Cutie mark crisisby LixiDChaptersPrologue: What's wrong Rainbow?Chapter 1: The RealisationChapter 2: The Journey BeginsChapter 3: Gaining AlliesChapter 4: First EncounterChapter 5: ''Let me tell you a story''Chapter 6: Meeting old friends and Getting new onesChapter 7: Short Trip BackFinal Chapter: The SolutionPrologue: What's wrong Rainbow?Prologue: What’s wrong Rainbow? ____________________________________________________________ It's another beautiful day in Equestria. Pinkie Pie is throwing a party for her friends. Everyone is dancing, laughing and having a good time. Then Applejack gets an idea: ''Let's go to the beach! I heard that the water is really warm today.'' Twilight gets excited: ''Yea let's go, I could sunbathe and read my new book!'' ''I'll take some cake so we don't starve there'', Pinkie suggests. ''Do I have to come?'', says voice silently from the stairway, It's Rainbow Dash. ''Why wouldn't you sugarcube?'', Applejack says wondering. ''Well... Umm... I... Don't like water.'', says Rainbow Dash and seems to be getting a little nervous. ''You don't have to go to water, you can stay at the beach.'' ''I don't want to come! You can go without me!'' ''Come on Rainbow, It'll be fun!'' Rainbow Dash thinks a moment and then says: ''Fine, but I am not going near the water, okay?'' ''Okay, main thing is that you are there.'' says Twilight joyfully. Pony friends start packing their stuff and walking towards the beach. Rainbow doesn't seem that happy about going. When they have walked about half of the way, Fluttershy breaks the silence by asking: ''So Rainbow, since when have you not liked water?'' ''Yea, tell us Rainbow, I remember you loved swimming.'' Rarity notes. ''Can't a pony change her mind?'' Rainbow says with an angry tone. ''Sorry, I was just asking.'' Fluttershy apologies. Finally they have arrived at the beach and everypony is having a blast. Even Rainbow Dash is now smiling a bit. But still she seems pretty sad when looking other ponies playing in the water and Applejack notices it. ''Is something wrong sugarcube?'' Applejack tries to ask. ''Nothing. I just... well.. nothing.'' Rainbow mumbles quietly. ''You can tell me.'' Applejack tries again. ''No i can't... I mean.. because nothing is wrong! Stop asking me questions!'' Rainbow says and starts to look pretty angry. ''Okay, no need to start yelling. I was just making sure, but are you sure you don't want to come in the water, you can just walk on the shore.'' ''It's that nice?'' Rainbow asks. ''Yup.'' ''Fine, but I am not swimming.'' ''No need to, Come on.'' They walk to the water just that much that their hooves are covered on water. Rainbow looks at the water and smiles a little. ''The water is really warm'' ''Told ya'' says Applejack proudly. ''Hey, you got Rainbow in water. Want some cake?'' Says Pinkie with a wet cake on top of his head. ''No thanks, maybe later'' Applejack says and looks at the wet cake. ''How about you Rainbow Dash?'' Rainbow is not responding. She is just watching the water like she would have not seen water ever before. ''Umm.. Rainbow Dash?'' Pinkie Pie says worried. ''Wha..Oh...No thanks.'' ''Okay.'' Then suddenly dark clouds start hovering over the beach. ''Oh no!'' Rainbow Dash screams like she would have seen a ghost. ''What's wrong?!'' Twilight asks. ''What is wrong?'' Without any answer Rainbow Dash flies faster than light inside the lighthouse and the other ponies followed her inside. Inside everypony starte staring at Rainbow Dash. She stares at the ground and looks like she couldn’t breathe. ‘’What was all about? I thought you liked flying in the rain.’’ Applejack said shocked. Rainbow Dash looks at her flank, then she looks her friends quickly and starts crying and runs to the top of the light house. ‘’Come back!’’ Fluttershy tries to stop her but she is not fast enough. When they reach the top of the lighthouse they can see a blue wing disappear behind the clouds. ‘’What in darn nation is wrong with that pony?’’ Applejack says wondering. ‘’I don’t know but let’s give her some time and maybe she’ll tell us’’ Twilight suggests. ‘’Okay, maybe she just needs some time.’’ Rarity notes Chapter 1: The RealisationChapter 1: Realization ____________________________________________________________ After few days Fluttershy meets Applejack selling apple pies at the Sugarcube corner. ‘’Are the pies selling well?’’ ‘’Yup. I tried a new recipe.’’ ‘’That’s nice. How much does it cost?’’ ‘’I can give you a slice to taste.’’ ‘’Thanks!’’ ‘’So, how does it taste?’’ ‘’Amazing! This is the best recipe you’ve done so far!’’ ‘’Thank you kindly!’’ ‘’By the way… Have you seen Rainbow Dash?’’ ‘’No, not since the last time. I think we should try to visit her and ask about what is going on.’’ ‘’That is a great idea!’ ‘’Should we ask if the others would want to come?’’ ‘’I think it is best that just the two of us go, maybe she won’t be so nervous.’’ ‘’Okay, meet me at the farm at five?’’ ‘’Okay.’’ Fluttershy and Applejack meet at the farm. Applejack borrowed Pinkie’s hot air balloon that they can get to Cloudsdale and Fluttershy got some powder from Zacora that Applejack can walk on clouds. ‘’Ready to go?’’ Applejack says excited. ‘’Ready.’’ The two ponies fly their way to Cloudsdale and walk to Rainbow Dash’s place. Applejack knocks on the door. ‘’How is there?’’ Comes a voice from inside. ‘’It’s me and Fluttershy. Can we come in?’’ ‘’Sure.’’ They open the door and everything seems to be normal. ‘’So, what are you doing in Cloudsdale?’’ ‘’We came to ask about the scene at the beach.’’ Fluttershy says and looks at the blue Pegasis who seems to be searching something. ‘’Oh. Well that was just nothing.’’ ‘’I know something is wrong and you are trying to hide it from us.’’ Applejack says with a serious tone in her voice. ‘’We are your friends, you can tell us.’’ ‘’Promise you won’t start to laugh?’’ ‘’Why would we?’’ ‘’Because…’’ Rainbow Dash turns sideways and Applejack and Fluttershy are shocked. ‘’Where is your cutie mark?!’’ Says Fluttershy and seems to start panicing a little bit. ‘’I’ve never had a one… I have tricked you all my life about my cutie mark.’’ Rainbow says and sounds pretty sad. ‘’That is not true!’’ Applejack says. ‘’I know you have real cutie mark. I’ve seen it and felt it!’’ ‘’Sorry Applejack…’’ ‘’Come on Fluttershy, Let’s go see Twilight.’’ Applejack orders. ‘’Hey! Can come with you? I got to borrow the new Daring Do from Twilight. ‘’Sure.’’ When they arrive at Twilight’s house, They see Pinkie reading a recipe book and Rarity and Twilight reading. Rainbow Dash runs inside the tree and seems to be really excited. ‘’Hey Twilight!’’ Says Rainbow Dash and scares Twilight a bit. ‘’Gosh! You scared me. What are you all doing here?’’ ‘’I came to see if you would have the newest Daring Do book.’’ ‘’Of course I have it. Wait a sec. Here.’’ ‘’Thanks Twilight.’’ says Rainbow and goes immediately read it to the closest desk. ‘’What are you two doing here?’’ ‘’We have a problem.’’ Applejack and Fluttershy explain everything to Twilight and she seems quite confused. ‘’Can you try to use the memory spell on her, maybe she’ll then remember what really happened?’’ Fluttershy suggests. ‘’I can, but I am not sure if it works.’’ ‘’Give it try.’’ ‘’Okay.’’ Twilight walks behind Rainbow Dash and says: ‘’Hey Rainbow. Look what I have here.’’ Rainbow Dash turns around and sees Twilight with her horn sparkling and suddenly everything goes black. ‘’Wha.. What happened? How am I here?’’ Rainbow Dash starts asking in shock. Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy explain everything to Rainbow Dash and she seems like she still does not understand it all. ‘’What is the last thing you remember?’’ Twilight starts asking. ‘’I remember a mare who came to sell me apples.’’ ‘’Yes. and?’’ ‘’She said that they have some special ingredient in them.’’ ‘’Good. And what happened then?’’ ‘’I remember that I bit one of the apples and then she started mumbling some weird words and my..’’ Rainbow Dash stops suddenly. ‘’Then what?’’ ‘’My cutie mark! It rolled off my flank like as it would have been a sticker or something! Then my cutie mark flew into her backpack and then she ran away.’’ ‘’Did you see anything anymore before everything went black?’’ ‘’Hold on..’’ Says Rainbow and starts to rub her head. Everypony is waiting impatient. ‘’I remember one thing… She dropped one bag accidentally but she didn’t pick it up! It might at my house!’’ ‘’Let’s go find out.’’ Says Pinkie Pie and runs to get her balloon. When they arrive at Rainbow Dash’s house, everypony start running inside. ‘’Here it is!’’ Says Rainbow Dash joyfully. ‘’Nice job. What should we do with it?’’ Asks Fluttershy and tilts her head. ‘’We should show it to Zecora and see if she know anything about it.’’ ‘’Great idea sugarcube. Let’s get moving.’’ Applejack says and is already running towards the balloon. They are at the edge of the Everfree Forest when Pinkie says that it would be safer to go on walking, because it is not easy to land in the middle of the forest. They start walking towards Zecora’s house. ‘’Oh. I forgot to tell you all one thing.’’ Says Applejack suddenly. ‘’And what is that thing?’’ Rarity says like she couldn’t take any more surprises. ‘’I found this yesterday from the lighthouse.’’ Applejack starts to search something from her backpack. ‘’This!’’ She is holding a sticker between her teeth’s. It looks exactly same as Rainbows cutie mark. ‘’I think this is what she was hiding from us when she said that she doesn’t want to go to water.’’ ‘’Did I have a sticker on my flank so you wouldn’t notice?’’ Rainbow says and scratches her head. ‘’Apparently yes.’’ ‘’Oh gosh.’’ Finally they can see Zecora’s house and run to knock the door. Zecora opens the door and the pony friends all rush inside. ‘’What are you pony folk doing here?’’ Zecora say confused. ‘’We need your immediate help!’’ Twilight says and hands the bag with some kind of powder in it. ‘’What is this?’’ ‘’Let me see.’’ says Zecora and takes the powder. ‘’Oh my.. Has someone of you eaten this? ‘’Some mare gave me apple’s which had that in them and now I don’t have my cutie mark anymore and first I was in some sort of state where I thought that I never had a cutie mark but then Twilight used her memory spell on me and then I remembered everything! Well.. almost everything.’’ Rainbow Dash explains. ‘’This powder is called the cutie catcher. It works like this: Someone gives it to a pony with a cutie mark. Then the pony who gave the powder gets the eaters cutie mark in a storage cache what can be made out of dragon scales and phoenix feathers. Then the pony who ate it will lose her memories of having a cutie mark and remember only that she or he is trying to avoid getting seen without cutie mark.’’ ‘’Is there any way then how I could get my cutie mark back?’’ Says Rainbow Dash and starts to look angered. ‘’Yes. You must find the storage cache which has your cutie mark inside. The cache must be with the owner whole time.’’ ‘’So, where should we start searching?’’ Twilight asks and is starting to leave the house. ‘’Wait! I know that only one pony, actually a zebra, can make this powder.’’ Zecora says quickly before they leave. ‘’Do you know where she lives?’’ Rarity asks. ‘’I don’t know exactly but I know that she wanders around eastern Everfree Forest.’’ ‘Oh no.’’ Rarity says terrified. Chapter 2: The Journey BeginsChapter 2: The journey begins ____________________________________________________________ They start travelling towards the eastern part of the forest. When they have walked about four hours, Twilight says. ‘’Let’s set a camp here. I can’t walk any longer.’’ ‘’Fine for me. We can continue tomorrow.’’ Pinkie says and shoots with a cannon that builds a house instantly. ‘’Where did you get that?’’ ‘’I don’t know but I don’t care.’’ says Pinkie Pie and walks inside the house and others follow. In the middle of the night Rainbow wakes when she sees a light from outside of the house. She gets up from the bed and walks outside. She sees a light disappear in the forest. But why is there then so bright. ‘’Everypony up and out! The house is on fire!’’ Rainbow Dash yells to others. They all jump up and run out of the house. ‘’What did you do?!’’ Fluttershy says panicking. ‘’I didn’t do anything! I saw someone outside and I thought it was some of you, but when I went out, I saw a light disappear in the forest.’’ Rainbow tells. ‘’I bet that the one who lit the house is the same person who stole your cutie mark.’’ Twilight says. ‘’Let’s go after her!’’ Rainbow Dash says and starts flying towards the tree line but Applejack stops her just before she gets past the trees. ‘’Not now. You’ll just get lost in there. It’s best that we go together when the sun comes up.’’ ‘’Fine, but next time I am not going to let her go that easy.’’ ‘’I don’t want to interrupt anything but I think we have worse problems than a random light. So, our house just burned down. What do we do now?’’ Rarity says seriously. ‘’We should try to find a cover under some tree.’’ Applejack recommends. ‘’Well there is no shortage on trees.’’ says Twilight frustrated. ‘’Come on ya all, let’s find a nice spot.’’ They find a nice spot to stay the rest of the night, but they don’t get very much sleep because all animals in the forest are making scary noises and it starts raining. At morning they all are very tired but they still think that it is for the best to start traveling deeper into the forest before night comes again. ‘’I am really tired and I can’t even stand still. Can’t we really wait just a little more?’’ Rarity starts whining. ‘’We can’t wait anymore, we must keep going forward.’’ Twilight says determinedly. ‘’Yeah, I want to find that idiot who stole my mark.’’ Rainbow Dash says with a really angry tone in her voice. ‘’Let’s get moving then.’’ Says Applejack and starts walking in the forest and everyone follows. When they move deeper into the forest Rainbow notices something. ‘’Hey! Come look at this. Do these look like hoof prints to you?’’ ‘’Yeah they do.’’ Fluttershy says from the end of the line. ‘’I started seeing them a little while ago, but I thought it wasn’t that important, so I didn’t say anything.’’ ‘’Why wouldn’t they be important?!’’ Twilight asks angrily. ‘’I’m sorry…’’ Fluttershy says and starts backing off a little. ‘’Umm.. I mean that’s okay. It is better that someone said now than not at all.’’ Twilight says and lovers her voice a bit. ‘’Should we follow the hoof prints?’’ Pinkie asks. ‘’Of course! What were you thinking? That we just keep going forwards and sing songs!’’ Rainbow yells at Pinkie. ‘’I.. I..’’ Pinkie stutters and seems scared. ‘’Rainbow! You don’t have to be so aggressive!’’ Rarity commands. ‘’I am sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. It’s just that I have not been really myself since I lost my cutie mark.’’ Rainbow apologies. ‘’It’s okay. I understand.’’ Pinkie says and lifts her hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. ‘’I understand.’’ Pinkie repeats. The ponies start to follow the hoof trail and they also find a used lantern on the ground. They take it with them cause it may come useful. After a two hours of walking in the jungle, they have already lost the trail about half hour ago. But finally Applejack spots something. ‘’I found something.’’ Applejack whispers and her friends come to her. Applejack points at the trees on their left. ‘’What is that?’’ Twilight asks from her friend. ‘’I am not sure, but it looks like a tree house.’’ ‘’Should we investigate it.’’ Suddenly Rarity pulls her friends to lie on the ground. ‘’What are you doing?’’ Twilight tries to ask but her friend closes her mouth. Rarity point at tree house’s window, someone is looking straight at them. Chapter 3: Gaining AlliesChapter 3: Gaining allies ____________________________________________________________ ‘’Don’t. Move.’’ Rarity whispers. ‘’Come here you witch!’’ Rainbow yells and starts flying straight at the house door, just when she is about to hit it, the door opens and Rainbow crashes at the mare who opened it. ‘’Come on!’’ Twilight yells and starts running to Rainbow who seems to be holding someone on the floor. ‘’What are you doing?!’’ Says the mysterious pony. ‘’I am here to get my cutie mark back!’’ Rainbow yells straight at the pony’s face. ‘’Where are you keeping the marks?!’’ Says Applejack when she comes behind Rainbow. ‘’You dare to blame me?!’’ Says the pony and kicks Rainbow off her. ‘’I am not the one who is stealing the marks! I am the one who is trying to find the one stealing them!’’ Says the pony and takes her robe off. ‘’See, she took my mark too!’’ ‘’And he is a pony, not a zebra.’’ Says Twilight from the door. ‘’Zecora clearly said that it is a zebra who is stealing the marks.’’ Rainbow Dash rises from the ground and starts looking at the mare with shocked face. The mare lets everypony come in and then Rainbow and Applejack apologies that they were so rude. ‘’It okay. Why are you all here?’’ ‘’The zebra took my cutie mark and I’m gonna get it back.’’ ‘’Ookay. And you all are here to help her?’’ ‘’Yup.’’ Says Pinkie Pie who is already eating cake on the floor. ‘’You have cake?’’ The mare says and starts staring at the cake. ‘’I pack always some cake when I go somewhere. You want some?’’ Pinkie says with a big smile on her face and offers a piece. ‘’Thanks.’’ They sit at the table and the mare offers them some hot chocolate. ‘’My name is Lixidie, I have been here in the forest almost for two months now.’’ ‘’My name is Twilight Sparkle.’’ ‘’I’m Pinkie Pie.’’ ‘’Name is Rainbow Dash.’’ ‘’Rarity.’’ ‘’You can call me Applejack. ‘’Umm.. I am Fluttershy.’’ ‘’Well I think it’s pleasure to meet you all.’’ ‘’Have you still found out where she lives? The zebra.’’ Twilight asks immediately. ‘’No, but I think I got a trace what points that she would live at south part of Eastern Forest.’’ ‘’I think she is moving towards west because we came from there and she lit our house on fire when we were sleeping and if Rainbow wouldn’t have noticed we would all be dead by now.’’ Rarity tells. ‘’I don’t think it was her.’’ says Lixidie and takes a sip from her mug. ‘’No one else could have done it!’’ ‘’She never tries to hurt or kill anypony. She never uses violence.’’ ‘’Well who was it?’’ ‘’I think it was a fire rat. It is like a normal rat but it’s teeth light things on fire. They live in the direction where come from.’’ With a little silent moment Lixidie breaks the silence. ‘’You look very tired. I have many extra beds. Do you want to take nap?’’ Lixidie offers. Everypony nods. Lixidie shows the bedroom and everypony but Lixidie goes to sleep. Twilight wakes up first and goes to find her bag from the kitchen but when she gets there the backpack is gone and so is Lixidie. Twilight starts panicking and wakes everypony up. Every single backpack is gone. ‘’I knew we shouldn’t have trust her.’’ Rainbow Dash states. ‘’I can’t believe it. She can’t be evil.’’ Twilight mumbles. ‘’You just have to accept that not everypony is good.’’ Rarity announces. ‘’Who is evil?’’ Says a voice from the stairway. ‘’You took our backpacks!’’ Rainbow Dash starts yelling. ‘’Yes. I did. They seemed pretty dirty so I washed them. I put all your stuff under your beds.’’ Lixidie says confused. The pony friends look at Lixidie and then each other. They start laughing loudly. ‘’Umm.. Why are you laughing?’’ Says Lixidie and tilts her head. ‘’Nothing. Some of us seem to be a little stressed.’’ Pinkie explains and smiles at Lixidie. ‘’Okay. I have to go fill the water canister and search some berries. You want to join me? It would go a lot faster.’’ Lixidie asks and points out of the window. ‘’The water source is about a mile that way.’’ ‘’I can come to help with the canister with Rarity and the others could go get some berries. Okay?’’ Twilight suggests. Everyone nods and walks out of the house. On their way to the water source Lixidie suddenly stops and takes her hood of and looks at Twilight. ‘’You have a really kind brother.’’ Twilight looks back at Lixidie. ‘’How do you know Shining Armor?’’ ‘’I met him in canterlot. It was a rainy day, I was laying under a tree in canterlot garden. It was really cold evening. I had no place to go. The guards found me and threw me out of the garden. I stood there watching at the gate. Just when I was starting to cry, He came behind me and started yelling at the guards: ‘’Don’t you know how to treat a lady?’’ Then the guards told that they found me from the canterlot garden sleeping, but he was already giving me an umbrella and showing where I could stay through the night. At morning he was waiting me at the lobby. I spent whole day with him. He talked a lot about his sister named Twilight. But I couldn’t stay to say goodbye. I just left at midnight. I didn’t have the courage to say him goodbye.’’ Twilight and Rarity are watching at Lixidie silently. They walk the rest of the way silent. They get the water and walk back to the house. When they open the door the house is quiet. They walk in when suddenly.. ‘’Surprise!’’ Pinkie jumps behind the shelf and yells. ‘’Pinkie you scared me!’’ Twilight says to pinkie with a serious voice. ‘’Look! We found loads of berries!’’ Just when Pinkie is about to throw a handful of them in her mouth, Lixidie slaps Pinkies hoof and all the berries fall on the floor. ‘’What are you doing? It took us lots of time to collect them!’’ Rainbow says furiously. ‘’You idiots! I just saved her life!’’ Lixidie yells back at Rainbow. ‘’Saved from what? Evil vitamins?’’ ‘’Those aren’t normal berries. Those are doomberries. They kill you instantly even if you take only one!’’ ‘’Oh.. I didn’t know..’’ ‘’Of course you didn’t! And that is why you shouldn’t underestimate my knowledge.’’ ‘’Okay. I’m sorry. I should start trusting you a bit more.’’ ‘’You should. Maybe you’ll learn something.’’ Lixidie says sarcastically. ‘’Okay. Now, what should we do next?’’ Rarity asks. ‘’Well..’’ ‘’Let’s go find that piece of..’’ Rainbow starts but stops when Twilight looks at her. ‘’..Zebra’’ Rainbow finishes and Twilight gives her a smile. ‘’I think it’s best if wait until tomorrow so we can start early.’’ Twilight says with confident voice. ‘’By the way.. Where’s Fluttershy?’’ Pinkie asks suddenly. ‘’I am right here.’’ says Fluttershy who’s carrying four rabbits on her back. Everypony smiles at Fluttershy. But then Rainbow Dash breaks the silence. ‘’Where did you find those?’’ ‘’From outside.’’ ‘’I didn’t know rabbits lived in the Everfree Forest.’’ ‘’Some of them live in the Eastern part.’’ Lixidie notes. ‘’I can’t believe that I’m saying this but.. It’s nice see some rabbits after so long time.’’ Applejack says and pats one of the rabbits on the head. They play with the rabbits rest of the day. When the night comes, Rainbow Dash and Twilight decide to take little walk outside. ‘’I didn’t think it would be so nice to live in here, but now when we have been here three days, I kind of got used to it.’’ Rainbow starts. ‘’Yeah and Lixidie is a great pony, she is so kind, caring and friendly. Think about this. She took six ponies to stay with her even after they had blamed her and ‘’attacked’’ her.’’ Twilight notes. ‘’And it is so peaceful here. No screaming of little fillies. No market noises. Just nature.’’ Rainbow starts getting a little sappy. ‘’You mean when nature is peaceful.’’ They both start laughing a little. ‘’Yeah. And I just realized that I had forgotten about my cutie mark. We had so much fun that forgot about it.. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want it back.’’ Twilight nods. ‘’But we can worry about it tomorrow. Now, let’s just enjoy this moment.’’ They both just stand there a moment. They don’t say anything anymore but they start walking in the house and to the bedroom. Others have already gone to beds. ‘’Good night Twilight.’’ ‘’Good night.’’ Chapter 4: First EncounterChapter 4: First encounter ____________________________________________________________ At morning everypony wakes up to a terrible noise that is coming outside. ‘’What in darn nation is that noise?!’’ Applejack says and wobbles out of the bed. ‘’Oh no. This is not good.’’ Lixidie says and runs to the window. ‘’This is not good.’’ She repeats. ‘’What is not good?’’ Twilight says with a sleepy voice. ‘’Timberwolves!’’ Fluttershy yells when the wolves break the door. Fluttershy freezes in her place. Just when a wolf opens its mouth and leaps towards Fluttershy, Lixidie leaps in front of her and kicks the wolf out of the door. Then Lixidie looks at Fluttershy. Fluttershy can see tears coming out of Lixidie’s eyes. ‘’Go…’’Lixidie whispers. Fluttershy looks Lixidie in her eyes. ‘’Go!’’ Lixidie yells and runs towards the wolves. ‘’Everypony upstairs!’’ Fluttershy commands and crabs her backpack from the floor. When they reach the top of the house, they here a scream and an explosion. ‘’Lixidie!’’ Rarity screams and starts crying. Bottom of the house is gone and there is only smoke left. Timberwolves run back to the depths of the forest. Everyone just start crying and yell for Lixidie. ‘’Is she? She can’t be…’’ Rainbow Dash starts yelling:’’Lixidieee!’’ ‘’We got to move before those Timberwolves come back.’’ Twilight tells and grabs Rarity’s hoof. ‘’We can’t leave her!’’ Applejack says. ‘’We must.’’ Says Pinkie Pie and helps Fluttershy up. Just when they are about to leave, Rainbow Dash hears something: ‘’Did you hear that?’’ ‘’Hear what?’’ Twilight asks and looks at Rainbow. ‘’Help…’’ says a voice from the upper stair way and coughs. ‘’Lixidie!’’ Fluttershy runs to the stair way. ‘’You made it!’’ Twilight says and starts helping Fluttershy to carry her. They lower her in the ground but then she yells loudly. ‘’What is wrong?’’ asks Applejack urgently. ‘’My leg… It hurts…’’ Lixidie says and tries to hold her tears. ‘’Let me see.’’ Twilight says and turns Lixidie’s leg. ‘’Oh my.’’ Twilight says when she sees that a steel nail has gone through Lixidie’s leg. ‘’It hurts so much..’’ Lixidie says silently and still tries not to cry. ‘’You can cry Darling. It helps.’’ Rarity says and smiles at Lixidie. Lixidie smiles back and tears start flowing down her cheek. Then she closes her eyes and faints. ‘’What do we do now?’’ Fluttershy says terrified. ‘’We got to get her to a hospital.’’ Rarity says and looks at Twilight. ‘’That’s a two day walk. She won’t make it.’’ Twilight notes. ‘’There has to be some way.’’ Applejack says. ‘’I don’t know any other way.’’ Twilight says and starts staring at the ground. They all start staring at Lixidie. No one is smiling. The whole forest is quiet. But then Pinkie says: ‘’There is one way but I’m not sure if it works.’’ ‘’Tell us. Anything is worth of trying.’’ Rainbow Dash says and walks to Pinkie. ‘’Well, she told me about this plant that grows in this part of the forest. She told me that if you take its seeds and feed them to a sick or hurt pony it heals their wounds in one night.’’ Pinkie explains. ‘’What does the flower look like?’’ Twilight asks and walks to Pinkie Pie. ‘’She said that it glows in the dark but cannot be found in daylight.’’ ‘’Well, now we have two choices. A) We try to take her in the hospital. B) We wait for the night to come and the search the flower.’’ Twilight informs. ‘’Both options have their risks but I think that it is for the best if we stay here.’’ Rainbow says and starts to unpack her stuff. Everypony agrees. When it is starting to get dark, They get a new problem. Lixidie coughs and tries to get up. ‘’Don’t try to get up. We are here.’’ Twilight says and lowers her hoof on Lixidie’s head. ‘’So cold…’’ Lixidie says and starts shivering. ‘’Here. Take this.’’ says Rainbow Dash and hands her blanket to Lixidie. Lixidie nods and reaches for the blanket. ‘’Thanks.’’ ‘’You’re welcome.’’ Rainbow Dash smiles and then asks Applejack: ‘’Should we get going then?’’ ‘’Yup. You ready Pinkie?’’ ‘’Ready as can be.’’ ‘’Wait. Where are you going?’’ Lixidie says and tries to reach Rainbow’s hoof but then her legs moves and she lets a painful scream. ‘’Don’t move. It’ll just hurt. We are just going on a little searching trip.’’ Twilight explains. ‘’Searching for what?’’ ‘’The flower you told me about.’’ Pinkie says and carbs her backpack. ‘’But…’’ Lixidie starts but Twilight interrupts. ‘’No buts. We won’t be away long and besides, you have Fluttershy here taking care of you.’’ Twilight says and jump to the ground and others follow. ‘’But I…I…’’ She starts but can’t finish ‘cause the pain starts again. ‘’You don’t have to say anything. Just rest now. I’ll stay here.’’ ‘’But..’’ Lixidie starts but sees when other ponies run into forest and then everything goes dark. ‘’Okay, so let’s stick together in case if something happens.’’ Twilight says. ‘’Fine, but it is hard to find something, if you don’t even know where it grows.’’ Rainbow Dash tells. ‘’Just report every time when you see something that glows.’’ Twilight commands. They walk a little while but then Pinkie spots something. ‘’Look. There!’’ Pinkie says joyfully and points on a rock. ‘’That has to be it.’’ Twilight notes. ‘’Well that wasn’t so hard, was it?’’ Rainbow dash says and picks up the flower, then puts it into her backpack. ‘’Now we just need to walk back.’’ Rainbow says and starts walking back. ‘’Umm.. Rainbow?’’ Twilight says and looks at the rock with a terrified look on her face. ‘’What?’’ ‘’It wasn’t a rock.’’ ‘’What was it then?’’ ‘’Just a fire rat nest.’’ They all look at the nest. The nest starts suddenly glow and rats start flowing from the hole in the side of the nest. ‘’RUN!’’ Pinkie screams and everyone start running back to their camp. Whole forest is starting to light on fire. The ponies run as fast as they can to the camp. ‘’Fluttershy!’’ Twilight yells and jumps on the platform on the tree with Pinkie. ‘’We have a BIG problem!’’ Rainbow Dash yells and flies to the platform. ‘’NO!’’ Fluttershy yells when she sees that the flower flies off Rainbow’s backpack and the flower starts burning in the air. ‘’What do we do now..’’ Twilight starts when suddenly it starts raining and all the rats start screaming and dying. ‘’What is happening?’’ Rainbow says and looks down at the rats. ‘’How is it raining, when there are no clouds?’’ Rainbow continues. ‘’It’s her…’’Lixidie says and looks at the stairway. Everypony start looking at the stairway. There is someone standing in a brown robe. ‘’It’s her…’’Lixidie repeats and tries to get up but can’t. The person at the stairway starts walking towards Lixidie. ‘’Oh, no you don’t.’’ Rainbow Dash charges at the mysterious person but gets thrown back by a force field. The person is now standing right next to Lixidie. She looks at the sky and suddenly everything gets brighter and Lixidie starts floating in air. Everypony is staring at Lixdie, who is floating air. The person walks to Lixidie’s leg and pulls the nail off her leg. Lixidie lets out a scream that echoes in the forest and then she falls on the platform and stops moving. ‘’WHAT ARE YOU DOING? YOU’RE KILLING HER!’’ Rainbow Dash Screams at the mysterious person. The person takes a bag under her robes, she opens the bag and pours some sort of powder on Lixidie’s leg. Then she starts mumbling some weird words and suddenly Lixidie starts moving again. ‘’This is the last time I will help you.’’ Mysterious person says and runs back into the forest. No one goes after her. ‘’What happened?’’ Lixidie says and rises from the floor. ‘’She saved your life.’’ Twilight says and point into the woods, where Lixidie could just and just see a tail disappear. Then Lixidie starts smiling. ‘’I knew she isn’t entirely changed.’’ Lixidie whispers to herself and starts smiling. Everypony runs to Lixidie and start hugging her. ‘’Are you okay?’’ Applejack says worried. ‘’I feel better than ever before.’’ Lixidie answers and is still staring at the forest. ‘’Thanks for her.’’ Lixidie continues and continues smiling. ‘’Look! The wound is fully healed.’’ Fluttershy says and point at Lixidie’s leg. ‘’Now let’s go after that Zebra!’’ Rainbow Dash says and is preparing to leave. ‘’No. She saved my life. I think we should give her this night.’’ Lixidie says and put her hoof in front of Rainbow. ‘’She deserves it. Now, Let’s go to sleep. We can start searching her tomorrow.’’ Everyone goes to sleep except Lixidie who is still looking at the forest. ‘’I think you should rest too’’ Twilight says and lowers her hoof on Lixidie’s shoulder. Lixidie nods and they both go to beds. Chapter 5: ''Let me tell you a story''Chapter 5: ‘’Let me tell you a story’’ ____________________________________________________________ ‘’Come on you lazy ponies, we got some job to do!’’ Rainbow Dash and Lixidie wake everyone to breakfast. ‘’I made some berry soup, after you have ate those we can start tracking Her down.’’ Lixidie says with a cup of berry soup on her hoof. ‘’I have already packed all the stuff we need, so we can get going immediately’’ Rainbow Dash continues. When everypony is eating, Lixidie and Rainbow start to explain the plan. ‘’I remember that she started going that way, so I expect her to live somewhere in that direction.’’ Lixidie starts. ‘’Yeah, and because the forest burned a little yesterday, we can see her hoof prints easily.’’ Rainbow Dash continues. ‘’And she also was probably in so big hurry that she didn’t remember to clear her trail.’’ ‘’Okay then, It sounds like you two have a plan. Now we just need to get Rarity out of the bed.’’ Applejack informs. ‘’I’ll handle that.’’ Pinkie says and takes a bucket of cold water and pours it all on Rarity’s face. ‘’What in earth is going on?’’ Rarity says and jumps out of the bed. ‘’Handled.’’ Pinkie announces and everyone, except Rarity, start to laugh. When they all have eaten their food, they start leaving the house or what’s left of it. ‘’So, she went that way, and look, her hoof prints are visible. Now, let’s follow the prints and we’ll find her in no time.’’ Applejack tells. ‘’Why everything has to be covered in mud?’’ Rarity asks and tries to avoid the mud. ‘’Maybe because we are in a forest?’’ Twilight says with a clear frustration in her voice. When they move deeper and deeper in the forest, they notice something. ‘’What is this?’’ Fluttershy says and points at a piece of brown cloth. ‘’That must be from Her robe.’’ Rainbow Dash says. ‘’Well at least we are walking to the right direction. By the way, can anyone tell: How long we have been walking?’’ Lixidie says. ‘’According to suns position, we have been walking about five hours.’’ Twilight tells proud. ‘’Anypony want to keep a break and get something to eat?’’ Lixidie suggests. ‘’I do.’’ says Rarity immediately. ‘’That’s a good idea, let’s get something to eat and gather our energy. We still have a long walking ahead of us.’’ Twilight says. ‘’Fortunately, I packed a lot of berries for us to eat.’’ says Pinkie and takes a bag full of berries out of her bag. Everypony eat their belly full and take a little rest, but now they have to get moving again. ‘’Let’s get moving.’’ Lixidie commands. ‘’Do we have to?’’ Rarity starts whining. ‘’Sorry Sugarcube but we can’t wait too long.’’ Applejack says and lifts her friend up. They continue following the hoof prints when they see a tree with windows and a door. ‘’That must be where She lives.’’ Rainbow says and walks towards the house. ‘’Wait. Is this what I think it is?’’ Fluttershy says and picks a brown robe from a bush. ‘’Yes. It is.’’ Lixidie tells. ‘’Let’s go get her!’’ Rainbow says, walks to the door and knocks it. For everyone’s surprise, Someone opens the door, but that is not the reason, why they all are surprised. It’s Zecora, who opens the door. ‘’Are you The thief?’’ Rainbow asks and starts backing up. ‘’What do you mean Rainbow Dash?’’ Zecora asks confused. ‘’We found this from the bush.’’Fluttershy says and shows the robe. ‘’And that is?’’ Zecora asks and seems even more confused. ‘’Thief’s robe.’’ Fluttershy says and throws the robe in front of Zecora. ‘’This explains everything.’’Zecora says and looks at the robe. ‘’What?’’ Rainbow Dash says and everypony seem confused. ‘’Come in and I’ll explain.’’ When they all are inside Zecora’s house, Zecora starts explaining: ‘’Yesterday at evening, I was visited by one pony who looked like zebra. She told me that she had used all of her healing powder when she healed an old friend of her, and she wanted to buy some more. That must have been the thief you are looking for.’’ ‘’A friend of her?’’ Twilight says and turns to look at Lixidie, who looks like she would be about to run away. ‘’Yes. She is my former best friend, and she’s not a zebra. She is a pony who looks like zebra and her name is Zeabra.’’ Lixidie tells and walks next to window and looks out. ‘’Let me tell you a story.’’ Everypony gathers around Lixidie. ‘’I was at ninth grade. I was one of the most famous students in school. It was a normal looking day… ‘’Hey students!’’ Said the teacher, when she walked in the classroom. ‘’Good Morning teacher!’’ Whole class greets together. ‘’We have a new student in our class, come in!’’ Says teacher and looks at the doorway and so does the whole class. New student walks in the class looking as ready as a pony can. ‘’This is Zeabra, she comes from a faraway land. How about if you tell us something about yourself?’’ ‘’Well, My name is Zeabra, but I’m a pony.’’ Says Zeabra before she gets interrupted. ‘’That doesn’t make any sense! You can’t be a pony named Zebra! You even look like one!’’ Yells a colt from behind the class. ‘’’Don’t interrupt her.’’ The teacher commands and looks angrily at the colt in the back line. ‘’It’s okay. My name is not Zebra, it’s Zeabra. I love making potions and powders. I also like gathering herbs.’’ She tells before she gets interrupted again. ‘’So you are some kind of witch?’’ a mare asks. ‘’No I am not. I am a normal pony who likes different things than you.’’ Zeabra says and walks to her place. Everypony around her changes their place. When the lesson is over and Zeabra goes to get her books, some ponies start pushing her around and steal her books. ‘’Now listen, Zebra, if you think you can do whatever you want. You’re wrong and remember it.’’ One of the bullies say and throw Zeabra’s books in the trash can. Then they walk away laughing. Then when Zeabra gets to her locker and takes her other books and puts them on her back, somepony comes and slaps the book off her back. ‘’Look, she is a zebra, everypony can hold their books on their back, but she can’t. You know why? Because you are a zebra.’’ says the colt and walks away. When she is about to pick her books up, she sees that someone has already picked them. ‘’Please, I beg you, give those books back.’’ Zeabra says and stares the one who took her books in the eyes. ‘’Of course I will give them back, I just helped you collect them.’’ says the mare and hands over the books. ‘’Thanks.’’ Zeabra says with a questioning face. ‘’Name’s Lixidie.’’ says the mare and smiles. ‘’Zeabra.’’ she says and smiles back. They start walking towards the next class. ‘’So, you’re the new one on our class.’’ Lixidie confirms. ‘’Yeah. I can see that there is some sort of ‘’gang’’ leading the school.’’ ‘’Oh, you met them.’’ ‘’Well, they threw my books in a trash can.’’ ‘’That’s terrible. I can tell them to leave you alone.’’ ‘’You’d do that?’’ ‘’Of course. I’d do anything for a friend.’’ says Lixidie and starts staring at Zeabra. ‘’What?’’ Zeabra says and smiles back. ‘’You really look like a zebra. No offence.’’ ‘’None taken.’’ Lixidie and Zeabra spend every day of a month together, but one day when Zeabra is waiting for Lixidie. Somebody crabs her and drags her in the girls bathroom. ‘’You freaking witch!’’ says the mare and spits on Zeabra’s face and then continues. ‘’Did you really think we wouldn’t revenge?’’ ‘’What do you mean?’’ Zeabra says terrified. ‘’Lixidie told us that you beat her and tried to feed her some of your potions but she managed to escape.’’ ‘’I didn’t! I didn’t even see her after the school.’’ ‘’That sounds like an excuse to me.’’ ‘’But I didn’t do anything!’’ ‘’We are going to make every single day of the rest of your life a living hell.’’ ‘’But…’’ ‘’Don’t say that you didn’t so anything! It’s not going to work! Here’s the deal, Next weekend there is a party at my place and you better be there.’’ ‘’Why would you want me there?’’ ‘’Well, we need someone to laugh at.’’ ‘’And if I don’t come?’’ ‘’Let’s say that then you won’t anymore recognize yourself from the mirror.’’ Then the mare let’s her go and walks away. Zeabra is getting bullied everyday through whole week. Lixidie is not in school whole week, because she has a terrible fever. Or that is what they say. It’s the evening before the big party. Zeabra is in her room mixing something and talking herself. ‘’I heard that Lixidie will come. I have a surprise for her… a surprise she will never forget…’’ At the party Lixidie sees Zeabra and runs to her. ‘’Hey Zeabra! How nice that you got here!’’ ‘’Well hi you liar…’’ ‘’What did you say?’’ ‘’Umm... Nothing. It’s nice to see you again!’’ ‘’I missed you so much! I had a really terrible fever.’’ ‘’Of course you did…’’ ‘’Could you talk louder? I can’t hear you over the music!’’ ‘’ I said: Hi you liar! I have something for you!’’ Zeabra yells furiously and shoves a bag of some dust down Lixdie’s throat. Some of the ponies start staring at Lixidie other stare at Zeabra, who is standing at the door, holding some sort of box open. Suddenly Lixdie’s cutie mark rolls of her flank and flies inside the box that Zeabra is holding open. Then Zeabra closes the box and runs away. No pony runs after her. ‘’That was my story.’’ says Lixidie, who is still staring out of the window. ‘’Whoa…’’ Applejack says amazed. ‘’That was quite a story.’’ Rarity says and gets closer to Lixidie. ‘’But how did you get your memory back?’’ Twilight asks. ‘’She invented the powder with memory loss afterwards.’’ ‘’Oh…’’ ‘’I am not only after her because I want my cutie mark, I am also after her ‘cause I want to tell her the truth.’’ Lixidie explains. ‘’And I also know that she led us here, if you saw her hoof prints, she didn’t turn in any point, and she also didn’t even slightly try to cover her path. She wanted us to come here, to safety, to Ponyville.’’ ‘’Ponyville?!’’ Everypony says at the same time. ‘’Well, look.’’ Lixidie said and pointed at the Ponyville clock tower. Chapter 6: Meeting old friends and Getting new onesChapter 6: Meeting old friends and getting new ones. ___________________________________________________________¬_ ‘’What do we do now?’’ Rainbow Dash asks her friends and starts hitting her head at the wall. ‘’Stop that! Well, when we are here, we could gather some supplies.’’ Twilight suggests. ‘’You six go gather supplies. I have someone I have to meet.’’ Lixidie says and pulls her robe on her back. ‘’And who is that?’’ Applejack asks and steps in front of Lixidie. ‘’One of the few persons I trust.’’ Lixdie walks out of the door. ‘’Meet me again in the Sugarcube corner at tomorrow morning.’’ She continues. ‘’We will.’’ Twilight says and waves to Lixidie. ‘’Zecora, do you know any way we could protect ourselves from that powder.’’ ‘’I can mix you a special brew.’’ Zeacora tells. ‘’Can you mix it ‘till tomorrow morning?’’ Fluttershy asks from Zecora. ‘’I can try.’’ ‘’Great. Now, Pinkie Pie and Applejack, you store us much food. Next time we won’t come back this soon.’’ Twilight starts giving jobs. ‘’Yes ma’am.’’ Applejack responses. ‘’Rarity, you get us some warm clothes and something we can sleep in.’’ ‘’Of course Darling.’’ ‘’Fluttershy, help Zecora mix the brew and find her herbs.’’ ‘’Umm…Okay.’’ ‘’Rainbow Dash, I will help you to find clues and ask the ponies from Ponyville about Zeabra.’’ ‘’At your service!’’ ‘’Everyone knows what to do?’’ Everypony in the room nods. ‘’Okay, now, let’s go.’’ Twilight says and everypony walks out of Zecora’s house. Meanwhile Lixidie is walking towards Sweet Apple Acres. ‘’I hope she still lives there.’’ Lixidie mumbles to herself. She knocks on the door and Big Mac opens the door. ‘’Umm.. Is granny Smith here.’’ Lixidie asks and looks Big Mac in the eyes. ‘’Eyup.’’ Big Mac lets Lixidie in. ‘’Thanks.’’ Big Mac points to the living room and Lixidie walks towards it. While she is walking there, she looks around her. ‘’Nothing has changed.’’ Lixidie whispers. Then she sees Granny Smith sitting on her seat. Lixidie sprints to her and starts hugging her. ‘’Oh!’’ Granny smith turns around and sees Lixidie standing there crying. ‘’Is that you Lixidie?’’ Lixidie nods, ‘’Yes. It is.’’ ‘’It has been a long time since I’ve seen you, Lixidie…’’ ‘’I’ve missed you so much.’’ Lixidie says and tears are flowing down her cheeks. ‘’Come here.’’ Granny Smith says and starts hugging Lixidie. Granny Smith swipes tears off Lixidie’s cheeks. ‘’You still are one of the best apple buckers I have ever seen.’’ ‘’Well, It has been a long time since I have done it.’’ Lixidie says and swings her mane off her face. ‘’Would you like to help us? A new season has just begun.’’ Just when Lixidie is about to answer, someone opens the door. ‘’I’m home!’’ It’s Applejack. ‘’You back already? You said that you won’t come back in a long time.’’ Granny Smith yells to the lobby. ‘’We had some problems. I will leave again tomorrow.’’ Applejack responses and walks to the living room. Then she continues. ‘’I also met..’’ Applejack stops when she sees Lixidie standing there. ‘’What are you doing here?’’ They both ask at the same time. ‘’Well, I live here. What are you doing here?’’ Applejack repeats. ‘’I told you that I will visit an old friend.’’ ‘’Granny Smith is your ‘’old friend’’? ‘’Yes.’’ ‘’She is as good apple bucker as you.’’ Granny Smith tells to Applejack. ‘’And how do you know that?’’ ‘’I worked for Granny Smith when I was a little filly.’’ ‘’Well, I guess that then you can help gather apples?’’ ‘’If you can keep up with me.’’ Lixidie says and walks towards the door. ‘’Is that a challenge?’’ ‘’Maybe.’’ They both grab their buckets. ‘’Ten minutes. The one with more apples then wins. Deal?’’ Applejack asks and swings her mane. ‘’Deal!’’ ‘’Okay, Onetwothreego!’’ Applejack says and runs in the woods. ‘’Hey! Not fair.’’ Lixidie says and catches up with Applejack. They both run like crazy and kick the trees like never before. When ten minutes have gone, they both jump to lie down in the middle of trees. ‘’I think, I won.’’ Applejack says and throws some mud on Lixidie. ‘’No you didn’t!’’ Lixidie says and grabs Applejack. They both start rolling inside the apple forest. Then they stop and both of them laugh very hard. ‘’You are a lot nicer than I thought.’’ Applejack says and they both stare each other in the eyes. ‘’And you are a lot better friend than I thought.’’ Lixidie says and they both just lie there, silently, looking at each other. ‘’Come on. I’ll teach you how to make the best apple pie in the whole world.’’ Applejack says and helps her friend get up. ‘’Thanks.’’ ‘’For what?’’ ‘’For a great moment.’’ ‘’No problem. That is what friends are for.’’ ‘’Friends…’’ Lixidie says and starts smiling. They walk to the house and they have a wonderful time together. ‘’It’s getting late. I guess I have to go now.’’ Lixidie says and starts to pick up her backpack. ‘’You don’t have to.’’ Applejack says before Lixidie leaves. ‘’What do you mean?’’ ‘’We have extra beds. You can stay here over the night.’’ ‘’Well in that case…’’Lixidie put her bag down. ‘’..I’ll stay.’’ ‘’Awesome! I’ll show you my room and we can put a bed there.’’ When they are in the Applejack’s room getting ready to sleep, Lixidie tells. ‘’Thanks. You really are a good friend.’’ ‘’I am just myself, guess I am a nice person.’’ ‘’You are but…’’ ‘’But what?’’ ‘’This is just so kind. Look, I really didn’t have actually where to go.’’ ‘’What do you mean?’’ ‘’Well, You remember the story I told you?’’ ‘’Yea.’’ ‘’After that night, no one wanted to be with me anymore ‘cause I had been ‘’touched by witch’’ and finally they drove me so crazy that I ran, away, from everything. And now, when you six arrived at the house, I first time in a long time felt that someone cares. And I’m afraid that when this is over you will leave me and I think that I can’t take that sort of event again…’’ Lixidie starts crying and get under her blanket. ‘’Don’t worry sugarcube, we are not going to leave you. You are our friend.’’ ‘’I am?’’ ‘’Of course, and I never leave my friends.’’ Lixidie stops crying. ‘’Let’s go to sleep. We all had a rough day.’’ At dawn everyone except Lixidie and Applejack are in the Sugarcube corner. ‘’Where are those two?’’ Rainbow Dash and looks around. ‘’We have been waiting for them for half an hour.’’ Twilight says and looks at the clock tower. ‘’Maybe, Lixidie did something to Applejack.’’ Fluttershy says. ‘’Should we go search for them?’’ Rarity asks but then they hear a familiar laughing sound coming around the corner, It’s Applejack and Lixidie. ‘’What are you laughing at? We have been waiting a long time for you.’’ Rainbow Dash points at the clock. ‘’Oh, We’re sorry. We just had so much fun that we forgot the time.’’ Lixidie explains and smiles at Applejack. ‘’Well, now when we all are here, we must start heading towards Zeabra’s place.’’ Twilight says and looks at a list that is on her hoof. ‘’Zeabra’s place?’’ Lixidie says and looks at Rainbow. ‘’Yup.’’ Rainbow says proudly. ‘’How did you figure out, where she lives?’’ Lixidie asks from Twilight. ‘’I sent a letter to princess. She told me that she lives underground in the northern Everfree forest.’’ Twilight says and points towards the forest. ‘’Why doesn’t the princess go find Zeabra herself?’’ Applejack asks and bites an apple. ‘’She is too busy and no one has been brave enough to go there.’’ ‘’So We have to go.’’ Rainbow adds. ‘’Can’t we go around the forest?’’ Rarity says. ‘’No. It would take too much time. We must go through.’’ Twilight answers and points the clock. ‘’We better start walking so we find a good place to set a camp before it’s too late.’’ Chapter 7: Short Trip BackChapter 7: Short trip back. ____________________________________________________________ So the seven ponies leave Ponyville and head into the Everfree forest. They have walked about five minutes in the forest and they are already lost. ‘’Twilight, I thought you knew where we were supposed to go.’’ Rarity says and looks at Twilight. ‘’Hey, it’s not that easy to navigate in a forest.’’ Twilight says back to Rarity. ‘’I know.. but this early.’’ ‘’Rainbow.’’ Lixidie calls. ‘’What?’’ ‘’Could you try to fly up and see, where the sun is rising.’’ Lixidie asks. ‘’Sure thing.’’ Rainbow flies above the tree tops. Rainbow looks around then she comes back to ground. ‘’The sun is rising from our right. Anyway, how is that going to help you.’’ ‘’Sun rises from the east and sets in west. Now, if sun is rising from our right, it means that east is on our right side and west on our left, and that means that north is in front of us.’’ Lixidie explains. ‘’Soo, are we going the right way?’’ Rainbow says and looks at Twilight. ‘’Yes, we are.’’ They try to take view points from in front of them so they would go straight forward. But when night comes they set a to stick point the direction, where they want to go. ‘’Are you sure you want to sleep on the ground again?’’ Rarity asks and looks into the woods. ‘’We don’t have anywhere else to go.’’ Pinkie responses. Lixidie looks up the trees. Then she takes her blanket and a piece of rope and starts climbing up the tree. She’s up on a branch in no time. ‘’What are you doing?’’ Fluttershy asks worried. ‘’I will tie my legs on the branch and sleep here.’’ ‘’Is it safe?’’ ‘’If you know what you’re doing.’’ ‘’Looks like fun.’’ Applejack says and climbs to sit next to Lixidie. ‘’Hi.’’ Lixidie says and smiles at Applejack. ‘’I said that I never leave my friends.’’ Applejack says and smiles back. ‘’Well, I am not going to climb up there. I prefer to stay on the ground.’’ Rarity looks at the two ponies in the tree. ‘’Yeah, we’ll stay down here.’’ Twilight says and starts unpacking her backpack. Whole night goes peacefully but Applejack gets a shock when she wakes up. ‘’Somepony, Help me!’’ she screams. ‘’What?’’ Lixidie says and looks at Applejack who is hanging from her tree branch. ‘’I guess I didn’t check my rope twice.’’ Lixidie laughs a bit and then jumps to the branch below Applejack. ‘’Let go and I’ll catch you.’’ ‘’Are you sure about this?’’ Lixidie nods. ‘’Here it goes… AAAAAAAAAH!’’ Applejack closes her eyes but then someone crabs her and lowers her on the ground. ‘’Gotcha.’’ Lixidie says and jumps down from the branch. ‘’Thanks.’’ ‘’I owed you one.’’ Lixidie says and walks to Twilight. ‘’Should we get going?’’ ‘’Yes. Okay everypony, let’s get walking.’’ Twilight says and they start walking to the direction where the stick was pointing. When they have walked about three hours, Twilight announces: ‘’Now we should be at the border of the northern Everfree forest.’’ ‘’How do you know that?’’ Pinkie asks. ‘’I know that Southern and Northern Everfree forest is separated by a big river.’’ Twilight says and points down to a river. ‘’So, how do we recognize the entrance to Zeabra’s hiding place.’’ Rainbow Dash says and raises a rock. ‘’Princess told me that it is surrounded by many different flowers.’’ ‘’Well, what are we waiting for?’’ Rarity says and starts walking closer to the river when suddenly a gigantic tentacle reaches from the water. ‘’Rarity!’’ Fluttershy yells and grabs rarity just before the tentacle hits her. ‘’Gosh! What was that?!’’ Rarity starts yelling at Twilight. ‘’It was a tentacle of the monster that guards the river. The river is only crossable at night when the monster is sleeping.’’ Twilight tells. ‘’It’s not even twelve o’clock! What do we do the rest of this day?’’ Applejack asks. ‘’I guess we can just relax.’’ Lixidie says and lies down on the grass. ‘’Yeah. Let’s just relax and wait for night to come.’’ Rainbow Dash says and jumps to lie next to Lixidie. They all play and relax at the edge of the forest. Final Chapter: The SolutionFinal chapter: The right solution ______________________________________________________________ Suddenly Pinkie Spots something. ‘’Hey Twilight. Do you see someone over there?’’ Pinkie points to the other side of the river. ‘’Yes. She has been watching us quite a while now. I don’t know why she is still there. She must have noticed that we are looking at her.’’ Twilight says and stares at the pony across the river. ‘’Maybe she wants to join us?’’ ‘’And take our marks?’’ ‘’No. I think she might be lonely. Think, she has been running almost her entire life, and now she sees seven ponies including her former best friend having fun.’’ ‘’That’s true, but I still don’t understand one thing. Why is she stealing cutie marks?’’ ‘’She can make an infinite source of herbs and ingredients if she combines fifteen different cutie marks, she has now seven according to my calculations.’’ Lixidie explains and has suddenly appeared next to Pinkie. Lixidie walks right next to the water. ‘’Nice to see you again.’’ Lixidie says to Zeabra, who just stands quietly at the other side. ‘’We don’t have to continue this anymore.’’Lixidie says and steps to the water. Everyone else is standing far back watching alternately Lixidie and Zeabra. ‘’I need to explain something to you. About the party…’’ Lixidie says an steps deeper in the water. ‘’I am not going to save you so don’t do anything stupid.’’ Zeabra says. ‘’I just want to tell you the truth…’’ Lixidie says and takes one more step. ‘’Don’t! You might not make it.’’ Zeabra says and takes a step closer to Lixidie. ‘’I didn’t tell them that you had beat me, they made it up.’’ Lixidie takes a step further into the water and the water starts shaking. ‘’No! I don’t want to hear it!’’ Zeabra yells and looks like she would be suffering. ‘’They wanted you to suffer! They wanted you to go crazy!’’ Lixidie says but stands still. The shaking gets even worse. Zeabra starts crying. ‘’I didn’t want this to you! I wanted to be your friend! And I still want to be your best friend…’’ Lixidie starts crying and they can see the monster underwater. ‘’But if I don’t want to be your friend?!’’ Zeabra yells to Lixidie. ‘’ If you don’t want to be my friend?’’ ‘’Yeah.’’ ‘’Well, then I don’t care anymore…’’ Lixidie says and leaps in the middle of the river. ‘’No!’’ Zeabra yells when the monster crabs Lixidie and starts throwing in the air, then the monster hits Lixidie on a tree and Lixidie loses her consciousness. ‘’Let’s help her!’’ Rainbow yells and flies towards the monster but the monster hits Rainbow back. Other ponies try the same but end up with the same results. Zeabra looks around her and all of her memories start to show up before her eyes. All the fun times she had with Lixidie. ‘’Oh no you don’t..’’ Zeabra says and takes a knife under her robe. ‘’Let’s make you dance…’’ Zeabra leaps to the air and makes a somersault in the air and lands on the head of the monster. ‘’Look.’’ Twilight says and points at Zeabra. Everypony is staring at her. Zebra strikes the knife in the monster head, takes it off and leaps again in the air, then she slices Lixidie off the tentacles and Lixidie flies through the air and Rainbow catches her. In the mid-air Zeabra sticks a bag of some sort of dust on her knife. She looks Twilight in the eyes and then at Lixidie, who is not moving. ‘’She is not planning to make it back…’’ Twilight says silently. ‘’Don’t!’’ Applejack yells, but it is too late. Zeabra strikes her knife in the monsters eye and then a huge explosion comes. The explosion throws Zeabra in a tree and then she falls on the ground. The last thing she sees is the ponies running to her. ‘’Take this…’’ Zeabra says and then stops breathing. She has a small box on her hoof. Rainbow Dash opens the box and her cutie mark flies out of the box to her flank. Then everypony start crying. Suddenly a bright light appears. ‘’Where am I? Ouch!’’ Lixidie says and looks at herself. She has a bandage around her head and waist. ‘’Hey, you woke up!’’ Twilight says and everypony runs to hug Lixidie. ‘’Where am I?’’ ‘’You’re at Ponyville hospital. Without Celestia you might still be in the forest.’’ ‘’Is Zeabra..?’’ ‘’She is in a pretty hard shape but she’ll make it. She almost killed herself to save you.’’ ‘’She did?’’ ‘’Yup. And she has a present for you.’’ Rainbow Dash brings the box and opens it. Lixidie’s cutie mark flies really fast under the blanket to Lixidie’s flank. ‘’Is Celestia still here?’’ ‘’Yes, she is outside. Do you want me to get her here?’’ Lixidie nods. Celestia steps inside the hospital room. ‘’You wanted to say me something?’’ Celestia asks. ‘’Yes. I think you should not punish Zeabra.’’ Everypony looks at Lixidie. ‘’I’m listening.’’ Celestia says. ‘’She deserves another chance. She was lost and alone. It was a hard thing to her to hear that her best friend had lied about her. Everyone bullied her. She didn’t have anyone who loved her, but now… I think she has realized that she has a friend who cares. She has learned the meaning of friendship, and I think that she wants to learn more. So please, give her another chance. She deserves it.’’ Lixidie looks Celestia in the eyes and then Celestia nods. ‘’I’ll give her another chance, but only if you do something…’’ ‘’Anything princess.’’ ‘’I want you to teach her more about friendship, and support her in her way to better world.’’ ‘’I will.’’ After a few weeks they get released from the hospital. ‘’I can’t still believe that I was so blind…’’ Zeabra says and stares at the ground. ‘’You were lost. And we all forgive you.’’ ‘’We?’’ Lixidie points at six ponies that are coming in front of them. ‘’Look who got out of the hospital.’’ Rainbow Dash yells and all of them run to Zeabra and Lixidie. Everypony hugs Lixidie and Zeabra. ‘’You’re not mad at me?’’ Zeabra asks with a neutral voice, like she wouldn’t know how to react. ‘’Not at all.’’ They all say at the same time. When they walk to Sugarcube corner, everyone avoids Zeabra, but when they see her with the others they start smiling at her. ‘’We got so much to show you!’’ Rainbow Dash says and makes a loop in the air. ‘’If you don’t mind… I would just want to spend some time alone with Lixidie.’’ Zeabra says. ‘’Sure. I’ll see you tomorrow at the party.’’ Twilight says and goes home. Then everypony goes to do their things. Next day in the party everyone is having a blast. ‘’Pinkie Pie really throws the best parties around here.’’ Lixidie notes. Zeabra is just sitting at the table. ‘’Come to dance!’’ Pinkie Pie says and takes Zeabra to the dance floor and they both start to dance. Then Twilight takes a letter and starts to write: Dear Princess Celestia, I think that one of your subjects, Zeabra, has learned an important lesson about friendship. That if someone tells you something about your friend, you better check that it is true before you plan to do anything. That way you can avoid doing anything stupid and avoid lots of trouble. And this is a good way stop this story. It all began at a party and to a party it shall end. Thanks for reading. The End
Prologue: What's wrong Rainbow?Prologue: What’s wrong Rainbow? ____________________________________________________________ It's another beautiful day in Equestria. Pinkie Pie is throwing a party for her friends. Everyone is dancing, laughing and having a good time. Then Applejack gets an idea: ''Let's go to the beach! I heard that the water is really warm today.'' Twilight gets excited: ''Yea let's go, I could sunbathe and read my new book!'' ''I'll take some cake so we don't starve there'', Pinkie suggests. ''Do I have to come?'', says voice silently from the stairway, It's Rainbow Dash. ''Why wouldn't you sugarcube?'', Applejack says wondering. ''Well... Umm... I... Don't like water.'', says Rainbow Dash and seems to be getting a little nervous. ''You don't have to go to water, you can stay at the beach.'' ''I don't want to come! You can go without me!'' ''Come on Rainbow, It'll be fun!'' Rainbow Dash thinks a moment and then says: ''Fine, but I am not going near the water, okay?'' ''Okay, main thing is that you are there.'' says Twilight joyfully. Pony friends start packing their stuff and walking towards the beach. Rainbow doesn't seem that happy about going. When they have walked about half of the way, Fluttershy breaks the silence by asking: ''So Rainbow, since when have you not liked water?'' ''Yea, tell us Rainbow, I remember you loved swimming.'' Rarity notes. ''Can't a pony change her mind?'' Rainbow says with an angry tone. ''Sorry, I was just asking.'' Fluttershy apologies. Finally they have arrived at the beach and everypony is having a blast. Even Rainbow Dash is now smiling a bit. But still she seems pretty sad when looking other ponies playing in the water and Applejack notices it. ''Is something wrong sugarcube?'' Applejack tries to ask. ''Nothing. I just... well.. nothing.'' Rainbow mumbles quietly. ''You can tell me.'' Applejack tries again. ''No i can't... I mean.. because nothing is wrong! Stop asking me questions!'' Rainbow says and starts to look pretty angry. ''Okay, no need to start yelling. I was just making sure, but are you sure you don't want to come in the water, you can just walk on the shore.'' ''It's that nice?'' Rainbow asks. ''Yup.'' ''Fine, but I am not swimming.'' ''No need to, Come on.'' They walk to the water just that much that their hooves are covered on water. Rainbow looks at the water and smiles a little. ''The water is really warm'' ''Told ya'' says Applejack proudly. ''Hey, you got Rainbow in water. Want some cake?'' Says Pinkie with a wet cake on top of his head. ''No thanks, maybe later'' Applejack says and looks at the wet cake. ''How about you Rainbow Dash?'' Rainbow is not responding. She is just watching the water like she would have not seen water ever before. ''Umm.. Rainbow Dash?'' Pinkie Pie says worried. ''Wha..Oh...No thanks.'' ''Okay.'' Then suddenly dark clouds start hovering over the beach. ''Oh no!'' Rainbow Dash screams like she would have seen a ghost. ''What's wrong?!'' Twilight asks. ''What is wrong?'' Without any answer Rainbow Dash flies faster than light inside the lighthouse and the other ponies followed her inside. Inside everypony starte staring at Rainbow Dash. She stares at the ground and looks like she couldn’t breathe. ‘’What was all about? I thought you liked flying in the rain.’’ Applejack said shocked. Rainbow Dash looks at her flank, then she looks her friends quickly and starts crying and runs to the top of the light house. ‘’Come back!’’ Fluttershy tries to stop her but she is not fast enough. When they reach the top of the lighthouse they can see a blue wing disappear behind the clouds. ‘’What in darn nation is wrong with that pony?’’ Applejack says wondering. ‘’I don’t know but let’s give her some time and maybe she’ll tell us’’ Twilight suggests. ‘’Okay, maybe she just needs some time.’’ Rarity notes
Chapter 1: The RealisationChapter 1: Realization ____________________________________________________________ After few days Fluttershy meets Applejack selling apple pies at the Sugarcube corner. ‘’Are the pies selling well?’’ ‘’Yup. I tried a new recipe.’’ ‘’That’s nice. How much does it cost?’’ ‘’I can give you a slice to taste.’’ ‘’Thanks!’’ ‘’So, how does it taste?’’ ‘’Amazing! This is the best recipe you’ve done so far!’’ ‘’Thank you kindly!’’ ‘’By the way… Have you seen Rainbow Dash?’’ ‘’No, not since the last time. I think we should try to visit her and ask about what is going on.’’ ‘’That is a great idea!’ ‘’Should we ask if the others would want to come?’’ ‘’I think it is best that just the two of us go, maybe she won’t be so nervous.’’ ‘’Okay, meet me at the farm at five?’’ ‘’Okay.’’ Fluttershy and Applejack meet at the farm. Applejack borrowed Pinkie’s hot air balloon that they can get to Cloudsdale and Fluttershy got some powder from Zacora that Applejack can walk on clouds. ‘’Ready to go?’’ Applejack says excited. ‘’Ready.’’ The two ponies fly their way to Cloudsdale and walk to Rainbow Dash’s place. Applejack knocks on the door. ‘’How is there?’’ Comes a voice from inside. ‘’It’s me and Fluttershy. Can we come in?’’ ‘’Sure.’’ They open the door and everything seems to be normal. ‘’So, what are you doing in Cloudsdale?’’ ‘’We came to ask about the scene at the beach.’’ Fluttershy says and looks at the blue Pegasis who seems to be searching something. ‘’Oh. Well that was just nothing.’’ ‘’I know something is wrong and you are trying to hide it from us.’’ Applejack says with a serious tone in her voice. ‘’We are your friends, you can tell us.’’ ‘’Promise you won’t start to laugh?’’ ‘’Why would we?’’ ‘’Because…’’ Rainbow Dash turns sideways and Applejack and Fluttershy are shocked. ‘’Where is your cutie mark?!’’ Says Fluttershy and seems to start panicing a little bit. ‘’I’ve never had a one… I have tricked you all my life about my cutie mark.’’ Rainbow says and sounds pretty sad. ‘’That is not true!’’ Applejack says. ‘’I know you have real cutie mark. I’ve seen it and felt it!’’ ‘’Sorry Applejack…’’ ‘’Come on Fluttershy, Let’s go see Twilight.’’ Applejack orders. ‘’Hey! Can come with you? I got to borrow the new Daring Do from Twilight. ‘’Sure.’’ When they arrive at Twilight’s house, They see Pinkie reading a recipe book and Rarity and Twilight reading. Rainbow Dash runs inside the tree and seems to be really excited. ‘’Hey Twilight!’’ Says Rainbow Dash and scares Twilight a bit. ‘’Gosh! You scared me. What are you all doing here?’’ ‘’I came to see if you would have the newest Daring Do book.’’ ‘’Of course I have it. Wait a sec. Here.’’ ‘’Thanks Twilight.’’ says Rainbow and goes immediately read it to the closest desk. ‘’What are you two doing here?’’ ‘’We have a problem.’’ Applejack and Fluttershy explain everything to Twilight and she seems quite confused. ‘’Can you try to use the memory spell on her, maybe she’ll then remember what really happened?’’ Fluttershy suggests. ‘’I can, but I am not sure if it works.’’ ‘’Give it try.’’ ‘’Okay.’’ Twilight walks behind Rainbow Dash and says: ‘’Hey Rainbow. Look what I have here.’’ Rainbow Dash turns around and sees Twilight with her horn sparkling and suddenly everything goes black. ‘’Wha.. What happened? How am I here?’’ Rainbow Dash starts asking in shock. Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy explain everything to Rainbow Dash and she seems like she still does not understand it all. ‘’What is the last thing you remember?’’ Twilight starts asking. ‘’I remember a mare who came to sell me apples.’’ ‘’Yes. and?’’ ‘’She said that they have some special ingredient in them.’’ ‘’Good. And what happened then?’’ ‘’I remember that I bit one of the apples and then she started mumbling some weird words and my..’’ Rainbow Dash stops suddenly. ‘’Then what?’’ ‘’My cutie mark! It rolled off my flank like as it would have been a sticker or something! Then my cutie mark flew into her backpack and then she ran away.’’ ‘’Did you see anything anymore before everything went black?’’ ‘’Hold on..’’ Says Rainbow and starts to rub her head. Everypony is waiting impatient. ‘’I remember one thing… She dropped one bag accidentally but she didn’t pick it up! It might at my house!’’ ‘’Let’s go find out.’’ Says Pinkie Pie and runs to get her balloon. When they arrive at Rainbow Dash’s house, everypony start running inside. ‘’Here it is!’’ Says Rainbow Dash joyfully. ‘’Nice job. What should we do with it?’’ Asks Fluttershy and tilts her head. ‘’We should show it to Zecora and see if she know anything about it.’’ ‘’Great idea sugarcube. Let’s get moving.’’ Applejack says and is already running towards the balloon. They are at the edge of the Everfree Forest when Pinkie says that it would be safer to go on walking, because it is not easy to land in the middle of the forest. They start walking towards Zecora’s house. ‘’Oh. I forgot to tell you all one thing.’’ Says Applejack suddenly. ‘’And what is that thing?’’ Rarity says like she couldn’t take any more surprises. ‘’I found this yesterday from the lighthouse.’’ Applejack starts to search something from her backpack. ‘’This!’’ She is holding a sticker between her teeth’s. It looks exactly same as Rainbows cutie mark. ‘’I think this is what she was hiding from us when she said that she doesn’t want to go to water.’’ ‘’Did I have a sticker on my flank so you wouldn’t notice?’’ Rainbow says and scratches her head. ‘’Apparently yes.’’ ‘’Oh gosh.’’ Finally they can see Zecora’s house and run to knock the door. Zecora opens the door and the pony friends all rush inside. ‘’What are you pony folk doing here?’’ Zecora say confused. ‘’We need your immediate help!’’ Twilight says and hands the bag with some kind of powder in it. ‘’What is this?’’ ‘’Let me see.’’ says Zecora and takes the powder. ‘’Oh my.. Has someone of you eaten this? ‘’Some mare gave me apple’s which had that in them and now I don’t have my cutie mark anymore and first I was in some sort of state where I thought that I never had a cutie mark but then Twilight used her memory spell on me and then I remembered everything! Well.. almost everything.’’ Rainbow Dash explains. ‘’This powder is called the cutie catcher. It works like this: Someone gives it to a pony with a cutie mark. Then the pony who gave the powder gets the eaters cutie mark in a storage cache what can be made out of dragon scales and phoenix feathers. Then the pony who ate it will lose her memories of having a cutie mark and remember only that she or he is trying to avoid getting seen without cutie mark.’’ ‘’Is there any way then how I could get my cutie mark back?’’ Says Rainbow Dash and starts to look angered. ‘’Yes. You must find the storage cache which has your cutie mark inside. The cache must be with the owner whole time.’’ ‘’So, where should we start searching?’’ Twilight asks and is starting to leave the house. ‘’Wait! I know that only one pony, actually a zebra, can make this powder.’’ Zecora says quickly before they leave. ‘’Do you know where she lives?’’ Rarity asks. ‘’I don’t know exactly but I know that she wanders around eastern Everfree Forest.’’ ‘Oh no.’’ Rarity says terrified.
Chapter 2: The Journey BeginsChapter 2: The journey begins ____________________________________________________________ They start travelling towards the eastern part of the forest. When they have walked about four hours, Twilight says. ‘’Let’s set a camp here. I can’t walk any longer.’’ ‘’Fine for me. We can continue tomorrow.’’ Pinkie says and shoots with a cannon that builds a house instantly. ‘’Where did you get that?’’ ‘’I don’t know but I don’t care.’’ says Pinkie Pie and walks inside the house and others follow. In the middle of the night Rainbow wakes when she sees a light from outside of the house. She gets up from the bed and walks outside. She sees a light disappear in the forest. But why is there then so bright. ‘’Everypony up and out! The house is on fire!’’ Rainbow Dash yells to others. They all jump up and run out of the house. ‘’What did you do?!’’ Fluttershy says panicking. ‘’I didn’t do anything! I saw someone outside and I thought it was some of you, but when I went out, I saw a light disappear in the forest.’’ Rainbow tells. ‘’I bet that the one who lit the house is the same person who stole your cutie mark.’’ Twilight says. ‘’Let’s go after her!’’ Rainbow Dash says and starts flying towards the tree line but Applejack stops her just before she gets past the trees. ‘’Not now. You’ll just get lost in there. It’s best that we go together when the sun comes up.’’ ‘’Fine, but next time I am not going to let her go that easy.’’ ‘’I don’t want to interrupt anything but I think we have worse problems than a random light. So, our house just burned down. What do we do now?’’ Rarity says seriously. ‘’We should try to find a cover under some tree.’’ Applejack recommends. ‘’Well there is no shortage on trees.’’ says Twilight frustrated. ‘’Come on ya all, let’s find a nice spot.’’ They find a nice spot to stay the rest of the night, but they don’t get very much sleep because all animals in the forest are making scary noises and it starts raining. At morning they all are very tired but they still think that it is for the best to start traveling deeper into the forest before night comes again. ‘’I am really tired and I can’t even stand still. Can’t we really wait just a little more?’’ Rarity starts whining. ‘’We can’t wait anymore, we must keep going forward.’’ Twilight says determinedly. ‘’Yeah, I want to find that idiot who stole my mark.’’ Rainbow Dash says with a really angry tone in her voice. ‘’Let’s get moving then.’’ Says Applejack and starts walking in the forest and everyone follows. When they move deeper into the forest Rainbow notices something. ‘’Hey! Come look at this. Do these look like hoof prints to you?’’ ‘’Yeah they do.’’ Fluttershy says from the end of the line. ‘’I started seeing them a little while ago, but I thought it wasn’t that important, so I didn’t say anything.’’ ‘’Why wouldn’t they be important?!’’ Twilight asks angrily. ‘’I’m sorry…’’ Fluttershy says and starts backing off a little. ‘’Umm.. I mean that’s okay. It is better that someone said now than not at all.’’ Twilight says and lovers her voice a bit. ‘’Should we follow the hoof prints?’’ Pinkie asks. ‘’Of course! What were you thinking? That we just keep going forwards and sing songs!’’ Rainbow yells at Pinkie. ‘’I.. I..’’ Pinkie stutters and seems scared. ‘’Rainbow! You don’t have to be so aggressive!’’ Rarity commands. ‘’I am sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. It’s just that I have not been really myself since I lost my cutie mark.’’ Rainbow apologies. ‘’It’s okay. I understand.’’ Pinkie says and lifts her hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. ‘’I understand.’’ Pinkie repeats. The ponies start to follow the hoof trail and they also find a used lantern on the ground. They take it with them cause it may come useful. After a two hours of walking in the jungle, they have already lost the trail about half hour ago. But finally Applejack spots something. ‘’I found something.’’ Applejack whispers and her friends come to her. Applejack points at the trees on their left. ‘’What is that?’’ Twilight asks from her friend. ‘’I am not sure, but it looks like a tree house.’’ ‘’Should we investigate it.’’ Suddenly Rarity pulls her friends to lie on the ground. ‘’What are you doing?’’ Twilight tries to ask but her friend closes her mouth. Rarity point at tree house’s window, someone is looking straight at them.
Chapter 3: Gaining AlliesChapter 3: Gaining allies ____________________________________________________________ ‘’Don’t. Move.’’ Rarity whispers. ‘’Come here you witch!’’ Rainbow yells and starts flying straight at the house door, just when she is about to hit it, the door opens and Rainbow crashes at the mare who opened it. ‘’Come on!’’ Twilight yells and starts running to Rainbow who seems to be holding someone on the floor. ‘’What are you doing?!’’ Says the mysterious pony. ‘’I am here to get my cutie mark back!’’ Rainbow yells straight at the pony’s face. ‘’Where are you keeping the marks?!’’ Says Applejack when she comes behind Rainbow. ‘’You dare to blame me?!’’ Says the pony and kicks Rainbow off her. ‘’I am not the one who is stealing the marks! I am the one who is trying to find the one stealing them!’’ Says the pony and takes her robe off. ‘’See, she took my mark too!’’ ‘’And he is a pony, not a zebra.’’ Says Twilight from the door. ‘’Zecora clearly said that it is a zebra who is stealing the marks.’’ Rainbow Dash rises from the ground and starts looking at the mare with shocked face. The mare lets everypony come in and then Rainbow and Applejack apologies that they were so rude. ‘’It okay. Why are you all here?’’ ‘’The zebra took my cutie mark and I’m gonna get it back.’’ ‘’Ookay. And you all are here to help her?’’ ‘’Yup.’’ Says Pinkie Pie who is already eating cake on the floor. ‘’You have cake?’’ The mare says and starts staring at the cake. ‘’I pack always some cake when I go somewhere. You want some?’’ Pinkie says with a big smile on her face and offers a piece. ‘’Thanks.’’ They sit at the table and the mare offers them some hot chocolate. ‘’My name is Lixidie, I have been here in the forest almost for two months now.’’ ‘’My name is Twilight Sparkle.’’ ‘’I’m Pinkie Pie.’’ ‘’Name is Rainbow Dash.’’ ‘’Rarity.’’ ‘’You can call me Applejack. ‘’Umm.. I am Fluttershy.’’ ‘’Well I think it’s pleasure to meet you all.’’ ‘’Have you still found out where she lives? The zebra.’’ Twilight asks immediately. ‘’No, but I think I got a trace what points that she would live at south part of Eastern Forest.’’ ‘’I think she is moving towards west because we came from there and she lit our house on fire when we were sleeping and if Rainbow wouldn’t have noticed we would all be dead by now.’’ Rarity tells. ‘’I don’t think it was her.’’ says Lixidie and takes a sip from her mug. ‘’No one else could have done it!’’ ‘’She never tries to hurt or kill anypony. She never uses violence.’’ ‘’Well who was it?’’ ‘’I think it was a fire rat. It is like a normal rat but it’s teeth light things on fire. They live in the direction where come from.’’ With a little silent moment Lixidie breaks the silence. ‘’You look very tired. I have many extra beds. Do you want to take nap?’’ Lixidie offers. Everypony nods. Lixidie shows the bedroom and everypony but Lixidie goes to sleep. Twilight wakes up first and goes to find her bag from the kitchen but when she gets there the backpack is gone and so is Lixidie. Twilight starts panicking and wakes everypony up. Every single backpack is gone. ‘’I knew we shouldn’t have trust her.’’ Rainbow Dash states. ‘’I can’t believe it. She can’t be evil.’’ Twilight mumbles. ‘’You just have to accept that not everypony is good.’’ Rarity announces. ‘’Who is evil?’’ Says a voice from the stairway. ‘’You took our backpacks!’’ Rainbow Dash starts yelling. ‘’Yes. I did. They seemed pretty dirty so I washed them. I put all your stuff under your beds.’’ Lixidie says confused. The pony friends look at Lixidie and then each other. They start laughing loudly. ‘’Umm.. Why are you laughing?’’ Says Lixidie and tilts her head. ‘’Nothing. Some of us seem to be a little stressed.’’ Pinkie explains and smiles at Lixidie. ‘’Okay. I have to go fill the water canister and search some berries. You want to join me? It would go a lot faster.’’ Lixidie asks and points out of the window. ‘’The water source is about a mile that way.’’ ‘’I can come to help with the canister with Rarity and the others could go get some berries. Okay?’’ Twilight suggests. Everyone nods and walks out of the house. On their way to the water source Lixidie suddenly stops and takes her hood of and looks at Twilight. ‘’You have a really kind brother.’’ Twilight looks back at Lixidie. ‘’How do you know Shining Armor?’’ ‘’I met him in canterlot. It was a rainy day, I was laying under a tree in canterlot garden. It was really cold evening. I had no place to go. The guards found me and threw me out of the garden. I stood there watching at the gate. Just when I was starting to cry, He came behind me and started yelling at the guards: ‘’Don’t you know how to treat a lady?’’ Then the guards told that they found me from the canterlot garden sleeping, but he was already giving me an umbrella and showing where I could stay through the night. At morning he was waiting me at the lobby. I spent whole day with him. He talked a lot about his sister named Twilight. But I couldn’t stay to say goodbye. I just left at midnight. I didn’t have the courage to say him goodbye.’’ Twilight and Rarity are watching at Lixidie silently. They walk the rest of the way silent. They get the water and walk back to the house. When they open the door the house is quiet. They walk in when suddenly.. ‘’Surprise!’’ Pinkie jumps behind the shelf and yells. ‘’Pinkie you scared me!’’ Twilight says to pinkie with a serious voice. ‘’Look! We found loads of berries!’’ Just when Pinkie is about to throw a handful of them in her mouth, Lixidie slaps Pinkies hoof and all the berries fall on the floor. ‘’What are you doing? It took us lots of time to collect them!’’ Rainbow says furiously. ‘’You idiots! I just saved her life!’’ Lixidie yells back at Rainbow. ‘’Saved from what? Evil vitamins?’’ ‘’Those aren’t normal berries. Those are doomberries. They kill you instantly even if you take only one!’’ ‘’Oh.. I didn’t know..’’ ‘’Of course you didn’t! And that is why you shouldn’t underestimate my knowledge.’’ ‘’Okay. I’m sorry. I should start trusting you a bit more.’’ ‘’You should. Maybe you’ll learn something.’’ Lixidie says sarcastically. ‘’Okay. Now, what should we do next?’’ Rarity asks. ‘’Well..’’ ‘’Let’s go find that piece of..’’ Rainbow starts but stops when Twilight looks at her. ‘’..Zebra’’ Rainbow finishes and Twilight gives her a smile. ‘’I think it’s best if wait until tomorrow so we can start early.’’ Twilight says with confident voice. ‘’By the way.. Where’s Fluttershy?’’ Pinkie asks suddenly. ‘’I am right here.’’ says Fluttershy who’s carrying four rabbits on her back. Everypony smiles at Fluttershy. But then Rainbow Dash breaks the silence. ‘’Where did you find those?’’ ‘’From outside.’’ ‘’I didn’t know rabbits lived in the Everfree Forest.’’ ‘’Some of them live in the Eastern part.’’ Lixidie notes. ‘’I can’t believe that I’m saying this but.. It’s nice see some rabbits after so long time.’’ Applejack says and pats one of the rabbits on the head. They play with the rabbits rest of the day. When the night comes, Rainbow Dash and Twilight decide to take little walk outside. ‘’I didn’t think it would be so nice to live in here, but now when we have been here three days, I kind of got used to it.’’ Rainbow starts. ‘’Yeah and Lixidie is a great pony, she is so kind, caring and friendly. Think about this. She took six ponies to stay with her even after they had blamed her and ‘’attacked’’ her.’’ Twilight notes. ‘’And it is so peaceful here. No screaming of little fillies. No market noises. Just nature.’’ Rainbow starts getting a little sappy. ‘’You mean when nature is peaceful.’’ They both start laughing a little. ‘’Yeah. And I just realized that I had forgotten about my cutie mark. We had so much fun that forgot about it.. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want it back.’’ Twilight nods. ‘’But we can worry about it tomorrow. Now, let’s just enjoy this moment.’’ They both just stand there a moment. They don’t say anything anymore but they start walking in the house and to the bedroom. Others have already gone to beds. ‘’Good night Twilight.’’ ‘’Good night.’’
Chapter 4: First EncounterChapter 4: First encounter ____________________________________________________________ At morning everypony wakes up to a terrible noise that is coming outside. ‘’What in darn nation is that noise?!’’ Applejack says and wobbles out of the bed. ‘’Oh no. This is not good.’’ Lixidie says and runs to the window. ‘’This is not good.’’ She repeats. ‘’What is not good?’’ Twilight says with a sleepy voice. ‘’Timberwolves!’’ Fluttershy yells when the wolves break the door. Fluttershy freezes in her place. Just when a wolf opens its mouth and leaps towards Fluttershy, Lixidie leaps in front of her and kicks the wolf out of the door. Then Lixidie looks at Fluttershy. Fluttershy can see tears coming out of Lixidie’s eyes. ‘’Go…’’Lixidie whispers. Fluttershy looks Lixidie in her eyes. ‘’Go!’’ Lixidie yells and runs towards the wolves. ‘’Everypony upstairs!’’ Fluttershy commands and crabs her backpack from the floor. When they reach the top of the house, they here a scream and an explosion. ‘’Lixidie!’’ Rarity screams and starts crying. Bottom of the house is gone and there is only smoke left. Timberwolves run back to the depths of the forest. Everyone just start crying and yell for Lixidie. ‘’Is she? She can’t be…’’ Rainbow Dash starts yelling:’’Lixidieee!’’ ‘’We got to move before those Timberwolves come back.’’ Twilight tells and grabs Rarity’s hoof. ‘’We can’t leave her!’’ Applejack says. ‘’We must.’’ Says Pinkie Pie and helps Fluttershy up. Just when they are about to leave, Rainbow Dash hears something: ‘’Did you hear that?’’ ‘’Hear what?’’ Twilight asks and looks at Rainbow. ‘’Help…’’ says a voice from the upper stair way and coughs. ‘’Lixidie!’’ Fluttershy runs to the stair way. ‘’You made it!’’ Twilight says and starts helping Fluttershy to carry her. They lower her in the ground but then she yells loudly. ‘’What is wrong?’’ asks Applejack urgently. ‘’My leg… It hurts…’’ Lixidie says and tries to hold her tears. ‘’Let me see.’’ Twilight says and turns Lixidie’s leg. ‘’Oh my.’’ Twilight says when she sees that a steel nail has gone through Lixidie’s leg. ‘’It hurts so much..’’ Lixidie says silently and still tries not to cry. ‘’You can cry Darling. It helps.’’ Rarity says and smiles at Lixidie. Lixidie smiles back and tears start flowing down her cheek. Then she closes her eyes and faints. ‘’What do we do now?’’ Fluttershy says terrified. ‘’We got to get her to a hospital.’’ Rarity says and looks at Twilight. ‘’That’s a two day walk. She won’t make it.’’ Twilight notes. ‘’There has to be some way.’’ Applejack says. ‘’I don’t know any other way.’’ Twilight says and starts staring at the ground. They all start staring at Lixidie. No one is smiling. The whole forest is quiet. But then Pinkie says: ‘’There is one way but I’m not sure if it works.’’ ‘’Tell us. Anything is worth of trying.’’ Rainbow Dash says and walks to Pinkie. ‘’Well, she told me about this plant that grows in this part of the forest. She told me that if you take its seeds and feed them to a sick or hurt pony it heals their wounds in one night.’’ Pinkie explains. ‘’What does the flower look like?’’ Twilight asks and walks to Pinkie Pie. ‘’She said that it glows in the dark but cannot be found in daylight.’’ ‘’Well, now we have two choices. A) We try to take her in the hospital. B) We wait for the night to come and the search the flower.’’ Twilight informs. ‘’Both options have their risks but I think that it is for the best if we stay here.’’ Rainbow says and starts to unpack her stuff. Everypony agrees. When it is starting to get dark, They get a new problem. Lixidie coughs and tries to get up. ‘’Don’t try to get up. We are here.’’ Twilight says and lowers her hoof on Lixidie’s head. ‘’So cold…’’ Lixidie says and starts shivering. ‘’Here. Take this.’’ says Rainbow Dash and hands her blanket to Lixidie. Lixidie nods and reaches for the blanket. ‘’Thanks.’’ ‘’You’re welcome.’’ Rainbow Dash smiles and then asks Applejack: ‘’Should we get going then?’’ ‘’Yup. You ready Pinkie?’’ ‘’Ready as can be.’’ ‘’Wait. Where are you going?’’ Lixidie says and tries to reach Rainbow’s hoof but then her legs moves and she lets a painful scream. ‘’Don’t move. It’ll just hurt. We are just going on a little searching trip.’’ Twilight explains. ‘’Searching for what?’’ ‘’The flower you told me about.’’ Pinkie says and carbs her backpack. ‘’But…’’ Lixidie starts but Twilight interrupts. ‘’No buts. We won’t be away long and besides, you have Fluttershy here taking care of you.’’ Twilight says and jump to the ground and others follow. ‘’But I…I…’’ She starts but can’t finish ‘cause the pain starts again. ‘’You don’t have to say anything. Just rest now. I’ll stay here.’’ ‘’But..’’ Lixidie starts but sees when other ponies run into forest and then everything goes dark. ‘’Okay, so let’s stick together in case if something happens.’’ Twilight says. ‘’Fine, but it is hard to find something, if you don’t even know where it grows.’’ Rainbow Dash tells. ‘’Just report every time when you see something that glows.’’ Twilight commands. They walk a little while but then Pinkie spots something. ‘’Look. There!’’ Pinkie says joyfully and points on a rock. ‘’That has to be it.’’ Twilight notes. ‘’Well that wasn’t so hard, was it?’’ Rainbow dash says and picks up the flower, then puts it into her backpack. ‘’Now we just need to walk back.’’ Rainbow says and starts walking back. ‘’Umm.. Rainbow?’’ Twilight says and looks at the rock with a terrified look on her face. ‘’What?’’ ‘’It wasn’t a rock.’’ ‘’What was it then?’’ ‘’Just a fire rat nest.’’ They all look at the nest. The nest starts suddenly glow and rats start flowing from the hole in the side of the nest. ‘’RUN!’’ Pinkie screams and everyone start running back to their camp. Whole forest is starting to light on fire. The ponies run as fast as they can to the camp. ‘’Fluttershy!’’ Twilight yells and jumps on the platform on the tree with Pinkie. ‘’We have a BIG problem!’’ Rainbow Dash yells and flies to the platform. ‘’NO!’’ Fluttershy yells when she sees that the flower flies off Rainbow’s backpack and the flower starts burning in the air. ‘’What do we do now..’’ Twilight starts when suddenly it starts raining and all the rats start screaming and dying. ‘’What is happening?’’ Rainbow says and looks down at the rats. ‘’How is it raining, when there are no clouds?’’ Rainbow continues. ‘’It’s her…’’Lixidie says and looks at the stairway. Everypony start looking at the stairway. There is someone standing in a brown robe. ‘’It’s her…’’Lixidie repeats and tries to get up but can’t. The person at the stairway starts walking towards Lixidie. ‘’Oh, no you don’t.’’ Rainbow Dash charges at the mysterious person but gets thrown back by a force field. The person is now standing right next to Lixidie. She looks at the sky and suddenly everything gets brighter and Lixidie starts floating in air. Everypony is staring at Lixdie, who is floating air. The person walks to Lixidie’s leg and pulls the nail off her leg. Lixidie lets out a scream that echoes in the forest and then she falls on the platform and stops moving. ‘’WHAT ARE YOU DOING? YOU’RE KILLING HER!’’ Rainbow Dash Screams at the mysterious person. The person takes a bag under her robes, she opens the bag and pours some sort of powder on Lixidie’s leg. Then she starts mumbling some weird words and suddenly Lixidie starts moving again. ‘’This is the last time I will help you.’’ Mysterious person says and runs back into the forest. No one goes after her. ‘’What happened?’’ Lixidie says and rises from the floor. ‘’She saved your life.’’ Twilight says and point into the woods, where Lixidie could just and just see a tail disappear. Then Lixidie starts smiling. ‘’I knew she isn’t entirely changed.’’ Lixidie whispers to herself and starts smiling. Everypony runs to Lixidie and start hugging her. ‘’Are you okay?’’ Applejack says worried. ‘’I feel better than ever before.’’ Lixidie answers and is still staring at the forest. ‘’Thanks for her.’’ Lixidie continues and continues smiling. ‘’Look! The wound is fully healed.’’ Fluttershy says and point at Lixidie’s leg. ‘’Now let’s go after that Zebra!’’ Rainbow Dash says and is preparing to leave. ‘’No. She saved my life. I think we should give her this night.’’ Lixidie says and put her hoof in front of Rainbow. ‘’She deserves it. Now, Let’s go to sleep. We can start searching her tomorrow.’’ Everyone goes to sleep except Lixidie who is still looking at the forest. ‘’I think you should rest too’’ Twilight says and lowers her hoof on Lixidie’s shoulder. Lixidie nods and they both go to beds.
Chapter 5: ''Let me tell you a story''Chapter 5: ‘’Let me tell you a story’’ ____________________________________________________________ ‘’Come on you lazy ponies, we got some job to do!’’ Rainbow Dash and Lixidie wake everyone to breakfast. ‘’I made some berry soup, after you have ate those we can start tracking Her down.’’ Lixidie says with a cup of berry soup on her hoof. ‘’I have already packed all the stuff we need, so we can get going immediately’’ Rainbow Dash continues. When everypony is eating, Lixidie and Rainbow start to explain the plan. ‘’I remember that she started going that way, so I expect her to live somewhere in that direction.’’ Lixidie starts. ‘’Yeah, and because the forest burned a little yesterday, we can see her hoof prints easily.’’ Rainbow Dash continues. ‘’And she also was probably in so big hurry that she didn’t remember to clear her trail.’’ ‘’Okay then, It sounds like you two have a plan. Now we just need to get Rarity out of the bed.’’ Applejack informs. ‘’I’ll handle that.’’ Pinkie says and takes a bucket of cold water and pours it all on Rarity’s face. ‘’What in earth is going on?’’ Rarity says and jumps out of the bed. ‘’Handled.’’ Pinkie announces and everyone, except Rarity, start to laugh. When they all have eaten their food, they start leaving the house or what’s left of it. ‘’So, she went that way, and look, her hoof prints are visible. Now, let’s follow the prints and we’ll find her in no time.’’ Applejack tells. ‘’Why everything has to be covered in mud?’’ Rarity asks and tries to avoid the mud. ‘’Maybe because we are in a forest?’’ Twilight says with a clear frustration in her voice. When they move deeper and deeper in the forest, they notice something. ‘’What is this?’’ Fluttershy says and points at a piece of brown cloth. ‘’That must be from Her robe.’’ Rainbow Dash says. ‘’Well at least we are walking to the right direction. By the way, can anyone tell: How long we have been walking?’’ Lixidie says. ‘’According to suns position, we have been walking about five hours.’’ Twilight tells proud. ‘’Anypony want to keep a break and get something to eat?’’ Lixidie suggests. ‘’I do.’’ says Rarity immediately. ‘’That’s a good idea, let’s get something to eat and gather our energy. We still have a long walking ahead of us.’’ Twilight says. ‘’Fortunately, I packed a lot of berries for us to eat.’’ says Pinkie and takes a bag full of berries out of her bag. Everypony eat their belly full and take a little rest, but now they have to get moving again. ‘’Let’s get moving.’’ Lixidie commands. ‘’Do we have to?’’ Rarity starts whining. ‘’Sorry Sugarcube but we can’t wait too long.’’ Applejack says and lifts her friend up. They continue following the hoof prints when they see a tree with windows and a door. ‘’That must be where She lives.’’ Rainbow says and walks towards the house. ‘’Wait. Is this what I think it is?’’ Fluttershy says and picks a brown robe from a bush. ‘’Yes. It is.’’ Lixidie tells. ‘’Let’s go get her!’’ Rainbow says, walks to the door and knocks it. For everyone’s surprise, Someone opens the door, but that is not the reason, why they all are surprised. It’s Zecora, who opens the door. ‘’Are you The thief?’’ Rainbow asks and starts backing up. ‘’What do you mean Rainbow Dash?’’ Zecora asks confused. ‘’We found this from the bush.’’Fluttershy says and shows the robe. ‘’And that is?’’ Zecora asks and seems even more confused. ‘’Thief’s robe.’’ Fluttershy says and throws the robe in front of Zecora. ‘’This explains everything.’’Zecora says and looks at the robe. ‘’What?’’ Rainbow Dash says and everypony seem confused. ‘’Come in and I’ll explain.’’ When they all are inside Zecora’s house, Zecora starts explaining: ‘’Yesterday at evening, I was visited by one pony who looked like zebra. She told me that she had used all of her healing powder when she healed an old friend of her, and she wanted to buy some more. That must have been the thief you are looking for.’’ ‘’A friend of her?’’ Twilight says and turns to look at Lixidie, who looks like she would be about to run away. ‘’Yes. She is my former best friend, and she’s not a zebra. She is a pony who looks like zebra and her name is Zeabra.’’ Lixidie tells and walks next to window and looks out. ‘’Let me tell you a story.’’ Everypony gathers around Lixidie. ‘’I was at ninth grade. I was one of the most famous students in school. It was a normal looking day… ‘’Hey students!’’ Said the teacher, when she walked in the classroom. ‘’Good Morning teacher!’’ Whole class greets together. ‘’We have a new student in our class, come in!’’ Says teacher and looks at the doorway and so does the whole class. New student walks in the class looking as ready as a pony can. ‘’This is Zeabra, she comes from a faraway land. How about if you tell us something about yourself?’’ ‘’Well, My name is Zeabra, but I’m a pony.’’ Says Zeabra before she gets interrupted. ‘’That doesn’t make any sense! You can’t be a pony named Zebra! You even look like one!’’ Yells a colt from behind the class. ‘’’Don’t interrupt her.’’ The teacher commands and looks angrily at the colt in the back line. ‘’It’s okay. My name is not Zebra, it’s Zeabra. I love making potions and powders. I also like gathering herbs.’’ She tells before she gets interrupted again. ‘’So you are some kind of witch?’’ a mare asks. ‘’No I am not. I am a normal pony who likes different things than you.’’ Zeabra says and walks to her place. Everypony around her changes their place. When the lesson is over and Zeabra goes to get her books, some ponies start pushing her around and steal her books. ‘’Now listen, Zebra, if you think you can do whatever you want. You’re wrong and remember it.’’ One of the bullies say and throw Zeabra’s books in the trash can. Then they walk away laughing. Then when Zeabra gets to her locker and takes her other books and puts them on her back, somepony comes and slaps the book off her back. ‘’Look, she is a zebra, everypony can hold their books on their back, but she can’t. You know why? Because you are a zebra.’’ says the colt and walks away. When she is about to pick her books up, she sees that someone has already picked them. ‘’Please, I beg you, give those books back.’’ Zeabra says and stares the one who took her books in the eyes. ‘’Of course I will give them back, I just helped you collect them.’’ says the mare and hands over the books. ‘’Thanks.’’ Zeabra says with a questioning face. ‘’Name’s Lixidie.’’ says the mare and smiles. ‘’Zeabra.’’ she says and smiles back. They start walking towards the next class. ‘’So, you’re the new one on our class.’’ Lixidie confirms. ‘’Yeah. I can see that there is some sort of ‘’gang’’ leading the school.’’ ‘’Oh, you met them.’’ ‘’Well, they threw my books in a trash can.’’ ‘’That’s terrible. I can tell them to leave you alone.’’ ‘’You’d do that?’’ ‘’Of course. I’d do anything for a friend.’’ says Lixidie and starts staring at Zeabra. ‘’What?’’ Zeabra says and smiles back. ‘’You really look like a zebra. No offence.’’ ‘’None taken.’’ Lixidie and Zeabra spend every day of a month together, but one day when Zeabra is waiting for Lixidie. Somebody crabs her and drags her in the girls bathroom. ‘’You freaking witch!’’ says the mare and spits on Zeabra’s face and then continues. ‘’Did you really think we wouldn’t revenge?’’ ‘’What do you mean?’’ Zeabra says terrified. ‘’Lixidie told us that you beat her and tried to feed her some of your potions but she managed to escape.’’ ‘’I didn’t! I didn’t even see her after the school.’’ ‘’That sounds like an excuse to me.’’ ‘’But I didn’t do anything!’’ ‘’We are going to make every single day of the rest of your life a living hell.’’ ‘’But…’’ ‘’Don’t say that you didn’t so anything! It’s not going to work! Here’s the deal, Next weekend there is a party at my place and you better be there.’’ ‘’Why would you want me there?’’ ‘’Well, we need someone to laugh at.’’ ‘’And if I don’t come?’’ ‘’Let’s say that then you won’t anymore recognize yourself from the mirror.’’ Then the mare let’s her go and walks away. Zeabra is getting bullied everyday through whole week. Lixidie is not in school whole week, because she has a terrible fever. Or that is what they say. It’s the evening before the big party. Zeabra is in her room mixing something and talking herself. ‘’I heard that Lixidie will come. I have a surprise for her… a surprise she will never forget…’’ At the party Lixidie sees Zeabra and runs to her. ‘’Hey Zeabra! How nice that you got here!’’ ‘’Well hi you liar…’’ ‘’What did you say?’’ ‘’Umm... Nothing. It’s nice to see you again!’’ ‘’I missed you so much! I had a really terrible fever.’’ ‘’Of course you did…’’ ‘’Could you talk louder? I can’t hear you over the music!’’ ‘’ I said: Hi you liar! I have something for you!’’ Zeabra yells furiously and shoves a bag of some dust down Lixdie’s throat. Some of the ponies start staring at Lixidie other stare at Zeabra, who is standing at the door, holding some sort of box open. Suddenly Lixdie’s cutie mark rolls of her flank and flies inside the box that Zeabra is holding open. Then Zeabra closes the box and runs away. No pony runs after her. ‘’That was my story.’’ says Lixidie, who is still staring out of the window. ‘’Whoa…’’ Applejack says amazed. ‘’That was quite a story.’’ Rarity says and gets closer to Lixidie. ‘’But how did you get your memory back?’’ Twilight asks. ‘’She invented the powder with memory loss afterwards.’’ ‘’Oh…’’ ‘’I am not only after her because I want my cutie mark, I am also after her ‘cause I want to tell her the truth.’’ Lixidie explains. ‘’And I also know that she led us here, if you saw her hoof prints, she didn’t turn in any point, and she also didn’t even slightly try to cover her path. She wanted us to come here, to safety, to Ponyville.’’ ‘’Ponyville?!’’ Everypony says at the same time. ‘’Well, look.’’ Lixidie said and pointed at the Ponyville clock tower.
Chapter 6: Meeting old friends and Getting new onesChapter 6: Meeting old friends and getting new ones. ___________________________________________________________¬_ ‘’What do we do now?’’ Rainbow Dash asks her friends and starts hitting her head at the wall. ‘’Stop that! Well, when we are here, we could gather some supplies.’’ Twilight suggests. ‘’You six go gather supplies. I have someone I have to meet.’’ Lixidie says and pulls her robe on her back. ‘’And who is that?’’ Applejack asks and steps in front of Lixidie. ‘’One of the few persons I trust.’’ Lixdie walks out of the door. ‘’Meet me again in the Sugarcube corner at tomorrow morning.’’ She continues. ‘’We will.’’ Twilight says and waves to Lixidie. ‘’Zecora, do you know any way we could protect ourselves from that powder.’’ ‘’I can mix you a special brew.’’ Zeacora tells. ‘’Can you mix it ‘till tomorrow morning?’’ Fluttershy asks from Zecora. ‘’I can try.’’ ‘’Great. Now, Pinkie Pie and Applejack, you store us much food. Next time we won’t come back this soon.’’ Twilight starts giving jobs. ‘’Yes ma’am.’’ Applejack responses. ‘’Rarity, you get us some warm clothes and something we can sleep in.’’ ‘’Of course Darling.’’ ‘’Fluttershy, help Zecora mix the brew and find her herbs.’’ ‘’Umm…Okay.’’ ‘’Rainbow Dash, I will help you to find clues and ask the ponies from Ponyville about Zeabra.’’ ‘’At your service!’’ ‘’Everyone knows what to do?’’ Everypony in the room nods. ‘’Okay, now, let’s go.’’ Twilight says and everypony walks out of Zecora’s house. Meanwhile Lixidie is walking towards Sweet Apple Acres. ‘’I hope she still lives there.’’ Lixidie mumbles to herself. She knocks on the door and Big Mac opens the door. ‘’Umm.. Is granny Smith here.’’ Lixidie asks and looks Big Mac in the eyes. ‘’Eyup.’’ Big Mac lets Lixidie in. ‘’Thanks.’’ Big Mac points to the living room and Lixidie walks towards it. While she is walking there, she looks around her. ‘’Nothing has changed.’’ Lixidie whispers. Then she sees Granny Smith sitting on her seat. Lixidie sprints to her and starts hugging her. ‘’Oh!’’ Granny smith turns around and sees Lixidie standing there crying. ‘’Is that you Lixidie?’’ Lixidie nods, ‘’Yes. It is.’’ ‘’It has been a long time since I’ve seen you, Lixidie…’’ ‘’I’ve missed you so much.’’ Lixidie says and tears are flowing down her cheeks. ‘’Come here.’’ Granny Smith says and starts hugging Lixidie. Granny Smith swipes tears off Lixidie’s cheeks. ‘’You still are one of the best apple buckers I have ever seen.’’ ‘’Well, It has been a long time since I have done it.’’ Lixidie says and swings her mane off her face. ‘’Would you like to help us? A new season has just begun.’’ Just when Lixidie is about to answer, someone opens the door. ‘’I’m home!’’ It’s Applejack. ‘’You back already? You said that you won’t come back in a long time.’’ Granny Smith yells to the lobby. ‘’We had some problems. I will leave again tomorrow.’’ Applejack responses and walks to the living room. Then she continues. ‘’I also met..’’ Applejack stops when she sees Lixidie standing there. ‘’What are you doing here?’’ They both ask at the same time. ‘’Well, I live here. What are you doing here?’’ Applejack repeats. ‘’I told you that I will visit an old friend.’’ ‘’Granny Smith is your ‘’old friend’’? ‘’Yes.’’ ‘’She is as good apple bucker as you.’’ Granny Smith tells to Applejack. ‘’And how do you know that?’’ ‘’I worked for Granny Smith when I was a little filly.’’ ‘’Well, I guess that then you can help gather apples?’’ ‘’If you can keep up with me.’’ Lixidie says and walks towards the door. ‘’Is that a challenge?’’ ‘’Maybe.’’ They both grab their buckets. ‘’Ten minutes. The one with more apples then wins. Deal?’’ Applejack asks and swings her mane. ‘’Deal!’’ ‘’Okay, Onetwothreego!’’ Applejack says and runs in the woods. ‘’Hey! Not fair.’’ Lixidie says and catches up with Applejack. They both run like crazy and kick the trees like never before. When ten minutes have gone, they both jump to lie down in the middle of trees. ‘’I think, I won.’’ Applejack says and throws some mud on Lixidie. ‘’No you didn’t!’’ Lixidie says and grabs Applejack. They both start rolling inside the apple forest. Then they stop and both of them laugh very hard. ‘’You are a lot nicer than I thought.’’ Applejack says and they both stare each other in the eyes. ‘’And you are a lot better friend than I thought.’’ Lixidie says and they both just lie there, silently, looking at each other. ‘’Come on. I’ll teach you how to make the best apple pie in the whole world.’’ Applejack says and helps her friend get up. ‘’Thanks.’’ ‘’For what?’’ ‘’For a great moment.’’ ‘’No problem. That is what friends are for.’’ ‘’Friends…’’ Lixidie says and starts smiling. They walk to the house and they have a wonderful time together. ‘’It’s getting late. I guess I have to go now.’’ Lixidie says and starts to pick up her backpack. ‘’You don’t have to.’’ Applejack says before Lixidie leaves. ‘’What do you mean?’’ ‘’We have extra beds. You can stay here over the night.’’ ‘’Well in that case…’’Lixidie put her bag down. ‘’..I’ll stay.’’ ‘’Awesome! I’ll show you my room and we can put a bed there.’’ When they are in the Applejack’s room getting ready to sleep, Lixidie tells. ‘’Thanks. You really are a good friend.’’ ‘’I am just myself, guess I am a nice person.’’ ‘’You are but…’’ ‘’But what?’’ ‘’This is just so kind. Look, I really didn’t have actually where to go.’’ ‘’What do you mean?’’ ‘’Well, You remember the story I told you?’’ ‘’Yea.’’ ‘’After that night, no one wanted to be with me anymore ‘cause I had been ‘’touched by witch’’ and finally they drove me so crazy that I ran, away, from everything. And now, when you six arrived at the house, I first time in a long time felt that someone cares. And I’m afraid that when this is over you will leave me and I think that I can’t take that sort of event again…’’ Lixidie starts crying and get under her blanket. ‘’Don’t worry sugarcube, we are not going to leave you. You are our friend.’’ ‘’I am?’’ ‘’Of course, and I never leave my friends.’’ Lixidie stops crying. ‘’Let’s go to sleep. We all had a rough day.’’ At dawn everyone except Lixidie and Applejack are in the Sugarcube corner. ‘’Where are those two?’’ Rainbow Dash and looks around. ‘’We have been waiting for them for half an hour.’’ Twilight says and looks at the clock tower. ‘’Maybe, Lixidie did something to Applejack.’’ Fluttershy says. ‘’Should we go search for them?’’ Rarity asks but then they hear a familiar laughing sound coming around the corner, It’s Applejack and Lixidie. ‘’What are you laughing at? We have been waiting a long time for you.’’ Rainbow Dash points at the clock. ‘’Oh, We’re sorry. We just had so much fun that we forgot the time.’’ Lixidie explains and smiles at Applejack. ‘’Well, now when we all are here, we must start heading towards Zeabra’s place.’’ Twilight says and looks at a list that is on her hoof. ‘’Zeabra’s place?’’ Lixidie says and looks at Rainbow. ‘’Yup.’’ Rainbow says proudly. ‘’How did you figure out, where she lives?’’ Lixidie asks from Twilight. ‘’I sent a letter to princess. She told me that she lives underground in the northern Everfree forest.’’ Twilight says and points towards the forest. ‘’Why doesn’t the princess go find Zeabra herself?’’ Applejack asks and bites an apple. ‘’She is too busy and no one has been brave enough to go there.’’ ‘’So We have to go.’’ Rainbow adds. ‘’Can’t we go around the forest?’’ Rarity says. ‘’No. It would take too much time. We must go through.’’ Twilight answers and points the clock. ‘’We better start walking so we find a good place to set a camp before it’s too late.’’
Chapter 7: Short Trip BackChapter 7: Short trip back. ____________________________________________________________ So the seven ponies leave Ponyville and head into the Everfree forest. They have walked about five minutes in the forest and they are already lost. ‘’Twilight, I thought you knew where we were supposed to go.’’ Rarity says and looks at Twilight. ‘’Hey, it’s not that easy to navigate in a forest.’’ Twilight says back to Rarity. ‘’I know.. but this early.’’ ‘’Rainbow.’’ Lixidie calls. ‘’What?’’ ‘’Could you try to fly up and see, where the sun is rising.’’ Lixidie asks. ‘’Sure thing.’’ Rainbow flies above the tree tops. Rainbow looks around then she comes back to ground. ‘’The sun is rising from our right. Anyway, how is that going to help you.’’ ‘’Sun rises from the east and sets in west. Now, if sun is rising from our right, it means that east is on our right side and west on our left, and that means that north is in front of us.’’ Lixidie explains. ‘’Soo, are we going the right way?’’ Rainbow says and looks at Twilight. ‘’Yes, we are.’’ They try to take view points from in front of them so they would go straight forward. But when night comes they set a to stick point the direction, where they want to go. ‘’Are you sure you want to sleep on the ground again?’’ Rarity asks and looks into the woods. ‘’We don’t have anywhere else to go.’’ Pinkie responses. Lixidie looks up the trees. Then she takes her blanket and a piece of rope and starts climbing up the tree. She’s up on a branch in no time. ‘’What are you doing?’’ Fluttershy asks worried. ‘’I will tie my legs on the branch and sleep here.’’ ‘’Is it safe?’’ ‘’If you know what you’re doing.’’ ‘’Looks like fun.’’ Applejack says and climbs to sit next to Lixidie. ‘’Hi.’’ Lixidie says and smiles at Applejack. ‘’I said that I never leave my friends.’’ Applejack says and smiles back. ‘’Well, I am not going to climb up there. I prefer to stay on the ground.’’ Rarity looks at the two ponies in the tree. ‘’Yeah, we’ll stay down here.’’ Twilight says and starts unpacking her backpack. Whole night goes peacefully but Applejack gets a shock when she wakes up. ‘’Somepony, Help me!’’ she screams. ‘’What?’’ Lixidie says and looks at Applejack who is hanging from her tree branch. ‘’I guess I didn’t check my rope twice.’’ Lixidie laughs a bit and then jumps to the branch below Applejack. ‘’Let go and I’ll catch you.’’ ‘’Are you sure about this?’’ Lixidie nods. ‘’Here it goes… AAAAAAAAAH!’’ Applejack closes her eyes but then someone crabs her and lowers her on the ground. ‘’Gotcha.’’ Lixidie says and jumps down from the branch. ‘’Thanks.’’ ‘’I owed you one.’’ Lixidie says and walks to Twilight. ‘’Should we get going?’’ ‘’Yes. Okay everypony, let’s get walking.’’ Twilight says and they start walking to the direction where the stick was pointing. When they have walked about three hours, Twilight announces: ‘’Now we should be at the border of the northern Everfree forest.’’ ‘’How do you know that?’’ Pinkie asks. ‘’I know that Southern and Northern Everfree forest is separated by a big river.’’ Twilight says and points down to a river. ‘’So, how do we recognize the entrance to Zeabra’s hiding place.’’ Rainbow Dash says and raises a rock. ‘’Princess told me that it is surrounded by many different flowers.’’ ‘’Well, what are we waiting for?’’ Rarity says and starts walking closer to the river when suddenly a gigantic tentacle reaches from the water. ‘’Rarity!’’ Fluttershy yells and grabs rarity just before the tentacle hits her. ‘’Gosh! What was that?!’’ Rarity starts yelling at Twilight. ‘’It was a tentacle of the monster that guards the river. The river is only crossable at night when the monster is sleeping.’’ Twilight tells. ‘’It’s not even twelve o’clock! What do we do the rest of this day?’’ Applejack asks. ‘’I guess we can just relax.’’ Lixidie says and lies down on the grass. ‘’Yeah. Let’s just relax and wait for night to come.’’ Rainbow Dash says and jumps to lie next to Lixidie. They all play and relax at the edge of the forest.
Final Chapter: The SolutionFinal chapter: The right solution ______________________________________________________________ Suddenly Pinkie Spots something. ‘’Hey Twilight. Do you see someone over there?’’ Pinkie points to the other side of the river. ‘’Yes. She has been watching us quite a while now. I don’t know why she is still there. She must have noticed that we are looking at her.’’ Twilight says and stares at the pony across the river. ‘’Maybe she wants to join us?’’ ‘’And take our marks?’’ ‘’No. I think she might be lonely. Think, she has been running almost her entire life, and now she sees seven ponies including her former best friend having fun.’’ ‘’That’s true, but I still don’t understand one thing. Why is she stealing cutie marks?’’ ‘’She can make an infinite source of herbs and ingredients if she combines fifteen different cutie marks, she has now seven according to my calculations.’’ Lixidie explains and has suddenly appeared next to Pinkie. Lixidie walks right next to the water. ‘’Nice to see you again.’’ Lixidie says to Zeabra, who just stands quietly at the other side. ‘’We don’t have to continue this anymore.’’Lixidie says and steps to the water. Everyone else is standing far back watching alternately Lixidie and Zeabra. ‘’I need to explain something to you. About the party…’’ Lixidie says an steps deeper in the water. ‘’I am not going to save you so don’t do anything stupid.’’ Zeabra says. ‘’I just want to tell you the truth…’’ Lixidie says and takes one more step. ‘’Don’t! You might not make it.’’ Zeabra says and takes a step closer to Lixidie. ‘’I didn’t tell them that you had beat me, they made it up.’’ Lixidie takes a step further into the water and the water starts shaking. ‘’No! I don’t want to hear it!’’ Zeabra yells and looks like she would be suffering. ‘’They wanted you to suffer! They wanted you to go crazy!’’ Lixidie says but stands still. The shaking gets even worse. Zeabra starts crying. ‘’I didn’t want this to you! I wanted to be your friend! And I still want to be your best friend…’’ Lixidie starts crying and they can see the monster underwater. ‘’But if I don’t want to be your friend?!’’ Zeabra yells to Lixidie. ‘’ If you don’t want to be my friend?’’ ‘’Yeah.’’ ‘’Well, then I don’t care anymore…’’ Lixidie says and leaps in the middle of the river. ‘’No!’’ Zeabra yells when the monster crabs Lixidie and starts throwing in the air, then the monster hits Lixidie on a tree and Lixidie loses her consciousness. ‘’Let’s help her!’’ Rainbow yells and flies towards the monster but the monster hits Rainbow back. Other ponies try the same but end up with the same results. Zeabra looks around her and all of her memories start to show up before her eyes. All the fun times she had with Lixidie. ‘’Oh no you don’t..’’ Zeabra says and takes a knife under her robe. ‘’Let’s make you dance…’’ Zeabra leaps to the air and makes a somersault in the air and lands on the head of the monster. ‘’Look.’’ Twilight says and points at Zeabra. Everypony is staring at her. Zebra strikes the knife in the monster head, takes it off and leaps again in the air, then she slices Lixidie off the tentacles and Lixidie flies through the air and Rainbow catches her. In the mid-air Zeabra sticks a bag of some sort of dust on her knife. She looks Twilight in the eyes and then at Lixidie, who is not moving. ‘’She is not planning to make it back…’’ Twilight says silently. ‘’Don’t!’’ Applejack yells, but it is too late. Zeabra strikes her knife in the monsters eye and then a huge explosion comes. The explosion throws Zeabra in a tree and then she falls on the ground. The last thing she sees is the ponies running to her. ‘’Take this…’’ Zeabra says and then stops breathing. She has a small box on her hoof. Rainbow Dash opens the box and her cutie mark flies out of the box to her flank. Then everypony start crying. Suddenly a bright light appears. ‘’Where am I? Ouch!’’ Lixidie says and looks at herself. She has a bandage around her head and waist. ‘’Hey, you woke up!’’ Twilight says and everypony runs to hug Lixidie. ‘’Where am I?’’ ‘’You’re at Ponyville hospital. Without Celestia you might still be in the forest.’’ ‘’Is Zeabra..?’’ ‘’She is in a pretty hard shape but she’ll make it. She almost killed herself to save you.’’ ‘’She did?’’ ‘’Yup. And she has a present for you.’’ Rainbow Dash brings the box and opens it. Lixidie’s cutie mark flies really fast under the blanket to Lixidie’s flank. ‘’Is Celestia still here?’’ ‘’Yes, she is outside. Do you want me to get her here?’’ Lixidie nods. Celestia steps inside the hospital room. ‘’You wanted to say me something?’’ Celestia asks. ‘’Yes. I think you should not punish Zeabra.’’ Everypony looks at Lixidie. ‘’I’m listening.’’ Celestia says. ‘’She deserves another chance. She was lost and alone. It was a hard thing to her to hear that her best friend had lied about her. Everyone bullied her. She didn’t have anyone who loved her, but now… I think she has realized that she has a friend who cares. She has learned the meaning of friendship, and I think that she wants to learn more. So please, give her another chance. She deserves it.’’ Lixidie looks Celestia in the eyes and then Celestia nods. ‘’I’ll give her another chance, but only if you do something…’’ ‘’Anything princess.’’ ‘’I want you to teach her more about friendship, and support her in her way to better world.’’ ‘’I will.’’ After a few weeks they get released from the hospital. ‘’I can’t still believe that I was so blind…’’ Zeabra says and stares at the ground. ‘’You were lost. And we all forgive you.’’ ‘’We?’’ Lixidie points at six ponies that are coming in front of them. ‘’Look who got out of the hospital.’’ Rainbow Dash yells and all of them run to Zeabra and Lixidie. Everypony hugs Lixidie and Zeabra. ‘’You’re not mad at me?’’ Zeabra asks with a neutral voice, like she wouldn’t know how to react. ‘’Not at all.’’ They all say at the same time. When they walk to Sugarcube corner, everyone avoids Zeabra, but when they see her with the others they start smiling at her. ‘’We got so much to show you!’’ Rainbow Dash says and makes a loop in the air. ‘’If you don’t mind… I would just want to spend some time alone with Lixidie.’’ Zeabra says. ‘’Sure. I’ll see you tomorrow at the party.’’ Twilight says and goes home. Then everypony goes to do their things. Next day in the party everyone is having a blast. ‘’Pinkie Pie really throws the best parties around here.’’ Lixidie notes. Zeabra is just sitting at the table. ‘’Come to dance!’’ Pinkie Pie says and takes Zeabra to the dance floor and they both start to dance. Then Twilight takes a letter and starts to write: Dear Princess Celestia, I think that one of your subjects, Zeabra, has learned an important lesson about friendship. That if someone tells you something about your friend, you better check that it is true before you plan to do anything. That way you can avoid doing anything stupid and avoid lots of trouble. And this is a good way stop this story. It all began at a party and to a party it shall end. Thanks for reading. The End
