Author's Note

Sorry this one took so long, lotta school stuff going on.
I promise I’ll try to get the next one out sooner no guarantees tho.

Chapter 5: Shroom & Doom

It was late and I was out on the balcony resting my head on the railing watching the night sky; looking at the moon I wonder whatever happened to it that fateful night a month ago. Suddenly Pinkie came trotting over asking, “whatcha doing, stargazing? I love stargazing!”

A little startled I say, “Yeah, hey can I ask you a question?”

“Okay hit me, well don’t actually hit but you know that,” Pinkie says seating herself atop the railing.

Scratching my neck I say, “it’s a little stupid but what happened to the moon?”

Pinkie tilted her head, “the moon? What about it?”

“Why did the pony on it disappear?” She probably doesn’t know but it’s worth a shot I guess. I mean she is a pony.

“Ooooohh, you mean Nightmare Moon -“ Pinkie pulls out several cutouts of ponies and puts on a play of what happened, “- so basically Nightmare Moon escaped after a thousand years of imprisonment and me and my friends had to do this whole quest getting through the Everfree Forest to defeat her; when we finally got to her castle we defeated and reformed her with the elements of harmony!”

I started bobbing my head and cooing, “wow she sounds scary!” If a couple weak ponies could take down somebird like that then I could to! “Can we go there?”

Pinkies eyes went wide, “oh nonono nope not gonna happen! The Everfree is no place for a little filly to be!”

Putting on the best puppy eyes I can muster without pupils I say, “pwease?” I hate doing this but I it’s certainly effective.

“Awww that’s adorable but I’m still not letting you go. now let’s go to bed we got a big day tomorrow!” Pinkie says picking me up nuzzling me on the head and taking me her room.

“Dammit.”

Feeling a sharp pain on my forehead I shoot up saying, “I’m up I’m up! Oh hi Spook.”

“Caw!”

“Stop waking me like that,” getting up I look around the room I check on Pinkie, “still asleep, you know what that means Spook?”

“Caw?”

“We’re going to the Everfree!” I say making my way to the window I unlatch the lock and fall onto the roof. Ok wings don’t fail me! Wiggling my flank I leap off the roof and glide my way down to the ground, that actually worked. it was early in the morning as the sun began to rise so I figured I had a few minutes before Pinkie woke up and realized I was gone. The only ponies out at this time were some pegasi moving clouds, a couple shop ponies setting up stands and that mailpony from before was flying by, what was her name? Oh right, “hey Derpy.”

She began looking around failing to find the source of the noise saying, “wha? Where are you?”

Rolling my eyes, “Over here!” I say waving my claw.

“Oh hiya Crystal! What you up to?”

“I’m looking for the forest you seen it?”

Derpy put a hoof to her chin, “hmmm, I’ve never been there before but there should be one that way, oh and one over there!” She says pointing her hoofs in opposite directions before flopping over, “well if you see a bunch of trees you’re probably going the right direction.”

“Ok,” I say watching her fly off, these ponies are weird.

“Ready Spook?”

Spook nodded his head, “caw.”

“Alright,” I say. We head off in one of the directions Derpy suggested running into a few ponies on the way. Arriving at the edge of the forest I pause for a second before pushing forward.

“Dark, isn’t it.”

“Coo?”

Shaking my head I say, “don’t worry about me, I’m fine,” even with the sun shining I could barely see anything except the outlines of trees and a couple of strange mushrooms. Picking one out of the ground its head has a white top that gradually fades to black with an inky goop oozing out from it; visually pleasing but very creepy. The mushrooms seemed to forming some kind of trail and I was subconsciously following it. Making my way deeper along the trail the density of mushrooms began to increase, looking around I realize that I had gone off the trail was surrounded by these weird mushrooms, oh feathers where are we!?

Feeling Spook shaking I say, “we can head back if you want.”

Spook tilts his head “Coo?”

“Uh I’m just getting tired that’s all,” turning around I start walking back and suddenly trip over a large mushroom ramming my beak into the ground. Pulling my beak out of the ground I shake my head, “caw! Ugh that hurt,” I say through gritted teeth. I’m pretty sure that mushroom wasn’t there before.

Spook lightly pecked my head, “coo?”

Sighing I say, “yeah im fine, nothing that hasn’t happened before.”

Several inky tendrils erupted from the mushrooms ensnaring me as a laugh came from behind the trees, “hohohoho well well well what do we have here? two little fledglings have been caught in my trap, and just in time for tea!” They say in a childlike voice.

Well this is certainly getting interesting!

Pinkie jumped out of bed, “good morning Clutter! Ready for our big day? -“ she began rocking the sleeping bags, “- come on get up, we’re gonna have so much fun today! I got a bunch of stuff planned for us and the day only lasts so long so come on!” Receiving no answer Pinkie began pacing, “oooh I get it, you wanna play hide and seek! Well then I’ll just have to find you before we head off,” grabbing a magnifying glass with her mane she began the search.

After a few minutes Pinkie started to get a little nervous, “ok this was fun but we really should be going soon -“ looking around she gasped, “- the window! I didn’t leave it open so she must have gone out there! I got you now clever girl!”

I’m currently sat at large mushroom being used as a table while Spook was being held in a golden bird cage in another seat. The seats would be very comfy if I wasn’t currently being bound to them by the inky tendril.

The creature put two tendrils together and says, “So the names Shroomette, how’s it goin’ enjoying your stay?”

“Could be better,” looking them over she has a large globule body that was composed of that inky stuff from the mushrooms but it also has several eyes scattered across it. She has this large cutesy cap that looked like the mushrooms surrounding us, she’s crazy but she does have style. “ooo that hat is so cute where’d you get it?” I say forgetting I’ve been hatchnapped.

Shroomette started blushing and giggling at me, “this ol’ thing? I grew it myself along with every other inkcap in this forest. But enough about me what about you little bird what’s your name?”

“Why do you care?”

Shroomette waved a tentacle at me, “ohohoho I just love getting to know my food I mean guests before dinner -“ a loud whistle rang out, “- oh that must be the tea! stay right there!” She said winking at me before sliding off.

“She’s gonna what?!” I say turning to Spook who is aggressively pecking at the lock on his cage. I have two options to escape either hope she was joking which isn’t likely or chew through the tendrils, well time to see what these girls can do.

Chomping down on the tentacle I manage to easily take a good chunk out as the rest squirms backwards. I spit the chunk out immediately and begin coughing, ack that better not be poison! the actual tentacle tasted like a regular mushroom and was rather soft but the inky covering was the most bitter and briny thing I’ve ever had. Grabbing Spooks cage in my beak dashed away running directly into a wall of tendrils, feathers!

A laughter came from behind me, “ohohoho and where do you think you’re going little birdie?”

“Away from you,” I say. Taking a step back and wiggling my flank I leap over the wall managing to land not so gracefully cracking a twig with my face. A tentacle snatches up Spooks cage and drags him off; running off I quickly skid to a halt and let out a sigh, ugh I’m gonna regret this. Getting myself into a tug o war with a mushroom I was pulling as hard as I could on the cage but I was slowly getting pulled back, “give, him, back!”

Shroomette inspected her tentacle like it was a freshly honed talons, “tut tut, you know I can’t give up such a tasty morsel.”

I had to think of something quick or else I would be dragged back to that horrid mushroom. Ok Crystal you’re losing, think of something! You could try breaking it?

That probably won’t work.

Come on Crystal you need to try! Bitting the bars as hard as possible my jaw starts to hurt more than I thought possible. I grit my teeth through the pain and quickly twist my beak bending and snapping the bars under the pressure. Letting go of the cage Spook flies into my chest, “caw!”

“Spook, it’s only been two minutes.”

“Aw how adorable, keep it up I love sweets!” Sprouting a tendril Shroomette smacks us both towards a tree. I try to pull out my wings to protect Spook but when I hit the tree with enough force to crack it, one of my wings ends up twisted behind my back. Falling to the ground I curse out, “ow, f-”

“Clutter! Oh Clutter! Where is that little birdie?” Pinkie started looking under everything and anything that could be picked up, looking under a bench, “nope not here,” she picked up a trash can lid, “hello anypony in there?” She even managed to lift a large red stallion before running off again.

High up in a cloud Rainbow Dash was watching Pinkie frantically run around looking under random objects and decided to see just what in Equestria she was doing this time, “hey Pinkie whatcha up to?!”

“Hiya Dashie!” Pinkie says without stopping her search.

Rolling her eyes Dash jumped off her cozy napping cloud and flew in front of Pinkie causing her to skid to a halt, “so whatcha going crazy over this time Pinkie?”

“Well you know that little filly I found? Well I thought she was playing hide and seek but I still haven’t found her and I’m starting to get a teensy bit worried. Hey weren’t you working on the clouds this morning, did you see her?”

Rainbow looked around nervous, “heh yep I was working on the clouds and definitely not sleeping in because my alarm broke, anyway I haven’t seen her but I can ask the weather team.”

Pinkie gave Rainbow a quick hug, “oh thank you so so much Rainbow!”

“Eh it’s nothing, you keep searching down here and I’ll ask around,” with that Rainbow flew off to find the weather team.

Rainbow was quickly getting bored of flying around asking ponies if they’ve seen some filly. The only useful information she got was from that clumsy pegasi, “ugh this is taking forever! let’s see Derpy said something about her heading to a forest, wait the Everfree Forest! -“ Rainbow raised both hoofs up high, “- wooo! I get to test out my skills and save a lost filly at the same time!” She sped off towards the Everfree leaving a dust cloud and a rainbow trail in her wake.

Flying above the trees Rainbow was dodging and doing stunts around the few branches that poked above the canopy. It seemed to be getting foggier and foggier the further she flew but that didn’t scare her, either out of bravery or a lack of awareness, “hah this is almost as fun as my flying track -“ the sound of cracking wood and a swearing child rang out in the distance, “- what the? Oh no, hang on filly I’m coming!”

As another tentacle sprouts from her body ready to swing at me a rainbow blur slams into it causing it to explode. Wiping the ink off of my face I gaze up to see a rainbow haired pegasus standing between us and Shroomette.

Rainbow punches her hoofs together, “alright you freaky shroom, where’s the filly?”

“Right here,” I say nervously.

Swinging her head around Rainbow exclaims, “wait wait wait, you’re Clutter?!”

Shroomette licks her lips and gives an insane smile before interrupting our introduction, “well looks like the main course has arrived, and I haven’t even finished the appetizers.” Growing several tendrils she launches them towards Dash. jumping away from the first two Rainbow uppercuts the third into an inky explosion. Watching her and Shroomette clash tentacle against hoof left me completely frozen, I could barely do anything. Shaking my body I try to get my brain working again, keep it together Crystal, no time to panic.

Sliding backwards Rainbow Dash smirks and says, “hah, had enough yet?”

A tentacle erupts from the ground ensnaring Rainbow in Shroomette’s clutches, “not quite!”

Oh feathers! Spook starts pushing on my barrel but no matter how much I try I can’t make myself move, do something! Anything! growing increasingly desperate Spook plucks one of my feather causing me let out a light squawk. Slowly standing up I take a few cautious steps forward then begin running towards the tentacle ensnaring Dash I close my eyes and taking a swipe at it with my talons.

Rainbow falls down with a thump, getting up she dashes over to me and Spook saying, “we should get out of here before this gets too messy, ok? Ok,” she picks me up and flies off as fast as she while I hang limply under her foreleg and Spook hides in my mane. Faintly in the background I could hear Shroomette laughing and saying something incomprehensible.

We flew a considerable distance before Rainbow decided to fly above the treetops and speak up, “I don’t know whether you’re brave or stupid for just trotting into the Everfree forest all by yourself, you did pretty well back there for somepony your size, im impressed.”

“Thanks.”

The rest of the journey was quiet until we arrived to the edge of town when Rainbow says, “oh heads up I know you griffons hate cutesy pony things, sooo you might not like this next part.”

Tilting my head I say, “huh?” Before she dives towards the ground.

When Rainbow landed she dropped me on the ground causing Spook to fly out of my mane and off to a nearby windowsill. Rainbow took a couple steps away saying, “I think somepony wants to see you.”

“What who could possibly -“ I open my eyes just in time to see a pink blur barreling towards me, “- caw, I’m sorry!” I say before being tackled into a hug. This confused me, what is she doing? Is this a sad attempt at choking me?

Pinkie hugged me tighter making me squeak like a chew toy and, “oh I missed you so so so much, I’m glad you’re back! Where were you anyway?”

“This little scamp got themselves lost in the Everfree forest.”

“What?! Are you ok Crystal?” Pinkie says inspecting me for any damages.

Now I’m even more confused, “what!? I’m fine, ”- pushing myself out of her grasp I continue -“wait why do you care?”

“I don’t want a little filly getting hurt,” she says sounding a little confused at my statement.

My eye twitched a tad, “I’m not a filly, I’m a griffon! Griffons are rude and selfish and only care about themselves, so why should you care about any of us?!” I say louder than I intended

Pinkie was taken aback by my sudden shouting, “well I’m sure they aren’t all bad. why I’m sure there’s quite a few lovely griffons out there!”

Scoffing I say, “and have you met any nice griffons?”

“I’ve met you!” Pinkie says grinning with her eyes closed.

That may have short circuited my brain, “I- uh, no I’m not! Griffons are mean! so I’m m-mean as well… got it.” Sitting down I began to think, I am mean I’m no better than any other griffon. She was just worried about you and now you’re yelling at her. You’re just like every other griffon. I dig my talons into the ground and fail miserably at not letting tears form in my eyes, dammit Crystal! Why in Tartarus are you crying? The only thing that’s happened is that you don’t know who you are, where home is, you probably broke your wing… and you’re yelling at the only one that care about you that isn’t a nonverbal bird… oh. The rest of my body falls to the ground while I grumble to myself.

Seeing that I was majorly upset Pinkie came over to try and cheer me up. Stroking my back she says, “looks like you’ve had a big day today let’s head home and I’ll let you have some cupcakes ok?”

I growl a little, more at myself than at Pinkie, “fine.”

“Okie dokie, I’ll make an extra yummy cupcake just for you!” Scooping me up Pinkie started bouncing off back to Sugar Cube Corner yelling, “you coming Spook?”

“Caw!”

The rest of the day was quiet, Pinkie tried talking with me but I didn’t have anything to say. her hair deflated little by little with every failed conversation until the entire building had a depressive mood and I knew it was all my fault. It tore me up inside seeing her sad but I could never muster up a response of any kind.

Finishing with her work Pinkie came over to my resting spot in the corner of the living room, “heya I was going to head out to get some stuff and I was hoping you could join me!” I shake my head in response, “oh okie, well have fun while I’m gone.”

When she leaves the room I curl myself into a ball and burry my face under my wing letting out a groan, why even bother going? You’re just gonna make her feel worse.

“Coo?”

“I’m fine leave me alone,” I say shooing him off. All the emotions I had were left to fester inside me while I did nothing in that room. The Cakes had passed by a few times and said hi but it felt like they were still avoiding me, they have every reason to avoid you.

Pinkie came back around when the sun went down so she took me upstairs to get ready for bed but before she hopped in bed she asks me a question, “did I do something wrong was it the hug? Dashie told me afterwards that griffons don’t like them so I’m really really sorry about that!”

That broke me hearing that she thought it was her fault instead of my own, “no Pinkie, it’s not your fault.” It’s all my fault.

“Well what is it? I just wanna make you super duper happy, but I don’t know how to do that if I don’t know what the problem is!”

“That’s the problem! You’re being so nice and all I’ve done is lie, steal, and make you sad. My name isn’t even Crystal!” I cover my face muttering, “I’m sorry,” over and over.

Pinkie panicked at my sudden outburst of emotions. She didn’t know what to do; hugs seemed to be ineffective and jokes weren’t really appropriate for the situation so she decided on a more lax approach. Sitting down next to me Pinkie says, “I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think, and plus who cares about something silly like a name.”

Sniffing I look up at her soft smile I feel a sense of calmness I hadn’t felt before like I could tell the truth while not being judged and that somebird would be looking out for me or in this case somepony. I lean myself against Pinkie purring while feeling each of her soft pink hairs rub against my face. She smelled exactly like cotton candy and frosting, it was heavenly.

“Let’s talk tomorrow, for now get some rest. Hey you can sleep with me in my bed, if you want more cuddles!”

“Coo?”

“You too Spook, come here!” We all soon fell asleep forgetting to actually get in the bed.