property. For now.

In her frenzy, Applejack had almost attacked Fluttershy with her broom, mistaking her for a big yellow bird. She was able to stop just before hitting her pegasus friend.

"... Applejack", the pegasus mare said, sounding more determined this time, "it can't go on like this. You need to learn to let nature run its course."

"Keep on lecturing me if you must, but I'll do what I have to do."

The pegasus was looking at Twilight, hoping for support. "... Twilight? Surely as a mare of science, and as a Prin... you must agree that it's important to preserve the ecosystem..."

Twilight was conflicted. Both of them were her friends, and in a way, both of them were right. Then the unicorn remembered to whom she owed her holiday home.

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy, but this is still her property. If Applejack thinks the trees need to go, well... she's the farmer. I'm pretty sure she knows what she is doing."

"Right on", Applejack grunted happily, "there you have it. My land, my rules."

The three mares turned around when they heard a high-pitched scream. Apple Bloom had managed to pull a sapling out of the ground. She spread the horrid, tentacle-like roots so the older ponies could appreciate the length. The little filly was looking at her sister with a reproachful stare, then at the monster root, then at her sister again.

Applejack merely chuckled. "Yepp, that's a real cutie you have found there, 'lil sis. Keep up the good work."

It was evening. The Apple siblings had gathered on a hill, burning the collected birdberry trees. Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle were watching the fire as well. As Applejack had pointed out, it was for the best that Twilight got away from her books and administrative duties from time to time and do some work that was more down-to-earth.

"What do you know. We even finished an hour earlier than last year", Applejack said.

"You know what's the worst?", Apple Bloom said, trying to get her sister's attention again, "when you pull on one of them things and it turns out to be Pinkie Pie."

She pointed at a birdberry sapling that was still standing. It was swinging from side to side, as if to lure the foal.

"Nice try. I won't fall for it again. Although..." The foal put on a smug expression. "Maybe there IS one more weed to throw into the fire."

The fake birdberry tree sqeaked and retracted into the ground.

Watching the burning pile of trees, Fluttershy was shaking her head. "... So much needless killing... it's painful to watch."

Applejack sighed. "And still, you're watchin'! And commenting on it, too. Lighten up, will ya?"

Seeing her pegasus friend's shocked expression, she blushed and said: "Sorry. I guess that was a tad tasteless, given the situation. Still, no need to make a long face like that. It's all over now, and believe me, it's better this way. I'll make you an apple pie, what do you say about that? Just the way you like it?"

Almost against her will, the other mare smiled. "... That sounds lovely."

"There you go."

Suddenly, Applejack's ears went up. There was the sound of flapping wings and rustling leaves. It was faint, but still loud enough to point to a place not that far away. "Now what is going on over there..."

She turned around to her friends and siblings. "You're hearing it too, right?"

"Eee-yup", Big Macintosh said, which was surprisingly talkative for his standards.

"Well I...", Twilight said, but she was interrupted by Fluttershy, a complete novum all by itself.

-"...I don't hear anything! You must be mistaken! Poor Applejack, you have worked so hard all day, maybe you should lay down for a moment, I could massage your hooves if you like..."

"No, I'm pretty sure I heard something. Almost sounded like... Could it be?"

She rushed towards the rim of the Everfree Forest. With a few powerful strides, she dived into the undergrowth. Her friends and her little sister had trouble keeping up with her. Though it was made easier by the cutting the workhorse was leaving behind, they also had to be careful not to slip on the smurfs she had squashed.

Finally, the four fillies arrived in a beautiful clearing, with a single tree in its centre. It was an adult birdberry tree, larger than any tree on Sweet Apple Acres, and probably much older, too. Dozens of birds were feasting on its red fruit. The opposite of feasting was taking place as well.

Pollen was dancing in the golden rays of the summernight sun.

Applejack looked up the wooden giant. She let out a satisfied whistle.

"Would you look at this! El Giganto Birdberry. Grandmother of all things birdberry. Destroyer of worlds. We meet at last."

Still examining her find, and without turning around, the workhorse said: "Apple Bloom? Go fetch me mah chainsaw."

"NO!", Fluttershy cried. "...Please, Applejack! Don't hurt it! It's the original tree! Without it, there won't be any more birdberries!"

"No more birdberries? That sounds pretty sweet to me."

The eyes of the workhorse were glittering with the prospect of impending murder.

Fluttershy had fallen flat on her belly, reduced to begging for the life of her wooden friend. "...Please! Oh please! You can't end an entire species like this!"

"Watch me."

By then, Apple Bloom had arrived with the gear.

"...Oh no... now she is putting on that white mask with the holes..."

As they watched the workhorse getting ready, Twilight started having second thoughts as well. "Maybe you should be more careful... Think this through... we know very little about the inner workings of the Everfree Forest..."

It was no use. Right now, Applejack's universe revolved on nothing but the task ahead of her.

"Yee-HA!", Applejack sang as she was about to strike the trunc. "You're going DOWN!"

"NO!"

Too late. The next thing they knew, there was the sound of tortured wood.

Fluttershy was whining and covering her eyes and ears. The noise was incredible. The birds were fleeing in terror. The stank of the chainsaw fuel was burning in in the fillies' nostrils.

"There is no turnin' back nah!! Take THAT, you mean green mother'..!", Applejack hollered, her accent growing thicker with her excitement.

-"Yeah, Applejack! You show 'em!", Apple Bloom was cheering her sister on. Seeing her sibling in all her glory, with that buzzing saw and her bulging muscles, made the foal proud to be an Apple.

The air was filled with sawdust.

Soon, the tree came thundering to the ground.

Again, squashing several smurfs in the process, but quite frankly, they deserve everything that's coming to them.

"Yep, yep, yep", Applejack said. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall."

"A beautiful cut, sis", Apple Bloom commented.

The birds had returned to the clearing, and they gathered around the fallen trunk, lowering their heads and singing their saddest songs, as if it was a burial.

"... Now you've really done it, Applejack", Fluttershy said, "I hope you are proud of yourself."

Applejack contemplated her hoofywork and grinned. "I most certainly am."

The pegasus had joined the mourning birds, offering consolation.

"Oh, COME ON", the workhorse said, "It was just a bad weed! I'm sure your feathered friends will find new seeds to spread."

Twilight Sparkle was examining the stump. "Fascinating. I've been counting the growth rings, and I tell you, this tree is ancient."

"Too bad birdberry wood is useless for anything but making chopsticks."

Read: Utterly worthless. Remember that these words were pronounced by an earh pony of Equestrian nationality. Earth ponies form the Eastern Empires on the other hoof were know for their dexterous tongues. Also, Pinkie Pie, but she didn't like chopsticks either. She preferred saltsticks.

"That's not all... the growth patterns are really peculiar. I've never seen anything like it..."

"Well, how much do you know about tree guts?"

The young unicorn snorted. "For starters, I used to live inside a tree."

"Oh yeah. Good point."

Twilight cast a spell that made a magic lense appear in front of her face, allowing her to take a closer look. "It's almost as if they were... glowing... Really strange."

The Princess shrieked and fell on her rump as a column of light errupted from the stump. It was gone almost as fast as it had appeared. As the fillies were looking at one another, startled, the birds took off and left the clearing. Then the ground started shaking.

Fluttershy jumped into the air, while Applejack grabbed her little sister and Twilight and took cover behind the fallen tree trunc. The little earthquake lasted hardly anly longer than the blast of light had.

"What was THAT?", Applejack protested when the ordeal was over.

"AJ, can you get me a sample of that wood? I can't harvest it with my magic. Something is seriously off about this tree."

"Good thing then that I got rid of it, I guess."

Twilight was shaking her head, but didn't bother to reply.

Now that the sun had disappeared behind the horizon, it was rapidly getting colder. The fillies didn't lose time to leave the forest and return to the farm. Big Macintosh was waiting for them with a lantern.

"BigMac! Hey, BigMac!", Apple Bloom greeted her brother, "You know what? Applejack cut down the biggest birdberry tree EVER! Did you hear it fall?!"

The big stallion nodded.

"Yep, it was a hard day's work alright", Applejack declared, "And there's more where that came from. We really ought to wash up and catch some sleep. You too, Twilight."

She glanced at her unicorn friend and chuckled. "My word, you can hardly even stand on your feet."

"I'm hurting... well, everywhere, in fact."

"Wait until tomorrow." Applejack poked Twilight with her nose.

Twilight rewarded her with a sheepish grin.

"Fluttershy? What about you? If you want to stay too, just say it."

The pegasus was shaking her head. "...If it's all the same to you, I'll just fly home. It's really not that far away."

Applejack shrugged. "Suit yourself. Now let's hit the shower."

Applejack was standing on a wide, open field. Suddenly, the ground started shaking. As giant cracks were appearing all over the place, the earth pony started running in hope to reach safe ground.

Then she noticed Fluttershy flying above her.

"H-hey! F-Fluttershy! C-can y-you give m-me a l-lift?"

"... I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you might be a little too heavy for me..."

"Y-you are still m-mad because of the tree, aren't you?"

"... You really should have listened to me."

"W-what is happening?"

"... I'm not sure... Sometimes, my chicken are afraid the sky might fall down. This is different, I think..."

The next crack was too large for Applejack to jump.

"... Maybe it's better if you don't look down..."

Applejack looked down.

Applejack woke up, barely holding back the scream rising inside her throat.

When she had calmed down to the point of looking around, her eyes met those of Apple Bloom, and she had to fight another scream.

The little filly was standing next to her bed, still wearing her night gown.

"Apple Bloom! What are you doing here?"

"I'm scared", the filly said. "Things are very strange right now."

"What kind of strange?"

They watched something like a very thin, oily tentacle slide into the room until it reached the window. The window exploded.

Applejack's eyes widened, her little sister merely nodded.

"That kind of strange."

Twilight and the Apple siblings had gathered down in the kitchen. They had brought Granny Smith with them, but the elderly mare was fast asleep on Big Macintosh's back, mirroring Spike who had curled up between Twilight's wings, mumbling something about how it was Owlowiscious' shift.

The entire building was shaken by strange noises. The white, oily substance Applejack had noticed in her room was spreading over the floor and every wall, like a complex network of vines. It would cause pictures and vases to fall to the ground, metal objects to rust at an alarming pace, potted plants to wither and fruit to turn into mush. So far, the ponies had been able to avoid being touched by it for too long, only suffering some minor burns.

"Twilight, have you any idea what's going on here?"

"I'm sorry. This is unlike anything I've ever seen or read about. What concerns me even more is that it seems to be draining my magic powers... We better get out of here fast."

Apple Bloom protested as Applejack forced her to put on her coat, but there was no room for negotiation. Besides, it really was cold outside at this time of the night.

"Oh no", the orange mare said when they were standing in front of the house, "That's what I was afraid of..."

The thin tentacles, or whatever they were, had already spread all over the farm. Like cracks in a world that was about to break apart...

"They are climbing up the apple trees! Why, you..."

Applejack grabbed a shovel and started hitting the tentacle closest to her with much gusto. She was able to flatten it, but that didn't seem to keep it from creeping further, and it soon popped back into shape. The blade of the shovel, however, had turned into something about as solid as wet cardboard.

When the blight reached the trees, it was slowly destroying the fruit and the leaves, but left the trunc itself unharmed.

"Whatever it is", Twilight Sparkle said, "It doesn't seem to affect wood."

"Good thing my grandpa hardly used any metal nails when he build our house", Applejack said. "But if we don't hurry, there still won't be much left of our farm."

They jumped when something landed next to them with a thud. Big Macintosh raised his lantern, and Fluttershy stepped into their midst.

"... I had a nightmare", Fluttershy said in stead of a greeting, "I was dreaming you were in trouble."

"You were dreaming right, sugar cube", Applejack said.

Twilight headed straight into town to commandeer the library, while the Apples proceeded to attack the blight with everything they could think of.

Water only made it wet, and if anything, even more slippery. Fire didn't seem to have any effect. Because it resembled slugs in its texture, Apple Bloom proposed to use salt on it, which caused it to turn yellow for a few seconds. Pepper only made it sneeze, which wasn't pretty, and sugar sent it into a frenzy. It couldn't be cut, and it couldn't be squashed. It couldn't even be insulted without making you feel stupid.

The Apples were later joined by Rainbow Dash, who offered the options of frying the creep with lightning and spitting on it. To no avail.

Over the course of the day, more and more curious inhabitants of Ponyville joined the efforts, their propositions growing increasingly outlandish. The magic of the unicorn ponies was no help at all. As Twilight had observed earlier, the vines were magical parasites that drained the energy out of every spell used either on them or in their proximity.

When the plague reached the town itself, the fire department and the police were moving out.

The mayor was addressing the population with a megaphone.

"Citizens of Ponyville! Do not panic! Public services and engaged citizens are working relentlessly to deal with this crisis! We have our best scientist on the job!"

They also had their only scientist on the job, which just happened to be in town because of her vacation from Canterlot duties.

After a while, even experts from Canterlot and newsreporters started to arrive to report on Princess' Twilight's newest misshap.

-"I am standing here in front of Ponyville city hall, as the little town is struck once again by a magical disaster that could bring doom over our entire country, just as it was paid a visit by Princess Twilight Sparkle herself... Let's hear what this young protester has to say. I understand you and your group have come all the way from San Pranceisco to be here today."

-"That's right! This town is a disgrace to all of Equestria! Have you seen the statistics? Their rates of magical disasters is about 3% higher than the national average! What are they DOING? Over in San Pranceisco we do anything in our power to find safe alternatives to magic and waking eldritch horrors from their tombs, but what's the use if we'll all be doomed anyway because of towns like this one? And don't even get me started on Princess Sparkle..."

Applejack raised an eyebrow when she saw Rarity approaching with two rolls of fabric.

"Now what good is that supposed to do? You think you can win them over with fancy dresses?"

"It wouldn't be the first time I won over a ruffian with the art of the dress, my dear", the unicorn lady said.

She gingerly touched the substance with one sample of fabric, then with the other. Almost instantly, the rolls changed colors.

"I KNEW it! Orange and cyan pokadots! That's so last year! Brrrr... this one is even growing frills."

"What in tarnation was that supposed to achieve?"

Rarity sighed. "I just needed to know how this... disaster was going to affect my buisness."

"Your boutique is in the middle of town. Your stuff should be safe. We'll find a way to end this crud in no time."

Rarity smiled, sadly.

"Applejack, darling... Have a look around."

Applejack raised her head. Since they hadn't made any progress in fighting the tentacles, the Apples and their allies had been fighting in retreat without even noticing it. They had already reached mainstreet.

"Oh no... No..."

Ponies were packing their things and leaving their houses.

"This is a nightmare..."

Applejack turned to Fluttershy, who was standing close by.

"You! Shouldn't you be trying to communicate with that stuff, or something?"

Fluttershy winced.

"... I'm sorry... It's not a lifeform. If anything, it's the opposite of a lifeform."

"And what does that make it? A deathform?"

Applejack gulped. She didn't like the sound of that.

"AJ! Hey, AJ!"

She looked up. Rainbow Dash was hovering above them.

"Twilight says she wants to meet us at the library! I think she found something!"

Applejack closed her eyes for a moment to savour this.

A solution.

Maybe, just maybe, she thought, we can still fix this.

The mane six and Spike had gathered at the library.

Twilight brought out chalk and a blackboard to illustrate her report as she was talking to her friends.

"Two words: Fairy magic."

She knocked two times at the board with her chalk after adding a primitive drawing of a tree with a magic aura around it.

"What do fairies have to do with broccoli?", Spike asked.

Twilight punished him quickly and discretely. Then she was looking at Applejack.

"Remember the old birdberry tree? It would seem that it was planted by fairies. I believe when you cut it down, you released an evil spirit."

"Come again?"

"It says in this book I discovered that the faen used to trap the most dangerous of their immortal ennemies inside trees. They had a preference for birdberry trees, aparently."

"You don't say", Applejack mumbled.

"And you really think that's what we're dealing with here?", Rarity asked.

"The things going on in Ponyville right now are matching the description in the book. When a prison tree is destroyed, there is what they call a "doom spill". I examined the sample we have collected earlier. The tree was definitely a fairy prison. That also explains the strange growth rings. The evil was trying to fight its way out, year after year, and the tree was fighting back..."

"So what do we do now?", Rainbow Dash wanted to know.

"I think at this point there is only one thing we CAN do. We need to find the faen who planted the tree and ask them how to trap the evil once again."

"...But how do we find them?", Fluttershy wondered.

"This might come as a shock to you, but I've done some reading on fairies after our encounter with the changelings."

It didn't come as a shock to anyone.

"Aparently, there is only one major fairy nation in the general Ponyville area, a lose coaltion of several tribes, or 'hives' as they call themselves. They are almost extinct, the last of them are living in a valley deep inside the Everfree Forest, way up north. Nopony knows the exact location of their nests, but there are ways to find them. For instance, they are known to gather lots of treasure. That's where Rarity's treasure-hunting skills will come in hoofy."

The white unicorn nodded, trying not to look too excited at the mention of 'treasure'.

Twilight turned to her little dragon assistant.

"Spike, I want you to come on this mission as well."

"Sure thing. For some things, you just need a man." He proudly stuck out his little chest, hoping that Rarity was looking.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Not exactly. I really hope it doesn't come to this, but we might need you to do the talking."

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Since when is diplomacy his strong point?"

"Since when is anything his strong point?", Rainbow Dash whispered.

She still hadn't gotten over the fact that Twilight had chosen Spike to replace her as the element of loyalty during their battle with Discord.

Spike was pouting.

"The faen might not want to talk to us. Even to a pony princess", Twilight explained, "Remember Queen Chrysalis and her brood? Yeah. I'm afraid they're pretty representative. Fairy creatures don't like ponies."

"I'm not sure how I'm feeling about you guys either", Spike mumbled, earning a gentle tail smack by his master.

"...Why not?", Fluttershy asked.

"If I was to make a wild guess, it might have something to do with the fact that we destroyed their habitats to make room for our towns and farm land. Most of Equestria was crawling with faen creatures when our ancestors came here. We almost hunted them into extinction."

Twilight petted Spike on the head. "They like dragons, though. If they are hostile, Spike might be our way out."

The unicorn turned around again. "We'll need Rainbow Dash for scouting, Fluttershy to survive inside the Everfree Forest, Applejack as a strong argument should negotiations get more agressive, and Pinkie Pie... we'll need Pinkie Pie. Somehow, we always do." She unrolled a checklist with their needs for the expedition. "And I'll go along too, you know, for giggles."

"Hey, not fair!", Pinkie cried, "You already get to do the organizing and thinking and all the big magic stuff. I want to do the giggles!"

"If you must."

"Neado."

End of Act 1

Act 2: The expedition

Act 3: The offspring

Act 2: The expedition
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Fluttershy and the botfairy

Act 2: The expedition

The ponies had been wandering through the forest for hours. In this area, everything was covered in moss and dripping with humidity. The air was filled with the buzzing of mosquitos.

To her great horror, Twilight had to discover that like the birdberries, most of the vegetation in these parts, and most importantly, the Everfree mosquitos, were spell-proof.

The ponies had to watch their every step, as the moss was conceiling treacherous branches, rocks and animal burrows. The pegasi and Twilight had decided to walk as well to avoid getting separated from the others by losing them unter the ever-denser canopy.

When Twilight stumbled over a root and found herself tangeled up in itching ivy, she had enough.

"Arrgh! The undergrowth is getting thicker every minute! We'll never make it to the fairy kingdom like this!"

"...You just need to listen to the forest", Fluttershy said, "There are lots of hidden passageways. See, you can duck under these branches, and over here, if you move like this, the thorns are hardly doing any damage... Owie..." Now Fluttershy was entangeled in her secret passageway, her legs and wings wriggling helplessly.

"Here's another idea", Applejack said, reaching into her saddlepack, "Machetes for everypony."

"I think I like AJ's idea better", Rainbow Dash said.

Spike puffed his chest.

"Pfff! Whatever. That's what fire breath is for."

He tried to incinerate a branch in front of him, causing nothing but a foul-smelling cloud to emerge from his target. Applejack chuckled.

Spike pouted. "Hey, it's not my fault everything is so wet in this stupid forest! Gimme that machete already."

"Let me ask Twilight if it's okay."

"AJ!"

"Just be glad the mosquitos are leaving you alone, big guy, with your thick scales and all."

Twilight's blood seemed to be especially tasty, judging by her number of 'customers'. Unlike Applejack, she wasn't quick enough with her tail to decimate them.

"Pinkie Pie doesn't seem to have any trouble with mosquitos either", Twilight pointed out, making it clear that she considered this to be a grand injustice.

Rainbow Dash frowned. "Yeah. How come?"

She watched a hungry mosquito land on Pinkie's flank, which happened to be just in front of her. The little vampire stuck its trunk into the earth pony's flesh, but instead of sucking blood, the insect itself was sucked inside as if it had opened a tiny window into a vaccum.

"Tee-hee", Pinkie Pie giggled, "that tickles!"

Rainbow Dash stared at the little hole just above the cutie mark where the unfortunate mosquito had met her demise. It was already closing. Shuddering, she turned away.

"What about Rarity? I don't hear her complaining either. Hey, Rarity, what's your secre-..."

Rainbow Dash stopped, flabbergasted by the sight of a swollen monstrosity just behind her. The white unicorn hardly even resembled a pony anymore. Carefully, Rainbow Dash pulled a few swollen lumps aside so she could look her unicorn friend in the eyes. What she discovered were two windows into a world of absolute agony and silent psychosis. She slowly backed away.

"Uhm, Fluttershy...? Do you still have that lotion...?"

"Hurry up back there", Twilight said. "We still have a long way ahead of us."

Soon, it was night in the Everfree Forest. The expedition found a good place for their camp, a clearing near a little river. Applejack instructed the others how to build a primitive shelter with young trees and the rolls of fabric Rarity had prepared for the occasion.

Since it was too difficult to make a campfire under these conditions, they decided to go to sleep right away.

Applejack opened her eyes. Something was off. There was way too much light in the shelter for this time of night. And the buzzing of the mosquitos was even louder than before.

She turned to her side and was stunned by the vision in front of her.

Fluttershy was awake, dazzeled by dozens of giant Everfree fireflies dancing all around her. The light also attracted the Everfree mosquitos, which were sitting all over the pegasus' hide, gorging themseves with her blood. The entry flap of the shelter was wide open.

Applejack shuddered. "Fluttershy... what in TARNATION..."

"...Oh Applejack", Fluttershy whispered, "have you ever seen creatures as wonderful as this?"

"I don't care how pretty they are, get rid of them. They make too much light, and in case you haven't noticed, they're friends with them bloodsuckers."

"...Actually, when I said 'wonderful creatures', I was referring to all of them..."

To Applejack's utter disgust, Fluttershy placed a delicate kiss on one of the mosquitos.

"Fluttershy... I swear to odd... Either you stop this NONSENSE right now, or I build a new shelter just for you. Far away from this one."

"...Oh... Okay then...sorry, little friends... Auntie Applejack wants to go back to sleep..."

Blissfull darkness was returned to the tent. Even the mosquitos had left. Most of them, anyhow.

"...Oh, that's okay, take your time", Applejack heard Fluttershy whisper in the darkness, "You don't want to get a tummy ache, after all. Drink up now."

Applejack groaned and retracted deeper into her sleeping back.

"You are one messed up mare, you know that?"

When Twilight Sparkle woke up the next morning, she remembered instantly why she hated camping.

You were trapped in a hot, stuffy cocoon while there was nothing but a cold, cruel world full of nature waiting for you on the outside. It was like some sort of limbo. Not to mention you had to share it with others and their vocal as well as molecular emmissions.

It was one particular emmission by Pinkamena that finally pushed Twilight over the edge. She crawled into the outside world. She nodded in grim satisfaction when she found it just as wet and horrible as she had anticipated.

She decided to brush her teeth to get that out of the way. Spike could join her. He tended to neglect his hygiene whenever he was given the occasion.

She turned to Spike's improvised nest, a little bundle hanging on a branch just above the shelther.

The other ponies were woken by the high-pitched scream of their Princess.

"Twilight?!"

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were outside almost instantly. Applejack took Twilight into her arms.

"Easy there now, sugar cube. What's going on?"

"It's Spike...! He's gone! I think he's been kidnapped!"

Rainbow was hovering over the shelther, inspecting the nest.

"What about this note? It says 'Out for breakfeast'."

"Well for starters, THAT'S NOT HIS HANDWRITING."

"Oh. Yeah. That might be a problem."

-"Shhh, Twilight", Applejack said, "What did I tell you about hyperventilating?"

"Oh, this is awful!", Twilight cried, "I should have placed that tracking spell on him, but he wouldn't allow it! He said it was 'demeaning'..."

"Twilight, darling", Rarity said, placing a gentle hoof on her friend's shoulder, "I'm sure we can find him. Why, I can use my gem tracking skill. His body is full of gem residues, you see."

-"...Oh, so it's just like how flamingos get their pretty pink feathers by eating shrimp?", Fluttershy asked.

"Uhm, sure, my dear... something like that", Rarity said, hoping there wouldn't be any follow-up questions.

Soon, the fillies discovered evidence that Rarity's horn was leading them in the right direction: broken branches, drag marks in the moss, and even a few purple scales.

"Here's what I don't get", Rainbow Dash said, "How come we didn't hear him being taken away? Wouldn't he have screamed, or something? I'm not that a sound sleeper."

"If by 'sound' you mean 'making sounds', I'm afraid you're mistaken", Applejack sighed.

"Hey! Snoring is healthy. It's a defense mechanism. It scares predators away."

"Not to burst your bubble, sugar cube, but I don't think it worked this time."

"Oh. Yeah."

-"I told you, you should have stuffed a pillow into your head, Applejack", Pinkie Pie said, "It worked just fine for me. But for some reason it was gone in the morning... Do you think stuff dissolves when it enters my head?"

"I'm not gonna comment on that."

Twilight Sparkle shook her head.

"No, I'm afraid it's entirely possible Spike didn't even wake up. He can sleep through anything."

"...I was meaning to ask", Fluttershy said, "Why did he even have to sleep outside the shelther in the first place?"

Twilight groaned. Under more cheerful circumstances, she would have gone into a cleansing rant about how her little assistant was entering dragon puberty and had started writing frivolous prose starring a certain white unicorn lady.

Luckily, they had already arrived at their next challenge.

They were standing in front of a wall of branches, several meters high.

"Don't say it, Pinkie."

"Well I'll be damed."

"And she said it anyway."

"...Oh... It really does look like a beaver dam", Fluttershy conceded.

"I believe it's a fence of sorts", Twilight explained, "We must be entering faen territory."

"...Do you think Spike has been abducted by fairies?", Fluttershy asked, causing Rainbow Dash to make noises that sounded suspiciously like supressed giggles.

"Only one way to find out, I guess."

-"He, guess you were right, Twilight. It WAS a good idea to bring him along", Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight decided not to comment on that. Instead, she said: "There must be a gate somewhere. If we just walk along the fence..."

"Or how about this."

Before anyone could say something, Rainbow Dash put one front leg around Rarity, another one around Applejack, and then she lift off. Getting over the fence was little more than a big hop.

"Yay! Wait for meee!" Pinkie Pie leaned back on her tail as if it was a big spring, then let herself be catapulted over the obstacle.

Fluttershy and Twilight just stared at each other for a moment.

"COME ON! We haven't got all day, do we?"

Fluttershy's wings practically moved on their own in atavistic obediance. Twilight groaned and shook her head, but finally she followed as well.

Behind the wall, the usual undergrowth of the Everyfree Forest was replaced with even weirder-looking vegetation. Some of these things were familiar, like poison joke, others were so outlandish even Twilight had never encountered them in her botanical guides.

"See? Easy peasy", Rainbow Dash said smugly, though a little out of breath.

"You've been working out, sugar cube", Applejack observed.

("Mhm. And you're heavier than last time.")

"What was that."

"Nothing."

-"Girls", Twilight complained, "There was a reason I didn't want to just sneak in. I already told you, diplomacy is very important on this mission. I hate to do this, but if you keep ignoring me like that, I'll go ahead and call on my princess status."

"C'mon, Twilight, you can't expect a Rainbow Dash to grow wings and then not use them."

Rainbow buzzed her wings so illustrate, then she frowned.

"Wait, that's strange..."

She tried again, and yet she couldn't get airborne.

"What's going on here?! Fluttershy, you try!"

Fluttershy tried to lift up, but she couldn't do any better than Rainbow.

"Okay, maybe you're not representative. Twilight...? Oh..."

The feathers on Twilight's wings had started falling off at an alarming rate.

"Super. Just SUPER", Twilight said. "Strangely enough, Pinkie Pie was right yet again. I'm starting to think the fence really was a dam of sorts. A big magic circle that keeps pony magic out. Like I wasn't starting to feel useless already in this damn forest."

-"Dam forest?"

"Pinkie no."

"But what does that have to do with our wings?"

"Rainbow, your wings are too short and stubby in proportion to your body."

"Hey...!"

"NO, Rainbow, I mean it. Pegasi aren't actually built for flight."

"Isn't that what they say about bees?"

"No it's not. You really do need magic to fly. As for my wings, they're basically all alicorn-magic, so they're not even supposed to exist in the first place. Which is why they are probably going to wither away if we stay in here for too long."

Rarity gasped. "You can't be serious!"

"I'm afraid I am", Twilight said with a deadpan voice, "Oh and would you look at that, it's not even our main problem."

The other ponies slowly turned around and looked into the drooling maw of a giant, furry creature. Applejack saw her own staring eyeballs reflected on the shiny orange surface of the creature's big, rectangular incisors.

"What is that thing?", Applejack hissed.

She was surprised to see an unusual expression of sadness on Pinkie Pie's face.

Pinkie sniffed. While the other fillies were frozen in shock, she said: "It's obviously a Beaversaurus Rex. This would have gone perfectly with a pun I wanted to make earlier. I said to myself, 'Pinkie, how likely is it that we'll run into a huge bipedal beaver before this is over?' But I let it slip, and now he's here, without adequate comedic foreshadowing. I'm losing my touch, ain't I?"

The monster growled to send their very bones shaking.

Applejack did the first thing she could think of and kicked right at her own reflection, making the beaversaurus howling in pain.

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? RUN!"

The girls spread out as the confused beaver came back to its senses and started chasing after them.

"Why are we running from a rodent?", Rainbow Dash complained.

"...We should try talking to him! I'm sure it's all just a big misunderstanding...", Fluttershy said.

"No Fluttershy, you shouldn't. Besides, it's a loud thing. You don't like loud things."

"...That is true."

Suddenly, the beaver turned away from them and started heading for Pinkie Pie, Twilight and Rarity, driving them into a corner.

Applejack stopped dead in her tracks.

"Oh no you don't...! I tell you what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna ride that thing. Rainbow, can you give me a lift?"

"Sure thing!!"

Rainbow Dash and Applejack ran directly at the beaver. When they were close enough, Applejack jumped on Rainbow Dash's wings, and from there onto the beaver. With one swift move, she tied her lasso around its large neck, sending the animal into a desperate frenzy.

"YEE-HA! DANCE for me, you cross-eyed son of a possum! Dance like you mean it!"

-"...Careful!! You're hurting it!"

"THAT'S THE IDEA."

"Watch out!!", Rainbow Dash cried, but it was too late, if there even was anything Applejack could have done.

While Twilight and the other two had been evading the creature's stomping feet, they were hit by its broad tail and sent flying through the air.

"Go after them!!", Applejack cried, "I'll handle this thing!"

Rainbow Dash was conflicted for a moment, then she decided that three friends needed more loyalty than one.

She found Twilight and Pinkie Pie in a pit full with strange, orange goo.

"You guys alright?"

"Never been better", Twilight snorted, treading goo, so very eager to keep her head and especially nose, high above the surface, "Wait... where is Pinkie Pie?"

Pinkie popped up again right next to her, licking her goo-coated lips.

"You should try it, Twilight! It's disgusting!"

"Oooh, do I ever believe you. Rainbow, would you please get us out of here? Or me, at least."

"Hey Twilight, check this out, I think this stuff is alive!"

"Would you please get us out of here now?"

-"Grab this!"

Rainbow had found a large vine that she could throw her friends.

"We're stuck...! Can you pull us out?"

-"With a little assistance, I'm sure she can", Rarity said. She had just appeared next to Rainbow, covered in bruises, but otherwise unharmed. She dug her teeth into the vine and really, with their combined forces they managed to get Twilight and Pinkie free.

"I see our little work outs are paying of", Rainbow Dash said with a grin.

Rarity nodded. "Come quick. I have discovered Spike... but he's in quite the predicament."

They heard the beaver cry in what most definitely sounded like pain.

"Let's go, then. I think Applejack is fine."

The very vine they had been using to pull Twilight and Pinkie free lead them to a large, cage-shaped bush. It was a considerable distance, but it was clear that the vine, and those like it, were actually much longer still, and just happened to be coiled up.

The closer they came to the central plant, the "livelier" the vines became. Close to the trunk, they were wriggling and hissing like so many snakes.

And sure enough, they could see Spike at the centre of the plant, behind a semi-transparent membrane.

"Oh hi you guys. I'm being slowly digested. How are you?"

He frowned at the hand he was holding. Because he was in fact playing cards with one of the vines.

"Are you doing what I think you're doing...?", Twilight asked.

One of the external vines grabbed a white canvas, scribbled He sucks at this! on it and held it up to the fillies.

"Oh. I see", Twilight sighed, "I actually know this one. It's a dragonvora-plant. That explains the note"

"But wait, does this mean it can understand our language? Is it intelligent?", Rarity asked.

"Not exactly! The dragonvora plant can't actually communicate in any language. It isn't sentient. It can't think. But it has evolved to appear exactly as if it did."

"So it's kinda like me, then", Pinkie said.

"Not sure who's the better actor."

"But how ever are we going to get Spike out of there?", Rarity asked.

"We could burn him out", Rainbow Dash proposed.

She started rubbing two sticks together and blowing on the first sparks.

But as soon as the smoke was starting to rise, a vine snuck up on them and splashed them with a little water pistol.

"Yeah, I already tried that", Spike said, "But I wanted to see you fail."

-"Spike!"

"Actually, it's alright, Twilight. I haven't been very nice to him recently, I guess. I can see why he's mad at me."

"Oh, come on!", Spike said, "I'm not that mad at you! I just wish you'd stop picking on me, you know...?"

"I'll see what I can do."

The dragonvora held up another sign, this one reading: d'Awwwww.

Then several things happened in a very short amount of time. The first one was that several vines sprung into action all at once, wrapping themselves around the fillies.

"Giving up already", Applejack said, wiping the sweat off her forehead and using her hat as a fan.

She climbed out of the exhausted beaver's fur, since it had become way too hot. She pulled another rope out of her saddle pack and started tying the beaver up.

"...Applejack, please don't tie him up so hard. The poor thing is out of breath as it is."

"You know, Fluttershy", Applejack slowly said, "You're really starting to get on my nerves. That's the honest truth. If you haven't noticed, I just saved your live- all our lives, and I don't feel like giving this monster the benefit of a doubt. Do you even hear yourself talk? Applejack don't do this, Applejack don't hurt that... Well I've got news for you, missy: Sopmeone's got to do it. Someone's got to get their hooves dirty."

The beaver started whining in an unnerving, high-pitched tone.

"SHUT UP!" Applejack barely resisted the urge to kick its face.

"...Applejack...!"

The whining grew louder and louder. Suddenly, the two fillies heard a buzzing.

Too fast for the naked eye, roots darted out of the ground and wrapped themselves around their limbs, squeezing them ever-tighter. Mercilessly.

The fillies screamed with what little breath they had, kicking and biting at the roots, to no awail. The bark could as well have been made of stone.

"...It's the beaver! He called for help because you hurt him! N- none of this would have happened if you had any respect for nature!", Fluttershy cried.

"If anything, I had too much respect! This whole thing just proves my point that mother nature is a mean old hag who always has to ruin everything!"

"...You are the one ruining everything! If you could just live and let live..."

"Well, I can't! I have a family to take care of! Not that you'd know anything about that. You're just a... crazy pet lady! You don't care about anypony!"

Fluttershy was shocked. Her lips trembled, but it wasn't in anger now.

"...I care about you", she whispered.

"Fluttershy..." Applejack gulped. "I'm so, so sorry. I never should have said that. I'm awful. I should have listened to you."

"...I should have listened to you, too. I thought you were being a selfish brute, but you are only doing the things you do for the ponies you love. I feel so stupid."

"Me too, sugar cube."

"... We're still going to die now, aren't we?"

"Sure looks that way."

-"Or not", Pinkie Pie chirped.

The roots became flasque again and dropped the two ponies to the ground.

When they looked up, Pinkie was standing in front of them, two six-legged faen creatures with straw hats hovering above her. It were the fairy wings that made the buzzing noise they had noticed earlier. They had orange carapaces and emerald eyes.

"You guys, meet the fForrl'Forps. They're farmers! This is all one huge garden! Aparently, we are trespassing on their property. They think ponies are a pest, so they kill them on sight with their magic plant powers when they catch them messing with their plants and animals, but I explained everything, so they're making an exception. They won't apologize for squeezing you, though."

"Why would they", Applejack mumbled, "they only did what any responsible farmer would have done..."

She gulped.

"I can't believe you're speaking the faen language", Twilight cried out. She and the others had just walked up next to Pinkie Pie. "That's one of the most difficult languages to learn! I have studied it for years and I can barely form a single coherent sentence!"

Pinkie Pie giggled. "Good thing I didn't have to learn it. Remember that goo stuff I ate earlier?"

She pointed to her left, and a horrid, gelatinous slugmonster dropped from a nearby tree.

"Turns out it belonged to this guy. His name is sSlobbworth. Part of him is now living inside my brain. It tickles."

Rarity had to do some breathing exercizes when she heard this.

The faen creature said something to Pinkie, making her grin even larger. "What's that...? Uh, Twilight, sSlobbworth says if you want, you can eat a piece of him, too!"

"Is that so", Twilight said, "What a tempting offer. I think I'll pass."

She shook her head.

"So they're not going to kill us. Is that right?"

"Not right away, anyhow!", Pinkie Pie chirped, "They think we're interesting enough to bring us to the elders first." With a ceremonial voice, she added: "Over at the Central Hive."

The ponies were requested to wait outside the main audience hall while the elders got ready.

The tunnels of the Hive were filled with all kinds of loot, including pony artifacts.

"Hey Applejack", Spike said,"Get a load of that! The pony on this carpet looks just like you!"

"It's a tapestry", Twilight corrected him,"but Spike is right. This really looks intriguing..."

The tapestry showed three ponies wearing ancient armor and dresses. Each of them had a crown on their head. It were two fillies and one colt. Aparently, they were siblings. For some reason, their eyes were closed.

"Hold on...", Rarity said, "I think this is a magical tapestry. If we just give it a little push... This place is just leaving me enough magic..."

She pointed her horn at the artifact, and when she sent a few sparks of magic into the fabric, the picture began to move.

The three ponies opened their eyes, and were now looking at a map that was torn into three parts. The orange mare that looked like Applejack smiled and put the three parts together. The picture changed again, and now the siblings were sitting on three thrones, with the orange one in the middle.

"What does it mean?", Rainbow Dash wondered.

"I'm not sure", Twilight Sparkle said, "In ancient times, when royal siblings would inherit the land, they would always divide it between them. In this case, however, it seems like the middle child managed to maintain the harmony so the three of them could rule together. Standing united against all odds. Look, her cutie mark is made of three golden crowns."

"Do you think she is Applejack's ancestor?", Pinkie Pie asked.

"If this happened more than 2000 years ago, and if she had any descendants, she is probably the ancestor of all of us", Twilight said. She looked at Applejack and smiled. "But she is certainly AJ's ancestor in spirit."

Applejack blushed. "Now what is that supposed to mean?"

But then the gate to the audience room was opened, and they walked inside.

The elders were sitting on perches all around the circular hall, like so many birds. Some of them were vaguely pony-like, one resembled a huge, winged deer, others looked like flying fish or crustaceans. Others still didn't resemble anything the ponies could have compared them to, though some might have been more familiar had the ponies had knowlegde of the ecosystems of the ocean abyss. All of them were dressed in exquisite robes.

Several elders were talking at once. It appeared as if they completed one another's sentences. Sometimes they even talked over one another in a melodious canon. It was as if everyone was adding a different layer to the main speech.

It was obvious that Pinkie Pie had to concentrate very hard to decipher it, biting her lips, an unusual frown on her face.

Twilight felt a weird new feeling arising in her chest, something she had hardly ever felt near Pinkamena. Was it... pride?

Finally, she dared to start translating.

"Mhm", Pinkie Pie said. "Aparently, what we unleashed in Ponyville wasn't an evil spirit at all. It's a little more complicated than that."

She took a deep breath.

"You see, it all started a long time ago. Where Ponyville is today, there used to be a fairy nest, inhabited by a swarm of really rare faen, the botfairies. They had a powerful bond with a tribe of Everfree mooses, who would carry their eggs..."

Spike pulled on Twilight's tail.

"What's that supposed to mean?", he whispered.

-"Not now, Spike."

"...But then the ponies came and started fighting the mooses, and the tribe was never seen again. Now the botfairies in the land had no hosts for their eggs... except there was one place: pioneer ponies and their cattle. The faen discovered they were just as good as mooses. But the ponies didn't really like that idea..."

"No kidding", Applejack said.

"And so they were hunting the fairies down, and when they traced them back to the Ponyville area, they asked Canterlot for help, so Canterlot sent a great expedition to deal with it. They negotiated a little and when that failed, quite predictably, the ponies attacked the hive. It wasn't pretty. But the pony spellcasters were stronger, so the faen had to use their ultimate spell: a deflector spell.

It's really silly, actually. They just ended up throwing every spell the unicorns cast right back at them. The unicorn ponies however also knew the deflector spell, so it was like playing ping pong. The trouble was, the spells became more and more powerful in the process until they merged into a single evil entity that was dealing havoc to both sides and destroying the land. So they made a truce and under the direction of the faen, they united their magic to entrap the entity inside a tree. When this was done... oh, that's nasty. They say the ponies backstabbed the fairies and finished them off. That's not very nice."

"I'm sure there are two sides to this story", Applejack said.

"...In any case, there were hardly any survivors. Among the fairy swarm, that is. The ponies were doing just fine. The last of the botfairies fled far away into the Everfree forest where they were protected by the Faen kingdom, who had perfected the spells that would seal their last refuge from the ponies."

Twilight Sparkle gulped. "And are there still any of them left today?"

Pinkie Pie submitted the question to their hosts. The faen elders nodded. "Just one. Would we like to meet her?" Pinkie lowered her head. "I know I would."

Out of one of the many tunnles leaving to the hall, a new faen creature emerged. She had six legs, like most fairies, but was otherwise shaped like a pony. She had a shining green carapace with dark stripes, big, ruby-like eyes and a stinger at the end of her tail.

"Meet the last of the botfairies... Ha, what do you know, she's a princess, just like you, Twilight! Uh, and listen to this. She is magical. She knows the ancient spells of her people, and she is the last faen to know how to create a proper tree prison."

"Tell her that we know it won't mean anything to her, but that we are really, really sorry for what happened to her people. If there's anything we could do to ease her pain, we'd do it."

"No need translate", the botfairy said in a sweet, timid voice, "I understand little Equestrian."

"This is wonderful... I wish I could talk to you in your language as well." Twilight Sparkle came a step closer and lowered her head. "Princess, I guess you've already heard why we have come to your sanctuary... Our home town is struck by a horrible plague which we have brought upon ourselves. We understand that only you know how to defeat it. We understand if you have no warm feelings for us ponies, but we love our town very much. So many families would become refugees. And that is not all. The evil will spread and ruin other lives as well. And not only those of ponies. You are the only one who can help. We know we can't ask you to do anything for us, but if you could find it in your heart to share that spell with us..."

"I no want revenge", the botfairy said, "Everything a long time ago. There only one thing I want from you in return..."

"Anything!"

"The thing I want is life."

She had to stop. She was blushing. She turned to the fairy elders, inquisitive. They nodded. The botfairy cleared her throat, but still didn't find the right words. Finally, she gave up, and instead decided to show the ponies what she meant.

She flexed her abdomen, and in just a few seconds, it had inflated like a balloon.

Rainbow Dash whistled in approval. "Was she holding that in the entire time? Not bad."

"Pregnant belly cumbersome most of time", Twilight the botfairy said.

"Pregnant?" Rarity said, "Why, darling, this is great news! So there is still hope for your people!"

"Hay yeah this is great news! We'll throw you a baby party!", Pinkie Pie cried out. Out of nowhere, she produced two party hats, placing one of them on the surprised botfairy's head, the other one on her abdomen.

"I just don't understand what this has to do with us", Rainbow Dash wondered.

Applejack however looked like she was going to throw up. "I think I do..."

Twilight Sparkle gulped. "You want us to carry your eggs. Is that right?"

"Not just anypony", the botfairy said, pointing at Fluttershy, "Only yellow one. She smells nice. Smells... right. She more than enough."

"Oh no you don't!", Rainbow Dash said. "You leave her alone!"

She and Applejack placed themselves between Fluttershy and the botfairy.

"That's right", Applejack said, "She is the sweetest pony there is and she doesn't deserve to live that kind of nightmare! I don't care how desperate you are, Fluttershy is our friend, and we'll never let you get anywhere near her!"

"...Applejack", Fluttershy whispered.

"We'll never allow you to touch her! And if it's the last thing I..."

"APPLEJACK!"

Starteled, the ponies and the faen turned around to look at Fluttershy, who was trying to catch her breath again.

"...I WANT to do it. I really do."

"Fluttershy..."

"...It's okay. She needs a host. I am young and healthy. My flesh will be good for her young. That's all that matters."

The botfairy beamed. "Oh wonderful pony! I wait for this many years!"

"Fluttershy, no...", Applejack whispered, "Don't do this... don't give yourself up like this... Do you even realize what is going to happen to you?"

"... Oh Applejack, I will be fine. You'll see."

"It's all my fault", Applejack said. She couldn't look Fluttershy in the eyes anymore. A single tear dropped to the ground.

Fluttershy jumped at her friend and hugged her tight. "...Don't worry about it. It'll be an adventure! Look at me and tell me you think I can't hoofle this!"

Applejack smiled. It was a smile full of pain, but a smile none the less. "You are one messed up mare, you know that?"

Fluttershy chuckled. "... I ought to. You're telling me all the time."

"That is hardcore", Rainbow Dash said, "the thing you're going to do?"

"You are very brave, Fluttershy", Twilight said.

"You are truly the element of kindness", Rarity said, all too glad this particular challenge didn't fall into the department of the element of generosity. She knew that it had been a close shot. It was sort of a grey area.

"No", Fluttershy said, her voice surprisingly firm for once. "Girls, I want you to understand this- this is the very least we can do. I offer my flesh to her because it's my debt as well as that of anypony else. We're in this together, and I'm not backing out. That is all."

"I still don't get it", Spike said, "what IS she going to do?"

Fluttershy turned to the botfairy princess. She looked at the stinger and gulped, but there was no turning back now. "...We can begin right away if you want. I'm ready."

The botfairy made a little bow. "Thank you, Fluttershy-pony! Please follow me..."

"Wait, I...", Applejack interrupted them, "Are you sure that... I mean..."

She lowered her head. "Princess, it's all my fault. The evil entity escaped because of me, and your people was destroyed by ponies just as myself, who thought they could just roll over everything... Destroy everything... Is there no way I could take Fluttershy's place...? I'd deserve it."

The fairy smiled. "No, Applejack. But there is one thing you can do... You can think about this things, always remember, and live in shame for the rest of your life, never able to redeem yourself. Don't you think it is fitting punishment?"

"Yes", Applejack said timidly, "I guess it is."

The botfairy and Fluttershy left the audience room together.

"Where is she taking her?", Spike asked.

"To her place, for privacy's sake", Pinkie Pie translated.

"I still don't get it", Spike said.

End of Act 2

Act 3: The offspring