Once, on a bright shining day in summer, a little pony named Sweetie Belle was just playing in her sister's room looking for something to do. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were busy with their own plans. Apple Bloom was helping her brother and sister at Sweet Apple Acres. And Scoots was getting flight lessons from Rainbow Dash. So, poor Sweetie Belle was left with no one to hangout with. She couldn't get her sister to play with her because she had a deadline for a dress she needed to make for Princess Luna. Shifting the clutter of cloth on the ground with her hoof, Sweetie Belle asks in a nervous tone,
"Rarity, do you think after you're done making Princess Luna's dress you could - I mean if you aren't too-".
Rarity interrupts,"oh, I'm sorry darling, I'm afraid I'm all backed up for all of today and most of tomorrow. It seems the Grand Galloping Gala isn't as exclusive as it used to be". She stated hastily. Sweetie Belle dropped her head as she walked away in disappointment.
A few minutes go by, she decides to go outside and see what everypony is doing in Ponyville. The first pony she sees she’d be willing to talk to just to alleviate the boredom. Sure enough, as soon as she exits the door to her home, she sees Applejack peddling her apples.
"Come one come all, come try our juicy apples; from the one and only Sweet Apple Acres". Sweetie Bell sees Applejack and thinks to herself, 'if Applejack is here, then that must mean Apple Bloom is done working for the day!'
She runs excitedly over to Applejack's stand and asks, " hey, Applejack, where is Apple Bloom?" Applejack turns to answer the little filly.
"Well, hey there sugar cube, Apple Bloom is still helpin' Big Macintosh buck apples back at the farm." Sweetie Belle is clearly disappointed; Applejack notices this and says, "oh, don't be sad... here, how's about y'all help me take the stand down, then you and me can go over to the farm and see what my brother and sister are doing." She says assuredly. So, Sweetie Belle got to work helping Applejack disassemble her apple cart.
On the road to the farm, Applejack and Sweetie Belle come across Fluttershy trying to help a beaver trapped underneath a fallen tree. Applejack sees this first and rushes over to help; taking Sweetie Belle by surprise she sits and watches as they struggle to get the log off. Looking around, thinking; Sweetie Belle comes up with a plan. "Hey, why not just get a smaller log or a stick of some kind and wedge it under the bigger log for leverage." she said.
Applejack runs over to the nearest tree and snaps a limb off, then runs back over to wedge the limb underneath the log. After a couple heaves, the log finally comes loose, allowing the beaver to get free. Through shortness of breath, Fluttershy struggles to express gratitude. But the gesture is received.
"How in tarnation did that 'lil fella get into such a bind?" Applejack asks. Fluttershy, still slightly winded from the ordeal, says, “w-well you see I caught this little guy cutting down one of your apple trees to make a dam.."
"Cuttin' what down?" Applejack says through a strained face.
Fluttershy winced and said hesitantly, "uh.. O-one of your trees?" Applejack looks at the beaver and says, “Hey little fella, let this be a lesson not to ever try cutting down apple trees. Now scamper on home."
The beaver squeaks in gratitude then starts home. Fluttershy, only now noticing Sweetie Belle's presence says, " Oh, hey, are you going to Applejack's farm to help?" Grinning, Sweetie Belle says,
"Well, I'm going to her farm but not to work" her expression turns to one of slight concern "or at least I don't think so." Continuing on the road, Applejack says,
"Don't worry, y'all won't be havin' to do any work" Applejack turns her head to Fluttershy "we're just going because Sweetie Belle here needs someone to play with."
When they arrive at Sweet apple acres, they see Big Macintosh hard at work, but not Apple Bloom.
"Hey Bigmac. I don't see Apple Bloom anywhere. Where'd you reckon she went?" Asked Applejack.
"Well, I reckon she might be helpin' Granny Smith over at the house, eeyup." Bigmac replied. So, Sweetie Belle, Applejack and Fluttershy take the apple cart to the barn for storage, then, walk toward the house.
"I can't wait to see what Apple Bloom is doing, I feel like its been forever since we've played together." Sweetie Belle says excitedly.
"We'll, chances are that if she's helpin' Granny Smith; that means she's cookin'. But, I’ll take over for her. When we get to the house, y'all can go on and play." Applejack said smiling.
As they enter the house, the smell of apple pie and apple fritters fills their nostrils. "Mmm, wow it sure smells good in here." Sweetie Belle says. Applejack just laughs. "Hey y'all, I'm home, and I brought some company." Applejack said. Granny Smith rounds the corner to the kitchen, "company? Oh my, Sweetie Belle and uhmm.. OH, oh yes, Flubbershy."
"Um, a-actually my name is- " "Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom shouts, interrupting Fluttershy. Sweetie Belle's face lights up.
"Apple Bloom! You have no idea how bored I was just sitting at my sister’s house." she exclaimed. Applejack thinks to herself, ‘I bet I do.’
"Alright y'all, go on and play while Granny Smith and me finish up the cooking." Applejack said. As Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom leave the house Fluttershy asked, "Do you guys mind if I join you, Angel has things under control for now and I don't really have anyone to have fun with either." "Sure, the more the merrier." Sweetie Belle replied.
Trouble In The Everfree Forest
While they walked along the road leading away from the farm, Apple Bloom notices something in the bushes. As she goes to investigate, she hears Scootaloo's voice coming from it.
"Ow, that really hurt, well, at least I'm making progress ." She says coming out of the bramble.
"Scootaloo, what happened, where did you come from?" Apple Bloom said; worried.
"Up there." She replied. Apple Bloom looks surprised,
"the tree?" She asked. Scootaloo lifts her hoof to her face in embarrassment, "no, the sky!" She said, slightly annoyed.
Sweetie Belle joins the conversation,
" so, all the lessons with Rainbow Dash have been paying off I see." She said with a smile.
Scootaloo nods,
"yep, shes really helped me a lot since she decided to mentor me". She said proudly.
Rainbow Dash appears in the corner of her eye, " hey kid, we're not done yet, get back in the sky!" Rainbow Dash ordered.
Scootaloo let out a small sigh and yelled back, "can't we take a break, we've been at this for hours, I'm tired!"
Rainbow Dash's face turned to one of disappointment,
"the only reason you've gotten so much accomplished was because you've been working hard, I won't let you to fall behind." She said. Scootaloo's face stiffens,
"well I can't really work hard at trying to fly if I break a wing now can I? Did you see that fall I took; I'm lucky this bush was here or I could have been seriously hurt."
Rainbow Dash hangs her head and says, "oh, well, since you put it that way, I guess we can just pick up where we left off tomorrow." As she comes down to meet her student, she notices Fluttershy and the others and asks, "what are all of you doing here?"
Apple Bloom says, "we were just on our way to find something to do in Ponyville." Rainbow Dash smirks and says,
"Trust me, there's nothing to do there, you know where we should go though?"
Apple Bloom looks eager, Rainbow Dash continues, "The Everfree Forest."
A collective gasp hits her and Fluttershy says, "oh no, w-we can't go there, its too scary!" Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes and says,
"what are you talking about, you go into The Everfree Forest all the time."
"Yes, but, that's only to take care of the animals that live there, I never go there unless I absolutely have to!" Fluttershy says slightly panicked. Sweetie Belle sees this and says,
"Don't worry, it's not like you'll be alone, we will all be there with you; besides, we might get our cutie marks for adventuring or something, right girls?" She looks over to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. The both just nod, not quite sure of this idea. Sweetie Belle's words calm Fluttershy enough for her to agree. Rainbow Dash, looking bored; proclaims,
"Well, What's everyone waiting for; let's get going." They continue on the path away from Ponyville to a fork in the road. One way takes you to Fluttershy's cottage, the other; to The Everfree Forest. Fluttershy's fear begins to take hold of her again as she states,
"Uh, I think I hear Angel calling for me, you guys don't mind if I go and see what he wants do you?" They all stop and listen. Then Apple Bloom says,
"I don't hear anything, plus; didn't you say that he had everything under control when you decided to come with us?" Fluttershy shutters and says,
"W-well yes, b-but-" Rainbow Dash interrupts,
"Look Fluttershy, if you are really that scared, we won't force you to come with us." Before she could even finish her sentence, Fluttershy was already halfway down the path to her cottage. Rainbow Dash yells,
"We'll see you when we get back I guess." A look of minor disappointment crosses her face. Sweetie Belle looks at Rainbow Dash and says,
"how could you just let her leave, we could have used her ability to speak to animals; what is something tries to attack us?" Rainbow dash, clearly offended by her question says,
"what do you think we're gonna do, we're gonna wipe the floor with it!" Sweetie belle seems unconvinced. Rainbow Dash says,
"ok then, lets keep going." When they reach the entrance to The Everfree Forest, they are met with warning signs depicting your typical "DANGER" and "BEWARE."
Scootaloo turns to sweetie belle and asks, "are you sure you wanna go in there; I mean, don't you remember how I handled that one incident in the woods?" Sweetie Belle grins and says,
"yeah, as I recall, everything went right in the end." Scootaloo, annoyed be her nonchalance says,
"yes but, that wasn't The Everfree Forest!" She says through gritting teeth trying not to yell. Rainbow Dash turns her head to Scootaloo; while smiling she says,
"are you ready? I know you can handle it, this is an awesome test for you!" Scootaloo just nods. "
Ok then, lets go in." Rainbow Dash decides to take point for safety reasons, and assigns Scootaloo to the flank. Rainbow Dash looks behind her to say, "hey, you guys see anything yet?" She gets a collective nope. After a few minutes go by and nothing interesting happens, Applebloom finally says,
"this is getting too dangerous, we're getting deeper and deeper into the forest, what if we can't find our way back out? Rainbow Dash, face hoofing; just points to her wings, "oh." She said. (what a derp)
