Hopeless Romance

Chapters

Prologue.
Rainbow Dash's Love Life Limerick (Part 1)
How do you lure a zebra from her den?
Rainbow Dash's reconciliation and an angry Applejack.
A missing ingredient.

Prologue.

"Such delicious candy sweets!" Zecora said, licking clean the hoof she'd been holding her candy in. "Tell me, where did you acquire these peppermint treats?"

"Mah friend Twist made 'em!" Apple Bloom said with a smile. "Nopony makes 'em like she does!"

Zecora smacked her lips, smiling down at Applebloom as she said, "To this, I can attest. Twist's peppermints are truly the best."

"Glad ya like 'em," Apple Bloom said with a nod, beginning for the door. "Twist has been strugglin' t' sell 'er treats lately, so it's good t' know that somepony has a hankerin' for 'em."

Zecora put a hoof to her chin, frowning and mumbling, "Although her peppermints I do commend, I am sad to say I have not the coin to spend."

Apple Bloom stopped where she was, looking to Zecora with pity and saying, "That's a shame. Ah 'spose ya could always trade 'er for one o' yer potions."

Zecora chuckled, shaking her head. Dubiously, she said, "An interesting an idea you have got. Perhaps, just maybe, I shall give it some thought."

"Ah'm sure Twist would be thrilled," Apple Bloom said, grinning and continuing toward the door.

As she opened it, however, Zecora called after her, "Stop, Apple Bloom, before you go!" Zecora trotted over to her, looking worried. "I must ask of something you might know."

"What's up?" Apple Bloom asked, looking puzzled.

"Has your rival, Diamond Tiara, returned to Ponyville? Pondering her fate has made me most ill," Zecora said, looking and sounding pained by the question.

Apple Bloom sighed, shaking her head and answering grievously, "Ain't nopony seen 'er since the night she up and disappeared."

Zecora put a hoof to her chest, looking heartbroken as she said, "This news is most disconcerting. I certainly hope the little lost filly is neither frightened nor hurting."

Apple Bloom forcefully cleared her throat, rubbing her neck as she gazed at the ceiling, her voice a noticeably higher pitch as she said, "Yeah, ah hope she's all fine 'n dandy..."

"Hopefully, her time of absence will conclude in a trice. To know that the Everfree Forest does not swallowed up foals will be quite nice," Zecora said, donning a smile once more. "Well, I suppose it can't be helped at present. I thank you once more for those peppermint treats so pleasant."

"Oh, ah was happy t' share with ya," Apple Bloom said, waving a dismissive hoof. "Ah'll bring some more the next time ah visit."

Zecora nodded, rubbing at her stomach and musing, "I look forward to when we next meet, Apple Bloom. I hope that we shall see each other again soon."

"See ya later, Zecora!" Apple Bloom said, trotting out of the hut.

"Please, to home in safety sprint!" Zecora called out after her, then said quietly to herself, "So you can acquire for me more succulent peppermint."

She chuckled, then closed the door to her hut.

"Hey there, Apple Bloom!" Applejack called as Apple Bloom approached. "How was yer visit with Zecora?" Immediately after asking her question, Applejack bucked at the apple tree behind her with a grunt, sending apples spilling into the buckets that surrounded it.

"It was purdy good," Apple Bloom said with a nod, already jumping in to help by picking up the filled apple buckets and emptying them in the nearby cart. "Zecora went nuts over Twist's peppermint treats."

"Did she now?" Applejack asked, bucking another tree. "Ah ain't never had a taste for them peppermints. Heck, ah ain't never liked anything minty at all."

"Well, Zecora loved 'em," Apple Bloom grunted, her face bearing a look of intense concentration as she hobbled over to the cart, carrying a particularly full basket of apples atop her head.

Dumping the apples into the cart, she could now relax as she walked.

Apple Bloom brought three more baskets of apples to the cart, then tentatively asked, "So, no Rainbow Dash today?"

Applejack chuckled, shaking her head and answering coolly, "She and ah are both mighty busy today."

"Both o' ya'll? What's she doin'?" Apple Bloom asked, dropping an empty bucket beside the tree Applejack was readying to buck.

"Ah think she was teachin' some pegasi 'bout stunt flyin'," said Applejack.

With a shout, Applejack bucked the tree, apples tumbling from the branches and into the buckets.

Moving to a new tree, she added, "At least that's what she told me."

"Huh. Ah see," Apple Bloom said with a nod, putting a hoof to her chin. "Did she say where she would be?"

"Nope," Applejack answered bluntly, bucking the tree and knocking free its apples.

"Okay, uh..." Apple Bloom muttered, crouching down and picking up an apple bucket, then beginning for the cart. "Did she plan t' meet up with ya at all today?"

"Nope," Applejack answered again, already at the next tree.

Apple Bloom emptied the apples from the bucket, then went to collect the other buckets from around the last tree Applejack had bucked, all the while looking like she wanted to say something.

After a long silence between she and Apple Bloom, Applejack asked, "So, what'd ya do up t' Zecora's place?"

"Oh, just a bit o' gatherin' and whatnot," Apple Bloom answered, already plopping down buckets around the newest apple tree. "Said she was puttin' together some sorta 'truth potion,' or some nonsense like that."

"Truth potion?" Applejack asked, bucking the tree and bringing down a rain of apples. "Why is she needin' a truth potion?"

"Ah don't really know," Apple Bloom said, scratching her head. "All she really said 'bout it was that anypony who drank it would reveal whatever secret they're told to tell."

"Dad gum!" Applejack shouted, collecting two of the buckets as she and Applebloom commenced loading up and heading back to the barn. "That's down right rude! Makin' anypony fess up their secrets and not givin' 'em any say sounds terrible!"

"Maybe it is," Apple Bloom said, sounding ashamed. "Ah can't imagine what she's gonna use it fer... or who she's gonna use it on."

"Well, ah trust Zecora," Applejack said, hooking herself up to the cart, "and ah know she ain't gonna misuse this truth potion. Makes me wonder why she's brewin' it up in the first place."

"Dunno," Apple Bloom said with a shrug. "Although, the potion could be used fer good."

"Oh, can it now?" Applejack asked, smirking. "Do tell."

"Well, say there was some evil pony all shut up like a clam. If they used the potion, then he'd have t' fess up 'bout everything he done wrong," Apple Bloom reasoned, Applejack laughing with amusement.

"Ah 'spose that could work," Applejack said, rolling her eyes.

The two walked along, continuing their conversation about the proper applications of a potion that would force anypony to tell the truth.

"Scootaloo, why are we doing this?" Sweetie Belle asked, eyeing the clouds of bees that hovered about their artificial hives with hesitation. "It's kinda dangerous..."

"We'll never know if we're supposed to get our cutie marks in beekeeping if we don't do this," Scootaloo answered, setting an empty jar beside one of the hives. "Besides, we've got these suits. The bees can't hurt us while we've got them on."

Scootaloo tapped her helmet to demonstrate.

"Well, I guess you're right," Sweetie said, glancing to the jar Scootaloo set on the ground. "But there's so many of them. Even if they can't hurt me, these bees are still scary."

"Oh, quit your belly aching!" Scootaloo said, jumping atop the hive. "You still have that scraper?"

"Yeah..." Sweetie held aloft the scraper with her magic.

"Good. I'll hold the tray and you scrape the honey into the jar."

With a quiet grunt, Scootaloo hefted the tray nearest the jar out of the hive, the cloud of bees buzzing more energetically as she did so. She held it over the jar, awaiting Sweetie Belle's scraping, but the tray remained caked with honey. Scootaloo looked up at Sweetie, finding her to be frozen in place.

"What's the hold up?"

"Uh..."

Sweetie gulped, closing her eyes as she shuffled closer to Scootaloo and the agitated cloud of bees. She haphazardly swung around the scraper in an attempt to locate where the tray was, striking Scootaloo's head and hooves multiple times.

"Cut it out!" Scootaloo shouted, the scraper freezing in midair. "Would you just open your eyes already?"

"I...can't," Sweetie answered, allowing the scraper to drop to the ground. "Too scared."

"Hi guys!" Apple Bloom shouted as she ran to meet the two. "Sorry ah'm late."

"Alright, you made it!" Scootaloo said, nodding to the jar yet to be filled with honey. "Now we can finally get something done."

Sweetie Belle shuffled away from the hive, only now venturing to open her eyes.

Spotting Apple Bloom, she said, "Hi Apple Bloom. What took you so long?"

"Oh, just chores n' stuff," Apple Bloom answered, snatching up the scraper and jumping atop the hive, already beginning to scrape honey off the tray. Apple Bloom glanced to Scootaloo, then looked back to the tray, saying, "Ah heard Rainbow Dash was teachin' some pegasi 'bout stunt flyin'. Figured ya'd be there, Scootaloo."

"Huh?" Scootaloo asked, not sounding as excited as Apple Bloom had thought she would have. "Where did you hear that?"

"Applejack told me," Apple Bloom said, reaching over Scootaloo's foreleg to scrape at the honey. "She said that's what Rainbow Dash told 'er."

"Scootaloo and I saw Rainbow Dash at the library not too long ago," Sweetie said, sounding confused. "Unless she left behind that book she seemed so excited to read, I don't think she's left."

"She's at the library?" Apple Bloom asked, putting a hoof to her helmet, as she couldn't reach her chin. "Why would she tell Applejack she was teachin' pegasi 'bout stunt flyin' if she's at the library?"

"Why would she lie to Applejack at all?" Scootaloo asked, sounding worried. "You don't think it's about Rainbow Dash's love of reading, do you?"

"O' course not!" Apple Bloom answered with a shake of the head. "Applejack knows all about Rainbow Dash's interest in readin'. She ain't gonna tease 'er none for it."

"Well, if not that, then what?" Sweetie asked, almost having to shout with how far away she was from the two. "Why would she lie to anypony? Especially Applejack."

Apple Bloom's brow furrowed, then she donned a sly grin.

"Why don't we go ask 'er?"

"I guess we could," Scootaloo said, moving to replace the cleaned tray, "but we should probably finish up here first. Just as well see if we'll get our cutie marks in—"

"Help!" cried a distraught colt.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders turned to look at him, honey drizzling down his chin as he ran like mad, a swarm of bees trailing him as they buzzed with rage.

"Somepony, help!"

"Snails?" Scootaloo asked, dropping the tray back into place.

Apple Bloom sighed, tossing up the scraper and catching it with her tail, mumbling, "Yep. Snails."

"Excuse us, Rainbow Dash," said Apple Bloom, smiling innocently. "We're here to ask ya a few questions."

Rainbow Dash lowered her book, a suspicious look on her face as she said, "Okay..."

Apple Bloom nodded, asking, "What ya been up to, hangin' around the library and all?"

Rainbow Dash placed a bookmark within her novel, then set it aside, shrugging and answering, "Just catching up on the latest Daring Do."

"Oh, ah see," Apple Bloom said, glancing to Scootaloo with a smirk. "So ya decided to blow off yer stunt flyin' class to do some readin'?"

Rainbow Dash flinched, but quickly recovered, saying, "Well, I had nothing else to do, because that got canceled."

"Canceled?" asked Scootaloo, cocking her head. "Why would it have gotten canceled?"

"Because..." Rainbow Dash began, rolling her eyes, her expression indicating she was attempting to drum up a reason. "... none of the pegasi that I was supposed to be instructing were able to make it."

"That's a shame," Apple Bloom said, still smiling. "Shouldn't ya be practicin' the stunts yer gonna teach 'em, though?"

Rainbow Dash sighed, picking up the book she'd set aside and flipping open to where she'd stopped. Annoyed, she said, "Look, I'm just trying to enjoy the latest installment of Daring Do. Can you please just leave me to it?"

Scootaloo stepped forward, a pleading look in her eyes, but Apple Bloom put a hoof to her shoulder before she said anything.

Instead, Apple Bloom cheerfully said, "Sorry to bother ya! We'll just be on our way."

She looked to Scootaloo with a beam, emphatically flicking her head toward the door. Scootaloo looked perplexed by this, but began for the exit nonetheless. Apple Bloom followed behind. Sweetie Belle scowled at Apple Bloom, shot a sheepish grin at Rainbow Dash, then took off after the other Crusaders.

"Thought they'd never leave," Rainbow Dash mumbled, laying against the stairs as she continued with her book.

In the moment after, however, the door to the nearby backroom burst open, a puffy-cheeked stallion (that could only be described as nerdy) stumbling out, gasping for breath. Rainbow Dash set aside her book, unsure what to do or how to help this stallion, but two other stallions of a similar description ran toward him, guiding him toward the door.

"Eh, sorry Twilight!" called back the thinner of the two. "Looks like this session has to be cut short!"

"Is he going to be okay?" Twilight asked, stepping out of the room, looking and sounding guilty. "I had no idea he was allergic..."

"Oh, no, don't worry, he'll be just fine!" called back the "not-as-thin" stallion. "We'll take care of him."

"Oh, okay..." she said with an uneasy giggle, waving to the three of them. "See you next week!"

"See you!" the two called back in unison, kicking shut the door behind them.

Rainbow Dash eyed the door with perplexity, then looked to Twilight, asking, "Who were they?"

"Oh, just friends of mine," Twilight said, shrugging with an embarrassed chuckle. Suddenly, however, her attention snapped to Rainbow Dash, as if the pegasus had just arrived. "Rainbow Dash! I didn't hear you come in!"

"Oh, sorry," Rainbow Dash said, sliding the novel she'd set down back and forth across the stair. "I just wanted to catch up on my reading, and—"

"No, it's fine," Twilight said, waving dismissively with a laugh. "It's just... I didn't expect you to be here, is all."

"Well, new Daring Do just came out last week!" Rainbow Dash chimed, holding high the book she was referring to. "Why wouldn't I be here?"

"Well, I thought you said something about being busy all week," Twilight said, her eyes upturned as she recalled Rainbow Dash's words. "I had that copy reserved for you, because you said you had some important weather scheduling to manage."

"Oh! That!" Rainbow Dash shouted, then cleared her throat, laughing casually. "I remember now. You see, I had some accumulated vacation time that I didn't know about, so I decided to take a few days off."

"Vacationing, huh?" Twilight asked, a snide smile on her face. "So you decided to spend your vacation time in Ponyville?"

"Well, big cities are overrated," reasoned Rainbow Dash, "and why go fly around in the wilderness when I can read about Daring's adventures in them?"

She presented her book proudly, then flipped it open, blissfully resuming the story from where she'd left off.

Twilight rolled her eyes, then called out, "Spike!" She waited for a response, and, upon receiving none, she shouted again, "Spike!" Twilight glanced about, looking worried.

"Is Spike not here?"

"I haven't seen him since I showed up," Rainbow Dash said indifferently.

"Well, where'd he go?" Twilight asked, more to herself than to Rainbow Dash.

"Dunno. I did see Owlowiscious fly out, though. Maybe he went looking for him."

"I'd better go see if they're alright," Twilight said, glancing to the door. "You'll be okay here by yourself, right?"

"Yeah, sure," Rainbow Dash answered absently, turning the page in her book.

Twilight glanced to her with a doubtful look, then shook it away, teleporting out of the library. Rainbow Dash lowered her book, grumbling quietly as she rubbed at her eyes.

"Remind me why we've got this giant sack of peppermints and we're carrying it through the Everfree Forest," murmured Sweetie Belle, scowling ahead at Apple Bloom.

"What do you mean we?" Scootaloo scolded through clenched teeth, scrambling to her left to keep the tilting bag from falling.

"Ya see this pack ah brung along?" Apple Bloom asked, holding out her right hip as she continued walking.

"Yeah, what about it?" Sweetie asked. "What has it got to do with all this peppermint?"

"In this here pack is a decoy potion," Apple Bloom explained, looking forward again with a determined smile. "All we need t' do is distract Zecora, then ah replace the real potion, which looks exactly like mah decoy, and hide it away. Simple as that."

"Isn't that stealing?" muttered Scootaloo, grinding her teeth together as she focused on keeping her load balanced.

"Eh, ah wouldn't call it stealin'," Apple Bloom reasoned. "More like borrowin', really."

"And how is all this peppermint, which Twist charged a fortune for, supposed to help?" Sweetie asked, somewhat cross.

"You'll see," she mused, halting in her tracks as Zecora's hut came into view. "Alright, we should be close enough. Set that there bag behind that tree."

Scootaloo trudged to the tree Apple Bloom pointed at, then fell to her side, panting with exhaustion.

"Alrighty! Ya'll go hide. Ah'll go get that potion."

Sweetie Belle nudged Scootaloo's leg, frowned at her for a moment, then seized her tail and began to drag her to cover, the pegasus groaning in protest. Applebloom walked over to the bag, ripping free the string it was tied with. She reached inside, pulling out a hoofful of the peppermint treats. With a mischievous chuckle, Apple Bloom set them down one by one as she made her way to Zecora's front door. Having made a neat trail leading straight to the sack of peppermint, Apple Bloom took a deep breath, then rapidly knocked at the door. She leaped away, Zecora opening the door only a moment after she'd disappeared from sight. Confused, the zebra glanced to and fro, then looked to the ground, gasping when she found one of the delicious peppermints to be laying there. She cautiously scanned the surrounding area, then shrugged, snatching up the treat and gobbling it down. Zecora smacked her lips, then spotted the trail of peppermints that she had begun. With eyes like a foal's on Hearth's Warming morning, Zecora attacked the trail.

Apple Bloom, seeing her opportunity to make the swap, darted into the hut as silently as possible. She searched frantically, then beamed when she found the potion she'd helped Zecora to brew. She pulled out her decoy, then set it beside the real thing. With a triumphant giggle, she swiped the truth potion, stowed it away in her bag, then ran outside and returned to her cover, all before Zecora finished off the trail of peppermints and dragged the enormous sack into her hut. With a silent hoof pump, Apple Bloom dashed away into the forest, her friends close behind.

After a short stretch of galloping, the Cutie Mark Crusaders slowed to a trot.

Sweetie Belle glanced to Apple Bloom's saddlebag, asking, "So what now? Why did we need to steal that potion?"

"Let's just say we need to pay Rainbow Dash another visit," Apple Bloom said, grinning wildly.

"Why do I get the feeling this isn't going to end well?" Scootaloo said, almost never the worry wart of the group.

Rainbow Dash read on, too engrossed in Daring Do's latest epic adventure to notice the three fillies watching her through the window. Rubbing her hooves together in anticipation, Apple Bloom lithely set the flask containing the truth potion in front of the library door. She knocked furiously, then dove into the bushes.

"That'll never work!" Sweetie Belle whispered, glaring at the flask. "You think she's just gonna see the potion and chug it down?"

"Haven't ya noticed how that there container is shaped?" Apple Bloom reasoned, pointing to the flask. "Looks just like a soda bottle, don'tcha think?"

Rainbow Dash opened the door, looking annoyed, then spotted the bubbling blue elixir that had been left for her. She picked it up with her hoof, plucking the cork out with her teeth, then sniffed at it. She eyed the potion for a moment, then shrugged, downing the bottle's contents in a matter of seconds. With a loud belch, she tossed the bottle away, then drew back inside and shut the door.

"Oh, no way," Sweetie Belle muttered, half disbelievingly and half angrily.

"C'mon! Let's go talk to 'er!" Apple Bloom shouted, jumping out of cover and throwing open the door.

After exchanging wary glances, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo followed her inside, shutting the door behind them.

Rainbow Dash glanced over her shoulder, then turned to the Cutie Mark Crusaders with a glare.

"So, you're back," she said, eyeing the three of them with disdain. "What do you want this time?"

"Ah don't think ya was answerin' us truthfully the last time we done spoke with ya," Apple Bloom scolded, pointing at Rainbow Dash. "What reason did ya have t' lie t' Applejack?"

Rainbow Dash stared at her blankly, her eyes glistening in the pale moonlight that spilled in through the windows. Suddenly, the whites of the pegasus's eyes glowed a soft blue.

The trio of fillies gasped at this, but Rainbow Dash grinned lightly as she seated herself on the stairs, answering in earnest, "I didn't want her to find out why I'd blown her off."

"I'm guessing your reasons had nothing to do with teaching flying stunts..." Scootaloo said, her lips pursed.

"Nope," Rainbow Dash answered, looking to the ceiling, a smile still on her face as her eyes repeated the mysterious glow from a moment before. "Truth be told, I lost my job, and I didn't want to worry her with it."

"You lost your job?!" the three shouted in unison.

Rainbow Dash nodded solemnly, but retained her grin, adding, "I'm not too broken up over it; I've always gotten by before."

"You're taking this so lightly!" Scootaloo said, reacting more profoundly to Rainbow Dash's confession than she had. "You were the weather manager for all of Ponyville!"

"I was," Rainbow Dash said with a shrug, looking wholly unperturbed. "Now I'm not."

"That potion certainly does a number on the brain..." mumbled Sweetie Belle.

"What was that?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, nothing, nothing!" Sweetie Belle stammered, stepping away from the inquisitive pegasus.

"Let me get this straight. You don't want to turn to Applejack on this," Scootaloo said, sounding puzzled, "so you're just hanging out at the library, with no job?"

"Yep," Rainbow Dash answered with a nod.

"Dang..." Scootaloo breathed as she gave Rainbow Dash a pitying look, despite the smile she retained.

"Well, that ain't good," Apple Bloom said, frowning at Rainbow Dash for a moment. "But, ah actually had another question fer ya."

"Shoot," Rainbow Dash said, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looking to Apple Bloom in confusion.

"Ya know just a couple nights ago," Apple Bloom began, slow and cautious, "just after Diamond Tiara split?"

"Uh-huh."

"You sorta... er... 'nuzzled' mah big sister, if that's the word," Applebloom said, sounding embarrassed, while Sweetie and Scootaloo looked outright baffled.

"That's right. What about it?"

"Well, ah want t' know... why. Why'd ya nuzzle 'er?"

Rainbow Dash chuckled lightly, her eyes lighting up once more as she ruffled Applebloom's mane.

"Simple. I've had a crush on her since, like, forever."

"You what?!" the three shouted.

"Well, maybe not forever, but you get what I mean," Rainbow Dash said, still smiling at the three fillies.

"What do ya mean ya've got a crush on 'er?!" Apple Bloom asked, horrified.

Rainbow Dash shrugged, answering plainly, "Exactly what it sounds like. I've got a crush on Applejack. I've had a lot of crushes over the years."

"So... what ya've been doin' with 'er in Sweet Apple Acres..."

"It was sort of a scheme to make her interested in me," Rainbow Dash answered, chuckling guiltily as she shook her head. "It couldn't have worked out any worse, huh?"

Apple Bloom fell to her haunches, her jaw hanging and her brow raised. She looked ready to say something, but for the longest time she remained silent.

Apple Bloom seemed about ready to speak when Sweetie Belle asked curiously, "You said you had other crushes?"

Rainbow Dash nodded, looking puzzled by the question.

"Like who?" Sweetie asked, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looking dumbfounded by this question.

Rainbow Dash hummed a note in thought, answering, "Well, that's kind of a long story..."

"Why not just start from the beginning?" asked Sweetie Belle.

Rainbow Dash paused, seeming to consider this.

Apple Bloom frowned, asking, "Ya aren't actually gonna—"

"It all started back when I was just tiny foal, living in good old Cloudsdale," began Rainbow Dash, a prideful fire kindled in her eyes.

"Oh goody..." Apple Bloom whimpered, her ears drooping.

Rainbow Dash's Love Life Limerick (Part 1)

"The first pony I would call beau, one that you probably know, so terribly meek, like a timid mouse squeak, she sticks to the status quo," began Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash's audience of three cocked their heads in unison, an expression of sheer bafflement on each of their faces.

"So she's a poet," plainly stated Scootaloo.

"Well, wouldn't ya know it?" added Apple Bloom with a smirk.

"She's talking about Fluttershy," said Sweetie Belle.

Rainbow Dash nodded, continuing, "Her cutie mark story you've heard, and though it may sound kind of absurd, the reason I raced, and her safety I spaced, was because I wanted her as my bird."

"What?" asked Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

"Pegasus lingo," explained Scootaloo. "I've never spent much time in Cloudsdale, but I know calling somepony 'your bird' there is like a really mushy way of saying they're your coltfriend... or fillyfriend, in some cases."

Scootaloo cleared her throat boisterously, grinning at Rainbow Dash with red in her cheeks. Rainbow Dash merely rolled her eyes, chuckling.

"Though on her my heart was set, and over her everyday I'd fret, she then heard me out, and replied a stout, 'I'm not ready for that yet.'" Rainbow Dash sighed, smiling a sad smile.

"Well, you were just little fillies," reasoned Scootaloo. "If she wasn't ready for a relationship, you could have just waited on her."

"I think she tried waiting already," said Sweetie Belle, reflecting Dash's saddened expression in her tone. "Fluttershy still isn't ready for that. She can really only be Rainbow Dash's friend, because she lacks the confidence to commit to a serious relationship."

Apple Bloom glanced to Sweetie Belle, mouthing a silent "golly."

"Don't go jumpin' t' no conclusions now," warned Apple Bloom. "There's got t' be more to it than that."

Sweetie Belle's gaze lingered on Apple Bloom for a moment. Then she turned to Rainbow Dash, an inquisitive look in her eye.

Rainbow Dash paused for a pensive moment, inhaled deeply, then said, "As it now stands we are only friends, although on me she still greatly depends, for loyalty at length, for a pillar of strength, while to animals she happily tends."

"Well, at least you're still friends," consolingly offered Scootaloo. "That counts for something."

"Please, go on," urged Sweetie Belle, sternly attentive of Rainbow Dash's poetic reminiscence.

Rainbow Dash placed her hooves together, staring intently at them. She nodded, placing them behind her head and relaxing against the stairs, wings casually splayed.

"From flight school there's this cool griffin I know. Last time you saw her was really some show. She acted all tough, and left in a huff, like she always does, the dirty ho."

Rainbow Dash's innocent, pure-minded audience gasped in horror.

"How could you?!" chided Sweetie Belle.

"Why would you?" croaked Apple Bloom.

"That's so mean..." whimpered Scootaloo.

With a shrug, Rainbow Dash stated, "It's just dyke talk."

"... oh," said the trio of fillies.

Flipping her mane with a flick of the head, Rainbow Dash continued her limerick.

"We both love to fly, that much is true. We also enjoy some trash-talk, too. We hit it off fast, and had a real blast, but it wasn't long before we were through."

Dash scratched absently at her cheek, her gaze distant. There came a faint jolt in her left wing followed by an angered snort.

"Gilda and I, we had a good run. Shared a few laughs and had some real fun. Yet at the end of the day, it pains me to say, our good times were all for none."

Rainbow Dash's tone carried a distinct edge, which proved disconcerting to her audience. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo exchanged nervous glances, while Apple Bloom gnawed anxiously at her lip.

"What happened between you two?" worriedly asked Sweetie Belle.

Sitting up, wings folding, Rainbow Dash cast her gaze downward.

With a deep inhalation, she said, "I'd always thought that griffin was faithful, that for what we had she was grateful, but she'd had her fill, and left, as she always will, and found somepony more playful."

After a moment of three blank faces, Apple Bloom acquired an expression of sympathetic sadness, Scootaloo a terse, irritated look, and Sweetie Belle an intrigued yet stern countenance.

"If that's the case," began Sweetie Belle, "why did she come back?"

A small tear falling to the floor, Rainbow Dash covered her eyes with her hooves as she answered, "I forgave her cheating bout, even if we didn't work out. Yet back she came crawling, for help she was calling. She promised me a happy route. Though I'd hoped she was still a friend, that hope she was quick to upend. Through little reproof given, to hatred was she driven, and our friendship was forever condemned."

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle grimaced at this, but Scootaloo stood and hurried to the stairs. Huddling close to her idol's side, she wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow Dash's waste and laid her head against her ribs. Rainbow Dash lowered her hooves from her eyes, glancing down at the filly, who returned the glance with a small smile and a pair of bright, shimmering eyes. Sniffling, Rainbow Dash turned and hugged Scootaloo back.

"Thanks, kid," whispered Rainbow Dash.

"Aw..." said Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

With their hug concluded, Scootaloo drew away, but remained seated beside Rainbow Dash.

Sweetie Belle nodded approvingly, then patiently asked, "Who else did you have a crush on?"

Rainbow Dash considered the question for a moment, then grinned awkwardly. "That brings us to crush number three. You might say she was everypony's cup of tea. Named Monsoon Splendor, a game changer and ender, I thought she took a fancy to me. They called her the 'queen of the skies,' with her perfect mane and slanted eyes. The fun genius up in space, a multilingual ace. That's the Monsoon Splendor I despise."

"What?" asked Apple Bloom. "You despise 'er? Then why was she your crush?"

"I was tricked by her ruse, that trick she did. She pulled me in close; I saw what she hid. She never cared about me, 'cause I was just a trophy. Like some stupid pet I was always bid. No matter what innocence she might claim. No matter her looks, smarts, or fame. Inside she's a devil, on an unmatched level. After her, nothing was the same."

Rainbow Dash tilted her head back as she yawned with gaping jaws. Her head falling forward, she rubbed her hooves against her eyes, smacking her lips as she looked at Apple Bloom. The soft blue glow that had overtaken Rainbow's eyes earlier returned for a moment, only to flicker and disappear once more.

"I think Zecora said somethin' 'bout this," said Apple Bloom. "The potion only lasts fer so long before it goes kaput. When them lights start blinkin' again after nothin' happens fer a while, that's a sure sign that yer about outta time."

"But she's only told us about three of her crushes!" Sweetie Belle protested. "There's got to be a lot more than three!"

"Why is it that you care so much?" asked Scootaloo in earnest, earning a confused look from Rainbow Dash. "Apple Bloom is listening because she's waiting for the part about her sister."

Apple Bloom noisily cleared her throat in response to the allegation, but objected in no further way.

"I'm still listening because I care about Dash. I want to hear her out when she's talking about her problems."

Dash pulled Scootaloo into another hug, this one more familiarly jostling and rough.

"Well," began Sweetie Belle, "when Rarity isn't busy with her work and she isn't out with her friends, I'm usually the only pony she has around to talk to. So she spends hours and hours droning on and on about the 'delicacy of relationships' and how much of an 'impact' the ponies in your life can be. I didn't think I would ever care about it, but now that Rainbow Dash has expressed her feelings about her own love life, I'm beginning to think my sister wasn't just trying to bore me to death."

"Yeah, that's Rarity alright," said Rainbow Dash with a smirk.

Her eyes glowed for an even shorter time than they had seconds before, the blue light flickering out of existence.

"Rainbow Dash is starting to act like 'er regular self," observed Apple Bloom. "It's good that we all care about her, but we should probably wrap up here and save the rest fer later."

"Later?" asked Scootaloo. "You mean we're just going to leave her without letting her finish her story?"

"Well, once the potion goes kaput, which is happenin' as we speak," argued Apple Bloom, nodding to Rainbow Dash, "she ain't gonna share no more 'til we get some more potion in 'er."

"But she'll pick up from here the next time she drinks the potion, right?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Ah don't know. Maybe. Heck, this is the first time ah ever saw anypony who drank the darn thing."

Rainbow Dash's eyes flashed blue for only a split second, leaving her dazed afterwards.

"What happened?" she groaned, face buried in her hooves.

"Well, we won't know until we get another potion," said Scootaloo, already headed for the door. "We'll find Rainbow Dash and get that second potion tomorrow. Until then, we should probably go get some sleep."

"Okay," agreed Sweetie Belle, rushing out the door with Scootaloo. "Tomorrow."

Apple Bloom joined them outside.

As the two were about to disperse, she stopped them by saying, "That second potion might be a little tricky, actually."

"What do you mean tricky?" asked Scootaloo. "We'll just distract Zecora again and swipe another potion."

"Yeah, that's sorta the problem. That was the only one she had."

"You helped her make it," said Sweetie Belle. "Why don't we just make the second one ourselves?"

"Well, that's also sorta the problem. Ah only helped put together the ingredients and stir 'em up. Ah don't know nothin' 'bout where to find any of them."

From Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both resonated a frustrated, "Ugh!"

"No worries," hastily said Apple Bloom. "Ah'll go talk with Zecora. Ah'm sure she'd trust me with a list of ingredients iffen ah asked 'er fer one."

"If she hasn't found out that we swapped the real truth potion she made with a bottle of blueberry soda, that is," Scootaloo said flatly.

"Yeah. That."

"Well," sighed Sweetie Belle, beginning to walk away, "good night."

"See ya," said Scootaloo, also leaving.

"Cutie Mark Crusader alchemists..." Apple Bloom shouted weakly.

Beginning for her own home, she muttered a quiet, "Aw, horse apples."

Hearing the door to the library shut, Rainbow Dash looked up, her daze having cleared. She looked to the window, bewildered to find that it was late in the night, despite the sun having only begun to set the last she had checked. She glanced to her book, which laid on the step below the one she was seated on. Picking it up, she turned it over and examined it vigorously, wondering aloud, "Was I just lost in the story? Is that why I didn't notice it get dark?" She set the book on her lap, looking to the night sky. "No. I would have remembered reading more." Tucking the book under one foreleg, she stood, hovering to the door. Exiting the library, she found the streets to be empty, though she had a vague memory of voices in and near the library. After a quick scan of the area and a thoughtful exhale, she kicked close the library door and began for her home.

Author's Note

I was originally going to go for a "Fresh Filly of Cloudsdale" sort of set-up, but it didn't work out, so this is what I ended up doing.

How do you lure a zebra from her den?

The next morning...

"How long has she been gone now?" asked Scootaloo, laying her chin on the table. "I know she goes out there a lot, but the Everfree Forest is dangerous, no matter how familiar you are with it."

"Don't worry," assured Sweetie Belle, who had been sipping a chocolate shake while listening to Scootaloo. "Apple Bloom is a big filly. She can take care of herself."

"What do you think Zecora will even say? No matter how much she likes Apple Bloom, I doubt she'll just tell her where to find all the ingredients."

"How could you say no to that honest, folksy charm of hers?" Sweetie Belle sat up straighter, grinning earnestly as she mimicked her friend's accent, saying, "Ah reckon ain't nopony has it in 'em."

This earned a giggle from Scootaloo, which was followed by a lengthy yawn.

"Tired?" asked Sweetie.

"Very." Scootaloo laid her forehead on the table with a muffled thunk.

Sweetie nodded, resuming the sipping of her shake. Not a moment later, Apple Bloom joined them at the table, sighing. Scootaloo drew away from the table, rubbing drowsiness from her eyes, while Sweetie Belle pushed away her shake and turned to Apple Bloom with a hopeful grin.

"So how'd it go?" asked Sweetie.

Absently rapping a hoof against the table, Apple Bloom answered, "Uh, well..."

"Hey Zecora!" greeted Apple Bloom, entering Zecora's hut. "Ah know ah just seen ya yesterday, but ah had t' come see ya again."

"Apple Bloom, your enthusiasm is always without measure," mused Zecora. "Now, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Ya know that one potion we threw together?"

"The one made by you and myself?" She nodded to the bottle of blueberry soda that the Cutie Mark Crusaders had replaced the real potion with. "There it sits on the shelf."

"Yeah, so, funny thing," said Apple Bloom with a chuckle. "Ah was talkin' with mah sister 'bout it yesterday, and ah got t' wonderin' what ya would do if somepony ever took it from ya without askin'."

"Oh ho ho!" chortled Zecora. "Why, if any should presume to steal such a dangerous potion from me, then I'd presume to find them and punish them severely."

Apple Bloom cleared her throat, nervously adding, "Really? That ain't what ya did when I gave mahself the cutie pox."

"Ah, child," said Zecora, "the malady you faced was punishment enough. Why would I be angry with you after facing a fate so rough?"

"Yer sorta bein' contradictory here. Ya had no intention of chewin' me out after ah nabbed that potion, but yer sayin' ya'd be upset somethin' awful if anypony took that one there."

"Make no mistake, Apple Bloom. There are certain brews that may lead to one's doom. Such is the nature of this potion, you see. It has great potential for malicious misuse and calamity."

"Malicious misuse?" croaked Apple Bloom, now glancing to the fake that sat on the shelf with a frightened look. "Calamity?"

"One must not lightly pry at the secrets guarded by the heart. To do so is to unravel the weave that is the individual and tear them apart."

Apple Bloom's gaze fell to Zecora's expression, which appeared as distant and grave as her tone had been. Gulping down a lump of guilt that had formed in her throat, she turned and exited the hut.

"Thanks, Zecora," she called back, kicking shut the door behind her.

Scootaloo and Sweetie both blinked, exchanging stunned looks across the table. Apple Bloom sagged in her seat, a hoof pressed into her cheek.

"Ah'm thinkin' we shouldn't do this no more," whispered Apple Bloom.

With a thoughtful scowl, Scootaloo countered, "Zecora said that the potion had a lot of potential to be bad. That doesn't mean that it always is. We're helping Rainbow Dash. Not hurting her."

"Ya mind explainin' t' me how we're helpin' 'er?"

"Closure," answered Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked to her with looks that clearly expressed that they didn't catch her meaning.

"Well, according to Rarity, a failed relationship can be very painful, but a pony can only begin healing when they find closure. Closure can sometimes be met by a pony's own efforts, but that isn't the case with Rainbow Dash. Telling us about all the relationships she's had go wrong in her life is providing closure. You saw how she acted last night. It was clearly a burden to keep all that secret, but now that she's telling somepony the burden is being lifted."

Apple Bloom considered this with a slight frown, responding, "Ah can see that, but wouldn't it be better if she told somepony without being forced to?"

"Probably," conceded Sweetie Belle.

"The problem is Rainbow Dash's pride," said Scootaloo, "and her idea of independence. She doesn't want to burden other ponies with her problems, because she thinks she can deal with them herself."

"I'm telling you, though," said Sweetie, "what we saw last night was definitely closure. Rainbow Dash was facing things she wish weren't true, but now she can move on."

Though Apple Bloom's uncertain expression indicated her lingering conflicted thoughts, she nodded slowly. "Alright. One more potion can't hurt. But, ah don't dare go back t' Zecora and ask her for the ingredients now."

"I guess we'll have to work with what we've got," said Scootaloo. "You helped her put together the potion, right?"

"Yes, ah did."

"Can you remember any of the ingredients?"

"Ah think ah could remember all of 'em if ah could see 'em."

"Well, that's a start," griped Sweetie. "What are we working with here? Eye of newt?"

"No, nothin' like that. Mostly just plant parts."

"Like?" asked Scootaloo and Sweetie.

"Uh... a blue leaf that forks at the tip. Some kind of root. A white powder. And... uh... shucks, ah can't remember it, but there was one other thing."

"And you don't know where any of the ingredients came from?" asked Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom answered with a shake of the head.

"How are we supposed to get another potion?" asked Sweetie.

"Zecora might have some of them ingredients," suggested Apple Bloom.

"Oh no!" protested Scootaloo. "We are not blowing our money on another thirty-pound sack of candy."

"Yeah, I agree with Scootaloo. Twist charged us a small fortune for that, even with the discount."

"Okay, then," grumbled Apple Bloom, her head flopping to the table cheek-first. "There's always the option t' go wanderin' 'round Everfree Forest 'til we stumble upon everything we need. 'Cause that always works."

"Well, Zecora's got to leave her hut at least some of the time," reasoned Scootaloo. "Why can't we just slip in and slip out while she's away?"

"She's been comin' t' town less and less lately," said Apple Bloom, raising her head. "With me t' run errands for 'er, she hasn't needed to."

"Even then, she can't stay in her hut forever," argued Sweetie Belle. "What's something Zecora would need to leave her home for to see to personally?"

"Ah don't know!" Apple Bloom threw up her hooves, letting them flop to the table. "Ah'm an errand filly, not her apprentice. We hardly talk about anything 'cept potions and whatever ah need t' know about the Everfree Forest." Apple Bloom inhaled sharply, then imitated Zecora's voice as best she could. "Venture not into the dense ivy groves, for that is where the deadly Everfree panther roves!"

Scootaloo snickered. "Hey, that's actually a pretty good impression."

"Ya think so?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Guys," asserted Sweetie. "Focus."

"Sorry," said the two.

"You've got to think, Apple Bloom," urged Sweetie. "Even if you two don't talk about anything but potions and the forest, you've still got to know Zecora well enough to know what would convince her to leave."

"Fire," said Apple Bloom, shrugging. "A fire would convince 'er t' leave, no doubt."

"Fire, huh?" Scootaloo rubbed her chin, her eyes thoughtful.

"No fire!" Sweetie shouted. "What else?"

"Sweetie, ah'm runnin' short on ideas here," despairingly explained Apple Bloom.

"Well, what's something that worries her?" asked Scootaloo. "Something she would try to help with if she thought she could?"

Apple Bloom's eyes wandered as she recalled the discussion she and Zecora had had yesterday. "Actually, she was pretty worried 'bout Diamond Tiara."

"Oh, of course," mumbled Sweetie.

"That's it!" exclaimed Scootaloo.

"What's it?" asked Sweetie and Apple Bloom.

"You know how there's a big investigation going on?"

"Yeah," said Apple Bloom, raising an eyebrow.

"Zecora probably knows more about the Everfree Forest than anypony in Ponyville, right?"

"Right!" agreed Sweetie, a hopeful smile donning on her lips.

"So if the investigation team thought her knowledge might be useful—"

"Then they'd call 'er in fer questionin'!" said Apple Bloom.

"Exactly," affirmed Scootaloo. "Zecora would rush off in a heartbeat to help somepony in need."

"But isn't she a little unsociable?" asked Sweetie. "Not that she's shy, but she's certainly no Pinkie Pie."

"Huh, that rhymed," whispered Scootaloo to herself.

"That is sorta true," said Apple Bloom, disconcerted. "Although, ah doubt she would turn a blind eye to police officers investigating a missing filly. Especially if she thinks she could help 'em."

"Alright," said Sweetie, still doubtful. "But, you also have to consider what the police might think of her. I'm not calling any of them biased, but you know how most ponies who haven't gotten to know Zecora are towards her."

"Okay, now that might be a problem," Apple Bloom conceded. "Most ponies who don't know 'er tend t' keep their distance. Even if we told 'em that she could help, them officers might not jump fer joy at the idea of questionin' Zecora."

"I'm pretty sure Ponyville has gotten past all that 'evil enchantress' garbage," said Scootaloo. "Besides, aren't cops supposed to be brave? Braver than your average pony, at least?"

"Maybe," said Sweetie, "but the Everfree Forest takes a little more than above-average bravery, and that goes double for trying to face anyone or anything that lives there."

"Enough of this!" declared Apple Bloom, stepping down from her seat. "Flappin' our gums ain't gettin' us anywhere. We'll tell the investigation team and see what they do, then we'll see what we'll do."

"Sounds like a plan." Scootaloo dismounted her chair as well.

Sweetie Belle caught up to them as they left the table. "And what do we do if the plan fails?"

Apple Bloom paused, saying simply, "Improvise."

"Great," Sweetie griped, continuing behind the other two Crusaders.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders sought out the nearest police officers, and found them near the center of town. A large circle of police tape surrounded an imprint in the grass where Pinkie's colossal surprise had erupted from a tiny box. Standing at the edge of the tape were three officers and Filthy Rich, the father of the missing Diamond Tiara. Two of the officers were examining the roped-off site and conversing with each other, while the third spoke to Filthy Rich.

Scootaloo gave the officers investigating the flattened grass a sideways glance, whispering, "They can't seriously think that had anything to do with the disappearance."

"Leave no stone unturned, I guess," said Sweetie.

"C'mon," urged Apple Bloom. "Let's go tell 'em 'bout Zecora."

The three moved towards the officers observing the restricted site, but paused when they heard a particular question asked by the policemare speaking with Rich.

"Does she have any enemies? Anypony who would have a motive for kidnapping?"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders shuffled out of earshot, snickered for a moment, then hurried back to hear Filthy Rich's response.

"None that I know of," he said. "Though, from what I've heard, she's been having problems with her friends and classmates lately. I'm not suggesting any of them are at fault, just thought I'd mention it."

"Ya done 'er in, haven't ya?" joked Apple Bloom, jabbing Sweetie Belle's shoulder.

"Oh, you caught me," responded Sweetie, her voice thick with melodrama. "I'm a bad filly."

The trio laughed, drawing the attention of Filthy Rich and the policemare.

"Pardon me?" questioned the policemare.

Their immediate answer consisted of three blank faces. Then Apple Bloom straightened up, her expression softening.

"We heard that Diamond Tiara had gone missin'," said Apple Bloom slowly, shrinking under the skeptical eye of Filthy Rich. "Seein' that 'er pa is here, talkin' with ya'll, we decided to come 'n offer—"

"Our 'sincerest condolences,'" finished Scootaloo, rudely stepping between Apple Bloom and the inquiring mare. "'Sorry for your loss,' 'everything's going to be okay,' blah, blah, blah. Actually, we had some important info for the colts in blue."

Apple Bloom glanced to Sweetie Belle with an upraised eyebrow to find her anxiously eyeing Scootaloo.

"Do you now?" asked the officer, rolling her eyes. "Let's hear it."

"We know a zebra who lives in the Everfree Forest that would be glad to lend you her expertise on the area to help with your investigation." Scootaloo glanced to Filthy Rich, smiled at his stern look, then returned her attention to the policemare.

"We are aware of the zebra that resides in the Everfree Forest. The disappearance occurred no where near her property and we have no reason to involve her in this case."

"What if she asked t' help out?" asked Apple Bloom, sidestepping Scootaloo to speak clearly to the officer.

"Her knowledge of the area would be appreciated," reluctantly answered the policemare, "but unnecessary. What would help this case would be details involving the disappearance, not black magic and hexes."

Apple Bloom seemed offended by her words, though she said nothing in response.

"Well, Zecora knows the forest better than anypony else," reasoned Sweetie Belle. "She might know where the pony responsible would hide or escape."

"We'll consider it," muttered the officer, growing impatient. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I was talking with Mr. Rich."

"Thank you for your time," said Scootaloo, nodding in time with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

The trio turned away, walking away from Filthy Rich and the officer questioning him.

"Well, that could have gone better," murmured Scootaloo.

"Is it just me, or does Filthy Rich not like us?" asked Sweetie, glancing back to the questioning.

"He likes me," said Apple Bloom. "Mostly 'cause he likes the whole Apple family fer puttin' 'im in business and whatnot."

"So if Sweetie Belle and I discover something as big as Zap Apples and boost stocks for Rich's Barnyard Bargains, he'll like us, too?" asked Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both looked to Scootaloo with a blend of astonishment and amusement.

"How facetious of you," commented Sweetie Belle. "I'm impressed."

"Don't know what facetious means, but I try."

Several hours later...

"If the plan worked, I'm gonna be amazed," whispered Sweetie Belle.

She, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo had all quietly approached Zecora's hut and taken up positions to scout the area. Thirty seconds into her assignment, Sweetie Belle had grown bored and become talkative.

"I'm not seeing her through any of the windows," replied Scootaloo, squinting through the undergrowth that concealed her.

"Ah think she might be gone," said Apple Bloom, stepping out of her cover. "Ah'm goin' in."

She approached the door to the hut and knocked. After receiving no response, she opened the door a crack and peered inside.

"The coast is clear!" she called.

Sweetie and Scootaloo emerged from their cover to join Apple Bloom at the entrance to the hut.

"Alrighty," said Apple Bloom, fully opening the door. "Scootaloo, help me look fer the ingredients we need. Sweetie Belle, you keep watch."

"What?" asked Sweetie. "You want me to keep watch? Why?"

"'Cause most of the stuff in Zecora's hut is creepier than anything you'll find out here," answered Scootaloo, gesturing to a tribal mask that hung on a wall inside.

Sweetie sighed, nodding curtly. "Alright. I'll holler if I see anypony coming our way."

"Great!" Apple Bloom took a step to enter the hut. "We won't be long."

She and Scootaloo stepped inside, Scootaloo closing the door behind her. Sweetie Belle turned away and scowled at the forest surrounding her, determined to keep vigilant lookout for anypony (or zebra) that might be suspicious of their breaking and entering.

Within a minute of resolving to remain diligent, Sweetie Belle had seated herself in the dirt with a groan. She scanned her surroundings once more, though with more of an inattentive disinterest than dutiful keenness. Sweetie had once been terrified of the Everfree Forest, as many ponies were, but frequent crusades into the forest had allowed her to grow familiar with it, almost to the point of being comfortable. Though she never lightly discounted the very real dangers the Everfree Forest hosted, they had gradually become more interesting than frightening as she grew accustomed to them. Now, being posted as lookout to a theft in the Everfree Forest was far from Sweetie's idea of a good use of a summer afternoon, but she found herself more distracted and bored than she should have been. Which is exactly why a faint mew from beyond her line of sight captured her attention. A second compelled her to rise and perk up her ears. A third drove her to breach the treeline and investigate the source. Pushing through a few dense bushes and a single thorny shrub with relative ease, Sweetie Belle discovered the creature that had been mewing. In a small clearing trundled about a small black kitten with a curious disposition. Sweetie marveled at the cat, mesmerized by its naturally adorable kitten features.

"Are you lost in the forest?" cooed Sweetie.

The kitten, startled by Sweetie's question, blinked, glanced up at her, then turned and ran in a seemingly random direction.

"No! Wait!" Sweetie Belle gave chase.

After surveying the contents of five leather pouches, Scootaloo finally happened upon one that she believed to contain an ingredient they needed.

"You said we needed a white powder." Scootaloo tossed the bag to the floor beside Apple Bloom. "This it?"

Apple Bloom glanced inside the bag, nodding her approval. "Looks t' be."

"So, is this like salt peter, or something?" Scootaloo prodded the pouch.

"Yes, Scootaloo, it's salt peter, 'cause we're makin' black powder." Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "Why would we feed somethin' t' Rainbow Dash with salt peter in it?"

"I was just asking." Scootaloo turned away, scouring shelves for more ingredients. After a moment, she mused, "Although, we could do a lot with black powder."

"Ain't happenin'," scolded Apple Bloom.

"You're no fun." Scootaloo looked over neatly assembled collections of feathers and leaves, then called to outside the hut, "Sweetie Belle! See anything yet?"

She awaited a response, yet Sweetie Belle said nothing.

Upon receiving no response, she called, "Sweetie Belle? You holdin' up out there?"

Again, no response.

"Sweetie Belle?" asked Apple Bloom. "Ya okay out there?"

The two crossed to the door, opening it to find neither hide nor tail of Sweetie Belle.

"Well, shoot," said Scootaloo, giving the surrounding forest a once over. "Where did she go?"

Though failing to keep pace with the frightened kitten, the creature eventually arrived at its den formed of the protruding roots of a large tree. It nestled inside, wincing as Sweetie Belle galloped into view.

"There you are!" exclaimed Sweetie Belle, pausing to catch her breath. "You're super fast."

She approached the den, the kitten squirming and mewing quietly. The arcing roots just tall enough to allow Sweetie to enter the den by crouching slightly, Sweetie Belle stepped inside and stroked the kitten's back, provoking a shrill, panicked cry from the creature.

"Oh, no, no," urged Sweetie Belle, sitting and picking up the frightened kitten. "I'm not going to hurt you."

Unconvinced by her reassurance, the creature's desperate mewing and squirming only worsened. Thinking the kitten to be a skittish house cat that had wandered away from its home in Ponyville, Sweetie Belle hugged it and rubbed her cheek against its shoulder.

"It's okay. I'm going to get you out of this scary forest and back home."

A low, threatening growl resonated from where Sweetie Belle had first caught sight of the kitten's den. Sweetie Belle's comforting of the squirming and mewing kitten ceased, her senses now alert.

"Scootaloo?" apprehensively asked Sweetie Belle.

The answer came as a fierce snarl.

"No, not Scootaloo." Sweetie Belle turned her head, gripping the kitten in her grasp more tightly than before, causing it noticeable discomfort.

Standing not fifteen steps away from Sweetie was a midnight-black panther baring menacing yellow fangs and glaring at her with striking golden eyes.

"Oh..." Sweetie Belle began, smiling nervously at the glowering panther. "So this isn't a cat from Ponyville," she held up the 'kitten,' "but actually a panther cub."

She set the panther cub down, the cat quickly scurrying to the adult panther that had answered its calls for help.

"Which means you're probably its mother," reasoned Sweetie Belle, standing and retaining the same nervous smile. "And this, where I'm standing, is probably your home. That I'm in. While I was touching your baby. Yeah, sorry about that."

The panther gave an unamused hiss, crouching as if to pounce.

"Right. Well, if you don't mind, I think I'm going to screeeeeam!"

Rainbow Dash's reconciliation and an angry Applejack.

That same morning...

Though she couldn't discern why, three individuals had been on Rainbow Dash's mind all morning. She circled her property by wing, pondering what had suddenly brought these three to the forefront of her mind.

"I haven't heard from Gilda or Monsoon in a while," she thought aloud, "and Fluttershy's been quiet. Like she always is."

Rainbow Dash puzzled and puzzled, 'til her puzzler was sore. Though she knew no specifics, she recalled the night before. Something that had happened at the library had spurred a sudden recollection of her first three failed relationships, yet she felt at peace with her decisions in a way that she hadn't before.

"Maybe its Daring Do's new love interest," reasoned Rainbow Dash. "Maybe that's why I've got shallow relationships on the brain."

Though she did not consider her theory to be incorrect, Rainbow Dash did recall that she found the few lines of dialogue between Daring and the male character that she was supposed to have feelings for to be bland and uninteresting. Rainbow Dash considered the love interest to be insignificant to the plot and a poorly developed character, and had dismissed any of his involvement, limited as it was, as fan service.

"What a chump," Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes. "Daring Do needs no coltfriend."

Dismissing her reading material as the cause of her renewed interest in Fluttershy, Gilda, and Monsoon Splendor, Rainbow Dash put greater effort into recalling the events of last night. She remembered a trio of stallions, whom she considered to be excessively nerdy, hurrying out of the library to attend to whatever had befallen one of them. Rainbow Dash remembered talking briefly with Twilight Sparkle and how she had narrowly avoided revealing her recent unemployment. After that, Rainbow Dash recalled, Twilight had hurried out of the library in search of Spike.

"What is going on?" Rainbow Dash asked herself, landing, sitting, and staring up at the sky. "I thought I had put that all behind me, but now it's so fresh in my mind. Like each of those break-ups were just yesterday."

She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. Then it hit her.

"Apple Bloom," Rainbow Dash whispered, her eyes shooting open. "Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. They were asking me why I was there. Why? It can't be that..."

Rainbow Dash's gaze turned to Ponyville, her brow furrowed.

"I remember now. The sun was setting. There was a knock on the door. Some blue drink. Then..."

Rainbow Dash's gaze was now set on the ground before her, her eyes animate with thought.

"I can't remember how. I don't know why. But those three are behind this. I just know it."

Her eyes closed again. Rainbow Dash's thoughts bubbled and sloshed in one big, incomprehensible soup. After allowing her mind to settle, however, there arose clarity and directive. She opened her eyes, smiling. She stood, wings spreading.

"I know what I need to do." Rainbow Dash kicked off the ground, her wings carrying her into town.

"Ya said ya heard somepony around here?" asked Applejack, addressing Big Macintosh as the two patrolled the west side of the barn, scanning carefully for the trespasser among the recently placed crates and buckets of apples.

"Eyup," replied Big Mac.

Applejack peered inside the emptied apple cart she had pulled the previous day, humming with perplexity.

"Lot's o' rustlin'?" asked Applejack, withdrawing from the cart and circling around to rejoin Big Mac. "Or was 'e quiet 'n sneaky?"

"No rustlin'," answered Big Mac. "Ah heard 'im talkin', though."

"Talkin'? 'Bout what?"

"Dunno. Mostly mumbo-jumbo that didn't make any sense."

Applejack breathed a sputtering exhale, scanning the apples she and Apple Bloom had harvested with hard eyes. She approached a seemingly random bucket of apples, gave it a thorough examination, then turned and kicked it, though gently enough to only cause a few apples to fall out.

"No, bees don't like apples," protested a sleepy colt from within the bucket.

Applejack grinned, quickly removing more apples from the top of the pile inside the bucket. She discovered Snails curled up among the apples, sleeping peacefully.

"Well, ah think ah found 'im," Applejack said, Big Mac looking into the bucket from over her shoulder.

She reached a hoof inside Snails' apple cocoon, nudging his shoulder and quietly urging, "Time t' wake up, fella."

"No, ma, five more minutes," Snails whined, swatting impotently at Applejack.

Big Mac chuckled, earning him a frustrated look from Applejack, which enticed him to regain composure.

Looking back at Snails, Applejack jostled him more forcefully. "C'mon, sugar cube. Can't stay in there forever."

"But the honey is so good," he reasoned, his large, goofy tongue licking his lips and brushing Applejack's fetlock.

"Yuck!" Applejack drew away from the bucket, her face quickly going from disgusted to outraged. "Boy! You got five seconds t' get outta mah apples 'fore ah get mad!"

With an earsplitting shriek, Snails erupted from the apple fortress, landing on his back directly in front of Big Mac.

Big Mac sighed, grabbing Snails by the mane and helping him to his hooves. Snails glanced up at Big Mac, cowering and attempting to slink away.

"Not so fast!" shouted Applejack, Snails colliding with her knees in his attempt to flee Big Mac.

Snails looked over his shoulder, smiling awkwardly at Applejack. "Uh, hi there."

"Mind explainin' what you was doin' takin' a snooze in that there bucket, cozyin' up t' the apples?" Applejack nodded at the bucket Snails had been inside, half of its contents now spilled.

Snails' tongue dangled from his mouth as he examined the bucket he'd been sleeping in, one eye squinted. He looked to Big Mac, who wore a slightly amused smile, then turned to Applejack.

"Well," said Snails, rolling his neck, "there was this chase, and I sorta—"

"Ya know what? Ah don't care anymore." Applejack stepped aside, though her stern eyes still drilled into Snails. "Just head on home."

"Really?" asked Snails, smiling gratefully. "No lecture? No catch?"

"None, 'cept if you come back. Then ah'll be more literal 'bout kickin' ya off mah property."

"Thanks a bunch!" Snails darted past Applejack, disappearing from sight shortly after.

"Little rascal," said Applejack, now more relaxed. "Glad Apple Bloom ain't like that."

"Applejack?" asked Big Mac, eyeing what remained in the bucket Snails had been hiding in.

"Yeah?"

"Ya might want t' take a look at this."

Confused, Applejack looked inside. She jumped away with a shocked gasp upon seeing the ten apple cores that Big Mac was referring to. She turned, shock replaced by anger on her countenance. She tipped her hat back, growling determinedly.

"Oh no," mumbled Big Mac. "Applejack, don't—"

"Get back here, ya varmint!" Applejack took off after Snails.

"—go after 'im." Big Mac sighed, proceeding to fish the apple cores out of the bucket.

"Rainbow Dash, I'm so very glad you came to me for help with such a delicate task," said Rarity, sipping daintily from a teacup, then dabbing her lips with a cloth napkin.

Rainbow Dash prodded the cup of tea that Rarity had poured for her skeptically, saying, "Yeah, of course. When I need formal, there's nopony better for the job than you."

"Why, thank you, dear." Rarity grinned, setting her cup of tea on its plate, intently leaning forward with an expectant gleam in her eye. "Now, to begin, let's talk specifics. What is it exactly you intend to express?"

Rainbow Dash fell back in her seat, meeting Rarity's gaze with a small smile. "Forgive and forget. I won't feel like I've moved on until I've reconciled with these three."

Rarity nodded her approval, her grin broadening. "Such dignified course. Choosing forgiveness in this manner displays a level of integrity and maturity that most mares wronged by a failed relationship cannot muster."

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "I guess I'm just that awesome."

Rarity laughed at this, cutting herself off with an abrupt cough. "Knowing how best to approach your ex can prove difficult. Describe them in as much detail as you are comfortable with, and I will lend you my expertise on the precarious topic of speaking to the heart."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes with an amused chuckle, then said, "Okay. It's Gilda."

Rarity's focused expression and posture sagged.

"Oh." She nudged her teacup, donning a look of concentration. "Well, there are a considerable number of bridges that have been burned in this situation, but—"

"How long has it been since she left Ponyville?" Rainbow Dash interrupted, provoking a flustered scowl from Rarity. "Like two years?"

"Give or take," answered Rarity, sipping from her teacup and magically holding it beside her head. "Though I can say nothing of your romantic involvement with Gilda, I do recall that her behavior while visiting you was crass and uproarious."

"Second verse, same as the first," murmured Rainbow Dash, venturing a sip of tea, which she cringed upon tasting, though she managed to resist the urge to spit it out, instead forcing it down and sighing with relief.

"You don't like the tea?" Rarity batted her eyelashes, placing a hoof on her chest.

"No, of course I like it, it's just—"

Rarity giggled, clarifying, "Oh, don't worry. Sweetie Belle made it."

"Oh." Rainbow Dash gave her teacup a blank look, then politely pushed it away. "It's not that bad. Like, not terrible, but not great."

"I know what you mean." Rarity sipped more of her tea, setting an emptied teacup on its plate. "I've insisted that she practice all forms of etiquette and skills that might be expected of a lady." She refilled her cup from an elegantly painted teapot.

Rainbow Dash smirked, pointing a hoof at Rarity. "So, you're turning her into you?"

"Well, trying at least," answered Rarity in earnest, taking a small sip from her cup of tea.

"Say, if that tea isn't even on par with your standards, then why drink so much?"

Rarity shrugged, eyeing her teacup. "Call it an acquired taste." She huffed, placing her hooves together in a contemplative fashion and scowling at Rainbow Dash. "Back on topic. You say that Gilda's behavior in Ponyville reflects her behavior sometime prior?"

"Yeah," answered Rainbow Dash, tossing her mane with a flick of the head. "Even though Gilda knows how to act cool, she's really a hot-head. But I don't really care anymore. I just want to tell her straight-out that I've moved on and that I hope she has a nice life."

Rarity nodded. "Very well. Do you know where Gilda is?"

"I have a hunch. She's got family up north. She would have to turn to them when things weren't working out. Knowing Gilda, things probably weren't working out for her when she came to visit me in Ponyville."

"Excellent. I suggest sending her a letter describing exactly what you've said. If ever she does return to Ponyville, or you should happen to meet her anywhere else, I suspect she will look on you with kindness, or, at the very least, respect."

"Alright." Rainbow Dash stood, rolling her neck. "Thanks, Rarity."

"I'm proud of you, Rainbow Dash. It takes a special kind of courage to confront these sorts of problems."

"Aw, thanks," said Rainbow Dash. "For the longest time, I let my past just stay in the past, haunting me. Driving me nuts. But now, I feel..."

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Liberated?"

Rainbow Dash grinned. "Yeah. Liberated."

After what had started out as a slow day, Mr. and Mrs. Cake were suddenly pulled away from their children's game of hide-and-seek by a frantic, exhausted colt throwing open the shop door.

"Snails?" Mrs. Cake stepped up to the counter. "What—"

"Can't talk," said Snails through his heavy panting. "Gotta hide."

Lumbering into Sugar Cube Corner, Snails concealed himself behind rows of baked goods displayed behind the glass casing of the counter.

Mrs. Cake frowned at Snails, asking, "What in Equestria has gotten into you?"

"Where is he?!" Applejack stormed into the shop, madly searching for Snails. "The varmint's here, ain't 'e?"

Mrs. Cake blinked, now struck with realization. "I'm sorry, but I don't know who you're talking about."

"Snails!" snapped Applejack.

"Snails?"

"Snails!"

"App-o-jack!" cried an excited Pound Cake, throwing himself at Applejack and clinging to her leg.

"Gah!" Applejack flinched, nearly flinging Pound Cake off her leg.

Instead, she sighed, gently scraping him off onto the floor. He giggled, grinning up at her. She ignored him, looking to Mrs. Cake.

"So," Applejack said, her composure regained, "I was lookin' fer Snails. Have ya seen 'im?"

"Actually, I saw him run by just a minute ago," lied Mrs. Cake. "He was headed in the direction of town hall."

Applejack furrowed her brow, Mrs. Cake grinning nervously under her suspicious scowl. Applejack's focus wavered, however, when Pumpkin Cake came toddling into sight, cuddling up to her mother's leg.

"Thank ya kindly," mumbled Applejack, turning to leave.

"I find you!" exclaimed Pumpkin Cake, pointing at where Snails was hiding.

Snails emerged from cover with a hoof to his lips to shush Pumpkin Cake. Applejack glanced back, her eyes meeting Snails'. Snails' shushing quickly weakened into a sputter, then died, his hoof falling from his lips to the floor. Applejack turned back around to face Snails, sneering. Snails blinked, his jaw agape.

"Quick!" urged Mrs. Cake, giving Snails a shove. "Out the back!"

Thunk! The mailbox shut as Rainbow Dash dropped her letter inside, turning and walking away.

"Alright, next up is Monsoon," thought Rainbow Dash aloud, stopping to wave to Derpy Hooves as she flew by.

Rainbow Dash glanced back at the mailbox she had left her letter in, then began walking again. "I could just write a letter to her, too. Then again, she might still be living in Cloudsdale. I could make the trip, tell her everything, and be back to Ponyville in no time."

Rainbow spread her wings to take off, but hesitated.

"But what should I say?" Rainbow Dash folded her wings, her thoughtful gaze turned to the clouds above. "Gilda, for all her faults, has always been easy to talk to. But Monsoon..."

"Help!" cried a distraught colt.

Rainbow Dash looked to where he rounded a corner, running like mad, the sound of his pursuer's hooves thundering behind him.

"Applejack's gone crazy!"

"Applejack?!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

She searched frantically for someplace to hide, the closest destination being a signpost hanging above her. With a jump nearly powerful enough to get her to the sign without the use of wings, she clung to the sign and held her breath. Looking to the street below, Rainbow Dash saw Applejack run past without noticing her. Snails soon rounded another corner in an attempt to get Applejack off his tail, Applejack running after him and disappearing from sight. Sighing with relief, Rainbow Dash dropped to the ground.

Rainbow Dash breathed a deep, calming breath. "Now, what to do about Monsoon Splendor? Maybe I should go ask Rarity again. No, not for Monsoon. She's—"

"Was Applejack chasing somepony?" asked Fluttershy, appearing from behind the corner Snails had come running from.

Rainbow Dash blinked, grinning slightly.

Okay, Monsoon can wait, thought Rainbow Dash. "Yeah. She was after Snails. Don't know why."

"Oh, well, I hope she doesn't hurt him." Fluttershy went on her way, only to be intercepted by an airborne Rainbow Dash.

"So, what's new?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Uh... not much," answered Fluttershy.

"What about the animals? How have the animals been?"

"Oh, they're doing well!" Fluttershy grinned, seeming less nervous. "I was actually just going to check up on an Everfree panther and her new litter of cubs. With all this commotion in and around the forest, I'm worried they might have gotten spooked."

"Panthers, huh? Sounds dangerous. Do you... need any help?"

Fluttershy displayed a brief, inquisitive stare, then grinned again, nodding. "Sure. I'd like that."

"Great!" Rainbow Dash landed beside Fluttershy and the two began for the Everfree Forest.

"Who were those three that interrupted the sergeant?" asked one of the two police officers standing beside the site where Pinkie's surprise had been set off.

"Don't know," answered the other. "I've seen 'em around, but I can't place any names."

"Help! Police!" Snails dashed between the two and took cover behind the one on the left. "There's a madmare after me!"

"Madmare?" On the officer on the right looked to where Snails had come from and saw Applejack skid to a halt. "Her?"

"Yes!" Snails panted. "She's lost her mind!"

Applejack approached the officers calmly, smiling and saying, "No worries, officers. Ah just need t' have a word with 'im is all."

"I don't know," muttered the officer protecting Snails. "This little guy seems pretty scared to me. What did he even do?"

"Well, ya see—"

"Ah, Applejack!" exclaimed Filthy Rich. "It's been a while."

Applejack rolled her eyes, then turned to Filthy Rich with a smile. "Hey there, Mr. Rich. It has been a while."

"I was just telling Sergeant Cuffs about my business and, sure enough, Sweet Apple Acres came up."

"Well, that's all fine 'n dandy, but ah'm sorta—"

"Sergeant Cuffs, this is Applejack, owner and proprietor of Sweet Apple Acres."

"A pleasure to meet you, ma'am," said Sergeant Cuffs flatly, extending a hoof.

Applejack shook Cuffs' hoof awkwardly. "Same here."

"You had questions for her?" asked Filthy Rich.

"As a matter of fact, I did." Sergeant Cuffs stared coldly at Applejack. "Is it true that you were recently harassed by the citizens of Ponyville?"

Applejack's face fell into a scowl. "Yes."

Cuffs smirked. "No need to get upset. It was all just a big misunderstanding, right?"

"Heh, yeah. Misunderstanding."

Cuffs glanced snidely at one of her subordinates. "I sense that you still hold a little grief from everything that's happened."

"Listen, officer, ah don't mean t' be rude or disrespectful or nothin', but ah'm in a bit of a sour mood today and ah really don't think you should be askin' me 'bout grief."

Cuffs' snide smirk fell, her cold stare returning. "Very well. Another time, then. As you were." She turned away. "If you could come with me, Mr. Rich."

Filthy Rich looked puzzled, but simply shrugged and said, "Have a good day, Applejack."

Applejack sputtered, returning her attention to the officers shielding Snails. "Now, back to... Where'd 'e go?"

The two officers looked around with confusion, then both shrugged. Applejack sighed with frustration, then started as she heard a colt's yelp, wood breaking, and water splashing,. Applejack looked in the direction the sounds had come from to find Snails lying in a heap among the remains of a wooden barrel in a puddle. She walked calmly over to Snails and stood over him, Snails turning over with a groan. Snails squinted at Applejack, then closed his eyes with a sigh.

"Alright. You caught me. What's the punishment?"

"Ah should make you work to pay for them apples."

"Really?" Snails gave Applejack a speculative look. "You want me, Snails, to work on your farm?"

Applejack scratched her chin in consideration. "Good point. Have ya got cash?"

"Not on me. I could run home and dig through the cushions or something."

"Sounds like a good idea. While we're there, maybe we could tell yer mama 'bout those apples ya stole."

"Uh, well," Snails hurried to his hooves, smiling nervously at Applejack, "she's not home right now."

Applejack chuckled derisively. "Right. O' course she ain't."

"Seriously, though. I'll get you the money, just don't come to my house."

"Nah, ah think ah'll tag along."

Snails shook himself dry, Applejack shielding her face.

Frowning at Applejack, he said, "Fine. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

He stepped out of the puddle, beginning for home at a Snails' pace. Applejack followed behind, shaking her head with a slight smirk.

As Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash approached the forest's edge, Fluttershy paused. She closed her eyes, inhaled sharply, then opened her eyes and exhaled slowly. Fluttershy began walking again, Rainbow Dash close at her side.

"Is that how you prepare yourself?" teased Rainbow Dash.

"There may be a lot of animals here I need to take care of," Fluttershy replied, "but this place is still scary."

"Heh. Yeah, it is."

Fluttershy gave Rainbow Dash a perplexed look. "You think it's scary?"

"Well, sure. I don't really show it, but some of the stuff in here freaks me out."

"Like what?"

"Uh, spiders. Spiders are freaky."

"There are a lot of those here."

"Snakes. Don't like snakes."

"There are a lot of those, too."

"Oh, and I think centipedes are creepy."

"There... are quite a few of those."

"Yeah. It's not like I would ever panic if I saw one, but I prefer to keep my distance."

"Huh. I didn't know that. Why so... open?"

"Well, I was actually meaning to talk to you."

"About what?"

"Remember that day, way back when, when I accidentally knocked you off that cloud?"

Fluttershy laughed. "Yes."

"You remember just after the race, when I flew down to see if you were alright?"

"You were so sorry, but it was fine, because I got my cutie mark."

"Yeah! And... do you remember the day after?"

Fluttershy said nothing for a moment, then gasped. "Oh! You mean—"

"Yeah. That's what I mean."

"Yes, I remember that. Why?"

"Well, I've been doing some thinking. That was such a long time ago. We were just foals. I feel like it was selfish to ask the things I asked and do the things I did. You were uncomfortable. Maybe even scared. And I wasn't helping. And for that, I just want to say... I'm sorry."

"Th-that, um, wha..." Fluttershy stopped, Rainbow Dash looking her straight in the eye and smiling apologetically. "You're... sorry?"

"I am. For all the times you felt pushed around. For all those times I was acting like, well, me. I'm sorry for all of it."

"What is there to be sorry for?" Fluttershy grinned, laying a hoof on Rainbow Dash's shoulder. "Don't be sorry for being yourself, because there's no one else I'd rather have you be. Don't be sorry for being pushy, because you were always pushing me to try harder and fly higher. Don't be sorry for speaking from your heart, because those words were sincere. We may not be a couple, Rainbow Dash, but you're still my friend. That's good enough for me."

Rainbow Dash smiled warmly, whispering, "Thanks, Fluttershy. That's more than enough for me."

Fluttershy pulled Rainbow Dash in for a hug, and the two embraced for a long moment.

"Good luck with Applejack," whispered Fluttershy into Rainbow's ear.

"What?" Dash drew away from the hug.

"Anyway, we should probably go check up on that mama panther and her cubs. We're getting close to their den."

Fluttershy quickened her pace, Rainbow Dash following behind with a small smile.

After a few seconds of walking, Fluttershy said quietly, "We'll need to approach calmly and keep our voices low so that we don't startle them."

"Gotcha," whispered Rainbow Dash in response.

"Okay, the den is right through these bushes. We'll need to go through them to—"

"There you are!" exclaimed a familiar-sounding filly on the other side of the undergrowth. "You're super fast."

"Sweetie Belle?" guessed Rainbow Dash, still whispering.

"What is she..." Fluttershy trailed off.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy could hear faint mewing, and were startled by a shrill cry.

"Oh, no, no," urged the unseen Sweetie Belle. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Is she...?" began Rainbow Dash.

"No. She can't be." Fluttershy leaned into the undergrowth to listen more carefully.

The mewing indicated that whatever creature Sweetie was trying to comfort was frightened.

"It's okay. I'm going to get you out of this scary forest and back home."

A low, threatening growl resonated from somewhere on the other side of the undergrowth.

"Scootaloo?" apprehensively asked Sweetie Belle.

"Oh no!" Fluttershy breathed, tensing up.

Sweetie was answered with a fierce snarl.

"No, not Scootaloo," croaked Sweetie Belle.

"Shouldn't we do something?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"I-I... I don't know what we can do." Fluttershy panted shallowly.

"Oh..." Sweetie Belle began. "So this isn't a cat from Ponyville, but actually a panther cub."

Rainbow Dash promptly facehoofed.

"Which means you're probably it's mother," reasoned Sweetie Belle. "And this, where I'm standing, is probably your home. That I'm in. While I was touching your baby. Yeah, sorry about that."

"I've got this," Rainbow Dash said confidentally, crouching as if to pounce.

The panther gave an unamused hiss.

"Right. Well, if you don't mind, I think I'm going to screeeeeam!"

A missing ingredient.

On approach to Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stopped upon hearing beastly snarls and heroic shouts.

"Rainbow Dash?" whispered Scootaloo, to which Apple Bloom replied with a shrug.

"Hi-yah!" With an audible strike, Rainbow Dash's feline foe was allegedly defeated as it yowled in pain and could be heard fleeing.

"Did you see that?!" exclaimed Dash.

"Did you have to be so rough with her?" asked Fluttershy.

"Aw, jeez," murmured Apple Bloom.

"Yeah, sorry about that," said Dash. "Hey, Sweetie Belle, you okay?"

"Uh, yeah." Sweetie's reply sounded shaky.

"Oh, goodness," said Fluttershy. "Now the mother has run off and her cubs are nowhere in sight."

"No worries, Fluttershy. We'll find them." Rainbow Dash paused to take a calming breath. "Head back to Ponyville, Sweetie Belle. And try not to pick up any more stray panthers on your way."

"Eh, sure... Y-you got it. Heh heh."

"Right. Let's go round 'em up, Fluttershy."

"Be more careful, Sweetie Belle," warned Fluttershy.

The sound of hoofsteps could be heard, fading away within a minute. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo pushed through the obscuring foliage and found Sweetie Belle standing solemnly in a small clearing.

"There you are, Sweetie Belle," said Scootaloo, examining Sweetie with a scowl. "That's the last time we ever leave you—"

"I'm so glad to see you guys!" Sweetie Belle pulled Scootaloo and Apple Bloom into an uncomfortably tight hug.

"Ah see yer safe 'n sound, Sweetie Belle," grumbled Apple Bloom, resisting the urge to wriggle out of Sweetie's embrace.

"I was so scared, but then Rainbow Dash saved me, and then... oh, it's just so good to see you!" Sweetie Belle squeezed her friends tighter, forcing a "blech" noise from both of them.

"Yeah, that's great," Scootaloo wheezed, struggling to loosen Sweetie's grip. "We're happy to see you, too. Now, could you please stop trying to break us in half?"

"Oh. Sorry." Sweetie giggled, releasing her friends.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo fell to the ground in a heap. Scootaloo stood and dusted herself off. Apple Bloom popped her neck with a twisting motion.

"So, did you guys get all the stuff?" Sweetie Belle smoothed her mane with an almost steady hoof.

"Yeah," answered Scootaloo. "We stashed everything we took not far from here."

"Actually, that ain't all of it," Apple Bloom corrected.

"Ah, seriously?" griped Scootaloo.

"Don't worry. We only need one more ingredient, and then we'll have everything we need to get this potion brewed."

"Alright," said Sweetie Belle, breathing a brief sigh. "Let's go back for it and then get out of this forest."

"Sounds like a plan!" said Apple Bloom.

"Well, alrighty then." Scootaloo followed behind Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle's enthused trot at a brisk pace.

"Thank you for inviting me into your home."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders halted a few paces from Zecora's doorstep, having heard the voice of an unfamiliar mare.

"Oh, I always welcome company," came Zecora's reply. "My misfortune is that they do not always welcome me."

"That's a shame. You're just as hospitable as anypony in Ponyville."

"Thank you, dear. Now, tell me again your reason for coming here?"

"Ah, yes, the investigation."

Apple Bloom whispered, "Looks like the police came t' her after all."

"So far, my findings have been few," began Zecora's guest, the Cutie Mark Crusaders now listening closely. "I've determined that the victim entered the forest while being pursued by three ponies. From what I can gather, one of these ponies closed the distance, while the other two deviated from the victim's path."

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom fidgeted, though Sweetie Belle remained indifferent.

"I can't be certain about this, but I believe that the three who followed the victim into the forest were roughly her size."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders cringed, beginning to shuffle away from Zecora's hut as silently as possible.

"I knew you'd be a fine tracker," commended Zecora, "though I wonder if you've learned anything of the girl's attacker."

"So far, not much. I found a few scuffs in the dirt and a significant indent in a tree along with some of the victim's hair. Otherwise, I have nothing to go on."

"I see," said Zecora. "This troubles me. What could the perpetrator have planned? Please, I ask that you keep me informed as best you can."

"Of course. But for now, I need to get going."

A wooden creaking could be heard as the investigator exited Zecora's hut.

"Safe travels, friend!" called Zecora. "I hope that you shall bring this mystery to a swift end!"

"Well, ah guess the police took our advice after all," muttered Apple Bloom, surveying the contents of her saddlebag. "We got three ingredients 'fore Zecora came home. We need one more."

"And that is?" asked Scootaloo.

"Uh..." Apple Bloom strapped on her saddlebag. "Ah'm gonna say berries. Yeah, berries."

"Berries," said Sweetie Belle. "You sure?"

Apple Bloom pointed to Sweetie, about to answer. She lowered her hoof, sighing grievously.

"No."

"I guess we've got to get Zecora out of her hut again," said Scootaloo, disinterestedly kicking a rock.

Apple Bloom watched the rock bounce once, then twice along the ground and stop beside a polka-dotted mushroom. She blinked, then smiled.

"That's it!" exclaimed Apple Bloom. "Ah remember now!"

Scootaloo looked to where Apple Bloom's attention was focused. "A rock?"

"No!" Apple Bloom hustled to the rock in question, brushing it aside. "A mushroom. That's the final ingredient."

"Great," said Sweetie Belle, lowering her head to the polka-dotted mushroom Apple Bloom had seen. "We'll just get this one here."

"Well, it weren't this mushroom," clarified Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo scoffed with irritation.

"What kind of mushroom do we need?" asked Sweetie, withdrawing from the mushroom she'd nearly plucked from the ground.

Apple Bloom hesitated, gnawing her lip in thought. "It was real... frumpy. I think. Not as smooth as this one."

"Aren't most mushrooms poisonous?" questioned Scootaloo.

"Yeah..." Apple Bloom's gaze wandered to the mushroom at her hooves.

"Then I think we should be one hundred percent sure about what kind of mushroom goes into this potion before we add one."

"Scootaloo's right," said Sweetie Belle. "It would be too dangerous to add anything to this potion that isn't supposed to go in it."

Apple Bloom nodded slowly. "Too dangerous."

"Since we can't go to Zecora for help with this," reasoned Scootaloo, "we'll need to go to the next best thing."

"Right," said Sweetie Belle. "Tracking pigs."

"What?" asked Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both.

"Can't pigs sniff out mushrooms? 'Cause I heard they could do that."

"Well, maybe some pigs," answered Apple Bloom, "but the ones we got at Sweet Apple Acres mostly just roll in mud all day."

"Oh," said Sweetie Belle with an embarrassed giggle.

"I was actually meaning the library," said Scootaloo. "Maybe we can find some books about the Everfree Forest and look for the mushroom Apple Bloom's talking about."

"Great idea!" Apple Bloom began trotting toward Ponyville.

Scootaloo followed behind, Sweetie taking a few steps before pausing.

"Pigs." Sweetie Belle shook her head. "Idiot."

"Sweetie Belle!" called Scootaloo.

"Coming!" She hurried to catch up, afraid of ending up alone again.

Returning to Ponyville, the Cutie Mark Crusaders proceeded to the library. Upon entering they found Twilight Sparkle, Spike, and Owlowiscious busily dusting and reorganizing shelves. Twilight looked to the library's first visitors of the day, smiling.

"Hey girls," she greeted. "What brings you here?"

"Just lookin' fer a book," answered Apple Bloom.

"Vampire romance, right?" Spike held out a novel bearing an illustration of two hooves cupping an apple.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders burst into sudden hysterical laughter, taking a few moments to compose themselves.

After a final, breathless chuckle, Scootaloo shook her head. "No."

"Suit yourself," said Spike, turning and shelving the book.

Giggling quietly, Twilight asked, "What are you after?"

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stepped forward to answer, only to be cut off by Sweetie Belle. "Zecora sent us. She wanted us to find a book about the Everfree Forest."

"Zecora sent for that?" asked Twilight, perplexed. "I'd always assumed she had more knowledge of the Everfree Forest than any books on the subject."

Following Sweetie Belle's lead, Apple Bloom responded, "Zecora thought she might need some reference in case she found anything in the forest she hadn't seen before."

"Sounds reasonable," said Twilight. "Although, I'm not sure how much information any of these guides has. Was there anything specific Zecora had in mind?"

"She did mention mushrooms," answered Scootaloo.

"Mushrooms." Twilight scanned many a shelf with squinted eyes. "Mushroom, mushroom... aha!"

She plucked a fat encyclopedia from a high shelf, gently setting it on the ground before Apple Bloom.

"I happen to know that this particular edition includes contributions from an explorer that spent several years surveying organisms unique to the Everfree Forest. If there's anything in this library that'll help Zecora, you'll find it in there."

"This thing probably weighs more than I do," murmured Scootaloo, apprehensively jabbing at a corner of the elephantine text.

"Not that we don't appreciate ya helpin' us out," said Apple Bloom, "but ah don't think we can haul this thing t' the door, let alone to Zecora's hut."

"Oh, of course not!" said Twilight. "Just find any articles you think might be useful to Zecora, then Spike will happily transcribe them for you."

"'Happily'?" inquired Spike. "I'm not sure Spike should be 'transcribing' anything at all."

"You need the practice," responded Twilight. "It's been over a month since you've written a letter to Celestia, or written anything, for that matter."

"Carpal tunnel, Twilight," said Spike in earnest, wiggling his tiny fingers with a small grin. "You said that you could see the symptoms of carpal tunnel."

"Oh, of all the things I said last night, you remember that?" Twilight laughed with a shake of the head. "I was being overly critical because I was slightly emotionally overwhelmed. You can't seriously think you'll get carpal tunnel."

"What's carpal tunnel?" whispered Sweetie Belle.

"How should ah know?" whispered Apple Bloom in response.

"Fine," dismissed Spike. "I'll write for them. But, Celestia forbid, if I happen to cripple my writing hand, then you owe me a diamond. Not one of those lumps they find in coal mines, either. It'd better be a big, ripe, flawless white diamond."

"Sheesh," muttered Twilight. "Anything else, your majesty?"

"Oh, just go back to shelving books," quipped Spike, crossing to the encyclopedia that lay before the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Owlowiscious chortled at the conclusion of the exchange, perching near the dragon and three fillies.

"Alright," muttered Apple Bloom, opening the massive book, "let's see here."

Her eyes flitted across minuscule text in search of the mushroom they sought, while Spike watched her with an indifferent stare, arms folded and claws clacking against his elbow.

"Ah think ah found somethin'." Apple Bloom's hoof settled below the text, Everfree Truffle. "Page four twenty-six."

With a grunt, Apple Bloom turned a large stack of pages at once, then began flipping single pages in search of the passage.

"Here it is!" Apple Bloom drew close to the page, her nose nearly pressed against the paper as she skimmed the article. "'Known for its remarkable size and curious hallucinogenic effects, the Everfree Truffle is found only in the remotest areas of the Everfree Forest.' That's it! This is the mushroom we... er... the mushroom that Zecora was wonderin' 'bout."

"Okay then," said Spike, fetching a nearby quill and parchment.

He crouched beside the encyclopedia, reading a few lines at a time, then copying them onto the parchment.

"So, the Everfree Truffle," said Spike. "I met him once. He was a pretty fungi."

Owlowiscious placed a wing on his forehead, uttering a despondent, "Hoo..."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders laughed, if only for irony's sake.

"Alright, that should do it." Spike stood, offering the parchment to Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom accepted the parchment and carefully stowed it away in her saddlebag.

"Thanks, Spike," said Scootaloo. "That's all we need. Besides, wouldn't want you to get carpal tunnel by making you write too much."

"See, Twilight?" announced Spike. "Scootaloo cares about me."

"Good for her," candidly replied Twilight. "If you're finished, come help me shelve the rest of these books."

"Okay, okay." Spike sighed, gesturing to the encyclopedia. "That it?"

"Yep," answered Apple Bloom. "See ya'll later."

"See ya. Careful out there."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders promptly exited the library. Spike stooped to close and lift the massive book on the floor, straining and wobbling as the book began to leave the ground. Managing to bring the book to his chest, Spike dropped the encyclopedia, opening to a random page on impact. Groaning with irritation, Spike crouched to try for another lift, pausing to skim the heading of a passage the book had opened to.

"'Equestrian Wild Truffle'," he read aloud. "Didn't the article about the Everfree Truffle say something about that?"

He scratched his cheek.

"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."

Constantly referencing to the transcription provided by Spike, the Cutie Mark Crusaders embarked on a hunt for the Everfree Truffle. According to the information they had, the Everfree Truffle could only be found in the very darkest regions of the Everfree Forest, and only grew on felled Everfree Willows. Politely waiving Scootaloo's suggestion that they find one of the many living Everfree Willows, chop it down, and grow the fungus themselves, the Cutie Mark Crusaders journeyed deep into the forest. Deeper than they ever had before. They were now entering a patch of dense overgrowth, the sun's light becoming scarcer by the minute.

"What time is it?" asked Sweetie Belle. "I'd prefer not to be stuck here after dark."

"Don't worry, Sweetie Belle," answered Scootaloo. "If any trouble comes our way, we can always count on a deus ex Rainbow Dash."

"Ah'm with Sweetie Belle," said Apple Bloom. "The Everfree Forest's a differ'nt beast at night."

"Well, then we'd better hurry." Scootaloo studied the canopy overhead. "Think you can read that in this light?"

"Don't need to," answered Apple Bloom. "Ah remember the important details. It's dark enough that the Everfree Truffle can grow here. Now we just need t' find—"

"Oof!" Thunk.

"—a tree."

"Nice work, Sweetie Belle!" congratulated Scootaloo.

"Thanks," grumbled Sweetie.

"Okay, let's check fer the Truffles," instructed Apple Bloom.

"Need a little help?" condescendingly asked Twilight, magically lifting the book with ease.

"I could have gotten it!" snapped Spike.

"Of course you could have." Twilight smirked as she skimmed over the pages the encyclopedia had opened to. "You said that the entry on the Everfree Truffle mentioned Equestrian Wild Truffle?"

"Yeah, it did." Spike straightened up, returning to book shelving. "All it said was that the Equestrian Wild Truffle can grow under the same conditions and could easily be mistaken for the Everfree Truffle."

"Ah, I see." Twilight closed the encyclopedia, replacing it on the shelf it belonged on. "Zecora has a discerning eye when it comes to this sort of thing. I'm sure she'll be able to tell the difference."

"Like I said," said Spike. "Nothing to worry about."

"How much do we need?" asked Scootaloo, her grimace obscured by the darkness as she scraped at the soft fungus lining the felled tree.

"Ah don't know," answered Apple Bloom. "Just get what ya can."

"Open the bag!" commanded Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom opened her saddlebag without question, moving to Sweetie's silhouette. Sweetie Belle appeared to be standing on her hind legs, forelegs carrying a large cluster of the fungus as she toddled toward Apple Bloom. With a grunt, Sweetie Belle dumped her load of truffles into Apple Bloom's saddlebag.

"Will that do it?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Seein' that ah can barely close mah bag," Apple Bloom said, compacting the deposited truffles with her hoof, "ah'd say that's enough."

"Great!" shouted Scootaloo. "Let's make like a tree and leaf!"

So the three left the darkness and began the journey for home.

Author's Note

In light of a tone considerably more comedic than I'd intended, this story is now a Comedy, as well as a Romance and Adventure.