Three small figures made their way out of town. The sun had just risen, and the air was brisk but warm. Ponyville, one of the small towns of Equestria, was a peaceful and harmonized place where ponies lived peacefully and lived together by the magic of friendship. On this day the trio were starting their way towards a forbidden area, one they were told to never venture. But since their older siblings weren’t around to watch them, This gave the Cutie Mark Crusaders the perfect opportunity to successfully sneak out of town and into said forbidden place.

“Uh, why the heck are we going in here?” Scootaloo asked as they entered the Everfree outskirts.

“Well, y'all remember Winona’s favorite ball?” Applebloom reminded her two friends, both of which nodded. “Well, while ah was in the middle of playing fetch with her, ah kinda bucked the ball too hard and it flew all over the Everfree. So that’s why we’re here.” She finished, pointing at the Everfree forest.

“But doesn’t she have more balls?” Sweetie Belle wondered aloud. “Surely she still has some of those few balls to play with, right?”

“Well, yeah she does. But that one ball was her most favorite. Ah couldn’t just replace it.” Applebloom explained.

The three continued onward until they reached the edge of the Everfree forest. They found an isolated clearing, a dirt path stretched long and far. The ground was covered with a thick layer of grass, and trees lining the edges. There were several bushes on either side of the path, with leaves as soft as silk.

Applebloom led the way into the forest, the other two following close behind. As she walked, she noticed the flowers blooming from every side. It was like walking through a field full of colorful daisies, all growing together and swaying gently in the breeze.

The forest had become too quiet. The only three inhabitants seemed to be the three of them as they made their way into the entrance, following the path along the swamp, past more trees, quickly approaching a new spacious area.

The air had felt thick between them. None of them had spoken since they had started walking. The only sounds they heard were their hoofsteps and the occasional breeze that seemed to blow through the leaves above.

Finally, Sweetie Belle broke the silence. “So, how close are we?” She asked, turning to her shoulder towards Applebloom.

“We should be just about… here…” Applebloom said, gesturing to the left of her. The path suddenly widened, allowing for more space to walk on. “It’s this way.”

They followed the path up a hill. The path narrowed considerably, making for difficult climbing. Each step took its toll. The three soon came to rest near a large stone. A single flower grew in front of it, surrounded by vines with a few branches reaching toward the sky. All that could be seen from the top of the hill was a cliff, and the view below.

Scootaloo looked down and gasped. The sight before them filled her with awe. Below them stretched a vast valley of tall trees and sparkling streams. In the distance lay a round yellow ball, bobbing lazily against the surface of a lake.

“There it is!” Applebloom cheered. “That’s Winona’s ball we’ve been looking for. Come on girls!” She encouraged, motioning forward. She jumped off to the first cliffside branch and climbed down carefully, leaving a trail of hoof-steps for Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to follow. One hoof at a time they continued to climb down, careful not to slip and fall.

Eventually they reached the bottom and Applebloom scanned the area cautiously, eyes darting around for any sign of danger. When nothing showed, she relaxed. “Looks clear.” She smiled, turning to face the others. She pointed at the lake. “Alright, we should be able to get in and out without getting wet.”

The three of them start their way closer. The water of the pond seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. The sun hung directly overhead, casting a warm orange glow across the water.

After walking for some time the trio arrived at the lake itself. Sweetie Belle’s eyes darted to the ball floating on the lake’s surface. Her horn lights up slightly as she stared at the ball, levitating it in the air with her magic. Subconsciously she motions the ball towards her and brings it down gently onto the grassy shore.

Applebloom reaches for the ball and takes it into her hoof. Swiftly she zips open the pocket of her saddlebag and puts said ball inside. Then she closes the bag once again and throws a strap over her back.

“Alright, now let’s get on outta here before my sister finds out where we are!” Applebloom laughs as she starts towards the path leading back to the hilltop. She beckons for her friends to follow, and the three make their way up the hill. Once they reach the crest of the hill, the trio turns to their right and starts moving slowly towards the Everfree Forest.

Sweetie Belle stayed close to Applebloom, staring ahead into the dark forest. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks, her ears flicked back. She looks over at Applebloom who continues walking. After a moment, Sweetie Belle follows suit, her gaze also scanning the darkness. Progressively, feeling takes over her. Something’s wrong. A deep uneasiness begins to settle in Sweetie Belle's stomach. She turns behind her and scans the area with her eyes, trying to find anything that might give her an indication of what she's sensing. However, nothing is visible beyond the trees. She continues walking.

After another minute or so, Sweetie Belle notices something move to her left. Instantly, she snaps her head in that direction. Nothing. Yet again Sweetie Belle tries to scan the area, but she can’t seem to locate whatever it was that startled her. Sweat drips down her forehead. What if she really did see something? She looks away from the darkening trees and stares down the mountain path. She hopes that there was nothing there. With a shaky breath she looks back at the woods, searching desperately for a shadow.

Suddenly she feels a tap to her shoulder. Turning around, almost jumping back when she sees Applebloom and Scootaloo next to her and watching her with confusion written all over her face.

“Y’all alright Sweetie Belle?” Applebloom asks, placing a hand on Sweetie Belle's arm reassuringly.

“Yeah, you seem a bit on edge. Is everything alright?” Scootaloo asks, a bit concerned.

Sweetie Belle inhales deeply and then exhales slowly, composing herself. “Yes, I'm fine! Just… lost in thought for a second, sorry.” She chuckled nervously.

“Well hey, ah guess we're lucky we got here fast then huh?” Applebloom commented, her gaze now set on her hooves as she kicked a pebble on the ground. She then lifts her head up, smiling sheepishly. “Anyways, let's get goin'.” With that, she began to trot forward once again.

Before anyone could protest, Sweetie Belle hurried after her. Her eyes remain glued to her surroundings, her mind racing with all that has happened that day.

She shakes her head slightly, focusing on keeping her balance. “No reason to get distracted.” She muttered, forcing herself to stop thinking about whatever strange feeling she had just experienced. She needed to keep moving. She needs to…

Sweetie Belle’s thoughts suddenly halted at that very second by an ear shattering roar that bounced and echoed throughout the forest. Terror washed over her, Applebloom, and Scootaloo all stopping to listen intently, trying to pinpoint the sound's source. Their ears pinned back against their heads, and their nostrils flared.

Slowly, they turned to look back into the path behind them when they heard a faint thud. For a while nothing could be heard but the sound of their own heartbeat.

A few moments later, they hear another thud.

And another.

They watch each other, waiting, listening for more sounds. Slowly they begin walking again, making sure to keep alert.

Just a little farther… They think to themselves. Just a little farther and we'll be safe.

They kept on backing up until they paused abruptly when they saw something coming into view down the path from afar. The trio’s eyes widened at the sight, their breaths hitched.

Standing afar from the three little fillies stood a giant manticore. Its massive body stood at least ten feet high. Its long sharp claws extended from its hands and arms and its tail whipped back and forth menacingly. Its fur was a deep purple with black highlights. The huge creature was adorned with a pair of red horns, which rose from its head like two small horns atop a big head. A red stripe ran down its back, disappearing beneath its thick coat.

“What is that...thing?” Sweetie Belle questioned quietly, pointing down the path.

“Ah don't know...” Applebloom replied, taking a few tentative steps back. “I’ve never even seen a manticore before.”

“Me neither..” Scootaloo says, shivering slightly.

The Manticore roared, sending a loud shockwave through the air. Sweetie Belle felt her legs wobbling under her. She quickly steadied herself before her, Applebloom, and Scootaloo turned on their heels and ran with all their might. The creature let out a roar as it began to chase, every stomp of its legs shook the ground under their hooves. Its heavy paws pounding the earth were a horrible reminder of how large it was.

Sweat beaded along Sweetie Belle's brow, her chest tightening. She pushed her legs harder and faster, her heart was pounding as she tried her best to run. Constantly feeling her hooves about to slip from the shaking ground, she stumbled a bit, nearly falling over. But she recovered quickly and quickened her pace. Just a bit farther, they’re almost there!

Twenty One and Fluttershy sipped their tea, enjoying the delicious aroma. The sweet aroma of lavender filled the parlor and the scent of vanilla wafted through the room. They both sighed with contentment at the warmth seeping into their bones. Fluttershy giggled softly at the scene before her.

“I must say,” Twenty One started. “It’s been a while since I had tea this good. The scent certainly helps me relax. And the flavor…” She hummed contently, closing her eyes. “This is truly delightful! How does your mother make such delicious tea?” she asked.

Fluttershy giggled. “I can’t help but wonder about that myself.” She lifted her cup of tea up and took a sip. The tea tasted heavenly. Fluttershy smiled softly and took another sip. This time she let out a soft sigh. “When I was a little filly, my dear Mother would always make this for me, whenever I came home from school. Sometimes she would even leave some hot chocolate with it for me and I would drink that as well.”

Tickling the bridge of her nose, Fluttershy closed her eyes, reminiscing fondly at the memories. “My brother and I used to come together with our mother to enjoy these warm afternoons. We would sit in front of the fire and listen to her stories while drinking our hot drinks. Oh, those days were beautiful.” She said dreamily, gazing off somewhere far into the distance.

“That sounds lovely Fluttershy. ” Twenty One responded sincerely, giving her new friend a smile. Fluttershy clasped her hooves together.

“Oh, I should introduce you to my friends.” She chirped, standing up.

“Your friends?” Twenty One asked curiously.

Fluttershy nods in reply.

“Yes, there’s Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and our recent friend Twilight Sparkle. There’s also Spike, her assistant.” She said enthusiastically.

Twenty One cupped her chin with her right hand, looking around curiously. “So there’s more ponies like you? Are they all mainly Pegasus?” She asked.

“Not at all.” Fluttershy answered. “We’re only one species that exist in different areas. Our family consists of three distinct races, each known as Ponies. Rainbow, myself and the others are pegasus, while Rarity, and Twilight are unicorns. Lastly, Applejack and Pinkie are normal earth ponies.”

Twenty One nodded. “Interesting….” She mused. “Does anyone else live here? In this area?” She asked.

Fluttershy shook her head. “No, it’s mostly me and my animal friends who reside here. The others lived further away but they would often visit.”

Minutes pass by as the duo talk. It was nice spending time with her. Twenty One was a wonderful listener, never interrupting or pushing Fluttershy for more details than she was willing to share. She was a great conversationalist. And not just because she knows so much, but because she really seemed to care and wanted to take things easy with her.

Suddenly Fluttershy gasped when she was struck with realization. “Oh my goodness, I just remembered!” She exclaimed, throwing both hooves over her mouth. “I was supposed to hang out with the girls at a picnic today.” Fluttershy explained. She then looked toward Twenty One. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry Twenty One, I have to go. C-Can you take care of things here until I come back?” She asked, bowing apologetically.

“Of course Fluttershy. I don’t mind at all.”

Smiling, Fluttershy nodded her head gratefully. “Thank you, Twenty One, I really appreciate it.” She said, giving her a slight bow. “Um, I’ve left the instructions of all you need to do for the chickens, critters, and the rest. I promise I’ll be back in an hour or less!”

With that, Fluttershy took her basket from across her lap and headed out of the living room. Starting her way towards the door, she stops turning to Twenty One waving her hoof goodbye. Twenty One gave her a wave back. Once she exited the cottage, Twenty One leaned back into her cushioned chair and sighed happily. Her eyes flutter shut and she smiles as she takes a moment to collect her thoughts. After a brief pause, Twenty One opened her eyes and focused her gaze out onto the wooden ceiling.

How long has it been since she was at peace like this? The last time she ever felt this kind of tranquility was before she ever became an Android. When she was a mother had a son who was a baby at the time. At least that's what she could remember in her bits of remnants.

She couldn't help but think back to that day. That was probably the happiest of her life. She missed being able to hold a baby in her arms. Being able to see him smile and laugh with joy. Seeing his adorable little cheeks flush from pure happiness as he hugged and squealed in joy. Watching him grow to be so happy and loving and full of curiosity and life. That day still lingered in her memory as if it happened yesterday.

Oh Sixteen, Twenty One thought to herself sadly, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. I’m so sorry. If I had more control, you would’ve still been here. I... I miss you so much. Everytime she thought of Sixteen, she began crying silently. She wiped her tears with her hand. The image of the two of them hugging and smiling at each other played in her mind again. Her heart ached. So much pain.

Twenty One jolted upwards in surprise, her eyes widened. Was… was that a roar she heard just now? Shifting her gaze to the window not too far away, she noticed a flock of birds flying overhead. She blinked rapidly, confused. She stood up from her seat and stepped carefully towards the window. There was definitely no breeze and the birds appeared very agitated.

There was a faint rumble coming from their direction. A thunderous growl reverberated throughout the valley, causing the earth to shake slightly. Twenty One stared at the window with wide eyes. What on earth was going on? Another roar followed closely behind the first, followed by several more, but that wasn’t what swelled more worry in Twenty One’s heart. No. She heard someone scream. Someone was screaming.

Worried, she exited out of the cottage and hurried down the path. She kicked off into the sky and sped ahead, flying over the treetops. As she flew, her eyes darted about frantically, trying to spot something, anything. All while thinking in her thoughts. Whatever this thing is, it sounds big. She better get to its location fast before it makes whoever that was screaming their meal.

Author's Note

The Cutie Mark Crusaders are in trouble, but never fear crusaders. For in next chapter of "Android 21 in Equestria," Twenty One is coming to save the day!