The Last Crusades

"But Applejack, I tol' Scootaloo an' Sweetie Belle I'd be at the Clubhouse before them!" I whined to my older sister.

"No but's Applebloom- ya gotta git yer jobs done before ya go play." Applejack said around a basket handle.  She and my older brother were moving a bunch of apples into the cellar so we could make some cider for the Cakes baby-shower that was being held in a few days.

"But ah did do mah jobs!" I groaned.  "Those darn pigs jist made a mess of that barn again!"

"Well ya gotta pick it all up again!" My brother, Big MacIntosh said in his own quiet way.  I grumbled all the way back to the barn.  I guess Scootaloo's story would have to wait till tomorrow.

"But Rarity--" I began.

"No but's! I must get this dress done for a very important client from Canterlot- you have to clean up the front room! She'll be here in the morning to pick it up and I'm not even half way done! Besides, it's your mess!"  Rarity's purple curls bounced to and fro as she ran around the room, her magic swirling around needles, threads and cloth.

"But I already cleaned up that room, twice!!" I screamed.  Opal gave a nasty grin, that cat had always hated me.

"I don't have time for your whining- go do it now!"

"It was Opal!"

"Now Sweetie Belle!"

I screamed, "Fine!" then slammed the door, causing her mirror hanging from the wall to fall to the floor and crash.  I ran into the front room and struggled to use my magic, but no pretty glow appeared around my horn, which just made me even more angry.  I had to pick it up all by hoof!

"Stupid cat!" I yelled over and over. "Stupid, stupid cat!"

I guess Scootaloo's story would have to wait until tomorrow.

No one showed up, and I had been waiting at the club house for an hour already.  Finally I wrote the story out, than my plan.  I could barely wait to see their faces as they joined me in my adventure, it was going to be so much fun!

I finished writing, then rolled up the scroll and placed it on the empty table where they were sure to see it.  I knew if I left now I could probably map out where that cave was.  But if I waited for Sweetie Belle and Applebloom it'd be to dark.

So off I went.  My scooter still hadn't been rescued, so I had to walk.  Once inside the forest, my uneasiness began.  The scratches on my coat seemed to burn with apprehension.  I started talking to myself.

"Oh, scared of the dark now, eh Scootaloo? Get a grip!" I mumbled. "You've been in the forest plenty of times!"

I tried to reassure myself, but it just wasn't working.  "Now you're a scared-y pony! Grow up! Since when does the forest frighten you?!"

A small voice in the back of my mind answered my question quietly. 'Since you were attacked by that monster and left to die. That's since when.'

My eye twitched, but I had saddlebags full of necessities to calm me down.  I pulled out a cupcake and ate it whole, but that didn't give me courage, only a stomach-ache.

"Hm," I said, attempting to take my mind of the ever darkening shadows. "It seems I went left here..or, was that right? No, it was straight. Better continue onward!"

A growl echoed from behind me, and I felt fear grabbing my heart in its icy grip.

"Uh, haha..nice to s-see you again..?"